Abstract:
A bicycle bag protects a bicycle while the bicycle is secured to a rack, such as a vehicle bicycle rack. The bicycle bag includes resealable openings configured to allow the bicycle (and bag) to be securely attached to a wide variety of different rack types. Additionally, because there is risk of obscuring the tail lights of a vehicle for rear-mount racks when a bicycle bag is on the bike and the bike on the rack, the bicycle bag includes pockets designed to support a tail-light system that can be connected to the vehicle to provide additional lighting and safety.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/492,183, entitled “BICYCLE BAG,” which was filed on Jun. 1, 2011, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to a bicycle bag and, in particular, to a bicycle bag that provides protection from the elements while the bike with bicycle bag are on a rack, and that can be used with a large variety of different bicycle and rack types. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    Additional aspects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0004]      FIG. 1A  depicts an exemplary tray-type bicycle rack; 
           [0005]      FIG. 1B  depicts another exemplary tray-type bicycle rack; 
           [0006]      FIG. 1C  depicts an exemplary post-type bicycle rack; 
           [0007]      FIG. 1D  depicts an exemplary fork-type bicycle rack; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  depicts one embodiment of a bicycle bag; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  depicts another embodiment of a bicycle bag. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0010]    When a bicycle is secured to a rack the bicycle can become dirty or damaged due to exposure to the elements, road debris, vandalism, theft, and the like. As used herein a “rack” refers to any mechanism for securing a bicycle including, but not limited to: a vehicle rack configured to secure one or more bicycles to a vehicle for transport, a storage rack to storing a bicycle, a parking rack for bicycle storage, or the like. Bicycle covers or (bicycle “bags”) can be used to reduce this exposure. However, most existing bicycle bags do not provide sufficient protection. Moreover, bicycle bags that attempt to provide additional protection by covering the bicycle while in transit are often incompatible with certain vehicle rack systems, making their use dangerous and impractical. Moreover, these bags can be incompatible with certain bicycle types or frame configurations and/or may prevent bicycles from being “packed together” for transport. In some cases, when a bicycle is mounted on a vehicle rack, the bicycle (or bicycle bag) may obscure portions of the lighting system of the vehicle, such as the brake lights, turn signals, backup lights, and the like. 
         [0011]    The bicycle bag disclosed herein addresses these and other shortcomings. The disclosed bicycle bag provides full coverage for a bicycle while on a rack. As used herein “full coverage” refers to a bicycle being fully enclosed by a bag, such that the bicycle is protected from outside elements, such as moisture, road debris, or the like. Accordingly, “full coverage” refers to a bicycle being fully enclosed within material of the bicycle bag, with no portions of the bicycle protruding therefrom. In some embodiments, the bicycle bag includes resealable openings configured to allow the bicycle bag to be used with a large variety of different rack types. The openings may be adapted such that the bicycle is protected whether or not the openings are in use. The disclosed bicycle bag may include pockets adapted to receive a lighting system, which may be used when the bicycle bag obscures the lighting system of the vehicle. 
         [0012]    Various embodiments of a bicycle bag are disclosed herein. The disclosed bicycle bags provide advantages over existing bags. The features described with respect to the various embodiments may be combined in any suitable fashion. 
         [0013]    The bicycle bag disclosed herein may be configured to allow a bicycle enclosed therein to be secured to a plurality of different rack types and/or securing mechanisms, which may include, but are not limited to: a tray-type rack, a post-type rack, a fork rack, bicycle straps, J-hooks, arm clamps, or the like. 
         [0014]      FIG. 1A  depicts an exemplary tray-type bicycle rack  170 . The rack  170  may comprise a J-bar to secure a wheel of a bicycle and one or more wheel trays. The one or more wheel trays may comprise respective straps for securing bicycle wheels thereto.  FIG. 1B  depicts another exemplary tray-type rack. The wheel tray of the rack  172  may comprise one or more wheel straps for securing a bicycle to the tray. The rack  172  may comprise a stabilizer bar configured to secure a bicycle in an upright position. The arm clamp may be configured to releasably secure one or more frame members of a bicycle (e.g., the downtube of a bicycle). As shown in  FIG. 1B , the arm clamp may be configured to secure a bicycle in an upright position on the rack  172 .  FIG. 1C  depicts an exemplary post-type rack  174 . The rack  174  comprises one or more posts to which a bicycle frame may be secured. The one or more posts may comprise respective straps for securing a bicycle thereto.  FIG. 1D  depicts an exemplary fork-type rack  176 . The rack  176  may comprise a wheel tray having one or more straps to secure a bicycle wheel thereto. The rack  176  may further comprise a fork receptacle for securing a bicycle frame. 
