Bicycle transport bag

A bicycle transport bag (1) comprising a bicycle supporting frame structure (10) and a covering (6), wherein the supporting frame structure (10) comprises frame elements which are arranged to be assembled in a first bicycle supporting configuration inside the covering (6). The frame elements are removable from the covering (6) and are arranged to be reassembled into a second different bicycle supporting configuration outside of the covering (6). In the second bicycle supporting configuration, the bicycle supporting frame structure (10) may take the form of a bicycle work stand.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention pertains to a bicycle transport bag comprising a bicycle supporting frame structure and a covering.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Over time, bicycling has become increasingly more popular as a means for recreation and exercise often involving a need for transporting the bicycle to the location of a cycling competition or to bring along a bicycle when travelling for recreational purposes. For this reason, bicycle transport bags and cases have been developed, allowing a partially disassembled bicycle to be stowed in the case and to be transported in a convenient and protected manner. The bicycle cases are suited for airline, train, bus and car travel and are generally provided with wheels and a handle so that they are easy to lift and to pull by hand in the manner of an ordinary wheeled suitcase.

One example of a bicycle case of this kind is found in WO 2008/109986 A1. The disclosed bicycle case comprises a reinforced soft-shell bag which can be opened up in two parts along a central zipper and has a tray-like rectangular bottom part equipped with four wheels placed at the corners of the bottom part. The bottom part comprises a central rail with holders or mounts for holding the bicycle frame in an upright position inside the bag. The bag further comprises straps, fixtures for bicycle wheels, pockets for bicycle accessories and smaller bicycle components and inflatable air bags to immobilize the bicycle parts inside the bag.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,886,988 A discloses a flexible transport bag for a bicycle, the bag having a rigid bottom plate with wheels and fixtures for mounting the bicycle frame in an upside-down configuration inside the bag.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,715 A discloses a transport case for a bicycle and comprises a rigid base plate and a flexible cover. The base plate comprises a front and a rear mount for mounting of the bicycle frame in the transport case.

Although these prior art bicycle transport bags have made travelling with a bicycle easier and more convenient, a problem remains when the transported bicycle is taken out of the transport case and is to be reassembled for use. As the assembly will generally be performed in a location without access to suitable equipment, it is an object of the invention to provide a means for facilitating assembly of the transported bicycle parts and servicing of the bicycle after it has been removed from the transport bag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention is offered a bicycle transport bag comprising a bicycle supporting frame structure and a covering. The bicycle supporting frame structure comprises frame elements which are arranged to be assembled in a first bicycle supporting configuration inside the covering. The frame elements are removably arranged in the covering and may be taken out of the covering and be reassembled into a second bicycle supporting configuration outside of the covering. The first bicycle supporting configuration is different from the second bicycle supporting configuration.

Accordingly, the bicycle supporting frame structure may be used inside the covering for supporting a bicycle frame in place in an upright position in the transport bag during transport of the bicycle and outside the covering as a free-standing bicycle work stand on which the bicycle can be mounted for assembly and servicing.

The supporting frame may include one or more bicycle holders for holding the bicycle frame and optionally other parts of a partially disassembled bicycle firmly in place on the supporting frame both when the supporting frame is in the first bicycle supporting transport configuration and when the supporting frame is in the second bicycle supporting service configuration. Alternatively, or in addition to bicycle holders which form part of the supporting frame, bicycle holders may be provided separate from the supporting frame. Bicycle holders which are not directly attached to the supporting frame when the supporting frame is arranged inside the covering may be arranged on a base plate and may be attached to the base plate in a removable manner or in a non-removable manner. The one or more bicycle holders may be adjustably arranged on the supporting frame structure and/or on a base plate to accommodate bicycle frames of different sizes and shapes. Adjustability may be provided in one or both of the bicycle supporting configurations of the supporting frame structure.

