Abstract:
An electronic bicycle accessory that includes a pair of mounting arms that extend in an opposite direction relative to a display of an electronic device. The pair of mounting arms are oriented in a generally C-shape to define a cavity between the mounting arms. Each mounting arm has a terminal end that extends to an over-center position of the cavity. When the electronic accessory is associated with a bicycle structure, the mounting arms deflect away from one another thereby allowing the bicycle structure to pass into the cavity. Once positioned in the cavity, the mounting arms provide a closure pressure that maintains the orientation of the accessory relative to the bicycle. When removed from a structure, no portion of the accessory remains behind.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to bicycle accessories and, more particularly, to a bicycle accessory that cooperates with a bicycle frame structure in a manner that allows the accessory to be quickly and efficiently moved from bicycle to bicycle. The bicycle accessory includes an integrated, generally fixed position, mount arrangement that secures the accessory to the underlying structure. 
         [0002]    Interest in recreational and/or competitive cycling continues to increase. The consequence of this popularity of bicycle riding has been a growing presence of bicycle operators or riders or cyclists, of all ages, on public roads or off road trails. Further, as the recreation has grown, typical bicycle excursions or trips have lengthened in extent and, concomitantly a great variety of lighter, multi-geared and faster bicycles have entered the marketplace. Increasingly, as bicycle trips are planned for longer durations and distances, riders commonly prefer to carry several accessories with them during such excursions. One such accessory is commonly referred to as a “computer” that can be further characterized as an electronic device. Understandably, such devices can be relatively compact and configured to provide a variety of information that may be of interest to a rider. Such information can relate to the time of day, calendar information, trip duration, ride performance, rider physical performance data, terrain characteristics, performance comparative data, positional information, etc. It is readily appreciated that such devices can be quickly, conveniently, and economically configured to detect, calculate, display, or communicate such information to a rider or other remote devices. 
         [0003]    Many electronic bicycle accessories are configured to be multi-functional and powerful enough that riders often desire to use them for uses that are not necessarily associated with the operation of a specific bicycle. That is, riders occasionally desire to use such devices with more than one particle bicycle such as between a road bike, a mountain bike, and/or a stationary bicycle. Furthermore, many riders desire to remove such devices to prevent theft, protect the device from inclement weather, and/or to simply protect the integrity of the device. Others provide such electronic devices in a two-part form factor wherein an electronic device removably cooperates with a mount assembly. In most of such configurations, the mount assembly remains secured to a bicycle even though the electronic device may be removed therefrom. Unfortunately, such configurations have several undesirable attributes. 
         [0004]    Although connecting a mounting assembly to a bicycle allows the rider to quickly and efficiently remove the electronic device from the bicycle, such a configuration limits the use of the electronic device in other applications. That is, to use the electronic device with other bicycles, the user must also remove the mounting assembly or system from the bicycle. Commonly, removing the mounting assembly requires awkward manual manipulation of one or more connection assemblies. Still other mounting assemblies require multiple or specialty tools to remove the mounting assembly from the bicycle. Although such systems provide a mounting arrangement that is less susceptible to inadvertent or unintended loosening and/or removal of the electronic device and/or mounting assembly, such systems have limited applicability beyond use with the bicycle to which the mounting system is affixed. Such devices are ill-equipped for simple and efficient transfer of the desired accessory from one structure of another. 
         [0005]    Regardless of the intended use, such accessories must also have some degree of flexibility with respect to interacting with different bicycle structures. That is, regardless of the number of bicycles owned and operated, not all riders prefer the same physical location for such accessories. That is, riders may prefer different locations of the electronic accessory as determined in part by riding conditions, experience, or simply ergonomic preference. Accordingly, it is also desired to provide an electronic accessory that is securable to any of a number of underlying structures. 
