Abstract:
A trailer assembly which is connectable to a bicycle, which bicycle has a seat mounted on a seat post, the trailer assembly comprising a frame having an upper portion and a lower portion with the upper portion being connected to the bicycle proximate the seat post, the connection permitting movement in both longitudinal and horizontal planes. The trailer includes an axle, a single wheel and a fork connected to the axle on either side of the wheel and baggage carrying means which include a frame and a connection between the frame and the fork, with the lower portion and the baggage carrying frame being connected together. The arrangement provides a trailer which may be suitable for many purposes including carrying baggage, child seats, and the like.

Description:
[0001]    The present application is a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 09/272,001 filed Mar. 18, 1999. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to bicycle accessories and more particularly, relates to a trailer suitable for attachment to a bicycle or the like.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    There are many known bicycle trailers and attachments for bicycles. Many of these trailers are used for carrying children and/or other objects. For purposes of stability, most such trailers use a pair of wheels for supporting the carrying load.  
           [0004]    While a duo wheel device performs the required tasks, it does suffer from a lack of maneuverability and requires a relatively wide structure that can be somewhat cumbersome when maneuvering on certain trails.  
           [0005]    This problem has been recognized in the past and various single wheel trailer devices have been proposed. However, such devices have been relatively complex mechanically and have not always provided the features required by the user.  
           [0006]    It would be desirable to have a single wheel trailer which can be used for carrying both cargo and small children. Preferably, it would be adaptable to be used for various tasks such as shopping, touring, trail riding, camping and the like in a variety of situations. The trailer should be of a relatively light weight. To minimize the rolling resistence, the trailer should be designed for relatively low aerodynamic drag and be of the single wheel type to reduce the rolling resistance.  
           [0007]    It is also desirable to provide a trailer which is easily stored and can be attached and detached from the bicycle with a minimum of tools. Also, preferably the trailer is interchangeable among different uses again without the use of complex tools.  
           [0008]    Thus, the trailer should be easily converted between different functions.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a trailer assembly connectable to a bicycle having front and rear wheels and having a seat mounted on a seat post, the trailer assembly comprising a frame having an upper portion and a lower portion, a rearwardly extending member secured to the seat post, first connecting means connecting the upper portion to the rearwardly extending member, the first connecting means permitting movement in both a longitudinal and a horizontal plane, the first connecting means being located proximate a vertical plane extending through a hub of the rear wheel, a trailer, the trailer having an axle, a single wheel and a fork connected to the axle on either side of the wheel, baggage carrying means, the baggage carrying means comprising a baggage carrying frame, second connecting means extending between and connecting the baggage carrying frame and the fork, the second connecting means permitting rotatable movement between the baggage carrying frame and the fork such that the baggage carrying frame can be moved to a storage position and third connecting means extending between and connecting the lower portion and the baggage carrying frame.  
           [0010]    The trailer assembly of the present invention, as aforementioned, comprises a mounting member which is adapted to be connected to the bicycle, a vehicle which is to be towed by the bicycle, and an interconnecting member extending between a distal end of the mounting member and the vehicle to be towed.  
           [0011]    The mounting member is arranged to be connected to the bicycle proximate the seat post.  
           [0012]    The vehicle to be towed by the bicycle preferably is in the form of a single wheeled trailer. In this embodiment, the single wheeled trailer may include a number of accessories for either transporting a child or goods. The trailer will preferably include standing means for support when in a stationary position.  
           [0013]    In one embodiment, the trailer may be replaced by a sled type vehicle for travel on snow or ice.  
           [0014]    Extending between the vehicle and the distal end of the mounting member is an interconnecting portion. In this respect, the end of the interconnecting portion which is attached to the mounting member is done so by means of a universal type of joint. The universal joint is situated substantially directly above the hub of the rear wheel of the bicycle—i.e. substantially in a vertical plane extending through the hub of the bicycle.  
