AU2010202964A1 - Folding apparatus for a bicycle frame - Google Patents

Description

FOLDING APPARATUS FOR A BICYCLE FRAME 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a folding apparatus for a bicycle frame, and more particularly to a folding apparatus for quickly 5 folding the bicycle frame. 2. Description of Related Art A conventional folding frame for bicycles in accordance with the prior art comprises an upper horizontal rod and a lower rod extending from a support of a pedal shaft upwardly and forwardly to 10 the upper rod. Each of the upper and the lower rods is composed of two separate sections formed thereon. The two separate sections have a pivotal connection by a universal coupling device. The coupling device consists of two separate parts respectively connected to the two separate sections. One separate part has a first cylindrical head formed 15 thereon and the first cylindrical head has a shaft laterally extending therefrom. The other separate part has a H-shaped jaw having two second cylindrical heads parallely formed thereon. The first cylindrical head is received between the two second cylindrical heads and pivotally rotates about the shaft. Accordingly, a front portion and a rear 20 portion of the frame are folded together when the two coupling devices revolve around the shaft. However, the coupling devices are assembled on the upper and lower rods respectively. This may weaken a structure of the upper and 2 lower rods. And the two coupling devices are not locked or fastened when the frame is unfolded. It is unsafe that the two. rods may be folded unexpectedly when a rider is riding. The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the 5 disadvantages of the conventional folding frame for bicycles. The main objective of the present invention is to provide an improved folding apparatus for a bicycle. To achieve the objective, the folding apparatus for a bicycle in accordance with the present invention includes a bicycle frame and at 10 least one engaging device assembled on the bicycle frame. The bicycle frame includes at least one first tube and at least one second tube connected to the at least one first tube. Each of the at least one engaging device comprises a stationary sleeve disposed on the second tube of the bicycle frame. The stationary sleeve has a series of second 15 tooth annularly formed thereon and extending downwardly therefrom. A rotary sleeve is fixed to the first tube of the bicycle frame. The rotary sleeve is pivotally rotatably mounted on the second tube and located below the stationary sleeve. The rotary sleeve has a series of first tooth annularly formed thereon and extending upwardly therefrom for 20 correspondingly engaging with the second tooth on the stationary sleeve. Each tooth of the first teeth and the second teeth is wedge-shaped. A locking device is movably mounted on the second tube and located below the rotary sleeve for securely retaining the 3. rotary sleeve engaging with the stationary sleeve. In accordance with a preferred aspect of the present invention, the at least one engaging device is three engaging devices. The at least one first tube is a top tube, a down tube and a stem. The at least one 5 second tube is a seat tube and a steering tube. The three rotary sleeves are respectively fixed to the top tube, the down tube and the stem of the bicycle frame. One stationary sleeve is disposed on the steering tube and correspondingly engages with the rotary sleeve on the stem. The other two stationary sleeves are disposed on the seat tube of the bicycle 10 frame and respectively correspondingly engage with the two rotary sleeves on the top tube and down tube. Each locking device has a ring which is sleeved on the second tube and a quick release which is mounted on the ring for securely retaining each rotary sleeve engaging with the corresponding stationary sleeve. 15 Correspondingly, when each locking device is released and each rotary sleeve moves downwardly to disengage with each corresponding stationary sleeve, the top tube and the down tube pivotally simultaneously rotate with the two corresponding rotary sleeves relative to the seat tube. The stem pivotally and simultaneously 20 rotates with the corresponding rotary sleeve relative to the steering tube. And the bicycle frame is folded. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, the at least one engaging device is three engaging devices. The at least one 4 first tube is the top tube, the down tube and the stem. The at least one second tube is the seat tube and the steering tube. The seat tube has an upper portion and a lower portion formed thereon. The three rotary sleeves are respectively fixed to the top tube, the down tube and the 5 stem of the bicycle frame. One stationary sleeve is disposed on the upper portion of the seat tube and located above a five-way pipe of the bicycle frame. One stationary sleeve is disposed on the lower portion of the seat tube and located below the five-way pipe. Another one stationary sleeve is disposed on an upper end of the steering tube. 10 The stationary sleeve on the upper portion correspondingly engages with the rotary sleeve on the top tube. The stationary sleeve on the lower portion correspondingly engages with the rotary sleeve on the down tube. The stationary sleeve on the steering tube correspondingly engages with the rotary sleeve on the stem. 15 Correspondingly, when each locking device is released and each rotary sleeve moves downwardly to disengage with each corresponding stationary sleeve, the top tube and the down tube pivotally simultaneously rotate with the two corresponding rotary sleeves relative to the seat tube. The stem pivotally and simultaneously 20 rotates with the corresponding rotary sleeve relative to the steering tube. And the -bicycle frame is folded. In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, each locking device is a bundling ring mounted on the second tube and 5 located below the corresponding rotary sleeve, such that the bundling ring is fastened below the corresponding stationary sleeve for retaining the stationary sleeve firmly engaging with the rotary sleeve. Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will 5 become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. Four embodiments of the invention will be described for the purpose of illustration only with reference to the accompany drawings in which: 10 Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of two engaging devices of a folding apparatus for a bicycle frame in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the folding apparatus for a bicycle frame in accordance with the present invention 15 as a top tube and a down tube of a bicycle frame are detached from a seat tube; Fig. 3 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the folding apparatus for a bicycle frame in accordance with the present invention as the engaging devices are securely assembled on the bicycle frame; 20 Fig. 4 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the folding apparatus for a bicycle frame in accordance with the present invention as the engaging devices are loosely assembled on the bicycle frame; and 6 Fig. 5 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the folding apparatus for a bicycle frame in accordance with the present invention as the bicycle frame is folded. Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1-3, a folding 5 apparatus for a bicycle frame in accordance with the present invention comprises a bicycle frame (10) and at least one engaging device (70, 90) assembled on the bicycle frame (10). The bicycle frame (10) includes at least one first tube (11, 12, 95) and at least one second tube (40, 92) connected to the at least one first tube (11, 12, 95). Each engaging 10 device (70, 90) comprises a stationary sleeve (411, 421, 91) sleeving on the second tube (40, 92) of the bicycle frame (10). The stationary sleeve (411, 421, 91) has a series of second tooth (4111, 4211, 911) annularly formed thereon and extending downwardly therefrom. Each engaging device (70, 90) comprises a rotary sleeve (21, 31, 93) fixed to 15 one end of the first tube (11, 12, 95) of the bicycle frame (10). The rotary sleeve (21, 31, 93) pivotally rotatably sleeves on the second tube (40, 92) and is located below the stationary sleeve (411, 421, 91). The rotary sleeve (21, 31, 93) has a series of first tooth (211, 311, 931) annularly formed thereon and extending upwardly therefrom for 20 correspondingly engaging with the second tooth (4111, 4211, 911) on the stationary sleeve (411, 421, 91). Each tooth of the first teeth (211, 311, 931) and the second teeth (4111, 4211, 911) is wedge-shaped. A locking device (22, 32, 94) is adjustably mounted on the second tube (40, 92) and located below the rotary sleeve (21, 31, 93) for securely retaining the rotary sleeve (21, 31, 93) firmly engaging with the stationary sleeve (411, 421, 91). In the preferred embodiment, the bicycle frame (10) has three 5 engaging devices (70, 90). The at least one first tube is a top tube (11), a down tube (12) and a stem (95). The at least one second tube is a seat tube (40) and a steering tube (92). The three rotary sleeves (21, 31, 93) are respectively fixed to one end of the top tube (11), one end of the down tube (12), and one end of the stem (95) of the bicycle frame (10). 10 One stationary sleeve (91) sleeves on an upper end of the steering tube (92). The other two stationary sleeves (411, 421) sleeve on the seat tube (40). The two rotary sleeves (21, 31) which are fixed to the top tube (11) and the down tube (12) rotably sleeve on the seat tube (40) and are respectively located below the two corresponding stationary 15 sleeves (411, 421) for engaging with the two stationary sleeves (411, 421). The rotary sleeve (93) which is fixed to the stem (95) pivotally sleeves on the steering tube (92) and is located below the corresponding stationary sleeve (91) for engaging with the stationary sleeve (91). 20 Each locking device (22, 32, 94) includes a ring (221, 321, 941) and a quick release (222, 322, 942) movably connected to the ring (221, 321, 941) for quickly tightening/releasing the ring (221, 321,941). One ring (941) movably sleeves on the steering tube (92) and is located 8 below the corresponding rotary sleeve (93). The other two rings (221, 321) movably sleeves on the seat tube (40) and are respectively located below the two rotary sleeves (21, 31) on the top tube (11) and the down tube (12). One quick release (942) is movably connected to the ring 5 (941) on the steering tube (92) for quickly tightening/releasing the ring (941). The other two quick releases (222, 322) are movably respectively connected to the two rings (221, 321) on the seat tube (40) for quickly tightening/releasing the two rings (221, 321). Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 3, the two rotary sleeves (21, 31) 10 on the top tube (11) and the down tube (12) are pushed upwardly to the two stationary sleeves (411, 421) on the seat tube (40), such that the first teeth (211, 311) of each rotary sleeve (21, 31) engage with the second teeth (4111, 4211) of the corresponding stationary sleeve (411, 421). The two quick releases (222, 322) respectively tighten the two 15 rings (221, 321) on the seat tube (40) for securely retaining the two rotary sleeves (21, 31) engaging with the two stationary sleeves (411, 421). The rotary sleeve (93) on the stem (95) is pushed upwardly to the stationary sleeve (91) on the steering tube (92), such that the first teeth (931) of the rotary sleeve (93) engage with the second teeth (911) of 20 the stationary sleeve (91). The quick release (942) tightens the ring (941) on the steering tube (92) for securely retaining the rotary sleeve (93) engaging with the stationary sleeve (91). Therefore, the bicycle frame (10) is kept unfolded.

