Patent Publication Number: US-2022234669-A1

Title: Modular bag for bicycles and the like

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention regards a modular bag for bicycles and similar vehicles. 
     More particularly, the present invention regards a modular bag for bicycles, adapted to removably house at its interior a further bag or second component. 
     STATE OF THE PRIOR ART 
     Bicycles or similar vehicles can be provided with bags, e.g. lateral, which are fixed to the frame of the bicycle, especially to the rear rack and/or to the front rack. 
     The lateral bags are connected to the tube of the rack and have, for such purpose, at least one pair of upper clasps, such as mechanical clip systems, which support the entire weight of the bag itself, and possibly also a lower pin, which is coupled to a vertical bracket of the frame, at the wheel of the bicycle. The lower pin allows maintaining the bag in position, without moving it during use. 
     Known bicycle bags mainly have the following drawbacks: The mechanical clip system is rather complex and subjected to breakage, e.g. caused by the vibrations generated during pedaling. Since such clasps must support the entire weight of the bags, they cannot be subjected to breakage. Simultaneously, since they must be removable, it is necessary to find the right compromise between strength and ease of mounting/dismounting by the user. In addition, when the bag is removed from the bicycle, and hence moved by the user, the relative attachment is exposed to further breakage risks. 
     Another disadvantage of the bicycle bags of known type is that, during use, they are subjected to getting very dirty, due to the mud or dust with which they come into contact during use. This is a significant drawback, when the cyclist reaches destination and must remove the bag from the frame of the bicycle, so as to bring it with him/her into the desired location (whether into home or for example in the tent in the case of camping). 
     Other disadvantages tied to the bags of conventional type are: often they result bulky and their mechanical attachment for the bicycle often adds weight to the bag itself. 
     There is therefore the need to modify the system of attachment/detachment of the bag to the frame of the bicycle, so as to improve the use of such bags during pedaling, as well as the need to have an easily removable system, so as to increase the possibilities of use of the bags themselves. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The technical task of the present invention is therefore that of improving the state of the art. 
     In the context of such technical task, one object of the present invention is to implement a modular bag for bicycles and the like having optimal strength characteristics, as well as the ability to facilitate its mounting and/or dismounting from the frame of the bicycle and the like. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to make a modular bag for bicycles and the like which is versatile from the standpoint of use by a cyclist. 
     Such task and such objects are all attained by the modular bag for bicycles and the like according to the present application. 
     The present application refers to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The characteristics of the invention will be better understood by every man skilled in the art from the following description and from the enclosed drawings tables, given as a non-limiting example, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a bicycle provided with two lateral bags according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a first component of the bag according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a bag assembled according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view in a first operative configuration of the bag according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5A  is a rear perspective view of a second component of a bag according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5B  is a further version of the second component pursuant to  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of one version of a first component according to the present version, in a first operative position; 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the second component pursuant to  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C  illustrate rear perspective views of the three operative steps of the second component according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of one version of the bag according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of one version of the bag according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a rear perspective view of a second component of the bag according to one version of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate enlarged details of the second component pursuant to  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to the enclosed  FIG. 1 , reference number  1  overall indicates a bag for bicycles and similar vehicles according to the present invention, adapted to be constrained to the frame of the bicycle and/or to the rear rack and/or to the front rack and/or to the handlebar and/or to at least one bar of the frame of the bicycle. 
     In particular, in  FIG. 1 , a first bag  1  is illustrated, positioned laterally with respect to the bicycle, at a front wheel  2  of a bicycle and a second bag  1  is illustrated laterally positioned at a rear wheel  3  of a bicycle. 
     The bag  1  according to the present invention consists of a first component  4  and of a second component  5 . 
     In such a manner, the present invention regards a modular bag  1 , capable of being adapted to a great number of requirements and situations, according to the desires and tastes of the user. In addition, the bag  1  is modular also due to the fact that the first component  4  and the second component  5  could also be used separately, depending on the versions and on the requirements. 
     The bag  1  according to the present invention can be a lateral bag, i.e. positioned along a side of a bicycle or of a similar vehicle, or a front bag, e.g. when positioned at the handlebar of the bicycle or of the similar vehicle, or a rear bag, when positioned at the rear zone of the bicycle or of the similar vehicle. 
     In particular, the first component  4  comprises a support container, which is adapted to be constrained, possibly removably, to a frame of the bicycle or the like, in particular to the front rack and/or rear rack of the bicycle and/or to the handlebar and/or to at least one bar of the frame (e.g. to one of the substantially vertical connection bars for the front wheel  2  (e.g. the fork of the bicycle) and/or for the rear wheel  3 ). 
     The first component or support container  4  can have a substantially parallelepiped shape; it is provided with an opening  6  (e.g. an upper face thereof in the parallelepiped configuration) adapted to allow the housing of the second component  5 . In one version of the invention, the opening  6  is adapted to allow the housing in the first container or support container  4  of the objects to be transported, also in the absence of the second component  5 . 
     In an alternative version, the first component  4  can have a substantially cylindrical shape, with its upper base including the opening  6 , or it can have a substantially semi-spherical or semi-ellipsoid shape. 
     In each case, for the first component or support container  4  it is possible to identify at least one front surface or face  7 , adapted during use to be directed outward with respect to the frame of the bicycle, e.g. substantially parallel to a greater extension of the front wheel  2  and/or of the rear wheel  3 , a rear surface or face  8 , adapted during use to come into contact and/or be constrained with the frame of the bicycle, at least one lateral surface or face  9  and a lower base  10 . In particular, there can be two lateral faces or surfaces  9 . 
     The lower base  10  is opposite the opening  6 . 
     In at least one version of the invention, the rear and front faces or surfaces  7 ,  8  and/or the lateral faces or surfaces  9  are substantially parallel to each other. 
     In addition, the lateral openings or faces  9  are substantially perpendicular to the front  7  and rear  8  surfaces or faces. 
     The dimensions respectively of the rear and front faces or surfaces  7 ,  8  and/or of the lateral faces or surfaces  9  can be the same or they can be different from each other. 
     The various surfaces or faces  7 ,  8 ,  9 , and the lower base  10  are made in a manner such to be joined together so as to determine a single internal space—which is accessed from the opening  6 , so as to at least partially house the second component  5  and/or the objects to be transported. 
     The first component or support container  4  can be made of a single piece or for example of at least two pieces. 
     In the latter version, the first component or support container  4  has the front face or surface  7 , the rear face or surface  8 , the lateral faces or surfaces  9  all substantially having the same height H (with respect to the lower base  10 ). 
     In such a manner, their edges of respective ends  7   a ,  8   a ,  9   a  form a single and/or upper perimeter  11  lying on a plane substantially parallel to the ground. 
     All this forms the first portion of the first component or support container  4 . 
     From such perimeter  11 , the second portion  14  of the first component or support container  4  departs, possibly in a removable manner; the second portion  14  is positioned above the first portion of the first component or support container  4 . Analogous to that indicated above, the second portion  14  comprises a substantially parallelepiped shape and/or a substantially cylindrical or tubular shape. 
     In particular, the second portion  14  has on the lower part an opening which coincides with the opening determined by the perimeter  11 , on the upper part the opening  6 , and a front wall  17 , a rear wall  18  and at least one lateral wall  19  can be identified therein. 
     The edges of lower ends  17   a ,  18   a ,  19   a  respectively of the walls  17 ,  18 ,  19  coincide (which form a lower peripheral edge  16  of the second portion  14 ) and/or are adapted to come into contact respectively with the edges of upper ends  7   a ,  8   a ,  9   a  and/or with the perimeter  11 . 
     In order to constrain the first portion and the second portion  14  of the first component or support container  4  to each other, in a removable but secure manner, coupling means  12  can be present, for example in the form of clips or elastic bands or clasps by pressure, or by fitting, or by interference, etcetera. 
     At least one accessory can be further applied to such coupling means  12 , such as a bottle holder (illustrated in  FIG. 3 ), a reflective means (illustrated in  FIGS. 6, 7 ), a light, etcetera. 
