Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is related to and claims the benefit as under 35 U.S.C. 119 of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/836,684 filed Aug. 10, 2006 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an aerodynamic storage element designed to work in conjunction with an aerodynamic bicycle frame, more particularly a storage element designed in conjunction with the frame so as to increase the collective aerodynamic function of both the storage element and the frame. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A conventional bicycle water bottle is mounted in a carrier attached to the down tube or seat tube of the frame. A conventional tool containing pouch is mounted to the frame behind the rider&#39;s seat. Typically, the water bottle or tool pouch profile extends well outside the envelope of the bicycle frame, when viewed head on, and thus adds to the frontal area of the bicycle increasing the aerodynamic drag on the bicycle. Further, the shape of the tool pouch or water bottle disturbs the air flowing across the bicycle frame members, thus further adding to the overall drag of the bicycle. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention at least to partially overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. Also, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved storage element and frame in order to reduce aerodynamic drag. 
     In the field of bicycle design and racing, aerodynamics plays an important role. Bicycles are now being designed to further reduce any aerodynamic drag to give the rider a further advantage over competitors or to improve their own times. 
     The present invention is directed to a storage element and bicycle frame that work in conjunction with each other. Bicycles made in the past have been designed in an aerodynamic fashion to reduce aerodynamic drag. As well, some storage elements, for example water bottles, have been designed to also be aerodynamic in shape. However, it is an object of the present invention to make both the frame and storage element as aerodynamic as possible when the storage element is attached to the frame. The storage element is designed to function as an integral aerodynamic element of the frame. 
     In general, a bicycle frame has a top tube, down tube, seat tube and head tube. 
     In a first embodiment, the storage element may complete an aerodynamic design between the down tube and the seat tube. When viewed in section, the storage element complements the frame tube profiles to present an optimal aerodynamic form, effectively smoothing out the airflow across the down tube and seat tube. The net result is a reduction in aerodynamic drag on the frame. It is the exposed portions of the storage element together with the exposed portions of the down tube and the seat tube which form an aerodynamic shape. In this embodiment, the down tube is the first part of an aerodynamic shape and the seat tube is the last part of an aerodynamic shape. The storage element would then fit between the seat tube and down tube to complete an aerodynamic shape for optimal aerodynamic design. 
     The aerodynamic shape of the bicycle frame in combination with the storage element is selected to be a shape that assists in reducing the aerodynamic drag when the bicycle moves forwardly through the air. Preferably, this may be an oval shape. Furthermore the oval shape may be a teardrop shape. A teardrop shape essentially has an enlarged rounded forward end and a reduced size at the rear end. 
     The storage element and frame may also be designed with a drinking straw which is routed internally through the frame. In this embodiment, the storage element is designed to be a refillable container such as a water bottle for the storage of fluids for consumption by the rider. The drinking straw may allow the rider to drink from the storage element without removing the storage element from the frame itself. An advantage of a drinking straw is that it allows the rider to drink, without breaking from their aerodynamic position on the bicycle, as is necessitated by a removable waterbottle. 
     In one embodiment, the storage element may continue the aerodynamic design of the down tube of the bicycle frame without being attached to the seat tube. In this way, the storage element actually increases the aerodynamic design of the frame. In this instance, the down tube may be the first part of an aerodynamic shape and the storage element may complete the aerodynamic shape. The down tube is designed to accept the storage element and the other tubes can be individually made to be aerodynamic. 
     In another embodiment, the storage element may be attached to the seat tube without also being attached to the down tube. In this instance, the storage element can be designed as the first part of an aerodynamic shape and the seat tube can be the remaining part of the aerodynamic shape. In this instance, the seat tube is designed to accept the storage element and the other tubes can be individually made to be aerodynamic. 
     In another element, the storage element may be attached in a junction between the top tube and the seat tube. In this instance, the storage element can be designed as the first part of an aerodynamic shape and the seat tube can be designed to be the remaining part of the aerodynamic shape. The seat tube and top tube are designed to accept the storage element and the other tubes can be individually made to be aerodynamic. 
