Bicycle Receptacle

Abstract

A bicycle transport container including a wall element which is divided into two parts. The wall element has an upper part and a lower part. The upper part can be opened along a bending edge. Connected to the upper part are two side tabs which, when the upper part is closed, rest against inner sides of the side walls of the bicycle transport container.

Claims

1. The bicycle transport container, comprising an outer container, a fork receiving element arranged inside the outer container, the fork receiving element having a receiving element adapted to be arranged between dropouts of a bicycle fork in order to receive the bicycle fork, wherein the receiving element is substantially arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the outer container so that the bicycle fork mounted to the receiving element is also arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the outer container in a packaged state.

2. The bicycle transport container according to claim 1, wherein the receiving element has a recess for receiving a fixing element connectable to the bicycle fork.

3. The bicycle transport container according to claim 2, wherein the recess is formed as a passage opening through which the fixing element is insertable.

4. The bicycle transport container according to claim 2, wherein a front axle, which is designed as a quick-release axle, is used as the fixing element.

5. The bicycle transport container according to claim 1, wherein the receiving element has several cardboard layers which are arranged parallel to each other.

6. The bicycle transport container according to claim 1, wherein the fork receiving element has an adjustment element for a defined arrangement of the fork receiving element in the outer container.

7. The bicycle transport container according to claim 6, wherein the adjustment element is connected with the receiving element.

8. The bicycle transport container according to claim 6, wherein the adjustment element has a base element resting against an inner side of a bottom element of the outer container, whereby the base element has a width which substantially corresponds to the width of the internal dimension of the outer container.

9. The bicycle transport container according to claim 1, wherein the fork receiving element has a stabilizing element connected.

10. The bicycle transport container, comprising an outer container, a handlebar receiving element arranged inside the outer container for a handlebar arranged in the outer container in the longitudinal direction thereof, the handlebar receiving element having a contact element which, in the packaged state, rests against an upper side of a top tube of the bicycle frame or is arranged on a lower side of a handlebar center part.

11. The bicycle transport container according to claim 10, wherein the contact element is connected with a protective element which is arranged on a front side of the handlebar center part in the packaged state.

12. The bicycle transport container according claim 10, wherein the handlebar receiving element has a packaging element for handlebar ends separated from the handlebar center part, whereby the packaging element is connected with the contact element.

13. The bicycle transport container according to claim 12, wherein the packaging element is arranged laterally adjacent to the top tube and a down tube of the bicycle frame in a packaged state.

14. The bicycle transport container according to claim 12, wherein the packaging element has at least one packaging space in which the handlebar ends are arranged in the packaged state.

15. The bicycle transport container according to claim 11, wherein the packaging element is opposite the protective element.

16. The bicycle transport container according to claim 1, wherein the outer container is of cuboid shape.

17. The bicycle transport container according to claim 1, wherein the receiving element has several cardboard layers which are connected to each other via bending edges.

18. The bicycle transport container according to claim 6, wherein the adjustment element is integrally formed with the receiving element.

19. The bicycle transport container according to claim 1, wherein the fork receiving element has a stabilizing element connected with the base element.

20. The bicycle transport container according to claim 10, wherein the packaging element is connected and integrally formed with the contact element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] In the following the individual disclosures described above are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0056] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective greatly simplified view of a bicycle transport container,

[0057] FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional view along line II-II in FIG. 1, wherein the bicycle transport container is closed,

[0058] FIG. 3 shows a schematic plan view of the bicycle cardboard box, wherein the front wall element is not shown in order to illustrate the elements disposed inside the bicycle transport container,

[0059] FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the length compensation element,

[0060] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a fork receiving element and a handlebar receiving element,

[0061] FIG. 6 shows a schematic plan view of the handlebar receiving element,

[0062] FIG. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a saddle receiving element,

[0063] FIG. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of a spacer, and

[0064] FIG. 9 shows a schematic plan view of a holding slot for a closing tab.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] FIG. 1 shows a bicycle transport container being cuboid in a closed state, which is in particular a bicycle transport box made of cardboard. The bicycle transport container has a bottom element 10 having a rectangular cross-section. Two opposite side elements 12 are connected with the bottom element 10. Since the side elements 12 are preferably integrally formed with the bottom element 10, the edges 14 are formed as bending edges. In addition, two wall elements 16, 18, which are also opposite each other, are connected with the bottom element 10. The rear wall element 16 shown in FIG. 1 also has a rectangular cross-section and extends over the entire rear side of the bicycle transport container. In this respect, the rear wall element 16 is connected at the edges 20 with one of the two side elements 12, the edges 20 preferably also being bending edges.

