Storage system for a bicycle

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage system for a bicycle having a steerer tube. The storage system should be easy for the user to install on and remove from the bicycle, should be easy to access during use and should have low weight together with high stability. This is achieved according to the invention in that the storage system also comprises: a sleeve body (1, 10) which is designed to be mounted in the cavity of the steerer tube such that the sleeve body can be rotationally moved about the longitudinal axis of the steerer tube, a clamping means which acts on the sleeve body mounted in the steerer tube and which comprises a ramp body (2, 20), the ramp body being movable linearly and parallel to a longitudinal axis (L) of the sleeve body (1, 10) by means of a first threaded drive (3, 30) as a result of rotational movement of the sleeve body and having a conical outer contour, and an expansion means (4, 40) which can be expanded by means of said linear movement of the ramp body (2, 20) such that the outer circumference of the expansion means expands against an inner wall of the steerer tube, and a storage means (5, 50) which can be screwed into the storage system by means of a second threaded drive (6, 60).

Description

[0001] Storage system for a bicycle

[0002] The invention relates to a storage system for a bicycle with a fork stem tube.

[0003] The fork tube of a bicycle is a component of the front fork and serves to connect the front wheel to the handlebars. The handlebars are connected to the fork tube via a so-called "stem," which is attached to the fork tube by a clamp connection.

[0004] To enable steering movements, the front fork and its steerer tube are pivotally mounted in the head tube of the bicycle frame. A headset cap and additional spacers to increase the distance between the head tube and stem are usually located between the upper end of the head tube and the clamp connection of the stem to the steerer tube. The steerer tube's play is usually removed by a tension screw that tightens the headset cap against a star nut located inside the steerer tube. For steerer tubes made of non-metallic materials, the star nut is replaced by a tensioning mechanism that expands against the inner wall of the steerer tube using the threaded drive of the tension screw.

[0005] Although the internal cavity of the fork stem tube is usually filled with components that are essential for the function of the bicycle, there has been a need for some time to make this interior of the fork stem tube also usable for the storage of small parts, such as tools for repairing bicycles.

[0006] Generic storage systems by means of which such small parts can be stowed in the fork stem tube of a bicycle are therefore known from the prior art. For example, storage systems with a sleeve- or tube-like storage container are known, which can be screwed directly into a thread introduced into the inner wall of the fork stem tube. However, the production of such a thread directly on the inner wall of the fork stem tube is complex and carries the risk of damage to the fork stem tube. For fork stem tubes made of non-metallic materials, such as carbon fiber, the introduction of such an internal thread is extremely complex and should generally be avoided to prevent structural damage to the fork stem tube.

[0007] Alternatively, DE 20 2019 104 727 U1 discloses a storage sleeve that can be inserted into a steerer tube. When inserted into the steerer tube, the storage sleeve can be placed against a first end face of the steerer tube by means of an annular collar and can be screwed against a clamping cover placed on the opposite second end face of the steerer tube, so that the storage sleeve is clamped between the two distal ends of the steerer tube. However, such a storage system extends over the entire length of the steerer tube and is supported against the steerer tube exclusively at its two distal ends, so that it has only low rigidity.In addition, the steerer tubes of bicycles vary greatly in length, so that such a storage system must either be produced and marketed in a wide variety of lengths, which is not very economical, or must be adaptable to the actual length of the steerer tube using a large number of compensating elements, which further increases the instability of this storage system and impairs its usability. Another significant disadvantage of this state of the art is that in many types of bicycle frames, the two distal ends of the steerer tube differ significantly from each other in terms of shape and dimensions. In some frame types, e.g. racing bikes with carbon frames, the lower end of the steerer tube is often even closed. In such frames, the storage system known from DE 20 2019 104 727 U1 is either impossible or very difficult to install.

[0008] In a similar way, storage systems are also known in which the storage container is screwed lengthwise along the steerer tube to a claw or claw nut inserted inside the steerer tube. However, the length of the storage container is limited by the depth of the claw nut's installation position in the steerer tube. For manufacturing reasons alone, the claw nut cannot be installed as deep as desired inside the steerer tube. Furthermore, the depth of the claw nut's installation position is limited by the fact that many steerer tubes widen in their downward section, increasing the inner diameter, and thus a claw nut cannot be securely anchored in such an expanded inner diameter. All of this means that the storage containers in such storage systems are very small or even impossible to install.are short in size. In addition, the already very small volume of the storage container is further reduced by the fastening screw that penetrates the interior of the storage container.

[0009] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a storage system for a bicycle with a fork steerer tube that overcomes the aforementioned problems. In particular, the storage system should be easy for the user to mount and dismount on the bicycle, be easily accessible during use, and be lightweight yet highly stable.

