Abstract:
The invention relates to a coupling device for attaching an accessory, such as a cycling computer, navigation device, light, radio, music player, map holder or a luggage holding unit in the front region of a bicycle, to a holding section ( 70, 71, 72, 80 ), which is supported on the front part of the handlebars ( 1 ), for attachment of the accessory or the luggage holding unit. A compact construction having simple, stable installation is obtained in that the holding section ( 70, 71, 72, 80 ) is designed for tool-free attachment of the accessory or of the luggage holding unit and is integrated directly in the front part of the handlebars ( 1 ) or in the clamping clip ( 11 ) of the front part of the handlebars ( 1 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to a coupling device for attaching an accessory, such as a trip computer, a navigation device, a light, a radio, a music player, a map holder, or a luggage holding unit in the front region of a bicycle, to a mounting section, which is supported on the handlebar stem, for attachment of the accessory or luggage holding unit. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of Related Art 
         [0004]    European Patent Reference EP 1 065 140 A2 discloses a coupling device with a mounting section situated on the top of a handlebar clamping bracket that clamps the handlebar to the projecting part of the handlebar stem. In this instance, an accessory in the form of a display unit can be oriented on the mounting section in various directions in relation to a longitudinal direction of the bicycle and is then clamped by a screw in a threaded opening on the handlebar clamping bracket. For insertion of the screw, a cavity is in the housing of the display unit, into which the screw is inserted and must then be tightened in the threaded bore, which is not easily accomplished. 
         [0005]    Various other coupling devices for accessories or luggage holding units are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,253,649 A, Japanese Patent Reference JP 2005-26 29 80 A, French Patent Reference FR 1,056,124 A, PCT International Application WO 2005/047091 A1, and French Patent Reference FR 1,017,327 A. In these, too, various individual parts for coupling are provided, which likewise involve a corresponding degree of complexity. 
         [0006]    European Patent Reference EP 0 477 010 A1 discloses another coupling device. In this known coupling device, a luggage holding unit is coupled to a pivoting coupling part that is fastened by brackets to the handlebars of a bicycle, lateral to a connecting point between the handlebars and the handlebar stem, so that it can be moved into various pivoting positions. On the coupling part, in addition to the brackets, there are toothed sections that are brought into engagement with a respective set of teeth on a T-shaped additional part of the coupling device, which is in the form of a half-shell and is placed against the tube of the handlebars, and with the upright of the T-shaped part, which is likewise embodied in the form of a half-shell, is attached by another bracket to the projecting part of the handlebar stem. The support piece attached to the handlebar stem serves as a retaining arm preventing a pivoting of the front coupling piece with the coupled luggage holding unit around an axis transverse to the vertical longitudinal plane of the bicycle, particularly toward the front, while the support on the handlebar prevents a rotation of the luggage holding unit around an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the bicycle. 
         [0007]    In a coupling device that functions in a similar fashion disclosed in German Patent Reference DE 40 08 211 A1, in which a coupling part is likewise fastened to the handlebars on both sides of the handlebar lug, a support is carried out underneath the projecting part of the handlebar stem, particularly by an adjustable control cable. 
         [0008]    In other coupling devices for attaching a luggage holding unit to the front region of a bicycle, a coupling is carried out on handlebars, on both sides of the handlebar lug, as disclosed in PCT International Publication WO 94/11233 and German Patent Reference DE 195 34 204 C2. Here, too, attaching mechanisms and support points are provided that are similar to those in the references mentioned above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    One object of this invention is to provide a coupling device of the type mentioned above but with a compact design, which permits a simple attachment of an accessory or luggage holding unit to the front region of a bicycle. 
         [0010]    This object is attained with the defining characteristics taught in this specification and in the claims. In this instance, the mounting section is embodied for tool-free attachment of the accessory or luggage holding unit and is integrated directly into the handlebar stem or the handlebar clamping bracket of the handlebar stem. 
         [0011]    The attachment to the structurally stable handlebar stem or handlebar clamping bracket produces a compact, stable design without unnecessary parts and the tool-free attachment makes it easy to install. 
         [0012]    The manufacture and installation are achieved without additional parts because the mounting section is formed onto the handlebar stem or the handlebar clamping bracket. 
