Tow arm assembly to detachably attach a trailer to a bicycle
View Patent ↗A tow bar assembly detachably attaches a trailer to a bicycle. The tow bar assembly has a first end having a bicycle hitch adapted to detachably attach to a bicycle, a second end having a swiveling mechanism and a connection member adapted to connect to a trailer, and an intermediate portion connecting the first end to the second end. The swiveling mechanism allows the connection member to rotate relative to a non-rotatable portion of the second end, the rotation being about a second end axis that extends in the forward direction. The swiveling mechanism limits rotation to 10 degrees. When detached from the bicycle the first end can be grasped by a user so the trailer can be used as a cart.
1. A tow bar assembly to detachably attach a trailer to a bicycle, the tow bar assembly comprising:
a first end having a bicycle hitch adapted to detachably attach to a bicycle,
a second end having a swiveling mechanism and a connection member adapted to connect to a trailer, and
an intermediate portion connecting the first end to the second end,
wherein the swiveling mechanism allows the connection member to rotate relative to a non-rotatable portion of the second end, the rotation being about a second end axis that extends in the forward direction and wherein the swiveling mechanism limits the rotation to 10 degrees.
2. A tow bar assembly according to claim 1 wherein the swiveling mechanism comprises a tube that receives the connection member.
3. A tow bar assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first end extends along a first end axis that is generally parallel to the second end axis.
4. A tow bar assembly according to claim 1 wherein the intermediate portion extends along an axis that is angled relative to the second end axis.
5. A tow bar assembly according to claim 1 wherein the intermediate portion includes a height adjustment mechanism that allows the height of the second end to be adjusted relative to the first end.
6. A tow bar assembly according to claim 5 wherein the height adjustment mechanism comprises a first member associated with the first end that slidably receives a second member associated with the second end.
7. A tow bar assembly according to claim 6 wherein a pin secures the first member and second member at a desired height.
8. A tow bar assembly to detachably attach a trailer to a bicycle, the tow bar assembly comprising:
a first end having a bicycle hitch adapted to detachably attach to a bicycle,
a second end having a swiveling mechanism and a connection member adapted to connect to a trailer, and
an intermediate portion connecting the first end to the second end,
wherein the swiveling mechanism allows the connection member to rotate relative to a non-rotatable portion of the second end, the rotation being about a second end axis that extends in the forward direction and wherein the tow bar assembly further comprises a kickstand having a wheel, the kickstand being moveable between an upward position and a downward position, the downward position allowing the tow bar and trailer to be used as a cart.
9. A tow bar assembly according to claim 8 wherein the swiveling mechanism limits the amount of rotation.
10. A tow bar assembly according to claim 8 wherein the swiveling mechanism limits rotation to 10 degrees.
11. A tow bar assembly according to claim 8 wherein the swiveling mechanism comprises a tube that receives the connection member.
12. A tow bar assembly according to claim 8 wherein the first end extends along a first end axis that is generally parallel to the second end axis.
13. A tow bar assembly according to claim 8 wherein the intermediate portion extends along an axis that is angled relative to the second end axis.
14. A tow bar assembly according to claim 8 wherein the intermediate portion includes a height adjustment mechanism that allows the height of the second end to be adjusted relative to the first end.
15. A tow bar assembly according to claim 14 wherein the height adjustment mechanism comprises a first member associated with the first end that slidably receives a second member associated with the second end.
16. A tow bar assembly to detachably attach a trailer to a bicycle, the tow bar assembly comprising:
a first end having a bicycle hitch adapted to detachably attach to a bicycle,
a second end having a swiveling mechanism and a connection member connected to a trailer, the trailer having two wheels that rotate about a wheel axis, and
an intermediate portion connecting the first end to the second end,
wherein the swiveling mechanism allows the connection member to rotate relative to a non-rotatable portion of the second end, the rotation being about a second end axis that is perpendicular to wheel axis when the trailer is moving in a forward direction and wherein the swiveling mechanism limits the amount of rotation to 10 degrees.
17. A tow bar assembly according to claim 16 wherein the second end axis is horizontal when the trailer is attached to a bicycle and the trailer and bicycle are on a horizontal surface.
18. A tow bar assembly according to claim 16 wherein the first end extends along a first end axis that is generally parallel to the second end axis.
19. A tow bar assembly according to claim 16 wherein the intermediate portion includes a height adjustment mechanism that allows the height of the second end to be adjusted relative to the first end.
20. A tow bar assembly according to claim 16 wherein when detached from the bicycle the first end can be grasped by a user so the trailer can be used as a cart.