Abstract:
An apparatus is provided for carrying a board on a vehicle, such as a bicycle. The apparatus includes a board rack that is carried by a frame of a vehicle, such as a frame fork on a bicycle. The board is carried in a vertical receiver of the board rack and at least one mounting bracket is carried by a frame of the board rack for affixing the frame onto a bicycle fork. In one case, the frame has a vertical receiver along a bottom end for receiving a bottom end of a board and a quick release retainer along a top end for further securing the board onto the frame. In one case, an upper mount is used to affix the frame with a releasable clamp to secure the frame to a bicycle frame fork. Additionally, a lower mount is provided for affixing the frame beneath the upper mount using an aperture that is configured to be affixed onto a wheel axel on a bicycle frame fork with a quick release wheel lock assembly.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     This invention pertains to vehicle racks for carrying articles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a bicycle board rack for carrying a board on a bicycle, such as a skateboard, a snowboard, a wakeboard, a skim board, or a surfboard.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]      FIG. 1  illustrates a prior art skateboard carrying apparatus  12  for carrying a skateboard  14  on a handlebar  16  of a bicycle  10 . More particularly, skateboard carrying apparatus  12  is rigidly affixed onto a substantially horizontal cross member, or tube  18  for handlebar  16  via a clamp assembly  20 . Skateboard  14  is supported along a side edge in a horizontal configuration via a wire frame  22  with a side-by-side set of u-shaped frame members  24  and  26 . A bungee (or elastic) cord  30  is provided through an aperture  28  of wire frame  22 . Free ends of cord  30  wrap about a board  32  of skateboard  14  and connect to each frame  24  and  26 . In this configuration, board  32  of skateboard  14  is provided in a least desirable aerodynamic configuration (or maximum drag configuration) relative to bicycle  10  and handlebars  16 .  
         [0003]     Wind drag generated by board  32  while riding bicycle  10  is undesirable. First, it can lead to instability of handlebar  16  relative to a remaining frame portion of bicycle  10  which becomes a user safety concern. Secondly, it can increase the energy required to pedal bicycle  10 . Furthermore, such concerns are compounded by the manner in which board  32  is supported between frames  24  and  26 . Since frames  24  and  26  are relatively close together, there is a risk that board  32  can shift horizontally to one side or the other relative to frames  24  and  26 . In the event board  32  shifts to one side, the aerodynamic drag exerted on board  32  and against handlebar  16  becomes unbalanced relative to a center pivot axis for handlebar  16 . At increased travel speeds for bicycle  10 , such imbalanced aerodynamic forces might lead to a loss of control of handlebar  16 , particularly following a sudden dislodgement and horizontal shifting of board  32  relative to frames  24  and  26  of apparatus  12 .  
         [0004]     Furthermore, remaining prior art techniques require a bicycle rider to hand-carry a skateboard, or to tuck the skateboard under their arm while riding a bicycle. Such techniques can prove hazardous as they can result in the rider having a reduced ability to steer and control the bicycle.  
         [0005]     Accordingly, improvements are needed in the manner in which a board can be transported on a vehicle, such as a bicycle.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     An apparatus is provided for carrying a board on a vehicle, such as a bicycle. The apparatus includes a board rack that is carried by a frame of a vehicle, such as a frame fork on a bicycle. The board is carried in a vertical receiver of the board rack and at least one mounting bracket is carried by a frame of the board rack for affixing the frame onto a bicycle fork. In one case, the frame has a vertical receiver along a bottom end for receiving a bottom end of a board and a quick release retainer along a top end for further securing the board onto the frame. In one case, an upper mount is used to affix the frame with a releasable clamp to secure the frame to a bicycle frame fork. Additionally, a lower mount is provided for affixing the frame beneath the upper mount using an aperture that is configured to be affixed onto a wheel axel on a bicycle frame fork with a quick release wheel lock assembly.  
         [0007]     According to one aspect, an apparatus is provided for carrying a board on a bicycle. The apparatus includes a board rack and at least one mounting bracket. The board rack is carried by the frame of the bicycle. The board rack has a vertical receiver adjacent a bottom end and a quick release retainer above the vertical receiver. The vertical receiver is configured to removably receive and support a bottom end of the board. The quick release retainer is configured to releasably retain the board to the rack. The at least one mounting bracket is carried by the frame and is configured to affix the frame onto a bicycle fork.  
         [0008]     According to another aspect, a skateboard carrying apparatus is provided for a bicycle. The apparatus includes a skateboard rack and at least one mounting bracket. The skateboard rack has a vertical receiver adjacent a bottom end. The vertical receiver is configured to receive and support a tapering heel of a skateboard. The skateboard rack also has a quick release retainer above the vertical receiver. The vertical receiver is configured to removably receive and support a bottom end of a board. The quick release retainer is configured to releasably retain the board to the rack. The at least one mounting bracket is carried by the frame, and is configured to affix the frame onto a bicycle fork.  
