Land vehicles – Wheeled – Occupant propelled type
Utility Patent
1998-02-09
2001-01-02
Mai, Lanna (Department: 3619)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Occupant propelled type
C295S042000, C295S042000, C295S042000, C295S042000
Utility Patent
active
06168180
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to a stand for a two-wheeled vehicle, and in particular to a removable stand for use with a bicycle.
2. Description of Related Art
Stands to support bicycles in an upright position relative to the ground are as old as the bicycle itself. One form of such a stand is the common kickstand which is typically permanently fastened to the bicycle frame. The kickstand is adapted to swing down into an earth-contacting position and is held in such a position by a spring-loaded detent. The bicycle then leans on the kickstand. Raising the bicycle to a vertical position permits the kickstand to be rotated to a horizontal storage position. The kickstand is raised by directly kicking the stand or peddling the bicycle forward. Generally, the kickstand can be reversibly held in the storage position by a further detent.
Conventional kickstands have entailed several shortcomings. For example, they can easily release and rotate upward into the closed position with forward motion of the bicycle. The advent of off-road bicycle use has also highlighted further shortcomings of the conventional kickstand.
Mountain bicycles are a new twist on the traditional bicycle. The mountain bicycle is specifically designed for use on rougher terrain. Riding on such rougher terrain, however, jolts and jostles the bicycle. Because conventional kickstands tend to be held in a stored position by detent or spring biasing mechanisms, the conventional kickstand can inadvertently deploy while riding on rough terrain and catch on the ground while the bike is in motion. When accidentally deployed, the traditional kickstand poses a risk of injury to the rider of the bicycle and those riding closely behind. Accordingly, many mountain bicycle riders either remove the traditional kickstand or purchase mountain bicycles which have been manufactured without a kickstand.
Recent advances in mountain bicycle design have increased the popularity of bicycles with suspension systems. Bicycles are now available with front suspension, rear suspension and full suspension systems. The rear suspension and full suspension systems attempt to isolate the majority of the frame from the movements of the rear wheel. In many of these bicycles, the suspension system and rear wheel rotate about a common pivot point when passing over a bump in the terrain. The rear wheel, traditionally held in place by a pair of chain stays in a fixed relation to the rest of the frame, is mounted on a pair of pivotable swing arms. The suspension system and rear wheel thus attach to the main portion of the frame at the pivot point. Kickstands are conventionally mounted between the chain stay portions of the frame in an area between the seat tube and the rear wheel. By replacing traditional chain stays with pivoting swing arms, these suspension systems make it difficult, if not impossible, to mount traditionally designed kickstands.
Mountain bicycles designed for off-road conditions have thus created a need for a stand which is compatible with a variety of frame designs and operational realities of such bicycles. Desirably, due to the competitive nature of the mountain bicycle industry, such a stand should be inexpensive and easy to manufacture. The stand should further be quickly and easily removed and stored safely elsewhere on the bicycle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above-noted needs are satisfied by several aspects of the present invention. In accordance with one aspect, a stand is provided for supporting a bicycle upon a section of ground. The stand includes a bracket with an aperture and a mounting mechanism configure to mount the bracket upon a single frame element of the bicycle. The stand further comprises a support post having a first and a second end. The first end is sized and shaped to removably engage with the aperture of the bracket. The second end is adapted to engage the ground.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a bicycle with rear suspension is provided with a frame, two wheels, two peddles, and a socket block. The socket block has an aperture formed in it. The bicycle also includes a support rod, which is adapted to be nonrotatably and removably placed within the aperture.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a bicycle includes a frame and a stand assembly. The stand assembly, in turn, includes a mounting block fixed to the bicycle frame. The prop rod has a first portion and a second portion, and these two portions define an angle between about 90° and 120°. One of the prop rod and the mounting block include a receiving aperture, while the other of the prop rod and the mounting block include a male piece adapted to reversibly mate with the receiving aperture.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a stand is provided for supporting a two-wheeled vehicle in a standing position. The stand includes a bracket for attaching to a frame of the vehicle. The bracket includes an aperture. The stand also includes a rod with a first end and a second end. The first end is proportioned to be frictionally held within the aperture when the vehicle is supported upon the stand. The second end is adapted to contact the ground when the vehicle is supported upon the stand.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for using a removable bicycle stand. The method includes holding a bicycle substantially upright and frictionally fitting a support post into an aperture. The aperture is defined at a first location on the bicycle. The bicycle is then leaned towards the support post.
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Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
Mai Lanna
To Toan
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