         [0013]    Providing the mounting section with a detent engagement section for engagement with a detent element situated on the accessory or luggage holding unit to produce a detachable detent connection achieves a reliable attachment of the accessory or luggage holding unit, and they can be removed manually through simple detachment of the detent connection and can be coupled with no trouble. 
         [0014]    The achievement of a simple, stable coupling is assisted if the mounting section has an insertion rail with two parallel guide sections, which either protrude or are embodied as recesses, or by the fact that the guide sections extend at an acute angle with respect to each other. When the guide sections are oriented at an acute angle with respect to each other, the insertion occurs from the open side of the angle so that an automatic limitation of the insertion movement of a counterpart mounting section embodied on the accessory or luggage holding unit is provided by the guide sections themselves. In addition, there can be a separate stop, which is provided particularly in the case of parallel guide sections. In this instance, the limitation of the insertion movement can be achieved by the detent connection. 
         [0015]    Other advantageous measures include providing an accessory or luggage holding unit with a counterpart mounting section that matches the mounting section. In this instance, the counterpart mounting section can be embodied as a separate component that is mounted onto the accessory or luggage holding unit or that can be attached to it from the outset during manufacture. 
         [0016]    Various other advantageous design embodiments are of the mounting section and counterpart mounting section so that they are able to engage with each other in a hanging, sliding, or plugging fashion and for providing a securing element for securing the accessory or luggage holding unit in the coupled state. In this instance, the securing element can, for example, be composed of the detent connection or can be composed of an optional additional locking device that secures the attached position, such as by a lock that can be released with a key element. When the detent connection is produced, the lock can, for example, prevent the detent connection from disengaging and can be released by the user in order to detach it. 
         [0017]    Various possible positions of the accessory or luggage holding unit are achieved by situating the mounting section on the top, the front, or the underside of the handlebar stem or handlebar clamping bracket with regard to the orientation of the bicycle. In this instance, it is also possible to combine several mounting sections, which are situated in different places, with one another so that it is possible to simultaneously attach a plurality of accessories and/or luggage holding units, such as a map case or a holding box. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    This invention is explained in view of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, wherein: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a coupling unit of a coupling device with a coupling piece in the pivoted-out position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of a modification of the coupling unit shown in  FIG. 1A , with the coupling piece in the pivoted-in position and an adjusting element for adjusting its pivoting range; 
           [0021]      FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of the coupling unit according to  FIG. 1A , with the coupling piece in the pivoted-in position, when mounted onto the handlebar stem; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a coupling unit with a clamping section, which corresponds to the coupling unit of  FIG. 1A , and an intermediate piece connected to the coupling piece and securing element by a hinge element; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a side view of another embodiment of a coupling device with a coupling unit, which is mounted to the handlebar stem and which has an additional support; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  shows the coupling device according to  FIG. 3 , with a luggage holding unit coupled to it; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 5A through 5C  each shows another embodiment of a coupling unit, which is coupled to the handlebar stem and which has a modified coupling piece, in a side view, a top view, and an individual side view of the coupling piece; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of another embodiment for a coupling unit; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6B  is a side view of the coupling unit of  FIG. 6A  and a coupling piece that can be mounted onto it; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6C  is a perspective view of the coupling piece shown in  FIG. 6B ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 7A  shows another embodiment of a coupling device provided on a coupling unit; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7B  shows various mounting sections on the handlebar stem or a handlebar clamping bracket; 
