BICYCLE STORAGE AND DISPLAY SYSTEM

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bicycle storage and display system designed to hold a bicycle in a nearly vertical position. The system includes a footer, rear wheel brace, front wheel brace, and an optional ramp or channel. The rear wheel brace and footer hold the rear wheel of a bicycle in place while the front wheel brace holds the front wheel of the bicycle in place and elevated above the rear wheel. The front wheel is held above the rear wheel at an angle of between 25 to 34 degrees. The optional ramp or channel extends from the footer, through the rear wheel brace, and up through the front wheel brace.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a bicycle storage and display system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bicycle storage systems, racks, holders, and so forth have a wide array of uses and applications, including domestic and retail storage and display, commercial storage, interior and exterior storage and display, and so forth. There are many designs and systems that enable a bicycle to be held or stored in place in a wide range of positions, including horizontal, vertical, and various angles between horizontal and vertical. Such designs and systems include, for example, designs that enable a bicycle to be hung off the floor horizontally, such as arms or similar means upon which the top frame, tube or saddle of a bicycle can be rested. Other designs include those in which a bicycle can be stored vertically, such as by hanging a wheel or handlebars on a hook or similar device. Further designs include racks that hold a bicycle upright by holding a wheel in a slot formed by two parallel support arms, such as a metal rack into which a wheel is positioned.

While there are a number of configurations of bicycle storage and display systems, many available systems suffer from several disadvantages. It can be difficult to use many available bicycle storage systems, as they can require lifting of all or part of a bicycle to put the bicycle in or on the stand, such as a wall or ceiling mounted storage system. Many systems require permanent or affixed mounting to a wall or ceiling for use, and are therefore inconvenient to put in place and/or not readily or easily moved to another location. In addition, many bicycle storage or display systems are unattractive or unaesthetic, given their design and/or use of certain materials in their construction. Furthermore, many bicycle storage systems store bicycles such that the storage system and bicycle take up a large area with respect to wall and/or floor space.

Given the disadvantages of known and available bicycle storage and display systems, there remains a need in the art for bicycle storage and display systems that are convenient to position and use, that occupy a minimal area, and that are aesthetic or attractive. The present invention provides such a desirable bicycle storage and display system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Provided herein is a bicycle storage system for storing and displaying a bicycle in a near vertical position. The storage system has a footer, a rear wheel brace, and a front wheel brace, in which the braces hold the bicycle wheels in an upright position and the footer chocks the rear wheel to prevent the bicycle wheels from rolling out of the braces. The near vertical position of the bicycle in the system is such that an angle of about 28 to 34 degrees is formed between the center of the rear wheel and the center of the front wheel.

In a preferred embodiment, a bicycle storage system for storing and displaying a bicycle in a near vertical position has a footer, a rear wheel brace, a front wheel brace, an optional header, and a continuous ramp or channel that extends from the footer to the end of the front wheel brace, or to the optional header.

It is a further object to provide an ornamental design for a bicycle storage system or stand, as shown and described herein and in the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a side view of a bicycle storage system holding a bicycle in a near vertical position, where the system has a footer, rear and front wheel braces, and a channel. Continuous curved side panels form rear and front wheel braces and the sides of the channel. FIG. 1B shows a side view of the storage system that also includes a header. FIG. 1C shows a front view of the storage system shown in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a bicycle storage system holding a bicycle in a near vertical position, where the system has a footer, a rear wheel brace, a continuous ramp or channel, and a front wheel brace.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a bicycle storage system holding a bicycle in a near vertical position, where the system has a footer, a wheel chock opposite the footer, and continuous curved side panels forming a rear and a front wheel brace.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a bicycle storage system holding a bicycle in a near vertical position, where the system has a footer, a rectangular-shaped rear wheel brace, a continuous ramp or channel, and a triangular-shaped front wheel brace.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a bicycle storage system holding a bicycle in a near vertical position, where the system has a footer and continuous linear, angled side panels forming a rear and a front wheel brace.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of a bicycle storage system holding a bicycle in a near vertical position, where the system has a footer, a rectangular-shaped rear wheel brace, and a vertical front wheel brace.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of a bicycle storage system holding a bicycle in a near vertical position, where the system has an independent footer, a rear wheel brace, a continuous ramp or channel, and a front wheel brace.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of a bicycle storage system holding a bicycle in a near vertical position, where the system has an independent footer, an independent rear wheel brace, and an independent front wheel brace.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bicycle storage and display system. In particular, the system provides a convenient and aesthetic system for storing and/or displaying a single bicycle.

