Abstract:
A bicycle carrying frame for mounting on a bicycle front fork comprises a first frame member configured for attachment to a first front fork, the frame member comprising a lower attachment formation and an upper attachment formation by means of which the frame member is attachable respectively to a relatively lower mounting location of the fork and a relatively higher mounting location of the fork, one of said attachment formations being a mounting assembly comprising a rotatable element including one or more fixing points, whereby, when the frame member is disposed in a desired orientation with respect to the bicycle, the rotatable element can be rotated by a user to present at least one of the one or more fixing points to the adjacent mounting location.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of UK Patent Application Serial No. 0800943.3, filed Jan. 18, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to carrying racks for cycles and in particular to carrying racks arranged and mounted adjacent the front wheel of a pedal cycle. More especially, the present invention relates to carrying racks arranged to be mounted adjacent the front wheel of a pedal cycle. 
       DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART 
       [0003]    Carrying racks for cycles are well known and those which are mounted adjacent the front wheel are conventionally attached to the front forks of the bicycle. Typically, carrying racks comprise a pair of metal frames to which panniers or the like can be attached. One frame is attached to each respective fork, usually with a linking member which joins the respective frames together. Commonly, the frames have a first mounting point adjacent the lower ends of the front forks, typically close to the axle receiving formations of the front forks. A second mounting point is provided at a relatively higher part of the front forks. 
         [0004]    As cycle manufacturers strive to improve and differentiate their product, there is an increasing variety of shapes and configurations of front forks. It is therefore currently impossible to provide a standard carry rack which fits all, or at least a large proportion, of bicycle fork configurations. In this respect, it is desirable that the carrying rack is configured so that when mounted on the bicycle front forks it includes a substantially horizontal upper member to which panniers and the like can be attached. Not only does the variation in shape and configuration of front forks make it difficult to mount a carry rack, it is more difficult, even when such a carry rack is mounted, to ensure that an upper pannier mounting member is arranged nominally horizontally. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome, or at least alleviate, the above described problems. 
         [0006]    According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a bicycle carrying frame for mounting on a bicycle front fork comprising: 
         [0000]    a first frame member configured for attachment to a first front fork, the frame member comprising a lower attachment formation and an upper attachment formation by means of which the frame member is attachable respectively to a relatively lower mounting location of the fork and a relatively higher mounting location of the fork, one of said attachment formations being a mounting assembly comprising a rotatable element including one or more fixing points, whereby, when the frame member is disposed in a desired orientation with respect to the bicycle, the rotatable element can be rotated by a user to present at least one of the one or more said fixing points to the adjacent mounting location. 
         [0007]    In preferred embodiments the bicycle carrying frame further comprises a second frame member configured for attachment to a second front fork, the second frame member comprising a lower attachment formation and an upper attachment formation by means of which the second frame member is attachable respectively to a relatively lower mounting location of the second fork and a relatively higher mounting location of the second fork, one of said attachment formations being a mounting assembly comprising a rotatable element including one or more fixing points, whereby, when the second frame member is disposed in a desired orientation with respect to the bicycle, the rotatable element can be rotated by a user to present the, or one of, said fixing points to the adjacent mounting location. Preferably in these embodiments the bicycle carrying frame further comprises a linking member joining the first and second frame members. 
         [0008]    In preferred embodiments the upper attachment formation of said first frame is said mounting assembly. 
         [0009]    In further preferred embodiments the upper attachment formation of the second frame member is said mounting assembly. 
         [0010]    In more preferred embodiments the upper attachment formations of the first and second frame members are said mounting assemblies. 
         [0011]    In other preferred embodiments said mounting assembly comprises a receiving element in which said rotatable element is mounted. 
         [0012]    Preferably the receiving element comprises a collar of circular cross section. 
         [0013]    It is particularly preferred that the receiving element and the rotatable element comprise complementary conical surfaces. 
         [0014]    Preferably the or each fixing point of the rotatable element is a through bore in which a fixing bolt is receivable. 
         [0015]    In preferred embodiments the rotatable element comprises a plurality of fixing points. 
         [0016]    Most preferably, the fixing points are unequally spaced with respect to the rotational axis of the rotatable element. 
         [0017]    In a preferred example, the fixing points are arranged along a diameter of the rotatable element. 
         [0018]    Preferably the bicycle carrying frame includes a substantially linear formation configured for mounting panniers or the like, said desired orientation being a nominally horizontal arrangement of said formation. 
         [0019]    For better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the following drawings in which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a view of a carrying rack of one embodiment of the invention mounted on the front forks of a cycle; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a carrying rack of one embodiment of the invention showing an adjustable mounting assembly in exploded form; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  shows a mounting sub-assembly for use with the carrying rack of one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  shows a fixing plate of the sub-assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a cross section through an insertable element of the adjustable mounting assembly of one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a cross section through a collar of the adjustable mounting assembly of one embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of the element of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    Referring now to the drawings, the illustrated carrying frame  2  comprises a first frame member  4  and a second frame member  6 . The frame members  4  and  6  are arranged in use on respective sides of the front wheel, attached to respective front forks  32 ,  34  of the cycle. The frame members  4  and  6  are linked by a joining bracket  24 . Conveniently, the frame members  4  and  6  and the joining bracket  24  are made from shaped or formed metal rods or tubes. The joining bracket  24  may usefully include a mounting bracket  36  suitable for mounting a reflector, light or the like. 
