Foldable bicycle stand

Abstract

The invention relates to a foldable stand (S) for a bicycle (R) comprising a base (1) to which support arms are attached, the bicycle (R) being supported on end portions of the support arms. The base (1) includes a shaft (1c) provided with a spring-loaded pin (1e), on which a support-arm base (2) is mounted. The support-arm base (2) includes a pin-receiving hole (2a) for the pin (1e) and an anti-rotation profile (2b) corresponding to an anti-rotation profile (1f) on the shaft (1c), thereby preventing relative torsional movement. An upper portion of the support-arm base (2) includes two V-shaped ends (2c, 2d) on which a longer extension (3) and a shorter extension (4) of the support arms are mounted.

Description

DESCRIPTIONTitle of the InventionFOLDABLE BICYCLE STANDTechnical Field

[0001] The subject of the invention is a foldable bicycle stand characterised by a quick snap-fit mounting method.Background Art

[0002] US5320227A discloses a folding bicycle stand supported in an upright position during use. The stand comprises a telescopic post of adjustable length. The post is extended when the stand is in use and retracted when the stand is not in use. Support arms are located at the upper end of the post. The support arms are rotatable between a position holdingorsupportingthe bicycle when the stand is in use and a position parallel to the post when the stand is not in use. At least a pair of legs is connected to the lower part of the post. These legs are pivotally movable between a first position, in which the legs are open in opposite directions relative to the post and parallel to the floor when the stand is in use, and a second position, in which the legs are folded parallel to the post when the stand is not in use. One of the main problems with this stand is the rotating arms, which require adjustment and twisting of the rotating elements of the stand each time.

[0003] A similar bicycle stand design was disclosed in US patent application US2024025503A1. The bicycle repair stand is equipped with a support bar assembly comprising a plurality of support legs that can be selectively folded and extended, and an extension bar assembly comprising a first and second connecting structure and first, second and third extension bars. The first connecting structure is mounted to a vertical post. The first extension bar is rotatably connected to the first connecting structure. The second connecting structure is mounted to the first extension bar. The second extension bar is movably connected to the second connecting structure. The third extension bar is mounted to the second connecting structure. The extension bar assembly further comprises first, second and third supports. The first support is mounted to the second connecting structure. The second support is mounted to the second extension bar. The third support is mounted to the second end of the third extension bar.

[0004] GB119716A discloses a folding bicycle stand having two upright members with supports for frame members. The upright members are equipped with folding legs at their lower ends and are connected by hinged rods which, when the stand is in use, are connected to each other by a pin and slot. The rear end of the rod has a projection that passes through a slot in the upright member and is locked by a rotary hook. The legs are connected by links and a sliding plate at the lower end of each upright member. This solution is technically complex, includes numerous rotary adjustment elements, and its transverse stability appears to be low.

[0005] US5497967A describes a folding bicycle repair stand that includes a fixed, upright first support portion with a first holder allowing the bicycle to be supported at, or in the immediate vicinity of, the crank axle, and a second support portion hinged to the first support portion and provided with a second holder allowing the bicycle to be supported at the fork, the angle of the second support portion being adjustable. Although this solution is relatively simple from a technical point of view, it requires removal of the front wheel, which is unnecessary for many types of faults to be repaired.

[0006] CN219337646U describes a bicycle repair frame consisting of a main rod and a clamping mechanism located on the main rod. A side wall of the main rod is rotatably connected to a plurality of support rods by a first pivot shaft. A control adjustment mechanism is provided between the support rods and the main rod, and the support rods are movably connected to the main rod in a folding manner by means of the control adjustment mechanism. Each support rod is rotatably connected to an auxiliary support assembly. The utility model indicates advantages including ease of folding and storage, reduced transport costs, stable support, and the ability to prevent lateral tilt.Summary of InventionTechnical Problem

[0007] The above analysis of the prior art shows that foldable bicycle stands are known, but they require angular adjustment of individual legs as well as support arms on which the bicycle rests. When using such stands in the field, i.e. outside a repair workshop, adjusting these elements requires a considerable amount of time, which is a significant inconvenience in field conditions. There is therefore a need to develop a different standdesign based on simple snap-fit elements, the number of which is significantly limited, and which ensures stable positioning of the bicycle.Solution to Problem