[0010] This task is solved by the fact that the storage system further comprises:

[0011] ■ a sleeve body which is designed to be mounted in the hollow space of the fork stem tube so that it can rotate about the longitudinal axis of the fork stem tube,

[0012] ■ a clamping means acting on the sleeve body mounted in the steerer tube, comprising a ramp body with a conical outer contour that can be moved linearly and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the sleeve body by means of a first screw drive by rotating the sleeve body, and an expansion means that can be expanded against an inner wall of the steerer tube by means of this linear movement of the ramp body, expanding its outer circumference,

[0013] ■ and a storage device which can be screwed into the storage system by means of a second screw drive.

[0014] The sleeve body and the clamping means form a holder device of the storage system, into which the storage means can be screwed. The clamping means, in turn, is formed from a ramp body and an expansion means. A ramp body, which according to the invention is a component of the clamping means, is understood in the context of the invention to be an annular sleeve that encompasses the sleeve body in the circumferential direction and extends in a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve body over at least a portion of the length of the sleeve body.

[0015] The basic idea of ​​the invention is to secure the storage device to the fork stem tube using two independent mechanical connections. A first drivable screw drive clamps the holding device of the storage system against the inner wall of the fork stem tube. A second drivable screw drive secures the storage device in the holding device of the storage system. Both screw drives can be driven independently of each other by means of a rotational movement around the longitudinal axis of the fork stem tube, with both screw drives being configured to apply the rotational movement by a user of the storage system from the same end face of the fork stem tube.In a storage system installed in the steerer tube, the longitudinal axes of the sleeve body, the ramp body and the expansion medium coincide and are congruent with the longitudinal axis of the steerer tube.

[0016] In this way, both mechanical connections or fixing devices can be optimized independently of each other. In particular, the invention enables a very stable attachment of the storage system in the fork steerer tube, as well as a very easy-to-use yet stable attachment of the storage device in the storage system.

[0017] Furthermore, both mechanical connections or fixing devices can be operated by the user of the storage system from a single end face of the steerer tube. The storage system can be inserted from one end face of the steerer tube into its interior or cavity and can be fixed from the inside against the inner wall of the steerer tube by means of an operating action that can also be carried out from the same end face to actuate the first screw drive. This allows both the insertion and clamping of the storage system to be carried out manually from a single end face of the steerer tube, without the need for further operating actions at the opposite distal (or second) end of the steerer tube. This simplifies manual operation of the storage system by the user and improves user-friendliness.Furthermore, the storage means can be easily fixed in the storage system or removed from it by means of an operating action that can be carried out from the same front side, without having to loosen the mechanical connection between the storage system and the steerer tube or without having to remove the storage system as such from the steerer tube.

[0018] In this way, a storage system is realized which allows the entire storage system to be mounted from a single end face of the steerer tube, without the need for any structural modifications or subsequent machining of conventional steerer tubes, such as cutting an internal thread into the steerer tube.

[0019] Compared to the first previously known storage systems, whose storage containers are screwed directly into an internal thread of the steerer tube, the advantage of the invention is that it is possible to dispense with such a thread, which negatively influences the structure and mechanical strength of the steerer tube, which enables the storage system according to the invention to be used with steerer tubes made of non-metallic materials, in particular those made of carbon fiber-based materials.

[0020] Compared to two previously known storage systems, whose storage containers are clamped between the longitudinally distal upper and lower end surfaces of a steerer tube, the advantage of the invention lies in the ease of assembly and operation of the storage means by the user from only one end face, namely the upwardly oriented end face of the steerer tube facing the user. Furthermore, it enables a uniform design that is nevertheless suitable for a wide variety of steerer tube shapes and lengths. Compared to third previously known storage systems, whose storage containers are screwed onto a claw nut driven into the interior of the steerer tube, the advantage of the invention lies in the significantly greater length of the storage means.In addition, the interior of the storage container of a storage system according to the invention is not impaired by any screw arranged there for fastening the storage means against the claw nut.

[0021] To simplify the insertion of the storage system into the fork stem, the sleeve body can have an annular projection on the end face remote from the clamping means. This projection forms a stop surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve body. This stop surface corresponds to a front face of the fork stem and limits the insertion path of the sleeve body into the fork stem, acting as an axial stop. This facilitates the positioning of the storage system when manually securing it against the fork stem of the bicycle.

