Magnetic bottle mounting system and methods of use

A magnetic bottle mounting system, comprising: a bottle; a magnetically active ring; an at least partially open-faced mount for receipt of the bottle therein; and, at least one magnetically active body provided to the mount opposite the ring.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to cycling and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a bicycle accessory.

Traditional bottle mounting systems require that the bottle be placed or taken out of the bottle cage from a vertical direction. Because bottle cages are affixed to bicycles, in the area directly underneath the cross bar of the bicycle frame, the physical act of taking a bottle from its cage is a cumbersome, uncomfortable, distracting and perhaps unsafe depending upon circumstances.

Vincero Design of Boulder, Colo. has created a system of customized magnetic bottles to be used with a corresponding magnetic mount designed to avoid having to insert a water bottle into a traditional bottle cage. Description of the Vincero system can be found at www.vincero-design.com.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a bottle mount system which uses an at least partially open-faced, magnetic mount to effectuate easier removal and insertion of a bottle. In some embodiments of the invention, the bottle is fitted with a magnetically active ring which magnetically interacts with the mount. In an embodiment of the invention, the mount is comprised of a neck with arms which are shorter than arms provided to a base, thereby creating a funnel-like shape with the more open end towards the top of the mount for focusing insertion of the bottle and allowing for removal of the bottle along multiple axes and directions.

In an embodiment of the invention, the bottle is rotationally and magnetically symmetric and thus can be inserted into the mount in any orientation around the bottle's longitudinal axis.

In an embodiment of the invention, a combination of magnetic attraction and mechanical cradling are used to removably attach the bottle to the mount. Optionally, magnetic attraction is between the ring and the neck of the mount. Alternatively, additionally and/or optionally, magnetic attraction is between the bottom of the bottle and the base of the mount. In some embodiments of the invention, the bottom of the bottle is mechanically cradled by the lower arms of the mount. Alternatively, additionally and/or optionally, the groove of the bottle is mechanically supported by the upper arms of the mount.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method of removing a bottle from an at least partially open-faced, magnetic bottle mount. In an embodiment of the invention, the bottle is pulled by the user from the upper portion of the bottle and away from the mount to break the magnetic attraction between the bottle and the mount. The bottle is removed from the mount by sustained movement by the user of the bottle away from the mount in a fulcrum-like movement around the base using the length of the bottle as a lever.

There is thus provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a magnetic bottle mounting system, comprising: a bottle; a magnetically active ring placed around the circumference of the bottle; an at least partially open-faced mount adapted for receipt of the bottle therein; and, at least one magnetically active body provided to the mount opposite the ring.

In an embodiment of the invention, the bottle is at least one of rotationally and magnetically symmetrical.

In an embodiment of the invention, the mount comprises a base portion, a neck portion and a stem portion between the neck and base portions. In an embodiment of the invention, the neck is provided with an upper set of arms and the base is provided with a lower set of arms longer than the upper set of arms. In an embodiment of the invention, the at least one magnetically active body is embedded in the upper set of arms.

In an embodiment of the invention, the at least one magnetically active body is an arc magnet.

In an embodiment of the invention, the mount is provided with at least one bolt hole for securing the mount to an object.

In an embodiment of the invention, the mount is provided with at least one vertical slot for securing the mount to an object.

In an embodiment of the invention, the mount is provided with at least one spring-loaded device for securing the mount to an object.

In an embodiment of the invention, the bottle is provided with a groove in which the ring sits. Optionally, a portion of the mount mechanically cradles the bottle at the groove.

In an embodiment of the invention, the system further comprises a magnetically active annular ring on a bottom of the bottle and a magnetically active mount base support located on a base of the mount opposite the annular ring.

In an embodiment of the invention, the mount is divided into two adjustably separable parts. Optionally, the separable parts are provided with at least a pair of rails which nest such that a larger rail slides over a smaller rail to provide relative movement of the separable parts.

There is thus provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of removing a bottle from an at least partially open-faced, magnetic mount, comprising: pulling an upper portion of the bottle away from the mount through the at least partially open face to break a magnetic attraction between the bottle and the mount; and, sustaining movement of the bottle away from the mount using a base of the mount as a fulcrum and the length of the bottle as a lever.

In an embodiment of the invention, pulling is away from a neck of the mount.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to cycling and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a bicycle accessory. Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

Referring now to the drawings,FIG. 1is an exploded view of a magnetic bottle mounting system100, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment of the invention, the system100is comprised of a bottle102, fitted with a magnetically active ring106, and a bottle mount104adapted to fit with and act as a counterpart to the bottle102. In an embodiment of the invention, the mount104is adapted to magnetically attract to ring106fitted on bottle102, for example by being provided with at least one magnetically active body108oppositely charged from the ring106. In some embodiments of the invention, because the bottle102is rotationally symmetrical, the bottle102is removably attachable to mount104in any rotational orientation around the longitudinal axis of the bottle102. As a result, a user of the system100does not have to ensure that the bottle is properly aligned for attachment to the mount, which can be an issue when the user is in motion.

