초록 ▼

A holder for securing a bicycle wheel to the frame of a bicycle for transport is described. The bracket includes a padded hook member for placement over the top tube of a bicycle frame. The holder also includes two J-clamps for securing it to the seat and down tubes. A cradle is provided for receivi

A holder for securing a bicycle wheel to the frame of a bicycle for transport is described. The bracket includes a padded hook member for placement over the top tube of a bicycle frame. The holder also includes two J-clamps for securing it to the seat and down tubes. A cradle is provided for receiving the rim of the bicycle wheel. Additionally to firmly secure the wheel to the holder two clamps are provided that limit the horizontal movement of the wheel and collectively prevent the wheel from moving upwardly or downwardly. The various clamps are adjustable for fitment of the holder to frames and wheels of differing sizes.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for attachment to a bicycle frame and for holding a bicycle wheel, the apparatus comprising:a framework;two or more coupling devices attached to the framework, the two or more coupling devices being adapted to attach to one or more tubes of the bicycle frame at two or more locations,

1. An apparatus for attachment to a bicycle frame and for holding a bicycle wheel, the apparatus comprising:a framework;two or more coupling devices attached to the framework, the two or more coupling devices being adapted to attach to one or more tubes of the bicycle frame at two or more locations, at least one of the two or more locations being one of a top tube and a down tube; andone or more attachment devices attached to the framework, the one or more attachment devices being adapted to hold the bicycle wheel and prevent the bicycle wheel from one or both of moving upwardly and swinging outwardly relative to the framework during transport of the bicycle frame. 2. The apparatus of claim the 1 , wherein the one or more attachment devices includes an upwardly-open cradle for receiving a rim of the bicycle wheel therein. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the one or more attachment devices further include at least one clap assembly for hindering the movement of the wheel when the wheel is hung in the cradle. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the framework comprises a cross bar, the cross bar having at least one of the two or more coupling devices and the one or more attachment devices attached thereto for slidable movement longitudinally along at least a portion of the cross bar. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the cross bar comprises a tube. 6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the cross bar is not longitudinally linear. 7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the framework further includes a columnar member having a proximal end pivotally attached to the cross bar, the columnar member further having at least one of the two or more coupling devices attached thereto. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, where in the one or more attachment devices includes an upwardly-open cradle for receiving a rim of the bicycle wheel therein, and wherein the cradle is attached to the framework proximate a distal end of the columnar member. 9. An apparatus for attachment to a bicycle frame and for holding a bicycle wheel, the apparatus comprising:a framework;two or more coupling devices attached to the framework, the two or more coupling devices being adapted to attach to one or more tubes of the bicycle frame at two or more locations;one or more attachment devices attached to the framework, the one or more attachment devices being adapted to hold the bicycle wheel; andwherein the two or more coupling devices include at least one downwardly open a hook adapted to be received over a top tube of the bicycle frame. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the two or more coupling devices further include at least one coupling device adapted to be secured to a seat tube of the bicycle frame. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the two or more coupling devices further include at least one coupling device adapted to be secured to a downtube of the bicycle frame. 12. An apparatus for attachment to a bicycle frame and for holding a bicycle wheel, the apparatus comprising:a framework;a hook coupled with the framework, the hook being adapted to hang over a top tube of the bicycle frame; anda cradle coupled with the framework, the cradle being adapted to receive a rim of the bicycle wheel therein. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising one or more frame clamp devices coupled with the framework, the one or more frame clamp devices being adapted for securing the framework to the bicycle frame. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the one or more frame clamp devices include at least two frame clamp devices, one for attachment to a downtube of the bicycle frame and the other for attachment to a seat tube of the bicycle frame. 15. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising one or more wheel clamp devices coupled with the framework, the one or more wheel clamp devices being adapted to secure the bicycle wheel to the framework. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, where in the one or more wheel clamp devices include at least two wheel clamp devices, each abutting a tire of the bicycle wheel. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising one or more frame clamp devices coupled with the framework, wherein the one or more frame clamp devices include at least two frame clamp devices, one for attachment to a down tube of the bicycle frame and the other for attachment to a seat tube of the bicycle frame. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the framework includes a cross bar member and a columnar member, the columnar member being pivotally connected to the cross bar member and having the hook and the cradle extending therefrom, the at least two frame clamp devices and the at least two wheel clamp devices all being slidably attached to the cross bar. 19. The apparatus of claim 17, where in the cross bar has an arcuate center portion with two linear portions extending from the arcuate portion. 20. A method for securing a bicycle wheel to a bicycle frame of a bicycle, the method comprising:suspending a wheel holder assembly to a top tube of the bicycle frame, the wheel holder assembly including (i) a framework, (ii) a hook coupled with the framework, the hook being adapted to hang over the top tube of the bicycle frame, (iii) a cradle coupled with the framework, (iv) at least one frame clamp attached to the framework, and (v) at least one wheel clamp attached to the framework;securing the wheel holder to at least one of a seat tube and a down tube of the bicycle frame using the at least one frame clamp;hanging the bicycle wheel by placing a rim of the bicycle wheel in the cradle; andsecuring the bicycle wheel to the wheel holder at least one of a tire and a rim of the bicycle wheel using the at least one wheel clamp. 21. A method of securing a bicycle wheel to a bicycle frame of a bicycle when the bicycle is mounted in a vehicle carrier for transport, the method comprising:attaching a wheel holder to at least two of a top tube, a seat tube and a down tube of the bicycle frame; andpreventing substantial movement of the bicycle wheel relative to the wheel holder by securing the bicycle wheel to the wheel holder. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein said securing the bicycle wheel to the wheel holder comprises clamping the bicycle wheel to the wheel holder at least one of a tire and a rim of the bicycle wheel. 23. The method of claim 21, wherein said preventing substantial movement of the bicycle wheel includes inhibiting the bicycle wheel from swinging outwardly relative to the wheel holder and moving upwardly relative to the wheel holder as the bicycle is being transported by an associated vehicle. 24. A combination comprising:an automobile;a roof rack attached to the top of the automobile;a bicycle having a bicycle frame, the bicycle being attached to the roof rack, a front wheel of the bicycle having been removed from a front fork of the bicycle;a wheel holder assembly, the wheel holder assembly being attached to the bicycle at least three locations with at least two of the locations being on at least two of a down tube, a seat tube and a top tube of the bicycle frame; andthe front wheel, the front wheel being secured to the wheel holder assembly.