Quick-release adjustable mounting bracket

A quick-release adjustable mounting bracket to be detachably connected to, for example, a handlebar of a bicycle to permit, for example, a bright flashing light source to be attached to and removed from the handlebar without the use of tools so that neither the mounting bracket nor the light source need remain attached when the bicycle is not in use. The mounting bracket includes a grip to engage a portion of the handlebar and a light stand pivotally coupled to the grip. The light source is removably received by the light stand so that the light stand and the light source received thereby are rotatable relative to the grip. The grip includes a hook-shaped locking catch, a coupling cavity within which a plurality of spaced, parallel-aligned coupling pin retaining slots are formed, and a flexible clamping band. A locking latch pivotally coupled to a first end of the flexible clamping band is pulled towards and rotated into locking engagement with the locking catch. The flexible clamping band is adapted to be bent over the locking bar, whereby a coupling pin carried by the opposite end of the clamping band is releasably connected to one of the plurality of coupling pin retaining slots in the grip depending upon the size (e.g., diameter) of the handlebar to which the mounting bracket is to be detachably connected.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an adjustable quick-release mounting bracket by which a light source can be detachably connected to a bicycle handlebar or a similar mobile or stationary structural member. The quick-release mounting bracket can be easily removed from the handlebar so that neither the mounting bracket nor the light source need remain attached when the bicycle is not in use.

2. Background Art

It is often desirable to be able to connect a bright flashing light source to a bicycle so that the presence of the bicycle and its rider will be known to roadway traffic particularly while riding during darkness. A problem common to conventional light source connectors is their inability to be mounted on different structural members of the bicycle having a variety of different sizes (e.g., diameters). That is to say, the conventional connectors are not easily adjustable to fit different locations on the bicycle.

To overcome this problem, shims have sometimes been used to enable conventional connectors to be mounted on structural members of varying size. Nevertheless, tools (e.g., a screwdriver) are often required in order to attach the connector to the bicycle. Because of the inconvenience and time required to first attach and then remove the light source connector, the connector and the light source carried thereby are sometimes left on the bicycle during those times when the bicycle is not in use. Consequently, the light source and/or the connector are subjected to theft which requires that the user purchase a replacement.

In other cases, the light source connectors include straps that are manufactured from a flexible fabric material to be wrapped around a part of the bicycle. Velcro hook-and-loop fasteners are usually employed to hold the ends of the fabric straps together. However, such fabric straps and Velcro fasteners are not particularly strong and reliable. Consequently, the fabric straps may loosen and rotate around the part of the bicycle to which they are attached so that the position of the light source is undesirably changed. Similarly, the Velcro hook-and-loop fasteners may inadvertently separate, whereby the strap will simply fall off the bicycle which results in the connector and the light source being lost.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to have available a quick-release mounting bracket by which a light source (or other auxiliary device) can be quickly, easily and reliably attached to a bicycle without the use of tools and removed from the bicycle so that neither the mounting bracket nor the light source need remain attached when the bicycle is not in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general terms, an adjustable quick-release mounting bracket is disclosed having an application, for example, for attaching a commercially-available flashing light source to a handlebar of a bicycle. The quick-release mounting bracket can be easily attached to and removed from the handlebar without the use of tools so that neither the mounting bracket nor the light source carried thereby need remain attached at those times when the bicycle is not in use.

The mounting bracket includes a light stand to which the light source is removably connected and a grip to be held against a handlebar of the bicycle. The grip includes a light stand support body to which the light stand is pivotally connected, a flexible clamping band, and a locking latch. The locking latch is pivotally connected to a first end of the clamping band, and a coupling pin is carried at the opposite end thereof. The light stand is rotatable relative to the light stand support body so that the light source connected to the light stand is correspondingly rotatable to suit the needs and circumstances of the user. A hook-shaped locking catch projects from one end of the light stand support body of the grip. A coupling cavity is located at the opposite end of the light stand support body. The coupling cavity includes a series of spaced, parallel-aligned coupling pin retaining slots formed therein.

