US20040060878A1

US20040060878A1 - Carrier assembly for supporting and displaying cycles

Info

Publication number: US20040060878A1
Application number: US10/261,527
Authority: US
Inventors: Mei Ho
Original assignee: Suncycle Enterprise Co Ltd
Current assignee: Suncycle Enterprise Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-09-27
Filing date: 2002-09-27
Publication date: 2004-04-01

Abstract

A carrier device for supporting cycles includes a track supported on a base, a bar adjustably supported on the track, and a supporting brace secured on the bar and having a stay for easily and quickly and readily supporting the cycles without additional fasteners or tools. A bracket may be used for adjustably securing the track on one or more rods of the base. The base includes a pair of posts supported on two beams, a pair of seats supported on the posts, and one or more rods secured between the seats. The seats each has a disc rotatably supported on a rotary member.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a carrier assembly, and more particularly to a carrier assembly for supporting and for displaying cycles.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Typically, cycles are randomly disposed on the ground of the marketing places. No suitable carrier devices may be provided for supporting and displaying the cycles, such that a large space is required for displaying the cycles. In addition, no suitable carrier devices may be used for moving the displayed cycles elsewhere.

Some of the marketing places may build or assemble one or more carrier devices for their own, to support and to display the cycles. However, the carrier devices are not specifically designed for supporting the cycles, and a number of wires and/or stays and/or fasteners and/or frames are further required to be attached onto the carrier devices and the cycles, for securing the cycles onto the carrier devices.

The cycles thus may not be easily supported or secured onto the carrier devices, and may not be easily supported for displaying purposes.

The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional carrier devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a carrier assembly for suitably and easily and readily supporting and displaying cycles.

The other objective of the present invention is to provide a carrier assembly for suitably supporting and displaying cycles and for moving the cycles to any suitable displaying positions.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a carrier assembly for supporting cycles, the carrier assembly comprising a base, a track for being supported on the base, a bar slidably and adjustably supported on the track, and a supporting brace secured on the bar, and including a stay for easily and quickly and readily supporting the cycles without additional fasteners or tools.

The track includes an upper portion having a rail provided thereon, the bar includes a lower portion having a channel formed therein for slidably receiving the rail and for slidably and adjustably securing the bar on the track.

The base includes at least one rod, and a device may be provided for securing the track on the rod and includes a bracket having at least one recess formed therein for receiving the rod, and at least one fastener engaged through the bracket and secured to the track.

The base includes a pair of beams, a pair of posts supported on the beams respectively, a pair of seats supported on the posts respectively for supporting the rod between the seats.

The seats each includes a rotary member rotatably and adjustably supported on the seats with a hub, and a disc supported on the respective rotary member and having at least one pipe for attaching to the rod and thus for securing the rod between the discs of the seats.

The disc includes a bore formed therein and aligned with the hub of the rotary member, the seats each includes a shaft received in the bore of the disc and the hub of the rotary member for rotatably and adjustably securing the disc to the seat respectively.

The supporting brace includes a block secured on the bar, and a tube secured on the block for supporting the stay.

The bar includes an upper portion having a slot formed therein for slidably and adjustably supporting and receiving the block, and means for fastening the block to the bar.

The block includes at least one lock notch formed therein, the tube includes at least one catch provided thereon and engaged into the lock notch of the block, for securing the tube to the block.

The supporting brace includes a column slidably and adjustably secured on the tube, and the stay is secured on the column.

The base includes a board for supporting the track. For example, the board includes a groove formed therein for slidably and adjustably receiving and supporting the track.

The board further includes at least one opening formed therein and communicating with the groove thereof, and at least one catch received in the opening of the board and engaged with the track, for retaining the track on the board.

The base includes a barrel attached on the track, a column adjustably supported on the barrel, and a second track secured on the column. The base may include one or more wheel members attached to the bottom of the board for moving the board of the base to any suitable displaying position.

Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of a detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carrier assembly in accordance with the present invention; [0024]
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a primary carrier device of the carrier assembly; [0025]
FIG. 3 is a partial exploded view illustrating a slidably track device of the carrier assembly; [0026]
FIGS. 4, 5, [0027] 6 are perspective views illustrating the operation of the carrier device of the carrier assembly as shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 7 is an exploded view illustrating an auxiliary carrier device of the carrier assembly; [0028]
FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the operation of the auxiliary carrier device of the carrier assembly as shown in FIG. 7; and [0029]
FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the operation of another auxiliary carrier device of the carrier assembly.[0030]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1, a carrier assembly in accordance with the present invention comprises a [0031] primary carrier device 1, and/or an auxiliary carrier device 8, and/or a further auxiliary carrier device 9.
As shown in FIGS. [0032] 1-6, the primary carrier device 1 comprises a base 10 including a pair of beams 11 spaced from each other, and preferably parallel to each other. The beams 11 each includes one or more adjustable screws 13 attached to the bottom thereof for adjusting the beams 11 relative to the supporting ground, and one or more caps 14 secured to the ends thereof.
The [0033] beams 11 each further includes one or more, such as two ducts 12 extended upwardly therefrom. One or more posts 16 each includes a lower end engaged into and secured to the ducts 12 respectively, for allowing the posts 16 to be vertically supported on the beams 11 of the base 10 respectively.
Two [0034] seats 20 each includes one or more, such as two conduits 21 extended downwardly therefrom, for engaging onto the upper ends of the posts 16 and for securing the seats 20 on top of the base 10 with the posts 16. The seats 20 each includes a rotary member 22 rotatably supported thereon with a hub 23, and an extension 24 having two pipes 25 extended therefrom.
Two [0035] discs 30 are rotatably supported on the seats 20 respectively, and each also includes an extension 31 having two pipes 32 extended therefrom, and a bore 33 formed therein and to be aligned with the hubs 23 of the seats 20 respectively. One or more, such as two rods 27 may be secured between the pipes 32 of the discs 30 with fasteners, adhesive materials, or by force-fitted engagements or welding processes.
Two [0036] shafts 34 are rotatably engaged through the bores 33 of the discs 30 and the hubs 23 of the seats 20 respectively, for rotatably and adjustably securing the discs 30 on the seats 20 respectively, and for allowing the discs 30 to be rotated or adjusted relative to the seats 20 respectively, best shown in FIG. 5.
The [0037] shafts 34 each may include a peripheral flange 35 laterally extended outwardly from the upper portion thereof for engaging with the respective discs 30 and for limiting the shafts 34 to move axially relative to the respective discs 30, or for preventing the shafts 34 from engaging downwardly through or out of the bores 33 of the respective discs 30.
A [0038] knob 37 may be secured to each of the shafts 34 for engaging the shafts 34 into the bores 33 of the discs 30 and the hubs 23 of the seats 20 respectively, and for removing the shafts 34 from the discs 30 and the seats 20 when required. The knobs 37 may be solidly secured to the shafts 34 and moved in concert with the shafts 34.
Alternatively, the [0039] knobs 37 may each include a pole 38 extended therefrom and slidably received in the bores 36 of the respective shafts 34. A clamping ring 39 may be secured to each of the poles 38, for engaging with the respective shafts 34, and a spring 40 may be engaged between the clamping ring 39 and the respective shaft 34 for biasing the knobs 37 downwardly toward and to engage with the respective shafts 34.
A [0040] track 60 may be adjustably secured on the rods 27 with a bracket 61. For example, the bracket 61 includes one or more, such as two recesses 62 formed therein for receiving the rods 27 respectively. One or more fasteners 63 may secure the bracket 61 to the track 60 for movably and adjustably securing the track 60 on the rods 27, best shown in FIGS. 4-6.
The [0041] track 60 includes a dovetail or a guide rail 64 formed or provided or disposed longitudinally on the upper portion thereof. A bar 65 includes a channel, such as a dovetail channel 66 formed or provided in the bottom portion thereof for slidably receiving the guide rail 64 of the track 60, and for slidably securing the bar 65 on the track 60.
The [0042] bar 65 may include a longitudinal slot 67 formed and provided on top thereof. A block 70 may be secured on top of the bar 65, such as received in the slot 67 of the bar 65, and secured to the bar 65 with one or more fasteners 71. The block 70 includes one or more lock notches 72 formed therein.
A supporting [0043] brace 7 includes a tube 73 having one or more catches 74 extended therefrom for engaging into the lock notches 72 of the block 70 and for detachably securing to the block 70, and includes a column 75 slidably and adjustably secured on the upper portion of the tube 73, and includes a stay 77 provided on top of the column 75 for supporting the central hub portion 91 of the cycles 90 (FIGS. 5, 6, 8, 9).
In operation, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, [0044] 8, 9, the central hub portion 91 of the cycles 90 may be easily and quickly and readily supported on the stay 77 of the supporting brace 7 for displaying purposes, without additional fasteners or latches or locks. The wheels 93 of the cycles 90 may also be stably supported or received in the slot 67 of the bar 65. The bar 65 may further be adjusted relative to the track 60, for moving or adjusting the cycle 90 to the suitable displaying position.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 7, [0045] 8, the auxiliary carrier device 8 also comprises a base 10 including such as a board 80 having one or more wheel members 81 attached to the bottom thereof for allowing the board 80 to be moved to any suitable places or positions. The board 80 includes a groove 82 formed therein for slidably receiving the track 60, and includes one or more openings 83 formed therein and communicating with the groove 82 thereof.
One or [0046] more catches 84 may be provided and received in the openings 83 of the board 80, and engaged with the track 60, for securing or retaining the track 60 on the board 80 with such as a force-fitted engagement. The bar 65 and the block 70 and the supporting brace 7 may also be slidably or adjustably supported on the track 60 for supporting and displaying the cycle 90. The cycle 90 may be moved to any suitable displaying places or positions with the wheel members 81.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the further [0047] auxiliary carrier device 9 may further include a barrel 87 having a lower portion slidably and adjustably secured in the bar 65 with the block 70, and a track 60 slidably and adjustably secured to the bottom of the bar 65, and a board 80 slidably and adjustably secured to the bottom of the track 60.
The further [0048] auxiliary carrier device 9 may further include a column 88 slidably and adjustably secured on the upper portion of the barrel 87, and includes another track 60 and another bar 65 and another supporting brace 7 provided on top of the column 88 for supporting the cycle 90 (FIG. 9) at a suitable height above the supporting ground.
Accordingly, the carrier assembly in accordance with the present invention may be provided for suitably and easily and readily supporting and displaying cycles, and/or for moving the cycles to any suitable displaying positions. [0049]
Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. [0050]

