DESC:I. FIELD OF INVENTION

The described invention relates to front basket an utility basket mounted on cycle and more specifically to basket mountable at front end of the cycle.

II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The rider of a bicycles is able to carry items in a hands free manner and experience and comfortable ride when they have a utility solution attached the bicycles. This is generally achieved with either a basket in front or a carrier rack attached to the rear of the cycle. Bicycle riders now use the bicycle for different purposes, for commuting to schools, workplace, for running errand, for sports and for fitness purposes too. In each of these cases the utility needs and the size of the utility changes as per the situation. In most cases the front basket is the most preferred solution as it is in the line of sight of the rider, also the basket has depth which gives ride the security of having a semi-enclosed storage option. But when the item is small, like a wallet or a pouch, it tends to roll around and even jump about in the usual baskets currently offered in the industry, especially on Indian terrains and roads. Currently there is no semi-enclosed solution that snugly accommodates and expands as per the size of the bag/ purse/pouch/utility.

There are many prior arts known in the market and comparison chart is given below :-

III. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The first object is to offer an useable mountable basket on a bicycle with minimal retrofit requirement on the cycle.

The second is to offer a detachable and collapsible basket that can be mounted on the bicycle.

The third object is to overcome the suffering in prior art. This expanding basket of this invention aims to provide a stable, secure and variable utility solution specifically aimed for dynamic conditions on bumpy terrains. It is to cater to riders needs of utility on the go, and is not aimed at ease of dismantling or assembly.

IV. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The field of invention relates to a basket mountable on a bicycle and more specifically to an adaptable and collapsible basket for mounting in the front end of the bicycle.

The novelty of this solution lies in the expansion and foldability while accommodating storage in both cases. The current solutions in market only allow for complete collapsibility for external storage purposes and for hassle-free mounting and assembly.

The novelty of this invention is not only specific to the mechanism of actuation currently mentioned here owing to commercialization for the purpose of mass production. This could be achieved electronically to become a power actuated module rather than manual which is also covered under this patent. Likewise this could be also actuated with the help of hydraulics under the same mechanism which is also covered in this patent invention.

V. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1.1 illustrates the folding basket

Part no. Part names
1 Top basket cage assembly
2 Bottom basket cage assembly
3 Basket clamp fixing plate
4 Bottom clamp fixing plate
5 Spring plate
6 Spring assembly LH
7 Spring assembly RH

Fig. 2.1 – illustrates Front view of basket

Fig. 2.2 – illustrates Top view of basket

Fig. 2.3 – illustrates Left hand side view of basket

Fig. 2.4 – illustrates Right hand side view of basket

Fig. 2.5 – illustrates Bottom view of basket

Fig. 2.6 – illustrates Isometric view of basket

Fig. 3.1 – illustrates closed condition of basket

Fig. 3.2 – illustrates Semi-opened condition of basket

Fig. 3.3 – illustrates Open condition of basket

VI. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This is a compact front utility option that expands to fit various items as per the users’ needs.

The assembly consists of a 2 primary components, a stationery bottom cage and a top cap with also acts as a clamp, allowing the stored components to be placed securely.

The form of the structure offers the functionality of keeping the solution at minimum volume reducing the wastage of space. At the same time it can expand to accommodate a larger backpack/utility solution even larger than the current industry solution.

The solution can withstand the same amount of load as any other basket offered in the industry.

This has been done with a joining mechanism with fasteners and actuators that are readily available in market, hence making it easy to commercialize the invention.

The parts description of the basket as per the invention is detailed herein.

Top & bottom basket assembly made of wire mesh connected with horizontal & vertical cylindrical rods, which provides strength to the side mounted supporting rods. Wire mesh gives additional strength to the cage assembly, helps to increase the endurance life of the component. All supporting rods made of steel grade IS 7887, which has high corrosion resistance, also cage is protected with plastic coated material for better consumer usage & rust proof.

Furthermore the top stating basket itself may be of a complete metal plate, or of nylon, or PP, or Abs or any other polymer or fabric.

Further the bottom basket may be made of plastic container which can be restingly mounted on support rods or the basket may be wholly of plastic, wood, metal plate without affecting the performance of the basket.

Basket clamp fixing plate is made of HR steel grade IS 1079, this component designed like rectangular plate which is getting mounted on the back portion of bottom cage basket. This fixing plate has two vertical slots for fastener assembly purpose.

Bottom clamp fixing plate is made of same material of basket clamp, i.e HR IS 1079, this fixing plate also designed similar to basket clamp but here slots are provided in horizontal pattern in order to avoid difficulty during assembly, this bottom clamp can be easily adjusted and aligned properly with cage assembly.

The mounting plate is attached to the bottom plate and said plate is then connected to first mud guard and also to first wheel axle. The second mounting plate is attached to the side portions of the bottom basket and connected to the top of head tube alongwith the head fittings with the head tube of the handle of the cycle, thereby allowing it to rotate along the steering of the cycle. However alternatively it can be arranged to be directly mounted on the head tube by connecting to the plate welded on head tube.

Spring plate made of HR steel sheet grade IS 1079, this plate designed like parabolic fashion with two mounting holes at the centre part. Spring & bolt assembly will be mounted by using these two holes. This spring plate is a critical component which connects the top basket & bottom basket with mounting fasteners.