The second configuration of the supporting frame structure need not consist of all elements of the first configuration of the supporting frame structure. Accordingly, the supporting frame structure may be arranged to be only partly removed from the transport bag covering before reassembly into the second configuration, leaving one or more frame elements which are not used when forming the free-standing bicycle work stand in the transport bag covering. In a corresponding manner, the supporting frame elements arranged inside the covering may include one or more bicycle holders or other components of a bicycle work stand that are not used for supporting the bicycle inside the bicycle transport bag. The elements of the supporting frame structure and, in particular, elongated frame elements such as bicycle stand legs constitute reinforcing elements inside the transport bag covering and serve to increase the rigidity and stability of the bottom part of the bicycle transport bag. Such elements may also form parts of a base grid on which other elements of the supporting frame structure are mounted.

When the supporting frame elements are rearranged into the second supporting configuration, also referred to herein as the service configuration or active configuration, the frame elements form a bicycle work stand, such as a tripod work stand. However, further bicycle work stand configurations are conceivable such as a saw-horse configuration or other configurations having three or more legs as well as one-legged and two-legged constructions where the leg or legs are attached to a supportive base such as a supportive base plate or a base grid.

The supporting frame structure may be arranged on a base plate inside the covering, such as a base plate of a rigid material. Suitable materials may be rigid plastic material, cardboard, wood, metal, or any combination thereof. The supporting frame structure may be resting freely on the base plate or may be directly or indirectly attached to the base plate with one or more elements. The base plate may be tray-shaped and may comprise a rim extending around a circumference of the base plate. Suitable shapes for the base plate in a horizontal plane include rectangular, square, and oval shapes as well as non-regular shapes adapted to a shape of a partially disassembled bicycle to be transported or stored in the bag. For reasons of easy transportation and stacking, rectangular shapes may be preferred.

The base plate may have an elongated shape with a front end at a front end edge and a rear end at a rear end edge, and two opposing side edges between the end edges. The frame structure may comprise at least two elongated frame elements which in the first bicycle supporting transport configuration are arranged along each of the opposing side edges of the base plate. The two elongated frame elements may form part of a base grid, comprising transversely extending connecting members. Such connecting members may be bicycle holders or docks for bicycle holders. The frame structure may comprise a first bicycle holder directly or indirectly attached to the elongated frame members at the front end of the base plate and a second bicycle holder directly or indirectly attached to the elongated frame members at a location between the first bicycle holder and the rear end of the base plate.

A further frame element in the form of a bicycle stand head may be arranged on the base plate, such as between the second bicycle holder and the rear end of the base plate.

The bicycle stand head may be a tripod head and three elongated frame elements in the form of tripod legs may be arranged on the base plate. The tripod legs and the tripod head are arranged to be removed from the transport bag casing and to form a tripod bicycle work stand when the frame elements are assembled into the second bicycle supporting configuration.

At least one further supporting frame element may be provided in the form of a bicycle supporting member for providing horizontal support to a bicycle frame when the supporting frame is in the second configuration. The one or more bicycle supporting members are attached to the bicycle stand head and are used to support and stabilize the bicycle in an elevated position on top of the bicycle work stand. A bicycle supporting member may be in the form of a rod or a tube having circular cross-section. It may be desirable to use two such members which are mounted parallel to each other in order to stabilize the support arrangement and avoid rotation of a bicycle mount attached to a single supporting member. Another way of minimizing the risk of inadvertent rotation of a mount on a supporting member is to use a supporting member having a non-circular cross-section, for instance a square, oval or triangular cross-section.

In order to save space inside the bicycle transport bag, the further supporting frame element or elements may be telescopically inserted into at least one hollow frame element, e.g. a tripod leg or other bicycle stand leg, when the frame structure is in the first bicycle supporting configuration.

The bicycle supporting member or members may be arranged to be attached to the bicycle stand head and the first and second bicycle when the frame structure is in the second bicycle supporting configuration. It may be advantageous that the bicycle supporting member is attached to the bicycle holder or bicycle holders in the same manner when the frame structure is in the first bicycle supporting configuration as when the frame structure is in the second bicycle supporting configuration. A bicycle frame mounted on the bicycle holder or holders inside the bicycle bag may then be lifted out of the bag while still connected to the bicycle holder or holders and may be directly connected to other parts of the bicycle work stand which have been assembled outside of the covering. In this way, transfer of the bicycle to the bicycle work stand assembled outside of the transport bag can be performed quicker and more efficiently than if the bicycle first had to be detached from the holders inside the bicycle bag and then reattached after assembly of the frame elements outside the bicycle bag.

