Abstract:
A freestanding bicycle storage rack for use in garages and other areas, comprising a large freestanding “T”-shaped frame attachable to a base portion supported by a large weighted stand member, is similar in appearance and style to the base stands used on portable basketball hoops. An upper cross member of the frame is provided with a plurality of large hooks attached to the bottom of the upper cross member on each side. Bicycles are hoisted up and attached to the hanging hooks by their front or rear tires. Scooters and other similar devices may also be stored using the same hooks. These features provide the ability to store bicycles off of the floor without connections to a wall, ceiling, or other building structures.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Dec. 12, 2008, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to bicycles and similar vehicles, and in particular, to a portable storage rack particularly adapted for use with such vehicles. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Bicycles and similar non-motor vehicles such as scooters are a popular alternate form of transportation as well as a common choice for outdoor exercising. While these items offer many benefits, one (1) problem commonly associated with them is that of storage. Bicycles tend to take up a disproportionate amount of space due to their peculiar dimensions, need for ease of access, and the like. Such vehicles are often stored in a garage, where space is at a premium. Furthermore, bicycles and the like generally accommodate a single user, requiring families and the like to own and store a separate bicycle for each user. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide bicycle storage devices. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,581, issued in the name of Graefe, describes a portable bicycle repair rack which attaches to a conventional door to provide hanging support of the bicycle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,983,853, issued in the name of Fickett, describes a portable modular storage support device which engages a vertical wall in order to provide a means for suspending a desired item above a floor surface. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,783, issued in the name of Webb, describes a utility hook which provides a means for suspending bicycles or the like from a standard overhead garage door track. 
     Additionally, ornamental designs for a bicycle rack exist, particularly U.S. Pat. Nos. D 298,193 and D 437,164. However, none of these designs are similar to the present invention. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Many such devices are not easily portable. Also, many such devices are not adjustable. Furthermore, many such devices do not provide efficient special storage of a plurality of bicycles or the like. In addition, many such devices are not freestanding. Accordingly, there exists a need for a bicycle storage apparatus without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a means to store a plurality of bicycles in a manner which is space efficient while providing features of adjustability, portability, and a freestanding design which can be utilized in any location. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide a means for storing bicycles, scooters, or the like off a ground surface. The apparatus comprises a freestanding “T”-shape which further comprises a horizontal member, a plurality of hooks, an adjustable post, a fixed post, and a base. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide suspending support for bicycles or similar items via the plurality of hooks. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide secure freestanding support to a plurality of bicycles or the like via the base portion. The base comprises a hollow rectangular base which is filled with a heavy weighted material. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow for easy transport of the apparatus via a pair of wheels located on a bottom surface of the base. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow for vertical height adjustment of the apparatus via relative motion of the adjustable post inside the fixed post. The fixed post comprises a vertical post integrally molded into the base. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow a user to selectively securely lock the adjustable post in a desired vertical position via a pin which simultaneously engages corresponding apertures in the fixed post and adjustable post. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a means to support a plurality of bicycles or similar items on the horizontal member. The horizontal member comprises a rectangular member which is integrally attached to the adjustable post. The horizontal member further comprises a plurality of equally spaced hooks along a bottom surface for compact storage of a plurality of items. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the apparatus that provides a unique means of locating the apparatus in a desired location, providing a weighting material to the base, selectively adjusting the height of the adjustable post, locking the adjustable post in a desired position via the locking pin, storing a plurality of bicycles or similar items in a compact manner by suspension from the hooks, and easily transporting the apparatus via the wheels. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a bicycle storage tree  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the bicycle storage tree  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the bicycle storage tree  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 4  is a section view of the bicycle storage tree  10  taken along line A-A (see  FIG. 3 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  bicycle storage tree 
               15  bicycle 
               20  horizontal member 
               21  hook 
               25  adjustable post 
               26  fixed post 
               27  pin 
               28  aperture 
               30  first strut 
               31  second strut 
               32  fastener 
               35  base 
               36  cavity 
               37  weighted portion 
               38  weighted material 
               40  first wheel 
               41  second wheel 
               42  axle 
