A DEVICE SUITABLE FOR PROTECTING AND/OR ALLOWING CLEANING OF A BIKE AND/OR VEHICLE COMPONENT AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF

Abstract

A device is provided for protecting, allowing cleaning, servicing and/or lubrication of one or more components of a bike or vehicle in use. The device is formed from at least one blank of material including a first portion arranged to act as a shield element so as to at least partially shield at least one component of the vehicle or bike in use, and at least a second portion. The second portion includes at least one wall joined to the first portion by at least one fold line. The at least one wall and fold line are arranged such that when the second portion is assembled and/or erected in use it defines a tray or container portion joined to the first portion.

Claims

1. A device for protecting, allowing cleaning, servicing and/or lubrication of one or more components of a bike and/or vehicle in use, said device formed from at least one blank of material including a first portion arranged to act as a shield element so as to at least partially shield at least one component of the vehicle or bike in use, and at least a second portion, said second portion including at least one wall joined to the first portion by at least one fold line, the at least one wall and fold line arranged such that when the second portion is assembled and/or erected in use it defines a tray or container portion joined to the first portion.

2. A device according to claim 1 in the form of a brake and/or disc protection device, wherein the first portion is arranged so as to at least partially shield a brake and/or disc of a vehicle or bike in use.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the first portion and at least second portion are formed from a single blank of material.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the second portion comprises or consists of two or more walls, separated by one or more fold lines, the walls and fold lines arranged such that when the second portion is assembled or erected in use, it forms the tray or container portion.

5. A device according to claim 1 wherein the at least one wall of the second portion forms a front wall of the tray or container portion in use and is joined to the first portion along a first fold line, one or more side walls are provided and are joined to the front wall of the second portion and/or to the first portion by at least second or further fold lines.

6. A device according to claim 1 wherein the device is formed from a first blank of material and at least a second blank of material.

7. A device according to claim 1 wherein engagement means are provided on or associated with the at least one blank of material, the first portion and/or the second portion of the device to allow the device to engage with a part of a bike or vehicle in use.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein the engagement means includes or consists of at least one further blank of material or a second blank of material.

9. A device according to claim 8 wherein the further or second blank of material is movably mounted on or relative to the first blank of material.

10. A device according to claim 9 wherein the second or further blank of material is movable between an engaged position, wherein the second or further blank secures or helps to secure engagement of the first blank to a bike or vehicle in use, and a disengaged position, wherein the second or further blank is moved to a position such that the first blank can be removed from and/or located onto part of a bike or vehicle in use.

11. A device according to claim 9 wherein the second or further blank of material is hingedly, pivotably, rotatably or slidably movable relative to the first blank of material.

12. A device according to claim 7 wherein the engagement means include or are in the form of any or any combination of one or more slits, slots, channels, spaces, recesses and/or apertures.

13. A device according to claim 8 wherein the first blank has engagement means in the form of a slit, slot, channel, aperture and/or recess to allow the first blank to be fitted to a bike or vehicle in use; the second blank is movable relative the first blank to cover at least part of the slit, slot, channel, aperture and/or recess to form an engaged position in use, and wherein the second blank is moved clear or substantially clear of the slit, slot, channel, aperture and/or recess of the first blank to form a disengaged position in use.

14. A device according to claim 9 wherein one or more pin member or pivot means are provided to allow the second or further blank of material to move or pivot relative to the first blank in use.

15. A device according to claim 12 wherein the one or more slits, slots, channels, spaces, recesses and/or apertures are provided from an interior position, central position or relatively central position within the peripheral edge or edges of the blank on the first and/or second blanks of material to a peripheral edge of said blank(s).

16. A device according to claim 1 wherein attachment means or further attachment means are provided on the at least one blank to allow at least part of the device to be attached to at least part of a bike or vehicle in use.

17. A device according to claim 16 wherein the attachment means includes any or any combination of one or more clips, ties, protrusions, tabs, flanges, straps, buckles, inter-engaging members, or hook and loop fastenings.

18. A device according to claim 1 wherein the at least one blank of material includes at least one aperture for location around a rear and/or front axle of a bike or vehicle wheel in use.

19. A device according to claim 18 wherein the at least one aperture is in communication with and/or is continuous with the slit, slot, recess, channel and/or aperture of the engagement means.

20. A device according to claim 1 wherein the first and second portions are arranged such that the tray or container portion, when assembled, is provided at, adjoining or adjacent to a peripheral edge of the first portion.

