Patent Publication Number: US-2015076789-A1

Title: Bicycle inlay

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/880,102 filed Sep. 19, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a tubular structure, and more particularly to an inlay for a bicycle and a kit for providing inlays for a bicycle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Bicycles are popular transportation tools and their frames are subject to constant stress, strain and shocks. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a bicycle with a frame, the frame having upper tubes spaced apart from each other and an inlay spaced between the upper tubes. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided an inlay for a bicycle, the inlay including a board having a thickness, wherein the board is comprised of a material that is light weight, and the board is affixed within a space provided by elements of the frame. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for manufacturing a bicycle, the method including the steps of providing a frame having upper tubes, providing a cross bar between the upper tubes, and attaching an inlay to the cross bar. 
     In accordance with still yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit that provides at least 2 inlays for attachment onto a bicycle. 
     The invention, together with additional features and advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1   a  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a bicycle having an inlay; 
         FIG. 1   b  is a side view of another exemplary embodiment of a bicycle having an inlay; 
         FIG. 2   a  is a perspective view of the inlay and the frame of the bicycle of  FIG. 1   a;  and 
         FIG. 2   b  is a perspective view of the inlay and the frame of the bicycle of  FIG. 1   b.    
     
    
    
     Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to one or an other embodiment in the present disclosure can be, but not necessarily are, references to the same embodiment; and, such references mean at least one of the embodiments. 
     Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments. 
     The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certain terms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotation marks: The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaning of a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the same context, whether or not it is highlighted. It will be appreciated that the same thing can be said in more than one way. 
     Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein. Nor is any special significance to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only, and is not intended to further limit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification. 
     Without intent to further limit the scope of the disclosure, examples of instruments, apparatus, methods and their related results according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are given below. Note that titles or subtitles may be used in the examples for convenience of a reader, which in no way should limit the scope of the disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control. 
     It will be appreciated that terms such as “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “side,” “short,” “long,” “up,” “down,” and “below” used herein are merely for ease of description and refer to the orientation of the components as shown in the figures. It should be understood that any orientation of the components described herein is within the scope of the present invention. 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein the drawings are for purposes of illustrating the present invention and not for purposes of limiting the same,  FIGS. 1   a - 2   b  show a bicycle with an inlay spaced between elements of the bicycle frame. 
     In a preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1   a,  an exemplary ladies&#39; bicycle  10   a  has a frame, which includes a first top tube  14   a  and a second top tube  16   a.  As first top tube  14   a  and second top tube  16   a  have identical shapes and length, the side view of FIG. la only shows one of the two top tubes, i.e., first top tube  14   a.  Inlay  12   a  is placed between first top tube  14   a  and second top tube  16   a  spaced apart, and extends from forward section  24   a  towards head tube  18   a  to rear section  26   a  towards seat tube  20   a.  Inlay  12   a  may extend the full length of, or only a portion of the length of the elongated space between first top tube  14   a  and second top tube  16   a.    
     In a preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1   b,  another exemplary men&#39;s bicycle  10   b  has a frame, which includes a first top tube  14   b  and a second top tube  16   b.  As first top tube  14   b  and second top tube  16   b  have identical shapes and length, the side view of FIG. lb only shows one of the two top tubes, i.e., first top tube  14   b.  Inlay  12   b  is placed between first top tube  14   b  and second top tube  16   b  spaced apart, and extends from section  24   b  towards head tube  18   b  to rear section  26   b  towards seat tube  20   b.  Inlay  12   b  may extend the full length of, or only a portion of the length of the elongated space between first top tube  14   b  and second top tube  16   b.    
