Abstract:
A removable bicycle beam for adapting a bicycle frame for engagement with a vehicle-mounted bicycle rack. The beam includes a pair of securing mechanisms disposed on opposite ends of a central body. Each securing mechanism includes a fixed arm fixedly secured to the central body and a pivoting arm pivotally secured to the central body. Each arm includes a gripping portion extending outwardly from the central body that cooperates with the gripping portion of the other arm to releasably encircle and engage a component of the bicycle, such as the handle bar stem or the seat post. The pivoting arm and fixed arm lie in a substantially horizontal plane when in a closed position, and the pivoting arm is movable in the horizontal plane toward and away from the fixed arm. Each pivoting arm can be locked in a closed, engaged position by one of a pair of releasable latch mechanisms disposed within the central body and engagable with the pivoting arms. The central body is formed of a pair of telescopically mounted tubes that enable the beam to shift the securing mechanisms with respect to one another in order to accommodate bicycles having various lengths between the handle bar stem and the seat post.

Description:
The present invention is related to bicycles and bicycle carriers, and more specifically to a beam releasably securable between the seat post and handle bars of a bicycle to enable the bicycle to be mounted on a vehicle-mounted bicycle carrier rack. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to transport bicycles from one place to another, a number of vehicle-mounted bicycle racks have been developed. These racks enable bicycles to be supported on the rear of a vehicle for transportation along with the vehicle. Certain racks utilize a support arrangement that engages a generally horizontal top tube extending across the top of the frame of the bicycle, such that the bicycle is carried in a suspended manner by engagement of the support arrangement with the top tubes. 
     Conventional bicycle frames designed for females do not have a top tube which can be utilized to support the bicycle on a rack. Further, with recent advancements in bicycle frame technology, many other bicycle frames are configured without a top tube. Such bicycle frames thus require use of a removable bicycle beam in order to support the bicycle in a suspended manner on a vehicle-mounted bicycle rack which has a support arrangement adapted to engage the top tube of a bicycle frame. 
     Removable bicycle beams or bars have been developed so as to enable bicycle frames without a conventional top tube to be carried in a suspended manner on a bicycle carrier. A removable bicycle beam or bar is temporarily secured between the handle bar stem and seat post of the bicycle in order to enable a bicycle without a top tube to be mounted to and transported by a suspension-type vehicle-mounted bicycle carrier. The beam or bar is adjustable to fit bicycles having varying distances between the handle bar stem and the seat post. 
     Known bicycle beams are generally in the form of a telescoping bar having a seat post mounting arrangement at one end and a handle bar stem mounting arrangement at the opposite end. The seat post mounting arrangement and the handle bar stem mounting arrangement are generally similar in construction. In one known prior art bicycle beam, a U-shaped bracket is engaged via a cross pin with each end of the telescoping bar. The bracket can be selectively disengaged from the cross pin to allow either the seat post or the handle bar stem to be received within the bracket, and bracket is subsequently reengaged with the cross pin. In another form, a hook-type member is mounted to each end of the telescoping bar, and is engageable with either the seat post of the handle bar stem. A pivotable latch bar is mounted to the end of the telescoping bar, and is movable between an open position which allows the seat post or handle bar stem to be engaged with the hook member, and a closed position in which the latch bar cooperates with the hook member to maintain the seat post or handle bar stem in engagement with the hook member. The latch bar is mounted to a horizontal cross pin, such that the latch bar is movable in a vertical direction between its open and closed positions. 
     While these types of bicycle beams function satisfactorily to allow a bicycle to be mounted to a suspension-type carrier, each has certain drawbacks in ease of use and in the manner in which the bicycle beam is secured to the handle bar stem and seat post. The bracket type mounting arrangement involves several steps in opening the bracket, engaging the bracket with the bicycle, and then engaging the bracket with the cross pin. The hook-type mounting arrangement requires separate manual operations in opening the latch bar, extending the telescoping bar an amount sufficient to engage the hook members with the seat post and handle bar stem, shortening the telescoping bar to engage the hook members with the respective seat and handle bar stems, and then moving each latch bar to its closed position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved removable bicycle beam for use with a bicycle frame that does not include a top tube, for enabling the bicycle to be engaged with a bicycle carrier in a suspended manner. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide such a removable bicycle beam that has a relatively simple construction and is adaptable to fit bicycles having a variety of lengths between the handle bar stem and the seat post. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide such a removable bicycle beam that has an easily engagable and disengagable securing mechanism for releasably engaging one or both of its ends with the handle bar stem and/or seat post of the bicycle. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a removable bicycle beam in which the securing mechanism is formed such that the mechanism does not damage the handle bar stem or seat post when the beam is secured to the bicycle. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a bicycle beam in which the securing mechanism defines a wide opening when the mechanism is opened in order to allow for easy attachment of the beam to the handle bar stem or seat post of the bicycle. 