     The fixing of the at least one accessory can be determined by the presence of a suitable slit in the latter and of a corresponding tongue present in the first component  4  (or vice versa) and/or one or the other present at the coupling means  12 , or by means of similar coupling means. 
     The coupling means  12  can be positioned for example at the front wall  17  in order to be connected to the surface or face  7 , and/or at the lateral wall  19 , in order to be connected to the lateral face or surface  9 , etcetera. 
     The walls  17 ,  18 ,  19  of the second portion  14  can all have the same height or they can have different height. 
     For example, in the version illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the front wall  17  has a first height HI, the rear wall  18  has a second height H 2  (with respect to the perimeter  11  and/or to the lower perimeter  16 ), in which H 2  is greater than HI. 
     The lateral walls  19  have a height h progressing from HI to H 2 , since they act as connection between the front wall  17  and the rear wall  18 . 
     At the highest zone, highest during use, of the rear wall  18  it is possible to provide for a handle  20 , adapted to be gripped by a user in order to position and/or remove the first component or support container  4 . 
     The handle  20 , in one version of the invention, is attained by making a through transverse slit along the edge of upper end  18   a  of the rear wall  18  (such slit for example parallel to the ground). Such handle  20  and/or slit can be shaped in an ergonomic manner and/or padded with a suitable material, so as to improve the gripping comfort for the user. 
     The handle  20 , if the rear wall  18  has the same height H 2  with respect to the height HI of the front wall  17 , can still be present and be positioned at least at an upper zone, upper during use, of the rear wall  18 . 
     Alternatively, the handle  20  can be positioned at a zone that during use is an upper zone of the front wall  17  and/or of the lateral walls  19 , alternatively or in combination with the possible handle  20  present in the rear wall  18 . 
     If the first component  4  is made of a single piece, the handle  20  can be made at at least one of the edges of upper ends  7   a ,  8   a ,  9   a.    
     Since the first portion and the second portion  14  of the first component  4  (in the version in which the latter is not made of a single piece) are constrained to each other by means of the coupling means  12 , possible movements (mounting/dismounting) of the support container  4  occur as if it was actually made of only one piece. 
     In the version in which the first component  4  is made of only one piece, this can have a shape which sums together the characteristics previously described for the first portion and the second portion  14  thereof. 
     The material constituting the first component  4  can be a plastic material, carbon material, a fabric, e.g. knitted, a non-woven fabric, etcetera. The material is also possibly light, strong and/or durable. Such material must be rigid. i.e. adapted to give structure to the first component  4  so as to support the weight of the objects to be transported. In addition, such material is preferably impermeable to water and/or easily cleanable, so as to eliminate the dirt that can be accumulated on the same while pedaling and/or comprising a treatment adapted to render it water repellent, stain resistant, abrasion resistant, etcetera. 
     The first component or support container  4  can have, in at least one zone thereof, at least one slit  21 . Such at least one slit  21  usually has a longitudinal progression that is substantially horizontal or parallel to the ground. 
     Such at least one slit  21  has a length usually comprised between 2 and 4 cm. 
     Such at least one slit  21  is adapted to constrain other components or components in addition to the support container  4 . e.g. by means of small bands, buckles, or similar fixing means. 
     In some positions or depending on a specific version, such at least one slit  21  is actually two slits, in which the two slits  21  are positioned one on top of the other, spaced by a space of about 0.5-2 cm. Thus, it is possible to constrain a small band, a buckle or similar means to such two slits  21  in an even more secure manner. 
     In a further version, the first component or support container  4  can have a cover  22 . Such at least one cover  22  is during use adapted to close the opening  6  of the support container  4 , for example according to particular use conditions or depending on the requirements of the user. 
     Such cover  22  has a shape substantially corresponding to that of the opening  6 , possibly provided with a lateral edge  22   a  in order to better close the support container  4 . 
     Such cover  22  can be fixed to the rear wall  18  of the second portion  14  (at a certain distance from the possible handle  20 ) if present or to the rear face or surface  8  of the support container  4 , by means of bands or buckles or by means of suitable hinge means  22   b , possibly removable. 
