BICYCLE STAND SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a bicycle stand system for receiving a bicycle in a parked position, wherein the bicycle stand system has a stand body which, when used as intended, rests on a surface with a standing area, wherein the stand body has a channel-shaped recess on an upper surface of the stand body opposite the standing area, the longitudinal axis of which of the recess is oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stand body, wherein the recess has a width along a transverse axis such that a wheel of the bicycle aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis can be received at least partially in the recess, wherein the bicycle stand system has a U-shaped support device with two U-shaped legs, wherein the support device is fixed to the stand body with the ends of the U-shaped legs.wherein in a parked position of the bicycle the wheel can be supported by at least one arm of the stand, so that the bicycle can be set up in an essentially vertical position within the bicycle stand system.

[0002] US 556 806 A discloses the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] The function of a bicycle rack is generally to secure a bicycle in a substantially upright position for a certain period of time. Various designs of bicycle racks are known. For example, there are outdoor bicycle racks designed as leaning bars. A bicycle can be leaned against these bars in an upright position and secured with a bicycle lock. These outdoor bicycle racks are usually firmly attached to the ground, either by being embedded in the soil or bolted to a foundation.

[0004] Indoor bicycle racks are known to consist essentially of a stand to which a U-shaped support is attached. The bicycle is pushed into the rack in a parking direction, so that one wheel is inserted into the U-shaped support. In the parked position, the bicycle is held in a nearly vertical position by the wheel resting against the U-shaped support. Since the stand is generally not firmly attached to the floor indoors, the stand is designed as a flat surface with the largest possible base to achieve a certain degree of stability. However, for reasons of maneuverability and the space required for setting up the bicycle rack, the size of the base can only be practically increased to a certain extent.If the bicycle is accidentally touched, the overall center of gravity formed by the bicycle and the bicycle stand can shift, causing the stand and bicycle to become unstable. This can result in the stand and bicycle falling over, thus preventing the bicycle from standing securely.

[0005] Furthermore, indoor bicycle racks are usually designed to accommodate only specific types of bicycles, such as racing bikes or mountain bikes with corresponding tire dimensions. For example, racing bikes have very narrow wheels with tire widths ranging from 23 mm to 35 mm, whereas mountain bike wheels have tire widths ranging from 51 mm to 61 mm. Inserting a mountain bike wheel into a rack designed for a racing bike is simply impossible. Conversely, placing a racing bike in a rack designed for a mountain bike does not guarantee stability.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle stand with which various bicycles with different sized wheels can be securely held by their wheels.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by the fact that the stand body has several fixing sections arranged at intervals from the longitudinal axis of the recess and opposite each other at the same distance from the longitudinal axis of the recess, wherein the several fixing sections are arranged at intervals from each other in the longitudinal direction of the stand body, wherein the bow-shaped support device can be detachably and thus relocatably fixed to any two opposite fixing sections, so that bicycles with different wheel diameters can be set up within the bicycle stand system.

[0008] For a particularly stable design of the bicycle rack system, the U-shaped support device may be designed as a single piece. When properly installed, the support device is open towards the stand and along the length of the bicycle rack system. By sliding the bicycle into the rack system in a parking direction parallel to this length, the wheel is easily inserted and secured by the U-shaped support device.

[0009] Advantageously, the stand according to the invention is designed such that, in a parked position, the wheel inserted into the support device rests centrally on the stand. Thus, depending on the available space at the installation site of the bicycle stand system, the bicycle can be leaned against the support device in either direction.

[0010] Standard bicycle wheels have a diameter ranging from 600 mm to 700 mm. The wheel diameter is defined as the largest outer diameter formed by the wheel rim and the bicycle tire. Depending on the chosen tire and its internal pressure, the diameter can change to some extent during use.

[0011] To enable the bicycle stand system according to the invention to accommodate different types of bicycles, such as racing bikes, trekking bikes, or mountain bikes with varying wheel diameters, without the tire contacting the top of the stand, the support device is designed to be movable. Thus, for bicycles with large wheel diameters, the support device can be positioned in an outer area of ​​the stand body (viewed longitudinally). For bicycles with small wheel diameters, such as children's bicycles, the U-shaped support device can advantageously be positioned in a central area of ​​the stand body.