[0022] The invention further provides that the storage means has a projection projecting beyond the outer contour of the sleeve body on the end face remote from the clamping means. When the storage system is fixed in the steerer tube, this projection forms an annular contact surface projecting beyond the outer contour of the sleeve body, over which a stem of the bicycle handlebar can be clamped against the headset to eliminate play in the steerer tube in the longitudinal direction of the steerer tube. In this way, the play-relief functionality can be realized by means of the storage system according to the invention, and the use of conventional devices for eliminating play between the steerer tube and the headset can be dispensed with. This is advantageous because the storage system according to the invention can be very easily dismantled, which represents a significant advantage over the prior art.Once a claw nut or impact claw has been driven into the steerer tube, it is either impossible to remove it from the steerer tube or it can only be removed with considerable effort.

[0023] Furthermore, it is provided that the end face of the sleeve body and / or the storage means remote from the clamping means has an internal toothing. In this way, the force required to actuate the first and / or second screw drive can be applied to the sleeve body or the storage means in a simple manner using tools known and widely used per se. In this case, an internal toothing suitable for the engagement of a cassette puller (which is known in itself) from the prior art is particularly preferably provided. Alternatively, other end-face means for the positive transmission of an actuating force to the sleeve body or the storage means are also conceivable, such as an external hexagon. This enables simple and efficient fixing of the storage system in the steerer tube orof the storage device in the storage system using common tools widely used by cyclists.

[0024] According to a first particularly preferred embodiment of the inventive basic idea, the first screw drive is designed as an internal thread of the sleeve body and the second screw drive is designed as an internal thread of the ramp body. The ramp body is designed as a sleeve with a first cylindrical threaded section, which has an external thread engaging with the sleeve body in the first screw drive and an internal thread engaging with the storage means in the second screw drive, as well as a second section adjoining this in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the ramp body, the outer surface of which forms a truncated cone surface with an outer circumference tapering conically towards the threaded section, on which a correspondingly conical inner surface of the expansion means is slidably supported.During a rotational movement of the sleeve body around the common longitudinal axis of the storage system, the ramp body undergoes a linear displacement in a direction parallel to this longitudinal axis via the first screw drive. This linear movement is transmitted via the second section of the ramp body to the expansion means, which, by means of its aforementioned conical inner surface, rests on the truncated cone-shaped outer surface of this second section of the ramp body.In the longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the storage system, the expansion means rests on the end face against the sleeve body acting as a stop, so that the expansion means cannot avoid the force component acting on the expansion means parallel to the longitudinal axis due to the linear movement of the ramp body by its own linear displacement, but instead is spread out under the influence of the force component perpendicular to this in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the storage system, i.e. in the direction of the inner wall of the steerer tube.

[0025] This preferred embodiment further provides that the expansion means comprises a plurality of mutually separated segments of an annular sleeve, which are held against one another by at least one ring held in a form-fitting manner on the outer circumferential surface of the segments and whose inner surfaces rest, with at least a partial section, on the outer contour of the ramp body. The separation is preferably oriented in a direction parallel to the common longitudinal axis of the storage system. Such segmentation enables, on the one hand, a uniform change in the outer circumference over the entire circumference of the annular sleeve upon a relative displacement between the ramp body and the annular sleeve of the expansion means. Furthermore, the individual segments of the annular sleeve are secured in their relative alignment to one another by the at least one ring enclosing the segments on their outer surfaces.Such a ring, which encompasses the segments of the ring sleeve, ensures that all segments slide over the truncated cone surface of the ramp body in a nearly synchronous manner during linear relative movement of the expansion means with respect to the ramp body. An expansion means designed in accordance with the invention in this way ensures a uniform distribution of the contact pressure against the inner wall surface of the steerer tube over the entire outer circumference.

[0026] This aforementioned, particularly preferred first embodiment is characterized by extremely compact dimensions and a very low weight. The aforementioned rings of the expansion means can be provided with a particularly sharp-edged outer contour, which not only enables the expansion means to be pressed flat against the inner wall of the steerer tube, but also allows the sharp-edged contour elements to penetrate the material of the steerer tube, making the use of this first embodiment particularly advantageous in conjunction with carbon tubes.

