Retaining device for a cargo carrier

Abstract

A retaining device for a cargo carrier comprises a base plate 34 with hooks 40 and blocking elements 46 pivotable about an axis B. The base 34 may be secured to a cargo pack. The axis B is situated cl

Description

This invention relates to retaining device, particularly, although not exclusively, a retaining device for retaining a cargo carrier on a bicycle. In one embodiment, the retaining device is used for mounting a cargo carrier such as a luggage pack on a fork tube or other generally upright frame member of a bicycle. In this specification, the expressions “frame” and “frame member” are used in a broad sense to embrace not only the main “diamond” frame and its components, but also the front fork and other structural items such as the seatpost and the chain and seat stays. Bikepacking is a popular leisure pursuit which often involves multi-day touring on a bicycle, often an off-road bicycle such as a mountain bike. Everything needed for touring is carried on the bicycle or by the rider. Because bikepacking usually involves off-road cycling, anything carried by the bicycle must be securely attached to avoid movement relative to the bicycle frame, which can cause instability and can potentially bring the carried load into contact with the bicycle wheels, the pedal mechanism or the rider. Various devices are available for fitting to frame members of a bicycle to enable accessories to be carried, such as Velcro straps, jubilee clip devices and clamping mechanisms utilising split rings which are screwed together around the frame member. A problem with known devices is that, when fitted to an upright frame member such as a front fork tube, they tend to slip down the tube under the severe upwards and downwards forces they receive during off-road cycling. It is known for bicycle frame tubes to be provided with brazed-in tapped inserts and for a support to be secured to these inserts using screws, and then attaching the pack itself to the support. An example of such a system is disclosed in WO2021233489A and comprises an adapter part for mounting on, for example, a front fork member of a bicycle. The adapter part has upper and lower holding devices for engagement with respective receiving elements provided on the pack. The receiving elements include a pair of upper receiving elements in the form of grooves, and one of the grooves has a lock to block the respective holding device against movement out of the groove. The holding devices of the adapter part are provided at the ends of arms which project significantly beyond the fork member. The adapter part is unsightly if left on the bicycle after the pack has been removed, and also the arms may catch on nearby items. Furthermore, the lock serves a blocking function on only one of the grooves but does not secure the pack fully. The components may therefore move in use with an accompanying rattling noise, and on very rough terrain the pack may even be jolted completely off the adapter part. According to the present invention there is provided a retaining device for retaining an article on a structure comprising spaced apart mounting portions, the retaining device comprising a mount having a mounting face for contact with the article, the mount being provided with spaced apart hooks defining hook recesses for receiving the respective mounting portions, the hook recesses being aligned on a common hook axis, the retaining device further comprising blocking elements which are operable by a common operating element for pivoting movement into and out of a blocking relationship with the respective hook recesses about a block axis which is parallel to the hook axis and is disposed closer to the mounting face than is the hook axis. The blocking elements may be interconnected by a bar which extends parallel to the block axis. The bar may be engaged by an operating element to operate the blocking elements. The operating element may be a manually operable lever which is pivotably mounted on the mount. The operating lever may be pivotable about a lever axis which lies in a plane perpendicular to the hook axis. The lever axis may be situated between the hooks. The lever may be provided with a cam surface which engages the bar so that operation of the lever displaces the bar to move the blocking elements into and out of the blocking relationship with the respective hook recesses. The bar may be spaced from the block axis in the direction towards the mounting face. The hook recesses and / or the blocking elements may be provided with respective liners of a resilient material. Another aspect of the present invention provides a retaining arrangement comprising a retaining device as defined above and a mounting adapter provided with the spaced apart mounting portions. The mounting portions may be aligned with each other. The mounting adapter may comprise an elongate body, the mounting portions being situated adjacent one end of the elongate body and extending respectively to opposite sides of the elongate body. In an embodiment in which the blocking elements are operable by a pivotably mounted lever, a recess may be provided between the mounting portions for accommodating a fastener supporting the lever, and possibly also a part of the lever itself. The mounting portions may be cylindrical (for example circular cylindrical) and the recess may extend into the envelope defined by the mounting portions. In an embodiment in which the hook recesses and / or the blocking elements are provided with resilient liners, the mounting portions of the mounting adapter may be a close fit within the hook recesses when the blocking elements are out of blocking relationship with the hook recesses, and the liners may be compressible to permit pivoting