     The present invention is a removable bicycle beam securable to a bicycle between the handle bar stem and seat post of the bicycle. The beam provides a horizontal bar extending between the handle bar stem and seat post of the bicycle that is engagable with a vehicle-mounted bicycle rack adapted to secure a horizontal member of a bicycle frame to enable the bicycle to be secured to and transported by the rack. 
     The beam is formed of a pair of telescoping tubular members. The tubular members are slidably engaged with one another to enable the beam to be adjusted in length, according to the distance between the handle bar stem and seat post of the bicycle. 
     The beam defines a pair of spaced apart ends, at least one of which includes an engagement arrangement or securing mechanism that is releasably engagable with the handle bar stem and/or seat post of the bicycle. In a preferred form, a similarly constructed releasable securing mechanism is provided at both ends of the beam. The releasable securing mechanism includes a pair of arms secured to an end of the beam. A first one of the arms is fixedly attached to the end of the beam, and a second one of the arms is pivotally secured to the beam for movement toward and away from the first arm. The pivoting second arm is releasably engagable with a detent mechanism associated with the beam that retains the pivoting arm in a closed position, in which the first and second arms are in engagement with each other. When in the closed position, the first and second arms define a closed opening or space within which the handle bar stem or seat post of the bicycle is received. When the releasable securing mechanism is disengaged, the second arm is pivoted away from the first arm to an open position, in which a gap is defined between the ends of the first and second arms. The gap allows the bicycle seat post or handle bar stem to be moved into or out of the space between the first and second arms. 
     The first and second arms include a mating retainer arrangement which maintains the arms together against vertical forces applied to the arms in use, which would otherwise tend to separate the arms. The mating retainer arrangement may be in the form of a notch formed in the end of one of the arms, and a mating tab formed at the end of the other arm. The notch is releasably engaged with the when the pivoting arm is in the closed position. The engagement of the tab and the notch ensures that the fixed and pivoting arms of the securing mechanism do not slide apart with respect to one another when engaged around the seat post or handle bar stem of the bicycle. 
     Both the fixed and securing arms also include a relatively soft resilient material disposed along an area defined by each arm. The resilient material is in an area which contacts the handle bar stem or seat post of the bicycle, as well as the handle bars or seat when the beam is engaged with the bicycle. The resilient material engages the securing mechanism with the bicycle and prevents damage to the bicycle frame from the securing mechanism when the mechanism rubs against the bicycle components during use. 
    
    
     Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the drawn figures. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The drawing figures illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for practicing the present invention. 
