Flat pack bicycle rack

• US 20040251219A1
• Filed: 06/11/2003
• Published: 12/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Trellidor, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Trellidor, Ltd.
• Inventors: Zimmerman, Henry
• Application Number:
  US10/458,671
• Publication Number:
  US 20040251219A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 211/17
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 3/06 collapsible
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 3/08 involving recesses or channelled rails for embracing the bottom part of a wheel

Abstract

A rack system for a plurality of bicycles, including a first elongated base assembly having a plurality of first holes therein, a second elongated base assembly having a plurality of second holes therein and a plurality of support elements. The support elements are configured for mechanical connection to the base assemblies solely by easy mechanical attachment. The first and second end of one support element are configured for insertion into one of the first and second holes, respectively. The first and second base assembly are configured to provide a resisting force to a torque applied to one support element by one of the bicycles about a line which joins the an associated first and second hole. A spacing of the first and second holes is configured, such that every two of the support elements support one bicycle by the wheel and the bicycles are spaced apart.

Claims

1. A rack system for a plurality of bicycles, each of the bicycles having a wheel, comprising:

(a) a base assembly; and

(b) a plurality of support elements, said support elements being configured for mechanical connection to said base assembly solely by easy mechanical attachment.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

(a) said base assembly includes;

(i) a first elongated base assembly having a plurality of first holes therein; and

(ii) a second elongated base assembly having a plurality of second holes therein; and

(b) said support elements are elongated support elements, each of said support elements turning through at least 90 degrees, at least one of said support elements having a first end and a second end, said first end being configured for insertion into one of said first holes, said second end being configured for insertion into one of said second holes, said first elongated base assembly and said second elongated base assembly being configured to provide a resisting force to a torque applied to said one support element by one of the bicycles about a line which joins said one first hole and said one second hole, a spacing of said first holes and said second holes being configured, such that, every two of said support elements support one of the bicycles by the wheel.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein when said support elements are mechanically connected to said first elongated base assembly and said second elongated base assembly, said elongated elements are related to each other by translation without rotation.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein when said support elements are mechanically connected to said first elongated base assembly and said second elongated base assembly, said support elements are substantially parallel.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein said first elongated base assembly and said second elongated base assembly are configured for mechanically connecting to a fixed surface.

6. The system of claim 2, further comprising at least one brace, said brace being mechanically connectable to two of said support elements in order to reduce sideways torque of said two support elements.

7. The system of claim 2, further comprising at least one brace, said brace being mechanically connectable to two of said support elements in order to raise the wheel of the bicycle.

8. The system of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of fastening members configured to fasten said support elements in said first holes and said second holes.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said first end of each of said support elements includes an opening for inserting one of said fastening members therein.

10. The system of claim 2, wherein said first elongated base assembly and said second elongated base assembly are hollow, said first holes being disposed in said first elongated base assembly on two levels and said second holes being disposed in said second elongated base assembly on two levels, such that, said first end of each of said support elements is configured for insertion through two of said first holes and said second end of each of said support elements is configured for insertion through two of said second holes.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of fastening members configured to fasten said support elements in said first holes and said second holes, wherein said first end includes two openings configured for inserting one of said fastening members in each of said two openings.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said first elongated assembly has as a first section and a second section, a half of said first holes being disposed in said first section, another half of said first holes being disposed in said second section, each of said support members being mechanically connectable to said first elongated base assembly using one of said fastening elements which is disposed on one side of said first section and another of said fastening elements which is disposed on another side of said first section.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said first section and said second section are mechanically connected when said first elongated base assembly is mechanically connected to a fixed surface.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein said first section includes a rectangular strip having side elements, said side elements being configured to provide a gap between said rectangular strip and said fixed surface when said first elongated assembly is mechanically connected to said fixed surface, said gap being configured to contain at least part of said first end of each of said support elements.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein said support elements are hollow.