Patent Description:
It is known to hold a wheel by locating part of the wheel between a first holder and a second holder so that the first holder engages a first side of the tyre of the wheel and the second holder engages a second side of the tyre. However over time the tyre pressure may reduce or the tyre may even become totally deflated. This lower tyre pressure may result in the engagement force between the two holders and the tyre becoming insufficient to hold the wheel in place, and thus the wheel may fall out. If the wheel were accidentally knocked or pushed, this may also cause the wheel to fall out from between the two holders.

<CIT> describes an apparatus for supporting a motorcycle on all terrains, and a means of supporting the tire of a motorcycle in an upright position. Document <CIT> discloses the preamble of claim <NUM>.

It is an aim of the present invention to at least partly mitigate one or more of the above-mentioned problems.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to securely hold a wheel member in position relative to a first holder element and a second holder element, even if a tyre pressure reduces or the tyre becomes totally deflated.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to securely hold a wheel member in position relative to a first holder element and a second holder element, even if the wheel member is accidentally knocked or pushed.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for holding a wheel member at a desired location, comprising:.

By extending the elongate element across the rim of the wheel member, the wheel member is secured relative to the first holder element and the second holder element, even if a tyre pressure of the wheel member reduces or the tyre becomes totally deflated. In this manner the invention ensures that the wheel member is held at the desired location regardless of tyre pressure. By extending the elongate element across the rim of the wheel member, the wheel member is secured relative to the first holder element and the second holder element, even if the wheel member is accidentally knocked or pushed. In this manner the invention ensures that the wheel member is held at the desired location regardless of accidental impacts. The releasable coupling of the second end of the elongate element to the second holder element enables a fast and simple attachment and release of the wheel member from the apparatus when desired so by a user.

According to the invention further comprising a first coupling member attached to the second end of the elongate element; and a second coupling member attached to the second holder element. The first coupling member is releasably coupleable to the second coupling member by magnetic attraction. The magnetic attraction enables a fast and simple coupling and release of the first coupling member relative to the second coupling member when desired so by a user.

Aptly further comprising means to tension the elongate element to draw the elongate element into engagement with a rim of a wheel member. By tensioning the elongate element, this ensures that the wheel member is tightly secured relative to the first holder element and the second holder element, even if the tyre pressure of the wheel member reduces or the tyre becomes totally deflated, and/or even if the wheel member is accidentally knocked or pushed. By tensioning the elongate element, this also ensures that the invention may be employed with a variety of different wheel members of different sizes or different rim dimensions. Aptly the first coupling member is rotatable relative to the second coupling member to tension the elongate element. Aptly further comprising means to facilitate rotation of the first coupling member relative to the second coupling member in a first direction and to prevent rotation of the first coupling member relative to the second coupling member in a second direction.

Aptly further comprising a base part releasably attached to a gripper part, the gripper part comprising the first holder element and the second holder element, the first end of the elongate element being attached to the base part, and the second coupling member being attached to the base part. In this manner the base part and the gripper part may be manufactured separately for ease of manufacturing, and then subsequently assembled together. Aptly the second coupling member is releasably attached to the base part by rotation of the second coupling member relative to the base part. In this manner the second coupling member and the base part may be manufactured separately for ease of manufacturing, and then subsequently assembled together. Aptly the base part comprises a male protrusion and the second coupling member comprises a corresponding female opening to receive the male protrusion.

Aptly further comprising means to fix the base part to a wall surface. In this manner the invention may be employed to stow the wheel member or a bicycle relative to the wall surface. For example by fixing the base part to the wall surface at a suitable height, the bicycle may be stowed in a vertical configuration with the front wheel engaged between the first holder element and the second holder element suspended at a suitable height above the ground, and only the rear wheel resting on the ground.

Aptly the gripper part comprises a support body comprising a first sidewall portion, a further sidewall portion disposed in a spaced apart relationship with the first sidewall portion and a connector portion extending between respective base regions of the first and further sidewall portions, wherein a first gripping region of a first sidewall facing surface at a free end region of the first sidewall portion is convex and a further gripping region of a further sidewall facing surface at a free end region of the further sidewall portion is convex. Aptly further comprising an associated apex region of the first gripping region and an associated apex region of the further gripping region are disposed at a common distance from the connector portion and are disposed in an opposed facing relationship. Aptly the first and further sidewall portions are resilient. Aptly the base part comprises a generally U-shaped outer member and the gripper part comprises a generally U-shaped inner member that nests inside the outer member and is securable thereto. According to the invention the elongate element comprises a flexible tether element secured at a fixed end to the outer member. Aptly the tensioning means comprises a tightening element supported on the outer member for receiving a free end region of the tether element and selectively shortening a length of the tether element between the fixed end and the tightening element thereby tightening the tether element to a desired tension. Aptly further comprising the tightening element comprises a rotatable dial element that is disposed to rotate with respect to the outer member when the free end region of the tether element is received by the tightening element wherein rotation of the dial element tightens the tether element. Aptly the fixed end of the tether element is secured to a first sidewall portion of the outer member and the tightening element is supported on a further sidewall portion of the outer member.

Aptly the first holder element is configured to engage a first part of a tyre of a bicycle wheel and the second holder element is configured to engage a second part of the tyre.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of holding a wheel member at a desired location, the method comprising the steps of:.

Aptly further comprising tensioning the elongate element to draw the elongate element into engagement with the rim of the wheel member. By tensioning the elongate element, this ensures that the wheel member is tightly secured relative to the first holder element and the second holder element, even if the tyre pressure of the wheel member reduces or the tyre becomes totally deflated, and/or even if the wheel member is accidentally knocked or pushed. By tensioning the elongate element, this also ensures that the invention may be employed with a variety of different wheel members of different sizes or different rim dimensions. Aptly further comprising rotating a first coupling member relative to a second coupling member to tension the elongate element.

Aptly further comprising fixing the first holder element and the second holder element to a wall surface. In this manner the invention may be employed to stow the wheel member or a bicycle relative to the wall surface. For example by fixing the first holder element and the second holder element to the wall surface at a suitable height, the bicycle may be stowed in a vertical configuration with the front wheel engaged between the first holder element and the second holder element suspended at a suitable height above the ground, and only the rear wheel resting on the ground.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to <FIG> thereof, there is illustrated an apparatus <NUM> according to the invention for holding a wheel at a desired location. In this case the apparatus <NUM> may be employed to hold a front wheel <NUM> of a bicycle <NUM> (<FIG>).

The apparatus <NUM> comprises a base part <NUM>, a gripper part <NUM>, an elongate flexible tether cord <NUM>, a first coupling disc <NUM>, and a second coupling disc <NUM> (<FIG>).

The base part <NUM> includes a plurality of fixing openings <NUM> (<FIG>) to receive a plurality of corresponding fixers <NUM> to fix the base part <NUM> to a wall (<FIG>). In this case the base part <NUM> is fixed to the wall at a suitable height to stow the bicycle <NUM> in a vertical configuration with the front wheel <NUM> held by the apparatus <NUM> suspended at a suitable height above the ground, and only the rear wheel <NUM> resting on the ground (<FIG>).

The base part <NUM> includes a side opening <NUM> (<FIG>). The base part <NUM> also includes a protruding upstanding tooth <NUM> along an edge of the side opening <NUM> (<FIG>). The second coupling disc <NUM> includes an insertion opening <NUM> and a bayonet opening <NUM> along an outer edge of the second coupling disc <NUM> (<FIG>). The insertion opening <NUM> and the bayonet opening <NUM> correspond to the protruding upstanding tooth <NUM>, and the insertion opening <NUM> and the bayonet opening <NUM> may receive the protruding upstanding tooth <NUM>. The second coupling disc <NUM> may be releasably attached to a sidewall portion of the base part <NUM> by locating the second coupling disc <NUM> in the side opening <NUM> with the protruding upstanding tooth <NUM> aligned with the insertion opening <NUM>, and then rotating the second coupling disc <NUM> relative to the base part <NUM> to move the protruding upstanding tooth <NUM> into the bayonet opening <NUM>.

The gripper part <NUM> may be releasably attached to the base part <NUM> by pushing the gripper part <NUM> into the base part <NUM> in a snap fit arrangement (<FIG>, <FIG>). The base part <NUM> is provided in the form of a generally U-shaped outer member. The gripper part <NUM> is provided in the form of a generally U-shaped inner member that nests inside the outer member and is securable thereto.

The gripper part <NUM> includes a first holder element <NUM> to engage a first side of a tyre <NUM> of the front wheel <NUM> and a second holder element <NUM> to engage a second side of the tyre <NUM> opposite to the first side. The first holder element <NUM> is disposed in a spaced apart relationship from the second holder element <NUM> (<FIG>) to allow a portion of the tyre <NUM> to be passed therebetween (<FIG>). In further detail the gripper part <NUM> comprises a support body comprising a first sidewall portion <NUM>, a further sidewall portion <NUM> disposed in a spaced apart relationship with the first sidewall portion <NUM> and a connector portion <NUM> extending between respective base regions of the first sidewall portion <NUM> and the further sidewall portion <NUM> (<FIG>). The first holder element <NUM> is provided in the form of a first gripping region of a first sidewall facing surface at a free end region of the first sidewall portion <NUM>. The first gripping region <NUM> is convex in shape (<FIG>). The second holder element <NUM> is provided in the form of a second gripping region of a further sidewall facing surface at a free end region of the further sidewall portion <NUM>. The second gripping region <NUM> is convex in shape (<FIG>). The first sidewall portion <NUM> and the further sidewall portion <NUM> are of a resilient material. An apex region of the first gripping region <NUM> and an apex region of the second gripping region <NUM> are disposed at a common distance from the connector portion <NUM> and are disposed in an opposed facing relationship (<FIG>, <FIG>).

A first fixed end <NUM> of the tether cord <NUM> is securely attached to a first sidewall portion of the base part <NUM>. In this case the first fixed end <NUM> of the tether cord <NUM> is attached to the base part <NUM> by inserting the first end <NUM> through an opening <NUM> in the base part <NUM> (<FIG>), and then knotting the tether cord <NUM>. The base part <NUM> is attached to the gripper part <NUM> having the first holder element <NUM> in the snap fit arrangement. A second free end <NUM> of the tether cord <NUM> is attached to the first coupling disc <NUM> (<FIG>). The tether cord <NUM> is extendable across a rim <NUM> of the front wheel <NUM> to secure the front wheel <NUM> relative to the gripper part <NUM> with the first holder element <NUM> and the second holder element <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG>).

The first coupling disc <NUM> includes a first magnetic part <NUM>, and the second coupling disc <NUM> includes a second magnetic part <NUM> (<FIG>) to releasably couple the first coupling disc <NUM> to the second coupling disc <NUM> by magnetic attraction (<FIG>, <FIG>). The second coupling disc <NUM> is attached to the base part <NUM> by insertion and rotation. The base part <NUM> is attached to the gripper part <NUM> having the second holder element <NUM> in the snap fit arrangement.

The first coupling disc <NUM> is rotatable relative to the second coupling disc <NUM> to loop part of the tether cord <NUM> around the second coupling disc <NUM> to tension the tether cord <NUM> and to draw the tether cord <NUM> into engagement with the rim <NUM> of the front wheel <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG>). In this manner the first coupling disc <NUM> acts as a winch to draw the tether cord <NUM> into place. The first coupling disc <NUM> acts as a tightening element for receiving the second free end <NUM> of the tether cord <NUM> and selectively shortening the length of the tether cord <NUM> between the first fixed end <NUM> and the first coupling disc <NUM> thereby tightening the tether cord <NUM> to a desired tension. The first coupling disc <NUM> acts as a rotatable dial that is disposed to rotate with respect to the base part <NUM> when the second free end <NUM> of the tether cord <NUM> is received by the first coupling disc <NUM>. Rotation of the first coupling disc <NUM> then tightens the tether cord <NUM>. The first coupling disc <NUM> includes a plurality of ratchet teeth, and the second coupling disc <NUM> includes a plurality of corresponding ratchet teeth <NUM> (<FIG>). The ratchet teeth interengage to facilitate rotation of the first coupling disc <NUM> relative to the second coupling disc <NUM> in a first direction (<FIG>), and to prevent rotation of the first coupling disc <NUM> relative to the second coupling disc <NUM> in an opposite second direction.

To assemble the apparatus <NUM>, the second coupling disc <NUM> is located in the side opening <NUM> of the base part <NUM> with the protruding upstanding tooth <NUM> aligned with the insertion opening <NUM>. The second coupling disc <NUM> is then rotated relative to the base part <NUM> to move the protruding upstanding tooth <NUM> into the bayonet opening <NUM>. The first end <NUM> of the tether cord <NUM> is inserted through the opening <NUM> in the base part <NUM>, and the tether cord <NUM> is knotted. The gripper part <NUM> is attached to the base part <NUM> by pushing the gripper part <NUM> into the base part <NUM> in the snap fit arrangement. The second end <NUM> of the tether cord <NUM> is attached to the first coupling disc <NUM>.

In use, the base part <NUM> is fixed to the wall by extending the fixers <NUM> though the fixing openings <NUM> (<FIG>). A portion of the tyre <NUM> is inserted into the gripper part <NUM> between the first holder element <NUM> and the second holder element <NUM> (<FIG>). The first holder element <NUM> engages the first side of the tyre <NUM> of the front wheel <NUM> and the second holder element <NUM> engages the second side of the tyre <NUM>. The tether cord <NUM> is extended across the rim <NUM> of the front wheel <NUM> (<FIG>). The first coupling disc <NUM> is coupled to the second coupling disc <NUM> by magnetic attraction between the magnetic parts <NUM>, <NUM> (<FIG>). The first coupling disc <NUM> is rotated relative to the second coupling disc <NUM> to loop the excess part of the tether cord <NUM> around the second coupling disc <NUM> to tension the tether cord <NUM> and to draw the tether cord <NUM> into engagement with the rim <NUM> of the front wheel <NUM> (<FIG>). The tightened tether cord <NUM> secures the front wheel <NUM> relative to the gripper part <NUM>. The ratchet teeth facilitate rotation of the first coupling disc <NUM> relative to the second coupling disc <NUM> in the first direction, and prevent rotation of the first coupling disc <NUM> relative to the second coupling disc <NUM> in the opposite second direction.

The apparatus <NUM> thus holds the front wheel <NUM> at the desired location to stow the bicycle <NUM> in the vertical configuration with the front wheel <NUM> held by the apparatus <NUM> suspended at the suitable height above the ground, and the rear wheel <NUM> resting on the ground (<FIG>).

To remove the front wheel <NUM> from the apparatus <NUM>, the first coupling disc <NUM> is decoupled from the second coupling disc <NUM> by pulling the first coupling disc <NUM> away from the second coupling disc <NUM> (<FIG>). The excess part of the tether cord <NUM> falls loose again (<FIG>). The tether cord <NUM> is extracted from the rim <NUM> of the front wheel <NUM>. The tyre <NUM> is pulled out of the gripper part <NUM> (<FIG>).

It will be appreciated that the gripper part may be provided in a variety of different sizes and shapes to suit a variety of different types of wheels, for example a smaller or narrower gripper part may suit a narrower road bicycle tyre, or a wider or larger gripper part may suit a mountain bicycle tyre.

It will be appreciated that the apparatus of the invention is also suitable for holding other types of wheels, and is not limited to holding bicycle wheels.

It will be appreciated that the apparatus of the invention may also be employed to stow a bicycle in a horizontal configuration with the front wheel and the rear wheel resting on the ground.

It will be appreciated that the apparatus of the invention may employ any suitable means to secure the wheel relative to the first holder element and the second holder element. The invention is not limited to using a specific tether cord.

It will be appreciated that the fixed end <NUM> of the tether cord <NUM> may be securely attached to the first sidewall portion <NUM> of the gripper part <NUM>, rather than to the first sidewall portion of the base part <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that the component parts of the apparatus of the invention may be provided in any suitable shape, and the invention is not limited to the specific shapes hereinbefore described. For example the invention is not limited to a U-shaped base part, the invention is not limited to a U-shaped gripper part, the invention is not limited to a disc-shaped first coupling member, and the invention is not limited to a disc-shaped second coupling member.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which may be varied in construction and detail.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to" and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps.

Claim 1:
Apparatus (<NUM>) for holding a wheel member (<NUM>) at a desired location, the apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a first holder element (<NUM>) to engage a first part of a wheel member (<NUM>), a second holder element (<NUM>) to engage a second part of the wheel member (<NUM>), the first holder element (<NUM>) being disposed in a spaced apart relationship from the second holder element (<NUM>) to receive at least a portion of the wheel member (<NUM>) therebetween,
a substantially elongate element (<NUM>) for extension across a rim (<NUM>) of the wheel member (<NUM>) to secure the wheel member (<NUM>) relative to the first holder element (<NUM>) and the second holder element (<NUM>);
a first end (<NUM>) of the elongate element (<NUM>) being attached to the first holder element (<NUM>) and a second end (<NUM>) of the elongate element (<NUM>) being releasably coupleable to the second holder element (<NUM>);
a first coupling member (<NUM>) attached to the second end (<NUM>) of the elongate element (<NUM>); and
a second coupling member (<NUM>) attached to the second holder element (<NUM>);
wherein the first coupling member (<NUM>) is releasably coupleable to the second coupling member (<NUM>) by magnetic attraction, and characterized in that
the elongate element (<NUM>) comprises a flexible tether.