Patent Publication Number: US-2023150604-A1

Title: Foldable top tube assembly for a bicycle

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates, in part, to a foldable tube assembly for a bicycle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There are a variety of types of accessories for a bicycle. One type of accessory is a modular, aftermarket top tube which can be added to a bicycle frame. Although most bicycle frames include a top tube at the time of manufacture some, such as women&#39;s step-through frames, do not. A modular, aftermarket top tube may be attached to a bicycle frame manufactured without a top tube, so that the bicycle can be properly installed on a rear-mounted vehicle bicycle carrier. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect, a modular, aftermarket, foldable top tube assembly for a bicycle is provided. Throughout this application, the modular, aftermarket, foldable top tube assembly will be referred to simply as the foldable top tube assembly. The assembly includes a seat post attachment terminus coupled to a first telescoping tubular member, and a headset assembly attachment terminus coupled to a second telescoping tubular member, where the overall length of the folded top tube assembly is about ⅓ the overall length of the fully extended top tube assembly. The assembly further includes a central, hinged tubular member having a first end sized to receive the first telescoping tubular member, and a second end sized to receive the second telescoping tubular member. 
     According to another aspect, a foldable top tube assembly for a bicycle is provided. The assembly includes a seat post attachment terminus coupled to a first telescoping tubular member, and a headset assembly attachment terminus coupled to a second telescoping tubular member. The assembly also includes a central, hinged tubular member having a first end sized to receive the first telescoping tubular member, and a second end sized to receive the second telescoping tubular member, where the central, hinged tubular member is movable between a folded storage position and an unfolded position. The assembly further includes a first spring tending to resist extension of the first telescoping tubular member from the first end of the central, hinged tubular member, and a second spring tending to resist extension of the second telescoping tubular member from the second end of the central, hinged tubular member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a side view of a bicycle manufactured with a women&#39;s step-through frame having a top tube accessory attached to the bicycle frame; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of one embodiment of a foldable top tube assembly for a bicycle shown in an open position; 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of one embodiment of a foldable top tube assembly for a bicycle shown in a folded position; 
         FIG.  4    is a side view of one embodiment of a foldable top tube assembly for a bicycle shown in a folded position; 
         FIG.  5    is a side view of one embodiment of a foldable top tube assembly for a bicycle shown in an open position; 
         FIG.  6    is a side view of one embodiment of a foldable top tube assembly for a bicycle shown in a fully extended open position; 
         FIG.  7    is an exploded assembly view of one embodiment of a foldable top tube assembly for a bicycle; 
         FIG.  8    is a partially exploded view of one embodiment of a foldable top tube assembly for a bicycle; and 
         FIG.  8 A  is a detailed transparent view of the area enclosed by arrow A shown in  FIG.  8   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is directed to a foldable top tube assembly for a bicycle. The inventor recognized that the current top tube products designed for use with a bicycle are quite large and cumbersome. The inventor recognized that this was undesirable for several reasons. First, shipment costs are high because the product must be shipped in a large box. Second, the large size of the product makes it difficult to display on a store shelf. Lastly, it can be undesirable to the end user to store a large top tube accessory product when not in use. 
     Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a foldable top tube assembly for a bicycle. The assembly may be movable between a foldable storage position and an unfolded position for attaching to a bicycle frame. As set forth in more detail below, a foldable assembly enables the product to occupy a smaller volume. This is advantageous because the product can be shipped in a smaller sized box which reduces shipping costs, the smaller footprint of the product enables the product to be more easily displayed on store shelves, and it also enables the end user to more easily store the product when not in use. 
     The inventor recognized that the foldable top tube assembly should be designed in a way to be adjustable in length to fit a variety of sizes of bicycle frames. The inventor also recognized that it is desirable to have a foldable design that is easy to use, but that is also designed in a way to remain rigid and that will not inadvertently fold up while the product is attached to a bicycle. 