     In still another embodiment, the storage element may be attached in a junction between at least two of the top tube, head tube and down tube. In this instance, the head tube and down tube can be designed as the first part of an aerodynamic shape and the storage element can be designed to be the remaining part of the aerodynamic shape. The head tube, down tube and top tube are all designed to accept the storage element and the other tubes can be individually made to be aerodynamic. 
     The storage element and frame may also be designed to facilitate the attachment of the storage element to the frame. In an embodiment of the invention, the storage element has concealed portions of its exterior surface when attached to the frame. The concealed portions have complementary mating shapes to the concealed exterior portions of the exterior surface to the tube of the frame. These mating shapes prevent the storage element from moving normal to the plane of the frame and from falling off the bicycle. 
     In a still further aspect, the concealed portions of the exterior surface of the tubes are convexly shaped and the concealed exterior portions of the storage element include a channel to receive the convexly shaped portions of the tubes. 
     In a further aspect, the concealed portions of the exterior surface of the storage element are convexly shaped and the concealed portions of the exterior surface of the tubes include a channel to receive the convexly shaped portions of the storage element. 
     In a further aspect, the exterior surfaces of the tubes have a cross-section normal to the plane of the tubes which is a teardrop shape and the storage element is designed with channels to receive the teardrop shaped portions of the tubes. 
     In a further aspect, the storage element has an interior storage compartment. The interior storage compartment can be adapted to store any manner of items, including water, food, bicycle repair tools, collapsed inflatable bicycle tire replacement inner tubes, inner tube inflation devices, eyeglasses, goggles, clothing, maps and other items. The interior storage compartment can be configured to be accessible to the rider of the bicycle while the rider is riding the bicycle although it is not necessary, for example, when the compartment needs merely be accessible as when used for storing tools. 
     The storage element may also be a refillable container such as a water bottle for the storage of fluids for consumption by the rider. 
     Further aspects of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and drawings, which illustrate the invention and preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the invention: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a conventional bicycle. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of a first frame embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a second frame embodiment with a storage element disposed between the down tube and the seat tube. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross section of  FIG. 3  along A-A in  FIG. 3  illustrating the aerodynamic design of the down tube, storage element and seat tube. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross section of  FIG. 3  along B-B of in  FIG. 3  illustrating the general aerodynamic design of the down tube. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross section of  FIG. 3  along C-C in  FIG. 3  illustrating the general aerodynamic design of the seat tube. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-section of  FIG. 3  along D-D. in  FIG. 3   
         FIG. 8  is a cross-section of  FIG. 3  along E-E in  FIG. 3   
         FIG. 9  is a schematic side view of the frame of  FIG. 3  with a drinking straw routed internally from the storage element through the down tube. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-section of  FIG. 9  along F-F in  FIG. 9   
         FIG. 11  illustrates the second frame embodiment with a storage element mounted to the down tube. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a cross-section of the down tube and storage element along Section A-A in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a cross-section of the front end of the down tube along Section B-B in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a cross-section of the rear end of the down tube along Section C-C in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 15  illustrates the second frame embodiment with a storage element mounted to the seat tube. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a cross-section of the seat tube and storage element along Section A-A in  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a cross-section of the top end of the seat tube along Section B-B in  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a cross-section of the lower end of the seat tube along Section C-C of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 19  is a side view of the frame of  FIG. 15  with a drinking straw routed internally from the storage element through the seat tube and top tube. 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-section along D-D in  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 21  illustrates the second frame embodiment with a storage element disposed between the top tube and the seat tube. 
         FIG. 22  is a cross section along A-A in  FIG. 21  illustrating the aerodynamic design of the storage element and the seat tube. 
         FIG. 23  is a cross section along B-B in  FIG. 21  illustrating the aerodynamic design of the seat tube. 
