U.S. patent application number 10/458671 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-16 for flat pack bicycle rack.
This patent application is currently assigned to Trellidor Ltd.. Invention is credited to Zimmerman, Henry.
Application Number | 20040251219 10/458671 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33510628 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040251219 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zimmerman, Henry |
December 16, 2004 |
Flat pack bicycle rack
Abstract
A rack system for a plurality of bicycles, including a first
elongated base assembly having a plurality of first holes therein,
a second elongated base assembly having a plurality of second holes
therein and a plurality of support elements. The support elements
are configured for mechanical connection to the base assemblies
solely by easy mechanical attachment. The first and second end of
one support element are configured for insertion into one of the
first and second holes, respectively. The first and second base
assembly are configured to provide a resisting force to a torque
applied to one support element by one of the bicycles about a line
which joins the an associated first and second hole. A spacing of
the first and second holes is configured, such that every two of
the support elements support one bicycle by the wheel and the
bicycles are spaced apart.
Inventors: |
Zimmerman, Henry; (Ramat
Gan, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DR. MARK FRIEDMAN LTD.
C/O BILL POLKINGHORN
DISCOVERY DISPATCH
9003 FLORIN WAY
UPPER MARLBORO
MD
20772
US
|
Assignee: |
Trellidor Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
33510628 |
Appl. No.: |
10/458671 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/17 ;
211/189 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62H 3/08 20130101; B62H
3/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/017 ;
211/189 |
International
Class: |
A47F 007/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A rack system for a plurality of bicycles, each of the bicycles
having a wheel, comprising: (a) a base assembly; and (b) a
plurality of support elements, said support elements being
configured for mechanical connection to said base assembly solely
by easy mechanical attachment.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein: (a) said base assembly includes:
(i) a first elongated base assembly having a plurality of first
holes therein; and (ii) a second elongated base assembly having a
plurality of second holes therein; and (b) said support elements
are elongated support elements, each of said support elements
turning through at least 90 degrees, at least one of said support
elements having a first end and a second end, said first end being
configured for insertion into one of said first holes, said second
end being configured for insertion into one of said second holes,
said first elongated base assembly and said second elongated base
assembly being configured to provide a resisting force to a torque
applied to said one support element by one of the bicycles about a
line which joins said one first hole and said one second hole, a
spacing of said first holes and said second holes being configured,
such that, every two of said support elements support one of the
bicycles by the wheel.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein when said support elements are
mechanically connected to said first elongated base assembly and
said second elongated base assembly, said elongated elements are
related to each other by translation without rotation.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein when said support elements are
mechanically connected to said first elongated base assembly and
said second elongated base assembly, said support elements are
substantially parallel.
5. The system of claim 2, wherein said first elongated base
assembly and said second elongated base assembly are configured for
mechanically connecting to a fixed surface.
6. The system of claim 2, further comprising at least one brace,
said brace being mechanically connectable to two of said support
elements in order to reduce sideways torque of said two support
elements.
7. The system of claim 2, further comprising at least one brace,
said brace being mechanically connectable to two of said support
elements in order to raise the wheel of the bicycle.
8. The system of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of
fastening members configured to fasten said support elements in
said first holes and said second holes.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein said first end of each of said
support elements includes an opening for inserting one of said
fastening members therein.
10. The system of claim 2, wherein said first elongated base
assembly and said second elongated base assembly are hollow, said
first holes being disposed in said first elongated base assembly on
two levels and said second holes being disposed in said second
elongated base assembly on two levels, such that, said first end of
each of said support elements is configured for insertion through
two of said first holes and said second end of each of said support
elements is configured for insertion through two of said second
holes.
