Abstract:
One bicycle service kit includes: a main body; at least one slot formed at an upper end of the main body; and at least one cable positioned in the slot, the cable including a head portion held within an interior of the main body, the head portion having a dimension larger than a width of the slot, the cable including a free end configured to be attached to a bicycle tool. Another kit includes: a circular main body defining an open interior; a shelf formed in the open interior of the main body, the shelf defining a plurality of slots; at least one cable positioned in at least one of the slots, the cable including a free end configured to be attached to a bicycle tool; and a front cover coupled to close the open interior of the main body.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/781,680 filed on Feb. 28, 2013, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Bicycles are a popular form of transportation. As the highways become more congested and green technologies are encouraged, more individuals are deciding to use their bicycles for commuting. As a mode of transportation, bicycles are relatively simple devices. However, there are times when bicycles must be serviced. In some instances, repair is necessary when a bicycle is away from the individual&#39;s residence or bicycle shop. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In one non-limiting aspect, a bicycle service kit includes: a main body extending vertically from a base; at least one slot formed at an upper end of the main body; and at least one cable positioned in the slot, the cable including a head portion held within an interior of the main body, the head portion having a dimension larger than a width of the slot, the cable including a free end configured to be attached to a bicycle tool. 
         [0004]    In another non-limiting aspect, a bicycle service kit includes: a circular main body defining an open interior; a shelf formed in the open interior of the main body, the shelf defining a plurality of slots; at least one cable positioned in at least one of the slots, the cable including a head portion held within the open interior of the main body, the head portion having a dimension larger than a width of the slot, the cable including a free end configured to be attached to a bicycle tool; and a front cover coupled to close the open interior of the main body. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example bicycle service kit. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the bicycle service kit of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a partially exploded perspective view of the bicycle service kit of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of the bicycle service kit of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of an installation process for the bicycle service kit of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another example bicycle service kit. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the bicycle service kit of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the bicycle service kit of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the bicycle service kit of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is a front view of a main body of the bicycle service kit of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a main body of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of the bicycle service kit of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 13  is an enlarged view of a portion of the bicycle service kit of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a protective plate. 
           [0019]      FIG. 15  is a front view of example tools of a bicycle service kit. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    The present disclosure relates generally to bicycle service kits. In example embodiments, the bicycle service kits provide a plurality of components that allow one to service (e.g., repair and/or maintain) a bicycle or similar device. In some examples, the bicycle service kits are configured to allow the bicycle service kits to be located in an urban environment, such as along a bicycle path, so that riders can conveniently perform service as required while using the bicycles. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-5 , a first example bicycle service kit  100  is shown. 
         [0022]    The bicycle service kit  100  includes an example main body  110  having a first end  112  and a second end  114 . In this example, the main body  110  is a cylindrical tube, although other shapes can be used, such as rectangular, oblong, etc. shapes or other structures can comprise the main body  110 . 
         [0023]    In one example embodiment, the main body  110  is hollow and forms slots  116  at the first end  112 . In this example, two slots  116  are formed on opposite points along the main body  110 . However, more or fewer slots  116  could be used. 
         [0024]    Positioned within the slots  116  is a plurality of cables  136  with a plurality of tools  138  affixed thereto. See  FIG. 15 . Examples of such tools include assorted screwdrivers, wrenches (e.g., Allen wrenches), tire levers, etc. However, other tools and service products can be used, such as lubricants, tire plugs, etc. The cables  136  allow one or more of the tools  138  to be extended from the main body  110  for use in servicing a bicycle, while assuring that the tools  138  are not lost or stolen. In this example, the tools  138  mounted to the bicycle service kit  100  include: Philips and flat head screwdrivers; 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 mm Allen wrenches; Headset wrench; Pedal wrench; 8, 9, 10, 11 mm box wrenches; and Tire levers. 
         [0025]    In this example, the cables  136  are positioned within the slots  116  during assembly. See  FIG. 4 . In this configuration, the cables  136  each include a head portion  502 . The cables  136  are extended through the slots  116  formed in the main body  110 . The head portion  502  of each cable  136  is larger than the slots  116 , so that the head portion  502  cannot fit through the slots  116 , thereby suspending the cables  136  from the main body  110 . 
         [0026]    When the cables  136  have been inserted into the slots  116 , a cap  118  is positioned on the first end  112  of the main body  110 , and a bolt  120  is used to couple the cap  118  to the first send  112 . The bolt  120  includes a special head that resists removal without a special tool. In this manner, the cables  136  are secured so that tampering of the cables  136  is not possible, since the cap  118  cannot be easily removed. 
         [0027]    Such a configuration is advantageous to protect the cables  136  from detachment and/or tampering of the cables  136 . In other embodiments, the tools  138  may be connected to retractable cables that, when not in use, retract into an interior portion of the main body  110 . The tools  138  may also include magnets thereon to hold the tools to the main body  110  when not being used or to prevent them from interfering with use of other tools. 
         [0028]    In one alternative, the first end  112  can be rotatably-mounted to the main body  110  so that the first end  112  can be rotated about an axis of the main body  110 . For example, the slots  116  on the first end  112  can be rotated into the 3, 6, and 9 o&#39;clock positions to optimize how the cables  136  with the tools  138  from the main body  110 . In a same or another alternative, the first end  112  can include one or more supports that extend upward from the main body  110  to allow a height at which the first end  112  is positioned to be adjusted. In this manner, the bicycle service kit  100  can be configured to service bikes of different sizes and accommodate users of different heights. 
         [0029]    The second end  114  of the main body  110  defines a base  115  upon which the bicycle service kit  100  can be mounted. For example, the base  115  includes a plurality of holes  126  through which bolts  122  can be extended to affix the bicycle service kit  100  to the ground. 
