Bicycle storage and display system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bicycle storage and display system designed to hold a bicycle in a nearly vertical position. The system includes a footer, rear wheel brace, front wheel brace, and an optional ramp or channel. The rear wheel brace and footer hold the rear wheel of a bicycle in place while the front wheel brace holds the front wheel of the bicycle in place and elevated above the rear wheel. The front wheel is held above the rear wheel at an angle of between 25 to 34 degrees. The optional ramp or channel extends from the footer, through the rear wheel brace, and up through the front wheel brace.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bicycle storage system for holding a bicycle in a near vertical position comprising a footer, a rear wheel brace, and a front wheel brace;
 said rear wheel brace defining an opening for supporting a first portion of a rear wheel of said bicycle;   said upper wheel brace defining an opening for supporting a first portion of a front wheel of said bicycle;   said footer is positioned to contact a second portion of said rear wheel and hold said rear wheel in said rear wheel brace; and   wherein said front wheel brace is positioned at a height above that of the rear wheel brace.   
     
     
         2 . The bicycle storage system of  claim 1 , wherein said front wheel brace is positioned to hold said front wheel at an angle between 25 to 34 degrees relative to the position of said rear wheel held in said rear wheel brace. 
     
     
         3 . The bicycle storage system of  claim 1 , wherein said rear wheel brace supports a first portion of 5 to 50% of the area and 10 to 50% of the circumference of said rear wheel, and wherein said front wheel brace supports a first portion of 5 to 50% of the area and 10 to 50% of the circumference of said front wheel. 
     
     
         4 . The bicycle storage system of  claim 1 , wherein said rear wheel brace comprises parallel side members that are equidistantly spaced apart from each other to define said opening, wherein said front wheel brace comprises parallel side members that are equidistantly spaced apart from each other to define said opening, and wherein said rear wheel brace parallel side members and said front wheel brace parallel side members are equidistantly spaced apart at a same distance. 
     
     
         5 . The bicycle storage system of  claim 4 , wherein said same distance is from 4 to 8 inches between the inner walls of said parallel side members of each of said rear wheel and front wheel braces. 
     
     
         6 . The bicycle storage system of  claim 1 , further comprising a continuous ramp that extends from said footer, through said rear wheel brace, and up through said front wheel brace. 
     
     
         7 . The bicycle storage system of  claim 1 , further comprising a continuous channel that extends from said footer, through said rear wheel brace, and up through said front wheel brace. 
     
     
         8 . The bicycle storage system of  claim 1 , further comprising a header. 
     
     
         9 . The bicycle storage system of  claim 8 , wherein said footer has a surface positioned to contact a horizontal surface and said header has a surface positioned to contact a vertical surface. 
     
     
         10 . The bicycle storage system of  claim 9 , wherein said surfaces of said footer and said header are each covered a material that provides traction. 
     
     
         11 . A bicycle storage system for holding a bicycle in a near vertical position comprising a footer, a rear wheel brace, a front wheel brace, and a continuous channel that extends from said footer through said rear wheel brace and said front wheel brace;
 said rear wheel brace defines an opening for supporting a first portion of a rear wheel of said bicycle;   said upper wheel brace defines an opening for supporting a first portion of a front wheel of said bicycle;   said footer is positioned to contact a second portion of said rear wheel and hold said rear wheel in said rear wheel brace; and   wherein said front wheel brace is positioned at a height above that of the rear wheel brace.   
     
     
         12 . The bicycle storage system of  claim 11 , wherein said front wheel brace is positioned to hold said front wheel at an angle between 25 to 34 degrees relative to the position of said rear wheel held in said rear wheel brace. 
     
     
         13 . The bicycle storage system of  claim 10 , wherein said rear wheel brace supports a first portion of 5 to 50% of the area and 10 to 50% of the circumference of said rear wheel, and wherein said front wheel brace supports a first portion of 5 to 50% of the area and 10 to 50% of the circumference of said front wheel. 
     
     
         14 . The bicycle storage system of  claim 11 , further comprising a header. 
     
     
         15 . The bicycle storage system of  claim 14 , wherein said header comprises a configuration for attachment to a wall with fasteners. 
     
     
         16 . The bicycle storage system of  claim 14 , wherein said footer has a surface positioned to rest against a horizontal surface and said header has a surface positioned to rest against a vertical surface. 
     
     
         17 . The bicycle storage system of  claim 16 , wherein said footer surface and header surface are each covered with a material that provides traction. 
     
     
         18 . The bicycle storage system of  claim 14 , wherein said wheel braces and sides of said continuous channel comprise parallel side members that are equidistantly spaced apart from each other and that are connected to the footer and to the header. 
     
     
         19 . The bicycle storage system of  claim 18 , wherein said parallel side members are equidistantly spaced apart at a distance of 4 to 8 inches between the inner walls of said parallel side members. 
     
     
         20 . The bicycle storage system of  claim 19 , wherein said parallel side members are side panels having a design according to side panels as shown in  FIG. 1 .