Universal bicycle trailer hitch mounting system

Abstract

The invention relates to a trailer hitch system (100) on the left side of the frame of a bicycle-type vehicle, equipped with anchor points on the bicycle frame (10 and 20, and 31 to 33), to which the trailer hitch (60) is attached. These anchor points have several mounting increments for the trailer hitch, allowing adjustment of its angle of inclination, and thus ensuring that the trailer hitch is positioned parallel to the trailer's drawbar (80), which is inserted into the trailer hitch. The trailer hitch also has several mounting increments on these anchor points, allowing adjustment of its height, and thus ensuring that the towed trailer is positioned with its platform advantageously horizontal.The device according to the invention is particularly advantageous for adapting to a wide variety of bicycle frame geometries. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: [Fig 1].

Description

Title of the invention: Universal bicycle trailer hitch attachment system Technical field and prior art Technical field and prior art

[0001] The subject of the present invention relates to the field of trailers towed by a bicycle-type vehicle.

[0002] By "trailer" in the sense of the present invention, it is necessary to understand at least a rolling platform by means of at least two coaxial wheels, as well as a bar called "drawbar", which connects said rolling platform to the vehicle which tows it. At the end of this drawbar is provided a ball joint, to allow the articulation necessary for taking turns, as well as accompanying changes in the unevenness of the road. Whatever the vehicle used for towing, a trailer makes it possible to transport large volumes of loads for all useful purposes.

[0003] The object of the present invention relates to the design of a system for coupling such trailers to a bicycle-type vehicle.

[0004] Traditionally, existing towing systems on the market have disadvantages depending on the model.

[0005] Some of these hitch systems are attached to the seat post. In this case, the angular travel of the proposed ball joint system does not allow the bicycle to lie horizontally, inadvertently or not, without the ball joint becoming dislocated, or without the bicycle or the trailer drawbar becoming deformed or broken. In addition, this system has the disadvantage of offering less stability when moving than the systems which are attached to the left side of the bicycle frame, which are discussed below.

[0006] Among the hitch systems that are fixed on the left side of the bicycle frame, there are in particular those that are fixed on the axle of the rear wheel of said bicycle. It is therefore necessary to remove said axle to fix the hitch system, which can cause during tightening a misalignment of the wheel relative to the plane of symmetry of the bicycle if said axle is not tightened in exactly the same position as initially. This can then cause a malfunction of the bicycle braking system and / or the bicycle derailleur. In addition, if the tightening of said axle is not carried out with adequate torque / force, the inertial force exerted by the trailer on the bicycle during acceleration or deceleration phases can cause movement of said axle, and therefore a misalignment of the wheel while the cyclist is moving.

[0007] Among the hitch systems that attach to the left side of the bicycle frame, there are also those that attach to the bicycle frame. Such existing systems on the market present three disadvantages respectively, or even combine two of the three: a. Some are offered with a ball joint system that does not provide the necessary angular travel for the bicycle to lie horizontally, inadvertently or not, without the ball joint coming loose, or without the bicycle or the trailer drawbar becoming deformed or broken. b. Others are offered with metal-to-metal mounting systems on the bike frame, which can damage the paintwork on the bike frame, or even damage the bike frame itself. c. Finally, other such hitch systems are only suitable for a few bicycle frames, as the geometry of bicycle frames can vary from one model to another. In some cases, and on some bicycle models, there is no position for attaching the hitch system to the bicycle frame that allows the trailer to be in a horizontal position once installed on the hitch system. In other cases, it is simply not possible to attach the hitch system to the bicycle frame. Subject and summary of the present invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is to correct these defects.

[0009] The trailer hitch system is attached to the left side of the bicycle frame via three anchor points, forming a solid triangle.

[0010] Between these parts and the bicycle frame, elastomer parts (commonly called "rubbers") are advantageously installed, so as not to damage the bicycle frame or its paintwork.

[0011] Another part forming the trailer attachment is fixed to these anchor points. This said attachment system has several adjustments, which allow the height of the drawbar to be adjusted, so that the trailer is conveniently horizontal once installed.

[0012] The anchoring parts also have several adjustments, in order to ensure that the trailer hitch, and therefore the trailer drawbar, are horizontal once everything is installed.

[0013] You can take advantage of the anchoring parts to optionally install a kickstand attachment system. Some bikes only offer a kickstand attachment system at the bottom bracket. In this case, if the trailer is heavily loaded, this may not be enough to ensure the stability of the bike + trailer assembly when parked. Brief description of the figures

[0014] [Fig.l] shows in exploded view the different assembly steps of the hitch attachment system (100) in a single figure, comprising the anchoring points outside the bicycle frame (10 and 20), the anchoring points inside the bicycle frame (31 to 33), the trailer hitch (60), the trailer drawbar (80), and the pin (81) which secures said trailer hitch and said drawbar.

[0015] [Fig.2] shows the hitch attachment system (100) once assembled.

[0016] [Fig.3] shows the hitch attachment system (100) once assembled, in view overall with the bike and trailer.

[0017] [Fig.4] represents the first step in the assembly of the fixing system coupling (100), comprising the external (10 and 20) and internal (31 to 33) anchor points.

[0018] [Fig.5] shows, in sectional view, one of the frame tubes of the bicycle, with one any of the outer anchor points (10 or 20, here 10), and any of the inner anchor points (31 to 33, here 32), sandwiched around said bicycle frame tube, said anchor points being here connected to each other by screws (51 to 56, here 51 and 52) and nuts (511 to 516, here 511 and 512), via the rubbers (41 to 46, here 41 and 42).

[0019] [Fig.6] represents the possible adjustment of the anchor points (10 and 20, and 31 to 33) the along the tubes of the bicycle frame.

[0020] [Fig.7] represents the possible inversion of the external anchor points (10 and 20), with the trailer hitch attachment points (60) positioned above the bicycle frame tubes rather than below.

[0021] [Fig.8] represents the second stage of the assembly of the fixing system towbar (100), comprising the trailer hitch (60) which is fixed to the external anchor points (10 and 20), here via screws (71 and 72) and nuts (711 and 712).

[0022] [Fig.9] represents the trailer hitch (60) fixed to the external anchor points (10 and 20) in too low a position, which results in the trailer bed leaning forward.

[0023] [Fig. 10] shows the trailer hitch (60) fixed to the external anchor points (10 and 20) in too high a position, which results in the trailer bed leaning backwards.

[0024] [Fig. 11] shows the trailer hitch (60) fixed to the external anchor points (10 and 20) in the correct position, which results in the trailer bed being horizontal.

[0025] [Fig. 12] shows in exploded view the method of assembling the crutch support (90) on any one of the anchoring points (10 or 20, here 10), and the crutch (91) on said crutch support (90).

[0026] [Fig. 13] shows the crutch support (90) and the crutch (91) once assembled. Description of several examples of implementation

[0027] The trailer hitch system (100) is attached to the left side of the bicycle frame via three anchor points, forming a solid triangle. These three anchor points are provided as follows: one part that forms a single external anchor point (10), and one part that forms a double anchor point (20). These said anchor points are attached to separate tubes of the bicycle frame, to form the anchor triangle. In other words, the three anchor points must not be aligned, which on most bicycle frame geometries implies that these said anchor points must not be attached to the same tube. On conventional bicycle frame geometries, we speak of upper and lower seat stays. By "external" anchor point, we mean parts attached to the outside of the bicycle frame tubes.

[0028] Inside the tubes of the bicycle frame, in other words between the tubes of the bicycle frame and the rear wheel, so-called "inner" anchor points (31 to 33) are installed symmetrically to the outer anchor points (10 and 20). These so-called inner (31 to 33) and outer (10 and 20) anchor points are fixed together, by sandwiching the tubes of the bicycle frame, for example in the embodiment, via screws (51 to 56) and nuts (511 to 516).

[0029] Between these said anchor points (10 and 20, and 31 to 33), elastomer parts (41 to 46) (commonly called "rubbers") are advantageously installed, so as not to damage the frame of the bicycle or its paint. The sandwich is then composed, in order, from the outside of the bicycle towards the inside: a. External anchor point (10 or 20); b. Rubber (41 or ... or 46); c. Bicycle frame tube; d. Rubber (41 or ... or 46); e. Interior anchor point (31 or 32 or 33).