         [0030]    For example, a process for installing the bicycle service kit  100  is shown in  FIG. 5 . Initially, at step 1, the base  115  is used as a template to mark the holes  126  at the location for installation. Next, at step 2, the bicycle service kit  100  is removed, and the holes are drilled. 
         [0031]    At step 3, the bicycle service kit  100  is replaced and leveled. One or more washers  128  can be positioned under the base  115  to level the bicycle service kit  100 . Finally, at step 4, the bolts  122  are positioned through the holes  126  to affix the bicycle service kit  100  to the place of installation. In these examples, the bicycle service kit  100  is permanently affixed so that it is not meant to be moved by users of the bicycle service kit  100 . 
         [0032]    In the example shown, the main body  110  is formed from 2 inch sch. 40 pipe. The cap  118  is a 3/16″ inch plate. The base  115  is 8 inches in diameter and 0.25 inches in thickness. The cables  136  are 5/32 inch stainless steel cable. Other dimensions can be used. 
         [0033]    The bicycle service kit  100  can include a hot-dipped galvanized finish performed after fabrication. In addition, a plurality of TGIC powder-coated colors can be used to personalize the bicycle service kit  100 . 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6-14 , a second example bicycle service kit  200  is shown. 
         [0035]    The bicycle service kit  200  includes an example main body  210  having an open interior  220 . See  FIGS. 10-13 . In this example, the main body  110  is a circular, although other shapes can be used, such as rectangular, oblong, etc. shapes or other structures can comprise the main body  110 . 
         [0036]    The bicycle service kit  200  is configured to be mounted to a wall or other structure. In this example, the interior  220  of the main body  210  defines a plurality of openings  232  through which a screw, nail or other fastener can be placed to affix the main body  210  to the wall. In some examples, the main body  210  is mounted at a desired height from the ground, such as 54 inches. However, the height can be increased or decreased depending on the application. 
         [0037]    Once in place on the wall or other structure, a plurality of the cables  136  is suspended from the main body  210 . As shown in  FIGS. 10-13 , a shelf  222  including a plurality of slots  224  is positioned within the interior  220  of the main body  210 . The cables  136  are suspended by placing the cables  136  within the slots  224  and allowing the head portion  502  to abut the shelf  222 . The head portion  502  is too large to fit through the slots  224 , thereby suspending the cables  136  from the main body  110 . 
         [0038]    Once the cables  136  are in place, a front cover  212  is positioned onto the main body  210  and affixed thereto with a tamper-resistant bolt  214 . After the front cover  212  is attached, the cables  136  cannot be easily removed from the main body  210 , since the front cover  212  closes off the slots  224  formed by the shelf  222 . This makes the bicycle service kit  200  resistant to tampering. 
         [0039]    In this example, the tools  138  suspended from the cables  136  of the bicycle service kit  200  include: Philips and flat head screwdrivers; 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 mm Allen wrenches; Headset wrench; and Pedal wrench. More or fewer tools can be provided. 
         [0040]    In this example, the main body  210  is a 6.308×0.154 inch tube, with a 3/16 inch plate. The bicycle service kit  200  can likewise be finished in a manner similar to that described above. 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIG. 14 , a protective plate  302  can be affixed to the wall at an approximate height of the tools  138  when suspended so that the tools  138  to not markup the wall. In this example, the plate  302  is made of metal or another durable material that can protect the wall should the tools  138  be swung back or released at an elevation so that the tools swing back towards the wall. 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIG. 15 , in this example, some of the tools  138  are connected to the cables  136  using a swivel member  400  that allows the tools  138  to be freely rotated, as necessary, during use. In this example, the swivel member  400  includes a first portion  410  defining a loop that is coupled to the cable  136 . The first portion  410  is coupled to a second portion  414  through a swivel  412  that allows the first portion  410  to rotate freely relative to the second portion  414 . The second portion  414  is, in turn, coupled to the tools. In this example, the second portion  414  defines a loop through which a cable  416  that is connected to the tool  138  extends. 
         [0043]    In some examples, such as that depicted in  FIG. 15 , only those tools that are typically twisted during use (e.g., screwdrivers and Allen wrenches) are provided on swivels. In other examples, most or all of the tools are provided with swivels. In this configuration, the tools  138  can be easily used without causing the cables  136  to become twisted. Other similar configurations are possible. 
         [0044]    In some examples, the bicycle tool kits  100 ,  200  are used in conjunction with other components, such as an air pump. Such an air pump could be freestanding or affixed to a structure. The air pump can be used to service bicycle tires, and can include such features as a pressure gauge. 
         [0045]    In other designs, one or both of the bicycle service kits  100 ,  200  include a QR code  192 , such as affixed to a main body thereof. The QR code  192  can be read by computers and smartphones. The QR code can provide information, such as links to videos and/or instructions on bike maintenance. For example, the QR code can be read by a user&#39;s smartphone, and the result can be to provide the user with a video on how to change a flat tire on a bicycle, using the tools  138  provided by the bicycle service kit  100 . Multiple QR codes or similar information can be provided. 
         [0046]    There are various advantages associated with the bicycle service kits described herein. For example, the kits provide a self-contained unit that can be used to service many aspects of a bicycle. This includes both service of the mechanical aspects of the bicycle, as well as the tires (e.g., by providing air to the tires). This is accomplished with a minimal footprint associated with the bicycle service kits, since all components of the bicycle service kits are integrally-formed when installed. 
         [0047]    In another advantage, the various components of the bicycle service kits are securely attached to minimize the possibility of tampering or damage to the components. For example, the cables are attached to the tools and the main body in such a manner to resist removal of the tools, while allowing maximum workability for the tools. 
         [0048]    The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting. Various modifications and changes may be made to the example embodiments and applications illustrated or described herein or below without departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure.