Key information

Title
Bag for protection and transport of bicycles
Application number
20180306
Case type
National
Status
28.02.2025 Ikke betalt årsavgift
Filed
28.02.2018
Effective date
28.02.2018
Publicly available
29.08.2019
Applicant
DB Equipment AS (NO)
Owner
DB Equipment AS (NO)
Inventor
Truls Kristian Brataas (NO) et al.
Agent
ACAPO ONSAGERS AS (NO)
Granted
21.10.2019
Patent number
344254

Abstract and drawing

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.
Bicycle bag (10) for storage and transport of a bicycle (100), the bag (10) comprising a rigid elongated bottom frame (20) and a flexible cover (30) attached to the bottom frame (20) and configured to enclose the bicycle (100) when the bicycle (100) is attached to the bottom frame (20), and with means for fastening the bicycle frame (100) to the bottom frame (20).

Publications

B1A1
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Documents

 Expand Download files (26)
Date
 Date Doc. No. Process Case number In/Out Journal description To/from
 15.09.2025 13-01 Saksbehandling 20180306(344254) UT PT Opphørt Patent - for ikke betalt årsavgift (3311) ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
 02.07.2025 12-01 Saksbehandling 20180306(344254) UT PT Påminnelse om ikke betalt årsavgift (3329) (PT20180306) ACAPO AS
 24.10.2019 11-01 Saksbehandling 20180306 UT PT Registreringsbrev Nasjonal Patent (15) (PT20180306)
09.08.2019 10-01 Saksbehandling 20180306 UT PT Meddelelse om patent ACAPO AS
 09.05.2019 09-05 Saksbehandling 20180306 INN Beskrivelse ACAPO AS
 09.05.2019 09-04 Saksbehandling 20180306 INN Hovedbrev ACAPO AS
 09.05.2019 09-03 Saksbehandling 20180306 INN Krav ACAPO AS
 09.05.2019 09-02 Saksbehandling 20180306 INN Beskrivelse ME ACAPO AS
 09.05.2019 09-01 Saksbehandling 20180306 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) ACAPO AS
 30.04.2019 08-02 Saksbehandling 20180306 INN Hovedbrev ACAPO AS
 30.04.2019 08-01 Saksbehandling 20180306 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) ACAPO AS
 31.01.2019 07-01 Saksbehandling 20180306 UT Realitet patent ACAPO AS
 28.01.2019 06-04 Saksbehandling 20180306 INN Krav ACAPO AS
 28.01.2019 06-03 Saksbehandling 20180306 INN Krav med sporing ACAPO AS
 28.01.2019 06-02 Saksbehandling 20180306 INN Hovedbrev ACAPO AS
 28.01.2019 06-01 Saksbehandling 20180306 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) ACAPO AS
 26.09.2018 05-02 Saksbehandling 20180306 UT PT report 01:04:40
26.09.2018 05-01 Saksbehandling 20180306 UT Realitet patent ACAPO AS
 28.03.2018 04-03 Saksbehandling 20180306 INN Fullmakt ACAPO AS
 28.03.2018 04-02 Saksbehandling 20180306 INN Overdragelsesdokument ACAPO AS
 28.03.2018 04-01 Saksbehandling 20180306 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) ACAPO AS
 09.03.2018 03-01 Saksbehandling 20180306 UT Formalia 1 ACAPO AS
 09.03.2018 02-01 Saksbehandling 20180306 UT Infobrev til oppfinner ACAPO AS
 28.02.2018 01-03 Saksbehandling 20180306 INN Beskrivelse ACAPO AS
 28.02.2018 01-02 Saksbehandling 20180306 INN P17182NO00 Figurer med henvisningstall 28.02.2018 ACAPO AS
 28.02.2018 01-01 Saksbehandling 20180306 INN Søknadsskjema Patent ACAPO AS

Description, claims and drawings

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content. Description
BAG FOR PROTECTION AND TRANSPORT OF BICYCLESField of the inventionThe present invention relates to a bicycle bag for storage and transport of a bicycle. The bag comprises a rigid elongated bottom frame and a flexible cover attached to the bottom frame and configured to enclose the bicycle when the bicycle is attached to the bottom frame, and means for fastening the bicycle frame to the bottom frame. The bag further comprises a substantially vertical front and back support, extending upwards from the outer longitudinal ends of the bottom frame, and a detachable top frame, the front and back supports and the top frame being configured to create a protective frame when mounted, the frame defining a protective outer border at least enclosing the front, back, bottom and top of the bicycle.Background of the invention.Todays bicycles and in particular bicycles used in races are more and more advanced and comprise sophisticated technical and sensitive or fragile equipment, such as gear equipment. Bicycles, especially when used in the professional racing sector, represent high price sports equipment.The bicycles as such and especially certain parts of these bicycles, such as the brake system, the rear derailleur, brake handles and gear shifter/gear control etc., are known to be sensitive for mechanical handling and damages. This is particularly a risk during transport of bicycles, such as by airplane, train, or car, when the bicycle will be exposed to mechanical forces and rough handling.For a better protection during transport and in order to facilitate the handling and storage during transport, different types of bicycle bags have been developed. WO2017/213515 discloses a collapsible bag having a rigid bottom and reinforced, foldable sidewalls for storage.US 2018/0044103 A1 discloses a bicycle support and packaging structure including a support or carrier structure. The bicycle is attached to the support or carrier structure by means of a handlebar adapter arrangement and a saddle holder releasable connectable to the fork tube of the bicycle front fork and respectively the saddle. The bicycle is mounted in an upside down position in the packaging structure. One disadvantage of many bicycles bags is that they are not robust enough to achieve a sufficient protection such as during handling and transport by plane.Another disadvantage of many bags is their weight. Hardcover bags usually have a higher degree of protection due to their stable outer shell, however have the disadvantage of being heavy and voluminous with little or no possibilities to compress/collapse them for storage when not in use.The afforded space for storage of a bicycle bag, in particular of rigid bags is generally high. Rigid bags with a high protection are typically not compressible, meaning that large space is needed for storage when not in use.Problems with many of the known compressible/collapsible bicycle bags are that they often have a low degree of protection and /or are complicated in use. Many bags are time consuming and complicated in use affording many steps by the user when collapsing them for storage or mounting them for use. Furthermore, many bicycle bags are not user friendly when it comes to entering the bicycle and fixing it in the bag for transport.Thus, there is a need for an improved transport bag for bicycles, which overcomes the above mentioned problems leading to a safe and efficient use for transport of bicycles.Summary of the inventionAn object of the present invention is to reduce the risk of causing damage to a bicycle or its fragile or vulnerable parts during storage or transport.Another object of the invention is to provide an improved transport container for bicycles, which has a high protective level and at the same time being effective and space-efficient to store when not in use.A still further object of the invention is to provide a protective bag that is easy to fabricate and simple in construction, the bag also being configured to facilitate quick mounting and dismounting, and being collapsible.A still further object of the present invention is to provide a bag, which allows an easy, user friendly and not time-consuming placement and fixation of a bicycle inside the bag.A further object of the invention is to provide a protective bag, which is light in weight and still has a high degree of protection of the bicycle.A still further object of the present invention is to provide a bag wherein the bicycle can be reliably and efficiently fixed during transport. Another object of the invention is to provide a protective bag suitable and adaptable for use with different types of bicycles, such as bicycles for track racing, road racing or mountain biking.Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a transport container for bicycles solving one or more of the above mentioned objects and which is at the same time optimized in respect to the volume of the bag when in use and for later storage.The objects are obtained by a bicycle bag as further defined by the independent claim, while embodiments, variants, or alternatives are defined by the dependent claims.In a first aspect, the invention relates to a bicycle bag for storage and transport of a bicycle comprising a rigid elongated bottom frame and a flexible cover attached to the bottom frame and configured to enclose the bicycle when the bicycle is attached to the bottom frame and means for fastening the bicycle frame to the bottom frame. The bag comprises a substantially vertical front and back support, extending upwards from the outer longitudinal ends of the bottom frame, and a detachable top frame, the front and back supports and the top frame being configured to create a protective frame when mounted, the frame defining a protective outer border at least enclosing the front, back, bottom and top of the bicycle, whereby the vertical supports are foldable, preferably in the lower region, towards the opposite end of the bottom frame, thereby allowing the two vertical supports and the bottom frame to obtain a more or less flat assembly when a