Abstract:
A bike mount for securing a bike on a vehicle includes a wheel clamp and securing devices for mounting bikes of various types, dimensions, and styles in one or more tray portions, extending between a pair of crossbars or other support structures.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES 
     This application is based upon and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/707,195, filed Aug. 9, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is related to bike mounts. More specifically, the present invention is related to bike mounts that secure a bicycle to a vehicle rack. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Top-mounted vehicle racks provide a versatile platform for transporting bicycles, skis, snowboards, boats, cargo boxes, gear racks, and other items. Such racks may include crossbars that extend side-to-side across the top of a vehicle. The crossbars typically are supported on each side of the vehicle&#39;s roof by a tower, where the length of each crossbar and the distance between crossbars depend on factors such as the shape and size of the vehicle&#39;s roof. The towers supporting the rack crossbars are securely fastened to the vehicle in some manner, to prevent the rack from slipping during use. 
     With the growing popularity of bicycling as a recreational activity, vehicles are often equipped with racks specifically configured to transport bicycles. Various systems have been developed to secure and stabilize bicycles on vehicle-mounted crossbars. One such system utilizes a fork block mounted to one of the bars with a skewer extending therethrough to receive and grip the front forks of a bicycle. Typically in such systems, a wheel tray extends from the fork block to the other crossbar to receive the rear tire of the bicycle. While these systems typically securely hold the bicycle in place, they have the disadvantage that the user must remove the front wheel of the bicycle before placing it in the rack, and then secure the front wheel separately to the rack or store it inside the vehicle. 
     Another common system used to attach a bicycle to vehicle-mounted crossbars secures both wheels of the bicycle to a wheel tray extending between the crossbars. This has the advantage that the user may secure the bicycle to the rack without removing the front wheel of the bicycle, but in such systems, a mechanism other than a fork block must be provided to secure the front end of the bicycle to the rack. Such mechanisms may include various combinations of straps, clamps, and stabilizing bars that attach to various points on the bicycle frame and/or wheels. 
     Frame attachment may effectively secure the bicycle to the vehicle rack. However, the rigidity of the bicycle frame may transfer potentially damaging motions from the vehicle to the bicycle. As a result, the frame may be damaged structurally. In addition, points of carrier engagement on the frame may be damaged cosmetically, that is, dented or scratched. 
     Wheel attachment overcomes some of the problems associated with frame attachment, because bicycle tires have an inherent shock-absorbing ability, which generally reduces the effects of sudden vehicle motions on an attached bicycle. However, some wheel-based carriers do not grip a bicycle wheel tightly enough to safely carry a bicycle on a vehicle roof at high speeds. Other wheel-based carriers are not designed for easy bicycle loading on a vehicle roof. As a result, it may be difficult for one person to position and balance a bicycle on the carrier as the bicycle is attached. Therefore, a vehicle-mounted bicycle carrier is needed that is easily loaded with a bicycle and that holds a wheel of the bicycle securely and effectively. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A bike mount for securing a bicycle to a vehicle rack is provided. The bike mount includes arms that pivot together to cooperatively engage a bicycle wheel and retain the wheel securely in place. The bike mount may be configured to include an adjustable tensioning device for securing one of the arms behind the bicycle wheel in a convenient and adjustable manner. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bike mount including an adjustable bicycle wheel retainer, showing the bicycle wheel retainer in its collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of the bike mount of  FIG. 1 , showing the bicycle wheel retainer retaining a bicycle wheel in dashed lines. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the bike mount shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , securing a bike in dashed lines. 
         FIG. 4  is a partial cut-away view of a front wheel support showing components of a tightening device. 
         FIGS. 5 and 6  are partial sectional views of a tightening device on a bike mount for securing a clamp around a wheel. 
         FIGS. 7-9  show cross sectional views through adjustable wheel securing devices for a bike mount. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Examples of preferred bike mount designs are described below. It will be apparent that many variations and modifications of the described devices, and assemblies are enabled and included within the scope of the claims listed below. The disclosure may also include multiple inventions. Therefore, the claims should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of patentable subject matter in the disclosure. 
       FIG. 1  shows a bike mount  10  constructed according to aspects of the present invention. Although not depicted in the drawings, bike mount  10  may be attached to a vehicle rack carrier positioned above the roof of a vehicle, or the mount may be attached in any other suitable location, such as in the bed of a truck. The carrier to which the bike mount is attached generally includes towers that couple the carrier to the vehicle, and crossbars which are linked to the towers and which extend transverse to the vehicle. The bike mount may be positioned above the crossbars and may be attached to the crossbars by any suitable method, typically using a clamp mechanism or other adjustable fastener. 