[0066] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the front wall element 18 is formed in two parts and has a lower part 22 and an upper part 24. The lower part 22 and the upper part 24 each have a rectangular cross-section. In particular, the two parts 22, 24 are integrally formed and connected with each other via a bending edge 26. The bending edge 26 allows the upper part 24 to be moved ore opened into the position shown in FIG. 1. The upper part 24 can also be folded upward into the closed position (FIG. 2) about the bending edge 26.

[0067] The lower part 22 is firmly connected to the respective side part 12 at edges 28 which may also be formed as bending edges. The upper part 24 is not connected with the side part 12. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the upper part is rather connected with two side tabs 30. The two side tabs 30 are connected, in particular integrally formed with the upper part 24 via bending edges 32.

[0068] In addition, the bicycle transport container comprises a cover element consisting of two cover parts 34, 36 in the illustrated exemplary embodiments. In relation to a longitudinal direction 38, the cover part 34 is connected at a longitudinal edge 40 with the upper part 24, the longitudinal edge 40 preferably also being a bending edge. The cover part 26 of the cover element is connected with the wall element 16 by the longitudinal edge 42 which preferably also is a bending edge.

[0069] In an opened state, i. e. when the upper part 24 is folded forward, the interior of the bicycle transport container is easily accessible and easily visible. In this respect, individual bicycle elements or even the entire bicycle can be removed more easily from the bicycle transport container.

[0070] The bicycle transport container is closed by folding the two side tabs 30 inwards or upwards so that the side tabs 30 form an angle of approximately 90° with respect to the inner side of the upper part 24, which faces inwards in the closed state. The upper part 24 is then moved upwards to the position shown in FIG. 2 so that the upper part 24 is arranged in one plane with the lower part 22. In this case, the two side parts 30 each rest against inner sides 44 of the two side elements 12.

[0071] Thus, the bicycle transport container is closed in the open area 46 of the edge 28, i. e. in the area in which the upper part 24 is not connected with the side parts 12. The edges are closed by the tabs 30.

[0072] In order to allow the side flaps 30 to be closed as easily as possible and to prevent them from canting or clamping, the side flaps 30 each have a bevel 48. The bevel 48 extends such that the distance between the bending edge 32 and the bevel 48 decreases, starting from an area located in the direction of the bending edge 40, an area located in the direction of the edge 26. The width of the tab thus decreases at least partially starting from the upper side or starting from the cover part 34 downwards or in the direction of the lower part 22.

[0073] To further close the bicycle transport container, after folding up the upper part 24, the cover part 36 connected to the rear wall element 16 is folded forward in the direction of the upper part 24 into the position shown in FIG. 2. Subsequently, the second cover part 34 is folded inwards around the edge 40, also into the position shown in FIG. 2, so that the cover parts 34, 36 overlap or rest against each other.

[0074] Tabs can additionally be connected to upper edges 50 of the two side elements 12, which are folded inwards to close the bicycle transport container and are then also aligned parallel to the two cover parts 34, 36. The corresponding tabs, which are particularly connected via bending edges with the side elements 12, are not illustrated in FIG. 1 for reasons of clarity.

[0075] The bicycle transport container shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be an outer container in which receiving elements and the like for a bicycle, bicycle elements etc. are arranged.

[0076] FIG. 3 shows a side plan view or front view of a bicycle transport container in which the front side wall 18 has been cut away so that elements arranged inside the bicycle transport container are visible. In addition to the illustrated elements, further bicycle elements, transport container, supplementary elements etc. can be arranged in the bicycle cardboard box. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the bicycle cardboard box illustrated and described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown, wherein in principle, another bicycle cardboard box or another bicycle transport container can also be used to realize the disclosure shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0077] A partially disassembled bicycle is arranged inside the bicycle transport container. It has a bicycle frame 52 on whose chainstay 54 a rear wheel 56 is mounted. Furthermore, a bicycle fork 58 is connected with the bicycle frame 52. The rear wheel 56 is arranged in a rear wheel receiving element 60. The rear wheel receiving element 60, which is also produced in particular by correspondingly folded and bent cardboard, fixes the rear wheel 56, for example, in a slot-like recess, so that the rear wheel 56 is firmly connected to the rear wheel receiving element 60 in the longitudinal direction 38, and also in particular transversely to the longitudinal direction 38.

