SE536750C2 - Carrier and packaging structure for transporting a bicycle and procedure for packing a bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

l0 27 ABSTRACT to a. transportation. support andwhich saddle(ll) The present invention relates structure for a comprises a (10) packaging bicycle adapter comprising saddle post connecting means adjustably connectable to a bicycle saddle post in place of asaddle and a longitudinal distance element (12) (ll), connected to one end and protruding on both sides thereof a handlebar adapter (20) releasably attachable in a handle barstem clamping means (85) replacing a handle bar stem withconnecting means (21) adjustably connected thereto, to which adistance element (22) is connected, to protrude on both sides (30) and a rear (35;45) thereof. It also comprises a front hub adapter hub adapter (40) with respective adapter elements releasably and adjustably connectable to respective hub holding means (95), front and rear hub connecting means (3l,4l)adjustably connected to the adapter elements (35,45) andlongitudinal distance elements (32,42) connected. to the front and rear hub connecting means (3l,4l), and protruding on both sides thereof.

Description

lO Gl38 PlSE AB/ej 20l2-06-26 Title:A BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT AND A PACKAGING STRUCTURE TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a bicycle transportation support and packaging structure for transportation of a bicycle and to a method for packaging a bicycle for transportationpurposes which comprises demounting' a saddle from. the saddlepost, demounting the handlebar from the handlebar stem and demounting the front and rear bicycle wheels.

BACKGROUND Bicycling is an activity that is receiving more and more interest and bicycles have become more and more specialized depending on specific use, activity to be undertaken by anindividual, from conventional bicycles, city bicycles tomountain bicycles and racing bicycles. Bicycles also tend to become individually adapted to a high extent, hence often being expensive and technically elaborated devices. It has therefore become more and more frequent for individuals to transport their bicycles, for example for performing a cycling activity and to travel with or have the bicycle transported somewhere. This means that there is an increased demand for facilities for transportation of a bicycle in a safe manner, in an easy mannerand assuring that the bicycle is as well protected as possible.Therefore different kinds of [bicycle bags have been2008/109986 4,99l,7l5 OI CäSGS proposed, for example WO shows a bicycle travel/storage bag and US shows another bicycle transport case. Bicycle bags with a hard cover often suffer from lO disadvantages of being bulky and heavy. Bags or cases are known which comprise an enforcing shell and frame structure to protect the bicycle and to keep it safe in a given position. However, all so far known devices suffer from several drawbacks; either they are heavy and bulky but give a comparatively good protection, or they are light-weight devices only having poor protective capabilities. Many of the devices are also complicated. and. time consuming' as far as the mounting' of and arranging' a bicycle therein is concerned. It should also be noted that bags or cases which give a comparatively good protection are also large and bulky which means that they are space demanding during the storage period, i.e. when not in use.

S UMMARYIt is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bicycle transportation support and packaging structure as initially referred to which is easy to handle, which provides for a good protection of the bicycle and which is a light-weight device. It is also an object to provide a support and packaging structure which is not bulky and cumbersome, neither during transportation of the bicycle nor in the meantime, i.e. at storing. It is also an object to provide such a structure which is cheap and easy to fabricate and which is easy to mount/demount. Still further it is a particular object to provide such a structure which is capable of keeping a packagedbicycle in place and which is easy for a user to transport in general and to transport or move manually short distances.

One or more of these objects are achieved. through a transportation support and packaging structure as initially referred to which has the characterizing features of claim l. A lO method for packaging a bicycle through which one or more of the above mentioned objects are achieved is given by the characterizing features of claim 23.

Advantageous embodiments are given by the appended sub-claims.

