ASTM F1975-00

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An American National Standard
Designation: F 1975 – 00
Standard Specification for
Nonpowered Bicycle Trailers Designed for Human
Passengers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1975; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Title 16, CFR 1500.3(c)(6)(vi) Flame Testing
Title 16, CFR 1500.44 Flammability
1.1 This specification covers nonpowered trailers intended
Title 16, CFR 1500.48 Sharp Points
to be pulled behind bicycles in order to transport one or two
Title 16, CFR 1500.49 Sharp Edges
children with accessory loads with a maximum weight of 45.4
Title 16, CFR 1501 Small Parts
kg (100 lb). It includes test methods for confirming that this
Title 16, CFR 1303 Lead in Coatings
specification is satisfied.
Title 16, CFR 1512 Requirements for Bicycles, Sections:
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
1512.18(n), Reflector Test
standard. The units given in parentheses are for information
only.
3. Terminology
1.3 The following caveat pertains only to the test methods
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
portion, Section 5, of this specification: This standard does not
3.1.1 backrest—the segment of the seat that is designed to
purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated
support the occupant’s back. This may or may not include
with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard
support for the upper body, including the head and neck.
to establish appropriate safety and health practices and
3.1.2 bicycle trailer (trailer)—a transporting device de-
determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to
signed to provide a restrained seating position to one or more
use.
occupants, with fastening arrangements for attaching the de-
2. Referenced Documents vice, and towing it, behind a bicycle.
3.1.3 hard horizontal surface—a surface, perpendicular to
2.1 ASTM Standards:
the direction of gravity, such as level ground or building floor,
B 117 Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
whose surface is either concrete, pavement, or similar rigid
D 1230 Test Method for Flammability of Apparel Textiles
material whose deflection, while carrying the weight of a fully
D 4329 Practice for Operating Light and Water Apparatus
loaded trailer, does not exceed 12.7 mm (0.5 in.) from the
(Fluorescent UV Condensation Type) for Exposure of
unloaded horizontal plane at any point.
Plastics
3.1.4 normal use—applications described as intended use
G 23 Practice for Operating Light-Exposure Apparatus
for the product found within the manufacturer’s instructional
(Carbon-Arc Type) With and Without Water for Exposure
5 literature.
of Nonmetallic Materials
3.1.5 normal use temperatures—temperature range within
2.2 ANSI Standard:
which it should be anticipated that the trailer may be used to
ANSI Z535.4, Product Safety Signs and Labels
transport children. The range is from –7 6 2°C to +50 6 2°C.
2.3 Federal Standards:
3.1.6 occupant—a child or person who is restrained in a
Title 16, CFR 1500.3(b)(4)(i) Hazardous Substance
seated position inside the trailer and whose skills do not
contribute to the overall operation and performance of the
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports
vehicle.
Equipment and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F08.10 on
3.1.7 restrain—to prevent the occupant(s) of the trailer from
Bicycles.
Current edition approved June 10, 2000. Published August 2000. Originally
leaving the seated position on the seat of the trailer by means
published as F 1975 – 99. Last previous edition F 1975 – 99.
of a restraint system (designed by the manufacturer) when used
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.02.
3 in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.01.
3.1.8 rider—a person whose skills contribute to the overall
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.03.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.04.
operation and performance of the vehicle.
Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
3.1.9 seated height space—a dimension of space that is
Floor, New York, NY 10036.
within the protective structure of a trailer. This space is the
Code of Federal Regulations, available from U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402. measured height of the occupant’s protective cavity, measured
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F 1975
from the seat bottom and along the backrest to the top of the sample shall be a minimum of 60 % of the failure load of the
space allowed for occupants. unweathered sample.
3.1.10 test dummy—a dummy that shall be of a design 4.5.2 All metallic materials from structural components
consistent with the use of the trailer seat and restraint system. shall be tested in accordance with the Salt Spray Test in
It shall have adequate head/neck, shoulder, and arm geometry Practice B 117 for a period of 96 h. Materials should be placed
to ensure proper application of the upper body restraints. The in the test environment in a condition consistent with their
weight of the dummy shall be 22.7 kg (50 lb). The upper legs, application on the trailer, with surface coatings and openings
measured perpendicularly from the dummy’s back, shall ex- sealed or open as in normal use. After exposure to the salt
tend a minimum of 375 mm (14.8 in.). The dummy’s back is spray, inspect for evidence of corrosion. No corrosion beyond
the surface of the dummy that is in contact with the seat back 20 % of the primary metal material wall thickness is permitted.
when the dummy is seated. The dummy’s bottom is the surface Painted portions shall comply with Title 16, CFR 1303.
of the dummy that is in contact with the seat bottom when the
4.5.3 Mechanical properties of materials used in the con-
dummy is in the seated position. The weight distribution struction of bicycle trailers shall not fail under normal use
throughout the dummy shall result in a center of gravity
applications, and within useful product lifecycle, as a result of
position that is 230 6 10 mm (9.16 0.4 in.) from the dummy’s exposure to the temperature variances defined as normal use
bottom and 1306 10 mm (5.0 6 0.4 in.) from the dummy’s
temperatures in 3.1.5.
back when in the seated position.
