GB2096955A

GB2096955A - Cycle canopy

Info

Publication number: GB2096955A
Application number: GB8104642A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-02-13
Filing date: 1981-02-13
Publication date: 1982-10-27
Also published as: GB2096955B

Abstract

A cycle canopy having a hood secured to a rectangular hood frame and supported at the corners by supporting struts which are carried by two attachment members clamped to the bicycle frame below the handlebars and below the seat respectively. The hood frame and supporting struts are adjustable in height and length and can be folded up when removed from the bicycle. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cycle canopy The present invention relates to a cycle canopy for attachment to a bicycle having a frame and a seat for a rider.

A conventional bicycle or similar vehicle has a seat for a rider and handlebars for steering the bicycle both carried on a frame which also carries the bicycle wheels. The bicycle is open to the air and no protection for the rider is normally provided against adverse weather conditions, the rider having to then wear a waterproof cape or other weatherproof garments. Modifying the bicycle frame to provide permanent protection for the rider would however, increase the weight and cost of a bicycle and interfere with normal use of the bicycle in fine weather conditions.

According to the present invention there is provided a cycle canopy for attachment to a bicycle having a frame and a seat for a rider, the canopy comprising a roof section attached to the upper ends of wupporting struts, the lower ends of the struts being each joined to one of two attachment members attachable to the bicycle frame at positions respectively in front of and behind the seat.

Preferably the roof section comprises a hood frame attached to the supporting struts and a hood removably secured to the hood frame.

Advantageously the supporting struts and/or the roof sections are adjustable, and the hood frame and supporting struts may be pivotable at their joints so as to allow the canopy to be collapsed when removed from the bicycle.

A cycle canopy constructed in accordance with the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the canopy attached to a bicycle; Figure 2 is a side elevation corresponding to Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the canopy without its hood; Figure 4 is a detail side view of part of the canopy; Figure 5 is a perspective view of part of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a detail side view of an alternative part of the canopy; Figure 7 is a section taken on line VIl-Vil on Figure 6; Figure 8 is a detail perspective view of another part of the canopy; and Figures 9 and 10 are plan and side view of the canopy when folded.

Referring to the drawings, the cycle canopy comprises a roof section 1, supporting struts 2, and front and rear attachment members 3, 4. As seen in Figures 1 and 2 the attachment members 3, 4 attach the canopy to a bicycle 5 when required and the canopy then provides substantial protection from rain for the rider without obstructing the freedom of movement of the rider.

The roof section 1 is formed by a rectangular hood frame onto which a hood 6 is secured by means of clip stud fixings 7. Any suitable waterproof material may be used for the hood such as canvas or a plastics material.

The hood frame is seen in Figure 3 and comprises hollow tubular side poles 8, 9, which are made up of several sections slidable telescopically within one another so as to enable the length of the hood frame to be adjusted, and end poles 10, 11. Each side pole has ferrules 29 at the junctions of the slidable sections which when tightened lock the sections together. Each end pole has two sections joined by a swivel joint 12, see Figure 8, which allows the pole to fold in half when required. During the folding each section of the end poles pivots inwards about a corner bracket of the hood frame as shown in Figure 8, the corner bracket having a curved slot 14 along which slides a pin 1 5 on the pivoting section of the end pole.When not folded the end poles are held rigid by nylon sleeves 1 3 which slide over the swivel joints. Strengthening bars 1 6 clip into holes in the side poles so as to increase the rigidity of the hood frame.

Each of the supporting struts 2 is made up of several hollow tubular sections slidable telescopicaliy within one another in the same way as the side poles 8, 9 so as to enable the height of the canopy to be adjusted. They connect to the hood frame at the corner brackets and are pivotable inwards in the same manner as the end poles, each strut having a pin which slides along a curved slot in the corner bracket.

Thus the hood frame and supporting struts can be folded up when not in use by removing the bars 16, collapsing the telescopic side poles and supporting struts, and then pivoting the end poles and supporting struts inwards, as shown in Figures 9 and 10; so as to enable the canopy ta be easily carried on a bicycle ready for erection when needed.

The front attachment member 3 is shown in detail in Figures 4 and 5 and is essentially T-shaped with a cross-bar 1 7 carrying the front two supporting struts 2 which are locked in position by ferrules 30, and a support bar 18 secured at its free end to the bicycle frame by means of a clamp 19. The support bar 1 8 is made in two parts slidable telescopically within one another and lockable together by a locking screw 20 so as to enable the position of the front of the canopy relative to the bicycle frame to be adjusted. The clamp 19 is tilted at an angle corresponding to the angle of that part of the front of a bicycle frame which carries the handlebars and onto which the attachment member is to be secured, and comprises a fixed jaw 21 and a pivotable jaw 22.

The pivotable jaw is offset from the fixed jaw and is tightened onto the bicycle frame by a screw threaded locking key 23. A groove in the fixed jaw allows brake or other cables to pass through the clamp without being damaged.