A bicycle storage system according to the present invention has a footer, a rear wheel brace, and a front wheel brace. The braces are configured to provide openings in which a bicycle wheel can be placed and held in an upright position. The braces accordingly form configurations similar to a slot, in which the slots of the braces are designed to accommodate and hold or support a portion of a bicycle wheel. The front wheel brace is positioned above the rear wheel brace, such that a bicycle inserted into the system is held in a near vertical position in which the front wheel is above the rear wheel. The footer is positioned relative to the rear wheel brace such that the footer blocks the rear wheel or holds the rear wheel in place, preventing it from rolling. The footer thereby enables the rear and front wheel braces to hold a bicycle in place so as to store and/or display the bicycle in a near vertical position.

The terminology “bicycle storage system” as used herein refers to a stand, rack, holder, etc. that is independent from a bicycle (i.e., is not affixed to a bicycle) and is used to hold a bicycle stationary and upright, such that the bicycle does not move from this position or fall down/over. In this regard, a bicycle storage system as described herein is used to store and/or display a bicycle in place. In particular, a bicycle storage system described herein is designed to hold a single bicycle.

A bicycle storage system according to the present invention holds a bicycle in a near vertical position. The terminology “near vertical position” refers to the position of the bicycle relative to the floor, ground, or similar flat, horizontal surface that the bicycle storage system resides on. In the near vertical position, the bicycle is nearly vertical, such that the front wheel is held in a higher position relative to the rear wheel. On the ground or floor, an upright bicycle sits such that its wheels are in a vertical position, and typically the centers of the wheels (which typically are the same size) are both the same or about the same distance from the ground/floor. In an absolute vertical position, the front wheel would be held directly above the rear wheel, such that the centers of the front and rear wheels would line up over each other or nearly so, and through which an imaginary line would be vertical or nearly so, and have an angle of zero +/−5 to 10 degrees. In the near vertical position of the present bicycle system, an imaginary line drawn through the centers of the rear and front wheels has an angle between 20 to 45 or 25 to 40 degrees. In a preferred embodiment, the angle between the front and rear wheels is 25 to 34 degrees, and more preferably may be 28 degrees.

As used herein, the term “footer” refers to an object against which a rear wheel of a bicycle rests so as to prevent the wheel from rolling out of or away from a rear wheel brace. The footer can also be referred to a wheel chock, wedge or similar term for an object that keeps a wheel from rolling. A portion of the outer circumference of a rear bicycle wheel rests against the footer. The footer in turn will contact or rest on the floor, ground, or other flat, horizontal surface which the bicycle storage system is positioned on. In particular, the footer will have a surface that contacts the horizontal surface that the bike storage system is placed on. The footer is an object having a raised surface relative to the lowest point of the rear wheel of a bicycle in the storage system and/or the ground or horizontal surface. The footer may be any of a number of shapes, so long as it prevents the rolling of the rear wheel of a bicycle stored in the system. For example, the footer may be round, triangular, rectangular, oblong, etc. in overall shape and may have a flat, angled, or curved (either convex or concave) surface against which the rear wheel of a bicycle rests. Exemplary footers are shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.

The term “brace” as used herein refers to an object that has parallel side members which are equidistantly spaced apart so as to receive and support or hold a portion of a bicycle wheel and maintain the wheel in an upright position. A “brace” of the present bicycle storage system can alternatively be referred to any of a number of terms that convey the function of holding a portion of a bicycle wheel, such as a slot, opening, holder, and so forth. The rear and front wheel braces are formed by parallel side members, which can take any of a number of configurations, such as, but not limited to, the configurations shown in FIGS. 1-8. For example, the braces may be curved, have a circular or oblong shape, have a rectangular shape, a triangular shape, and so forth. The rear and front wheel braces may be configured from side members as independent components, for example as shown in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8. Alternatively, the rear and front wheel braces may be configured as structures that are formed in part or in whole from continuous side members or side panels, for example as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Each individual bicycle storage system will have side members in which the distance between the inner walls of the side members for the rear and front wheel braces are the same. The side members of the braces are spaced apart at a distance which allows a bicycle wheel to be easily placed into the brace and held in place, between the side members. For example, the distance between the inner walls of the side members, i.e., the width of the open space for holding a portion of a bicycle wheel, can be anywhere from between about 3 to 9 or 5 to 7 inches. In one embodiment, the space between the inner walls of the side panels is 6 or about 6 inches. The width of the open space will vary according to the size and type of bicycle wheel to be held by the storage system. For example, a typical mountain or off-road bicycle wheel might be wider than a typical touring or road bicycle wheel. Accordingly, the width of the open space can be configured wider for a wider wheel and more narrowly for a narrower wheel.

