Abstract:
In one aspect the present invention is directed to a device for parking a first two-wheeled vehicle ( 10 ) upright, the device comprising: a connector ( 2 ), for connecting, during the parking, the first two-wheeled vehicle ( 10 ) to a side member selected from a group including: a second two-wheeled vehicle ( 32 ), another object ( 32   a ); wherein the supporting point ( 4 ) of the side member being disposed above the ground level.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of bicycles. More particularly, the invention relates to a device and method and apparatus for parking a two-wheel vehicle upright. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The term “two-wheeled vehicle” refers to a bicycle or to a motorcycle or other vehicles having two wheels only, thus which need additional support for making them stand. 
         [0003]    A kickstand is a device that allows a two-wheeled vehicle to be kept upright without leaning against another object or the aid of a person. It includes a piece of metal that flips down from one side of the frame of the two-wheeled vehicle and makes contact with the ground. 
         [0004]    As such, kickstands have not provided satisfactory solution to the problem of reliable keeping of bicycles upright when parking. 
         [0005]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution to the above-mentioned and other problems of the prior art. 
         [0006]    Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In one aspect the present invention is directed to a device for parking a first two-wheeled vehicle ( 10 ) upright, the device comprising:
       a connector ( 2 ), for connecting, during the parking, the first two-wheeled vehicle ( 10 ) to a side member selected from a group including: a second two-wheeled vehicle ( 32 ), another object ( 32   a );   wherein the supporting point ( 4 ) of the side member being disposed above the ground level.       
 
         [0010]    The connecting of the first two-wheeled vehicle ( 10 ) to the side member ( 32 ,  32   a ) may comprise connecting ( FIG. 2 ) the first two-wheeled vehicle ( 4  of  10 ) to the connector ( 2 ). 
         [0011]    The connector ( 2 ) may comprise a first ( 34 ) and a second ( 34 ) grasp mounted together, the first grasp for grasping the first two-wheeled vehicle ( 10 ), and the second grasp for grasping the side member ( 32 ,  32   a ). 
         [0012]    The mounting together of the first ( 34 ) and second ( 34 ) grasps may comprise at least one hinge ( 36 ), for adjusting therebetween. 
         [0013]    The connecting of the first two-wheeled vehicle ( 10 ) to the side member ( 32 ,  32   a ) may comprise connecting a first connecting member ( 8  in  FIG. 10 ) of the connector ( 6  &amp;  8 ) to a second connecting member ( 6  in  FIG. 9 ) of the connector ( 6  &amp;  8 ), 
         [0000]    wherein the first connecting member ( 8 ) is mounted to the first two-wheeled vehicle ( 4  of  10 ). 
         [0014]    The connector may comprise:
       the first connecting member ( 8 ) mounted to a handle ( 4 ) of the first two-wheeled vehicle, the first connecting member comprising a first half ( 14  in  FIG. 10 ) of connecting means; and   a second connecting member ( 6 ) mounted to the side member ( 32 ,  32   a ) substantially at the height of the handle ( 4 ) of the first two-wheeled vehicle, the second connecting member ( 6 ) comprising a second half ( 12  in  FIG. 10 ) of the connecting means.       
 
         [0017]    The connecting means between the two halves ( 12 ,  14 ) may comprise elastic means. 
         [0018]    The connecting means between the two halves ( 12 ,  14 ) may comprise magnetic means. 
         [0019]    The first half of the connecting means may comprise a male edge ( 14 ) and the second half of the connecting means may comprise a corresponding female edge ( 12 ). 
         [0020]    The mounting of the first connecting member ( 8 ) to the handle ( 4 ) may comprise insertion of the handle into an elastic sleeve ( 22 ) of the first connecting member ( 8 ). 
         [0021]    The mounting of the first connecting member ( 8 ) to the handle ( 4 ) may comprise insertion of a wedge anchor ( 18 ,  20 ) of the first connecting member ( 8 ) into the inner space of the handle ( 4 ), expanding a clip ( 20 ) of the wedge anchor against the sidewalls of the inner space. 
         [0022]    The first connecting member ( 8 ) and the second connecting member ( 6 ) may comprise a combination selected from the following:
       first connecting member is straight and second connecting member is bent,   the first connecting member is straight and the second connecting member is straight,   the first connecting member is bent and the second connecting member is bent,   the first connecting member is bent and the second connecting member is straight.       
 