         [0015]      FIG. 2  depicts one embodiment of a bicycle bag  200  configured to allow a bicycle enclosed therein to be secured to a plurality of different rack types. The bicycle bag  200  may be constructed of any suitable material including, but not limited to: canvas, Kevlar®, neoprene, nylon, polyester, plastic, rigid plastic, metal, or the like, and/or combinations of different materials. The bag  200  (or portions thereof) may be formed from materials that are resistant to the elements. For example, the bag  200  may be formed from materials that provide protection from moisture (e.g., water proofing), provide ballistic protection from high-velocity road debris, are tamper resistant (e.g., include structural members, such as Kevlar® or metallic filaments or fibers, that resist cutting or tearing), or the like. In some embodiments, portions of the bag  200  (and/or the openings  203  and  204  therein) may be formed from flexible materials capable of adapting to different bicycle  201  and/or rack configurations. For example, the materials forming the opening  203  and/or resealable closure  243  thereof (discussed below) may be capable of expanding and/or deforming to adapt to different rack and/or bicycle  201  types. The flexible portions may be configured to allow the bag  200  to enclose bicycles  101  of different sizes and/or types. 
         [0016]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , bottom portions  211  and  212  of the bag  200  may be configured to generally conform to the shape of a bicycle  201  disposed therein. For example, the portion  211  may be configured to conform to the curvature of the front wheel  221  and the portion  212  may be configured to conform to the curvature of the rear wheel  222 . The portions  211  and  212  may be configured to allow the bag  200  to be used with bicycle racks that secure the bicycle  201  using curved wheel trays, such as the tray-type bicycle racks  170 ,  172 , and/or  176 . The curvature of the bottom portions  211  and  212  of the bag  200 , allows a bicycle  201  disposed within the bag  200  to be secured by such a rack by, inter alia, securing the wheels  221  and  222  of the bicycle  201  within curved wheel trays of the rack. 
         [0017]    The bag  200  may further comprise one or more resealable openings  204  in the wheel portions  211  and/or  212 . The openings  204  may be configured to allow a strap (or other securing mechanism) to pass through the bag  200  to secure one or more of the wheels  221  and/or  222  to, inter alia, a tray of a tray-type rack. The openings  204  may allow a securing mechanism to pass through the bag  200  and bicycle wheel  221 / 222  when the bicycle  201  is in the bicycle bag  200 . The openings  204  may comprise respective resealable closures  224 , which allow the bicycle  201  to be placed within the bag  200  and/or removed from the bag  200  (e.g., by disengaging the resealable closures  224  of the openings  204 ). The resealable closure  224  may comprise any suitable mechanism including, but not limited to: VELCRO®, a zipper, fastening straps, buttons, or the like. The resealable closure  224  may be configured to protect the bicycle  201  from the elements (e.g., moisture, debris, etc.). The openings  204  (and resealable closures  224 ) may be configured to avoid impinging on structural elements (e.g., spokes) of the bicycle  201 . Accordingly, in alternative embodiments, the openings may be narrowed and/or oriented vertically (along the radius of the wheels  221  and/or  222 ) so that the openings  204  may accept a securing member of a rack, while minimizing the chance of the openings impinging on wheel spokes or other components of the bicycle  201 . In some embodiments, the openings  204  may not be resealable, but may comprise one or more gaskets, flaps, elastics, or the like, that are configured to protect the interior portion of the bag  200  from the elements. 
         [0018]    The bag  200  may further comprise resealable openings  205  disposed near the top portions  213  and  214  of the bag  200 . The resealable openings  205  may comprise respective resealable closures (not shown) configured to selectively open and/or seal the openings  205 . The openings  205  may be used to secure the bicycle  201  (and bag  200 ) to an upper portion of a rack (e.g., an over the wheel rack). As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the openings  205  may be configured to prevent impinging on the structural components of the bicycle  201  (e.g., the wheels  221 , 222  and/or the spokes thereof). 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, the bag  200  comprises a resealable opening  203  disposed near the center of the bag  200 . The opening  203  may be configured to create an opening within a diamond portion  203  of the bicycle  201  frame (under a top-tube of and/or above a down tube of the bicycle  201 ). The resealable opening  203  may be configured to allow the bicycle  201  to be secured to a post-type rack (e.g., a rack that secures a frame of the bicycle  201  to one or more posts or the like, such as the bicycle rack  174 ). For example, the opening  203  may be configured to provide for passing one or more posts of a post-type rack through the bicycle  201  within the bicycle bag  200 , such that the bicycle  201  may be secured thereto. 
