Accessory mounting device

Abstract

An accessory mounting device 1 comprises a main body portion 2 configured to connect around a bar or similar in use, and a pair of mounting grips 3 configured to movably connect to the main body 2 from a first position against the body 2 , and a second position away from the main body 2 , the grips 3 in the second position configured to grip and hold a secondary accessory in position on the mounting device 1.

1 . An accessory mounting device, comprising:
 a main body portion configured to connect around a bar or similar in use;   a pair of mounting grips configured to movably connect to the main body from a first position substantially against the body, and a second position away from the main body, the grips in the second position configured to grip and hold a secondary accessory in position on the mounting device.   
     
     
         2 . An accessory mounting device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the main body portion and mounting grips are configured so that in the first position the mounting grips fit snugly against the main body. 
     
     
         3 . An accessory mounting device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the main body portion and mounting grips are configured to fold together to form a compact ring-shaped unit. 
     
     
         4 . An accessory mounting device as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a central elastomer/plastic shim, the main body locating around the shim in use, the shim comprising at least one rib on the outer surface of the shim, aligned around at least part of the circumference of the shim, the main body further having at least one channel on the inner surface corresponding to the at least one rib, the rib locating therein in use. 
     
     
         5 . An accessory mounting device as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the shim and main body are configured so that the shim can be removed and replaced. 
     
     
         6 . An accessory mounting device as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the shim has an internal diameter of substantially 22 mm. 
     
     
         7 . An accessory mounting device as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the shim has an internal diameter of substantially 25-26 mm. 
     
     
         8 . An accessory mounting device as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the shim has an internal diameter of substantially 31-32 mm. 
     
     
         9 . An accessory mounting device as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the shim is formed from an elastomer or plastic having a shore hardness of substantially 40. 
     
     
         10 . An accessory mounting device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the mounting grips further comprise extension sliders configured to slide into and out of the main body on opposed sides, the sliders substantially fully retracting inside the body in the first position. 
     
     
         11 . An accessory mounting device as claimed in  claim 10  further comprising grip springs configured to bias the mounting grips inwards. 
     
     
         12 . An accessory mounting device as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the extension sliders comprise inwardly extending spines, interlacing within the main body in the first position. 
     
     
         13 . An accessory mounting device as claimed in  claim 12  further comprising compression springs located within the main body and aligned in parallel with the extension sliders, the compression springs configured to inwardly bias the spines towards the first position. 
     
     
         14 . An accessory mounting device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each of the mounting grips comprises a generally spade-shaped inwardly-curving plate. 
     
     
         15 . An accessory mounting device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the main body comprises a connecting portion and a rotating portion, the mounting grips mounted on the rotating portion, the connecting portion and a rotating portion rotatable relative to one another in a flat plane in parallel with the connection axis of the main body. 
     
     
         16 . An accessory mounting device as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the rotating portion and connecting portion are mutually configured so that the rotating portion can be held relative to the connecting portion at a first position where the bodies of the mounting grips are generally aligned in parallel with the connection axis of the main body, and a second position where the bodies of the mounting grips are generally aligned perpendicular to the connection axis of the main body. 
     
     
         17 . An accessory mounting device as claimed in  claim 16  wherein a plurality of friction protrusions extend from the underside of the rotating portion, and a plurality of complementary friction apertures are formed on the upper side of the connecting portion into which the friction protrusions fit in use, the friction protrusions and apertures located at intervals around the rotating and connecting portions so that the rotating portion can rotate between at least two set positions relative to the connecting portion. 
     
     
         18 . An accessory mounting device as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the friction protrusions and apertures are located at substantially 90-degree intervals around the 360-degrees of a full circle. 
     
     
         19 . An accessory mounting device as claimed in  claim 18  wherein each set of protrusions and apertures is aligned perpendicular to each of the edges of the rectangular underside of the rotating portion and the connecting portion. 
     
     
         20 . An accessory mounting device as claimed in  claim 15  further comprising a central pin that connects the rotating portion and the connecting portion and which acts as a central axis of rotation.