INTERLOCKING ANGLED ANTI-TIPPING ADJUSTABLE/TELESCOPING RODS FOR UPRIGHT BICYCLE TRANSPORT IN THE BED OF A PICK-UP TRUCK

A system for mounting a bicycle in an upright position in a truck bed is disclosed, including a first mounting component, a second mounting component and a third mounting component, each comprised of an inner member and an outer member. A padlock connects each of the inner members and the outer members to retain the telescoping inner and outer members at a fixed length. The first mounting component, the second mounting component, and the third mounting component are attached to the bed of a truck and arranged in a trigonal geometric configured to retain a bicycle in an upright configuration.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments disclosed herein generally relate the field of bicycle transportation and more specifically to transporting bicycles in an upright position in the bed of a pickup truck though trigonal geometry.

BACKGROUND

It is common for cyclists to transport bicycles using a vehicle. In some cases, the bicycles may be transported using a bike rack which attaches to the hitch mount of the vehicle or using another structural component vehicle (e.g., tailgate mounting pads, and cargo roof bike racks). If the user owns a pickup truck, they may choose to transport the bicycle in the bed of the pickup truck. While some cyclists choose to simply place the bicycles inside the bed of the truck, this can result in damage or loss of the bicycle during transit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a variety of concepts in a simplified form that is further disclosed in the detailed description of the embodiments. This summary is not intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

A system for mounting a bicycle in an upright position in a truck bed is disclosed, including a first mounting component, a second mounting component and a third mounting component, each comprised of an inner member and an outer member. A padlock connects each of the inner members and the outer members to retain the telescoping inner and outer members at a fixed length. The first mounting component, the second mounting component, and the third mounting component are attached to the bed of a truck and arranged in a trigonal geometric configured to retain a bicycle in an upright configuration.

Interlocking of the telescoping mounting components secures the bicycle in position in the truck bed. The interlocking prevents rolling out of the truck bed in any size truck bed. Other “upright” transportation methods in the bed of a pickup truck require taking off wheels as well as draping over the tailgate with the front wheel exposed (tailgate pads). These measures are time consuming and possibly damaging to the vehicle transporting the bicycles. Dents and scrapes are common from the use of tailgate pads, and it can be dangerous to take wheels off and on at will for transport. It is essential to have the least amount of contact with the surface of the transport vehicle as possible thus making the bed of the truck the most desirable place of transport.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are set forth in this application. Any specific details of the embodiments described herein are used for demonstration purposes only, and no unnecessary limitation(s) or inference(s) are to be understood or imputed therefrom.

In general, the embodiments provided herein relate to a bicycle mounting system to allow a user to mount and retain a bicycle in an upright position in the bed of a pickup truck. The mounting system prevents the bicycle from tipping over as well as being removed from the bed of the pickup truck during transit or while parked. Trigonal geometry principles are utilized to retain the bike in the upright position while the vehicle is stationary and while the vehicle is in motion. This aid in reducing damage to the bicycle while it is retained in the bed of the pickup truck.

In some embodiments, the mounting system may be utilized as an anti-theft device or as a theft deterrent. This may be especially important as the bicycle is standing upright and visible by others.

During use, the user utilizes trigonal geometry in symmetry to create securement of his/her cargo. The mounting system is adjustable/telescoping via the sliding engagement of the inner and outer members and can be set to user's specific required lengths. Lengths are determined by the size and shape of the truck bed, the size and shape of the bicycle, as well as the preferred mounting position of the bicycle.

The mounting system solves a problem where the barrier created by tension straps and similar products exist. Damage to the bicycle while using the mounting system described herein is virtually impossible as the system components are attached to the bottom of the bike seat (“saddle”). The only free-play in the method of application is the slide on the undercarriage of the bike seat so it is inherently expressed that the use of shorter, rather than longer locks are utilized for securement. The less potential for the components to slide up and down on the bottom of the bike seat, the more secure the mounting of the bike.

