WHEEL SUPPORT DEVICE AND USE THEREOF

Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel support device comprising a first frame part, a second frame part and a third frame part, where said first and second frame parts and said first and third frame parts are connected to each other. The first frame part has at least one first point of support for a wheel and the second frame part has at least one second point of support for a wheel, where said first and second points are placed on opposite sides of a vertical centre line of the wheel and at least one end of said first frame part is elevated by said third frame part in relation to a ground plane.

Description: WHEEL SUPPORT DEVICE AND USE THEREOF Background of the invention The present invention relates to a wheel support device according to the preamble of claim 1 and use thereof according to the preamble of claim 19. Wheel support devices used to support a wheel of e.g. a bicycle, have been known for decades. They are usually constructed in such a way that the wheel is supported at its sides and especially on the lower part of the wheel. The support may be two flat metal plates between which the wheel is placed. The plates support the wheel on each side but at different levels while the wheel itself is still resting on the ground. The advantages of the known wheel support devices are especially the simple and durable construction which may support may types and sizes of wheels. However, the construction also has drawbacks because of the loose hold it has on the wheel and the bicycle. If the bicycle is accidentally moved while the wheel still is in the wheel support device, it often causes damage to the wheel. The object of the invention is to create a wheel support device which does not have the drawbacks of the known support devices. This is achieved by ensuring an improved hold on the wheel, among other things. The invention When, as stated in claim 1, a first frame part has at least one first point of support for a wheel and a second frame part has at least one second point of support for said wheel, where said first and second points are placed on opposite sides of a vertical centre line of the wheel and at least one end of said first frame part is elevated in relation to a ground plane by said third frame part, it is possible to obtain an improved hold on the tyre and hereby the wheel. The wheel, including the tyre ,will be pushed against both points of support by gravity which ensures that the wheel will not move back and forth. The wheel will only rest on the points of support and not on the ground plane which gives the invention an advantage because of the knowledge of the exact type and position of the support points on the wheel. It should be emphasised that the term "wheel" is to be understood as a wheel comprising tyre, rim, hub and similar components which make up a wheel. When, as stated in claim 2, said first, second and third frame parts are made of a metal bar or tube, it is easy to form a wheel support device in a preferred shape. The bar or tube may be formed in any kind of U shape which can hold and support a wheel by means of simple and inexpensive tools. It should be emphasised that the wheel support device only supports the tyre and hereby indirectly the rest of the wheel in one preferred embodiment of the invention. However, in another embodiment of the invention, the wheel support device may also offer support directly on the rest of the wheel e.g. on the rim. When, as stated in claim 3, at least one of the first and second points of support is a furnishing, it is possible to improve the support of the wheel. The furnishing basically offers support under the wheel and preferably up along the sides of the wheel e.g. in a N shape. Hereby, sideways stability is enhanced since the points keep the wheel steady in the longitudinal direction and support it in the sideways direction. When, as stated in claim 4, said at least one point of support, such as a furnishing, is movable, a preferred embodiment of the invention has been achieved. Especially the possibility of adapting the wheel support device to the actual wheel size is very advantageous. The more precise the support device is adapted to the wheel, the more firm and secure the support will be and thereby less likely to cause damage to the wheel. When, as stated in claim 5, at least one of said first and second points of support comprise at least one locking device, it is possible to prevent the wheel from being stolen in a simple manner. When, as stated in claim 6, said locking device includes a bolt, it is possible to create a very inexpensive and solid locking device. When, as stated in claim 7, said bolt has through-going holes at each end, it is possible to achieve a preferred embodiment of the invention. When, as stated in claim 8, a chain is connected to said bolt through the first of said holes, it is possible to hold the bolt and wheel support device together at any time. Usually, the locking device will be exposed to vandalism. However, by keeping the device simple and chaining the bolt and wheel