Abstract:
A multi-position beverage container carrier including a mount ( 302 ) adaptable for mounting on a down tube ( 106 ) of a bicycle ( 102 ), the mount having a hub ( 310 ) disposed substantially near the lower end the mount; and a carriage ( 300 ) extending from the hub, wherein the carriage is movable from a first position substantially adjacent to the down tube to a second position located substantially vertical in a plane formed by the seat post and the down tube.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates, in general, to a beverage holder for bicycles and, in particular, to a multi-position beverage container carrier for bicycles. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Without limiting the scope of the present invention, its background will be described in relation to a multi-position beverage container carrier for bicycles, as an example. 
     Water bottles and their holders are common accessories on today&#39;s bicycles. They are used routinely by riders to keep hydrated while riding. The main part of a holder is the resilient wire “cage” that hold the cylindrically shaped elastic or plastic bottles. Oftentimes, the wire cage is pre-shaped to snugly fit the elastic bottle and it may have portions that are slightly smaller in diameter than the elastic water bottle such that the holder has a bias against the elastic bottle to keep it in place during riding. A circumferential recess may also be formed in the elastic bottle mating with a rim portion of the wire cage for additional security. 
     The holders include mounting brackets that are bolted to threaded mounts that are located on either the seat tube, down tube, or both of a bicycle. The most common location for the mount is on the upper side of the down tube. In this position, the bottle is presented to the rider for easier access than in other locations, such as on the seat tube, where often other accessories are mounted, such as pumps, and the like. Since the seat tube is angled relative to horizontal, to prevent water bottles from spilling liquid while riding, they typically include a sealable spout or opening that may be closed when in the holder and quickly opened during riding for use by the rider. 
     Due to numerous factors, the popularity of bicycles is increasing dramatically. In addition to recreational and sporting uses, they are becoming a popular mode of transportation for daily commuters to work. With the increase in popularity of the bicycle as a standard mode of transportation and the increasing number and diversity of people riding them, the standard water bottle and its carrier may not fulfill all beverage carrying needs of these riders. 
     For example, people who used to walk or drive with a cup of their favorite beverage may decide that they wish to ride a bicycle instead. Many of these types of containers do not include full sealing lids or enclosures, thus even if a standard inclined water bottle holder were adaptable for use with these beverage containers, the results would be less than ideal as liquid would spill out due to the stored angle of the beverage container in the holder. Some methods are known for carrying these conventional containers that are not sealed like a standard water bottle. 
     In one such method, a cup holding apparatus includes a cub holding assembly that is designed to be securely mounted to the handlebars of a bicycle or motorcycle. This of course requires an additional assembly and mount in addition to the water bottle and mount located on the bicycle&#39;s down tube. Further, it clutters up the handlebar area with a mount and assembly. 
     In another method, a self-leveling beverage holder is mounted on a bicycle&#39;s top tube or handlebars and includes a slot for accepting a looped end of a wire basket for holding a beverage. The wire basket and bottle swing from side to side caused by the force of the bicycle movement. They may come in contact with a rider&#39;s legs during riding, which may not be a desirable situation. As with the previous method, this holder requires an additional mount and assembly. 
     Accordingly, a need has arisen for a beverage container carrier that fits the needs of today&#39;s bicyclists. One that is capable of carrying water bottles and different type and shapes of beverage containers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention disclosed herein is directed to a multi-position beverage container carrier for bicycles that provides the ability to carry many different beverage containers. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a multi-position beverage container carrier including a mount adaptable for mounting on a down tube of bicycle, the mount having a hub disposed substantially near the lower end of the mount; and a carriage extending from the hub, wherein the carriage is movable from a first position substantially adjacent to the down tube to a second position located substantially vertical in a plane formed by the seat post and the down tube. 