[0027] According to a second, alternative embodiment of the invention, the first screw drive is designed as an external thread of the sleeve body and the second screw drive is designed as an internal thread of the sleeve body. The ramp body is designed as a sleeve-like ring, which has an internal thread engaging the sleeve body in the first screw drive and an outer surface with an outer circumference that widens conically in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the ramp body, on which outer surface a correspondingly conical inner surface of the expansion means is slidably supported. During a rotational movement of the sleeve body about the common longitudinal axis of the storage system, the ramp body undergoes a linear displacement via the first screw drive in a direction parallel to this longitudinal axis.This linear movement is transmitted to the expansion means, which is supported by means of a first conical inner surface on the inversely conical outer surface of the ramp body. By means of suitable structural means, such as a frontal stop against the sleeve body on the second front side of the expansion means distal to the first conical inner surface, the expansion means is prevented from evading the force component parallel to the longitudinal axis acting on the expansion means by the linear movement of the ramp body by means of its own linear displacement. Instead, it is spread out under the influence of the force component perpendicular to this in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the storage system, i.e., towards the inner wall of the steerer tube.According to a preferred embodiment, the expansion means has a second conical inner surface in the region of the second end face distal to the first conical inner surface, which is slidably supported on an inversely conical outer surface of a second ramp body that is positionally fixed with respect to the sleeve body, i.e., in particular, cannot be displaced in the longitudinal direction. A force acting on the expansion means in the region of this second ramp body causes - analogously in the region of the first conical inner surface - a spreading of the expansion means towards the inner wall of the steerer tube under the action of a force component perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0028] This alternative second embodiment of the inventive concept enables a large contact surface of the expansion means against the inner wall of the fork stem tube, thus resulting in a particularly even distribution of the contact force against the fork stem tube and only very slight pressure load peaks. The expansion means of this second embodiment is designed as a slotted sleeve, at least one portion of whose inner surface rests on the outer contour of the ramp body. The at least one slot of the sleeve is preferably oriented in a direction parallel to the common longitudinal axis of the storage system. An expansion means designed in this way is simple and cost-effective to manufacture.

[0029] Furthermore, the invention provides friction-enhancing contour elements on the outer surface of the expansion means. Such contour elements can be designed in such a way that, while they reduce the contact surface between the expansion means and the inner wall surface of the steerer tube, they simultaneously increase the surface pressure between the two surface elements, thus generating greater contact forces between the two surface elements.

[0030] Preferably, these contour elements can also have pointed outer edges. At sufficiently high surface pressure, these can penetrate the surface of the inner wall of the steerer tube, thus increasing the coefficient of friction and creating a positive connection between the expansion medium and the steerer tube.

[0031] In a particularly preferred manner, the outer contour of the ring provided according to the aforementioned first embodiment alternative also has at least one such friction-increasing and / or form-fitting contour element.

[0032] The inventive concept is effectively supported by the fact that the storage means is constructed from a first sub-body containing the second screw drive and a second sub-body forming a storage container, with the first and second sub-bodies being connected to one another in a mechanically detachable manner. This enables particularly cost-effective production of the storage system. While the first sub-body, in its function as a hollow screw subject to high mechanical stress, places particular demands on the material used for its manufacture, a comparatively simple design as a dust- and liquid-tight plastic molded body is entirely sufficient for the second sub-body.This applies even more so if the storage means - as suggested above - has a projection projecting beyond the outer contour of the sleeve body on the end face remote from the clamping means, by means of which projection a stem of the bicycle handlebar can be clamped against the headset by rotating or tightening the hollow screw of the storage means in order to eliminate play in the steerer tube in the longitudinal direction of the steerer tube.

[0033] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to two exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings. They show, in perspective views: Figures 1 and 2: Longitudinal section through a storage system according to the invention according to a first embodiment variant.

[0034] Figures 3 and 4: Longitudinal section through a storage system according to the invention according to a second embodiment

[0035] In Figures 1 and 3, the first and second embodiments are shown in a position in which they are not clamped in the fork stem tube. In Figures 2 and 4, however, both embodiments are shown in the clamped position, i.e., in a position in which they are fixed or clamped in a fork stem tube 8, 80. This allows a direct comparison between the unclamped position and the clamped position, whereby the relative functional relationships of the individual components of a storage system according to the invention during the transition between these two positions are clarified and are easier to understand. The first embodiment of the storage system according to the invention, shown in Figure 1 in the assembled position, is formed from

[0036] ■ a sleeve body 1 with a smooth outer surface and an internal thread,

[0037] ■ a ramp body 2, comprising a first threaded section 21, which is designed as a cylindrical annular sleeve with an external thread, which forms a first screw drive 3 cooperating with the internal thread of the sleeve body 1, and an internal thread, as well as a second conical section 22 adjoining this in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the ramp body, which is designed as a truncated cone-shaped annular sleeve, the conical outer surface of which forms an outer circumference tapering towards the first section,

[0038] ■ an expansion means 4, consisting of a plurality of mutually separated segments 41 of an annular sleeve, which are held together by two rings 42, each held in a form-fitting manner in a groove on the outer circumferential surface of the segments 41, wherein each segment 41 comprises a first section, which is designed as a cylindrical annular sleeve with a smooth inner wall, and a second support section 43, the inner surface of which has a conical contour corresponding to the conical outer surface of the second section 22 of the ramp body 2 and is supported in a sliding manner on this conical outer surface of the ramp body 2,

[0039] ■ and a storage means 5, which is formed from a first partial body 53, which is designed as a cylindrical hollow screw with an external thread, which forms a second screw drive 6 cooperating with the internal thread of the ramp body 2, and a second partial body, which is designed as a sleeve with a bottom closed on one side in the longitudinal direction and forms the actual storage container 54 for receiving small parts or tools.

