Patent Publication Number: US-2021179216-A1

Title: Triangular bike stand

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 62/948,682, filed Dec. 16, 2019, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a support stand for a bicycle, and more specifically to a support stand capable of supporting the bicycle without being directly mounted to the bicycle. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Bicycles are widely used as a means of transportation, as well as for recreational purposes. When a bicycle is not being used, it is common to leave the bicycle in a generally upright position. Along these lines, many municipalities or commercial properties may include bicycle racks with vertical posts against which a user may lean the bicycle to park the bicycle. Some bicycle may also include kickstands mounted directly to the bicycle frame. The kickstand may pivot relative to the frame between a stowed position and a deployed position. When in the deployed position, the kickstand may provide a structure on which the bicycle may lean against. During use of the bicycle, the kickstand may be transitioned to the stowed position so as not to drag on the ground. 
     While conventional kickstands allow bicycles to remain in a titled, upright position when not being ridden by a user, some bicycles do not include a kickstand. Along these lines, some bicycles used in races do not include integrated kickstands to reduce the overall weight of the bicycle. Furthermore, mountain bikers may not prefer an integrated kickstand because the kickstand can become caught in vegetation along a trail. Furthermore, the aggressive riding which may be associated with mountain bike trails may cause an integrated kickstand to rattle, which may be an annoyance to the biker. 
     Therefore, there is a need in the art for a support stand for a bicycle that can be used to support a bicycle in a titled, upright position, without being directed connected to the bicycle. Various aspects of the present disclosure address this particular need, as will be described in more detail below. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     According to one embodiment, there is provided a support stand for supporting a bicycle. The support stand generally includes an outer surface, a fork, and a lower support surface. The fork includes a first side surface, an opposing second side surface, and a bottom surface extending between the first and second side surfaces. The first side surface, the second side surface, and the bottom surface collectively define a channel offset from the outer surface and being sized and configured to receive a portion of the bicycle. A lower support surface is spaced from the fork and angled relative to the outer surface by 30-60 degrees. 
     The outer surface may include a lower edge and a pair of side edges extending from the lower edge and angled toward each other as they extend away from the lower edge. 
     The first and second side surfaces of the fork may be parallel to the outer surface. The bottom surface of the fork may be perpendicular to the outer surface. 
     The lower support surface may be spaced from the outer surface. The lower support surface may be angled relative to the outer surface by 45 degrees. 
     The present disclosure will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an upper perspective view of a support stand for supporting a bicycle; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the support stand shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of the support stand shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the support stand shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the support stand shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of an exemplary bicycle which may be used with the support stand. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present disclosure only, and are not for purposes of limiting the same, there is depicted a support stand  10  separate from a bicycle, yet configured for supporting a bicycle in a generally upright position, e.g., with one or both wheels on the ground and the handlebars elevated above the ground. In this regard, the support stand  10  may be particularly advantageous for bicycles that do not include an integrated kickstand. The support stand  10  may be used on a regular basis for storing the bicycle, for supporting the bicycle when performing maintenance on the bicycle, or for supporting the bicycle on-the-go. The design of the support stand  10  allows for ease of use and transport thereof while also providing a desirable appearance. 
     According to one embodiment, the support stand  10  may include a generally triangular body, with the bottom/base of the triangle being configured to be disposable on the ground, and an upper/apex portion of the triangle being configured to engage with the bicycle. The support stand  10  may include a primary wall  12  including an outer surface  14  and an opposing inner surface  16 . The outer surface  14  may include a lower edge  18  and a pair of side edges  20  extending from the lower edge  18  and angled toward each other as they extend away from the lower edge  18 . It is contemplated that indicia, names, logos, etc., may be printed, adhered, laminated or otherwise formed on the outer surface  14 . 
     The primary wall  12  may be surrounded by an outer peripheral wall  22  having a forward facing edge  24  and a rearward facing edge  26  to define a peripheral wall thickness therebetween. The forward facing edge  24  may be slightly recessed behind the primary wall  12 . According to one embodiment, the peripheral wall thickness may be approximately 0.750 inches, although the peripheral wall thickness may vary without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The outer peripheral wall  22  may include a lower wall portion  28 , and a pair of side portions  30 , which are complementary peripheral contours of the primary wall  12 , although slightly greater in size. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , which is a rear view of the support stand  10 , there is shown an inner peripheral wall  32  which may extend behind the primary wall  12  and inwardly from the outer peripheral wall  22 . A plurality of support ribs  34  may extend between the outer and inner peripheral walls  22 ,  32 . The ribs  34  may also be angled relative to each other to define a plurality of triangular shaped cavities  36  or recesses. The ribs  34  may enhance the structural integrity of the support stand  10 , particularly for supporting the weight of a bicycle supported by the support stand  10 , while the cavities  36  result in a reduction of material to lower manufacturing costs, as well as the overall weight of the support stand  10 . 