11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of
fastening members configured to fasten said support elements in
said first holes and said second holes, wherein said first end
includes two openings configured for inserting one of said
fastening members in each of said two openings.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein said first elongated assembly
has as a first section and a second section, a half of said first
holes being disposed in said first section, another half of said
first holes being disposed in said second section, each of said
support members being mechanically connectable to said first
elongated base assembly using one of said fastening elements which
is disposed on one side of said first section and another of said
fastening elements which is disposed on another side of said first
section.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein said first section and said
second section are mechanically connected when said first elongated
base assembly is mechanically connected to a fixed surface.
14. The system of claim 12, wherein said first section includes a
rectangular strip having side elements, said side elements being
configured to provide a gap between said rectangular strip and said
fixed surface when said first elongated assembly is mechanically
connected to said fixed surface, said gap being configured to
contain at least part of said first end of each of said support
elements.
15. The system of claim 1, wherein said support elements are
hollow.
Description
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a bicycle rack and, in
particular, it concerns a bicycle rack that is designed for easy
end-user assembly.
[0002] Wall, floor mounted or freestanding bicycle racks are
generally formed by welding together metal elements. Such bicycle
racks are bulky and are therefore difficult and expensive to
transport. Additionally, they occupy too much space in a retail
outlet or in a warehouse of a wholesaler or manufacturer. Moreover,
they are bulky for a consumer to transport to the chosen
installation site.
[0003] There is therefore a need for a flat-pack self-assembly
bicycle rack that is easy to assemble and provides a sturdy rack
for supporting stored bicycles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention is a flat-pack self-assembly bicycle
rack construction and method of assembly thereof.
[0005] According to the teachings of the present invention there is
provided a rack system for a plurality of bicycles, each of the
bicycles having a wheel, comprising: (a) a base assembly; and (b) a
plurality of support elements, the support elements being
configured for mechanical connection to the base assembly solely by
easy mechanical attachment.
[0006] According to a further feature of the present invention: (a)
the base assembly includes: (i) a first elongated base assembly
having a plurality of first holes therein; and (ii) a second
elongated base assembly having a plurality of second holes therein;
and (b) the support elements are elongated support elements, each
of the support elements turning through at least 90 degrees, at
least one of the support elements having a first end and a second
end, the first end being configured for insertion into one of the
first holes, the second end being configured for insertion into one
of the second holes, the first elongated base assembly and the
second elongated base assembly being configured to provide a
resisting force to a torque applied to the one support element by
one of the bicycles about a line which joins the one first hole and
the one second hole, a spacing of the first holes and the second
holes being configured, such that, every two of the support
elements support one of the bicycles by the wheel.
[0007] According to a further feature of the present invention,
when the support elements are mechanically connected to the first
elongated base assembly and the second elongated base assembly, the
support elements are related to each other by translation without
rotation.
[0008] According to a further feature of the present invention,
when the support elements are mechanically connected to the first
elongated base assembly and the second elongated base assembly, the
support elements are substantially parallel.
[0009] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
first elongated base assembly and the second elongated base
assembly are configured for mechanically connecting to a fixed
surface.
[0010] According to a further feature of the present invention,
there is also provided at least one brace, the brace being
connectable to two of the support elements in order to reduce
sideways torque of the two support elements.
[0011] According to a further feature of the present invention,
there is also provided a plurality of fastening members configured
to fasten the support elements in the first holes and the second
holes.
[0012] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
first end of each of the support elements includes an opening for
inserting one of the fastening members therein.
[0013] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
first elongated base assembly and the second elongated base
assembly are hollow, the first holes being disposed in the first
elongated base assembly on two levels and the second holes being
disposed in the second elongated base assembly on two levels, such
that, the first end of each of the support elements is configured
for insertion through two of the first holes and the second end of
each of the support elements is configured for insertion through
two of the second holes.
[0014] According to a further feature of the present invention,
there is also provided a plurality of fastening members configured
to fasten the support elements in the first holes and the second
holes, wherein the first end includes two openings configured for
inserting one of the fastening members in each of the two
openings.
