Land vehicles – Wheeled – Occupant propelled type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-22
2001-05-08
Butler, Douglas C. (Department: 3613)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Occupant propelled type
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227556
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to apparatus for mounting an accessory on a bicycle. More particularly, this invention pertains to apparatus for interchangeably mounting a variety of accessories, either alone or in simultaneous combination, to a bicycle frame.
In the prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 4,883,283 of Hazelett et al. discloses a bicycle hitch for a one-wheel trailer with a horizontal tubular hitch bar.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,266 of Kelley et al. discloses an improvement in the Hazelett et al. hitch.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,985 of Nowlin shows a bicycle buggy apparatus having a tongue-and-socket pin hitch attachable to a sleeve placed on the seat support frame member.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,039,120 of Stowe teaches a bicycle towing apparatus including a horizontal member vertically pivotable about a seat support member and a pair of legs extending from the rear end of the horizontal member to the rear wheel axle.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,328,915 of Melton, III discloses apparatus for mounting a basket or other accessory to a carrier rack of a conventional bicycle.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,583,550 of Dennis et al. shows a support for attaching a wire basket to the front of a bicycle.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,577,786 of Dowrick et al. discloses a device for securing a pannier bag to a bicycle frame.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,418,850 of Jackson et al. discloses a pannier which is attachable to the rear carrier rack of a bicycle.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,440,331 of Schimmels teaches a construction of a child protective carrier mountable over a bicycle wheel.
There are many accessories which are useful to bicyclists. These include removable fenders over the front and/or rear wheels, bicycle cargo carrying racks which may be positioned over either wheel, baskets, saddlebags or panniers which are generally mounted beside or over a wheel, and even small trailers for carrying children, groceries, golf clubs or other cargo.
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. In general, the mounting system of any available accessory makes simultaneous mounting of other accessories difficult, inconvenient and often impossible. Generally, the various accessory mounts are incompatible. For example, the mounting means associated with a removable luggage rack may be connected to the bicycle frame such that a trailer hitch, saddlebags, or fender cannot be simultaneously mounted to the bicycle.
The bicycle mounting devices in the prior art have other drawbacks, among which are, non-lockability, a need for tools to mount or remove the accessory, and a general lack of versatility.
None of the references enables the simultaneous mounting of a wide variety of standard accessories to a bicycle, whereby individual accessories may be quickly and easily mounted or removed as desired.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A universal accessory mounting system is configured to be attached to a bicycle in a substantially rigid attachment. An upper attachment assembly may be attached to the bicycle frame behind and below the seat, or optionally to a front frame member adjacent the bicycle's front wheel. A lower attachment assembly includes a pair of stirrup members which may be attached to a frame member on each side of the front and/or rear wheel adjacent a wheel axle. The stirrup members are mirror images of each other. Intermediate structures, designated herein as primary accessories, include several alternative or additive detachable beam assemblies which extend longitudinally from the upper attachment assembly, and have detachable support legs which extend from the beam assembly to be retained in stirrup members on both sides of the wheel. Not only are these intermediate structures useful as accessories, e.g. trailer hitch or luggage rack, but secondary accessories such as panniers, baskets, reflectors, lights and the like may be mounted thereon. The mounting system is attachable over either the bicycle rear wheel, the front wheel or over both wheels.
Exemplary of the wide variety of accessories which may be mounted on a bicycle with this mounting system are (1) a luggage or carrier rack, (2) side panniers, (3) a trailer hitch for pulling a trailer, e.g. golf cart, child cart, or other wheeled vehicle, (4) side baskets, and (5) a front or rear basket which mounts on the luggage rack. In addition, a wheel fender may be easily mounted and removed using this mounting system. Also, a rear light and/or reflector may be easily mounted at a variety of possible locations on the mounting system to accommodate the installed accessories.
Unlike other bicycle mounting systems, this universal multipurpose apparatus permits the simultaneous mounting of a variety of accessories. Thus, for example, a rear carrier rack, a basket, a pair of panniers, a wheel fender, a trailer hitch, and a reflector or taillight may all be simultaneously mounted with this system. Any of the secondary accessories may be quickly and easily removed independently of other accessories. The mounting system may include built-in locking assemblies which require a key to remove the mounting system and/or attached accessories from the bicycle.
Unlike other mounting systems, accessories may be mounted or removed without tools. The mounting apparatus and accessories do not interfere with the mounting or removal of a wheel from the bicycle. The light weight of the apparatus enables the bicyclist to carry heavier loads without exceeding the practical total weight carrying capacity of the bicycle.
Because of the general similarity in bicycle frame design, the mounting apparatus of this invention is applicable to nearly all bicycles presently in existence. Where differences exist, the mounting apparatus may be adapted to different bicycles using small inexpensive parts, e.g. inserts may be provided to adapt clamp members to different sizes and angular positions of frame members. Certain parts of the apparatus may be varied in shape and/or size to accommodate particular bicycle constructions.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be readily understood by reading the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures of the drawings wherein like reference numerals have been applied to designate like elements throughout the several views.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2583550 (1952-01-01), Dennis
patent: 3795354 (1974-03-01), Stippich
patent: 3827613 (1974-08-01), Meyer
patent: 4023820 (1977-05-01), Rizzo
patent: 4155231 (1979-05-01), Zane et al.
patent: 4328915 (1982-05-01), Melton
patent: 4342467 (1982-08-01), Kester
patent: 4418850 (1983-12-01), Jackson
patent: 4440331 (1984-04-01), Schimmels
patent: 4545224 (1985-10-01), Zane
patent: 4577786 (1986-03-01), Dowrick
patent: 4690420 (1987-09-01), Belka
patent: 4721320 (1988-01-01), Creps et al.
patent: 4883283 (1989-11-01), Hazelett
patent: 4928985 (1990-05-01), Nowlin
patent: 5039120 (1991-08-01), Stowe
patent: 5090717 (1992-02-01), Belka
patent: 5092142 (1992-03-01), Zane et al.
patent: 5240266 (1993-08-01), Kelley
patent: 5332134 (1994-07-01), Chen
patent: 5395130 (1995-03-01), Rubin
patent: 5410893 (1995-05-01), Easterwood
patent: 5470088 (1995-11-01), Adams
patent: 5470092 (1995-11-01), Fardy
patent: 5588661 (1996-12-01), Wolfe
patent: 5678839 (1997-10-01), Pubud, Jr. et al.
patent: 5975549 (1999-11-01), Ockenden
Butler Douglas C.
Moore & Hansen
Talavera Melanie
LandOfFree
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