Training wheels and bicycles equipped with them

Abstract

This product provides training wheels that can be easily attached to and removed from a bicycle. [Solution] An auxiliary wheel Y to be attached to a bicycle, comprising an auxiliary wheel stay 1 and a bracket 2 that supports the auxiliary wheel stay 1, wherein the auxiliary wheel stay 1 has an auxiliary wheel stay body 11 and an auxiliary wheel V, the auxiliary wheel stay body 11 is provided with a stay insertion portion 111 at its tip, the auxiliary wheel V is rotatably attached to the auxiliary wheel stay body 11, the stay insertion portion 111 includes a groove A, the groove A is provided with a slide groove A2 that opens on the tip side of the stay insertion portion 111 and a locking hole A3 that communicates with the slide groove A2 The bracket 2 comprises a bracket body 21 and a detachable part 22 for detachably attaching the auxiliary wheel stay 1. The detachable part 22 includes a protruding part 221 extending from the bracket body 21 and a detachable part body U for fixing the auxiliary wheel stay 1. The protruding part 22 is provided with an insertion hole O through which the stay insertion part 111 is inserted. The detachable part body U is provided with a locking part U1 that locks the stay insertion part 111 to the edge of the locking hole when it is inserted into the insertion hole O, and an operating part U2 that moves the locking part U1 by external operation.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to an auxiliary wheel attached to a bicycle and a bicycle equipped with the same.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, beginners who have not acquired the technique of riding a bicycle cannot maintain balance during riding and easily fall. To solve this problem, for example, an auxiliary wheel has been used as a device to prevent the bicycle from falling.

[0003] After that, when they acquire the technique of riding a bicycle and can maintain sufficient balance even without an auxiliary wheel, they start riding a bicycle without an auxiliary wheel. Therefore, even though the bicycle with the auxiliary wheel attached is in a usable state, it has not been used.

[0004] Therefore, various auxiliary wheels that can easily be selected to be used or not used have been proposed.

[0005] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a single-leg stand-type auxiliary wheel unit that can be flipped up.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, when storing a bicycle equipped with the auxiliary wheel described in Patent Document 1, a larger storage space is required compared to a bicycle of the same type without an auxiliary wheel. In addition, since the auxiliary wheel protrudes outward, there is a risk that a pedestrian's foot may get caught on the auxiliary wheel.

[0008] This invention was made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide auxiliary wheels that can be easily attached to and removed from a bicycle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve the above problems, this invention provides: Training wheels that are attached to bicycles, It comprises an auxiliary wheel stay and a bracket that supports the auxiliary wheel stay, The aforementioned auxiliary wheel stay comprises an auxiliary wheel stay body and an auxiliary wheel. The auxiliary wheel stay body is provided with a stay insertion portion at its tip, The auxiliary wheel is rotatably attached to the auxiliary wheel stay body. The aforementioned stay insertion portion includes a groove, The groove portion is provided with a slide groove that opens towards the tip of the stay insertion portion and a locking hole that communicates with the slide groove. The bracket comprises a bracket body and a detachable part for detachably attaching the auxiliary wheel stay. The detachable part includes a protruding portion extending from the bracket body and a detachable part body that secures the auxiliary wheel stay. The protruding portion is provided with an insertion hole through which the stay insertion portion is inserted. The detachable body is an auxiliary wheel, provided with a locking part that engages with the edge of the locking hole and an operating part that moves the locking part by external operation.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the attachment / detachment body is provided with a biasing means for biasing the locking portion toward the interior of the insertion hole, and the protruding portion is provided with a housing portion in which the biasing means is housed, and a communication hole connecting the interior of the housing portion and the insertion hole. The locking portion is formed in a cylindrical shape and slides within the communication hole.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the edge of the opening of the locking portion is provided with a projection that engages with the edge of the communication hole.

[0012] In a preferred form of the present invention, the operation part includes an operation part main body and a pin part slidable in the groove part. The diameter of the operation part main body is formed to be larger than the diameter of the pin part in a front view.

[0013] In a preferred form of the present invention, the insertion hole is formed in a concave shape when viewed from the insertion direction. The stay insertion part is formed in a channel shape corresponding to the concave shape.

[0014] In a preferred form of the present invention, the bracket main body is provided with mounting holes. The groove part includes a curved groove continuously provided with the slide groove. The curved groove opens the mounting hole in a state where the auxiliary wheel stay is attached to the bracket.

[0015] In a preferred form of the present invention, it further includes a stand stay having a stand. The stand stay is detachably attached to the bracket.

[0016] Another aspect of the present invention is a bicycle provided with an auxiliary wheel as described above.

Effects of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an auxiliary wheel that can be easily attached to and removed from a bicycle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] <{ [Figure 1] It is a front view of a bicycle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of an auxiliary wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a front view of an auxiliary wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is an exploded view of an auxiliary wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention, and it is a perspective view of an auxiliary wheel stay. [Figure 5] This is an exploded view of an auxiliary wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view of the auxiliary wheel stay from another angle. [Figure 6] This is an exploded view of an auxiliary wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of the bracket. [Figure 7] This is an exploded view of an auxiliary wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view of the stand stay. [Figure 8] This is a diagram illustrating the method of using the auxiliary wheels according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a diagram illustrating the method of using the auxiliary wheels according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] The auxiliary wheels Y and bicycle X according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 9. The embodiments shown below are merely examples of the present invention and are not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the components of the auxiliary wheel Y, as well as the materials, shapes, dimensions, number, and arrangement of these components, can be modified within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0020] Furthermore, the x, y, and z axes shown in Figure 2 are perpendicular to each other, the x axis is in the left-right direction, the y axis is in the front-back direction, and the z axis is in the up-down direction. Furthermore, Figure 3 is a view of the auxiliary wheel Y from the negative direction of the y-axis shown in Figure 2 (i.e., a front view).

[0021] In this specification, the term "abbreviated" refers to a shape that has been chamfered or rounded, or a shape whose constituent elements have been modified or altered in length to the extent that it does not impede the purpose of the shape.

[0022] <Structure> As shown in Figure 1, the bicycle X is equipped with auxiliary wheels Y and a crank Z. Bicycle X is a well-known bicycle in terms of its components other than the training wheels Y (including the crank Z), and therefore, a detailed description of its components is omitted in this specification.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the auxiliary wheel Y comprises an auxiliary wheel stay 1 having an auxiliary wheel, a bracket 2 for attaching the auxiliary wheel stay 1 to a bicycle (not shown), and a stand stay 3 (see Figure 7) having a stand 32 (see Figure 7).

[0024] <<Support wheel stays>> As shown in Figure 2 or Figure 4, the auxiliary wheel stay 1 comprises an auxiliary wheel stay body 11 and an auxiliary wheel V. While stainless steel is preferably used as the material for the auxiliary wheel stay body 11, it is not particularly limited as long as it has rigidity.

[0025] The auxiliary wheel stay body 11 is formed in a channel shape with a U-shaped cross-section when viewed in plan (i.e., from the negative direction of the z-axis). In particular, the auxiliary wheel stay body 11 is crank-bent along its length to form the channel shape.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4 or Figure 5, a stay insertion portion 111 is provided at one end of the auxiliary wheel stay body 11, and a wheel mounting portion 112 is provided at the other end.

[0027] The stay insertion portion 111 is formed in a channel shape with a U-shape when viewed from above (i.e., from the negative direction of the z-axis). Furthermore, the stay insertion portion 111 includes groove portion A. Groove A includes a curved groove A1 provided on the tip side of the auxiliary wheel stay body 11, a sliding groove A2 opening on the tip side of the auxiliary wheel stay body 11, and a locking hole A3 communicating with the sliding groove A2.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the curved groove A1 is formed in a substantially semicircular shape when viewed from the front (i.e., from the negative direction in the y-axis direction). In particular, the diameter of the curved groove A1 is set to be larger than the diameter of the locking hole A3. As a result, with the support wheel stay 1 attached to the bracket 2, the center of gravity of the support wheel stay 1 is lowered, allowing the bicycle X to be ridden more stably.

[0029] Furthermore, the edge of the curved groove A1 is positioned close to the lower half of the mounting hole 211 (i.e., the side located in the negative direction of the z-axis) when the auxiliary wheel stay 1 is attached to the bracket 2. In particular, the diameter of the curved groove A1 is set to be larger than the diameter of the mounting hole 211. As a result, with the auxiliary wheel stay 1 attached to the bracket 2, the curved groove A1 opens up the mounting hole 211, which will be described later.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2 or Figure 4, the slide groove A2 is formed such that the length of its width in the width direction (i.e., the x-axis direction) is greater than the diameter of the pin portion U22 described later, and it connects the curved groove A1 and the locking hole A3. This allows the pin portion U22, described later, to slide relative to the locking hole A3 from the curved groove A1 of the auxiliary wheel stay 1.