[0040] All of the aforementioned components of the storage system are rotationally symmetrical and thus each have a longitudinal axis. In an assembled state embodying the storage system according to the invention, the storage system has a common longitudinal axis L for all of the aforementioned components. This axis is also identical to the longitudinal axis of the steerer tube 8. For the sake of clarity, the steerer tube is not shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 shows the aforementioned first embodiment in a clamped position in the steerer tube 8.

[0041] The sleeve body 1 has a smooth outer surface whose outer diameter essentially corresponds to the inner diameter of the steerer tube 8 (i.e., there is only a small gap between the steerer tube 8 and the sleeve body 1 inserted into the steerer tube 8). Thus, the sleeve body 1—in and of itself—is configured to be mounted in the cavity of the steerer tube 8 so that it can rotate about the longitudinal axis of the steerer tube 8 (and thus also about the longitudinal axis L of the storage system).

[0042] Furthermore, the sleeve body 1 has an annular projection 11 on a first end face, which forms a stop surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the storage system or to the outer surface of the sleeve body 1. This stop surface corresponds to the edge of that end face of the steerer tube 8 from which the storage system according to the invention is inserted into the steerer tube 8 during assembly, and limits the insertion path of the sleeve body into the steerer tube 8 in the manner of an axial stop acting against the aforementioned end face of the steerer tube 8. This facilitates the positioning of the storage system during assembly in the steerer tube 8 of a bicycle.

[0043] Furthermore, the sleeve body 1 has an internal toothing on the end face of the projection 11, suitable for engagement with a commercially available cassette puller. In this way, the force required to actuate the first threaded drive 3 can be easily applied to the sleeve body 1 using a tool known per se and widely used by cyclists. This allows for simple and efficient clamping of the sleeve body 1 against the fork stem 8 of the bicycle for any user.

[0044] In a first assembly position, shown in Figure 1, in which the storage system can be inserted into or removed from the steerer tube, the ramp body 2 is screwed out of the sleeve body 1 in the first screw drive 3 to such an extent that the second support sections 43 of the expansion means 4 rest on the tapered region of the conical section of the ramp body 2. In this assembly position, the segments 41 of the expansion means 4 have almost no play relative to one another, and the two rings 42, each enclosing all segments 41, are held only comparatively loosely in their respective grooves on the outer surfaces of the segments 41. Furthermore, the first section of each segment 41 of the expansion means 4 rests against an end face of the sleeve body 1 in this first assembly position.

[0045] When a rotary motion is applied to the sleeve body 1 about the longitudinal axis L (for example, by means of an actuating tool inserted into the aforementioned front-end internal toothing of the sleeve body 1), the ramp body 2 undergoes a linear displacement via the first screw drive 3 in a longitudinal direction parallel to this longitudinal axis L. This linear movement is transmitted via the second section of the ramp body 2 to the second sections 43 of the segments 41 of the expansion means 4, which are each supported on the conical outer surface of the second section of the ramp body 2.Due to the aforementioned longitudinally effective end-face stop of each segment 41 against the sleeve body 1, the segments 41 cannot evade the force components parallel to the longitudinal axis L caused by the linear movement of the ramp body 2 by their own linear displacement in the longitudinal direction, but instead are spread open under the action of the force components perpendicular to this in a spatial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L, i.e. in the direction of the inner wall of the steerer tube 8. In this case, the gaps between the segments 41 of the expansion means and the outer circumference of the expansion means 4 increase until at least the rings 42 rest with their respective outer contours against the inner wall of the steerer tube 8. In this way, the storage system can be clamped against the steerer tube 8.In order to increase the holding force effective between the steerer tube 8 and the storage system, both rings 42 each have a sharply contoured outer contour, which not only increases the coefficient of friction between the ring 42 and the inner wall of the steerer tube 8, but also, with sufficient force introduced into the ramp body 2 via the first screw drive 3, enables the sharp outer contour of each ring 42 to "dig in" into the material of the inner wall of the steerer tube and thus also enables a positive connection between the two.

