Abstract:
A carrying device for mounting on a bicycle. The bicycle has a frame constructed of a plurality of frame members that define an open area. The device is comprised of a bag having opposing side walls and having a shape that permits the bag to be positioned within the open area. The device also comprises an elastic connector for connecting the bag to the frame members whereby the bag is suspendable in the open area.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Recreational and sport bicycling has become a very popular pastime for all ages. Bicycling is a healthy, environmentally friendly and less costly alternative to driving a vehicle. A significant issue challenging bicycle use, however, is the bicycle&#39;s limited capability to carry anything beyond the rider. To address this issue, a number of under seat bags, handle bar bags, panniers (saddle bags), baskets, and small bags have been developed which mount to the bicycle. These items may be available either as part of the bicycle purchase or instead they may be purchased after market. This array of available bags is limited in carrying capacity, and often requires the use of tools and additional hardware to use. Also, after mounting, many of these bags cannot be easily removed from the bicycle. 
     One area of the bicycle which has not been adequately used for its storage capabilities is the available space between the top tube, the seat tube and the down tube of the bicycle frame. This area is at a low center of gravity on the bicycle, and items mounted here cause less problems with balancing and steering the bicycle. Although devices have been proposed to fill this area, the devices have not provided the flexibility to fit many sizes and styles of bicycles in combination with large storage capacity. The devices which fit many styles of bicycle frames have not efficiently used the total area provided. On the other hand, devices which provide a large amount of storage space have not been flexible enough in their design to fit different bicycle frame sizes. 
     Hard cases have been proposed which have a large amount of storage area, however, they cannot be easily adjusted to fit in different bicycle frame sizes. The use of hard cases also increases the chance that items inside the case may be damaged, since the items are loose and can slide around inside the case. These types of containers are usually expensive to fabricate because they require forming, welding or other expensive manufacturing operations. Additionally, a hard case design does not allow for changes in the shape of the device under the top tube. The inflexible design meant that the hard cases were more likely to interfere with the rider, even when the device was not being used. 
     Soft bags have also been proposed, however none has possessed a workable mounting system. Thus, the bags are limited in the sizes and types of frames into which they could fit. The bags are usually folded over the top tube and clipped, tied or fastened with hook and loop-type fasteners to the frame. Due to this mounting style, the bags have not maximized the use of the area under the top tube. Instead, large bags have been designed to fit a specific style of bike, filling a large amount of the space provided. Alternatively, bags have been made small to fit a large variety of bike styles. The use of prior carrying bags (as well as cases) has also limited the ability of the rider to use water bottles and air pumps mounted to the frame because of interference from the bag (or case). 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an alternative means for storing a variety of items while bicycling. A bag is suspended from the bicycle frame under the top tube of the bicycle. The use of a flexible suspension system provides the bag with the flexibility to carry a wide range of goods and equipment. The bag may be able to carry items as diverse in size as a wallet to a football with no hindrance to the rider. Additionally, the suspension system easily adjusts to a variety of frame sizes, and does not prevent the use of other frame mounted attachments. The present invention is easily attached and removed from the bicycle. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a side view of a bicycle frame with an embodiment of the invention attached. 
     FIG. 1A shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the invention taken along line  1 A in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 2 shows a side view of a bicycle frame with an embodiment of the invention attached 
     FIG. 3 shows an elevational view of the attachment straps as part of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 4A shows an alternate embodiment of the mounting system. 
     FIG. 4B shows a side view of the mounting system shown in FIG.  4 A. 
     FIG. 5 shows a side view of a bicycle frame in an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention includes a bicycle bag generally indicated at  10  in FIG.  1 . The bicycle bag  10  is removably attachable to a bicycle  12  or any other like object. The bicycle  12  includes a frame  14 , wheels  16 , a drive system  18 , handlebars  20 , a seat  22  and peddles  24 . The bag  10  is attached to the frame  14  of the bicycle  12 . The configuration of the bicycle  12  in this embodiment is of a road bike design, however, the invention can be used on any number of bicycle frame types, including a mountain bike. 