         [0006]    In view of the above, there exists a need for an improved bicycle electronic accessory that is engageable with a variety of bicycle configurations and components, is constructed such that the electronic accessory can be quickly and efficiently removed from the underlying bicycle and in manner wherein the electronic accessory can be secured to another bicycle, is simple and cost effective to produce, is lightweight, compact, and robust, and is usable across a variety of product platforms. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention provides an electronic bicycle accessory that overcomes one or more of the drawbacks discussed above. According to one aspect of the invention, a bicycle accessory is disclosed that includes a pair of mounting arms that extend in an opposite direction relative to a display of an electronic device. The mounting arms are oriented in a generally downward facing C-shape so as to define a cavity between the mounting arms. A distal or terminal end of each mounting arm extends to an over-center position of the cavity. When the electronic accessory is associated with a bicycle structure, the mounting arms deflect away from one another thereby allowing the bicycle structure to pass into the cavity. Once positioned in the cavity, the mounting arms provide a closure pressure that maintains the desired orientation of the accessory relative to the bicycle. 
         [0008]    Another aspect of invention useable with one or more of the above aspects discloses an electronic bicycle accessory that includes a body having a cavity formed therein. An electronic device is secured in the cavity. A first arm and a second arm each extend in a cantilevered manner from a side of the body that is generally opposite the cavity. The first arm and the second arm are positioned at generally opposite lateral sides of the body so as to form a mount cavity between the first arm and the second arm. Distal ends of the first and second arms are spaced apart from one another a distance that is less than a greatest distance between the first arm and the second arm so as to retain a bicycle structure that is positioned between the arms. 
         [0009]    Another aspect of the invention usable with one or more of the above aspects discloses an electronic bicycle device that has a mount base that includes a clamp portion and which is constructed to support an electronic device. The clamp portion is defined by a pair of arms that extend from the mount base a distance that allows the clamp portion to engage a bicycle structure in an over-center manner. The pair of arms is oriented to apply a clamping force to a bicycle structure positioned therebetween. Preferably, the clamping force is sufficient to maintain the orientation of the mount base during use of a bicycle. 
         [0010]    A further aspect of the invention that is combinable with one or more of the above aspects discloses a method of forming an electronic bicycle accessory. A body is formed with a pair of clamp arms. An electronic device is attached to a side of the body that faces in a direction generally opposite the pair of clamp arms. An open gap is formed between the pair of clamp arms and each clamp arm is terminated so that the body snap-fittingly engages a bicycle structure and cooperates with the bicycle structure in a manner that maintains the orientation of the body relative to the bicycle structure when the body is engaged therewith. 
         [0011]    Preferably, the arms are constructed so that a display of the electronic device is oriented to align an output with a rider during use of the bicycle. Preferably, the arms engage a handlebar so that a display of the electronic device is oriented generally transverse to a plane that passes though both of the first and second arms. Another preferred aspect of the invention includes configuring the electronic device to communicate with other electronic devices, such as a cadence sensor, associated with the bicycle. 
         [0012]    Preferably, another aspect of the invention that is combinable with one or more of the above aspects includes forming the arms in a variety of positions so that a bicycle accessory can be used with bicycles having a variety of constructions. 
         [0013]    These and various other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The drawings illustrate one preferred embodiment presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is perspective view of an electronic bicycle accessory according to the present invention engaged with a bicycle structure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the bicycle accessory shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 3-6  are top plan views of the bicycle accessory shown in  FIG. 2  and show various outputs that can be displayed therewith; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the bicycle accessory shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a cross section elevation view of the bicycle accessory taken along line  8 - 8  shown in  FIG. 7 ; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a cross section elevation view of the bicycle accessory in a plane generally perpendicular to line  9 - 9  shown in  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0021]      FIG. 1  shows an electronic bicycle accessory  10  according to the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , electronic bicycle accessory  10  is shown engaged with a bicycle structure  11  of an exemplary bicycle  12 . Bicycle structure  11  is hereby defined as any structural member of a bicycle such as a handlebar  14 . Handlebar  14  of bicycle  12  is rotatably attached to a forward portion  16  of a bicycle frame  18 . As is commonly understood, handlebar  14  cooperates with a steerer tube  20  that passes through a head tube  22  of frame  18 . Frame  18  includes a top tube  24  and a down tube  26  that extend rearward from head tube  22  toward a seat tube and a crankset, respectively. Forward portion  16  of bicycle  12  is indicative of many different specific application or use bicycles. 
         [0022]    It is appreciated that although electronic accessory  10  is shown engaged with handlebar  14 , accessory  10  could be configured to cooperate with portions of frame  18  or bicycle structures  11  that form other portions of the overall bicycle assembly. It is further envisioned that bicycle  12  could be configured in any of what is commonly termed an off-road or mountain bike, a street bike, or a stationary or exercise bicycle. As will be readily understood from the forthcoming description, electronic accessory  10  can be constructed to engage any of a variety of bicycle structures  11 . As described further below, it is envisioned that accessory  10  be provided in a number of “sizes” that generally mimic the shape shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  for use with bicycle structures whose cross-section shape is different than that shown. Each of the variable sized accessories  10  is constructed to be quickly and efficiently moved between different bicycles, different support structures, and/or repeatedly removed and engaged with an individual bicycles having similarly sized structures. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , electronic accessory  10  includes a mount base or body  30 . Body  30  includes a clamp portion  28  that is generally defined by a pair of arms; a first arm  32  and a second arm  34 . First and second arms  32 ,  34  extend in a downward direction, indicated by arrow  35 , relative to a display or output side  36  of electronic accessory  10 . Alternatively, the output of accessory  10  could be oriented nearer or along one of arms  32 ,  34  rather than being generally centrally positioned relative thereto. First arm  32  and second arm  34  extend from generally opposite ends  38 ,  40  of body  30  in direction  35 . Each arm  32 ,  34  terminates at a respective distal end  42 ,  44  that is offset from body  30 . That is, each arm  32 ,  34  extends from body  30  in a cantilevered fashion. 
         [0024]    An opening or gap  46  is formed between distal ends  42 ,  44  of arms  32 ,  34 . Arms  32 ,  34  and distal ends  42 ,  44  deflect in respective outward directions, indicated by arrows  48 ,  49 , to allow bicycle structure  11  to pass through gap  46  into a mount cavity  51  between arms  32 ,  34  when accessory  10  is translated in a direction, indicated by arrow  50 , relative to bicycle structure  11 . Mount cavity  51  is generally defined as the area encircled or substantially enclosed by arms  32 ,  34 . The gradual deflection of distal ends  42 ,  44  of arms  32 ,  34  over bicycle structure  11  provides a snap-fit cooperation of accessory  10  with the respective bicycle structure  11 . 
         [0025]    As alluded to above, it is envisioned that accessory  10  be provided in different sizes that are generally determined by the size of mount cavity  51 . Although arms  32 ,  34  are generally flexible so as to accommodate some variation in the size and shape of the underlying bicycle structure  11  for which they are intended to cooperate, it is appreciated that some bicycles have fairly large frame tube sizes and comparably small handlebar tubes. It is also appreciated that handlebar tubes are provided in a variety of sizes that may be too great to be accommodated with a single mount cavity size. Accordingly, it is envisioned that accessory  10  be provided in a variety of sizes that are each usable with bicycle structures with a given size range. 
         [0026]    Preferably, body  30  is formed of a single material  56  although body  30  could be formed of a variety of layers or portions of different materials. Preferably, body  30  is formed of a more pliable rather than rigid material and is formed via an injection molding process. It is appreciated that body  30  could be formed from any of a number of materials and any of a number of processes. Minimally, body  30  is formed so as to support the electronic device therein and of a material that facilitates the repeated engagement and removal of accessory  10  from an underlying bicycle structure  11 . 
