Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
82~
~N THE UNITRD STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
.. . .. . ~
"VIBRATION-RESISTANT, SELF-CENTERING
ACCESSORY ~TTAC~MENT FOR A CYCLE"
The p~esent invention relates to cycle , such as
bicycles, mopeds, and ehe like, and more particularly to an
attachment elemeat to attach an accessory, such as a luggage
csrrier, a kickstand, or the like, to ~he frame of the cycle.
For ease of explanatio~9 reference will be made to "cycles" in
general, to be generic boeh ro blcycles, mopeds, mo~orcycles,
and ehe like, that is, in ge~eral~ to structures which have
forked frame~ or frame struts.
Backgrou~d. Frequenely, acces~ory elemenes ~uch as
kickqtand~, luggage carriers, baskçts, a~d the like, are attached
to cycLeR. To ateach the acce~ory9 it is cu~eomary to clamp
a counterelemen~ on the acces30ry,0r secured ~hereto against
a clampi~g place, with parallel or essentially parallel ~truts
o ~he cycle frame interposed. The counterelement a~d the
clamping plate are then clamped toge~her by a scre~. Usually,
Che surface or counterplace of the acce3sory is essentially
flat. The clamping plate, in order to permit ce~tering of an
attach~t screw or bolt passing between forked strut elemen~s
o~ the cycle is frequeneLy formed with essentially parallel
~rooves or bumps, corresponding to the position or expected
position o~ ~he s~ruts o~ the cycle. The clamping plates are
sti~f and have little elas~icity. To properly tighten the
clamping screw or bolt ~ithout deforming the usually tubular
frame struts of the cycle and, on the other hand, preVeQt
loosening under vibration or shock of the bolt, it is necessary
to c~refully tighten the clamplng screw aRd use appropriate
lock washers and the like. In spite of the use of lock washers,
however, vibrations and shock ~hich are transmit~ad to the
clamping attachme~c, and hence to the acce~sory, are substantial.
Overtighte~ing of the clampi~g bol~,or clamping bolts if a
2~ plurslity are provided, whlch might involve complece compresgio~
o~ lock washers, or the like, may resul~ i~ deformat~on of ~he
clamping plate a~d/or of th~ ~truts of che cycle to whlch i~
attached, Deforming ~he strutY a~d/or rhe clamping plate causes
lo~s of strength of the re~pectively deformed elemen~ and,
usually, additio~ally scars the pai~ed surfaces of the struts
of the cycle. The clamping plates usually have sharp edges
and, upon cutti~g ~hrough the pai~t on the fra~e of the cycle or
the strut~ thereof, the harp edges damage the paint or e~amel
ccvering so that the strut may be subjec~ed to rus~iug a~ the
point of attachment. The cla~pi~g plates may be made of
sheet steel or, ln some instances, may be made of aluminum, for
example as aluminum castings. The clamping plates made of steel
are comparatively heavy and require s~lrface ~reatment to prevent
corrosion.
Clamping plates made as aluminum castings, usually
pressure castings, are also comparatively heavy since the ma~erlal
utilization factor i3 poor. In order to permit inexpensive
manufacture, the aluminum elements are solid. It is not possible
~o use recessed screws or Allen-head screws with such elements
s~nce the recess of the screw head ~70uld decrease the strength of
alumlnum blocks sufficlently to provide for effective holding.
The aluminum pressure plates or pressure blocks canno~ be used
with all types o~ cycles, particularly racing and ~por~ing
bicycles, since the spacing between the main pedal bearing and the
outer circumference o~ the wheel or ~lre is insufficient ~o permit
placement of an aluminum cast block or plate.
The Invention. It is an object to improve the
attachment arrangements for accessories to cycles, particularly
for attachments which can be applied by a user or purchaser of the
20 cycle. Preferably such arrangements utillze material ef~ectively
and efficienkly, are self-centering, can be used wlth cycles of
various ~ypes and dimensions, and avoid any difficulties with
respect to damage ko the frame or self-loosening of an attachmenk
screw or bolt.
