Clamping Jaw For A Support Assembly For A Bicycle Carrier

Abstract

A jaw member for a support assembly for securing a bicycle to a load carrier for a vehicle. The jaw member includes a frame work structure formed by at least one support element and at least one rib. The frame work structure is adapted to enable the jaw member to withstand a relative high amount of tensile stress while still being relatively light weight.

Claims

1. A jaw member for a support assembly for securing a bicycle to a load carrier for a vehicle, said jaw member comprising: a frame work structure formed by at least one support element and at least one rib, wherein said support element of said jaw member comprises: a bicycle facing side adapted to be positioned substantially adjacent said bicycle when mounted thereto and a distal side, wherein said at least one rib extends from said distal side of said support element of said jaw member.

2. The jaw member according to claim 1, wherein said at least one rib extends from said distal side of said support element in a direction substantially perpendicular to said support element.

3. The jaw member according to claim 1, wherein said frame work structure is positioned at a center section of said jaw member.

4. The jaw member according to claim 3, wherein said jaw member comprises a first and a second mouth rib, and wherein said frame work structure is positioned between said first and said second mouth rib and separated by a groove on either side of said frame work structure.

5. The jaw member according to claim 3, wherein said jaw member comprises three grip sections, wherein said frame work structure and said support element forms, or supports, a center grip section between two grip sections.

6. The jaw member according to claim 1, wherein said frame work structure comprises two or more ribs.

7. The jaw member according to claim 6, wherein at least one additional supportive rib is positioned between and interconnecting said two or more ribs.

8. The jaw member according to claim 1, wherein said at least one rib comprises a base having a thickness proximal to said support element, and a rim distal to said support element, wherein said thickness is gradually decreasing towards said rim.

9. The jaw member according to claim 1, wherein said support element and said at least one rib are formed in one unitary piece of material.

10. The jaw member according to claim 1, wherein said bicycle facing side of said support element comprises a friction enhancing material defining a grip section.

11. The jaw member according to claim 1, wherein said jaw member comprises a lid adapted to enclose said at least one rib and said distal side of said support element.

12. The jaw member according to claim 1, wherein said jaw member comprises a section having a second frame work structure formed by a support element having a bicycle facing side and a distal side, and at least one rib, wherein said at least one rib extends from said bicycle facing side.

13. The jaw member according to claim 1, wherein said jaw member is a first jaw member, and a second jaw member is attached to said first jaw member or in proximity thereof to form a clamping jaw.

14. The jaw member according to claim 13, wherein said clamping jaw is arranged with a tightening device and a second attachment arrangement to form a support assembly for securing a bicycle to a load carrier for a vehicle.

15. The jaw member according to claim 14, wherein said second attachment arrangement is a clamping jaw comprising at least one jaw member.

16. The jaw member according to claim 13, wherein said first jaw member comprises said second frame work structure at a pivot axis, and said first frame work structure is disposed at a mouth of said clamping jaw, said second frame work structure having a support element and ribs, wherein said ribs project from said bicycle facing side of said jaw member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a bicycle mounted on a bicycle carrier on a vehicle and retained by a support assembly having a clamping jaw according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 2 shows the clamping jaw of FIG. 1 with a view in perspective and in greater detail;

[0035] FIG. 3 shows the clamping jaw of FIG. 1 with a view towards the side;

[0036] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the clamping jaw of FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 5 shows the first jaw member of the clamping jaw of FIG. 1;

[0038] FIG. 6 shows a cross section of the first jaw member of FIG. 5;

[0039] FIG. 7 shows a cross section of the second jaw member of FIG. 1;

[0040] FIG. 8 shows a schematic cross section of the cross section shown in FIG. 6;

[0041] FIGS. 9a-9c show schematic cross sections of different jaw members;

[0042] FIG. 10 shows the knob of the support assembly of FIG. 1;

[0043] FIGS. 11a-11b show an exploded view of the knob of FIG. 10 in different perspective views and;

[0044] FIG. 12 show a cross section of the knob shown in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a bicycle 1 having a frame 3 mounted on a bicycle carrier 2 on a vehicle 6. A support assembly 10 retains the bicycle 1 to the bicycle carrier 2 and assists in preventing the bicycle from accidentally detach from the bicycle carrier 2. The bicycle carrier 2 can be provided with one or more support assemblies 10, preferably two or more.

