Storage unit that attaches to bicycle handlebars

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide a storage unit that can be attached to a bicycle handlebar, allowing for the storage of a smartphone while simultaneously preventing distracted driving. [Structure] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention: Firstly, a storage unit for bicycle handlebars is attached to the handlebars at the center of the handlebars by fastening means such as screws at the mounting point, with a storage compartment protruding from the mounting point toward the rider, the storage compartment being opened and closed with a lid, and the horizontally elongated storage compartment being a storage space for storing a smartphone horizontally. The above is my proposal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage body attached to a bicycle handle that can store a smartphone when attached to the bicycle handle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, the front basket attached to a bicycle is not for storing valuables, but is specialized for storing ordinary luggage only. Therefore, the driver usually does not put the smartphone, which is a valuable item, in the front basket of the bicycle. On the other hand, in a bicycle, there is no equivalent to the dashboard inside the vehicle in the front part including the handle. Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide a storage body attached to a bicycle handle that can store a smartphone when attached to the bicycle handle and at the same time can prevent driving. Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] To achieve the above object, the present invention: First, at the central part of the bicycle handle, it is attached to the handle at the attachment part by fixing means such as screws. A storage part of the main body protrudes from the attachment part toward the driver side. The storage part is opened and closed by a lid, and the horizontal storage part has a storage space in which a smartphone is stored horizontally. A storage body attached to a bicycle handle Second, it has attachment means to both the left and right sides of the bicycle handle, and separately has attachment means to a person's body. It is a storage body that enables both the usage method of attaching to the bicycle handle and the usage method of attaching to a person's body and carrying it. A display of all or part of the traffic law violation of the bicycle and its fine is displayed at a surface position of the storage body that is visually recognizable to the driver during bicycle driving. A storage body attached to a bicycle handle The above storage body attached to a bicycle handle is proposed. In this application, the term "handle" will be used to include not only the "handle portion extending to the left and right" but also the "axis portion connected to the front wheel" in the center. [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0005] The storage unit for bicycle handlebars according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. To facilitate understanding of the storage unit of the present invention, we will now describe a display unit that has only a "display" function and not a "storage" function, that is, a display unit that is not the storage unit of the present invention but is presented as a reference. Figures 1 to 5 show the display elements for reference, and their explanation serves as background information for the storage structure of the present invention. Figure 1 shows an example of a bicycle handlebar, the handlebar (1) having a display unit (3) on which bicycle traffic rules and the like are displayed, and the display unit (3) has a display surface (4) that can be visually recognized by the driver while driving.

[0006] As shown in detail in Figure 1a, the display surface (4) displays the display content (5), and all or part of the "violations and fines" (violations and their fines) of bicycle operation, which are the "bicycle traffic rules" (term used in this application). In other words, it is desirable that the display surface (4) display all of the dangerous cycling behaviors (16 types as of 2025), and that they be easily recognizable by the rider. The following is a list of violations and fines for the 16 types of bicycles mentioned above:

[0007] Driving while distracted: 12,000 yen Running a red light - (omitted) - Traffic prohibition violation -Omitted- Violation of slowing down on pedestrian walkways - [omitted] - Violation of traffic classification -Omitted- Obstructing pedestrian traffic while walking on the roadside - (omitted) Entering a level crossing while the barrier is down - (omitted) Violation of duty to proceed safely at intersections, etc. -Omitted- Obstructing a vehicle with priority at an intersection - (omitted) - Violation of the obligation to proceed safely at roundabouts, etc. - (omitted) Temporary non-stop, etc. at designated locations -Omitted- Violations of traffic rules when walking on the sidewalk -omitted- Bicycle operation with faulty brakes - (omitted) Driving under the influence of alcohol, driving with a blood alcohol content exceeding the legal limit - [omitted] - Violation of safe driving obligations - (omitted) Dangerous driving - (omitted) The above is all. The amount of the fine is not directly related to the present invention, so it has been omitted from the description.

[0008] Furthermore, instead of displaying all of the above as display content (5), it is also acceptable to display either a statement that distracted driving is a violation, or the amount of the fine, or both, as mandatory display content. Furthermore, as is clear from Figure 1a, the display unit (3) is positioned behind the bicycle handlebars (1), that is, on the driver's side. In this application, the term "display" in "display surface (4)" is defined as "a display in which the display content is fixed, and does not include displays such as displays in which the display content is selectable and not fixed," such as printing on the display surface (4), attaching a film on which the display content (5) is written to the surface, or providing another plate on which the display content (5) is written beneath a transparent plate.

[0009] Figure 1a shows the details of the display unit (3) to be attached to the bicycle handlebars (1). The illustrated display unit (3) is made of synthetic resin, for example, and has a display section (3a) and a mounting section (3b). The width of the display unit (3a) is set to be 1.5 times or more the width of the mounting unit (3b). The reason for this is that while some bicycle handlebars (1) have a relatively long straight section in the center (like the bicycle handlebars (1) in Figures 1 and 5), many have a relatively short section (like the bicycle handlebars (1) in Figures 2, 3, and 4). Therefore, when determining the width dimension of the mounting portion (3b), it is more cost-effective to use a common width dimension (meaning to unify it) for handles of various handle shapes, and thus it should be made shorter. On the other hand, the width of the display section (3a) must be a certain length because it must be able to display all or part of the "list of bicycle violations and fines" and be easily recognizable by the driver. Based on the above, we conclude that the width of the display unit (3a) should be at least 1.5 times the width of the mounting unit (3b).

[0010] Furthermore, the mounting part (3b) is fixed (attached) to the bicycle handle (1) with screws (6) and nuts (9), sandwiching the bicycle handle (1) between the mounting part (3b) and the mounting fixture (73) attached below it. The method of attaching to the bicycle handlebars (1) shown in Figure 1a is illustrative and can be replaced with various conventionally known attachment methods. For example, a metal indicator (3) can be welded directly to the handle, or it can be fixed (attached) in any other way. Next, Figure 2 shows a different handle shape from Figure 1, Figure 3 also shows a different handle shape, Figure 4 also shows a different handle shape, and Figure 5 also shows a different handle shape.

[0011] Figures 1 to 5 illustrate, for reference, display units that only have a "display" function, that is, display units and not storage units. Next, the storage unit of the present invention will be described. Figures 6 and 6a show a storage unit (7) to be attached to a bicycle handle (1) according to the present invention. The storage unit (7) is attached to the bicycle handle (1) at its mounting portion (7b) by fastening means such as screws in the central part of the bicycle handle (1). A main body (71) (whose storage space is the storage section (7a)) protrudes from the mounting portion (7b) toward the driver. The mounting portion (7b) is fixed to the center of the bicycle handlebar (1) in the following manner. That is, as shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b, the attachment portion (7b) is fixed to the bicycle handle (1) with screws (6) and nuts (9) by sandwiching the bicycle handle (1) between a plurality of left and right positions at the central portion of the bicycle handle (1), specifically two positions in the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 6a, between the attachment portion (7b) and a fixture (73) attached below the attachment portion (7b).

[0012] Although it is the attachment position, as shown in FIG. 6, it may be at the central portion straddling the axis connecting to the front wheel at the central portion of the bicycle handle (1), or it may be at the central portion to the right or left of the axis without straddling it, but in any case, it is attached to the central portion. The storage portion (7a) of the main body (71) is opened and closed by a lid (72), and the horizontal storage portion (7a) is a storage space for horizontally storing a smartphone. That is, the main body (71) has a space large enough to store a smartphone (for example, the front size is 17 cm × 8 cm), and the lid (72) enables the storage items to be taken in and out.

[0013] The storage portion (7a) of the storage body (7) (formed by the main body (71) and the lid (72)) is "horizontal", and this is important. The reason for this is that when "using a smartphone while driving", it is normal for the driver to first hold the smartphone vertically with one hand as the initial action. That is, the fact that the storage state of the smartphone is "horizontal" means that even when the lid (72) is opened, the smartphone is stored horizontally in a state different from the driver's state of using the smartphone while driving. This is psychologically important. That is, for the driver to "take it out from the state where the smartphone is stored horizontally" to "the state of holding it vertically with one hand", and moreover, "try to perform it as an inconvenient operation action during bicycle driving", this is an obvious psychological and operational hurdle for the driver. That is, the fact that the stored smartphone is "horizontal" is a very important hurdle for the driver who tries to drive while using the smartphone. The "storage body attached to a bicycle handle" of the present invention has, as an important objective, the aim of making a bicycle driver stop using a smartphone while driving in violation of the Road Traffic Law. Therefore, it is important that it poses an obvious psychological and operational hurdle for the driver.

[0014] FIG. 7 shows a bicycle handle (1) with a handle shape different from that of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 also shows a bicycle handle (1) with a handle shape different from that of FIG. 6. FIG. 9 also shows a bicycle handle (1) with a different handle shape. FIG. 10 also shows a bicycle handle (1) with a different handle shape. Although the handle shapes are different, the storage body (7) attached to the bicycle handles (1) in FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10 has a structure having a storage portion (7a) and an attachment portion (7b), which is the same as that described in FIGS. 6, 6a, and 6b. The description thereof is cited and omitted. FIGS. 11, 12, 12a, and 12b show a storage body (10) attached to another bicycle handle (1) of the present invention. That is, the storage body (10) has a horizontally long bag-shaped main body (11), and the main body (11) can be opened and closed by a fastener (14). On each side of the storage body (10), there are provided one attachment means (12) and the other attachment means (13) in the shape of a ring.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, one attachment means (12) is locked to one of the left and right sides of the bicycle handle (1), and the other attachment means (13) is locked to the other of the left and right sides of the bicycle handle (1). In addition, on the storage body (10), there is displayed, at a surface position visible to the driver during bicycle driving, all or part of the display of a traffic law violation act of the bicycle and its fine. In the above state, the bicycle is driven. Therefore, the above display on the storage body (10) is always visually recognizable by the driver during driving. In addition, since the storage body (10) forms a closed storage space, it can store valuable items such as a smartphone, wallet, and keys that cannot be placed in the front basket. Next, as shown in Figure 12a, the storage unit (10) can be detached from the bicycle handlebars (1) by removing both the attachment means (12) and attachment means (13) (as shown in the figure, they can be detached as they are equipped with fastening and detachment means such as Velcro), and the storage unit (10) can be attached to the body like a waist bag using the long belt-like attachment means (20) equipped on it, as shown in Figure 12a, allowing for its use in this manner. In the case of use where the bicycle is attached to a person's body and carried around, as shown in Figure 12a, the display of all or part of the traffic violations on bicycles and the associated fines is closely attached to the body and in a position where it is not visible from the outside (i.e., from others) (it is possible to do so at the user's discretion). In short, it is a "storage unit (10) that attaches to the bicycle handlebars (1)" and can store valuables such as smartphones, wallets, and keys. It can be used in two ways: by attaching it to the bicycle handlebars (1) as shown in Figure 11, making all or part of the bicycle traffic law violations and their fines visible, and by attaching it to a person's body and carrying it around as shown in Figure 12a.

[0016] Figures 13 and 14 show a storage unit (7) to be attached to another bicycle handlebar (1) according to the present invention. Although not explicitly stated in the above description, the storage unit (7) in Figures 6 and 6a was designed to be made of synthetic resin. In contrast, the storage body (7) in Figures 13 and 14 is an example of a structure in which the main body (71) and lid (72) are made of metal such as aluminum or stainless steel. Therefore, a lid (72) is attached to the main body (71) with a hinge, and a lock (80) is provided to further enhance security, making it suitable for storing valuables such as smartphones (99), cash, and house keys. The embodiments of the storage body of the present invention shown in Figures 6 to 14 illustrate an embodiment in which all or part of the "violations and fines" (violations and their fines) for bicycle riding are displayed on the surface of the storage body (7)(10). This "display" is not an essential component of the storage unit of the present invention. In this application describing the present invention, a "storage unit with a display" is "desirable" compared to a storage unit without a display, in terms of preventing distracted driving, which is one of the objectives of the present invention. To reiterate, the aforementioned "display" is not an essential component of the storage unit of the present invention.

[0017] The effects of the storage unit attached to the bicycle handlebars of the present invention, as shown in the above embodiments, are described below. (1) The storage unit according to claim 1 of the present invention, which is attached to the handlebars of a bicycle, is attached to the center of the handlebars of a bicycle, and a smartphone is stored in a horizontally elongated storage space. In other words, the storage state of the smartphone is "horizontally elongated," which means that even when the lid is opened, the smartphone is stored in a "horizontally elongated" position that is different from the state of the driver's distracted driving. This is psychologically important, because the act of a driver taking out a smartphone that is stored horizontally and holding it vertically in one hand, and attempting to do so while riding a bicycle, presents a clear psychological and operational hurdle for the driver. In other words, the fact that a smartphone is "horizontally long" when stored is a significant obstacle for drivers who are trying to drive while distracted, and thus has an extremely important effect in preventing distracted driving. (2) The storage unit according to claim 2 of the present invention, which is attached to the handlebars of a bicycle, has means for attachment to both the left and right sides of the handlebars of a bicycle, and also has means for attachment to a person's body. Therefore, it can be used in two ways: by being attached to the handlebars of a bicycle and by being attached to a person's body and carried. In particular, when used by being attached to the handlebars of a bicycle, all or part of the violation of the Road Traffic Act by cyclists and the fines therefor can be visually recognized, which is effective in preventing distracted driving. Furthermore, it can store valuables such as smartphones, wallets, and keys, and after parking the bicycle, the storage unit can be attached to the body like a bag, allowing the person to carry their valuables with them and feel secure. (3) The storage unit according to claim 1, which is attached to the handlebars of a bicycle, has a wide storage section that protrudes from a narrow mounting section toward the driver, so the storage unit can be attached to the handlebars of a bicycle without being physically obstructed by the handlebars, even if the handlebars have various shapes (for example, a straight handlebar shape like the one in Figure 9, with a narrow width on both sides in the center and a diagonal rise immediately from the center). (4) The storage unit according to claim 2, which is attached to the handlebars of a bicycle, can have its surface markings positioned so that they are in close contact with the body and not visible from the outside when the storage unit is attached to a person's body and used, so there is no need to worry that the markings will impair the appearance or design when the unit is attached to the body and used. (5) The storage unit according to claim 3 of the present invention, which is attached to the handlebars of a bicycle, can be attached to the upper part of the handlebars if the handlebar shape allows the storage unit to be positioned above the center of the handlebars, as illustrated in Figure 13, and it is possible to widen the space between the handlebars and the rider (space in front of the rider when getting on and off and when riding). [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] A perspective view of a display unit attached to a bicycle handlebar, shown for reference. [Figure 1a] Figure 1: Exploded perspective view of the display unit. [Figure 2] Perspective view of another display device attached to a bicycle handlebar, shown for reference. [Figure 3] Perspective view of another display device attached to a bicycle handlebar, shown for reference. [Figure 4] Perspective view of another display device attached to a bicycle handlebar, shown for reference. [Figure 5] Perspective view of another display device attached to a bicycle handlebar, shown for reference. [Figure 6] Perspective view of the storage unit attached to the handlebars of the present invention. [Figure 6a] Figure 6: Exploded perspective view of the storage unit. [Figure 6b] Cross-sectional view of XX in Figure 6a [Figure 7] Perspective view of another storage unit attached to the handlebars of the present invention [Figure 8] Perspective view of another storage unit attached to the handlebars of the present invention [Figure 9] Perspective view of another storage unit attached to the handlebars of the present invention [Figure 10] Perspective view of another storage unit attached to the handlebars of the present invention [Figure 11] Perspective view of a storage unit that attaches to another bicycle handlebar according to the present invention. [Figure 12] Enlarged perspective view of the storage unit in Figure 11. [Figure 12a] Figure 12 shows a perspective view of the storage unit, illustrating how it is used by being attached to a person's body for carrying. [Figure 12b] View in the Y direction from the arrow in Figure 12a [Figure 13] Perspective view of another storage unit that attaches to the handlebars of a bicycle according to the present invention. [Figure 14] Figure 13: Exploded perspective view of the storage unit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0019] 1. Bicycle handlebars 3 Display body 3a Display section 3b Mounting part 4 Display surface 5 Display contents 6 screws 7 Storage compartments 7a Storage compartment 7b Mounting section 71 Main unit 72 Lid 73 Mounting hardware 9 nuts 10 storage compartments 11 Main unit 12 Mounting means 13. Mounting means 14 zippers 20 Mounting method 80 keys 99 Smartphones

Claims

1. A storage unit is attached to the handlebars of a bicycle by screwing it to the center of the handlebars at a mounting point. The storage compartment of the main body of the storage unit protrudes from the mounting point towards the rider, and the width of the storage compartment is wider than the width of the mounting point. In other words, the width of the mounting point is narrower than the width of the storage compartment. The storage compartment is opened and closed with a lid, and the storage unit is elongated in the direction parallel to the left and right extension of the handlebars, i.e., it is horizontally elongated. As a result, the storage compartment of the storage unit is a storage space that can accommodate a smartphone horizontally.

2. A storage unit that has means for attachment to both the left and right sides of a bicycle handlebar, and separately, means for attachment to a person's body, enabling both use by attaching to a bicycle handlebar and use by attaching to a person's body for carrying, wherein all or part of the information on bicycle traffic violations and the fines therefor is displayed on the surface of the storage unit in a position that is visually recognizable to the rider while riding the bicycle, and such information can be positioned so that it is in close contact with the body and not visible from the outside when the storage unit is attached to a person's body.

3. A storage unit is attached to the handlebars of a bicycle by screwing it to the center of the handlebars at its bottom surface. The storage unit has a storage compartment positioned above the handlebars. The handlebars extend in the direction of left and right, and the bicycle travels in the direction of front and back. The width of the storage compartment is wider than the width of the front and back. The storage compartment is opened and closed with a lid. The storage unit and its storage compartment are elongated in the direction parallel to the left and right extension of the handlebars, i.e., they are horizontally elongated. As a result, the storage compartment of the storage unit is a storage space that can accommodate a smartphone horizontally.

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