Abstract:
Several versions of quick release adapters for bicycle accessory mounting are disclosed. The quick release adapters include either a thumb screw, a cam lever, or a cam ball pivotally attached to a screw that mates with an accessory leg and screws into a hole in a bicycle dropout. An upper mount for racks or other accessories is also disclosed which attaches to existing fender attachment holes. In addition, a quick tow mechanism for a bicycle frame is disclosed with a perpendicular post and C-shaped base part and a rotor that make attachment of a tow bar very simple and easy for a user.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/614,282, filed Sep. 29, 2004, entitled “Thumb Screw And Cam Lever For Bicycle Accessory Mounting And Perpendicular Post With Quick Tow Mechanism For A Bicycle Frame”. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to apparatus for mounting one or more accessories to a bicycle. More particularly, this invention pertains to a system for interchangeably mounting a variety of accessories, either alone or in simultaneous combination, to a bicycle frame.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     There are many accessories that are currently useful to bicyclists. These include removable fenders over the front and/or rear wheels, bicycle cargo carrying racks that may be positioned over either wheel, cargo-carrying racks with integral baskets, saddlebags or panniers that are generally mounted on a cargo-carrying rack and even small trailers for carrying children or other cargo. Recently, electric motors and generators have become popular additions to the bicycle.  
         [0004]     While all of the above-indicated accessories are known and available on the market, each accessory typically has its own mounting system by which it is attached to the bicycle. At times, the mounting system of one available accessory makes simultaneous mounting of other accessories difficult, inconvenient, or impossible. Generally, the various accessory mounts are incompatible.  
         [0005]     Bicycle accessories of the type described above are typically secured to the frame of a bicycle using threaded fasteners driven into a braze-on, metal straps that are passed around the frame, pipe clamps, U-bolts, and the like. While these means for attaching accessories to a bicycle do have utility, they are not “quick-release”. Furthermore, other than the braze-on, these attachment devices are not part of the bicycle frame itself and rely on a clamping-type mechanical grip that may fail, thereby releasing the accessory or damaging the bicycle frame or its finish. Braze-ons are themselves relatively limited in their location and number.  
         [0006]     These attachment devices are also not very adaptable. Where a member of a bicycle frame is not in an assumed orientation or where the frame member is of a different size or shape, the aforementioned prior art accessory attachment devices may not easily be modified to accommodate common variations in bicycle frame size and shape.  
         [0007]     Many bicycles currently on the market also incorporate front and/or rear suspension systems that can make it difficult to attach accessories to a bicycle. This creates serious problems in the attachment of accessories to a bicycle frame, as the traditional points of attachment may be in different frames of reference vis-a-vis the frame and the suspension.  
         [0008]     Finally, typical prior art accessory attachment devices are not generally able to withstand rigorous loading conditions. Heavy loads, such as those seen in long distance touring bicycles and in work bicycles, may easily exceed the holding abilities of most, if not all, of the aforementioned quick-release accessory attachment devices. The points of attachment are only as sturdy as the mechanical fastener used to secure mounting apparatus to the frame of the bicycle.  
         [0009]     Accordingly, a need exists for a comprehensive and uniform system for attaching accessories directly to a bicycle frame.  
         [0010]     The present invention provides a solution to this and other problems, and offers other advantages over the prior art.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     Several versions of quick release adapters for bicycle accessory mounting are disclosed. The quick release adapters include either a thumb screw, a cam lever, or a cam ball pivotally attached to a screw that mates with an accessory leg and screws into a hole in a bicycle dropout. An upper mount for racks or other accessories is also disclosed which attaches to existing fender attachment holes. In addition, a quick tow mechanism for a bicycle frame is disclosed with a perpendicular post and C-shaped base part and a rotor that make attachment of a tow bar very simple and easy for a user.  
         [0012]     Additional advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a left side view of a bicycle shown in phantom and upon which a multipurpose mounting apparatus embodying the invention is shown with multiple accessories that may be attached to the bicycle either one its own or in combination.  
         [0014]      FIGS. 2 through 9  are various perspective, enlarged and exploded views of a quick tow mechanism.  
         [0015]      FIGS. 10 through 14  are various perspective, enlarged and exploded views of a thumb screw adapter for a mounting leg of a bicycle accessory.  
         [0016]      FIGS. 15 through 17  are various perspective, enlarged and exploded views of a cam screw adapter for a mounting leg of a bicycle accessory that operates similar to the thumb screw adapter shown in  FIGS. 10 through 14 .  