         [0009]     According to yet another aspect, a board rack is provided for a bicycle. The board rack includes a wire frame, a frame plate, an upper mount, and a lower mount. The wire frame has a vertical receiver along a bottom end and a quick release retainer along a top end. The frame plate is affixed to the wire frame. The upper mount is affixed to the frame plate having a releasable clamp for securing around a frame fork of a bicycle. The lower mount is affixed to the frame plate beneath the upper mount and has a mounting plate with an aperture configured to be affixed onto a wheel axel on the frame fork with a quick release wheel lock assembly. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a simplified partial perspective view of a prior art skateboard rack configured to mount a skateboard in a horizontally configuration onto a handlebar member of a bicycle.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a vertical, left-side view of a skateboard affixed onto a skateboard rack that is mounted onto a left side fork tube of a bicycle, according to one aspect of the invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a vertical right-side view of the skateboard, skateboard rack, and bicycle of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of the skateboard rack of  FIGS. 2-3  taken left of center prior to assembly onto a bicycle fork tube.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of the skateboard rack of  FIG. 4  taken right of center.  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a vertical left side view of the skateboard rack of  FIGS. 2-5 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a bottom end view of the skateboard rack of  FIG. 6 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a right side view of the skateboard rack of  FIG. 6 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is a vertical right side view of the skateboard rack of  FIG. 6 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective component view of a frame plate of the skateboard rack of  FIGS. 2-9 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is a perspective component view of a wire rack of the skateboard rack of  FIGS. 2-9 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is a perspective component assembly view of the frame plate of  FIG. 10  assembled together onto the wire rack of  FIG. 11  to form a rack assembly.  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is a perspective component view of an alternative rack assembly over that shown in  FIG. 12  having an alternatively constructed frame plate of diamond plate.  
         [0024]      FIG. 14  is a vertical side view of the rack assembly of  FIG. 12 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 15  is a bottom view of the rack assembly of  FIG. 14 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 16  is a vertical component view of a mounting plate for the quick release retainer of the skateboard rack of  FIGS. 2-9 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 17  is a vertical component view of a mounting plate for the vertical receiver of the skateboard rack of  FIGS. 2-9 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 18  is a vertical component view from behind, taken at a right angle from above relative to the view depicted in  FIG. 19 , of a mounting collar for the quick release retainer of the skateboard rack of  FIGS. 2-9 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 19  is a plan view of the mounting collar of  FIG. 18 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 20  is a vertical component view from in front of the mounting collar of  FIGS. 18-19 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 21  is a perspective component view of the mounting collar of  FIGS. 18-20  prior to assembly.  
         [0032]      FIG. 22  is a perspective component view of a rubber sleeve that is assembled onto the mounting collar of  FIGS. 18-21 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 23  is a left end view of the sleeve of  FIG. 22 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 24  is a face view, taken at a right angle from the right relative to the view of  FIG. 23 , of the sleeve.  
         [0035]      FIG. 25  is an exploded perspective view of a fastener used to assemble together and mount the skateboard rack of  FIGS. 2-9  and  27  onto a bicycle fork.  
         [0036]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of a bungee cord from the quick release retainer of  FIGS. 2-9  and  27 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 27  is an exploded perspective view of the skateboard rack of  FIGS. 2-9 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0038]     This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).  
         [0039]     Reference will now be made to a preferred embodiment of Applicant&#39;s invention. More particularly, an apparatus is provided for carrying a board on a bicycle. While the invention is described by way of a preferred embodiment, it is understood that the description is not intended to limit the invention to such embodiments, but is intended to cover alternatives, equivalents, and modifications which may be broader than the embodiments, but which are included within the scope of the appended claims.  
         [0040]     In an effort to prevent obscuring the invention at hand, only details germane to implementing the invention will be described in great detail, with presently understood peripheral details being incorporated by reference, as needed, as being presently understood in the art.  
         [0041]      FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate a skateboard carrying apparatus, or rack,  112  for removably mounting a skateboard  14  onto a tube  36  (see  FIG. 2 ) of a frame fork  34  for a bicycle  10 , according to the present invention. More particularly, fork  34  comprises a pair of side-by-side tubes  36  (see  FIG. 2 ) and  38  (see  FIG. 3 ) onto which a front wheel  42  is mounted via a wheel quick release assembly  123  (see  FIG. 2 ). Front wheel  42  is pivotally carried on a frame  40  and is controlled for pivoting via handlebar  16  relative to back wheel  44 .  