Briefly, the invention provides, for use with a cycle
having spaced es~entially parallel or sllghtly dlverging support
B
~s~
struts,
a vibxation-resistant, self-centering a~aeh~ent element for
attachment of an accessory, particularly of a luggage carrier or a
kickstand to the cycle,
wherein the accessory includes counter holding means forming
a bearing surface for engayemant wi~h the suppor~ struts,
said attachment element having a cross piece ~ormed with a
central portion and two lateral ~lange portlons spanning the space
between the spaced support struts, an aperture formed in the
lo central portion of the cross pie~e having an aperture axis
extending perpendicularly to the theoretical plane connecting said
flange portions and a clamping screw passing through the aperture
and into the counter holding means,
and wherein, in accordance with the inven~ion, the element is
formed with facing end surfaces located in essentially parallel
planes, which essentially parallel planes are parallel with
respect to the axis of the apertur~,
the flange portions form similar wed~e elements with upper
and lower surfaces diverying from outer end por~ions of the wed~e
~0 elements towards the central portion, which de~ine, in cross
section in a plane parallel to the axis of ~he aperture and
transverse to the struts, triangles which have bases adjacent ~he
central portion;
the flan~e portions are elastically deformable in a dlrection
parallel to the axis o~ the aperture;
~2~i5~
the similar wedge elements of the flange portions are formed
with hollow spaces ~hich, in cross section, correspond essentially
to the cross section of the respective flange portion, ancl extend
from one faclng end surface of the respective flange portion to
the other faclng end surface thereof; and wherein the cen~ral
portion is formed with an essent.tally rectangular prismatic hollow
3pace extendlng rom one facing end surface to another facing end
surface of the attachment element.
The essentlally triangular shape of the flanges havln~
diverging surfaces results in self-centering of the element
between spaced struts of the cycle; the element, thus, will assume
a preferred positlon centered between the struts. Even if a
counter or attachment plate or element of the accessory is flat
and plane, centering of the accessory with respect to the struts
o~ the cycle is readily obtained. It iæ not necessary to fi~ ~he
attachment element or the surface of the accessory which engages
the struts specifically to specific cycles or struts thereof.
The feature of elastic deformation of the flanges in
the direc~ion parallel to the axis of the aperture or crossbore to
~0 receive the clamplng board results in the substantial spaclng
between the polnts at which torque is applied against the s~ruts
of the cycle. This reduces any possibility of dama~e to the
struts and, effectively, provides ~or cla~ping of the accessory to
4a
~S
3L~6~i~32~
the struts since the application torque can be reduced. The
seating i3 tight and snug, so that loosening of the clamping bolt
is readily avoided. The elasticity of th~ flange portions also
per~its tight seating on divergent struts, since the flange
portions can, elastically, adapt to non-parallel struts.
4b
R
In accordance wi~h a preerred feature of the invention,
the block is sy~macrical wieh respect to a plane transverse to
the axis o~ the aperture. This will re~ult in the outer ~urfaces
of the flange forming engagemene surface~ which are symmetricaL
wi~h reqpect to this median plane. This arrangement has the
advantage that a specific placement of the attachment element
~ith respect to the cycle is not necessary and it can be placed
aither side against the ~tru~ of ~he cycle. It ls, however,
also possible to make the engagement surface9 somewhat
lQ diffarent, for example to form one of ~he surfaces at the central
portion of the at~achment element with a relief or countersunk
bore to permit use of a recessed bolt, for example an Allen hPad
bolc for the atta hment ~crew or bolt ~o provide for neat,
flush placement of the attachment scre~ or bolt. Alternatively,
or addieionally, one side of the element in the region of the
central aper~ure can be cut ~ith a groove ~o dimensioned that
8 standard hexagonal nut is retained therein and restrainad
from rotation, to provide for threading of a bolt therethrough
without requiring additional ~old~ng tools for the nut when
st~aching the acces~ory element. Rithout ehang~n8 the st~uc~ure,
and merely by ~ur~ing the structure over, ~lectively, elther
a nut csn be ~3erted in an open groove or, from the other side,
a reset screw or bole can be inserted in a cou~tersunk hol&.
