Holding device for the integral attachment of accessories to a vehicle handlebar

Abstract

Holding device for the integral attachment of accessories (1) to a vehicle handlebar (2), which has the following features: - a vehicle handlebar (2) with a standardized recess (3) which is larger in size than the accessory (1) to be placed therein, and - a fastening system (6) in the recess (3) for receiving an adapter frame (4), - wherein the adapter frame (4) is designed such that it fits into the standardized recess (3) and can be releasably fastened by means of the fastening system (6), - wherein the adapter frame (4) is designed specifically for the accessory in order to fix the respective accessory (1) flush and thus integrally by means of the accessory's own fastening mechanism (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a holding device for the integral fastening of accessories to a vehicle handlebar according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] The integration of accessories on vehicle handlebars is generally known from the state of the art.

[0003] In cycling, for example, integrated accessories are installed on, in, or on the handlebars. These include, in particular, integrated bike computers, displays, front bike lights, gearshifts, battery charge indicators, and beverage and transport containers.

[0004] It's becoming increasingly important for users and drivers to have access to a navigation system or bike computer, for example, or to mount a headlight while riding. Due to these accessories, which are usually designed to be flexibly positioned on the vehicle, the installation of mounts on the vehicle, for example, on the handlebars, stem, or frame, is common practice.

[0005] For attaching such accessories, such as custom navigation systems, bike computers, or lights, various types of mounts are available on vehicle handlebars. For example, the mount can be friction-fitted using a sleeve consisting of several individual parts that fits around tubular components, such as the handlebar.

[0006] One-piece handlebar-stem units usually have threads for mounting brackets.

[0007] This generally requires a mount that connects the accessory to the vehicle's handlebar. However, this mount is not integrally constructed, meaning the accessory and the vehicle handlebar do not become a single unit.

[0008] There are also solutions where the accessory is an integral part of the driver. Specifically, this means that the accessory is developed by the manufacturer for the specific driver and installed directly with the driver as a single unit.

[0009] In such cases, the handlebar and accessories are coordinated during development, enabling an integrated design. This means that handlebars already exist that more or less fully integrate various accessories such as navigation systems, bike computers, and / or lights.

[0010] However, these accessories are closely tied to the vehicle's handlebars and cannot be installed by the user into handlebars from another manufacturer. Likewise, it is generally not possible for the user to replace the accessories with products from another manufacturer. Changing systems is not provided for by the manufacturer and would be difficult for the user from a technical perspective. This is particularly true for e-bikes, where the accessories—such as the bike computer—are part of the e-bike's overall electrical system. This often also applies to the lighting, which is also integrated into the electrical system.

[0011] Developments in vehicle construction, especially bicycle construction, are clearly moving toward system-integrated approaches. The goal is a purist appearance that is aesthetically pleasing. Furthermore, improving aerodynamics is a key objective in the development of products for sporty vehicles such as road bikes and gravel bikes. Since the accessories are also subject to vibrations during use, stable and secure attachment is required.

[0012] Due to a lack of standardization and the multitude of accessory and vehicle manufacturers, there are many different manufacturers who, in turn, specialize in the development of mounts and adapters for connecting accessories to the vehicle. Likewise, both vehicle and accessory manufacturers offer mounts themselves. However, to ensure that these mounts are compatible with the largest possible number of vehicles and accessories, an integral design is not possible. This is because the mounting points on the vehicle or handlebar, as well as on the accessories, almost always differ from manufacturer to manufacturer, and because accessories are available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes.

[0013] Vehicle users' needs for accessories vary depending on their intended use. This need is influenced by personal preferences, product features, cost, etc.

[0014] Given the above, there is a need for a simple, lightweight, stable, and reliable way to integrally attach various accessories to a vehicle handlebar. It is essential that various accessories can be installed and removed from a vehicle handlebar as needed. The user should have the freedom to choose from as many different products as possible from a variety of manufacturers, but also have the option of using the vehicle handlebar completely without accessories.