bicycle is not installed.The protective frame has the advantage that the bicycle is enclosed and thus protected inside against mechanical forces.The bicycle bag may comprise a bottom bracket support and/or a front fork support configured for supporting a bicycle frame at the bottom bracket and respectively at the front fork. These parts of the bicycle are typically rigid and robust, the front fork being located near the front end and the bottom bracket located near the rear end of the bicycle frame, are therefore suitable for providing a stable and robust support without risk of damage to the fragile parts.The bottom bracket support and/or front fork support may in one embodiment be detachably arranged on the bottom frame by use of fastening means. Such fastening means may for example be clips or other preferably quick release fastener types. The advantage of having the bottom bracket support and/or front fork support detachable is that the bicycle frame may be installed and fastened to these elements prior to installing the bicycle inside the bicycle bag. This allows for an easier installation and fastening of the bicycle frame. Fastening of straps, clips or other small items, especially in the bottom region, may be inconvenient and difficult if performed when the bicycle is placed inside the bicycle bag, and access and visibility may be restricted and difficult in such cases. Preferably, the fixation of the bottom bracket support and/or front fork support to the bottom frame is flexible e.g. by standardized fastening means e.g. clips attachable in any position along the rods of the bottom frame. This allows to attach them at different positions along the bottom frame and has the advantage that different bicycles frame types as well as sizes can be placed and stabilized optimally within the bag.The frame structure may comprise sections providing flexibility and/or shock absorbing characteristics to the frame when withstanding external forces, while still maintaining its shape when no external forces are applied. The bicycle bag may experience hits or be jammed in cluttered storage rooms, and such flexibility allows the bag frame structure to withstand such external forces without parts breaking or permanently bending. In one embodiment, one or more of the flexible sections may be an integrated part of the front and/or rear support and/or bottom frame.Preferably, these sections are arranged in the lower region of the frame, in the vicinity to the attachment area between the bottom frame and the front or rear vertical support. The flexible sections may be made of a resilient material, or a nonresilient material with a construction configured to provide flexibility, such as a spring mechanism.According to one embodiment, the flexible cover may be configured to firmly envelop the frame structure when mounted. Since the frame structure may define the outer borders of the bag, the flexible cover may be stretched around the frame structure, and additional supportive elements in the cover are not necessary for the bag to obtain its shape. This also contributes to reduced size of the bag, especially in collapsed state. The flexible cover may comprise stiffening elements in the side sections, front section, back section and/or top section sewn into or otherwise attached to the cover. Such stiffening elements may provide additional protection to the bicycle in case of hits from the outside or sharp objects hitting or pressing towards any of the sides of the frame structure of the bag. For example, bicycle wheels may be placed on each side inside the bicycle bag, and such stiffening elements may be provided on the side sections of the bag for protecting fragile parts on the wheels.According to one embodiment, the top frame is detachable for easy placement of the bicycle onto the bottom frame. The frame structure of the bicycle bag may be self supporting without the top frame installed, allowing for easy installation and fastening of the bicycle frame into the bag, before the top frame is installed. An upper section of the front and/or rear vertical supports may be foldable outwards, for easier installation of the bicycle into the bag.The vertical supports may be self-supporting, without having a top frame attached. This ensures, that when the vertical supports are arranged on the bottom frame, the supports will be more or less vertical, creating the room for installing the bicycle and attaching of straps for fastening of the bicycle inside the bag with easy access.The frame structure of the bicycle bag may be provided with straps or similar, for suspending a bicycle frame inside the frame while the bicycle at the same time may or may not rest on the bottom bracket support and/or front fork support. Even though the bicycle rests on the bottom bracket support and the front fork support, suspending the bicycle in straps to the top and/or front and/or rear parts of the frame ensures that the bicycle does not move inside the bag and is kept more or less in the middle of the frame structure during all movements of the bag. In one embodiment, the bottom bracket support and/or front fork support may even be substituted by additional straps for suspending the bicycle completely inside the frame. This requires several attachment points and attachment straps of the bicycle and the bag, and that the straps may be firmly tightened to robust fastening points.The term “rigid” is, in the context of this invention, used to describe characteristics of a structure that is stiff or does not bend or deform easily, considering relevant loads for the application of the invention, so that the structure referred to may be used as a supporting element.Description of the diagramsEmbodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:Figure 1 shows schematically in a perspective view the main components of the bicycle bag according to the invention, and where the bag is closed and in a collapsed state;Figure 2 shows schematically in a perspective view a frame of a bicycle bag according to the invention with a flexible cover in opened state;Figure 3 shows schematically in a perspective view a frame of a bicycle bag according to