As used herein, the term “bicycle wheel” refers to the entire assembly of a wheel, including, but not limited to, the tire, rim, spokes, axle, hub, etc. The term “portion of a bicycle wheel” refers to the part or amount of a wheel that fits into a brace, i.e., is supported or held by a brace, or a portion of a wheel that rests against a footer or a header. A rear or front wheel brace will support or contact no more than about 50% of a wheel, both with respect to the cross area of a wheel and its circumference. The percentage of a wheel as used herein refers to a percentage as viewed in cross section, where the wheel is represented on the whole as a circle. In addition, the percentage may refer to a percentage of the outer circumference of the wheel, either alone or in combination with a percentage of the cross area of the wheel. In various configurations of the present invention, a rear or front wheel brace may support or contact from 5% to 50% of the area of a wheel, and likewise may hold or contact from 10% to 50% of the circumference of a wheel. For example, in a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the rear wheel brace supports approximately 10% of the area of the wheel and about 30% of its circumference, while the front wheel brace supports approximately 30% of the wheel and about 30% of its circumference. In another example, the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the rear wheel brace supports approximately 20% of the area of the wheel and aapproximately 20% of its circumference, and the front wheel brace likewise supports approximately 20% of the area of the wheel and approximately 20% of its circumference.

In one embodiment, a bicycle storage system as described herein will have a header. A “header” as used herein will form the end of the storage system that is at or above the front wheel brace, and the header will have a surface that contacts or rests against a wall or similar vertical surface. The surface of the header that rests against a wall typically will be at a 90 degree angle to the surface of the footer that rests against a floor. In a preferred embodiment, the header has a flat surface that rests against a wall or similar vertical surface. The header may have a configuration incorporating features that enable the header to be secured to a wall by any means typically used for such purposes. For example, the header may include holes through which screws, nails, or similar fasteners may be used to secure the header to a wall.

The term “continuous” as used herein refers to either a ramp or channel that extends at least from the rear wheel brace to the front wheel brace. In other embodiments, the continuous ramp or channel will extend from one end of the bicycle storage system to the other end, such that the ramp or channel will be continuous from the footer below the rear wheel of a bicycle stored in the system to the end of the storage system (i.e., front brace or header) at or above the front wheel of a bicycle. In one embodiment, the storage system will have a header, such that the ramp or channel will be continuous from the footer to the header. The term “ramp” as used herein refers to a continuous, curved flat surface that a bicycle wheel can be rolled against to place a bicycle into the storage system and also provides a surface that a bicycle wheel can rest against once in place in the storage system. The term “channel” as used herein refers to a ramp with side walls that are parallel and spaced equidistantly apart to form a shallow slot or groove. A bicycle wheel can be rolled through the channel to place a bicycle into the storage system. The channel also provides a surface or surfaces that a bicycle wheel can rest against once in place in the storage system.

A bicycle storage system as described herein has a footer, a rear wheel brace, and a front wheel brace. Various configurations of such a system include, but are not limited to, those shown in FIGS. 1-8. A bicycle is stored and displayed in a bicycle storage system described herein by being held in an upright, near vertical position, in which the front wheel is held elevated relative to the rear wheel, which rests at or near ground or floor level. The front wheel is elevated relative to the rear wheel in a near vertical position, in which the center of the front wheel is at an angle of about 28 to 34 degrees relative to the rear wheel. The bicycle is held upright through having the wheels held upright. The wheels are held upright by having portions of the rear and front wheels respectively held in place by the rear and front wheel braces. A footer is positioned at the end of the storage system to prevent the rear wheel from rolling out of or away from the rear wheel brace. The footer may alternatively be referred to as a wheel chock or similar wedge-type object that prevents movement of a wheel. The footer thereby keeps the bicycle stationary and enables the rear and front wheel braces to hold a bicycle in place so as to store and/or display the bicycle in a near vertical position.

The braces and footer of a bicycle storage system as described herein may be configured in any number of designs, such as, but not limited to, those designs shown in FIGS. 1-8. The braces and footer of a bicycle storage system as described herein may be assembled as a contiguous system, in which the braces and footer are all attached in an integral design, as shown in FIGS. 1-6. Alternatively, the braces and footer of a system may be assembled in a partially independent design, as shown in FIG. 7. In another alternative, the braces and footer of a system may be independent components that are positioned to form a system, as shown in FIG. 8.