         [0027]    The second connecting member ( 6 ) may comprise:
       a third connecting member ( 22  in  FIG. 5 ) identical to the first connecting member ( 22 ); and   a linker ( 24 ), for linking the first connecting member ( 22 ) to the third connecting member ( 22 ), the linker comprising connecting means ( 12 ) corresponding to the connecting means ( 14 ) of the first ( 22 ) and third ( 22 ) connecting members, for connecting between the first connecting member ( 22 ) and the linker ( 24 ), and for connecting between the third connecting member ( 22 ) and the linker ( 24 ).       
 
         [0030]    The device may further comprise:
       a brake limiter, for limiting the brake of said first two-wheeled vehicle during the parking,   thereby avoiding sliding of the first two-wheeled vehicle during said parking.       
 
         [0033]    The first and second grasps may comprise at least one torque quick coupling. 
         [0034]    The first and second grasps may be identical components. 
         [0035]    In another aspect the present invention is directed to a method for parking a first two-wheeled vehicle ( 10 ) upright, the method comprising the step of:
       connecting the first two-wheeled vehicle ( 10 ) to a side member selected from a group including: a second two-wheeled vehicle ( 32 ), another object ( 32   a );   wherein the supporting point ( 4 ) of the side member being disposed above the ground level.       
 
         [0038]    The method may further comprise the step of:
       disconnecting of the connecting of the first two-wheeled vehicle ( 10 ) to the side member ( 32 ,  32   a ).       
 
         [0040]    The step of connecting may comprise the steps of:
       connecting a linker ( 24 ) to the first two-wheeled vehicle ( 10 ); and   connecting the linker to the side member ( 32 ,  32   a ).       
 
         [0043]    The method may further comprise the step of:
       limiting the brake of said first two-wheeled vehicle to the braked state thereof,
 
thereby avoiding sliding of said first two-wheeled vehicle during said parking.
       
 
         [0045]    The forgoing embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated in conjunction with systems and methods thereof, which are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0046]    Embodiments and features of the present invention are described herein in conjunction with the following drawings: 
           [0047]      FIG. 1  shows a bicycle connector, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0048]      FIG. 2  shows the bicycle connector of  FIG. 1  grasping the two handles. 
           [0049]      FIG. 3  shows the connecting of the two handles of  FIG. 2 , for connecting two bicycles. 
           [0050]      FIG. 4  shows a sleeve of a bicycle connector, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0051]      FIG. 5  shows connection of the sleeves of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0052]      FIG. 6  shows the bicycle connector of  FIG. 4 , engaged and threaded on bicycle handles. 
           [0053]      FIG. 7  shows the connecting of the two handles of  FIG. 5 , for connecting two bicycles. 
           [0054]      FIG. 8  shows a bicycle connector, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0055]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show a bicycle connector, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0056]      FIGS. 11 and 12  show a bicycle connector, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0057]      FIG. 13  shows a bicycle connector, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0058]      FIG. 14  shows a wall mounted device for a bicycle, according to one embodiment of the present invention, which is based on one of the connectors, 
       
    
    
