Bicycle storage device

Abstract

To provide a storage device for a bicycle having a rear-view mirror for enhancing safety, while always providing rain gear in the bicycle.SOLUTION: Solution to Problem A storage device according to an aspect of the present invention is a storage device provided on a side of a front basket of a bicycle, the storage device including: a storage portion capable of storing luggage; an inclined surface provided on an upper portion of the storage portion and formed obliquely with respect to a vertical direction; and a rearview mirror provided on the inclined surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] One aspect of the present invention relates to a storage device attached to a bicycle. [Background technology]

[0002] Weather is a perennial challenge for bicycle users, with survey results showing that "rain or snow" is ranked by the majority of respondents as a problem when commuting by bicycle. However, rain gear such as rainwear and ponchos are bulky, making them inconvenient to carry in a bag or similar, and not many users carry them with them at all times. In particular, in recent years, sudden weather changes, such as the increase in torrential rains due to global warming, have become more frequent, creating a need for bicycles to carry rain gear at all times. To address this issue, some bicycles are equipped with baskets for storing rain gear. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a bicycle front basket with a rain gear compartment. The basket is located next to the front basket and can hold raincoats and folding umbrellas, and the rain gear compartment has a locking lid that matches the bicycle's keyhole.

[0003] On the other hand, some bicycles are equipped with rearview mirrors that allow riders to check behind them to enhance safety. While many such rearview mirrors are available on the market, they are not widely used. Many of these mirrors have the same design as motorcycles and mopeds, with the mirror attached to the end of an arm extending from the handlebars. However, their poor design is also a factor hindering their widespread use. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a bicycle luggage storage box that can be folded up when not in use. This luggage storage box has a rearview mirror located near the center of the side facing the rider. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-244001 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-182342 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, as mentioned above, there has not been a practical product that combines a storage function that allows rain gear and other items to be kept on a bicycle with a rearview mirror function for safety. The bicycle front basket with rain gear compartment in Patent Document 1 does not have a rearview mirror, so safety is not taken into consideration. The bicycle luggage storage box in Patent Document 2 is equipped with a rearview mirror, but its placement is inappropriate, leaving room for improvement in terms of safety. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a storage device provided on the side of a front basket of a bicycle, A storage area where luggage can be stored, an inclined surface formed obliquely with respect to the vertical direction and provided on an upper portion of the storage section; a rearview mirror provided on the inclined surface, A bicycle storage device.

[0007] The bicycle storage device configured as described above allows the rider to carry rain gear such as rainwear or a poncho, a towel, and other items on the bicycle at all times, and enhances safety by enabling rearward visibility with the rearview mirror mounted on the upper sloping surface on the side of the front basket. The rearview mirror is located on the upper sloping surface of the storage device, making it easy for the rider to see what is happening behind the bicycle. The storage device also has a separate storage compartment from the front basket, allowing the rider to carry rain gear, a towel, and other items at all times while maintaining the front basket's storage capacity, compared to carrying them in the front basket at all times, offering greater convenience. Furthermore, compared to conventional designs in which the mirror is mounted on an arm extending from the handlebars, the rearview mirror is positioned closer to the rider's line of sight, allowing the rider to check the rearward view with a small eye movement. Furthermore, the rearview mirror's minimal design provides a more stylish look.

[0008] In the storage device, preferably, Further, the storage unit includes an openable and closable lid portion provided on the top of the storage unit, The inclined surface is formed on the upper surface of the lid portion.

[0009] According to the storage device having the above configuration, rain gear and the like stored in the storage device can be protected from wind, rain, sunlight, and dust. Also, a rearview mirror can be installed without reducing the capacity of the storage section.

[0010] In the storage device, preferably, The rearview mirror further includes a cover portion formed to cover the periphery of the rearview mirror.

[0011] According to the storage device having the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the rearview mirror from getting wet in the rain, and to prevent light such as sunlight from reflecting off the rearview mirror, which would impair visibility.

[0012] In the storage device, preferably, The cover has a locking mechanism that can lock the cover in a closed state.

[0013] The storage device configured as described above can prevent theft of stored rain gear, etc., so that the user can leave the rain gear, etc. stored in the storage device even when they leave the bicycle.

[0014] In the storage device, preferably, It is connected to the front basket.

[0015] According to the storage device having the above configuration, the storage device can be retrofitted to various bicycles, thereby widening the range of options available to users.