In a preferred embodiment, a bicycle storage system will contain rear and front wheel braces, a footer, and a continuous ramp or channel that runs from the footer to the end of the front wheel brace, as seen in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4. Preferably, the storage system will additionally contain a header, such that the continuous ramp or channel will run from the footer to the header, as seen in FIGS. 1B and 1C.

A preferred exemplification of a bicycle storage system of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1A-1C. The system includes a footer 10, two side panels 14 and 16 that form the sides of the rear and front wheel braces as well as the channel, a ramp 18, and a header 20. Accordingly, portions of the side panels 14 and 16 form the rear brace, front brace, and channel. In this embodiment, the side panels are attached to the ramp, and are also attached to the header and footer. In particular, the side panels 14 and 16 fit into grooves in the footer 10 and header 20 and are held in place by dowels or pins 12 and 22, respectively, in the footer 10 and header 20. The attachment of the side panels to the footer, ramp, and header holds the panels in place and forms the rear brace, channel, and front brace. This system is configured to hold a bicycle upright, in a near vertical position by holding a portion of the rear wheel (approximately 10% of the wheel's area and approximately 30% of the wheel's outer circumference) in the rear brace portion of the system, and a portion of the front wheel (approximately 30% of the wheel's area and approximately 30% of the wheel's circumference) in the front brace portion of the system. The footer provides a wheel chock to hold the rear wheel in place once a bicycle is positioned in the system.

In this preferred system, the side panels are positioned so that the inner walls of the side panels and channels form openings or slots that readily accommodate and hold a bicycle wheel. The width or distance between the inner walls of the side panels will be uniform throughout the storage system. The distance of the slot openings in the braces and channel will vary depending upon the application and type of bicycle to be stored. For example, a mountain or off-road bicycle may have wheels that have a greater width than wheels of a road or touring bicycle. In a preferred embodiment, the inner walls of the side panels 14 and 16 are 6 to 7 inches apart. However, this distance can readily differ and be constructed to a width to accommodate a particular bicycle wheel, and can accordingly vary in width from 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, to 9 inches apart and every size that falls between 3-9 inches.

The footer 10 and header 20 of this preferred system typically will be wider than the width of the side panels to help impart stability to the storage system. For example, the header and footer may have a length of about 12 inches for side panels that have an inner width of about 6 to 7 inches and an outer width of about 7 to 8 inches. The footer and header typically will have a rectangular face area that contacts the floor and wall, respectively. The footer and header accordingly will have a length from about 6 to about 18 inches, from about 9 to 15 inches, from about 11 to 13 inches, or about 12 inches long. The footer and header will have a width that can be the same or vary relative to each other, with that width being from about 1 to 10 inches, from about 3 to 8 inches, from about 5 to 7 inches wide, or about 6 inches wide. To help further impart stability, the footer and header can each be coated with a material so as to provide traction and prevent sliding or movement of the footer and header respectively on the floor and wall. For example, a footer and header made of wood can be coated with urethane to help provide traction and prevent sliding. Likewise, the footer and header can be coated with a material that provides traction to the floor and wall to prevent sliding, such as rubber, silicone or other materials as known in the art that promote adhesion of the header and footer to the floor and wall, respectively. Alternatively, a material that provides traction and prevents sliding can be attached to the surfaces of the footer and header that respectively rest against the floor and wall. For example, rubber, silicone, and other materials known to provide traction can be attached to the footer and/or header.

A fully integrated bicycle storage system, such as that shown in FIG. 1 as well as those in FIGS. 2-6, can easily be installed by simply placing the system in place against a floor and wall at a desired location. These systems advantageously are easy to install and can be readily moved or relocated to another location. To provide additional stability and/or to make the location more permanent, a storage system as described herein can be affixed or anchored in place. In a preferred embodiment, the storage system is affixed in place by attaching the surface(s) of the system that touches a wall to the wall. For example, an outer surface of a ramp, channel and/or header that touches a wall may be affixed to the wall. Such an outer surface can be affixed or fastened to a wall by means that are commonly used, such as, but not limited to, screws or nails that pass through holes in the system and into the wall. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a header that can be readily attached to a wall by a fastener or fasteners. For example, the header can include holes for screws, nails, or similar anchoring means through which fasteners could be installed and used to attach the footer to the wall.