     In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a bicycle beam constructed according to the present invention secured to a bicycle and engaged with a vehicle-mounted bicycle rack; 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the bicycle beam of FIG. 1 showing the pivoting arm in a closed position, with reference to line  2 — 2  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the pivoting arm of each securing mechanisms in an open position; 
     FIG. 4 is an end elevation view of the securing mechanism with the pivoting arm in the closed position, with reference to line  4 — 4  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is an end elevation view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating the securing mechanism with the pivoting arm in the closed position, with reference to line  5 — 5  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line  6 — 6  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view along line  7 — 7  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along line  8 — 8  of FIG. 7; and 
     FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view along line  9 — 9  of FIG.  3 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference now to the drawing figures in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the disclosure, a bicycle is indicated generally at  10  in FIG.  1 . The bicycle  10  has a frame  12  including a front end  14  and a rear end  16 . The front end  14  has a steering tube  18  and a fork  20 , with a front wheel  22  secured to the fork  20 . Fork  20  includes a handle bar stem  26  which extends through steering tube  18 , and a set of handle bars  27  is engaged with the upper end of handle bar stem  26 . The rear end  16  of the frame  12  includes a seat tube  28  and a rear fork  30 , with a rear wheel  22  secured to the rear fork  30  and a seat  32  secured to the seat tube  28  by seat post  34  slidably engaged with the seat tube  28 . A bicycle beam  36 , constructed according to the invention, is removably secured to the bicycle  10  between the handle bar stem  26  and seat post  34 . The bicycle beam  36  is adapted for use in mounting bicycle  10  to a vehicle-mounted bicycle rack  38  shown attached to the rear of a vehicle  40 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 2 and 9, the bicycle beam  36  includes a central body  42  formed of a first hollow tube  44  and a second hollow tube  46  telescopically mounted within the first tube  44 . The tubes  44 ,  46  are formed of a rigid material capable of withstanding the stress of supporting the weight of the bicycle  10  when engaged with the rack  38 , such as a rigid plastic or metal, with aluminum being particularly preferred. The first tube  44  includes a seal  48  at one end through which the second tube  46  extends. The seal  48  extends circumferentially around the end of the first tube  44  and includes a central opening  50  having a diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter the second tube  46 . The seal  48  frictionally engages the exterior of the second tube  46  and partially covers the interior of the first tube  44  to prevent water, rocks, dirt and other material from entering the first tube  44 . 
     A detent  52  is attached to the end of the second tube  46  disposed within the first tube  44 . The detent  52  has an exterior diameter slightly less then the interior diameter of the first tube  44  and may slide within the first tube  44  along with the second tube  46 . When the second tube  46  is in the fully extended position, the detent  52  engages seal  48  outwardly of the opening  50 , to normally retain the second tube  46  within the first tube  44 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2-8, opposite the seal  48  and detent  52 , the first tube  44  and second tube  46  each include an engagement arrangement in the form of a releasable securing mechanism  54   a  and  54   b , respectively. Each securing mechanism  54   a  and  54   b  is formed generally identically to the other. However, the securing mechanism  54   a  on the first tube  44  is slightly larger than the securing mechanism  54   b  on the second tube  46 , because the securing mechanism  54   a  is adapted to be engaged with the front end of bicycle  10 , which includes the handle bar stem  26  as well as a brake cable  58  and a gear shift cable  60  which extend downwardly along opposite sides of the handle bar stem  26 . Securing mechanism  54   b , on the other hand, is adapted to be engaged with seat post  34  which does not typically have any adjacent cables or the like. Like reference characters will be used to describe both securing mechanisms  54   a  and  54   b.    
     As best shown in FIGS.  3 — 7 , each securing mechanism  54   a  and  54   b  includes a fixed arm  62  and a pivoting arm  64  that are formed of a rigid material similar to that used to form the tubes  44 ,  46 . The fixed arm  62  and pivoting arm  64  can be placed in a closed, engaged position to form an enclosure around the handle bar stem  26  or seat post  34  or in an open, disengaged position in which the fixed arm  62  and pivoting arm  64  are separated enabling the handle bar stem  26  or seat post  34  to be removed from or placed between the arms  62  and  64 . 
     The fixed arm  62  includes an attachment portion  66  secured to the respective tube  44  or  46  and a gripping portion  68  extending outwardly from the attachment portion  66 . The attachment portion  66  is insertable into one of the respective tubes  44 ,  46  and includes a pair of opposed openings  70  that are alignable with a pair of opposed bores  72  located in the tube  44  or  46  opposite the seal  48  or detent  52 , respectively. Opposite the openings  70 , the gripping portion  68  includes a pair of extensions  74  extending outwardly from the attachment portion  66 . The extensions  74  are integrally formed with the attachment portion  66  and support a resilient pad  76  disposed partially around the extensions  74 . The pad  76  may be overmolded onto extensions  74 , and forms a continuous inner surface  77  that faces the pivoting arm  64  and engages the handle bar stem  26  or seat post  34 . The pad  76  is formed of a resilient material, such as a soft thermoplastic or rubber material, capable of frictionally engaging but not scratching or otherwise damaging the handle bar stem  26  or seat post  34  of the bicycle  10  to which the beam  36  is secured. Furthermore, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the end of the pad  76  opposite the attachment portion  66  further includes a tab  78  extending outwardly from the pad  76 . 