In order to attach the mounting bracket to the bicycle, the grip is first moved against the handlebar. The flexible clamping band is then bent over the handlebar such that the locking latch at the first end of the clamping band is pulled towards and rotated into releasable mating engagement with the hook-shaped locking catch. The locking pin at the opposite end of the clamping band is snapped into removable receipt by a particular one of the coupling pin retaining slots formed in the coupling cavity of the light stand support body depending upon the diameter of the handlebar. The adjustable mounting bracket is thereby held in surrounding engagement with the handlebar until the locking latch is rotated out of engagement and released from the locking catch, whereby the first end of the clamping band is separated from the locking catch.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment for a quick-release adjustable mounting bracket1according to the present invention is disclosed while referring to the drawings. As is best shown inFIG. 9, the adjustable mounting bracket1has particular application to be detachably connected to a structural member (e.g., a handlebar102) of a bicycle100. In this same regard, the mounting bracket1is adapted to be coupled to a commercially-available flashing bright light source200so that the light source can be attached to and carried by the bicycle100in order to call attention to the presence of a rider to those traveling on a roadway or bike path. As will soon be disclosed, by virtue of the quick-release adjustable mounting bracket1herein disclosed, the light source200can be easily removed from the bicycle100and/or mounted on different parts of the bicycle so as to be visible to those nearby. However, it is to be understood that the bicycle100shown inFIG. 9to which the mounting bracket1is detachably connected is intended to form no part or limitation of the present invention, such that the adjustable nature of the mounting bracket facilitates its connection to other round and flat structural members, whether stationary or mobile, such as those associated with motor vehicles, boats, railings, and the like.

Details for the quick-release adjustable mounting bracket1are now described while referring concurrently toFIGS. 1-8of the drawings. The mounting bracket1is, for example, manufactured from impact-resistant plastic and includes a grip3and a light stand5where the light stand5is coupled to and rotatable with respect to the grip3. In a preferred embodiment (best shown inFIGS. 6-8), the aforementioned light source200is removably connected to the light stand5. The grip3includes a light stand support body7, a clamping band9, and a locking latch10. As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the clamping band9is removably coupled to the light stand support body7, and the locking latch10is pivotally coupled to the clamping band9.

The light stand support body7of the grip3of the adjustable mounting bracket1has a generally arcuate inside surface that is shaped to surround a cylindrical structural member, such as the aforementioned handlebar102of the bicycle100ofFIG. 8(also shown in phantom lines inFIGS. 2-4). To this end, a (e.g., rubber) cushion12is affixed to the arcuate inside surface of the light stand support body7. The cushion12has a series of ribs14(best shown inFIG. 1) formed therein to enable the grip3to firmly grasp and hold onto the handlebar102or similar round or flat structural support so as to avoid a rotation of the mounting bracket1therearound.

The light stand support body7of the grip3also has an outside surface within which an elongated coupling cavity16is formed. Pairs of opposing, axially-arranged coupling pin retaining slots18are disposed in spaced parallel alignment with one another along the coupling cavity16. A cylindrical light stand receptacle20is also formed in the outside surface of the light stand support body7adjacent the coupling cavity16. As is best shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, a cylindrical light stand mount22which projects from the light stand5is received within the cylindrical light stand receptacle20of the light stand support body7. A suitable fastener24is moved inside a recess26in the light stand5, through the light stand mount22thereof, and into mating engagement with the light stand support body7of the grip3.

Accordingly, the cylindrical light stand mount22of the light stand5is pivotally coupled to the light stand support body7within the cylindrical light stand receptacle20, whereby the light stand5(as well as the light source200removably connected thereto) is rotatable back and forth relative to the light stand support body7of grip3in the direction of the reference arrow28ofFIG. 5. By virtue of the foregoing, the position of the light source200can be selectively adjusted to suit the needs of the rider/user depending upon his particular circumstances and location.