[0008] The essence of the invention is a foldable bicycle stand comprising a base to which support arms are attached, the bicycle being supported on end portions of the support arms. The stand is characterised in that the base comprises a shaft provided with a spring-loaded pin, on which shaft a support-arm base is mounted. The support-arm base has a pin-receiving hole and a non-circular anti-rotation profile complementary to a corresponding anti-rotation profile formed on the base shaft, thereby preventing relative torsional movement. An upper portion of the support-arm base has two V-shaped ends, on which a longer and a shorter support-arm extension are mounted.

[0009] Preferably, one of the ends of the support-arm base has an anti-rotation profile and a pin-receiving hole, while the corresponding longer extension has a spring-loaded pin at its end and an anti-rotation profile complementary to the anti-rotation profile of said end, thereby preventing relative torsional movement.

[0010] Optionally, the other end of the support-arm base has a series of holes, while the corresponding shorter extension has a spring-loaded pin for engagement with a selected hole of said series.

[0011] Upper portions of the extensions are provided with end pieces, wherein the end piece on the longer extension preferably includes a flexible strap for securing to the bicycle frame, while the end piece on the shorter extension includes a rotatable insert having a concave seat for contact with the bicycle frame.

[0012] Preferably, the base of the stand is formed as a U-shaped section, to the sides of which a plate carrying the shaft is welded, and plastic clamps are fitted to the U-shaped section to prevent scratching.

[0013] Preferably, an angle between the V-shaped ends is in the range from 47° to 57°, and an apex of said angle is located at a distance in the range from 300 mm to 400 mm, preferably about 350 mm, above the plane of the stand.Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0014] A beneficial effect of the invention is very quick assembly of the foldable stand by simply pressing the individual components together. The stand is designed such that it requires virtually no adjustment and can be used in the field, for example during sports competitions. The stand also exhibits very good stability, in particular torsional stability of the individual components, mainly due to the provision of complementary anti-rotation profiles on the interconnected elements.Brief Description of Drawings

[0015] The invention is illustrated in the drawing, in which:Fig. 1. Stand after assembly - side view.Fig. 2. Stand with components unfolded - isometric view.Fig. 3. Stand base construction.Fig. 4. Support-arm base construction.Fig. 5. Stand with an enlarged view (right) of the shorter extension connection.Fig. 6. Stand with an enlarged view (left) of the longer extension connection and the connection of the support-arm base to the stand base.Fig. 7. Bicycle positioned on the stand.Fig. 8. Stand in two side views, including angular positioning of the support arms (left). Fig. 9. End of the longer extension in various isometric projections.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment of the foldable stand S for a bicycle R, a stand base 1 is provided, to which support arms are attached, the bicycle R being supported on the end pieces of said support arms. The stand base 1 consists of a U-shaped section 1 a, to the sides of which a plate 1b is welded transversely, the plate 1b carrying a shaft 1c projectingverticallyfrom its centre, and plastic clamps 1 d beingfitted onto the U-shaped section 1 a. The shaft 1 c of the stand base 1 includes a spring-loaded pin 1 e and an antirotation profile 1 f. A support-arm base 2 is fitted onto the shaft 1 c; a lower portion of the support-arm base 2 includes a pin-receiving hole 2a forthe pin 1 e and has an anti-rotation profile 2b corresponding to the anti-rotation profile 1 f on the shaft 1 c of the stand base 1 , thereby preventing relative torsional movement. The anti-rotation profiles 1f, 2b may have different geometric shapes. An upper portion of the support-arm base 2 includes two V-shaped ends 2c, 2d, onto which a longer extension 3 and a shorter extension 4 of the support arms are mounted.

[0017] In the example, the support-arm base 2 is made of welded steel or aluminium tubes, with an angle A between the V-shaped ends 2c, 2d being approximately 52° (±5°), and an apex of this angle being at a distance Z of approximately 350 mm (±50 mm) above the plane of the stand. The end 2c is bent at a higher point than the end 2d, which provides improved positioning of the centre of gravity of the stand with the bicycle and thus improves stability.