[0030] On these said external anchoring points (10 and 20), another part forming the trailer attachment (60) is fixed, for example with screws (71 and 72) and nuts (711 and 712) as well.

[0031] This said trailer attachment system (60) comprises several adjustments, for example several holes if screws are used, which allow the height of the drawbar (80) to be adjusted, with the aim that the trailer is advantageously horizontal once installed.

[0032] The external anchor points (10 and / or 20) also have several adjustments, for example holes if screws are used, in order to ensure that the trailer hitch, and therefore the trailer drawbar, are horizontal once everything is installed.

[0033] The set of screws (51 to 56, and 71 to 76) and nuts (511 to 516, and 711 to 716) can be replaced indifferently by another fixing system, for example clamps if these are sufficiently strong.

[0034] Once said anchor points (10 and 20, and 31 to 33) and the trailer hitch are installed, the drawbar (80) of the trailer can be installed. This drawbar (80) is in an appendage secured to the trailer hitch (60), parallel to the axis of the drawbar when the bicycle and the trailer are aligned. Said drawbar (80) is then held in the trailer hitch (60) using a lockable pin (81).

[0035] A possible variant consists of inserting the tow bar (60) into the drawbar (80) rather than the other way around.

[0036] The anchoring parts can be used to optionally install a kickstand attachment system. Some bicycles only offer a kickstand attachment system at the bottom bracket. In this case, if the trailer is heavily loaded, this may not be sufficient to ensure the stability of the bicycle + trailer assembly when parked. Therefore, a kickstand support (90) is proposed here which can be attached either to one of the external anchor points (10 or 20), or to the trailer hitch (60).

[0037] This trailer hitch (100) for bicycle comprises at least: a. Three internal anchor points in the bicycle frame (31 to 33), with possibly two of them grouped on a single part forming a double anchor point; b. Three internal anchor points in the bicycle frame (31 to 33), with possibly two of them grouped on a single part forming a double anchor point; c. A trailer hitch (60), which is fixed to said anchor points (10 and 20) into which the trailer drawbar (80) is inserted, or vice versa.

[0038] The external (10 and 20) and internal (31 to 33) anchoring points are fixed to the bicycle frame by means of rubbers (41 to 46) integral with each of said anchoring points, sandwiching the tubes of the bicycle frame, and the role of which is to avoid damaging said bicycle frame or its paintwork.

[0039] The anchoring points (10 and 20, and 31 to 33) have the possibility of being fixed in any position along the tubes of the bicycle frame, for example by means of screws (51 to 56) and nuts (511 to 516), thus making it possible to ensure that a position is found in which the elements of the bicycle, such as the brake cable, the brake caliper, or the rear kickstand support, do not hinder the correct tightening of said anchoring points.

[0040] The trailer hitch is fixed to the anchor points, for example by means of screws and nuts (10 and 20, and 31 to 33).

[0041] The fixing points of the trailer hitch (60) on the external anchoring points (10 and 20) are offset relative to the tubes of the bicycle frame, for example so as not to hinder the installation of the nuts (711 and 712), in the case of the use of screws (71 and 72) to connect said external anchoring points (10 and 20) to the trailer hitch (60).

[0042] At least one external anchoring point (10 and / or 20) comprises several points for fixing the trailer hitch (60), with the aim of advantageously ensuring that whatever the geometry of the bicycle frame, there is a possible position for fixing said trailer hitch (60) on said anchoring points (10 and 20) perpendicular to the ground, and thus avoiding unwanted deformation of the ball joint system of the drawbar (80) of the trailer when the cyclist is moving.

[0043] The trailer hitch (60) also comprises several fixing points on the external anchoring points (10 and 20), with the aim of advantageously ensuring that whatever the geometry of the bicycle frame, there is a possible position for fixing said trailer hitch (60) on the external anchoring points (10 and 20) which allows said trailer hitch (60) to be at the correct distance from the ground so that the floor of the trailer is horizontal once the trailer hitch (100) is installed on the bicycle.

[0044] The towbar (60) is fixed to at least one of the external anchoring points (10 and / or 20) via a fixing point without increment, for example via an oblong hole in said towbar (60) in the case of fixing using screws (71 and 72) and nuts (711 and 712), so as not to depend on the distance which separates said external anchoring points (10 and 20).

