Patent Publication Number: US-2023159124-A1

Title: Cover for passengers of an electric cargo bike

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Electric bicycles, or e-bikes, are a popular method of transportation for use by individual riders, families, commercial enterprises and fleets, and so on. Unlike traditional bikes, an e-bike provides assisted modes of travel to a rider, including a peddle assist mode that utilizes power from a motor to assist the rider in pedaling and/or a throttle mode where the motor, when engaged, powers the e-bike without any pedaling from the rider. 
     Often, electric bicycles (and other bicycles) are used in cold, damp, windy, or wintry conditions. These bicycles can be adapted to carry passengers or cargo, such as via rear-mounted racks or seats. Thus, during such conditions, cargo can get wet and/or destroyed, and passengers will often be uncomfortable (e.g., cold, wet, and so on). An electric bicycle, therefore, should be able to be utilized as intended in many or all conditions and environments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present technology will be described and explained through the use of the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG.  1    is a diagram illustrating a modular cover for a rear rack of an electric cargo bicycle. 
         FIGS.  2 A- 2 C  are diagrams illustrating the cover of the modular cover. 
         FIG.  3    is a diagram illustrating a frame via which the cover is mounted to a rear rack of an electric bicycle. 
         FIG.  4    is a diagram illustrating the securing of the cover to the frame. 
         FIGS.  5 A- 5 C  are diagrams illustrating components of the cover. 
         FIGS.  6 A- 6 B  are diagrams illustrating a sun cover for use with the frame. 
     
    
    
     In the drawings, some components are not drawn to scale, and some components can be combined for discussion of some of the implementations of the present technology. Moreover, while the technology is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific implementations have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the technology to the particular implementations described. On the contrary, the technology is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the technology as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A cover or enclosure that protects a rear portion of an electric bicycle, such as an electric cargo bicycle, is described. The cover, which can be a modular cover (e.g., an enclosure formed of a covering material and a frame) and/or a child cover (e.g., a cover suitable to contain one or two children), includes a covering that stretches around a frame that mounts to a rear rack or cargo area of a bicycle. When not in use, the frame can be disassembled and stowed, such that the frame can be transported and easily assembled in advance of subsequent uses. 
     While described herein with respect to an electric bicycle, in some embodiments aspects of the cover described herein can be configured or utilized with other bicycles or cycles, electric scooters or other wheeled micro-mobility vehicles, mopeds, and so on. Thus, the cover, in some embodiments, can be configured to attached to any or all vehicles having a rear mounted cargo rack or seating area. 
     Various embodiments of the modular cover will now be described. The following description provides specific details for a thorough understanding and an enabling description of these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand, however, that these embodiments may be practiced without many of these details. Additionally, some well-known structures or functions may not be shown or described in detail, so as to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the relevant description of the various embodiments. The terminology used in the description presented below is intended to be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments. 
     Examples of the Modular Cover 
     As described herein, a modular cover or enclosure that protects a rear portion of an electric bicycle, such as an electric cargo bicycle, is described.  FIG.  1    is a diagram illustrating a modular cover  100  for a rear rack of an electric cargo bicycle. The modular cover  100 , or child cover or protective enclosure, includes a flexible covering  110  and a frame. 
     The modular cover  100  is mounted to a rear rack  135  of an electric bicycle  130  via a mounting accessory  115 , such as a “caboose” accessory or other accessory that attaches to the rear rack  135  and includes safety bars or other components to secure cargo and/or passengers to the rack  135 . The cover  100  has a size or geometry to contain a child  120  within the cover  100  when the child  120  is being transported or carried by the bicycle  130  (e.g., via a child seat attached to the rear rack  135  of the bicycle  130 ). In some cases, the cover  100  can mount directly to the frame  135 , without use of the mounting accessory  115 . 
     As described herein, the electric bicycle  130  can be any type of bicycle or similar vehicle having a rack, such as the rear rack  135 , that facilitates the carrying of cargo, passengers, and so on. For example, as depicted, the electric bicycle  130 , or e-bike, is a long-tail cargo bike configured to be propelled either by human pedaling of the e-bike and/or via an electric motor that assists the human&#39;s pedal-power or propels the e-bike without pedaling (like a moped or scooter). 