of the mounting adapter with respect to the retaining device about an axis perpendicular to the hook axis. The retaining arrangement may further comprise an article to which the retaining device is secured. The article may be a cargo pack. In an embodiment in which the mounting adapter comprises an elongate body, the retaining arrangement may comprise a stabilising device secured to the article at a position spaced from the retaining device, the stabilising device being engageable with the elongate body to retain the article against pivotal movement relative to the mounting adapter about the hook axis. The stabilising device may comprise a lug which, when the article is fitted to the mounting adapter, engages the side of the body of the mounting adapter away from the article. A further aspect of the present invention provides a bicycle provided with a retaining arrangement as defined above, the mounting adapter being secured to a frame member of the bicycle. By way of example, the mounting adapter may be secured to a fork tube of the bicycle. For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a bicycle with a cargo pack mounted on a front fork member; Figure 2 is a close-up view of the front fork of the bicycle with attached mounting adapter; Figure 3 corresponds to Figure 2 but shows the other side of the bicycle, the bicycle being indicated in phantom outline; Figure 4 shows the mounting adapter; Figure 5 shows a retaining device in an open condition for engagement with the mounting adapter of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a side view of the retaining device of Figure 5; Figure 7 corresponds to Figure 5 but shows the retaining device in a closed condition; Figure 8 corresponds to Figure 6 but shows the retaining device in the closed condition; Figure 9 shows a cargo pack provided with the retaining device of Figures 7 and 8, engaged with the mounting adapter of Figure 4; Figure 10 shows the cargo pack of Figure 9 in a partial side view; Figure 11 corresponds to Figure 9, but shows the retaining device in the open condition and the cargo pack partially released from the mounting adapter; and Figure 12 shows the cargo pack of Figure 11 in a partial side view. Figure 1 shows a bicycle 2 having front fork tubes 4 supporting a front wheel 6. One of the fork tubes 4 is provided with a cargo pack 8 which is secured to the fork tube 4 as will be described below. As shown in Figure 2, a mounting adapter 10 is secured to the fork tube 4 by screws 12 which are screwed into tapped holes 14 provided on the fork tube 4. The tapped holes may be provided, as is conventional, in inserts which are brazed or otherwise secured into the front forks 4. As shown in Figure 3, pads 16 of rubber or another elastomeric or polymeric material may be provided between the mounting adapter 10 and the fork tube 4 in order to avoid damage to the fork tube 4. The mounting adapter is shown in Figure 4, and comprises an elongate body 18 provided with holes 20 along its length for receiving the screws 12. Towards one end of the body there are two oppositely directed mounting portions in the form of trunnions 22. The trunnions 22 are situated close to the body 18 and so project latterly for only a short distance. The trunnions 22 are cylindrical and have a circular cross-section, although other profiles are possible. The circular profile of the trunnions does not continue across the body 18, but instead there is a recess 24 between them. Towards the end of the body 18 away from the trunnions 22 there is a sleeve 26 of a resilient material, for example a polymer or elastomer such as rubber, which extends over the full transverse extent of the body 18 on the side away from that shown in Figure 4, as shown in Figures 9 to 12. The elastomeric pads 16 are fitted on, or moulded onto, bosses 28 which project from the body 18 on the side away from that shown in Figure 4. As is discussed below, this provides channels 30 between the mounting adapter 10 and the fork tube 4. Figures 5 and 6 show a retaining device 32 which is engageable with the trunnions 22 of the mounting adapter 10. The retaining device 32 comprises a mount in the form of a base plate 34 provided with lateral flanges 36 which have holes 38 for receiving screws for attaching the retaining device 32 to the cargo pack 8. Two hooks 40 project from the base plate 34 and define hook recesses 42 having a part-circular profile provided with a resilient liner 44 of a polymeric or elastomeric material such as rubber. The hook recesses are aligned with each other on a common axis A. Each hook 40 is provided with a blocking element 46 which is pivotable about an axis B into and out of a blocking position, as shown in Figure 7, in which the blocking elements 46 close the respective openings of the hook recesses 42. Thus, as shown in the open condition of the retaining device 32 as illustrated in Figure 6, each blocking element 46 is positioned to allow a respective one of the trunnions 12 to pass into and out of recess 42. It will be appreciated from Figure 6 that the liner 44 extends over slightly more than 180° about the hook axis A. The trunnions 22 are a close fit in the hook recesses 42 and must be pushed past the ends of the liners 44 to reach the interiors of the hook recesses 42. The liners 44 are compressed during this action, so that the trunnions 22 are positively retained within the hook recesses 42. Nevertheless, as will be described below, the resilience of the liners 44 permits a small degree of pivoting movement of the retaining device 32 in the hook recesses 42 about an axis which is perpendicular to the axis A. In the blocking condition of the blocking elements 46, as shown in Figure 8, the opening of each hook recess 42 is closed to such an extent