21. A device according to claim 1 wherein securing means are provided on or associated with the at least one blank to allow two or more blanks to remain in an engaged or disengaged position and/or to allow the first and/or second portions to remain in an assembled and/or erect condition, or a folded and/or collapsed condition in use.

22. A device according to claim 21 wherein the securing means includes any or any combination of one or more apertures, protrusions, tabs, flanges, clips, ties, straps, buckles, pins, inter-engaging members or hook and loop fastenings.

23. A device according to claim 1 wherein the at least one blank of material is formed from or consists of a flexible or a substantially flexible material.

24. A device according to claim 1 wherein the at least one blank of material is formed from or consists of a rigid or substantially rigid material with one or more fold lines or hinge means to allow the second portion to move relative to the first portion in use to form the tray or container portion.

25. A device according to claim 1 wherein the at least one blank of material is formed from, consists of or includes a sheet like material.

26. A device according to claim 1 wherein one or more frangible means, weakened sections and/or partial cut lines are provided on the at least one blank of material to allow the material blank to be cut to a required size, shape and/or design in use.

27. A method of forming a device for protecting, allowing cleaning, servicing and/or lubrication of one or more components of a bike and/or vehicle in use, said device comprising at least one blank of material including a first portion arranged to act as a shield element so as to at least partially shield at least one component of the vehicle or bike in use, and at least a second portion, said second portion including at least one wall joined to the first portion by at least one fold line, said method including the steps of folding the at least one wall of the second portion along the at least one fold line to form a tray or container portion joined to the first portion.

28. A blank of material for forming the device according to claim 1.

29. First and at least second blanks of material for forming the device according to claim 1.

Description

[0090] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0091] FIG. 1 illustrates a brake and disc protection device according to one embodiment of the present invention in use in an assembled condition on a bicycle;

[0092] FIG. 2 illustrates the blank used to form the device in FIG. 1;

[0093] FIG. 3 illustrates the blank according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0094] FIG. 4 illustrates the device formed from the blank in FIG. 3;

[0095] FIG. 5 illustrates a brake and disc protection device comprising first and second blanks prior to erection of the device and in a disengaged position according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0096] FIG. 6 shows the brake and disc protection device in FIG. 5 in an engaged position;

[0097] FIGS. 7a and 7b show an enlarged view of securing means used on the first and second blanks in a disengaged position and an engaged position respectively;

[0098] FIG. 8 shows the brake and disc protection device of FIGS. 5-7b fitted to a bike in use in a disengaged position;

[0099] FIGS. 9a and 9b show an example of a pin that can be used as the pivot pin, for securing a first blank to a second blank and/or for securing the first portion to the second portion; and

[0100] FIG. 10 shows an example of a brake and disc protection device fitted around the axle of a front wheel of a bike between the brake disc and the wheel.

[0101] Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a brake and disc protection device 2 for use on a bicycle 4. The device 2 includes a first portion 6 acting as a shield for the brake and disc of the bike and a second portion 8 acting as a tray to collect fluid run off, dirt and/or debris that may result from a cleaning and/or lubricating process undertaken on the chain and gear mechanism 10 of the bike.

[0102] The first portion 6 has a circular external shape and has engagement means in the form of a radial and linear slit 12 defined therein from the centre to a peripheral edge of the first portion to allow the first portion to be slotted onto the wheel axis between the gear mechanism/cassette 10 and the spokes 14 of the bike wheel 16. The brake and disc are located on the opposite side of the wheel spokes 14/wheel 16 to the gear mechanism 10 and are therefore shielded by first portion 6 when the device 2 is fitted to the bike. It will also be appreciated that as well as shielding, the device 2 can act as a separation or isolation member, so that the brake and disc are separated or isolated from the gear mechanism/cassette 10, thereby allowing the brake and disc to be cleaned and/or repaired without effecting the gear mechanism/cassette 10.

[0103] An aperture 18 is defined in first portion 6 for the location of an end of the rear bike wheel axle therethrough when the device is fitted to the bike. The aperture 18 is continuous with and in communication with the slit 12. The end of the wheel axle is pushed through the slit until the end of the wheel axle sits in aperture 18 in use.

[0104] Attachment means for attaching the device to the bike are provided in the form of circumferential protrusions 20, 22. The protrusions 20, 22 are provided a spaced distance apart adjoining a top edge 24 of the device 2. A slit 26 is defined between each protrusion 20, 22 and the first portion 6 to allow the protrusion to be attached to the wheel spokes 14 in use. The circumferential protrusions are planar with the first portion 6 and protrude radially outwardly beyond the peripheral edge of the first portion.

[0105] The first portion 6 is typically of such dimensions so as to shield the part of the bike adjacent the tear derailleur 28, the gear cassette 10 and at least the rear part of the drive chain 30.

[0106] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the device 2 is formed from a single blank of material 100, as shown in FIG. 2. The device can be moved from the flat, planar blank condition of FIG. 2 when not in use, to an assembled or erect in-use condition, as shown in FIG. 1. In the erect in-use condition, the tray of the second portion 8 protrudes outwardly from the planar surface of the first portion 6 of the device, as will be described in more detail below.

[0107] The device 2 is typically made from a relatively flexible sheet like material, such as relatively thin plastic sheet, that allows the device to be moved between flat, erect and/or folded conditions multiple times.

[0108] The first portion 6 is formed from a single wall element in this illustration, although it will be appreciated that the first portion could be formed from a plurality of wall elements separated by fold lines, such that the first portion can be folded to a compact size when not in use and moved to an extended flat, planar condition when in use.

[0109] Second portion 8 comprises a front wall 32 joined to first portion 6 along fold line 34. Second portion side walls 36, 38 are joined to the side edges of front wall 32 along fold lines 40, 42 respectively.

[0110] First portion 6 also has fold lines 44, 46, which are mirror images of fold lines 40, 42. The fold lines 44, 46, 40, 42 adjoin fold line 34 at the same point, to define first portion side walls 48, 50. First portion side walls 48, 50 are joined to second portion side walls 36, 38 along fold lines 52, 54 respectively.

[0111] During assembly, front wall 42 is moved towards first portion 6 by folding the front wall along fold line 34. At the same time, side walls 48, 50, 36, 38 are moved inwardly of the device towards each other by folding the walls along fold lines 40, 42, 44, 46, 52, 54. This forms a tray having a rear wall formed from the lower part of the first portion, a front wall 32, side walls 48, 50, 36, 38 and an opening 55 defined between a top edge 56 of the second portion walls. This tray portion allows debris and run off fluid to flow down the front of the first portion, through the opening of the tray portion and be captured in the tray portion for later disposal.

[0112] The opening 55 of the tray is typically arranged so that a longitudinal axis of the tray is parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bike.

[0113] Apertures 58 can be defined in front wall 32 and side walls 36, 38, 48, 50 to allow securing means in the form of ties 60 to be located through the same in use to secure the tray portion in the erect condition.

[0114] The blank can be moved between the erect/assembled condition and the flat blank condition as often as required. It will also be appreciated that the side walls of the tray portion are collapsible by way of moving the adjacent side wall portions 36, 48 or 38,50 towards each other even after the blank has been assembled. This allows the tray portion to be flattened. As such, the device can be moved to a flat or substantially flat condition even when the blank has been fully assembled to form the tray portion.

[0115] The device can be for a single use only and disposable thereafter or can be used multiple times as required.

[0116] FIG. 3 illustrates a further embodiment of a blank 102 that can be used to form a brake and disc protection device similar to that shown in FIG. 1. The same reference numerals have been used to describe the same features as in the abovementioned embodiment.

[0117] In the further embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, there are no attachment protrusions 20, 22 and the first portion simply locates around the rear axle of the bike via aperture 18. The first and second portion side walls 36, 48 have been combined to form a single side wall 104 and side walls 38, 50 have been combined to form a single side wall 106. The side walls 104, 106 are joined to first portion along fold lines 44, 46 respectively. The front wall 32 and side walls 104, 106 are of similar size and shape and the fold lines separating the same meet at a point 108. During assembly, front wall 32 is moved towards first portion 6 and side walls 104, 106 are moved towards each other. An apex 110 formed between the outermost edge of front wall 32 and side wall 106 can be secured in a slit 112 defined in second wall 106 to secure the tray portion in the assembled position in use.

[0118] Referring to FIGS. 5-8, there is illustrated a further embodiment of a brake and disc protection device 202. Whereas the devices 100, 102 described in FIGS. 1-4 are formed from a single blank, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-8 has two blanks that are pivotably movable relative to each other. This pivotal movement helps to engage the device 202 to the wheel of the bike in use.

[0119] Brake and disc protection device 202 comprises a first blank 204 and a second blank 206. The second blank 206 is pivotable relative to the first blank 204 around pivot pin 208. The pivot pin 208 passes through the first and second blanks.