The connection between the bicycle stand head and the one or more bicycle supporting members may be a slidable connection allowing horizontal adjustment of the position and the centre of gravity of the bicycle when mounted on the bicycle. A slidable connection may be provided by a clamping member and may comprise means for locking the bicycle stand head in a desired position on the bicycle supporting member or members.

The base plate may be foldable and may comprise hinge means whereby the base plate can be folded along at least one fold line to create a more compact and space-saving configuration suitable for storage of the transport bag when it is not used for accommodating a bicycle.

The hinge means may be formed from a flexible material which forms a connection between two more rigid parts of the base plate. Such flexible materials may be textiles, plastic, leather, etc. which allow the base plate to be folded. The transport bag may comprise means for securing the bag in the folded position. Such securing means may be any type of conventionally used fasteners such as snap-fasteners, straps, hook-and-loop fasteners, and the like.

The collapsible covering may be provided with removable stiffening members. Such stiffening members stabilize the shape of the bicycle transport bag and shield a bicycle packaged in the bag from outside impact. The stiffening members may also provide a cushioning effect to further improve protection for the packaged bicycle. Removable stiffening members may be in the form of one or more rigid rod, sheet or frame. Suitable materials are preferably light-weight and include rigid plastics, foamed plastics and reinforced plastic materials such as fiber-reinforced materials or textile/plastic sheet laminates. Different types and configurations of stiffening members may be used in different parts of the covering.

The collapsible covering may comprise pockets for receiving and retaining the removable stiffening members. Other ways of applying the stiffening members to the covering may be by means of buttons, snap fasteners, hook-and-loop fasteners, etc.

The collapsible cover may be made from a flexible sheet material such as a textile material, a plastic film material or combinations thereof. The cover is preferably light-weight and durable and may also have properties such as liquid impermeability and stain resistance. By a durable material is meant a material having high tear resistance and high puncture resistance so that it may be repeatedly handled during transport without rupturing or tearing.

The bag may be provided with wheels and a pull-handle. The wheels may be mounted on the supporting frame and/or on the base plate, if present. The wheels may be two wheels placed at the rear end of the bag and the pull-handle may be placed at the front end of the bag. The number and arrangement of the wheels should not be considered limiting to the invention. Accordingly, arrangements with three, four or even more wheels may be used. Furthermore, the bag may have two or more pull-handles, one or more lift-handle, etc.

The supporting frame and/or a base plate and/or the flexible covering may comprise fasteners for parts of the bicycle work stand which do not form part of the supporting frame. Such parts may include bicycle stand feet, bicycle stand leg stabilizing members, etc. Furthermore, when the bicycle transport bag includes a base plate, the supporting frame may be connected to the base plate by means of fasteners allowing removal of those elements of the supporting frame which are intended to be used when forming a bicycle work stand outside of the bag. Suitable fasteners include snap-in fasteners, clamps, straps, buckles, etc. as known in the art. The fasteners are optional elements of the bicycle transport bag as the supporting frame and additional parts of the bicycle work stand may be held mechanically in place for instance by being obstructed from sideways movement by a rim on the base plate. Small loose parts may be trapped between the base plate and the supporting frame and/or a bicycle frame mounted on the base plate. The supporting frame may be mechanically trapped between the base plate and the covering when a bicycle frame is mounted on the supporting frame and the covering is closed.

The bicycle transport bag covering may be provided with any type of suitable arrangement for opening and closing the cover, such as straps, clasps, buttons and zippers as known in the art. A zipper may be a convenient means for opening and closing the cover. The zipper may be placed in a longitudinal direction through the bicycle transport bag so that the cover can be opened in two halves that fold out at the sides of the bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The bicycle transport bag1that is shown inFIG. 1while being pulled by a person comprises two wheels2placed at the rear end3of the bicycle transport bag1and a pull-handle4placed at the front end5of the bicycle transport bag1. The arrangement of the wheels and the handle which is shown inFIG. 1should not be considered limiting to the invention. As set out herein, arrangements with three or more wheels may be used as well as one or more additional pull-handle, one or more lift-handle, etc.