that the trunnions 12 cannot pass into or out of the interior of the hook recesses 42. Like the hook recesses 42, the blocking elements 46 are provided with liners 45 of a resilient material. The blocking elements 46 are interconnected by an actuating bar 48, and the body comprising the actuating bar 48 and the blocking elements 46 is pivotably mounted on projections 50 which project from the base plate 34. An operating lever 52 is mounted pivotably on the base plate 34 by a fastener 56 which is fitted to the base plate 34. The operating lever 52 is pivotable about an axis C which is defined by the fastener 56 and which lies in a plane perpendicular to the axis A of the hook recess 42. It will be appreciated from Figure 6 that the axes A and B are parallel to each other, and parallel to a mounting face 54 of the base plate 34 of the retaining device 32. Thus, the axis C of the operating lever 52 is perpendicular to the mounting face 54. It will also be appreciated from Figures 6 and 8 that the axis B about which the blocking elements 46 can pivot is closer to the mounting face 54 than the axis A of the hook recesses 42. The effect of this is that the overall dimension of the retaining device along the axis C can be kept relatively small. Also, it will be noted that, seen from the side as shown in Figures 6 and 8, the fastener 56 and part of the lever 52 project into the envelope defined by the aligned hook recesses 42. When the retaining device 32 is fitted to the mounting adapter 10, the recess 24 of the mounting adapter 10 accommodates these projecting parts. The operating lever 52 engages the actuating bar 48 by means of a cam surface 58. The cam surface 58 increases in its radial distance from the axis C as the lever 52 is rotated from the open position shown in Figure 5 to the closed position shown in Figure 7. This action causes the actuating bar 48 to be pivoted about the axis Bina clockwise direction as shown in Figure 6, so causing the blocking elements 46 to be displaced from the open condition shown in Figure 6 to the closed position shown in Figure 8. The profile of the cam surface 58 provides an overcentre action so that, in the closed position when the trunnions 22 are within the hook recesses 2, the lever 52 is retained in the position shown in Figure 7 by the resilience of the liners 44 and 45. Referring to Figure 9, the retaining device 32 is shown attached to the pack 6 by screws 60 passing through the holes 38. The screw 60 pass through the outer material of the pack 6 into a rigid, or semi-rigid, stiffener situated within the pack 6. The retaining device 32 is thus secured substantially rigidly to the pack 6. The stiffener may, for example, we made from a metal, such as an aluminium alloy, or from a suitable rigid plastics material. In one embodiment, the stiffener is in the form of a flat plate or frame and ensures that the face of the pack 8 to which the retaining device 32 is secured is dimensionally stable. At a position spaced below the retaining device 32 (as viewed in Figure 9), the pack is additionally provided with a stabilising device 62 secured to the stiffener by screws 64 in a manner similar to that of the retaining device 32. The stabilising device 62 comprises a base plate 66 from which protrudes a stabilising lug 68 which is spaced away from the base plate 66. For illustrative purposes, the mounting adapter 10 is shown in Figures 9 to 12 separated from the fork tube 4. In Figures 9 and 10, the retaining device 32 is shown in the closed condition, with the trunnions 22 retained within the hook recesses 42 by the blocking elements 46. In this condition, trunnions 22 are held firmly, without play, in the hook recesses 42 by the blocking elements 46. The cam surface 58 provides an overcentre action and so resists pivoting of the lever 52 in the anti-clockwise direction as shown in Figure 7. The resilient liners 44 and 45 at the surfaces of the hook recesses 42 and the blocking elements 46 are compressed by the trunnions 22 and this action provides a pre-load on the trunnions 22 eliminating any clearance at the interfaces of the trunnions 22, the hook recesses 42 and the blocking elements 46. In the closed condition, the lug 68 of the stabilising device 62 lies between the body 18 of the mounting adapter 10 and the fork tube 4. The resilient sleeve 26 is a friction fit in the space between the base plate 66 and the lug 68. As a result of the resilient sleeve 26, any play between the lug 68 and the body 18 of the mounting adapter 10 is taken up, so that there is no play at this location. The trunnions 22 are engaged firmly within the hook recesses 44 so that the body 18 cannot pivot significantly relative to the retaining device 32, and so is retained firmly within the recess of the lug 68. For use, the mounting adapter 10 is secured to one of the fork tubes 4 of the bicycle by the screws 12. The pads 16 serve as load spreaders to support rocking loads applied from the pack 8 to the frame tube 4 when the bicycle is in motion. As shown in Figure 2, the mounting adapter 10 has a small profile, and, for the most part, extends little, if at all, from the fork tube 4 in the fore and aft direction of the bicycle. The only significant projections are the trunnions 22, and these extend only minimally in front of and behind the fork tube 4, and so create little interruption of the profile of the fork tube 4. Consequently, before the pack 8 is fitted to the mounting adapter 10, the mounting adapter 10 has little visual impact on the bicycle as a whole, and the trunnions 22 provide little possibility of catching on external objects. The retaining device 32 and the stabilising device 62 are secured to the pack 8 by means of screws 60 and 64 which pass into a stiffening element situated within the pack 8. The retaining device 32 and the stabilising device 62 are consequently fixed relatively rigidly to the pack 8 so that, in particular, the two devices 32 and 62 are fixed in position relatively to each other. To install the pack 8 on the mounting adapter 10, the lever 52 is positioned in the open position as shown in Figures 5 and 6. In this position, the cam surface 58 contacting the actuating bar 48 is a relatively large distance from the axis B, and this allows the blocking elements 46 to be displaced downwardly (with reference to Figures 5 and 6), so that they clear the entrance to the hook recesses 42. In this condition, the hooks 40 can be hooked over the trunnions 22 on the mounting adapter 10 so that the trunnions 22 pass into the interior of the hook recesses 44. The trunnions 22 are a close fit within the hook recesses 42, and so engagement of the trunnions within the hook recesses 42 may require some compression of the liners 44 and 45. Once installed in the hook recesses 42, the trunnions 22 are a snug fit within the liners 44. Nevertheless, the pack 8 can be tilted slightly about an axis perpendicular to the hook axis A and parallel to the axis C, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, in order to move the lug 68 past the body 18 of the mounting adapter 10. The pack 8 can then be manipulated to move the lug 68 inwardly of the fork tube 4 until it can reach the side of the body 18 away from the pack 8. In other words, the lug 68 is brought between the body 18 and the fork tube 4 by reverse tilting of the pack 8 to bring it into the condition shown in Figure 9. When the pack 8 is positioned as shown in Figure 9, the lever 52 is rotated clockwise as seen in Figure 5, so that the contact point between the cam surface 58 and the actuating bar 48 moves downwardly as seen in Figure 5, until the components reach the condition shown in Figures 7 and 8. The resulting downward displacement of the actuating bar 48 causes the blocking elements 46 to be displaced upwardly into the entrances of the hook recesses 42, pressing the trunnions 22 firmly into the hook recesses 42. This action also aligns the body 18 of the mounting adapter 10 with the pack 6 so as to engage the lug 68 securely with the body 18. Furthermore, in the position shown in Figure 9, the actuating bar 48 is flexed under the action of the cam surface 58, applying additional resilient force on the trunnions 22 to maintain a snug fit of the trunnions 22 in the hook recesses 42. In the position shown in Figure 7, the contact point between the cam surface 58 and the actuating bar 48 has moved beyond the largest radius point of the cam surface 58, so that the lever 52 is retained by an overcentre action in the locked position shown in Figure 7. In this condition, the liners 44 and 45 are compressed, so that a preload is applied to the trunnions 22, preventing them from moving within the hook recesses 42. Consequently, any looseness or rattling noise is avoided. Also, because the stabilising device 62 is securely retained by the sleeve 22 on the body 18, the lower part of the pack 8 is prevented from swinging outwardly from the fork tube 4 about the axis A. The lug 68 is sufficiently stiff to hold the pack 8 in position against the mounting adapter 10 during normal use of the bicycle, even over very rough surfaces. However, the lug 68 may be sufficiently flexible to allow the pack 8 to be pulled outwardly away from the mounting adapter 10 under severe loads, for example in the event of the bicycle suffering a crash. This can avoid severe damage to the pack 8 or its contents. The resilience of the liners 44 and 45, and of the sleeve 22, provide preload at all of the interfaces between the securing device 32, the stabilising device 62 and the mounting adapter 10. Also, there is a degree of flexing in the material of the actuating bar 48 and the blocking elements 46 which also contributes to the preload applied between the components. There are consequently no open clearances between these components and so the pack 8 is held securely on the fork tube 4 without any relative movement that can give rise to wear or rattling noises, or instability of the bicycle when in motion. It will be appreciated that the fitting of the pack 8 to the mounting adapter 10 is achieved easily, without needing to align multiple components at the same time. It is necessary only to fit the hooks 40 over the trunnions 22 and, once that is done, to tilt the pack as shown in Figure 11 in order to engage the lug 68 with the sleeve 22. Removal is an equally simple operation, requiring only the release of the lever 52 followed by detachment of the lug 68 from the body 18. The pack 8 can then be lifted easily from the trunnions 22. The design of the securing device 32 enables the pack 8, when mounted, to be situated very close to the fork tube 4, so minimising the moment arm about which loads carried in the pack 8 apply twist at the fork tube 4. This is achieved, as can be appreciated from Figures 6 and 8, by minimising the depth of the retaining device 32 in the direction of the axis C. To this end, the hook recesses 44 are situated as close as possible to the mounting face 54, which is made possible by providing the recess 24 between the trunnions 22 to accommodate the lever 52 and the fastener 56. Another feature of the structure is that the the bar 48 is mounted so that its pivot axis B is disposed very close to the contact surface 54, and thus to the pack 8. Another advantage of the design of the retaining device 32 is that the circular profile of the trunnions 22 are resistant to the ingress of mud or grit, and the liners 44 and 45 are tolerant of any such materials which could otherwise cause damage to the mating surfaces. 29 07 25

