BICYCLE LEVELER

Abstract

The invention was designed to provide a solid, level hang bar utilizing the bicycle's seat post, seat post tube or frame itself which is level adjustable on the bicycle. The rake or angle of the seat post and seat post tube varies and the Bicycle Leveler is adjustable to allow a safe and level carry on a vehicle. The Bicycle Leveler is installed on the bicycle for safe transport and the Level Hang Bar is uniquely removable without tools for safe riding of the bicycle. No other design mounts solidly to the bicycle nor does it have removable level bar feature. The design represents a new methodology for safety in bicycle transport on traditional hang racks.

Claims

1. A device for attaching to a bicycle seat post or the bicycle seat post tube on a bicycle which does not incorporate any horizontal top rail in its frame, the device comprising: a receiver assembly secured and retained on the bicycle seat post or the bicycle seat post tube; which placement is vertically adjustable on the seat post/seat post tube to set the carry height of the bicycle; a removable level hang bar pivot member configured to be movably mounted in the receiver assembly; a level hang bar extension removably attached to the level hang bar pivot member; wherein the level hang bar pivot member is adjusted and secured in a position to allow the bicycle to be carried level, horizontal and parallel to a plane upon which the bottom point of both the front and rear wheels of the bicycle touch is level with the ground. and will be parallel to a plane on the carrying vehicle such as a plane bisecting the vehicle bumper brackets, floor pan, truck bed, vehicle load compartment including cargo area of an SUV or automobile, etc., which is typically level to the ground when the vehicle is in a level position also bisecting both the front and rear axles of the bicycle on a bicycle hang rack irregardless of how the bicycle hang rack is mounted to the vehicle, allowing the bottom of the wheels to be safely above the protective structure of the carry vehicle, specifically the rear bumper.

2. A device for attaching to a bicycle seat post or the bicycle seat post tube on a bicycle which does incorporate a horizontal top rail in its frame, the device comprising: a device for attaching to a bicycle seat post or the bicycle seat post tube on a bicycle which does incorporate a horizontal top rail in its frame, the device comprising; a receiver assembly secured and retained on the bicycle seat post above the horizontal top rail or on the bicycle seat post tube below the horizontal top rail; a removable level hang bar pivot member configured to be movably mounted in the receiver assembly; a level hang bar extension removably attached to the level hang bar pivot member; or bicycles on all and especially smaller carry vehicles using the wide variety of hang racks which are attached by means of clips and straps fastened to trunk lids and rear hatches (not bumper or hitch mount), the attach-ability of the Bicycle Leveler will allow it to be attach to the bicycle at a vertical position on the seat post or seat post tube to allow the low point of the bicycle's wheels to be above the bottom of the rear bumper and adjust the position of the hang rack to allow the bicycle itself to be centered on the carry vehicle even if the hang rack is not centered on the carry vehicle; for tall bicycles, the Receiver Assembly can be mounted to the bicycle at a lower height than the incorporated Horizontal Top Rail, allowing a shorter distance from the Surrogate Horizontal Top Rail on the Bicycle Leveler to the plane bisecting both the front and rear axles of the bicycle, yielding a safe carry with the bottom of the wheels safely above the bottom of the rear bumper;