support device together, this may be avoided. When, as stated in claim 9, said chain is connected to said wheel support device, it is possible to place the device anywhere without the use of power tools and put it to immediate use. When, as stated in claim 10, said chain is secured to a ground plane, it is possible to secure the wheel firmly to any plane. The plane may be the wheel support device itself where the chain may be bolted to a solid part of the device. When, as stated in claim 11, said ground plane is the ground, it is possible to achieve a preferred embodiment of the invention. Especially the opportunity to nail the chain to an anchorage point in the ground is advantageous and ensures that the wheel support device camiot be moved from its location. When, as stated in claim 12, a padlock is connected to said bolt through the second of said holes, it is possible to create a locking device which may be the sole lock used in connection with e.g. a bicycle. The owner of the bicycle only needs to carry a padlock to be used when it is necessary to place and lock the bicycle to a wheel support device. This is especially advantageous for people who only use their bicycles as a means of transportation from their homes to work and vice versa. Instead of using a great deal of money on locking mechanisms for their bikes, they only have to carry a padlock to be used for their new wheel support device or devices. Another example refers to people with expensive racer bicycles where the weight of the bicycle is of great importance and locking mechanisms are thus not practical. However, the price of the bicycle ensures that it will never be left unguided if it cannot be secured e.g. to a wheel support device according to the invention. The wheel support device may be supplied by shop owners with a special interest in attracting customers engaged in sports. When, as stated in claim 13, said device is angled in relation to the ground plane, it is possible to achieve a preferred embodiment of the invention. When, as stated in claim 14, the angle is at least 5 degrees but less than 25 degrees, and preferably 8 to 10 degrees, it is possible to achieve a preferred embodiment of the invention. When, as stated in claim 15, said first frame part has one first point of support and said second frame part has one second point of support, it is possible to create a simple, inexpensive and flexible wheel support device. When, as stated in claim 16, said first frame part has one first point of support and said second frame part has two second points of support, it is possible to create a flexible wheel support device. With the right size of the wheel, the second and third points of support offer equal support to the wheel. However, if the wheel is larger or smaller, only one of the points will fully support the wheel. It is hereby ensured that a wheel - whether large or small - will always be supported. When, as stated in claim 17, said two second points of support are positioned on opposite sides of a horizontal centre line of the wheel, it is possible to achieve firm and secure support of a certain wheel size. When, as stated in claim 18, at least one of said points of support supports the wheel in a direction substantially against the centre of the wheel, symmetrical support of the wheel is obtained. This type of support is advantageous due to the fact that gravity forces the centre of the wheel against the points of support symmetrically and due to the fact that the majority of the weight of the bicycle or moped will be distributed through the centre of the wheel. Figures The invention will be described in the following with reference to the figures, in which fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the wheel support device according to the invention, fig. 2 shows the wheel support device seen from above, fig. 3 shows a sectional view of a first point of support, fig. 4 shows a first variation of the structure of the wheel support device, and fig. 5 shows a second variation of the structure of the wheel support device. Detailed description In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a wheel support device 3 with two points of support 6, 7 for a wheel 1 as shown in figure 1. The wheel 1 supported by the wheel support device 3 may be the front or rear wheel of a bicycle or a moped. The wheel support device 3 includes one metal bar or tube which is bent into a shape comprising a first 4, second 5 and third frame part 10. The shape of the first and second frame parts defines a form which supports a wheel 1 on the sides as well as underneath the tyre of the wheel 1. The support under the wheel 1 is achieved by at least two points of support 6, 7 placed on opposite sides of a vertical centre line of the wheel 14. The direction of the force created by gravity's pull on the wheel is usually coterminous with the vertical centre line and results in the wheel 1 being pushed against the points of support 6, 7. To ensure that the direction of the force is between the points of support 6, 7, the first frame part 4 is elevated at one end by