     In one aspect, the hub has a rotational portion and a non-rotational portion, the carriage being disposed to the rotational portion and the mount being disposed to the non-rotational portion. Preferably, the hub provides rotational movement of the carriage through the plane formed by the down tube and the seat post between the first position and the second position. The multi-position beverage container carrier may further include a retaining mechanism disposed about one of the mount and the carriage for engaging the other of the mount and carriage to lock the carriage in the first position. In yet another aspect, the multi-position beverage container carrier may include a retractable member disposed between the mount and the carriage for supporting the carriage in the second position. Additionally, the carriage is adaptable to carrying a water bottle in the first position and beverage container in the second position. 
     In yet another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a multi-position beverage container carrier including a mount having an upper end and a lower end and adaptable for mounting on a down tube of a bicycle, the lower end including holes formed therethrough; a carriage having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end including holes formed therethrough; and a rod disposed through the holes of the lower end of the mount and the holes of lower end of the carriage for providing rotational movement of the carriage from a first position substantially adjacent to the down tube to a second position located substantially vertical in a plane formed by the seat post and the down tube. 
     In one aspect, the lower ends of the mount and carriage are flanged for forming the holes of the lower ends therethrough. Preferably, the multi-position beverage container carrier may further include a retaining mechanism disposed about one of the mount and the carriage for engaging the other of the mount and carriage to lock the carriage in the first position. Also preferably, the multi-position beverage container carrier may further include a retractable member disposed between the mount and the carriage for supporting the carriage in the second position. 
     In yet another aspect, the retractable member may include a locking mechanism for locking the carriage in the second position. Preferably, the carriage is adaptable to carrying a water bottle in the first position and beverage container in the second position. 
     In yet another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a multi-position beverage container carrier including a mount having an upper end and a lower end and adaptable for mounting on a down tube of a bicycle, the lower end including holes formed therethrough; a carriage having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end including holes formed therethrough; a rod disposed through the holes of the lower end of the mount and the holes of lower end of the carriage for providing rotational movement of the carriage from a first position substantially adjacent to the down tube to a second position located substantially vertical in a plane formed by the seat post and the down tube; and a retractable member disposed between the mount and the carriage for supporting the carriage in the second position. 
     Preferably, the retractable member includes a first arm disposed to the mount and a second anti disposed to the carriage, the first arm and second arm are rotatably joined together at their other end to enable the first and second arm to rotate adjacent to each other for moving the carriage from the second position to the first position. Also preferably, one or more of the first arm and the second arm include a slot, groove, detent, recesses rib, and protrusion for locking the first arm and the second arm. In addition, the retractable member may further include a locking mechanism for locking the carriage in the second position. 
     Preferably, the retractable member further includes a slidable locking mechanism locking the two arms in a fully extended position. Also, the multi-position beverage container carrier may further include a retaining mechanism disposed about one of the mount and the carriage for engaging the other of the mount and carriage to lock the carriage in the first position. Further, the lower ends of the mount and carriage are flanged for forming the holes of the lower ends therethrough. Preferably, the carriage is adaptable to carrying a water bottle in the first position and a beverage container in the second position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For amore complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a multi-position beverage container carrier in a vertical position attached to a bicycle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the multi-position beverage container carrier of  FIG. 1  in an inclined second position; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a multi position beverage container carrier in a retracted position according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view, partially cut away, of a mounting bracket of the multi-position beverage container carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of the multi-position beverage container carrier of  FIG. 3  in partially retracted position; 
         FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of the multi-position beverage container carrier of  FIG. 3  in a fully extended position; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of a carriage hub of a multi-Position beverage container carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial front view of a carriage hub multi-position beverage container carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial front view of a carriage hub of a multi-position beverage container carrier according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of a retracting mechanism in a fully extended position of a multi-position beverage container carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the retracting mechanism of  FIG. 9  shown in a fully retracted position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the present invention. 