[0046] When designing the storage system according to the invention, it is therefore important to ensure that the maximum outer circumference of each of the two rings 42 is dimensioned such that it does not fall below the maximum inner diameter of the fork stem tube 8 into which the storage system is to be mounted. Otherwise, an overly narrow outer circumference of a ring 42 would block the expansion of the segments 41 at too early a stage, before the expansion means 4 or its rings 42 come into clamping contact with the fork stem tube 8.

[0047] In a second clamping position, visualized in Figure 2, in which the storage system is clamped in the steerer tube 8, the ramp body 2 is screwed far enough into the first threaded drive 3 in the direction of the sleeve body 1 that the support section 43 or at least one ring 42 of the expansion means 4 is brought into self-locking contact against the inner wall of the steerer tube 8 via the conical section 22 of the ramp body 2. In the clamping position, in the area of ​​the first threaded drive 3, the sleeve body 1 and the ramp body 2 are in mutual engagement over a greater number of threads than in the unclamped position.

[0048] The first partial body 53 and the storage container 54 of the storage means 5 are detachably connected to one another by means of a positive connection. The first partial body 53 is designed as a hollow screw with an external thread, to the end face of which, in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis L, the likewise cylindrical storage container 504 is connected via a mechanical latch. Furthermore, the storage means 5 has, on the second end face distal thereto, a projection 51 which projects radially beyond the outer contour of the annular projection 11 of the sleeve body 1. When the storage system is installed in the steerer tube 8, this projection forms an annular contact surface which projects beyond the outer contour of the sleeve body 1 and over which a (in Figures 1 and 2)2 stem of the bicycle handlebar (not shown for reasons of clarity) can be tensioned against the headset to eliminate play in the fork stem tube 8 in the longitudinal direction of the fork stem.

[0049] Furthermore, the storage means 5 has an internal toothing 52 on the end face of the projection 51, suitable for engagement with a commercially available cassette puller. In this way, the force required to actuate the second threaded drive 6 can be easily applied to the storage means 5 using a tool known per se and widely used by cyclists. This allows for simple and efficient fixation of the storage means 5 in the storage system for any user. In an analogous and similarly motivated manner, the end face of the sleeve body 1, which is oriented outwards in the assembled position, also has such an internal toothing.

[0050] Figure 3 visualizes a second embodiment of the storage system according to the invention in the assembly position, wherein the storage system is formed from

[0051] ■ a sleeve body 10, comprising a first cylindrical section with a first outer diameter and with an internal thread, and a second cylindrical section adjoining this in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the sleeve body 10 and forming a radial shoulder 102, with a second outer diameter and with an external thread, wherein the second outer diameter is smaller than the first outer diameter,

[0052] ■ a ramp body 20, which is designed as an annular sleeve with an internal thread, which forms a first screw drive 30 cooperating with the external thread of the sleeve body 10, and a conical outer surface with an outer circumference tapering towards the first section of the sleeve body 10,

[0053] ■ an expansion means 40, consisting of a ring sleeve slotted in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the storage system with a first support section 403, the inner surface of which has a conical contour corresponding to the conical outer surface of the ramp body 20 and is supported in a sliding manner on this conical outer surface of the ramp body 20, and a second support section 404, the inner surface of which has a conical contour with a slope inverse or opposite to the conical contour of the first support section 403 and is supported on a conical outer surface of a counter-ring 201 lying on the second section of the sleeve body 10 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis L against the shoulder 102,

[0054] ■ and a storage means 50, which is formed from a first partial body 503, which is designed as a cylindrical hollow screw with an external thread, which forms a second screw drive 60 cooperating with the internal thread of the sleeve body 10, and a second partial body, which is designed as a sleeve with a bottom closed on one side in the longitudinal direction and forms the actual storage container 504 for receiving small parts or tools.

[0055] All of the aforementioned components of the storage system are rotationally symmetrical and thus each have a longitudinal axis. In an assembled state embodying the storage system according to the invention, the storage system has a common longitudinal axis L for all of the aforementioned components. This axis is also identical to the longitudinal axis of the steerer tube 80. For the sake of clarity, the steerer tube is not shown in Figure 3. Figure 4 shows the aforementioned second embodiment in a clamped position in the steerer tube 80.

[0056] The first cylindrical section of the sleeve body 10 has smooth outer surfaces whose maximum outer diameter essentially corresponds to the inner diameter of the steerer tube 80 (i.e., there is only a small gap between the steerer tube 80 and the sleeve body 10 inserted into the steerer tube 80). Thus, the sleeve body 10—in and of itself—is configured to be mounted in the cavity of the steerer tube 80 for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the steerer tube 80 (and thus also about the longitudinal axis L of the storage system).