         [0020]    The opening  203  may be opened by disengaging the resealable closure  243 , which allows the bicycle  201  to be placed within the bag  200  and/or removed from the bag  200 . The resealable closure  243  may comprise any suitable mechanism including, but not limited to: VELCRO®, a zipper, fastening straps, buttons, or the like. The resealable closure  243  may be configured to prevent the elements (e.g., moisture, debris, etc.), from entering the interior of the bag  200 . The resealable closure  243  may be disengaged (e.g., opened) to allow the bicycle  201  to be placed within the bag  200  (or removed therefrom). The resealable closure  243  may re-sealed when the bag  200  is used for transport. In some embodiments, the opening  204  may not be resealable, and may comprise one or more gaskets, flaps, elastics, or the like, to protect the interior of the bag  200  from the elements. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, a top portions  213  and  214  of the bag  200  are configured to conform to the top portion of each wheel  221  and  222 . The top portions  213  and  214  allow the bicycle  201  (within the bag  200 ) to be secured to a “J-shaped” rack that secures the bicycle  201  using one or more “over-the wheel” J-shaped members, such as the bicycle rack  172  of  FIG. 1A . Similarly, the portions  213  and  214  may allow the bicycle  201  and bag  200  to be secured to conventional shaped bicycle parking racks. 
         [0022]    Although a particular set of resealable openings  203 ,  204 , and/or  205  are depicted herein, one of skill in the art would recognize that the bag  200  could be adapted to include additional openings configured to allow the bag  200  to be used with different rack types and/or different bicycle  201  configurations. Accordingly, the disclosure should not be read as limited to any particular set of openings. For example, in some embodiments, the bag  200  may include one or more openings (not shown) or tabs (not shown), which may be used to secure or lock the bag  200  to a rack (or other structure). 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, the bag  200  comprises one or more pockets  230 . The pockets  230  may be integrated into the bag  200  itself and/or may be removably attached thereto. The pockets  230  may be configured to receive tail lights  232 . The tail lights  232  may comprise any suitable lighting mechanism including, but not limited to: brake lights, turn signals, backup lighting, etc. The tail lights may be secured within the pockets  230  without the need for special brackets or other mechanisms. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the pockets  230  include a securing member  234  or flaps adapted to secure a tail light  232  therein (e.g., a zipper closure, VELCRO®, or the like). An exterior facing portion of the pockets  230  may be formed from a transparent material to allow light from the tail lights  232  to emit therefrom. 
         [0024]    The bag  200  may provide an electrical connection between the pockets  230  and an exterior portion of the bag  200 . For example, the bag  200  may include an electrical connection  236  configured to receive an electrical connection from a vehicle, such as a trailer hitch electrical connection or the like. The electrical connection  236  may be disposed on a lower portion of the bag  200  to be proximate to a hitch electrical connection of a vehicle. The electrical connection  236  may be electrically coupled to each of the one or more pockets  230 . Accordingly, each of the two or more pockets  230  may include an electrical connection (not shown) in electrical communication with the electrical connection  236 . The electrical coupling may be implemented using conductors embedded within material of the bag  200 , conductors in the interior of the bag  200 , conductors along the exterior of the bag  200 , or the like. In some embodiments, the bag  200  may also comprise an electrical coupling output (not shown) to connect two or more of the bags  200  electrically in serial. 
         [0025]    The bag  200  may comprise a resealable closure (not shown) along a bottom portion of the bag  200 . The resealable closure may be selectively opened to allow a bicycle  201  to be placed within the bag  200  and/or removed therefrom. The resealable closure may comprise any suitable mechanism including, but not limited to: Velcro®, a zipper, buttons, or the like. The resealable closure may be configured to protect the bicycle  201  from the elements when closed. Accordingly, the resealable closure may be waterproof and/or tamper resistant. In some embodiments, the resealable closure may include a locking mechanism to prevent the resealable closure from being opened. Alternatively, or in addition, the bag  200  may comprise a resealable closure along the top portion of the bag  200 . The top-portion resealable closure may allow a bicycle  201  to be placed within (or removed) from the top portion of the bag  200 . 
         [0026]    The bag  200  may further comprise a portion  250  configured to allow the pedals and/or crank of the bicycle  201  to rotate therein. The pedals and/or crank may rotate within an arc  252  within the bag  200 . Accordingly, the portion  250  may comprise a sufficient interior volume to accommodate various bicycle pedal and/or crank configurations. The rotation  252  of the pedals and/or crank may facilitate arranging two or more bicycles next to one another on a rack. For example, the pedals of the two or more bicycles may interfere with one another when oriented side-by-side in a rack. The rotation  252  of the bicycle  201  pedals and/or crank may allow the pedals to offset one another, allowing the bicycles to be placed in closer proximity. 