         [0027]    As described further below, arms  32 ,  34  cooperate with bicycle structure  11  to preferably maintain a desired position and orientation of body  30  relative to bicycle structure  11 . As shown in  FIGS. 2-6 , an optional but preferred input, such as a switch or input button  66 , extends through body  30  and allows a user to interact with the electronic device of electronic bicycle accessory  10 . Manipulation of input  66  allows a user to select and/or calibrate various information that can be output on a display oriented proximate output side  36 . It is further appreciated that accessory  10  could be provided with more than one input  66 . 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , it is envisioned that accessory  10  can be configured to output a variety of general and/or exercise related information. As shown in  FIG. 3 , accessory  10  can be configured to output an analog time  68 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 4 , accessory  10  can output a ride or rider performance time  70 .  FIG. 5  shows accessory  10  configured to output a digital time display  72  and  FIG. 6  shows accessory  10  configured to output a digital date information  74 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such information is exemplary of only some of the information that accessory  10  can be configured to calculate and/or display. It is further appreciated that accessory  10  could be configured to provide a single output, such as time of day, or a simple timer, for those riders who only desire such limited information in a configuration such as that provided by accessory  10 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of accessory  10  and shows an electronic device assembly  89  partially exploded therefrom. As shown in  FIG. 7 , body  30  includes a cavity  80  formed in an upward facing side  81  of body  30  that is generally centrally oriented with respect to the output side  36  of accessory  10 . That is, cavity  80  is formed in that side of body  30  that faces in a direction that is generally opposite the direction arms  32 ,  34  extend from body  30 . A lip  82  is formed about a perimeter  84  of cavity  80  and, as described further below, is configured to cooperate with the electronics of accessory  10 . An opening  86  is formed through body  30  and fluidly connects cavity  80  to atmosphere. Optional input  66  is configured to cooperate with a pin  88  and opening  86  so as to allow user interaction with an electronic device  90  of accessory  10 . 
         [0030]    Electronic device  90  includes an optional shell  92  that supports an electronic circuit  94 . Optional shell  92  is slidably received within cavity  80  of body  30 . Alternatively, cavity  80  could be configured to directly receive electronic circuit  94 . A digital, LCD, or LED display  96  is connected to electronic device  90  and generates an output according the configuration of the electronic circuit  94  as discussed above. A cover or lens  98  is disposed over display  96  and cooperates with lip  82  such that electronic device  90  is secured in body  30  in a generally sealed manner. 
         [0031]    Still referring to  FIG. 7 , electronic device  90  includes a battery or other power source  100  that powers operation of the electronic device  90 . In a preferred embodiment, electronic device  90  includes a receiver  102  for wirelessly receiving information from other bicycle related electronic devices. One such device, a remote motion detection sensor, is disclosed in applicants copending U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0252038 and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein. It is further envisioned that receiver  102  be configured to receive information regarding ride performance and/or rider physical performance from such devices as heart rate or pulse monitors equipped with wireless transmission capabilities similar to those disclosed in the above mentioned application publication. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 8 and 9  show elevation views of various cross-sections of accessory  10 . As indicated in  FIG. 7 , the views associated with  FIGS. 8 and 9  are oriented in planes that are generally perpendicular to one another. As shown in  FIG. 8 , in a preferred embodiment, display  96  is oriented to generate an output that is generally parallel to handlebar  14 . Said in another way, the output of display  96  is oriented in a crossing or transverse direction relative to the orientation of arms  32 ,  34 . Understandably, it is appreciated that if arms  32 ,  34  are positioned to cooperate with a bicycle structure that is oriented generally transverse to handlebar  14 , or structures aligned with a longitudinal axis of a rider during use of a bicycle, such as top tube  24  ( FIG. 1 ), display  96  could be oriented so as to be generally aligned with a plane passing through arms  32 ,  34  thereby ensuring that the output of display  96  is aligned with a rider during use. Alternatively, it is further envisioned that body  30  be bifurcated so that the output of display  96  can be rotated relative to the axis of arms  32 ,  34  without separating the respective rotatable portions of the body. 
         [0033]      FIG. 9  is an elevation view of a cross-section of accessory  10  taken in a plane generally perpendicular to the view shown in  FIG. 8 , i.e. a plane that passes through both of arms  32 ,  34 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , gap  46  has a variable width, indicated by dimension arrow  110 , so as to accommodate the passage of bicycle structures  11  of a variety of sizes into mount cavity  51 . Preferably, accessory  10  can conveniently cooperate with bicycle structures whose cross sectional shapes only generally correspond to the cross-sectional shape of mount cavity  51 . As discussed above, it is envisioned that accessories  10  be provided with arms  32 ,  34  formed in a number of orientations so that the convenience of accessory  10  can be appreciated across a range of bicycle configurations having differently sized bicycle structures. 