[0015] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
first elongated assembly has as a first section and a second
section, a half of the first holes being disposed in the first
section, another half of the first holes being disposed in the
second section, each of the support members being mechanically
connectable to the first elongated base assembly using one of the
fastening elements which is disposed on one side of the first
section and another of the fastening elements which is disposed on
another side of the first section.
[0016] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
first section and the second section are mechanically connected
when the first elongated base assembly is mechanically connected to
a fixed surface.
[0017] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
first section includes a rectangular strip having side elements,
the side elements being configured to provide a gap between the
rectangular strip and the fixed surface when the first elongated
assembly is mechanically connected to the fixed surface, the gap
being configured to contain at least part of the first end of each
of the support elements.
[0018] According to a further feature of the present invention, the
support elements are hollow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The invention is herein described, by way of example only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0020] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a bicycle rack that is
constructed and operable in accordance with a preferred embodiment
of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the bicycle rack of FIG.
1;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an end of an elongated
support element which is fixed into a hole of an elongated base
assembly of the bicycle rack of FIG. 1, through a plane defined by
lines A-A of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an end of an elongated
support element which is fixed into a hole of an elongated base
assembly of the bicycle rack of FIG. 1, through a plane defined by
lines B-B of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an elongated support element
being inserted into a hole of a section of an elongated base
assembly of the bicycle rack of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a securing member being
inserted into an opening of the elongated support element of FIG.
5;
[0026] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the elongated support element
of FIG. 5 being inserted into a hole in another section of the
elongated base assembly of FIG. 5;
[0027] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of another securing member being
inserted into another opening of the elongated support element of
FIG. 5;
[0028] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an end piece being inserted
into the elongated base assembly of FIG. 5;
[0029] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a brace being fitted onto a
pair of elongated support elements of the bicycle rack of FIG.
1;
[0030] FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the bicycle rack of FIG. 1
being fixed to a fixed surface; and
[0031] FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the bicycle rack of FIG. 1
attached to a wall.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] The present invention is a bicycle rack construction and
method of assembly thereof.
[0033] The principles and operation of a bicycle rack according to
the present invention may be better understood with reference to
the drawings and the accompanying description.
[0034] Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is an
isometric view of a bicycle rack 10 that is constructed and
operable in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of part of bicycle rack 10.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an end 12 of an elongated
support element 14 which is fixed into a hole 16 of an elongated
base assembly 18 of bicycle rack 10, through a plane defined by
lines A-A of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of end 12 of
another elongated support element 14 which is fixed into another
hole 16 of another elongated base assembly 18 of bicycle rack 10,
through a plane defined by lines B-B of FIG. 1. Bicycle rack 10 is
configured to store three bicycles. It will be appreciated by those
skilled in the art that bicycle rack 10 can be configured to store
two, four or more bicycles. Bicycle rack 10 includes two elongated
base assemblies 18. Each elongated base assembly 18 has twelve
holes 16 therein. Elongated base assemblies 18 are hollow and are
typically formed from a metal such as steel or aluminum.
[0035] Each elongated base assembly 18 has an upper section 20 and
a lower section 22. Half of holes 16 of each elongated base
assembly 18 are disposed in upper section 20 and the other half of
holes 16 of each elongated base assembly 18 are disposed in lower
section 22. Therefore, holes 16 are disposed in elongated base
assembly 18 in two levels, one level in upper section 20 and one
level in lower section 22. Holes 16 are arranged so that each hole
16 in lower section 22 is directly above a corresponding hole 16 in
upper section 20. Lower section 22 includes a rectangular strip 24
having side elements 26. Side elements 26 are also rectangular
strips which are mechanically connected at their midpoint to
rectangular strip 24, so that the major surfaces of side elements
26 are perpendicular to the major surfaces of rectangular strip 24.