         FIG. 24  is a side view of the frame of  FIG. 21  with a drinking straw routed internally from the storage element through the top tube. 
         FIG. 25  illustrates the second frame embodiment with a storage element disposed between the top tube, head tube and the down tube. 
         FIG. 26  is a cross section along A-A in  FIG. 25  illustrating the aerodynamic design of the storage element, the down tube and the head tube. 
         FIG. 27  is a cross section along B-B in  FIG. 25  illustrating the aerodynamic design of the down tube. 
         FIG. 28  is a side view of the frame of  FIG. 25  with a drinking straw routed internally from the storage element through the top tube. 
         FIG. 29  is a cross sectional top view similar to that of  FIG. 4  but of a second embodiment of the storage element when disposed between the down tube and seat tube. 
         FIG. 30  is a cross sectional top view similar to that of  FIG. 4  but of a third embodiment of the storage element when disposed between the down tube and seat tube. 
         FIG. 31  is a cross sectional top view similar to that of  FIG. 4  but of a fourth embodiment of the storage element when disposed between the down tube and seat tube. 
         FIG. 32  is a cross sectional top view similar to that of  FIG. 4  but of a fifth embodiment of the storage element when disposed between the down tube and seat tube. 
         FIG. 33  is a cross section top view similar to that of  FIG. 11  but of an additional embodiment of the storage element when attached to the down tube. 
         FIG. 34  is a cross section top view similar to that of  FIG. 11  but of an additional embodiment of the storage element when attached to the seat tube. 
         FIG. 35  is a side view of a third frame embodiment. 
         FIG. 36  is a side view of a fourth frame embodiment. 
         FIG. 37  is a schematic pictorial view of a storage element, incorporating dividers, to facilitate the storage of tools, food and beverages. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Preferred embodiments of the invention and its advantages can be understood by referring to the present drawings. Through all of the drawings the same reference numbers are used to refer to similar elements. 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of a bicycle  12  in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. The bicycle  12  has a frame  10  comprising a head tube  20 , a top tube  30 , a down tube  40  and a seat tube  50 . The bicycle  12 , when in normal use, moves in a forward direction where the head tube  20  and down tube  40  are forward of the seat tube  50 . The top tube generally extends in forward direction. Each of the head tube  20 , top tube  30 , down tube  40  and seat tube  50  is connected end-to-end to one another and form substantially a closed main frame loop  14  and a central cavity  15  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The central cavity  15  is the area enclosed by the main frame loop  14 . 
     A fork  77  is rotatably coupled to the head tube  20  to extend through the head tube carrying at an upper end to the handlebars. 
     The bicycle frame  10  as best seen in  FIG. 2 , the frame  10  has a head tube  20 , a top tube  30 , a down tube  40 , and a seat tube  50 . The head tube  20  has a top end  21  and a lower end  22 . The top tube  30  has a front end  31  and a rear end  32 . The down tube has a front end  41  and a rear end  42 . The seat tube  50  has a top end  51  and a lower end  57 . 
     The front end  31  of the top tube  30  is connected to the top end  21  of the head tube  20 . The front end  41  of the down tube  40  is connected to the lower end  22  of the head tube  20 . The top tube  30  and down tube  40  diverge away from each other as they extend rearwardly from the head tube  20 . The rear end  42  of the down tube  40  is coupled to the lower end  57  of the seat tube  50 . The rear end  32  of the top tube  30  is connected to the top end  51  of the seat tube  51 . 
     Each of the head tube  20 , top tube  30 , down tube  40  and seat tube  50  are elongate members disposed about their own longitudinal axis indicated as  121 ,  131 ,  141  and  151  respectively. The longitudinal axis of each of the head tube  20 , top tube  30 , down tube  40  and seat tube  50  lie in the same flat central plane illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 8  and  10  as  92 . Thus, mainframe loop  14  is disposed about and lies centred on the flat central plane  92 . 
     Each of the head tube  20 , top tube  30 , down tube  40  and seat tube  50  are generally symmetrical about the central plane  92 . Each of these tubes have an annular tubular wall with an external surface which is symmetrical about the central plane  92 . Each of these tubes  20 ,  30 ,  40  and  50  has inwardly directed portions of its exterior surface facing the central cavity  15  with the mainframe loop  14 . 
       FIG. 3  is a preferred second embodiment of the frame  10  and storage element  81 .  FIG. 3  is a side view of a bicycle frame  10  with the storage element  81  attached between the down tube  40  and seat tube  50 . As can be seen from  FIG. 3 , the storage element  81  completes the space between the down tube  40  and the seat tube  50 . This design allows the air to flow around the down tube  40 , storage element  81  &amp; seat tube  50 , in a relatively undisturbed manner. The storage element  81  effectively creates one aerodynamic component which includes the down tube  40 , the storage element  81  and the seat tube  50 . 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-section along Section A-A shown in  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the down tube  40 , storage element  81  and the seat tube  50  together form an aerodynamic shape. The down tube  40  is the front of the aerodynamic shape and the seat tube  50  is the back of the aerodynamic shape. The down tube  40  has a rounded front portion and the seat tube  50  has a rounded rear portion. The rounded front portion of the down tube  40  extends further away from the central plane than the rounded rear portion of the seat tube  50 .  FIG. 4  also shows both the down tube  40  and the seat tube  50  with straight portions that are symmetrical about the central plane  92 . The storage element  81  also has straight portions which are symmetrical about the central plane  92  and together with the straight portions of the down tube  40  and seat tube  50  form continuous straight portions symmetrical about the central plane  92 . The rounded front portion of the down tube  40  and the rounded rear portion of the seat tube  50  in combination with the storage element  81  show a teardrop shape. The teardrop shape is formed because the rounded portion at the front of down tube  40  extends further from the central plane  92  than the rear portion of seat tube  50  and the sides of the down tube, storage element and seat tube gradually reduces in width from the front of the down tube to the rear seat tube. 
     When the bicycle with the storage element attached moves in the forward direction, portions of the storage element  81  and the bicycle frame  10  will be concealed from the airflow that is parallel to the central plane.  FIG. 4  shows an exterior surface of the down tube  40  with a rounded front portion that is directed away from the central cavity  15  and a concealed portion  49  which is directed inwardly towards the central cavity  15 . The concealed portion  49  is straight and intersects the central plane  92 . An exterior surface of the seat tube  50  is also shown with a rounded rear portion that is directed away from the central cavity  15  and a concealed portion  59  which is directed inwardly towards the central cavity  15 . The concealed portion  59  is straight and intersects the central plane  92 . The storage element  81  has an exterior surface with concealed portions  93  and  95  which are adjacent and conceal the inwardly directed concealed portions  49  and  59 , respectively. It is the exposed portions of the down tube  40 , storage element  81  and the seat tube  50  which form the aerodynamic shape. 
     Although not shown, the storage element  81  may be held in place on the frame  10  by a number of non-permanent fastening means. For example, the concealed portions  93  and  49  and/or  95  and  59  may have complementary mating shapes to hold the storage element  81  on the frame  10 . 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-section along Section B-B shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 5  shows the down tube  40  where the storage element is not attached as having an aerodynamic teardrop shape. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-section along Section C-C shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 6  shows the seat tube  50  where the storage element is not attached as having an aerodynamic teardrop shape. 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-section along Section D-D shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 7  illustrates a design of the storage element showing a curved top  91  on the storage element. 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-section along E-E shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 8  shows the top tube  30  having a circumferential wall about the longitudinal axis and the wall being symmetrical about the central plane  92 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the storage element  81  as a water bottle held between the down tube  40  and seat tube  50  as shown in  FIG. 3  but further schematically shows a drinking straw  101  routed internally through the frame of the down tube  40  as seen in cross-section in  FIG. 10 . In this instance, the down tube  40  is provided with an entrance opening  141  that allows the straw  101  to enter the down tube. Drinking straw guides  103  may be provided in the entrance opening  141 . These guides  103  may be a grommet or other suitable means to assist the drinking straw  101  through the opening  141 . The straw extends internally through the down tube  40  to the head tube  20 , internally through the head tube  20  to the top tube  30  and exiting the top tube  30  at an exit opening  143  near the rider&#39;s head. 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-section along Section F-F shown in  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 10  shows the drinking straw  101  routed inside the down tube  40 . 
       FIG. 11  shows an alternate embodiment of the frame  10  and a storage element  82  with the storage element  82  attached to the down tube  40  only. This allows the air to flow around the down tube  40  and the storage element  82 . The storage element  82  and down tube  40  together effectively creates one aerodynamic component. As seen in  FIG. 12 , which is a is a cross-section along Section A-A shown in  FIG. 11 , the down tube  40  is the front portion of an aerodynamic teardrop shape and the storage element  82  is the rear portion of the aerodynamic teardrop shape. 
       FIG. 13  is a cross-section along Section B-B shown in  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 13  shows that the down tube  40  between the storage element  82  and the front end  41  of the down tube  40  has an aerodynamic teardrop shape. 
       FIG. 14  is a cross-section along Section C-C shown in  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 14  shows the down tube  40  between the storage element  82  and the rear end  42  of the down tube  40 , where the storage element is not attached, has an aerodynamic teardrop shape. 
       FIG. 15  is an alternate embodiment of the frame  10  and a storage element  83  with the storage element  83  attached to the seat tube  50  only. This allows the air to flow around the storage element  83  and the seat tube  50 . The storage element  83  effectively creates one aerodynamic component which includes the seat tube  50  and the storage element  83 . 
       FIG. 16  is a cross-section along Section A-A shown in  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 16  shows the storage element  83  is the front portion of an aerodynamic teardrop shape and the seat tube  50  is the rear portion of the aerodynamic teardrop shape. As can be seen in  FIG. 16 , the concealed portion  59  of the exterior surface of the seat tube  50  contacts the concealed portion  95  of the storage element  83 . 
       FIG. 17  is a cross-section along Section B-B shown in  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 17  shows the seat tube more between the storage element  83  and the top end  51  of the seat tube  50 , where the storage element is not attached, as having an aerodynamic teardrop shape. 
       FIG. 18  is a cross-section along Section C-C shown in  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 18  shows the seat tube between the storage element  83  and the lower end  57  of the seat tube  50 , where the storage element is not attached, as having an aerodynamic teardrop shape. 
       FIG. 19  illustrates the storage element  83  as a water bottle held on the seat tube  50  as shown in  FIG. 15  but further schematically a drinking straw  101  routed internally through the frame of the seat tube  50  and top tube  30 . The seat tube is schematically shown as having an entrance opening  151  that allow the straw to enter the seat tube  30 . The straw  101  travels internally through the seat tube, top tube  30  and exit the top tube near the rider&#39;s head. As shown in  FIG. 19 , the drinking straw  101  may exit the top tube or the head tube  20  at exit opening  143  of the bicycle frame. 
       FIG. 20  is a cross-section along Section D-D shown in  FIG. 19 .  FIG. 20  shows the drinking straw  101  routed inside the top tube  30 . 
       FIG. 21  shows an additional embodiment of the frame and storage element.  FIG. 21  is a side view of a bicycle frame with the storage element attached between the top tube  30  and seat tube  50 . As can be seen from  FIG. 21 , the storage element  84  completes the space between the top tube  30  and the seat tube  50  allowing air to flow around the storage element  84  and the seat tube  50 . The storage element  84  effectively creates one aerodynamic component which includes the seat tube  50 . 