           [0015]    The interconnecting member, in the basic mode, comprises a rigid member which extends between the vehicle to be towed and the mounting member. However, the trailer assembly may include one or more additional modules which may be interposed between the interconnecting member and the vehicle to be towed. Such additional modules may be provided for purpose of transporting an additional child and/or other goods.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating different embodiments thereof, in which:  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a trailer assembly with a portion of the bicycle to which the trailer is attached being illustrated;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the trailer assembly of FIG. 1 with an additional module;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is a view of a modified version of the interconnecting member;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 is a plan view, partially in section, of a modified universal joint;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the trailer assembly of FIG. 1 having a stand and an extra child seat;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 is a view taken along the line  6 - 6  of FIG. 5;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating how the trailer may be folded into a compact mode for storage;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a belt accessory which may be used in conjunction with the trailer of the present invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 is a side elevational view, partially exploded, illustrating use of a sled as a towed vehicle along with a modified interconnecting member;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 10 is a top view of a modified support;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the top portion of the sled of FIG. 9; and  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 12 is a sectional view of an attachment device that may be used with the belt of FIG. 8.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0029]    Referring to the drawings in greater detail, and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a portion of a bicycle  10  which includes a top tube  12 , a seat tube  14  and a seat stay  16 . Bicycle  10  also includes a conventional horizontal tube  18  with the rear wheel  20  having a fender  22  extending thereabout.  
         [0030]    In the illustrated embodiment, there is provided a seat post  23  having a horizontal mounting member  24  extending rearwardly thereof. The trailer includes an interconnecting member generally designated by reference numeral  26  and which interconnecting member  26  has an upper portion  28  and a lower portion  34 . Upper portion  28  is designed to be generally horizontal when connected to the bicycle. A connecting tube  30  is adapted to fit within mounting member  24  and be retained therein by means of a clamping device  32 . It will be noted that the point of connection between connecting member  30  and horizontal projection  24  is generally in a vertical plane extending through the hub of rear wheel  20 .  
         [0031]    As may be best seen in FIG. 4, in one embodiment of the invention, connecting tube  30  is formed of a flexible material and may be retained by clamping as indicated by clamped portion  29 . At its other end, connecting tube  30  has a portion with an aperture  80  extending therethrough to receive a locking pin (not shown).  
         [0032]    As aforementioned, interconnecting member  26  also includes a lower portion  34 . Mounted on an upper portion of lower portion  34  is a light  38  which is retained by means of clamp  42 . Lower portion  34  may also include a further clamping member  42  for purposes of retaining a spare wheel  40 .  
         [0033]    The trailer is of the single wheel type and, as may be seen in FIG. 1, has a wheel  44  with a fender  56  extending partially thereabout. Mounted on axle  46  is a fork  48  as may be best seen in FIG. 6. Second connecting means include an interconnecting clamp member  50  which is secured to a baggage rack  52 . Baggage rack  52  may be used to carry, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, saddle bags  54 .  
         [0034]    Third connecting means include interconnecting clamp member  57  which has a bolt  58  which is used to connect the same to lower portion  34  by means of an offset or a cam tightening device as is well known in the art. Fender  56  is secured to the axle  46  by means of an attachment  60 .  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 2 illustrates the insertion of an additional module between the interconnecting member and the vehicle. As will be the case with the subsequent embodiments, common reference numerals are used for common components.  
         [0036]    As may be seen from FIG. 2, the upper portion  28  includes a universal joint  64  instead of connecting member  30 . A safety pin  65  is used to ensure the security of the attachment of upper portion  28  to the seat post.  
         [0037]    A second baggage carrying module generally designated by reference numeral  66  is inserted between the previously described rack and interconnecting member  26 . Second baggage module  66  includes a lower baggage frame  68 , an end baggage frame  70  and an opposed end baggage frame  72 . End baggage frame  72  is secured by means of a clamp  74  while it will be noted that end baggage frame  72  is slidably mounted within lower baggage frame  68  in a telescopic arrangement as indicated by arrow  76  such that the size thereof may be adjusted. In this embodiment, a pair of child seats generally designated by reference numeral S may be mounted on each of the baggage modules.  