It is an advantage of the invention that a support and packaging structure is provided which has a low weight, which is secure and provides a good protection and which is compact. Otheradvantages will follow from the description below ofadvantageous embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will in the following be more thoroughly described, in a non-limiting manner, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. l is a schematical view of a support structure applied toa partly demounted bicycle in a packaging state,Fig. 2 is a view schematically illustrating the structure with a partly' demounted. bicycle, with. a positioning' of a mountain bicycle handlebar according to one embodiment, Fig. 3 is a. schematical view of a. support structure applied to a partly demounted racing bicycle with another proposed positioning of the handlebar, Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a handlebar adapter, Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of asaddle adapter, Fig. 6 schematically illustrates a second embodiment of asaddle adapter, Fig. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a front hub adapter, Fig. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a rear hub adapter, Fig. 9 schematically illustrates a support structure with adismantled bicycle arranged in a package or a bag witha front portion. of the bag removed. for illustrativepurposes, Fig. 10 is a figure similar to Fig. 9 illustrating a protectiveside cover portion, Fig. 11 shows a closed transportation support and packaging structure according to one embodiment, and Fig. 12 schematically illustrate an alternative embodiment of a support and transportation structure with an alternative outer cover or structure for shipping purposes of for example new bicycles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONFig 1 is a view of a partly demounted bicycle as arranged for packaging and transportation using a support and packaging structure 100 according to the present invention. A. bicycle arranged with a support structure for example as shown in Fig. 1 is adapted for being arranged in an outer, external bag or case as will be described. more thoroughly' below, which assists in making it suitable for transportation for example by car, train, bus, or airline. For application of the support structure, the wheels, the handlebar, the saddle are removed to allow for arranging a saddle adapter 10 in place of a saddle, a handlebaradapter 20 in place of a handlebar, a front hub adapter 30 inplace of the front hub and a rear hub adapter 40 in place of arear hub.

The adapters 10, 20, 30, 40 are provided to reinforce on both sides of the 42 which for the frame of the bicycle and. comprise,bicycle, protruding distance elements 12; 22; 32;example are made of aluminium or any other appropriate material.The distance elements, which are longitudinal and have a length exceeding the width of the bicycle frame, are adapted to provide a support for a tensioned edge cover, and to, at theirrespective outer ends, provide attachments for an outerprotection, for example i11 the form cüï a fabric or* a plastic material, a flexible or a more stiff, foldable material, to e.g. provide a protecting side cover, and to allow for attachments for supports or roller wheels. An outer cover may, but does not have to, have solid, hard, outer corners and for example consistof an elastic, damping material which makes the structurecompact, low weight.

The saddle adapter 10 comprises a saddle post connecting means 11 with, here, connecting elements 111, 112 which are adapted to be releasably' and adjustably' connected. to the bicycle saddle post in place of a saddle, and a longitudinal distance element12 as referred to above which either fixedly or releasably isconnected to one end of the respective connecting elements 11U 112. The longitudinal distance element 12 is arranged to extend substantially perpendicularly to and protrude on both sides of the longitudinal extension of the connecting elements 111, 112 and. has a first given length. In particular the longitudinal distance element 12 protrudes symmetrically on either side of acentral plane through the bicycle frame although, in alternative embodiments it may protrude asymmetrically' on the sides. The partly demounted bicycle is arranged in an upside-down positionand the saddle adapter 10 here comprises a longitudinal distanceouter ends is roller element 12 which on its 611, 612 provided withwheels rolled, on which the partly' demounted. bicycle can be pushed or pulled. Alternatively the saddle adapter distance element at its outer ends is provided with supports.

However, in the embodiment shown in Fig 1, supports 511, 512 are shown as being arranged on the handlebar distance element 22.Alternatively both the saddle bar distance element and ahandlebar distance element can be provided with roller wheels.These wheels may be mountable or replaceable or fixedly provided on the respective distance elements, or on any one thereof.

The handlebar adapter 20 comprises a handlebar stem adapterelement 25 which is adapted to be releasably, in someembodiments, adjustably, attached i11 a bicycle handlebar stemclamping means 85 in place of a handlebar stem. It further, in a first embodiment, handlebar comprises handlebar connecting means 21 with, here, two connecting elements 211, 212 which are adjustably, fixedly' or releasably, connected. to the handlebarstem adapter element 25 and a longitudinal distance element 22as discussed above, which is fixedly or releasably connected toone end of the handlebar connecting elements 211, 212, whichextend. substantially' perpendicularly' to, and. protrude on both sides of the longitudinal extension of the handlebar connecting means 21 and. has a given second length. The lengths of the distance elements 12, 22 may be the same or may be different andthey may protrude symmetrically on either side of the bicycleframe in a demounted state with respect to a longitudinal planeformed by the frame through the center of the handlebar stem andthe saddle post and the respective center of the front and rearhub, a main thing being that the distance elements protrude oneither side of the bicycle so demounted that the wheels can be arranged on either side of the frame as shown in Figure 1.