           [0031]      FIG. 7C  shows another embodiment of a coupling unit that can be mounted onto the handlebar stem; 
           [0032]      FIG. 7D  is a side view of a luggage holding unit in the form of a bicycle basket, with a counterpart mounting section that can be attached to the mounting section; 
           [0033]      FIG. 7E  is a rear view of the counterpart mounting section; 
           [0034]      FIG. 8A  is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment for a mounting section that is or can be mounted onto the handlebar stem or the handlebar clamping bracket; 
           [0035]      FIG. 8B  is a cross-sectional view of a counterpart mounting section; 
           [0036]      FIG. 8C  is a perspective view of the mounting section according to  FIG. 8A ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 8D  is a top view of the counterpart mounting section of  FIG. 8B ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 9A  shows a handlebar stem with a mounted handlebar clamping bracket with several mounting sections; 
           [0039]      FIG. 9B  shows another embodiment for a handlebar stem with a handlebar clamping bracket and several mounting sections; 
           [0040]      FIG. 10A  shows a perspective view of another embodiment for a handlebar stem with a handlebar clamping bracket and several mounting sections; 
           [0041]      FIG. 10B  shows a handlebar stem with a handlebar clamping bracket and a luggage holding unit mounted onto a mounting section; 
           [0042]      FIG. 10C  shows a handlebar stem with a handlebar clamping bracket and an accessory mounted onto a mounting section as well as a luggage holding unit mounted onto a mounting section; 
           [0043]      FIG. 11A  shows another exemplary embodiment for a handlebar stem with a removed handlebar clamping bracket that has a mounting section provided on it; 
           [0044]      FIG. 11B  shows a counterpart mounting section that can be fastened to an accessory or luggage holding unit and is adapted to the mounting section according to  FIG. 11A ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 11C  shows a handlebar clamping bracket with a different embodiment of a mounting section; and 
           [0046]      FIG. 11D  is a different perspective view of the counterpart mounting section according to  FIG. 11B . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0047]      FIG. 1A  shows a coupling unit  10  with a connecting element  11  in the form of a handlebar clamping bracket and a tongue-shaped coupling piece  20 , which can be pivoted in and out, attached to it in a hinged fashion by a hinge  15 . As clear from  FIG. 1C , in its one end region, the connecting element  11  has a clamping section  11 . 1  that can be attached to a handlebar stem  1  and has a mounting section  12  for fitting over a tube section of the handlebars (not shown) of a bicycle. The mounting section  12 , which in this instance is approximately semicircular in cross section and extends in the axial direction, such as over several centimeters of the tube section of the handlebars, completes a handlebar receptacle  5  on the top of a forward-projecting part  3  of the handlebar stem  1  near or in the vicinity of which a clamping device  4  is provided. The handlebar receptacle  5  is likewise approximately semicircular in cross section and extends in the axial direction, such as over several centimeters of the tube section of the handlebars. The projecting part  3  of the handlebar stem  1  can be fixed in relation to a column  2  or can be set to various angles. The mounting section  12  is adjoined at the front and back in the longitudinal direction of the bicycle and at the front and back in the circumference direction by respective extensions  11 . 2 ,  11 . 3  of the connecting element  11  that have respective fastening bores  13 , which, when the connecting element  11  is placed onto the handlebar stem  1  in the correct position line up with bores provided in front of and behind the handlebar receptacle  5  so that the connecting element  11 , while accommodating the handlebars, can be solidly clamped by clamping elements  17  in the form of connecting screws (see  FIG. 3 ). In this instance, the extensions  11 . 2 ,  11 . 3  of the clamping section  11 . 1  rest flat against correspondingly embodied counterpart surfaces in front of and behind the handlebar receptacle  5  near or in the region of the clamping device  4  of the handlebar stem  1  so that they produce a stable support of the connecting element  11  on the handlebar stem  1 , thus providing a stable support against a rotation both around a horizontal axis transverse to the vertical longitudinal plane of the bicycle and around an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the bicycle. The seating of the connecting element  11  on the handlebar stem  1  thus obtained provides a simple, clear-cut installation. The connecting element  11  can thus replace the manufacturer&#39;s clamping part provided on the handlebar stem  1  for clamping the handlebars. 
