Foldable bicycle structure

Abstract

A foldable bicycle structure includes: a support frame (2) having a rear wheel (3) and a front wheel (4), handlebars (5) fixed to the frame (2), and a seatpost (6) having a lower end detachably mounted to the support frame (2) and an upper end associated with a seat (7). The support frame (2) is divided into at least one front section (9) and at least one rear section (10), which are adapted to be connected to the respective wheels (3, 4) and hinged to each other about a first hinge axis (11) to switch between an extended use configuration and a compact configuration. The support frame (2) is also provided with one or more straps (14, 15), each strap having one end fixed to the support frame (2) and a free end, the free end being provided with a hook to allow the unfolding of the respective strap (14, 15) and its hooking on another part of the structure and serving as a shoulder strap for transport of the structure in the compact configuration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention is generally applicable to the field of wheeled transportation technology, and specifically relates to a foldable bicycle structure suitable for user transportation. Background Technology

[0002] As is well known, one of the disadvantages of ordinary bicycles is that they are difficult to transport on short or long trips that require the use of other means of transportation, such as cars, trains, and airplanes.

[0003] In fact, their special configuration makes them uncomfortable and particularly bulky to carry, so much so that if bicycles are to be placed as luggage in the cargo hold of an airplane, they are usually classified as special baggage and thus subject to additional charges.

[0004] Various solutions are known to allow for a reduction in the overall size of bicycles to facilitate their transport when they are not in use.

[0005] However, the known solutions are not optimized to make transportation simple and convenient, even under specific conditions such as air or train travel, and always require manual transport of the vehicle in its stowed configuration, leaving users with one or both hands occupied, significantly limiting their mobility. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned defects and provide a foldable bicycle structure with high efficiency and relatively low cost.

[0007] One specific objective is to provide a foldable bicycle structure that can be easily moved from an unfolded configuration, typical of the vehicle's use, to a folded configuration, in which the structure is easy and convenient to transport and has a relatively small overall size.

[0008] One specific objective is to provide a foldable bicycle structure whose maximum size in a folded configuration is set to fall within the limits set by airlines for loading it as standard baggage or carry-on baggage.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a foldable bicycle structure that, in the folded state, allows the user to comfortably carry it on their shoulder.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to realize a foldable bicycle structure that can be implemented by common means for use as an electric bicycle, which includes one or more power batteries and still maintains the security requirements for being classified as carry-on baggage.

[0011] These objectives, and others that will become more apparent below, are achieved by a foldable bicycle structure according to the independent claim, comprising a load-bearing frame having a rear wheel and a front wheel, a handlebar attached to the frame, and a steering seatpost having a lower end detachably fixed to the frame and an upper end connected to the seat.

[0012] The load-bearing frame is divided into at least one front section and at least one rear section, each of which is provided with wheels and hinged to each other to move between an extended configuration and a compact configuration in which the wheels are substantially parallel to each other during use. The frame is provided with one or more straps, one end of each strap is fixed to the frame, and one free end of each strap is provided with a hook so that the strap can be extended and hooked onto another part of the structure and used as a strap for transporting the structure in the compact configuration.

[0013] This combination of features will allow the structure to be folded up in a particularly compact construction, making it easy to carry via one or more straps wrapped around the user's shoulder or chest.

[0014] Advantageous embodiments of the structure are obtained according to the dependent claims. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Further features and advantages of the structure according to the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of some preferred but non-exclusive embodiments of the structure, which are illustrated by way of non-limiting example with the aid of accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0016] Figure 1 This is a front view of a first preferred configuration of the foldable bicycle structure according to the present invention in a compact configuration;

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A side sectional view of the structure;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a front view of a second preferred configuration of the foldable bicycle structure according to the present invention in a compact configuration;

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A side sectional view of the structure;

[0020] Figure 5 A front view of a third preferred structure of the foldable bicycle structure according to the present invention in a compact configuration;

[0021] Figure 6 A front view of a fourth preferred structure of the foldable bicycle structure according to the present invention in a compact configuration;

[0022] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Side sectional view of the structure;

[0023] Figure 8 It is a side sectional view of the details of the structure under the extended configuration based on the fifth configuration;

[0024] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 Details in the side sectional view under compact configuration;

[0025] Figure 10 It is a perspective view of a portion of a support frame based on another configuration;

[0026] Figure 11 This is a perspective view of another component that can be used with... Figure 10 It is associated with and used to house one or more batteries as part of the support frame;

[0027] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 Exploded view of the components;

[0028] Figure 13 yes Figure 11 A cross-sectional view of the component;

[0029] Figure 14 yes Figure 10 A sectional view of a portion of the frame, in which the portion contains Figure 11 Components. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Referring to the accompanying drawings, some typical constructions of a foldable bicycle structure designed to define a conventional bicycle according to the present invention are schematically shown.