The bicycle transport bag1includes a light-weight flexible covering6. The covering6is provided with a zipper7for opening and closing the covering6. The zipper7extends in a longitudinal direction, L, of the bicycle transport bag1, allowing the covering6to be opened up in two halves that fold out at the sides of the bicycle transport bag1. The zipper7on the bicycle transport bag1inFIG. 1extends generally diagonally across the covering6between the front end4and the rear end3of the bicycle transport bag1. As set out herein, other opening configurations and opening means may be used in place of the shown zipper. For the sake of illustration, inFIG. 2, the zipper7is shown to extend in the longitudinal direction L in an arch from one side of the lower part of the bicycle transport bag1, across the upper part of the covering6and down again to the lower part on the same side of the bicycle transport bag1.

Except for the different arrangement of the zipper7, the bicycle transport bag shown inFIG. 2is identical to that inFIG. 1.

As seen inFIG. 2the bicycle transport bag1comprises a bicycle supporting frame structure10which is made up from multiple frame elements arranged on a tray-shaped generally rectangular base plate11having a peripheral rim12.

The base plate11has an elongated shape in the longitudinal direction L of the bicycle transport bag1with a rear end edge13at the rear end3of the bicycle transport bag1, and a front end edge15at the front end5of the bicycle transport bag1and two opposing side edges16,17between the end edges13,15. The arrangement of the bicycle supporting frame structure10on the base plate11is shown inFIG. 3.FIGS. 4shows only the bicycle supporting frame structure10andFIG. 5shows a part of the bicycle supporting frame structure10. The bicycle supporting frame structure10comprises a first group of elongated frame elements consisting of three elongated hollow frame elements18,19,20which are arranged on the base plate11with one frame element18along one side edge16of the base plate11and two frame elements19,20along the other side edge17of the base plate11.

As is best seen inFIGS. 4 and 5two of the first group of frame elements18,19are inserted with a rearward end into frame element holders21,22arranged on a rear cross bar23which is placed at the rear end of the bicycle transport bag1. The rear cross bar23also carries the wheels2of the bicycle transport bag1.

The bicycle supporting frame structure10further comprises a second group of elongated frame elements consisting of two elongated rod-shaped frame elements24,25. The elongated rod-shaped frame elements24,25are inserted into the forward ends of the elongated frame elements18,19which are attached to the rear cross bar23.

The combined elongated frame elements18,19,24,25from the first and second groups of elongated frame elements form longitudinal support elements along the side edges16,17of the base plate11. The longitudinal support elements are connected in the transverse direction T by a first dock26placed at the front end5of the bicycle transport bag1and a second dock27placed between the first dock26and the rear cross bar23. The first and second docks26,27are releasably affixed to the combined elongated frame elements18,19,24,25by means of clamping members28. The combined elongated frame elements18,19,24,25, the rear cross bar23and the first and second docks26,27form a base grid29as shown inFIG. 5. The base grid29constitutes a support structure for further elements of the bicycle supporting frame structure10in the bicycle transport bag1.

With particular reference toFIG. 4, a first bicycle holder30is affixed to the first dock26at the front end5of the bicycle transport bag1and a second bicycle holder31is affixed to the second dock27in the central portion of the bicycle transport bag1. The first and second bicycle holders30,31are affixed to the first and second docks26,27by means of fixing pins32. A fixing pin is shown inFIG. 6and has two legs33, two spring-loaded clamping members34and a head portion35. When affixing a bicycle holder on a dock, the legs33of the fixing pin32are inserted into aligned holes in the holder and the dock. The fixing pin32is locked in position by the clamping members34being brought into engagement with a locking protrusion arranged on the bicycle holder.

InFIG. 2, the bicycle transport bag1is shown with a bicycle frame35mounted on the bicycle supporting frame structure10inside the bicycle transport bag1. The bicycle frame35is mounted in an upright position with the bicycle fork36held by the first bicycle holder30constituting a bicycle fork mount and with the crank-case portion37held by the second bicycle holder31constituting a bicycle crank-case mount.

The base plate11is foldable and is provided with hinge means38in the form of a portion of the base plate which is made from a flexible material and which extends as a band in a transverse direction T across the base plate11and comprises wedge-shaped portions in the peripheral rim12on the base plate11. The hinge means38allow the front end5of the base plate11to be folded in a direction towards the rear end13of the base plate to create a more compact and space-saving configuration suitable for storage of the bicycle transport bag1when it is not being used for containing a bicycle.

