Bicycle assistive device

Abstract

In a conventional bicycle, there is a problem that the seat post rotates within the seat tube in the method of attaching the seat post to the seat tube. Making the relationship between the seat tube and the seat post into a special shape results in dedicated parts and has the problem that it cannot be implemented on existing bicycles. 【Solution means】 When rotation occurs about a seat post 3 connected to a saddle 2 in a shape where a post-side auxiliary member 10 and a tube-side auxiliary member 30 are in close contact with each other, the bicycle auxiliary tool 7 is formed in a shape that pushes up the seat post 3 connected to the two saddles upward due to the shape at the location where they are in close contact.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bicycle auxiliary device that can be attached to a bicycle and can maintain the horizontal angle of a bicycle saddle at an appropriate position set by the weight of a driver.

Background Art

[0002] Bicycles are firmly rooted in people's lives as a means of transportation. In most bicycles, as a method of fixing the saddle, a seat post is inserted into a seat tube that uses a part of the frame's cylinder or a seat lug connected to the seat tube, and the seat post is tightened and fixed to the seat tube from the outside of the seat tube into which the seat post is inserted with a seat pin (hereinafter referred to as a seat clamp). Making the relationship between the seat tube and the seat post a cylinder and a cylinder is a reliable shape that has been used conventionally, and is due to ease of strength and processing. Also, regarding the standard of the diameters of the seat post and the seat tube with respect to each other, standardization has progressed and general-purpose parts are supplied because of the division of labor in the bicycle industry and the ease of obtaining repair parts.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the conventional method was to tighten a seat clamp with a cylindrical bicycle seat tube attached to the outside of the bicycle seat tube, and fasten and fix a cylindrical seat post to the cylindrical seat tube. In this conventional method, due to the relationship between the cylinder and the cylinder inserted into the cylinder, more than a predetermined force is required for tightening by the seat clamp. Therefore, there are cases where the seat clamp is tightened less by the work of an operator with weak arm strength. Further, even if the operator determines that the tightening state is sufficient, due to the structure of the bicycle, when a force is applied to the end of the saddle (the part visible from between the driver's crotch when the driver sits on the saddle, hereinafter referred to as the saddle end), an increased leg force is applied to the seat post by the lever principle, making the seat post prone to rotation.

[0005] Particularly, when passing through rough roads for a long time, vibrations are applied to the bicycle, and vibrations are also applied to the seat clamp, which causes the seat clamp to loosen. Also, when more force than expected is applied to the saddle, for example, when the saddle is impacted, or when the bicycle driver tries to increase leg strength on an uphill slope and moves the hips and thighs excessively from side to side, excessive lateral force is applied to the saddle end from the hips and thighs. As a result, the seat post moves left and right in the seat tube to conform to the seat tube, causing a problem that the horizontal angle of the saddle is displaced. In the present application, the horizontal angle refers to the angle at which, in a plan view of the bicycle (the shape when viewed from above the bicycle, a plan view), with the seat post as the central axis, the saddle end appears to overlap the bicycle frame (when the saddle end is facing the midpoint of the handlebars) is set as 0 degrees, and the angle of rotation of the saddle's orientation to the right or left with respect to the 0-degree reference is called the horizontal angle.

[0006] In the prior art documents, as in Patent Document 1, means for solving the above problems have been proposed. According to the content described in Patent Document 1, the clamping force of the seat clamp is weak, and the saddle aims to position the correct horizontal rotation position correctly. As a solution to this problem, a recess 7 is provided in a part of the seat post, and a wedge 6 is pressed against the recess 7 with a bolt 8 from the seat tube side, and a device has been proposed.

[0007] However, in order to provide the recess 7 in a part of the seat post and the wedge 6 and the bolt 8 in the seat tube, in an existing bicycle, it is necessary to significantly modify the seat tube, and there is a problem that it is necessary to make the relationship between the seat tube and the seat post into dedicated parts. Furthermore, in the device of Patent Document 1, since the recess 7 is provided in the seat post, there may be a local strength reduction caused by the recess 7 of the seat post, and it is difficult to appropriately process the recess 7 to conform to the wedge 6 while maintaining the strength of the recess 7.

[0008] In addition, in a conventional special bicycle, the relationship between the seat tube and the seat post is not in the relationship of a cylinder and a cylinder, for example, in some cases, it is made into dedicated parts in the relationship of a column and a cylinder such as an ellipse or a polygon, and there is a method for preventing the deviation of the horizontal angle, which is a problem specific to a circle. However, this method is for special bicycles and does not consider compatibility with existing bicycles, and there is a problem that it is difficult to procure parts in the case of repair or modification. In addition, changing the relationship between the seat tube and the seat post of an existing bicycle to other than a cylinder and a cylinder requires a significant modification of the frame because the seat tube is integrated with the frame, and there is a problem that it is almost impossible in practice.

[0009] In addition, if the rotation of the saddle is completely fixed in order to maintain the horizontal angle of the saddle in a constant state, there is a problem that in the event of an accident such as a fall, the force cannot be released, which may lead to a serious injury.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following technical measures.

[0011] The bicycle assist device of the first invention is an assist device used for a bicycle in which a cylindrical seat post with a saddle attached is fitted into a cylindrical seat tube and fastened by a seat clamp. The bicycle assist device includes a tube-side auxiliary member attached (fixed) to the seat tube, and a post-side auxiliary member attached (fixed) to the seat post in a state of being in close contact with a part of the tube-side auxiliary member in a state where the tube-side auxiliary member is attached (fixed). When rotation occurs about the seat post of the seat post connected to the saddle in the shape of the portion where the post-side auxiliary member and the tube-side auxiliary member are in close contact, it is formed in a shape (structure) that pushes up the seat post connected to the saddle upward due to the shape at the portion in close contact. The bicycle assist device of the second invention is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the portion where the post-side auxiliary member and the tube-side auxiliary member are in close contact is a combination of a vertical plane with respect to a line having the seat post as an axis, and a plurality of protrusions such as a triangle or a semi-circle that become smaller as they go from the vertical plane toward the tip, and a plurality of depressions formed in a shape that adheres to the protrusions. The bicycle assist device of the third invention is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the portion where the post-side auxiliary member and the tube-side auxiliary member are in close contact is a surface (plane or curved surface) inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a vertical plane with respect to a line having the seat post as an axis. The bicycle assist device of the fourth invention is the invention according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein on the outer surfaces of the post-side auxiliary member and the tube-side auxiliary member respectively, there are provided marks that enable position confirmation from the outside in a state of being in close contact. The bicycle assist device of the fifth invention is the invention according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the tube-side auxiliary member is provided with means for preventing rotation between the tube-side auxiliary member and the seat tube.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] By having the technical means as described above, the following effects are achieved.

[0013] The present invention enables components to be retrofitted to the seat post and seat tube respectively. Due to the presence of a portion that adheres to the two components, it is possible to maintain the horizontal angle at an appropriate position by the weight of the driver. Also, since the seat post and seat clamp are not completely fixed, safety during accidents such as tipping over is ensured.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Examples of the bicycle auxiliary tool according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. Note that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment.

Example

[0016] Example 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. Since the bicycle auxiliary tool of Example 1 can be retrofitted to an existing bicycle 1 as shown in FIG. 1, the typical bicycle 1 in FIG. 1 will be taken as an example, and the parts necessary for the description of the bicycle auxiliary tool of the present invention will be described. Needless to say, the bicycle auxiliary tool of the present invention can be attached to a brand-new bicycle from the beginning and implemented.

[0017] In the bicycle 1 of FIG. 1, the parts of the bicycle related to the present invention are the saddle 2, the seat post 3, the seat tube 4, the seat clamp 5 attached to the seat tube, and the frame 6 (the main skeleton of the bicycle) coupled to the seat tube 4. Regarding the frame 6, it includes a wide range of bicycle skeletons, but for the purpose of explaining the relationship with the saddle 2, the frame connecting the handlebar and the seat tube 4 will be described as the frame 6.

[0018] The saddle 2 is attached to a cylindrical seat post 3. The seat tube 4 is integrally formed with the frame 6 of the bicycle 1, and one or more cuts are provided at the upper end of the cylindrical seat tube 4. The seat clamp 5 can perform a tightening operation in which the inner diameter of the seat clamp 5 decreases in a direction, such as a screw type or a quick lever type, or an operation to release the tightening. The seat clamp 5 in FIG. 1 is illustrated as an example of a screw type.

[0019] In the bicycle 1 in the state of FIG. 1, when the tightening of the seat clamp 5 is released, the seat post 3 to which the saddle 2 is attached can be removed from the seat tube 4. The relationship between the upper surface of the seat clamp 5 and the seat post 3 is formed in a shape in which the seat post 3 extends vertically upward from the upper surface of the seat clamp 5. Note that the bicycle 1 is an example of a bicycle, and a state diagram of a city cycle, a so-called mamachari, as viewed from the side is illustrated. However, if the seat post 2, the seat tube 4, and the seat clamp 5 are of the same type, it can also be implemented in a road bike, a mountain bike, a cross bike, etc.

[0020] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the main part of the present invention surrounded by a broken-line circle in FIG. 1. The seat post 2 to which the saddle 2 is attached is removed from the seat tube 4 described above, and a tube-side auxiliary member 30 indicated by a two-dot chain line is attached to the seat tube 4 side in a state where the seat clamp 5 is attached, and a post-side auxiliary member 10 indicated by a two-dot chain line is attached to the seat post 2 side. An outline of the state is illustrated. Then, the bicycle auxiliary tool 7 is formed by combining the post-side auxiliary member 10 and the tube-side auxiliary member 30.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the aforementioned horizontal angle. In a plan view of the bicycle 1 (the shape when viewed from above the bicycle, a plan view), with the seat post 3 as the axis, when the saddle end 2a of the saddle 2 appears to overlap the frame 6, it is defined as 0 degrees. With the orientation of the saddle end 2a as the reference of 0 degrees, the states where it is rotated by a predetermined angle clockwise (cw) and counterclockwise (ccw) are illustrated by two-dot chain lines respectively. Since the seat tube 4 is generally inclined backward at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane, in a plan view, the length of the saddle 2 rotated clockwise (cw) or counterclockwise (ccw) becomes shorter, and when viewed from the side of the bicycle 1, the saddle end 2a moves downward.

[0022] The bicycle accessory 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the shape of the post-side auxiliary member 10 that constitutes the bicycle accessory 7. FIG. 4(a) is a front view of the post-side auxiliary member 10, and FIG. 4(b) is a bottom view of the post-side auxiliary member 10. The post-side auxiliary member 10 is formed of metal or synthetic resin having strength so as to have a substantially cylindrical shape with a thick wall. Regarding the size and shape of the post-side auxiliary member 10, the relationship with the diameter of the seat post 3, the size and arrangement of the triangular recess 12 described later, the effective screw thickness of the post fixing screw hole 13 described later, etc., the material and strength of the material used, and its molding method should be considered, and its size and shape can be determined. However, considering the material cost and the ability to lower the saddle 2 all the way down and expand the application range of the post-side auxiliary member 10, it is advisable to select a shape that is as small as possible.

[0023] Since the inner part of the cylinder of the post-side auxiliary member 10 is formed as a seat post through-hole 11 which is a hole for passing through the seat post 3, a hole diameter with a slight margin with respect to the diameter of the seat post 3 is provided, for example, a margin of about 0.5 to 1 mm is provided.

[0024] On the bottom surface side of the post-side auxiliary member 10, three triangular depressions 12 corresponding to three triangular protrusions 32 of the tube-side auxiliary member 30 described later are provided concentrically with the seat post through-hole 11. On the side surface of the post-side auxiliary member 10, three post fixing screw holes 13 with threading and penetration are provided. By using a hexagonal bolt (screw), a butterfly bolt (screw), etc., which are male threads with a diameter corresponding to the post fixing screw holes 13, it is configured to be fixed to the seat post 3. Also, on the side surface of the post-side auxiliary member 10, a matching mark 15 is provided at an easily visible location by means of engraving, a seal, etc. This is because, in combination with the matching mark 35 of the tube-side auxiliary member 30 described later, the attachment relationship between the post-side auxiliary member 10 and the tube-side auxiliary member 30 can be easily confirmed from the outside.

[0025] Regarding the number of the post fixing screw holes 13, it is sufficient if the seat post 3 can be properly fixed. For example, the post fixing screw hole 13 may be provided at one location. Also, regarding the diameter of the threading of the seat post 3, it should be in appropriate contact with the outer surface of the seat post 3 without damaging the outer surface of the seat post 3. For example, a diameter of about M5 (mm) to M8 (mm) may be used. Furthermore, regarding the hexagonal bolt (screw), the butterfly bolt (screw), etc., other types of bolts (screws) such as those with a hexagonal socket or a plus groove may be used in consideration of the fixing force and workability with respect to the seat post 3.

[0026] With reference to Fig. 5, the structure of the tube-side auxiliary member 30 that constitutes the bicycle assist device 7 will be described. Note that Fig. 5(a) is a front view of the tube-side auxiliary member 30, Fig. 5(b) is a plan view of the tube-side auxiliary member 30, and Fig. 5(c) is a left side view of the tube-side auxiliary member 30. The tube-side auxiliary member 30 is formed of metal or synthetic resin having strength such that it has an upper plate in the shape of a donut with an appropriate thickness on the upper side and a substantially "U-shaped" side plate with an appropriate thickness below the upper plate. Regarding the size and shape of the tube-side auxiliary member 30, it is only necessary to determine the size and shape in consideration of the relationship with the diameter of the seat post 3, the size of the seat clamp 5, the size and arrangement of the triangular protrusions 32 described later, etc., the material and strength of the material used, and the molding method. However, considering the material cost and the ability to lower the saddle 2 all the way down and the expansion of the applicable range of the post-side auxiliary member 10, it is advisable to select a shape that is as small as possible.

[0027] The seat post 3 is passed through the center of the upper plate of the tube-side auxiliary member 30, and a seat post through-hole 31 that rides on the upper surface of the seat clamp 5 is formed. Therefore, also for the seat post through-hole 31, a hole diameter with a slight margin with respect to the diameter of the seat post 3 is provided, for example, a margin of about 0.5 to 1 mm is provided.

[0028] On the upper surface side of the tube-side auxiliary member 30, three triangular protrusions 32 corresponding to the three triangular depressions 12 of the post-side auxiliary member 10 are provided concentrically with the seat post through-hole 31. Regarding the relationship between the triangular depression 12 of the post-side auxiliary member 10 and the triangular protrusion 32 of the tube-side auxiliary member 30, when the triangular protrusion 32 is fitted into the triangular depression 12, it may be fitted exactly without a gap. Also, since processing and attachment etc. can be done easily, the triangular protrusion 32 side may be made slightly smaller, for example, the whole may be made smaller by about 0.5 to 1 mm. Note that in Figs. 4 to 7, in order to make it easy to understand by preventing the lines from overlapping, the triangular protrusion 32 side is shown even smaller.

