U.S. patent application number 11/086269 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-22 for bike mount.
This patent application is currently assigned to Watermark PaddleSports, Inc.. Invention is credited to Dean, Gregory A..
Application Number | 20050205626 11/086269 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23176718 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050205626 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dean, Gregory A. |
September 22, 2005 |
Bike mount
Abstract
A bike mount for securing a bicycle to a vehicle rack. The bike
mount includes arms that pivot apart to receive a bicycle wheel and
pivot together to cooperatively hold the bicycle wheel. The bike
mount may be configured to include a lever that pivots the arms
together as the bicycle is positioned on the vehicle rack.
Inventors: |
Dean, Gregory A.;
(McKinleyville, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KOLISCH HARTWELL, P.C.
520 S.W. YAMHILL STREET
SUITE 200
PORTLAND
OR
97204
US
|
Assignee: |
Watermark PaddleSports,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
23176718 |
Appl. No.: |
11/086269 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11086269 |
Mar 21, 2005 |
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10193737 |
Jul 10, 2002 |
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6868998 |
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60304485 |
Jul 10, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/309 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 9/048 20130101;
Y10S 224/924 20130101; B60R 9/10 20130101; B62H 3/10 20130101; B62H
3/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/309 |
International
Class: |
B62K 003/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An apparatus for carrying a bicycle on a vehicle rack,
comprising: at least one wheel tray structure for supporting one or
more wheels of a bicycle, at least a first wheel gripping member
pivotally connected to the wheel tray structure, a lever portion
connected to the wheel gripping member, the lever portion being
positioned along the wheel tray such that when a tire rolls along
the wheel tray, it contacts the lever causing the wheel gripping
member to pivot into gripping engagement with the wheel.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second wheel
gripping structure which cooperates with the first wheel gripping
structure to grip the wheel from different sides.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle rack includes a
crossbar, the rack support structure being configured to be
attached to the crossbar.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a detent mechanism,
the detent mechanism being volitionally implementable to restrict
the second arm from pivoting out of engagement with the wheel from
the fixed retaining position.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, the apparatus being configured to have
at least three spaced positions of engagement with the tire of the
wheel when the first and second arms cooperatively engage the
wheel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES
[0001] This is a continuation application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/193,737, filed Jul. 10, 2002, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all
purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is related to bike mounts. More
specifically, the present invention is related to bike mounts that
secure a bicycle to a vehicle rack.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The convenience of carrying bicycles on a vehicle rack has
prompted the development of a number of approaches for attaching a
bicycle to a carrier mounted on the vehicle rack. Generally,
bicycles may be attached through their frames, their wheels, or a
combination thereof. Frame attachment may effectively secure the
bicycle to the vehicle rack. However, the rigidity of the bicycle
frame may transfer potentially damaging motions from the vehicle to
the bicycle. As result, the frame may be damaged structurally. In
addition, points of carrier engagement on the frame may be damaged
cosmetically, that is, dented or scratched. By contrast, wheel
attachment overcomes some of these problems associated with frame
attachment. Bicycle tires have an inherent shock-absorbing ability,
generally reducing the effects of sudden vehicle motions on an
attached bicycle.
[0004] Despite the advantages of wheel attachment, an effective
bicycle carrier that relies on wheel attachment has not been
described for use on a roof-mounted vehicle rack. For example, some
wheel-based carriers do not grip a bicycle wheel tightly enough to
safely carry a bicycle on a vehicle roof at high speeds. Other
wheel-based carriers are not designed for easy bicycle loading on a
vehicle roof. As a result, it may be difficult for one person to
position and balance a bicycle on the carrier as the bicycle is
attached.
[0005] Therefore, a vehicle-mounted bicycle carrier is needed that
is easily loaded with a bicycle and that holds a wheel of the
bicycle effectively.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A bike mount for securing a bicycle to a vehicle rack is
provided. The bike mount includes arms that pivot apart to receive
a bicycle wheel and pivot together to cooperatively hold the
bicycle wheel. The bike mount may be configured to include a lever
that pivots the arms together as the bicycle is positioned on the
vehicle rack.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bike
mount attached to a vehicle rack on a vehicle, in accordance with
aspects of the invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the bike mount of FIG. 1
in a stowed position.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the bike mount of FIG. 1
in a bicycle-receiving position.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the bike mount of FIG. 1
supporting a bicycle in the bicycle-receiving position of FIG.