       FIG. 22  is a cross-section along Section A-A shown in  FIG. 21 .  FIG. 22  illustrates a design wherein the storage element  84  is the start of an aerodynamic teardrop shape and the seat tube  50  is the end of the aerodynamic teardrop shape. In this embodiment, it is the top end  51  of the seat tube  50  which completes the aerodynamic shape. As can be seen in  FIG. 22 , the concealed portion  59  of the exterior surface of the seat tube  50  contacts the concealed portion  95  of the storage element  83 . 
       FIG. 23  is a cross-section along Section B-B shown in  FIG. 21 .  FIG. 23  illustrates a design wherein the seat tube at a lower end, where the storage element is not attached, has an aerodynamic teardrop shape. 
       FIG. 24  illustrates the storage element  84  as a water bottle held between the top tube  30  and seat tube  50  as shown in  FIG. 21  but further includes a drinking straw  101  which can be routed internally through the frame in the top tube  30 . In this instance, the top tube  30  is provided with an opening  131  and drinking straw guides (not shown) that allow the straw to enter the top tube  30  and exit the top tube in a location, which allows the rider to conveniently drink from the straw. As shown in  FIG. 24 , the drinking straw may exit the top tube  30  or the head tube  20  at exit opening  143  of the bicycle frame  10 . 
       FIG. 25  is an additional embodiment of the frame  10  and storage element  85 .  FIG. 25  is a side view of a bicycle frame with the storage element  85  attached between the top tube  30 , head tube  20  and down tube  40 . As can be seen from  FIG. 25 , the storage element  85  completes the space between the top tube  30  and the down tube  40 . This design allows the air to flow around the head tube  20  and the down tube  40  and then around the storage element  85 . The storage element  85  effectively creates an aerodynamic component which includes the down tube  40  and head tube  20 . 
       FIG. 26  is a cross-section along Section A-A shown in  FIG. 25 .  FIG. 26  illustrates a design wherein the head tube  20  and/or down tube  40  is the start of an aerodynamic teardrop shape and the storage element is the end of the aerodynamic teardrop shape. As can be seen in  FIG. 26 , the concealed portion  29  of the exterior surface of the head tube  20  contacts the concealed portion  97  of the storage element  85 . 
       FIG. 27  is a cross-section along Section B-B shown in  FIG. 25 .  FIG. 27  illustrates a design wherein the down tube at a rear end, where the storage element is not attached, has an aerodynamic teardrop shape. 
       FIG. 28  illustrates the storage element  85  as a water bottle held between the top tube  30 , head tube  20  and down tube  40  as shown in  FIG. 25  but further includes a drinking straw  101  which can be routed internally through the frame in the top tube  30 . In this instance, the top tube  30  is provided with an opening  131  and drinking straw guides (not shown) that allow the straw to enter the top tube  30  and exit the top tube at in a location, which allows the rider to conveniently drink from the straw. As shown in  FIG. 28 , the drinking straw may exit the top tube  30  at exit  143  of the bicycle frame  10 . 
       FIG. 29  is a cross-section along Section A-A shown in  FIG. 3  illustrating an additional embodiment of the storage element  81 . In this embodiment, the storage element  81   b  is extended laterally beyond the envelope  181  of the frame. Even though the storage element  81   b  extends outside the envelope of the frame the resulting combined profile of the tubes and storage element  81  results in a net reduction of aerodynamic drag on the bicycle frame  10 . 
     The storage element can be designed to incorporate the means to attach itself to the bicycle frame. Furthermore, the bicycle frames can be designed to incorporate a means to attach the storage element. 
       FIG. 30  is a cross-section along Section A-A shown in  FIG. 3  illustrating an additional embodiment of the storage element  81  and the bicycle frame  10 . As shown in  FIG. 30 , the storage element  81   c  and the bicycle frame are provided with complementary mating shapes  191  and  192  on the concealed portions of both the storage element and the bicycle frame. The storage element can, therefore, be easily attached to the frame while still allowing easy access and removal. 
