Cargo bike container

Abstract

A cargo bike container for carrying loads comprises a base element (52), two opposing side walls (54), a rear wall (56), and a front wall (58). For cost-effective and simple manufacturing of the cargo bike container (50), it is preferably made from two plastic parts, each forming one half of the container, with the two halves separated by a vertical dividing plane.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cargo bike container.

[0002] Cargo bikes suitable for transporting people, especially children, or goods have a corresponding transport box. Such cargo bike containers are often simple wooden boxes. However, particularly to save weight, it is also known to manufacture such cargo bike containers from plastic.

[0003] The object of the invention is to produce a cargo bike container made of plastic material that is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0004] The problem is solved according to the invention by a cargo bike container with the features of claim 1.

[0005] The cargo bike container comprises a base element, two opposing side walls, a rear wall, and a front wall. According to the invention, the cargo bike container is made of at least two plastic parts. A first plastic part comprises at least one of the side walls, and the second plastic part comprises at least the second side wall. The remaining components, i.e., the base element, the rear wall, and the front wall, can each be separate components. It is particularly preferred that at least one of the plastic parts, and especially two plastic parts, each comprises, in addition to one of the two side walls, at least a part of the base element and / or a part of the rear wall and / or a part of the front wall. In particular, these two plastic parts are designed such that a vertical division is realized.Vertical division, when assembled, means that the dividing plane between the plastic parts runs essentially vertically, whereby several dividing planes may be provided if the bicycle transport container consists of several plastic parts and / or the dividing plane may be composed of several offset vertical dividing plane areas.

[0006] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the plastic parts incorporate particle foam and are specifically made of particle foam. In particular, these are thermoplastic particle foams. EPP (expandable polypropylene) is a suitable example. Alternatively, at least some parts of the cargo bike container can also be manufactured as injection-molded plastic parts.

[0007] It is particularly preferred that the cargo bike container essentially consists of only two plastic parts, i.e., in particular, two halves. At least one of the two halves comprises, in addition to a side wall, at least parts of the base element, the rear wall, and the front wall, wherein the second plastic part comprises a side wall or also a side wall and at least a part of the base element and / or the rear wall and / or the front wall. It is particularly preferred that both plastic parts, in addition to a side wall, each also include a part of the base element, a part of the rear wall, and a part of the front wall. It is particularly preferred that the two plastic parts designed as halves each include half of the base element, the rear wall, and the front wall. The dividing plane between the two plastic parts designed as halves thus runs as a vertical median plane in the assembled state.

[0008] In particular, it is preferred that the two plastic parts are not only formed as halves, but are mirror images or mirror-symmetrical to this vertical parting line, wherein the vertical parting line represents the plane between the two halves and does not form a mold parting line of a two-part manufacturing mold. Such mold parting lines are additionally provided because the individual plastic parts may need to be demolded.

[0009] The preferred embodiment of the individual parts described above, in particular the halves of the plastic bicycle box, has the particular advantage that the individual parts can be easily demolded. The required mold is considerably smaller compared to a mold used to manufacture the entire cargo bike container from a single piece of plastic.

[0010] Furthermore, the inventive design of the cargo bike container consisting of several parts, in particular two halves with a vertical dividing plane, has the advantage that recesses, depressions, etc. can be provided in the individual parts in a simple manner, without the mold for manufacturing the plastic part having to have elaborate slides, lost cores, etc. for creating undercuts.

[0011] It is particularly preferred that the demolding direction of the plastic parts, especially the two halves, runs perpendicular to the respective side wall and / or parallel to the front wall, rear wall, or bottom element. This makes it possible to demold the plastic part easily and, in particular, eliminates the need for undercuts.

[0012] Preferably, stiffening ribs are provided on the inner and / or outer surfaces of the side walls. With the preferred demolding direction and due to the design of the cargo bike container from, in particular, two vertically divided halves, such stiffening ribs or the like can be provided without creating undercuts. By providing such stiffening ribs, the rigidity can be improved, thereby saving material and weight. The stiffening ribs can also be designed to form, for example, armrests, retaining elements for attachments such as water bottles, storage compartments, and the like.

[0013] In addition to the stiffening ribs, recesses open in the demolding direction can be easily formed on the inside and / or outside of the side walls, as well as on the front or back wall. Such recesses, open in the demolding direction, can also be provided in the base element. These can also be open on the inside of the base element, so that the base element has grooves or ribs. These serve both to stiffen the base and to prevent the inside of the base element from being smooth, thus preventing transported goods from slipping.

[0014] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the plastic parts, especially the two halves of the cargo bike container, are joined by connecting elements. These connecting elements are preferably at least partially made of metal. Preferably, a connecting bracket is provided, particularly in the upper region of the cargo bike container. It is preferred that this connecting bracket acts as a clamp, completely enclosing or gripping the cargo bike container. The connecting bracket can also be located inside the cargo bike container or in recesses or depressions within it. It is particularly preferred that the connecting bracket is self-contained, thus forming a rigid frame structure that, on the one hand, holds and connects the parts of the cargo bike container and, on the other hand, enables force absorption.It is therefore particularly advantageous that the connection between the cargo bike container and the cargo bike is made via the connecting elements, and not via the plastic parts. This ensures a reliable connection.

[0015] Preferably, the connecting bracket has two bracket elements that are connected to each other, for example, by screws, snap-fit ​​elements, or the like. The connecting brackets are preferably U-shaped and extend along a side wall, with the central part of the bracket extending along the side wall and the two extensions extending along the front and rear walls. The connection between the two bracket elements is made in the area of ​​the front and / or rear wall, particularly in the middle of these two walls. It is especially preferred that the connection is made in the area of ​​the dividing plane.

[0016] Preferably, the brackets are arranged in an upper area near the top edge of the side walls of the rear and front walls. In particular, the distance of the bracket element to the top edge is less than 10 cm, and more specifically, less than 5 cm. Furthermore, it is preferred that the connecting bracket is arranged in recesses or openings so that it does not protrude, in particular, from the outside of the cargo bike container.

[0017] Furthermore, it is preferred that at least one, and in particular two, connecting struts are provided for joining the individual plastic parts. It is especially preferred that two connecting struts are provided, one connecting strut extending through an inner surface of the rear wall and the other connecting strut being arranged in the area of ​​an inner surface of the front wall. The two connecting struts can be designed such that they are arranged between the two opposing side walls and are fixed in or to the side walls. It is preferred that the two connecting struts, in particular, have projections at their ends. One projection can be a head, in particular one permanently attached to the strut, and the other projection can be a detachable projection, e.g., a nut. In this embodiment, in particular, clamping the strut and thus the plastic parts is easily possible.The attachments are preferably arranged in outwardly open recesses in the side walls. These recesses can be closed with a lid.

[0018] In particular, a good and stable connection of the cargo bike container can be achieved by combining a circumferential connecting bracket in the upper area of ​​the cargo bike container with two connecting struts in the lower area. Force transmission can also be achieved via the connecting elements, and it is especially preferred that the cargo bike container is connected to the cargo bike via these connecting elements.

[0019] Recesses or openings provided in individual parts of the cargo container allow for the placement or easy connection of attachments. For example, a step can be inserted into an outwardly open, particularly slotted, opening. This makes it easier for children to get into the cargo bike container.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the cargo bike container, it has a lid with which the top of the container can preferably be completely closed. It is preferred that the lid is pivotally connected, possibly via an intermediate element, to the connecting elements, in particular the connecting bracket located in the upper area. This ensures that the forces occurring when opening and closing the lid are transferred primarily not into the plastic parts, but into the connecting elements.

[0021] In another preferred embodiment, the base element has an opening. This opening allows access, when assembled, to a battery or the like located below the load-bearing container. This opening is preferably sealed with a cover, in particular a tightly sealed one.

[0022] Furthermore, the invention relates to a cargo bike frame with a rear section for receiving a rear wheel, a fork element for receiving a front wheel, and a support element for receiving the cargo container between a handlebar tube and the fork element. The cargo container is designed as described above, particularly in a preferred embodiment.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the load-bearing container has a projection that, when mounted, points in the direction of travel. This projection extends, at least partially, beyond a fork element. At a minimum, this projection extends beyond an upper region of the fork element. The projection of the first load-bearing container, which is made of a plastic material, exhibits a certain degree of elasticity and deformability. The projection thus serves as impact protection, so that in the event of an accident, the risk of injury to the fork element, particularly its upper region, is significantly reduced. Such a projection on a load-bearing container constitutes an independent invention. This is particularly independent of whether the load-bearing container has a vertical division, is made of several elements, or is formed in one piece. The corresponding projection could also be connected to a load-bearing container.In a preferred further development, the load-bearing container is designed or further developed as described above.

[0024] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings.

[0025] They show: Fig. 1a a schematic side view of a cargo bike with a load-bearing container designed according to the invention, Fig. 1b a schematic perspective side view of a cargo bike without a load-bearing container, Fig. 2 a perspective side view of a first preferred embodiment of the load-bearing container, Fig. 3 a side view of one of the two halves of the in Fig. 1 The load-bearing container shown in Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 1 corresponding load-bearing container with lid, Figs. 5a and 5legs; perspective rear view of the load-bearing container with and without lid, Figs. 6a and 6legs; top view of a load-bearing container with and without integrated seats and Fig. 7one of the Fig. 6 Top view of the load-bearing container with integrated seats and an integrated storage box.

[0026] A preferred embodiment of the cargo bike according to the invention as shown in Figur 1 The illustrated embodiment features a cargo bike frame 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the cargo bike frame 10 has a seat tube 14, a top tube 15, a down tube 16 concealed by a cover, and a handlebar tube 18. A pivoting tube is arranged in the handlebar tube 18, which is connected to a handlebar 20. Furthermore, a drive unit 22 is arranged between the down tube 16 and the seat tube 14 in the illustrated embodiment. This drive unit has a conventional bottom bracket connected to an electric motor, so that pedaling can be assisted by an electric motor. The rear wheel 24 is driven by a drive using a toothed belt 25 or the like. The cargo bike frame 10 also has a rear triangle 26 that supports the rear wheel 24. The illustrated embodiment shows a single-track cargo bike.

[0027] Furthermore, the bicycle frame 10 has a support element 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the support element 28 has two horizontal frame elements 30 ( Fig. 1b ) which are connected to the down tube 16 and the handlebar tube 18. Two fork elements 32, which in the illustrated embodiment rise in the direction of travel 34, are arranged with the two horizontally extending frame elements 30. These are connected to each other and to a fork steerer tube 36 in the area of ​​a fork steerer tube 36. The fork steerer tube 36 is part of a fork element 40, which also includes the fork 38 and, in the illustrated embodiment, carries a front wheel 42.

[0028] A battery 44 can be connected to the support element 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery 44 is arranged between the two fork elements 32 of the support element. Furthermore, the battery 44 or another battery can be arranged between the two frame elements 30.

[0029] A handle 46 is connected to the handlebar tube 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle is arranged on the rear side of the handlebar tube 18 and points towards the rear triangle 26 or towards the seat tube 14. The handle 46 is thus arranged in the frame's central plane, in which, in the illustrated cargo bike, the two wheels, the seat tube 14, the down tube 16, and the handlebar tube 18 are also located.

[0030] To lift the cargo bike or, for example, to place it on a main stand 60, the user can grasp the upper part 48 of the handle element.

[0031] A cargo bike container 50 comprises a base element 52, two side elements 54, a rear wall 56, and a front wall 58. In the particularly preferred embodiment shown, the cargo bike container is made of essentially two plastic parts, as shown in Fig. 3 The two plastic parts are designed as mirror images of each other with respect to a vertical center plane, which corresponds to the bicycle's center plane when assembled. Each of the two plastic part halves thus has a side wall 54, half a rear wall 56, half a front wall 58, and half a base element 52.