In an alternative embodiment the handlebar stem adapter elementand the handle bar distance element comprise one and the sameelement, the handlebar adapter element thus being extended andadapted to receive roller wheels or supports thereon, thus therebeing no connecting elements, which gives a particularly stablestructure which is resistant to shocks, forces arising when it is pulled/pushed, e.g. bumps, shocks.The support structure further comprises a front hub adapter 30and a rear hub adapter 40. The front hub adapter 30 comprises afront hub adapter element 35 which is adapted to be releasablyand adjustably connectable to a front hub holding means 95 of abicycle and front hub connecting elements 311, 312, connected tothe front hub adapter element 35 and. a longitudinal distanceis connected 31% element 32 which, preferably but not necessarily, to an end of the front hub connecting elements 31h It is arranged to extend substantially perpendicularly to, and protrude, preferably symmetrically, but alternatively asymmetrically, on both sides of the longitudinal extension ofthe front hub connecting elements 311, 312 and it has a given third length, which may be the same as one or both of the first or second lengths referred to above or have a length which is different from one or more thereof.

Similarly the support structure comprises a rear hub adapter 40 with a rear hub adapter element 45 to which the rear hub connecting elements 411, 412 are adjustably, optionally connectable. It also which releasably, comprises a longitudinal distance element 42 preferably also is adjustably connected to an end of the rear hub connecting elements 411, 412 and extends substantially perpendicularly to, and protrudes on either side of the longitudinal extension of the rear hub connecting elements 411, 412 and has a length which preferably corresponds to the length of the front hub adapter distance element, though it may also differ in length therefrom.

Thus, for mounting the support structure, the handlebar is removed. The handlebar can then be connected to one side of the bicycle, in any appropriate manner, for example Fig. 3 very schematically illustrates a possible way of mounting a handlebar94B of a racing bicycle which may be attached by means of straps(not shown) or similar. Fig 2 schematically illustrates how amountain bicycle handlebar 94A could be arranged with respect tothe frame of the bicycle where it can be held in place by means(not shown) of straps or similar in any appropriate manner and in such a way that the gear shift 95 is not exposed. Then thehandlebar adapter 20 is nwunted in the place of the handlebar.The saddle of the bicycle is removed and the saddle adapter 10is mounted to replace the saddle. The pedals are removed and thefront and rear wheels are removed and the front and rear hubare mounted. and the saddle are adapters 30, 40 The pedals conveniently arranged in a bag or any appropriate holding means arranged to be provided in the supporting transportation structure separately and connected to for example the frame. Ascan be seen from the figure the bicycle is placed upside-down to512, 612. rest on the support elements 51h and roller wheels ölh In advantageous embodiments an edge cover is arranged so as to be extended. around. the sides of the distance elements facingaway from. the bicycle and the roller wheels and/or supportsprotruding through. openings therein. This will be more thoroughly discussed with reference to Figs. 9, 10.

The rear derailleurs of the bicycle may be placed in a separatecasing or similar which by straps or any other appropriate means can be attached to the bicycle frame.

In one embodiment a handlebar connecting means 21 is adapted tobe fixedly connected to the handlebar stem adapter element 25whereby in other embodiments it is adjustably connected to the handlebar stem adapter element. Preferably at least one of the saddle adapter distance element 12 and the handlebar adapter distance element 22 (or a combined adapter element-distance element) at, or adjacent, outer ends thereof is/are provided with pulling wheels or are adapted for releasable connection ofpulling wheels thereto.

The adapter system is formed by the adapters 10, 20, 30, 40 toprovide a stable protecting structure actually formed mainly bythe bicycle frame itself.

In an advantageous embodiment at least two of the adapters are formed. by similar elements, and the handlebar stem adapter 25 may comprise a first tubular element45 also whereas the front and rear hub adapter elements 35, comprise tubular elements which may have the same dimensions as the first tubular element or other, different dimensions.

Similarly' the distance elements may comprise distance element with the same dimensions and sizes and comprise for example profile elements made of aluminium or a plastic material or a carbon fibre material or steel or any other appropriate material. As referred to above the distance elements may also have different dimensions, but it is extremely advantageous for mounting purposes and for fabrication purposes if one and the same distance element can be used for different purposes, i.e. as a distance element for a handlebar, for a rear, front hub, for a saddle or at least for some of them. In a similar manner, in advantageous embodiments, the same connecting means or elements can also be used for different purposes although theyof course also may be specifically adapted for the respectiveAlso similar tubular used for function. elements may be different purposes; however the saddle adapter normally has no need for a tubular element. second tubular elements 362,' For such a nmlti-purpose function the35, 45 each may comprise two sets of through openings 36h461, 462 located adjacent opposite ends of the respective tubularallow for 312,' element and which are adapted to reception of a respective pair of connecting elements 311, 411, 412 forming part of a respective connecting means. Connecting means 31, 41 are adjustably' connected. to the tubular elements in that the lengths of the connecting element inserted through a said opening and protruding from the tubular element on an oppositeside facing away from the bicycle frame can be adjusted, forouter example for the purpose will be of tensioning or fastening an cover as discussed. more thoroughly' below. If 11 specifically adapted, dedicated, tubular elements are used, there is no need for different sets of openings.

In one advantageous embodiment the connecting means or elements and the tubular elements are made of steel, stainless e.g. steel, carbon fibre or any other appropriate material.

In order to provide an extremely simple, flexible system, which may be made at a low cost, the profile elements, i.e. the distance elements, may comprise two sets of pre-drilled holes 711, 712 or similar of which a first set is adapted to allow reception of pairs of connecting elements of the saddle adapterand the front and rear hub adapters whereas the second set ofthe holes or openings is adapted to allow reception of a pair connecting' elements 211, 212 forming' connecting' elements of a handle bar adapter connecting means 21. This means that one and the same distance element can be used in any one of the adapters. Of course in alternative embodiments different distance elements are used for one or more of the adapters inany combination and the connecting means may also be different for different adapters or one or more thereof. A connecting means may alternatively comprise but one connecting element, or more than two, but it is extremely advantageous if some of the functional elements of the adapters are similar so that for example the distance element, the adapter element and/or the connecting means are multi-functional elements.

As referred to above also the connecting elements pair-wise may form connecting means and be multi-functional, arbitrarily usable as saddle bar, front and rear hub adapter connecting elements etc. 12 The distance elements may have a length between 150 and 400 mm, preferably between 200 and 350 mm, most preferably around 250- 300 mm. In some embodiments separate extension (prolongation) elements may also be provided; then the distance elements may be shorter. Preferably the length of one or more of the connecting means, which is functionally adjustable in that the protruding length. can be adjusted, preferably' about 200-250 mm. and thus provide a corresponding adjustability somewhat less than the length. In advantageous embodiments fastening means 55, for example screws, bolts, socket head cap screws or allens, whichnormally are used to fasten a saddle post or a handlebar stem orhubs,the saddle, elements 15, 25, 35, 45, are according to the invention used to releasably connect the handlebar, and the front and rear hub adapter which is extremely advantageous.

Fig. 2 is a figure similar* to Fig. 1 but does not show the bicycle wheels for reasons of clarity. It schematically illustrates how a handlebar 94A can be mounted, in this embodiment a mountain bicycle handlebar. In the figure only some of the elements of a bicycle are indicated, the chain 96, the fork 99 etc. However, the elements of a bicycle are not further discussed herein since they are well-known per se.

Fig. 3 is a very schematical illustration of how a racing bicycle handlebar 94B can be fastened for example to the fork.