a third frame part 10. The elevation by the third frame part 10 is in relation to a ground plane 2 on which the first 4 and/or second frame 5 part rest in at least one position where the ground plane 2 may be the ground. The points of support 6, 7 may be the frame parts naturally foπning a point of support 7, a furnishing 6 specially created to support a wheel 1, a combination of the two or similar types of points of support. To enhance the applicability of the frame part formed as a point of support, it may have a different direction than the rest of the frame part e.g. horizontal when the frame is generally substantially vertical. The third frame part 10 includes an anchorage point 11 which is used to connect the wheel support device 3 to other wheel support devices and thereby create a modular rack of wheel support devices. In a preferred embodiment of the wheel support device, the third frame part 10 elevates the first frame part 4 in relation to the ground plane 2 at an angle of at least 5 degrees but less than 25 degrees, preferably 8 to 10 degrees. The first frame part 4 is hereby substantially horizontal while the second frame part 5 is substantially vertical at an angle of at least 5 degrees but less than 45 degrees, preferably 10 to 25 degrees, in a vertical direction. The angle between the first 4 and second frame parts 5 is at least 90 degrees and preferably 100 degrees. Figure 2 shows the wheel support device 3 seen from above. As shown, the metal bar or tube is primarily bent into a long and slim reversed U shape where the wheel fits between the first 23 and second long sides 24 of the U shape. The wheel is supported by the second point of support 7 which is made up by the lower part of the U shape, and the first point of support 6 which is shown as a furnishing. The second point of support 7 may, however, also be in the form of a furnishing placed inside the lower part of the U shape or anywhere else between the first and second long sides of the U shape. The figure also illustrates that the bar or tube is bent at one end to form connection means to other wheel support devices 25 and to form an anchorage point 20 and a receiver for connection means from another wheel support device 11 (illustrated in figure 1) at the other end. Bending both the bar or tube ends downwards and then outwards, preferably in a perpendicular angle to the first frame part 4, creates the connection means 25 and the anchorage point 20 and the receiver 11. The anchorage point 20 ends in an eyelet which may be used to anchor the wheel support device 3 to the ground plane 2 by means of a bolt or the like. The connection means 25 may be inserted in the eyelet of a receiver 11 on another wheel support device and hereby create a modular rack of wheel support devices. The rack may be used as a bicycle or moped rack. Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the first point of support. The view shows the tyre 30 of the wheel 1 resting on the point of support. The point of support is shown with a N-shape which is preferable because it facilitates improved and firm support of the wheel and especially the tyre 30. The tyre 30 will adapt to the N-shape and hereby improve the support compared to other shapes. Other shapes may, however, also be used i.e. a round shape to maintain reasonable support and allow the wheel to be easily removed from the wheel support device. The metal bar or tube of the wheel support device 3 is also illustrated in the sectional view and clearly shows how the first point of support 6 rests on top of the bar or tube. Usually, the point will be fastened to the bar or tube e.g. by welding or soldering. However, it is also possible to create the fastening by using any kind of riveter, screws, bolts and the like. The point of support 6 is also illustrated with locking means 8 in the form of a furnishing. The locking means includes a bolt 9 which goes from one side of the furnishing to the other side through the wheel and hereby secures the tyre 30 and wheel rim 31 to the furnishing. To keep the bolt 9 in place, it has through-going holes at both ends where a chain 21 is connected to the first hole and a padlock to the other 32. At the other end, the chain 211 is connected to a secure surface 33 which may be the ground or a given place on the wheel support device. It should be emphasized that the above-mentioned preferred embodiment may be subject to several variations within the scope of the invention. In a first variation, shown in figure 4, the wheel support device has a third point of support 41. The third point is positioned on the second frame part 5 and under the second point of support 40. The second 40 and third points 41 are positioned on opposite sides of a horizontal center line (not illustrated on the figure) of the wheel 1. In a second variation, shown in figure 5, of the wheel support device, the first 50 and second points of support 51 are both illustrated as movable in a substantially horizontal and vertical direction, respectively. The wheel support device 3 may hereby be adapted to any wheel size. However, it