[0016] In the storage device, preferably, The storage unit further includes a reflector provided on at least one of a side surface and a front surface of the storage unit.

[0017] Since the storage device having the above configuration is provided on the side of the front basket, the reflector can be attached at a high position, which increases visibility from automobiles and the like, thereby improving safety. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the storage device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a side view of the storage device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view of the storage device of the embodiment with the cover portion open. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of a bicycle to which the storage device of the embodiment is attached. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front view of a bicycle equipped with a storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view of a bicycle to which two storage devices of the embodiment are attached. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a storage device provided integrally on the side of the front basket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] One aspect of the present invention is a bicycle storage device that is mounted to the side of a bicycle's front basket and has a storage compartment for storing rain gear and the like, as well as a rearview mirror. In this specification, the bicycle storage device may be simply referred to as the "storage device."

[0020] A storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment and modifications described below are merely examples of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the technical scope of the present invention. In each drawing, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0021] For the sake of convenience, the direction in which the bicycle travels is referred to as the front, and the opposite side as the rear. Furthermore, directions perpendicular to the direction in which the bicycle travels, facing the right and left when viewing the bicycle and vehicle from the front, are referred to as the right and left directions, respectively, and are collectively referred to as the left-right direction, width direction, or side direction. The vertical direction when the storage device is attached to the bicycle is sometimes simply referred to as the "vertical direction."

[0022] 1 to 4 are diagrams showing the storage device 1 of this embodiment, with Figs. 1 and 2 being perspective views, Fig. 3 being a side view with the lid 3 closed, and Fig. 4 being a side view with the lid 3 open. Figs. 5 to 7 are diagrams showing a bicycle with the storage device 1 attached to it, with Fig. 5 being a view from the side, Fig. 6 being a view from the front, and Fig. 7 being a view of the bicycle from the front with two storage devices 1 attached.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, storage device 1 includes a storage section 2, a lid section 3, a rearview mirror 4, a locking mechanism 5, side reflectors 61, and a front reflector 62. As shown in Figure 5, storage device 1 is provided on the side of a front basket 131 of a bicycle 100. The storage device 1 of this embodiment is attached by a user to an existing bicycle 100 that has a front basket 131, but may also be sold with the device attached as part of the bicycle 100. Storage device 1 is formed from resin or the like, but is not limited to this.

[0024] [Storage section 2] The storage section 2 is a basket-like member capable of storing luggage, and has a bottom surface 21, a rear surface 22, a front surface 23, and side surfaces 24. Each of the bottom surface 21, rear surface 22, front surface 23, and side surfaces 24 that form the storage section 2 is formed from a plate-like member. The storage section 2 has an open shape with a rectangular opening 26 on the upper side, and the opening 26 can be opened and closed by a lid 3. The storage section 2 has a shape in which the cross-sectional area decreases toward the bottom. The storage section 2 has an outer surface that is slightly larger at the top than at the bottom, but this shape is not necessarily required.

[0025] The bottom surface 21, rear surface 22, and front surface 23 of the storage section 2 are each rectangular or approximately rectangular. The bottom surface 21 forms the bottom of the storage section 2 and is inclined so that the front side is higher than the rear side. The rear surface 22 and front surface 23 are located at the rear and front, respectively, and are both inclined so that the upper side is more outward than the lower side. The side surfaces 24 are two trapezoidal plate-like portions formed to connect the bottom surface 21, rear surface 22, and front surface 23. The two opposing side surfaces 24 are symmetrical in shape. The bottom surface 21 and upper edge 25 of the storage section 2 are parallel, and the lower and upper sides of the side surfaces 24 are parallel to each other.

[0026] [Lid part 3] The lid 3 is provided on top of the storage section 2, and can open and close the storage section 2 by changing between a closed state in which it covers the opening 26 of the storage section 2 and an open state in which it opens it. The lid 3 is connected to the storage section 2 by a connecting mechanism 37, and can rotate in the front-to-rear direction around a rotation axis included in the connecting mechanism 37. The connecting mechanism 37 is composed of a hinge or the like.