The storage system of the present invention will provide an easy to use, convenient means to store a bicycle. For example, in a preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, a bicycle may be stored by simply rolling or pushing a bicycle into the storage system. The front wheel is pushed over the footer 10, through the rear wheel brace portion, along the channel, and into position in the front wheel brace. As the front wheel is pushed along the channel, the rear wheel will in turn be rolled or pushed over the footer 10 and into the rear wheel brace portion, and held in place by the footer 10. Use of a storage system according to the present invention therefore conveniently involves little to no lifting of a bicycle, and more preferably involves no lifting of a bicycle.

In addition to providing a functional storage and display system, the present invention additionally provides a bicycle storage and display system that can impart aesthetic and ornamental qualities. These qualities can apply both to the system itself and the combination of the system and a bicycle stored therein. For example, the bicycle storage system shown in FIGS. 1A-1C is functional for storing a bicycle and provides an aesthetic, ornamental design, both in its overall shape and in the shape of the side panels. The system itself therefore has aesthetic qualities, and also provides for storing a bicycle in an attractive manner, in which the design and attributes of a bicycle are aesthetically displayed. Moreover, the system may be made of materials that help to impart an aesthetic quality. For example, the system may be made of wood that is finished so as to impart a highly aesthetic or attractive quality.

The various components of a bicycle storage system according to the present invention can be made of any of a number of various materials, as known in the art. For example, the entire system can be made of wood components, metal components, plastic components, or various other structural materials. For example, the footer, braces, and optional header may all be made of wood. Alternatively, the storage system can be made of components constructed from different materials such as wood, metal, plastic, or various other structural materials. For example, in a given system a footer could be made of wood, while the braces are made of plastic, resin, metal, or other materials. In addition, individual components can be made of one or more materials in various combination(s). For example, footers, braces, and/or headers could be made of a combination of wood and metal.

While this invention has been described as having particular configurations disclosed herein, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.

The following example illustrates certain aspects of the invention, but are not intended to limit in any manner the scope of the invention

EXAMPLE I

A Functional and Aesthetic Bicycle Storage and Display Rack

A bicycle storage rack according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1A-1C. In this example, the rack has a footer 10, two side panels 14 and 16, a continuous channel 18, and a header 20. The channel 18 is made of a curved ramp and side walls that are formed by the two side panels 14 and 16. The ramp portion of the channel is a continuous surface against which a bicycle wheel can be rolled and rested. The side panels 14 and 16 form both the side walls of the channel 18 and the side walls of the front and rear wheel braces.

The side panels 14 and 16 are shaped to impart both function and an aesthetic quality. The outer curves (i.e., those curves that face the floor and wall) of the side panels 14 and 16 are affixed to the ramp to form the channel 18, and function to help guide and hold the bicycle wheels in place. The inner curved portions of the side panels 14 and 16 (i.e., those that face toward the bicycle) form the braces for the rear and front wheels. From a side view, the rear wheel brace covers or holds about 10% of the rear wheel area and about 30% of the rear wheel circumference. The front wheel brace covers or holds about 30% of the front wheel area and about 30% of the front wheel circumference. The upper curved portion of the side panels 14 and 16 has an opening that is functional as the channel and front wheel brace, and that also has aesthetic qualities.

The footer 10 and header 20 are likewise shaped to impart both function and aesthetic qualities. The flat portions of the footer 10 and header 20 provide surfaces for respectively contacting the floor and wall and holding the bicycle rack in place. The curved shape of the footer 20 holds the rear wheel in place, and allows the bicycle to easily be rolled over the footer 20 for putting a bicycle into the rack or removing a bicycle from the rack. The curved shape of the footer 10 also imparts an aesthetic quality to the footer 10, both on its own and as a complement to the curved shape of the side panels. The curved shape of the header 20 imparts similar aesthetic qualities.

The size of the rack shown in FIGS. 1A-1C will vary according to the size of bicycle to be stored in the rack. In a prototype for a typical bicycle, the side panels 14 and 16 are placed such that the inner walls of the side panels are 6.75 inches apart. The vertical height of the rack from the floor to the outer edge of the header 20 is about 66 inches, while the horizontal length of the rack from the wall to the outer edge of the footer 10 is about 42 inches. The footer 10 and header 20 each have a rectangular, flat face that is about 12.75 inches long and about 6 inches wide. These flat faces of the footer and header are respectively positioned to rest against a vertical and horizontal surface. For example, the footer will rest on the floor and the header will rest against the wall. The footer and header can be covered with a material that provides traction to keep the footer and header from sliding or moving on the floor and wall, respectively. For example, the header and footer can be covered with rubber or silicone, or just the flat surfaces can be so covered, to provide traction. The curved portion of the footer 10 is about 3 inches high at its tallest point from the floor, and the curved portion of the header 20 is likewise about 3 inches high at its furthest point from the wall.

