INTEGRATED BICYCLE FRAME BAG
20180141606 ยท 2018-05-24
Inventors
- Tad Osada (Dublin, CA, US)
- Kelvin Koo (Tsing Yi, HK)
- Roxanne Lo (Bonny Doon, CA, US)
- Tom Morgan (Santa Cruz, CA, US)
Cpc classification
B62J9/22
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
Abstract
A bicycle frame bag includes a bag body, a first frame and a second frame. The bag body includes a bag top, a bag bottom, a first bag side and a second bag side opposite the first bag side, the first bag side connecting with the bag top and the bag bottom at first edges, the second bag side connecting with the bag top and the bag bottom at second edges opposite the first edges. The first frame includes at least a first arm and a second arm operatively coupled to each other to form a first angle that is substantially the same as an angle between two adjacent tubes of a bicycle frame. The second frame includes at least a third arm and a fourth arm operatively coupled to each other to form a second angle that is substantially the same as the angle between the two adjacent tubes.
Claims
1. A bicycle frame bag comprising: a bag body including a bag top, a bag bottom, a first bag side and a second bag side opposite the first bag side, the first bag side connecting with the bag top and the bag bottom at first edges, the second bag side connecting with the bag top and the bag bottom at second edges opposite the first edges; a first frame including at least a first arm and a second arm operatively coupled to each other to resiliently maintain a first angle between the first and second arms that is substantially the same as an angle between two adjacent tubes of a bicycle frame, the first frame positioned adjacent to the first edges of the first bag side of the bag body; a second frame including at least a third arm and a fourth arm operatively coupled to each other to resiliently maintain a second angle between the third and fourth arms that is substantially the same as the angle between the two adjacent tubes of the bicycle frame, the second frame positioned adjacent to the second edges of the second bag side of the bag body; at least a first stitch line disposed across at least a portion of the bag top between the first and second frames, a dimension of the portion of the bag top along the at least a first stitch line narrowing to less than a dimension of the bag top adjacent to the first and second edges; and at least a second stitch line disposed across at least a portion of the bag bottom between the first and second frames, a dimension of the portion of the bag bottom along the at least a second stitch line narrowing to less than a dimension of the bag bottom adjacent to the first and second edges.
2. The bicycle frame bag of claim 1, further comprising a fin extending outward from the bicycle frame bag and comprising a recess on a rear side of the fin positioned and sized to receive a shock pivot support into the recess.
3. The bicycle frame bag of claim 1, further comprising a fin made of a polyethylene board.
4. The bicycle frame bag of claim 1, further comprising a fin directly connected to the bag top at a first location and a second location with the fin disconnected from the bag top between the first location and the second location, the fin adapted to resiliently bias against a shock pivot support when installed between two adjacent tubes of a bicycle frame having the shock pivot support.
5. The bicycle frame bag of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first arm and the second arm has a length greater than a dimension of an opening defined by tubes of the bicycle frame.
6. The bicycle frame bag of claim 1, wherein the bag body comprises ethylene-vinyl acetate foam.
7. The bicycle frame bag of claim 1, further comprising a grip texture on an exterior of the bag top and the bag bottom.
8. The bicycle frame bag of claim 1, wherein the at least a first stitch line comprises at least two first stitch lines each spaced equally from the respective first and second edges on the bag top, and wherein the at least a second stitch line comprises at least two second stitch lines each spaced equally from the respective first and second edges on the bag bottom.
9. A bicycle frame bag comprising: a bag body including a bag top, a bag bottom, a first bag side and a second bag side opposite the first bag side, the first bag side connecting with the bag top and the bag bottom at first edges, the second bag side connecting with the bag top and the bag bottom at second edges opposite the first edges; a first frame including at least a first arm and a second arm operatively coupled to each other to form a first angle between the first and second arms that is substantially the same as an angle between two adjacent tubes of a bicycle frame, the first frame positioned adjacent to the first edges of the first bag side of the bag body; and a second frame including at least a third arm and a fourth arm operatively coupled to each other to form a second angle between the third and fourth arms that is substantially the same as the angle between the two adjacent tubes of the bicycle frame, the second frame positioned adjacent to the second edges of the second bag side of the bag body.
10. The bicycle frame bag of claim 9, further comprising: at least a first stitch line disposed across at least a portion of the bag top between the first and second frames, a dimension of the portion of the bag top along the at least a first stitch line narrowing to less than a dimension of the bag top adjacent to the first and second edges; and at least a second stitch line disposed across at least a portion of the bag bottom between the first and second frames, a dimension of the portion of the bag bottom along the at least a second stitch line narrowing to less than a dimension of the bag bottom adjacent to the first and second edges.
11. The bicycle frame bag of claim 10, wherein the at least a first stitch line comprises at least two first stitch lines each spaced equally from the respective first and second edges on the bag top, and wherein the at least a second stitch line comprises at least two second stitch lines each spaced equally from the respective first and second edges on the bag bottom.
12. The bicycle frame bag of claim 9, further comprising a fin extending outward from the bicycle frame bag and comprising a recess on a rear side of the fin positioned and sized to receive a shock pivot support into the recess.
13. The bicycle frame bag of claim 9, further comprising a fin made of a polyethylene board.
14. The bicycle frame bag of claim 9, further comprising a fin directly connected to the bag top at a first location and a second location with the fin disconnected from the bag top between the first location and the second location, the fin adapted to resiliently bias against a shock pivot support when installed between two adjacent tubes of a bicycle frame having the shock pivot support.
15. The bicycle frame bag of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first arm and the second arm has a length greater than a dimension of an opening defined by tubes of the bicycle frame.
16. The bicycle frame bag of claim 9, wherein the bag body comprises ethylene-vinyl acetate foam.
17. The bicycle frame bag of claim 9, further comprising a grip texture on an exterior of the bag top and the bag bottom.
18. A method of installing a bicycle frame bag onto a bicycle, comprising: providing a bicycle frame bag including a bag body, a first frame and a second frame, the first frame including at least a first arm and a second arm operatively coupled to each other to form a first angle between the first and second arms that is substantially the same as an angle between two adjacent tubes of a bicycle frame on to which the bicycle frame bag is intended to be installed, the first frame positioned adjacent to first edges of a first side of the bag body, the second frame including at least a third arm and a fourth arm operatively coupled to each other to form a second angle between the third and fourth arms that is substantially the same as the angle between the two adjacent tubes of the bicycle frame, the second frame positioned adjacent to second edges of a second side of the bag body opposite the first side, the first and second sides not immediately adjacent to each other, and the first and second arms resiliently maintaining the first angle; applying pressure to the first and second arms to temporarily reduce the first angle between the first and second arms; placing the bicycle frame bag into an opening of the bicycle frame partially formed by the two adjacent tubes of the bicycle frame by passing the first and second arms into the opening past a midpoint of the opening; and releasing the pressure to the first and second arms to position the first and second arms and the third and fourth arms along the two adjacent tubes, respectively on opposing sides of the two adjacent tubes to seat the bicycle frame bag on the bicycle.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising engaging a fin, extending from a top of the bicycle frame bag positioned between the first and second sides, with a shock pivot support of the bicycle such that the shock pivot support is received in a recess of the fin.
20. The method of claim 18, further comprising engaging a fin, extending from a top of the bicycle frame bag positioned between the first and second sides where the fin is not directly connected to the top of the bicycle frame bag between first and second locations where it is directly connected, with a shock pivot support of the bicycle such that the fin is biased against the shock pivot support after the bicycle frame bag is seated on the bicycle.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Implementations will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, where like designations denote like elements, and:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] While this disclosure includes embodiments in many different forms, they are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detailed particular embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the disclosed methods and systems, and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the disclosed concepts to the embodiments illustrated.
[0038] Bags for storage are used in many applications in the bicycle industry, to store repair or personal items. Although these bags come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, during riding especially competitive bicycle racing, desirable bags do not interfere with the movement and momentum of the bicyclist. The interference can come in the form of additional weight being carried by the bicyclist, or bags being placed in areas such that the bag causes a drag on the aerodynamics or interferes with the pedaling action of the bicyclist.
