DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to a multipurpose bicycle.

More specifically, the invention relates to a bicycle which can be operated by the muscular power of the cyclist, optionally equipped with a propulsion system (such as for example an electric motor) and having a structure such as to be able to perform multiple functions.

Currently, the manufacturers and designers of functional bicycle models aim, increasingly, to improve the performance of bicycles in terms of load and cycling capacity of the vehicle.

However, the bicycle models currently on the market, including those equipped with electric or other propulsion systems, have characteristics and functions imposed by the design choices of the manufacturers and/or designers.

More specifically, in the context of functional or cargo bicycles, these normally have large luggage racks welded to the frame of the bicycles, which, although making them suitable for the transport of goods or other types of load, significantly increase their weight, also making them less manoeuvrable.

In general terms, there has been a significant increase in the diffusion of functional or cargo bicycles during recent years, thanks also to the availability of electric motors which, within the limits of the reference standards, make the pedalling easier and reduce the physical effort necessary for the use of the vehicle.

This has resulted in an increase in supply from companies specialising in the production of functional bicycles.

This type of vehicle, initially conceived for the transport of goods, is becoming more widespread, with increasing use, also as a valid ecological and functional alternative for urban and non-urban transport.

However, the increase in the diffusion of this type of bicycle has not yet led to significant changes in the design of the relative frames which still today take the form of welded monoblocs. The components of the current functional bicycles designed to carry loads, whether they are placed at the front (as in the so-called "long john" models) or the rear (as in the so-called "long tail" models) with respect to the driver, form an integral part with the frame of the bicycle, making it not very versatile and unsuitable for fulfilling needs other than the loading of goods and for making it effective in all the conditions of daily mobility requirements.

The main aim of the invention is to overcome the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a multipurpose bicycle which is capable of effectively performing a multiplicity of different functions.

A further aim of the invention is to provide a multipurpose bicycle with a variable configuration, having a structure such as to be able to simply, rapidly and safely vary the relative configuration.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a multipurpose bicycle with a variable configuration, having a structure such as to be able to vary the relative configuration without the aid of specific tools or equipment for the tightening.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a multipurpose bicycle with a variable configuration which is highly manoeuvrable in any of its possible functional configurations and on any type of road.

A specific object of the invention is therefore a multipurpose bicycle comprising a frame comprising: a support for a saddle directed along a first axis; rear connecting means for connecting at least a rear wheel; a first anchoring element arranged between the support and the rear connecting means and oriented according to a second axis substantially perpendicular to said first axis; a first oblong element and a second oblong element which substantially extend from the support to the rear connecting means so that, in use, they are respectively arranged at the opposite sides of the rear wheel; and a second anchoring element, fixed to the first oblong element between the first anchoring element and the rear connecting means, and a third anchoring element, fixed to the second oblong element between the first anchoring element and the rear connecting means; said multipurpose bicycle also comprising a rear functional member being couplable to the frame in a removable manner and comprising: a frame; at least one containing element, for containing at least one object, and/or at least one support element for supporting at least one object or at least one person; a front connecting element connected to a front portion of the frame and removably connectable to the first anchoring element; said front connecting element comprising a hook element or portion configured to engage with the first anchoring element in such a way that said hook element or portion faces substantially upwards when the front connecting element and the first anchoring element are mutually engaged and the multipurpose bicycle is in the position of use, resting on a surface; and a first rear connecting device and a second rear connecting device connected to rear portions of the frame and respectively connectable to the second anchoring element and to the third anchoring element removably and in a snap locking manner by means of a force applied on the rear functional member towards the second anchoring element and the third anchoring element.

Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

Features and advantages will be highlighted in more detail by the following description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment illustrated, purely by way of non-limiting example, in the accompanying drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a side view of a multipurpose bicycle according to a first embodiment of the invention;

• Figure 2 is a perspective view of the multipurpose bicycle shown in Figure 1 ;

• Figure 3 is a perspective view of the frame of the multipurpose bicycle shown in Figures 1 and 2;

• Figure 4 is a perspective view of a rear, removable, functional member of the multipurpose bicycle shown in Figures 1 and 2;

• Figure 5 is a perspective view of a front connecting element of the rear, removable, functional member illustrated in Figure 4; • Figure 6 is a side view of the front connecting element shown in Figure 5;

• Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a rear connecting device mounted on the frame of the rear functional member shown in Figure 4;

• Figure 8 is an exploded axonometric cross-section of what is represented in Figure 7;

• Figure 9 is a partial perspective view showing a front portion of the rear functional member removably coupled to the frame illustrated in Figure 3;

• Figure 10 is a partial longitudinal section where a front portion of the rear functional member is shown removably coupled to the frame illustrated in figure 3;

• Figure 11 is an axonometric cross-section showing the rear connecting device (of Figures 7 and 8) mounted on the frame of the rear functional member (of Figure 4) and removably coupled to the frame (of Figure 3) of the multipurpose bicycle;

• Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view, wherein the rear connecting device (of Figures 7 and 8) is shown mounted on the frame of the rear functional member (of Figure 4) and removably coupled, to the frame (Of Figure 3) of the multipurpose bicycle;

• Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view, wherein the rear connecting device (of Figures 7 and 8) is shown mounted on the frame of the rear functional member (of Figure 4) and uncoupled from the frame (of Figure 3) of the multipurpose bicycle;

• Figure 14 is an exploded axonometric cross-section of what is shown in Figure 11 ;

• Figures 15, 16 and 17 show, in succession, three consecutive steps of the coupling procedure of the rear functional member (of Figure 4) to the frame (of Figure 3) of the multipurpose bicycle shown in Figures 1 and 2;

• Figure 18 is a first perspective view of a multipurpose bicycle according to a second embodiment of the invention, in a first configuration;

• Figure 19 is a second perspective view of the multipurpose bicycle shown in Figure 18, in said first configuration;

• Figure 20 is a perspective view of the multipurpose bicycle of Figures 18 and 19, in a second configuration; and

• Figure 21 is a perspective view of a rear functional member of the multipurpose bicycle represented in Figures 18, 19 and 20.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the reference numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a first multipurpose bicycle according to a first embodiment of the invention.

In this regard, it should be noted that the invention does not only relate to bicycles with exclusively muscular drive, but also embraces bicycles equipped with additional propulsion systems, such as for example electric motors.

The first multipurpose bicycle 1 comprises, among other things, a frame 2 comprising in turn a seat post 3, on which a saddle 4 is mounted, and a steering post 5 designed to house the upper portion of the front fork 6 on which the front wheel 7 is mounted by means of front connecting means 6' which allow it to rotate around a respective front axis of rotation.

The frame 2 also includes a lower front post 8 and a pair of upper front posts 9a, 9b arranged above the lower front post 8.

The lower front post 8 and the two upper front posts 9a, 9b mutually connect the seat post 3 and the steering post 5.

The frame 2 also comprises a pair of lower rear chainstays 10a, 10b and a pair of upper rear chainstays 11 a, 11 b arranged above the pair of lower rear chainstays 10a, 10b.

The pair of lower rear chainstays 10a, 10b and the pair of upper rear chainstays 11 a, 11 b both extend from the seat post 3 to the hub of the rear wheel 12 of the first multipurpose bicycle 1 in such a way that, on each side of the bicycle 1 , the upper rear chainstays 11 a, 11 b join the underlying lower rear chainstays 10a, 10b at the respective rear ends.

The above-mentioned rear wheel 12 is connected to the frame 2 by means of rear connecting means 12' which allow it to rotate around a respective rear axis of rotation.

The first multipurpose bicycle 1 also comprises chain transmission means 13 connected to pedals 13' and to the rear wheel 12, to rotate the latter around the relative rear axis of rotation.

The first multipurpose bicycle 1 also comprises a handlebar 14', connected to the above-mentioned front fork 6, to determine the orientation of the front wheel 7 and impart the direction of travel to said bicycle 1 .

At the intersection zone between the pair of upper rear chainstays l l a, 11 b and the seat post 3, a support plate 14 is fixed on which a horizontally arranged coupling pin 16 is rigidly mounted, by means of two small lateral uprights 15a, 15b, that is to say, in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of extension of the seat post 3.