         [0028]    Each frame member  4 ,  6  comprises a top member  8  which is most preferably arranged substantially horizontally in use, and a bottom member  10  which may be arranged in use substantially parallel to the top member  8 . Top member  8  preferably provides a mounting location for the attachment of panniers or the like. Alternative or additional mounting locations for panniers and the like may be provided if desired. The top member  8  and bottom member  10  are linked by upright members  12  and  14  which extend from the respective ends of the top and bottom members  8  and  10  to define an X-like configuration. In the preferred form the top member B, the bottom member  10  and one upright member  12  are unitary and have a Z-like configuration. Reinforcing plates  20 ,  22  may advantageously be provided in the acute angle between the bottom member  10  and the upright member  12 , and between the top member  8  and the upright member  12 , respectively. 
         [0029]    A lower securing member  18  extends between the upright member  12  and the bottom member  10  and includes a lower portion  18   a  and an upper portion  18   b . In alternative configurations the securing member  18  could extend between the upright members  12 ,  14 , or between the upright member  14  and the bottom member  10 . The respective portions  18   a  and  18   b  terminate in a lower attachment fixture  26  which preferably comprises a flattened region including at least one through bore  28 . 
         [0030]    Bicycle front forks such as those illustrated at  32  and  34  conventionally include at their lower end, proximate mounting location  42  for the axle bolt of the bicycle front wheel, a mounting fixture  38 ,  40  in the form of a boss or the like having a through bore  38 ′,  40 ′. Thus, the frame members  4  and  6  can be secured at the lower ends of the respective forks  32   34  by passing bolts  44  through one of the bores  28  of the lower attachment fixture and also into bore  38 ′,  40 ′ of mounting fixture  38 ,  40 . The bores  38 ′,  40 ′ may be internally threaded to complement the thread of bolt  44 , or the bolt  44  may be secured by a suitable nut. By providing two or more bores  28  in the lower attachment fixture  26  an initial degree of adjustment of the position of the frame members  4  and  6  relative to the forks  32 ,  34  is achieved. 
         [0031]    The frame members  4  and  6  each also include an upper securing member  16  which extends between an upper part of upright member  14  and an upper part of upright member  12 . In alternative configurations the upper securing member could be connected solely to one of the upright members  12 ,  14  or at one, or both, ends to the top member  8 . The upper securing member  16  comprises a first part  16   a  and a second part  16   b . As illustrated, the first part  16   a  extends from the upper member  14  and second part  16   b  extends from the upright member  12 . The parts  16   a  and  16   b  terminate at an adjustable upper mounting assembly  30  to which they are respectively attached. 
         [0032]    Many bicycle frame manufacturers provide on the front forks  32 ,  34  a mounting formation, typically in the form of a boss with a bolt-receiving through bore. These mounting formation are commonly referred to as “braze-ons” (because, originally, they were brazed onto the bicycle frame). The braze-ons provide an attachment location for the upper mounting fixture  30 . 
         [0033]    For front forks where braze-ons are not provided, alternative attachment means may be used. Suitable attachment means are illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4  and comprise first and second fastening brackets  62   a ,  62   b  which are arranged in use on respective sides of a given fork  32 ,  34 . Each bracket  62   a    62   b  includes through holes  72  and, when the brackets  62   a ,  62   b  are mounted to the fork  32 ,  34 , the respective holes at opposed ends of the brackets are aligned. Desirably, anti-scratch liners  64   a    64   b  which are conveniently made of a rubber or rubber like material may be arranged between the fork  32 ,  34  and the fastening bracket  62   a ,  62   b . The liner  64   a ,  64   b  also includes through holes  74  which are aligned in use with corresponding holes  72 . The attachment means illustrated in  FIG. 3  further comprises a fixing plate  66  which includes through holes  78  which align in use with holes  72  and  74  of the fastening brackets  62   a ,  62   b  and the liners  64   a ,  64   b . Fixing plate  66  includes two side web portions  80   a ,  80   b  which are coplanar and which each define a through hole  78 . Between the side portions  80   a ,  80   b  is an intermediate offset portion  82  which is configured to include a web portion  82   a . Web portion  82   a  is generally parallel to the side portions  80   a ,  80   b  and is displaced from the side portions by an amount which is typically less than 1 cm, for example about 7 mm. A formation  70  defining a through threaded bore is attached to inner surface  82   b  the web portion  82   a  so that the through threaded bore is aligned with a corresponding through hole of the offset portion  82 . The formation  70  is typically a captive nut which is welded or otherwise attached to the offset portion. The offset portion is configured so that the formation  70  does not extend beyond the plane of side web portions  80   a ,  80   b . The attachment means are secured to the respective forks  32 ,  34  by passing bolts  76  through the respective sets of holes  78 ,  72 ,  74 ,  72  and securing with a suitable nut or the like. Note that inner surface  82  of fixing plate  66  is arranged to face the respective fork  32 ,  34 . If necessary, spacers  68  may be inserted between the fixing plate  66  and the adjacent fastening bracket  62   b . When the fastening means is secured to the respective front fork  32 ,  34  the formation  70  provides a mounting location for mounting fixture  30 . 