[0029] The inner shape of the substantially "U-shaped" side plate of the tube-side auxiliary member 30 is a shape that fits into the outer surface of the seat clamp 5 and covers the seat clamp 5 with the tube-side auxiliary member 30, and is appropriately formed according to the shape of the seat clamp 5. Further, at both ends of the substantially "U-shaped" side plate of the tube-side auxiliary member 30, there are provided tube fixing portions which are cutouts for overlapping the screws of the seat clamp 5 to fix the tube-side auxiliary member 30 to the seat clamp 5. Since it is sufficient that the tube-side auxiliary member 30 fits into a part of the seat clamp 5, the frame, etc., and the movement such as rotation is stopped on the outer surface of the seat clamp 5, it may be created according to the outer shape of the seat clamp 5. Further, on the side surface of the tube-side auxiliary member 30, a seal 35 is provided at an easily visible position by stamping or a seal. This is to easily confirm the attachment relationship between the post-side auxiliary member 10 and the tube-side auxiliary member 30 from the outside in combination with the seal 15 of the post-side auxiliary member 10.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which the post-side auxiliary member 10 cut along the D-D cross section of FIG. 4 and the tube-side auxiliary member 30 are attached to the bicycle 1, with the saddle end portion 2a of the saddle 2 facing forward and viewing the seat post 3 at a right angle. In FIG. 6, regarding the post-side auxiliary member 10, bolts (screws) are not shown in the three post fixing screw holes 13 for the sake of easy viewing, but assuming that they are attached, the post-side auxiliary member 10 is fixed to the seat post 3, and the seat post 3 and the saddle 2 are fixed. Also, regarding the tube-side auxiliary member 30, it is fixed to the seat clamp 5, and the bicycle auxiliary tool is appropriately attached by the post-side auxiliary member 10 and the tube-side auxiliary member 30. In FIG. 6, since the post-side auxiliary member 10 is cut along the D-D cross section, it is shown that the triangular depression 12 of the post-side auxiliary member 10 and the triangular protrusion 32 of the tube-side auxiliary member 30 are appropriately fitted.

[0031] Figure 7 is a view when, starting from the same state as in Figure 6, the saddle 2 is rotated counterclockwise (ccw) in top view, and the position of the saddle end 2a, as seen in Figure 7, is moved to the right from the center in Figure 6. Also in Figure 7, it is the post-side auxiliary member 10 cut along the D-D cross-section in Figure 4, and for the cut surface D-D cross-section, it has also moved to the right. In this case, the triangular depression 12 of the post-side auxiliary member 10 comes into contact with the left inclined surface of the triangular projection 32 of the tube-side auxiliary member 30 in Figure 7 in a way that it rides up, pushing the entire post-side auxiliary member 10 upward, and at the same time, the seat post 3 and the saddle 2 fixed to the post-side auxiliary member 10 are also pushed upward. Therefore, a gap is created between the upper surface of the tube-side auxiliary member 30 and the bottom surface of the post-side auxiliary member 10 from the state where they were in close contact.

[0032] Normally, for the saddle 2, when the driver sits on it, the weight of the driver is applied. If the driver consciously or unconsciously applies their own weight to the saddle 2, the inclined surface of the triangular depression 12 of the post-side auxiliary member 10 slides on the inclined surface of the triangular projection 32 of the tube-side auxiliary member 30, and the upper surface of the tube-side auxiliary member 30 and the bottom surface of the post-side auxiliary member 10 return to a state of close contact, for example, a state close to Figure 6. Although the state where the saddle 2 is rotated counterclockwise (ccw) in top view has been described, the same applies to the case where it is rotated clockwise (cw) in top view.

[0033] Also, although the case where the post-side auxiliary member 10 has a triangular depression 12 and the tube-side auxiliary member 30 has a triangular depression 12 has been described, without considering the size, strength, etc. of the bicycle auxiliary tool 7, the post-side auxiliary member 10 can have a triangular projection and the tube-side auxiliary member 30 can have a triangular depression and be implemented in the same way. Furthermore, the combination of the triangular projection and the triangular depression 12 can also be implemented as a projection with a smaller tip or a depression with a smaller bottom, for example, a semi-circular projection or depression.

Embodiment

[0034] Example 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11. Note that since the bicycle 1 in FIGS. 1 to 3 described in Example 1 is the same in Example 2, the same reference numerals are attached and the description thereof is omitted.

[0035] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the shape of the post-side auxiliary member 20 constituting the bicycle assist device 8. FIG. 8(a) is a front view of the post-side auxiliary member 20, FIG. 8(b) is a bottom view of the post-side auxiliary member 20, and FIG. 8(c) is a left side view of the post-side auxiliary member 20. The post-side auxiliary member 20 is formed of metal or synthetic resin having strength so as to have a substantially cylindrical shape with a thick wall.

[0036] The post-side auxiliary member 20 is formed of metal or synthetic resin having strength so as to have a substantially cylindrical shape with a thick wall. Note that regarding the size and shape of the post-side auxiliary member 20, the size and shape may be determined in consideration of the relationship with the diameter of the seat post 3, the thickness of the effective screw of the post fixing screw hole 23, etc., the material and strength of the material used, and the molding method. However, considering that the material cost and the saddle 2 can be lowered as much as possible and the application range of the post-side auxiliary member 20 can be expanded, it is preferable to select a shape that is as small as possible.

[0037] Since the inner part of the cylinder of the post-side auxiliary member 20 is formed as a seat post through-hole 21 which is a hole for passing through the seat post 3, a hole diameter with a slight margin is provided for the diameter of the seat post 3, for example, a margin of about 0.5 to 1 mm is provided.

[0038] The bottom surface of the post-side auxiliary member 20 is a post-side flat inclined surface 22 corresponding to the tube-side flat inclined surface 42 of the tube-side auxiliary member 40 described later. Regarding the post-side flat inclined surface 22, it is formed such that the longitudinal thickness of the post-side auxiliary member 20 becomes thinner from the front direction toward the rear direction. As a whole, the post-side auxiliary member 20 is formed in the shape of a cylinder with one end cut obliquely. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8(c), when viewed from the side, it has a trapezoidal shape with parallel longitudinal directions. On the side surface of the post-side auxiliary member 20, three post fixing screw holes 23 with tapped holes are provided, and by using a hexagonal bolt (screw) or a butterfly bolt (screw) which is a male screw with a diameter corresponding to the post fixing screw holes 23, it is configured to be fixed to the seat post 3. Also, on the side surface of the post-side auxiliary member 20, a matching mark 25 is provided by engraving, sealing, etc. at a visible position. This is because, in combination with the matching mark 45 of the tube-side auxiliary member 40 described later, the attachment relationship between the post-side auxiliary member 20 and the tube-side auxiliary member 40 can be easily confirmed from the outside.

[0039] Regarding the number of the post fixing screw holes 23, it is sufficient if the seat post 3 can be appropriately fixed. For example, the post fixing screw holes 23 may be provided at one location. Also, regarding the diameter of the tapped hole of the seat post 3, it should appropriately contact the outer surface of the seat post 3 without damaging the outer surface of the seat post 3. For example, about M5 (mm) to M8 (mm) may be used. Furthermore, regarding the hexagonal bolt (screw), the butterfly bolt (screw), etc., other types of bolts (screws) such as hexagonal holes and plus grooves may be used in consideration of the fixing force and workability with respect to the seat post 3.

[0040] Using FIG. 9, the structure of the tube-side auxiliary member 40 that constitutes the bicycle assist device 8 will be described. Note that FIG. 9(a) is a front view of the tube-side auxiliary member 40, FIG. 9(b) is a plan view of the tube-side auxiliary member 40, and FIG. 9(c) is a left side view of the tube-side auxiliary member 40. The tube-side auxiliary member 40 is formed in a shape provided with a donut-shaped upper plate that is cut obliquely upward so that the front side is thin and the rear side becomes thicker. As a result, the upper surface (top surface) of this upper plate is formed as the tube-side flat plate slope 42. It is formed of metal or synthetic resin with strength so as to be a substantially "U-shaped" side plate with an appropriate thickness below the upper plate. Regarding the size and shape of the tube-side auxiliary member 40, the diameter of the seat post 3, the size of the seat clamp 5, the material and strength of the material used, and its molding method may be considered, and the size and shape may be determined. However, considering the material cost and the ability to lower the saddle 2 as much as possible and expand the application range of the post-side auxiliary member 20, it is advisable to select a shape that is as small as possible.

[0041] The seat post 3 is passed through the center of the upper plate of the tube-side auxiliary member 40, and a seat post through hole 41 that rides on the upper surface of the seat clamp 5 is formed. Therefore, for the seat post through hole 41 as well, a hole diameter with a slight margin for the diameter of the seat post 3 is provided, for example, a margin of about 0.5 to 1 mm.

[0042] The inner shape of the substantially "U-shaped" side plates of the tube-side auxiliary member 40 is a shape that fits into the outer surface of the seat clamp 5 and covers the seat clamp 5 with the tube-side auxiliary member 40, and is appropriately formed according to the shape of the seat clamp 5. Further, at both ends of the substantially "U-shaped" side plates of the tube-side auxiliary member 40, there are provided tube fixing portions which are cutouts for overlapping with the screws of the seat clamp 5 to fix the tube-side auxiliary member 40 to the seat clamp 5. Since it is sufficient that the tube-side auxiliary member 40 fits into a part such as the seat clamp 5 or the frame and its movement such as rotation is stopped on the outer surface of the seat clamp 5, it may be created according to the outer shape of the seat clamp 5. Further, on the side surface of the tube-side auxiliary member 40, a matching mark 45 is provided by engraving, sealing, etc. at an easily visible location. This is to easily confirm the attachment relationship between the post-side auxiliary member 20 and the tube-side auxiliary member 40 from the outside in combination with the matching mark 25 of the post-side auxiliary member 20.

[0043] FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which the post-side auxiliary member 20 and the tube-side auxiliary member 40 are attached to the bicycle 1, with the saddle end 2a of the saddle 2 facing forward and looking at the seat post 3 at a right angle. In FIG. 10, for the post-side auxiliary member 20, bolts (screws) are not shown in the three post fixing screw holes 23 for the sake of visibility, but assuming that they are attached, the post-side auxiliary member 20 is fixed to the seat post 3, and the seat post 3 and the saddle 2 are fixed. Also, for the tube-side auxiliary member 40, it is fixed to the seat clamp 5, and the bicycle accessory is appropriately attached by the post-side auxiliary member 20 and the tube-side auxiliary member 40. In this state, it is shown that the post-side flat plate slope 22 and the tube-side flat plate slope 42 are in close contact.

[0044] Figure 11 is a view of the state where, starting from the state of Figure 10, the saddle 2 is rotated counterclockwise (ccw) in a top view, and when viewed in Figure 11, the position of the saddle end 2a has moved from the center of Figure 10 to the right. In this case, the post-side flat slope 22 of the post-side auxiliary member 20 moves while contacting the tube-side flat slope 42 of the tube-side auxiliary member 40 so as to be displaced and lifted, pushing the entire post-side auxiliary member 20 upward, and at the same time, the seat post 3 and the saddle 2 fixed to the post-side auxiliary member 20 are also pushed upward. Therefore, regarding the tube-side flat slope 42 of the tube-side auxiliary member 40 and the post-side flat slope 22 of the post-side auxiliary member 20, the state changes from being entirely in close contact to being in close contact only in part, and a gap is generated between the tube-side flat slope 42 and the post-side flat slope 22.

[0045] Normally, for the saddle 2, when the driver sits on it, the driver's weight is applied. If the driver consciously or unconsciously applies their own body weight to the saddle 2, the post-side flat slope 22 of the post-side auxiliary member 20 slides on the tube-side flat slope 42 of the tube-side auxiliary member 40 and returns to a state of close contact, for example, a state close to Figure 10. Although the state where the saddle 2 is rotated counterclockwise (ccw) in a top view has been described, the same applies to the case of clockwise (cw) rotation in a top view.

[0046] In addition, in Example 2, the post-side flat slope 22 and the tube-side flat slope 42 have been described as planes. However, due to the rotation of the post-side auxiliary member 20 due to the seat post 3 to which the saddle 2 is fixed, the deformation that occurs between the post-side auxiliary member 20 and the tube-side auxiliary member 40 will be less compared to Example 1. Therefore, instead of making the slopes into planes, the initial slopes (starting from the parts marked 25 and 45) can be made into steep slopes and then gradually deformed into gentle slopes, that is, curved slopes.

[0047] Of course, if the relationship between the post-side flat inclined surface 22 and the tube-side flat inclined surface 42 is set as the plane of a steep slope, the longitudinal lengths of the post-side auxiliary member 20 and the tube-side auxiliary member 40 will become longer, the material cost will increase, and the range of bicycles 1 to which they can be attached will be narrowed. However, compared with the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, although there is only one place where they are in close contact in the rotated state, since the overall shapes of the post-side auxiliary member 20 and / or the tube-side auxiliary member 40 are not deformed too much, the processing is easy, and a shape with strength proportional to the wall thickness can be expected.

[0048] As described above, the present invention has been described based on the first and second embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the configurations of these embodiments. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to these, but includes the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Industrial Applicability

[0049] Regarding the bicycle accessory of the present invention, since it can be attached to an existing bicycle to improve convenience, it has industrial applicability.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0050] 1: Bicycle 2: Saddle 2a: Saddle end 3: Seat post 4: Seat tube 5: Seat clamp 6: Frame 7, 8: Bicycle accessory 10, 20: Post-side auxiliary member 11, 21, 31, 41: Seat post through hole 12: Triangular depression 13, 23: Post fixing screw hole 15, 25, 35, 45: Mark 22: Post-side flat inclined surface 30, 40: Tube-side auxiliary member 32: Triangular protrusion 33, 43: Tube fixing part 42: Tube-side flat plate inclined surface

Claims

1. An accessory for a bicycle, which is used to fit a cylindrical seat post with a saddle into a cylindrical seat tube and fasten it with a seat clamp, comprising a tube-side auxiliary member fixed to the seat tube, and a post-side auxiliary member attached to the seat post in close contact with a part of the tube-side auxiliary member in a state where the tube-side auxiliary member is fixed. Since a set of close-contact shapes in which a part of the tube-side auxiliary member is in close contact with the post-side auxiliary member is provided, when forward rotation and reverse rotation about the seat post of the seat post connected to the saddle occur, the set of close-contact shapes is formed into a shape that moves in a direction of pushing up the seat post connected to the saddle. An accessory for a bicycle, characterized in that.

2. The set of close-contact shapes is formed by a combination of a vertical plane with respect to a line centered on the seat post, a plurality of protrusions that become smaller as they go from the vertical plane toward the tip, and a plurality of depressions formed in a shape that adheres to the protrusions. The accessory for a bicycle according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. The set of close-contact shapes is a plane inclined at a predetermined angle from a vertical plane with respect to a line centered on the seat post. The accessory for a bicycle according to claim 1, characterized in that.

4. On the outer surfaces of the post-side auxiliary member and the tube-side auxiliary member, there are provided marks that enable confirmation of the position from the outside in a state of being in close contact. The accessory for a bicycle according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that.

5. The tube-side auxiliary member is provided with means for preventing rotation with respect to the seat tube. The accessory for a bicycle according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that.

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