The rear attachment member 4 is essentially the same as the front attachment member 3 and is secured to that part of the rear of the bicycle frame which carries the seat.

In an alternative construction the rear attachment member is as shown in Figures 6 and 7, where the clamp on the support bar 18 has a pair of plates 24, 25 engageable on either side of the rear fork stems 26 of the bicycle. The plate 25 is movable relative to the plate 24 and the clamp is tightened by a boit 27. In other respects it is the same as in Figure 4. This construction allows the rear attachment member to be secured to the bicycle frame at a lower position, as may be required when the bicycle has a saddlebag beneath its seat.

If required a pair of angle supports 28, see Figure 2, can be attached between the cross-bar of the rear attachment and the frame of the bicycle adjacent its rear axle, so as to provide further support.

The cycle canopy, when needed, is erected in the following manner: 1. The front attachment member is secured to the front of the bicycle frame and its support bar is extended to the required length and locked; 2. The rear attachment member is secured to the rear of the bicycle frame and its support bar is extended to the required length and locked: 3. The hood frame and supporting struts are unfolded, the strengthening barsclipped in and the lower ends of the struts fitted into the crossbars of the front and rear attachment members; 4. The various telescopically slidable parts are adjusted until the height and length of the canopy is as required and are then locked by tightening the ferrules; and 5. The hood is pulled over the hood frame and secured with the clip stud fixings around its edge.

Extra side, front or rear flaps could also be added to the canopy so as to give complete protection from the rain.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A cycle canopy for attachment to a bicycle having a frame and a seat for a rider, the canopy comprising a roof section attached to the upper ends of supporting struts, the lower ends of the struts being each joined to one of two attachment members attachable to the bicycle frame at positions respectively in front of and behind the seat. 2. A cycle canopy according to claim 1, wherein the supporting struts are adjustable in height. 3. A cycle canopy according to claim 2, wherein each supporting strut comprises a plurality of tubular elements telescopically slidable within one another to adjust the height of the strut. 4. A cycle canopy according to any preceding claim, wherein the roof section is adjustable in length. 5. A cycle canopy according to any preceding claim, wherein the roof section comprises a hood frame attached to the supporting struts and a hood removably secured to the hood frame. 6. A cycle canopy according to claim 5, wherein the hood frame comprises a plurality of tubular elements, some of which are telescopically slidable within one another to adjust the length of the hood frame. 7. A cycle canopy according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the hood frame and supporting struts are pivotable at their joints so as to allow the canopy to be collapsed when removed from the bicycle. 8. A cycle canopy according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the attachment members has a clamp engageable around a fixed section of the bicycle frame and a strut supporting bracket extending away from the clamp. 9. A cycle canopy according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment member attachable to the bicycle frame at a position behind the seat has a pair of plates clampable onto opposite sides of the two rear fork stems of the bicycle frame and a strut supporting bracket extending rearwards from one of the plates. 1 0. A cycle canopy according to any preceding claim, wherein the roof section is rectangular and is attached at its corner to four supporting struts. 11. A cycle canopy substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. New claims or amendments to claims filed on 17June1981. Superseded claims 1 to 11. New or amended claims:

1. A cycle canopy for attachment to a bicycle having a frame and a seat for a rider, the canopy comprising a hood supported by supporting strusts connected at their lower ends to each of two attachment members attachable to the bicycle frame at positions respectively in front of and behind the seat, wherein the hood is secured over a hood frame attached to the upper ends of the supporting struts, the hood frame and supporting struts being readily removable from the bicycle and being pivotable at their joints to allow them to be folded when so removed.

2. A cycle canopy according to claim 1, wherein the supporting struts are readily removable from the attachment members to allow the hood frame and supporting struts to be removed from the bicycle.

3. A cycle canopy according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the supporting struts are adjustable in height.

4. A cycle canopy according to any preceding claim wherein the hood frame is adjustable in length.

5. A cycle canopy according to claim 3 or 4.

wherein the adjustment is provided by a plurality of tubular elements telescopically slidable within one another.

6. A cycle canopy according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the attachment members has a clamp engageable around a fixed section of the bicycle frame and a strut supporting bracket extending away from the clamp.

7. A cycle canopy according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment member attachable to the bicycle frame at a position behind the seat has a pair of plates clampable onto opposite sides of the two rear fork stems of the bicycle frame and a strut supporting bracket extending rearwards from one of the plates.

8. A cycle canopy according to any preceding claim, wherein the hood frame is rectangular and is attached at its corners to four supporting struts.

9. A cycle canopy according to claim 8, wherein each of two opposite sides of the hood frame has a hinge intermediate its ends to allow the side to fold inwards, when the hood frame and supporting struts are removed from the bicycle and a sleeve capable of covering the hinge whereby to hold the side rigid.

10. A cycle canopy substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.