Without chsnge of the structure itself, thus, various attachment
~5 arrangements present themselves.
In accordance with a preferred feature of the invention,
the outer surfaces of each one of tha flange or wing portions
are flat and diverge from ~he outer tips towards the center at
angles wh~ich are symmetrical ~ith respect to a median plane
3Q through ehe attaehment element, and hene will be inclined at the
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z~
same angle with respect to the axis of the bore or aperture
eo receive the attachment bolt.
The attachmene~ elemants may be a solid block;
ln accordance with a feature of the invention, however,
and higher elas~icity is obtained with less mat~rial9 if the
respective flange or wlng portions are ~ormed wirh a hollow
- space therethrough which, in cross section, is similar to
~he shape or projeceed outLine of the flange. Such hollow spaces
preferably are generally prisma~ic and pass entirely through Che
l~ respdceive flan~e.
The a~tachmen~ ele~ent is easily made by cutting
selected lengths off a rolled or extruded rail of the appropria~e
shape, preferably formed with the ~ore or opening therein.
Use of material and o~ the raw material for the element is
lS particularly efficient in such an arrangement. The aecachme~
elemene preferably, in a projection on a plane exeending at rlght
a~gles to ehe ` ax~s of the aperture or through-bore5, is
a~sentially rectangular.
~ke central portion of t~e at~achment element pre~erably,
i~ cross sectlon, is essentially recta~gular so that the overall
structure will be a flattened hexagon. The central portion of ~he
element may alqo be formed with a hollow spaca to reduce the
weight and material requirements of the element.
A suitable material or the ele~ent i9 any light-metaL
~S alloy, 3uch as an aluminum alloy, which can be made either
as an i~ection molding or a~ an extru~ion or rolled rail, from
~hich the elements themselves are then cut off. Other ma~erials
are plastics which, l~kewise, may be made as in~ected elements
or cut Çrom long rails.
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~2~ 2~3
Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a bicycle having,
as accessories, a Luggage carrier and a kickstand, in ~hich the
luggage carrier and the kick~tand are attached to strut~ of the
S bicycle;
Flg. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged viaw of the region of
the main crankshaft beari~g of ehe bicycle and illustrating
attachment of a kickstand and using the presene inveneion; and
Fig. 3 is an exploded view of ehe a~tachment element of
the present invention.
D~tailed Description.
By ~ay of example of a cycle, Pig. 1 shows a 3ide view of
a bicycle 1 having a ~rame 2 which has struts 8, 12 which are
forkedl and extend ta the rear axle of the bicycle. The bicycle
has accessory elements such as a luggage carrier 3 and a klck~tand
4 attached thereto~ The ~icycle frame has a ~addle tube 5,
attached at its lower e~d Co the crank bearing housing 6.
A saddle 7 is supported, as is customary~ on the saddle tube 5.
The struts 8, ex~ending from the saddle tube 5 to~ards the rear
axle 9 of the bicycle, are es~entially parallel, although they
may diverge sl~gh~ly~ depe~di~g on bicycle construc~iou. Even if
they diverge, ~he angle of diverge~ce i9 s~all, 50 that they can be
c~nsidared to be "essentially parallel". A rear wheel 11,
rotatable about the rear axis 9, ls secured in well known and
standard manner to the termlnal ends of the rear forks 8. Two
esRentially parallel ~eruts ex~e~d from the crankshaf~ bearing
housing 6 toward~ the axle 9 of the rear wheel, to be attached
there to ~he struts 8 so that the axle 9 can be suitably attached
to the ~unction region of the struts 8 and 12 in accordance with
any ~ell known and custo~ary arra~gement.
z~
The accessory alemanc 3, forming ~he luggage carrier,
i5 attached to the rear fork i~ruts 8 by a~tachment element 13.
