Bottle-cage device for bicycles

Abstract

A carrier device for a bicycle, comprises an anchoring portion, which is to be fixed to the frame, an anchoring portion, and a holding element, within which the object is introduced. The holding element changes its longitudinal axis upon introduction of the object into the holding element.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a supporting device for an auxiliary article, particularly a bottle-cage device, for bicycles.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Devices of the above mentioned type are commonly used for supporting a bottle or similar container.

[0003] In most known solutions the device comprises a main body, fixed to the bicycle frame, to which there is associated a supporting part, constituted by a metal wire frame defining a housing for the bottle. When the bottle is introduced into its housing, a slight widening of the frame takes place, so that the bottle is held within the housing by the elastic reaction of the metal wire. A solution of the above mentioned type is disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,971.

[0004] In known devices of the above mentioned type, the supporting part made of metal wire has a poor structural strength. With such devices, for example, the improper introduction of the bottle into the above mentioned frame may give rise to permanent deformations of the frame.

[0005] In other known solutions, an annular element within such a bottle can be inserted, in lieu of the metal wire frame, is rigidly associated to the main body of the device. To the lower end of the main body there is associated a supporting base for the bottle, whereas at the upper end of the same body a locking element is present which can be activated manually.

[0006] In use, the bottle is inserted into the annular element from above, along a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main body, until the lower portion of the bottle comes into abutment against the lower base. The locking element is then manually brought to a position in which it locks the bottle within the device. Withdrawal of the bottle from the device is obtained through an inverted sequence of operations with respect to those indicated above. A solution of this type is disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,981.

[0007] Although this device may have greater structural strength than the previous solution, it is relatively inconvenient in use, especially while riding the bicycle, since it requires a specific manual operation by the cyclist on the locking element, in order to lock and/or unlock the bottle relative to the device.

[0008] Furthermore, the previously mentioned prior art devices are formed by a number of separate parts, which complicates the assembling of the device and the mounting thereof on the bicycle frame.

[0009] Still further, in some prior art devices the means for housing and holding the bottle in position is not an annular strip, but opposed thin, flexible curved blades or walls which hold the bottle in a jaw-like manner. In some circumstances, typically during the movement of introduction or withdrawal of the bottle with respect to its housing, the hand of the cyclist may come in contact with the edges of the reduced thickness walls or blades which may be sharp and cause injuries.

[0010] The present invention solves the previously mentioned drawbacks, and provides an accessory supporting device for bicycles, particularly a bottle cage device, which is simple to manufacture and assemble, easy to use and reliable in operation.

SUMMARY

[0011] These objects are achieved according to the present invention by an accessory supporting device for bicycles, particularly a bottle-cage device, defining a seat for housing an accessory, particularly a bottle, the device comprising an anchoring portion, which is to be fixed to the frame of a bicycle, and

[0012] a holding portion connected to said anchoring portion and defining a through axial aperture, provided for receiving the body of the accessory therethrough. The holding portion is connected to the anchoring portion and pivots, with respect to the axis of said anchoring portion, from a first position to a second position that holds the accessory in said seat.

[0013] Alternatively, the holding portion may be of relatively thin, flexible blades or walls having an edge shaped with a curved profile in cross section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0014] Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description which follows and the annexed drawings, given purely by way of illustrative and non-limiting examples, in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an accessory supporting device according to the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1, mounted on a frame post, with an object in the insertion stage;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a front view of the device and the bottle illustrated in FIG. 2;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3;

[0019] FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating the bottle of FIG. 2 inserted into the device;

[0020] FIG. 6 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a supporting device according to the invention;

[0021] FIG. 7 is a side view of the device of FIG. 6, with an article inserted therein;

[0022] FIG. 8 is a cross-section taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7;

[0023] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative device according to the present invention; and

[0024] FIG. 10 is a cross-section taken along line X-X of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0025] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 generally designates an accessory supporting device for bicycles made according to the teachings of the present invention.

[0026] The body of the device 1, preferably formed in one piece, such as of carbon fibre, comprises an anchoring portion 2, which is to be associated to the frame of a bicycle.

[0027] Substantially at the upper end of the anchoring portion 2, a supporting or holding portion 3 is provided, defining an axial passage. In the example shown, the supporting portion 3 is in the form of an annular strip, having a relative thickness of about 1.5 millimetres.

[0028] At the lower end of the anchoring portion 2, there extends orthogonally a supporting appendage 4. At the opposite end there is a tab 5 with a curved end, which depends from the edge of strip 3 above the area where it is connected to the anchoring portion 2.

[0029] In FIGS. 2 and 3, the device 1 according to the invention is mounted on a generic post 6, which typically forms part of a bicycle frame. To this end, the anchoring portion 2 has through holes for fixing screws or anchors designated by 7, which are to secure the device to tube 6.

[0030] Also in FIGS. 2 and 3, reference number 8 generally designates an article, such as a bottle, which is to be supported by the device 1. Along the periphery of bottle 8, at the upper portion thereof is a continuous groove 9 which is the point of engagement for the flexible tab 5.

[0031] Reference AF designates the axis of the annular strip 3, that is the axis of the axial passage thereof. With AS an axis is further designated, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the anchoring portion 2. Axis AS also represents the axis on which the bottle 8 is housed, when it is introduced down to the bottom of device 1.

[0032] According to one aspect of the present invention, the connecting portion 10 between the anchoring portion 2 and the annular strip 3 is elastically deformable or flexible. In this manner, as it will become clearly apparent in the following description, the annular strip 3 has different angular positions, depending upon whether the object 8 is present or not present within the device 1, the axis AF having a different inclination in these positions. Thus, when the bottle 8 is inserted down to the bottom of the device, the connecting portion 10 holds a portion of the inner surface of strip 3 elastically pressed against a portion of the surface of bottle 8.

[0033] In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-5, when the bottle 8 is not inserted into the device 1, the axis AF has a given inclination or incidence angle AI with respect to axis AS.

[0034] As it can be noted in FIGS. 3 and 4, the anchoring portion 2 has two side projections, designated by 2A on its surface opposite to that in contact with tube 6. These projections 2A extend longitudinally along portion 2 through most part of the length thereof, defining a cavity 2B.

[0035] As it will become apparent in the following, the projections 2A have the function to provide two separate supporting surfaces for the bottle 8, in order to prevent lateral movements thereof when it is inserted within the device 1 and also in order to guide the bottle 8 in its movements when it is inserted into or withdrawn from the device 1, due to the presence of cavity 2B.

[0036] The operation of device 1, in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-5 is the following.

[0037] The bottle 8 is introduced from above into the strip 3. As it can be noted in FIG. 2, the direction of this introduction of the bottle 8 within the strip 3 (which direction corresponds substantially to axis AF) forms a given incidence angle AI with respect to axis AS.

[0038] This means that contact of the lower portion of the object 8 with the projections 2A and the cavity 2B provides guidance for movement of the object 8. In this embodiment, the groove 9 and the tab 5 come into contact, see FIG. 5. As is illustrated in FIG. 5, the annular strip 3 is in tension against the body of bottle 8. A further holding function is provided by the action of tab 5.

[0039] Given the above mentioned incidence angle AI, during the progressive lowering of the bottle 8, the latter comes in contact both with the projections 2A and with the surface of the axial passage of strip 3. This causes an increasing urging force being applied to the body of device 1 at the connecting portion 10 between this annular strip 3 and the anchoring portion 2.

[0040] The above mentioned urging force causes the connecting portion 10 to undergo an elastic deflection, which enables a movement of the annular strip 3. This movement is such that the axis AF becomes coincident with axis AS, when the lower end of the bottle 8 comes into abutment against the lower support 4.

[0041] Since a longitudinal portion of the rounded surface of the bottle 8 is positioned within the cavity 2B, possible sideward movements of the bottle 8 are virtually prevented. The object can be withdrawn by a simple upward drawing action which causes the return of device 1 to the condition of FIG. 2.

[0042] In FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, the annular strip 3 has a convex portion or projection 3A, substantially diametrically opposite to the connecting portion 10. In this embodiment, the relative positions between strip 3 and portion 2 as such that axes AF and AS as identified above, are coincident with each other. When the bottle 8 is introduced into annular strip 3 along a direction substantially parallel to portion 2, a portion of the outer surface of the bottle 8 contacts the projection 3A in a sliding motion and the lower portion of the bottle 8 contacts with the anchoring portion 2.

[0043] Also in this case, the progressive sliding downward movement of the bottle 8, in contact with projection 3A and projections 2A, causes an increasing urging action at the connecting portion 10, thus determining a movement of the annular strip 3 with respect to the anchoring portion 2. Therefore, when the lower end of the bottle 8 reaches the lower support 4, the annular strip 3 is held in tension, so that the bottle is held in position and vibrations and lateral movements thereof are virtually prevented. In this position, as shown in FIG. 6, axes AF and AS are inclined relative to each other.