While the base plate11preferably is made from a rigid material, the hinge means38is formed from a more flexible material and forms a connection between the two rigid parts of the base plate. As set out herein, suitable flexible materials may be textiles, plastic, leather, rubber, etc. which allow the base plate to be folded.

FIG. 3shows the base plate11and the bicycle supporting frame structure10without the covering. Apart from the frame elements constituting the base grid29and the bicycle holders30,31, further frame elements are shown to be arranged on the base plate11. A frame element in the form of a tripod stand head40is arranged between the second bicycle holder31and the rear cross bar23. The previously mentioned elongated frame element20which does not form part of the base grid29carries a bicycle stand foot41at one end of the elongated frame element20. Two further bicycle stand feet42,43are arranged at the rear end of the base plate11. A leg stabilizing spindle44is placed on the base plate11in a folded configuration beneath the base grid29.

As set out herein, the bicycle transport bag covering6may have pockets and other types of holders for bicycle parts and accessories. The bicycle transport bag1may also contain separate covers for the bicycle wheels and/or other bicycle parts and accessories. The covering is preferably at least partially made from a flexible sheet material such as a textile material, a plastic film material or combinations of such materials allowing the covering to be collapsed for convenient storage of the bicycle transport bag1when it is not being used.

The collapsible covering may be provided with removable reinforcing stiffening members such as sheets, plates, rods, etc. in order to provide the covering with improved shape stability and crush resistance when the bicycle transport bag is in use. The stiffening members may be arranged to be inserted into retaining pockets provided in the covering or may be attached to the covering by other means such as buttons, push-buttons, snap-fasteners, straps, etc. The reinforcing stiffening member may also provide a cushioning effect in order to further protect bicycle parts inside the bicycle transport bag. Cushioning material such as foam or wadding may be provided separate from any stiffening members. The bicycle transport bag is shown in the figures without any stiffening members or cushioning material.

Taking the bicycle out of the bicycle transport bag1and rearranging the bicycle supporting frame structure10into a second bicycle supporting configuration outside of the bicycle transport bag1may be performed in the following way:

First the bicycle transport bag1is opened by un-zipping the zipper7and folding out the two parts of the covering6to the sides of the bicycle transport bag1. The fixing pins32are then removed in order to release the bicycle holders30,31from the first and second docks26,27, whereafter the bicycle frame35can be lifted out of the bicycle transport bag1while still being attached to the holders30,31.

The base grid29is pulled out from the frame element holders21,22on the rear cross bar23and the base grid29and other elements of the bicycle supporting frame structure10are then taken out of the bicycle transport bag1.

The two elongated rod-shaped frame elements24,25are separated from the hollow elongated frame elements18,19and the first and second docks26,27are removed from the elongated frame elements18,19,24,25.

A tripod bicycle work stand45as shown inFIG. 7is subsequently assembled from the bicycle supporting frame structure10elements which have been taken out of the bicycle transport bag1. The frame elements18-20of the first group of elongated frame elements are inserted into leg holders46on the tripod head40, thus forming tripod legs. The tripod feet41,42,43are attached at the free ends of the elongated frame elements18,19,20and the leg stabilizing spindle44is unfolded and attached between the tripod legs formed by the first group of elongated frame elements.

Subsequently, the two elongated rod-shaped frame elements24,25are inserted into two corresponding tubular channels50arranged in the first and second bicycle holders31and the bicycle frame with the supporting members formed by the elongated rod-shaped frame elements24,25is then lifted up and mounted on the tripod work stand45by fastening the elongated rod-shaped frame elements24,25in a clamp47on the tripod head40.

The bicycle supporting members formed by the elongated rod-shaped frame elements24,25provide horizontal support to the bicycle frame35when the supporting frame structure10is in the second configuration which may also be referred to as the active configuration. The bicycle supporting members support and stabilize the bicycle in an elevated position on top of the bicycle work stand.

The clamp47on the tripod head40allows horizontal adjustment of the position and the centre of gravity of the bicycle when mounted on the tripod work stand.