In an embodiment of the invention, bottle102is of a standard shape and/or size as is used in the sport of cycling. Examples of standard cycling bottle configurations include the Specialized® 24 oz. Big Mouth, 21 oz. Little Big Mouth and 22 oz. Purist WaterGate and Mo'Flo bottles. In some embodiments of the invention, the mount104is usable with a plurality of bottle sizes. For example, a single embodiment of the invention is capable of accommodating bottles from approximately 7 in. in height (not counting the cap) and approximately 9 in. in circumference (e.g. 21 oz. Specialized® Little Big Mouth) to approximately 8 in. in height (not counting the cap) and approximately 9 in. in circumference (e.g. 24 oz. Specialized® Big Mouth). In some embodiments of the invention, the mount104is approximately 6 inches long in its longitudinal axis. Optionally, mount104is provided in a plurality of sizes, varying in length, width and curvature to match15corresponding bottle sizes. These standard bottles are typically provided with a groove110which is conventionally used as a hand hold in order to provide an ergonomic interface between the bottle and a user's fingers and/or hand and also to interface with a lip of conventional bottle cages to mechanically keep the bottle in the cage. However in an embodiment of the invention, the groove110also functions as a site for positioning the magnetically active ring106. In an embodiment of the invention, ring106is adapted to fit the groove110of a standard cycling bottle size. Optionally, multiple ring sizes are manufactured to correspond with the groove of multiple bottle sizes. Alternatively, additionally and/or optionally, at least one magnetically active ring802is located on the base of the bottle102, as shown and described in more detail with respect toFIG. 8and/or at a site around the circumference of bottle102other than at the groove110.

In some embodiments of the invention, ring106is made from a magnetically active material, for example carbon steel or magnetic stainless steel. In order to increase the longevity and aesthetics of the ring106, a coating which does not affect the magnetic properties of the ring106is optionally applied. Corrosion protection is achieved, in some embodiments of the invention, through plating or coating the ring106through such processes as powder coating, plating (i.e. nickel, zinc, chrome, etc.), passivation, pickling, physical vapor deposition (PVD), ceramic and/or Teflon® (polytetrafluoroethylene). Some or all of these processes will provide aesthetic appeal as well as corrosion protection. In some embodiments of the invention, the coating is magnetically active in addition to or alternatively to the ring106itself being magnetically active. While ring106is shown inFIG. 1(and other Figures herein) as having a flat surface in the longitudinal axis direction of the bottle102, it should be understood that the ring106could be angular, curved, and/or have multiple surfaces, for example for the purpose of matching the shape of the ring to the shape of the groove of the bottle on which it is used, so they fit properly together as counterparts. Optionally, the shape of the ring does not match the groove of the bottle on which the ring is used.

In some embodiments of the invention, because the bottle102is an industry standard size and/or shape, and inherently the bottle102is sufficiently flexible to be used as a “squeeze” bottle, the legacy standard cycling bottle can be retrofitted with ring106by sliding it over the top of the bottle102(with the lid screwed off) and elastically deforming the bottle's shape to move the ring106down into the groove110. It is conceived by the inventor that bottles already owned by a cyclist can be adapted for use with the system100simply by purchasing and then adding the ring106to as many bottles as is desired, in an embodiment of the invention. It is similarly20conceived by the inventor that in a scenario where the number of rings106available to the cyclist is limited, a ring106can be moved from one bottle to another relatively easily and/or in a short amount of time, for example in under a minute, in some embodiments of the invention.

In some embodiments of the invention, ring106is attached to bottle102using an adhesive. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the bottle is designed with an impression/cavity, for example at the base and/or on the cap, so that the ring is affixed to the bottle by snap fitting it to the bottle. Alternatively to the ring106, additionally to the ring106and/or optionally, a magnetically active element is embedded into the bottle102during the manufacturing of the bottle102at a location that will position the magnetically active element opposite the magnetically active portion of the mount104.