     The pivoting arm  64  is formed similarly to the fixed arm  62  and includes an attachment portion  80  and a gripping portion  82 . The gripping portion  82  is formed similarly to the gripping portion  68  of the fixed arm  62  including a pair of extensions  83  extending from the attachment portion  80  and an overmolded pad  84  disposed around the extensions  83 . However, the pad  84  has a notch  85  located on the end of the pad  84  opposite the attachment portion  80 . The notch  85  is selectively engagable with the tab  78  on the gripping portion  68  of the fixed arm  62  when the securing mechanism  54   a  or  54   b  is in the closed position. The engagement of the tab  78  within the notch  85  prevents the fixed arm  62  and pivoting arm  64  from sliding with respect to one another and either damaging the handle bar stem  26  or seat post  34 , or disengaging the securing mechanism  54   a  or  54   b.    
     The attachment portion  80  of the pivoting arm  64  is formed of a sleeve  86  defining an open end  88  and having an inner dimension slightly larger than the outer diameter of the tube  44  or  46  to which the securing mechanism  54   a  or  54   b  is attached. The shape of the sleeve  86  preferably conforms to the shape of the respective tube  44  or  46 , but might also have any shape capable of pivoting around the tubes  44  and  46  in the desired manner, such as a rectangular shape. The sleeve  86  also includes a pair of apertures  90  disposed adjacent the gripping portion  82  that are alignable with the openings  70  in the fixed arm  62  and bores  72  in the respective tube  44  or  46 . 
     To secure the fixed arm  62  and pivoting arm  64  to the respective tube  44  or  46 , the apertures  90  in the pivoting arm  64 , the openings  70  in the fixed arm  62  and the bores  72  in the tube  44  or  46  are aligned. This is accomplished by placing the attachment portion  66  of the fixed arm  62  within the tube  44  or  46  and placing the attachment portion  80  of the pivoting arm  64  around the tube  44  or  46  and the attachment portion  66  of the fixed arm  62 . Once the apertures  90 , bores  72  and openings  70  are in alignment, a bolt  92  is inserted through the respective openings and secured therein by a nut  94  threadably engaged with one end of the bolt  92 . The bolt  92  fixedly secures the fixed arm  62  within the tube  44  or  46  and provides a pivot point for the pivoting arm  64  with respect to the tube  44  or  46 . 
     To releasably retain the pivoting arm  64  of each securing mechanism  54   a  and  54   b  in a closed position about the handle bar stem  26  or seat post  34 , the tubes  44  and  46  also each include a latch mechanism  96  disposed within the tubes  44  and  46 . The latch mechanism  96  is disposed adjacent the attachment portion  66  of fixed arm  62  and includes a ball-type latch  98  slidably disposed within a latch opening  100  that is in axial alignment with but spaced from one of the bores  72  in the tube  44  or  46 . The latch  98  is biased to an outward position in the opening  100  by a spring  102  located within a passage  103  defined by a latch retainer  104  received within the interior of tube  44  or  46 . The spring  102  enables the latch  98  to be depressed downwardly into the opening  100  to a position where the latch  98  is disengaged from pivoting arm attachment portion  80  to enable attachment portion  80  be moved towards or away from the tube  44  or  46 . 
     To lock the pivoting arm  64  of each securing mechanism  54   a  and  54   b  in a closed position, the pivoting arm  64  is pivoted about the bolt  92  toward its closed position from its open position, to move the sleeve  86  toward the tube  44  or  46 . Sleeve  86  engages latch  98  to depress latch  98  against the force of spring  102 . Continued movement of sleeve  86  toward tube  44  or  46  brings a latch hole  105  in sleeve  86  into alignment with latch  98 , and spring  102  then forces latch  98  upwardly through the opening  100  in the tube  44  or  46  and into latch hole  105 . The latch hole  105  is spaced from the apertures  90  opposite the gripping portion  82  and is in alignment with the latch opening  100  when the pivoting arm  64  is in the closed position. The engagement of the latch  98  within the latch hole  105  prevents the pivoting movement of the sleeve  86  on the pivoting arm  64  to retain the gripping portion  82  and notch  85  in engagement with the handle bar stem  26  or seat post  34  and the gripping portion  68  and tab  76  of fixed arm  62 . 