[0012] Because the wheel is in contact with the support device at a specific mounting position in the upper half of the wheel, a particularly stable support of the bicycle is possible.

[0013] The bicycle stand system is also particularly well-suited as an assembly aid for bicycle repairs. Since the bicycle can be reliably held in the stand system by both the front and rear wheels, numerous repairs can be carried out easily and safely on the bicycle while it is positioned in the stand.

[0014] In an advantageous implementation of the invention, the fixing sections are designed as bores. This allows the U-shaped support device to be easily repositioned by simply inserting the ends of the U-shaped legs into the respective bores. The support device can also be easily pulled out of the bore. This enables particularly quick and easy adjustment of the bicycle stand system to suit the bicycle it is designed to hold.

[0015] Optionally, the bores can have internal threads, and the ends of the bracket legs can have corresponding external threads. The bracket leg of the multi-part support device is first screwed into the bores at its respective ends. The bracket apex element can then be attached to the bracket legs to create a stable connection between them.

[0016] To ensure particularly high stability of the bicycle stand system, an advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the stand is designed as a solid, monolithic body. For example, the solid stand can be made of plastic, rubber, concrete, or metal. Due to its solid design, the stand, constructed as a solid, monolithic body, has a large mass, thus providing a high degree of stability against tipping over.

[0017] For particularly high stability, an advantageous embodiment of the bicycle stand system according to the invention provides that the stand body has at least one fastening element for anchoring it to the ground. The stand body can, for example, have one or more through-holes through which the shank of a fastening screw can be inserted and screwed to the ground. Anchoring the bicycle stand system to the ground also provides theft protection against theft of the bicycle stand system.

[0018] For a particularly secure stand of the bicycle rack system on the ground, an advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the base is formed by several support elements arranged between the ground and an underside of the stand body facing the ground. These support elements can be height-adjustable feet. It is also possible for the support elements to be at least partially made of a non-slip material, such as rubber, so that the stand body rests securely on the ground. Furthermore, it is optionally provided that the support elements are designed as suction cups, allowing a suction cup connection to be established between the stand body and the ground.Such stand elements also offer the advantage that when using the bicycle stand system according to the invention indoors, damage to the potentially scratch-sensitive surface can be avoided.

[0019] According to the invention, it is optionally provided that the stand has a locking device with which the bicycle inserted into the bicycle rack system can be secured to the bicycle rack system. The locking device can be designed simply as a loop or eyelet fixed to the stand, through which a bicycle lock can be passed. The loop or eyelet is advantageously made of a material resistant to cutting, such as a metallic material. However, it is also conceivable and provided that the locking device is designed as a shackle fixed to the stand.

[0020] A locking device designed as a loop or a bracket can also be advantageously used as a carrying handle to pick up the bicycle rack system by hand and transport it to the installation location. Due to the considerable weight of the bicycle rack system, which is a solid, robust unit, a carrying handle makes it particularly easy to handle.

[0021] To enable the bicycle to be inserted into the bicycle rack system in a particularly simple manner in one parking direction, an advantageous implementation of the invention provides that the recess completely penetrates the stand body in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the bicycle can be inserted into the bicycle rack system in two different parking directions.

[0022] Advantageously, at least one raised section is arranged within the channel-shaped recess, which the wheel must pass over and overcome when pushing or pulling the bicycle out against the parking direction. This secures the bicycle against rolling away in or against the parking direction.

[0023] To accommodate various bicycle types with wheels of common and standard sizes using the bicycle stand system, an advantageous implementation of the invention provides that the recess width preferably has a width in the range of 54 mm to 65 mm. The recess width can be greatest in the area of ​​the upper surface of the stand body, decreasing steadily towards the lowest point within the channel-shaped recess. This allows even wheels with narrower wheel widths to be securely accommodated within the recess.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the clear width generated by the bracket legs preferably has a width in the range of 65 mm to 100 mm and a clear height preferably in the range of 650 mm to 700 mm. This allows bicycles with wheels of common and standard wheel widths and diameters to be accommodated by the bicycle rack system.

