Abstract:
An apparatus is disclosed for detachably connecting a selected one of various accessories to a bicycle. The apparatus includes a receptacle, an insert and a fastening device. The receptacle is connected to the bicycle. The insert is connected to the selected accessory so that the selected accessory is detachably connected to the bicycle when the insert is inserted in the receptacle. The fastening device is used to keep the insert in the receptacle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a bicycle and, more particularly, to an apparatus for attaching various accessories to a seat tube of a bicycle. 
         [0003]    2. Related Prior Art 
         [0004]    Referring to  FIGS. 21 and 22 , there is shown a conventional apparatus for attaching a luggage carrier  80  to a seat tube  90  of a bicycle. The apparatus includes a dovetail  81  formed on the luggage carrier  80  and a dovetail groove  91  defined in a pocket formed on the seat tube  90 . The dovetail  81  is inserted in the dovetail groove  91  while a lower end  82  of the dovetail  81  is limited by a closed end  92  of the dovetail groove  91 . A bolt  85  is driven in a screw hole  83  defined in the dovetail  81  and a screw hole  93  defined in the pocket. Thus, the luggage carrier  80  is firmly connected to the seat tube  90 . Problems have however been encountered during the fabrication and use of the apparatus. Firstly, it requires precision to make the screw hole  83  corresponding to the screw hole  93 . Otherwise, it will be troublesome to align the screw hole  83  with the screw hole  93  before the driving of the bolt  85  therein. Secondly, the making of the screw hole  83  in the dovetail  81  inevitably jeopardizes the strength of the dovetail  81 . 
         [0005]    The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0006]    According to the present invention, an apparatus is disclosed for detachably connecting a selected one of various accessories to a bicycle. The apparatus includes a receptacle, an insert and a fastening device. The receptacle is connected to the bicycle. The insert is connected to the selected accessory so that the selected accessory is detachably connected to the bicycle when the insert is inserted in the receptacle. The fastening device is used to keep the insert in the receptacle. 
         [0007]    An advantage of the apparatus of the present invention is easy operation for using the fastening device. 
         [0008]    Another advantage of the apparatus of the present invention is a strong structure. 
         [0009]    Still another advantage of the apparatus of the present invention is a low cost. 
         [0010]    Other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description referring to the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The present invention will be described via detailed illustration of embodiments referring to the drawings. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a luggage carrier before attachment to a seat tube by an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of a portion of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the portion of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the luggage carrier attached to the seat tube by the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line  5 - 5  shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus in another position than shown in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another luggage carrier before attachment to the seat tube by the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the luggage carrier attached to the seat tube by the apparatus shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a mudguard before attachment to the seat tube by the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the mudguard attached to the seat tube by the apparatus shown in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line  11 - 11  shown in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged partial view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 11 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a tail light before attachment to the seat tube shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the tail light attached to the seat tube shown in  FIG. 13 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a luggage carrier before attachment to a seat tube by an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the luggage carrier attached to the seat tube by the apparatus shown in  FIG. 15 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line  17 - 17  shown in  FIG. 16 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  is an enlarged partial view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 17 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 19  is an exploded partial view of an apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 19 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 21  is an exploded view of a conventional apparatus for attaching a luggage carrier to a seat tube. 
           [0033]      FIG. 22  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the conventional apparatus shown in  FIG. 21 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a luggage carrier  32 A can be attached to a seat tube by an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. A tail light  33 A is attached to the luggage carrier  32 A. 
         [0035]    The apparatus includes a receptacle  10 , a fastening device  20  and an insert  31 A. The receptacle  10  is formed on or secured to the seat tube. The insert  31 A is formed on or secured to the luggage carrier  32 A. The insert  31 A can be inserted in the receptacle  10  so that the luggage carrier  32 A can be detachably connected to the seat tube. The fastening device  20  is preferably a quick release for keeping the insert  31 A in the receptacle  10  so that the attachment of the luggage carrier  32 A to the seat tube is firm. 
         [0036]    The insert  31 A includes two grooves  311 A, a recess  313 A in an end and a rail  312 A on each side. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the receptacle  10  includes two walls  11 , a groove  12  in each of the walls  11 , a rail  14  on each of the walls  11 , a space  13  between the walls  11  and an aperture  231  in each of the walls  11 . The space  13  is open on the top and on a side. A washer  23  is attached to each of the walls  11 . 
         [0038]    The quick release  20  includes a bolt  212 , a thread  213  on the bolt  212 , a collar  22  on the bolt  212 , a tightening element  211  pivotally connected to the bolt  212  and a nut  24  engaged with the bolt  212 . The collar  22  includes a concave side. The tightening element  211  includes a cam and a lever extending from the cam. The cam of the tightening element  211  is pivotally disposed against the concave side of the collar  22 . The nut  24  defines a screw hole  241  for receiving the thread  213 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the insert  31 A is inserted in the receptacle  10 . The rails  312 A are inserted in the grooves  12 . The grooves  311 A receive the rails  14 . The recess  313 A receives the bolt  212 . The bolt  212  is inserted in the washers  23  and the apertures  231  of the walls  11 . The bolt  212  is engaged with the nut  24 . By pivoting the lever of the tightening element  211  to a first position, the cam of the same moves the collar  22  towards the nut  24 . Thus, the walls  11  clamp the insert  31 A. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , by pivoting the lever of the tightening element  211  to a second position, the cam of the same allows the collar  22  and the nut  24  to release the walls  11  that in turn release the insert  31 A. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , there is shown a lock  34 A including a body  341 A and a shackle  342 A. To carry the lock  34 A, the insert  31 A is formed with a claw  314 A for holding the body  341 A while the luggage carrier  32 A is formed with a claw  321 A for holding the shackle  342 A. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIGS. 9 through 12 , there is shown an insert  31 B and a mudguard  32 B. The insert  31 B is not formed on nor secured to the mudguard  32 B. Instead, the insert  31 B is detachably connected to the mudguard  32 B. The insert  31 B includes two grooves  311 B, two rails  312 B and a recess  313 B like the grooves  311 A, the rails  312 A and the recess  313 A of the insert  31 A. Additionally, the insert  31 B includes a block  314 B defining two grooves  315 . 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , a tail light  32 C is detachably connected to an insert  31 C. The connection of the tail light  32 C to the insert  31 C is like that of the mudguard  32 B to the insert  31 B and therefore will not be described in detail. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIGS. 15 to 18 , an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes the receptacle  10 , the quick release  20  and a hooking device  31 D formed on or secured to a luggage carrier  32 D. The hooking device  31 D includes two hooks  311 D for hooking the bolt  212 . The luggage carrier  32 D is formed with two legs  312 D connected to chain stays or two prongs of a rear fork. 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIGS. 19 and 20 , there is shown an apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is like the first embodiment except including a fastening device  20 ′ instead of the quick release  20 . The fastening device  20 ′ is like the quick release except including a knob  211 ′ instead of the tightening element  211 . The knob  211 ′ is formed on the bolt  212 . The knob  211 ′ includes skid-proof portions  214  for facilitating the turning thereof. The knob  211 ′ defines a recess  216  for receiving a key for the turning thereof. 
         [0046]    The apparatus of the present invention exhibits several advantages. Firstly, its operation is easy for using the fastening device. Secondly, its structure is strong. Thirdly, its cost is low. 
         [0047]    The present invention has been described via the detailed illustration of the embodiments. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.