       FIG. 2   a  further illustrates inlay  12   a  of  FIG. 1   a  as inlay  20   a  in the context of the frame structure of bicycle  10   a.  In this preferred embodiment, head tube  24   a  is coupled to a first top tube  25   a  and a second top tube  26   a,  both of which extend downwards past seat tube  27   a  and further towards the fork  40   a  for mounting a rear wheel (not shown). Seat tube  27   a  is coupled to both first top tube  25   a  and second top tube  26   a  via a seat tube gusset  41   a.  There may be a crossbar  28   a  connecting the portion of first top tube  25   a  and second top tube  26   a  that extend past seat tube  27   a.  Seat tube  27   a  extends downwards and is coupled to a lower tube  31   a.  Lower tube  3  la is connected to head tube  24   a  at the opposite end where it is connected to seat tube  27   a.  Underneath first top tube  25   a  and second top tube  26   a,  the frame may include a first cantilever tube  29   a  and a second cantilever tube  30   a,  both of which are connected to seat tube  27   a  at one end and to lower tube  31   a  at the other end. 
     In a preferred embodiment, inlay  20   a  has a rear section  21   a  and a forward section  22   a.  Inlay  20   a  may be affixed between the space provided by first top tube  25   a  and second top tube  26   a  by having rear section  21   a  screwed onto a cross member (not shown) that may be welded between and onto first top tube  25   a  and second top tube  26   a.  The cross member may also be provided in other structures that connect first top tube  25   a  and second top tube  26   a.  Rear section  21   a  may also be affixed between the space provided by first top tube  25  and second top tube  26   a  via welding or glue. Forward section  22   a  may be affixed between the space provided by first top tube  25  and second top tube  26   a  via friction fitting or gluing. Inlay  20   a  may be removable and interchangeable with other inlays. 
     In a preferred embodiment, inlay  20   a  may include a length, a width and a thickness. 
     Preferably, inlay  20   a  has a length of from about 20″ to about 24″, a width from about to about ¾″ to about 1¼″, and a thickness of from about ⅛″ to about 1/4″. More preferably inlay  20   a  has a length of about 22″, a width of about 1″ and a thickness of about ⅙″. Optimally, inlay  20   a  for bicycle  10   a  has a length of 23½″, a width of 1¼″ and a thickness of ¼″. 
     In a preferred embodiment, inlay  20   a  may include a thickness that is less that the diameters of first top tube  25   a  and second top tube  26   a.  In yet another preferred embodiment, inlay  20   a  may include a thickness that is not limited by the diameter of first and second top tubes. For example, inlay  20   a  may extend around and cover first top tube  25   a  and second top tube  26   a.  Inlay  20   a  may be affixed to space provided by the frame of bicycle  10   a  other than the illustrated space between first top tube  25   a  and second top tube  26   a.  More than one inlay may be affixed between one space provided by the frame of bicycle  10   a,  more than one inlay may be affixed between more than one space provided by the frame of bicycle  10   a.    
     In a preferred embodiment, inlay  20   a  may display a color, multiple colors, or designs, logos and mixtures thereof. For example, inlay  20   a  may be blue, yellow and pink. Inlay  20  may be comprised of a material that is light weight and capable of being bent. Preferably, the weight of inlay  20   a  may be from about 1.5 oz. to about 3.5 oz. More preferably, the weight of inlay  20   a  may be about from 2.0 oz. to about 3.0 oz. Optimally, the weight of inlay  20   a  may be about 2.5 oz. Such materials may include wood, fiberglass, metal, cardboard, plastic, composite, and/or mixtures thereof. Inlay  20   a  may also include electronic components such as LEDs, flash lights, and batteries. Inlay  20   a  may also be capable of displaying messages and images via electronic components. 
       FIG. 2   b  further illustrates inlay  12   b  of  FIG. 1   b  as inlay  20   b  in the context of the frame structure of bicycle  10   b.  In this preferred embodiment, head tube  24   b  is coupled to a first top tube  25   b  and a second top tube  26   b,  which extend downwards and is connected to seat tube  27   b.  There may be a crossbar  28   b  connecting two tubes that coupled to the a lower tube  31   b.  Lower tube  31   b  is connected to the head tube  24   b  at the opposite end where it is connected to the seat tube  27   b.    