[0044] Another alternative embodiment is shown with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, in which the same reference numerals previously mentioned are used, the annular strip 3 may have a relatively constant thickness, also at its upper and lower edges, designated by 3B and 3C respectively.

[0045] FIG. 10 particularly shows how the strip 3 is shaped along its two edges 3B and 3C so as to have in cross section a profile with ends curved towards the inside of the housing for the bottle, i.e. towards the inside of the axial space defined by the annular strip 3. Alternatively, the edge 3B and/or 3C may be curved outwardly, for instance by an angle greater than 270°, to avoid potentially cutting projections.

[0046] It is to be noted that the advantages of the invention can be obtained also in case the holding means of the bottle are formed differently from a single annular strip or wall, in particular in case they are of jaw-like type, i.e. comprising a pair of opposite curved blade elements.

[0047] Finally, the upper edge of the annular strip 3 can advantageously be made with a flared shape in order to make the insertion of the bottle 8 easier.

[0048] In a similar manner, the lower supporting appendage 4 may have a curved edge, similar to what has been described and shown above with reference to the annular strip 3.

[0049] In some applications, the supporting portion 4 could be eliminated and its function accomplished by a part of the bicycle frame located below the fixing spot for the device 1.

[0050] Since the device 1 according to the invention is applicable also for supporting containers or articles other than a bottle, it should be understood that the cross-section of strip 3 could have a different shape depending upon the article which is to be supported.

Claims

1. An accessory supporting device for bicycles, particularly a bottle-cage device, defining a seat for housing an accessory, particularly a bottle, the device comprising

an anchoring portion, which is to be fixed to the frame of a bicycle, and

a holding portion, substantially of annular shape, connected to said anchoring portion and defining a through axial aperture, provided for receiving the body of the accessory therethrough,

characterized by said annular holding portion is connected to said anchoring portion so that it is able to elastically pivot with its axis (AF), with respect to the axis (AS) of said anchoring portion, from a first position to a second position, as a result of the introduction of the accessory into said seat, in such a way that in said second position said annular holding portion elastically holds the accessory in said seat.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by said annular holding portion is in a strip form.

3. Device according to claim 2, further characterized by said strip has an upper part and extends in a cantilever fashion from the said upper part along a generally downwardly inclined plane, so as to define a strip portion diametrically opposite to said upper part and downwardly displaced relative thereto.

4. Device according to claim 3, further characterized by said strip is connected to said anchoring portion at said upper part.

5. Device according to claim 1, characterized by said anchoring portion and said holding portion being an integral, one piece body.

6. Device according to claim 5, further characterized by said one piece body flexible portion which is close to the location of said connecting portion between said anchoring portion and said holding portion.

7. Device according to claim 1, characterized by a lower supporting portion, which is also connected to the anchoring portion and provided for supporting a bottom portion of the body of the accessory.

8. Device according to claim 7, further characterized by said anchoring portion, said holding portion and said supporting portion being an integral, one piece body.

9. Device according to claim 1, characterized by to said holding portion there is associated an elastically deformable tab which is for co-operating with said accessory when said holding portion is in said second position.

10. Device according to claim 9, further characterized by said anchoring portion, said holding portion, said supporting portion and said tab form a body in one piece.

11. Device according to claim 1, characterized by guiding and positioning means are provided, comprising at least two projections which extend longitudinally along a prevailing portion of said anchoring portion, so as to define a cavity.

12. Device according to claim 11, further characterized by said anchoring portion, said holding portion, said supporting portion, said tab and said projections form a body in one piece.

13. Device according to claim 5, characterized by said body in one piece is made of carbon fibre material.

14. Device according to claim 1, characterized by:

in said first position, the axis (AF) of said through aperture is inclined with respect to the axis (AS) of the anchoring portion;

in said second position, the axis (AF) of said through aperture is substantially parallel to the axis (AS) of the anchoring portion.

15. Device according to claim 1, characterized by said holding portion has an inner projection substantially diametrically opposite to the portion thereof connected to said anchoring portion.

16. Device according to claim 15, characterized by

in said first position, the axis (AF) of said through aperture is substantially parallel to the axis (AS) of the anchoring portion;

in said second position, the axis (AF) of said through aperture is inclined with respect to the axis (AS) of the anchoring portion.

17. Device according to claim 1, characterized by said holding portion has an upper flared edge.

18. An accessory supporting device for bicycles, particularly a bottle-cage device, defining a seat for housing an accessory, particularly a bottle, the device comprising

an anchoring portion, which is to be fixed to the frame of a bicycle, and

a holding portion, connected to said anchoring portion and defining a through axial aperture, provided for receiving the body of the accessory therethrough, characterized by said holding portion presents a relatively thin thickness and a first edge shaped so as to have a cross section with a profile having a curved end, said holding portion having a relatively thin thickness also along said first edge.