         [0034]    The mounting assembly  30  comprises an external collar  46  of circular cross section to which the upper securing member parts  16   a  and  16   b  are attached. The collar has an outer face  46   a  and an inner face  46   b . The collar  46  also has an internal face  56  which tapers inwardly. That is, the surface  56  defines a diameter at its outward extremity which is greater than its diameter at its inward extremity. The face  56  therefore defines a portion of a cone. Surface  56  defines an obtuse angle α ( FIG. 6 ) with the plane of inner surface  46   b.    
         [0035]    The mounting fixture  30  further comprises an insertable element  48  which is receivable in the collar  46 . The element  48  is frusto-conical in shape with an outer surface  48   a , an inner surface  48   b  and a conical surface  58 . The conical surface  58  is complementary to the conical surface  56  of the collar  46 . Surface  58  defines an obtuse angle β ( FIG. 5 ) with the plane of inner surface  48   b . Angles α and β are most preferably substantially equal. Thus, when the element  48  is received in the collar  46 , the surfaces  56  and  58  are juxtaposed, and most preferably in contact, and the element  48  is rotatable within the collar  46 . 
         [0036]    The element  48  includes at least one through bore  52  and preferably includes a plurality of bores  52 . In a preferred example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the element  48  includes three bores  52   a ,  52   b  and  52   c . Other numbers of bores  52  may be provided. The or each bore  52  is offset from the centre C of the element  48  as can be seen in particular from  FIGS. 5 and 7 .  FIGS. 5 and 7  show only one bore  52  although preferably a plurality of bores such as three bores  52  is provided. Preferably, but not essentially, the bores  52  are arranged linearly along a diameter such as diameter d 1  ( FIG. 7 ) but are offset from a diameter d 2  which is perpendicular to diameter d 1 . The spacing of the bores  52  along the diameter d 1  is most preferably unequal. More especially, in the case of an element  48  having three bores, the distance between the outer bores and the nearest point of the circumference of the element  48  is not the same and the distance between the middle bore  52  and the respective outer bores  52  is not the same. Each bore  52  is configured to receive a bolt  60  and preferably therefore comprises an enlarged portion  53   a  sized to accommodate the head portion of the bolt  60  and a narrower portion  53   b  sized to accommodate the shaft portion of the bolt  60 . 
         [0037]    For mounting the carrying frame  2  on the bicycle, initially the frame portions  4  and  6  are secured at the lower end of the forks  32 ,  34  using the lower attachment fixture  26  with corresponding bolts  44  accommodated in braze-ons  38  and  40 . At this stage the carrying frame  2  can pivot about the bolts  44  and the user arranges the carry frame  2  so that the top members  8  of the first and second frame member  4  and  6  are at least nominally horizontal. The user then rotates the mounting fixture  30  until one of the bores  52  is aligned with the bore of the underlying braze-on or, as appropriate, with the bore of formation  70  of the alternative attachment means. Bolt  60  is then inserted into the selected bore  52  and secured in the bore of the braze-on of formation  70 . If desired a circular washer  50  having through holes  54   a ,  54   b  and  54   c  corresponding to holes  52   a ,  52   b  and  52   c  may be interposed between the mounting fixture  30  and the respective fork  32 ,  34 . Tightening of the bolt  60  urges the element  48  more closely into the collar so that the surfaces  56  and  58  are urged into frictional engagement. Rotation of the element  48  in the collar  46  is thereby further resisted. If desired, additional securing bolts  60  may be inserted into the two remaining bores  52  and secured, for example with suitable nuts, to further ensure that the element  48  is fixedly retained in the collar  56 . 
         [0038]    Because each of the bores  52  is eccentrically located with respect to the centre C of the element  48  a very wide range of fixing locations is provided with respect to the braze-on of the fork  32 ,  34 , or the formation  70 , simply by rotating the element  48  in the collar  46 . 
         [0039]    It therefore becomes possibly easily to achieve a nominally horizontal configuration of the top members  8  by adjustment of mounting assembly  30 . Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and variations of the words, for example “comprising” and “comprises”, means “including but not limited to”, and is not intended to (and does not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. The words bicycle, cycle and bike are used herein interchangeably. 
         [0040]    Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise. 
         [0041]    Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith.