Bicycle packaging and inserts therefor

Abstract

A wheel insert for bicycle packaging includes a first insert panel configured to abut a side packaging panel of the bicycle packaging; and a second insert panel laterally offset from the first insert panel and configured to be spaced from the side packaging panel, the first insert panel defining an insert opening therethrough for receiving a wheel axle of a bicycle that is within the bicycle packaging.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wheel insert for a bicycle packaging, the wheel insert comprising:
 a first insert panel configured to abut a side packaging panel of the bicycle packaging; and   a second insert panel laterally offset from the first insert panel and configured to be spaced from the side packaging panel, the first insert panel defining an insert opening therethrough for receiving a wheel axle of a bicycle that is within the bicycle packaging.   
     
     
         2 . The wheel insert of  claim 1 , wherein a first transition panel extends between the first insert panel and the second insert panel, the first transition panel foldably connected to the first insert panel at a first bend line and to the second insert panel at a second bend line. 
     
     
         3 . The wheel insert of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first insert panel is a first insert end panel and the second insert panel is an insert center panel;   the wheel insert further comprises a second insert end panel; and   the insert center panel is disposed between and laterally offset from both of the first insert end panel and the second insert end panel.   
     
     
         4 . The wheel insert of  claim 3 , wherein the first insert end panel is substantially coplanar with the second insert end panel. 
     
     
         5 . The wheel insert of  claim 4 , wherein the insert center panel is substantially parallel to both of the first insert end panel and the second insert end panel. 
     
     
         6 . The wheel insert of  claim 3 , wherein a second transition panel extends between the insert center panel and the second insert end panel, the second transition panel foldably connected to the insert center panel at a third bend line and to the second insert end panel at a fourth bend line. 
     
     
         7 . The wheel insert of  claim 3 , wherein the first insert end panel defines a first length, the second insert end panel defines a second length, and wherein the second length is less than the first length. 
     
     
         8 . The wheel insert of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the first insert end panel and the second insert end panel defines a fastener indicator indicating a preferred location for placement of a fastener thereon. 
     
     
         9 . The wheel insert of  claim 1 , further comprising a flap hingedly connected to the second insert panel, wherein the flap at least partially defines the insert opening. 
     
     
         10 . The wheel insert of  claim 9 , wherein the flap is one of a plurality of substantially triangular flaps, each of the substantially triangular flaps hingedly connected to the second insert panel, the plurality of substantially triangular flaps surrounding the insert opening in substantially circular arrangement. 
     
     
         11 . The wheel insert of  claim 1 , further comprising a seat post tab hingedly connected to the second insert panel, wherein the seat post tab defines a tab opening formed therethrough, and wherein the tab opening is configured to receive a seat post of the bicycle therethrough. 
     
     
         12 . The wheel insert of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the seat post tab is a first seat post tab extending from a top edge of the second insert panel;   the wheel insert further comprises a second seat post tab vertically aligned with the first seat post tab and hingedly connected to the second insert panel at an intermediate location between the top edge of the second insert panel and a bottom edge of the second insert panel; and   the second seat post tab defines a second tab opening that is configured to receive the seat post of the bicycle therethrough.   
     
     
         13 . A wedge insert for a bicycle packaging, the wedge insert comprising:
 a first wedge panel;   a second wedge panel hingedly connected to the first wedge panel at a first bend line; and   a third wedge panel hingedly connected to the second wedge panel at a second bend line opposite the first wedge panel;   wherein the first wedge panel, second wedge panel, and third wedge panel are folded to define a substantially triangular wedge, the substantially triangular wedge configured to limit movement of a bicycle received in the bicycle packaging.   
     
     
         14 . The wedge insert of  claim 13 , further comprising a fourth wedge panel hingedly connected to the third wedge panel at a third bend line opposite the second wedge panel, wherein;
 the third wedge panel is configured to abut a first packaging panel of the bicycle packaging to reinforce the first packaging panel; and   the fourth wedge panel is configured to abut a second packaging panel of the bicycle packaging adjacent to the first packaging panel to reinforce the second packaging panel.   
     
     
         15 . The wedge insert of  claim 14 , wherein the third bend line is configured to be disposed in a corner of the bicycle packaging formed between the first packaging panel and the second packaging panel. 
     
     
         16 . The wedge insert of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first wedge panel defines a first end and a second end;   the first bend line is formed at the second end of the first wedge panel; and   the first end of the first wedge panel confronts an inner surface of the third wedge panel.   
     
     
         17 . The wedge insert of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the first end of the first wedge panel confront the inner surface of the third wedge panel at an intermediate location between the second bend line and the third bend line;   a gap is defined between the first wedge panel and the fourth wedge panel; and   the wedge insert is substantially g-shaped.   
     
     
         18 . The wedge insert of  claim 17 , wherein the first wedge panel is oriented substantially parallel to the fourth wedge panel. 
     
     
         19 . The wedge insert of  claim 16 , further comprising a fifth wedge panel hingedly connected to the first wedge panel at a fourth bend line opposite the first bend line, wherein the fifth wedge panel is coupled to and lies substantially flat against the inner surface of the third wedge panel. 
     
     
         20 . A bicycle packaging comprising:
 a first bicycle packaging body comprising a primary tab and a secondary slot; and   a second bicycle packaging body comprising a secondary tab and a primary slot, the secondary tab intersecting the primary slot;   wherein the primary tab engages the primary slot and the secondary tab engages the secondary slot to couple the first bicycle packaging body to the second bicycle packaging body.   
     
     
         21 . The bicycle packaging of  claim 20 , wherein the secondary tab defines a finger opening therethrough to facilitate disengaging the secondary tab from the secondary slot. 
     
     
         22 . The bicycle packaging of  claim 21 , wherein the secondary slot defines a tab portion and a finger portion, and wherein the finger opening of the secondary tab is configured to align with the finger portion of the secondary slot. 
     
     
         23 . The bicycle packaging of  claim 22 , wherein the tab portion of the secondary slot is substantially elongated, and wherein the finger portion of the secondary slot extends from the tab portion at a center of the tab portion. 
     
     
         24 . The bicycle packaging of  claim 23 , wherein the finger opening of the secondary tab is substantially circular, and wherein the finger portion of the secondary slot is substantially arcuate. 
     
     
         25 . The bicycle packaging of  claim 24 , wherein:
 the secondary tab defines an intermediate tab bend line;   the intermediate tab bend line is substantially colinear with the primary slot; and   the intermediate tab bend line intersects the finger opening of the secondary tab.   
     
     
         26 . The bicycle packaging of  claim 20 , wherein the primary tab is hingedly connected to the first bicycle packaging body at a primary bend line, and wherein the secondary tab is hingedly connected to the second bicycle packaging body at a secondary bend line. 
     
     
         27 . The bicycle packaging of  claim 26 , wherein the first bicycle packaging body comprises at least a first side panel and a first top panel hingedly connected to the first side panel at a first top bend line, and wherein the second bicycle packaging body comprises at least a second side panel opposite the first side panel and a second top panel hingedly connected to the second side panel at a second top bend line, wherein the first top panel is configured to fold over the second top panel. 
     
     
         28 . The bicycle packaging of  claim 27 , wherein:
 the primary tab extends from an outward edge of the first top panel at a primary connecting bend line;   the secondary slot is formed at the primary connecting bend line;   the primary slot is formed at the second top bend line; and   the secondary tab extends from the second side panel at a secondary connecting bend line and intersects the second top bend line.