Bicycle frame with device cavity

• US 7,878,521 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2007
• Issued: 02/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trek Bicycle Corporation
• Original Assignee: Trek Bicycle Corporation
• Inventors: Dacko, Dan, Blomme, David J., Lewis, Barry
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris; Lesley
• Assistant Examiner(s): ARCE, MARLON ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US11/735,846
• Publication Number:
  US 20080252038A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,387 Days
• Field of Search: 280/281.1, 280/283.3, 280/278, 280/279, 324/166, 324/167
• US Class Current: 280/281.1
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/412 Speed sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/421 at the pedal crank
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/423 on or besides the wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 21/02 Front wheel forks or equivalent, e.g. single tine
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 3/04 having a substantially horizontal top bar

Abstract

A bicycle frame having a cavity constructed to receive a sensor device. The cavity has a shape and a contour that generally matches a shape and a contour of the sensor device. Such a configuration maintains the aerodynamic contour of the frame when the sensor device is positioned in the cavity. An optional plug occupies the cavity when the sensor device is not positioned therein. Preferably, the sensor device is constructed to wirelessly communicate bicycle operation information to a receiver that is remotely located relative to the sensor device. More preferably, the cavity is formed in a fork of the bicycle and the sensor device is configured to monitor operation of a front wheel and wirelessly communicate the operation information to the remote receiver.

Claims

1. A bicycle frame comprising:

a first portion for engaging a front tire;

a second portion for engaging a rear tire;

a third portion for supporting a rider; and

a recess formed in one of the portions for receiving a first sensor component configured to wirelessly communicate with a second sensor component, the recess and the first sensor component having generally matching contours so that the first sensor component can be snuggly engaged in the recess so that the one of the portions having the recess aerodynamically overlaps a portion of the sensor positioned in the recess; and

a fastener engaged with the bicycle frame and the first sensor component for maintaining a rigid connection between the first sensor component and the bicycle frame.

2. The frame of claim 1 wherein the first sensor component is one of a detector, an operator, a transmitter, and a receiver and the second sensor component is another of a detector, an operator, a transmitter, and a receiver.

3. The frame of claim 1 wherein the recess is formed in a fork and the first sensor component is 1) a detector constructed to detect passage of an operator attached to a wheel and 2) a transmitter constructed to wirelessly communicate with a receiver positioned proximate a handlebar.

4. The frame of claim 1 further comprising a plug constructed to be received in the recess when the first sensor component is removed therefrom.

5. The frame of claim 4 wherein the plug has a shape and a contour that generally matches at least a shape and a contour of an exterior surface of the frame portion having the recess.

6. The frame of claim 1 wherein the recess includes a first section constructed to receive a power source of the first sensor component and a second section constructed to receive a transmitter of the first sensor component.

7. The frame of claim 6 wherein the first sensor component includes a housing that is constructed to receive the power source and the transmitter and be snuggly received in the recess.

8. The frame of claim 1 wherein the first sensor component and the second sensor component cooperate to monitor at least one of vehicle speed, cadence, distance, and time.

9. A bicycle comprising:

a front wheel;

a rear wheel;

a frame constructed to support the front wheel and the rear wheel;

a cavity formed in the frame and having a contour constructed to generally match a contour of a sensor unit such that the sensor unit can be removably attached in the cavity and wirelessly communicate with a receiver positioned remotely from the sensor unit and so that a portion of the sensor unit contained in the cavity is isolated by the frame from an air flow over the frame having the cavity;

the sensor unit having a housing constructed to generally enclose a controller, a power source, and a transmitter; and

a passage formed through the housing and constructed to receive a fastener to secure the sensor unit in the cavity.

10. The bicycle of claim 9 wherein the cavity is formed in a fork and the sensor unit is one of a detector and an actuator and the other of the detector and actuator is attached to the front wheel such that the detector and actuator cooperate to monitor operation of the front wheel.

11. The bicycle of claim 9 wherein the housing is constructed to generally align with the frame when the sensor unit is positioned in the cavity.

12. The bicycle of claim 9 wherein the sensor unit is a cadence sensor and the cavity is formed in one of a chain stay, a seat stay, a seat tube, a top tube, a down tube, or a head tube.

13. The bicycle of claim 9 further comprising a plug for being secured to the frame when the sensor unity is not connected to the frame.

14. A method of constructing a bicycle comprising:

forming a frame to support a pair of wheels;

forming a cavity in an exterior surface of a portion of the frame; and

contouring the cavity to receive a sensor whose contour generally matches the contour of the cavity so as to maintain an aerodynamic function of the portion of the frame when the sensor is positioned in the cavity, the sensor further being constructed to wirelessly communicate with a receiver positioned remotely from the sensor; and

providing a fastener that cooperates with the sensor and the frame for securing the sensor in the cavity.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising forming the cavity in a portion of the frame that extends generally along a wheel.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising attaching an actuator to a part of the bicycle that is movable with respect to the cavity such that an operation parameter can be determined by passage of the actuator past the wireless sensor.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the operation parameter is at least one of bicycle speed, distance traveled, duration of ride, cadence, and average speed.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising providing a plug having a shape that generally corresponds to a shape of the sensor so that the plug occupies the cavity when the sensor is removed therefrom and maintains a contour of the frame over the cavity.

19. A bicycle comprising:

a front wheel;

a rear wheel;

a frame constructed to support the front wheel and the rear wheel;

a cavity formed in the frame and having a contour constructed to generally match a contour of a sensor unit such that the sensor unit can be removably attached in the cavity and wirelessly communicate with a receiver positioned remotely from the sensor unit;

a fastener that cooperates with the frame and the sensor unit for removably securing the sensor unit within the cavity of the frame; and

a plug securable to the frame in the cavity with the fastener when the sensor unit is not connected to the frame.