         [0017]      FIGS. 18 through 21  are various perspective, enlarged and exploded views of an alternative cam screw adapter for a mounting leg of a bicycle accessory that operates similar to the cam screw adapter shown in  FIGS. 15 through 17 .  
         [0018]      FIGS. 22 through 23  are front and back perspective views of an upper mount used for securing a permanent rack to the upper bicycle. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates a standard bicycle  10  that incorporates the attachment system of the present invention. The bicycle  10  comprises a frame  12  of standard configuration that is made up of a plurality of frame members. While the shape, size, and orientation of the respective frame members may vary with the make of the bicycle, a standard bicycle frame  12  is composed of a top tube  14  that is coupled between a seat tube  16  and a head tube  18 . The seat tube  16  receives telescopically therein a seat post  42  that supports the seat  44 . A down tube  20  extends between the lower end of the head tube  18  and the bottom bracket  22 . The lower end of the seat tube  16  is also connected to the bottom bracket. The rear of the frame  12  comprises a seat stay  24  and a chain stay  26 . The seat stay  24  extends from adjacent the intersection of the top tube  14  and the seat tube  16  downwardly into the rear of the frame  12  so as to intersect with a dropout  28 . The chain stay  26  is connected between the dropout  28  and the bottom bracket  22 . Note that the various frame members  14 - 28  are typically connected to one another via welding or similar processes where the frame  12  is fashioned of a metallic substance, though they may be connected by the use of an adhesive where the frame members are fashioned from a composite material.  
         [0020]     The head tube  18  is received therethrough a headset  30 . The handlebars  32  of the bicycle  10  are secured to the upper end of the headset  30 . The lower end of the headset has secured thereto the front fork  34 . At the lower end of the front forks is a simplified front dropout  36  that supports the front wheel  38 . The rear wheel  40  is similarly supported in the rear dropout  28 .  
         [0021]     Motive power for the bicycle  10  is provided by means of the pedals  46  that are supported on crank arms  48 . The crank arms  48  pass through the bottom bracket  22  and are rotatably supported therein. A chain wheel  50  is secured to the crank arms and rotates therewith. A chain  52  shown in  FIG. 1  as a dashed line passes around the chain wheel  50  and a smaller chain wheel  54  that is mounted on the rear axle of the rear wheel  40 .  
         [0022]     The attachment system of the present invention essentially comprises an upper mount  60  that is secured to the frame  12  at or near the junction between the seat stay  24  and the seat tube  16 . The attachment system also includes one or more accessory mounting posts  62  that extend generally upward from the dropout  28  or  36 . In addition, the attachment system includes a support arm  64  that may be secured between either the front fork  34  and a bicycle accessory  80  as shown in  FIG. 1  or between the seat stay  24  and a bicycle accessory  80 .  
         [0023]     The upper mount essentially comprises a trough or channel  66  that is secured to the bicycle frame  12 . Preferably, the channel  66  will be secured to the bicycle frame  12  by means of a cantilever arm  68 , though it is to be understood that the channel  66  could be affixed directly to the bicycle frame  12 . The channel  66  is secured to the cantilever arm  68  preferably as by welding so as to create a unitary structure. The cantilever arm  68  is in turn secured to the bicycle frame  12  by means of welding, where the upper mount  60  is to be formed integrally with the frame  12 , or through the use of various types of clamping mechanisms, such as a U-bolt or the like, where the upper mount  60  is to be retrofit to the bicycle frame  12 . Note that the upper mount  60  may be retrofit to a bicycle permanently by welding the cantilever arm  68  or the channel  66  directly to the frame  12 . Whether the upper mount  60  is formed integrally with the frame  12  or retrofit thereto, it may be desirable to provide an angled support  70  that extends between the cantilever arm  68  or channel  66  and the seat stay  24 . Where desirable, a base end of the cantilever arm  68  may be provided with a bore through which the seat tube  42  may pass. Utilizing this embodiment, the upper mount  60  may be supported by the seat tube  42  rather than by the frame  12 .  
         [0024]     The channel  66  of the upper mount  60  may have any useful shape. The channel  66  is constructed and arranged to receive therein a member of the bicycle luggage rack  80  so as to secure the rack  80  to the frame  12  of the bicycle  10 . Preferably, the channel  66  will be constructed and arranged to receive and retain a portion of the rack  80 , in a close fitting engagement therewith.  
         [0025]     Accessories which are mounted to the attachment system by bilateral legs are denoted herein as “primary accessories” and include a hitch assembly and a luggage carrier. Accessories that are not directly mounted to attachment system are denoted herein as “secondary accessories”. Such accessories include wheeled trailers such as a golf cart as well as a top basket, side baskets, panniers/saddlebags, wheel fenders, and lights/reflectors.  
         [0026]     A hitch assembly is useful for towing various types of trailers such as a golf cart. Other accessories such as a luggage rack or carrier, top basket and pannier which may be attached to the luggage carrier, and a wheel fender may be simultaneously or selectively added in the attachment system. Each of the hitch assembly, carrier, and fender have elongate legs with lower ends which may be mounted bilaterally, i.e. one on each side of the wheel, in a receiving aperture such as apertures of the lower attachment assembly described hereafter.  
         [0027]     Referring now to  FIGS. 22 and 23  are back and front perspective views, respectively, of an alternative upper mount  160  used for securing a permanent rack to the upper bicycle. The upper mount  160  can be used in the same manner as upper mount  60  described above. The upper mount  160  is a slotted  162  plate secured through a mounting hole  168  to the bicycle  10  through existing holes on the made for permanent fender applications. These existing holes may be located in the head tube  18  or further down near the front fork  34 . The upper mount  160  is designed to be used alone or in conjunction with permanent fenders. The upper mount  160  can be mounted on the front or rear of the bicycle  10  in a similar location as upper mount  60 . In addition, the racks or other accessories used with the upper mount  160  can be designed to be interchangeable between the front and rear of the bicycle  10 .  
         [0028]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 through 9  where various perspective, enlarged and exploded views of a quick tow mechanism  200  are shown. The quick tow mechanism  200  includes C-shaped base part  202  and a rotor  204  with a lever arm  206  coated with a soft rubber  208 . A retainer plate  210  holds the rotor  204  in the C-shaped base part  202  with the assistance of a final screw  212 . The retainer plate  210  holds a ball plunger  214  inserted into an aperture  216  of the plate  210 . A keyed button head  218  and associated key spring  220  is inserted into an aperture  222  on the C-shaped base part  202 . The C-shaped base part  202  is made of machined steel, but could be cast steel or iron, aluminum or plastic material that is sufficiently strong to pull a towing hitch and assembly. The C-shaped base part  202  may be plated with nickel to provide a good fit and finish. In operation, the key  219  slides within a groove  224  in the rotor  210  as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . The ball plunger  214  engages receiving indents  228  in the rotor  204  when the rotor  204  is located in the open and closed positions to releasably detain the rotor  204  in those positions. The key button head  218  is extended outward from the rotor  204  when the rotor  204  is in the locked or closed position. Similarly, the key button head  218  is down or inset in the base part  202  when the rotor  204  is in the open position that permits the quick tow mechanism  200  to be mounted on the perpendicular post  226 .  
         [0029]     The quick tow mechanism  200  is mounted on a perpendicular post  226  on a dropout  234  as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 . The post  226  can be integral to the bicycle  10  if the dropout  234  is cast or added later to a custom stamped, cast, cut, or forged metal dropout  234 . The dropout  234  may have a luggage rack post hole  240 , a mudguard post hole  242 , and an eyelet for the perpendicular post  244 . By locating the post  226  near the axle of the rear wheel in the crux of the frame&#39;s triangle, the post  226  inherently provides optimal strength and a low gravitational center for stable towing. The post  226  also provides a platform for future heavy accessories such as an electric motor. The quick tow mechanism  200  can be retrofit onto most trailers tow bars  238  by removing and replacing a screw  236 .  
         [0030]     In operation, the quick tow mechanism  200  begins in an open position as shown in  FIG. 4 . The open position is characterized by the open part  230  of the rotor  204  being aligned with the open part  232  of the C-shaped base part  202  such that the quick tow mechanism  200  is ready to receive a perpendicular post  226 . The rotor  204  is stayed by the ball plunger  214  within one of the rotor  204  receiving indents  228 . In the open position, the button head  218  is depressed and its key  219  is in the rotor&#39;s curved slot or groove  224 . When the rotor handle or lever  206  is tugged to release the ball plunger  214  and lifted up to begin closing the quick tow mechanism  200 , the key  219  follows the rotor&#39;s slot  224  and the button head  218  remains in its inset or depressed position. When the quick tow mechanism  200  reaches its closed position, the button head  218  pops up as the spring  220  brings the key  219  up into the groove or slot&#39;s upper end  225  and locks the rotor  204  into its closed position. The ball plunger  214  engages with the rotor&#39;s second indent  228  further staying it. To release the rotor lock, a user must depress the button head  218  and tug on the rotor lever or handle  206 .  
         [0031]     Referring now to  FIGS. 10 through 14  where various perspective, enlarged and exploded views of a quick release thumb screw adapter  300  for a mounting leg  302  of a bicycle accessory are shown. The exploded view of  FIG. 10  shows how a retaining clip  304 , sleeve  306 , and spring  308  are positioned to be dropped into the boss or aperture  309  of the plastic body  310 . The accessory leg  302  may be snapped into place within the plastic body  310  around the wings  312  to compress the spring  308 .  FIG. 11  shows a fully assembled thumb screw adapter  300  and accessory leg  302 .  FIG. 12  shows the plastic body  310  alone and give a detailed view of the boss or aperture  309 .  FIG. 13  shows the assembled thumb screw adapter  300  and accessory leg  302  mounted in a mounting hold  314  near a dropout  334 . The spring  308  biases the thumb screw  316  to help align the screw portion  318  with a mounting hole  314  located on the bicycle frame such as that near a front or rear dropout  334 . When the thumb screw  316  is opened using the thumb screw handle  324 , the red sleeve  320  is visible to a user. When fully tightened, the red sleeve  320  is concealed from the user by the molded plastic body  310 . This use of a colored sleeve  320  is a safety feature to show loosening of the thumb screw  316 . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other colored sleeves can be utilized or even a sleeve with no different coloring from the other components can be utilized.  
         [0032]     Assembly of the quick release thumb screw adapter  300  begins with the plastic body  310  and integral boss aperture  309 . The retainer clip  304 , sleeve  306 , and spring  308  are dropped into the boss  309 . The upper leg  302  of an accessory is snapped into its seat such that the spring  308  is compressed into the boss aperture  309 . The plastic body  310  is slid into position up the accessory leg  302  until the motion is blocked and the rack&#39;s flat end  303  snaps into its seat. The thumb screw  316  plus red sleeve  320  are inserted into the other side of the boss  309  and tightened until the inside retainer clip  304  locks on the groove  322  of the screw  316 .  
         [0033]     Referring now to  FIGS. 15 through 17  where various perspective, shown are enlarged and exploded views of a cam screw adapter  350  for a mounting leg  302  of a bicycle accessory that operates similar to the thumb screw adapter  300  shown in  FIGS. 10 through 14 . The cam latch  352  is pivotally mounted  354  on an end of a screw  356 . When in a locked position, the cam latch  352  is parallel to the accessory leg  302  as shown in  FIG. 15 . The cam latch  352  works cooperatively with the cam seat  358  to provide a locked position and unlock position of the cam latch  352  with screw assembly  356 . The metal housing  360  performs a similar function as sleeve  320  that was described previously. Metal housing  360  also provides a pivot point surface for cam seat  358  to rotate within when assembled. The metal housing  360  works in cooperation with washer  362  to hold the spring  308  in position. Spring  308  may optionally be omitted when plastic body  364  is made of sufficiently durable material to hold the spring  308  and cam latch  352  through multiple opening and closing operations. Plastic body  352  is formed in a similar manner as plastic body  310  and performs the same function of holding the cam screw adapter  350  to the accessory leg  302 . Also, in a similar way retainer clip  304  snaps into groove  322  when assembled.  
         [0034]     Referring now to  FIGS. 18 through 21  where various perspective, enlarged and exploded views of a cam ball adapter  370  for a mounting leg  302  of a bicycle accessory is shown that operates similar to the cam latch adapter  350  which was shown in  FIGS. 15 through 17 . The cam ball adapter  370  has fewer parts (e.g., no spring  308 ) than cam latch adapter  350  and is pivotally mounted  374  on an end of a screw  357 . When in a locked position, the cam ball  372  is parallel to the accessory leg  302  as shown in  FIG. 21 . The cam ball  372  works cooperatively with the cam seat  378  to provide a locked position and unlock position of the cam ball  372  with screw assembly  376 .  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 20  show alternative embodiments of the cam ball adapter  370  for different sizes of accessory arms  302 . In the locked position the cam ball  372  may be adjacent to the accessory leg  302  or down and away  388  from the accessory leg  302 . This bidirectional movement of the cam ball  372  is enabled by wide sides and a pin/screw that is centered and a rounded cam end  373  fits into the metal housing  380  such that the two parts are self aligned with one another. Metal housing  380  performs a similar function as housing  360  as a spacer in the bore or aperture  388 . Plastic body  384  is formed in a similar manner as plastic body  352  and performs the same function of holding the cam screw adapter  370  to the accessory leg  302 . A plastic body lock insert  386  with lock part  394  is slide into slot  390  and engage lock receiver  392 . Also, in a similar way retainer clip  304  snaps into groove  322  when assembled.  
         [0035]     It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments of the invention, this disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of structure and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.