     The frame  14  of the bicycle  12  includes a top tube  26 , a head tube  28 , a down tube  30 , a seat tube  32 , a chain stay  34  and a seat stay  36 . The top tube  26  is disposed in a generally horizontal manner, and includes a rearward seat end  38  and a forward head end  40 . The seat end  38  is joined to the seat tube  32  proximate to a top end  42  of the seat tube  32 . The seat tube  32  is disposed in a substantially vertical manner, with the top end  42  of the seat tube  32  disposed above a bottom end  44  of the seat tube  32 . The bottom end  44  of the seat tube  32  is joined with a lower end  46  of the down tube  30 . An upper end  48  of the down tube  30  is joined to the head tube  28 . The down tube  30  is disposed diagonally, running upwardly and forwardly from the seat tube  32  to the head tube  28 . The head tube  28  runs in a substantially vertical fashion. The head end  40  of the top tube  26  is joined to the head tube  28  proximate to where the down tube  30  is joined to the head tube  28 . The point where the top tube  26  and the down tube  30  join the head tube  28  is proximate to the upward end of the head tube  28 . A middle area  50  is framed by the top tube  26 , the head tube  28 , the down tube  30 , and the seat tube  32  substantially forming the shape of a triangle. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the actual shape of the bicycle frame and the shape of the middle area  50  will depend upon the manufacturer of the frame. Also, the seat stay  36  and the chain stay  34  may or may not be included on the bicycle  12 . Additional tubes may be included as part of the frame. Thus, it is to be noted that the frame  14  in FIG. 1 is merely for illustration purposes. 
     The bicycle bag  10  is mounted on the bicycle frame  14  so as to be disposed in the middle area  50 . The bag  10  includes a top edge  52 , a rear edge  54 , a bottom edge  56 , a lower edge  58  and a front edge  60 . When the bag  10  is mounted, the top edge  52  extends in a substantially horizontal manner parallel to the top tube  26 . The rear edge  54  extends substantially downwardly, parallel to the seat tube  32 . The rear edge  54  extends from the top edge  52  to the bottom edge  56 . The bottom edge  56  extends preferably parallel to the top edge  52  and is disposed proximate to the juncture of the seat tube  32  and the down tube  30 . The bottom edge  56  extends from the rear edge  54  to the lower edge  58 . The lower edge  58  extends upwardly and forwardly parallel to the down tube  30 . The lower edge  58  runs from the bottom edge  56  to the front edge  60 . The front edge  60  extends upwardly, parallel to the substantially vertical head tube  28 . Thus, this configuration of the bag  10  substantially conforms with the middle area  50  dictated by the tubes of the bike frame  14 . 
     The bicycle bag  10  is constructed from a flexible material such as canvas, denim, nylon or polyester that is able to withstand the outside environment. Any flexible and durable material may be used and the bag  10  may additionally be constructed of webbing or netting. Since the bag  10  uses flexible light-weight materials, the weight of the bag  10  is minimized. This can be very important to a bicyclist, since more weight requires more effort by the rider to pedal the bicycle. Additionally, weight can affect the balance and steerability of the bicycle. The bag material can be made of any color and also may include safety devices, for example reflective strips, active lighting methods, whistles, and the like. 
     The bag  10  includes a first sidewall  62  and a second sidewall  64  as illustrated in FIG. IA. Each sidewall  62  and  64  is defined by the top edge  52 , rear edge  54 , bottom edge  56 , lower edge  58  and front edge  60  of the bag  10  as illustrated in FIG.  1 . The sidewalls  62  and  64  are stitched together at the rear edge  54 , bottom edge  56 , lower edge  58  and front edge  60  of the bag  10 . The sidewalls  62  and  64  define an interior chamber  66  of the bag  10 . At the top edge  52  of the bag  10 , the two sidewalls  62  and  64  are left at least partially unattached to each other to create an opening  68  to the interior chamber  66 . The top edge  52  of the bag  10 , may be stitched partially closed, as long as the opening  68  is large enough to allow the rider access to the interior chamber  66  of the bag  10 . Although stitching is described to construct the bag  10 , any method which sealably engages the first sidewall  62  to the second sidewall  64  may be utilized. This may include such methods as heat sealing, stapling, gluing, and ultrasonic welding. 
