Patent Publication Number: US-2010122994-A1

Title: Connecting Device for Equipping a Container on a Bicycle

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a connecting device, in particular, to a connecting device which can be implemented in a bicycle and which can be utilized to equip an accessory, like a container, on the bicycle and in a quick-releasable manner. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     TW Pat. No. 408,731 teaches a connecting device which can be implemented in a bicycle and which can be utilized to equip a container to the bicycle and in a releasable manner. The connecting device includes a fixture which is adapted to be mounted on a head tube of the bicycle and a connecting plate which is adapted to be fixed on the bracket and which is releasably connected with the fixture. Further, a controller includes an engaging portion which selectively engages in a recess defined in the connecting plate such that when the connecting plate is engaged in the recess the connecting plate can not be disengaged from the fixture and while when the connecting plate is not engaged in the recess the connecting plate can be disengaged from the fixture. Nevertheless, the present invention is intended to provide a connecting device which allows a container to be more securely and stably mounted on a bicycle and which facilitates operation thereof. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
     According to the present invention, a connecting device includes a fixture having a through slot, a block having a compartment connected to and in communication with the through slot, a neck, a hooking base extending from the neck, and a controller moveably mounted in the compartment and including a first engaging portion extending out of the through slot and being operable to move into the through slot. Further, a connecting body is releasably mounted to the fixture and including a first end and a second end, a first groove and a second groove. 
     Preferably, the fixture is releasably mounted on the head tube. 
     Preferably, the connecting body is mounted to the container. 
     Preferably, when the connecting body is joined with the fixture, the hooking base is received in the first groove and the neck is received in the second groove and the first engaging portion of the controller protrudes on the first end of the connecting body for allowing a secure and stable engagement therebetween. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a connecting device in accordance with the present invention, with the connecting device being mounted on a head tube of a bicycle and being utilized to equip a container to the bicycle, and with the head tube shown in portion. 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view of  FIG. 1 , showing the container is detached from the bicycle. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a fixture of the connecting device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is another exploded perspective view of a fixture of the connecting device shown in  FIG. 1 , but in a different view angle. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 2   
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 7  and illustrates operation of the connecting device shown in  FIG. 1  and removal of the container from the bicycle. 
         FIG. 9  is a partial, enlarged view of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     Referring to the drawings, a connecting device includes a fixture  10  having two arms  102  and each of the arms  102  has a cavity  1021  for receiving a head tube  60  of a bicycle. The fixture  10  further includes a first side  101  in which the two arms  102  is extended from a proximal end and a distal end thereof respectively, with the first side  101  and two arms  102  connected contiguously and forming a substantially U-shaped space  103 . 
     The first side  101  includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. Further, the first side  101  includes a through slot  1011  extending through first and second surfaces thereof, a neck  11  and a hooking base  12  extending from the first face thereof, with the hooking base  12  extending from and connected contiguously to the neck  11 , and two protrusions  1012  extending from the second face thereof. 
     The fixture  10  also includes a block  13  which is connected to the second surface of the first side  101  thereof. The block  13  includes two through holes  131  in which the two protrusions  1012  are received and is prevented from disengagement by means of two fasteners  132  engaging the two protrusions  1012 , respectively, and yet, in order that the block  13  is firmly and stably engaged with the fixture  10  as the two arms  102  includes two rails  1027  and the block  13  includes two second channels  138 , with the two rails  1027  being received in the two channels  138  respectively. 
     The block  13  also includes a compartment  135  which is connected to and in communication with the through slot  1011  and in which a controller  14  is moveably mounted. The controller  14  includes a first engaging portion  141  which is substantially tapered and has a proximal end connected to the controller  14  and a distal end and a substantially arcuate guiding plane  1411  extending from the proximal end to the distal end, and which extends out of the through slot  1011  and is operable to move into the through slot  1011 . Further, a second engaging portion  142  extends opposite to the first engaging portion  141  and moveably engages with the block  13  so as to enable the controller  14  move stably in the compartment  135 . Specifically, the block  13  includes two first channels  137  and the second engaging portion  142  has a proximal end received in one of the two channels  137  and a distal end received in another of the two channels  137 , respectively. Further, a handle  143  extends transverse to the first and second engaging portions  141 ,  142  is utilized for user to operate the controller  14 . Preferably, the compartment  135  includes an opening and the handle  143  extends out of the opening so as to allow the handle  143  to be gripped readily by the user. Moreover, two resilient members  136  are installed between the block  13  and the controller  14  so that a return movement of the controller  14  is adapted to be facilitated. 
