Abstract:
An aerodynamic accessory mounting bracket includes a body formed from a carbon fiber material. The body includes a first portion constructed to engage a seat post of a bicycle and a second portion that extends rearward from the first portion. The second portion of the body is constructed to support the connection of accessories such as water bottles, spare tires, CO 2  containers, tire pumps or other cycling accessories thereto. The aerodynamic construction of the mounting bracket reduces the drag effects associated with the accessory mounting system.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to bicycle accessory mounting systems and, more particularly, to a carbon fiber bodied accessory mounting bracket. 
         [0002]    Several different forces oppose the movement of a bicycle in use. A major force acting against the movement of the bicycle is the drag induced by the bicycle&#39;s movement through the air. Although this force is not particularly problematic for recreational riders, the drag forces are problematic to athletic or other professional riders. The faster the movement of a bicycle, the greater the drag force becomes. Greater drag requires the rider to expend greater energy to overcome the drag and detrimentally affects timed rider performance. Accordingly, reducing the drag forces is an important consideration in competitive cycling. 
         [0003]    A major source of drag on a bicycle results from the flow of air over and around the entirety of the bicycle assembly. Although the frame of a bicycle can be constructed to substantially minimize the negative effects of drag, each component attached to the bicycle frame alters the aerodynamic performance of the bicycle. Dramatic changes in the contour of the bicycle and components connected thereto can introduce increased levels of undesirable drag. One such system is the accessory mounting system. Commonly, athletic and competitive riders participate in races or rides of extended duration as a test of endurance and stamina. These rides generally require the cyclist to carry several accessories to better the odds of ride completion. Such accessories can include spare tires, tire filling devices such as pumps or CO 2  bottles, rain gear, multi-function tools, and one or more fluid containers or water bottles. The devices are merely exemplary and a rider may attach anything to the bicycle that they believe may be required during a ride to maintain either of the bicycle or the rider. 
         [0004]    Although being configured to support multiple cycling accessories, many known accessory mounting systems do not adequately address the aerodynamic impact of the mounting system and suffer from other drawbacks as well. Commonly, a number of interconnecting links are fastened together about a portion of a frame of a bicycle. A number of fasteners secure the relative location of each of the links. The interconnecting links and associated fasteners present the potential for marring the finish of the frame, require extensive assembly time, and are frequently less than aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, the use of multiple fasteners presents the potential for the fasteners coming loose during bicycle operation. That is, shocks and vibrations generated during a ride can loosen the fasteners which results in an obnoxious rattle and/or lose of the desired accessories. Additionally, these same vibrations can result in premature failure of any one of the interconnecting links. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, a need exists for a bicycle accessory mounting system with improved aerodynamic performance and simplified installation. It is further desired to provide an accessory mounting system that is constructed to withstand the rigors of aggressive use. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides an accessory mounting system and method of forming an accessory mounting bracket that overcomes one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks. 
         [0007]    An aerodynamic accessory mounting bracket according to one aspect of the invention includes a body formed from a carbon fiber material. The body includes a first portion constructed to engage a seat post of a bicycle and a second portion that extends rearward from the first portion. The second portion of the body is constructed to support the connection of accessories such as water bottles, spare tires, CO 2  containers, tire pumps or other cycling accessories thereto. The aerodynamic construction of the mounting bracket provides an accessory mounting bracket that has a limited effect on the aerodynamic performance of the accessory mounting system. 
         [0008]    Another aspect of the invention includes a bicycle accessory mounting bracket having a body formed of a carbon fiber material. A first portion of the body is constructed to secure the body to a seat post of a bicycle. A second portion of the body extends from the first portion and is constructed to connect an accessory to the body. The aerodynamic construction of the mounting bracket reduces the detrimental impact of the accessory mounting bracket on the aerodynamic performance of the bicycle so equipped. 
         [0009]    A bicycle accessory mounting system according to another aspect of the invention includes a carbon fiber bracket that has a first part and a second part. The first part has a contour that substantially matches a contour of a bicycle seat post. The second part has a generally planar contour and is constructed to extend rearward of the bicycle seat post from the first part. The mounting system includes means for connecting an accessory to the second part of the bracket. The accessory mounting system provides a convenient and aerodynamic system for mounting a number of cycling accessories to a bicycle A method of forming an accessory mounting bracket according to a further aspect of the invention includes forming a body from a carbon fiber material. A passage is formed with the body and is configured to receive a portion of a bicycle frame. The method provides a convenient and economical system for producing a variety of aerodynamic accessory mounting brackets that can be quickly and simply connected to a bicycle. 