3. A device for attaching to a bicycle seat post or the bicycle seat post tube on a bicycle which does not have a frame capable of fitting a typical, standard adult hang rack because of the spacing of the hanger bars, the bicycle frame is not long enough (distance between the wheels) to fit the distance between the horizontal arms of the rack requiring; a receiver assembly secured and retained on the bicycle seat post or the bicycle seat post tube; a removable level hang bar pivot member configured to be movably mounted in the receiver assembly with a longer length than or a length capable of extending beyond the distance between the hang rack arms; a level hang bar extension removably attached to the level hang bar pivot member.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the design of the Bicycle Leveler is modular and consists of two elements including a Receiver Mount Assembly, and the Level Hang Bar and the Receiver and Mount Assembly has two versions, one with the factory installed Fixed Level Hang Bar 20 (FIGS. 1 through 4) and one with a user installed Removable Level Hang Bar 25 (FIGS. 5 through 8) with a removable Detent Pin and contains the attachment mechanism which makes it part of the bicycle itself with the angle adjustment mechanism which gives the invention its core nameLeveler and receives either the Fixed Level Hang Bar 20 or the Removable Level Hang Bar 25 which is inserted into the Receiver through the adjusted and locked Hang Bar Slide and retained at the back of the Receiver with a Detent Pin and while the factory installed Fixed Level Hang Bar 20 includes a Level Hang Bar Extension 21 which is retained by detent pin 9 through piercings 22 and 23, the Removable Level Hang Bar 25 comes with the Receiver and Mount Assembly without the factory installed Fixed Level Hang Bar 20 and both come ready for transporting the bicycle safely.

5. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the design of the Bicycle Leveler is modular and consists of two elements including a Receiver Mount Assembly, and the Level Hang Bar. The Receiver and Mount Assembly has two versions, one with the factory installed Fixed Level Hang Bar 20 (FIGS. 1 through 4) and one with a user installed Removable Level Hang Bar 25 (FIGS. 5 through 8) with a removable Detent Pin and contains the attachment mechanism which makes it part of the bicycle itself with the angle adjustment mechanism which gives the invention its core nameLeveler and receives either the Fixed Level Hang Bar 20 or the Removable Level Hang Bar 25 which is inserted into the Receiver through the adjusted and locked Hang Bar Slide and retained at the back of the Receiver with a Detent Pin. The factory installed Fixed Level Hang Bar 20 includes a Level Hang Bar Extension 21 which is retained by detent pin 9 through piercings 22 and 23. The Removable Level Hang Bar 25 comes the Receiver and Mount Assembly without the factory installed Fixed Level Hang Bar 20. Both come ready for transporting the bicycle safely.

6. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the design of the Bicycle Leveler is modular and consists of two elements including a Receiver Mount Assembly, and the Level Hang Bar. The Receiver and Mount Assembly has two versions, one with the factory installed Fixed Level Hang Bar 20 (FIGS. 1 through 4) and one with a user installed Removable Level Hang Bar 25 (FIGS. 5 through 8) with a removable Detent Pin and contains the attachment mechanism which makes it part of the bicycle itself with the angle adjustment mechanism which gives the invention its core nameLeveler and receives either the Fixed Level Hang Bar 20 or the Removable Level Hang Bar 25 which is inserted into the Receiver through the adjusted and locked Hang Bar Slide and retained at the back of the Receiver with a Detent Pin. The factory installed Fixed Level Hang Bar 20 includes a Level Hang Bar Extension 21 which is retained by detent pin 9 through piercings 22 and 23. The Removable Level Hang Bar 25 comes the Receiver and Mount Assembly without the factory installed Fixed Level Hang Bar 20. Both come ready for transporting the bicycle safely.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the Level Hang Bar Extension 21 is inserted into the Fixed Level Hang Bar 20 and retained by detent pin 9 through piercings 22 and 23. The Removable Level Hang Bar 25 is inserted directly into the Receiver Assembly through the Level Hang Bar Slide 5 and retained at the back of the Receiver with Detent Pin 10. Both Level Hang Bars are for transporting the bicycle and are removed for normal riding. The Level Hang Bar Extension or the Removable Level Hang Bar can be left with the carry vehicle or can be attached to a convenient clip on the bicycle frame in much the same way as a rider would attach an air pump or water bottle. The Level Hang Bar Extension or the Removable Level Hang Bar can come in various configurations not included here including, but not limited to fixed length, adjustable length, adaptable to storage systems, configured to avoid an obstacle, a bubble level and can be personalized without departing from the spirit of the design.

8. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the Level Hang Bar Extension 21 is inserted into the Fixed Level Hang Bar 20 and retained by detent pin 9 through piercings 22 and 23. The Removable Level Hang Bar 25 is inserted directly into the Receiver Assembly through the Level Hang Bar Slide 5 and retained at the back of the Receiver with Detent Pin 10. Both Level Hang Bars are for transporting the bicycle and are removed for normal riding. The Level Hang Bar Extension or the Removable Level Hang Bar can be left with the carry vehicle or can be attached to a convenient clip on the bicycle frame in much the same way as a rider would attach an air pump or water bottle. The Level Hang Bar Extension or the Removable Level Hang Bar can come in various configurations not included here including, but not limited to fixed length, adjustable length, adaptable to storage systems, configured to avoid an obstacle, a bubble level and can be personalized without departing from the spirit of the design.

9. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the Level Hang Bar Extension 21 is inserted into the Fixed Level Hang Bar 20 and retained by detent pin 9 through piercings 22 and 23. The Removable Level Hang Bar 25 is inserted directly into the Receiver Assembly through the Level Hang Bar Slide 5 and retained at the back of the Receiver with Detent Pin 10. Both Level Hang Bars are for transporting the bicycle and are removed for normal riding. The Level Hang Bar Extension or the Removable Level Hang Bar can be left with the carry vehicle or can be attached to a convenient clip on the bicycle frame in much the same way as a rider would attach an air pump or water bottle. The Level Hang Bar Extension or the Removable Level Hang Bar can come in various configurations not included here including, but not limited to fixed length, adjustable length, adaptable to storage systems, configured to avoid an obstacle, a bubble level and can be personalized without departing from the spirit of the design.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the mounting assembly of the Receiver Housing of the Bicycle Leveler invention were designed to allow the Bicycle Leveler to be attached to the bicycle seat post or the bicycle seat post tube on the frame (barring any obstructions such as seat post clamps) by means of the Back Plate Clamp 12 and Fasteners 13 which enables the assembly to be placed anywhere on that frame member accommodating many frame diameters with the standard model and allowing a vertical adjustment to carrier hang height so the bicycle is carries safely.

11. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the mounting assembly of the Receiver Housing of the Bicycle Leveler invention were designed to allow the Bicycle Leveler to be attached to the bicycle seat post or the bicycle seat post tube on the frame (barring any obstructions such as seat post clamps) by means of the Back Plate Clamp 12 and Fasteners 13 which enables the assembly to be placed anywhere on that frame member accommodating many frame diameters with the standard model and allowing a vertical adjustment to carrier hang height so the bicycle is carries safely.

12. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the mounting assembly of the Receiver Housing of the Bicycle Leveler invention were designed to allow the Bicycle Leveler to be attached to the bicycle seat post or the bicycle seat post tube on the frame (barring any obstructions such as seat post clamps) by means of the Back Plate Clamp 12 and Fasteners 13 which enables the assembly to be placed anywhere on that frame member accommodating many frame diameters with the standard model and allowing a vertical adjustment to carrier hang height so the bicycle is carries safely.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first illustrative Bicycle Leveler mount of the present invention mounted on a standard bicycle seat post 1 or seat post tube frame 24 (which are not components of the invention).

[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first illustrative Bicycle Leveler mount of the present invention mounted on a standard bicycle seat post 1 or seat post tube frame 24 (which are not components of the invention) taken along line 32-32 on FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective, exploded view of the Bicycle Leveler mount of FIG. 1 showing various parts of the invention with 1 (one) component touching the seat post 1 or seat post tube frame 24 (which are not components of the invention) and the removable level hang bar is shown separately.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the Bicycle Leveler mount of FIG. 1 taken along line 20-20 on FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second illustrative Bicycle Leveler mount of the present invention mounted on a standard bicycle seat post 1 or seat post tube frame 24 (which are not components of the invention).

