DISC BRAKE PROTECTOR

• US 20190329834A1
• Filed: 12/08/2017
• Published: 10/31/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alex Trimnell
• Original Assignee: Alex Trimnell
• Inventors: TRIMNELL, Alex
• Granted Patent: US 10,960,948 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 23/00 Other protectors specially adapted for cycles
• CPC Class Codes: B62L 1/00 Brakes back-pedalling brakes B62L5/00; Arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2055/0037 Protective covers
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 55/22 by clamping an axially-located rotating disc between movable braking members, e.g. movable brake discs or brake pads
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 65/0081 Brake covers

Abstract

This invention relates to a disc brake protector (1; 101) for a bicycle (200), the disc brake protector comprising (a) an inner cover (10; 110) for fitting around an axle (220) of a bicycle wheel (205, 225) between the wheel and the disc brake, the inner cover comprising a closable opening (15; 115) for insertion of the axle, and (b) an outer cover (5) which is attachable to the inner cover such that, in use, the covers enclose the disc brake. The invention also relates to a method of attaching the disc brake protector, as well as to a bicycle fitted with the disc brake protector.

Claims

1. A disc brake protector for a bicycle, the disc brake protector comprising:

(a) an inner cover for fitting around an axle of a bicycle wheel between the bicycle wheel and the disc brake, the inner cover comprising a closable opening for insertion of the axle; and

(b) an outer cover attachable to the inner cover such that, in use, the inner and outer covers enclose the disc brake.

2. The disc brake protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner cover comprises a flexible material.

3. The disc brake protector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the flexible material is a plastic.

4. The disc brake protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner cover is substantially flat.

5. The disc brake protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner cover has formed therein a substantially circular hole for accepting the axle.

6. The disc brake protector as claimed in claim 5, wherein the closable opening comprises a slit extending from an outer edge of the inner cover to the substantially circular hole.

7. The disc brake protector as claimed in claim 5, wherein the closable opening comprises a channel extending from an outer edge of the inner cover to the substantially circular hole.

8. The disc brake protector as claimed in claim 7, wherein the inner cover comprises a closure member moveable from a first position in which the closure member does not obstruct the channel to a second position in which the closure member closes the channel.

9. The disc brake protector as claimed in claim 8, wherein the closure member is attached to the inner cover with a rotatable fastener.

11. The disc brake protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer cover comprises a flexible material that provides a cushioning effect.

12. The disc brake protector as claimed in claim 11, wherein the flexible material is a polymer foam.

13. The disc brake protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the inner cover and the outer cover is provided with a releasable fastener such that the inner cover can be removably attached to the outer cover.

14. The disc brake protector as claimed in claim 13, wherein the fastener is a hook and loop fastener.

15. The disc brake protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner cover and the outer cover are substantially the same size and are substantially circular.

16. A method of attaching a disc brake protector as claimed in claim 1 to a bicycle, the method comprising:

(a) sliding the inner cover between a wheel of the bicycle and a disc brake of the bicycle, such that an axle of the bicycle wheel is inserted into the closable opening; and

(b) attaching the outer cover to the inner cover such that the disc brake is enclosed by the outer and inner covers.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the inner cover comprises a substantially circular hole for accepting the axle and the closable opening comprises a slit extending from an outer edge of the inner cover to the substantially circular hole, and wherein step (a) additionally comprises opening the slit prior to inserting the axle, and sliding the axle along the slit such that it is accepted by the substantially circular hole.

18. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the inner cover comprises a substantially circular hole for accepting the axle, the closable opening comprises a channel extending from an outer edge of the inner cover to the substantially circular hole, and a closure member which is moveable from a first position in which it does not obstruct the channel to a second position in which it closes the channel, and wherein step (a) additionally comprises sliding the axle along the channel such that it is accepted by the substantially circular hole and then moving the closure member to the second position.

19. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the inner and outer covers are provided with first and second parts of a hook and loop fastener such that the inner cover can be attached to the outer cover, and wherein step (b) comprises attaching the first part of the hook and loop fastener to the second part.

20. A bicycle fitted with a disc brake protector as claimed in claim 1.

10. The disc brake protector as claimed in claim, wherein the closure member and/or the inner cover comprises a releasable fastener for securing the closure member in the second position.