       FIG.  1    is a side view of a bicycle  20  with a top tube accessory  10  attached to the bicycle frame  22 . The bicycle frame  22  shown in  FIG.  1    was manufactured as a women&#39;s step-through frame. Such frames lack a conventional top tube which is commonly used to support a bicycle being transported using a top tube supporting rack attached to a vehicle. As shown, one end  12  of the top tube accessory attaches to the seat post  24  of the bicycle frame  22 , and the other end  14  of the top tube accessory  10  attaches to the headset  26  of the bicycle frame  22 . As shown in  FIG.  1   , the top tube accessory  10  adds a top tube to the bicycle frame  22  so that it can be properly installed on a rear-mounted, top tube supporting, vehicle bicycle carrier. As mentioned above, the prior art top tube accessory is a rigid, large and cumbersome product. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , one embodiment of a foldable top tube assembly  100  will now be described. The foldable top tube assembly  100  has one end configured to attach to the seat post of a bicycle frame, and a second end configured to attach to the headset assembly of a bicycle frame, typically just below the stem. As shown in the open unfolded position shown in  FIG.  2   , a seat post attachment terminus  110  is coupled to a first telescoping tubular member  112 , and a headset assembly attachment terminus  120  is coupled to a second telescoping tubular member  122 . In one illustrative embodiment, the seat post attachment terminus  110  is a substantially J-shaped hook, and the headset assembly attachment terminus  120  is a substantially U-shaped hook. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in another embodiment, each end may be shaped differently as the present disclosure is not limited in this respect. It should be recognized that the seat post attachment terminus  110  may include an inner surface that substantially matches the contour of the seat post  24  on a bicycle  20  (see  FIG.  1   ). Similarly, in one embodiment, the headset assembly attachment terminus  120  includes an inner surface that substantially matches the contour of the headset assembly  26  on a bicycle  20 . Furthermore, both ends  110 ,  120  of the assembly  100  may be coated, for example with rubber or a plastic or vinyl film, to protect the finish of the bicycle. 
     Furthermore, in one embodiment, at least one of the seat post attachment terminus  110  and the headset assembly attachment terminus  120  includes a locking mechanism  130  configured to lock that end to a bicycle. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS.  2  and  3   , a locking mechanism  130  on the headset assembly attachment terminus  120  is configured to lock the headset assembly attachment terminus  120  to a headset assembly portion of the bicycle. In another embodiment, a locking mechanism may be provided on the seat post attachment terminus  110  to lock the seat post attachment terminus to the seat post portion of a bicycle. Further details of the locking mechanism  130  are discussed below. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the foldable top tube assembly further includes a central, hinged tubular member  200  having a first end sized to receive the first telescoping tubular member  112 , and a second end sized to receive the second telescoping tubular member  122 . As shown in  FIG.  3   , the central hinged tubular member  200  is foldable about a hinge pin  210  and is moveable between a folded storage position and an unfolded position. Details regarding the central hinged tubular member  200  are set forth below. 
       FIG.  4    is a side view of one embodiment of a foldable top tube assembly  100  shown in a folded position. As shown in the folded storage position shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , in one embodiment, the seat post terminus  110  overlaps with the headset assembly attachment terminus  120 .  FIG.  5    is a side view of the foldable top tube assembly  100  shown in an open position, where the first and second telescoping tubular members  112 ,  122  are fully retracted within the central hinged tubular member  200 . Both the first and second tubular members  112 ,  122  are moveable within the central hinged tubular member  200  to adjust to the desired overall length.  FIG.  6    is a side view of the foldable top tube assembly  100  shown with the first and second tubular members  112 ,  122  in a fully extended open position. 
     In one embodiment, the overall length of the folded top tube assembly  100  is about ⅓ the overall length of the fully extended top tube assembly. For example, in one embodiment, the foldable top tube assembly  100  shown in  FIG.  4    in a folded position has an overall length of about 10 inches. In contrast, in one embodiment, the foldable top tube assembly  100  shown in  FIG.  6    in a fully extended open position has an overall length of about 30 inches. As shown, the overall footprint of the assembly  100  in its folded position is much smaller in comparison to its fully extended position. This is advantageous because the product can be shipped in a smaller sized box which reduces shipping costs, the product can more easily be displayed on store shelves, and the end use can more easily store the product when not in use. As shown in  FIG.  5   , in one embodiment, the overall length of the assembly  100  in an open retracted position is about 20 inches. In one embodiment, the assembly  100  is configured to adjust to fit bicycles where the distance between the headset assembly and the seat post varies between about 18 inches to about 27 inches. As shown in  FIG.  2   , the first and second tubular members  112 ,  122  may each include a slot  116  and a screw  118 , or other conventional male fastener, may slide within the slot  116  as the first and second tubular members  112 ,  122  are extended or retracted to prevent rotation of the seat post attachment terminus  110  and the headset assembly attachment terminus  120  relative to the central hinged tubular member  200 . 