     A closing flap  70  is preferably included as part of the bag  10 . The flap  70  is attached to the second sidewall  64  (although those skilled in the art will recognize that it may be attached to either of the sidewalls  62  and  64 ). The flap  70  is a piece of bag material which folds over the top edge  52  of the bag  10 , covering the opening  68  of the bag  10 . The closing flap  70  prevents unwanted debris and water from entering the bag  10 , as well as securing the bag  10  contents. The flap  70  may be a separate piece of material stitched to the second sidewall  64  or alternatively may be part of the second sidewall  64  itself, made to extend above and fold over the first sidewall  62 . The flap can have a securing mechanism  72  which allows the rider to removably fasten the closing flap  70  to the first sidewall  62 . Examples of fastening methods include hook and loop-type fasteners, magnets, and snaps, although any type of fastener can be used. 
     The bag  10  is preferably mounted to the frame  14  using eight elastic connectors  74 A- 74 H as illustrated in FIG. 2 although it is understood that more or less connectors may be used. In this embodiment, the connectors  74 A- 74 H are elastomer straps, however, any type of elastic connector, including shock cords, may be used. The connectors  74 A- 74 H are attached to the first sidewall  62  of the bag  10 , extend around the tubes of the frame  14  and are attached to the second sidewall  64  of the bag  10 . 
     Two elastic connectors  74 A and  74 B are attached to the rear upper corner of the bag  10  where the top edge  52  meets the rear edge  54 . The elastic connector  74 A extends perpendicularly around the top tube  26 . The other elastic connector  74 B extends laterally around the seat tube  32 . Another elastic connector  74 C is attached in the lower rear corner of the bag  10 , where the rear edge  54  meets the bottom edge  56 . The elastic connector  74 C extends laterally around the seat tube  32 . Three elastic connectors  74 D,  74 E and  74 F are attached to the bag  10  along the lower edge  58 . Elastic connector  74 D is attached to the lower forward corner of the bag  10  where the bottom edge  56  meets the lower edge  58 , and extends diagonally around the down tube  30 . Elastic connector  74 F is attached to the corner of the bag  10  where the lower edge  58  meets the front edge  60 , and extends diagonally around the down tube  30 . Elastic connector  74 E is attached midway along the lower edge  58  of the bag  10  and extends diagonally around the down tube  30 . Similar to the rear upper corner, the forward upper corner, located where the top edge  52  meets the front edge  60 , has two elastic connectors  74 G and  74 H attached. One elastic connector  74 H extends perpendicularly around the top tube  26 . The other elastic connector  74 G extends laterally around the head tube  28 . Attaching the elastic connectors  74 A- 74 H in this fashion creates a suspension system, comprised of all the elastic connectors  74 A- 74 H. 
     The suspension system not only maintains support between the frame  14  and the carrier bag  10  but also maintains elasticity in the support. One result of using the mounting method of this invention is that variations in frame size do not affect the ability of the user to mount the carrier bag  10 . To mount the bag  10  on a large frame, the user stretches the elastic connectors  74 A- 74 H more than he or she would be required to do with a smaller frame. Additionally, manufacturing the frame using a variety of tube angles does not affect the ability of the bag  10  to be mounted in the middle area  50 . For example, if the seat tube  32  of a bicycle made by a first manufacturer is at an angle which causes the seat tube  32  to have a larger horizontal run than the seat tube  32  made by a second manufacturer, the suspension system is able to stretch to accommodate. The elastic connecter  74 B which attaches the bicycle bag  10  proximate to the top end  42  of the seat tube  32  will be stretched more for the first manufacturer&#39;s frame than it will for the second manufacturer&#39;s frame. Conversely, the elastic connector  74 C which attaches the bag  10  proximate to the bottom end  44  of the seat tube  32  will be stretched more for the second manufacturer&#39;s frame than for the first manufacturer&#39;s frame. The same is true for frame tube diameter variations. 
