Amphibious bicycle trailer

Abstract

Amphibious bicycle trailer, AFA (1), designed to be towed in a land configuration by a land vehicle (16) and in a floating water configuration by a watercraft (17), comprising: - a hull (10); - at least two running wheels (18) which are attached to the hull (10); - at least two extendable or foldable supports (6, 13) extending laterally from the hull (10), at the ends of which floating pontoons (2, 12) are attached, the water configuration comprising the extended or unfolded configuration of the supports (6, 13); - a rigid trailer coupling element (7) designed to alternately connect the amphibious bicycle trailer (1) to a respective land vehicle (16) and / or watercraft (17).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a bicycle trailer for a bicycle that can also be used as a trailer for a watercraft. This amphibious bicycle trailer (AFA) can be manufactured as a bicycle trailer in accordance with the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (STVZO) (size, safety features, etc.), which, with a simple or easy conversion, can be used both on land and on water to transport objects and / or vehicles.

[0002] In water sports, there is the problem of transporting a watercraft or sports equipment, such as a kayak, an inflatable stand-up paddle board (SUP board), or an inflatable boat, to the water in one vehicle and then being tied to the starting point if there is no second vehicle that can collect the watercraft at the exit from the water and return it to the starting point. It is therefore advantageous if the watercraft can be transported over land to the water on an amphibious trailer attached to a light towing vehicle, such as a bicycle, and there the trailer can be converted into a floating trailer in order to transport the same light towing vehicle across the water in the trailer. The trailer is therefore used to transport a watercraft or a land vehicle, with the other vehicle being able to pull the trailer.

[0003] WO 2023 / 086584 A1 discloses a convertible floating body for towing bicycles and kayaks, comprising a lower assembly with two hulls, at least two removable wheel assemblies, and an upper assembly that serves as a cover. The lower assembly can be reversed for use in water and on land, so that the top side becomes the bottom side. This allows the interior of the two catamaran-like hulls to be used as storage space, for example for the removable wheel assemblies, in the configuration for use in water. Conversely, on land, the space between the two hulls serves as a receiving part for the towed watercraft. The disadvantage of this geometry is its rigid design without the advantages of foldable or extendable components that can increase stability on the water.In addition, the geometry of the upper and lower assemblies is not flexible and must fit exactly to the specific watercraft being transported (especially kayaks).

[0004] These disadvantages are resolved by the subject matter of the independent patent claim. Advantageous further developments of the invention are described by the dependent claims, the following description, and the figures.

[0005] The AFA, which preferably has a tapered front and / or rear end, can be equipped for use on the water with support arms attached to the AFA and which can be extended (extendable) or folded out to the side, which are also abbreviated to "supports" below. At one end of these arms are inflatable pontoons or buoyancy bodies, which preferably have a tapered front and / or rear end. When the support arms are extended or unfolded, the pontoons provide support similar to a catamaran and the catamaran principle, or comparable to a trimaran or an outrigger boat. The floor (floor plate) of the AFA, which preferably has a tapered front and / or rear end, preferably consists of several extendable, watertight floors or floor sections (the floor plate) for a possible watertight extension of the AFA. A tapered front end gives it a streamlined appearance. A tapered rear end prevents water currents from accidentally driving the AFA forward.

[0006] In addition, an extendable and roll-up air mattress (air bag) can be attached to the front or rear of the floor or floor sections, providing additional buoyancy. This can be rolled out and secured under the floor. When buoyant, the AFA can be connected to a stand-up paddle board, canoe, kayak, inflatable boat or similar watercraft for use on the water using a fixed connection device. The tapered shape of the AFA and the floating pontoons at the front and / or rear is advantageous for maneuvering on the water. The AFA can also be equipped with attachments for transporting bicycles, for example, on the floor of the AFA, so that these can be easily and safely attached and transported on the AFA while still buoyant. For use on land, the AFA is returned to road condition (in particular by pushing or pulling).folding in the support arms as well as by folding in or retracting the floor parts and the air mattress underneath which can be rolled out and in, as well as by restoring the side walls, front and back).