A first through hole 14" is also formed in the support plate 14.

The specific functions performed by the coupling pin 16 and by the first through hole 14" will be illustrated below.

More in detail, this coupling pin 16 is arranged in a position above the pair of upper rear chainstays 11 a, 11 b and slightly back with respect to the seat post 3.

A respective anchoring plate 17a, 17b is fixed at the rear zone of the upper rear chainstays 11 a, 11 b, projecting inwards, that is to say, towards the zone comprised between the two upper rear chainstays 11 a, l l b.

The function of these anchoring plates 17a, 17b will also be explained below.

The first multipurpose bicycle 1 also comprises a first rear functional member 18 comprising, in turn, a frame 19.

The frame 19 includes a top portion 20 configured in such a way as to define an upper support surface that can be used, for example, for the transport of parcels and goods of various kinds and, if necessary, also for the transport of another person, such as a child.

In the bottom zone of the frame 19 two lower tubes 21a, 21 b are provided substantially parallel to each other and converging in the respective front part.

The frame 19 also comprises two front tubes 22a, 22b which extend from the front end of the top portion 20 towards the front ends of the lower tubes 21a, 21 b.

A front connecting element 23 is rigidly connected to the front part of the frame 19, at a bottom zone thereof.

In this front connecting element 23 a pair of lower protuberances 24a, 24b are formed, designed to be inserted into the front ends of the two lower tubes 21 a, 21 b and to be fixed to the latter for example by welding, and a pair of upper protuberances 25a, 25b designed to be inserted into the front ends of the two front tubes 22a, 22b and to be fixed to the latter for example by welding.

In the front area of the front connecting element 23 a hook portion 26 is provided which faces upwards, that is, towards the top portion 20 of the frame 19, so as to form a cavity 27 open towards upwards.

On the other hand, a second through hole 28 is made in the rear area of the front connecting element 23, the function of which will be described below.

According to a technical variant of the invention, this front connecting element 23 is formed as one piece with the frame 19.

On the above-mentioned lower tubes 21 a, 21 b, a first rear connecting device 29a and a second rear connecting device 29b are rigidly mounted, respectively.

The first rear connecting device 29a and the second rear connecting device 29b each comprise a shaped main body 30 rigidly connected to the respective lower tubes 21 a, 21 b.

This main body 30 has a substantially flat bottom 31 and an external upper portion 32 facing upwards, which acts as a guard for the hand during assembly and disassembly of the first rear functional member 18 with respect to the frame 2 of the first multipurpose bicycle 1 .

In the main body 30 there is also an internal, straight, upper portion 33, having a mainly circular cross-section and acting as an axis of rotation, that is to say, as a fulcrum, for a rocker element 34 connected to this internal upper portion 33 in a rotatable manner by means of a shape coupling.

This rocker element 34 is therefore enabled to oscillate around the axis of rotation R, on the internal upper portion 33 of the above-mentioned main body 30.

Specifically, the rocker element 34 has a substantially inverted L- shaped cross section, formed by an upper wing 35, arranged substantially horizontal, and a lower wing 36, arranged substantially vertical.

The above-mentioned upper external portion 32 of the main body 30 prevents a person from inserting their fingers in the space between the main body 30 and the upper wing 35 of the rocker element 34, also thanks to the aid of two longitudinal blocking plates 37a, 37b fixed to said main body 30 in such a way as to cover said space longitudinally, on both sides.

In the lower area of the lower wing 36 of the rocker element 34 there is a hooking portion 38 shaped in such a way as to be able to hook to the inner part of one of the anchoring plates 17a, 17b fixed to the frame 2 of the first multipurpose bicycle 1 .

An inclined surface 39 is defined on the underside of the above- mentioned hooking portion 38, in particular a surface shaped in such a way as to progressively lower from the side of the lower wing 36 facing the main body 30 to the opposite side; the function of this inclined surface 39 will be explained in more detail below.

Two compression springs 40a, 40b are provided between the main body 30 and the upper wing 35 of the rocker element 34, acting in such a way as to constantly push said upper wing 35 upwards.

For this reason, when each rear connecting device 29a, 29b is at rest, that is, inactive, the lower wing 36 of the relative rocker element 34 remains in contact with the main body 30, placing itself in a substantially vertical position, under the thrust action exerted by the compression springs 40a, 40b on the upper wing 35 of the same rocker element 34 (see Figures 7, 12).

On the other hand, when the rocker element 34 rotates around the axis of rotation R so as to cause the relative upper wing 35 to lower, the corresponding lower wing 36 also rotates around the same axis of rotation R, however moving away from the main body 30.

Furthermore, on the lower part of the lower tubes 21 a, 21 b of the frame 19, at the relative rear connecting device 29a, 29b, a respective magnet 41 is provided designed to engage with a corresponding ferromagnetic element 42, fixed to the respective upper rear chainstays 11 a, 11 b, and therefore having a centering function for mounting the first rear functional member 18 on the frame 2 of the first multipurpose bicycle 1 , allowing the correct positioning of the rear connecting devices 29a, 29b with respect to the relative anchoring plates 17a, 17b.

The first multipurpose bicycle 1 can comprise, if necessary, a first platform 43a and a second platform 43b respectively connectable in a removable manner to the two lower rear chainstays 10a, 10b, possibly with the aid of two rear appendages 44a, 44b, so such as to protrude towards the outside of the bicycle 1 itself, in order to allow the feet of a person who intends to sit on the top portion 20 of the frame 19 of the first rear functional member 18 to rest on it.

As shown in Figures 15, 16 and 17, which represent successive assembly steps, in order to assemble the first rear functional member 18 on the frame 2 of the first multipurpose bicycle 1 , it is firstly necessary to hook the hook portion 26 of the front connecting element 23 to the coupling pin 16 in such a way the latter occupies the cavity 27 and that the hook portion 26 remains facing upwards and that said first rear functional member 18 is arranged above the rear area of the first multipurpose bicycle 1 or above the rear wheel of the latter (see, in particular, Figure 16).

Once the hook portion 26 of the front connecting element 23 has been hooked in the manner indicated above, it is necessary to rotate the first rear functional member 18 downwards around the above-mentioned hooking pin 16 until the first rear connecting device 29a and the second rear connecting device 29b rest on the respective upper rear chainstays 11 a, 11 b beneath.

At this point, it is necessary to apply a downward force on the first rear functional member 18 to achieve a snap coupling of the first rear connecting device 29a and of the second rear connecting device 29b with the respective anchoring plate 17a, 17b below each of them.

In particular, when this force is applied to the first rear functional member 18, the rear connecting devices 29a, 29b lower towards the relative anchoring plates 17a, 17b causing the rotation of the respective rocker element 34 around the axis of rotation R towards the inside of the bicycle 1 (see Figure 13) due to the sliding of the inclined surface 39 of the hooking portion 38 on the inside of the anchoring plates 17a, 17b.

When the bottom 31 of the main body 30 of each rear connecting device 29a, 29b is about to come into contact with the underlying anchoring plate 17a, 17b during the lowering path of the first rear functional member 18, the above-mentioned inclined surface 39 of the hooking portion 38, following its sliding on the inner end of the relative anchoring plate 17a, 17b, separates for an instant from the latter (see Figure 13) to then allow the hooking portion 38 to retract towards the same anchoring plate 17a, 17b and hook to this thanks to the thrust action exerted by the two compression springs 40a, 40b on the lower face of the relative upper wing 35 (see Figure 12).

In this way, a removable, snap coupling is therefore achieved between each rear connecting device 29a, 29b and the relative anchoring plate 17a, 17b beneath it.

At this point, the first rear functional member 18 will be connected in a stable manner to the frame 2 of the first multipurpose bicycle 1 , as both the front part and the rear part of this first rear functional member 18 are stably anchored to said frame 2 by means of the connecting members described above.