[0031] Bicycle structures can be designed to manufacture bicycles of any type and size without particular limitations.

[0032] In its most general configuration, the bicycle structure, generally represented by 1, includes in its basic form: a support frame 2 with a rear wheel 3 and a front wheel 4, a handlebar 5 attached to the support frame 2, and a seatpost 6 having a lower end detachably fixed to the frame 2 and an upper end associated with the seat 7.

[0033] Structure 1 may also include a central moving part 8, which is typically provided with a front crown and a rear crown or gear, and is configured according to any typical form of such an element without particular limitation.

[0034] According to a particular feature of the invention, the support frame 2 is divided into at least one front portion 9 and at least one rear portion 10, which are adapted to be constrained to corresponding wheels 3, 4, for example by a typical fork-shaped structure (not shown).

[0035] The front 9 and rear 10 of the frame are hinged to each other about a first vertical hinge axis 11 to move between an extended configuration and a compact configuration in use (as shown in the figure), in which wheels 3 and 4 are side by side and substantially parallel to each other, i.e., their respective planes are orthogonal to the corresponding parallel hubs 12 and 13.

[0036] In particular, in a preferred but not restrictive manner, in a compact configuration, the hubs 12 and 13 of the two wheels 3 and 4 will be arranged in a position coaxial with each other.

[0037] In addition, the support frame 2 will be provided with one or more straps 14, 15, each strap 14, 15 having a fixed end to the support frame 2 and a free end with a hook (not shown in the figure), the hook being adapted to allow the respective strap 14, 15 to unfold and couple to another part of the structure 1.

[0038] In this way, straps 14 and 15 can be used as shoulder straps to wrap around the user's shoulders, thus facilitating the transport of the structure in a compact configuration.

[0039] Based on a particularly advantageous configuration, with Figure 1 and Figure 3 The variant shown is the same, with at least one of the portions 9 and 10 of the support frame 2, preferably both of them, being hollow so that one or both of the straps 14 and 15 can be accommodated therein.

[0040] The latter will be rolled up and housed in one of the hollow sections (e.g., rear 10), and can be pulled out through a suitable slot 16 present in the same hollow section 10 to allow them to unfold and subsequently hook the corresponding free hooks to another part of the structure.

[0041] According to the preferred configuration of the same figure, the free ends of the straps 14 and 15 can be hooked to the underside of the seat by a suitable hook element (not shown in the figure).

[0042] In this configuration, the seatpost 6 can be completely detached from the support frame 2, and the seat 7 can be detached from the seatpost 6 to be anchored to the hub 12 of one of the wheels 3 via a suitable coupling device (not shown and having a variable configuration depending on the type of seat) and positioned substantially parallel to the plane of the wheel itself.

[0043] Additionally, one of the portions 9 and 10 of the support frame 2 will also include a support 17 for positioning and holding the seat rod 6 in the removed state, and the seat rod 6 will be adapted to be arranged substantially parallel to the aforementioned same portion of the support frame 2, thus not affecting the overall dimensions of the structure 1 in a compact configuration.

[0044] Figure 5A third configuration of structure 1 is shown, wherein straps 14, 15 are always arranged outside the support frame 2 and have releasable parts that can hook onto the corresponding parts of the structure (such as handlebars 5 and seat 7 as needed).

[0045] According to a particularly preferred configuration, when structure 1 needs to be transported as baggage to means of transport such as trains, airplanes and ships, structure 1 will have a maximum size between 60×50×30 and 50×30×10 in a compact configuration to be classified as standard baggage.

[0046] Even more preferably, the maximum size of structure 1 in a compact configuration will not exceed the threshold of 55×40×20cm, so as to allow it to be classified as carry-on baggage if it must be taken on board the plane.

[0047] Preferably, the weight of structure 1, excluding pedals and other accessories as well as any batteries, shall not exceed 10 kg, so as to be suitable for carry-on baggage to be checked in the cabin.

[0048] To further simplify transportation, structure 1 may also include a covering element (not shown) that is adapted to cover structure 1 when the support frame 2 is in a compact configuration and may also be in an extended configuration.

[0049] The covering element will also provide protection from external factors and can also be equipped with one or more external pockets designed to hold any type of object, thus transforming the structure into a true travel backpack.

[0050] As a complement or alternative to the covering element, a bag, such as a plastic bag, may be provided, which has one or more compartments for accessories.

[0051] The method for connecting the various parts of structure 1 to the supporting frame 2 can be varied as needed.

[0052] Figure 1 The first configuration is shown, wherein the handlebars 5 include a rod 18, which is hinged to the front portion 9 of the support frame 2, so that when the support frame 2 is in a compact configuration, rotation about a second horizontal hinge axis 19 (as shown) Figure 2 (As can be seen) it transitions from the typical raised position used for use to the lowered position so that it always remains integrated with the support frame.

[0053] In the lowered position, the handlebar 5's lever 18 will be arranged in a plane parallel to the wheels 3 and 4.

[0054] exist Figure 3 The second configuration is shown, in which the handlebars 5 include a tubular rod 18 having a telescopic structure to transition from an extended position for use to a lowered compact position when the support frame 2 is in a compact configuration.

[0055] Figure 4 As can be seen, in the lowered, compact position, the handlebar 5's rod 18 will be almost completely inserted into the hollow front part 9 of the support frame 2.

[0056] Figure 5 Another variant is shown, the main difference from the previous variant being the shape of the handlebar 5 and the construction of the straps 14 and 15 as described above.

[0057] In particular, the handlebars 5 will have an arched shape to define support for the user's back in a compact configuration, for example, to make the structure in the compact configuration highly ergonomic.

[0058] Figure 6 Another configuration is shown, which differs from the aforementioned configuration in that the straps 14, 15 are rolled up inside the handlebars 5 and, in particular, correspond to the corresponding grips 20, 21 to emerge from the corresponding slots and thus be operated to hook onto another part of the structure 1.

[0059] According to another configuration not shown in its entirety, structure 1 will include a central motion device associated with an electric motor equipped with a rechargeable battery power supply.

[0060] Advantageously, the power supply device may include two or more rechargeable batteries 22, 23, which are respectively housed in the hollow portions 9, 10 of the support frame 2, such as... Figure 8 and 9 As shown.

[0061] Furthermore, at least one or both of batteries 22 and 23 will be removably housed in the corresponding hollow portion 9 of the support frame 2 so that they can be removed if necessary, for example, before being loaded into the cargo hold or passenger cabin of the aircraft, so as not to exceed the weight limits stipulated by law.

[0062] According to a preferred configuration, there may be three separate lithium batteries 22, each with its own battery management system (BMS) card, and their size is set such that the total energy they can provide does not exceed 100Wh, in order to respect the transport restrictions on lithium batteries in the cabin.

[0063] If we imagine that a bag exists, it might have special pockets for holding and checking the batteries, as well as special compartments with integrated chargers and cable compartments.

[0064] Figure 10A second preferred, but not exclusive, configuration of the rear portion 10 of the support frame 2 is shown, which differs from the previous configuration and includes a handle 24 suitable for easy gripping and transport of the support frame 2 in a folded, compact state, as it is configured to house the battery casing 25 in the rear. Figure 11 This is shown more clearly in the text.

[0065] According to a particularly advantageous aspect, it is also possible to... Figure 12 It can be seen that the battery casing 25 includes a first battery compartment 26, and the first battery compartment 26 is provided with one or more housings, for example... Figure 13 The three housings 27 shown are for corresponding batteries, such as the three lithium batteries 22 mentioned above.

[0066] The battery casing 25 will also have a second compartment 28 for accommodating the battery charger.

[0067] The first compartment 26 can be closed again via the first removable cover 29, which may also be provided with a compartment 30 for the charging cable, and the compartment 30 can be removed via a special slot 31 that can be accessed by removing the sliding cover 32.

[0068] On the other hand, the second compartment 28 can be closed again by the second cover 33, which is also provided with a hole 34 for the battery charger socket and a viewing hole 35 for observing the indicator light indicating the charging status of the battery charger, so that the battery charger can be used without having to be removed from the second compartment 28.