Fig. 4 is a view illustrating' one embodiment of a handlebar adapter 20 comprising a connecting means 21 with two connecting elements 211, 212 which are mounted in a pair of holes or openings 721, 721 of a distance element 22. At the outer ends of the distance element 27, iii this embodiment, support elements 13 521, 522 arehandlebar handlebarwhich arranged. The adapter 20 comprises a stem. adapter element 25 comprises a tubular element with two through openings adapted to receive the connecting elements 211, 212 at outer ends of the handlebar opposite stem adapter element. The handlebar stem adapter element 25 is releasably provided in a handlebar stem clampingmeans 85 of a bicycle in place of the handlebar stem. Since thehandlebar stem adapter element, to be received in the handlebar stem. clamping' means, has a symmetrical shape corresponding' to the inner shape of the clamping means 85, it can be rotated andthe distance that the connecting means are introduced trough thehandlebar stem adapter element can also be adjusted for exampleby loosening screws normally holding a handlebar. This can bedone at a later stage when a protective edge cover 50 saddle, (Figs. 9, 10) has been arranged around the handlebar, front and rear hub adapter elements. This edge cover element 50 will then be sufficiently stretched and tensioned so that a good protection is provided thereby and it is also to be adapted toan outer bag or case in which the structure with the tensionable edge cover 50, having a width substantially corresponding to the length of the distance elements, is to be arranged fortransportation.Thus, in order to assure that the edge cover 50 is efficiently tensioned, all of the handlebar, the length of the connecting means of one or more, orsaddle, front and rear hub adapters can beadjusted both as far as the lengths of the connecting means areconcerned as well as the nwunting angle, i.e. the angle whichthe connecting means form with for example the handlebar post, or generally the frame of the bicycle or the element receiving 14 an adapter element. The connecting elements 211, 212 are connected at outer openings 721, 721 in the distance element 22.

Fig. 5 shows a saddle adapter 10 comprising connecting elements 111, 112 arranged. at an inner set of openings of a distance element 12 at the outer ends of which support wheels 511, 512 or roller wheels are attached. The saddle adapter 10 is releasably and adjustably connected to the bicycle saddle post in place of a saddle. In this case no adapter* element is needed. and. the connecting elements 111, 112 saddle can be directly connected to the post. The portion (length) that a connecting means protrude fronl the saddle post can be varied. by' adjustment of screws, bolts or similar fastening' means normally' used on a saddle post. In other embodiments the connecting means may befixedly connected or the protruding length is variable in othermanners.

Fig. 6 shows an alternative saddle adapter 10A. for an I-beamtype of saddle wherein the connecting means 11A only comprisesone element arranged around the distance element 12A. As for thehandlebar adapter, the saddle adapter is adjusted by loosening elements, for bolts etc. normally saddle, fastening example screws, holding' the and. tightening them. once the adapter has been arranged in such a manner that an edge cover 50 is adapted to fit in an12). sufficiently stretched and which is external case or bag or similar (see Fig. 11, Fig.Fig 7 and 8 show a front hub adapter 30 and a rear hub adapterAs for the handlebar and saddle adapters the 311, 312 and 411, 412 40 respectively. connecting elements respectively are adjustably, releasably or fixedly connected to distance elements 32 and 42 respectively and taken up in respective hub adapter elements 35, 45. As for the handlebar and saddle adapterconnecting means, the front and rear hub adapter connectingmeans can be adjusted to obtain the appropriate protruding lengths and the appropriate nwunting angles, for example with respect to the frame or adapter element holding means when arranged. in an edge cover* 50 or a bag to be tensioned. For example they are adapted to fit in outer corners of a bag or similar by loosening a fastening means, for example a clamping knob 65, whereupon. the length. of the connecting' means facing away from the bicycle frame, i.e. the length on the side of the adapter element at which the distance element is connected, can be adjusted. Preferably the connecting means can be rotated with respect to the frame or the adapter element holding means aroundthe axis of the adapter element between the connecting points where it is connected. to the hub holding' means. When. desired length and angle have been found, the knob 65 will be actuated to lock the adapter in the desired position. The rear and/or front hub adapters may' be provided. with a respective fixing element 49 in the form a bar or a rod which is adapted to be fixed to a kflcycle frame, by means of straps or similar e.g.(not shown) in order to keep the adapter safely in the accurate position and orientation.

The adapters can be reinforced in different manners.

