Attachable bicycle trailer

• US 8,636,094 B1
• Filed: 04/23/2010
• Issued: 01/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richard C. Persinger, Thomas C. Conner
• Original Assignee: Richard C. Persinger, Thomas C. Conner
• Inventors: Conner, Thomas C., Persinger, Richard C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Winner, Tony
• Assistant Examiner(s): KNUTSON, JACOB D
• Application Number:
  US12/766,553
• Time in Patent Office: 1,376 Days
• Field of Search: 280/204, 280/47.26, 280/492
• US Class Current: 180/204
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 27/006 having a single wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 27/12 Coupling parts for attaching cars or the like to cycle; Arrangements thereof

Abstract

A bicycle trailer with a platform and a single pneumatic bicycle tire is herein disclosed. The front of the trailer'"'"'s platform is supported by a gooseneck-shaped arm extending upward to connect with the seat post of a conventional bicycle, thereby providing clearance for the rear wheel of the bicycle. The connection is made with a quick-connect universal-type joint so that a user can easily hitch and unhitch the trailer. The platform is situated to have a low center of gravity which results in stability and less pedaling effort. The narrow width allows the trailer to traverse narrow paths making it ideal for transporting camping supplies, hunting supplies, school books, equipment to and from sports areas, or groceries from a store.

Claims

1. A bicycle trailer for hauling cargo via a bicycle, said bicycle trailer comprising:

a frame including a plurality of hooks connected thereto, said hooks adapted to receive a fastening cord for maintaining the cargo at a substantially stable position during transport;

a platform suspended on an upper surface of said frame, said platform adapted to receive the cargo items thereon;

a fender adapted to encompass a wheel of the bicycle trailer and thereby prevent water and debris from contacting the cargo;

a first bar attached to an underside portion of said frame and extending upwardly therefrom;

a second bar;

a hinge connected to said first and second bars respectively;

a universal joint connected to said second bar;

a third bar connected to said universal joint;

a clamping collar attached to said third bar, said clamping collar adapted to be attached to a seat portion of the bicycle; and

,

a plurality of forks and an axle attached thereto, said axle adapted to be coupled to the bicycle trailer wheel, said forks further being attached to said first bar.

2. The bicycle trailer of claim 1, wherein said forks are positioned parallel to said first bar and further are attached to end portions of said axle.

3. The bicycle trailer of claim 1, wherein said hinge is a quick-release hinge biased between open and closed positions such that said second bar is detachably engaged with said first bar.

4. The bicycle trailer of claim 3, wherein said quick-release hinge comprises:

a first flange coupled to said first bar;

a second flange coupled to said second bar;

a rod positioned through said first and second flanges;

a cam and a cam washer attached to said rod; and

,

a hinge pin mated to said first and second flanges respectively;

a spring pin attached to said hinge pin for maintaining said first and second flanges at a pivotal relationship;

wherein said cam is rotated downwardly to a locked position and thereby slidably engaged with said cam washer to second flange; and

,

wherein said cam is rotated upwardly to an unlocked position and thereby retracts said rod from said second flange.

5. The bicycle trailer of claim 1, wherein said universal joint and said clamping collar are adapted to pivot and move with the bicycle.

6. The bicycle trailer of claim 1, wherein said universal joint comprises:

a first yoke attached to an end portion of said second bar;

a second yoke attached to an end portion of said third bar; and

,

a joint connected to said first and second yokes respectively.

7. The bicycle trailer of claim 1, wherein said clamping collar comprises:

a plurality of arcuate stationary collars having a plurality of hinges connected to each other, said arcuate stationary collars being attached to said third bar and further adapted to be removably attached to the bicycle seat portion; and

,

a cam lever attached to said clamping collar and being rotated outwardly and inwardly between open and closed positions respectively.

8. A bicycle trailer for hauling cargo via a bicycle, said bicycle trailer comprising:

a frame including a plurality of hooks connected thereto, said hooks adapted to receive a fastening cord for maintaining the cargo at a substantially stable position during transport;

a platform suspended on an upper surface of said frame, said platform adapted to receive the cargo items thereon, said platform being provided with a plurality of hand apertures formed therein for assisting a user to lift said frame;

a fender adapted to encompass a wheel of the bicycle trailer and thereby prevent water and debris from contacting the cargo;

a first bar attached to an underside portion of said frame and extending upwardly therefrom;

a second bar;

a hinge connected to said first and second bars respectively;

a universal joint connected to said second bar;

a third bar connected to said universal joint;

a clamping collar attached to said third bar, said clamping collar adapted to be attached to a seat portion of the bicycle; and

,

a plurality of forks and an axle attached thereto, said axle adapted to be coupled to the bicycle trailer wheel, said forks further being attached to said first bar.

9. The bicycle trailer of claim 8, wherein said forks are positioned parallel to said first bar and further are attached to end portions of said axle.

10. The bicycle trailer of claim 8, wherein said hinge is a quick-release hinge biased between open and closed positions such that said second bar is detachably engaged with said first bar.

11. The bicycle trailer of claim 10, wherein said quick-release hinge comprises:

a first flange coupled to said first bar;

a second flange coupled to said second bar;

a rod positioned through said first and second flanges;

a cam and a cam washer attached to said rod; and

,

a hinge pin mated to said first and second flanges respectively;

a spring pin attached to said hinge pin for maintaining said first and second flanges at a pivotal relationship;

wherein said cam is rotated downwardly to a locked position and thereby slidably engaged with said cam washer to second flange; and

,

wherein said cam is rotated upwardly to an unlocked position and thereby retracts said rod from said second flange.

12. The bicycle trailer of claim 8, wherein said universal joint and said clamping collar are adapted to pivot and move with the bicycle.

13. The bicycle trailer of claim 8, wherein said universal joint comprises:

a first yoke attached to an end portion of said second bar;

a second yoke attached to an end portion of said third bar; and

,

a joint connected to said first and second yokes respectively.

14. The bicycle trailer of claim 8, wherein said clamping collar comprises:

a plurality of arcuate stationary collars having a plurality of hinges connected to each other, said arcuate stationary collars being attached to said third bar and further adapted to be removably attached to the bicycle seat portion; and

,

a cam lever attached to said clamping collar and being rotated outwardly and inwardly between open and closed positions respectively.

15. A method of utilizing a bicycle trailer for hauling cargo via a bicycle, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a frame including a plurality of hooks connected thereto;

providing and suspending a platform on an upper surface of said frame, said platform being provided with a plurality of hand apertures formed therein for assisting a user to lift said frame;

providing and attaching a first bar to an underside portion of said frame such that said first bar extends upwardly from said frame;

providing a second bar;

providing and connecting a hinge to said first and second bars respectively;

providing and connecting a universal joint to said second bar;

providing and connecting a third bar to said universal joint;

providing and attaching a clamping collar to said third bar;

attaching said clamping collar to a seat portion of the bicycle;

providing and attaching a plurality of forks to said first bar;

providing and attaching an axle to said forks;

coupling said axle to a wheel of the bicycle trailer;

positioning the cargo onto said platform;

preventing water and debris from contacting the cargo by providing and encompassing a fender over the bicycle trailer wheel; and

,

maintaining the cargo at a substantially stable position during transport by providing and connecting a fastening cord to said hooks.