9 As shown in Figs. 4-5, when each ring (221, 321, 941) is released by loosing the corresponding quick release (222, 322, 942), each rotary sleeve (21, 31, 93) moves downwardly to disengage with the corresponding stationary sleeve (411, 421, 91). The top tube (11) 5 and the down tube .(12) pivotally simultaneously rotate with the two corresponding rotary sleeves (21, 31) relative to the seat tube (40), such that the top tube (11) and the down tube (12) rotate from a front of the seat tube (40) to a rear of the seat tube (40). The stem (95) pivotally simultaneously rotates with the corresponding rotary sleeve (93) 10 relative to the steering tube (92). Therefore, the bicycle frame (10) is folded. With reference to Figs. 2-5, that shows a second embodiment of the folding apparatus for a bicycle frame in accordance with the present invention. The elements and effects of the second embodiment which 15 are the same with the first embodiment are not described, only the differences are described. In this embodiment, the at least one first tube is the top tube (11), the down tube (12) and the stem (95). The at least one second tube is the seat tube (40) and the steering tube (92). The seat tube (40) includes an upper portion (40a) and a lower portion (40b) 20 formed thereon. The three rotary sleeves (21, 31, 93) are respectively fixed to the top tube (11), the down tube (12), and the stem (95) of the bicycle frame (10). One stationary sleeve (411) sleeves on the upper portion (40a) of the seat tube (40) and is located above a five-way pipe 10 (61) of the bicycle frame (10). One stationary sleeve (421) sleeves on the lower portion (40b) of the seat tube (40) and is located below the five-way pipe (61). Another one stationary sleeve (91) is disposed on the upper end of the steering tube (92). 5 Accordingly, when each ring (221, 321, 941) is released by loosing the corresponding quick release (222, 322, 942), each rotary sleeve (21, 31, 93) moves downwardly to disengage with the corresponding stationary sleeve (411, 421, 91). The top tube (11) and the down tube (12) pivotally simultaneously rotate with the two 10 corresponding rotary sleeves (21, 31) relative to the seat tube (40). The stem (95) pivotally simultaneously rotates with the corresponding rotary sleeve (93) relative to the steering tube (92). Therefore, the bicycle frame (10) is folded. Moreover, a third embodiment of the folding apparatus for a 15 bicycle frame in accordance with the present invention is as follows. The elements and effects of the third embodiment which are the same with the first embodiment are not described, only the differences are described. In this embodiment, each of the three locking device (22, 32, 94) is a bundling ring (not shown) mounted on the second tube (40, 92). 20 Each bundling ring is located at a section of the second tube (40, 92) and has a tapered inner periphery. Each section of the second tube (40, 92) has a tapered outer periphery corresponding to the tapered inner periphery of the corresponding bundling ring, such that each bundling II ring tends to push the corresponding rotary sleeve (21, 31, 93) toward the corresponding stationary sleeve (411, 421, 91). Therefore, each rotary sleeve (21, 31, 93) firmly engages with the corresponding stationary sleeve (411, 421, 91). 5 A fourth embodiment of the folding apparatus for a bicycle frame in accordance with the present invention is as follows. The elements and effects of the fourth embodiment which are the same with the first embodiment are not described, only the differences are described. In this embodiment, each of the three locking device (22, 32, 10 94) is a bundling ring (not shown) mounted on the second tube (40, 92). Each bundling ring is located at a section of the second tube (40, 92) and has a threaded inner periphery. Each section of the second tube (40., 92) has a threaded outer periphery corresponding to the threaded inner periphery of the bundling ring, such that each bundling ring engages 15 with the corresponding section of the second tube (40, 92) and rotates upwardly for pushing the corresponding rotary sleeve (21, 31, 93) toward the corresponding stationary sleeve. (411, 421, 91). In accordance, each rotary sleeve (21, 31, 93) firmly engages with the corresponding stationary sleeve (411, 421, 91). 20