     A connecting body  20  is releasably mounted to the fixture  10  and can be utilized to equip a container  40  to the bicycle. The connecting body  20  includes a first side  201  attached to the container  40  and a second side  202 . Moreover, the connecting body  20  includes a first end  203  and a second end  204  opposite to the first end  203 , a first groove  21  for receiving the hooking base  12  and a second groove  22  for receiving the neck  11 . Preferably, the first groove  21  extends from the first end  203  to the second end  204  of the connecting body  20 . Preferably, the second groove  22  extends from a stopping edge  23  defined by the connecting body  20  to the second end  204  of the connecting body  20  and therefore has a first end delimited by the stopping edge  23  and an open second end. Preferably, the stopping edge  23  has a first side coinciding with the first end  203  of the connecting body  20  and a second side opposite to the first side and coinciding with the first end of the second groove  22 . 
     The connecting device further includes a first clutching member  15  having a first end connected to one of the two arms  102  and a second end pivotal in relation to the first end and a second clutching member  16  having a first end connected to another of the two arms  102  and a second end pivotal in relation to the first end. In this embodiment, the first and second clutching members  15  and  16  have their second ends which can pivot with respect to the their first ends in that each of the two arms  102  includes a pivot hole  1022  formed thereon and a pin  1028  is utilized to insert through the first clutching member  15  and the pivot hole  1022 . 
     Additionally, each of the two arms  102  includes a through hole  1023 , and the first clutching member  15  includes a first hole  151  at the second end thereof as well as the second clutching member  16  includes a first hole  161  at the second end thereof respectively. Then, a first fastening member  153  which is insertable in the through hole  1023  in one of the two arms  102  and the first hole  151  in the first clutching member  15  and a second fastening member  163  which is insertable in the through hole  1023  in another of the two arms  102  and the first hole  161  in the second clutching member  16 . Therefore, the head tube  60  is securely held within the two cavities  1028  of the two arms  102 . 
     Further, the first clutching member  15  includes a second hole  152  connected to and in communication with the first hole  151 , and the second clutching member  16  includes a second hole  162  connected to and in communication with the first hole  161 . A tightening string  154 , preferably made of steel, is inserted through a through hole  1531  defined in the first fastening member  153  and the first and second holes  151  and  152  in the first clutching member  15 , is passed under the head tube  60 , and is inserted through the first and second holes  161  and  162  in the second clutching member  16  for allowing a secure and stable engagement between the fixture  10  and the head tube  60 . Moreover, the tightening string  154  may be tightened under tension and prevented from slacking by a third fastening member  164 . 
     Based on the forgoing, it is therefore appreciated that when the connecting body  20  is joined with the fixture  10  the hooking base  12  is received in the first groove  21  and the neck  11  is received in the second groove  22  and the first engaging portion  141  of the controller  14  protrudes on the first end  203  of the connecting body  20  for secure and stable engagement therebetween. Moreover, it is appreciated that the connecting body  20  can be engaged and with the fixture  10  easily and with one hand, as the first engaging portion  141  of the controller  14  and the stopping edge  23  have their coacting surfaces being substantially arcuate or tapered. Moreover, it is required two hands of a user to disengage the connecting body  20  from the fixture  10 , as the connecting body  20  and the fixture  10  are securely engaged in a reliable manner. 
     It is yet another aspect of the present invention that each of the two arms  102  includes a joint  1024  for receiving an adaptor  30  that is adapted for receiving a bicycle accessory  50 , such as a stop watch, a torch and so on. Each joint  1024  includes a hook  1025  for secure holding the adaptor  30 . In this embodiment, the adaptor  30  has two legs  301  which releasably connectable to the two joints  1024  respectively and a quick-releasable connector  31 . Since the quick-releasable connector  31  has a known mechanism, the quick-releasable connector  31  is thus not further described. 
     While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of invention and the scope of invention is only limited by the scope of accompanying claims.