For security purposes, that is to say, to avoid possible thefts of the first rear functional member 18, it is also possible to provide for the use of a security element 45, if necessary equipped with a lock, to be applied in the first through hole 14" and in the second through hole 28, which will be mutually aligned and adjacent once the first rear functional member 18 is connected to the frame 2. If it is intended to proceed with the removal of the first rear functional member 18 from the frame 2, it is firstly necessary to remove the above-mentioned locking pin or other locking element from the first through hole 14" and from the second through hole 28, if previously located therein.

Subsequently, it is necessary to lift the rear part of the first rear functional member 18 by simultaneously exerting, with the hands, a downward pressure on the upper wings 35 of the rocker elements 34 of the rear connecting devices 29a, 29b so as to release the relative coupling portions 38 from the anchoring plates 17a, 17b, thereby allowing the separation of the rear part of the first rear functional member 18 from the frame 2.

Following this operation, it is necessary to release the front connecting element 23 of the first rear functional member 18 from the hooking pin 16 of the frame 2 to obtain complete separation of the first rear functional member 18 from the frame 2.

Figures 18-21 refer, on the other hand, to a second multipurpose bicycle 100 in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

The second multipurpose bicycle 100 is substantially identical to the first multipurpose bicycle 1 described above, apart from the fact that this second multipurpose bicycle 100 comprises a second rear functional member 101 in place of the above-mentioned first rear functional member 18.

For this reason, the frame 102 of the second multipurpose bicycle 100 is the same as the frame 2 of the first multipurpose bicycle 1 .

The second rear functional member 101 comprises a frame 103 equipped, in the relative front lower part, with a front connecting element 104 similar to the above-mentioned front connecting element 23 of the first rear functional member 18, and, in the relative rear lower part, with two rear connecting elements 105a, 105b identical to the rear connecting devices 29a, 29b of the first rear functional member 18 described above.

On the frame 103 of the second rear functional member 101 there are, at the relative upper part, a first plurality of boxes 106a and a second plurality of boxes 106b facing, respectively, the opposite sides of the frame 103 and openable towards the outside of latter.

On the frame 103, in particular beneath the above-mentioned plurality of boxes 106a, 106b, there are a first plurality of containment elements 107a with a respective vertically tilting front door and a second plurality of containment elements 107b with a respective vertically tilting front door, which can be opened outwards and arranged, respectively, on opposite sides of the frame 103 so as to form between them an empty space intended to house an upper portion of the rear wheel of the bicycle 100 and of the possible rear mudguard, when the second rear functional member 101 is mounted on frame 102.

The above-mentioned pluralities of boxes 106a, 106b and the above-mentioned pluralities of containment elements 107a, 107b can be used, for example, to place food, beverages or other types of objects of dimensions compatible with the internal containment spaces of these pluralities of boxes 106a, 106b and of said plurality of containment elements 107a, 107b.

Furthermore, on the top area of the frame 103 there is also a support surface 108 to allow the support of glasses, bottles and/or other objects.

The methods envisaged for the assembly and disassembly of the second rear functional member 101 from the frame 102 of the second multipurpose bicycle 100 are similar to those described above in relation to the first rear functional member 18 of the first multipurpose bicycle 1 .

On the basis of further variants not described or even shown, the multipurpose bicycles according to the invention can also comprise rear functional members having, overall, structures and/or shapes different from those of the two rear functional members 18, 101 described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but having in common with the latter two the fact of comprising, in the relative front lower part, a front connecting element equal to the front connecting elements 23, 104 described above and, in the relative rear lower part, two rear connecting devices identical to the rear connecting devices 29a, 29b, 105a, 105b described above.

As can be seen from the above description and from the accompanying drawings, the multipurpose bicycle according to the invention, in all its possible embodiments, has a structure such as to effectively perform a multiplicity of different functions.

Furthermore, the structure of the multipurpose bicycle according to the invention is such as to allow the relative rear functional member to be assembled and disassembled from the bicycle frame in a simple, rapid and safe manner. In addition, it should be noted that these assembly and disassembly operations can both be performed completely manually, without the aid of specific tools and/or equipment.

The above description is only given by way of a non-limiting example, so any constructional variants fall within the protection of the invention, as described above and claimed below.