The clamping band9of the grip3of the quick-release adjustable mounting bracket1is preferably manufactured from flexible rubber so as to be capable of stretching and bending over the handlebar102or similar structural member to which the mounting bracket is to be connected. A coupling pin30(best shown inFIG. 5) extends laterally across one end of the clamping band9. One end of a (e.g., metallic) rectangular clip32is attached to the opposite end of the clamping band9. The opposite end of the clip32is pivotally connected to the locking latch10, such that the locking latch10is rotatable around the clip32in order to be manipulated into position to hold the adjustable mounting bracket1in surrounding engagement with the handlebar102, or the like. The clip32links the locking latch10to the clamping band9.

The coupling pin30extending across one end of the clamping band9of the grip3of the quick-release adjustable mounting bracket1is snapped into locking receipt by a pair of axially-arranged coupling pin retaining slots18that lie in spaced parallel alignment with other pairs of coupling pin retaining slots formed in the coupling cavity16at the outside surface of the light stand support body7. The particular pair of retaining slots18chosen to engage the locking pin30is dependent upon the size (i.e., diameter) of the handlebar102or similar structure around which the clamping band9will be bent.

That is, and referring particularly toFIG. 5, in the case where the diameter of the handlebar102is relatively large, the coupling pin30extending laterally across one end of the clamping band9is snapped into receipt by a pair of axially-aligned coupling pin retaining slots18at a near end of the coupling cavity16formed in the light stand support body7. However, when the handlebar102otherwise has a smaller diameter, the coupling pin (designated30′) of the clamping band (shown in phantom lines and now designated9′) is pulled in a direction towards the light stand5so as to be snapped into receipt by a different pair of pin retaining slots18at a far end of coupling cavity16.

As previously disclosed, the locking latch10of the grip3of the quick-release adjustable mounting bracket1is linked to the clamping band9by means of the clip32, whereby the locking latch10is rotatable with respect to clamping band9around clip32. The locking latch10has a locking bar34(best shown inFIG. 5) extending between a pair of spaced, parallel-aligned fingers35thereof. As is best shown inFIG. 4, a hook-shaped locking catch36having a recess38formed therein is coextensively connected to and stands outwardly from the light stand support body7of grip3. As will now be described, the locking bar34of locking latch10is moved into interlocking engagement with the locking catch36, whereby to close the grip3of mounting bracket1around the handlebar102so that the mounting bracket1is detachably connected to the handlebar.

More particularly, the manner in which the quick-release adjustable mounting bracket1is quickly and reliably connected to the handlebar102or any other suitable structural member is now described while referring specifically toFIGS. 1-6of the drawings. The arcuate inside surface of the light stand support body7of grip3is first located over a portion of the cylindrical handlebar102as shown inFIG. 4. The coupling pin30extending across one end of the clamping band9of grip3is then snapped into removable receipt by a particular pair of axially-arranged coupling pin retaining slots18formed in the coupling cavity16at the outside surface of support body7depending upon the diameter of handlebar102. The coupling pin30now functions as a pivot axle that is rotatable within the selected pin retaining slots18, whereby the first end of the clamping band9is pivotally coupled to the light stand support body7at the coupling cavity6thereof.

Next, the locking latch10of the grip3is pulled from an unlocked position ofFIG. 4towards the upstanding hook-shaped locking catch36in the direction of the reference arrow40ofFIG. 4. At the same time, the locking latch10is rotated around the clip32until the flexible clamping band9is bent over the handlebar102and the locking latch10is moved into contact with the upstanding locking catch36in the manner shown inFIG. 2. When the locking latch10is rotated into contact with the locking catch36, the locking bar34of locking latch10will be seated within the recess38of locking catch36. A rotational force applied to the locking latch10in the direction of the reference arrow42ofFIG. 2is imparted to the locking bar34to simultaneously cause the locking bar34to rotate within the recess38of locking catch36and the locking latch10to rotate around the clip32.