~he attachmen~ elemen~ 13 is located bet~een the upper side of
a fender 14 and the saddle 7. The attachmenC el~me~c 13 is
clamped in position by a clamping screw lS. Similarly, a kickstand
4 and f~rmi~g another accessory e1ement, is ~ecured eo ehe
lower fork struts 12 between the crankshaft bearing 6 and ~he
lower end of the fender or mudguard 14 by a fureher attachme~t
elemene 16 and a clampi~g screw 17.
The aetachment elements 13 and 16 can be identical.
They have the structure shown i~ detail in Fig. 3.
The respective attachment elemen~ 13, 16 is a unitary
~cruc~ure ~hich has a generally block-shaped centraL portion 18
and two laterally unitary fla~ge or wing portions 19, 21.
The theoretical transition æo~e between ~he central portion 18 and
the Cwo wi~gs or fla~ges 19, 21 are shown by broken lines 22, 23.
~he central portion 18 has a cross bore or aperture 24,
of essentially cylindrical cross qectio~, to receive a~ attachment
bolc or screw 17. In addition, the central portion 18 is
formed with a hollow space 25, extending at right a~gle~ to the
sxis of the cross bore 25. The hollow space 25 exte~ds fro~ one
facisg side 26 towards the other faci~g slde 27. The two facing
or end sides 26, 27 are parallel to each other and parallel to the
axis of ~he bore or aperture 24.
The two flange or wlsg portio~s 19, 21 have, generally,
the ~hape of an acute-angle three-corner pris~ which has la~eral
surfaces 22, 23, unitary with the central portion 18, a~d second
18taral surfaces 28, 29 and 31, 32, forming the engag~me~t
surfaces of the respective eleme~ts 13, 16 o~ the cycte frame struts
8, 12, respectively. The-respectlve end surfaces or facing
surfaces 26, 27 of ~he element 16 form ~he base iurfaces of ~he
prisms ~hich de~i~e the flange~ 19, 21. The cross section of the
elemen~ 16, thu~, has the shape of a fl~ttened hexagon.
The respective flat surfaces 28, 29 and 31, 32 converge, starting
from the central portion 18, a~d ter~inate in rounded ends 33, 34,
to merge into each other. The surfaces 28, 31 converge in the
direc~ion o the central or cro~s bore or aperture 24; likewise,
suraces 29 and 32 of the flanges 19, 21 converge towards the
center porcion 18 and the aperture 24.
1~ Flanges 19, 21 are formed with openings or hollow zones
or spaces 35, 36. This insures better utilization of material,
reduces che weight, and increases the elasticity of the flanges
19, 21 in a direction parallel to ehe axis of the bore or
aperture 24. The cross secCion of the respective hollow spaces
or aper~ures 35, 36 corresponds, esse~tially, to the shape of the
flanges 19,21, as best seen in Flg. 3. The hollow spaces or-
~pertures extend clear through the respective ele~e~t, that is,
from one facing surface 26 over to the other facing surface 27.
In other words, the spaces 35, 36, just l~e the ~pace 25,
are open at both e~ds. The result will be two parallel ribs 37, 38
positioned in the range of the center poreion 18, through which
the cross bore 35 extends.
The element 16 can be ~electively attached either by a
rece~q 'nead s~rew or bolt, ~uch as an ~llen bolt,or by means of
a nut with a seandard ~crew 17. One side of the element 16 has
an enlarged countersink 24a, 3urrounding the cro3s bore or
openin~ 24, for example to receive a flu~h head of a flat head screw.
The upper ~ide - as ~hown in Fig. 3 - i3 formed with 8 groove 41
exte~ding from one acing side 26 ~o the facing side 27. The
groove 41 is defined by parallel flanks 42, 43, loca~ed i~ the
ra~lon of the riba 37, 38. The spaci~g of th~ two flanks 42,
43 corresponds to the width of a standard nut 3~, which can be
slipped bet~een ehe flanks 42, 43 and is rellably held i~
position against roeation upon ~ightening of bolt 17, see
Fig. 2. The bo~tom of the nut 39 engages the surface of the
groove 41, by fla~ engagement, or by interposition of a washer.