3.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the bicycle and bike
mount of FIG. 4 with the bicycle in an intermediate position during
loading on the bike mount, showing an arm of the mount pivoted out
of the bicycle-receiving position.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the bicycle and bike
mount of FIG. 4, showing the bike mount engaged with a wheel of the
bicycle and locked to the frame of the bicycle.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an adjustable wheel engagement
mechanism on an arm of the bike mount of FIG. 1, shown in a
slidable configuration viewed generally along line 7-7 of FIG.
3.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the wheel engagement mechanism
of FIG. 7 in a fixed configuration.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the bike
mount of FIG. 1, illustrating an arm locking mechanism prior to
use.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the bike
mount of FIG. 9 in a wheel-retaining position and with the arm
locking mechanism deployed.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of the bike mount
of FIG. 1 in a bicycle-receiving position.
[0018] FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of the bike mount
of FIG. 11 in a stowed position.
[0019] FIG. 13 is a fragmentary rear elevation view of the bike
mount of FIG. 10, showing an arm retaining mechanism in a locked
configuration.
[0020] FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view of the bike mount of
FIG. 9, viewed generally along line 14-14 of FIG. 9, illustrating
the arm retaining mechanism in an aligned, but unlocked
configuration.
[0021] FIG. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view of the bike mount of
FIG. 10, viewed generally along line 15-15 of FIG. 10, further
illustrating the arm retaining mechanism of FIG. 13 in a locked
configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The present invention provides a bike mount that may be
attached to a vehicle rack and used to secure a bicycle to the
rack. The bike mount includes first and second arms coupled to a
rack support structure. The arms pivot apart to receive a bicycle
wheel and pivot together to hold the wheel, for example, by
gripping the wheel cooperatively with the arms. The wheel may be
engaged by the bike mount, using the arms or the arms plus the rack
support structure, at three or more spaced positions around the
perimeter of the wheel to hold the wheel in place. In some
embodiments, the bike mount may have a self-loading feature in
which the second arm includes a lever. The lever is configured to
pivot the second arm from a receiving position toward a retaining
position when the received bicycle wheel (and bicycle) is pushed
toward the first arm. Each of the arms may be locked in the
retaining position to hold the wheel, to hold one arm in position
as the arms are separated from the wheel, and/or as part of a
security mechanism.
[0023] When the bicycle is received, engaged, and/or retained,
another wheel of the bicycle may be supported by and secured to a
support tray that is integral with or separate from the rack
support structure and the arms. The support tray generally provides
a spaced site for attachment of the bike mount to the vehicle
rack.
[0024] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a bike mount 10 constructed
according to the invention. Bike mount 10 includes a clamp assembly
12 for holding one of the wheels of a bicycle, usually a front
wheel, and a tray 14 that supports another wheel, usually a rear
wheel of the bicycle.
[0025] The clamp assembly includes a first arm 16, a second arm 18,
and a rack support structure or base 20. First arm 16 may be
pivotably attached to rack support structure 20 at pivot axis 22,
and second arm 18 is pivotably attached at pivot axis 22, or a
second, generally parallel pivot axis. Alternatively, first arm 16
may be non-pivotable and thus may have a fixed angular position
relative to long axis 24. First and second arms 16, 18 may include
first and second arm members 26 and 28, respectively. Each arm also
may include a wheel engagement structure 30 and 32, positioned in a
spaced relation to pivot axis 22 on a distal portion of the arm.
Second arm 18 also may include a lever 34 that is operably coupled
to second arm member 28, for example, at or near pivot axis 22.
Lever 34 may provide a third wheel engagement structure 35,
generally disposed proximally on the arm, which is structured to
support and engage a wheel of a bicycle. Rack support structure 20
may be coupled to tray 14, which may be aligned substantially
orthogonally to pivot axis 22 and parallel to long axis 24.