[0057] Furthermore, the sleeve body 10 has an annular projection 101 on a first end face delimiting the first cylindrical section, which projection forms a stop surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the storage system or to the outer surface of the first cylindrical section of the sleeve body 10. This stop surface corresponds to the edge of that end face of the steerer tube 80 from which the storage system according to the invention can be inserted into the steerer tube 80 during assembly, and limits the insertion path of the sleeve body into the steerer tube 80 in the manner of an axial stop acting against the aforementioned end face of the steerer tube 80. This facilitates the positioning of the storage system during assembly in the steerer tube 80 of a bicycle.

[0058] Furthermore, the sleeve body 10 has an internal toothing on the end face of the projection 101, suitable for engagement with a commercially available cassette puller. In this way, the force required to actuate the first threaded drive 30 can be easily applied to the sleeve body 10 using a tool known per se and widely used by cyclists. This allows for simple and efficient clamping of the sleeve body 10 against the fork stem 80 of the bicycle for any user.

[0059] In a first assembly position, in which the storage system can be inserted into or removed from the fork stem tube 80, the ramp body 20 in the first threaded drive 30 is spaced or screwed out from the shoulder 102 of the sleeve body 10 to such an extent that the first support section 403 of the expansion means 40 rests on the tapered region of the conical outer contour of the ramp body 20. In this assembly position, the slot 408 of the annular sleeve of the expansion means 40 is almost closed.

[0060] When a rotational movement is applied to the sleeve body 10 about the longitudinal axis L (for example by means of an actuating tool inserted into the aforementioned front-side internal toothing of the sleeve body 10), the ramp body 20 undergoes a linear displacement in a longitudinal direction parallel to this longitudinal axis L via the first screw drive 30. This linear movement is transmitted via the conical outer contour of the ramp body 20 to the support section 403 of the expansion means 40, which is supported on the ramp body 20 by means of a likewise conical inner surface. The annular sleeve of the expansion means 40 has, at a second end distal to the first support section 403 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L, a second support section 404, the inner surface of which has a conical contour with a direction that is inverse to, or identical to, the conical contour of the first support section 403.opposite gradient and is supported on a conical outer surface of a counter-ring 201 which rests against the shoulder 102 on the second section of the sleeve body 10 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis L. Due to this longitudinally effective end-face stop of the counter-ring 201 on the shoulder 102, the annular sleeve of the expansion means 40 cannot escape the force component parallel to the longitudinal axis L, which is acting as a result of the linear movement of the ramp body 20 in the region of the first support section 403, by means of its own linear movement in the longitudinal direction, but is instead spread or widened under the action of the force component perpendicular thereto in a spatial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L, i.e. in the direction of the inner wall of the steerer tube 80.The slot 408 in the annular sleeve of the expansion means 40 widens and its outer circumference increases until the outer contour of the annular sleeve of the expansion means 40 rests against the inner wall of the steerer tube 80. In this way, the storage system can be clamped against the steerer tube 80. To increase the holding force effective between the steerer tube 80 and the storage system, the outer surface of the annular sleeve of the expansion means 40 has a plurality of sharply contoured contour elements 407 (for example in the form of the bands shown in Figure 3 that surround the annular sleeve). These not only increase the coefficient of friction between the expansion means 40 and the inner wall of the steerer tube 80, but also enable a positive-fitting "digging" of the contour elements 70 into the material of the inner wall of the steerer tube 80, provided sufficient force is introduced into the ramp body 20 via the first threaded drive 30.

[0061] When designing the storage system according to the invention, it is therefore important to ensure that the maximum outer circumference of the annular sleeve of the expansion device 40 is dimensioned such that it does not fall below the maximum inner diameter of the steerer tube 80 into which the storage system is to be mounted. Otherwise, the expansion of the annular sleeve would be blocked at too early a stage, before the expansion device 40 comes into clamping contact with the steerer tube 80.

[0062] In the second clamping position, in which the storage system is clamped in the fork shaft tube 80, the ramp body 20 is screwed into the first threaded drive 30 in the direction of the shoulder 102 of the sleeve body 10 so far that the support section 403 of the expansion means 40 rests in the thickened area of ​​the conical outer contour of the ramp body 20.