     The electric bicycle  130  can include a head tube that incorporates a front fork and handlebars. A top tube connects the head tube to a seat tube, which is substantially parallel to the head tube. A down tube, parallel to the top tube, also connects the head tube to the seat tube at a bottom portion of the seat tube. A seat or saddle post is positioned partially in the seat tube and extends or protrudes outwardly from the seat tube. The seat post supports a seat or saddle, upon which a rider sits on the bicycle  130 . Further, two chainstays (or one chainstay with two arms) extend from the bottom portion of the seat tube and each end at a dropout assembly (or dropout or forkend) of the bike frame. Two seatstays extend from a middle portion of the seat tube (an area where the top tube attaches to the seat tube) to the dropouts. 
     The rear rack  135  can be positioned in the rear of the electric bicycle  130 . The rear rack  135  includes various support tubes or posts and is at least partially connected to and supported by the seatstays and the dropouts. Two cross members, or support stays, rack stays, or additional seatstays, attach to the rear rack  135  and extend to the top tube. The cross members extend around the seat tube, forming a space or opening defined by the cross members, the seat tube, and the top tube. 
     Thus, in some embodiments, these supports, such as the cross members or rack stays, provide fore/aft and/or lateral stabilization for the frame and the rear rack  135  of the bicycle  130 , especially when the rear rack  135  carries a heavy or substantial load or cargo. For example, the bicycle  130  can be adapted to support one or two child passengers in child seats mounted or attached to the rear rack  135  of the bicycle  130 , and the cover  135 , being fixed to the rear rack  135  to protect objects positioned on the rear rack  135 , can contain one or both children when deployed and/or mounted to the rear rack  135 . 
       FIGS.  2 A- 2 C  are diagrams that further illustrate the modular cover. The cover includes the covering material or covering  110 , and a frame (depicted in  FIG.  3   ) that supports the covering and/or covering material. The covering can be disposed around the frame and removably fixed (e.g., stretched to fit) to various mounting portions or attachment points of the frame. 
     In some cases, the covering  110  includes a front portion  220 , a rear portion  210 , and two side portions  230 . The front portion  220  includes a window  245 , the rear portion  210  includes a window (not shown), and the side portions each include a window  240 . The covering  110  also includes a top portion having an access window  250  that facilitates access to an internal area of the modular cover  100 . Further, the front portion  220  can include an attachment strap or other pull mechanism that assists in pulling or stretching the covering  110  to the frame when being mounted. 
     For example,  FIG.  2 A  depicts the access window  250  in a closed or secured position, and  FIG.  2 B  depicts the access window  250  in an open or access position. In some cases, the access window  250  includes a left panel that is configured to open and fold over the top portion of the covering  110  to facilitate access to an internal area of the covering  110  via a left side, and a right panel that is configured to open and fold over the top portion of the cover to facilitate access to the internal area of the covering  110  via a right side of the covering  110 . 
     The access window  250  can be secured in the closed position via a zipper  260  or other attachment mechanism that fixes the window  250  to the front portion  220  and/or rear portion  210  of the covering  110 . Further, the covering  110  can include hooks  265  or loops that secure or attach the covering to the rack  135  or rack accessory  115 . Thus, the access window  250  facilitates the entry and removal or cargo or passengers from the rear rack  135  (or seats positioned on the rear rack) without removing the covering  110  from the rack  135 . Also, the covering  110  can be utilized in the open, closed, or partially open (e.g., one flap open) position, allowing a passenger to sit within the covering  110  and be protected as the weather dictates. 
       FIG.  2 C  depicts the access window  250  being rolled up and latched, where the cover is in an open or up position. Using such a configuration, the cover  110  can still be mounted to the mounting accessory  115  while also allowing air to circulate through to the inside. A strap, straps, or other securing mechanisms can keep the access window  250  in the up position while the bicycle is traveling. 
     In some cases, the covering  110  can include additional covering sections, such as a leg flap or flaps that extend from the side portions  230  of the covering  110  and/or are fixed to a frame of the cargo bicycle  130 . The leg flaps (not shown) can provide additional coverage for a passenger of the bicycle  130  during bad weather conditions. 
     In some cases, the covering  110  can include various electrical devices powered by an electric battery of the electric bicycle  130 . For example, the covering  110  can include various lighting devices, heaters, cooling devices, or other electric devices that are placed within the covering  110  and enhance a passenger&#39;s ride on the bicycle  130  during certain conditions (dark conditions, rainy conditions, cold conditions, hot conditions, and so on). 
