US 6,712,376 B2Granted

Quick release clamp and mounting apparatus for detachably securing an object to a bicycle or other device

OwnerWilliam J. Eberhardt, Bernard J. Grahaminventors

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Abstract

A quick release clamping mechanism for securing a sleeve about a tubular structure or post where the sleeve has first and second outwardly projecting lugs that may drawn together toward one another to compress the sleeve. Each of the lugs has a bore extending therethrough and is positioned on the sleeve such that the bores are generally aligned with one another. The bore on the first lug is internally threaded. The clamping mechanism comprises an elongate bolt member receivable through the bores in the lugs. The bolt member has a first threaded end that threadably engages the threaded bore through the first lug. The clamping mechanism further comprises a tensioning member operable between an engaged and a disengaged position. When in its engaged position the tensioning member bears against the second lug and draws the first lug toward the second lug to compress the sleeve. When in its disengaged position the tensioning member releases the force drawing the first lug toward the second lug. The amount of compressive force applied by the tensioning member is adjustable through threading the first end of the bolt member into or out of the threaded bore in the first lug.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A quick release for a clamping mechanism that may be secured about a structural member of a bicycle or other device, the mechanism including a first clamp having first and second outwardly projecting lugs that may be drawn together toward one another to compress the clamp about the structural member, each of the lugs having a bore extending therethrough and positioned upon said first clamp such that the bores are generally aligned with one another, the bore in the first lug internally threaded, the quick release mechanism comprising:

an elongate bolt member receivable through said bores in said lugs, said bolt member having a first threaded end that threadably engages the threaded bore through the first lug to secure said bolt member thereto;
and,
a tensioning member, said tensioning member operable between an engaged and a disengaged position, when in said engaged position said tensioning member bearing against said second lug and drawing said threaded end of said bolt member and said first lug to which it is secured toward said second lug thereby compressing the first clamp, when in said disengaged position said tensioning member releasing said force drawing said first lug toward said second lug, the compressive force applied by said tensioning member adjustable through threading said first end of said bolt member into or out of the threaded bore through the first lug,
said bolt member further including an enlarged diameter portion, said enlarged diameter portion situated between the first and second lugs when said bolt member is received through the bores in the lugs, said enlarged diameter portion limiting movement of the lugs toward one another beyond a predetermined distance, said enlarged diameter portion bearing against the second lug when said bolt member is threaded out of the bore through the first lug thereby driving the first and second lugs away from one another and expanding the first clamp.

1 more element

A mounting apparatus for detachably securing a training support bar to a bicycle or a tricycle, the training support bar having an elongate handle with a first end securable to the mounting apparatus, the training support bar assisting in providing balance and stability to a rider on the bicycle or tricycle, the mounting apparatus comprising:

a first clamp releasably securable to the frame or a structural member of the bicycle or tricycle;
a second clamp releasably securable to the training support bar;
and,
a connecting member joining said first clamp to said second clamp in a fixed and spaced-apart relationship so as to position the training support bar at a fixed distance from the frame of the bicycle or tricycle to which said first clamp is attached, said connecting member including a flange portion that is attachable to the frame or a structural member of the bicycle or tricycle such that said first clamp and said flange portion together secure said mounting apparatus to the bicycle or tricycle and together resist torsional loading applied to said mounting apparatus by the training support bar and movement of said mounting apparatus relative to the bicycle or tricycle.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.