     Both the primary wall  12  and outer peripheral wall  22  may include a generally planar upper portion, as opposed to a sharp, pointed tip. More specifically, the primary wall  12  may include a primary upper surface  38  and the outer peripheral wall  22  may include a peripheral upper wall portion  40 . The primary upper surface  38  and peripheral upper wall portion  40  may be disposed in spaced, generally parallel relation to each other so as to partially define an upper cavity  42  therebetween. The upper cavity  42  may also be partially defined by upper segments of the side portions  30  of the outer peripheral wall  22 . The upper cavity  42  may provide a finger grip for a user to hold onto the support stand  10 . 
     The support stand  10  may include a pair of side protrusions  44 , each of which extend rearwardly from respective sides of the primary wall  12 , and outwardly from a respective side portion  30  of the outer peripheral wall  22 . The side protrusions  44  may be generally coextensive in width with the outer peripheral wall  22  and may be positioned over a middle region of the respective side portion  30  of the outer peripheral wall  22 . The side protrusions  44  may provide an enhanced, robust appearance to the support stand  10 . 
     The support stand  10  may additionally include a fork  46  configured to directly engage with the bicycle. According to one embodiment, the fork  46  includes a cantilevered arm  48  extending from the outer peripheral wall  22  and defining a bottom surface  50  of the fork  46 . The cantilevered arm  48  may extend at an angle θ relative to the outer peripheral wall  22 . The angle θ may be greater than ninety degrees, and in one particular embodiment, equal to approximately 120 degrees. Extending upwardly from a distal end of the cantilevered arm  48  is a fork side wall  52  including a first side surface  54 . The fork  46  additionally includes a second side surface  56  opposite the first side surface  54 . The first and second side surfaces  54 ,  56  are spaced from each other, with the bottom surface  50  extending between the first and second side surfaces  54 ,  56 . The first and second side surfaces  54 ,  56  of the fork  46  may be parallel to the outer surface  14 , and the bottom surface  50  of the fork  46  may be perpendicular to the outer surface  14 . However, it is contemplated that the side surfaces  54 ,  56  and the bottom surface  50  of the fork  46  may define other shapes, such as a concave shape, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 
     The first side surface  54 , the second side surface  56 , and the bottom surface  50  collectively define a channel  58  sized and configured to receive a portion of the bicycle  60 . Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is shown an exemplary bicycle  60  which may be used with the support stand  10 . The bicycle  60  includes a frame  62  including a top tube  64 , a down tube  66 , a seat tube  68 , chain stays  70 , and seat stays  72 . The frame  62  is connectable to a rear wheel  74  and a front wheel  76 . The aforementioned components of the frame  62  are included in most bicycles, including but not limited to mountain bicycles, road bicycles, beach cruisers, BMX bicycles, children&#39;s bicycles, push bicycles, scooter bicycles, electric bicycles, etc. In this regard, as used herein, the term bicycle  60  is used broadly to refer to any species of bicycle. 
     According to one embodiment, the support stand  10  is sized and configured to engage with one of the chain stays  70  on the bicycle frame  62 . In this regard, the channel  58  on the support stand  10  may be sized to receive the chain stay  70  to support the bicycle  60  in a raised position. When the chain stay  70  is received in the channel  58 , the chain stay  70  may engage with the bottom surface  50  of the fork  46 , and the first and second side surfaces  54 ,  56  may extend on opposite sides of the chain stay  70 . 
     While the top portion of the support stand  10  engages with the bicycle  60 , the bottom portion of the support stand  10  engages with the ground. In this regard, the support stand  10  may include a lower support surface  78  adapted to contact the ground. The lower support surface  78  may angled relative to the outer surface  14  by 30-60 degrees. In one particular embodiment, the lower support surface  78  may be angled relative to the outer surface  14  by 45 degrees. The angle of the lower support surface  78  allows the support stand  10  to extend between the ground and the bicycle  60  at an angle to support the bicycle  60  in a manner similar to a conventional kickstand. For instance, the primary wall  12  may extend at a 45 degree angle relative to the ground when the lower support surface  78  lies flush on the ground. It is contemplated that the lower support surface  78  may be configured to enhance the friction with the ground, and thus, an anti-skid surface or coating (e.g., rubber) may be applied thereto. 