         [0042]     A board  32  of skateboard  14  is received in a vertical configuration to be supported by apparatus  112  onto tube  36  of fork  34  such that board  32  is substantially parallel to the plane of wheel  42 . Hence, board  32  is carried in an optimal, minimal wind drag configuration. As a rider turns handlebar  16  to change a direction of travel for bicycle  10 , board  32  tracks the change in direction as apparatus  112  securely holds skateboard  14  via board  32  parallel to wheel  42 . Accordingly, an optimal, minimal wind drag configuration for skateboard  14  is maintained, even while turning bicycle  10 .  
         [0043]     Apparatus  112  holds board  32  in the optimal, wind drag configuration by securely mounting apparatus  112  onto tube  36  (see  FIG. 2 ) of fork  34  via a lower mount  122  and an upper mount  124 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . A narrowing lower end of board  32  is supported in a vertical receiver  114  of apparatus  112  by lowering skateboard  14  in a downward direction to place a lower end of board  32  into vertical receiver  114 . Afterwards, an upper portion of board  32  is secured onto apparatus  112  via a quick release retainer  116 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , quick release retainer  116  comprises a pair of hooks  118  and  119  between which an elastic cord, or bungee cord  120  is stretched and connected to tightly secure board  32  onto apparatus  112 .  
         [0044]      FIGS. 4-9  illustrate skateboard  14  mounted securely onto skateboard carrying apparatus  112  while apparatus  112  is removed from a bicycle. More particularly, board  32  is first lowered downwardly until a tapering back heel  142  of board  32  seats snuggly into a slot-shaped hoop  154  (see  FIGS. 4-5 ) of vertical receiver  114 , as shown in  FIGS. 4-6  and  8 - 9 . Subsequently, elastic cord, or bungee,  120  that is loaded onto one of hooks  118  and  119 , is subsequently stretched across a back side of board  32 , and is loaded (under tension) onto another of hooks  118  and  119 .  
         [0045]     As shown in  FIGS. 8-9 , elastic cord, or bungee,  120  of quick release retainer  116  is stretched across and over a truck  144  of skateboard  14 . When stretched, elastic cord  120  acts to downwardly retain skateboard into vertical receiver  114 , as well as to also forcibly engage a front (or top) side of board  32  against a pair of arms  150  and  152  of quick release retainer  116 . Arms  150  and  152  are provided by a wire cage  126  of a rack  125 , as shown in  FIGS. 4-9 . According to one construction, wire cage  126  is welded onto a rectangular base plate, or frame  128  via a plurality of spaced-apart welds to provide rack  125  as shown in  FIGS. 4-5 . Hoop  154  comprises a narrow receiving slot provided along a bottom end of rack  125 . In assembly, wire cage  126  and a bottom end of base plate  128  cooperate to provide hoop  154 .  
         [0046]     As shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , lower mount  122  and upper mount  124  can be rigidly affixed at selected locations onto base plate, or frame,  128  via a pair of fasteners  136 . Fasteners  136  are received through selected pairs of apertures  146  that are spaced apart at specific vertical locations along base plate  128 . In this manner, the distance between mounts  122  and  124  can be varied in order to accommodate mounting of apparatus  112  onto bicycles of various sizes, having a range of fork sizes. Furthermore, mounts  122  and  124  can both be raised or lowered in order to adjust the height at which a skateboard  14  rides in skateboard carrying apparatus  112 . Optionally, apparatus  112  can be mounted onto a frame in a tilted orientation, with a board being raked forward or aft.  
         [0047]     Lower mount  122  is formed from a flat mounting plate  134  and a pair of fasteners  136  as shown in  FIGS. 4-6 . Mounting plate  134  includes a pair of apertures  158  (see  FIG. 17 ) and a larger aperture sized to receive a bicycle wheel axle bolt (not shown).  
         [0048]     Upper mount  124  is formed from a flat mounting plate  130 , fasteners  136 , a clamp collar  132 , and a rubber sleeve  138 , as shown in  FIGS. 4-9 . Angular positioning of clamp collar  132  can be varied by rotating clamp collar  132  into a desired angular position relative to mounting plate  130  prior to tightening them together via a respective fastener  136 . Such tightening is performed while clamp collar  132  is received around a tube of a fork on a bicycle, while aperture  140  is placed about a wheel axle bolt.  
         [0049]      FIG. 10  shows base plate  128  prior to being affixed via welding onto wire cage  126  of  FIG. 11 . Base plate  128  is formed from a piece of rectangular sheet metal into which an array of apertures, or through-holes,  146  are drilled. In one case, pairs of adjacent apertures  146  are provided at a plurality of vertically spaced-apart locations along a length of base plate  128 . According to one construction, base plate  128  is formed from a sheet of cold rolled steel of 17.4″, 1.75″ width, and 0.008″ thickness. Also according to one construction, pairs of adjacent apertures  146  are spaced apart horizontally 0.80″, adjacent apertures  146  are spaced apart vertically 1.75″, and apertures  146  have a diameter of 0.25″.  