     Further, the covering  110  can include various external devices, such as lighting devices, that are also powered by the battery of the bicycle  130 . The covering  110  can include wiring that connects to electrical systems supported by the bicycle  130  in order to provide power to the devices. 
     As described herein, the modular cover  100  includes a frame that facilitates the mounting and removal of the covering  110  to the rear rack  135  of the bicycle  130 .  FIG.  3    is a diagram illustrating a frame  300  via which a cover is mounted to a rear rack of an electric bicycle. 
     The frame  300  includes a front mounting portion  310  that is configured to attach to a front portion of the rear rack  135  (via the accessory  115 ) of the cargo bicycle  130  and a rear mounting portion  312  that is configured to attach to a rear portion of the rear rack  135  (via the accessory  115 ) of the cargo bicycle  130 . The frame  300  also includes a roof portion  320  that spans the front mounting portion  310  and the rear mounting portion  312 . 
     In some cases, the rear mounting portion  312  and the front mounting portion  310  are removably attached to the roof portion  320  (via detents or attachment portions  330  that receive the portions  310 ,  312 ). In some cases, the rear mounting portion  312  and the front mounting portion  310  are foldably attached via to the roof portion  320  via hinges or other bendable components, such that the frame  300  can be positioned into multiple configurations. These configurations include a mounted configuration in which the frame  300  is attached to the rear rack of the cargo bicycle and/or a detached configuration in which the frame  300  is disassembled into separate components (e.g., the roof portion  320  and the mounting portions  310 ,  312 ) or a folded configuration in which the rear mounting portion  312  and the front mounting portion  310  are folded with respect to the roof portion  320  (e.g., folded under the roof portion  320 ). 
     The mounting portions can be attached to the mounting accessory  115  of the rear rack  135  in a variety of ways, include bolts or studs that fix the frame  300  to the rear rack  135  at various mounting points provided by the rear rack  135 . Thus, in some cases, the frame, via the front mounting portion  310  and/or the rear mounting portion  312 , can include attachment feet  315  that receive a bolt to attach to the mounting accessory  115  of the rear rack  135  of the cargo bike  130 . The feet  315  can have a geometry that matches the mounting points of the mounting accessory  115  of the rear rack  135 . Of course, in other configurations the frame can be mounted directed to the rear rack  135 . 
     Thus, the frame  300  has a structure that facilitates mounting to the front and rear of the rear rack  135 , allowing for easy entry or access to the internal area of the cover  110  when the cover is mounted to the rack  135 . Further, the frame is detachable and/or foldable, allowing a rider to easily dis-assemble, fold, and/or stow the frame  300  and associated covering material when not in use, among other benefits. 
       FIG.  4    is a diagram  400  showing an attachment of the frame  300  to the covering material. The covering  110  is stretched around the frame  300  and fixed to the front mounting portion  310  and the rear mounting portion  320  via internal attachment components  410 . The attachment components  410  can include Velcro straps or other components that fix a portion of the cover (e.g., the covering material) to the frame  300 . 
     In some cases, the covering can be stretched around the frame  300  and fixed to the front mounting portion  310  and the rear mounting portion  320  via external flexible attachment members, which facilitate the stretching and securing of the covering to the frame  300 . 
     Thus, in some cases, the modular cover  100  can include a frame that mounts to a rear rack of a cargo bicycle, which includes a front mounting portion that is configured to attach to a front portion of the rear rack of the cargo bicycle, a rear mounting portion that is configured to attach to a rear portion of the rear rack of the cargo bicycle, and a roof portion that spans the front mounting portion and the rear mounting portion. 
     The modular cover  100  also includes a stretchable covering that attaches to the frame, such as to various internal or external attachment points or members. For example, the stretchable covering that attaches to the frame is disposed around the frame and removably fixed to the front mounting portion and the rear mounting portion of the frame. The stretchable covering includes, among other things, an access window that facilitates access to an internal area of the modular cover  100 . 
     As described herein, the modular cover  100  has a structure that facilitates the mounting and removal of the modular cover  100  to the rear rack of a bicycle. For example, the rider of the bicycle can assemble a covered seating or storage area for the bicycle using the modular cover  100 . 