[0120] First blank 204 comprises a first upper portion 210 and a second lower portion 212. The first upper portion 210 has a circular section 210a with a rectangular section 210b below the circular section. An aperture 214 is defined in the first upper portion 210, and preferably (but not necessarily essentially) in the circular section 210a. This aperture 214 allows the device to be located around an end of the wheel axle of a bike as in the first embodiment. A wedge shaped slot 216 extends outwardly from the aperture 214 to aid fitting of the axle into aperture 214 in use.

[0121] Second blank 206 is approximately semicircular in shape in this example, but could be any required shape, providing the second blank 206 does not obstruct the aperture 214 or wedge shaped slot 216 in its disengaged position (as will be described in more detail below). Second blank 206 also has an aperture 218 for location around the end of the wheel axle of the bike in use and a slot 220 extending from the slot to a peripheral edge 222 of the blank.

[0122] Second blank 206 is movable from a disengaged position, as shown in FIG. 5, wherein second blank 206 is moved clear of aperture 214 and slot 216, thereby allowing the first blank to be fitted to an end of a bike wheel axle as described above; to an engaged position, as shown in FIG. 6, wherein second blank 206 is moved to cover slot 216. In the engaged position, aperture 218 of the second blank 206 is aligned with aperture 214 of the first blank so that part of the wheel axle of the bike can pass therethrough.

[0123] Although the second blank is typically retained in the engaged position by way of gravity, securing means can be provided to allow the first and second blanks to be further retained in the engaged position in use.

[0124] In the illustrated embodiment, the securing means are in the form of a flexible tab 224 provided on the second blank for location in securing means in the form of a slot 226 provided on the first blank when the first and second blanks are in the engaged position. The tab is simply flexed and inserted into slot 226. The securing means are typically provided on the opposite side of the pivot pin 208 to the slot 220 and 216 of the second and first blanks respectively. The securing means are typically provided adjacent a peripheral edge of the blanks 204, 206.

[0125] The second portion 212 is typically folded in a similar manner to that shown in the first embodiment to form a tray that protrudes outwardly from a front planar surface of the blanks 204, 206 and wheel 16. In particular, second portion 212 has a front wall 232 and two side walls 234, 236 located either side of front wall 232 and joined to front wall 232 along fold line 233, 237 respectively. Second portion 212 is joined to first portion 210 along fold line 238. The lower part 210b of first portion 210 has side walls 240, 242 joined along fold lines 241, 243 respectively. First portion side walls 240, 242 are joined to second portion side walls 234, 236 respectively along fold line 238.

[0126] On assembly, the front wall 232 of second portion 212 is moved towards the front wall of first portion 210b. The side walls 240, 242, 234, 236 are folded inwardly of each other along fold lines 241, 243, 233, 237. Securing pins 228 are located through apertures 230 defined on the first and second portions to join the first portion to the second portion and to retain the tray in the erect condition in use.

[0127] FIGS. 9a and 9b show an example of a securing pin 228 and/or pivot pint 208 that can be used in the present invention in a separated, disengaged position, and an engaged position respectively.

[0128] The pin 228 includes a head portion 244 and a neck portion 246 extending outwardly from said head portion 244. Head portion 244 has a larger cross sectional area than neck portion 246 and aperture 230, such that with the neck portion 246 located through apertures 230, the head portion 244 engages against the surface of the blank and prevents the head 244 and pin 228 from passing further through the aperture 230.

[0129] The free end 248 of neck portion 246 has a slot 250 defined therein, the slot having a longitudinal axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the neck portion 246. The slot 250 provides the free end 248 with a degree of flex and/or a degree of resilient biasing force in an outwardly direction. An outwardly protruding lip or shoulder portion 249 is defined a spaced distance from free end 248 on neck portion 246. A nut 252 is provided with an aperture 254 defined therein. The free end 248 of neck portion 246 is located through aperture 254 of nut 252 in use. A step (not shown) provided in the interior walls of nut 252 defining aperture 254 locates over the lip or shoulder portion 249 on neck portion 246 to engage the nut 252 in position on pin 228. The outward resilient biasing force of the free end 248 moves the portions of the free end 248 outwardly of each other to retain the nut 252 in position on the neck portion 246.

[0130] FIG. 10 shows an example of a brake and disc protection device fitted around the axle of a front wheel of a bike between the brake disc and the wheel.