     Bike mount  10  generally includes a bicycle wheel retainer assembly  12  for holding a first wheel, usually a front wheel, of a bicycle, and a tray assembly  14  that supports a second wheel, usually a rear wheel of the bicycle. The retainer assembly includes a first arm or front wheel stop  16 , a second arm or rear wheel stop  18 , and a base or support structure  20 . First arm  16  may be pivotably attached to support structure  20  at an axis of rotation  22 , and extends generally radially from the axis of rotation. Similarly, second arm  18  also may be pivotably attached at axis of rotation  22 , or at a separate, generally parallel axis, and also extends generally radially from the axis. Support structure  20  may be coupled to tray  14 , which is aligned generally orthogonal to pivot axis  22 . 
     In  FIG. 1 , arms  16  and  18  are shown in their stowed positions. However, these arms are each pivotable from their stowed position to a retaining position for preventing removal of a bicycle wheel from between the first and second arms. More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 2  arms or wheel stops  16  and  18  are configured such that once a wheel of a bicycle is properly positioned on support structure  20 , the arms are rotated to their retaining positions, such that the front and rear of the wheel are supported by the front and rear wheel stop, i.e. by the first and second arms, respectively. Suitable materials for the wheel stops may include a sturdy, lightweight material such as an aluminum or other metal alloy, a polymeric material, or a combination thereof. 
     Arms  16  and  18  may have any structure that allows them to stably engage a bicycle wheel. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each arm may have generally parallel, spaced supports extending from pivot axis  22  or support structure  20 , the supports leading to a generally arch-shaped cross member that distally joins them together. To facilitate stable engagement of a wheel, the cross member of each arm may include a v-shaped notch or channel such as channels  24  and  26  depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Each v-shaped channel may be configured to cause self-centering, stable engagement of the bicycle wheel by the respective arm, when the arm makes contact with the wheel. Furthermore, one or both of the cross members may be movable along its supports, so that one or both of the v-shaped channels may have an adjustable location relative to the support structure, to accommodate wheels of various diameters. 
     Base or support structure  20  is any structure or assembly that defines spatial positions of arms  16  and  18  relative to a vehicle or vehicle rack carrier. Tray  14  is any structure capable of supporting and positioning a second wheel of a bicycle when the first wheel is engaged by wheel retainer assembly  12 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , tray  14  may have a channel-like structure with a bottom portion that supports a wheel of a bicycle, and side walls that limit lateral movement of the wheel. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a retaining mechanism  28  may be optionally and removably attached to tray  14 , and may include an insert  30  and/or a retaining strap  32  for more secure support and attachment of a wheel to the tray. A first end portion of tray  14  may be attached directly to a portion of retainer assembly  12 , such as support structure  20 , while a middle or second end portion may be attached to a crossbar (not shown). 
     Retainer assembly  12  also includes an adjustable tensioning device that will be described in greater detail below. The tensioning device includes a rotatable tensioning knob  52 , and a tension release button  54 , each of which is visible in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  show bike mount  10  with bicycle wheel retainer assembly  12  retaining a bicycle wheel. As indicated, first arm  16  supports the front side of the wheel, and second arm  18  supports the rear side of the wheel. To operate the retainer assembly, first arm  16  is typically rotated from its stowed position to its retaining position before the wheel is positioned on support structure  20 . Then the wheel is positioned on the support structure, and second arm  18  is rotated from its stowed position to its retaining position, so that the wheel is retained between the two arms. First arm  16  typically has one or a limited number of retaining positions that may be determined, for example, by mechanical limits on the rotational range of the arm. On the other hand, second arm  18  typically has a plurality of retaining positions, and—via an adjustable tensioning device—may be unidirectionally rotated toward the wheel to position the arm in the retaining position for that particular wheel. An embodiment of such an adjustable tensioning device will be described in more detail below. 