[0039] Contemplated as part of this disclosure is a bicycle frame bag that can be placed onto a bicycle frame without additional fasteners, as well as a method of installing a bicycle frame bag onto a bicycle. Placing a bicycle frame bag within the opening defined by the bicycle frame allows the bicyclist to carry necessary items without interference from the bag in the pedaling action or riding aerodynamics.
[0040] The bicycle frame bag, as disclosed herein, does not require additional fastener to attach the bag onto the bicycle. As a result, there is no fastener that would catch water, mud, or dirt and, therefore, the bag is easy to clean or stay clean and scratches to the tubes of the bicycle caused by the built-up mud or dirt can be limited. The frame bag may be configured to work with a specific frame mode, or in the alternative, the frame bag is not limited to a specific model of bicycles, and can fit most bicycle frames.
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[0042] In the particular embodiments illustrated in
[0043] The first frame 202 includes at least a first arm 204 and a second arm 206 operatively coupled to each other to resiliently maintain a first angle 208 between the first and second arms 204, 206. The first angle 208 may be substantially the same as an angle 210 between two adjacent tubes 604, 605 of a bicycle frame 602. The differences between the first angle 208 and the angle 210 may be 0, 2, 5, 7, 10, or any angle less than 10. The first frame 202 may be positioned adjacent to the first edges 110 of the first bag side 114 of the bag body 102.
[0044] The second frame 302 may include at least a third arm 304 and a fourth arm 306 operatively coupled to each other to resiliently maintain a second angle 308 between the third and fourth arms 304, 306. The second angle 308 may be substantially the same as the angle 210 between the two adjacent tubes 604, 605. The differences between the second angle 308 and the angle 210 may be 0, 2, 5, 7, 10, or any angle less than 10. The second frame 302 may be positioned adjacent to the second edges 112 of the second bag side 116 of the bag body 102.
[0045] In some embodiments, at least one of the first arm 204 and the second arm 206 has a length greater than a corresponding dimension of an opening 610 defined by tubes 603, 604, and 605 of the bicycle frame 602 (
[0046] The first and second frames 202 and 302 may comprise any material known in the art such as, but not limited to, resilient plastics, polymers, metals, alloys, carbon, carbon fibers, fiberglass, or any other resilient materials that can be formed into a frame and allow for the frame deformation needed to fit the frame bag within the opening of a bicycle frame, that still resiliently rebounds to its original shape when released. In some embodiments, the frame is flexible enough for a user to manually deform the frame so that the angle between the adjacent arms, such as between the first and second arms or between the third and fourth arms, is decreasable by a small amount less than 10, or any other amount needed, to allow the frame and the bag side can fit within the bicycle frame and, when released, expand to fit the opening of the bicycle frame. From this explanation, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand the types of materials from which the resilient frames may be formed.
