Rear derailleur protector

Description of equivalent WO 2015092349 A1

Rear Derailleur Protector

Field of the i nvention This invention relates to a rear derailleur protector for a bicycle and to a kit comprising the rear derailleur protector and a stand.

Background of the Invention Bicycles are susceptible to damage during normal use and also during storage or transportation of the bicycle. In particular, the rear derailleur of a bicycle may be damaged as a result of impact against other objects, or due to exposure to dirt of chemical substances, including water. The rear derailleur of a bicycle can be relatively expensive to repair or replace, and such work may need to be carried out by a skilled professional.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a device that mitigates the issues outlined above and which can advantageously prevent damage to the rear derailleur of a bicycle.

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention there is provided a rear derailleur protector for a bicycle comprising:

a shield to protect a derailleur, and mounting means on the shield for mounting the shield on a bicycle, the mounting means being adapted to engage the bicycle.

Preferably, the mounting means is adapted to reversibly engage the bicycle. More preferably, the mounting means is adapted to slidably engage the bicycle. Most preferably, the mounting means is adapted to slidably engage a bicycle rear wheel axle.

Suitably, the mounting means comprises a coupling for engaging the rear wheel axle. Preferably, the coupling comprises a bifurcated coupling.

Alternatively, the mounting means is adapted to slidably engage a bicycle rear fork.

Preferably, the mounting means is adapted to slidably engage at least one bicycle rear fork dropout. More preferably, the mounting means comprises at least one tie- bar is slidably insertable in the at least one rear fork dropout. Most preferably, the mounting means comprises two tie-bars slidably insertable in the two bicycle rear fork dropouts. Advantageously, the at least one tie bar is contiguous with a stem oriented transversely to the shield.

Suitably, the at least one tie bar is located at an end of an axial rod contiguous with the stem. In a preferred embodiment, the rear derailleur protector comprises a drivechain holder adjacent the shield.

Preferably, the shield is detachable from the rear derailleur protector.

More preferably, the shield comprises a plate.

Optionally, the plate comprises an auxiliary protective shield to further protect the derailleur. Preferably, the auxiliary protective shield comprises a second plate located adjacent the plate operable between a retracted state and an extended state. More preferably, the auxiliary protective shield comprises a guard cage dependent from the plate.

Suitably, the rear derailleur protector further comprises a handle such that the mounting means is disposed between the handle and the shield.

Preferably, the mounting means is adjustable via the handle. More preferably, the mounting means is adjustable via the shield. Suitably, the mounting means is adjustable via a quick release mechanism on the rear derailleur protector. in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the derailleur protector is adapted for use with a stand to hold bicycles from which the rear wheel has been removed in the upright position. Preferably, the stand comprises an A-shaped stand. More preferably, the A-shaped stand comprises a major leg and a minor leg connected to the major leg at a hinge, the stand being moveable between a folded position and an upright position about the hinge.

Advantageously, the major leg comprises a housing to receive the minor leg in the folded position. Preferably, the minor leg comprises a dog-leg shape.

The invention also extends to a rear deraifleur protector kit comprising a rear derailleur protector substantially as hereinbefore defined and a stand to hold the rear derailleur protector.

Preferably, the stand comprises a rear derailleur protector mounting for holding the rear derailleur protector. More preferably, the rear derailleur protector mounting comprises a clamp-like mounting. Suitably, the stand comprises an A-shaped stand. Preferably, the A-shaped stand comprises a major leg and a minor leg connected to the major leg at a hinge, the stand being moveable between a folded position and an upright position about the hinge. Advantageously, the hinge comprises a dual function hinge cum clamp to clamp the rear deraiUeur protector in situ in the upright position.

Preferably, the major leg comprises a housing to receive the minor leg in the folded position. More preferably, the minor ieg comprises a dog-ieg shape.

Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention provides a device for protecting a rear derailleur of a bicycle, wherein the device comprises at least one plate, which is reversibly mountable to the bicycle and arranged to at least partially occlude the deraiUeur of the bicycle.

Optionally, the plate is reversibly mountable to the frame of the bicycle. Optionally, the plate is reversibly mountable to the rear fork of the bicycle. Optionaliy, the plate is reversibly mountable to the dropout of the rear fork of the bicycle. Optionally, the plate is reversibly mountable to the axle of the rear wheel of the bicycle.

Optionally, the device comprises at least one plate and mounting means. Further optionally, the device comprises at least one plate and mounting means for reversibly mounting the device to the frame of the bicycle, optionally to the rear fork of the bicycle, further optionally to the d ropout of the rear fork of the bicycle, still further optionally to the axle of the rear wheel of the bicycle. Optionally, the mounting means are arranged to engage, optionally reversibly engage, any one of the frame of the bicycle, the rear fork of the bicycle, the d ropout of the rear fork of the bicycle, and the axle of the rear wheel of the bicycle. Optionally, the mounting means are reversibly connected to the piate. Alternatively, the mounting means are fixedly connected to the plate.

Optionally, the mounting means comprise a tie bar for mounting the plate to the bicycle. Optionally, the tie bar is arranged, optionally shaped and dimensioned, to engage, optionally reversibly engage, any one of the frame of the bicycle, the rear fork of the bicycle, and the dropout of the rear fork of the bicycle. Further optionally, the tie bar is arranged, optionally shaped and dimensioned, to engage, optionally reversibly engage, the dropout of the rear fork of the bicycle. Optionally, the mounting means comprise a tie bar engageable with the plate.

Optionally, the mounting means further comprises a handle. Optionally, the mounting means comprises a tie bar engageable with the plate and a handle.

Optionally, the tie bar comprises first and second opposing ends wherein the first end is engageable with the plate and the second end is engageable with the handle.

Optionally, the plate is substantially planar.

Optionally, the plate is arranged, optionally shaped and dimensioned to at least partially occlude the rear deraiHeur of the bicycle. Optionally, the plate further comprises a lip, which is arranged, optionally shaped and dimensioned, to at least partially occlude the rear derailleur of the bicycle. Optionally, the plate, optionally, the piate and the lip, are each or together arranged, optionally shaped and dimensioned, to at least partially occlude the rear derailleur of the bicycle. Further optionally, the plate, optionally, the plate and the lip, are each or together arranged, optionally shaped and dimensioned, to at least partially retain the rear derailleur of the bicycle.

Optionally, in use, the plate, optionally, the piate and the lip, are each or together arranged, optionally shaped and dimensioned, to space the rear derailleur of the bicycle from a surface in which the rear derailleur is in contact. Optionally, the piate comprises a stem. Optionally, the piate comprises a stem engageable with the tie bar. Optionally, the plate comprises a stem adapted to receive the tie bar. Optionally, the plate comprises a stem mountable to the tie bar. Optionally, the stem projects substantially perpendicularly from the plate. Optionally the stem is substantially hollow. Optionally, the stem comprises an open mouth to receive the tie bar. Optionally, the tie bar is engageable within an open mouth of the stem. Optionally at least part of the internal surface of the hollow stem comprises a threaded liner. Further optionally the stem, optionally the threaded liner, is formed from a metai. Still further optionally the metal is an alloy, and optionally the alloy is steel. Optionally, the metal is magnetic. Optionally, the handle is engageable with the tie bar. Optionally, the handle is adapted to receive the tie bar. Optionally, the handle is mountable to the tie bar. Optionally, the handle comprises a cavity having an open mouth to receive the tie bar. Optionally, the tie bar is engageable within an open mouth of the cavity.

Optionally at least part of the internal surface of the cavity comprises a threaded liner. Further optionally the handle, optionally the threaded liner, is formed from a metal. Still further optionally the metal is an alloy, and optionally the alloy is steel. Optionally at least part of the outer surface of the tie bar is threaded. Optionally the threaded surface of the tie bar is engageable with the threaded liner of the stem of the plate. Optionally, or additionally, the threaded surface of the tie bar is

engageable with the threaded liner of the cavity of the handle. Optionally, the tie bar is integrally formed with the plate. Optionally, or additionally, the tie bar is integrally formed with the handle.

Optionally the device further comprises a washer, wherein, in use, the washer is disposed around the tie bar. Optionally, in use, the washer is disposed around the tie bar and abuts the open mouth of the stem of the plate.

Optionally, the device comprises a housing for a drivechain of a bicycle. Optionally, the handle comprises a housing for a drivechain of a bicycle. Further optionally, the tie bar comprises a housing for a drivechain of a bicycle. Optionally, the housing is a channel. Optionally, the housing is a channel on the handle. Optionally, the housing is a channel formed on at least part of the surface of the handle. Optionally, the housing is a channel on the tie bar. Optionally, the housing is a channel

formed on at least part of the surface of the tie bar. Optionally, the mounting means comprise a coupling, optionally a bifurcated coupling, which is operable to mount the plate to the bicycle. Optionally, the bifurcated coupling is engageable about the axle of a bicycle wheel.

Optionally, the coupling is substantially L-shaped. Optionally, the coupling comprises first and second arms forming the L-shape. Further optionally, the coupling comprises first and second arms, wherein the first arm is connected to the plate and the second arm includes a bifurcated opening engageable with the axle of the bicycle wheel. Optionally, the coupling is reversibly connected to the plate. Alternatively, the coupling is integrally formed with the plate.

Optionally, the piate is an extendable piate. Further optionally, the piate is operable between a retracted state and an extended state.

Optionally, the extendable piate comprises first and second plates. Optionally, the second plate is located adjacent to the first plate of the device. Optionally, the second plate is in a side by side relationship with the first plate. Optionally, the first and second plates are arranged for relative movement. Further optionally, the first and second plates are arranged for relative reciprocal movement. Still further optionally, the first and second plates are arranged for relative slidable reciprocal movement.

Optionally, the second plate is movable relative to the first plate between a retracted state and an extended state. Optionally, the second plate is movable coplanar relative to the first plate between a retracted state and an extended state.

Optionally, the second plate is releasably connected to the first plate. Optionally, the second plate is releasably connected to the first plate using a connecting means. Optionally, the connecting means provides an audible feedback when the second plate is moved from the retracted state to the extended state, or from the extended state to the retracted state. Optionally, or additionally, the connecting means provides a tactile feedback when the second plate is moved from the retracted state to the extended state, or from the extended state to the retracted state.

Optionally, the first and second plates are formed of a plastic, optionally hard plastic, material. Optionally, the handle is formed of the same or different plastic, optionally hard plastic, material. Optionally the tie bar, the stem, the threaded liner and the coupling are formed of a metal. Optionally the tie bar, the stem, the threaded finer and the coupling are formed of the same or different metal. Further optionally the metal is an alloy, and optionally the alloy is steel. Optionally, the metal is

magnetic. The rear derailleur protector of the invention is reversibly attachable to and

removable from bicycles without requiring the use of tools i.e. the rear derailieur protector provides temporary yet effective protection for derailleurs without interfering with the bicycle frame or other components. The rear derailleur protector of the invention can be manually slid on to the bicycle in a simple fashion and easily removed in a similar fashion.

The rear derailieur protector of the invention can also be used with the rear wheel bicycle in place or removed as required and the shielding plate of the rear derailleur protector is also adjustable through the use of integral sliding plates or a cage guard to protect the rear derailleur regard less of the position of the cogs of the deraiHeur.

The rear derailleur protector also serves to protect the rear derailleur from the sides and below.

The rear derailleur protector of the invention can also be used to protect the rear fork dropouts of bicycles from damage where the rear wheel is removed from the bicycle. Moreover, the rear derailleur protector also serves to maintain the rear fork dropouts in the correct spatial arrangement and support the rear fork dropouts in the absence of the rear wheel.

The rear derailleur protector is also adapted for use with a stand to hold bicycles from which the rear wheel has been removed in the upright position whilst

simultaneously protecting the rear derailleur and the rear fork dropouts from contamination and damage. Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view from above and one side of a first embodiment of a rear deraiHeur protector of the invention in which the rear deraiHeur protector is engageable with the rear dropout of a bicycle;

Figure 2 is a perspective view from above and the opposite side of the rear derailleur protector of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the rear deraiHeur protector ;

Figure 4 is a front view of the device of the rear derailleur protector;

Figure S is a pian view from above of the rear deraiHeur protector; Figure 6 is a perspective view from above and one side of a second embod iment of the rear deraiHeur protector of the invention in which the rear derailleur protector is enagageable with the axle of a bicycle rear wheel;

Figure 7 is a perspective view from above and the opposite side of the rear derailleur protector of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a side elevation of the rear derailieur protector;

Figure 9 is a front view of the rear derailleur protector;

Figure 10 is a plan view from above of the rear derailleur protector;

Figure 11 is a plan view from below of the rear derailieur protector;

Figure 12 is a perspective view from above and one side of a third

embodiment of a rear derailieur protector of the invention similar to the rear derailieur protector of Figure 1 in which the rear derailleur protector is provided with an auxiliary protective shield in the form of a second extendable plate to further protect a bicycle rear derailieur with the direction of movement of the second plate indicated by an arrow;

Figure 13 is a perspective view from above and one side of a fourth

embodiment of the rear derailleur protector of the invention similar to the rear derailleur protector of Figure 6 further comprising a second plate operable between retracted and extended states as indicated by a double-headed arrow;

Figure 14 is a perspective view from above and one side of the rear derailleur protector of Figure 1 mounted in the rear dropout of the rear fork of a bicycle; Figure 15 is a perspective view from above and one side of the rear derailleur protector of Figure 6 mounted to the rear axle at the rear fork of a bicycle;

Figure 16 is a rear plan view of a rear fork of a bicycle fitted with the rear derailleur protector of Figure 1 with part of the drivechain of the bicycle housed in a channel-type holder provided in the handle of the rear derailleur protector;

Figure 17 is a perspective view from above and one side of the rear derailleur protector and rear fork of Figure 16;

Figure 18 is a side elevation of a bicycle having the rear derailleur protector mounted to the rear fork of the bicycle;

Figure 19 is a perspective view from above and one side of a fifth

embodiment of the rear derailleur protector of the invention in which the rear derailleur protector is adapted to engage both dropouts of the rear fork and is fitted with an auxiliary protective shield in the form of a dependant slidable cage guard to protect the derailleur from below, the rear derailleur protector also being adapted for use with a stand;

Figure 20 is a rear plan view of the rear derailleur protector of Figure 19;

Figure 21 is a side elevation of the rear derailleur protector; Figure 22 is a side elevation from the opposite side of the rear derailleur protector;

Figure 23 is a plan view from above of the rear derailleur protector;

Figure 24 is an exploded perspective view from above and one side of the rear derailleur protector;

Figure 25 is an enlarged perspective view from above and one side of the rear derailleur protector fitted to the rear dropout of a bicycle;

Figure 26 is an enlarged perspective view from above and the opposite side of the rear derailleur protector fitted to the rear dropout of the bicycle; Figure 27 is a rear plan view of the rear deraifleur protector fitted to the rear dropout of the bicycle;

Figure 28 is a perspective view from above and one side of the rear derailleur protector of Figures 19 to 27 mounted in a foldable stand in the operating position for supporting the bicycle adapted for use with the rear derailleur protector together with a perspective view from above and one side of the stand in the folded position;

Figure 29 is an enlarged perspective view from above and one side of the rear derailleur protector mounted in the stand; Figure 30 is a side elevation of a bicycle with the rear wheel removed and fitted with the rear derailleur protector and stand of Figure 28, and

Figure 31 is an enlarged side elevation of the rear derailleur protector mounted in the fbldabie stand of Figure 30;

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention provides a rear deraiHeur protector 1 which may be mounted to a bicycle 2 to protect the rear derailleur 3 of the bicycle 2. The rear derailleur protector 1 comprises at least one protective shield in the form of a plate 4 that is reversibiy mountabie to the bicycle 2. The plate 4 is arranged to at least partially occlude the rear derailleur 3 of the bicycle 2 and so protect the rear derailleur 3. The rear derailleur protector 1 may be mounted to any part of the bicycle 2 from where the plate 4 can provide protection to the rear deraiHeur 3. For example, the rear derailleur protector 1 may be mounted to the frame 5 of the bicycle 2, the rear fork 6 (i.e. the seatstays) of the bicycle 2, the dropout 7 of the rear fork 6, and/or to the axle 8 of the rear wheel 9 of the bicycle 2. The rear derailleur protector 1 of the invention may be mounted to the bicycle 2 when the rear wheel 9 of the bicycle 2 is attached to the bicycle 2, or when the rear wheel 9 has been removed. The rear derailleur protector 1 may be mounted to the bicycle 2 by any suitable means, such as a mounting means 10. Referring to Figures 1 to 5, there is shown an embodiment of the rear derailleur protector 1 for protecting a rear deraiHeur 3 of a bicycle 2, the rear deraifleur protector 1 comprising a protective plate 4 having a stem 11 oriented transversely to the plane of the plate , a tie bar 12, and a handle 13, wherein the stem 11 and handle 13 engage opposite first and second ends 14,15 respectively of the tie bar 12. Thus, the plate 4 may reversibly engage a first end 14 of the tie bar 12 via the stem 1 1 and the handle 13 may reversibly engage the second end 15 of the tie bar 12. in some embodiments, the tie bar 12 may be integrally formed with one or both of the plate 4 and the handle 13.

The piate 4 may engage the tie bar 12 by any suitable means. The piate 4 may comprise a stem 11 which may be suitably shaped and dimensioned to receive and engage the tie bar 12. The plate 4 may be substantially planar in form and the stem 11 may project substantially perpendicularly from the plate 4 relative to the plane of said plate 4. Further, in use, the tie bar 12 may project substantially perpendicularly from the plate 4 relative to the plane of said plate 4. The stem 11 may comprise a hollow core to receive the tie bar 12. In certain embodiments, the internal surface, that is the interior walls, of the stem 11 may comprise a threaded liner. The threaded liner may correspond to threads on at least part of the surface of the tie bar 12 and thus the tie bar 12 may engage the stem 11 by screwing the tie bar 12 into the hollow core of the stem 11. In other embodiments, the tie bar 12 and the stem 11 may form an interference coupling.

The handle 13 may also engage the tie bar 12 by any suitable means. The handle 13 may comprise a cavity 16 which may be suitably shaped and dimensioned to receive and engage the tie bar 12. In certain embodiments, the internal surface, that is the interior wails, of the cavity 16 comprise a threaded liner. The threaded finer may correspond to threads on at least part of the surface of the tie bar 12 and thus the tie bar 12 may engage the handle 13 by screwing the tie bar 12 into the cavity 16 of the handle 13. in some embodiments, the tie bar 12 and the cavity 16 of the handle 13 may form an interference coupling.

In use, the tie bar 12 may be engaged with the plate 4 and may then be screwed into the handle 13 by rotating the handle 13. Alternatively, the tie bar 12 may be engaged with the handle 13 and may then be screwed into the plate 4 by rotating the handle 13. Furthermore, in use, the rear deraiHeur protector 1 may be clamped to a bicycle 2 by placing the plate 4 and the handle 13 at opposing sides of a drop out slot 17 located at the free end of a fork blade 18 of a bicycle 2 and sliding/placing the tie bar 12 into the drop out slot 17.

The handle 13 may be manipulated to insert the tie bar 12 into the stem 11 of the plate 4 and may further be rotated to screw the tie bar 12 into the stem 11. The screwing of the tie bar 12 into the stem 1 of the plate 4 results in closing the gap between the plate 4 and handle 13 until the rear derailleur protector 1 is securely clamped, that is mounted, to the bicycle 2.

In further embodiments, the tie bar 12 may be integrally formed with the plate 4. Alternatively or additionally, the tie bar 12 may be integrally formed with the handle 13. In use, the tie bar 12 may secure the plate 4 to the bicycle 2, for example, to the dropout 7 of the fork 6 of the bicycle 2, by slidably inserting the tie bar 12 into the dropout 7 and forming a tight fit within the dropout 7. Thus, in some embodiments, the tie bar 12, and plate 4 and/or handle 13, may be held on the bicycle by a push-fit friction adhesion. The rear deraiHeur protector 1 may further comprise a washer 19, wherein, in use, the washer may be disposed around the tie bar 12, and may abut the open mouth of the stem 11 of the plate 4.

The rear derailieur protector 1 may further comprise a holder or housing 20 for retaining the drivechain 21 of a bicycle 2 about the rear derailieur protector 1. The housing 20 advantageously allows the drivechain 21 to be held in a position on the rear derailieur protector 1 and helps prevent the soiling of the rear derailieur protector 1 , or the user of the rear derailieur protector 1 or bicycle 2, with oil from the drivechain 21. In embodiments of the invention, the housing 20 may be located on the handle 13. Afternatively, the housing 20 may be located on the tie bar 12. The housing 20 may comprise a channel 22 suitably shaped and dimensioned to receive and releasably retain the drivechain 21. Thus, the channel 22 may be located on the handle 13 or the tie bar 12. The channel 22 may be formed on at least part of the surface of the handle 13 or the tie bar 12. The handle 13 and/or the tie bar 12 may have a substantially circular configuration, as depicted in Figure 12, and the channel 22 may be formed around part or all of the circumference of the handle 13 or the tie bar 12.

The mounting means 10 may comprise a bifurcated coupling 23 that is operable to secure the plate 4 to the bicycle 2. The bifurcated coupling 23 may be used to secure the plate 4 to the bicycle 2 and may be slidably engageable about the axle 8 of a bicycle wheel 9. The bifurcated coupling 23 may be connected to the plate 4 by any suitable means. The bifurcated coupling 23 may be reversibly connected to the plate 4. For example, the bifurcated coupling 23 may comprise a screw portion 24 for screwing the coupling 23 to the plate 4. Alternatively, the bifurcated coupling 23 may be integrally formed with the plate 4. In some embodiments, the bifurcated coupling 23 may be substantially L-shaped i.e. the bifurcated coupling 23 may be formed of two generally linear or planar (first and second) arms 25,26 which are disposed relatively perpendicularly to each other. The first arm 25 of the bifurcated coupling 23 may be connected to the plate 4 and the second arm 26 may comprise the bifurcated portion 23. Such an embodiment is depicted in Figures 7 to 11.

In use, to fix the plate 4 and bifurcated coupling 23 to a bicycle 2, the bolt or quick release mechanism of the rear wheel 9 may be unscrewed to create a 2-5mm gap between the frame 5 of the bicycle 2 (that is, the rear fork 6) and the axle 8 of the wheel adjacent the rear derailleur 3. In some cases, to create the required gap the user can additionally pull the rear fork 6 apart from the axie 8 of the wheel 9 to create the 2-5mm gap required to introduce the bifurcated coupling 23. Once the bifurcated coupling 23 is in position about the axle 8 of the wheel 9 and the plate 4 correctly positioned to protect the rear derailleur 3 (i.e. vertically aligned with the derailleur arms), the bolt or quick release mechanism is re-tightened thus securing the rear derailleur protector 1 to the bicycle 2.

The rear derailleur protector 1 may further comprise an adjustable auxiliary protective shield in the form of a second plate 27 operable between a retracted state and an extended state as indicated by the arrows in Figures 12 and 13. The second plate 27 may be located adjacent the first plate 4 and may be in a side by side relationship with the first plate 4. The second plate 27 may be operated between the retracted state and the extended state by moving the second plate 27 relative to the first plate 4. The second piate 27 may be moved manually by a user. The second plate 27 is movable along the plane of the first plate 4 as depicted in Figures 12 and 13. The second plate 27 may be releasably connected to the first plate 4 by any suitable connecting means. Advantageously, the connecting means may provide an audible feedback when the second plate 27 is manipulated by a user from a retracted state to an extended state, and wee versa, to indicate that the second plate 27 is secured in the extended state or retracted state. The connecting means may additionally or alternatively provide a tactile feedback to indicate that the second plate 27 is secured in the extended state or retracted state. In use, the second plate 27 may be extended or retracted to increase or decrease the area of protection provided by the rear derailieur protector 1.

The first piate 4 and second piate 27 of the rear derailieur protector 1 may be formed of any suitable material, for example, a plastics material, optionally a hard plastics material. The handle 13 may be formed of the same or different plastics material as the first and second plates 4,27 respectively. The tie bar 12 may be formed of any suitable material, such as metal, for example, an alloy such as steel. Similarly, the bifurcated coupling 23 and/or the stem 11 and/or threaded liner may be formed of the same or different material, optionally metal. Advantageously, the metal components of the rear derailieur protector 1 may be magnetic. The magnetic properties of these components may advantageously aid the assembly of the rear derailleur protector 1 by biasing the components together.

Figures 19 to 27 show a third embodiment of a rear derailleur protector 1 of the invention broadly similar to the rear derailleur protector 1 of Figure 1. However, in the present embodiment, the rear derailleur protector 1 is adapted to simultaneously engage both dropouts 7 of the rear fork 6 of a bicycle 2 and is also fitted with an auxiliary protective shield in the form of a dependant slidable cage guard 34 to further protect the rear derailleur 3. The rear derailleur protector 1 of the present embodiment is also adapted for use with a stand to support bicycles 2 when the rear wheel 9 is removed. Like numerals indicate like parts.

As shown in the drawings, the rear derailleur protector 1 is provided with a rear deraiHeur protecting shield or piate 4 with stem 11 , an oppositely disposed handle 13 also provided with a handle stem 28 similar to the plate stem 11 and an axial rod 29 mounted between the plate stem 11 and the handle stem 28. As shall be explained more fully below, the axial rod 29 functions as a substitute axle to support the rear fork 6 in use following removal of the rear wheel 9. More particularly, the axial rod 29 is provided with two spaced apart tie bars 12 spaced apart a distance on the axial rod 29 commensurate with the distance between the rear dropouts 7 of the rear fork 6 so that each tie bar 12 can engage with a rear dropout 7.

Between the tie bars 12, the axial rod 29 is provided with two spaced apart annular rings 30,31 to define the channel 22 for receiving the drivechain 21. The axial rod 29 is also fitted with a quick release mechanism 32 of the type usually found on bicycles 2 for tightening and releasing the engagement of the tie bars 12 with the rear dropouts 7 while a quick release lever 33 is provided on the plate 4 to effect opening and closing of the quick release mechanism 32.

The plate 4 is further provided with an adjustable downwardly depending L-shaped cage guard 34 to further assist in protecting the rear derailleur 3 from damage from below and the sides. The cage guard 34 is of particular utility for rear deraiHeurs 3 where the lower cogs of the rear derailleur 3 are in the lowermost positions

(dependent on the gears engaged in the bicycle cogset). The cage guard 34 is attached to the interior face of the plate 4 at a cage guard adjustment mechanism 35 controllable via a manually adjustable dial 36 on the external face of the plate 4 to raise and lower the cage guard 34 as required. As indicated above, the cage guard 34 is L-shaped so that the base of the L-shaped guard 34 extends inwards beneath the rear derailleur 3 in use towards the handle 13. At its free end, the cage guard 34 is further provided with an upwardly disposed edge to further protect the rear derailleur 3 from damage from the handle side 13 of the rear derailleur protector 1.

In use, the rear deraiHeur protector 1 of the present embodiment is employed on a bicycle 2 from which the rear wheel 9 has been removed. More particularly, the rear wheel 9 is first removed using the rear wheel quick release mechanism. With the quick release mechanism 32 of the rear derailleur protector 1 moved to the open position using the quick release lever 33 on the plate 4, the rear derailleur protector 1 is then positioned at the rear dropouts 7 so that the two tie bars 12 on the axial rod 29 are located at the dropout slots 17 and the drivechain channel 22 is positioned beneath the drivechain 21. The tie bars 12 are then simply slid into the dropout slots 17 so that the dropouts 7 of the rear fork 6 are held and supported apart on the axial rod 29 while the rear derailleur 3 is protected by the plate 4 and the cage guard 34. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the rear derailleur protector 1 therefore serves to maintain the dropouts 7 in the correct position for receiving the rear wheel 9 whilst also protecting the dropouts 7 from damage. As indicated above, the rear derailleur protector 1 is adapted for use with a stand 38 as shown in Figures 25 to 31 to protect the rear derailleur 3 and simultaneously support a bicycle 2 in the upright position following removal of the rear wheel 9 of the bicycle 2. As shall be explained more fully below, the rear derailleur protector 1 is provided with a stand mounting in the form of a recessed groove 39 on the axial rod 29 adjacent the chain receiving channel 22. The groove 39 is defined by the annular ring 30 defining the chain receiving channel 22 together with an additional annular ring 40 provided on the axial rod 29 towards the handle 13.

As shown in the drawings, the stand 38 is generally A-shaped and is made up of a major ieg 41 and a dog-leg shaped minor leg 42 attached to the major leg 41 at a dual function clamp cum hinge 43 so that the stand 38 is moveable about the hinge 43 between a standing position to support and clamp the rear derailleur protector 1 (and a bicycle 2 to which the rear derailleur protector 1 is attached) and a collapsed or folded position as shown particularly in Figure 28. The major leg 41 is made up of an elongate two-part channel-shaped housing 44 formed from a first wall 50 and a second wall 51 attached to the first wall 50 and defining a channel 52 therebetween. The channel 52 is shaped and dimensioned to receive the minor leg 42 in the folded position while both the major leg 41 and the minor leg 42 are both provided with feet 45 at their free ends remote from the hinge 43.

As indicated above, the major leg 41 and the minor leg 42 together define a clamplike rear derailleur protector mounting at the hinge 43. The rear derailleur mounting 47 is made up of a seat in the form of an indented notch 46 in the major leg 41 at the hinge 43 for receiving the rear derailleur protector 1 at the recessed groove 39 on the axial rod 29. The indented notch 46 is sized and dimensioned to sit into the recessed groove 39 to prevent lateral movement of the rear derailleur protector 1 in the indented notch 46.

Moreover, the rear derailleur protector mounting is further made up of the dog-leg end 49 of the minor leg 42 which is located towards the hinge 43 but oriented away from the hinge 43. More particularly, as shown in Figures 28 and 29, a face 53 of the dog-leg end 49 is oriented towards the indented notch 46 and is provided with a recessed bearing to hold the axial rod 29 of the rear deraiHeur protector 1 in place in the seat defined by the indented notch 46 i.e. movement of the minor leg 42 about the clamp cum hinge 43 causes the dog-leg end 49 to move into and out of the indented notch 46 to open and close the indented notch 46. Accordingly, in use, the rear derailleur protector 1 of the invention is first attached to the fork 6 of a bicycle 2 as previously described and the stand 38 is placed in an upright open position as shown in Figure 28 by adjusting the major and minor legs 41 ,42 so that the seat for receiving the rear derailleur protector 1 defined by the indented notch 46 is open i.e. dog-leg end 49 of the minor leg 42 is not fully inserted in the indented notch 46. The fork 6 of the bicycle 2 fitted with the rear derailleur protector 1 is then positioned over the stand 38 and the axial rod 29 of the rear derailleur protector 1 is guided into the open indented notch 46. The downward force exerted by the bicycle 2 on the stand 38 then causes the major leg 39 and the minor leg 40 to move apart at the feet 45 so that the major and minor legs 41 ,42 pivot at the clamp cum hinge 43 with the result that the dog leg end 49 of the minor leg 42 bears down on the axial rod 29 of the rear derailleur protector 1 at the recessed bearing to clamp the rear derailleur protector 1 in place in the rear deraiUeur protector mounting. The rear deraiHeur protector 1 is therefore prevented from exiting the indented notch 46 by the dog-leg end 49 of the minor leg 4. The indented notch 46 is sized and dimensioned to sit into the recessed groove 39 to prevent lateral movement of the rear deraiHeur protector 1 in the indented notch 46. As shown in Figures 30 to 31 , a bicycle 2 with the rear wheel 9 removed can therefore be securely supported by the rear derailleur protector 1 and stand 38.