Patent Publication Number: US-2011049835-A1

Title: Custom decorative covering for bicycles and the like and method of manufacture of the covering

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to vehicle decorations, and more specifically to decorations for bicycles and the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Frames and other structural portions of bicycles and the like, such as tandem bicycles, recumbent bicycles, tricycles, and unicycles, are typically covered by chrome and enamel paint, for protection and aesthetic appeal. Such structural portions include handlebars, seats, etc. For many users of these bikes, more customized decoration may be desired. 
     A number of methods have been used to further decorate portions of bicycles and the like, such as by using stickers, decals, and custom paint. However, these approaches offer some disadvantages. Custom painting a bike can be a time-consuming and expensive project, and the paint can be difficult to remove or modify. Although stickers and/or decals can easily be removed or changed, stickers and decals do not completely cover the entire frame of particular bicycle models, and so they do not typically provide a unified, neat, and professional appearance to the frame and other structures of the bicycle. 
     And although a nice new paint-job can make the bike look like “new”, the effort and/or expense of such a new paint job makes it difficult to justify frequent new paint jobs, even though one might want to change the look of the bike shortly after the new paint job was completed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention offers advantages over existing prior art by providing a custom-cut decorative covering designed to substantially and neatly cover at least the frame of a bicycle, or other similar device, without a need for cutting or trimming by a user. The covering of the invention can be quickly applied and quickly removed and/or replaced. The covering of the invention so completely covers portions of the bike, those portions can look like they have been painted. 
     A first general aspect of the invention is a method for manufacturing a custom decorative covering for substantially covering at least a frame of a bicycle or the like. The method includes: receiving make and model information pertaining to at least the frame of the bicycle; receiving covering-material selection information which specifies a selected covering material having an outer decorative surface; converting the make and model information into surface-covering information pertaining to at least the frame of the bicycle; sending the surface-covering information to a computer-numerical-controlled cutting machine; feeding the selected covering material into the computer-numerical-controlled cutting machine; and the computer-numerical-controlled cutting machine cutting the selected covering material in accordance with the surface information, so as to provide the custom decorative covering. 
     In preferred embodiments, converting includes receiving the make and model information, and using table look-up to provide the surface-covering information. In other preferred embodiments, converting includes receiving a CAD/CAM model associated with the make and model information and deriving the surface-covering information therefrom. In still other preferred embodiments, converting includes using the make and model information to obtain a real bicycle, and scanning the surface of the real bicycle with a laser so as to acquire the surface-covering information. In other preferred embodiments, converting could be accomplished using a tape-measure to acquire various dimensions of the bicycle. 
     In preferred embodiments, the custom decorative covering is either a single covering designed to be applied to at least the frame of the bicycle, or a plurality of covering pieces cut so as to fit together when applied to at least the frame of the bicycle. 
     In yet other preferred embodiments, the custom decorative covering includes an adhesive inner surface. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the covering-material selection information can be selected by either a customer, a retailer, or a manufacturer. 
     In some preferred embodiments, the method further includes receiving a size pertaining to at least the frame of the bicycle. 
     In a preferred embodiments, receiving covering-material selection information includes receiving information pertaining to at least one of appearance and texture. 
     In other preferred embodiments, the make and model information relates to at least one of: the frame of the bicycle; a fork of the bicycle; a chain guard of the bicycle; a wheel guard of the bicycle; and at least one handlebar of the bicycle. 
     Another general aspect of the invention is a custom decorative covering for substantially covering at least a frame of a bicycle or the like made using the method including the steps of: receiving make and model information pertaining to at least the frame of the bicycle; receiving covering-material selection information which specifies a selected covering material having an outer decorative surface; converting the make and model information into surface-covering information pertaining to at least the frame of the bicycle; sending the surface-covering information to a computer-numerical-controlled cutting machine; feeding the selected covering material into the computer-numerical-controlled cutting machine; and the computer-numerical-controlled cutting machine cutting the selected covering material in accordance with the surface information, so as to provide the custom decorative covering. In preferred embodiments, converting includes receiving the make and model information, and using table look-up to provide the surface-covering information. In other preferred embodiments, converting includes receiving a CAD/CAM model associated with the make and model information and deriving the surface-covering information therefrom. In still other preferred embodiments, converting includes using the make and model information to obtain a real bicycle, and scanning the surface of the real bicycle with a laser so as to acquire the surface-covering information. In other preferred embodiments, converting could be accomplished using a tape-measure to acquire various dimensions of the bicycle. 
     In preferred embodiments, the custom decorative covering is either a single covering designed to be applied to at least the frame of the bicycle, or a plurality of covering pieces cut so as to fit together when applied to at least the frame of the bicycle. 
     In yet other preferred embodiments, the custom decorative covering includes an adhesive inner surface. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the covering-material selection information can be selected by either a customer, a retailer, or a manufacturer. 
     In some preferred embodiments, the method further includes receiving a size pertaining to at least the frame of the bicycle. 
     In a preferred embodiments, receiving covering-material selection information includes receiving information pertaining to at least one of appearance and texture. 
     In other preferred embodiments, the make and model information relates to at least one of: the frame of the bicycle; a fork of the bicycle; a chain guard of the bicycle; a wheel guard of the bicycle; and at least one handlebar of the bicycle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the detailed description, in conjunction with the following figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view illustrating a set of custom-cut decorative covering pieces and the manner in which they can be applied to a bicycle frame and other bicycle parts; 
         FIG. 2  is a flow chart illustrating the method for manufacturing the custom-cut decorative covering of the invention; and 
         FIG. 3  is an block diagram illustrating the method for manufacturing the custom-cut decorative covering of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an exemplary custom-cut decorative covering is designed to cover at least the frame  100  of a bicycle or the like. In the drawing shown, the covering is a set of covering pieces, each being cut separately and applied to the frame of the bicycle individually. The pieces are designed to fit together with essentially no overlap or space in between them. In other implementations, the custom-cut decorative covering can be a single piece covering piece cut from a single sheet. Although the bicycle frame  100  is used in this example, the custom-cut decorative covering can be cut as a single portion or multiple portions to fit a frame of any recreational cycle vehicle similar to a typical bicycle, such as a tandem bicycle or recumbent bicycle, tricycle, unicycle, and so forth. 
     Here, the custom-cut decorative covering includes a head tube portion  103  to cover a head tube  102  of the bicycle frame  100 , a top tube portion  105  to cover a top tube  104  of the frame  100 , and a bottom tube portion  107  to cover a bottom tube  106  of the frame  100 . The covering further includes a seat tube portion  109  for a seat tube  108  of the frame, and two seat stay portions  113  as well as two chain stay portions  111 , to be applied to the seat stays  112  and the chain stays  110  respectively. The covering can also include handlebar portions  115  to cover the handlebars  114 , fork portions  117  to cover the fork  116 , and even a seat portion  119  to cover the seat  118 , as shown. Although not shown, the covering can also include portions to cover other bicycle parts, such as the chain guard and/or wheel guards. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the custom-cut decorative covering can include an adhesive inner surface. A user can specify certain preferences concerning the custom-cut decorative covering, such as certain features of the appearance and/or texture of the covering. In the embodiment shown for example, the outer decorative surface of the custom-cut covering includes a pattern of stars. The preferences concerning the covering can be selected by a customer who uses the bicycle, a retailer of the bicycle, and/or a manufacturer of the bicycle, for example. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the method of method of manufacturing the custom-cut decorative covering. First, make and model information  200 , and information related to the selection of the covering material  202 , are received. Make and model information is then converted into surface-covering information  204 . Surface-covering information is information relating to the surface to be covered by the custom-cut decorative covering. Such information can be obtained using table look-up, by receiving a CAD/CAM model associated with the make and model information and deriving surface-covering information therefrom, and/or by using the make and model information to obtain a real bicycle, and then scanning the surface of the real bicycle, with a laser for example, so as to acquire the surface-covering information. 
     Next, the surface-covering information is sent to a computer-numerical-controlled (CNC) cutting machine  206 . The selected covering material is then fed into the CNC cutting machine  208 . If the covering is intended to be a one-piece covering  210 , the CNC cutting machine cuts a single piece  212 . If the covering is not intended to be a one-piece covering  210 , the CNC cutting machine cuts a set of covering pieces  213 . The covering pieces from the set will be custom-cut so as to fit together with essentially no overlap, and to completely cover at least the frame of the bicycle. The covering can also cover other parts of the bicycle, such as the fork, the handlebars, the chain guard, and/or the wheel guards. Other parts of the bicycle such as the seat can also be covered with custom-cut decorative covering. 
       FIG. 3  is an elements diagram illustrating the method of manufacturing the custom-cut decorative covering. Make and model information  300 , covering selection information  302 , and in this case, information relating to the size of a bicycle part or parts  304 , is input into a computer  306 . Next, the computer  306  can convert the make and model information  300  into pertinent surface-covering information. In the example shown, this is done by reference to a database  307 , using table look-up to provide the surface-covering information. The surface-covering information is then sent to a computer-numerical controlled (CNC) cutting machine  308 , which custom cuts the decorative covering in accordance with the surface-covering information. The final result is the custom-cut decorative covering  310 , ready to be applied to at least the frame of a bicycle or the like 
     Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the invention except as indicated in the following claims.