The speci~ic ~hape of the attachment element 16 can
readily be made by cutting a suitable length, corresponding ~o
the width of the element, from a rail having the cross-seceional
sh3pe oE the element; other than forming the cross bore 24 and,
i~ desired, the countersink 24a, no further machining or working
ls nacessary. A suitable material is a light-metal alloy,
for example made of a metal whlch does not corrode or is highly
corrosion-resistant. If such metals are used, no further
lS Rurface treacment, painti~g,o~ the like,is needed.
Fig. 2 illu-~rates, in detail, the use of the attachment
element 16 to attach a kickstand 4. The kickstand 4 has a
support pl~te ~orming a~ engagement surface 46, which carries
the kickscand besring 45, and such other structural eleme~ts as
msy be u3ed, 3uch as springs, and ~he like9 not sho~n.
The surface 46 is e~ga8ed against the bottom of ~he fork struts
12a, 12b. The attachme~t element 16 is then placed, fitted
with its opening or bore 24 about the bolt 17, e~tending, in
well known and suitabLe manner, from ~he kickstand 4.
Due to the convergence of the surfaces 29, 32 or 28, 31,
re~pecti~ely, the sur~ace 46 as weLl as the attachment element 16
~111 be automaticaLly centered. Screw 17, extending through the
3urface 46, csn then be tightened and the at~achment element 16
is clamped with respect to the struts 12a~ 12b. Nut 39 is
seated in groove 41, restrai~ed from rotatlon by ~he dimensioning
--10--
9~g
of the nue aad ~he groove. I~ ls not necessary eo tighten the
~u~ with a separate wrench; revolueion of the nut is reliably
prevented sinc~ the element 16 cannot rota~e due ~o iCs
preferred posie~on between ~he struts 12a,12b and ths nut 39 is
fitted in the groove 41. Upon tightening of the nut 17~ flangea 19,
21 can daflect slightly in a direction parallel to the axes of
~he bore 24, upwardly, so ~ha~ ~he elaseic deformation of the
wing portions or flange portions will be accepced thereby, and,
even unde~r eætremeC of vibrations and shock, ~he screw 17 will
10 not loosen from the nut 39. The screw 17 is he~d under
appropriate tension at all times, preventi~g self-loosening
thereo f .
The placement of the element 16, longitudinaLly of the
stsuts 12a, 12b can be as selected; even if the struts 12a, 12~
resilient
15 have different widths from each other, or diverge slighely, ~he/
sel~-ce~tering effect is retained, and no change in the element 16
is necessary. The clamping arrangement thus is universally
applicable to cycle~, of variou~ manufac~urer~, with differ2n~
~trut conflguratio~, spacings and angles o divergence.
The inve~tio~ ha5 bee~ de~cribed, so far, specifically
with re~pect ~o a~tachme~t of a kickstand. Attachment o~ the
luggage csrrier 3 is similar.
The c}amping elemant 16, ~ith the flange or ~ing portion~
19, 21,automatically in9ures ~elf-centering betwee~ the frame
25 alement~, and resista~ce to rotation of the eleme~ 16. The
plane,tapering outer qurfaces 28, 29 and 31, 32 provide, in a
pro~oction to a plane parallel to the axis of the cros~ bore
24 and parallel to an e~d or facing surface 26, 27 similar triangular
~ape The ba~e of the triangle iQ formed by the ceneer portio~9
r-
--11--
~L2~ 9
the outer qurfac~s 28, 29, 31, 32 of ~he flange portions 19.
21, defining similar angles ~l~h respect to ~he cross bore 24.
This insures seLf-centering under all condieion~. A suitable
angle of any one of the surface~ 28, 29, 31, 32 with re~pect co che
S axis of the crog~ bore 24 is about 15, so that the angles of
the eriangles defined, for example, by rhe su~faces 28, 29 will
be about 3~. This ls a suitable value, al~hough ic i~ not
crit i cal .
Various changes and modif icatlons may be made ~ithin the
~cope of the inven~lve co~cept.
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