the invention with a flexible cover in opened state and with parts of the frame folded out and the top part of the frame removed, whereby the down arrows indicate the down folding of the vertical supports; Figure 4 shows schematically in a perspective view a bicycle mounted to a bottom bracket support of the bag according to the invention with an enlarged detail view of the bottom bracket support, whereby the arrows in the overview figure indicate the placement and orientation of the straps;Figure 5 shows schematically in a perspective view a front part of a bicycle with the wheel removed and the front fork mounted in a front fork protective support of the bag;Figure 6 shows schematically an embodiment of the invention in a side view of a front part of a bicycle wherein the wheel is removed and the front fork is mounted in a front fork support and with the handlebar removed and placed in a handlebar holder;Figure 7 shows schematically another embodiment of the invention in a side view of a front part of a bicycle wherein the wheel is removed and the front fork is mounted in a front fork support and with the handlebar removed and placed in a handlebar holder for a different type of handlebar e.g. a racing bicycle handlebar;Figure 8 shows schematically in a perspective view a frame of a bicycle bag according to the invention with a flexible cover in opened state and with parts of the frame folded out and with a bicycle frame mounted into the frame;Figure 9 shows schematically in a perspective view a frame of a bicycle bag according to the invention with a flexible cover in opened state, the upper part of the frame being installed and with a bicycle frame mounted into the frame;Figure 10 shows schematically in a perspective view a frame of a bicycle bag according to the invention with a flexible cover in opened state and the frame in mounted state and with a bicycle frame mounted into the frame and strapped to the frame;Figure 11 shows schematically in a perspective view a frame of a bicycle bag according to the invention with a flexible cover in partly opened state and the frame in mounted state and with a bicycle frame mounted into the frame and strapped to the frame;Figure 12 shows schematically in a perspective view a bicycle bag according to the invention in mounted state and with the flexible cover closed;Figure 13 shows schematically from a side view a bicycle bag according to the invention in mounted state and with the flexible cover closed together with an enlarged detail view of pockets for storing straps on the outside of the bag.Description of preferred embodiments of the invention The following description of the exemplary embodiment refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. The following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. The following embodiments are discussed, for simplicity, with regards to various forms of protective means used in connection with one type of bicycle frame. It should be appreciated, however, that the referenced protective devices and systems are also applicable and suitable for use in respect to other type of bicycles, requiring protection during storage and transport. Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.In the description relative terms such as front, rear, top, bottom, side, left, and right, etc. are all related to the bicycle when in upright position and seen in the normal direction of riding. Furthermore in the following description, certain elements and parts may only be exemplified and described for one sidewall of the bag and/or or side of a bicycle. Even though only exemplified for one side, it is to be understood that the features may correspondently also apply for the opposite side of the bag and/or bicycle.Figure 1 shows schematically in a perspective view the main components of the bicycle bag 10, and where the bag 10 is closed and in a collapsed state. The size of the bag 10 is considerably reduced compared to when a bicycle is installed. A top frame 40, bottom bracket support 70, handlebar holder 90, and front fork support 80 are shown separately as these are typically but not necessarily, loose or detachable elements of the bag 10. These additional elements are shown outside the collapsed bag for illustrative reasons but maybe stored inside in the collapsed stage of the bag 10. A flexible cover 30 encloses the internal parts of the bag, such as a bottom frame 20, and is tightened with a number of straps 34. Preferably, the bag comprises wheels 14 for easy transportation that can be placed at the rear end and possibly also at the front end. The bottom bracket support 70 and the front fork support 80 are intended to be fastened to the bicycle’s bottom bracket 170 and front fork 130, respectively and the two parts can be easily mounted on to the bottom frame 20 of the bag (not shown in Fig.1) by the clips 71, 81. A more detailed description of the parts shown in Figure 1 will follow in the description of the following figures. The bag may typically be equipped with one or more handles (not shown) on the top, front or backside for lifting and dragging during transport both in the collapsed and mounted stage.Figure 2 shows schematically a bicycle bag 10 according to the invention with a flexible cover 30 in opened state and with a protective, reinforcing frame 12 inside in a mounted stage. The frame has the function to protect the bicycle whereby the bicycle is to be placed inside the frame and fixed to it. Furthermore, the frame 12 has the function to reinforce the bag and may in a preferred embodiment at the same time define the outer shape and border of the bag when covered by the flexible cover 30 in the closed stage. The frame comprises a bottom frame 20, a front vertical support 50, a rear vertical support 60, and a top frame 40. The bottom frame 20 is placed inside and attached to a flexible cover 30 made of a durable fabric such as nylon, polyester, a woven or non-woven cloth or combinations of different materials. The bottom part of the cover, below the bottom frame 20 and the lower side parts, may be reinforced with a hard plastic or similar that contributes to a stable, durable bottom part