         [0034]    Regardless of the specific size of mount cavity  51 , distal ends  42 ,  44  of arms  32 ,  34  preferably extend beyond a proximate center, indicated by axis  110 , of mount cavity  51 . That is, arms  32 ,  34  extend to an over-center position of mount cavity  51 . Preferably, distal ends  42 ,  44  of arms  32 ,  34  are offset a desired distance, indicated by dimension arrow  114 ,  116 , respectively from center axis  110  of mount cavity  51 . Understandably, arms  32 ,  34  could terminate nearer axis  112  and still maintain a desired orientation of the accessory  10  relative to a respective bicycle structure. Furthermore, although mount cavity  51  is shown as having a generally circular cross-sectional shape, it is envisioned that mount cavity  51  could be provided in any of a number of alternative shapes. That is, it is envisioned that mount cavity  51  could be provided in a variety of shapes and/or sizes to correspond to a shape and/or size of a variety of bicycle structures. 
         [0035]    Regardless of the exact size and shape of the bicycle structure, arms  32 ,  34  are oriented to provide a compression or spring clamp force so as to maintain the desired orientation of body  30  relative to the bicycle structure. That is, accessory  10  cooperates with the underlying structure in a snap-fitting manner and in a manner that does not adversely affect the underlying bicycle structure. Accessory  10  does not include any separable mount hardware that would remain secured to a bicycle after the accessory has been removed therefrom nor does accessory  10  mar or otherwise damage the quality of the surface finish of the bicycle. 
         [0036]    The integrity of the surface of the bicycle structure is further protected by material  56 . Preferably, material  56  is generally supple, resilient, and/or compliant so as to accommodate variations and/or inconsistencies between the bicycle structure and the mount cavity  51 . It is further envisioned that material  56  has a coefficient of friction that contributes to the clamping force associated with the orientation of arms  32 ,  34  so that the orientation of body  30  can be maintained even with low compression or spring forces being generated by arms  32 ,  34 . Electronic bicycle accessory  10  is self-supporting in that the accessory can be conveniently and efficiently moved between support structures. It is further appreciated that when accessory  10  is removed from a bicycle structure, no trace or indication of the existence of accessory  10  is left behind. 
         [0037]    Therefore, an electronic bicycle accessory according to one embodiment of the invention includes a body having a cavity formed therein. An electronic device is secured in the cavity. A first arm and a second arm each extend in a cantilevered manner from a side of the body that is generally opposite the cavity. The first arm and the second arm are positioned at generally opposite lateral sides of the body so as to form a mount cavity between the first arm and the second arm. Distal ends of the first and second arms are spaced apart from one another a distance that is less than a greatest distance between the first arm and the second arm so as to retain a bicycle structure that is positioned between the arms. 
         [0038]    Another embodiment of the invention usable with one or more of the features of the above embodiment includes an electronic bicycle device that has a mount base with a clamp portion and which is constructed to support an electronic device. The clamp portion is defined by a pair of arms that extend from the mount base a distance that allows the clamp portion to engage a bicycle structure in an over-center manner. The pair of arms is oriented to apply a clamping force to a bicycle structure positioned therebetween. 
         [0039]    A further embodiment of the invention that is combinable with one or more of the above features of the above embodiments includes a method of forming an electronic bicycle accessory. A body is formed with a pair of clamp arms. An electronic device is attached to a side of the body that faces in a direction generally opposite the pair of clamp arms. An open gap is formed between the pair of clamp arms and each clamp arm is terminated so that the body snap-fittingly engages a bicycle structure and cooperates with the bicycle structure in a manner that maintains the orientation of the body relative to the bicycle structure when the body is engaged therewith. 
         [0040]    Understandably, the present invention has been described above in terms of the preferred embodiment. It is recognized that various alternatives and modifications may be made to these embodiments which are within the scope of the appending claims.