19. Device according to claim 18, characterized by said holding portion comprises also a second edge and is shaped along the latter so as to have a cross section with a profile having a curved end, said holding portion having a relatively thin thickness also along said second edge.

20. Device according to claim 18, characterized by said holding portion has a substantially constant thickness.

21. Device according to claim 18, characterized by said holding portion has a generally annular shape.

22. Device according to claim 18, characterised by comprising a curved blade element presenting a pair of curved elements which are opposite to each other in a jaw-like fashion.

23. Device according to claim 18, characterised by comprising a lower supporting element which is for supporting the lower part of the accessory.

24. Device according to claim 18, characterized by said anchoring portion and said holding means are formed in a single piece body.

25. Device according to claim 24, characterized by said single piece body is made of carbon fibre.

26. Device according to claim 21, characterized by the connecting portion between said holding portion and said anchoring portion is elastically deformable, so that the holding portion is able to elastically pivot with its axis (AF) with respect to the axis (AS) of the anchoring portion, between at least two different positions as a result of the introduction of the bottle in said housing, in one of said positions, said holding portion being elastically urged in such a way to keep the accessory locked in its housing.

27. A cycle accessory support device for a generally circular object having a longitudinal body portion of defined length that is generally flat at one end and terminated at an opposite end of the body portion in a circumferential groove, the device comprising

a longitudinal anchoring portion that is fixed to the cycle, the anchoring portion has a supporting appendage form at one end thereof, a connecting portion at an opposite end thereof, and

an elliptical holding strip connected to and flexible about the connecting portion, the holding strip having a first axis in a first condition and a second axis in a second condition,

wherein the elliptical holding strip transitions from the first to the second condition when the accessory is positioned adjacent to the anchoring portion and on the supporting appendage.

28. The device of claim 27 wherein the connecting portion includes a curved tab that abuts the circumferential groove when the accessory is positioned adjacent to the anchoring portion and on the supporting appendage.

29. The device of claim 27 wherein the connecting portion includes a projection that abuts the longitudinal body portion when the accessory is positioned adjacent to the anchoring portion and on the supporting appendage.

30. The device of claim 27 wherein the longitudinal anchoring portion has a length generally equal to the longitudinal body portion.

31. The device of claim 30 wherein the connecting portion includes a curved tab that abuts the circumferential groove when the accessory is positioned adjacent to the anchoring portion and on the supporting appendage.

32. The device of claim 30 wherein the connecting portion includes a projection that abuts the longitudinal body portion when the accessory is positioned adjacent to the anchoring portion and on the supporting appendage.

33. The device of claim 27 wherein the anchoring portion has spaced apart longitudinal supporting surfaces that restrict lateral movement the object.

34. A cycle accessory support device for supporting an object having a tubular body portion of defined length and diameter and at least one closed end, the device comprising

a longitudinal anchoring portion that is fixed to the cycle, the anchoring portion has first and second ends and a connecting portion adjacent at least one end thereof, and

a holding element connected to and flexible about the connecting portion, the holding element having a first axis in a first condition and a second axis in a second condition,

wherein the holding element transitions from the first to the second condition when the accessory is positioned adjacent to the anchoring portion.

35. The device of claim 34 wherein the holding element is a closed strip of a diameter greater than that of the tubular body.

36. The device of claim 35 wherein the anchoring portion has a supporting appendage at an end opposite the connecting portion.

37. The device of claim 34 wherein the holding element is an elliptical strip having a minor diameter greater than the diameter of the tubular body.

38. The device of claim 37 wherein the anchoring portion has a supporting appendage at an end opposite the connecting portion.

39. The device of claim 34 wherein the holding element is comprised of at least two opposed curvilinear elements that define a diameter greater than that of the tubular body.

40. The device of claim 39 wherein the anchoring portion has a supporting appendage at an end opposite the connecting portion.

41. The device of claim 34 wherein the anchoring portion has spaced apart longitudinal supporting surfaces that restrict lateral movement the object.

42. A cycle accessory support device for an elongated object having a defined length, the device comprising:

a longitudinal anchor having top, bottom and middle portions; and

a holding element connected to and flexible about the anchor's top portion, the holding element having a first axis in a first condition and a second axis in a second condition,

wherein the holding element transitions from the first to the second condition when the accessory is positioned within the holding element and in contact with the anchor.