[0046] The support assembly 10 comprises a clamping jaw 11 clamping about the frame 3 of the bicycle 2. A tightening device 12 in the form of a rotatable knob 50 is used to tighten or untighten the clamping jaw 11 from the frame 3 of the bicycle 2.

[0047] FIG. 2 shows the clamping jaw 11 in greater detail. The clamping jaw 11 comprises a first and a second jaw member 13, 14 which in the shown embodiment are pivotably arranged to each other about a pivot axis P. Each jaw member 13, 14 comprise a proximal end 13p, 14p, and a distal end 13d, 14d, with respect to the pivot axis P. The rotatable knob 50 (not shown in FIG. 2) has a working position WP between the pivot axis P and the distal ends of the first and the second jaw member 13, 14. When the rotatable knob 50 is rotated the jaw members 13, 14 are pivotally displaced together, i.e. pressed together, or pivotally displaced from each other to release the frame 3 of the bicycle 2.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows the clamping jaw 11 as seen from the side. The first and the second jaw members 13, 14 comprise a support element 19 (not shown) having a bicycle facing side 20, which also can be referred to as a frame facing side, facing towards the frame 3 of the bicycle 2, and a distal side 21 facing away from the frame 3 and the bicycle 2. The frame 3 is indicated with dashed lines in FIG. 3. The bicycle facing sides 20 of the support elements 19 of the first and the second jaw members 13, 14 define a mouth 22 having a gap 23. The gap 23 is formed by the distal ends 13d, 14d, of the first and the second jaw member 13, 14. As is noticeable, the bicycle facing sides 20 of the first and the second jaw members 13, 14 have an arc shaped form forming a mouth having a substantially oval form when seen from the side as shown in FIG. 3. The oval form of the mouth 22 permits the clamping jaw 11 to readily grasp around the frame 3 of the bicycle 2 and retain the same after the first and the second jaw members 13, 14 are pressed together.

[0049] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the clamping jaw 11 of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 shows the first and the second jaw members 13, 14, a biasing member 15 in the form of a spring 16. A bolt 17 connects the first and the second jaw members 13, 14 and extends through the spring 16. The spring 16 biases the first and the second jaw members 13, 14, away from each other, so that when the knob 50 is rotated to untighten the clamping jaw 11, the first and the second jaw members 13, 14 are biased away from each other.

[0050] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the first jaw member 13 in greater detail and with a view towards the upper side of the first jaw member 13, referred to as the distal side 21 of the support element 10 of the first jaw member 13. FIG. 5 further shows the proximal end 13p and the distal end 13d of the jaw member 13, and the pivot axis P. An aperture 17 extends through the first jaw member 13 and permits an axle (not shown) of the tightening device 12 to extend through the first jaw member 13 as will be explained below in greater detail. Such mentioned axle would be connected to the knob 50 in the present case. A longitudinal centerline CJ extends along the first jaw member 13.

[0051] A first and a second rib 31, 32 extend along the longitudinal centerline CJ. The purpose of these ribs 31, 32 will be explained with reference to FIG. 6.

[0052] FIG. 6 is a cross section of FIG. 3 along the lines I-I. FIG. 6 shows a cross section of the first jaw member 13, the support element 19 having the bicycle facing side 20 and the distal side 21, the mouth 22, and the first and the second ribs 31, 32. For the purpose of orientation, the longitudinal centerline CJ and a vertical axis V divides the first jaw member into a left and a right section.

