Patent Application
20130020362
The present invention generally relates to a basket support assembly positioned forward of bicycle handlebars to facilitate the carrying of objects therein. Unlike baskets of the prior art, the present invention contemplates the fabrication of unitary structures composed of the bicycle handlebars and frame components to which the body of the basket is appended.
Bicycle riding both for pleasure and commuting has gained substantial popularity in recent years. Many bicyclists find bicycling an excellent means to exercise while freeing the bicyclist from the constraints of congested vehicular traffic. Others recognize the benefits of travel which is free of a “carbon footprint” as concerns increase over global warming and related issues which are directly impacted by the burning fossil fuels.
As bicycles are used particularly for commuting and in running errands, books, computers, briefcases and groceries must be carried by the bicyclist. Some have suggested saddlebags appended behind the seat and adjacent the bicycle's rear wheel but saddlebags can interfere with the derailer and braking system of the bicycle and if the saddlebags are not evenly weighted, they can tend to destabilize the bicycle.
Alternatively, many bicyclists attach an aftermarket basket forward of the bicycle's handlebars by strapping the basket to the handlebars and/or attaching a support structure to other frame components on the bicycle. Such baskets employ compression stays connected to the bicycle's front fork which distract from the aesthetic look of any bicycle. Although such an approach is preferable to the employment of saddlebags, forward facing baskets of the type suggested by the prior art have not been universally embraced.
Baskets suggested in the past which attach by loops or clamps to a bicycle's handlebars tends to slip, loosen and dislodge in use. When heavy objects such as books or computers are placed in existing baskets, the integrity of the basket can be compromised. Its attachment to the handlebars can loosen causing contents to be lost. When such baskets are made of rigid materials such as metal rods, wire mesh or woven wood or bamboo, objects placed within them can roll from side to side creating a sense of instability particularly as a bicyclist navigates turns. Such baskets are usually permanently affixed to their supporting frame structure such that as the basket is worn, the entire frame assembly must be replaced together with the worn basket portions.
In summary, aftermarket baskets appended to a bicycle's handlebars are considered, at best, a necessary evil that most riders would prefer to not use.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a bicycle handlebar and basket support as a unitary assembly for overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art.
These and further objects will be more readily apparent when considering the following disclosure and appended claims.
A bicycle handlebar and basket support assembly. The assembly includes a handlebar affixed to a bicycle and a basket support frame permanently affixed to the handlebar. The basket support frame includes first and second segments extending from the handlebar and a third segment connecting the first and second segments creating an open region defined by first, second and third segments. Further included within the assembly is a basket attached to the basket support frame, the basket being of a material different from that of the basket support frame.
Novel features which are characteristic of the invention, as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustration description only and are not intended as definitions of the limits of the invention. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are recited with particularity in the claims.
There has been broadly outlined more important features of the invention in the summary above and in order that the detailed description which follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form additional subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based readily may be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important therefore, that claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Certain terminology and the derivations thereof may be used in the following description for convenience and reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, words such as “upward,” “downward,” “left,” and “right” refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made unless otherwise stated. Similar words such as “inward” and “outward” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a device or area and designated parts thereof. Reference in the singular tense include the plural and vice versa, unless otherwise noted.
Turning first to
First and second ends 12 and 13 are connected to central portion 14 of handlebar 11. Prior basket assemblies usually are provided with a clamp or strap for attaching a basket along central portion 14. However, the present invention differs markedly from prior basket embodiments by permanently affixing, by welding or otherwise a basket support frame as shown. Generally, the structure illustrated in
Again referring to
Reference is made to
In viewing
It should next be appreciated that although the tubular members making up bicycle handlebar and basket support assembly 20 are rigid having been welded together, basket 30 is composed of strapping or fabric which is capable of moving when forces are applied to members 34 and 35. As a result, objects placed within basket 30 do not tend to destabilize the bicycle and its rider particularly when lateral forces are placed upon carried items when the rider makes turns thus changing the angular momentum of the contents within basket 30.
It should further be recognized that although basket 30 is depicted in
For the sake of completeness, a further variation of the present invention is depicted in
It should further be noted with respect to
The embodiment of
The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, and provides the best mode of practicing the invention presently contemplated by the inventor. While there is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction, dimensions, relationships, or operations as described. Various modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed as suitable without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Such changes might involve alternative materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms, functions, operational features or the like. Therefore, the above description and illustration should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.