         [0027]    As discussed above, the bag  200  may be formed from a material configured to provide protection from the elements while the bicycle  201  is transported on a vehicle. Accordingly, the bag  200  may be formed from waterproof material and/or material that provides ballistic protection (e.g., protection from high-velocity road debris). 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  illustrates other aspects of a bicycle bag as disclosed herein. The bicycle bag  300  comprises a resealable opening  315  running along a top rear portion and bottom of the bag  300 . The resealable opening  315  may be configured to receive a bicycle into an interior portion of the bag  300 . As described above, portions of the bag  300  may be formed from deformable and/or flexible material, such as spandex, neoprene, or the like. In the  FIG. 300  example, a handlebar compartment  360 , a top-tube portion  361 , and a seat portion  362  of the bag may be formed from a deformable material, which may allow the bag  300  to accommodate bicycles of different sizes and/or configurations. For example, the handlebar compartment  360  of the bag may be configured to receive handlebars of varying widths and/or heights. Similarly, the top tube portion  361  may be deformable to accommodate bicycles of varying lengths, and the seat portion  362  may be deformable to accommodate bicycles of varying height. The bicycle bag  300  may be provided in different sizes and/or configurations. For example, the bag  300  may be provided in small, medium, and/or large sizes to accommodate a large range of bicycles sizes (e.g., frame sizes from 40 to 64 cm). Similarly, the bag  300  may be provided with different handlebar compartment  360  types, including, but not limited to: a road bike compartment configured to receive road bike handlebars, a mountain bike compartment configured to receive wider mountain bike handle bars, and/or a cruiser compartment configured to receive wide bar types. In some embodiments, the handle bar compartment  360  may be removable and/or modular, such that the bag  300  may switch between road, mountain, and/or cruiser handler bar compartments. Alternatively, or in addition, the handle compartment  360  may comprise one or more straps, expansion sleeves, or the like, to allow a user to change the configuration of the handlebar compartment  300  (and/or other portions of the bag  300 ) to accommodate a particular size and/or style of bicycle. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the opening  103  may be provided in a diamond shape to fit a wide variety of post-type racks. The opening  203  may be resealable, as described above. The bag  300  may further comprise a seat-tube opening  306  configured to allow a rack to secure a seat tube of a bicycle within the bag  300 . A down-tube opening  307  may be configured to allow a rack to secure a down tube of a bicycle within the bag  300 . In some embodiments, the opening  204  may be configured to allow a fork of the bicycle to protrude from the bag  300 , such that the fork may be secured to a fork-type rack (e.g., rack  176 ). 
         [0030]    As described above, bottom portions  211  and  212  of the wheel compartments  281  and  282  may be configured to conform to a contour of the wheels of the bicycle. Accordingly, the wheel compartments  281  and/or  282  may be configured to allow the wheels of the bicycle to be secured to a tray-type rack and/or be secured using a wheel slot or clamp (or similar mechanism). As shown in  FIG. 3 , the wheel compartment  281  may be configured to allow a front portion  283 A and/or rear portion  284 A of the front wheel to be secured to a tray and/or wheel slot or clamp. The wheel compartment  282  may be configured to allow a front portion  283 B and/or read portion  284 B of the rear wheel to be secured to a tray and/or wheel slot or clamp. In addition, the openings  204  may be used to secure the front and/or rear wheels to various rack types, as described above. 
         [0031]    Top portions  213  and  214  of the wheel compartments  281  and  282  may conform to top portions of the bicycle wheels. As such, the wheel compartments  281  and/or  282  may be configured to allow the bicycle to be secured to an over-the-wheel rack, a J-hook, or similar mechanism. The bag  300  may further comprise pockets  230  to receive lighting, a crank compartment  250  configured to allow a bicycle crank and/or pedals to rotate within the bag  300 , as described above. 
         [0032]    It will be understood by those having skill in the art that changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles presented herein. For example, any suitable combination of various embodiments, or the features thereof, is contemplated. 
         [0033]    Any methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for performing the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified. 
         [0034]    Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “the embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the quoted phrases, or variations thereof, as recited throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
         [0035]    Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above description of embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim require more features than those expressly recited in that claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment. 
         [0036]    The claims following this Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. This disclosure includes all permutations of the independent claims with their dependent claims. Recitation in the claims of the term “first” with respect to a feature or element does not necessarily imply the existence of a second or additional such feature or element. Elements specifically recited in means-plus-function format, if any, are intended to be construed in accordance with 35 U.S.C. §112 ¶6.