Upper section 20 is typically formed from a metal plate which is
bent inward along four lines to form an elongated element having
three closed sides and a partially open side. Upper section 20 and
lower section 22 are mechanically connected in three ways, as
follows. First, upper section 20 and lower section 22 are
configured, such that, upper section 20 and lower section 22
interlock. Second, when elongated base assembly 18 is mechanically
connected to a fixed surface 30, upper section 20 and lower section
22 are held together. A fixed surface 30 is typically a floor, wall
or other fixed surface. Third, end pieces 44 (FIG. 9) are
configured to secure the ends of upper section 20 and lower section
22 together. Side elements 26 are configured to provide a gap 28
between rectangular strip 24 and fixed surface 30 when elongated
base assembly 18 is mechanically connected to fixed surface 30.
[0036] Bicycle rack 10 includes six elongated support elements 14.
Each elongated support element 14 is typically a hollow metal tube,
which is bent, such that, each elongated support element 14 turns
through at least 90 degrees, preferable 180 degrees as shown in the
figures. Each elongated support element 14 has two ends end 12.
[0037] Holes 16 are disposed in elongated base assemblies 18, such
that, one end 12 of each elongated support element 14 is configured
for insertion through two holes 16 in one elongated base assembly
18, and the other end of each elongated support element 14 is
configured for insertion through two holes 16 in the other
elongated base assembly 18. In other words, each end 12 of each
elongated support element 14 is configured for insertion into one
hole 16 in upper section 20 and one hole 16 in lower section 22 in
each elongated base assembly 18. Therefore, elongated base
assemblies 18 are configured to provide a resisting force, shown by
an arrow labeled R1 and an arrow labeled R2, to a torque applied to
elongated support element 14, shown by an arrow labeled F, by a
bicycle about a line, labeled L, which joins two holes 16
associated with the same elongated support element 14 (FIG. 4). The
spacing of holes 16 is configured, such that, every two elongated
support elements 14 supports one bicycle by the wheel of that
bicycle as well as ensuring that the bicycles stored in bicycle
rack 10 are adequately spaced apart. Therefore, the spacing of
holes 16 is generally uneven. When elongated support elements 14
are mechanically connected to elongated base assemblies 18,
elongated support elements 14 are related to each other by
translation without rotation. Additionally, elongated support
elements 14 are arranged to be substantially parallel, such that,
each elongated support element 14 has an associated plane, the
planes of elongated support elements 14 being substantially
parallel. The plane of each elongated support element 14 is defined
as follows. When elongated support element 14 is laid on a flat
surface, such that, the dimension of elongated support element 14
perpendicular to the flat surface is minimized, the flat surface
defines the plane.
[0038] Elongated support elements 14 are configured for mechanical
connection to elongated base assemblies 18 solely by easy
mechanical attachment. "Easy mechanical attachment" is defined to
exclude connecting using welding, adhesives, soldering, chemical
based processes and riveting. Easy mechanical attachment includes,
but is not limited to using bolts, screws, pins and interlocking
joints. In accordance with the most preferred embodiment of the
present invention, bicycle rack 10 includes a plurality of
fastening members 32. Fastening members 32 are typically metal
pins. Fastening members 32 are configured to fasten ends 12 of
elongated support elements 14 in holes 16. Each end 12 includes two
openings 34 therein configured for inserting one fastening member
32 in each opening 34. For each end 12, openings 34 are configured,
such that, when end 12 is inserted into elongated base assembly 18,
one opening 34 is disposed on one side lower section 22 and the
other opening 34 is disposed on the other side of lower section 22.
Therefore, two fastening members 32 secure end 12 to lower section
22, one fastening member 32 being disposed on one side of lower
section 22 and another fastening member 32 being disposed on the
other side of lower section 22.
[0039] Gap 28 is configured to contain at least part of ends 12 of
each elongated support element 14.