In an embodiment of the invention, system100is designed so that bottle102is held to mount104by at least one of: (1) the shape of the magnetic bottle mount104(i.e. the mount104cradles at least a portion of the bottle102); and, (2) the force of the magnetic attraction between the ring106and/or bottle102and the magnetically active body108housed inside the mount104.FIG. 2Ais a rear view of the bottle mount104andFIG. 2Bis a front view of the bottle mount104, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment of the invention, mount104is configured with an open face such that at least a portion of the mount104is open and obstruction-free. This is an advantage over conventional water bottle cage designs. For example, the curvature/arc of the mount104in combination with the length of the arms of the mount104is designed to allow the bottle102to be removed from and/or placed in the mount104from the side (left or right), the top and/or even head-on. Exemplary mount104curvature and the open face is shown and described in more detail with respect toFIGS. 4A and 4B. This is a significant departure from conventional water bottle cages which only allow the bottle to be secured into the cage from only a vertical to quasi-vertical direction.

In an embodiment of the invention, mount104is comprised of the base202, the stem204and the neck206. The base202is the portion of the mount104that comes into contact with the lower portion502of the bottle102, shown in more detail with respect toFIGS. 5A and 5B, and bottom504of the bottle102. In an embodiment of the invention, the stem204is the portion of the mount that contains the bolt holes208. The neck206is the area of the mount104that comes into contact with the upper portion506of the bottle102, shown in more detail with respect toFIGS. 5A and 5B, of the bottle102. It should be understood that these identified segments of mount104are for ease of explanation only and that the segments optionally blend together and in some embodiments overlap, for example a bolt hole208could be located in the base202and/or neck206. In some embodiments of the invention, less or more than three (3) bolt holes208are provided to mount104. It should be understood that depending on the embodiment of the invention, mechanical cradling and/or magnetic attraction are used solely or in combination and that each method can be used solely or in combination at each contact point between the bottle102and the mount104regardless of whether in the base, stem or the neck.

In an embodiment of the invention, at least one magnetically active body108is located in the neck206of the mount104. Optionally, the body108is positioned within a cavity112. The cavity112is designed with a shape to house the at least one magnetically active body108, optionally an arc magnet shaped with a flat surface facing the ring106and/or a curvature that substantially matches the curvature of the mount104and/or the outer circumference of the ring106or bottle102.

The stem204of the mount104has at least one bolt hole208and/or at least one vertical slot302, described and shown in more detail with respect toFIG. 3, in an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment of the invention, the at least one bolt hole208is configured to fit a standard bolt hole size used with bicycles. Optionally, alternative fastening mechanisms, such as screws and/or snap fit clips are used to hold the mount104to whatever it is being attached to. In some embodiments of the invention, the mount104is fastened magnetically to an object (e.g. the metal surface of a moped or motor cycle frame), for example where the mount104is provided with at least one rearward facing magnetically active body. In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one bolt hole208is not perfectly circular, but elongated, to allow for slight sliding of the mount104along the bicycle frame. Optionally, the sliding of this embodiment is dampened, for example using a spring. In some embodiments of the invention, a spring-loaded device connects the system100to the bicycle, rather than the system100being directly affixed to the bicycle frame. This spring-loaded connection allows the system100a limited degree of upward and downward (vertical) movement while attached to the bicycle, absorbing outside forces and vibration.

In an embodiment of the invention, the system100is configured so that the counterparts, the bottle102and the mount104, function similarly to a fulcrum during bottle102removal. As described elsewhere herein, the mount104is bolted to the bicycle and the bottle102recesses into the base202of the mount104while being held at the neck206by magnetic forces. In an embodiment of the invention, the bottle102is removed by grasping the upper portion506of the bottle102and tilting and/or pulling it up, backward and/or to a side. As the bottle102is pulled from the mount104, the lower portion502of the bottle102pivots on the mount's104base202. This fulcrum action promotes leverage, enabling the user to overcome the force of the magnets. In an embodiment of the invention, the fulcrum effectuating configuration is also enhanced by the shape of the neck206and base202of the mount104, described and shown in more detail with respect toFIG. 3andFIGS. 4A and 4B.

FIG. 3is a side view of the bottle mount104, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In some embodiments of the invention, each side of the mount104substantially reflects the other. In some embodiments of the invention, mount104is provided with at least one vertical slot302adapted for passage therethrough of a strap (e.g. a hook and loop fastener), snap-fit adapter, tie, clip, zip tie, and/or string, as examples. In an embodiment of the invention, mount104is fastened to a bicycle using straps, ties or clips which pass through the at least one vertical slot302and around a part of the bicycle frame. In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one vertical slot302renders the system100portable, allowing system100to be removably fastened to devices such as: a waist belt or arm band; a backpack; a stroller; a wheelchair; a walker; a vehicle; as specific examples, or anything that can be strapped, tied, or clipped to, generally.