[0015] The invention is therefore intended to achieve the object of providing a system for the integral mounting of accessories on a vehicle handlebar in order to overcome the above-mentioned difficulties and to offer the stable and reliable attachment of various accessory products to the vehicle handlebar.

[0016] In the case of this invention, the term "integral" refers to eliminating gaps between the vehicle handlebar and the accessories as much as possible, and also to merging the accessories and the vehicle handlebar in their contours from an aerodynamic perspective. However, the idea is not to permanently or easily install the accessories into the vehicle handlebar. Rather, different accessories should be able to be quickly inserted, removed, and even replaced.

[0017] This problem is solved in a surprisingly simple and effective manner by the subject matter of the independent claims. Possible further developments are apparent from the subsequent dependent claims.

[0018] According to the invention, two essential components are proposed. The first component is a vehicle handlebar with a standardized recess whose dimensions are larger than the largest accessory to be placed in it or larger than the combined dimensions of multiple accessories. The recess also contains the necessary components of a fastening system for an adapter frame. The second component consists of various adapter frames whose external dimensions fit exactly into the standardized recess of the vehicle handlebar and which can be detachably fastened in the recess using a fastening system. The adapter frames, in turn, are manufactured individually for the respective accessory so that it can be fixed in the adapter frame using the respective fastening mechanism. For assembly, the accessory is simply inserted into a suitable adapter frame and fastened.The adapter frame with accessories is then inserted and secured in the recess of the vehicle handlebar.

[0019] The holding device according to the invention is based on the basic idea of ​​enabling the user to integrally insert or attach different accessories into one and the same vehicle handlebar. In order to be able to use accessories with different dimensions and fastening mechanisms, they are indirectly connected to the vehicle handlebar by means of a cost-effective adapter frame. This gives the user the freedom to choose between different accessories. The user can also, for example, switch to new accessory variants that appear on the market as soon as a suitable adapter frame is available. Compared to changing a handlebar, the user only incurs the relatively low cost of a suitable adapter frame. The inventive idea thus creates a simple, secure and integral connection between the vehicle handlebar and the accessories.In addition, the holding device according to the invention has an aerodynamic overall shape, which is also aesthetically pleasing compared to the known types of connection.

[0020] The integral holding device according to the invention can be used particularly preferably on bicycles. The holding device can be designed, for example, to hold accessories such as a bicycle computer. Due to its simplicity, such a holding device complies with the preferred design requirements.

[0021] The term "adapter frame" describes the single- or multi-part component specifically designed to connect a special accessory, such as a smartphone, to the vehicle handlebar. The adapter frame is preferably designed to hold the accessory and fill the free space in the standardized recess between the accessory and the vehicle handlebar itself.

[0022] The designs of the adapter frames are basically arbitrary and specific to the respective accessories.

[0023] In principle, any vehicle is conceivable within the scope of the invention. Preferably, the vehicle is a two-wheeler, in particular a bicycle, motorcycle, moped, scooter, kick scooter, pedelec, or balance bike; a tricycle, in particular a trike, recumbent bicycle, or velomobile; a unicycle, a cargo bike, a wheelchair, a trailer, a sidecar, a wheelbarrow, a handcart, or a wagon, in particular a marathon wagon.

[0024] By means of the holding device according to the invention, it is thus possible to hold accessories, such as a bicycle computer, in a simple, lightweight, stable, reliable and attractive manner and at the same time to create an integral connection with the vehicle handlebar.

[0025] Advantageous further developments of the invention, which can be implemented individually or in combination, are presented in the dependent claims.

[0026] In one embodiment of the present invention, it is conceivable that the vehicle steering rod and the adapter frame are made of metal and / or a fiber composite material and / or a plastic. Other materials not mentioned here are also conceivable in principle. Material combinations are also conceivable. For example, the adapter frame can be made of a different material than the vehicle steering rod.