[0040] Bicycle rack 10 also includes six braces 36. Each brace 36
includes two brackets 38 and a bridge element 40. One brace 36 is
mechanically connected to two adjacent elongated support elements
14 close to one elongated base assembly 18 and another brace 36 is
mechanically connected to the same two adjacent elongated support
elements 14 close to the other elongated base assembly 18 in order
to reduce sideways torque of those two elongated support elements
14. Additionally, braces 36 are used to raise the wheel of the
bicycle off of the ground. Raising the wheel of the bicycle is
useful when two adjacent bicycles in bicycle rack 10 are the same
size and therefore the handlebars of the bicycles would be at the
same level, thereby preventing the bicycles from being stored
easily in bicycle rack 10. Additionally, raising the wheel of the
bicycle is useful when the bicycle has a wheel that is too small to
be supported from rolling back and forth by elongated base
assemblies 18. In such a case braces 36 prevent the bicycle wheel
from rolling on the ground. Braces 36 are described in more detail
with reference to FIG. 10.
[0041] Each elongated base assembly 18 includes two holes 42
therein so that bicycle rack 10 can be mechanically connecting to
fixed surface 30, typically using screws. The fixing of bicycle
rack 10 to fixed surface 30 is described in more detail with
reference to FIG. 11.
[0042] The preferred method of assembly and installation of bicycle
rack 10 is now described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 12. The steps
are generally performed in the order of the Figures below.
[0043] Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which is an isometric view
of elongated support element 14 being inserted into hole 16 of
upper section 20 of one elongated base assembly 18. Bracket 38 is
slipped onto elongated support element 14 prior to elongated
support element 14 being inserted into hole 16. Bracket 38 is a
typically a rectangular piece of metal having a hole at each end,
the rectangular strip being bent to fit around elongated support
element 14 so that the holes of brackets 38 are aligned with each
other.
[0044] Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is an isometric view
of a securing member 32 being inserted into an opening 34 of
elongated support element 14 of FIG. 5. The steps described with
reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 are repeated for the remaining elongated
support elements 14.
[0045] Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which is an isometric view
of elongated support element 14 of FIG. 5 being inserted into a
hole 16 in lower section 22 of elongated base assembly 18 of FIG.
5.
[0046] Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which is an isometric view
of another securing member 32 being inserted into another opening
34 of elongated support element 14 of FIG. 5. The steps described
with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 are repeated for the remaining
elongated support elements 14.
[0047] Reference is now made to FIG. 9, which is an isometric view
of a decorative end piece 44 being inserted into an end of
elongated base assembly 18 of FIG. 5. Another end piece 44 is
inserted into the other end of elongated base assembly 18 of FIG.
5.
[0048] Reference is now made to FIG. 10, which is an isometric view
of a brace 36 being fitted onto a pair of elongated support
elements 14. Bridge element 40 is connected to each bracket 38
using a nut 46 and a bolt 48. This step is repeated for each pair
of elongated support elements 14. Brace 36 is typically disposed
between 4 cm and 10 cm from elongated base assembly 18.
[0049] The steps described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10 are
repeated for the unconnected ends of elongated support elements 14,
including inserting and securing the unconnected ends of elongated
support elements 14 into holes 16 of the other elongated base
assembly 18 as well as securing the remaining brackets 38 and
bridge elements 40.
[0050] Reference is now made to FIG. 11, which is a isometric view
of part of bicycle rack 10 being fixed to fixed surface 30. Bicycle
rack 10 is mechanically connected to fixed surface 30 by four
screws 50 extending through holes 42 of elongated base assemblies
18 into fixed surface 30. If necessary raw plugs 52 are inserted
into drilled holes in fixed surface 30. A decorative cover 54,
typically formed from plastic, is disposed on to the head of each
screw 50
[0051] Reference is now made to FIG. 12, which is an isometric view
of bicycle rack 10 attached to a wall. Bicycle rack 10 can also be
attached to a floor. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art that bicycle rack 10 may be configured for placing on to a flat
surface without mechanically connecting bicycle rack 10 to a fixed
surface.
[0052] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that
the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly
shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present
invention includes both combinations and sub-combinations of the
various features described hereinabove, as well as variations and
modifications thereof that are not in the prior art which would
occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing
description.
* * * * *