[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second illustrative Bicycle Leveler mount of the present invention mounted on a standard bicycle seat post 1 or seat post tube frame 24 (which are not components of the invention) taken along line 33-33 on FIG. 5.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective, exploded view of the Bicycle Leveler mount of FIG. 5 showing various parts of the invention with 1 (one) component touching the seat post 1 or seat post tube frame 24 (which are not components of the invention) and the totally removable level hang bar is shown separately.

[0015] FIG. 8 is a cross section view of the Bicycle Leveler mount of FIG. 5 taken along line 21-21 on FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to the direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present inception. Relative terms such as level, lower, upper, horizontal, parallel, vertical, above, below, up, down, top, bottom, center, and centered as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., horizontally, downwardly, etc.) and abstract terms such as plane should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as attached, affixed, connected, coupled, interconnected, and similar refer directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the preferred embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such preferred embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in combinations of features, the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, a first illustrative embodiment of the Bicycle Leveler mount has a bicycle attachment to 1, a standard seat post on the bicycle or 24, the seat post tube on the bicycle frame (not components of the invention), including 12, the Back Plate Clamp secured by 11, two machine screws to two coupling nuts at the back of 2, the Receiver Back Plate. Also visible in this view is 19, a shallow slot centered between the two coupling nuts which secure the assembly. This slot insures proper center mounting of the Bicycle Leveler to the seat post or seat post receiver in the frame. Refer to FIG. 2 for clarity which is the view along the line 32-32 in FIG. 1. All parts are dimensioned to cooperate with each other in the assembly described herein. Other methods of attaching the Bicycle Leveler receiver to seat post or the seat post tube on the frame or the frame itself can be configured without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, a first illustrative embodiment of the Bicycle Leveler, the adjustment of the Removable Level Hang Bar Pivot 20, and Level Hang Bar Extension 21, is accomplished by pivot of the Level Hang Bar using hole 17, in the Level Hang Bar Pivot 20, by inserting the detent pin 10 through the holes 15 in the Receiver Center Case 3, and the Receiver Back Plate 2, all of which are dimensioned to cooperate with each other to give the Level Hang Bar Pivot 20 the ability to be adjusted to a level position. To hold the adjustment of the Level Hang Bar Extension 21, the Level Hang Bar Pivot 20, passes through a hole in the Level Hang Bar Slide 5 which, in turn is dimensioned to cooperate with the Receiver Front Plate 4 which incorporates a captive slot allowing the adjustability of the Level Hang Bar Slide 5. The locking screw 6 plus a flat washer extends through a cooperating slot in 5, followed by a lock washer, then into the Level Hang Bar Slide, all of which is dimensioned to cooperate with a threaded hole in 4, the Receiver Front Plate. Other methodologies can be employed to adjust and lock the adjustment of the Level Hang Bar Extension 21, and Level Hang Bar Pivot 20 without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, a first illustrative embodiment of the Bicycle Leveler incorporates a Removable Level Hang Bar Pivot 20, and Level Hang Bar Extension 21. The Level Hang Bar Extension 21 is removable for normal bicycle riding by removing detent pin 9 from hole 23 in the Level Hang Bar Extension 21, and hole 22 in the Level Hang Bar Pivot 20, which are both dimensioned to cooperate with detent pin 9. Detent pin 10 is for removal of the Level Hang Bar Pivot 20 only from holes 15 which are both dimensioned to cooperate with detent pin 10 in the Receiver Center Case 3, the Receiver Back Plate 4 and the hole 17 in the Level Hang Bar Pivot 20. Other methods of attaching the Level Hang Bar Pivot 20, and the Level Hang Bar Extension 21, can be configured without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a first illustrative embodiment of the Bicycle Leveler has the basic components 2 through 20 which make up the Receiver Housing Assembly. These components are all dimensioned to cooperate with each other to create the Receiver Housing Assembly 1. On the Receiver Front Plate 4, the two threaded studs 14 are first inserted into the threaded holes on the inside