A SPACE MAXIMIZING SYSTEM FOR KEEPING OR STORING BICYCLES

Abstract: The following utility model presents as an innovative idea, a system of folding of a few parts of a generic bicycle, allowing for a significant reduction in the necessary storage space, therefore maximizing the space required for that purpose.

Description: A SPACE MAXIMIZING SYSTEM FOR KEEPING OR STORING BICYCLES The following utility model presents as an innovative idea, a system of folding of a few parts of a generic bicycle, allowing for a significant reduction in the necessary storage space, therefore maximizing the space required for that purpose. As it is well known, because of the standard width of the steering system, the handlebars, of the bicycles produced up to now, the space needed to store a bicycle, whether hanging or leaning against the wall, is the same as the width of its handlebar, usually between 55 and 60 cm (see illustrated example 1, which includes pictures la, lb and lc). The space loss situation gets worse when you need to store more than one bicycle, as you would need more space, even if the direction of storage is alternated. Another contributing factor to the large space needed between the bicycles are the pedals, which when put side to side, create an undesirable distance between bikes (see illustrated example 2, which includes pictures 2a and 2b). A similar and awkward situation occurs when one must put one, two, or more bicycles on a rear-mounted automobile bike rack (see illustrated example 3, consisting of picture 3). The existence of folding bicycle systems exclusively for means of transport is already known and published in a technical state, without, however, being available in the examples above mentioned and in the objectives of this publication. In the face of the inconveniences mentioned, the present utility model solves, in general, the problem caused by a lack of space for storing bicycles, through the fast and easy folding of the handlebars and pedal-cranks, the parts which extend beyond their axles. With the space optimization system for the storage of bicycle presented by this utility model invention, any bicycle of any size or type of rim will have a reduced width, of the same size as its axles, with or without a gear system (see illustrated example 4, consisting of picture 4). As an advantage, this utility model allows for the fastening of the steering system, by folding the handlebar of a men's size frame, not allowing any oscillation of the front wheel (see illustrated example 5, which includes pictures 5a and 5b), and facilitating its assembly and, therefore, transportation or storage on the roof rack of cars, on hanging racks on the wall or the rear racks of cars. It's important to mention that the plane of force of this handlebar folding system demanded of the cyclist (represented by B), whether pushing or pulling the bike, is perpendicular to the plane of folding (represented by A), according to figure 1 attached. Below, it will be seen some features of the possible proposed folding systems for the handlebar, which can be seen in greater detail in the respective figures. - Fig. 2 shows a frontal and perspective view of a folding system with a 45° joint with external lock, and with a 4 turn, where the joint angle on the handlebar allows for the turning and locking of the front wheel to the frame; - Fig. 3 shows a frontal and perspective view of a folding system with an internal lock release, which is found inside the handlebar tube, and is enabled by a frontal exterior lever. - Fig. 4 shows a frontal and perspective view of a folding system of independent semi- gears, which is enabled by an external lever, which enables both parts at the same time; - Fig. 5 shows a frontal and perspective view of a folding system with fixation pin release, in which the parts are fastened through an internal retrieval spring, which runs inside the handlebar tube; - Fig. 6 shows a frontal and perspective view of a 5 fold system with internal lock release that is found inside the handlebar tube, and is enabled by an external pin on the ends of the handlebar. This button pushes the pin, which releases the fold by pulling the spring; and - Fig. 7, as opposed to the previous folding system, shows a frontal and perspective view in which the end of the handlebar has a moving pin, which when pushed releases the lock pin, allowing the folding. In all the above mentioned cases, when both ends of the handlebar are folded they are parallel to the bicycle axis and fixate the steering system, holding in place the front wheel. With respect to folding systems for the cranks, there are three basic types, which are also represented by pictures, in which: - Fig. 8 presents a view of a rotating system on the longitudinal plane of the pedal arm, which is fastened internally by means of a shaft which is enabled by a claw type closure. - Fig. 9 presents a view of a rotating system on the longitudinal plane of the pedal arm which is fastened externally by a sleeve, and - Fig. 10 presents a view of a rotating system on the longitudinal plane of the pedal arm, which is fastened internally by an external sleeve axle. The pedal attachment location is independent and has a rotation of 360° when the lock sleeve is raised. - Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 show further details referring to additional types of cranks an connecting part of crank and pedals, as to better illustrate the system of the invention. With the use of the system proposed here, one can store three bicycles in the space normally occupied by one, with some extra space remaining. In extreme cases, it's even possible to store bicycles under conventional beds (see the illustrated example 6, consisting of pictures 6a and 6b), which currently is completely impossible for a common bicycle (see illustrated example 7, consisting of picture 7). Another advantage of a favorite feature in this invention is the inclusion of a kit composed of a set of handlebars and a set of cranks, or an adapter for the handlebars and crank set (single or double-type part) using the folding system proposed here. This type of kit can be better seen through the pictures shown in the illustrated example 8. The illustrated example 9 also shows an enlarged picture of a detail relative to the connection between the cranks and other pictures showing a bike using the system of the invention, put aside and under an automobile. That way, the user of any kind of bicycle could substitute, at any moment, the existing 8conventional system for one of the systems described here, taking advantage of the above mentioned features. Therefore, this utility model, by means of this original handlebar and crank folding system, provides an effective gain in the reduction of space necessary for storing bicycle, or, even better, to maximize storage space.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A system for maximizing space, to store bicycles, characterized by the possibility of being able to fold both the handlebars and the cranks of any kind of bicycle, reducing significantly the space required to store it. 2. System according to Claim 1, characterized by the fact that the handlebars can be folded in the following possible ways: - folding system with a 45° joint with external lock, and with a l A turn, where the joint angle on the handlebar allows for the turning and locking of the front wheel to the frame; - folding system with an internal lock release, which is found inside the handlebar tube, and is enabled by a frontal exterior lever. - folding system of interdependent semi-gears, which are enabled by an external lever, which enables both parts at the same time; - - folding system with fixation pin release, in which the parts are fastened through an internal retrieval spring, which runs inside the handlebar tube; - folding system with internal lock release that is found inside the handlebar tube, and is enabled by an external pin on the ends of the handlebar; - as opposed to the previous folding system, the end of the handlebar has a moving pin, which when pushed releases the lock pin, allowing the folding; - an adapter kit on the stem for a folding system utilizing the original bike handlebar. 3. System according to Claim 1, characterized by the fact that the cranks can be folded in the following possible ways: - rotating system on the longitudinal plane of the pedal arm, which is fastened internally by means of a shaft which is enabled by a claw type closure. - rotating system on the longitudinal plane of the pedal arm which is fastened externally by a sleeve, and - rotating system on the longitudinal plane of the pedal arm, which is fastened internally by an external sleeve axle. The pedal attachment location is independent and has a rotation of 360° when the lock sleeve is raised. - pivoting point system on the joint, close to the crank axle.

Inventors: BANDARRA MARIO JORGE LEITE, BANDARRA, MARIO, JORGE, LEITE
Applicants: BANDARRA MARIO JORGE LEITE, BANDARRA, MARIO, JORGE, LEITE
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B62K15
IPC codes: B62K15