of the bag, and that may also provide additional protection from water and dirt. The frame parts 20, 40, 50, and 60 are mounted into a frame structure 12 intended to enclose and support bicycle frame 100 during storage and transport. The frame parts 20, 40, 50 and 60 are preferably made of a stiff material with light weight, such as aluminium. The bottom frame 20 is preferably configured to be stable so that the bag will be steady and self-supporting during mounting or dismounting the bicycle inside the bag 10 and when the bicycle is mounted inside for storage or transportation. In this embodiment, the bottom frame 20 comprises two horizontal and parallel rods 22, 24 extending longitudinally from the rear to the front side of the bag and forming an elongated bottom frame 20. The two rods 22, 24 are connected by two transverse rods 26, 28 close to the rear and front end of the bottom frame 20. In another embodiment, the bottom frame may comprise a different structure, such as for example diagonal rods between the two longitudinal rods, more than two longitudinal and/or transverse extending rods, or only one longitudinal central rod supported by a stiff bottom plate. The purpose of the bottom frame is to provide a stable base for mounting and attaching the bicycle and to be a part of a supporting enclosure for the bicycle, and hence there are a large number of structures that can be used for this purpose. Furthermore, the bottom frame 20 contributes to a defined constant outer shape and dimensions of the bag together with the other parts of the frame 12 and the cover 30. It is desirable that the bag is light weight, provides rigid support surfaces, and is robust. Material selection for the frame parts, cover, and other parts may contribute to obtaining these objectives. The front and rear vertical supports 50, 60 provide the outer ends of the frame enclosing the bicycle. For illustrative reasons a differentiation is made between the front and rear vertical support 50, 60. Using a symmetrical design of the bag and particularly of the frame 12 will principally allow that the bicycle can be mounted either way inside the bag meaning that the rear vertical support 60 may correspondingly serve as front vertical support 50 in relation to the enclosed bicycle and visa versa.In the embodiment of figure 2, the vertical supports 50, 60 each comprise two parallel rod sections 53, 54, 63, 64 arranged substantially vertically from each of the front, respectively rear ends of the bottom frame 20. The two parallel rod sections in front and at the rear end of the bag are fixated by a number of transverse rods 55, 56, 66. As with the bottom structure, the vertical supports may be constructed differently and their number may exceed two rods. The purpose of the vertical supports is to provide a front and rear part of the frame enclosing the bicycle and protecting the bicycle from external forces such as a hit or a fall towards the ground. By constructing the vertical supports with at least two parallel rods 53, 54, 63, 64, a “safe room” for the bicycle is created without the need for additional supporting/ protective features in the cover 30. There is no need for a hard or reinforced cover since the flexible cover can be stretched over the outer frame which not only reinforces the bag but also provides for a stable form of the bag such that the bag is self-supported in upright position. Each of the vertical supports may also only comprise one rod, typically being a central rod with a number of transversally/ horizontally extending bars on each side for protection and shaping of the bag.The top section of the vertical supports 50, 60 is in the shown embodiment curved towards the centre of the elongated bag and the ends of each rod meet to form a transverse rod 56, 66 at their upper end. The top frame 40 in the shown embodiment comprises one, preferably removable longitudinal rod 42 extending from the rear vertical support 60 to the front vertical support 50 and is attached to the transverse end section of each of the vertical supports by clips 41. The top frame 40 being removable allows an easier introduction of the bicycle into the inner side of the frame and bag. It also allows the frame to be collapsed. The skilled person would understand that the top-frame 40 can be formed in different ways such as with more than one rod, a plate etc. With the top frame 40 installed, a four-sided protection frame 12 is created for enclosing a bicycle 100 (not shown in figure 2). The protection frame 12 is typically made self supporting and stable.In order to prevent the frame from unintentionally deforming or braking as a result from external forces from for example hits or a fall towards the ground, the frame 12 may be provided with regions with built-in flexibility intended to be shockabsorbing. A preferable region to implement such flexible sections may be in the front and/or rear vertical supports 50, 60, preferably in the lower region or in the corner region. Such flexibility may be provided by using materials with inherent resilient properties, such as Medium-density polyethylene (MDPE). Alternatively, the flexibility may be achieved by substituting the rigid rods in this area by a spring mechanism, such as a compression spring. In the shown embodiment, this flexibility may be provided in a flexible section 13 in the vicinity of the attachment area between the bottom frame 20 and the vertical supports 50, 60. If flexibility is added in this area, a force pushing on either of the vertical supports 50, 60 more or less horizontally from any side and/or vertically from the top, will result in a slight bend in the direction of the force, and due to the elasticity, the frame will come back to its original shape afterwards.A flexible cover 30 having a shape corresponding to the shape of the frame 12 of the bag can be wrapped tightly/stretched over the frame. The cover 30 can for example comprise two side sections connected to form a bottom section, and with a rim with closing means, such as a zipper, so that each side section can cover a side of the frame and the rim on each side meets at the top, front and back for closing the