       [0059]    It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0060]    The present invention will be understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which are meant to be descriptive and not limiting. For the sake of brevity, some well-known methods, systems, procedures, components, circuits, and so on, have not been described in detail. 
         [0061]      FIG. 1  shows a bicycle connector, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0062]    A bicycle connector  2  includes two grasps  34 , one for grasping a handle or another rod of a first bicycle on the left, and the other for grasping a handle or another rod of a second bicycle on the right. 
         [0063]    Each of grasps  34  includes two elastic reeds  46  for grasping the handle of the bicycle. 
         [0064]      FIG. 2  shows the bicycle connector of  FIG. 1  grasping the two handles. 
         [0065]    Handle  4  of the bicycle is pressed between the two reeds  46  for insertion thereof. The distance between reeds  46 , since being elastic, is enlarged until insertion, and decreased back, grasping handle  4 . 
         [0066]    Elastic reeds  46  provide that the connection between bicycle  10  and bicycle  32  may be disconnected. 
         [0067]    Hinges  36  may allow adjustment of the angle, such as for matching height differences between the bicycles. 
         [0068]      FIG. 3  shows the connecting of the two handles of  FIG. 2 , for connecting two bicycles. 
         [0069]    Bicycle  32  is located at the side of bicycle  10  and holds bicycle  10  upright. Other objects at the side of bicycle  10 , rather than bicycle  32 , may also hold bicycle  10  upright. 
         [0070]    Bicycle connector  2  of  FIG. 1  or a bicycle connector  2  having another form is depicted connecting the right handle  4  of a left bicycle  32  to a left handle  4  of a right bicycle  10 , thus parking the two bicycles  10  and  32  upright. 
         [0071]    Bicycle  10 , bicycle  32  and connector  2  form together a four sided frame, which is steadier than bicycle  10  alone having a kickstand. Unlike a kickstand, the supporting point of bicycle  32 , which is handle  4 , is disposed above the ground level. 
         [0072]      FIGS. 1 to 3  depict connection of bent handles. 
         [0073]      FIG. 4  shows a sleeve of a bicycle connector, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0074]      FIG. 5  shows connection of the sleeves of  FIG. 4 . 
         [0075]    The bicycle connector of  FIG. 5  as depicted is suited for straight handles of bicycles. 
         [0076]    It includes two sleeves  22 , one for each handle of a bicycle, and a linker  24 , for linking the two sleeves  22 . 
         [0077]    Sleeves  22  replace the standard sleeves of the handles of the bicycle, and also they are attached by elastic and friction forces of the sleeve towards handle  4 . 
         [0078]    According to the depicted embodiment linker  24  is a male component from both sides thereof and each of sleeves  22  includes a female edge  14  at the connecting side. According to another embodiment linker  24  is a female component from both sides thereof and each of sleeves  22  includes a male edge  12  at the connecting side. 
         [0079]    The advantage of a bicycle connector having three parts is the standardization of all of sleeves  22  for all bicycles, such that all sleeves  22  will be have male edges  12 , or all sleeves  22  will have female edges  12 . 
         [0080]    According to another embodiment linker  24  is a male component from one side and female component from the other side, and each of sleeves  22  includes a corresponding male or female edge at the connecting side. 
         [0081]      FIG. 6  shows the bicycle connector of  FIG. 4 , engaged and threaded on bicycle handles. 
         [0082]    The right handle  4  of the right bicycle is inserted into the left sleeve  22 ; the left handle  4  of the left bicycle is inserted into the left sleeve  22 ; and linker  24  engages the two sleeves  22  by elastic reeds  48  grasping linker  24 . 
         [0083]    Linker  24  may engage sleeves  22  to female edge  14  of sleeves  22  by magnetic means or by elastic means of, or other means. 
         [0084]      FIG. 7  shows the connecting of the two handles of  FIG. 5 , for connecting two bicycles. 
         [0085]    The bicycle connector of  FIG. 5  or a bicycle connector having another form is depicted connecting the right handle  4  of a left bicycle  10  to a left handle  4  of a right bicycle  10 , thus parking the two bicycles  10  upright. 
         [0086]    Preparations for connecting handles  4  may be mounted. For example, the left handle of left bicycle may have a female edge preparation  14  to engage another bicycle from the left using the connector of  FIG. 4 , and the right handle of the right bicycle may have a male edge preparation  12  to engage another bicycle from the right, using another connector of  FIG. 4 . 
         [0087]      FIG. 8  shows a bicycle connector, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0088]    The connector of  FIG. 8  includes a male member  44  and a female member  42 , engaged by magnetic means or by elastic means of female member  42 , or other means. 
         [0089]    The connector depicted in  FIG. 8 , in which member  44  is bent and member  42  is straight is for connecting a bicycle having a bent handle to another bicycle having a straight handle. 
         [0090]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show a bicycle connector, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0091]    The connector of the present embodiment includes a male member  6  having a male edge  12 , and a female member  8  having a female edge  14 . 
         [0092]    Like male member  44  of  FIG. 8 , male member  6  also is bent for connecting a bicycle having a bent handle. Also the depicted female member  8  is bent for connecting a bicycle having a bent handle. 
         [0093]    Unlike  FIG. 6  in which handle  4  of the bicycle is inserted into sleeve  22  of the connector, each of members  6  and  8  of the present embodiment is inserted into the hollow cylinder of the handle  4  thereof. 