[0031] The locking hole A3 is provided with a shape and size that corresponds to the shape of the outer edge of the locking portion U1, which will be described later, when viewed from the front. In this embodiment, the locking hole A3 is approximately circular in shape when viewed from the front, and its diameter is slightly longer than the diameter of the locking portion U1.

[0032] As shown in Figure 5, the wheel mounting section 112 is provided with a plurality of axle holes B1 into which the axles of the auxiliary wheels V are inserted, and fastening sections B2 for fastening the axles of the auxiliary wheels V to the wheel mounting section 112. Multiple shaft holes B1 are provided along the vertical direction. In particular, the multiple shaft holes B1 are in communication with each other. This makes it possible to adjust the vertical position (i.e., the z-axis direction) of the auxiliary wheel V.

[0033] In this embodiment, the fastening portion B2 is a nut, but it is not particularly limited as long as it is a member that can be attached to the auxiliary wheel V from the auxiliary wheel stay body 11 in a way that is detachable using or without tools.

[0034] The auxiliary wheel V comprises a tire V1, a wheel V2 to which the tire V1 is attached, and a drive shaft V3. The tire V1 is a known tire.

[0035] Wheel V2 is provided with a strip-shaped spoke section V21. The spoke section V21 is formed from a hollow material and is integrally mounted with the wheel V2. This allows for a reduction in the weight of the V2 wheel while also improving its rigidity.

[0036] The drive shaft V3 includes a drive shaft body (not shown) that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the wheel V2, a cylindrical portion inserted into the shaft hole B1 of the auxiliary wheel stay body 11, and a bearing (not shown) interposed between the drive shaft body and the cylindrical portion. In particular, the drive shaft body is inserted into the cylindrical portion via the bearing. Furthermore, the cylindrical portion is fixed to the auxiliary wheel stay body 11 by the fastening portion B2. This allows the wheel V2 to rotate even when the cylindrical part is fixed to the auxiliary wheel stay body 11.

[0037] <<bracket>> As shown in Figure 2 or Figure 6, the bracket 2 comprises a bracket body 21 and a detachable part 22 for detachably attaching the auxiliary wheel stay 1.

[0038] The bracket body 21 is provided with mounting holes 211. This makes it possible to fix the bracket body 21 to the bicycle (not shown) using screws, bolts (not shown), etc.

[0039] The mounting hole 211 is provided as an elongated hole that extends vertically (i.e., in the z-axis direction) when viewed from the front. This makes it possible to adjust the vertical position of the bracket body 21 when attaching the bracket 2 to the bicycle X.

[0040] The detachable part 22 includes a protruding part 221 through which the stay insertion part 111 (see Figure 4) is inserted, and a detachable part body U that secures the auxiliary wheel stay 1.

[0041] The protruding portion 221 is provided with a housing portion H that houses the biasing means U3, which will be described later, a communication hole C that connects the inside of the housing portion H to the insertion hole O, and a notch N. The storage compartment H is located on the rear side (i.e., the positive direction in the y-axis direction). This prevents the protruding portion 221 from protruding toward the front (i.e., toward the negative direction in the y-axis direction).

[0042] The insertion hole O is formed in a concave shape when viewed from the insertion direction. In particular, the insertion hole O is formed in a shape and size that corresponds to the channel shape of the auxiliary wheel stay body 11.

[0043] Furthermore, the insertion hole O is a through hole. This prevents dust and other debris from accumulating in the insertion hole O, and also makes it easier to clean the insertion hole O.

[0044] The detachable part body U is provided with a locking part U1 that locks onto the edge of the locking hole A3, an operating part U2 that moves the locking part U1 by external operation, and a biasing means U3 that biases the locking part U1 toward the inside of the insertion hole O. In this embodiment, the operating part U2 and the locking part U1 are formed as a single unit, but they may be separate components.

[0045] The locking portion U1 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and is inserted into the communication hole C. Furthermore, the locking portion U1 is provided with an opening, and the edge of the opening is provided with a projection U11 that locks into the edge of the communication hole C. The projection U11 is provided to form an annular shape along the edge of the opening of the locking portion U1.

[0046] The biasing means U3 is provided interposed between the housing H and the locking part U1. The biasing means U3 is preferably a compression spring, but it may also be a leaf spring or other type of spring, or any other configuration.

[0047] The operating section U2 extends from the locking section U1 and is inserted through the notch N. This allows the user to press the operating unit U2. Furthermore, the operating section U2 includes the operating section body U21 and a pin portion U22 that is slidable in the groove portion A.

[0048] The operating unit body U21 is formed in a disc shape, and the diameter of the operating unit body U21 in a plan view is set to be smaller than the diameter of the locking portion U1.

[0049] The pin portion U22 is provided as an extension of the locking portion U1. Furthermore, in a front view, the diameter of the pin portion U22 is formed to be smaller than the diameter of the operating unit body U21. In other words, when viewed from the front, the diameter of the operating section body U21 is formed to be larger than the diameter of the pin section U22.

[0050] As shown in Figure 7, the stand stay 3 comprises a stand stay body 31 and a retractable stand 32.

[0051] A stand stay insertion portion 311 is provided at one end of the stand stay body 31, and a stand 32 is provided at the other end. A groove A is provided in the stand stay insertion portion 311.

[0052] Furthermore, the groove A of the stand stay insertion portion 311, as well as the curved groove A1, slide groove A2, and locking hole A3 that constitute groove A, have the same configuration and function as the groove A of the auxiliary wheel stay 1, as well as the curved groove A1, slide groove A2, and locking hole A3 that constitute groove A; therefore, a detailed explanation thereof is omitted in this specification.

[0053] <How to use> The method of using the auxiliary wheel Y will be explained below with reference to Figures 8 and 9. Note that in Figures 8(A) and 9(A), the bracket 2 is shown with the upper edge of the notch N removed for improved visibility.

[0054] As shown in Figure 8, when removing the auxiliary wheel stay 1 attached to the bracket 2, the user first pushes in the operating part U2 with one of their hands (not shown), as shown in Figure 9. At this time, as shown in Figure 9(B), the biasing means U3 connected to the operating part U2 and the locking part U1 retracts, and as shown in Figure 9(A), the locking between the locking part U1 and the locking hole A3 is released.

[0055] At the same time, the user applies a downward force to the auxiliary wheel stay 1 with their other hand (not shown). At this time, since the widthwise lengths of the curved groove A1 and the slide groove A2 are formed to be greater than the diameter of the pin portion U22, the groove A moves relative to the pin portion U22.

[0056] In this way, the user can remove the auxiliary wheel stay 1 from the bracket 2 without using any tools. Furthermore, when attaching the auxiliary wheel stay 1 to the bracket 2, the procedure for removing the auxiliary wheel stay 1 from the bracket 2 is reversed as described above.

[0057] <Effects> According to this embodiment, the attachment / detachment body U is provided with a locking part U1 that locks onto the edge of the locking hole A3 when the stay insertion part 111 is inserted into the insertion hole O, and an operating part U2 that moves the locking part U1 by external operation, thereby making it possible to easily remove the auxiliary wheel Y from the bicycle. In addition, the user can attach the training wheel stay 1 to the bicycle when needed.

[0058] Furthermore, since the biasing means U3 is housed in the housing H and the locking part U1 is formed in a cylindrical shape and slides in the communication hole C, the biasing means U3 is less likely to be exposed to the outside, improving the durability of the attachment / detachment part body U. In addition, because the locking part U1 is cylindrical and inserted into the communication hole, the sliding of the locking part U1 is stable.

[0059] Furthermore, the edge of the opening of the locking portion U1 is provided with a projection U11 that engages with the edge of the communication hole C, thereby preventing the locking portion U1 from falling out of the communication hole C.

[0060] Furthermore, by shaping the operating unit body U21 so that its diameter is larger than the diameter of the pin portion U22 when viewed from the front, the operating unit U2 does not interfere with the stay insertion portion 111, thereby improving operability.

[0061] Furthermore, since the insertion hole O is formed in a concave shape when viewed from the insertion direction, and the stay insertion portion 111 is formed in a channel shape corresponding to the concave shape, the rotation of the auxiliary wheel stay 1 around its longitudinal axis when installed is restricted, preventing the auxiliary wheel stay 1 from changing direction in the bending direction while driving.

[0062] Furthermore, the curved groove A1 opens the mounting hole 211 when the auxiliary wheel stay 1 is attached to the bracket 2, making it possible to attach and detach the bracket 2 to the bicycle even when the auxiliary wheel stay 1 is attached to the bracket 2.

[0063] Furthermore, it is equipped with a stand stay 3 having a stand 32, The stand stay 3 is detachably attached to the bracket 2, making it easy to switch between the auxiliary wheel stay 1 and the stand stay 3, or vice versa, depending on the situation.

[0064] <Example of changes> The shapes and dimensions of the components shown in the above embodiment are merely examples and can be modified in various ways based on design requirements, etc.

[0065] For example, the auxiliary wheel stay 1, bracket 2, and stand stay 3 may be made from aluminum alloy or titanium alloy material. This improves the rigidity of the auxiliary wheel Y, thereby increasing its durability. Furthermore, it becomes easier to carry the removed auxiliary wheel stay 1 and stand stay 3.

[0066] For example, the shape of the curved groove A1 in a front view is not limited to a roughly semicircular shape, but may also be arc-shaped, bent, or the like.

[0067] For example, the locking portion U1 and the locking hole A3 may be formed in the shape of a hollow polygonal cylinder or an ellipse.

[0068] For example, the biasing means U3 may be composed of an elastic material such as a leaf spring or rubber, or a combination thereof.

[0069] For example, the shape of the insertion hole O and the stay insertion portion 111 in plan view is not limited to a channel shape, but may also be a polygonal shape or the like.

[0070] Furthermore, the crank Z shown in Figure 1 may be configured to be detachable from the bicycle X. This allows the crank Z to be easily removed from the bicycle X, enabling even users unfamiliar with pedaling to practice riding stably with the training wheels Y.

[0071] Furthermore, the training wheel Y can be suitably used not only on bicycles but also as a training wheel for unicycles. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0072] X Bicycle Y training wheels 1. Training wheel stay 11. Support wheel stay body 111 Stay insertion part A Groove A1 Curved groove A2 Slide groove A3 locking hole 112 Wheel mounting section B1 shaft hole B2 Fastening section V Auxiliary wheel V1 Tires V2 Wheels V21 Spoke section V3 drive shaft 2 brackets 21 Bracket body 211 Mounting holes 22 Detachable part 221 Protruding section U Detachable part body U1 locking part U11 protrusion U2 control unit U21 Control Unit U22 Pin section U3 biasing means O Through hole C Communication hole H Accommodation Unit N notch 3 Stand Stay 31 Stand Stay Body 32 Stands 311 Stand stay insertion part

Claims

1. Training wheels that are attached to bicycles, It comprises an auxiliary wheel stay and a bracket that supports the auxiliary wheel stay, The aforementioned auxiliary wheel stay comprises an auxiliary wheel stay body and an auxiliary wheel. The auxiliary wheel stay body is provided with a stay insertion portion at its tip, The auxiliary wheel is rotatably attached to the auxiliary wheel stay body. The aforementioned stay insertion portion includes a groove, The groove portion is provided with a slide groove that opens at the tip end of the stay insertion portion and a locking hole that communicates with the slide groove. The bracket comprises a bracket body and a detachable part for detachably attaching the auxiliary wheel stay. The detachable part includes a protruding portion extending from the bracket body and a detachable part body that secures the auxiliary wheel stay. The protruding portion is provided with an insertion hole through which the stay insertion portion is inserted. The detachable part body is provided with a locking part that engages with the edge of the locking hole when the stay insertion part is inserted into the insertion hole, and an operating part that moves the locking part by external operation, wherein the auxiliary wheel is provided.

2. The attachment / detachment body is provided with a biasing means that biases the locking portion toward the inside of the insertion hole. The protruding portion is provided with a housing portion in which the biasing means is housed, and a communication hole that connects the inside of the housing portion to the insertion hole. The auxiliary wheel according to claim 1, wherein the locking portion is formed in a cylindrical shape and slides in the communication hole.

3. The auxiliary wheel according to claim 2, wherein the edge of the opening of the locking portion is provided with a projection that engages with the edge of the communication hole.

4. The operating section includes an operating section body and a pin portion that is slidable in the groove, The auxiliary wheel according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the operating part body is formed to be larger than the diameter of the pin portion when viewed from the front.

5. The aforementioned insertion hole is formed in a concave shape when viewed from the insertion direction. The auxiliary wheel according to claim 1, wherein the stay insertion portion is formed in a channel shape corresponding to the concave shape.

6. The bracket body is provided with mounting holes, The groove portion includes a curved groove connected to the slide groove, The auxiliary wheel according to claim 1, wherein the curved groove opens the mounting hole when the auxiliary wheel stay is attached to the bracket.

7. It is further equipped with a stand stay that has a stand, The auxiliary wheel according to claim 1, wherein the stand stay is detachably attached to the bracket.

8. A bicycle equipped with training wheels as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

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