zipper. The cover 30 does not need any supporting structures as it will be tensioned by the frame 12, however it may be provided with reinforcements in some areas for additional protection or for obtaining a stiffer case enclosing the bicycle 100. For example, if the vertical supports 50, 60 only comprises one vertical rod, the cover may be provided with supportive elements, such as a more or less stiff padding or a panel attached to or sewn into the cover 30. The cover 30 may also be provided with stiffening elements in the side section of the cover, for protecting the bicycle wheels or parts of the wheels, or other fragile parts which may be placed in this area and not protected by the frame 12. Such stiffening elements may for example be plastic panels sewn into the cover or placed inside the cover in the side sections of the bag 10. The cover 30 may further comprise internal or external pockets 31 for pedals, wheels, and other loose equipment.Figure 3 shows schematically a bottom frame 20 mounted inside an open flexible cover 30 of a bicycle bag 10. The vertical supports 50, 60 are folded outwards in order to allow for easy placement of the bicycle frame inside the bag 10. It is not a requirement to be able to fold the vertical supports, however it will ease installation of the bicycle inside the bag 10, and it also allows for folding the bag 10 flat when not in use. In this embodiment, each vertical support may be folded twice at a upper joint 51,61 and a lower joint 52,62 on each vertical support 50,60. The upper joint 51, 61 provides a larger opening for placing the bicycle frame 100 inside the bag, when folded outwardly, while the lower joint 52, 62 ensures that the frame may be folded downwards to achieve a substantially flat structure of the bag 10. If the vertical supports 50, 60 are shaped with an inwards curved section at the top, as shown in Figure 3, this feature is especially advantageous as the curved section would be an obstacle when placing the bicycle frame inside the bag, and when folding the bag flat. One method for providing this folding option is to use a corresponding principle as known from tent poles, and as shown in Figure 3. Each section to be folded is a hollow tube, and a continuous elastic cord (shock cord) is run through each section and fastened in the first and last section to be folded. The sections are provided with inserts allowing the different sections to be inserted into each other and connected to each other. One section may then be pulled out from an adjoining section and folded. By using such a principle, a very user friendly mounting process is achieved, as each part to be mounted will be in its correct place, and it is not possible to put the wrong pieces together. In other embodiments, the vertical posts may comprise several tube sections that can be dismounted to separate parts and laid inside the bag for a collapsed bicycle bag. Other joints solutions may also be used.Figure 4 shows schematically a bicycle frame 100 mounted to the preferably removable bottom bracket support 70 with an enlarged detail view of the bottom bracket support 70. The bicycle wheels and the handlebar are preferably removed from the frame before mounting the bicycle frame 100 to the support 70. The bottom bracket 170 of the bicycle is resting on a cushion 72 attached to a support frame 73 of the bracket support 70. The cushion is typically made of a shock-absorbing and pressure-absorbing material such as variants of plastics, rubber sponge or similar, providing a dampening effect of the bicycle frame 100 to the bottom bracket support 70. The cushion 72 may be provided in different heights for adjusting the angle of the bicycle frame 100 relative to the bottom frame 20. The support frame 73 is intended to be fastened both to the bicycle 100 and to the bottom frame 20 of the bicycle bag, and therefore has clips 71 for easy installation/fixation to the bottom frame 20 of the bicycle bag and straps 74 for strapping around a part of the bicycle frame 100. It is preferred that the bottom bracket support 70 is stable when placed on the floor so that the bicycle frame 100 can stand self-supporting without additional support on a plane floor during the mounting process.Two straps 74 are provided for fastening the bottom bracket support 70 to the bicycle, one typically extending over the seat stays 120, and one typically extending over the top tube 110 (indicated by arrows). The straps 74 are fastened to rigid elements of the bicycle frame 100 and the bottom bracket support 70, thereby allowing the straps to be tightened firmly without risking wear or damage to fastening points or fastening elements. The exact placement of the straps to the bicycle may be selected by the user, and may depend on the type and size of the bicycle, however using the seat stays 120 and the top tube 110, makes the fastening easy and firm and without risk of damaging fragile parts, as these elements are typically rigid and robust parts of the bicycle frame 100. The straps 74 may be fastened and tightened by conventional clip-on buckles with length adjustment means. By using two sets of straps, as in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, a stable assembly of the bicycle frame 100 to the bottom bracket support 70 can be obtained. It would however be possible to attach the bicycle only with one strap, or more straps if found convenient. Other types of locking systems may be used such as hook and loop fasteners, metal or plastic cam buckles, or similar. The bottom bracket support 70 is preferably removable to allow an easier dismounting of the bicycle and compression of the bag 10 when not in use. Figure 5 shows schematically in a perspective view a front part of a bicycle frame 100 with the front wheel removed and the front fork 130 mounted in a protective front fork support 80. The two stems of the front fork are mounted in a fork protector 83 comprising padded walls and bottom covering/ enclosing the stems of the fork. The padded fork protector is attached to a support frame 82 with clips 81 for attaching to another frame of the bicycle bag, such as the bottom frame 20. The support frame 82 