DIY – Patent Idea – Spring Water Bottle Cage

Posted on by paschmann

Problem: In cycling (and other applications) water bottles are a variety of shapes and sizes. This often makes them difficult to get in or be contained in a traditional bicycle water cage. This attempts to resolve this by offering an “expanding” cage.

Fun but ultimately bad patent idea to create an expanding water bottle holder.

I made a couple models/3D prints to proof it out, but decided against it.

Excellent—thanks for sharing both the CAD diagram and video file. These materials are perfect for inclusion in your patent application as illustrative figures and demonstrations of your invention’s functionality.

Based on the visual references and the previous outline, here’s how we can now update the patent outline to include the new content and better illustrate your invention.

Updated Patent Outline – Vertical Spring-Loaded Cycling Water Bottle Holder

1. Title of the Invention

Spring-Loaded Retention Bottle Cage for Bicycles

2. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to cycling accessories, specifically to devices for securely retaining water bottles on bicycles. It aims to provide enhanced bottle stability via a vertically applied spring-loaded retention mechanism.

3. Background of the Invention

Traditional bottle holders rely solely on friction and cage geometry. These systems often fail on rugged terrain, leading to bottle ejection. Riders in disciplines like gravel cycling, mountain biking, and triathlon need more secure systems.

Your invention solves this with a spring-loaded upper retention mechanism that actively holds the bottle down within the cage.

4. Summary of the Invention

This bottle holder includes:

  • A base cage supporting the bottle from below and the sides (seen in the transparent component in the CAD diagram).
  • A spring-loaded arm with a rounded top piece (as seen in the CAD render), which compresses when a bottle is inserted and applies vertical downward pressure to hold the bottle in place.
  • The spring mechanism is integrated into the upper arm and housed in a channel along the rear of the holder.

5. Brief Description of the Drawings

Include the following figures based on your provided CAD design:

  • Figure 1: Perspective view of the spring-loaded top assembly (from the uploaded image).
  • Figure 2: Side elevation showing the bottle in inserted and retained position.
  • Figure 3: Exploded view showing components (spring mechanism, bottle cage base, guide arms).
  • Figure 4: Transparent assembly view showing spring housing and base mount.
  • Figure 5: Frame-mounted view of full assembly on a standard bike tube (to be captured or illustrated).
  • Figure 6: Still frame(s) from the provided video showing dynamic compression and release.

6. Detailed Description of the Invention

Key Components:

  • Bottle Retention Ring: Cylindrical top section (seen in CAD) that provides surface area contact with the bottle’s top.
  • Spring-Loaded Arm: Mounted vertically and guided through a track; it compresses when a bottle is inserted.
  • Base Cage: Standard bottom frame securing the bottle base.
  • Mounting Holes: Standard spacing to attach to bike frames via bolts.

Operation:

  • The rider inserts the bottle vertically.
  • As the bottle is pushed down, the top arm compresses against a spring.
  • Once seated, the spring decompresses slightly, pushing the retention ring downward and applying force onto the bottle.
  • Removal is done by lifting the bottle upward, compressing the spring again.

7. Claims (Example, non-final)

  1. A cycling bottle holder comprising:
    • a base cage for supporting a water bottle,
    • a spring-loaded arm positioned above the bottle when inserted,
    • said arm applying downward force via a mechanical spring.
  2. The holder of claim 1, wherein the spring is housed within a guide channel.
  3. The holder of claim 1, wherein the top retention ring is made of a flexible or cushioned material to interface with the bottle cap.
  4. The holder of claim 1, further comprising a transparent or slotted frame to visually check bottle insertion.

8. Abstract

A bicycle water bottle holder includes a base frame and a vertical spring-loaded arm configured to apply downward pressure onto a bottle after insertion. This improves retention over traditional cages by actively resisting ejection due to shocks or vibrations. The mechanism is compatible with standard cycling bottles and integrates into standard bike mounting systems.