     The first component or support container  4  is fixed to the frame of the bicycle, such as for example the rear rack and/or front rack and/or to a bar of the frame, by means of connection means  25 . 
     The connection means  25 , for example in the versions illustrated in  FIGS. 8A-8C , are connection means lacking mechanical adjustment means. 
     The connection means  25  are generally placed at the upper zone, upper during use, of said rear surface or face  8  and/or of the rear wall  18  of the first component or support container  4 . 
     In the version illustrated in the indicated figures, there are two connection means  25 , in right and left lateral positions during use, and they each comprise a band  25   a  which is inserted within two slits  21  so as to project, with both ends  26 ,  27  thereof, to the rear of the support container  4 , towards the frame of the bicycle. 
     There may also be only one connection means  25 , possibly positioned in central position of the first component  4 , so as to support the latter in a balanced manner, and securely constrain it to the frame of the bicycle. Additionally, there can also be more than two connection means  25 . 
     The ends  26 ,  27  of the band  25   a  can have strap and/or hook and loop closure elements, such as those known with the commercial name Velcro. Alternatively, the ends  26 ,  27  of the band  25   a  can have adhesive means for the connection of a first end  26  at the second end  27 . 
     In addition, it is possible that a first end  26  of the band  25   a  can have an annular buckle, possibly flattened so as to take on a substantially rectangular or oval shape, with length equal to about the width of the band  25   a.    
     In such buckle, it is possible to pass the second end  27  of the band  25   a  such that the latter encloses a bar of the rack and/or of the handlebar and/or of the frame of the bicycle. 
     Such second end  27  can then be folded on itself (and pulled so as to tightly enclose the bar of the frame of the bicycle) in order to then be connected to the rear wall  18  and/or to the rear surface or face  8  of the support container  4 , in an area  28  covered by an adhesive element or by one of the two strap and/or hook and loop connection systems, such as those known with the commercial name Velcro, in particular the other with respect to that present at the end  27  of the band  25   a.    
     In each case, the connection means  25  are of removable type since the support container  4  can be constrained to or released from the frame of the bicycle. 
     The present invention hence also refers to a method for removably connecting a bag for bicycles and similar vehicles according to the present invention, adapted during use to be removably constrained to the frame of the bicycle and/or to the rear rack and/or to the front rack and/or to the handlebar and/or to at least one bar of the frame of the bicycle, comprising the steps of providing a first component  4 , in which the first component  4  comprises a support container provided with an opening  6  and at least one removable connection means  25  comprising at least one band  25   a  provided with at least one strap and/or hook and loop closure element, connecting the at least one connection means  25  to the first component  4 , removably constraining, during use, the first component  4  to the frame of the bicycle and/or to the rear rack and/or to the front rack and/or to the handlebar and/or to at least one bar of the frame of the bicycle by means of the at least one connection means  25 . 
     The method then provides for a step of supplying at least the band  25   a  provided with a first end  26  and with a second end  27 , in which the first end  26  is provided with an annular buckle, possibly flattened so as to take on a substantially rectangular or oval shape, with length equal to about the width of the band  25   a , passing the second end  27  within at least one slit  21  present in the first container  4 , optionally in two slits  21 , in a manner such that both the first end  26  and the second end  27  are directed towards the bicycle or similar vehicle, passing the second end  27  of the at least one band  25   a  around at least one bar of the frame of the bicycle and/or of the rear rack and/or of the front rack and/or of the handlebar so as to enclose the at least one bar, passing the second end  27  within the buckle present in the first end  26  and tightening such that the at least one band  25   a  is tightened around the at least one bar, folding the second end  27  on itself such that the at least one strap and/or hook and loop closure element is removably connected to the rear wall  18  and/or rear surface or face  8  of the support container  4 , in an area  28  covered by an adhesive element or by a means corresponding to the at least one strap and/or hook and loop closure element, with respect to that present at the second end  27 . 
     The method according to the invention also comprises the steps of providing a second component  5  and of at least partially housing the second component  5  in the first component or support container  4  by means of an opening  6  present therein. 