comprises at least one horizontal rod arranged transverse the bicycle frame 100 for fixation to the bag frame 20.Preferably, the clips 71 and 81 on each side of the bottom bracket support 70, respectively front fork support 80 are identical in shape, principally allowing mounting of the bracket support 70 to the bottom frame in both directions.Figure 6 shows schematically from a side view a front part of a bicycle frame 100 with the front wheel removed and the front fork mounted in a front fork support 80 and with the handlebar 140 removed and placed in a handlebar holder 90. The handlebar holder 90 in this embodiment is intended for use with handlebars with a more or less straight bar, such as typically used for mountain bikes, trekking bicycles, or off-road bicycles. The handle bar is placed near vertically, with one end located in a padded pocket 85 attached to the front fork support 80. The other end is inserted into a pocket in the handlebar holder 90 which is laid over the top tube 110 of the bicycle frame 100. Straps 84 connects the handlebar holder to the front fork support, and by tensioning these straps, the handle bar is stabilized and fixated to the assembly. This pull effect on the front fork support 80 also ensures that the front fork support 80 is tightly fixated to the front fork 130 of the bicycle frame 100. As with the bottom bracket support 70, the straps are preferably attached to rigid and robust elements of the bicycle frame. Figure 7 shows schematically another embodiment of the handlebar holder 90 for use with handlebars with a curved shape, such as bullhorn type, drop bars or similar, such as typical for road racing bicycles. The principle used is similar as described for figure 6 above, pulling the front fork support 80 and handlebar holder 90 towards each other, both being attached to rigid elements on the bicycle frame, thereby ensuring that the front fork 130 is securely fixed inside the front fork support 80. However, in this embodiment, the handle bar is not being tensioned together with the handle bar holder, but is loosely attached to the handle bar holder.With both the bottom bracket support 70 and the front fork support 80 firmly attached to the bicycle frame 100, the assembly is ready to be mounted inside the bicycle bag 10. Figure 8 shows schematically a bottom frame 20 mounted inside an open flexible cover 30 of a bicycle bag 10 and with the vertical supports 50, 60 folded out, similar to Figure 3. A bicycle frame 100, attached and firmly fastened to a bottom bracket support 70 and a front fork support 80, is installed into the bottom frame 20 by use of the clips 71, 81. Only the top part of the bicycle frame now extends outside the framework of the bicycle bag, due to the vertical supports 50,60 being folded outwards, and the top frame 40 not yet installed. Figure 9 shows schematically the vertical supports being folded into position and with a top frame 40 attached to each of the vertical supports 50, 60 by use of clips 41. The lower joints 52, 62 are mounted and the upper joints 51, 61, are lifted into correct position, and not yet mounted, and the elastic cord 58 inside the vertical supports is therefore in a stretched condition. The frame now has its four-sided near rectangular shape surrounding the entire bicycle frame 100, and once the upper joints 51, 61 are mounted, the frame 12 will have four stiff side sections protecting the bicycle 100. Fastening points 57, such as buckles, are provided on the vertical supports, and are intended for providing a point for fastening straps to the bicycle frame as shown in detail in Figure 10. Figure 10 shows the final stage of the process of mounting the bicycle frame 100 into the bicycle bag 10. The frame 12 is mounted and creates a “safe room” for the bicycle, where no parts of the bicycle protrude outside the framework of frame 12. Fastening straps 59, are fastened to fastening points 57 on the vertical support in the front and rear end, and stretched around the upper part of the seat tube 150 and the handlebar stem or head tube160, respectively. As with the other straps 74, 84 the straps can be mounted to other parts of the bicycle frame 100, however they should be mounted to rigid and robust parts of the frame. There may also be more than one strap on each side. The straps allow a high flexibility for fastening different types of bicycles having various sizes and frame shapes. The fastening points 57 are preferably placed on the upper section of the vertical support for stabilizing the bicycle frame 100 at its upper section. When the straps 59 are tightened, the bicycle frame 100 has a firm position inside the frame 12, and only minimal movements are allowed relative to the frame, and no contact between the bicycle frame 100 or parts of the bicycle frame will occur other than between the bottom bracket 170 and the cushion 72 of the bottom bracket support 70 and the front forks to the front fork support 80 (and possibly also to other equipment placed inside the bag, such as wheels, depending on the placement). The bicycle is fixed to the bag frame in at least four different locations, two at the bottom and one fixation point to the front support and one to the back support. This ensures a reliable and safe protection of the bicycle frame 100, preventing damage or wear caused by undesired movements, hits or rubbing towards other parts. The tighter the straps 74, 84 and 59, the lesser movement is allowed. At this point, the bicycle bag 10 is ready to be closed with the cover 30.In one embodiment (not shown), the bottom bracket support 70 and/or front fork support 80 may even be substituted by additional straps for suspending the bicycle completely inside the frame structure 12 of the bicycle bag 10. This requires several attachment points and attachment straps of the bicycle and the bag, and that the straps may be firmly tightened to robust fastening points so that the bicycle frame may be suspended more or less in the center of the frame structure 12.Figure 11 shows schematically a final step in the mounting process where the bicycle frame 100 is firmly mounted into the bicycle bag 10 and with all straps tightly