Bottle-cage device for bicycles

Abstract

A carrier device for a bicycle, comprises an anchoring portion, which is to be fixed to the frame, an anchoring portion, and a holding element, within which the object is introduced. The holding element changes its longitudinal axis upon introduction of the object into the holding element.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An accessory supporting device for bicycles, particularly a bottle-cage device, defining a seat for housing an accessory, particularly a bottle, the device comprising 
 an anchoring portion, which is to be fixed to the frame of a bicycle, and    a holding portion, substantially of annular shape, connected to said anchoring portion and defining a through axial aperture, provided for receiving the body of the accessory therethrough,    characterized by said annular holding portion is connected to said anchoring portion so that it is able to elastically pivot with its axis (AF), with respect to the axis (AS) of said anchoring portion, from a first position to a second position, as a result of the introduction of the accessory into said seat, in such a way that in said second position said annular holding portion elastically holds the accessory in said seat.    
     
     
         2 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized by said annular holding portion is in a strip form.  
     
     
         3 . Device according to  claim 2 , further characterized by said strip has an upper part and extends in a cantilever fashion from the said upper part along a generally downwardly inclined plane, so as to define a strip portion diametrically opposite to said upper part and downwardly displaced relative thereto.  
     
     
         4 . Device according to  claim 3 , further characterized by said strip is connected to said anchoring portion at said upper part.  
     
     
         5 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized by said anchoring portion and said holding portion being an integral, one piece body.  
     
     
         6 . Device according to  claim 5 , further characterized by said one piece body flexible portion which is close to the location of said connecting portion between said anchoring portion and said holding portion.  
     
     
         7 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized by a lower supporting portion, which is also connected to the anchoring portion and provided for supporting a bottom portion of the body of the accessory.  
     
     
         8 . Device according to  claim 7 , further characterized by said anchoring portion, said holding portion and said supporting portion being an integral, one piece body.  
     
     
         9 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized by to said holding portion there is associated an elastically deformable tab which is for co-operating with said accessory when said holding portion is in said second position.  
     
     
         10 . Device according to  claim 9 , further characterized by said anchoring portion, said holding portion, said supporting portion and said tab form a body in one piece.  
     
     
         11 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized by guiding and positioning means are provided, comprising at least two projections which extend longitudinally along a prevailing portion of said anchoring portion, so as to define a cavity.  
     
     
         12 . Device according to  claim 11 , further characterized by said anchoring portion, said holding portion, said supporting portion, said tab and said projections form a body in one piece.  
     
     
         13 . Device according to  claim 5 , characterized by said body in one piece is made of carbon fibre material.  
     
     
         14 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized by: 
 in said first position, the axis (AF) of said through aperture is inclined with respect to the axis (AS) of the anchoring portion;    in said second position, the axis (AF) of said through aperture is substantially parallel to the axis (AS) of the anchoring portion.    
     
     
         15 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized by said holding portion has an inner projection substantially diametrically opposite to the portion thereof connected to said anchoring portion.  
     
     
         16 . Device according to  claim 15 , characterized by 
 in said first position, the axis (AF) of said through aperture is substantially parallel to the axis (AS) of the anchoring portion;    in said second position, the axis (AF) of said through aperture is inclined with respect to the axis (AS) of the anchoring portion.    
     
     
         17 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized by said holding portion has an upper flared edge.  
     
     
         18 . An accessory supporting device for bicycles, particularly a bottle-cage device, defining a seat for housing an accessory, particularly a bottle, the device comprising 
 an anchoring portion, which is to be fixed to the frame of a bicycle, and    a holding portion, connected to said anchoring portion and defining a through axial aperture, provided for receiving the body of the accessory therethrough, characterized by said holding portion presents a relatively thin thickness and a first edge shaped so as to have a cross section with a profile having a curved end, said holding portion having a relatively thin thickness also along said first edge.    
     
     
         19 . Device according to  claim 18 , characterized by said holding portion comprises also a second edge and is shaped along the latter so as to have a cross section with a profile having a curved end, said holding portion having a relatively thin thickness also along said second edge.  
     