will usually be sufficient that only one of the points is movable. One way to make a point of support movable is to use a furnishing and fasten it to the bar or tube by means of one or more fastening means. The fastening means may be a thumbscrew which can easily fasten the furnishing and later loosen it again before placing the furnishing in another place. List 1. Wheel such as a bicycle wheel 2. Ground plane such as the ground 3. Wheel supporting device 4. First frame part 5. Second frame part 6. First point of support such as a furnishing 7. Second point of support 8. Locking means such as a padlock 9. Bolt 10. Third frame part 11. Receiver for connection means from another wheel supporting device 12. First end of the first frame part 13. Second end of the first frame part 14. Centre line of the wheel 20. Anchorage point of the wheel supporting device to the ground plane 21. Chain 22. Securing of the chain 23. First side of the wheel support device 24. Second side of the wheel support device 25. Connection means to another wheel support device 30. Tyre 31. Wheel rim 32. Through-going hole for a locking device such as a padlock 33. Fastening of the chain 34. Metal bar or tube 40. Second point of support 41. Third point of support 50. Movable point of support

Claims: Patent Claims 1. Wheel support device (3) comprising a first frame part (4), a second frame part (5) and a third frame part ( 10) , where said first (4) and second frame parts (5) and said first (4) and third frame parts (10) are connected to each other respectively, c h ara cte ri z e d in that said first frame part (4) has at least one first point of support (6) for a wheel (1) and said second frame part (5) has at least one second point of support (7) for said wheel (1), where said first (6) and second points (7) are placed on opposite sides of a vertical centre line (14) of the wheel (1) and at least one end of said first frame part (4) is elevated in relation to a ground plane (2) by said third frame part (10). 2. Wheel support device (3) according to claim 1 ch aract eriz e d i n th at said first (4), second (5) and third frame parts (10) are made of metal bar or tube. 3. Wheel support device (3) according to claim 1 or 2 characteri ze d in that at least one of the first (6) and second points of support (7) is a furnishing. 4. Wheel support device (3) according to claim 3 ch ara cteri z e d i n th at said at least one point of support (6, 7, 40, 41, 50), such as a furnishing, is movable. 5. Wheel support device (3) according to any of claims 1 to 4 ch aracteri ze d in th at at least one of said first and second points of support (6, 7) comprises at least one locking device. 6. Wheel support device (3) according to claim 5 ch ara cte riz e d i n th at said locking device includes a bolt (9). 7. Wheel support device (3) according to claim ό characteri z e d i n that said bolt (9) has through-going holes at each end. 8. Wheel support device (3) according to claim 7 c har acteriz e d i n t h a t a chain (21) is connected to said bolt (9) through the first of said holes. 9. Wheel support device (3) according to claim 8 characteriz e d i n th at said chain (21) is connected to said wheel support device (3). 10. Wheel support device (3) according to claim 8 characteriz e d i n that said chain (21) is secured to a ground plane (2, 22). 11. Wheel support device (3) according to any of claims 1 to 10 c haracteri ze d in that said ground plan (2, 22) is the ground. 12. Wheel support device (3) according to claim 7 characteri z ed in t h a t a padlock (8) is connected to said bolt (9) through the second of said holes. 13. Wheel support device (3) according to any of claims 1 to 12 ch ara cteriz e d in that said device is angled in relation to the ground plane (2). 14. Wheel support device (3) according to claim ^ characteriz ed in t h a t the angle is at least 5 degrees but less than 25 degrees, preferably 8 to 10 degrees. 15. Wheel support device (3) according to any of claims 1 to 14 ch arac te rize d i n th at said first frame part (4) has one first point of support (6) and said second frame part (5) has one second point of support (7). 16. Wheel support device (3) according to any of claims 1 to 14 ch ara cteriz e d i n that said first frame part (4) has one first point of support (6) and said second frame part (5) has two second points of support (40, 41). 17. Wheel support device (3) according to claim lδ characte ri z e d in th at said two second points of support (40, 41) are positioned on opposite sides of a horizontal centre line of the wheel (1). 18. Wheel support device (3) according to any of claims 1 to 17 c h ara cteriz e d i n that at least one of said points of support (6, 7, 40, 41, 50) supports the wheel (1) in a direction substantially against the centre of the wheel (1). 9. Use of a number of wheel support devices (3) according to any of claims 1 to 18 in a modular rack such as a bicycle or moped rack.

Inventors: KJAERGAARD JENS, KJAERGAARD, JENS
Applicants: KJAERGAARD JENS, KJAERGAARD, JENS
Application year: 2001
Main classification: B62H3
IPC codes: B62H3