               43  axle mount 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a bicycle storage tree (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a means for storing bicycles  15 , scooters, or the like off a ground surface which comprises transportable and adjustable features. The apparatus  10  comprises a freestanding “T”-shape which further comprises a horizontal member  20 , a plurality of hooks  21 , an adjustable post  25 , a fixed post  26 , and a base  35 . Said apparatus  10  comprises a maximum height of approximately seven (7) feet and is fabricated from materials such as, but not limited to: plastic, metal, wood, or the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  is preferably positioned on a level surface in a desired storage area. Bicycles  15  or other similar devices are suspended from the apparatus  10 , thereby providing an additional or alternate means for suspending and storing bicycles  15  or similar devices. The apparatus  10  comprises a rectangular base  35  which is positioned superjacent to a desired level surface. Said base  35  provides an anchoring support means to the apparatus  10 . A bottom surface of the base  35  comprises a first wheel  40 , a second wheel  41 , and a weighted portion  37  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). A rear upper surface of the base  35  comprises a vertical fixed post  26 , a first strut  30 , and a second strut  31 . The fixed post  26  provides an attachment means to an adjustable post  25  (also see  FIG. 2 ). A bottom surface of the fixed post  26  is integrally molded to the base  35  via conventional plastic molding techniques, metal welding, or the like. An upper longitudinal front surface of the fixed post  26  comprises a plurality of apertures  28 , thereby providing an engaging means to a pin  27  located thereon the adjustable post  25  utilized for the height adjustment means of the apparatus  10  (also see  FIG. 2 ). The first strut  30  and second strut  31  reinforce the fixed post  26  to side surfaces of the base  35 , thereby supporting the apparatus  10  in a vertical manner. The struts  30 ,  31  are positioned on opposing side surfaces and are attached to a side surface of the base  35  and side surfaces of the fixed post  26 , respectively, via conventional fasteners  32  such as, but not limited to: screws, welding, or the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a side perspective view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises an adjustable post  25 , thereby providing the abovementioned height adjustment means and providing the suspending means to bicycles  15 . A lower longitudinal front surface of the adjustable post  25  comprises a pin  27  which engages a desired aperture  28  thereon the fixed post  26 , thereby adjusting the height of the apparatus  10 . The pin  27  is comprised of a conventional spring-loaded detent pin, yet other mechanical devices may be utilized without limiting the features of the apparatus  10 . In use, a user inserts the adjustable post  25  into the fixed post  26  downwardly sliding said adjustable post  25  to a desired height, thereby enabling the pin  27  to be positioned into a desired aperture  28  and locking the adjustable post  25  in position. 
     An upper distal surface of the adjustable post  25  is integrally molded to a horizontal member  20 , thereby providing a surface for placement of a plurality of hooks  21 . The rectangular horizontal member  20  is positioned perpendicular to the adjustable post  25  at an intermediate position. A bottom surface of the horizontal member  20  comprises the plurality of equally spaced hooks  21 , thereby providing a suspending means to up to eight (8) bicycles  15 , scooters, or the like. The hooks  21  are illustrated herein as being preferably positioned outwardly facing with respect to the adjustable post  25  and equally spaced linear fashion, yet it is known that other hook  21  arrangements may be provided without limiting the functions of the apparatus  10 . Said hooks  21  are conventional curved devices utilized for suspending objects. In use, preferably a tire portion of a bicycle  15  is positioned onto a desired hook  21 , thereby suspending said bicycle  15  from the apparatus  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a bottom perspective view of the apparatus  10  and  FIG. 4 , a section view of the apparatus  10  taken along line A-A (see  FIG. 3 ), according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. A bottom portion of the apparatus  10  comprises a weighted portion  37 , a first wheel  40 , and a second wheel  41 . The rectangular weighted portion  37  provides a ballast feature to the apparatus  10 , thereby stabilizing said apparatus  10  when in use. Said weighted portion  37  comprises a hollow internal portion which further filled with a heavy weighted material  38  which is preferably sand, yet other materials may be utilized such as, but not limited to: water, gravel, or the like. Said weighted portion  37  encompasses a rear to intermediate portion of the base  35 , directly aft of the cavity  36 . 
     The first wheel  40  and second wheel  41  provide a means to transport the apparatus  10  to a desired location. Said wheels  40 ,  41  are located at a front portion of a cavity  36  and are attached to via an axle  42  which is further attached to opposing side surfaces of the cavity  36  via axle mounts  43 . The axle mounts  43  are integrally molded to the side surfaces and secure the axle  42  thereto, thereby enabling the wheels  40   41  to rotate about respective axis in a conventional manner. The wheels  40 ,  41  are approximately sized with regards to clearance of the cavity  36  and are fabricated from materials such as, but not limited to: plastic, metal, or the like. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the apparatus  10 ; positioning the base  35  superjacent to a desired level surface; transporting said apparatus  10  to a desired location via moving the wheels  40 ,  41 ; inserting the adjustable post  25  into the fixed post  26 ; adjusting the height of said apparatus  10  via positioning the pin  27  on the adjustable post  25  into a desired aperture  28  on the fixed post  26 ; suspending up to eight (8) bicycles  15  thereon the hooks  21 , thereby storing said bicycles  15 ; removing the bicycles  15  from the hooks  21  for use thereof; and, storing bicycles  15  or other similar devices in a manner which keeps them off of the ground, but does not require a connection to a building or other permanent structure. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.