surface and extend through the Receiver Case 3 and then through holes 16 in the Receiver Back Plate 2, and finally the studs protrude beyond the holes 16 where the parts are secured by two coupling nuts 11 at the rear of the Receiver Back Plate 2 to form the Receiver Housing Assembly 1. Finally, the Level Hang Bar Pivot 20 is installed through the Level Hang Bar Slide 5, the Receiver Front Plate 4, the Receiver Case 3 and into a recess in Receiver Back Plate 2, a detent pin 10 is inserted into Holes 15 in the Receiver Case 3 and the Receiver Back Plate 2 to secure the Level Hang Bar Pivot 20 into the Receiver Housing Assembly 1 for this embodiment. Other methodologies of components and assembly can be employed without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 6, a second illustrative embodiment of the Bicycle Leveler mount has a bicycle attachment to 1, a standard bicycle seat post on the bicycle or 24, the seat post tube on the bicycle frame (not components of the invention), and including 12, a Back Plate Clamp 12 secured by two machine screws 13 to two coupling nuts 11 at the back of 2, the Receiver Back Plate. Also visible in this view is 19, a shallow slot centered between the two coupling nuts which secure the assembly. This slot insures proper center mounting of the Bicycle Leveler. These coupling nuts are dimensioned to cooperate with the studs 14 which are discussed in [0016] preceding secure the whole assembly. Refer to FIG. 6 for clarity which is the view along the line 33-33 in FIG. 5. Other methods of attaching the Bicycle Leveler receiver to seat post or the seat post receiver (frame) can be configured without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, a second illustrative embodiment of the Bicycle Leveler, the adjustment of the Removable Level Hang Bar 25 is accomplished by pivot of the Removable Level Hang Bar 25, using the detent pin 10 through the Receiver Back Plate 2, and receiver housing at 15. The angle of the Removable Level Hang Bar 20 is adjusted using the Level Hang Bar Slide 5 which is dimensioned to cooperate with a slot on the front of 4, the Receiver Front Plate. The locking screw 6 with flat washer 7 extends through a slot in 5, the Level Hang Bar Slide, with a lock washer 8 into a threaded hole in 4, the Receiver Front Plate, all of which are dimensioned to cooperate with the threaded hole in 4. Other methodologies can be employed to adjust and lock the adjustment of the Removable Level Hang Bar 20 without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, a second illustrative embodiment of the Bicycle Leveler, the removal of the Removable Level Hang Bar 25 is accomplished by removing the detent pin 10 through the Receiver Center Case 3, and the Receiver Back Plate 2, from holes 15, one of which is visible in the Receiver Center Case 3, and two are invisible (see FIG. 7) in the Receiver Back Plate 2 and hole 18 in the Removable Level Hang Bar 25. The Removable Level Hang Bar 25, which is dimensioned to cooperate with the Level Hang Bar Slide 5 and the Receiver Front Plate 4 is simply removed from the Receiver Housing Assembly (2 through 14 in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8) by removal of detent pin 10 for normal riding of the bicycle. To re-insert, the process is simply reversed. Other methodologies can be employed to remove and re-insert the Removable Level Hang Bar 25 without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a second illustrative embodiment of the Bicycle Leveler has the basic components 2 through 18 which make up the Receiver Housing Assembly. These components are all dimensioned to cooperate with each other to create the Receiver Housing Assembly. On the Receiver Front Plate 4, the two threaded studs 14 are first inserted into the threaded holes on the inside surface and extend through the Receiver Case 3 and then through holes 16 in the Receiver Back Plate 2 and finally the studs protrude beyond the holes 16 where the parts are secured by two coupling nuts 11 at the rear of the Receiver Back Plate 2 to form the Receiver Housing Assembly for this embodiment. Other methodologies of components and assembly can be employed without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0025] While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims. In particular, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, sizes, and with other elements, materials, and components, without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be used with many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, sizes, materials and components, and otherwise used in the practice of the invention, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from the principles of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims, and not limited to the foregoing description or embodiments.