[0069] Part 10 of the support frame 2 may be appropriately configured with suitable slots 36, 37, which are designed to allow access to the compartment 30 for the charging cable and the hole 34 for connecting to the battery charger without having to remove the battery casing 25 for internal access.

[0070] Structure 1 can also be implemented with other accessories, such as, in an exemplary and non-limiting manner, integrating a speaker, an integrated umbrella and / or umbrella holder, right and left turn indicators, and a magnetic fixing system for a compact configuration.

[0071] The foldable bicycle structure described above is easily modified and varied. All details can be replaced with other technically equivalent elements without departing from the scope of the invention, and the materials can be varied as needed.

Claims

1. A foldable bicycle structure comprising: - a support frame (2) having a rear wheel (3) and a front wheel (4); - a handlebar (5) fixed to said support frame (2); - a seat post (6) having a lower end removably fixed to said support frame (2) and an upper end associated with a seat (7); wherein said support frame (2) comprises at least one front portion (9) connected to said front wheel (4) and fixed to said handlebar (5) and at least one rear portion (10) connected to said rear wheel (3), said at least one front portion (9) and said at least one rear portion (10) being mutually articulated about a first articulation axis (11) to move between an extended configuration for use and a compact configuration in which said rear wheel (3) and said front wheel (4) are substantially side by side and parallel to each other, said support frame (2) being provided with one or more straps (14, 15), one end of each strap being fixed to said support frame (2), the free end of each strap being provided with a hook to allow the respective strap of said one or more straps (14, 15) to be unrolled and to hook to another part of said structure and to be used as a shoulder strap for transporting said structure in the compact configuration, and wherein at least one of said at least one front portion (9) and said at least one rear portion (10) of said support frame (2) is hollow and said one or more straps (14, 15) are wound up and housed in the at least one hollow portion, said seat (7) being provided with an element for hooking said free end of said one or more straps (15), said seat post (6) being completely removable from said support frame (2) and said seat (7) being removable from said seat post (6), one of said at least one front portion (9) and said at least one rear portion (10) of said support frame (2) comprises a seat (17) for positioning and retaining said seat post (6) in the removed condition, said seat (17) being designed to arrange said seat post (6) substantially parallel to the portion of said support frame provided with said seat (17), said support frame (2) comprises means for hooking said seat (7) to the hub (12) of one of said front wheel (4) and said rear wheel (3) and in a position substantially parallel to the plane of said front wheel (4) and said rear wheel (3), said element for hooking said free end of said one or more straps is provided below the seat of said seat (7).

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein said one or more straps (14, 15) can be extracted through a suitable slot (16) present in said at least one hollow portion to allow the unrolling of said one or more straps (14, 15) and the subsequent coupling of the respective free end to another part of said structure.

3. The structure of claim 1, wherein In said compact configuration, the maximum overall dimensions are between 60x50x30 cm and 50x30x10 cm.

4. The structure of claim 1, wherein In said compact configuration, the maximum overall dimensions do not exceed 55x40x20 cm.

5. The structure of claim 1, wherein The handlebar (5) comprises a stem (18) hinged to the front portion (9) of the support frame (2) to move from an elevated position in use to a lowered position when the support frame (2) is in the compact configuration.

6. The structure of claim 1, wherein The handlebar (5) comprises a tubular stem (18) having a telescopic structure to move from an extended position in use to a lowered compact position when the support frame (2) is in the compact configuration.

7. The structure of claim 1, wherein It comprises a central movement device associated with an electric motor provided with a battery rechargeable power supply device.

8. The structure of claim 7, wherein The power supply device comprises at least one pair of rechargeable batteries (22, 23) housed in respective hollow portions of the support frame (2), at least one of the at least one pair of rechargeable batteries (22, 23) being removable.

9. The structure of claim 7, wherein The power supply device comprises three lithium batteries separate from each other, each having a respective BMS card, the total energy of the lithium batteries being able to be lower than 100 Wh.

10. The structure of claim 1, wherein It comprises a covering element adapted to cover the structure at least when the support frame is in the compact configuration, to protect the structure from external agents.

11. The structure of claim 10, wherein The covering element is provided with one or more external pockets.

12. The structure of claim 1, wherein The support frame (2) houses therein a housing (25) provided with a first compartment (26) for housing one or more batteries and a second compartment (28) for a battery charger, the support frame (2) being provided with one or more slots (36) to access the battery charger in the case where the housing (25) is inserted in the support frame (2).

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