[0053] The bicycle facing side 20 of the support element 19 has a planar surface and a first and a second rib 31, 32 which extends form the distal side 21 of the support element 19 of the first jaw member 13. The first jaw member 13 thus comprises a center section CS which extends along the longitudinal centerline CJ and with respect to the cross section, has an extension perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline CJ. The center section CS if formed by a portion of the first jaw member 13, in this case the support element 19. The bicycle facing side 20 of the support element 19 has as mentioned above a slightly arc shaped form along the longitudinal center line, but a smooth planar surface, in contrast to the distal side 21 of the support element 19 of the first jaw member 13 which has the first and the second rib 31, 32 extending from the distal side 21. It is of course possible that the bicycle facing side can have a flat planar surface, a slightly concave or convex surface, nevertheless it has no protruding ribs from the bicycle facing side, in contrast to the distal side of the support element 19.

[0054] This makes the bicycle facing side 20 of the support element 19 suitable for being provided with a second material, such as a friction enhancing material. With the planar surface of the support element forming the bicycle facing side, low amounts of friction enhancing material can be used.

[0055] The cross section of the first jaw member 13 when viewed as shown in FIG. 6 could be described as having raised walls extending from the distal end 21 of the support element 19 extending in a direction away from the bicycle facing side 20 of the support element 19. A third and a forth rib 35, 36 form a first and a second side rib 35, 36. The ribs 31, 32, 35, 36 together define three grooves 45 formed between the ribs 31, 32, 35, 36. Having grooves 45 reduces the overall weight of the first jaw member 13. The first and the second side ribs 35, 36 diverges back towards the bicycle facing side 20 and defines a first and a second mouth rib 37, 38 of the mouth 22 of the first jaw member 13. A groove 39 separates the first and the second side rib 35, 36 from the first and the second mouth rib 37, 38.

[0056] The cross section of the first and the second ribs 31, 32 have a thicker base as compared to the thickness at the top. In FIG. 6, the thickness of the base is indicated as TB and the thickness at the top, just before the top transcends to a smooth apex, is indicated with TT. The ribs 31, 32 are thus tapered in their cross section. At least one jaw member having at least one rib, preferably one rib arranged on either side of the centerline, having a tapering cross section, has been found to be very advantageous.

[0057] As mentioned, the first and the second ribs 31, 32 extend substantially parallel with the longitudinal centerline CJ. As is also noticeable, the distal side 21 of the support element 19 is not covered, e.g. by a lid or similar. The upper side of the first jaw member 13 thus has grooves or channels, which reduces the overall weight of the first jaw member 13 while still providing a good structural strength to the first jaw member 13.

[0058] FIG. 7 shows the cross section of the second jaw member 14 along the line II-II as seen in FIG. 2. The frame work structure of the second jaw member 14 will be described in greater detail below. As is noticed in FIG. 7, the second jaw member 14 has a support element 19 having a bicycle facing side 20. The second jaw member 14 further comprises a center section CS which extends along the longitudinal centerline CJ. The support element 19 has a planar surface at the center section CS, and a first and a second rib 33, 34 which extends from the distal side 21 of the support element 19. The bicycle facing side 20 of the support element 19 has as mentioned above an arc shaped form, but a smooth planar surface, in contrast to the distal side 21 of the of the support element 19 which comprises the first and the second rib 33, 34 extending from the distal side 21 and away from the bicycle facing side 20 of the support element 19.

[0059] A third and a forth rib 35, 36 form a first and a second side rib 35, 36 extending substantially parallel with the first and the second ribs 33, 34. The first and the second side ribs 35, 36 diverges back towards the bicycle facing side 20 and define a first and a second side mouth rib 37, 38 of the mouth 22 of the second jaw member 14. A groove 39 separates the first and the second side rib 35, 36 from the first and the second mouth rib 37, 38.