[0078] The bicycle fork 58 is fixed in a cable receiving element 62. For this purpose, the fork receiving element, which is also made of cardboard, can have opening through which the quick release for the front wheel can be inserted, for example. Thus, the dropouts of the bicycle fork 58 can be fixed to the fork receiving element 62.

[0079] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, a relatively small bicycle frame is arranged in the bicycle frame cardboard box. This results in a distance 66 between the fork receiving element 62 and an inner side 64 of the side wall 12. A length compensation element 68 is arranged in this area to bridge the distance 66. A corresponding length compensation element can also be arranged additionally or instead of the illustrated length compensation element between the rear wheel receiving element 60 and the inner side of the opposite inner wall 12.

[0080] In the exemplary embodiment, the length compensation element 68, which is preferably also made of cardboard, has an upper contact part 70 and a lower contact part 72. The two contact parts 70, 72 are connected with each other via a connecting element which has two connecting parts 74, 76 is the illustrated exemplary embodiment. The length compensation element 68 is made of one part, in particular of cardboard. In this respect, the upper contact part 70 is connected to the connecting part 74 via a bending edge 78, the two connecting parts 74, 76 are connected via a bending edge 80, and the connecting part 76 is connected to the lower contact part 72 via a bending edge 82.

[0081] If the length compensation element 68 is arranged in the bicycle transport container, side surfaces 84 of the upper contact part 70 and of the lower contact part 72 rest against the inner side 74 of the side element 12. Thus, a first contact element is formed. A second contact element is formed by the bending edge 80 located between the two connecting parts 74, 76. This contact element, which is formed as an edge 80 and is opposite the first contact element 84, rests against an outer side 86 of the fork receiving element 62.

[0082] Optionally, a cardboard extending, for example, over the entire height of the bicycle transport container or a further receiving or fixing element can be arranged on the outer side 86. This can be used, for example, to receive or fix a handlebar. Accordingly, the contact element 80 would then rests against a corresponding outer side of this intermediate element.

[0083] To prevent the entire bicycle from shifting in the longitudinal direction 38 of the bicycle transport container, the length compensation element 68 is inserted into the bicycle transport container from above in the direction of an arrow 88. Due to the flexibility provided via bending edges 78, 80, 82, the length compensation element 68 can be inserted into the transport container until the bicycle is fixed in the longitudinal direction. The upper contact part 70 can then be cut to length. For this purpose, several perforation lines can be provided 90 It is thus possible to provide a length compensation element for compensating different length differences. The length compensation element 68 can thus be used to easily compensate for different distances 66 so that it is possible to arrange, for example, different bicycle types, bicycle frames of different sizes and the like inside the bicycle transport container. It is thus possible to use a bicycle transport container of identical size for different bicycles etc.

[0084] A further length compensation element 68 is provided on the opposite side, which is between the rear wheel receiving element 60 and the side wall 12. The function is identical to the above-described function of the length compensation element 68 arranged between the fork receiving element 62 and the left side wall 12 shown in FIG. 3.

[0085] FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a fork receiving element 92 and a handlebar receiving element 90 in a packaged state. Compared to the fork receiving element 62 shown in FIG. 3, the fork receiving element 92 is configured such that the fork 58 is arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction 38 in the bicycle transport container. For this purpose, the fork receiving element 92 has a receiving element 94 which is made of several cardboard layers, in particular. The receiving element 94 is arranged between the two dropouts 96 of the bicycle fork 58. The receiving element 94 has a passage opening or a bore so that the quick-release axle can be inserted therethrough and connected with the dropouts 96 of the fork 58.

[0086] Transversely to the longitudinal direction, it is preferred that the receiving element 94 has a width corresponding to the inner width of the receiving container, so that the fork 58 cannot be shifted transversely to the longitudinal direction 38 inside the receiving container, but is arranged in a defined position. In longitudinal direction 38, which corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the frame, in front of the receiving element 94, an adjustment element 98 is connected thereto, the adjustment element 98 also being made of cardboard and being integrally formed with the receiving element 94. The adjustment element 98 has a base element 100. The base element 100 is formed as a cardboard layer having a rectangular cross-section. The width of the base element 100 also corresponds to the width inside the bicycle transport container or the width of the receiving element 94, respectively. A stabilizing element 102 is connected with the base element 100 via a bending edge. It extends upwards at an angle of about 30° from the illustrated exemplary embodiment to the base member 100. The stabilizing element 102 is thus arranged in longitudinal direction 38 in front of the receiving element 94.