Figs. 9, 10 schematically illustrate the adapter system with theadapters 10, 20, 30, 40 appropriately' extended and oriented,with. an edge cover* 50, for example of a textile fabric or aplastic material, which has a width substantially corresponding to the lengths of the distance elements, or somewhat exceeding 16 it (or somewhat shorter). In one embodiment it comprises elastic ribbons 64 against the retracting action of which the edge cover50 is surround. the distance elements. The entire foldable bag 60, arranged. to structure is subsequently provided in a preferably turnable inside out and which may be provided with ahandle 70 for pulling/pushing the bicycle in its transportation state on the protruding roller wheels. In an advantageous side portions 55A are arranged 82 of the embodiment protective cover between the frame of the bicycle and the wheels 81, bicycle in order to protect the bicycle and the wheels. The side cover portions 55A may for example be made of a textile material, e.g. of or with foam, an inflatable material, e.g.

Therma-Restnfi or any other appropriate material, or* a rigid, stiff material, and are preferably adapted to be attached at the respective outer ends of the distance elements, e.g. by means of straps 67 or similar. It should be clear that any alternative mounting to the outer respective ends of the distance element can be used. This means that the wheels 81, 82 will be very well protected between the outer bag 60 and the side covers 55A, as will be the frame of the bicycle.

A foldable bag can be folded out to provide a plane outer surface which is tensioned by the distance element and closed by means of a zip fastener 77 or in any other appropriate manner (see Fig. 11). It should be clear that through the use of the adapter systenl with. a foldable, flexible bag as suggested, a very light-weight and compact support and transportation structure 101 is provided. It may even weigh as little as 3 kg, although it of course may be heavier as well as lighter. In the meantime, when the support and. a packaging structure is not used, it will be very small and compact and hence easy to store 17 since the elements forming part of the adapters are small and can be demounted and the bag in some embodiments can be made of textile, plywood, a laminate with. a foam. core or a sandwichstructure, and be foldable. The bag may be provided with ahandle 70, and it may comprise openings through which the rollerwheels 611, 612 or supports 511, 512 protrude i.e. they arelocated outside the bag.

Fig. 12 shows another implementation using the same supportstructure but with a different outer storage, a casing for example of card board, plastic board, glass fiber or a similar material 6OB. By providing a reusable outer package, which can be unpacked then folded together, it can be returned to a distributor of bicycle, for, again unfolded, receiving another bicycle in a transportation state with a mounted adapter system etc., which is extremely advantageous since the number of bicycles produced somewhere in the world and shipped to different destinations is huge. A means for transportation which is extremely environmental friendly can thus be provided, since the outer material is reusable, not space demanding, neither in transport, nor in storage.

According to different embodiments of the invention, the outer bag or casing is flexible, comprises a fabric or a plastic e.g.a sandwich material, or called material, comprises a rigid enclosure, is inflatable, comprises a so self-inflating e.g.

Therma.Restm material, or some other inflatable material.

It should be clear that the invention can be varied in a number of ways without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (23)

1. A transportation (100;lOl;102) support and packaging structure for a bicycle,c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that it comprises a saddle adapter (10) comprising saddle post connecting means (111,ll2;llA) adapted to be releasably andadjustably connected to a bicycle saddle post in place of asaddle, a longitudinal distance element (12;l2A) fixedly orreleasably connected to one end of the connecting means(111,ll2;1lA) and arranged to extend substantially perpendicularly to and protruding on both sides with respect to the longitudinal extension of said connecting means(l11,l12;1lA),a handlebar adapter (20) comprising a handlebar stem adapter element (25) adapted to be releasably attached in a bicycle handle bar stem clamping means (85) in place of a handle barstem, and a longitudinal distance element (22), fixedly orreleasably connected to one end of longitudinal handlebarconnecting means (211,2l2;21) adjustably connected to thehandlebar stem adapter element (25) and extending substantially perpendicularly to, and protruding on both sides of thelongitudinal extension of the handlebar connecting means(2l1,2l2) or being formed as a longitudinal, protruding extension of the handlebar stem adapter element, a front hub adapter (30) and a rear hub adapter (35) (40) comprisinga front hub adapter element (45) and a rear hub adapter element respectively, which are adapted to be releasably and adjustably connectable to a respective bicycle hub holding means (95), front and rear hub connecting means (3l1,3l2,4l1,4lfiadjustable connected to the front hub adapter element (35) andthe rear hub adapter element (45) respectively, longitudinal distance elements (32,42) connected to an end of the respective front and rear hub connecting means (3l1,3l2,4l1,4l2) respectively and arranged to extend substantially perpendicularly to, andprotruding on both sides of the respective hub connecting means (3l1,3l2,4l1,4l2).