     The suspension system also allows the carrier bag  10  to be mounted to the frame  14  so as not to affect the functionality of other biking apparatus mounted to the frame  14 . For example, a pump and/or a water bottle (not shown) is often mounted inside the middle area  50 . These apparatus can be mounted to the top tube  26 , the down tube  30  or the seat tube  32 . By mounting the carrier bag  10  using elastic connectors  74 A- 74 H, the bag  10  can be suspended farther away from the frame  14  to allow room for the pump and water bottle (not shown). Additionally, the rider may pull the bag out of the way to allow better access to the pump or water bottle (not shown). The elastic connectors  74 A- 74 H stretch to allow the bag  10  to be moved away from one part of the frame  14 . The rider then accesses the pump or water bottle (not shown), and the elastic connector  74 A- 74 H will return the bag  10  to its original position. 
     The utilizing of the flexible material in combination with the suspension system gives the bag  10  the additional advantage of accommodating different sizes and shapes of objects placed into the interior chamber  66  and securing those items in place. Items are placed inside the bag  10 , which stretches the sides of the bag  10  perpendicular to the spatial plane defined by the frame  14 . Stretching or “bowing” the sides of the bag  10  in this fashion results in the bag  10  pulling away from the frame  14 . This “bowing” requires elasticity in the connections from the frame  14  to the bag  10 . For example, if an item the size of a football is placed in the frame  14 , the sides of the bag  10  will bow out, pulling the bag  10  away from the seat tube  32 , the down tube  30  and the head tube  28 . The suspension system allows the bag  10  to pull away from the frame  14 , by stretching the elastic connectors  74 A- 74 H. If the suspension system were not present, the bag  10  would not be able to change its shape, and less items could be accommodated. Once the item is removed, the elastic connectors  74 A- 74 H return the bag to its original shape. Additionally, if a smaller item, the size of a wallet is placed in the bag  10 , the suspension system continues to pull the edges of the bag  10  towards the frame  14 , which tightens the sides of the bag  10  around the wallet. The elasticity of the system thereby prevents items from sliding around inside the bag  10 , reducing the likelihood that spills or breakage will occur. The suspension system also performs a shock absorbing function. If any fragile items are placed in the bag  10 , the elastic connectors  74 A- 74 H provide a cushion to the jarring motion that is generated by the bike as it is ridden over rough terrain. 
     The elastic connectors  74 A- 74 H are mounted to the bag  10  through the use of a mounting system which includes apertures  76 , barbed rivets  78  and precision washers  79 A and  79 B illustrated in FIG.  3 . The barbed rivets  78  include two main pieces, and are commonly known to those skilled in the art. The barbed rivets  78  include a first section  80  and a second section  82 . Both the first section  80  and the second section  82  include a shaft and a head. In the current embodiment, the bag  10  includes six apertures  76 . The apertures  76  extend directly through the first and second sidewalls  62  and  64  and are large enough to accommodate the passage of the shaft of the barbed rivet  78  but not the heads of the barbed rivet  78 . Although any barbed rivet  78  size may be used, the current embodiment uses barbed rivets  78  that have a head size of approximately 0.750 inches and a shaft length of approximately 0.488 inches. The shafts for both the first and second sections  80  and  82  are serrated and the head is on one end of each shaft. Each shaft is formed so as to resemble two opposing quartiles of a circular shaft. The inside of the quartiles are serrated. When the shafts for the first and second sections  80  and  82  are mated, the serrations on the shaft of the first section  80  interlock with the shaft of the second section  82 . The result is the two quartiles of the first section  80  and the two quartiles from the second section  82  mate to form a substantially circular single shaft. Note that although barbed rivets  78  are shown in the preferred embodiment a person skilled in the art will recognize that fasteners may be used, including buttons and threaded links. 