[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention, it is conceivable that the accessory is a computer, a speedometer, a GPS device, a smartphone, a tool, a tool bag, a lamp, a bottle holder, a bottle, a bag, a wind sensor, or a camera. The accessories held by the holding device are fundamentally arbitrary. Depending on the application and vehicle, more than one accessory can be attached to different or a single adapter frame. For example, it may be possible for an adapter frame to be designed in such a way that a speedometer, a GPS device, a smartphone, and possibly other components can be attached together to a single vehicle handlebar. Other accessories not mentioned here are also conceivable.Functional parts, such as parts of a bicycle gear system or parts of a braking system, can also be attached using the holding device according to the invention and continue to fall under the term accessories.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present invention, it is conceivable that the holding device is designed to accommodate accessories weighing up to 1 kg. Depending on the design of the holding device, it is also conceivable to hold accessories weighing more than 1 kg. The selected rigidity and dimensions of the holding device are particularly important in this case.

[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention, it is conceivable that the mounting device, using a suitable adapter frame, also accommodates accessories that are partially or completely located outside the vehicle handlebar. Through the clever design of a suitable adapter frame, the accessories can still be connected to the vehicle handlebar in an aerodynamically favorable and largely form-fitting manner, even if they are not completely concealed within it.

[0030] This particularly applies to relatively larger accessories, some of which have to protrude from the contour for technical reasons, such as a front light or the area of ​​the lens of a camera or a wind sensor.

[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention, it is conceivable that the adapter frame is adjustable in order to accommodate different accessories.

[0032] In one embodiment of the present invention, it is conceivable that an angle of inclination of the adapter frame relative to the vehicle component is preferably continuously adjustable in order to enable the user to have the best possible access and operability of the accessory.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, it is conceivable that the adapter frame is held in place in the vehicle handlebar by means of magnetic force, by means of securing bolts, hooks, Velcro fasteners, hinges or other conceivable fastening methods. List of reference symbols 1 accessories 2 drivers 3 standardized recess 4 adapter frames 5 Accessory-own-attachment mechanism 6 Mounting system (of the adapter frame)

Claims

[1] Holding device for the integral attachment of accessories (1) to a vehicle handlebar (2), which has the following features: - a vehicle handlebar (2) with a standardized recess (3) which is larger in size than the accessory (1) to be placed therein, and - a fastening system (6) in the recess (3) for receiving an adapter frame (4), - wherein the adapter frame (4) is designed such that it fits into the standardized recess (3) and can be releasably fastened by means of the fastening system (6), - wherein the adapter frame (4) is designed specifically for the accessory in order to fix the respective accessory (1) flush and thus integrally by means of the accessory's own fastening mechanism (5). [2] Holding device according to claim 1, characterized by that the adapter frame (4) is made of metal, a fiber composite material and / or plastic. [3] Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the adapter frame (4) and the vehicle handlebar (2) are made of different materials. [4] Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the accessory (1) is selected from the group consisting of bicycle computer, speedometer, GPS device, smartphone, tool, lamp, bottle holder, camera or wind sensor. [5] Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the adapter frame (4) can accommodate several accessories at the same time. [6] Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the fastening system of the adapter frame (6) is magnetic, mechanical by means of locking bolts, hooks, Velcro fasteners, hinges or a combination of these elements. [7] Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the angle of the adapter frame (4) relative to the vehicle handlebar (2) is continuously adjustable. [8] Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the adapter frame (4) is adjustable to accommodate accessories (1) with different dimensions. [9] Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the accessory (1) can support a weight of up to 1 kg or more, depending on the rigidity and dimensioning of the fastening system. [10] Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the accessory (1) can also be positioned partially or completely outside the vehicle handlebar (2), while still ensuring an aerodynamically favorable connection. [11] Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the connection between the adapter frame (4) and the vehicle handlebar (2) is form-fitting and aerodynamically optimized. [12] Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the adapter frame (4) can be quickly installed and removed without tools. [13] Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the adapter frame (4) can be protected against theft by means of a lock. [14] Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the holding device has vibration-damping properties to protect the accessory (1) during use. [15] Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the recess (3) of the vehicle handlebar (2) is standardized in order to accommodate adapter frames (4) from different manufacturers. [16] Holding device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the adapter frame (4) is designed in such a way that it serves as a pure cover and does not accommodate any accessories.

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