초록 ▼

Bikes typically include a seat that has a seat member that extends along a bottom portion of the seat. A rack for such a bike includes a bracket, a platform, a clamp, and a hand operated quick connector. The bracket includes a platform side for connection to the platform. The bracket also includes a

Bikes typically include a seat that has a seat member that extends along a bottom portion of the seat. A rack for such a bike includes a bracket, a platform, a clamp, and a hand operated quick connector. The bracket includes a platform side for connection to the platform. The bracket also includes a clamp side that has the clamp configured for providing a clamped connection to the seat member. The hand operated quick connector is located on the platform side and/or on the clamp side.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A bike rack for a bike having a seat, the seat having seat rails extending along a bottom portion of the seat, the bike rack comprising: a platform,a bracket including a platform side for connection to said platform at a junction therebetween, and a clamp configured for providing a clamped connec

1. A bike rack for a bike having a seat, the seat having seat rails extending along a bottom portion of the seat, the bike rack comprising: a platform,a bracket including a platform side for connection to said platform at a junction therebetween, and a clamp configured for providing a clamped connection to said seat rails, the clamp having a first clamp member and a second clamp member with a gap therebetween with a section of both of the seat rails being in the gap, and at least one connector interconnecting the first clamp member and the second clamp member, the at least one connector being operable to reduce a size of the gap to anchor the clamp to the seat rails in a clamped condition,a seat post portion adapted to contact a seat post of the bike,a translation joint in the platform between the seat post portion and the platform to allow an adjustment of length between the seat post portion and said junction between the bracket and the platform, anda rotational joint defined by a circular pivot in at least one of the clamp, the bracket and the platform to allow a rotational adjustment between the platform and the seat when in said clamped condition about an axis generally transverse to a direction of the adjustment of length,whereby the rotational joint and the translational joint are arranged by said adjustment of length and said rotational adjustment to set the platform substantially horizontal for use. 2. A bike rack as recited in claim 1, wherein said platform is for carrying a load having a weight, wherein said seat bears most of the weight of the load. 3. A bike rack as recited in claim 2, wherein said seat bears substantially all of the weight of the load. 4. A bike rack as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one connector is a hand operated quick connector. 5. A bike rack as recited in claim 1, wherein said bracket comprises a first part including the first clamp member and a second part connected to said platform, wherein said second part quickly and securely connects with said first part and wherein said second part quickly disconnects from said first part. 6. A bike rack as recited in claim 5, wherein said second part is permanently connected to said platform. 7. A bike rack as recited in claim 6, wherein said first part includes a bearing and wherein said second part includes a pin to form said rotational joint. 8. A bike rack as recited in claim 7, wherein said pin includes a key. 9. A bike rack as recited in claim 8, wherein key includes a flat region. 10. A bike rack as recited in claim 7, wherein said pin is configured so it can be inserted into said bearing when said platform is tilted in a first position and wherein said pin is configured so it is locked into said bearing when said platform is rotated to a second position. 11. A bike rack as recited in claim 1, wherein said seat post portion is a seat post clamp hingeably connected to said platform. 12. A bike rack as recited in claim 1, wherein the translation joint between said seat post portion and said platform comprises a slotted connector. 13. A bike rack as recited in claim 11, wherein said seat post clamp includes an open end for facilitating automatic extension of said seat post clamp around said seat post when said platform is rotated toward a substantially horizontal position by way of the rotational joint or when said translation joint extends the length between the platform and the seat post clamp. 14. A bike rack as recited in claim 11, wherein said seat post clamp includes a strap clamping member. 15. A bike rack as recited in claim 1, wherein said rotational joint includes a pin and a bearing in the bracket, wherein said pin has an axis, wherein said bearing extends completely around a portion of said axis. 16. A bike rack as recited in claim 15, wherein said rotational joint permits adjusting tilt of said platform around said axis, with said axis being substantially transverse to a direction of the translation joint. 17. A bike rack as recited in claim 15, further comprising a support member in the bracket between said rotational joint and said platform, wherein said support member can have a range of lengths for adjusting a separation distance between said rotational joint and said platform. 18. A bike rack as recited in claim 1, wherein said platform has an end facing forward when said platform is mounted on said bicycle, wherein said forward-facing end includes a lip for restricting rotation of said platform. 19. A bike rack as recited in claim 18, wherein said lip includes an upward-bent portion of said platform.