     To disengage the pivoting arms  64  of the securing mechanisms  54   a  and  54   b , the latch  98  is depressed downwardly through the latch hole  105  and latch opening  100  into the tube  44  or  46 , against the force of spring  102 . The sleeve  86  and pivoting arm  64  can then be pivoted about the bolt  92  in the direction shown in FIG. 3 by arrows A to disengage the tab  78  on the fixed arm  62  from the notch  85  on the pivoting arm  64  and enable the securing mechanisms  54   a  or  54   b  to be removed from around the handle bar stem  26  or seat post  34 . 
     To utilize the bicycle beam  36 , initially each of the securing mechanisms  54   a  and  54   b  are placed in the disengaged, open position by depressing each of the latches  98  and moving each pivoting arm  64  away from the fixed arm  62 , such that the beam  36  is the configuration shown in FIG.  3 . The beam  36  is then positioned between the handle bar stem  26  and seat post  34  of the bicycle  10  and adjusted in length by sliding the second tube  46  inwardly or outwardly with respect to the first tube  44  until the securing mechanisms  54   a  and  54   b  are positioned around the handle bar stem  26  and seat post  34 , respectively. The pivoting arms  64  are then moved towards the fixed arms  62  by gripping each sleeve  86  and the respective tube  44  or  46 , and applying a squeezing force to move sleeve  86  toward tube  44  or  46  by pivoting movement about bolt  92 . This functions to move gripping portion  82  toward fixed arm  62 . The user continues to apply the squeezing force to sleeve  86 , and sleeve  86  contacts latch  98  to depress latch  98  against the force of spring  102 . As pivoting arm  64  reaches fixed arm  62 , the notch  85  on each pivoting arm  64  engages the tab  78  on each fixed arm  62 , and latch hole  105  is moved into alignment with its respective latch  98 . When the securing mechanisms  54   a  and  54   b  are each in the engaged position around the handle bar stem  26  and seat post  34  as shown in FIG. 2, the springs  102  force the latches  98  into the latch holes  105  to retain the mechanisms  54   a  and  54   b  in the closed or engaged position, and the beam  36  can be engaged within the bicycle rack  38  on the rear of the vehicle. 
     To disengage the mechanisms  54   a  and  54   b , the latches  98  are depressed through the latch holes  105  and into the beams  44  and  46  such that the pivoting arms  64  can be moved away from the fixed arms  62 . The first tube  44  and second tube  46  can then be slid towards one another to remove the mechanisms  54   a  and  54   b  from around the neck  26  and seat post  34 . 
     In an alternative operation, the user can first engage one of securing mechanisms  54   a  and  54   b  with its respective bicycle component, such as handle bar stem  26  and seat post  34 , respectively, and then adjust the length of central body  42  and then engage the other securing mechanism  54   a ,  54   b  with its respective flexible component. In addition, while pivoting arms  64  are described as being closed by applying a squeezing force to sleeve  86 , pivoting arm  64  may also be moved to its closed position by applying a lateral force directly to gripping portion  82 , to move gripping portion  82  toward fixed arm  62 . In a manner similar to that described above, this causes pivoting movement of pivoting arm  64  about bolt  92 , and engagement of sleeve  86  with latch  98 , to first depress latch  98  and then move latch hole  105  over latch  98  when pivoting arm  64  reaches its closed position of FIG.  2 . 
     While the foregoing description illustrates the best mode currently contemplated of practicing the present invention, other alternative constructions are also contemplated. For example, the beam  36  could comprise a single, non-extendable tube having securing mechanisms  54   a  and  54   b  at either end. Also, the beam  36  could include only a single securing mechanism  54   a  or  54   b  at one end, with a separate, different attachment structure located on the beam  36  opposite the securing mechanism. Engagement of the outer ends of pivoting arm  64  and fixed arm  62  may take a form other than the specific arrangement of tab  78  and notch  85  as shown and described. The latch mechanism which maintains the pivoting arm  64  in its closed position may also take a form other than the specific details of latch  98  and latch holes  105 , and may be any satisfactory type of releasable securing arrangement. 
     Various alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims which particularly pointing out and distinctly claim the subject matter regarded as the invention.