         [0010]    Various other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. These and various other features and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The drawings illustrate one preferred embodiment presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. 
           [0012]    In the drawings: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a bicycle equipped with an accessory mounting system according to the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the accessory mounting system shown in  FIG. 1  removed from a bicycle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0015]      FIG. 1  shows a bicycle  10  having an accessory mounting system  12  according to the present invention. Bicycle  10  includes a seat  14  and handlebars  16  that are attached to a frame assembly  18 . A seat post  20  is connected to seat  14  and slidably engages a seat tube  22  of frame assembly  18 . A top tube  24  and a down tube  26  extend forwardly from seat tube  22  to a head tube  28  of frame assembly  18 . Handlebars  16  are connected to a stem  30  that passes through head tube  28  and engages a fork crown  32 . A pair of forks  34  extend from generally opposite ends of fork crown  32  and are constructed to support a front wheel assembly  36  at an end of each fork or a fork tip  38 . Fork tips  38  engage generally opposite sides of an axle  40  that is constructed to engage a hub  42  of front wheel assembly  36 . A number of spokes  44  extend from hub  42  to a rim  46  of front wheel assembly  36 . A tire  48  is engaged with rim  46  such that rotation of tire  48 , relative to forks  34 , rotates rim  46  and hub  42 . 
         [0016]    Bicycle  10  includes a front brake assembly  50  having an actuator  52  attached to handlebars  16  and a pair of brake pads  54  positioned on generally opposite sides of front wheel assembly  36 . Brake pads  54  are constructed to engage a brake wall  56  of rim  46  thereby providing a stopping or slowing force to front wheel assembly  36 . A rear wheel assembly  58  includes a disc brake assembly  60  having a rotor  62  and a caliper  64  that are positioned proximate a rear axle  66 . A rear wheel  68  is positioned generally concentrically about rear axle  66 . Understandably, front wheel assembly  36  and rear wheel assembly  58  could be equipped with a brake assembly generally similar to front brake assembly  50  or disc brake assembly  60 . 
         [0017]    A rear wheel suspension system  69  is pivotably connected to frame assembly  18  to allow rear wheel  68  to move independent of seat  14  and handlebars  16 . Suspension system  69  includes a seat stay  70  and a chain stay  72  that offset rear axle  66  from a crankset  74 . Crankset  74  includes a pedal  76  that is operationally connected to a chain  78  via a chain ring or sprocket  80 . Rotation of chain  78  communicates a drive force to a rear section  82  of bicycle  10 . A gear cluster  84  is positioned at rear section  82  and engaged by chain  78 . Gear cluster  84  is generally concentrically orientated with respect to rear axle  66  and includes a number of variable diameter gears. Gear cluster  84  is operationally connected to a hub  86  of a rear wheel  88  of rear wheel assembly  58 . A number of spokes  90  extend radially between hub  86  and a rim  92  of rear wheel  88 . As is commonly understood, rider operation of pedals  76  drives chain  78  thereby driving rear wheel  88  which in turn propels bicycle  10 . 
         [0018]    Understandably, bicycle  10  is shown as what is commonly understood as an off-road or mountain bike. The construction of bicycle  10  is merely exemplary. It is appreciated that the present invention is equally applicable to other bicycle constructions such as road bikes or the like. Such bikes frequently lack a front or rear wheel suspension system disposed between the connection of the wheels and the frame of the bicycle. Understandably, regardless or the terrain intended to be traversed by the bicycle, many riders desire to carry various accessories with them during a ride. Accordingly, accessory mounting system  12  is configured to allow a rider to connect a number of accessories to the bicycle  10 . 
         [0019]    Accessory mounting system  12  includes an accessory bracket or a body  94  that has a first portion  96  constructed to engage seat post  20  and a second portion  98  extending rearwardly therefrom. Body  94  is constructed of a carbon fiber material and may be formed from a unitary layer or a number of interconnected layers. It is further envisioned that when body  94  is formed from a number of interconnected layers, that the orientation of the respective carbon fibers between adjacent layers extend in generally crossing directions thereby enhancing the strength performance of body  94 . 