     If the support container  4  has, according to one version of the invention, a size such to come into contact with the zone relative to the hub of the wheel  2 ,  3  of the bicycle, it is possible that connection means  25  be provided for also in this zone. Alternatively, at the zone of the hub of the wheel  2 ,  3 , different connection means can be provided for, depending on the requirements. 
     The strap and/or hook and loop connection means  25  are very simple but simultaneously strong and therefore better than a mechanical attachment, since they are also light, hard to damage and easier to repair in case of problems or damage that could occur. 
     As stated above, the bag  1  according to the present invention also consists of a second component  5 , for example illustrated in several possible versions thereof in  FIGS. 9 to 13 . 
     The second component  5  is in the form of a sack, backpack or bag, preferably made of water-resistant and dirt-resistant material, which during use can be removably housed within the first component or support container  4  so as to be transported during pedaling. 
     Such second component  5  can in some manner also be constrained, in a removable manner, to the support container  4 , for example as a visible in  FIG. 3 , in which an elastic cord or band  30  is present which is fixed e.g. by means of buckles, and/or bands and/or the slits  21  to the support container  4 . Also in  FIGS. 4, 5  A and  5 B, the second component  5  is visible which is extracted from the first component  4 , e.g. when the user has reached his/her destination, and hence wishes to remove the second component  5  and bring it with him/her, for example to the campsite, or when he/she must remove the second component  5  from the first component  4 . 
     In such case, the elastic cord or band  30 , first used for fixing in position the second component  5  with the first component  4 , can be made to pass into suitable loops or the like present in the back or in the rear part of the second component  5 , so as to transform the elastic cord or band  30  into one or two bands that can be worn around the shoulders of the user, in the classic backpack or bag manner. 
     Illustrated in more detail in  FIGS. 11-13  is such fixing of the elastic cord or band  30  in the rear part of the second component  5 , and such loops—at whose interior the elastic band  30  is made to pass—can be shaped as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . For example, such loops or the like can be constituted by a plate  31  which is fixed to the fabric or to the material of the second component  5  and provided with a bridge like protrusion  32  which determines a through opening  33  between plate  31  and bridge-like protrusion  32 . Such through opening  33  allows fixing a buckle  34  to the bridge-like protrusion  32 , which is in turn fixed to the elastic cord or band  30  by means of modes of known type. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the second component  5 , once extracted from the first component  4  in order to be transported by the user, can be inserted in an external casing  36 , illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . The external casing can be provided with backs or shoulder straps, possibly padded, as in a conventional backpack, or other expedients useful for the user depending on the specific needs. 
     According to further versions of the invention, as stated above, the first component  4  can be used by the user even without the second component  5  and vice versa the second component  5  can also be used as a bag or backpack, independent of the first container  4 , for example in association with the external casing  36 . 
     Both the first component  4  and the second component  5  are in fact adapted to contain objects and/or loads, which the user intends to transport. 
     In addition, since many cyclists use the same bicycle both for journeys and for moving for example within a city, it is possible to not remove the bag  1  even when the user is stopped. The first container  4  can act as a small basket, also for daily use of the bicycle, increasing the travel comfort of the user even for brief city transfers. It follows that the bag  1 , along with its first component  4  and second component  5 , determines a modular system. In particular, the first component  4  can be used in combination or not in combination with the second component  5  and the latter can also be used on its own or in combination with the external casing  36  and/or with other containers with different function. 
     Therefore, the present invention also regards a kit comprising a bag  1  according to the present invention, comprising a first component  4 , a second component  5  and an external casing  36 , in which the second component  5  is adapted to be at least partially housed in the first component  4  or in the external casing  36  when the second component  5  is extracted from the first component  4 , such that it can be transported by the user. 
     It has therefore been seen that the bag  1  according to the present invention is modular, durable over time and adapted to any use condition. 
     Finally, the present invention also relates to a bicycle or similar vehicle comprising at least one bag  1  according to the preceding description. 
     The present invention has been described according to preferred embodiments, but equivalent variants can also be conceived without departing from the scope offered by the following claims.