fastened. The wheels are mounted in pockets 31 on the inside of the cover 30.These pockets 31 may be detachable or integrated into the cover. Additional pockets may be provided internally or externally for storing pedals or other loose equipment. In Figure 11, one side section of the cover 30 is stretched over one side of the frame 12. Accordingly, the other side section of the cover 30 may be stretched over the other side of the frame 12, so that the two side sections meet to close a zipper or similar fastening means, as shown schematically in Figure 12. In Figure 12, one can also see how the cover obtains a similar shape to the frame 12 once stretched over the frame, thus providing a box shaped protection cover for the bicycle 100. The bicycle bag 10 may have wheels fastened to the bottom part of the bag, and the wheels may also be detachable. When the bag is in mounted state, as in Figure 12, the straps for strapping around the bag in compressed state are not needed, and may typically be placed inside pockets, as shown in Figure 13. Reference numbers10 bicycle bag12 frame13 flexible region14 wheels20 bottom frame22,24 bottom frame horizontal rod 26,28 bottom frame transverse rods 30 flexible cover31 pockets34 straps40 top frame41 clips42 rod50 front vertical support51 upper joint52 lower joint53,54 rods55, 56 transverse rod57 fastening points58 elastic cord59 straps60 rear vertical support61 upper joint62 lower joint63, 64 rods66 transverse rod70 bottom bracket support71 clips72 cushion73 support frame74 straps80 front fork support81 clips82 support frame83 fork protector84 straps90 handlebar holder100 bicycle frame110 top tube120 seat stays130 front fork140 handlebar150 seat tube160 handlebar stem170 bottom bracket
Claims
Claims1. Bicycle bag (10) for storage and transport of a bicycle (100), the bag (10) comprising a rigid elongated bottom frame (20) and a flexible cover (30) attached to the bottom frame (20) and configured to enclose the bicycle (100) when the bicycle (100) is attached to the bottom frame (20), and means for fastening the bicycle frame (100) to the bottom frame (20)the bag comprises a substantially vertical front and back support (50, 60) extending upwards from the outer longitudinal ends of the bottom frame (20), and a detachable top frame (40), the front and back supports (50, 60) and the top frame (40) being configured to create a protective frame (12) when mounted, the frame (12) defining a protective outer border at least enclosing the front, back, bottom and top of the bicycle, characterized in that the vertical supports (50, 60) are foldable, preferably in the lower region, towards the opposite end of the bottom frame (20), thereby allowing the two vertical supports (50, 60) and the bottom frame (20) to obtain a more or less flat assembly when a bicycle (100) is not installed.2. Bicycle bag according to claim 1, wherein the bag (10) further comprises a bottom bracket support (70) and/or a front fork support (80) configured for supporting a bicycle frame (100) at the bottom bracket (170) and respectively at the front fork (130).3. Bicycle bag according to claim 2, wherein the bottom bracket support (70) and/or front fork support (80) are detachably arranged on the bottom frame (20) by use of fastening means (71, 81).4. Bicycle bag according to one of claims 1 , wherein the frame structure (12) comprises sections (13) providing flexibility and/or shock absorbing characteristics to the frame (12) when withstanding external forces, while still maintaining its shape when no external forces are applied.5. Bicycle bag according to claim 4, wherein one or more of the sections (13) are an integrated part of the front and/or rear support (50, 60) and/or bottom frame, preferably arranged in the lower region of the frame in the vicinity to the attachment area between the bottom frame (20) and the front or rear vertical support (50, 60).6. Bicycle bag according to claim 5, wherein the flexible sections (13) are made of a resilient material or a non-resilient material with a construction configured to provide flexibility, such as a spring mechanism.7. Bicycle bag according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the flexible cover (30) is configured to firmly envelop the frame structure (12) when mounted.8. Bicycle bag according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible cover (30) comprises stiffening elements in the side sections, front section, back section and/or top section sewn into or otherwise attached to the cover (30).9. Bicycle bag according any of the preceding claims, wherein an upper section of the front and/or rear vertical supports (50, 60) is foldable outwards, for easier installation of the bicycle (100) into the bag.10. Bicycle bag according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the vertical supports (50, 60) are self-supporting without having a top frame (40) attached.11. Bicycle bag according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the frame (12) is provided with straps or similar, for suspending a bicycle frame inside the frame (12) while the bicycle (100) at the same time may or may not rest on the bottom bracket support (70) and/or front fork support (80).
Drawings

Priority

No priority

Patent classes

IPC classesB65D 85/68B65D 25/00B62J 19/00A45C 13/00CPC classesB65D 85/68B65D 25/00B65D 2585/6862B62J 19/00A45C 13/002

Citations

US 2018/0044103 A1 (A1)US 4991715 A (A)WO 2015139169 A1 (A1)DE 4235158 A1 (A1)

Applicants, owners and inventors

Owners
DB Equipment AS
Tronheimsveien 2 0560 OSLO NO (OSLO Municipality, Oslo county)Org. number: 997484851Inventors
Truls Kristian Brataas
Andreas Grøttingsvei 1 A 2408 ELVERUM NO (ELVERUM Municipality, Innlandet county)
Henrik J S Kax
c/o FEARLESS DESIGN AB, Alingsåsvägen 40 12148 JOHANNESHOV SE

Agent

ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
ACAPO ONSAGERS AS

Org. number: 932214636

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Open in The Brønnøysund Register Centre
Edvard Griegs vei 1 5059 BERGEN NO (BERGEN Municipality, Vestland county)
Org. number: 932214636
Reference: P17182NO00

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