[0018] The end 2c of the support-arm base 2 has an anti-rotation profile 2e and a spring-loaded pin 2f, while the longer extension 3 has a pin-receiving hole 3a at its end for the spring-loaded pin 2f and an anti-rotation profile 3b complementary to the anti-rotation profile 2e, thereby preventing relative torsional movement. The other end 2d of the support-arm base 2 has a series of holes 2g, while the shorter extension 4 has a spring-loaded pin 4a configured to engage with a selected hole of the series of holes 2g.

[0019] Plastic end pieces 5 and 6 are attached to upper portions of the extensions 3 and 4. The end piece 5 attached to the longer extension 3 includes a flexible strap 5a for securing to the bicycle frame R. The end piece 6 attached to the shorter extension 4 includes a rotatable insert 6a, rotatably connected thereto by a screw and a wing nut, and having a concave seat. The concave seat allows the bicycle frame to be seated therein, thereby preventing lateral movement.

[0020] The shape of the end piece 5 of the longer extension 3 is particularly advantageous. The end piece 5 supports the bicycle frame, has a V-shaped recess and a rubber insert. A vertical portion of the end piece 5 bears against the suspension fork crown, preventing handlebar rotation and stabilising the bicycle. With this solution, a bicycle R placed on the stand can be dismantled down to the frame.List of reference signs1 - Stand base1 a - U-shaped section1 b - Plate1c -Shaft1d - Plastic clamps1 e - Spring-loaded pin1f- Anti-rotation profile2 -Support-arm base2a - Pin-receiving hole2b -Anti-rotation profile2c, 2d - V-shaped ends2e - Anti-rotation profile of end 2c2f- Spring-loaded pin at end 2c2g - Series of holes at end 2d3 - Longer extension3a - Pin-receiving hole3b - Anti-rotation profile at extension end 4 - Shorter extension4a -Spring-loaded pin5 - End piece of longer extension5a - Flexible strap6 - End piece of shorter extension6a - Rotatable insert

Claims

Claims1. A foldable stand (S) for a bicycle (R) comprising a base (1 ) to which support arms are attached, the bicycle (R) beingsupported on end portions of the support arms, characterised in that the base (1 ) comprises a shaft (1 c) provided with a spring- loaded pin (1e), on which shaft (1c) a support-arm base (2) is mounted, the support-arm base (2) including a pin-receiving hole (2a) for the spring-loaded pin (1e) and an anti-rotation profile (2b) corresponding to an anti-rotation profile (1f) on the shaft (1 c) of the base (1 ), thereby preventing relative torsional movement, wherein an upper portion of the support-arm base (2) comprises two V-shaped ends (2c, 2d) on which a longer extension (3) and a shorter extension (4) of the support arms are mounted.

2. The stand according to claim 1 , characterised in that one end (2c) of the supportarm base (2) comprises an anti-rotation profile (2e) and a spring-loaded pin (2f), and the longer extension (3) has a pin-receiving hole (3a) at its end for the spring- loaded pin (2f) and an anti-rotation profile (3b) complementary to the anti-rotation profile (2e), thereby preventing relative torsional movement.

3. The stand accordingto claim 1 or2, characterised in that the other end (2d) of the support-arm base (2) comprises a series of holes (2g), and the shorter extension (4) comprises a spring-loaded pin (4a) configured to engage with a selected hole of said series of holes (2g).

4. The stand according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that upper portions of the extensions (3, 4) are provided with end pieces (5, 6), wherein the end piece (5) provided on the longer extension (3) includes a flexible strap (5a) for securingto the bicycle frame (R), and the end piece (6) provided on the shorter extension (4) includes a rotatable insert (6a) having a concave seat for contact with the bicycle frame.

5. The stand according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the base (1) comprises a U-shaped section (1 a), to the sides of which a plate (1 b) carrying the shaft (1 c) is welded, and wherein plastic clamps (1 d) are fitted onto the U-shaped section (1a).

6. The stand according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that an angle (A) between the V-shaped ends (2c, 2d) is in the range from 47° to 57°, and an apex of said angle is located at a distance Z in the range from 300 mm to 400 mm, preferably about 350 mm, above the plane of the stand.

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