         [0094]    Each of members  6  and  8  includes the components of a wedge anchor, for attaching the member to handle  4  thereof. Namely they include a screwed conical anchor  18 , a nut  16  pulling anchor  18  through torque, and a clip  20  which expands against the side walls of the inner space of handle  4 , upon pulling anchor  18  towards clip  20 . 
         [0095]      FIGS. 11 and 12  show a bicycle connector, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0096]    The connector of the present embodiment includes a male member  54  and a female member  56 . Members  54  and  56  are straight as being suited to straight handles of bicycles. 
         [0097]    Upon the torque, nut  16  does not protrude, thus enabling male edge  12  of member  54  enter female edge  14  of member  56 . 
         [0098]    Members  6 ,  8 ,  54 , and  56  may be combined otherwise. For instance bent male member  6  may engage straight female member  56  for connecting a bent handle  4  with a straight handle  4 . 
         [0099]      FIG. 13  shows a bicycle connector, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0100]    The connector of  FIG. 13  includes a male member  58  having a male edge  26  at the right and a wedge anchor mechanism inserted into a handle  4  of a bicycle. Also the connector includes a female member  60  having a female edge  28  at the left thereof and a wedge anchor mechanism inserted into another handle  4  of a bicycle. Male edge  26  and female edge  28  may be engaged together for connecting the two bicycles, represented by handles  4 . 
         [0101]    Hinges  50  may allow adjustment of the angle, such as for matching height differences between the bicycles. 
         [0102]    According to this embodiment conical anchor  30  expands clip  20  upon torque of a nut, which is accessible by dismantling hinge  50 . 
         [0103]      FIG. 14  shows a wall mounted device for a bicycle, according to one embodiment of the present invention, which is based on one of the connectors, 
         [0104]    A wall mounted device  38  may be mounted to a wall, to a fence, or to another standing object  32   a  at the height of the handle  4  of the bicycle. 
         [0105]    Wall mounted device  38  may include female edge  14  for connecting a male edge  12 , which is mounted to handle  4  of the bicycle. According to another embodiment, device  38  may include male edge  12  for connecting a female edge  14 , which is mounted to handle  4  of the bicycle. 
         [0106]    Wall mounted device  38  allows parking the bicycle upright without another bicycle or a kickstand. 
         [0107]      FIG. 15  depicts a brake limiter for a bicycle, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0108]    In order to avoid sliding of the bicycles, each brake  64  may be limited to the braked position thereof. A ring  62  may limit brake  64 , being a brake limiter. 
         [0109]      FIG. 16  shows the brake limiter of  FIG. 15  for a straight handle, whereas  FIG. 15  depicts a bent handle  64 . 
         [0110]      FIG. 17  shows a connector according to another embodiment. 
         [0111]    Connector  2  between handles  4  of two bicycles may include a torque quick coupling  66 . The two members of torque coupling  66  may be connected or disconnected by torque movement of one of the members. Preferably the two members are identical, thus allowing providing a single component for connecting all bicycles. 
         [0112]    In the figures and/or description herein, the following reference numerals have been mentioned: 
         [0113]    numeral  2  denotes a bicycle connector according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         [0114]    numeral  4  denotes a handle of the bicycle; 
         [0115]    numeral  6  denotes a male member of a bicycle connector according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         [0116]    numeral  8  denotes a female member of the bicycle connector; 
         [0117]    numeral  10  denotes a bicycle; 
         [0118]    numeral  12  denotes a male edge of a male member of the connector; 
         [0119]    numeral  14  denotes a female edge of a female member of the connector; 
         [0120]    numeral  16  denotes a nut of a wedge anchor; 
         [0121]    numeral  18  denotes a conical anchor of a wedge anchor; 
         [0122]    numeral  20  denotes a clip of a wedge anchor; 
         [0123]    numeral  22  denotes a sleeve of the bicycle connector, for inserting the handle of the bicycle therein; 
         [0124]    numeral  24  denotes a linker for connecting two members, each mounted to a handle of a bicycle; 
         [0125]    numeral  26  denotes a male edge of another male member; 
         [0126]    numeral  28  denotes a female edge of another female member; 
         [0127]    numeral  30  denotes another conical anchor; 
         [0128]    numeral  32  denotes a second bicycle at the side of the first bicycle, for parking both bicycles; 
         [0129]    numeral  32   a  denotes a wall or another object at the side of the first bicycle, for parking the first bicycle upright;
       numeral  34  denotes a grasp of a bicycle connector;       
 
         [0131]    numeral  36  denotes a hinge; 
         [0132]    numeral  38  denotes a wall mounted device, for connecting a bicycle thereto; 
         [0133]    numeral  42  denotes a female member of a bicycle connector; 
         [0134]    numeral  44  denotes a male member of a bicycle connector; 
         [0135]    numeral  46  denotes elastic reeds for connecting a handle of a bicycle; 
         [0136]    numeral  48  denote elastic reeds of a female member for connecting a male member of the bicycle connector; 
         [0137]    numeral  50  denotes a hinge; 
         [0138]    numeral  54  denotes a male member of a bicycle connector; 
         [0139]    numeral  56  denotes a female member of a bicycle connector; 
         [0140]    numeral  58  denotes a male member of another bicycle connector; 
         [0141]    numeral  60  denotes a female member of that bicycle connector; 
         [0142]    numeral  62  denotes a brake limiter; 
         [0143]    numeral  64  denotes the handle of the brake of the bicycle; and 
         [0144]    numeral  66  denotes a torque quick coupling, being another embodiment of the connector. 
         [0145]    The foregoing description and illustrations of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the description above in any form.