       FIG. 31  is a cross-section along Section A-A shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 31  illustrates an additional embodiment of the storage element  81  and the bicycle frame  10 . As shown in  FIG. 31 , the concealed portion  93   d  of the exterior surface of the storage element  81   d  which contacts the down tube  40  is convexly shaped and the concealed portion  95   d  of the exterior surface of the storage element  81   d  which contacts the seat tube  50  is concavely shaped. Furthermore, the concealed portions  49  of the exterior surface of the down tube  40  are concavely shaped to receive the convexly shaped portion of the storage element  81   d  and the concealed portions  59  of the seat tube are convexly shaped to receive the concavely shaped portion of the storage element  81   d.    
       FIG. 32  is a cross-section along Section A-A shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 32  illustrates a still additional embodiment of the storage element  81  and the bicycle frame  10 . As shown in  FIG. 32 , the concealed portion  93   e  of the exterior surface of the storage element  81   e  which contacts the down tube  40  is concavely shaped and the concealed portion  95   e  of the exterior surface of the storage element  81   e  which contacts the seat tube  50  is also concavely shaped. Furthermore, the concealed portions  49  of the exterior surface of the down tube and the concealed portions  59  of the exterior surface of the seat tube are convexly shaped to receive the concavely shaped portions  93   e ,  95   e  of the storage element  81   e.    
       FIG. 33  is a cross-section along Section A-A in  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 33  shows an additional embodiment of the storage element  82  and the bicycle frame  10 . As shown in  FIG. 33 , the concealed portion  93   f  of the exterior surface of the storage element  82   a  which contacts the down tube  40  is concavely shaped. The concealed portion  49  at the exterior surface of the down tube is convexly shaped to receive the concavely shaped portion  93  of the storage element  82   a.    
     The storage element  81   f  also extends a longer distance from the central plane  92  than the forward portion of the down tube  40 . This allows the storage element  82   a  to store a greater volume and still maintain an aerodynamic shape. 
       FIG. 34  is a cross-section along Section A-A in  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 33  shows an additional embodiment of the storage element  83   a  and the bicycle frame  10 . As shown in  FIG. 33 , the concealed portion  95   g  of the exterior surface of the storage element  83   a  which contacts the seat tube  50  is concavely shaped. The concealed portion  59  at the exterior surface of the down tube is convexly shaped to receive the concavely shaped portion  95   g  of the storage element  83   a.    
     The storage element  83   a  also extends a longer distance from the central plane  92  than any portion of the seat tube  50 . This allows the storage element  83   a  to store a greater volume and still maintain an aerodynamic shape. 
       FIG. 35  is a third embodiment of the bicycle frame where the front end  31  of the top tube  30  is connected directly with the front end  41  of the down tube  40 . In this embodiment the head tube  20  does not form a side of the main frame loop  14 . 
       FIG. 36  is a fourth embodiment of the bicycle frame showing the seat tube  50  that is non-linear which has two-parts. The seat tube  50  may be designed in a similar manner to further increase the aerodynamics of the bicycle. The seat tube has an upper tubular portion  52  which has the upper end  51  and a lower end  53 ; and a lower tubular portion  56  which has an upper end  55  and the lower end  57 . As shown there is an apex between the upper tubular portion  52  and the lower tubular portion  56 . 
       FIG. 37  is a perspective pictorial view of the storage element attached between the down tube  40  and the seat tube  50  and is similar to  FIG. 32 . As shown in  FIG. 35 , the storage element  81  may have separate compartments  201  and  202 . The separate compartments  201  and  202  may be separated by a flat hard surface that extends from the bottom to the top of the storage element  81 . The first compartment could hold food while the second compartment could hold rider tools. The storage element  81  may be provide with a cover  204  that allows the rider to access the storage element while continuing to ride the bicycle. The cover  204  can be designed to snap onto the top of the storage element and may be provided with an aerodynamic top to further improve the aerodynamics of the storage element  81 . The cover  204  may be attached to the storage element  81  by straps  206 . 
     While the invention will be described in conjunction with the illustrated embodiments, it is understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to such embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Technology Category: 7