[0025] To securely accommodate wheels with narrow widths, such as those of racing bikes, in the bicycle stand system, an advantageous implementation of the invention provides that the bicycle stand system has a support element that can be detachably attached to the support device. This support element has a support section that, when properly installed, can be brought into contact with the wheel, allowing a clamping force to be exerted on the wheel by the support element. For example, the clamping force can be exerted radially on a running surface of the wheel, thus securing the wheel between the support section and the stand body by frictional engagement.

[0026] However, it is also provided according to the invention that the support element is arranged on the support device in such a way that a clamping force is exerted laterally on a side surface of the wheel. Thus, the wheel is frictionally secured between the support section of the support element and a bracket leg.

[0027] In order to enable the force-fit fixing of wheels with different diameters within the support element, an advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the support element is displaceable along a longitudinal axis of the bracket leg. The support element can thus be easily moved with one hand. Furthermore, it is also provided that the support element can be actuated by a rotational movement about a longitudinal axis of the bracket leg.

[0028] For a particularly secure fixation of the wheel to the support device, the invention provides that the support element is designed to allow a positive locking connection. In one embodiment of the bicycle stand system according to the invention, the support section is formed by a contact surface of the support element. When the support element is mounted to the support device as intended, the contact surface is inclined parallel to the longitudinal axis of the recess and at an angle defined by the longitudinal axis of the bracket leg and the contact surface. The contact surface points towards the top of the stand body, allowing bicycles with different wheel widths and diameters to be accommodated within the bicycle stand system.

[0029] Typically, the bicycle is held in the bicycle stand system according to the invention with its front wheel. This prevents the front wheel from unintentionally turning when the handlebars are touched, thus ensuring a secure stand for the bicycle.

[0030] If the bicycle is mounted in the bicycle stand system with only one rear wheel engaged, the front wheel can rotate, reducing stability. To ensure high stability nonetheless, an advantageous implementation of the invention provides that the bicycle stand system includes a support element which, when used as intended, can be placed on a surface and engaged with one of the wheels. The support element can be small, as its sole purpose is to prevent the front wheel from rotating. Advantageously, the support element has a non-slip surface on its underside facing the surface, thus providing particularly good protection against rotation for the front wheel.

[0031] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are explained with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of the bicycle stand system according to the invention with a bicycle placed in the bicycle stand system in a perspective view, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of the stand body according to the invention in a perspective view and Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the stand body according to the invention in a perspective view.

[0032] In Fig. 1 Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a bicycle rack system 1 according to the invention, showing a bicycle positioned in the bicycle rack system and in a parked position. The bicycle rests with one front wheel 2 on a support body 3. The support body 3 rests on a base with a standing surface. The support body 3 has a channel-shaped recess 5 on its upper surface 4, which faces away from the standing surface. The longitudinal axis 6 of the recess is oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis 7 of the support body 3. The recess has a width along a transverse axis 8. Furthermore, the support body 2 has several fixing sections 12, designed as bores, arranged at intervals from the longitudinal axis 8 of the recess. The bicycle rack system 1 has a U-shaped support device 9 with two U-shaped arms 10.The support device 9 can be detached by means of its stirrup leg ends 11 and thus repositioned by fixing it to any two opposing fixing sections 12. For this purpose, the support device 9 is inserted into the fixing sections 12, which are designed as bores, by means of a plugging action with its stirrup leg ends 11.

[0033] The bicycle stand system 1 also has a support element 13, which is detachably fixed to the bracket leg 10. The support element 13 is displaceable along a longitudinal axis 14 of the bracket leg between a bracket apex 15 of the support element 13 and the bracket leg end 11. The support element 13 has a support section 16, which is formed by a contact surface 17 of the support element 13. By displacing the support element 13 towards the front wheel 2, the support element 13 can be brought into engagement with the front wheel 2, so that a lateral clamping force is exerted on the front wheel 2. Thus, the front wheel 2 is clamped and supported between the contact surface 17 of the support element 13 and an inner side of the bracket leg 10.

