BICYCLE TOWABLE COLLAPSIBLE CART

Abstract: The bicycle towable collapsible cart comprises a framework engageable to a rear bike wheel hub and expandable to stretch a fabric basket into container form. The framework engages removable wheels and, when the cart is in its collapsed state, a small package for storage or transport is formed.

Description: Bicycle Towable Collapsible Cart Background of the Invention Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cart which is towable behind a bicycle and which is collapsible for storage. More specifically, the cart includes adjustable and removable struts for creating/collapsing the cart. Prior Art Heretofore, collapsible carts have been proposed. Examples may be found in the following US patents: US Patent Number Patentee 1,128,333 S. Krna 3,229,990 R. Weiner 3,367,676 R.D. Pearson et al 4,398,736 De Wijn As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, a collapsible cart having removable struts which can be adjusted relative to one another to provide a desired conformation to the cart, has not been proposed. Summary of the Invention According to the invention there is prov ided a bike towable collapsible cart compπsing a wheeled framework which is engageable to a rear wheel hub of a bike, said framework supporting a fabric basket which is upwardly extendable from the framework to form a transportable container Bπef Descπption of the Drawings Figure 1 is a side view of the cart of the present invention having one wheel removed therefrom to show engagement between vertical struts used in creatmg the cart. Figure 2 is a rear v iew of the cart showing the wheel as being removable Figure 3 is an enlarged perspecti e view of the area of luncture between two struts on one side of the cart. Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the strut engaging end of a first strut of the can Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the strut engaging end of the co-operatmg second strut. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the can in its collapsed condition. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the can in tow behind a bicycle Descnption of the Preferred Embodiment Referring now the dra mgs in greater detail, there is illustrated therein the bicycle to able collapsible can made in accordance with the teachings of the present mv ention and generally identified by the reference numeral 10 The can 10 compnses a frame 12 ich includes a bicycle- wheel-hub engaging tongue 14 extending forwardly from a bottom frame member 16 hich defines the bottom periphery of the can 10 The bottom frame member 16 has an axle 18 engaged thereto, about which each of two wheels 20 of the can 10 revolve, one wheel 20 to each side of the can 10. Extending upwardly a predetermined distance from the bottom frame member is a fabric basket 22 which has a rim forming member 24 encased w ithin a sleeve 26 formed about the open periphery of the fabric basket 22. The rim forming member 24 of the basket 22 is elev ated above the bottom frame member 16 by a pair of co-operating struts 30. 32 prov ided along each side 34 of the fabric basket 22. A first strut 30 of each pair has a first end 36 which engages about the axle 18 and has a stepped connector 38 thereon with a second end 40 of the strut 30 beinε pivotably engaged to the rim forming member 24 of the basket 22 at a position lateral of ώe axle 18 when the can 10 i v iewed from the side 34. A second strut 32 of each pair has a first end 42 which is adapted to engage upon a flat 44 of the stepped connector 38 with a second end 46 of the strut 32 being pivotably engaged to the rim forming member 24 of the basket 22 at a position lateral to the axle 1 . in a direction opposite that of the first strut 30, so that, when co-operating ends 36 and 42 of the struts 30 and 32 are engaged to one anod-er. the strut pair produces a v eπical suppoπ for the basket 22 via the rim forming member 24 which i> essentially "V" shaped, the point of the "V" forming at the axle 18. The struts 30, 32 of each pair may be bowed slightly away from one another if desired. The first end 42 of the second strut 32 includes a ramped pin member 47 which is edged by opposed shoulders 48, the pin member 47 configured to rest upon the flat 44 of the stepped connector 38, with the shoulders 48 engaging against the sides of the connector 38 to keep the pin member 47 from slipping out of the connector 38. As stated above, the cart 10 is collapsible. The collapsed state is shown in Figure 6. As illustrated, the removable wheels 20 are removed and the struts 30.32 of each strut pair are disengaged from one another and pivoted to lie alongside the rim forming member 24. As the struts 30.32 are disengaged, the basket 22 collapses onto the bottom frame member 16 and the wheels 20 can then be laid on top of the collapsed can 10. providing a smaller package for storage or transport. It is proposed to provide two strips of reflective tape 50 on a back surface 52 of the basket 22. preferably in the form of an X. and further to mount a reflector 54 on the back surface 52 at a point where the strips of tape 50 cross. As described above, the cart 10 of the present invention provides a number of advantages, some of which have been described above and others of which are inherent in the invention. Also, modifications may be proposed to the cart 10 without departing from the teachings herein. Accordingly, the scope of the inv ention is only to be limited as necessitated by the accompanying claims.

Claims: 1 CLAIM: 1. A bike-towable collapsible cart or trailer comprising a wheeled framework which is engageable to a rear wheel hub of a bike, said framework supporting a fabric basket which is upwardly extendable from the framework to form a transportable container. 2. The can of claim 1. wherein said framework engages an axle extending side to side across said framework and wherein a wheel is removably engaged to each end of said axle. 3. The cart of claim 1 or 2, wherein said fabric basket includes an open top and wherein a top edge of the basket forms a sleeve within which a rim forming member is engaged. 4. The can of claim 3, wherein a pair of struts engage between said framework and said rim forming member on either side of said can to elevate the top edge of the basket a predetermined distance abov e the framework. 5. The can of claim 4, wherein said pair of struts comprises a first strut and a second strut. 6. The can of claim 5, wherein a first end of said first strut is pivotably engaged to said rim forming member at a position to one side of the axle. 7. The can of claim 6, wherein a first end of said second strut is pivotably engaged to said rim forming member at a position to an opposite side of the axle. 8. The can of claim 7. wherein a second end of said first strut is engaged about the axle and includes a stepped connector thereon. 9. The can of claim 8. v. herein a second end ct said second strut is configured to engage the stepped connector at a preselected position therealong 10. The can of claim 9. wherein said frame ork further includes a tongue extending therefrom which engages a rear bike wheel hub at a free end thereof. 1 1. A bike-towable collapsible can or trailer substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: ROBINSON RUSSELL SHEPHERD, ROBINSON, RUSSELL, SHEPHERD
Applicants: BYKABOOSE INTERNATIONAL LIMITE, DEVONS DAVID JON, ROBINSON RUSSELL SHEPHERD, BYKABOOSE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, DEVONS, DAVID, JON, ROBINSON, RUSSELL, SHEPHERD
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B62K27
IPC codes: B62B1, B62K27