[0045] The external anchoring points (10 and 20) can be placed either above or below each other / each other respectively, or can be positioned with the anchoring points for the trailer hitch (60) offset either above or below the tubes of the bicycle frame, advantageously making it possible to adapt to a greater variety of bicycle frame geometries.

[0046] A fixing system (90) for a stand (91) can be installed on any of the external anchoring points (10 or 20) or on the trailer hitch (60), thus advantageously allowing the bicycle and trailer assembly to be stabilized when said assembly is parked.

Claims

Claims

1. Trailer hitch (100) for a bicycle comprising at least: • a) Three external anchoring points on the bicycle frame (10 and 20), with possibly two of them grouped on a single part forming a double anchoring point; • b) Three internal anchoring points in the bicycle frame (31 to 33), with possibly two of them grouped on a single part forming a double anchoring point; • c) A trailer hitch (60), which is fixed on said anchoring points (10 and 20) into which the drawbar of the trailer (80) is inserted, or vice versa.

2. Trailer hitch (100) according to claim 1, wherein the outer (10 and 20) and inner (31 to 33) anchoring points are fixed to the bicycle frame by means of rubbers (41 to 46) integral with each of said anchoring points, sandwiching the tubes of the bicycle frame, and the role of which is to avoid damaging said bicycle frame or its paintwork.

3. A trailer hitch (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the anchoring points (10 and 20, and 31 to 33) have the possibility of being fixed at any position along the tubes of the bicycle frame, for example by means of screws (51 to 56) and nuts (511 to 516), thus ensuring that a position is found in which the elements of the bicycle, such as the brake cable, the brake caliper, or the rear kickstand support, do not hinder the proper tightening of said anchoring points.

4. Trailer hitch (100) according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the trailer hitch is fixed to the anchor points, by means of screws and nuts (10 and 20, and 31 to 33).

5. Trailer hitch (100) according to claim 1, 3 or 4, wherein the fixing points of the trailer hitch (60) on the external anchoring points (10 and 20) are offset relative to the tubes of the bicycle frame, for example so as not to hinder the installation of the nuts (711 and 712), in the case of the use of screws (71 and 72) to connect said external anchoring points (10 and 20) to the trailer hitch (60).

6. Trailer hitch (100) according to claim 1, 3, 4 or 5, wherein at least one external anchor point (10 and / or 20) comprises several attachment points of the trailer hitch (60), with the aim of advantageously ensuring that whatever the geometry of the bicycle frame, there is a possible position for attaching said trailer hitch (60) to said anchoring points (10 and 20) perpendicular to the ground, and thus avoiding unwanted deformation of the ball joint system of the drawbar (80) of the trailer when the cyclist is moving.

7. Trailer hitch (100) according to claim 1, 3, 4 or 5, in which the trailer hitch (60) also comprises several fixing points on the external anchoring points (10 and 20), with the aim of advantageously ensuring that whatever the geometry of the bicycle frame, there is a possible position for fixing said trailer hitch (60) on the external anchoring points (10 and 20) which allows said trailer hitch (60) to be at the correct distance from the ground so that the floor of the trailer is horizontal once the trailer hitch (100) is installed on the bicycle.

8. A trailer hitch (100) according to claim 1, 3, 4, 5 or 7, wherein the trailer hitch (60) is fixed to at least one of the external anchoring points (10 and / or 20) via a fixing point without increment, for example via an oblong hole in said trailer hitch (60) in the case of fixing using screws (71 and 72) and nuts (711 and 712), so as not to depend on the distance separating said external anchoring points (10 and 20).

9. A trailer hitch (100) according to claim 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, wherein the outer anchor points (10 and 20) can be positioned either above or below each other / each other respectively, or can be positioned with the anchor points for the trailer hitch (60) offset either above or below the tubes of the bicycle frame, advantageously allowing adaptation to a greater variety of bicycle frame geometries.

10. Trailer hitch (100) according to claim 1 or 3, in which a fixing system (90) for a stand (91) can be installed on any of the external anchor points (10 or 20) or on the trailer hitch (60), thus advantageously making it possible to stabilize the bicycle and trailer assembly when said assembly is parked.

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