[0034] In Fig. 2 and in Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a support body 3 of the bicycle rack system 1 according to the invention. A projection 18 extending parallel to the transverse axis 8 of the recess is arranged in the channel-shaped recess 5. When the bicycle is driven out into the bicycle rack system 1, the projection 18 must be displaced from the support body 3. Fig. 2 and in Fig. 3 The wheel 2 (not shown) can be driven over and overcome. This ensures the bicycle remains securely in place within the bicycle stand system 1. The several fixing sections 12, spaced apart from the recess 5, are designed as bores into which the [unclear text] Fig. 2 and in Fig. 3 The support device 9 (not shown) with the bracket pivot ends 11 can be inserted. The one in Fig. 2 The depicted standing body 3 differs from the one in Fig. 3 The depicted stand body 3 is shaped accordingly. Because the corners of the stand body 3 are recessed, a smaller footprint is required, while a similar width of the footprint is achieved along a transverse axis perpendicular to the stand body's longitudinal axis 7. This reduces the risk of the bicycle stand system 1 tipping over around the stand body's longitudinal axis 7. Furthermore, the stand body 3 is lighter, thus simplifying its handling.

[0035] In the depictions of the Figuren 1 bis 3 Only individual elements of several similar types are marked with a reference symbol as examples.

Claims

1. Bicycle stand system (1) for receiving a bicycle in a parked position, wherein the bicycle stand system (1) has a stand body (3), which, when used as intended, stands up with a stand surface on a base, wherein the stand body (3) has an annular recess (5) on a stand body (3) upper face (4) facing opposite the stand surface, the longitudinal axis (6) of which recess is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis (7) of the stand body (3), wherein the recess (5) has a recess width along a recess transverse axis (8), such that a bicycle wheel (2) that is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis can be at least partly received in the recess (5), wherein the bicycle stand system (1) has a bracket-shaped support device (9) with two bracket limbs (10), wherein the support device (9) is secured to the stand body (3) by means of the bracket limb ends (11) of the bracket limbs (10), wherein in a parked position of the bicycle, the wheel (2) can be supported by at least one bracket limb (10) such that the bicycle can be placed within the bicycle stand system (1) in a substantially upright placement position, characterised in that the stand body (3) has a plurality of securing sections (12) that are arranged at a distance from the longitudinal axis (6) of the recess and opposite one another at the same distance from the longitudinal axis (6) of the recess, wherein the plurality of securing sections (12) are mutually spaced in the longitudinal direction of the stand body (3), wherein the bracket-shaped support device (9) can be releasably secured to the bracket limb ends (11) and is thus movably secured to two respective opposing securing sections such that bicycle wheels with different wheel diameters can be placed within the bicycle stand system (1).

2. Bicycle stand system (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the securing sections (12) are configured as holes.

3. Bicycle stand system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the stand body (2) is configured as a solid body.

4. Bicycle stand system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the stand body (3) has at least one fastening means for anchoring the stand body (3) to the base.

5. Bicycle stand system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the stand surface is formed by a plurality of stand elements arranged between the base and an underside of the stand body (3) facing the base.

6. Bicycle stand system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the recess (5) completely passes through the stand body (3) in the longitudinal direction.

7. Bicycle stand system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the recess width preferably has a width in the range from 54 mm to 65 mm.

8. Bicycle stand system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a clear width produced by the bracket limbs (10) preferably has a width in the range from 65 mm to 100 mm and a clear height preferably in the range from 650 mm to 700 mm.

9. Bicycle stand system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bicycle stand system (1) has a support element (13) that can be detachably arranged on the support device (9), wherein the support element (13) has a support section (16), which, when mounted as intended, can be brought into contact with the wheel (2) so that a clamping force can be exerted by the support element (13) on the wheel (2).

10. Bicycle stand system (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that the support element (13) can be mounted along a bracket limb axis (14) of the bracket limb (10).

11. Bicycle stand system (1) according to claim 9 or 10, a according to the section (16) is formed by an abutment surface (17) of the support element, wherein the contact surface (17), when the support element is mounted on the support device (9) as intended, is parallel to the longitudinal axis (6) of the recess and inclined by an angle of incidence enclosed by the longitudinal axis (14) of the bracket limb and the contact surface (17), wherein the support surface (17) points towards the top (4) of the stand body (3) so that bicycles with different wheel widths and wheel diameters can be positioned within the bicycle stand system (1).

12. Bicycle stand system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bicycle stand system (1) has a support body, which, when used as intended, can be set up with a base on a surface and can be brought into engagement with an impeller (2).