Spring assembly contains cylindrical coil spring with fasteners like bolt, nut & washer. This spring assembly has pivot point which helps to move the top cage assembly in certain angle.

The basket is so shaped and foldable which enables it into 1/3rd its volume in folded condition and full volume in its open condition for usage of full capacity.

Fig. 4.1 to Fig. 4.4 illustrates nature and concept of expanding basket as per the invention

Fig. 4.1 A - Accommodates small loose items without the hassle of them jumping out of basket during bumpy rides

Fig. 4.1 B - Force applied downwards due to spring loaded hinge prevents lid from opening during dynamic ride conditions creating a secure enclosed utility space

Fig. 4.2 C - Expands to accommodate even larger bags on the basis of riders needs.

Fig. 4.2 D - Force applied on the big bags due to spring loaded hinge keeps bag in stable condition during dynamic ride conditions.

Fig. 4.3 E - Unique 2 piece construction allowing user to adjust modes with single step pull operation

Fig. 4.4 F - Accommodates multiple volumes of utility options with one-step change, ensuring secure fit in all cases.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BASKET

Fig 1.1 shows the assembly unit of basket. Main components are top basket, bottom basket, spring & mounting fasteners. Top basket is constructed with horizontal support rods integrated with wired mesh. Bottom basket is constructed with vertical support rods integrated with wired mesh, Also plates are provided at the centre for mounting purpose. Centre slots are given in the mounting plates for ease of assembly. Two mounting plates are attached to the bottom & side portion of bottom basket. Bottom mounting plates connects with front mud guard & side mounting plates connects with head tube of handle bar. Holes are provided at both sides of the top & bottom basket for fastening purpose.

Top & bottom basket are connected with bolt assembly along with spring which acts as pivot point and spring helps to retract the top basket. All child parts like support rods, mounting plates, wire mesh are connected with weld joint. Three types of welding used to construct this basket assembly. Co2 weld used between support rods & mounting plates, Spot and Projection weld used between wire mesh & support rods.

COMPONENT DESCRIPTION OF THE BASKET

Basket is secondary component for the bicycle, it can be consider as additional accessory item.

Base design of this basket is completely different from normal basket, top & bottom portion of the basket forms like cage structure covered with wired mesh.
Sub components of this basket is illustrated in the fig.1.1. & Other front & side views are shown in the fig2.1 to 2.6.

WORKING MECHANISM & FUNCTIONALITY OF THE BASKET

Main functionality part of this component like consumer can open the cage by using the provision given at top portion of the component, spring at the bottom edge which helps to retract back once the force removed by the consumer. Then during dynamic condition, things which kept inside the basket will not fall off due to cage structure surrounded by wire mesh. Supporting rod shows the robust design where the component strength increases, also gives the additional durability. User can easily open the cage by applying force towards the lateral direction & reverse closing will be done automatically with the help of tensioned spring arrangement. This allows basket to expanding thereby enabling the user to keep the ever large items which are held securely by the clamping nature to the top half.

As illustrated in fig. 3.1, the basket can store small objects securely. Example: wallet, pouch. Compact to half volume allows easy storage for businesses.

As illustrated in fig. 3.2, the basket can store medium sized bags while clamping securely. Multiple positions provides flexibility.

As illustrated in fig. 3.3, the basket can expand to maximum capacity to take a regular school bag. Multiple positions provides flexibility.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a cycle basket assembly. It has a stationery bottom basket which is a cage. It has a clamp type top basket which is a top cap. It has the said stationery top basket has horizontal support rods integrated with wire mesh. The said bottom basket has vertical support rods integrated with wire mesh. A spring assisted bolt assembly connects the top basket and bottom basket. A first mounting plate is attached to bottom basket and said plate is connected to front mud guard and to front wheel axle. A second mounting plate is attached to side portions of the bottom basket and connected to the top of the head tube along with the headfittings, with head tube of the handle of the cycle, allowing it to rotate along with the steering, or alternatively it may be directly mounted on the head tube by connecting to a plate welded on head tube. It also has a plurality of fastening holes arranged in the two baskets. The said arrangement is novel in the foldable and retractable states of the basket providing variable capacity of the basket and such that top basket is spring retractable and with both baskets being surrounded by wire mesh and rods.

The invention has been described as detailed above but various embodiments and variations are possible beyond the preferred embodiments disclosed in this document. All such variations and modifications as obvious to the skilled person is within the scope of this invention. The applicant intends to rely upon specifications and the drawings submitted along with the specification. The applicant relies on the provisional specification.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM

1. A cycle basket assembly
a. a stationery bottom basket which is a cage,
b. a clamp type top basket which is a top cap,
c. the said stationery top basket having horizontal support rods integrated with wire mesh,
d. the said bottom basket having vertical support rods integrated with wire mesh,
e. a spring assisted bolt assembly connecting the top basket and bottom basket,
f. a first mounting plate attached to bottom basket and said plate connected to front mud guard, to front wheel axle
g. a second mounting plate attached to side portions of the bottom basket and connected to the top of the head tube along with the headfittings, with head tube of the handle of the cycle, allowing it to rotate along with the steering, or alternatively be directly mounted on the head tube by connecting to a plate welded on head tube, and
h. a plurality of fastening holes arranged in the two baskets,

the said arrangement characterized in the foldable and retractable state of the basket providing variable capacity of the basket and that there are two baskets and the top basket is spring retractable and with both baskets being surrounded by support.