2. A support structure according to claim l,c h a r a c t e r i z e d i nthat the handlebar connecting means (2l1,2l2;2l) are adapted to be fixedly connected to the handlebar stem adapter element (25).

3. A support structure according to claim l,c h a r a c t e r i 2 e d i n that the handlebar connecting means (211,2l2;2l) are adapted tobe adjustably connected to the handlebar stem adapter element (25).

4. A support structure according to any one of the precedingclaims,c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that at least one of the saddle adapter distance element (l2;l2A) and the handlebar adapter distance element (22) at or adjacentouter ends thereof is/are provided with pulling wheels (6l1,6lfior are adapted for releasable connection of pulling wheelsthereto.

5. A support structure according to claim 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the saddle adapter distance element and the handlebar (22) (12)adapter distance element (611f612) both are provided with releasable pulling wheels or adapted for releasable connection thereof.

6. A support structure according to claim 4,c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the other of said saddle or handlebar distance elements provided with support elements (5l1,5l2) or is adapted for releasable connection thereof.

7. A support structure according to any one of the precedingclaims,c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that it comprises handlebar attachment means for attaching a removed handlebar to a bicycle frame, e.g. comprising adjustable straps or similar.

8. A support structure according to any one of the precedingclaims, that the handlebar stem adapter element (25) comprises a firsttubular element and that the front and rear hub adapter elements (35,45) each comprise a respective second tubular element.

9. A support structure according to any one of the precedingclaims,c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the first (25) and the second tubular elements (35,45) have the same or different sizes and dimensions.

10. A support structure according to claim 8 or 9, lO c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that of the second tubular elements (361f352;461f462) at least each (35,45) comprises two sets of through openings located adjacent opposite ends of the respective tubular element and adapted to allow reception of a respective pair of connecting elements (3l1,3l2, 4l1,4l2) forming part of a (3l,4l) respective connecting means, said connecting means being adjustablyconnected to the respective tubular elements in that the lengthof each connecting element, inserted through a said opening, and protruding from the tubular element, can be adjusted, and thatone or more of the distance elements are parallel with, butangularly adjustable with axis respect to, an through the longitudinal extension of the corresponding adapter element.

11. ll. A support structure according to any one of the precedingclaims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n(l2,l2A;22;32;42) that the distance elements comprise profile elements e.g. of aluminium or a plastic material or a similarmaterial, or carbon fibre.

12. A support structure according to claim ll,c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that each of the profile elements (l2,22,32,42) (711/712) I comprises two sets of pre-drilled holes or similar a first set (7lfl thereof being adapted to allow reception of pairs of connecting elements of the saddle adapter (lO) and the front and rear hub adapters (30,40) respectively, a second set being adapted to allow reception of a pair of connecting elements (2l1,2lfl forming connecting elements of a handle bar adapter connecting means (21).

13. A support structure according to any one of the precedingclaims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the saddle distance element (12;12A), the handlebardistance element (22) and the front and rear hub distanceelements (32,42) all have similar sizes and dimensions, and that each distance element is a multi-functional element, i.e. can be used arbitrarily as at least saddle bar, front and rear hubadapter connecting elements.

14. A support structure according to claim 13, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that at least some of the connecting means elements (1l;21;31;4l) comprise pair-wise arranged connecting elements,and that the connecting elements are multi-functional, i.e. canbe used arbitrarily as at least saddle bar, front and rear hub adapter connecting elements.

15. A support structure according to any one of the precedingclaims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the length of each distance element(12;l2A;22;32;42) 200 and 350 mm, most preferably about 250-300 mm. respective is between 150 and 400 mm, preferably between

16. A support structure according to any one of the precedingclaims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the length of at least each of the saddle,(11,21,31,41) is about 200-350 mm. front and rear hub adapter connecting means lO

17. A support structure according to any one of the precedingclaims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that fastening means (55), bolts, socket head cap handlebar e.g. normally used to fasten saddle post, screws, screws or allens, stem, and hubs are used to releasably fasten the saddle,handlebar, and front and rear hub adapter elements(l5;25;35;45).