[0007] The advantage of the amphibious nature of the AFA is that it's suitable for stand-up paddlers or canoeists, for example, who want to plan their land or water trips independently, without the need for external transport back to their starting point. The AFA is suitable for calm waters (without excessive currents, of course) as well as for paved roads or unpaved paths.

[0008] For road use, the AFA can have the structure and size of a known two-wheeled cargo bicycle trailer, in accordance with the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (STVZO), with one or more axles and correspondingly two or more wheels with closed bearings and is therefore technically waterproof, water-resistant in terms of materials, and environmentally friendly.

[0009] The side walls, front and rear walls of the cargo space or the loading tub of the hull can be made predominantly of a lightweight material, such as fabric or foil. They can be of any height. The floor can comprise two or more lightweight and waterproof floor panel units (see floor sections) stacked on top of each other, which can be extended or folded out for use on the water. The AFA can be attached to a bicycle, pedelec, e-bike, e-scooter, moped, tricycle, or one of the aforementioned watercraft using a fixed and rigid connection device or trailer hitch. Another term for such a connection device is "drawbar." A rigid connection or drawbar is necessary to safely steer the AFA, whether on land or on water. In addition, the rigid connection between the towing vehicle and the AFA provides optimal overall stability on the water.

[0010] Additionally or alternatively, extendable or foldable and stable support systems (support arms) for the floating pontoons with secure locking options on the ground can be attached to the front and rear of the AFA on the right and left sides respectively (seen along the longitudinal axis or in the intended direction of travel). Inflatable or rigid buoyant pontoons, preferably tapered at the front and rear, can be attached to each end of the support system. In the non-buoyant state (land configuration), the pontoons can be attached to the side part (e.g. the side wall) of the AFA with the support arms retracted. The pontoons can be connected on each side from front to rear with a (“swimming noodle-like”) rigid or elastic and / or inflatable band to improve buoyancy and stability.

[0011] Preferred embodiments and further developments are described below with reference to the figures.

[0012] The conversion from roadworthy condition (see Fig. 1) into the buoyant state (water configuration, see Fig. 4 and Fig. 5) can be carried out with components already attached to the AFA 1 in the following steps, for which the AFA 1 and the components are set up accordingly: a) The side panels 3 or walls of the AFA 1 can be rolled up or removed. The floor 5, 14 can be pulled out and firmly connected to a mechanical connecting part 7 mounted on the respective floor section 5, 14, so that the AFA 1 can be extended several times while remaining stable and the entire floor 5, 14 is waterproof. The floor air mattress 4 can be unrolled and stretched under the floor, secured at the respective end, and then inflated (see Fig. 2). b) The support systems 6, 13 attached to the front and rear of the AFA 1 can be extended or unfolded laterally and firmly fixed to the base section 5, 14 of the AFA. The pontoons 2, 12 attached to the end of the support system 6, 13 (see Fig. 6) and the connecting band 11 can be inflated (see Fig. 2). d) On the base plate 5, 14 of the AFA 1, for example, two fastening systems 8 for bicycles can be installed, similar to existing fastening systems for car roofs, which can have a rigid lateral fastening 9. Bicycles can be attached to these and transported safely on the water without contact with the water (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 5a, b). e) The connection, or trailer coupling 7, between the AFA 1 and the towing vehicle can be rigid. For this purpose, a corresponding connection can be installed on the respective towing vehicle (see Fig. 4). f) After use on the water, the AFA 1 can be dismantled and thus converted back into a roadworthy bicycle trailer (see Fig. 1).

[0013] A particularly preferred embodiment is provided by the following combination of features: The amphibious bicycle trailer (hereinafter referred to as AFA) is a bicycle trailer in accordance with the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (STVZO) (size, safety equipment, etc.) that can be used to transport items both on land and on water. The AFA is designed for use on water, with support arms permanently attached to the front and rear of the AFA and extendable to the sides. At one end of these arms are bow-shaped, inflatable pontoons or floating bodies, similar to a catamaran and based on the catamaran principle. The bow-shaped floor of the AFA at the front and rear consists of several extendable, waterproof floors for the possible waterproof extension of the AFA. In addition, a roll-up air mattress, at least 2 cm thick, is attached at the front or rear; this can be rolled out and secured under the floor for additional buoyancy.The AFA is connected to a stand-up paddleboard, canoe, or similar watercraft for use on the water using a rigid connection device while in a buoyant state. This rigid connection is essential for easy maneuvering and provides the entire vehicle—SUP and AFA—with absolute overall stability on the water. The AFA is equipped with attachments for transporting bicycles, similar to a bicycle roof rack on the floor, so that bicycles can be easily and safely secured and transported on the AFA while in a buoyant state. For use on land, the AFA is reverted to road position. The AFA is suitable for calm waters without excessive currents.

