Abstract:
A fender structure for bicycles and particularly a fender structure installable by users and adaptable to various sizes of the bicycles according to users&#39; requirements includes at least a front connecting plate located at the front end of a fender, a rear connecting plate located at the rear end of the fender, and at least one interconnecting plate located between the front connecting plate and the rear connecting plate. The connecting plates have respectively a front coupling section and a rear coupling section engageable with each other. Users may assemble and adjust the fender in various shapes, lengths, colors and angles according to their requirements. It may be retracted, assembled and detached easily, and has a great versatility and applicability.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates to a fender structure for bicycles and particularly to a fender structure that is installable by users and adaptable to various sizes of the bicycles, and adjustable in shape, length, color and angle, and foldable and detachable, and is simple to assemble and install, and has a great versatility and applicability. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   A conventional fender  71  (referring to  FIG. 1 ) generally is made in an integrated plate which has a front section fastened to a stretcher  73  located on an upper side of the rear fork  72  of the bicycle  7  through a fastening plate  711  and a rear section fastened to a bracket  74  through a coupling blade  712 . Such a structure is plainly designed and cannot be altered to suit the desire and requirements of individual. Moreover, it has the following drawbacks:
         1. Different types and models of bicycles require different specifications of fenders. They are often not compatible. Hence producers have to prepare and stock many specifications of fenders to meet production requirements.   2. The conventional fenders are generally integrally made. When they are not in use and removal from the bicycle is wanted, they take a lot of space. Carrying and storage are inconvenient.       

   To remedy these problems, some venders have developed an extendable fender  8  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . While the extendable fender  8  can resolve the problems occurred to the conventional fenders, it still has shortcomings, notably:
         1. The fender  8  has an arched plate  81  which has latch stubs  811  slidable in flutes  812  of another arched plate  81 . The arched plates  81  do not have anchor structure. Thus the arched plates  81  tend to retract under vibration when the bicycle is ridden.   2. When the fender  8  is not in use and retracted, the arched plates  81  tend to slide out during riding.   3. When the fender  8  is retracted, the distal ends of the arched plates  81  are generally aligned to the tail end of a box  80 . The arched plates  81  do not have gripping means for pulling out when in use. Pulling out operation takes a lot of efforts and is not convenient.   4. Such type of fender usually is made in a single specification, and cannot be adapted to bicycles of different specifications or wheels of different sizes. Moreover, the angle of the fender is not adjustable. It has limited applicability, and cannot be adapted universally.       

   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The object of the invention is to provide a fender structure that is installable by users according to the size of bicycle and users&#39; requirements. It includes at least a front connecting plate located at the front end of the fender and a rear connecting plate located at the rear end of the fender, and at least one interconnecting plate located between the front connecting plate and the rear connecting plate according to users&#39; requirements. The plates at the front and rear side have respectively a front and a rear coupling section located at the front end and the rear send thereof to engage with each other. Thus users may assemble and install the fender as desired, and adjust the shape, length, color and angle of the fender. It can be retracted, assembled, disassembled and detached easily to provide a greater versatility and applicability. 
   The fender structure according to the invention includes at least a front connecting plate located at the front end of the fender and a rear connecting plate located at the rear end of the fender, and at least one interconnecting plate located between the front connecting plate and the rear connecting plate according to users&#39; requirements. The plates at the front side and the rear sides have respectively a front and a rear coupling section located at the front end and the rear send thereof to engage with each other. The connecting plate at the front side has an arched coupling rim located at the rear end thereof that has a rear coupling section formed respectively on two outer sides (or inner sides). Each rear coupling section has a hole in the middle surrounding by an annular ratchet gear. The connecting plate at the rear side also has an arched coupling rim located at the front end that has a front coupling section formed respectively on two inner sides (or outer sides). Each front coupling section has a hole in the middle surrounding by an annular ratchet gear. The front coupling section of the rear connecting plate and the rear coupling section of the front connecting plate may be engaged with each other. A coupling member may be inserted into the holes to fasten the front connecting plate and the rear connecting plate tightly thereby to anchor the fender and achieve a firm installation. 