[0027] The lid 3 includes an inclined surface 31, a rear upper surface 32, a front upper surface 33, a rear surface 34, a front surface 35, and a side surface 36. The inclined surface 31, the rear upper surface 32, the front upper surface 33, the rear surface 34, the front surface 35, and the side surface 36 are each formed of a plate-like member. The inclined surface 31, the rear upper surface 32, and the front upper surface 33 form the top surface of the lid 3. The rear surface 34 and the front surface 35 are arranged to form surfaces that are continuous with the rear surface 22 and the front surface 23 of the storage section 2, respectively, when the lid 3 is closed. The side surface 36 is formed to connect the inclined surface 31, the rear upper surface 32, and the front upper surface 33, as well as the rear surface 34 and the front surface 35, which form the top surface. The side surface 36 forms a surface that is continuous with the side surface 24 of the storage section 2 when the lid 3 is closed. The two opposing side surfaces 36 have symmetrical shapes. The side surface 36 includes a part of a cover portion 38 that is provided to cover the periphery of the rearview mirror 4.

[0028] The rear upper surface 32 has a surface parallel to the bottom surface 21 and extends forward from the upper end of the rear surface 34. The front upper surface 33 extends rearward from the upper end of the front surface 35, intersects with the upper end of the inclined surface 31, and extends further rearward. That is, the rear end of the front upper surface 33 extends so as to cover the upper side of the inclined surface 31. The inclined surface 31 extends obliquely upward and forward from the front end of the rear upper surface 32 (see FIG. 3). The inclined surface 31 is formed obliquely with respect to the vertical direction and is also inclined with respect to the bottom surface 21. As shown in FIG. 3, the inclined surface 31 is formed as a recessed surface on the upper surface of the lid portion 3. As a result, the periphery of the rearview mirror 4 provided on the inclined surface 31 is covered by a cover portion 38 formed by a part of the side surface 36 and the rear end of the front upper surface 33.

[0029] [Rearview Mirror 4] The rearview mirror 4 is a mirror with a flat mirror surface attached to the inclined surface 31, and is used by the rider of the bicycle 100 to view what is behind. The rearview mirror 4 has an angle adjustment unit 41 that can adjust the orientation (angle) of the flat mirror surface. When the rider presses the mirror surface with their fingers or the like, the angle adjustment unit 41 moves, changing the orientation of the mirror surface. As described above, the periphery of the rearview mirror 4 is covered by a cover unit 38 formed by a part of the side surface 36 and the rear end of the front upper surface 33.

[0030] [Locking mechanism 5] The locking mechanism 5 can be locked when the lid 3 is closed, and by locking it, the storage section 2 and the lid 3 are connected, keeping the internal space of the storage section 2 isolated from the external space. The locking mechanism 5 is locked and unlocked using a predetermined key. Preferably, the key for the locking mechanism 5 is the same as the key for the bicycle 100. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the locking mechanism 5 includes a lower locking section 51 and an upper locking section 52. The locking mechanism 5 can be locked by the user using the key when the lower locking section 51 and the upper locking section 52 are connected.

[0031] [Side reflector 61] The side reflectors 61 are provided on the side 24 of the storage section 2 opposite the side on which the front basket 131 is arranged, i.e., on the outer surface. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the side reflectors 61 are provided to extend in a direction inclined relative to the bottom surface 21 with a constant width in the vertical direction and with the front side facing upward relative to the rear side. The structure, shape, dimensions, reflectivity, color, chromaticity, and appearance of the side reflectors 61 must satisfy appropriate predetermined standards and safety criteria.

[0032] [Front reflector 62] The front reflector 62 is disposed near the upper end of the front surface 23 of the storage section 2. As shown in Fig. 3, the front reflector 62 has a configuration in which a reflector is provided on a surface formed so as to protrude from the front surface 23 and extend in the vertical direction. Similar to the side reflectors 61, the structure, shape, dimensions, reflectivity, color, chromaticity, and appearance of the front reflector 62 shall satisfy appropriate predetermined standards and safety criteria.

[0033] [Bicycle 100] As shown in the figure, the bicycle 100 has a frame including a front fork 111, a head pipe 112, a down tube 113, a seat tube 114, seat stays 115, and a chain stay 116. The bicycle 100 also has a front wheel 117, a rear wheel 118, a front axle 119, a rear axle 120, a handlebar stem 121, handlebars 122, a seat post 123, a saddle 124, a crank axle (not shown), cranks (not shown), pedals 127, a front basket 131, and a light 132. In this specification, the front wheel 117 and the rear wheel 118 may be collectively referred to as wheels. The front wheel 117 is attached to the end of the front fork 111 via the front axle 119. The rear wheel 118 is rotatably attached to the rear axle 120 near the intersection of the seat stay 115 and the chain stay 116. The sprocket 130 is rotatably attached to the rear wheel axle 120 and connected to the rear wheel 118. A handlebar stem 121 is rotatably inserted into the head pipe 112. A handlebar 122 is attached to the upper end of the handlebar stem 121. A seat post 123 is connected to the seat tube 114. A saddle 124 is attached to the upper end of the seat post 123. A crankshaft is supported on one end of the chainstay 116, and a crank is attached to the crankshaft. Pedals 127 are rotatably attached to the tip of the crank. The crankshaft is connected to an annular chainwheel 128. A chain 129 is wound around the chainwheel 128. The chain 129 is provided between the chainwheel 128 and the sprocket 130 and transmits the rotation of the chainwheel 128 to the sprocket 130. A front basket 131 is disposed in front of the head pipe 112. A light 132 is disposed below the front basket 131. The bicycle 100 may be a so-called electric bicycle or an electric-assisted bicycle equipped with a motor.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 6 , a front basket 131 provided above the front wheel 117 of the bicycle 100 is provided with a mounting plate 7 for attaching the storage device 1. The mounting plate 7 is a metal plate-shaped member fixed to the underside of the front basket 131 with connectors such as screws, and extends so as to protrude to the side of the front basket 131. The storage device 1 is connected and fixed near the side edge of the mounting plate 7 with connectors such as screws or other connecting mechanisms. The storage device 1 also has an engaging portion (not shown) such as a hook near the upper end so as to be stably fixed to the front basket 131. The mounting plate 7 and engaging portion are one example of a connecting mechanism for stably fixing the storage device 1 to the front basket 131, but connecting mechanisms with other configurations may also be used.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 7, the storage devices 1 may be arranged on both sides of the front basket 131. In such an arrangement, the mounting plates 7 for mounting the storage devices 1 are preferably attached to the underside of the front basket 131 and extend so as to protrude laterally on both sides of the front basket 131. The two storage devices 1 are connected and fixed near the lateral ends of the mounting plates 7 by connectors such as screws or other connecting mechanisms. Note that a configuration may also be provided in which two mounting plates 7 extend so as to protrude laterally on one side and the other side, respectively. Furthermore, as described above, a configuration may also be provided in which a connecting mechanism of another configuration is provided for stably fixing the storage devices 1 to the front basket 131.

[0036] [Size of storage device 1] The size of the storage device 1 may be determined arbitrarily, but it is preferable to set it to the following size, for example. The width of the storage device 1 should be such that the width of the bicycle 100 is 600 mm or less even when attached to the front basket 131; specifically, the width of the storage device 1 should be between 60 mm and 120 mm, and is typically about 90 mm. The length of the storage device 1 in the front-to-rear direction and the length in the up-to-down direction should preferably be the same as the size of the front basket 131. By setting it to these sizes, it is possible to prevent the storage device 1 from being larger than the width of the bicycle and interfering with riding.

[0037] [Variations] The storage device 1 of the embodiment can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the storage device 1 may adopt the following modified examples.

[0038] In the embodiment, the shape and size of the storage device 1 have been specifically described, but these are merely examples and the storage device 1 may have any other shape. For example, the storage unit 2 may be a simple rectangular parallelepiped.

[0039] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the storage device 1 is configured to be connected and fixed to the side of the front basket 131, but it may also be configured to be connected and fixed to the bicycle 100 instead of the front basket 131. Even in this case, the storage device 1 is configured to be disposed to the side of the front basket 131.

[0040] Furthermore, while the storage device 1 is configured to be connected and fixed to the side of the front basket 131, it may be provided integrally with the side of the front basket 131 as shown in FIG. 8. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, a storage device 1a formed integrally with the front basket 131 is provided at each end of the front basket 131 in the width direction. The storage device 1a differs in part from the storage device 1 due to being provided integrally with the front basket 131. The storage device 1a has a rectangular parallelepiped storage section 2a instead of the storage section 2, and has side reflectors 61a extending in the front-to-rear direction parallel to the bottom surface 21 instead of the side reflectors 61. These side reflectors 61a are provided on two side surfaces 131a that also serve as the side surfaces of the front basket 131 and the storage sections 2a of the storage device 1. The front reflector 62 is provided on the front surface that also serves as the front surface of the front basket 131 and the front surface of the storage section 2a.

[0041] Furthermore, even if the storage device 1 is provided with only one of the side reflectors 61 and the front reflector 62, rather than both, a certain degree of effect can be achieved in terms of improving safety.

[0042] [Features of Storage Device 1] The storage device 1 of the above embodiment is provided on the side of the front basket 131 of the bicycle 100 and includes at least a storage section 2, an inclined surface 31, and a rearview mirror 4. The storage section 2 is capable of storing luggage. The inclined surface 31 is provided on the upper part of the storage section 2 and is formed at an angle relative to the vertical. The rearview mirror 4 is provided on the inclined surface 31. This storage device 1 allows the bicycle 100 to carry rain gear such as rainwear or a poncho, a towel, etc. at all times, and the rearview mirror 4 provided on the inclined surface 31 on the upper side of the front basket 131 allows rearward visibility, thereby improving safety. Furthermore, because the rearview mirror 4 is located on the inclined surface 31 at the top of the storage device 1, rain gear, a towel, etc. can be carried at all times while maintaining the storage capacity of the front basket 131, compared to when rain gear, a towel, etc. are always carried in the front basket 131, providing greater convenience. Furthermore, compared to a conventional configuration in which a mirror is mounted on an arm extending from the handlebar 122, the rearview mirror 4 is positioned closer to the rider's line of sight, allowing the rider to check behind with a small line of sight movement when viewing the rearview mirror. Furthermore, the rearview mirror 4 is designed to have a reduced presence, making it possible to provide a more stylish rearview mirror 4.

[0043] The storage device 1 described above further includes an openable lid 3 provided on top of the storage section 2, and an inclined surface 31 is formed on the upper surface of the lid 3. This configuration protects rain gear and the like stored in the storage device 1 from wind, rain, sunlight, and dust. In addition, a rearview mirror 4 can be installed without reducing the capacity of the storage section 2.

[0044] The storage device 1 further includes a cover 38 formed to cover the periphery of the rearview mirror 4. This configuration can prevent the rearview mirror 4 from getting wet in the rain, or prevent light such as sunlight from reflecting off the rearview mirror 4, which could impair visibility.

[0045] The storage device 1 has a locking mechanism 5 that can be locked with the lid 3 closed. This configuration prevents theft of stored rain gear, etc., so the user can leave the rain gear, etc. stored in the storage device 1 even when they leave the bicycle 100.

[0046] In the above, the storage device 1 is connected to the side of the front basket 131. With this configuration, the storage device 1 can be retrofitted to various bicycles 100, thereby widening the range of options available to users.

[0047] In the above, the storage device 1 is configured to have at least one of a side reflector 61 provided on the side of the storage section 2 and a front reflector 62 provided on the front. With this configuration, the storage device 1 of this embodiment is provided on the side of the front basket 131, so the reflector can be attached at a high position, which increases visibility from automobiles and the like, thereby improving safety. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1...Storage device 2. Storage area 21...Bottom 22…Back side 23…Front surface 24...Side 3…Lid part 31…Slope surface 32…Rear side upper surface 33…Front side upper surface 34...Back side 35…Front surface 36...Side 37...Connection mechanism 38...Cover part 4...Rearview mirror 41...Angle adjustment section 5...Locking mechanism 61...Side reflector 62...Front reflector 7...Placement plate 100...Bicycle 131...Front basket

Claims

1. A storage device provided on the side of a bicycle's front basket, A storage area where luggage can be stored, an inclined surface formed obliquely with respect to the vertical direction and provided on an upper portion of the storage section; a rearview mirror provided on the inclined surface, Bicycle storage device.

2. Further, the storage unit includes an openable and closable lid portion provided on the top of the storage unit, The inclined surface is formed on the upper surface of the lid portion.

2. The bicycle storage device according to claim 1.

3. Further, a cover portion is provided so as to cover the periphery of the rearview mirror.

2. The bicycle storage device according to claim 1.

4. A locking mechanism is provided that can lock the lid in a closed state.

3. The bicycle storage device according to claim 2.

5. Connected to the side of the front basket, 2. The bicycle storage device according to claim 1.

6. Further, a reflector is provided on at least one of the side surface and the front surface of the storage section.

2. The bicycle storage device according to claim 1.

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