Claims

1. A retaining device for retaining an article on a structure fitted to a bicycle, the structure comprising spaced apart mounting portions, the retaining device comprising a mount having a mounting face for contact with the article, the mount being provided with spaced apart hooks defining hook recesses for receiving the respective mounting portions, the hook recesses being aligned on a common hook axis, the retaining device further comprising blocking elements supported on the mount for pivoting movement into and out of a blocking relationship with the respective hook recesses about a block axis which is parallel to the hook axis, the blocking elements being interconnected by a bar which extends parallel to the block axis and is engaged by an operating element for displacing the bar and the blocking elements about the block axis, the block axis being disposed closer to the mounting face than is the hook axis.

2. A retaining device as claimed in claim 1, in which the operating element is a manually operable lever which is pivotably mounted on the mount.

3. A retaining device as claimed in claim 2, in which the operating lever is pivotable about a lever axis which lies in a plane perpendicular to the hook axis.

4. A retaining device as claimed in claim 3, in which the lever axis is situated between the hooks.

5. A retaining device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, in which the lever is provided with a cam surface which engages the bar.

6. A retaining device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the bar is spaced from the block axis in the direction towards the mounting face.29 07 257. A retaining device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the hook recesses are provided with respective liners of a resilient material.

8. A retaining device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the blocking elements are provided with respective liners of a resilient material.

9. A retaining arrangement comprising a retaining device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims and a mounting adapter provided with the spaced apart mounting portions.

10. A retaining arrangement as claimed in claim 9, in which the mounting adapter comprises an elongate body, the mounting portions being situated adjacent one end of the elongate body and extending respectively to opposite sides of the elongate body.

11. A retaining arrangement as claimed in claim 9 or 10 when appendant to claim 4, in which a recess is provided between the mounting portions for accommodating a fastener supporting the lever.

12. A retaining arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11 when appendant to claim 8, in which the mounting portions of the mounting adapter are a close fit within the hook recesses when the blocking elements are out of blocking relationship with the hook recesses, the liners being compressible to permit pivoting of the mounting adapter with respect to the retaining device about an axis perpendicular to the hook axis.

13. A retaining arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12, further comprising an article to which the retaining device is secured.29 07 2514. A retaining arrangement as claimed in claim 13, in which the article is a cargo pack.

15. A retaining arrangement as claimed in claim 13 or 14 when appendant to claim 10,further comprising a stabilising device secured to the article at a position spaced from the retaining device, the stabilising device being engageable with the elongate body to retain the article against pivotal movement relative to the mounting adapter about the hook axis.

16. A retaining arrangement as claimed in claim 15, in which the stabilising device comprises a lug which, when the article is fitted to the mounting adapter, engages the side of the body of the mounting adapter away from the article.

17. A bicycle provided with a retaining arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 16, the mounting adapter being secured to a frame member of the bicycle.

18. A bicycle as claimed in claim 17, in which the mounting adapter is secured to a fork tube of the bicycle.

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