   According to one aspect of the invention, the connecting plate at the front side has a fastening section to couple with an adjusting dock mounted on the seat post. 
   In another aspect of the invention, the fender structure has at least two connecting plates to couple with each other in a front and rear fashion. One of the connecting plates has a connecting means to fasten to an external element (such as the front fork, fender bracket or the like). 
   The fender structure according to the invention enables users to assemble and install the fender as desired, and also allows users to adjust the shape, length, color and angle of the fender. It can be retracted, assembled, disassembled and detached easily to provide a greater versatility and applicability. 
   The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a conventional fender. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic view of another conventional fender. 
       FIG. 3  is a fragmentary sectional view of another conventional fender. 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic view of the invention showing the front and rear connecting plates in an adjusting condition. 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the invention showing the coupling member in a tightening operation. 
       FIG. 8  is a cross section taken on line I—I in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic view of the invention showing the coupling member in another tightening operation. 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic view of the invention showing an adjusted shape and angle. 
       FIG. 11  is an exploded view of another embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 13  a schematic view of another embodiment of the invention showing an adjusted shape and angle. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   First Embodiment 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , the fender structure of the invention includes at least a front connecting plate  1  located at the front end of the fender and a rear connecting plate  3  at the rear end of the fender. Between the front connecting plate  1  and the rear connecting plate  3 , at least one interconnecting plate  2  may be disposed depending on user&#39;s requirements. The connecting plates  1 ,  2  and  3  have respectively a rear coupling section  12  or  22  to engage with a front coupling section  21  or  31  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ). The rear coupling sections  12  and  22  are located respectively on two outer sides of a rear arched coupling rim  13  and  23 . The rear coupling sections  12  and  22  have a hole  121  and  221  in the middle surrounding by a jutting rim  123  and  223  which forms an annular ratchet gear  122  and  222  on the outer periphery. The connecting plates  2  and  3  at the rear side have respectively a front arched coupling rim  25  and  35  at the front end which has two inner sides forming respectively the front coupling sections  21  and  31 . The front coupling sections  21  and  31  have a hole  211  or  311  in the middle surrounding by an annular ratchet gear  212  and  312  on the outer periphery mating the annular ratchet gear  122  and  222 . Thereby the connecting plates  1 ,  2  and  3  at the front side may be coupled with the rear side. The rear coupling rims  13  and  23  of the connecting plates  1  and  2  at the front side may be engaged with the front coupling rims  25  and  35  of the connecting plates  2  and  3  at the rear side, and the jutting rims  123  and  223  of the rear coupling sections  12  and  22  of the connecting plates  1  and  2  at the front side may engage with the holes  211  and  311  of the front coupling sections  21  and  31  of the connecting plates  2  and  3  at the rear side to form a turning axis. Moreover, the front and rear connecting plates  1 ,  2  and  3  may be connected and anchored with one another in a front and rear fashion. Coupling with the inter-engaging among the annular ratchet gears  122 ,  212 ,  222  and  312  (with the connecting plates made from plastics), when one of the connecting plates is bent under force, the engaging position and angle may be altered and adjusted (as shown in  FIG. 6 ). In addition, the coupling rims  13  and  25  ( 23 ,  35 ) of the front and rear connecting plates  1  and  2  ( 2 ,  3 ) are designed to couple with each other in an inner side and outer side manner. Hence when the front and rear connecting plates  1 ,  2  and  3  are bent, the coupling rims  13 ,  25 ,  23  and  35  have sufficient area to overlap and cover each other so that no gaps are formed on the connecting portion to avoid affecting the fender function. 