[0063] The first partial body 503 and the storage container 504 of the storage means 50 are detachably connected to one another by means of a positive connection. The first partial body 503 is designed as a hollow screw with an external thread, into whose internal cylindrical cavity the likewise cylindrical storage container 504 is inserted. Furthermore, the storage means 50 has, on the end face remote from the bottom of the storage container 504, a projection 501 which projects radially beyond the outer contour of the annular projection 101 of the sleeve body 10. When the storage system is installed in the steerer tube 80, this projection forms an annular contact surface which projects beyond the outer contour of the first section of the sleeve body 10 and over which a (in Figures 3 and 4)4 stem of the bicycle handlebar (not shown for reasons of clarity) can be tensioned against the headset to eliminate play in the fork stem tube 80 in the longitudinal direction of the fork stem.

[0064] Furthermore, the storage means 50 has an internal toothing 502 on the end face of the projection 501, suitable for engagement with a commercially available cassette puller. In this way, the force required to actuate the second threaded drive 60 can be easily applied to the storage means 50 using a tool known per se and widely used by cyclists. This allows for simple and efficient fixation of the storage means 50 in the storage system for any user.

[0065] List of reference symbols

[0066] I , 10 sleeve bodies

[0067] II , 101 annular projection of the sleeve body 1 , 10

[0068] 102 radial shoulder of the sleeve body 10

[0069] 2, 20 ramp bodies

[0070] 21 Threaded section of the ramp body 2

[0071] 22 conical section of the ramp body 2

[0072] 201 longitudinally offset counter-ring of the

[0073] Ramp body 20

[0074] 3, 30 first screw drive

[0075] 4.40 Expansion funds

[0076] 41 segments of the expansion agent 4

[0077] 42 Ring of the expansion agent 4

[0078] 43, 403 Support section of the expansion agent 4, 40

[0079] 404 second support section of the expansion agent 40

[0080] 407 contour elements

[0081] 408 slot

[0082] 5.50 storage containers

[0083] 51 , 501 ring-shaped attachment of the storage device 5, 50

[0084] 52, 502 Internal toothing of the storage device 5, 50

[0085] 53, 503 Partial body of the storage means 5, 50 with second

[0086] Screw drive 6, 60

[0087] 54, 504 Storage container of the storage medium 5, 50

[0088] 6, 60 second screw drive

[0089] 8.80 steerer tube

[0090] L Longitudinal axis of the storage system

Claims

Patent claims 1) A storage system for a bicycle with a fork stem, characterized in that the storage system further comprises: ■ a sleeve body (1, 10) which is designed to be mounted in the hollow space of the fork stem tube so as to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the fork stem tube, ■ a clamping means acting on the sleeve body mounted in the steerer tube, comprising • a ramp body (2, 20) with a conical outer contour, which can be moved linearly and parallel to a longitudinal axis (L) of the sleeve body (1, 10) by means of a first screw drive (3, 30) by rotating the sleeve body, • and an expansion means (4, 40) which is designed to be expandable by means of this linear movement of the ramp body (2, 20) by expanding its outer circumference against an inner wall of the fork shaft tube, ■ and a storage means (5, 50) which can be screwed into the storage system by means of a second screw drive (6, 60). 2) Storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage means (5, 50) has, on the end face remote from the clamping means, a projection (51, 501) projecting beyond the outer contour of the sleeve body (1, 10). 3) Storage system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the end face of the sleeve body (1, 10) and / or of the storage means (5, 50) remote from the clamping means has an internal toothing (52, 502). 4) Storage system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first screw drive (3) is designed as an internal thread of the sleeve body (1) and the second screw drive (6) is designed as an internal thread of the ramp body (2). 5) Storage system according to claim 4, characterized in that the expansion means (4) comprises a plurality of mutually separated segments (41) of an annular sleeve, which are held together by at least one ring (42) held in a form-fitting manner on the outer circumferential surface of the segments (41) and whose inner surfaces rest with at least one partial section (43) on the outer contour of the ramp body (2). 6) Storage system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first screw drive (30) is designed as an external thread of the sleeve body (10) and the second screw drive (60) is designed as an internal thread of the sleeve body (10). 7) Storage system according to claim 6, characterized in that the expansion means (40) is designed as a slotted sleeve, the inner surface of which rests with at least one partial section (403) on the outer contour of the ramp body (20). 8) Storage system according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the outer surface of the expansion means (40) has friction-increasing and / or form-fitting contour elements (407). 9) Storage system according to claim 5, characterized in that the outer contour of the ring (42) has at least one friction-increasing and / or form-fitting contour element. 10) Storage system according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the storage means (5, 50) is constructed from a first partial body (53, 503) having the second screw drive (6, 60) and a second partial body forming a storage container (54, 504), wherein the first and second partial bodies are connected to one another in a mechanically detachable manner.

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