         [0048]    In a support section  14 , the coupling piece  20 , which has an adaptor piece for coupling a luggage holding unit  60  such as a luggage rack (see  FIG. 4 ), is attached in pivoting fashion by the hinge  15  to the front region of the connecting element  11  remote from the clamping region  11 . 1  and can be pivoted out by an adjustable pivot angle to couple the luggage holding unit  60 . The pivot angle can be adjusted so that the luggage holding unit  60  is solidly supported in a desired position, for example in the case of a basket, so that the opening is oriented upward. In the uncoupled state of a luggage holding unit  60 , the coupling piece  20  can be pivoted into a recess  16  adapted to it that is provided in the connecting element  11 . A snap connection is advantageous for a simple fastening. In this instance, the coupling piece  20  forms a pivoting lever, which is situated in the region of the top of the connecting element  11  and is rigidly connected on the other side of the hinge  15  to a lower pivoting lever, which is supported as a support section  24  in the lower region of the connecting element  11  when the coupling piece  20  is in the pivoted-out position. In one embodiment, an adjustable adjusting element  30  is provided for supporting it and makes it possible to vary the pivot angle of the coupling piece  20  or its coupling section  21 . For example, the adjusting element  30  is embodied in the form of a screw that can be screwed a greater or a lesser distance into the lower pivot lever. The coupling piece  20  pivots in the hinge  15  around a hinge axis A. 
         [0049]    As  FIG. 2  shows, the coupling piece  21  can be connected to the connecting element  11  by a hinge element  40  and an intermediate piece  18 , permitting additional pivotability of the coupling piece  20  and the coupling section  21 . A selected pivot angle can be locked in place by a locking mechanism, which for example has reciprocally engaging, disengageable teeth on the connecting element  11  on the one hand and on the intermediate piece  18  or another intermediate element on the other. In this instance, the teeth can either be provided on the connecting element  11  and the intermediate piece  18  on both sides in a plane parallel to the vertical longitudinal plane, or can be provided on a cylindrical inner wall on the one hand and on a cylindrical outer wall on the other. Other locking mechanisms are also conceivable. Similar locking mechanisms can also be provided near or in the region of the hinge  15 . 
         [0050]    A similar coupling unit, as shown in  FIG. 2 , is also shown in the schematic representations according to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Here, a connecting element  11  provided on the coupling unit  10  is fastened to the handlebar stem  1  near or in the region of the clamping device  4 , as described above. In the exemplary embodiments according to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the coupling section is mounted to an initially downward-oriented section at the front end region of the intermediate piece  18  and likewise has an upward-protruding adapter piece, which is attached by a short forward-pointing strut and on which the luggage holding unit  60  can be suspended with an adapted counterpart adapter element. In order to secure the coupling of the luggage holding unit  60 , the coupling section  21  has a securing element  22  (also see  FIG. 2 ) that can be folded over and locked in position, such as embodied as a lockable pivoting lever, after having been guided through the counterpart adaptor element on the luggage holding unit  60 . There are also other possible locking devices, such as a detachable detent connection or snap element, for securing the coupling. It is also possible to provide a locking mechanism or stopping device equipped with a key. In this instance, the securing element  22  is mounted to the upper edge of the coupling section  21  by a hinge element  23 . In order to securely support the luggage holding unit  60  even when it is heavily loaded, it is also possible to provide a support  50  that rests against the column  2  of the handlebar stem  1 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The lever force in the pivoting direction r (see  FIG. 2 ) produced by the load on the luggage holding unit  60  is braced by the support section  24 , which corresponds to the support section  24  according to  FIG. 1 , possibly with the additional action of the support  50 . 
         [0051]      FIGS. 5A ,  5 B, and  5 C show another coupling piece  25 . In this instance, a connecting piece  25 . 1  is suspended in non-rotating fashion in bores in the connecting element  11  of the coupling unit  10  and transitions via a forward-extending intermediate part  25 . 4 , a downward-pointing coupling section  25 . 2 , and a short forward-pointing section into the hook-shaped, upward-oriented coupling section  25 . 3  to permit the resulting adapter piece to accommodate the counterpart adaptor, which is adapted to it, on the luggage holding unit  60 . 