     It is contemplated that the support stand  10  may be molded as a unitary structure, and may be formed from a polymer material, or other materials known in the art. It is also contemplated that the primary wall  12 , outer peripheral wall  22 , and fork  46  may be separate structures which are fastened together using screws, rivets, adhesives or other fasteners known in the art. In this regard, the primary wall  12  may be formed from a material that differs from that of the outer peripheral wall  22  and fork  46 . For instance, the primary wall  12  may be formed from a metallic material, while the outer peripheral wall  22  and fork  46  may be formed from a polymer material. 
     Although the exemplary embodiment of the support stand  10  includes a primary wall  12 , it is contemplated that other embodiments may be formed without the primary wall  12 . In this regard, such alternate embodiments may simply include a peripheral support unit, e.g., the outer peripheral wall  22 , inner peripheral wall  32 , and support ribs  34 , the fork  46 , and the lower support surface  78 . Thus, the peripheral support unit may be strong enough to support the load of the bicycle  60  without being compromised. 
     With the basic structure of the support stand  10  described above, the following discussion relates to an exemplary use of the support stand  10 . To use the support stand  10 , a user may hold the bicycle  60  in a generally upright position, e.g., the rotation axes of the wheels being generally perpendicular to the ground, and position the support stand  10  adjacent the bicycle  60 . The support stand  10  is then moved to position or align the chain stay  70  of the bicycle  60  within the channel  58  on the support stand  10 , such that the chain stay  70  is positioned between the first and second side surfaces  54 ,  56  of the fork  46 . The bicycle  60  may be slightly tilted to one side, until the lower support surface  78  contacts the ground. When the lower support surface  78  has solid contact with the ground, and the support stand  10  extends between the ground the bicycle  60 , the user may let go of the bicycle  60 . The weight of the bicycle  60  will be transferred to the ground at the wheels of the bicycle  60 , as well as the support stand  10 . In this regard, the support stand  10  helps to support the bicycle  60  when the bicycle  60  is leaning slightly to one side, such that the rotation axes of the wheels are non-parallel to the ground. As the weight of the bicycle  60  presses against the support stand  10 , the weight may cause the support stand  10  to experience a compressive force, although the material properties of the support stand  10  are configured to withstand such force. The compressive force may additionally increase the friction between the lower support surface  78  and the ground to maintain the position of the lower support surface  78  relative to the ground. Furthermore, as the bicycle  60  is leaning against the support stand  10 , the friction between the bicycle wheels and the ground also stabilizes the upright bicycle  60 . Thus, with the support stand  10  extending between the ground and the chain stay  70 , the bicycle  60  may be maintained in the titled, upright position. 
     While the bicycle  60  is supported by the support stand  10 , the user may inspect the bicycle  60  or perform maintenance on the bicycle  60 . For instance, the user may inflate the tires, grease the bicycle chain, etc. Alternatively, the user may leave the bicycle  60  supported by the stand during periods of non-use. When the user wants to use the bicycle  60 , the user may lift the bicycle  60  from the tilted position, which removes the force of the bicycle  60  applied to the support stand  10 . As such, the support stand  10  is no longer captured between the bicycle  60  and the ground. The user may grip the support stand  10  by inserting one or more fingers into the cavity to grab onto the support stand  10  to put the support stand  10  away. 
     The support stand  10  provides an easy-to-use alternative to bicycle-mounted kickstands. Furthermore, the support stand  10  may be small enough to be stowed in a backpack or similar gear, to use to the support stand  10  on-the-go. In this regard, should the user need to temporarily park the bicycle  60 , the support stand  10  may be retrieved from the backpack and used to support the bicycle  60 . 
     Any dimensions mentioned herein or included in the drawings are exemplary in nature, and thus, do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. In this regard, it is contemplated that the support stand  10  may be formed in other sizes and other configurations having different dimensional properties. Furthermore, it is understood that any dimension may be associated with industry standard manufacturing tolerances. 
     The particulars shown herein are by way of example only for purposes of illustrative discussion, and are not presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, no attempt is made to show any more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the different features of the various embodiments, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how these may be implemented in practice.