In some embodiments of the invention, the arms of the neck portion206are shorter than the arms of the base portion202allowing for the easier insertion and/or removal of the bottle102into the upper portion506of the mount104while still providing sufficient structure at the lower portion502of the mount104for cradling the bottle102. In an embodiment of the invention, the shorter upper arms and the longer lower arms create a funnel-like opening with more bottle102maneuvering space at the neck206and less at the base202of the mount104.FIG. 4Ais a top view of the bottle mount104andFIG. 4Bis a bottom view of the bottle mount104, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In some embodiments of the invention, the base portion202has a larger circumference than the upper portion506, in essence providing a configuration whereby the upper arms are shorter than the lower arms. In some embodiments of the invention, the base portion202has a circumference greater than 180 degrees and the neck portion206has a circumference less than 180 degrees.

FIGS. 5A-5Care a front view, a side view and a perspective rear view of the assembled magnetic bottle mounting system100, respectively, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.FIG. 5Ashows the cross-sectional cut ofFIG. 6which is a cross-sectional side view of the assembled magnetic bottle mounting system100, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7is a view of the mount104of the magnetic bottle mounting system100installed on a bicycle702, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

In an embodiment of the invention, mount104is made from a material which is sufficiently rigid to mechanically hold the bottle102while still being able to withstand the repetitive shock of being mounted on a moving object. Exemplary construction materials include various types of plastic, metal, wood, woven material (e.g. carbon fiber), or rubber. Exemplary materials for the at least one magnetically to active body108include rare earth, flexible, ceramic, alnico, samarium cobalt, and neodymium iron boron magnets. The mount104is manufactured by injection molding, casting, dies and stamping, press-fitting, wire bending/shaping, custom machining using a CNC mill and lathe and/or by forming carbon.

FIG. 8is a rear perspective view of a magnetic bottle mounting system800including a magnetically active annular ring802on the bottom of the bottle102, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In some embodiments of the invention, mount104is provided with a magnetically active counterpart to the annular ring802. In an embodiment of the invention, the magnetically active counterpart is embedded in a mount base support804located opposite the annular ring802. Optionally, the mount base support804renders mechanical support to the bottle102as well as magnetic attraction.

In some embodiments of the invention, magnets and metal counterparts are juxtaposed, for example, metal elements are located on the mount while magnetic elements are located on the bottle. Optionally, the metal elements and magnetic elements are mixed, wherein at least one metal element is located on the bottle and at least one magnetic element is located on the bottle, with corresponding counterparts located on the mount.

In an embodiment of the invention, the neck, base and stem of the mount contain magnets and at least corresponding portions of the bottle are lined with metal (such wire mesh), for example by embedding the metal into the bottle during the manufacturing process.

In an embodiment of the invention, at least one magnetically active body is free standing (i.e. not press fitted or embedded into a corresponding cavity) and is affixed on an external surface of the mount.

In some embodiments of the invention, the mount is adjustable such that the distance between the base and the neck can be lengthened or shortened. An adjustable mount would allow for use with varying sizes of water bottles. In an embodiment of the invention, the adjustable mount is partitioned in the middle of the stem. The stem is configured with at least one rail on each corresponding half of the stem, with one side having a different size than the other such that the larger rail slides over the smaller rail (or from a different perspective, the smaller rail nests within the larger rail to and slides within the larger rail), in an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment of the invention, with the pieces bolted to the bike, the rails would remain in place. In an embodiment of the invention, at least one vertical slot would reside on the base202and at least one vertical slot would reside on the neck206of the mount.

In some embodiments of the invention, an adjustable mount is provided wherein the neck206of the mount104is adapted to hold the cap of the bottle102instead of at the groove110. In an embodiment of the invention, the neck206moves relative to the base202thereby shortening or lengthening the overall length of the mount104. In an embodiment of the invention, various bottle lengths are thus accommodated by the mount104by shortening or lengthening the mount104, using for example, the sliding rail configuration described above.

In some embodiments of the invention, a bottle is provided to the mount which also has a groove located near the lower portion of the bottle to interface with the base of the mount in a similar fashion to how the groove of the upper portion of the bottle interacts with the neck of the mount. Optionally, magnetically active counterparts are provided to the lower groove and the base of the mount.

FIG. 9is a flowchart900of a method of removing a bottle from an at least partially open-faced, magnetic mount, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment of the invention, the bottle102is pulled (902) by the user from the upper portion506of the bottle and away from the mount104through the at least partially open face to break the magnetic attraction between the bottle102and the mount104. The bottle is removed from the mount104by sustaining movement (904) by the user of the bottle102away from the mount104in a fulcrum-like movement around the base202and using the length of the bottle102as a lever.

The term “consisting of means “including and limited to”.

As used herein, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references10unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term “a compound” or “at least one compound” may include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof.