U.S. patent application number 13/273269 was filed with the patent office on 2012-04-19 for bicycle frame and component protective system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Albert Bodine. Invention is credited to Albert Bodine.
Application Number | 20120090747 13/273269 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45933058 |
Filed Date | 2012-04-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120090747 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bodine; Albert |
April 19, 2012 |
Bicycle Frame and Component Protective System
Abstract
A reusable system for protecting a bicycle frame comprises one
or more first reusable protective pads and one or more second
reusable protective pads. The second reusable protective pads are
smaller than the first reusable protective pads. Also provided are
reusable protective pads for protecting a portion of a bicycle
frame.
Inventors: |
Bodine; Albert; (Decatur,
GA) |
Assignee: |
Bodine; Albert
Decatur
GA
|
Family ID: |
45933058 |
Appl. No.: |
13/273269 |
Filed: |
October 14, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61393118 |
Oct 14, 2010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
150/167 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 11/26 20130101;
A45C 2013/1015 20130101; B62J 23/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
150/167 |
International
Class: |
B65D 65/02 20060101
B65D065/02 |
Claims
1. A reusable system for protecting a bicycle frame comprising: one
or more first reusable protective pads; and one or more second
reusable protective pads, the second reusable protective pads being
smaller than the first reusable protective pads.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second reusable
pads each have length dimension, and wherein the length dimension
of a first pad is larger than the length dimension of a second
reusable pad.
3. The system of claim 1, comprising at least two first reusable
protective pads and at least two second reusable protective
pads.
4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a derailleur
cover.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more first and second
reusable protective pads are suitable for protecting a bicycle
frame during shipping.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein each reusable pad comprises a
compliant protecting portion and one or more integral straps for
attaching the compliant protecting portion to the bicycle.
7. A reusable protective pad for protecting a portion of a bicycle
frame comprising: a compliant protecting portion; and one or more
integral straps for attaching the compliant protecting portion to a
bicycle frame.
8. The reusable protective pad of claim 7, wherein the compliant
protecting portion comprises a first surface configured to contact
a portion of the bicycle frame.
9. The reusable protective pad of claim 8, wherein the first
surface is non-abrasive to the contacted portion of the bicycle
frame.
10. The reusable protective pad of claim 8, wherein the compliant
protecting portion further comprises a second surface, opposite
first surface, and wherein at least one integral strap is attached
to the second surface of the protective pad.
11. The reusable protective pad of claim 10, wherein the second
surface comprises a durable material.
12. The reusable protective pad of claim 11, wherein the second
surface is tear-resistant at least at one point of attachment of
the integral strap thereto the second surface.
13. The reusable protective pad of claim 7, wherein the compliant
protecting portion is rectangular.
14. The reusable protective pad of claim 7, wherein the integral
straps are webbing.
15. The reusable protective pad of claim 7, wherein the integral
straps are self-attachable to the reusable protective pad to secure
the reusable protective pad to the bicycle frame.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/393,118, filed Oct. 14, 2010, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] When traveling by car with a bicycle, the bicycle can be
placed inside the vehicle or on one of many rack systems available
that attach to the car's exterior and provide a safe stable
platform to carry the bicycle outside of the vehicle. Similarly,
when traveling by airplane, luggage systems, such as bike boxes,
exist that a bicycle can be placed into for protection when the
luggage is place into the cargo hold area of the airplane. Bike
boxes and shipping crates can also be used to ship bicycles to a
destination to meet its owner. Bicycle racers, triathletes, and
recreational riders often travel great distances to participate in
competitions or destination rides and must travel with or ship
their bicycles. To compound the logistical issues of traveling,
these bicycle racers, triathletes, and recreational riders often
own very expensive bicycles that are fragile when subjected to
forces outside their standard operating condition.
SUMMARY
[0003] Described herein are reusable systems and components for
protecting bicycle frames, components, and accessories. Such a
reusable system includes one or more first reusable protective
pads, one or more second reusable protective pads, the second
reusable protective pads being smaller than the first reusable
protective pads, and a derailleur cover. One component includes a
reusable protective pad for protecting a portion of a bicycle
frame. The reusable protective pad includes a compliant protecting
portion and one or more integral straps for attaching the compliant
protecting portion to a bicycle frame. A further component includes
a reusable protective cover for protecting a component or accessory
associated with a bicycle frame. The reusable protective cover
includes a compliant protecting cover portion forming a pocket
portion for receiving the component or accessory and one or more
attachment elements for attaching the compliant protecting portion
around the component or accessory, e.g., a derailleur.
[0004] The details of one or more embodiments of the systems and
components are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the
description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the
systems and components will be apparent from the description and
drawings, and from the claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of a bicycle prepared
for shipping using pipe insulation pieces.
[0006] FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of the pipe insulation
materials and destroyed zip ties from FIG. 1A after removal from
the bicycle.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of reusable protective
pads in the form of small and large pockets into which padding can
be inserted.
[0008] FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic illustrations of front and
back views of small and large reusable protective pads with straps
attached.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of large and small
reusable protective pads rolled up as they will be used to cover a
bicycle frame portion.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a derailleur cover
installed on a bicycle.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a bicycle prepared for
shipping using the reusable protective pads as described
herein.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of the bicycle from FIG.
6 in a shipping box after safe arrival at its destination.
[0013] FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic illustrations of reusable
protective pads with integral straps illustrated with the primary
bicycle contacting surface down.
[0014] FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic illustrations of the reusable
protective pads of FIGS. 8A and 8B with integral straps illustrated
with the primary bicycle contacting surface up.
[0015] FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C are schematic illustrations of a
reusable protective pad having a durable surface with two attached
integral straps and an opposed primary bicycle contacting
surface.
[0016] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like
elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] When a bicycle is placed into a bike box for shipping, for
example, the bicycle is partially disassembled. As bicycles are
designed to exist in their fully assembled condition, when
partially disassembled, care must be taken to avoid harming the
frame or other components. For example, when components like
wheels, handle bars, pedals, and seats are removed from a bicycle's
frame these components can knock or bang against each other when
subjected to transportation forces. Further, bicycle components
such as derailleurs and crank sets are not designed to contact
surfaces such as bike boxes or floors. Additionally, modern bicycle
frames are often made from materials such as carbon fiber that
while extremely strong when used as intended as a bicycle, can be
fragile when subjected to unintended forces such as drops, knocks,
and sharp blows.
[0018] In order to protect their frames during shipping or travel,
many bicycle owners purchase pipe insulation materials from local
hardware stores, then cut the insulation materials to fit their
bicycle frame and secure the insulation to the frame with a
removable attachment device such as adhesive tape or zip ties. FIG.
1A shows a bicycle 10 prepared for shipping with pipe insulation 20
covering the frame components secured using zip ties 30. FIG. 1B
shows the pipe insulation material from the bicycle in FIG. 1A
after removal from the bicycle. While useful, the pipe insulating
material is usually used only a few times before it starts to
deform, break down, tear, or is otherwise compromised (see pipe
insulation portion 60 in FIG. 1B that is deformed and possibly
broken down) and the securing items such as zip ties are destroyed
with each use and reuse of the serviceable portions of pipe
insulation requires additional zip ties. Pipe insulation has other
limitations such as not necessarily fully covering portions of a
frame especially with frame sections having complex non-circular
cross-sections (see the portion 40 of the "seat tube" with such
complex geometry that coverage was not possible with the pipe
insulation and portion 50 of the down tube that was only partially
covered due to its geometry in FIG. 1A).
[0019] A reusable protective system including reusable protective
pads for protecting a bicycle frame and its accessories and
components during shipping, storing, or traveling is described
herein. As different bicycle models and even different sizes with
the same bicycle model often have different geometries, lengths,
and sizes of portions such as top tubes, down tubes, seat tubes,
chain-stays, seat stays, and fork blades, the reusable protective
pads can come in various sizes. Thus, various sizes of reusable
protective pads including sets of reusable protective pads as well
as sets of reusable protective pads that are custom designed for a
particular size of a particular model of bicycle are provided. In
addition to reusable protective pads, reusable protective covers
for protecting a component or accessory associated with a bicycle
frame are disclosed that can be used, for example, to cover a
derailleur or crank set attached to a bicycle frame or other
components or accessories removed from the frame such as computers,
handle bars, seat posts, or seats. Thus, an embodiment of a
reusable system for protecting a bicycle frame can include one or
more first reusable protective pads, one or more second reusable
protective pads, the second reusable protective pads being smaller
than the first reusable protective pads, and a reusable protective
cover such as a reusable protective derailleur cover. Note the
systems described herein are also useful when storing a bicycle in
an environment where damage might occur, e.g., in a storage
situation in which bicycles may accidentally be knocked about of
accidentally hit with other objects even though they are not
disassembled.
[0020] In one example embodiment, a reusable protective system may
include three types of components: several large protective pads,
several small protective pads, and a derailleur cover. In this
system, for example, the large pads can be used to cover the
bicycle's top tube, down tube, and seat tube; the small pads can be
used to cover the bicycle's fork blades, chain-stays, and
drop-outs; and the derailleur cover can be used to protect the
bicycle's derailleur. This particular example embodiment uses three
large pads, six small pads, and one derailleur cover. Examples of
particular sizes of reusable protective pads found to be useful
with modern bicycles include large reusable protective pads
measuring 18 inches or 16 inches by 12 inches and small reusable
protective pads measuring 12 inches by eight inches.
[0021] As mentioned above, different sizes of reusable protective
pads are possible and reusable protective systems can contain
various numbers and sizes of reusable protective pads, i.e., custom
sets of reusable protective pads can be created for specific
bicycle frames. Further, the reusable protective system can be
provided as a basic set of reusable protective pads and derailleur
covers that can be customized by adding additional pieces as
dictated by a particular bicycle's geometry, i.e., larger or
smaller reusable protective pads and various component protective
bags can be added as desired. Reusable protective pads as disclosed
herein can also be provided individually, which enables the
creation of custom reusable protective systems such as might be
required to protect a unique bicycle frame design, an extra-large
frame, or a tandem bicycle during shipping or storage. A storage
unit, such as a carrying bag, is also disclosed that is an
appropriate size and volume to store the components of a reusable
protective system when not in use.
[0022] A reusable protective pad for protecting a portion of a
bicycle frame as described herein includes a compliant protecting
portion and one or more integral straps for attaching the compliant
protecting portion to a bicycle frame. The term compliant as used
herein is intended to mean the compliant protecting portion can be
molded, bent, or shaped around the bicycle frame while retaining
its protective attributes. The shape of the compliant portion can
be, for example, rectangular as shown in the figures or can have a
complex shape specifically designed to cover a complex frame
portion such as the seat tube portion 40 or the down tube portion
50 shown in FIG. 1A. The reusable protective pads as described
herein include exterior surfaces that will remain durable in the
environment the reusable protective pads are placed. The exterior
surfaces also may be selected to be easy to clean (i.e., bicycle
drive-train grease or other dirt or substance could get on a
reusable protective pad) if the desired protective attributes are
maintained. One example of such a material with a durable, easy to
clean surface exterior is a vinyl fabric, which may, for example,
be cleaned using a non-corrosive degreaser. The compliant
protecting portion may include an exterior surface portion that can
be formed around a protective padding material such as a foam or
other protective padding. Because the foam or padding may break
down over time, the compliant protecting portion can be, for
example, in the form of closeable small 100 and large 110 pockets
as shown in FIG. 2. The use of a pocket design makes the changing
of broken down foam or padding possible without having to replace
an entire reusable protective pad. The small 100 and large 110
closeable pockets shown in FIG. 2 can be filled with a foam or
other pliant protective material and can be closed using a hook and
loop 120 or other type of fastener that will be readily apparent to
those of skill in the art, e.g., snaps or zippers.
[0023] To fasten the compliant protecting portions of the reusable
protective pads to a bicycle frame, straps are attached to the
compliant protecting portions. FIGS. 3A and 3B show opposite views
of small 200 and large 210 reusable protective pads with straps 220
attached. The straps 220 can be made from webbing or other suitable
materials that will be readily apparent to those of skill in the
art. The straps are self-attaching to the compliant protecting
portion in order to secure the reusable protective pad to the
bicycle frame. A view of the small 200 and large 210 reusable
protective pads rolled up as they could be used to cover a tubular
bicycle frame portion is shown in FIG. 4.
[0024] Similar to the reusable protective pads, the reusable
protective covers for protecting a component or accessory
associated with a bicycle frame as described herein optionally
includes a compliant protecting cover portion forming a pocket
portion and one or more attachment elements for attaching the
compliant protecting cover portion around a component or accessory
to be protected. The shape of the compliant protecting cover
portion 300 can be, for example, triangular, as shown in FIG. 5, or
can have a complex shape specifically designed to cover a
particular component or accessory. For example, a compliant
protecting cover portion could be a narrow rectangular shape to
cover a non-chainring side crank arm and a separate compliant
protecting cover portion with a generally triangular shape could be
used to cover the chainring side crank arm. As with the reusable
protective pads, the exterior surfaces of the compliant protecting
cover portions (e.g., the exterior surface 310 shown in FIG. 5 for
a derailleur cover) are selected from materials that will remain
durable in the environment the reusable protective covers are
placed. The compliant protecting cover portions may include an
exterior surface portion that is formed from a padded material, or,
like the compliant protecting portion of the reusable protective
pads, can be formed with an integral pocket portion within which a
protective padding material such as a foam or other protective
padding can be placed, i.e., the foam or other protective padding
is replaceable. Like the pocket designs for the compliant
protecting portion of the reusable protective pads a pocket design
can be closed using a hook and loop or other type of fastener that
will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art, e.g., snaps
or zippers. The reusable protective covers can be fastened around
or attached to the component or accessory to be protected using
attachment elements self-attachable to the reusable protective
cover such as the straps described for the reusable protective
covers (e.g., the straps 320 shown in FIG. 5 for a derailleur
cover) or using a hook and loop or other type of fastener that will
be readily apparent to those of skill in the art, e.g., snaps or
zippers.
[0025] FIG. 6 shows a bicycle prepared for shipping using several
large reusable protective pads and several small reusable
protective pads as described herein. FIG. 7 shows the bicycle shown
in FIG. 6 ensconced in the bottom half of a shipping container
after arriving safely at its shipping destination.
[0026] FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic illustrations of reusable
protective pads, 400 and 410, with integral straps 220 illustrated
with the primary bicycle contacting surface 405 down. The pads 400
and 41 can be used in the systems described throughout. Thus, the
pads are optionally included in a reusable system for protecting a
bicycle frame. An example system includes one or more first
reusable protective pads 410 and one or more second reusable
protective pads 400. The second reusable protective pads 400 are
optionally smaller than the first reusable protective pads 410.
[0027] The first 410 and second 400 reusable pads each have length
dimension. The length dimension of a first pad 410 is larger than
the length dimension of a second reusable pad 400. The system can
include at least two first reusable protective pads and at least
two second reusable protective pads. Optionally, the system further
includes a derailleur cover 300, as shown in FIG. 5.
[0028] The one or more first 410 and second 400 reusable protective
pads are suitable for protecting a bicycle frame during shipping.
Optionally, each reusable pad comprises a compliant protecting
portion and one or more integral straps 220 for attaching the
compliant protecting portion to the bicycle.
[0029] The compliant protecting portion optionally comprises a
first surface 506 configured to contact a portion of the bicycle
frame, as illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, which show the reusable
protective pads with integral straps illustrated with the primary
bicycle contacting surface 506 up. The bicycle contacting surface
506 is also illustrated in FIG. 10B. Optionally, the bicycle
contacting surface 506 is soft and is configured to be non-abrasive
to the contacted portion of the bicycle frame. For example, the
surface optionally comprise soft vinyl. In this regard, even
bicycle frames susceptible to damage and abrasion, such as carbon
fiber frames can be protected.
[0030] FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C, are schematic illustrations of a
reusable protective pad having a durable surface 502 with two
attached integral straps 220 and an opposed primary bicycle
contacting surface 506. The second surface 502 is opposite first
surface 506. At least one integral strap 220 is attached to the
second surface 502 of the protective pad 400. The protective pad
could be small 400 or a larger size pad 410.
[0031] The second surface optionally is made from, or includes, a
durable material. For example the durable second surface can be a
tear-resistant fabric. The surface is optionally tear resistant at
least at one point of attachment 504 of the integral strap 220
thereto the second surface 502. Example durable materials for the
surface 502 include canvass, leather or vinyl. Appropriate tear
resistant fabrics, not being limited to those listed above, include
those that are resistant to tearing when movement of the integral
straps relative to the surface 502 places a pulling, tearing or
shearing force at the attachment point of the surface 502 and the
strap 220.
[0032] The surface 506 and the surface 502 can be sealed together
about their periphery, for example, by stitching, to define a space
therebetween the surfaces. The space can optionally be filled with
padding material. The amount of padding filling the space can be
varied depending, for example, on the extent of protection desired
for the frame.
[0033] The devices and systems of the appended claims are not
limited in scope by the specific devices and systems described
herein, which are intended as illustrations of a few aspects of the
claims and any devices and systems that are functionally equivalent
are within the scope of this disclosure. Various modifications of
the devices and systems in addition to those shown and described
herein are intended to fall within the scope of the appended
claims. Further, while only certain representative devices,
systems, and aspects of these devices and systems are specifically
described, other devices and systems and combinations of various
features of the devices and systems are intended to fall within the
scope of the appended claims, even if not specifically recited.
Thus a combination of steps, elements, components, or constituents
may be explicitly mentioned herein; however, all other combinations
of steps, elements, components, and constituents are included, even
though not explicitly stated.
* * * * *