         [0052]      FIGS. 6A ,  6 B, and  6 C show yet another coupling piece  26 . In this instance, the coupling unit  10  has a connecting element with a mounting section  12  that is adapted to the tubular section of the handlebars as well as extensions  11 . 2 ,  11 . 3  adjoining it at the front and back in the circumference direction, which are adapted to the clamping device  4  of the handlebar stem  1  and provided with corresponding aligned fastening bores  13 . In this instance, for example two fastening bores are provided in each of the two extensions  11 . 2 ,  11 . 3  as long as corresponding bores are also provided in the clamping device  4  of a corresponding handlebar stem  1 . In this handlebar stem  1 , the handlebar receptacle  5  is shown, for example, with its opening at the front so that the coupling piece  26  is mounted from the front, set into place in flange fashion against the extensions  11 . 2 ,  11 . 3 , and clamped to them with the fastening screws. The coupling piece  26  is formed as a simple element and protrudes only slightly forward, making a steering movement only slightly more difficult, even with a heavily loaded luggage holding unit  60 . In order to couple the luggage holding unit  60 , the coupling piece  26  can be attached to the front of the coupling unit  10  by the clamping element  17  or clamping screws situated at the top in the drawing; the coupling piece  26  also has a hook-shaped adapter part for attachment of an adapted counterpart adapter of the luggage holding unit  60 . As shown in the drawing, the coupling piece  26  has a flange-like connecting section  26 . 1  in which two openings  26 . 11  are provided, such as in the form of oblong holes, with the same hole pattern as the fastening bores  13  in the upper extension  11 . 2 . On the top of the forward-projecting section of the coupling unit  10  or connecting element, a flat, forward-extending section is provided, on which a correspondingly adapted support section  26 . 2  of the coupling piece  26  rests in the mounted state. An intermediate section  26 . 3  of the coupling piece  26  rests flat against the vertically downward-extending front of the connecting element and transitions via an arc-shaped section into the upward-pointing, hook-shaped coupling section  26 . 4 . The coupling piece is secured in the counterpart adapter by the coupling section  26 . 4  being supported in a resilient fashion by the lower arc-shaped part and with its upper free end, rests resiliently against the front of the intermediate section  26 . 3 . 
         [0053]    Various other embodiments of the coupling unit  10  for connecting exclusively to the handlebar stem  1  are possible. The handlebar stem  1  can have a connecting section on its upper, frontal, or lower outside, to which the connecting element  11  of the coupling unit  10  can be solidly attached by connecting elements adapted to the connecting section. The connecting sections can be embodied as sliders or flat sections equipped with a screw connection, a snap connection, or a detent connection. In addition, the coupling unit  10  can have an additional mounting section  70  (see  FIG. 1B ) in order to attach another accessory to it, such as a measuring device, a navigation device, an odometer, or a holding case. 
         [0054]      FIG. 7A  shows another exemplary embodiment for a handlebar stem  1 , with a column  2  and a projecting part  3  connected to it, to which is mounted a connecting element  11  for clamping the handlebars and simultaneously for coupling a luggage holding unit by a coupling section  27 . The connecting element  11 , which simultaneously forms a handlebar clamping bracket, is embodied, for example, as shown in the top view in  FIG. 7C  and is solidly clamped to the projecting part  3  by four fastening bores  13  arranged in a plane. 
         [0055]      FIG. 7B  shows another exemplary embodiment for a handlebar stem  1 , the top and bottom of whose projecting part  3  each has a mounting section  70  and  71 , respectively, for example already formed into them during manufacture. The two mounting sections  70 ,  71  are protruding and each has respective guide sections  72 . 1  into which it is possible to slide complementarily embodied counterpart guide sections of a counterpart mounting section provided on an accessory  61  (see  FIG. 10C ) such as a trip computer, a navigation device, a light, a radio, a music player, or a map holder, or provided on a luggage holding unit  60 .  FIG. 7B  also shows a mounting section  80  that is attached to the connecting element  11 , which is formed as a handlebar clamping bracket, and can be embodied in accordance with the mounting sections  70 ,  71 . Such a handlebar clamping bracket, for example with a mounting section  80  formed onto it, can simply be used as a replacement part for a conventional handlebar clamping bracket. 