[0060] The second jaw member 14 also has support ribs 38 extending between the ribs 33, 34, 35, 36 interconnecting the ribs 33, 34, 35, 36 to further improve the structural integrity of the second jaw member 14. The support ribs 38 have the same height as the first and the second rib 33, 34. The support ribs 38 form a plurality of square like grooves 45 together with the ribs 33, 34, 35, 36. Having longitudinal grooves 45 reduces the overall weight of the second jaw member 14 while still providing a relatively high structural strength to the second jaw member 14.

[0061] The first and the second jaw member 13, 14 will be described in further with reference to FIG. 8, which shows a schematic cross section of the second jaw member 14 shown in FIG. 7. It should be noted however that the cross section of the second jaw member 14 is in principle the same as the cross section of the first jaw member 13, shown in FIG. 6.

[0062] FIG. 8 shows the jaw member 14 having a support element 19 comprising a continuous planar center section CS having a bicycle facing side 20 and a distal side 21. The support element 19 comprises four ribs 33, 34, 35, 36 extending from the distal side 21 of the support element 19 and substantially perpendicular from the support element 19. A first and a second rib 33, 34 is positioned on either side of the longitudinal centerline CJ, a first and second side rib 35, 36 is positioned on either side of the first and the second rib 33, 34 forming three grooves 45 between the ribs 33, 34, 35, 36. The first and the second side ribs 35, 36 diverges back towards the bicycle facing side 20 of the support element 19 forming the first and the second side mouth rib 37, 38.

[0063] Having a continuous planar bicycle facing side 20 on the support element 19, and especially in the center section CS, will make the second jaw member 14 more resistant against tensile stress as the second jaw member 14 will have plenty of material withstanding the tensile stress at the bicycle facing side 20. The center of gravity of the cross section, as seen in FIGS. 8-9c is relatively close towards the bicycle facing side 20 of the support element 19 which further indicates that the transition from tensile stress to compression stress is closer to the support element and thus the bicycle facing side 20, it would also indicate that the tensile stress is lower than the compression stress, which is very positive with respect to the structural strength of the second jaw member 14. The same reasoning applies to the first jaw member 13 of course.

[0064] As can be seen in FIG. 8, the bicycle facing side 20 of the support element 19, in this case on the second jaw member 14, comprises a grip section 40. The grip section is positioned on the center section CS of the second jaw member 14 and is formed by a relatively soft thermoplastic material such as polyethylene or a mixture of polyethylene and polypropylene. The purpose of the grip section 40 is to improve the grip between the clamping jaw and the frame of the bicycle.

[0065] The grip is improved by providing an improved friction between the frame of the bicycle and the clamping jaw, and by providing an increased grip area. As used herein, the term grip area is intended to mean the actual surface area which is in contact with the frame of the bicycle after the clamping jaw has been mounted to the bicycle and tightened in an appropriate manner permitting transportation of the bicycle on public roads and in a normal traffic situation.

[0066] As is also noticeable is that the first and the second side mouth ribs 37, 38 comprises grip sections 41, 42

[0067] With reference to FIGS. 9a-9c, different schematic center sections will be briefly described. FIG. 9a shows a cross section of a jaw member having a support element 19 with a bicycle facing side 20 and a distal side 21. A first and a second side rib 35, 36 extending substantially perpendicularly from the distal side 21 of the support element 19 and which diverges back towards the bicycle facing side 20 of the support element 19 forming a first and a second side mouth rib 37, 38.

[0068] The jaw member of FIG. 9b has only a first and a second side rib 35, 36 which extends substantially perpendicular from the distal side 21 of the support element 19 of the jaw member. The jaw member of FIG. 9b does not have any side mouth ribs, the form and extension of the support element 19 thus defines the sides of the mouth of the clamping jaw. The jaw member of FIG. 9c is similar to the jaw member of FIG. 9b with the difference that it comprises an additional rib 33 extending from distal side 21 of the support element 19 and which is centrally positioned between the first and the second side ribs 35, 36.