         [0050]      FIG. 11  depicts wire cage  126  prior to being welded onto base plate  128  of  FIG. 10 . More particularly, wire cage  126  is formed from a single piece of 0.25″ diameter wire steel rod which is bent to form a hoop  154  along a bottom end and a pair of arms  150  and  152  along a top end. Each arm  150  and  152  terminates in a hook  119  and  118  for removably receiving a loop  178  or  180  on an end of an elastic cord  120 , as shown in  FIG. 26 .  
         [0051]      FIG. 12  shows base plate  128  and wire cage  126  after they have been welded together along longitudinal edges of base plate  128  via a plurality of local welds (not shown). Base plate  128  and wire cage  126  cooperate in assembly to provide a board rack  125 . Hoop  154  cooperates with a bottom edge of base plate  128  to provide a vertical receiver  114  (see  FIG. 2 ) for supporting a bottom end of a board, as shown in  FIGS. 2-9 . A top end of base plate  128  rigidly enforces a top end of wire cage  126  to strengthen each arm  150  and  152  such that arms  150  and  152  receive a top end of a board while an elastic cord is stretched between hooks  119  and  118 .  
         [0052]      FIG. 13  illustrates an alternative construction for a board rack  1125  over the rack  125  depicted in  FIG. 12  and usable in substitution for rack  125  of skateboard carrying apparatus  112  of  FIGS. 2-9  and  27 . More particularly, rack  1125  is formed with wire cage  126  and a base plate  1128  that is essentially the same as base plate  128  of  FIGS. 10 and 12 , except that base plate  1128  is formed from a sheet of diamond plated steel. Preferably, rack  1125  is plated with chrome or zinc after being assembled together via welding.  
         [0053]      FIGS. 14 and 15  further illustrate construction of skateboard rack  125  of  FIG. 12 . The configuration of hoop  154 , arms  150 ,  152 , and hooks  119 ,  118  of wire cage  126  are shown in relation to base plate  128 .  
         [0054]      FIG. 16  illustrates the layout of seven equally spaced-apart apertures  156  in mounting plate  130 . Each aperture  156  is 0.25″ in diameter. More particularly, plate  130  is formed from a sheet of 0.0150″ thick cold rolled steel that is plated with zinc or chrome.  
         [0055]     Mounting plate  134  of  FIG. 17  is formed from a sheet of 0.0150″ thick cold rolled steel plated with zinc or chrome, similar to plate  130  of  FIG. 16 . Plate  134  has two apertures  158  of 0.25″ diameter and a hub aperture  140  sized to receive a threaded bicycle wheel axle.  
         [0056]      FIGS. 18-21  depict one construction for clamp collar  132  of upper mount  124  (see  FIG. 27 ). Collar  132  has five equally spaced-apart apertures  160  along a long leg  162  and two spaced-apart apertures  160  along a short leg  164 . A semi-circular band  166  is formed between legs  162  and  164 . As shown in  FIG. 21 , collar  132  can be adjusted to clamp around a selected frame tube on a bicycle fork having one size by placing a fastener through a selected aperture  160  in each of legs  162  and  164  that will rigidly clamp band  166  around such frame tube as legs  162  and  164  are driven together when such fastener is tightened, as shown in  FIG. 27  by bolt  172 , washer  174 , and nut  176 .  
         [0057]      FIGS. 22-24  illustrate one construction for a rubber friction sleeve  138  that is slid over leg  162 , band  166 , and leg  164  to provide a friction contact surface between collar  132  and a frame tube of a bicycle fork. More particularly, sleeve  138  is formed from a synthetic rubber, urethane, or plastic that is sufficiently resilient that sleeve  138  can be slid onto collar  132 . Sleeve  138  is formed with a pair of parallel, opposed edge slots  168  and  170  that are sized to snuggly receive collar  132  in assembly.  
         [0058]      FIG. 25  illustrates one construction for fastener  136 . More particularly, fastener  136  is provided by a bolt  172 , washer  174 , and nut  176 . However, it is understood that other fasteners could be used, such as screws, rivets, and even welds.  
         [0059]      FIG. 26  shows elastic cord  120  in an unstretched state. Cord  120  has a loop  178  and  180  formed in each respective end. Loops  178  and  180  can be formed by sewing, tying, welding, or using hogs (or fasteners) that secure elastic cord onto itself.  
         [0060]      FIG. 27  illustrates skateboard carrying apparatus  112  of  FIGS. 2-9  in a partially exploded view and in relation to a skateboard  14  that is vertically retained for carrying apparatus  112 .  
         [0061]     Although apparatus  112  has been shown in a configuration for carrying a skateboard  14 , it is understood that apparatus  112  can be modified in size and geometry in order to carry any of a number of sport boards, such as wakeboards, snowboards, skim boards, surf boards, and boogie boards on a bicycle frame.  
         [0062]     In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.