Claims (8)

1. A folding apparatus for a bicycle frame comprising: a bicycle frame, at least one engaging device assembled on the bicycle frame, the bicycle frame including at least one first tube and 5 at least one second tube connected to the at least one first tube, the at least one engaging device comprising: a stationary sleeve disposed on the second tube of the bicycle frame, the stationary sleeve having a series of second tooth annularly formed thereon and extending downwardly therefrom; 10 a rotary sleeve fixed to the first tube of the bicycle frame, the rotary sleeve pivotally rotatably mounted on the second tube and located below the stationary sleeve, the rotary sleeve having a series of first tooth annularly formed thereon and extending upwardly therefrom for correspondingly engaging with the second tooth on the stationary 15 sleeve; and a locking device movably mounted on the second tube and located below the rotary sleeve for securely retaining the rotary sleeve firmly engaging with the stationary sleeve.

2. The folding apparatus for a bicycle frame as claimed in claim 20 1, wherein the locking device has a bundling ring mounted on the second tube for securely retaining the rotary sleeve engaging with the stationary sleeve.

3. The folding apparatus for a bicycle frame as claimed in claim 13 1, wherein the locking device has a ring sleeved on the second tube and a quick release mounted on the ring for securely retaining the rotary sleeve engaging with the stationary sleeve.

4. The folding apparatus for a bicycle frame as claimed in claim 5 1, wherein each tooth of the first teeth and the second teeth is wedge-shaped.

5. The folding apparatus for a bicycle frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotary sleeve is pushed upwardly to the stationary sleeve and the first teeth of the rotary sleeve engage with the second teeth of 10 the stationary sleeve, the locking device fastened on the second tube and located below the rotary sleeve for securely retaining the rotary sleeve firmly engaging with the stationary sleeve.

6. The folding apparatus for a bicycle frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking device is released and the first teeth of the rotary 15 sleeve move downwardly to disengage with the second teeth of the stationary sleeve, the first tube with the rotary sleeve being able to pivotally rotate relative to the second tube for folding the bicycle frame.

7. The folding apparatus for a bicycle frame as claimed in claim 20 1, wherein the at least one engaging device is three engaging devices, the at least one first tube being a top tube, a down tube and a stem, the at least one second tube being a seat tube and a steering tube, the three rotary sleeves respectively fixed to the top tube, the down tube and the 14 stem of the bicycle frame, one stationary sleeve disposed on the steering'tube of the bicycle frame and the other two stationary sleeves disposed on the seat tube of the bicycle frame, the three stationary sleeves respectively and correspondingly engaged with the three rotary 5 sleeves; wherein when each locking device is released and each rotary sleeve moves downwardly to disengage with each corresponding stationary sleeve, the top tube and the down tube pivotally simultaneously rotate. with the two corresponding rotary sleeves 10 relative to the seat tube, the stem pivotally simultaneously rotating with the corresponding rotary sleeve relative to the steering tube, and the bicycle frame being folded.

8. The folding apparatus for a bicycle frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least .one engaging device is three engaging devices, 15 the at least one first tube being a top tube, a down tube and a stem, the at least one second tube being a seat tube and a steering tube, the seat tube having an upper portion and a lower portion formed thereon, the three rotary sleeves respectively fixed to the top tube, the down tube, and the stem of the bicycle frame, one stationary sleeve disposed on the 20 upper portion of the seat tube and- located above a five-way pipe of the bicycle frame, one stationary sleeve disposed on the lower portion of the seat tube and located below the five-way pipe, another one stationary sleeve disposed on an upper end of the steering tube; 15 the stationary sleeve on the upper portion correspondingly engaged with the rotary sleeve on the top tube, the stationary sleeve on the lower portion correspondingly engaged with the rotary sleeve on the down tube, the stationary sleeve on the steering tube 5 correspondingly engaged with the rotary sleeve on the stem; wherein when each locking device is released and each rotary sleeve moves downwardly to disengage with each corresponding stationary sleeve, the top tube and the down tube pivotally simultaneously rotate with the two corresponding rotary sleeves 10 relative to the seat tube, the stem pivotally simultaneously rotating with the corresponding rotary sleeve relative to the steering tube, and the bicycle frame being folded.