The locking latch10of grip3is rotated at the locking bar34thereof with respect to the locking catch36through an arc of approximately 180 degrees to a locked position as shown inFIG. 3. Therefore, the grip3will be closed and tightened around the handlebar102, whereby the locking bar34of locking latch10is pulled against and into interlocking engagement with the hook-shaped locking catch36at the recess38thereof to prevent the locking latch10from inadvertently rotating to the unlocked position ofFIG. 4. Accordingly, the quick-release adjustable mounting bracket1will be held in tight surrounding engagement with the handlebar102regardless of its diameter.

In this same regard, the adjustable mounting bracket1can be quickly and easily released and separated from the handlebar102by simply rotating the locking latch10of grip3from the locked position ofFIG. 3to the unlocked position ofFIG. 4. In this case, a rotational force is applied to the locking latch10in a direction opposite to that represented by the reference arrow42ofFIG. 2, whereby the locking latch10is moved out of engagement with the locking catch36and the grip3is opened so that mounting bracket1can be removed from the handlebar102.

Details of the rotatable light stand5that is pivotally coupled to the grip3of the quick-release adjustable mounting bracket1are now disclosed while referring concurrently toFIGS. 5-8of the drawings. The light stand5has a body46wherein the recess26is formed at one end thereof to receive the fastener24by which the light stand5is pivotally coupled to the light stand support body7of the grip3. A longitudinally-extending channel48is formed in the opposite end of the light stand body46to slidably receive the light source200. A flexible upstanding locking arm50formed at the top of the light stand body46communicates with channel48to capture and releasably retain the light source200after the light source200has been moved into sliding engagement with the light stand5at the channel48of body46. A locking tab52(best shown inFIG. 5) projects from the locking arm50inwardly of the channel48.

As was earlier disclosed, the light source200is a commercially-available flashing bright light source that is attached to and carried by a bicycle, or the like, by means of the light stand5of the quick-release mounting bracket1. The particular light source200that is slidably and removably received within the channel48of the light stand5forms no part of this invention. By way of example only, the light source200includes a flashing light emitting diode that is powered by a pair of AAA 1.5 volt batteries. In the present example, the light source200has a flexible clip202(best shown inFIGS. 7 and 8) at the back thereof. The flexible clip202has closed and open ends204and206which permit the light source to be clipped (via the open end206) to a user's shirt pocket at those times when the light source is detached from the mounting bracket1.

In this regard, the channel48formed in the body46of the light stand5of the adjustable mounting bracket1is sized to accommodate the clip202of the light source200therewithin. As is best shown inFIG. 7, the light source200is moved toward the light stand5such that the light source clip202is pushed into sliding engagement with the channel48of the light stand. In this example, the light source200is turned so that the closed end204of the clip202is moved completely through the channel48.

As the clip202of light source200slides through the channel48in the body46of light stand5, the flexible locking arm50at the top of light stand body46will be momentarily pushed rearwardly and out of the channel48. The locking tab52of locking arm50will then snap into receipt by a correspondingly sized and shaped locking slot (not shown) that is formed in the clip202of light source200. The flexible nature of the locking arm50urges the locking arm50to automatically return to the channel48so that the locking tab52thereof will be pushed into the locking slot of the clip202to releasably retain the light source200within the channel48of the body46of light stand5. As previously explained, the position of the light source200relative to the mounting bracket1can be advantageously changed by merely rotating the light stand5around the fastener24in the direction of the reference arrows28ofFIG. 5.

When it is desirable to remove the light source200from the light stand5, a pushing force is applied against the locking arm50to correspondingly pull the locking tab52thereof out of receipt by the locking slot that is formed in the clip202at the back of light source200. A pulling force applied to the light source200causes the clip202thereof to slide outwardly through the channel48of light stand body46, whereby the light source200is separated from the light stand5of mounting bracket1.

The quick-release adjustable mounting bracket1of this invention may be easily removed from the bicycle100ofFIG. 9without the use of tools in the manner described while referring toFIGS. 1-6so as to be attached to a different structural member or simply put away to await a future application. Thus, it may be appreciated that neither the mounting bracket1nor the light source200carried thereby need remain attached when the bicycle is not in use so as to avoid a loss or theft of the mounting bracket1and/or the light source200.