[0032] According to the invention, the demolding direction is perpendicular to the side wall 54, i.e., perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. Fig. 3 This has the significant advantage that it is possible to easily provide stiffening ribs 58 in the demolding direction, whereby individual stiffening ribs 60, 62 can also be designed as supports, for example, armrests. The ribs 58, 60, 62 extend in the demolding direction, so that no undercuts are formed. Furthermore, recesses 64, 66 can be provided in the ribs, for example, which are open inwards or in the demolding direction. The slot-shaped recesses 64 are also open on an upper surface 68 of the side wall 54, so that, for example, poles of a convertible top can be inserted and adjusted in them. A bottle holder, a bracket for transported goods, etc., can be attached in the recess 66.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the base element 52 has recesses 70 formed as grooves, which are arranged on an inner side of the base element 52 and also extend in the demolding direction. This allows the surface of the base element to be structured and also improves its stiffness. Furthermore, a groove is provided in the base element. Fig. 3 A partially visible opening 72 is provided. This opening allows access to the battery, which is located between the two frame elements 30 of the bicycle frame 10 when assembled, for maintenance or removal, for example. The opening 72 is closed by a cover 74.

[0034] Furthermore, a projection 76 is provided in the upper front end region of the front wall 58. This projection covers the upper side of the fork steerer tube. The projection 76 extends beyond the upper region of the fork element in the direction of travel and serves, among other things, as impact protection.

[0035] The two in Fig. 3 The depicted halves made of plastic become part of the one in Fig. 2 The cargo bike container shown is assembled. A connecting bracket consisting of two bracket elements 78 is provided in an upper area to fix or connect the two halves. The two bracket elements are connected in the area of ​​the separation plane with corresponding connecting elements. The separation plane is the one shown in Fig. 3 The front side shown is half of the rear wall 56 or half of the front wall 58 and half of the base element 52. The two bracket elements 78 are firmly connected or clamped together so that they form a clamp in the upper area of ​​the cargo bike container.

[0036] Furthermore, two connecting struts 80,82 ( are required to join the two halves. Fig. 6 ) provided. A rear connecting strut in the direction of travel 34 is located in a recess 84 ( Fig. 3 ) arranged. The recess 84 is provided in an inwardly projecting rib-shaped projection 86. The arrangement is corresponding on the opposite side, i.e., in the other half of the plastic part. The front connecting strut 80 is in a recess 88 ( Fig. 3 ) arranged. To clamp the two halves of the cargo bike container, the connecting struts 80, 82 have, for example, a projection shaped like a head on one side, with a nut being screwed onto the other side of the struts. Likewise, both connecting struts can have an internal thread, so that they can be fixed from the outside by means of fixing elements 90, in particular designed as screws ( Fig. 2 ) can be done.

[0037] Additionally, it is possible to equip the cargo bike container with a 92 ( lid Fig. 4 The lid can be closed via a band-shaped hinge 94 with a support element 96, which rests on the top of the container 50. The hinge 94 is connected to the connecting bracket 78 via a connecting element 98, so that the force and weight of the lid 92, particularly when opening, do not act on the plastic container 50, but primarily on the connecting element 78. The provision of a lid on the cargo bike container and its connection to the connecting element 78 constitutes an independent invention, separate from the design of the cargo bike container itself. For example, it could be made of several parts or even be a single piece.

[0038] Regardless of whether the container 50 has a lid 92 or not, a recess 98 projecting into the container 50 against the direction of travel is provided on the front wall. At least part of the fork elements 32 of the support elements 28 are arranged in this recess 98 and fixed via a plate-shaped connecting element 100. The connecting element 100, which is designed in particular as a metal plate or the like, is connected to the connecting bracket 78, so that any forces that occur are transmitted directly between the connecting bracket 78 and the bicycle frame. The force transmission into the container 50, which is made of plastic, is thus greatly reduced.