         [0056]      FIG. 7D  shows a counterpart mounting section  90 , which is situated on the back side, relative to the direction of travel, of a luggage holding unit  60  in the form of a basket, and which is embodied, for example, for insertion into a mounting section. In this instance, the mounting section is situated on the front of the connecting element  11  in the form of the handlebar clamping bracket. In order to secure the coupled connection here, a securing mechanism is advantageously provided, for example a detent connection or a locking mechanism, which can be manually released by a schematically depicted actuating element  91  in order to detach the coupled connection. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 8A ,  8 B,  8 C, and  8 D show another mounting section that can be attached to or is formed onto the projecting part  3  of the handlebar stem  1  or the handlebar clamping bracket. The mounting section  72  has lateral groove-like guide sections  72 . 1 , which extend parallel to each other and are situated in the same plane so that when viewed together, they form a sort of T-groove. As shown in a perspective view in  FIG. 8C , the base wall that connects the two guide sections  72 . 1  to each other has a protruding or recessed detent section  72 . 2  integrated into it, which is equipped with a detent shoulder. A counterpart mounting section  92  shown in  FIGS. 8B and 8D  is adapted to the mounting section  72  and is inserted with its lateral, parallel edge sections as counterpart guide sections  92 . 1  into the groove-like guide sections  72 . 1  while a detent element  92 . 2  comprised of a slot with a resilient detent tab and a detent shoulder is embodied so that it snaps into the detent section  72 . 2  when the counterpart mounting section  92  is slid all the way into the mounting section  72 . If the detent shoulder and the detent section  72 . 2  have detent shoulders that are steeply sloped in the direction opposite from the insertion direction, then the detent connection cannot detach by itself, but must be released, and thus the detent tab can be manually lifted up or pressed down in opposition to the spring force. The counterpart guide sections  92 . 1  situated on the edge of the counterpart mounting section  92  and cooperating with the guide sections  72 . 1  produce a clear-cut guidance with a reliable seating. In a reverse embodiment, the mounting section can have lateral edge sections that correspond to the protruding counterpart guide section, while the counterpart mounting section can instead have groove-like guide sections. It is also possible to reverse the positions of the detent section and the counterpart detent section on the mounting section and the counterpart mounting section. 
         [0058]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  show additional exemplary embodiments for handlebar stems with a projecting part and mounting sections  70 ,  71  mounted or formed onto it and with a mounting section  80  mounted, in particular formed, onto the handlebar clamping bracket  11 . As shown in  FIG. 9A , the handlebar clamping bracket is situated in the upper region of the projecting part  3  and according to  FIG. 9B , it is suited in the lower region of it. 
         [0059]      FIGS. 10A ,  10 B, and  10 C show another exemplary embodiment of a projecting part  3  of a handlebar stem, with a connecting section  3 . 1  that attaches the projecting part  3  to the column and with mounting sections  70  and  71  that are situated on the top and bottom of the projecting part  3 . A mounting section  81  is embodied on, in particular formed onto, the handlebar clamping bracket  11  and is embodied, for example, in a fashion similar to that shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8C , namely with a T-shaped groove into which a complementarily embodied counterpart mounting section on the luggage holding unit  60  can be inserted.  FIGS. 11A ,  11 B,  11 C, and  11 D show other embodiments of mounting sections  72  and counterpart mounting sections  92 . In this instance, the mounting sections are mounted or formed onto the front of a connecting element in the form of a handlebar clamping bracket  11  mounted onto the front of the projecting part  3 . The mounting section  70 , which has groove-like guide sections  72 . 1 , also has detent sections  72 . 2 . The guide sections  72 . 1  can extend parallel to each other, as shown in  FIG. 11A , or can extend at an acute angle in relation to each other, as shown in  FIG. 11C . The complementary counterpart mounting section  92  with its counterpart guide sections  92 . 1  is then embodied in a corresponding fashion. In this instance, the counterpart mounting section  92  can be mounted to the accessory  61  or the luggage holding unit  60  during the manufacture of the latter or can be fastened to it subsequently as a separate part. The mounting section  72  and the counterpart mounting section  92  form a stable coupling unit in the form of an insertion rail and an insertion part, with the coupled position being secured by the detent mechanism. Alternatively or in addition to the detent mechanism, a locking mechanism can be provided to secure the coupled connection, such as by a locking element that can be released using a key. 
         [0060]    The above-described integration of the mounting section into the projecting part  3  and/or the handlebar clamping bracket  11  produces a stable, compact embodiment with an easy-to-operate coupling of an accessory  61  or luggage holding unit  60  solely to the flat mounting section.