         [0020]    A number of accessories  99  such as a pump, tire, rain gear, a gas source  100  or a fluid container, such as a water bottle  102 , are secured to body  94  via a number of respective connecting means  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 . Understandably, connecting means  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  could be provided in any of a number of modalities including metal or plastic clamps, straps, snaps, mechanical fasteners such as screws or bolts, or hook and loop type fasteners. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , first portion  96  of body  94  includes an interior contour  112  that is constructed to generally match a contour of a respective seat post  20  or seat tube  22 . Body  94  is formed from a unitary sheet of carbon fiber such that first portion  96  includes a first section  114  that is constructed to generally overlying a second section  116  of first portion  96 . First section  114  and second section  116  of body  94  include a number of holes  118  that are oriented such that the holes  118  formed in the first section  114  generally overlying the holes  118  formed in first section  114  when first portion  96  is positioned about a seat stem or seat tube. 
         [0022]    One or more fasteners  120  pass through holes  118  and engaged corresponding nuts  122  such that tightening of fasteners  120  and nuts  122  generates a clamping force between first section  114  and second section  116  of body  94 . Alternatively, contour  112  could be constructed to snuggling and operationally engage a seat post or seat tube without the clamping force associated with an additional fastener. It is further appreciated that first section  114  extend further or even the full length of body  94  such that the respective sides of body are generally mirror images of one another. Although such a construction increases the total amount of carbon fiber material consumed by body  94 , such a construction enhances the strength of second portion  98  of body  94  in doubling the lateral thickness of second portion  98 . Second portion  98  of body  94  also includes a number of holes or perforations  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134  formed therethrough. Perforations  124 ,  126  are constructed to engage a fastener  136  that is constructed to secure connecting means  104 ,  106  to body  94 . The slotted construction of perforations  124 ,  126  allows for translation of the respective connecting means  104 ,  106  relative to body  94  such that body  94  can be support accessories having a variety of constructions. Comparatively, perforations  128 ,  130  are constructed to allow passage of the elongated connecting means  108 ,  110 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , therethrough. 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , although connecting means  108 ,  110  are constructed to removably attach water bottle  102  to body  94 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , perforations  132  are generally constructed to engage what is commonly referred to as a water bottle cage, or a wire form assembly configured to support a water bottle. Additionally, opening  134  of body  94  could be constructed to generally correspond to a mating structure of any desired accessory such that the accessory would directly engage body  94  without any intervening connecting means or fasteners. Additionally, it is further appreciated that body  94  include cavities, such as opening  135  that are constructed to reduce the carbon fiber material consumed by formation of body  94  without detrimentally affecting the strength or performance of accessory mounting bracket  94  or accessory mounting system  12 . 
         [0024]    During operation of bicycle  10 , in airflow, indicated by arrow  138 , generated by forward movement of bicycle  10  fools relatively smoothly over opposing sides  140 ,  142  of body  94  thereby providing a generally aerodynamic accessory supporting bracket. The generally planer orientation of body  94  reduces the aerodynamic impact a rider&#39;s performance attributable to the accessory mounting system  12 . Furthermore, the carbon fiber construction of body  94  provides an accessories supporting system that is generally robust and can withstand the rigors associated with bicycle operation. 
         [0025]    Therefore, one embodiment of the invention includes a bicycle accessory mounting bracket having a body formed of a carbon fiber material. A first portion of the body is constructed to secure the body to a seat post of a bicycle. A second portion of the body extends from the first portion and is constructed to connect an accessory to the body. 
         [0026]    A bicycle accessory mounting system according to another embodiment of the invention includes a carbon fiber bracket that has a first part and a second part. The first part has a contour that substantially matches a contour of a bicycle seat post. The second part has a generally planar contour and is constructed to extend rearward of the bicycle seat post from the first part. The mounting system includes means for connecting an accessory to the second part of the bracket. 
         [0027]    A method of forming an accessory mounting bracket according to a further embodiment of the invention includes forming a body from a carbon fiber material. A passage is formed with the body and configured to receive a portion of a bicycle frame. 
         [0028]    The present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment, and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.