[0026] Bike mount 10 may be attached to a vehicle rack 36
positioned above a roof 38 of a vehicle 40, or any other suitable
vehicle surface, such as the bed of a truck. Vehicle rack 36
generally includes towers 42 that secure the carrier to vehicle 40
and crossbars 44 and 46. The crossbars are linked to towers 42,
typically in a spaced relation to roof 38 and transverse to the
long axis of vehicle 40. A bike mount may be secured to crossbars
44 and 46 through rack support structure 20 and tray 14.
[0027] Rack support structure 20 and tray 14 may include adjustable
fastener mechanisms 48 and 50, respectively, which anchor bike
mount 10 to vehicle rack 36. As shown here, each fastener mechanism
may include at least one clamp 52 that grips a portion of a
crossbar 44 or 46. A fastener assembly, such as a nut and bolt, may
be used to secure clamp 52 to the crossbar. In bike mount 10, the
nut, or alternatively, the head of the bolt, may be secured to or
may include an enlarged gripping structure, such as fastener handle
54. Fastener handle 54 may control engagement of clamp 52 with
crossbar 44, thus allowing adjustment of fastener mechanism 48
without gripping tools. As will be described in detail later,
rotation of handle 54 may be blocked by the position of a pivotable
retainer 55 on hub 56 of first arm 16.
[0028] Arm members 26 and 28 may have any suitable structure. As
shown in FIG. 1, first arm member 26 and second arm member 28 may
have an extended arch-like structure, referred to as a hoop. Here,
pairs of spaced supports 57 and 58, 60 and 62, extend generally
normal to pivot axis 22 and may flank a received, engaged, and/or
retained bicycle wheel laterally to the wheel. A hoop may be formed
as a single component, such as first arm member 26, where supports
are formed from a single piece of tubular material. Alternatively,
as shown for second arm member 28, supports may be discrete
components that are joined by a separate component, such as wheel
engagement structure 32, or may be joined directly to each other.
In other embodiments, first and second arm members may have any
suitable structure that allows them to position wheel engagement
structures 30 and 32 distally from rack support structure 20 and/or
pivot axis 22. For example, each arm member 26 and/or 28 may
include only one support that extends generally normally to pivot
axis 22 and is joined to a wheel engagement structure at the distal
portion of the arm member. Suitable materials for the arm members
may include, but are not limited to, a sturdy, lightweight material
such as aluminum or other metal alloy, a plastic, or a combination
thereof.
[0029] Wheel engagement structures 30 and 32 may have any structure
that can hold a peripheral portion of a wheel, usually by contact
with the tire portion of the wheel. Wheel engagement structures may
provide a concave surface that is at least partially complementary
to a perimetrical transverse section of a bicycle wheel. For
example, each wheel engagement structure may have an arcuate
configuration with a radius large enough to accommodate a bicycle
tire, such as shown in FIG. 7. Other configurations may be
suitable, such as an angular surface, for example, a pointed arch.
As described more fully below, each wheel engagement structure 30,
32 may have a fixed position along the long axis of an arm 16 or
18, or may have an adjustable position. The long axis of each arm
is defined by each arm member, 26 or 28.
[0030] Lever 34 is any structure that is operably coupled to second
arm 18 to pivot the second arm toward first arm 16 as a bicycle
wheel is rolled against the lever, generally toward the first arm.
For example, lever 34 may extend at a fixed angle relative to
second arm member 28, generally normal to pivot axis 22. The lever
may contact and support a lower portion of the bicycle wheel when
the wheel is received, and/or may support and engage the wheel when
it is held by the first and second arms 16, 18. In some
embodiments, lever 34 may provide a site for attaching an arm
locking mechanism 64, as described below.
[0031] Rack support structure 20 is any structure or assembly that
couples arms 16 and 18 to vehicle rack 36. Accordingly, rack
support structure 20 at least partially defines spatial positions
of arms 16 and 18 relative to the vehicle rack and/or vehicle. In
bike mount 10, rack support structure is a platform that attaches
to crossbar 44 and carries first and second arms 16, 18.
Alternatively, the rack support structure may include separate
components that individually couple each arm to crossbar 44 (or 46)
or to any other suitable portion of vehicle rack 36.
[0032] Tray 14 is any structure or assembly capable of supporting
and positioning a second wheel of a bicycle when clamp assembly 12
grips the first wheel. As shown in FIG. 1, tray 14 may be a channel
with a bottom portion that supports a wheel of a bicycle and
sidewalls that limit transverse movement of the wheel. An end
portion of tray 14 may be attached directly to clamp assembly 12,
such as through rack support structure 20, and another portion may
be attached to crossbar 46. This configuration attaches bike mount
10 at two spaced positions on separate crossbars and may help
prevent unwanted rotation of bike mount 10 about the long axis of
each crossbar. Alternative forms of a tray may be suitable. For
example, the tray may substantially shorter than tray 14 of FIG. 1
and thus may be attached to crossbar 46, but not directly coupled
to clamp assembly 12. Tray 14 may also include a wheel retainer 66,
such as the strap shown in FIG. 1, to secure the second wheel of
the bicycle to the bike mount.
[0033] Stowed and Receiving Positions
[0034] Bike mount 10 may be configured to include distinct stowed
and receiving positions; see FIGS. 2, 3, 11 and 12. The stowed (or
storage) position places both arms in a generally horizontal
position, and thus may be suitable for carrying bike mount 10 on
vehicle rack 36 without a bicycle. The receiving (or loading)
position spaces distal portions of arms 16 and 18, usually by
pivoting apart, to ready the arms (and wheel engagement structures
30, 32) for receiving a bicycle wheel. As used throughout, arms
(and wheel engagement structures) are pivoted apart or away from
each other when the smallest angle defined by the long axes of the
arms increases, and are pivoted together or toward each other when
the smallest angle decreases. Such pivotal movement is movement of
the arms relative to each other, and thus may involve pivoting each
of the arms or only one of the two arms relative the rack support
structure.
[0035] FIG. 2 shows a stowed position for bike mount 10. In this
position, first arm 16 has been pivoted toward second arm 18 so
that the first and second arms are aligned and disposed in a
generally horizontal position on tray 14. The stowed position is a
configuration that only may be achieved by first arm 16 when the
first arm is configured to be pivotable.
[0036] FIGS. 2, 3, 11 and 12 provide a comparison of a stowed
position and a receiving (or loading) position. In FIGS. 3 and 11,
relative to FIGS. 2 and 12, first arm 16 has been pivoted away from
second arm 18, through an angle of about 120 degrees. This places
the first arm in a receiving position, which may function also as
an enaged (and/or retaining) position (see below). A pivotable
first arm may be pivotable through any suitable angle, or an angle
of about 90 degrees to 160 degrees, about 105 degrees to 150
degrees, or about 110 degrees to 140 degrees relative to the stowed
position. To enable first arm 16 to pivot past second arm 18,
particularly lever 34, first arm member 26 may have a widened
proximal portion 68 adjacent the pivot axis (see FIGS. 1 and
11).
[0037] A receiving position of first arm 16 may be produced when
pivotal movement of first arm 16 is blocked. In bike mount 10,
pivotal movement of first arm 16 is blocked by contact of proximal
portion 68 of first arm member 26 with a pivot stop on base 20. The
contact prohibits further pivotal movement away from second arm 18.
In this example, the pivot stop is provided by fastener handle 54,
as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The pivot stop may include a contour
70 that is at least partially complementary to proximal portion 68.
For example, handle 54 may have a concave top structure or groove.
In other embodiments, first arm 16 may be prevented from pivoting
away from second arm 18 or prohibited from pivoting in both
directions by any suitable arm locking mechanism, such as arm
locking mechanism 64 of second arm 18 (see below). The arm locking
mechanism may be user implemented, adjustable, and/or the like.
[0038] Bicycle Loading and Retention
[0039] FIGS. 4-6 illustrate loading and retaining a bicycle 72 on
vehicle rack 36 using bike mount 10. In this example, clamp
assembly 12 engages and retains front wheel 74, and rear wheel 76
is supported by tray 14. However, the bike mount may also be
configured and used so that the clamp assembly secures and/or
engages rear wheel 76 and the tray supports front wheel 74.
[0040] FIG. 4 shows a bicycle positioned at the outset of loading.
A user disposes bicycle 72 so that second arm 18 supports front
wheel 74 and rear wheel 76 rests on tray 14. Tray 14 plays an
optional role in this loading position. When bicycle 72 is
supported in this receiving position, front wheel 74 may contact
lever 34 and wheel engagement structures 32 and 35, although at
least one of these contacts may be replaced by contact with the
tray or rack support structure. Wheel 74 may be flanked by supports
60 and 62.
[0041] FIGS. 5 and 6 show bicycle 72 at an intermediate loading
position and an engaged (and/or retaining) position, respectively,
during and after movement of the bicycle along arrow 77 toward
first arm 16, generally parallel to long axis 24. As bicycle 72 is
pushed forward, front wheel 74 pushes against lever 34 to pivot
second arm 18 toward first arm 16, counterclockwise in this view.
This pivotal movement results in second arm 18 rotating away from a
generally horizontal receiving position. When motion of bicycle 72
shifts the force distribution between lever 34 and wheel engagement
structure 32 sufficiently, an over-center action uses the weight of
bicycle 72 to pivot second arm toward, and often fully into, the
retaining position of FIG. 6. In the retaining position, wheel
engagement structures 30, 32 may concurrently contact wheel 74.
Depending on the particular wheel size, position of the first arm,
position of wheel engagement structure 30, and/or the like, the
lever may pivot the second arm into full engagement as in FIG. 6,
or into near engagement. With near engagement, further adjustment
of arms 16, 18 and/or wheel-engagement structures 30, 32 may be
desirable, for example, as described below. In the engaged
position, further pivotal movement of the second arm toward the
first arm may be blocked by wheel 74 pushing against wheel
engagement structure 30 on first arm 16. In addition, pivotal
movement of the second arm away from the first arm may be impeded
by the weight of the bicycle holding the lever in position.
Accordingly, the bicycle may be engaged by both wheel engagement
structures 30, 32, although not yet secured for vehicle travel, so
that a person loading the bicycle may release the bicycle without
it falling over. The person then may lock second arm 18 in position
and/or may adjust the second arm to pivot slightly toward or away
from the first arm, for example, to adjust engagement with wheel
74, as detailed below. Wheel retainer 66 also may be implemented to
secure rear wheel 76.
[0042] Security against theft of the mounted bicycle may be
provided by a security mechanism. For example, FIG. 6 shows second
arm 18 with a cable 78 joined to a lock 80. The cable and lock may
be configured to lock second arm 18 to the frame of bicycle 72 so
that pivotal movement of second arm 18 out of the engaged position
is prevented.
[0043] In the engaged (and retaining) position shown in FIG. 6,
clamp assembly 12 engages front wheel 74 at three (or more)
positions around the perimeter of wheel 74. A bottom portion of
wheel 74 is supported and engaged by engagement structure 35 of
lever 34, and middle or upper portions of wheel 74 are engaged by
structures 30 and 32. The three positions of engagement may form a
triangle that surrounds axle 82 of wheel 74. The smallest angle of
the triangle may be about 30 degrees, about 40 degrees, or about 50
degrees.
[0044] Adjustable Wheel Engagement Structure
[0045] An embodiment of a bike mount may include a positionally
adjustable wheel engagement mechanism on at least one of the first
or second arm, 16 or 18. The adjustable mechanism may allow the
wheel engagement structure to move between plural fixed positions
along the long axis of the first or second arm 16, 18. The fixed
positions may be predefined or continuous.
[0046] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate an embodiment of an adjustable
wheel engagement mechanism 84 that is positionable to predefined
positions along the long axis of first arm 16. Mechanism 84
generally includes wheel engagement structure 30, guide portions 86
connected to structure 30, and position lock 88 on at least one
guide portion 86. A person may slidably position structure 30 using
portions 86, which may provide a collar-like engagement with
supports 57 and 58.
[0047] Positioning elements 90 on supports 57 and/or 58 may provide
predefined positions at which engagement structure 30 may be fixed
along the long axis of arm 16. Four positioning elements on each
support are shown here. Each positioning element 90 may be engaged
by a complementary structure 92 in position lock 88. As shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8, each positioning element 90 may be a recess or hole
on support 57 or 58. Structure 92 may be pivoted into contact with
element 90, as shown by comparing the slidable position of FIG. 7
with the fixed position of FIG. 8. In the fixed position,
complementary structures 94 and 96, in this case a tab and a slot,
may snap together to maintain the fixed position. In alternative
embodiments, position lock 88 may be provided by any mechanism that
fixes the position of wheel engagement structure 30 along the long
axis of first arm 16. For example, position lock 88 may include a
bolt and nut that are fastened through a hole or to a surface of
support 57 or 58. In some embodiments, element 90 may be omitted or
may be a positional mark on support 57 and/or 58.
[0048] Elements 90 may be disposed so that wheel engagement
structure 30 is positioned to effectively engage and retain
different standard wheel sizes. Generally, elements 90 position
wheel engagement structure 30 so that the structure engages a wheel
at an angle of approximately 15 degrees to 60 degrees, about 20
degrees to about 50 degrees, or about 25 degrees to about 35
degrees relative to a line extending between pivot axis 22 and the
rotational axis 82 of the engaged wheel, where the pivot axis is
the vertex of the angle. For example, elements 90 may be located to
properly position structure 30 for efficient engagement of wheels
of diameters such as 20", 24", 26", 700 c, and 29"/large
downhill.
[0049] Arm Locking Mechanism
[0050] An engaged or nearly engaged position of bike mount 10, such
as shown in FIG. 6, may be fixed and further adjusted with an arm
locking mechanism to provide a retaining position for holding the
bicycle on a vehicle. The retaining position is any arm
configuration in which the arms are fixed in position around a
wheel to prohibit separation of the wheel from the arms during
normal operation of the vehicle. Thus the wheel is held and
secured. An arm locking mechanism is any mechanism that fixes the
angular position of one of the arms relative to the other arm. The
arm locking mechanism may be implemented volitionally, that is, as
desired by the user. The arm locking mechanism may prohibit an arm
from pivoting in both pivotal directions or in only one direction.
When only one pivotal direction is prohibited, the wheel (and the
other arm) may prohibit pivotal movement in the other
direction.
[0051] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of an arm locking mechanism,
mechanism 64, in a locked configuration, prohibiting pivotal
movement of second arm 18 in one pivotal direction. Arm locking
mechanism 64 is further illustrated in FIGS. 9, 11, and 12 in an
unlocked configuration. In both FIGS. 9 and 10, first arm 16 is
shown in dotted outline to facilitate understanding the arm locking
mechanism. Arm locking mechanism 64 may be attached to lever 34 at
a portion of the lever that is distal to pivot axis 22, and
attached to a retention structure on bike mount 10, such as flange
98. As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, flange 98 may include a
notched acceptor structure 100 into which a threaded fastener 102
may be placed and secured. When second arm 18 is pivoted into the
engaged position, as shown in FIG. 10, fastener assembly 102 may be
placed in acceptor structure 100, with a nut of the assembly
positioned below flange 98 (see FIG. 12). The nut of fastener
assembly 102 may then be rotated, in this case by hand, so that it
contacts structure 98, and then further rotated to adjust the
angular position of second arm 18. This angular adjustment of arm
18 may be useful to regulate a gripping pressure exerted on wheel
74 by clamp assembly 12.
[0052] Passive Security Mechanism
[0053] FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a passive security mechanism 106
that may be included in a bike mount. Security mechanism 106 is
configured to prevent bike mount 10 from being removed from
crossbar 44 when the arms holding a wheel. Mechanism 106 is
described as passive because the mechanism does not require a
separate locking action that is distinct from the actions carried
out by a person in retaining a bicycle wheel with the bike
mount.
[0054] Passive security mechanism 106 may include a pivot-dependent
retainer, such as pivotable retainer 55, which is coupled to either
first or second arm 16 or 18, usually near pivot axis 22. In the
example of bike mount 10, pivotable retainer 55 is included in
first arm 16 and positioned near proximal portion 68, as part of
first arm hub 56. Pivotable retainer 55 has a restrictive and a
permissive position. In the restrictive position, illustrated in
FIG. 11 with first arm 16 in the loading (or engaged) position,
pivotable retainer 55 is disposed in the pivotal path of fastener
handle 54 and thus obstructs pivotal movement of the handle. In
this restrictive position, fastener handle 54 cannot be pivoted a
complete revolution and thus clamp 52 cannot be removed easily. By
contrast, when first arm 16 is in the stowed position shown in FIG.
12, retainer 55 has pivoted to a permissive position that allows
full pivotal movement of handle 54, as shown by arrow 110. Security
mechanism may be based on the pivotal position of the first arm or
the second arm.
[0055] First-Arm Retaining Mechanism
[0056] Bike mount 10 may include a first-arm retaining mechanism
112 shown in FIGS. 13-15. These illustrations are related to FIGS.
9 and 10, but now show portions of the first arm in solid rather
than dashed lines to better illustrate the retaining mechanism. The
first-arm retaining mechanism provides a lock that fixes the first
arm in the loading (engaged) position, but fixing is regulated by
the pivotal position of each arm.
[0057] The first-arm retaining mechanism may have the following
properties. First, the mechanism may function when the first arm is
in the loading/engaged position, but not when the first arm has
been rotated away from the loading/engaged position. Second, when
the first arm is in the loading/engaged position, the second arm
permits the lock to function when the second arm is in the engaged
position, but not when the second arm is in the loading position.
The retaining mechanism may be useful when a bicycle is moved from
the engaged position to the receiving (in this case unloading)
position. Specifically, the engaged wheel may tend to remain
associated with the first arm as the bicycle is moved to the
unloading position. The arm retaining mechanism may act to
temporarily hold the first arm in position, thus properly
disengaging the wheel from the first arm as the second arm pivots
away from the first arm. The retaining mechanism also may
facilitate holding the wheel in position during engagement, and may
restrict further the ability of a thief to overcome the passive
security mechanism described above. The arm retaining mechanism
described here also may be useful in locking the second arm in
position based on the pivotal position of each arm.
[0058] FIGS. 13-15 show the structure and operation of the
first-arm retaining mechanism 112. Mechanism 112 includes a biased
displaceable member such as pin 114, movably positioned within a
recess 116 of first arm hub 56. Pin 114 is coupled to a spring 118
at its base to bias the position of the member towards an extended
configuration, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 15. When first arm 16 is in
the loading/engaged position of FIGS. 1, 3 and 9, biased pin 114 is
aligned with a through-hole 120 positioned in extension 122 of rack
support structure 20. As shown in FIG. 14, through-hole 120 may
have beveled edges 123 that diverge toward first arm hub 56. In
this locked configuration, attempted movement of the first arm will
be blocked by contact of pin 114 with base extension 122.-Rather
than a biased pin, another biased displaceable member may be
suitable, such as a leaf spring.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 13, the second arm includes a second arm
hub 124 with a beveled profile 126 on a side portion. The beveled
profile determines the axial position of the biased pin as the
second arm is pivoted, using an axial cam mechanism. Therefore, the
gap 128 between the beveled profile and the base extension, at the
position of the through-hole, varies according to the pivotal
position of the second arm. In the engaged position shown in FIGS.
13 and 15, locking gap 128 is provided by the beveled profile. In
contrast, pivotal movement of the second arm to the
loading/unloading position significantly reduces the gap so that a
rounded portion of pin 114 contacts beveled edge 123. In this
position, a ramping action of the beveled surface relative to the
rounded portion of the pin further displaces pin 114 to allow
rotation of the pin out of alignment with through-hole 120. This is
illustrated by comparing FIGS. 14 and 15. A role for the pivotal
position of the second arm in the locking mechanism is also
illustrated by comparing FIGS. 14 and 15. It should be noted that
support 62 of second arm 28 is included in FIG. 14, in outline, to
illustrate pivotal movement of second arm hub 124 relative to its
position in FIG. 15. Support 62 would not normally be visible in
the indicated view.
[0060] The specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated herein
should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, as
understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. Numerous
variations are possible without falling outside the scope of the
appended claims. The subject matter of the invention includes all
novel and nonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the
various elements, features, functions, and/or properties disclosed
herein.
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