     The process or method of assembling the modular cover  100  can include unfolding a one-piece frame that mounts to a rear rack of the electric cargo bike, mounting the unfolded frame to a front portion of the rear rack of the electric cargo bike and to a rear portion of the rear rack of the electric cargo bike, stretching a cover over the frame, and removably fixing the cover to the frame (pulling the cover to be tightly stretched over the frame). 
     In some cases, the one-piece frame can include various components, including a front mounting portion that is configured to attach to the front portion of the rear rack of the cargo bicycle, a rear mounting portion that is configured to attach to the rear portion of the rear rack of the cargo bicycle, and a roof portion that spans the front mounting portion and the rear mounting portion. 
     In other cases, the process or method of assembling the cover  100  can include inserting a rear mounting portion and a front mounting portion into a top portion of a frame that mounts to a mounting accessory of a rear rack of the electric cargo bike, mounting the frame to a front portion of the rear rack of the electric cargo bike via the mounting accessory and to a rear portion of the rear rack of the electric cargo bike via the mounting accessory, stretching a cover over the frame, and removably fixing the cover to the frame. 
     As described herein, the modular cover  100  includes various components that facilitate the entry of light or air into the enclosure, as well as various accessories to be utilized by passengers within the modular cover  100 .  FIGS.  5 A- 5 C  depict various components of the modular cover  100 . 
     For example, as shown in  FIG.  5 A , the front portion  220  of the covering  110  includes the front window  245  and multiple air vents  510 . The air vents  510 , which can include zippers that facilitate the opening or closing of the vents  510 , provide air flow into the modular cover from the front to the back of the enclosed space, such as when the bicycle  130  is in motion. 
     The front portion  220  can also include a storage pocket  520  fixed or attached to an inner surface. The storage pocket  520 , which can be mesh or another flexible material, allows a passenger to secure various objects (e.g., toys, gloves, books, phones, and so on) while traveling on the bicycle within the enclosure. 
       FIG.  5 B  depicts the rear portion  210  of the covering. The rear portion  210  can include a rear window  530 , additional pull straps  540 , a light or reflector  550 , and an internal storage pocket  560 . The rear portion  210  can also include additional vents to assist in providing air flow into the enclosure, as well as additional reflective materials or lights, to assist in enhancing the visibility of the modular cover  100  (and thus the bike) during dark or other inclement conditions. 
       FIG.  5 C  depicts the side portions  230  of the covering. As described herein, the side portions  230  can include side windows  240  and the top window  250 , which, via the zippers  260  or other similar mechanisms, can be opened to facilitate access or entry into the enclosure of the modular cover, and then closed to protect or secure cargo and/or passengers inside the cover. In some cases, the side portions  230  can include other components, such as reflectors or lighting, venting, and so on. 
     As described herein, the frame can support other types or shapes of coverings, such as coverings that are positioned above a passenger while the sides remain exposed.  FIGS.  6 A- 6 B  are diagrams  600  illustrating a sun cover  610  for use with the frame. The sun cover  610 , which can be formed of a reflective or light material (e.g., a white or light nylon fabric), can be stretched around the frame  300  and secured via securement straps  620  and/or at various attachment points  630  of the frame  300 . Thus, the cover  610  can be a stretchable covering that attaches to the frame  300  and acts as a sun cover that is disposed over the roof portion of the frame, in order to provide a roof or top covering for a passenger or cargo. 
     The frame  300 , therefore, can facilitate the attachment of different covers, depending on the environmental conditions during a ride and/or what is being transported by the bicycle  130 . 
     CONCLUSION 
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling of connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the above Detailed Description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word “or”, in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list. 
     The above detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the teachings to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the disclosure are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. 
     The teachings of the disclosure provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. 
     Any patents and applications and other references noted above, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the disclosure can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the disclosure. 
     These and other changes can be made to the disclosure in light of the above Detailed Description. While the above description describes certain embodiments of the disclosure, and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the teachings can be practiced in many ways. Details of the electric bike and bike frame may vary considerably in its implementation details, while still being encompassed by the subject matter disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the disclosure should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the disclosure with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the disclosure encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosure under the claims. 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the embodiments. Accordingly, the embodiments are not limited except as by the appended claims.