       FIG. 4  shows a sectional view of support structure  20  of wheel retainer assembly  12 , illustrating details of an embodiment of an adjustable tensioning device  40 , which is configured to secure rear wheel stop or second arm  18  behind a bicycle wheel in a convenient and adjustable manner. As indicated in  FIG. 4 , tensioning device  40  includes a lever  42 , one end of which is attached to a pivot  44  corresponding to axis of rotation  22  of the second arm, and a threaded rod  46  attached to the other end of lever  42  by a pin  48 . As shown in more detail in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , rod  46  extends distally from lever  42  through a rod-receiving portion or threaded pawl  50 , which is attached to a rotatable knob  52 . Together, rod  46 , pawl  50 , and knob  52  act to allow unidirectional rotation of arm  18 , to position arm  18  in close proximity or adjacent to the wheel to be retained. 
     More specifically, rod  46  and pawl  50  act together as a first tensioning mechanism for coarse positioning of the second arm in the retaining position. To operate the first, coarse tensioning mechanism of tensioning device  40 , front wheel stop or first arm  16  is rotated into its retaining position, and a bicycle is placed into position with its front wheel against the top of support structure  20 . Rear wheel stop or second arm  18  is raised behind the front wheel, rotating pivot  44  and lever  42 , and thus forcing threaded rod  46  into pawl  50  until the pawl engages one or more of the threads of the rod. In other words, rotation of the second arm causes rotation of the lever, and rotation of the lever causes motion of the rod into the pawl. Pawl  50  is designed to allow only unidirectional (tightening) motion of rod  46 , so that the rod can move further into the pawl by discrete amounts, but cannot be removed until a release mechanism is activated. In this manner the rear wheel stop can be raised until it contacts the bicycle wheel, at which point the rear wheel stop is approximately correctly positioned to secure the wheel. 
     Once the second arm is approximately correctly positioned at the rear of the wheel to be retained, knob  52  may be used in conjunction with rod  46  as a second tensioning mechanism for fine positioning of the rear wheel stop or second arm in the retaining position. Knob  52  is attached pawl  50 , and is configured to cause rotation of the pawl when the knob is rotated. Thus, clockwise rotation of the knob draws the rod further into the pawl due to rotational engagement of the external threads of the rod with the internal threads of the pawl. This has the effect of further rotating pivot  44 , and moving second arm  18  into closer, more secure, engagement with the retained bike wheel. In other words, rotating the knob clockwise has the effect of pushing the rear wheel stop against the bicycle wheel and further securing the wheel within the bike mount. Conversely, counterclockwise rotation of the knob has the effect of loosening the engagement of the second arm against the rear of the wheel. 
     A release mechanism, such as push button  54 , may allow the user to disengage pawl  50  from rod  46  when activated, for example by spreading the pawl until its internal diameter is greater than the external diameter of the rod, or by otherwise repositioning the pawl to a position in which its internal threads no longer engage the external threads of the rod. In any case, the release mechanism is configured to allow bidirectional rotation of the second arm when the release mechanism is activated. Thus, once the release mechanism is activated, the second arm or rear wheel stop may be rotated away from the bicycle wheel, and the bicycle may be removed from the mount.  FIG. 5  shows a cross section through knob  54  in which pawl  50  is engaging threads on rod  46  permitting unidirectional movement of rod  46  into the rod receiving portion.  FIG. 6  shows pawl  50  disengaged from rod  46  in response to depression of button  54 , permitting bidirectional movement (release) of rod  46  from the rod receiving portion. 
       FIGS. 7-9  show cross sections through tray  86  (analogous to wheel tray  14  in previous figures) and wheel support device, or “taco”  96  (analogous to taco  28  in previous figures). Wheel support  28  may include any device adapted to receive and secure the rear wheel of a bicycle. The wheel support may be constructed of any materials consistent with its function. As shown in  FIGS. 1 , and  7 - 9 , wheel support  28  may include central track  80 , one or more laterally spaced tracks  82 , an attachment member  84 , an elongate wheel tray  86 , and/or a securing mechanism  88 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , central track  80  may be positioned on the bottom and in the central portion of the bicycle carrier, and may extend parallel to the bicycle carrier&#39;s longitudinal axis along a substantial portion of the bicycle carrier&#39;s length. Similarly, one or more laterally spaced tracks  82  may be positioned on the bottom of the bicycle carrier, may be laterally spaced relative to the center track  80 , and may extend parallel to the bicycle carrier&#39;s longitudinal axis along a substantial portion of the bicycle carrier&#39;s length. The tracks may provide means for slidably attaching other components of the wheel support  28  to the bicycle carrier, as described below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , attachment member  84  may include any mechanism for removably attaching the wheel support portion of the bicycle carrier to crossbar  16 . The attachment member may be positioned on the underside of bicycle carrier  14 , and may include threaded bolt  89 , clamping member  90 , and securing device  92 . Threaded bolt  89  may include bolt head  94  dimensioned to slidably engage central track  80 , so as to enable a user to adjust the position of attachment member  84  relative to the length of the bicycle carrier. Clamping member  90  may include any device that engages threaded bolt  89 , and that clamps about crossbar  16 . Securing device  92  may include any device for threadably engaging threaded bolt  89 . Securing device  92  may be fully tightened upwards against clamping device  90 , thus securing the clamping device about crossbar  16 , and bolt head  94  in a fixed position relative to central track  86 . 