     In one embodiment, the ratio of the maximum unfolded fully extended overall length to the folded overall length is at least 3:1. In another embodiment, the ratio of the maximum unfolded fully extended overall length to the folded overall length is at least 4:1. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  2  and  3   , in one illustrative embodiment, the central hinged tubular member  200  includes a third tubular member  202  sized to receive the first telescoping tubular member  112 , and a fourth tubular member  204  sized to receive the second telescoping tubular member  122 . As shown comparing  FIGS.  5  and  6   , the overall length of the assembly  100  can be extended by sliding the first and second telescoping tubular members  112 ,  122  out of their respective third and fourth tubular members  202 ,  204  of the central hinged tubular member  200 . As shown, the central hinged tubular member  200  may also include a first hinge bracket  206  coupled to the third tubular member  202  and a second hinge bracket  208  coupled to the fourth tubular member  204 . First and second hinge brackets  206 ,  208  may be pivotally attached to each other by a hinge pin  210 . As shown, the first and second hinge brackets  206 ,  208  may be configured to wrap at least partially around one end of the third and fourth tubular members  202 ,  204 . The central hinged tubular member  200  may also include a locking mechanism  230  configured to lock the central hinged tubular member  200  in an unfolded extended position. 
     It should be appreciated that the locking mechanisms  130 ,  230  may be configured in a variety of ways known to one having ordinary skill in the art. As shown, in one embodiment, the locking mechanism  130  includes a locking bail and pin configuration. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the locking mechanism  230  also includes a locking bail and pin configuration. In another embodiment, other known mechanical locking mechanisms may be implemented as the disclosure is not so limited. 
     Turning now to the exploded assembly view shown in  FIG.  7   , some of the internal components of the foldable top tube assembly  100  will now be discussed. In one embodiment, the assembly  100  includes a first spring  114  tending to resist extension of the first telescoping tubular member  112  from the first end of the central hinged tubular member  200 . The assembly  100  may also include a second spring  124  tending to resist extension of the second telescoping tubular member  122  from the second end of the central hinged tubular member  200 . As shown in  FIG.  7   , in one illustrative embodiment, the first and second springs  114 ,  124  are helical springs, with the first spring  114  positioned within the first telescoping tubular member  112 , and the second spring  124  positioned within the second telescoping tubular member  122 . As shown in  FIG.  7   , each end of spring  114  may include hook-shaped ends, with one end of the first spring  114  configured to attach to an attachment point near the distal end of the first telescoping tubular member  112 , and the other end of the first spring  114  is configured to attach to an attachment point near the hinged portion of tubular member  202 . Similarly, each end of second spring  124  may include hook-shaped ends, with one end of the second spring  124  configured to attach to an attachment point near the distal end of the second telescoping tubular member  122 , and the other end of the second spring  124  is configured to attach to an attachment point near the hinged portion of the tubular member  204 . In another embodiment, other types of spring configurations may also be employed. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that these springs  114 ,  124  may be configured to maintain constant tension to secure the foldable top tube assembly  100  to a bicycle frame. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  8  and  8 A , further details regarding the attachment point of the springs  114 ,  124  within the central hinged tubular member  200  are illustrated. In one embodiment, an end cap  240  may be located on the end of the fourth tubular member  204 . As shown in  FIG.  3   , a similar end cap  240  may also be located on the end of the third tubular member  202 . These end caps  240  may enclose the internal components of the assembly. As shown in the detailed transparent view in  FIG.  8 A , one end of the telescoping tubular member  122  (shown transparent) extends into the fourth tubular member  204  (of the central hinged tubular member  200  and also shown in transparent). As shown in  FIG.  8 A , the springs  114 ,  124  may be anchored to an attachment point  250  within the central hinged tubular member  200 . In one illustrative embodiment, the attachment point  250  is located on the end cap  240 , and may for example include an inwardly extending hook. As also shown in  FIG.  8 A , in one embodiment, the attachment point  250  is within the first end of the central, hinged tubular member  200 , beyond the penetration depth of the telescoping tubular member  122  within the first end of the central, hinged tubular member  200 . 
     In one illustrative embodiment, the above-described first and second telescoping tubular members  112 ,  122  and the central hinged tubular member  200  each have a substantially cylindrical shape with a substantially circular cross section. In another embodiment, these tubular members  112 ,  122 ,  200  may be shaped differently, and may have other cross-sectional shapes, such as but not limited to oval, triangular, square, rectangular cross sections. 
     Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the functions and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto; the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. The present invention is directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present invention. 
     All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms. 
     The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” 
     The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified, unless clearly indicated to the contrary. 
     All references, patents and patent applications and publications that are cited or referred to in this application are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.