     Each elastic connector  74 A and  74 B includes two annuluses  84 A and  84 B and a stem  86 . The first annulus  84 A is linked with the second annulus  84 B by the stem  86 . The connectors  74  in this embodiment are manufactured using a unitary piece of elastic material. Here, an elastomeric terpolymer of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomers (EPDM) is used, although any weather resistant elastic material is acceptable. Openings  88 A and  88 B extend through the center of each annulus  84 A and  84 B. The openings  88 A and  88 B have diameters large enough to receive the shaft of the barbed rivet  78 , while preventing the passage of the head of the barbed rivet  78 . The openings  88 A and  88 B are in communication with an adjacent notch  90  located proximate to where the annulus  84  meets the stem  86 . Each annulus  84 A and  84 B also includes a pull tab  92 . The pull tab  92  extends from each annulus  84 A- 84 B of the elastic connectors  74 A- 74 H. The connectors  74 A- 74 H extend approximately 5.25 inches between the centerpoints of the openings  88 A and  88 B. Each of the openings  88 A and  88 B has a radius of approximately 0.375 inches and each notch  90 A and  90 B has a radius of approximately 0.125 inches. Each opening  88 A and  88 B is approximately 0.875 inches long including the notch  90 . Each connector  74 A- 74 H is approximately 0.125 inches thick and the width of the stem  86  is approximately 0.225 inches. The radius of each annulus  84  is approximately 0.6 inches. Although dimensions for the preferred embodiment have been indicated, these measurements may vary according to various embodiments of the elastic connector  74 . 
     The precision washers  79 A and  79 B are used to provide a tight fit for the mounting system, and to prevent the barbed rivets  78  from sliding in the aperture  76 . Preventing sliding is accomplished by making the outside diameter of the washers  79 A and  79 B larger than the diameter of the aperture  76 . The inside diameter of the washers  79 A and  79 B is large enough to allow the shaft of the barbed rivet  78  to pass through, while small enough to prevent the passage of the head of the barbed rivet  78 . Using the precision washers  79 A and  79 B in this manner effectively “locks” the barbed rivet  78  in place with respect to the bag  10 . The preferred embodiment of the invention uses precision washers  79 A and  79 B with an outside diameter of approximately . 335  inches and an inside diameter of approximately 0.280 inches. The thickness of the washer is approximately 0.195 inches. Although two precision washers  79 A and  79 B are illustrated in FIG. 3, this is by no means necessary. A person skilled in the art would realize one washer or no washer at all need be used as part of the mounting system. Using washers  79 A and  79 B has the effect of stabilizing the barbed rivet  78  so the elastic connectors  74  can be easily connected and disconnected from the bag  10 . The washers  79 A and  79 B maintain the head of the barbed rivet  78  a selected distance from the bag  10 . 
     To assemble the present invention the shaft of the first section  80  is extended shaft first through the precision washer  79 A and next through the opening  88 A in the annulus  84 A of the elastic connectors  74 A and  74 B. (Note that not all mounting points on the bag  10  have multiple connectors  74 A- 74 H, as illustrated in FIG.  2 ). The shaft of the first section  80  is then extended through the aperture  76  in the bag  10 . Both the outside diameter of the shaft of the barbed rivet  78  and the outside diameter of the precision washers  79 A and  79 B are smaller than the diameter of the openings  88 A and  88 B. The head of the first section  80  is larger than the diameter of both the aperture  76  in the bag  10 , and the opening  88 A in the first annulus  84 A of elastic connector  74 A- 74 H. Thus, the barbed rivet  78  cannot be pushed completely through the aperture  76  and each elastic connector  74 A- 74 H is effectively held between the side of the bag  10  and the head of the barbed rivet  78 . The elastic connectors  74 A and  74 B are extended perpendicularly around the top tube  26  and horizontally around the seat tube  32 , respectively. Finally, the shaft of the second section  82  extends through the precision washer  79 B and then through the opening  88 B in the second annulus  84 B of the elastic connectors  74 A- 74 H. The second section  82  is then mated with the first section  80 . When mated, the serrations on the first section  80  interlock with the serrations on the second section  82 , securing the two halves of the barbed rivet  78  together. Each barbed rivet  78  is able to accommodate the connection of at least one elastic connector  74 A- 74 H. In the preferred embodiment, multiple elastic connectors  74 A,  74 B, are used for the mounting point located in the upper front corner of the bag  10  and multiple elastic connectors  74 G and  74 H are used for the mounting point in the rear corner of the bag  10 . However, a person skilled in the art will realize that multiple connectors may be used at other mounting points on the bag  10 . 