     In the following description of the representative embodiments of the invention, directional terms, such as “above”, “below”, “upper”, “lower”, etc., are used for convenience in referring to the accompanying drawings. In general, “above”, “upper”, “upward”, and similar terms refer to a direction generally vertically upward from a particular element of bicycle, mount, or ground, and “below”, “lower”, “downward” and similar terms refer to a direction generally vertically downward from a particular element of a bicycle or mount. Additionally, the term “vertical” and similar terms refer to a direction substantially perpendicular with the surface of the earth or some surf ace thereon, and the term “horizontal” and similar terms refer to a direction substantially parallel with the surface of the earth or some surface thereon. 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-2 , a multi-position beverage container carrier (“multi-position carrier”) attached to a bicycle is schematically illustrated and generally designated  100 . The bicycle  102  shown includes a typical triangular frame made of a seat tube that accepts the seat post of a seat and an upper top tube that may be substantially horizontal or inclined depending on the design of the bicycle. The third member of the general triangular frame is a down tube  106  that typically connects with the seat post at the bottom bracket and it connects with the top tube at the head tube. Generally,  106  is a tubular member that is inclined or angled from a horizontal axis (“H”) and vertical axis (“V”) due to its arrangement in the triangular bicycle frame. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , multi-position carrier  100  provides a retractable carriage that holds a common beverage container  108  in a substantially vertical position. Some exemplary beverage container  108  include disposable coffee cups, reusable coffee cups, disposable hot beverage cups, disposable cold beverage cups portable beverage cups, recyclable beverage cups, fountain drink cups, and the like. Beverage container  108  may or may not include tops. The longitudinal axis of the carriage is substantially vertical for holding these types of containers when in the fully extended position as will be more fully discussed below. In such a position, common beverage containers may be carried on bicycle  102  such that they may not require a sealed top to prevent spilling. Multi-position carrier  100  is shown in a fully extended position in  FIG. 1 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , multi-position carrier  100  is shown in the fully retracted position for carrying a standard or conventional type water bottles (“water bottle”)  202 . Multi-position carrier  100  is movable by a user through an angle θ from the fully extended position as shown in  FIG. 1  to the fully retracted position of  FIG. 2 . The longitudinal axis of the carriage of multi-position carrier  100  is substantially parallel to down tube  106  in the fully retracted position and has an angle θ relative to down tube  106  when in the fully extended position. Multi-position carrier  100  retracts and extends substantially along the axis or plane formed between down tube  106  and the seat tube supporting the seat post. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , multi-position carrier  100  includes a holder or carriage  300  for carrying, holding, or containing beverage container  108  and water bottle  202 . Multi-position carrier  100  further includes a mount  302  for preferably mounting multi-position carrier  100  to the upper side of down tube  106  of bicycle  102 . Carriage  300  includes a rear carriage member  304  that is retained to mount  302  by retaining mechanisms  410   a ,  410   b  (collectively retaining mechanisms  410 ) ( FIG. 4 ). 
     Rear carriage member  304  is formed by frame members  306   a ,  306   b , and  306   c  (collectively frame members  306 ). In one aspect, frame members  306   a ,  306   c  extend substantially parallel to one another and are joined at the top by frame member  306   b . In another aspect, frame members  306  are a unitary piece of material, such as a tubular member. In another aspect, frame members  306  may to separate or individual pieces of material and joined together by methods commonly known to those skilled in the art. Additionally, frame members  306   a ,  306   c  may be joined or supported by a cross member  308  for additional structural rigidity. Cross member  308  may be a tubular member that is disposed between frame members  306   a ,  306   c  nearer to where they join frame member  306   b  for example. Other cross members as commonly known to those skilled in the art may be used in place of cross member  308 . In another embodiment, multi-position carrier  100  may not include cross member  308 . In one embodiment, the lower ends of frame members  306   a ,  306   b  extend downward and are joined in a rotational member or hub  310  as further discussed below. 
     Carriage  300  further includes a front carriage member  304  that is formed by frame members  314   a ,  314   b ,  314   c ,  314   d ,  314   e  (collectively frame members  314 ). In one aspect, frame members  314   a ,  314   b  may extend divergently from hub  310  to be joined with frame members  314   c ,  314   d , which may extend substantially upwardly to be joined by frame member  314   e . On one embodiment, frame member  314   e  may be rounded, curved, shaped, and/or semicircular in shape for engaging with the outer surface of beverage container  108  and water bottle  202 . 
     With particular attention to the shape of carriage  300 , it is important that rear carriage member  304  and frame members  314  together form a carriage that is acceptable to carrying both beverage container  108  and water bottle  202 . As these two types of containers may have slightly different outer diameters or shaped surfaces. Additionally, the location of frame member  314   e  may be slightly lower than in conventional bicycle water bottle holders, to accommodate less tall beverage container  108 . 
     As discussed above, in one aspect, frame members  314  are a unitary piece of material, such as a tubular member. In another aspect, frame members  314  may separate or individual pieces of material and joined together by methods commonly known to those skilled in the art. 
     Frame members  306 ,  314  may be comprised of a material that is convenient and inexpensive to form such members. Additionally, they are comprised of a material sufficiently rigid to hold beverage container  108  and water bottle  202  when full with liquid. They may be tubular member, non-tubular members, and the like. They may be farmed from thick sections of wire, for example. Furthermore, rear carriage member  304  and front carriage member  312  are made of materials that may have some resiliency characteristic or properties such that they are capable of being slightly forced apart by a user during the insertion of beverage container  108  or water bottle  202 , but then return to substantially their original position to hold beverage container  108  and water bottle  202  in place. Some exemplary materials may include aluminum, steel, plastic, alloys, and the like. 
     Additionally, as shown, any of frame members  306 ,  314  may be partially or fully wrapped or enclosed with a material for improving the holding, cushioning, and/or gripping of beverage container  108  and water bottle water bottle  202  in carriage  300 . Some exemplary materials include rubber, foam, sponge, rubber sponge, plastic, silicone, nylon, and the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , mount  302  may include a plate  402  that includes one or more mounting holes  406   a ,  406   b  (collectively mounting holes  406 ) therethrough for accepting fasteners, such as screws or bolts, for engaging with threaded connectors welded or part of the upper side of down tube  106  of bicycle  102 . In general, mounting holes  406  are spaced apart by a standard distance that coincides with the threaded connectors on down tube  106 . Additionally, plate  402  may be bordered by one or more frame members  404   a ,  404   b ,  404   c  (collectively frame members  404 ). As shown, plate  402  extends between frame members  404   a ,  404   b . In another embodiment, plate  402  completely is joined by frame members  404 . In yet another embodiment, plate  402  may extend downward and join hub  310 . Plate  402  may further include a slot  408  for decreasing the amount of mass or weight of plate  402  yet while still retaining its rigidity. 
     Frame members  404   a ,  404   b  extend substantially upward from hub  310  substantially parallel to corresponding frame members  306   a ,  306   c . Frame member  404   c  may be curved for joining the distal ends of frame members  404   a ,  404   b . Frame members  404  may be shaped, formed, and made, of materials as discussed above relative to frame members  306 ,  314 . 
     As shown, a portion of retaining mechanisms  410  are disposed substantially around their respective frame members  404   a ,  404   b . Retaining mechanisms  410  may include engaging portions that extend and curve inwardly for engaging with frame members  306   a ,  306   c  in a biased engagement as best illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Generally, the engaging portions of retaining mechanisms  410  are of a inner diameter or curvature to snugly fit the outer diameter of frame members  306   a ,  306   c . Retaining mechanisms  410  may be made of a resilient material, such as plastic and the like. Additionally, hub  310  may be substantially adjacent to ends  412  for facilitating rotational movement of carriage  300  relative to mount  302  as discussed further below. In still yet another embodiment, retaining mechanisms  410  may be disposed about frame members  306  for engaging the engaging portion with mount  302 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 5A-5B , one embodiment of a retractable member is depicted and generally designated  502 . Retractable member  502  may be disposed between mount  302  and rear carriage member  304  for supporting carriage  300  in the fully extended position as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5B .  FIG. 5B  shows retractable member  502  in partially extended or retracted position. Retractable member  502  may include a mount  504   a  that is disposed on rear carriage member  304  and a mount  504   b  that is disposed on mount  302 . Mounts  504   a ,  504   b  may be collectively known as mounts  504 . In one embodiment, mounts  504   a ,  504   b  may be incorporated, formed, or machined as part of rear carriage member  304  and mount  302 , respectively. In another embodiment, mounts  504   a ,  504   b  may be individual parts that are disposed about or slidable over frame members  306  and frame members  404 . In yet another embodiment, mounts  504   a ,  504   b  may be disposed on plate  402  and cross member  308 . 