[0039] Regardless of the lid 92 and the support element 96, the container 50 consists of two halves ( Fig. 3 ) produced, with the parting line 102 ( Fig. 5 ) coincides with the plane of the means of transport when assembled.

[0040] Within the cargo bike container 50, not only loads but also, for example, seats 104 for children can be provided ( Fig. 6 ). Instead of a forward-facing seat 34 104, a storage compartment can also be inserted into the container 50. The storage container 106 ( Fig. 7 ) can be easily adjusted or hooked onto the inside of the container between the mounting points.

Claims

1. Cargo bike container with a base element (52), two opposing side walls (54), a rear wall (56) and a front wall (58), characterized by the fact that the cargo bike container (50) is made of at least two plastic parts, wherein the first plastic part comprises at least one side wall (54) and the second plastic part comprises at least the second side wall (54).

2. Cargo bike container according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the first or the two plastic parts each comprise at least a part of the base element (52) and / or the back wall (56) and / or the front wall (58).

3. Cargo bike container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that Both plastic parts each comprise a part, in particular half of the base element (52) and / or the front wall (58).

4. Cargo bike container according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact that the two plastic parts are designed to be mirror images of each other.

5. Cargo bike container according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that exactly two plastic parts are provided for the formation of the base element (52), the two side walls (54), the back wall (56) and the front wall (58).

6. Cargo bike container according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact that a demolding direction of the plastic parts perpendicular to the side wall (54) and / or parallel to the rear wall (56) or parallel to the front wall (58) or parallel to the bottom element (52).

7. Cargo bike container according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that In particular, stiffening ribs (58, 60) are provided on the inner sides of the side walls (54).

8. Cargo bike container according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the fact that Open recesses (54, 56, 70, 84, 88) are provided in the demolding direction.

9. Cargo bike container according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by the fact thatin particular two plastic parts are connected to each other via connecting elements (78, 80, 82), wherein the connecting elements preferably have metal or are made of metal.

10. Cargo bike container according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the connecting elements have a connecting bracket (78) which is preferably circumferential.

11. Cargo bike container according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that the connecting bracket has two bracket elements (78) which are connected to each other in the area of ​​the rear wall (56) and the front wall (58).

12. Cargo bike container according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by the fact that the connecting bracket (78) is arranged in a recess (79) which is preferably formed in the side walls (54) as an outwardly open groove.

13. Cargo bike container according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized by the fact that the connecting elements have at least one, in particular two, connecting struts (80, 82).

14. Cargo bike container according to claim 13, characterized by the fact that a connecting strut (82) is arranged on an inside side of the rear wall (56) and / or a connecting strut (80) is arranged on an inside side of the front wall (58).

15. Cargo bike container according to claim 13 or 14, characterized by the fact that which at least one connecting strut (80,81) extends between the side walls (54) and is in particular connected to them.

16. Cargo bike container according to claim 15, characterized by the fact that which has at least one connecting strut at each of its ends detachable attachments (90).

17. Cargo bike container according to claim 16, characterized by the fact that at least one of the two approaches (90) for clamping the plastic parts is adjustable, in particular designed as a screw or nut.

18. Cargo bike container according to claim 16 or 17, characterized by the fact that The approaches (90) are each arranged in an outwardly open recess of the side wall (54).

19. Cargo bike container according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized by the fact that The base element (52) has an opening (72) which can preferably be closed with a cover (74).

20. Cargo bike container according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized by the fact that A lid (92) is provided, in particular for completely closing the cargo bike container.

21. Cargo bike container according to claim 20, characterized by the fact that the lid (92) is pivotably connected to a connecting element, in particular the connecting bracket (78).

22. Cargo bicycle frame, comprising a rear structure (26) for receiving a rear wheel (24), a fork element (4) for receiving a front wheel (42), a support element (28) for receiving a cargo container according to one of claims 1 to 21 between a handlebar tube and the fork element (40).