     
         20 . Device according to  claim 18 , characterized by said holding portion has a substantially constant thickness.  
     
     
         21 . Device according to  claim 18 , characterized by said holding portion has a generally annular shape.  
     
     
         22 . Device according to  claim 18 , characterised by comprising a curved blade element presenting a pair of curved elements which are opposite to each other in a jaw-like fashion.  
     
     
         23 . Device according to  claim 18 , characterised by comprising a lower supporting element which is for supporting the lower part of the accessory.  
     
     
         24 . Device according to  claim 18 , characterized by said anchoring portion and said holding means are formed in a single piece body.  
     
     
         25 . Device according to  claim 24 , characterized by said single piece body is made of carbon fibre.  
     
     
         26 . Device according to  claim 21 , characterized by the connecting portion between said holding portion and said anchoring portion is elastically deformable, so that the holding portion is able to elastically pivot with its axis (AF) with respect to the axis (AS) of the anchoring portion, between at least two different positions as a result of the introduction of the bottle in said housing, in one of said positions, said holding portion being elastically urged in such a way to keep the accessory locked in its housing.  
     
     
         27 . A cycle accessory support device for a generally circular object having a longitudinal body portion of defined length that is generally flat at one end and terminated at an opposite end of the body portion in a circumferential groove, the device comprising 
 a longitudinal anchoring portion that is fixed to the cycle, the anchoring portion has a supporting appendage form at one end thereof, a connecting portion at an opposite end thereof, and    an elliptical holding strip connected to and flexible about the connecting portion, the holding strip having a first axis in a first condition and a second axis in a second condition,    wherein the elliptical holding strip transitions from the first to the second condition when the accessory is positioned adjacent to the anchoring portion and on the supporting appendage.    
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 27  wherein the connecting portion includes a curved tab that abuts the circumferential groove when the accessory is positioned adjacent to the anchoring portion and on the supporting appendage.  
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 27  wherein the connecting portion includes a projection that abuts the longitudinal body portion when the accessory is positioned adjacent to the anchoring portion and on the supporting appendage.  
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 27  wherein the longitudinal anchoring portion has a length generally equal to the longitudinal body portion.  
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 30  wherein the connecting portion includes a curved tab that abuts the circumferential groove when the accessory is positioned adjacent to the anchoring portion and on the supporting appendage.  
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 30  wherein the connecting portion includes a projection that abuts the longitudinal body portion when the accessory is positioned adjacent to the anchoring portion and on the supporting appendage.  
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 27  wherein the anchoring portion has spaced apart longitudinal supporting surfaces that restrict lateral movement the object.  
     
     
         34 . A cycle accessory support device for supporting an object having a tubular body portion of defined length and diameter and at least one closed end, the device comprising 
 a longitudinal anchoring portion that is fixed to the cycle, the anchoring portion has first and second ends and a connecting portion adjacent at least one end thereof, and    a holding element connected to and flexible about the connecting portion, the holding element having a first axis in a first condition and a second axis in a second condition,    wherein the holding element transitions from the first to the second condition when the accessory is positioned adjacent to the anchoring portion.    
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 34  wherein the holding element is a closed strip of a diameter greater than that of the tubular body.  
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 35  wherein the anchoring portion has a supporting appendage at an end opposite the connecting portion.  
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 34  wherein the holding element is an elliptical strip having a minor diameter greater than the diameter of the tubular body.  
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 37  wherein the anchoring portion has a supporting appendage at an end opposite the connecting portion.  
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 34  wherein the holding element is comprised of at least two opposed curvilinear elements that define a diameter greater than that of the tubular body.  
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 39  wherein the anchoring portion has a supporting appendage at an end opposite the connecting portion.  
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 34  wherein the anchoring portion has spaced apart longitudinal supporting surfaces that restrict lateral movement the object.  
     
     
         42 . A cycle accessory support device for an elongated object having a defined length, the device comprising: 
 a longitudinal anchor having top, bottom and middle portions; and    a holding element connected to and flexible about the anchor's top portion, the holding element having a first axis in a first condition and a second axis in a second condition,    wherein the holding element transitions from the first to the second condition when the accessory is positioned within the holding element and in contact with the anchor.