ATTACHMENTS, BRACKETS, AND SUPPORT ASSEMBLIES

• US 20100327132A1
• Filed: 11/12/2008
• Published: 12/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thule IP AB (Thule Group AB)
• Original Assignee: Thule IP AB (Thule Group AB)
• Inventors: Maguire, Patrick David
• Granted Patent: US 8,870,138 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/201
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 11/00 Supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening specific devices to cycles, e.g. supports for attaching maps
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 7/04 arranged above or behind the rear wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 7/06 arranged above the front wheel, e.g. on the handlebars
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 9/21 above or alongside the front wheel, e.g. on the handlebars
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1416 Winder
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2192 Buckle type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/34 Combined diverse multipart fasteners

Abstract

An attachment device which includes: a length of material which is fixed to a body portion of the attachment device at one end thereof via a loop, the other end of the length of material being capable, in use, of being passed around a frame or part thereof to which the bracket is to be attached; a gripping mechanism capable of receiving the free end of the length of material and holding the length of material received therein, in a set position, until the gripping mechanism is released; and wherein the looping of the length of material to the body portion positions the length of material between the body portion and the frame or part thereof to which the attachment device is attached in use.

Claims

1. An attachment device which includes:

a length of material which is fixed to a body portion of the attachment device at one end thereof, the other end (free end) of the length of material being capable, in use, of being passed around a frame or part thereof to which the bracket is to be attached; and

a gripping mechanism capable of receiving the free end of the length of material and holding the length of material received therein, in a set position, until the gripping mechanism is released.

3. An attachment device as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the looping of the strap or length of material positions the strap/length of material between the body portion and the frame or object to which the attachment device is attached in use.

7. An attachment device as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the attachment device has adapted a region of the body portion to allow for attachment of items thereto which are to be supported by the attachment device.

2. An attachment device including:

a ratchet having a spindle and pawl;

a length of material in the form of a strap connected to a body portion, the strap connected to the body portion via means of a loop, the free end of the strap, in use, passing through a slot in the ratchet spindle.

4. An attachment device as claimed in claim 2 wherein a section of cushioning material is attached to, formed with, or positioned upon, either:

the length of material or the body portion of the bracket, to prevent at least a portion of the body portion from directly contacting the frame or part thereof.

5. An attachment device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the length of material is passed around/through the body portion and the loop is formed in combination with a section of cushioning material.

6. An attachment device as claimed in the preceding claim wherein the cushioning material has one or more slots through which the length of material can be passed, and through which the free end of the length of material, can be passed back on itself.

8. An attachment device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the pawl, is disengaged via a release apparatus.

9. An attachment device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the release apparatus is a cylindrical rod having an eccentric cam protrusion.

10. An attachment device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the release apparatus is in the form of a cylindrical rod, having an eccentric cam that can interact with the pawl, wherein the cylindrical rod is retained within the body portion, and wherein the cylindrical rod has a suitably shaped aperture or protrusion available to be engaged by a suitably shaped tool for rotation thereof.

11. A bracket assembly which includes:

two attachment devices;

characterised in that the two attachment devices are connected via at least one member so as to be spaced apart from one another;

and wherein the each attachment device includes;

a length of material which is fixed to a body portion of the attachment device at one end thereof, the other end (free end) of the length of material being capable, in use, of being passed around the object or part thereof to which the bracket assembly is to be attached; and

a gripping mechanism capable of receiving the free end of the length of material and holding the length of material received therein, in a set position, until the gripping mechanism is released.

12. A bracket assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the length of material is attached to the body portion of the attachment device, in a manner that positions the length of material between the body portion and the object to which it is attached in use.

13. A bracket assembly as claimed in either claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the length of material and/or bracket are individually, or collectively, configured to prevent at least a portion of the body portion from directly contacting the object.

14. A bracket assembly as claimed in claim either claim 11 or claim 12 wherein a section of cushioning material is attached to, formed with, or positioned upon, either:

the length of material or the body portion of the bracket, to prevent at least a portion of the body portion from directly contacting the frame or part thereof.

15. A bracket assembly as claimed in either claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the length of material is fixed to the body portion of the attachment device via a loop.

16. A bracket assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the length of material is passed around/through the body portion and the loop is formed in combination with a section of cushioning material.

17. A bracket assembly as claimed in the preceding claim wherein the cushioning material has one or more slots through which the length of material can be passed, and through which the free end of the length of material can be passed back on itself.

18. A bracket assembly as claimed in either claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the gripping mechanism is in the form of a ratchet and pawl arrangement, wherein the free end of the strap passes through a slot in a spindle associated with the ratchet.

19. A bracket assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the bracket has adapted a region of the body portion to allow for attachment of items thereto.

20. A support assembly which includes a support frame which has:

a primary support member;

at least one secondary support member;

characterised in that the primary and secondary support members are connected to one another in a manner which allows the relative spatial relationship of the two members to be adjusted and wherein at least one end of each member, is capable in use, of connecting the support frame to an article via at least one attachment device or at least one bracket.

23. A support assembly as claimed in claim 20 or claim 21 which includes a deck or generally horizontal surface capable of supporting items thereon.

24. A support assembly as claimed in claim 20 or claim 21 wherein the ends of either the primary or secondary support member, used to connect the member to an attachment device or bracket, include an attachment portion.

25. A support assembly as claimed in claim 20 or claim 21 wherein the attachment portion is attached to the primary or secondary member in a manner that allows the attachment portion to at least partially pivot or swivel with respect to said member.

26. A support assembly as claimed in claim 23 that includes a retention arrangement in the form of a bungee and hook device that is housed inside the primary support member or a portion thereof.

27. A support assembly as claimed in claim 20 wherein there is provided apertures and/or suitably shaped protrusions to attach items for supporting further items thereon.

21. A support assembly which includes:

a support frame having;

primary support member; and

at least one secondary support member;

wherein the primary and secondary support members are connected to one another in a manner which allows the relative spatial relationship of the two members to be adjusted; and

a bracket having;

two attachment devices;

wherein the attachment devices are connected to one another via at least one member so as to be spaced apart from one another.

22. A support assembly as claimed in claim 21 wherein each attachment device includes:

a length of material which is fixed to a body portion of the attachment device at one end thereof, the other end (free end) of the length of material being capable, in use, of being passed around the object to which the bracket is to be attached; and

a gripping mechanism capable of receiving the free end of the length of material and holding the length of material received, therein, in a set position, until the gripping mechanism is released.