     In a preferred embodiment, inlay  20   b  has a rear section  23   b,  a middle section  22   b  and a forward section  23   b.  Inlay  20   b  may be affixed between the space provided by first top tube  25   b  and second top tube  26   b  by having rear section  21   b,  middle section  22   b  and forward section  23   b  screwed onto cross members (not shown) that may be welded between and onto first top tube  25   b  and second top tube  26   b.  The cross members may also be provided in other structures that connect first top tube  25   b  and second top tube  26   b.  Rear section  21   b  may also be affixed between the space provided by first top tube  25   b  and second top tube  26   b  via welding or glue. Inlay  20   b  may be removable and interchangeable with other inlays. 
     In a preferred embodiment, inlay  20   b  may include a length, a width and a thickness. Preferably, inlay  20   b  has a length of from about 20″ to about 24″, a width from about to about ¾″ to about 1¼″, and a thickness of from about ⅛″ to about ¼″. More preferably inlay  20   b  has a length of about 22″, a width of about 1″ and a thickness of about ⅙″. Optimally, inlay  20   b  for bicycle  10   b  has a length of 22½″, a width of 1¼″ and a thickness of ¼″. 
     In a preferred embodiment, inlay  20   b  may include a thickness that is less that the diameters of first top tube  25   b  and second top tube  26   b.  In yet another preferred embodiment, inlay  20   b  may include a thickness that is not limited by the diameter of first and second top tubes. For example, inlay  20   b  may extend around and cover first top tube  25   b  and second top tube  26   b.  Inlay  20   b  may be affixed to space provided by the frame of bicycle  10   b  other than the illustrated space between first top tube  25   b  and second top tube  26   b.  More than one inlay may be affixed between one space provided by the frame of bicycle  10   b,  more than one inlay may be affixed between more than one space provided by the frame of bicycle  10   b.  For example, an inlay may be placed in other spaces provided by the bicycle frame, i.e., space  33   b  and  34   b  as shown in  FIG. 2   b . 
     In a preferred embodiment, inlay  20   b  may display a color, multiple colors, or designs, logos and mixtures thereof. For example, inlay  20   b  may be blue, yellow and pink. Inlay  20   b  may be comprised of a material that is light weight and capable of being bent. Preferably, the weight of inlay  20   b  may be from about 1.5 oz. to about 3.5 oz. More preferably, the weight of inlay  20   b  may be about from 2.0 oz. to about 3.0 oz. Optimally, the weight of inlay  20   b  may be about 2.5 oz. Such materials may include wood, fiberglass, metal, plastic, cardboard, composite, and/or mixtures thereof. Inlay  20   b  may also include electronic components such as LEDs, flash lights, and batteries. Inlay  20   b  may also be capable of displaying messages and images via electronic components. 
     In another preferred embodiment, a method may be provided for manufacturing a bicycle. The method may include the steps of providing a frame having top tubes, providing a cross bar between the top tubes, and attaching an inlay to the cross bar. The method may also include the step of attaching an inlay to the cross bar by screws. 
     In yet another preferred embodiment, a kit including at least 2 inlays may be provided for a cyclist to attach the inlay to a bicycle, or to replace or interchange the inlay already attached to a bicycle with the ones provided in the kit. The kit may further include devices, apparatus and instructions for attaching inlays included in the kit onto a bicycle according to the illustration and description of  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b . 
     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 of the Preferred Embodiments 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. For example, while processes or blocks are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps, or employ systems having blocks, in a different order, and some processes or blocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified to provide alternative or subcombinations. Each of these processes or blocks may be implemented in a variety of different ways. Also, while processes or blocks are at times shown as being performed in series, these processes or blocks may instead be performed in parallel, or may be performed, at different times. Further any specific numbers noted herein are only examples: alternative implementations may employ differing values or ranges. 
     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 in their entirety. 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 of the Preferred Embodiments. 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 system 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 disclosures to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification unless the above Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments 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. 
     While certain aspects of the disclosure are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of the disclosure in any number of claim forms. For example, while only one aspect of the disclosure is recited as a means-plus-function claim under 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6, other aspects may likewise be embodied as a means-plus-function claim, or in other forms, such as being embodied in a computer-readable medium. (Any claims intended to be treated under 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶6 will begin with the words “means for”). Accordingly, the applicant reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the disclosure. 
     Accordingly, although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that all the terms used herein are descriptive rather than limiting, and that many changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.