     Retractable member  502  further includes arms  506   a ,  506   b  (collectively arms  506 ) that are engaged at one end with mounts  504  and are engaged at the other end with each other via a pivotable junction, rotatable junction, or rotatable connection  508 . When retractable member  502  is in the fully extended position, arms  506  are substantially fully extended positioning and supporting carriage  300  in the fully extended position as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5B . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5A-5B , the proximal ends of arms  506  may include slots, grooves, detents, recesses ribs, protrusions, and the like for engaging each other is locking manner to prevent, premature retraction of retractable member  502  when it is in the fully extended position. The features may be shaped or formed in both or one of arms  506 . 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 9-10 , another embodiment of a retractable member is depicted and generally designated  900 . Retractable member  900  includes arms  902 ,  904  that are engaged with mounts  504   b ,  504   a , respectively. The proximal ends of arms  902 ,  904  are joined together via a pivotable junction, rotatable junction, or rotatable connection  905 . In addition, retractable member  900  may include a locking mechanism  908 , such as a slidable lock, that is disposed about arms  902 ,  904  for locking arms  902 ,  904  in a fully extended position as shown in  FIG. 9 . Similar to retractable member  502 , arms  902 ,  904  may be overlapped when in the fully retracted position as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     Arms  506 ,  902 ,  904  may be joined with mounts  504  in a pivotable junction, rotatable junction, or rotatable connection. Corresponding holes may be formed in the ends of arms  506 ,  902 ,  904  and mounts  504  for accepting a rivet) rod, and the like to facilitate rotational movement of arms  506 ,  902 ,  904  relative to mounts  504  as shown in the figures. Other such connections as commonly known to those skilled in the art may be used in addition to or in place of those described herein. 
     Additionally, although several embodiments of retractable member is shown and described herein, the present multi-position carrier  100  may include other retractable members in addition to or in place of those described herein. For example, retractable member may be a resilient flat piece of flexible metal that is sufficiently bendable to be folded in half while in the fully retracted position, while sufficiently rigid enough to support carriage  300  in the fully extended position. In yet another embodiment, a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder and piston may be employed between mount  302  and carriage  300 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6-7 , one embodiment of a hub  310  is shown. Hub  310  may include a substantially cylindrical slot through its longitudinal axis for accepting an axle or rod  602  to provide rotational movement of hub  310  relative to ends  412  of frame members  404   a ,  404   b . In one embodiment, hub  310  may rotate about  602  relative to rod  412  to provide the necessary movement of carriage  300  relative to mount  302 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , another embodiment of a hub assembly is shown. In this embodiment, the proximal ends of frame members  404   a ,  404   b ,  306   a ,  306   c  are pressed or flanged to accommodate the rotational movement of carriage  300  relative to mount  302 . These flanged ends may have a hole formed therethrough for accepting an axle or rod  802  to provide the movement of carriage  300  relative to mount  302 . Other such hub assemblies as commonly known to those skilled in the art may be used in addition to or in place of those described herein. 
     While this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Although it is acknowledged that the embodiments of the present invention have been described relative to a conventional triangular bicycle frame, it is further acknowledged that the embodiments of the present invention may be used with non-conventional frames for the same purposes as described herein relative to an inclined frame member of a bicycle. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments.