Rack for supporting a bicycle in a generally upright position

Abstract

A rack for supporting a bicycle in a generally upright position, the rack comprising a frame comprising a curb bar; and the curb bar comprising a mounting surface for exerting a counterbalancing force on a crank assembly of the bicycle to frictionally hold the bicycle in the generally upright position. When the bicycle is supported by the curb bar, the bicycle is positioned relative to the rack for securing the bicycle to the rack. The curb bar exerts a counterbalancing force on the pedal axle or the pedal of the bicycle. The counterbalancing force may be a frictional force or a torque. Bicycles can be supported on either side of the rack, the bicycles facing in either a forward or reverse direction. The bicycle may be secured to the rack at multiple points.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rack for supporting a bicycle in a generally upright position, comprising:
 a frame comprising a curb bar; and   the curb bar comprising a mounting surface for exerting a counterbalancing force on a crank assembly of the bicycle to frictionally hold the bicycle in the generally upright position.   
     
     
         2 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein when the bicycle is supported by the curb bar, the bicycle is positioned relative to the rack for securing the bicycle to the rack. 
     
     
         3 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the crank assembly of the bicycle comprises a chain ring, a crank arm, a pedal axle, and a pedal. 
     
     
         4 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the curb bar comprises a slot and wherein the mounting surface defines the slot. 
     
     
         5 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the curb bar comprises a notch and wherein the mounting surface defines the notch. 
     
     
         6 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the curb bar comprises a notch, the notch comprising a notch slot, and wherein the mounting surface defines the notch and the notch slot. 
     
     
         7 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting surface is a lower edge of the curb bar. 
     
     
         8 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting surface is an upper edge of the curb bar. 
     
     
         9 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the counterbalancing force is a frictional force, and the mounting surface exerts the frictional force on a pedal axle of the crank assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the counterbalancing force is a frictional force, and the mounting surface exerts the frictional force on a pedal of the crank assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the counterbalancing force is a torque, and the mounting surface exerts the torque on a chain ring of the crank assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises an upper curb bar and a lower curb bar. 
     
     
         13 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the frame defines a first side and second side of the rack, a proximal and distal end of the rack, and the bicycle can be supported when positioned on the first or second side of the rack, and facing the proximal or distal end of the rack. 
     
     
         14 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the rack can support one or more bicycles in the generally upright position. 
     
     
         15 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises:
 a first frame leg, an end portion of the first frame leg deflecting inwardly to form a first frame arc;   a second frame leg opposing the first frame leg, an end portion of the second frame leg deflecting inwardly to form a second frame arc; and   a frame bar connected to the first frame arc and the second frame arc.   
     
     
         16 . The rack of  claim 15 , wherein the curb bar is in connection with the first frame leg, the first frame arc, the second frame leg, and the second frame arc, the connection defining a first frame ring and a second frame ring. 
     
     
         17 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the bicycle is secured to the rack at a seat bar of the bicycle. 
     
     
         18 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the bicycle is secured to the rack at a seat bar and a rear wheel of the bicycle. 
     
     
         19 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the bicycle is secured to the rack at a top bar of the bicycle. 
     
     
         20 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the bicycle is secured to the rack at a down bar of the bicycle. 
     
     
         21 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the bicycle is secured to the rack at a down bar and a front wheel of the bicycle. 
     
     
         22 . A bicycle rack for supporting a bicycle in a generally upright position, comprising:
 a frame comprising a horizontal curb bar;   the horizontal curb bar comprising:
 a mounting surface for exerting a counterbalancing force on a pedal axle or a pedal of the bicycle to counterbalance a torque in a chain ring of the bicycle, the torque generated by reverse rotation of a rear wheel of the bicycle, to frictionally hold the bicycle in the generally upright position; and 
 slots for receiving the pedal axle to prevent forward, reverse, and lateral movement of the bicycle to hold the bicycle in the generally upright position, wherein when the pedal axle is received in the slots, a crank arm and the pedal straddle the horizontal curb bar.