         [0038]    As shown in FIG. 3, interconnecting member  26  may be reinforced by the provision of a pair of tubes  82  with a center tube  84  and  86  at either extremity thereof for connecting purposes. As shown therein, a cam type locking member  88  may be adjusted by means of bolt  58 .  
         [0039]    As is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, there is provided a safety stand  92  which is comprised of a pair of legs  94  and  96  extending outwardly from horizontal frame  98 . Pads  95  and  97  may be provided on the ends of legs  94  and  96  respectively. Safety stand  92  is retained by means of a clamp  100  on frame  98 . In this arrangement, the safety stand will prevent the rear carrier from falling when in a stopped position.  
         [0040]    As shown in phantom outline in FIG. 5, a second baby seat may be mounted in a rear facing mode on lower portion  34 .  
         [0041]    The trailer may be easily stored as is illustrated in FIG. 7. Folding is achieved by pivotal movement of the fork  48  with respect to baggage rack  52 .  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 8 illustrates an optional accessory comprised of a belt generally designated by reference numeral  104  which may be used to pull the trailer assembly. To this end, belt  104  includes clasps  106  and  108  for connecting the belt about the body of a wearer. Padding  110  is provided about a portion of belt  104  while a leather plate  112  is used for mounting a connector  114  to receive an end of the interconnecting member  26 . A locking device  116  is provided to securely clamp the members together.  
         [0043]    Turning to the embodiment of FIG. 9, there is provided a seat post attachment  122  having a pair of ears  124  to receive bolts or other means for securement to the seat post. There is provided a horizontal frame segment generally designated by reference numeral  126  having a first end portion  130  which is designed to fit within seat post attachment  122  and be secured thereto by means of a clamp  132 . A locking pin  134  may extend through an aperture in first end portion  130  and a corresponding portion of seat post attachment  122 . Second end portion  136  is designed to receive a cam action locking device  138  which is adjusted by means of bolt  140 . An indicating line  141  is lined up with line  143  on second end portion  136  to ensure the proper connection.  
         [0044]    The lower end of interconnecting member  26  also includes a cam action locking device  142  which is activated by means of bolt  58 .  
         [0045]    In the illustrated embodiment, there is provided a sled component  146  having a pair of side frame members  148 , an end frame member  150  and a second end frame member  152 . In this respect, sled component  146  is similar to baggage module  66  illustrated in FIG. 2. Thus, end frame member  152  is slidably engaged within side frame members  148  as indicated by arrow  154  to permit a telescopic movement. Mounted between side frame members  148  is a base  156  while side guards  158  may be mounted on side frame members  148 . The arrangement is such that sled  146  may be mounted on runners  160 .  
         [0046]    Illustrated in FIG. 10 is an arrangement wherein, in one embodiment, there is provided a set of safety wheels  166  (only one wheel shown) which may be utilized particularly when a baby seat is mounted on the luggage rack. In this embodiment, there is provided a fork  164  which is adapted to receive cam action locking devices  168  activated by bolts  170 . Wheels  166  would be mounted thereon and would be arranged to contact the ground when required. The arrangement for the safety wheels is particularly desirable when the trailer is pulled by a person utilizing the belt illustrated in FIG. 8. In this case, the small wheels  166  would be mounted on either side to help maintain the trailer portion in the vertical position. When used by the cyclist, one may use the protective safety stand  92  when, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the baggage stand and associated attachment  50  is utilized.  
         [0047]    A somewhat different version of the attachment shown in FIG. 8 is illustrated in FIG. 12. In this arrangement, a plate  176  goes between member  112  and has a tube  178  welded thereto. Mounted internally is a nut and bolt arrangement  180  designed to receive one end of a spring member  184  which surrounds a portion of an inner tube  182 . Spring  184  functions as a type of universal joint and is secured at both ends. A screw  186  is provided for locking member  182  in position.  
         [0048]    It will be understood that the above described embodiments are for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.