FIG.1illustrates a perspective view of the bicycle mounting system100securing a bicycle104upright in a truck bed108using principles of trigonal geometry. The bicycle mounting system100has an attachment point102and anchor point103to secure the bicycle104in a suitable upright position in the truck bed108. The bicycle mounting system100is comprised of a first mounting component110, a second mounting component120, and a third mounting component130. Each of the first mounting component110, the second mounting component120, and the third mounting component130include an inner member and an outer member described below and illustrated inFIGS.2a-6b. The first mounting component110, second mounting component120, and third mounting component130are arranged and connected as shown inFIG.1using trigonal geometry principles.

Existing truck anchors or hooks are rounded off in nature. As they are “rounded off”, the mounting member end is flattened out and cut at a 60 degree angle. This angle is to ensure the flat end does not catch on the truck hooks and create unwanted/undesirable tension that could break/snap them. The four corners of the vehicle bed are utilized for the earlier noted Trigonal symmetry users ultimately want to achieve.

In this embodiment, the inventive manner of the mounting system is illustrated through Geometric and telescoping modality. Adjustable/telescoping rods (i.e., the first mounting component110, the second mounting component120, and the third mounting component130) are secured to the bed of a transport vehicle that attach to one another for desired symmetry to prevent tipping and rolling of the bicycle104.

FIG.2a-2dillustrate the outer member200of the bicycle mounting system. The outer member includes a first end201and a second end203.FIG.3a-3dillustrate the inner member300of the bicycle mounting system including a first end301and a second end303. The inner member includes a plurality of through holes which align with a single through hole positioned on the outer member200and permit the padlock to extend therethrough.

FIG.4a-4billustrate an assembled mounting system100at maximum length (seeFIG.4a) and minimum length (seeFIG.4b) with attachment points oriented 90° in relation to each other.FIG.5a-5dillustrate the outer mounting member200with internal detail (broken lines) to illustrate the telescopic interaction between the outer member200and the inner member300. Similarly,FIG.6a-6dillustrates the inner mounting member300with internal detail (broken lines).

FIG.7illustrates the alignment (‘set’) holes700(in assembled mounting component and how, through padlock107or other linking item, it attaches to other mounting components to secure rigid trigonal geometry.

FIG.8illustrates the outer mounting member200in isometric projection andFIG.9illustrates the inner mounting member300in an isometric projection.

FIG.10a-10billustrates the mounting system at a maximum length (seeFIG.10a) and at a minimum length (seeFIG.10b), in an isometric projection, with attachment points oriented 90° in relation to each other. The padlock107is positioned through an aperture700aligned through the inner member300and outer member200. This maintains the length of the mounting component during use to ensure the bicycle is secured in position.

FIG.11illustrates the mounting system being secured to the saddle rail105of a bicycle104by means if a padlock with an adjustable padlock106.FIG.12illustrates the mounting system100being secured to the anchor point103of a truck bed108by means of a padlock107, according to some embodiments. One skilled in the arts will readily understand that the padlock107can be configured as any locking device known in the arts including combination locks, chain locks, and other common locking mechanisms used for bicycles or general locking of items.

In this embodiment, the inventive manner of Cycle Stix is illustrated through Geometric and telescoping modality. Adjustable/telescoping rods secured to the bed of a transport vehicle that attach to one another for desired symmetry to prevent tipping and rolling of bicycles. Through the provided photos (1-16) and line art renders (FIG.1-12), Cycle Stix is simple to understand and use for most consumers. This embodiment yields application for bicycles of any size as long as there is a means of attachment in the illustrated way (FIG.11).

In some embodiments, the apertures, or “set points” along the inner members that allow for adjustments to optimum length to fit any type or bicycle as long as it has a seat (“saddle”).

In some embodiments, the set point secures both the mounting members on either left or right side to one another to create the notes trigonal symmetry. This symmetry prevents the mounting member (when attached to the bicycle) from shifting preventing the bike from moving at all (forwards, backwards, tipping or side-to-side).

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. The systems and methods described herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.

The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of this disclosure. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this disclosure.

In many instances entities are described herein as being coupled to other entities. It should be understood that the terms “coupled” and “connected” (or any of their forms) are used interchangeably herein and, in both cases, are generic to the direct coupling of two entities (without any non-negligible (e.g., parasitic intervening entities) and the indirect coupling of two entities (with one or more non-negligible intervening entities). Where entities are shown as being directly coupled together or described as coupled together without description of any intervening entity, it should be understood that those entities can be indirectly coupled together as well unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.