Claims

1. A bicycle storage system for holding a bicycle in a near vertical position comprising a footer, a rear wheel brace, and a front wheel brace;

said rear wheel brace defining an opening for supporting a first portion of a rear wheel of said bicycle;

said upper wheel brace defining an opening for supporting a first portion of a front wheel of said bicycle;

said footer is positioned to contact a second portion of said rear wheel and hold said rear wheel in said rear wheel brace; and

wherein said front wheel brace is positioned at a height above that of the rear wheel brace.

2. The bicycle storage system of claim 1, wherein said front wheel brace is positioned to hold said front wheel at an angle between 25 to 34 degrees relative to the position of said rear wheel held in said rear wheel brace.

3. The bicycle storage system of claim 1, wherein said rear wheel brace supports a first portion of 5 to 50% of the area and 10 to 50% of the circumference of said rear wheel, and wherein said front wheel brace supports a first portion of 5 to 50% of the area and 10 to 50% of the circumference of said front wheel.

4. The bicycle storage system of claim 1, wherein said rear wheel brace comprises parallel side members that are equidistantly spaced apart from each other to define said opening, wherein said front wheel brace comprises parallel side members that are equidistantly spaced apart from each other to define said opening, and wherein said rear wheel brace parallel side members and said front wheel brace parallel side members are equidistantly spaced apart at a same distance.

5. The bicycle storage system of claim 4, wherein said same distance is from 4 to 8 inches between the inner walls of said parallel side members of each of said rear wheel and front wheel braces.

6. The bicycle storage system of claim 1, further comprising a continuous ramp that extends from said footer, through said rear wheel brace, and up through said front wheel brace.

7. The bicycle storage system of claim 1, further comprising a continuous channel that extends from said footer, through said rear wheel brace, and up through said front wheel brace.

8. The bicycle storage system of claim 1, further comprising a header.

9. The bicycle storage system of claim 8, wherein said footer has a surface positioned to contact a horizontal surface and said header has a surface positioned to contact a vertical surface.

10. The bicycle storage system of claim 9, wherein said surfaces of said footer and said header are each covered a material that provides traction.

11. A bicycle storage system for holding a bicycle in a near vertical position comprising a footer, a rear wheel brace, a front wheel brace, and a continuous channel that extends from said footer through said rear wheel brace and said front wheel brace;

said rear wheel brace defines an opening for supporting a first portion of a rear wheel of said bicycle;

said upper wheel brace defines an opening for supporting a first portion of a front wheel of said bicycle;

said footer is positioned to contact a second portion of said rear wheel and hold said rear wheel in said rear wheel brace; and

wherein said front wheel brace is positioned at a height above that of the rear wheel brace.

12. The bicycle storage system of claim 11, wherein said front wheel brace is positioned to hold said front wheel at an angle between 25 to 34 degrees relative to the position of said rear wheel held in said rear wheel brace.

13. The bicycle storage system of claim 10, wherein said rear wheel brace supports a first portion of 5 to 50% of the area and 10 to 50% of the circumference of said rear wheel, and wherein said front wheel brace supports a first portion of 5 to 50% of the area and 10 to 50% of the circumference of said front wheel.

14. The bicycle storage system of claim 11, further comprising a header.

15. The bicycle storage system of claim 14, wherein said header comprises a configuration for attachment to a wall with fasteners.

16. The bicycle storage system of claim 14, wherein said footer has a surface positioned to rest against a horizontal surface and said header has a surface positioned to rest against a vertical surface.

17. The bicycle storage system of claim 16, wherein said footer surface and header surface are each covered with a material that provides traction.

18. The bicycle storage system of claim 14, wherein said wheel braces and sides of said continuous channel comprise parallel side members that are equidistantly spaced apart from each other and that are connected to the footer and to the header.

19. The bicycle storage system of claim 18, wherein said parallel side members are equidistantly spaced apart at a distance of 4 to 8 inches between the inner walls of said parallel side members.

20. The bicycle storage system of claim 19, wherein said parallel side members are side panels having a design according to side panels as shown in FIG. 1.