     Wheel tray  86  may include any mechanism adapted to selectively support a rear wheel of a bicycle. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1 , and  7 - 9 , the wheel tray may be concave, and may provide a space along which securing mechanism  88  may be translationally adjusted. A user may thereby position securing mechanism  88  closer or further from the front tire fastener, thereby enabling a user to selectively secure the rear wheels of different bicycles having varied wheelbases. 
     Securing mechanism  88  may include any mechanism adapted to selectively secure the rear wheel of a bicycle to wheel tray  86 . As shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , securing mechanism  88  may include receiver  96 , strap  98 , one or more adjustment mechanisms  100 , and one or more engagement members  102 . 
     Receiver  96  (also referred to as a housing, or a “taco”) may include any mechanism for receiving and retaining bicycle wheels of various shapes and sizes. Receiver  96  may have laterally extending side walls shaped in a manner that defines one or more concave portions, such as concave portions  96   a - c , and one or more convex portions, such as ear portions  96   d , for receiving and retaining bicycle tires having different diameters. For example,  FIG. 7  shows receiver  96  engaged with road bike&#39;s tire  104 ,  FIG. 8  shows the receiver engaged with mountain bike&#39;s tire  106 , and  FIG. 9  shows the receiver engaged with beach cruiser&#39;s tire  108 . The side walls of receiver  96  may also include one or more notches  110  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), positioned to receive a portion of strap  98  for securing the rear wheel, as discussed below. Notches  110  may be configured to allow a user to draw the strap closer to the bottom of receiver  96  than would be possible without the notches due to the receiver&#39;s extended ear portions  96   d . The notches thereby may allow a user to engage and secure bicycle wheels of various shapes and sizes without requiring an adapter. 
     Strap  98  may include any mechanism for securing the rear wheel of a bicycle to the receiver  96 , and may include securing portion  98   a  that extends across a portion of the bicycle&#39;s rear wheel. The strap may be formed integrally with or separately from receiver  96 . The strap may be configured to slidably engage the one or more adjustment mechanisms  100 , and may be positioned for reception by the one or more notches  110 . The strap may include one or more teeth, such as teeth  112 , which extend laterally across the strap. 
     Adjustment mechanism  100  may include any mechanism for tightening and loosening the strap around the rear wheels of a bicycle. For example, the adjustment mechanism may be positioned adjacent to the lateral side walls of the receiver  96  for selectively adjusting the length of the strap&#39;s securing portion  96   a . The adjustment mechanism may include a buckle, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,398 and/or U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,310, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. The adjustment mechanism may also include any type of buckle having a ratcheting assembly for selectively engaging the strap&#39;s teeth  112 , such as buckles made by Everest or Burton for use in snowboard bindings. 
     The one or more engagement members  102  may be configured to slidably engage the one or more laterally spaced tracks  82 , thereby enabling a user to adjust the position of the securing mechanism  88  along the wheel tray&#39;s longitudinal axis. 
     The various structural members disclosed herein may be constructed from any suitable material, or combination of materials, such metal, plastic, nylon, plastic, rubber, or any other materials with sufficient structural strength to withstand the loads incurred during use. Materials may be selected based on their durability, flexibility, weight, and/or aesthetic qualities. 
     Although the present disclosure has been provided with reference to the foregoing operational principles and embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The present disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances. Where the disclosure recites “a,” “a first,” or “another” element, or the equivalent thereof, it should be interpreted to include one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Furthermore, any aspect shown or described with reference to a particular embodiment should be interpreted to be compatible with any other embodiment, alternative, modification, or variance. For example, the embodiments described above are shown with a particular clamp device being used to clamp the front wheel of a bike, and a different binding device for securing the rear wheel of a bike. However, the same or similar device may be used and/or reconfigured for use on front and rear wheels interchangeably.