[0087] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the handlebar receiving element 90 is used to receive a multi-piece handlebar. The handlebar has a handlebar center part 104 which is integrally formed with a handlebar stem 106 or a handlebar cockpit in the illustrated exemplary embodiment. The handlebar stem 106 is mounted with the fork steerer. The handlebar further has two handlebar ends 108 that can be removably connected to the handlebar center part 104 by inserting the handlebar ends 108 into the side openings of the handlebar center part 104. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the handlebar end 108 are formed a racing bicycle handlebars, wherein the shift and brake levers are already connected to the handlebar ends 108.

[0088] The handlebar receiving element 90 has a flat contact element 110 preferably also made of cardboard. The contact element is arranged such that, on the one hand, it rests against an upper side 112 of a top tube 114 of the frame and, on the other hand, it is arranged below the handlebar center part 104. A protective element 116 is connected with the contact element 110. The protective element 116 can be arranged over a bending edge 118 such that the protective element 116 is arranged substantially perpendicular to the contact element 110. With the bicycle disposed in the bicycle transport container, the protective member 116 rests against an inner side of one of the wall members 16 or 18 (FIG. 1).

[0089] Opposite the protective element 116, the handlebar receptacle 90 includes a packaging element 120 for receiving the two handlebar ends 108, the ends being at least partially arranged in a packaging space 122 formed by the packaging element.

[0090] The packaging element 120 rests laterally against the top tube 114 and optionally against the down tube. An outer surface 124 (FIG. 5) rests against the inner side of one of the two wall members 16 or 18 when the bicycle is disposed inside the bicycle transport container.

[0091] A saddle receiving element 126 (FIG. 7) has a saddle receptacle 128. The saddle receptacle 128 has a round opening 130 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment. The saddle tube can be inserted therethrough so that the saddle itself rests against an upper side 123 of the saddle receiving element 128 and the saddle tube protrudes downwards. The saddle receiving element 128 also has a slot-shaped opening 134. The saddle tip can be inserted into said slot so that the saddle tube is arranged in the direction of the opening 130, starting from the slot 134, and is arranged on the upper side 132 of the saddle receptacle 128. Thus, a saddle can be arranged together with the saddle tube in two different position inside the saddle receiving element.

[0092] In order to protect the saddle as well as the saddle tube and to protect other components arranged inside the bicycle receptacle, in particular the bicycle frame, two protective elements 136, 138 are connected to the saddle receptacle 128 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment. In particular, both the protective elements 136, 138 and the saddle receptacle 128 are made of cardboard and are integrally formed.

[0093] Inside the bicycle transport container, the receiving element can be arranged in particular such that an upper side 140 of the protective element 136 rests against an inner side of a wall element 16 or 18 (FIG. 1).

[0094] Optionally, further protective elements can be provided so that below the opening 130 a receiving space is formed in which the saddle tube can be arranged in a protected manner.

[0095] A spacer 142 (FIG. 8) may be positioned above a top tube or another frame member to compensate for size. In the illustrated embodiment, the spacer 142 is integrally formed of cardboard. Three flat cardboard elements 144, 146, 148 are formed by folding the cardboard appropriately. A spacer 142 having a triangular cross-section in side view can be formed by a tab or lug 150 provided on the cardboard element 148 by inserting the tab 150 into one of the slots 152. Depending on which of the slots 152 the lug 150 is inserted into, the spacer has different dimensions to a different height and can thus be adapted to the corresponding bicycle element arranged in the bicycle transport container, in particular in the partially mounted bicycle frame. This ensures that the bicycle frame cannot move inside the cardboard box, as the spacer 142 is disposed between an upper side of the bicycle frame and the cover element of the bicycle transport container and fills the corresponding space.

[0096] In order to be able to close the bicycle cardboard box easily and to open it more easily, for example, for final inspection or for packing further parts, corresponding closing tabs, which are provided for example on the cover parts 34, 36 (FIG. 1), have tabs which are inserted into slots. The slots can be formed such that they are formed at least in a partial area, corresponding to the slot 154 shown in FIG. 9, which at least in the central area has a width B that is less than the thickness of the tab. This holds the tab clamped in the slot 154. To prevent tearing or fraying of the slot 154, the end portions 156 are rounded.

Further Aspects are:

[0097] Aspect 1. A bicycle transport container, in particular a bicycle transport cardboard box, comprising [0098] a bottom element (10), [0099] two opposite side elements (12) connected with the bottom element (10), [0100] two opposite wall elements (16, 18) connected with the bottom element (10) and at least partially with the two side elements (12), and [0101] a cover element (34, 36) preferably connected to at least one of the two wall elements (16, 18), [0102] wherein one of the two wall elements (18) has an upper part (24) foldably connected to a lower part (22), [0103] characterized in that [0104] the upper part (24) has at least one side tab (30) being covered by a side element (12) when the upper part (24) is closed.