     The mounting system allows the bag  10  to be attached and unattached from the bike  12  without removing the barbed rivets  78  from the apertures  76 . Each elastic connector  74 A- 74 H is simply stretched so that the opening  88 A or  88 B is elongated. The rider can then slide the head of the barbed rivet  78  through the opening  88 A or  88 B in the same manner that a button on a shirt is undone. The pull tab  92 , is provided to give the rider a better grip on the elastic connectors  74 A- 74 H, facilitating the attachment or unattachment of the connector  74 A- 74 H to the barbed rivet  78 . The bag  10  is installed by extending all of the elastic connectors  74 A- 74 H around the frame  14  and attaching them to the barbed rivets  78 . Removing one end of all of the elastic connectors  74 A- 74 H from the barbed rivet  78  unattaches the bag  10  from the frame  14  of the bike  12 . 
     Shock cords are an example of one alternative which may be used in place of the EPDM straps described with respect to FIG.  3 . The use of shock cords as the elastic connectors  74 A- 74 H in the mounting system is illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B. A first end  96  of a shock cord connector  104  is formed into a loop and the loop is secured using clip  98 A. A second end  100  of the shock cord connector  104  is formed into a loop and the loop is secured using clip  98 B. The shock cord connector  104  is then fastened to the bag  10  using barbed rivet  78  in the manner described with respect to FIG.  3 . The shock cord connector  104  can be removed from the barbed rivet  78  in the same fashion as the elastomeric (EPDM) straps. The shock cord connector  104  is stretched so as to elongate the loop end  96  and  100  of the shock cord connector  104 . The rider can slide the loop of shock cord over the head of the barbed rivet  78  for installation. Unattaching one end of the shock cord connectors  104  in this same manner, allows the bag  10  to be removed from the frame  14  of the bicycle  12 . 
     An alternate embodiment of the inventive bicycle bag  110  is shown in FIG.  5 . In this embodiment, the bag  110  is mounted on a mountain bike. The bag  110  is mounted using elastic connectors  174 A through  174 G to create the suspension system. In this embodiment, five barbed rivets  178  are used in the mounting system for the bike bag  110 . The frame  114  of the mountain bike is constructed such that the top tube  126  is disposed more on an incline than the tube on the road bike frame  14  (illustrated in FIG.  2 ). Additionally, the top tube  126  joins the head tube  128  more proximate to where the down tube  130  joins the head tube  128 . Consequently, the front edge  160  of the bag  110  must be shorter than the embodiment described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. The shorter front edge  160  fits the middle area  150  defined by the tubes of the frame  114  in a more efficient manner, maximizing the space available. Since the front edge  160  is shortened, only one mounting point is required to hold the bag  110  to the frame  114  at the upper forward corner of the bag  110 . 
     The embodiment in FIG. 5 also illustrates an optional feature which may be used on any version of the invention. One or more pockets  102  may be attached to the bag  110 , allowing the rider to maximize the area used in the middle area  150 . The pocket  102  increases the carrying capacity of the bag  110  and allows the rider to keep items separate. For example, the side pocket  102  can be used to transport keys, money, or other items which the rider may need access to on a frequent basis. This allows the rider to use the interior chamber of the bag  110  for larger items such as books or sporting equipment that he or she does not need as often. 
     Utilizing a flexible bag combined with an elastic suspension system provides the most efficient way to carry items on a bicycle in the space below the top tube. The combination allows the bag to be mounted on multiple styles and sizes of frames while maximizing the space afforded under the top tube of the bicycle. 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.