   Furthermore, in order to enhance anchoring between the connecting plates, the rear coupling sections  12  and  22  of each connecting plate  1  and  2  have respectively a hole  121  and  221  formed in “—”—shape corresponding to the hole  211  and  311  on the front coupling sections  21  and  31  of the rear connecting plate  2  and  3 . A coupling member  4  may be inserted into the holes from outside. The coupling member  4  has a handle  41  on one end and a latch rib  42  on an inner end that is symmetrical on the left and right side. The coupling member  4  further has a strut  43  extended in the center with one end forming two latch stubs  44  opposing each other. Hence when the coupling member  4  runs through the holes  211 ,  121 ,  311  and  221 , the latch stubs  44  at the end of the strut  43  of the handle  41  may be inserted through the hole  121  and turned in a biased manner so that the latch stubs  44  may press the inner sides of the coupling sections  12  and  22  of the connecting plates  1  and  2  at the front, and the latch rub  42  press the outer sides of the holes  211  and  311  of the front coupling sections  21  and  31  of the connecting plates  2  and  3  at the rear side. The outer sides of the holes  211  and  311  of the connecting plates  2  and  3  at the rear side have sloped surfaces  2111  and  3111  corresponding to each other to achieve tightening effect. The highest locations of the sloped surfaces  2111  and  3111  have respectively a brake rib  2112  and  3112  to serve as the stopping spots of the coupling member  4  which runs though the holes  211 ,  121 ,  311  and  221  so that when the handle  41  is turned and tightened, the connecting plates may be anchored securely (as shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  9 ). 
   To remove the coupling member  4 , turn the handle  41  in the reverse direction to align the latch stubs  44  with the holes  121  and  221 , then the coupling member  4  may be pulled out. 
   Furthermore, in order to facilitate fastening of the invention to the adjusting dock  751  on the bicycle seat post  75 , the front connecting plate  1  of the fender may have a fastening section  11  at the front end to couple with the adjusting dock  751 . In addition, to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the fender, the rear end  33  of the rear connecting plate  3  may be formed in an arched shape without the coupling section. To further improve the appeal of the fender, every connecting plate may be made in a different color to make the final assembly more attractive. 
   As the invention consists of a plurality of connecting plates  1 ,  2  and  3 , the number of the connecting plates may be increased or decreased based on the size of the bicycles and user&#39;s requirements. In addition, the shape and angle of the fender may be adjusted (as shown in  FIG. 10 ). To make the adjustment, first, turn and loosen the coupling member, and adjust the fender to a desired position; then tighten the coupling member  4  to anchor the fender. Thus applicability of the invention may be greatly enhanced. 
   Second Embodiment 
   Refer to  FIG. 11  for a second embodiment of the invention. In order to make the invention more adaptable for use on the front fork, one of the connecting plates  2 ′ (preferably the second connecting plate) may be coupled with a connecting means  20 ′ to fasten to an external object (such as the front fork or fender bracket). Taking the front fork as an example, to couple with the front fork  76 , the connecting plate  2 ′ is formed in L-shape with the connecting means  20 ′ located thereon. The connecting means  20 ′ serves to fasten to the front fork  76 . The connecting means may be made in many forms.  FIG. 11  illustrates one of the examples. The connecting means  20 ′ includes two parallel guiding channels  201 ′. The front fork  76  has a connecting dock  77  which has two side flanges  771  for wedging in the guiding channel  201 ′ to accomplish positioning and anchoring (as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 ). The rear coupling section  12 ′ at the rear coupling rim  13 ′ of the front connecting plate  1 ′ and the front and rear coupling sections  24 ′ and  22 ′ of the front and rear coupling rims  25 ′ and  23 ′ of the connecting plate  2 ′ are constructed same as the ones described in the first embodiment. In addition, the invention may also be adopted to connect other bicycles accessories such as fender brackets, reflectors, and the like. Basically the connecting structure of the front and rear connecting plates of the invention serves as the main assembly body of the fender to couple with other accessories desired. 
   In summary, the invention offers at least the following advantages:
         1. The invention may be assembled and installed by users according to the size of the bicycles and requirements of users.   2. The shape, length, color and angle of the fender may be assembled and adjusted to suit user&#39;s desire.   3. The invention may be disassembled, folded and stored easily and does not take much space.   4. The invention is versatile and universally applicable, and may be adapted to a wide variety of bicycle types, and is easy to assemble and install.