Claims

I claim:

1. A carrier assembly for supporting cycles said carrier assembly comprising:

a base,

a track for being supported on said base,

a bar slidably and adjustably supported on said track, and

a supporting brace secured on said bar, and including a stay for supporting the cycles.

2. The carrier assembly according to claim 1, wherein said track includes an upper portion having a rail provided thereon, said bar includes a lower portion having a channel formed therein for slidably receiving said rail and for slidably and adjustably securing said bar on said track.

3. The carrier assembly according to claim 1, wherein said base includes at least one rod, and means for securing said track on said at least one rod.

4. The carrier assembly according to claim 3, wherein said securing means includes a bracket having at least one recess formed therein for receiving said at least one rod, and at least one fastener engaged through said bracket and secured to said track.

5. The carrier assembly according to claim 3, wherein said base includes a pair of beams, a pair of posts supported on said beams respectively, a pair of seats supported on said posts respectively for supporting said at least one rod between said seats.

6. The carrier assembly according to claim 5, wherein said seats each includes a rotary member rotatably and adjustably supported on said seats with a hub, and a disc supported on said respective rotary member and having at least one pipe for attaching to said at least one rod.

7. The carrier assembly according to claim 6, wherein said disc includes a bore formed therein and aligned with said hub of said rotary member, said seats each includes a shaft received in said bore of said disc and said hub of said rotary member for rotatably and adjustably securing said disc to said seat respectively.

8. The carrier assembly according to claim 1, wherein said supporting brace includes a block secured on said bar, and a tube secured on said block for supporting said stay.

9. The carrier assembly according to claim 8, wherein said bar includes an upper portion having a slot formed therein for slidably and adjustably supporting and receiving said block, and means for fastening said block to said bar.

10. The carrier assembly according to claim 8, wherein said block includes at least one lock notch formed therein, said tube includes at least one catch provided thereon and engaged into said at least one lock notch of said block, for securing said tube to said block.

11. The carrier assembly according to claim 8, wherein said supporting brace includes a column slidably and adjustably secured on said tube, and said stay is secured on said column.

12. The carrier assembly according to claim 1, wherein said base includes a board for supporting said track.

13. The carrier assembly according to claim 12, wherein said board includes a groove formed therein for slidably and adjustably receiving and supporting said track.

14. The carrier assembly according to claim 13, wherein said board further includes at least one opening formed therein and communicating with said groove thereof, and at least one catch received in said at least one opening of said board and engaged with said track, for retaining said track on said board.

15. The carrier assembly according to claim 12, wherein said base includes a barrel attached on said track, a column adjustably supported on said barrel, and a second track secured on said column.

16. The carrier assembly according to claim 12, wherein said base includes at least one wheel member attached to said board for moving said board to any suitable position.