[0047] At least a first stitch line 402 may be disposed across at least a portion of the bag top 106 between the first and second frames 202 and 302. At least a second stich line 502 may be disposed across at least a portion of the bag bottom 108 between the first and second frames 202 and 302. In some embodiments, the first stitch line is disposed in the middle of the bag top 106 between the first and second edges 110 and 112 and the second stitch line is disposed in the middle of the bag bottom 108 between the first and second edges 110 and 112 (
[0048] In some embodiments, the at least a first stitch line 402 comprises at least two first stitch lines 402 and the at least a second stitch line 502 comprises at least two second stitch lines 502. The first stich lines 402 may each be spaced equally from the respective first and second edges 110 and 112 on the bag top 106 (
[0049] A dimension of the portion of the bag top 106 along the at least a first stitch line 402 may narrow to less than a dimension of the bag top 106 adjacent to the first and second edges 110 and 112. A dimension of the portion of the bag bottom 108 along the at least a second stitch line 502 may also narrow to less than a dimension of the bag bottom 108 adjacent to the first and second edges 110 and 112. In some embodiments where the frame bag 100 comprises one first stitch line 402 on the bag top 106 and one second stitch line 502 on the bag bottom 108, the length 404 of the first stitch line 402 is less than the length 120 of the bag top 106 and the length 504 of the second stitch line 502 is less than the length 122 of the bag bottom 108 (
[0050] With the dimensions of the first stitch lines smaller than the dimension of the bag top and the dimensions of the second stitch lines smaller than the dimension of the bag bottom, when the frame bag is place onto the bicycle frame of a bicycle, the frames of the bicycle frame bag are positioned outside the opening of the bicycle frame such that the arms of the frames are positioned on the sides of the tubes of the bicycle and the bag top and bag bottom are disposed along the tubes of the bicycle frame (
[0051] The bicycle frame bag may comprise an outer shell, zippers, pockets, support board, foam padding, elastic bands, and the like inside or outside the frame bag. These components help provide additional structure while keeping contents in place in the bag so not to interfere with the rider's knees. In some embodiments, the bag body 102 is made of material that is capable of holding its shape. In some embodiments, the bag body 102 comprises ethylene-vinyl acetate foams. A bicycle frame bag may further comprise a zipper, buttons, or other parts at the opening of the frame bag for easy access of the contents in the frame bag (
[0052] The bicycle frame bag 100 can be fitted into a closed opening 610 formed by tubes 603, 604, 605 of a bicycle 600 (
[0053] When the tubes of the bicycle form an opening with an open border (example in
[0054] The bicycle frame bag 101, 103 may further comprise a fin 702, 802 (
[0055] In some embodiments, the bicycle frame bag 103 may comprise a fin 802 (
[0056] Methods of installing a bicycle frame bag onto a bicycle are also provided herein.
[0057] The method (900) further comprises applying pressure to the first and second arms of the bicycle frame bag to temporarily reduce the first angle between the first and second arms (904), placing the bicycle frame bag into the opening of the bicycle frame partially formed by the two adjacent tubes of the bicycle frame by passing the first and second arms into the opening past a midpoint of the opening (906), and releasing the pressure on the first and second arms to position the first and second arms and the third and fourth arms along the two adjacent tubes, respectively on opposing sides of the two adjacent tubes, respectively on opposing sides of the two adjacent tubes to seat the bicycle frame bag on the bicycle (908).
[0058] In some embodiments, the method (900) may further comprise engaging a fin, extending from a top of the bicycle frame bag positioned between the first and second sides, with a shock pivot support of the bicycle such that the shock pivot support is received in a recess of the fin. In some embodiments, the method (900) may further comprise engaging a fin, extending from a top of the bicycle frame bag positioned between the first and second sides where the fin is not directly connected to the top of the bicycle frame bag between the first and second locations where is it directly connected, with a shock pivot support of the bicycle such that the fin is biased against the shock pivot support after the bicycle frame bag is seated on the bicycle.
[0059] This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not limited to the specific components or assembly procedures disclosed herein. Many additional components and assembly procedures known in the art consistent with the bicycle frame bags, and methods of installing a bicycle frame bag will become apparent for use with implementations of the apparatus and methods in this disclosure. In places where the description above refers to particular implementations of bicycle frame bags, it should be readily apparent that a number of modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof and that these implementations may be applied to other bicycle frame bags. The presently disclosed implementations are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the disclosure being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning of and range of equivalency of the description are intended to be embraced therein. Accordingly, for example, although particular bicycle frame bags and methods of installing a bicycle frame bag are disclosed, such apparatus, methods, and implementing components may comprise any shape, size, style, type, model, version, class, grade, measurement, concentration, material, quantity, the like as is known in the art for such apparatus, methods, and implementing components, and/or the like consistent with the intended operation of the bicycle frame bags, and methods of installing a bicycle frame bag that may be used.
[0060] The word exemplary, example, or various forms thereof are used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as exemplary or as an example is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Furthermore, examples are provided solely for purposes of clarity and understanding and are not meant to limit or restrict the disclosed subject matter or relevant portions of this disclosure in any manner. It is to be appreciated that a myriad of additional or alternate examples of varying scope could have been presented, but have been omitted for purposes of brevity.