18. A support structure according to any one of the precedingclaims,c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that it further comprises an edge cover (50), e.g. of a textile material, a rigid material or a foldable material, which has a width substantially corresponding to the length of the distanceelements, and is adapted to be arranged around saddle, handlebarand hub adapter distance elements when mounted on a bicycle in an up-side down state for transportation, and in that for tensioning said edge cover (50) in a mounted state, the lengths that at least some of the connecting means protrude are adjustable, and/or the orientation angles the distance elements.

19. A support structure according to any one of the precedingclaims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that it comprises two protective side cover portions (55A), e.g.foldable adapted to be of a textile material or of another flexible or material or of a rigid or a stiff material, connected to the respective outer ends of the distance elements, e.g. by straps or similar, and wheel fastening elements for removably fastening bicycle wheels on the outer sides of the protective side cover portions facing away from a bicycle when mounted thereon.

20. A support structure according to any one of the precedingclaims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that it further comprises a foldable or inflatable or rigid, stiff bag (60) provided with at least one pull handle (70), and adapted to receive and surround. the distance elements of theadapters when mounted on a bicycle turned upside down such that the pulling wheels (6l1,6l2), supports (5l1,5l2) or connecting means for such protrude out of the bag or are located outsidethe bag for contacting ground and allowing the bag to roll whenpulled.

21. A support structure according to any one of claims 1-20,c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that it further comprises a hard cover (6OB), adapted to have a width slightly exceeding the lengths of the distance elements such that ¿a bicycle i11 a transportation state, with nwunted adapters, demounted pedals, chain elements etc, can be received to snugly fit within said cover for shipping purposes.

22. A method for packaging a bicycle for transportation comprising the steps of: demounting the saddle from the saddle post, demounting the handlebar from the handlebar stem, demounting the front and rear bicycle wheels (8l,82),c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that it further comprises the steps of: - connecting, using a saddle post (10) connecting means (ll), a saddle post adapter in place of the saddle; - mounting a handlebar adapter (20) (25) with a handlebar adapter element in place of the handlebar; - mounting front and rear hub adapters (30,40), each comprising front and rear hub adapter connecting means (3l1,3l2,4lh 412), in place of the front and rear bicycle wheels (8l,82); wherein each of the front and rear hub adapter connecting means (3l,4l) and at least one of the handlebar or handlebarconnecting means and saddle adapter connecting means (ll;llA;2l)have an adjustable length and adjustable mounting, orientation angle and are connected to or form respective distance elements (l2;l2A;22;32;42), said distance elements (l2;l2A;22;32;42) of given lengths extending substantially perpendicularly on both sides thereof and of the bicycle frame; - mounting a flexible cover, e.g. an edge cover (50), circumferentially around all the distance elements (12;l2A;22;32;42); - tensioning the edge cover (50) by adjusting the lengths ofconnecting elements forming the connecting means (ll;llA;2l,3l,4l).

23. A method according to claim 22, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that it further comprises the steps of:(6l1,6l2) on the outer ends of at least (ll;llA;2l) saddle and mounting pulling wheelsone of the connecting elements of thehandlebar (lO;20), (511,512) adapter and pulling wheels or supports on the other; turning the bicycle upside down to rest on the pulling wheels (6l1,6l2) or on the pulling wheels (6l1,6lfi lO and the supports (5l1,5lfl(8l,82); before the step of demounting thebicycle wheels- demounting the bicycle wheels;arranging side covers (55A) on either side of the bicycle frame(55A) (l2;l2A;22;32;42); by connecting said covers to the protruding ends of thedistance elements- tensioning the side covers by adjusting the lengths of the(ll;llA;2l,3l,4l); (8l,82) respective connecting means - mounting the bicycle wheels by means of fastening means, to the outer sides of the side covers (55A) e.g. straps, facing away from the bicycle frame;(60) with a handle - unfolding and placing a flexible bag (70) around the bicycle with mounted adapters (lO,20,30,40); - closing the bag (60).