[0069] The bicycle facing side 20 is as mentioned planar. According to an aspect, the bicycle facing side 20, at least in the central section CS, has a continuous planar surface area of about at least 2 cm.sup.2, preferably at least 3 cm.sup.2, more preferably 4-20 cm.sup.2. A continuous planar surface area on the bicycle facing side will not only permit the formation of a grip section 40, but also improve the structural properties of the jaw member. The planar surface can be flat, concave or convex, while still being planar.

[0070] As mentioned above with reference to the first and the second jaw member 13, 14, the grooves 45 can be longitudinal channel like grooves if the ribs are not interconnected with support ribs. If support ribs are present, the grooves 45, 45 can be square like grooves or triangular formed grooves for example. Mixtures of grooves having different forms are of course possible.

[0071] The distinct configuration of the first jaw member 13, and the second jaw member 14 is configured similarly or identical, provides a clamping jaw 11 which has a low weight and a high structural integrity, i.e. strength. As mentioned, it has been found that clamping jaws of support assemblies for bicycle carriers are known to break when being exposed to too high tensile stress, i.e. due to a low tolerance against tensile stress. The clamping jaw described herein has a low weight while still being resistant to a relatively high tensile stress subjected to the jaw member at the bicycle facing side of the support element.

[0072] The first jaw member 13 and optionally the second jaw member 14 are form moulded using a two component technique and using a hard plastic material and a softer plastic material. The first and the second jaw members 13, 14 can be similarly formed and configured but it is also possible that the first jaw member is different from the second jaw member, the first jaw member could be form moulded and the second jaw member could be formed by stainless steel for example. In the shown embodiment in FIG. 4, both the first and the second jaw members 13, 14 are manufactured using a form molding technique.

[0073] FIG. 10 shows the tightening device 12 in the form of the rotatable knob 50 in greater detail. The knob 50 is used to press the first and the second jaw members together (not shown in FIG. 10). When the knob 50 is rotated, or turned, the first and the second jaw members are either pressed together or displaced from each other upon which a clamping force will be reduced. The knob 50 is provided with a lock 51, in this case a lock cylinder 51 adapted to receive a key (not shown) for operating the lock cylinder 52. The lock 51 is configured to either prevent the knob 50 from being able to displace the first and the second jaw members from each other or to permit the first and the second jaw members to be pressed against each other, in a manner which will be described in greater detail herein.

[0074] The individual components of the knob 50 will be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 11a-11b simultaneously. FIGS. 11a-11b show the knob 50 having a longitudinal center axis C in exploded view and with a perspective view. From the left, FIGS. 11a-11b show a first and a second housing screw 53, 54, a housing 55, an axle receiving member 56, an interior housing 57, a spring 58, a first gear member 59, a second gear member 60, a lock washer 61, a lid 62 and the lock cylinder 52 having a lock bolt 52a, in this case a rotatable lock bolt.

[0075] An axle, such as a screw or bolt cooperating with the opposite end of the support assembly is connected to the axle receiving member to form the tightening device 12. Such connection and function is known per se and will not be described further herein.

[0076] The knob 50 comprises a torque limiting mechanism 70, the torque limiting mechanism 70 is adapted to prevent a user from imparting too much torque to the axle receiving member 53, and thus from pressing the first and the second jaw members (not shown) together too hard.

[0077] The torque limiting mechanism 70 is operating through the interaction between the first and the second gear members 59, 60 as will be described herein. As can be noted, the first gear member 59 comprises gear teeth 59 extending along the longitudinal center axis C and having an angled surface 59 on each of the gear teeth 59. The first gear member 59 is adapted to be in working cooperation with the second gear member 60. The second gear member 60 also comprises gear teeth 60 extending along the longitudinal center axis C and having an angled surface 60 on each of the gear teeth 60. The gear teeth 59 of the first gear member 59 are adapted to interact with the gear teeth 60 of the second gear member 60 so as to transfer torque imparted by a user there between, however, as a threshold level of torque is reached the gear teeth 59, 60 will start to slip and eventually loose grip with each other. As the grip between the first and the second gear member 59, 60 is lost the first gear member 59 will rotate with respect to the second gear member 60 and thus prevent the rotating motion imparted by the user from being transferred between the first and the second gear members 59, 60.

[0078] A biasing member, in the form the spring 58, in this case a helical spring, biases the first and the second gear members 59, 60 together. The spring 58 is configured to bias the first gear member 59 in a direction along the longitudinal center axis C towards the second gear member in into working cooperation with the second gear member 60.

[0079] The spring 58 and the first gear member 59 are positioned inside of the interior housing 57. The interior housing 57 comprises an aperture 57a through which the axle receiving member 56 extends. The axle receiving member 56 and the interior housing 57 are further prevented from rotation with respect to each other via a polygonal connection 56b, 57b, in this case a hexagonal connection on the axle receiving member 56 and the interior housing 57. The first gear member 59 can be displaced inside of the interior housing 57 and while being guided along tracks 57c on the interior surface of the interior housing 57. The tracks 57c of the interior housing 57 prevents the first gear member 59 from rotation with respect to the interior housing 57 while permitting the first gear member 59 to be displaced along the longitudinal center line C of the knob 50. Corresponding guiding tracks 59 are arranged on the first gear member 59.

[0080] The second gear member 60 comprises an aperture through which the axle receiving member 56 extends. The lock washer 61 is positioned around the axle receiving member 56 at the end thereof to connect the second gear member 60 to the axle receiving member 56.

[0081] The lock cylinder 52, which is accessible from the outside of the lid 62, is configured to cooperate directly with the second gear member 60. The lock mechanism of the knob 50 is thus configured to operate directly on one of the gear members 59, 60, in this case the second gear member 60, to provide for the locking function.

[0082] As is noticeable, the second gear member 60 comprises lock teeth 60a which extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis C and are thus adapted to operate in a radial direction thereof. The lock teeth 60a has a form which is adapted to cooperate with a lock bolt 52a of the lock cylinder 52.

[0083] The housing 55 and the lid 62 can rotate freely with respect to the axle receiving member 56, the interior housing 57, the first gear member 59 and the second gear member 60 when the lock cylinder 52 is not engaging the second gear member 60. The knob 50 is thus tamper proof and cannot be used to press first and the second jaw members together. When the lock bolt 52a is rotated into engagement with the lock teeth 60a of the second gear member 60, the lid 62 and the housing 55 are engaged with the torque limiting mechanism 70 and thus can be used to tighten or releasing the first and the second jaw members. A simple and useful theft protection function is incorporated into the knob 50 which uses relatively few components.

[0084] FIG. 12 shows a cross section of the knob 50 with the longitudinal center axis C. FIG. 12 shows the housing 55 connected to the lid 62 via the first and the second housing screws 53, 54 (not shown in FIG. 12). The axle receiving member 56, enveloped by the interior housing 57. The spring 58 is threaded onto the axle receiving member 56 and biasing the first gear member 59 into engagement with the second gear member 60. The lock cylinder 52 is directly engaging the second gear member 60 while being accessible from the outside via the lid 62.

[0085] In general terms, the clamping jaw can comprise a first and a second opposing jaw member adapted to be clamped together about a portion of a bicycle, wherein the first jaw member comprises a frame work structure comprising a support element and at least on rib projecting from the support element. The rib of the support element projects from the support element in a direction away from the second jaw member. Optionally the second jaw member comprises a frame work structure comprising a support element and at least on rib projecting from the support element. The rib of the support element projects from the support element in a direction away from the first jaw member.

[0086] The support element provides the jaw members(s) and the clamping jaw with a planar, or flat, surface towards the bicycle while the supporting ribs project away from the planar, or flat, bicycle facing surface.