[0105] Aspect 2. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycle transport cardboard box according to aspect 1, characterized in that the upper part (24) has two side tabs (30), each being covered by one of the two side elements (12) when the upper part (24) is closed.

[0106] Aspect 3. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycle transport cardboard box according to one of aspects 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one side tab (30) rests against one of the side elements (12), in particular an inner side (44) of the side elements (12), when the upper part (24) is closed.

[0107] Aspect 4. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycle transport cardboard box according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, characterized in that the upper part (22) is connected with the two side elements (12), in particular is integrally formed therewith.

[0108] Aspect 5. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycle transport cardboard box according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one of the side tabs (30) has a bevel (48).

[0109] Aspect 6. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycle transport cardboard box according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, characterized in that the upper part (24) and the lower part (22) are integrally formed, wherein a bending edge (26) is formed between the upper part (24) and the lower part (22).

[0110] Aspect 7. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycle transport cardboard box according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, characterized in that the cover element has a cover part (34) which is connected to the upper part (24) and is integrally formed, in particular.

[0111] Aspect 8. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycle transport cardboard box according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, characterized in that the cover element has a cover part (36) which is connected to the further wall element (16) and is integrally formed, in particular.

[0112] Aspect 9. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycle transport cardboard box according to aspect 7 or 8, characterized in that the two cover parts (34, 36) lie flat against each another when the bicycle transport container is closed.

[0113] Aspect 10. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycle transport cardboard box according to any one of aspects 1 to 9, characterized in that receiving, holding and/or protective elements (60, 62) for a bicycle frame (52) and bicycle elements are arranged inside the bicycle transport container.

[0114] Aspect 11. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycle transport cardboard box, comprising [0115] an outer container, in particular of cuboid shape, and [0116] receiving elements (60, 62) for a bicycle element (52) which are arranged inside the outer container, [0117] characterized by [0118] a length compensation element (68) arranged between a receiving element (62) and an inner side (64) of the receptacle.

[0119] Aspect 12. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycle transport cardboard box according to aspect 11, characterized in that the length compensation element (68) is arranged in longitudinal direction (38) of the bicycle transport container between one of the receiving elements (62) and the inner side (64) of the outer container.

[0120] Aspect 13. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycle transport cardboard box according to aspect 11 or 12, characterized in that the length compensation element (68) is arranged between one of the receiving elements (62) and the inner wall (64) of a side element (12) forming a narrow side of the bicycle transport container.

[0121] Aspect 14. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycle transport cardboard box according to any one of aspects 11 to 13, characterized in that the length compensation element (68) is variable in length in longitudinal direction (38) of the bicycle transport container.

[0122] Aspect 15. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycle transport cardboard box according to aspect 14, characterized in that the length compensation element (68) has two mutually opposite contact elements (84, 80) whose distance to one another is variable.

[0123] Aspect 16. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycle transport cardboard box according to any one of aspects 11 to 15, characterized in that the length compensation element (68) is made from a flat starting material, in particular a flat cardboard element.

[0124] Aspect 17. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycle transport cardboard box according to any one of aspects 11 to 16, characterized in that the length compensation element (68) in particular has three bending edge (78, 80, 82).

[0125] Aspect 18. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycle transport cardboard box according to any one of aspects 11 to 17, characterized in that the length compensation element (68) has an upper contact part (70) which is connected with a lower contact part (72) via a connecting element (74, 76).

[0126] Aspect 19. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycle transport cardboard box according to aspect 18, characterized in that the two contact parts (70, 72) form one of the two contact elements (84) and preferably rest against the inner side (64) of the bicycle transport container.

[0127] Aspect 20. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycle transport cardboard box according to one of aspects 18 or 19, characterized in that the connecting element forms one of the two contact elements (80) and preferably rests against one of the receiving elements (62).

[0128] Aspect 21. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycle transport cardboard box according to aspect 20, characterized in that the connecting element has two interconnected, in particular integrally formed connecting parts (74, 76) which are preferably connected to each another via a bending edge (80).

[0129] Aspect 22. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycle transport cardboard box according to aspect 21, characterized in that the bending edge (80) forms one of the contact elements.

[0130] Aspect 23. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycle transport cardboard box according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the two connecting parts (74, 76) and the two contact parts (70, 72) are integrally formed and connected to each other via bending edges (78, 80, 82).