[0014] The AFA is equipped with laterally extendable supports for the floating pontoons, so that the AFA can be converted into a catamaran-like watercraft.

[0015] The pontoons installed at the AFA are inflatable. They are streamlined at the front and rear, with a bow-shaped design.

[0016] The pontoons on one side are each connected from front to back with a buoyant, separately inflatable band.

[0017] The AFA's floor consists of several sections. The floor panels slide into one another and can be extended as needed.

[0018] The AFA is equipped with a fixed trailer connection, which can be used both on land and on water. List of reference symbols for the figures 1 AFA in road condition according to STVZO 2 pontoons in non-inflated state 3 Border - Side panels - Front - Rear 4 Roll-out, buoyant floor mattress 5 floor panels - pushed into each other or folded in 6 Laterally extendable or foldable supports for pontoons in retracted or folded position 7 Rigid trailer connection element 8 Transport fastening system (fastening element) for bicycles on the ground 9 rigid side mounting for bicycles 10 Fuselage - Streamlined tapered shape - Front and rear 11 Connecting band between pontoons 12 pontoons in inflated state 13 Extendable or foldable supports for pontoon in extended or unfolded state 14 Extended or unfolded floor panels 15 Floatable condition with bicycles 16 bicycles 17 stand-up paddle board (SUP board) 18 wheels

Claims

[1] Amphibious bicycle trailer, AFA (1), which is designed to be towed in a land configuration by a land vehicle (16) and in a floating water configuration by a water vehicle (17), comprising: - a hull (10); - at least two wheels (18) attached to the hull (10); - at least two supports (6, 13) which can be extended or unfolded laterally from the hull (10), to the ends of which floating pontoons (2, 12) are attached, the water configuration comprising the extended or unfolded configuration of the supports (6, 13); - a rigid trailer connection element (7) which is designed to alternately connect the amphibious bicycle trailer (1) to a respective land vehicle (16) and / or watercraft (17). [2] Amphibious bicycle trailer (1) according to claim 1, additionally comprising a base plate (5, 14) which is made up of several parts and is movable or collapsible into one another so that it can be pulled out or folded out to extend the hull (10). [3] Amphibious bicycle trailer (1) according to claim 2, characterized by that an air mattress (4) which can be rolled out and up, preferably at the front or rear, is attached to the hull (10) or to a frame of the hull (10) and, in the rolled-out state, can be mounted under the base plate (5, 14) and / or pulled-out or folded-out base parts (14) of the base plate (5, 14) and thus provides additional buoyancy in a floating state. [4] Amphibious bicycle trailer (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the floating pontoons (2, 12) are tapered at the front and / or rear and are designed to be inflatable or solid. [5] Amphibious bicycle trailer (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the floating pontoons (2, 12) are connected on the respective side of the hull (10) parallel to the latter with a buoyant, inflatable or "swimming noodle-like" band or band made of a closed-cell foam (11). [6] Amphibious bicycle trailer (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one fastening element (8) is provided which is designed to hold and / or carry the land vehicle (16) in the water configuration in the hull (10). [7] Amphibious bicycle trailer (1) according to claim 6, characterized by that the at least one fastening element (8) for the land vehicle (16) is designed as a bicycle holder. [8] Amphibious bicycle trailer (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hull (10) is designed to be streamlined, pointed or tapered in cross-section at the rear and / or front. [9] Amphibious bicycle trailer (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein side walls of the hull (10) are designed to be foldable or interchangeable from a vertical to a horizontal position for the water configuration.

Images