4.5.4 Materials known to be a hazardous substance, as
3.1.11 useful product lifecycle—allowable range of time for
defined in Title 16, CFR 1500.3(b)(4)(i), shall not be used.
continued use of product from date of manufacture as de-
4.5.5 Materials other than fabrics shall not support flame
scribed within the manufacturer’s instructional literature.
propagation in excess of the requirements of Title 16, CFR
1500.3(c)(6)(vi) when flame tested to Title 16, CFR1500.44.
4. Requirements
Fabrics shall achieve a Class 1 rating when tested in accor-
dance with Test Method D 1230.
4.1 General—Bicycle trailers shall be designed and manu-
factured in such a way that components with which an
5. Test Methods
occupant may come in contact do not cause injury when used
in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Exposed
5.1 Strength Tests—The dummy, or dummies, to be used in
surfaces shall be free from burrs, sharp edges, and points. Refer
the following tests shall comply with the dummy specification
to Title 16, CFR 1500, Parts 48 and 49, and Title 16, CFR
in 3.1.10.
1501. No openings with which the occupants’ hands can come
5.1.1 Impact Drop Test—Erect the trailer in the manufac-
in contact shall have dimensions between 6 mm (0.236 in.) and
turer’s suggested use configuration. Restrain a dummy into
13 mm (0.512 in.). Trailers shall be equipped with rear
each seating position in accordance with the manufacturer’s
reflectors; side reflectors are required on wheels. Refer to Title
instructions for restraining occupants and for achieving maxi-
16, CFR 1512, Parts 16 and 18(n). The manufacturer shall warn
mum occupancy for the trailer. Mark a point on the seat back
the rider that a load added to the bicycle will alter the stability
and a second point on the front frame of the trailer. Select both
and riding characteristics of the bicycle.
points on the front/rear centerline of the trailer. Measure the
4.2 Equipment—Trailers shall be equipped with the follow-
distance between these two points. This represents the first
ing equipment: seating area, footrest area, space for helmeted
measure. By a convenient method, elevate the trailer above a
head, devices that reduce contact of the hands and feet with
hard horizontal surface. The closest part of the trailer to that
moving or movable components of the trailer or the bicycle
surface shall be a minimum of 1.2 m (3.9 ft) above the surface.
that could cause injury, and adjustable belt(s) or other captur-
The trailer’s normal direction of motion shall be oriented along
ing devices designed to restrain the occupant when seated.
a path that is in the acceleration of gravity and perpendicular to
4.3 Attachment—The attachment process for connecting the
the horizontal surface. Release the trailer to drop onto the
trailer to the bicycle shall be of a simple and secure procedure.
surface. Measure the distance between the two marked points.
If tools are required for attachment, attaching shall be accom-
This is the second measure. The difference between the first
plished with common household tools.
and second measures shall be no greater than 25 mm (1.0 in.).
4.4 Dimensions—Backrests shall have a minimum height of Inspect the seat restraints and seat anchors. No part of the
350 mm (13.8 in.). The seated height space shall be a minimum restraint system, including anchors, shall have failed.
of 55 cm (22 in.).
5.1.2 Structural Integrity in Rollover (Two-Wheel Trailers):
4.5 Materials:
5.1.2.1 Erect the trailer in the manufacturer’s suggested use
4.5.1 All nonmetallic materials that compose structural position and mark a point in the middle of the seat. Then mark
components will be subjected to either (1) 100 h of accelerated similar points around the seating area at points on the trailer’s
weathering in accordance with Method 1 of Practice G 23, or frame that lie along the perimeter of the protective shell for the
(2) 60 h of accelerated weathering in accordance with Practice occupant. Mark as many perimeter points as needed to define
D 4329. The material sample will then be subjected to a tensile head clearance and shoulder width for the range of occupant
strength test with increasing load until failure. An identical sizes allowed by the manufacturer. Measure and record the
sample of the same material, not subjected to the accelerated straight-line distance from the point marked on the seat to each
weathering test, will then be subjected to the same tensile point on the perimeter. Restrain a dummy into the trailer seat.
strength test. The failure load of the accelerated weathering For multiple-occupant trailers, restrain additional dummies as
F 1975
required to bring the trailer to maximum occupancy as defined on the perimeter. Compare these measurements to those taken
by the manufacturer. prior to the test. The difference between any pre-test measure-
5.1.2.2 Construct a tilt table 1.0 m (39.4 in.) wide and long ment and the corresponding post-test measurement, indicating
enough to support the trailer in its normal use configuration, the rack, bend, or deformation of any point on the geometry of
where“ long” refers to the length of the trailer from front-to- the frame as measured from the middle of the seat bottom, shall
back, including the length of the coupling system. The tilt table be less than 25 mm (1.0 in.).
is intended to roll the trailer over sideways onto a hard flat 5.2 Tipover Resistance Tests:
surface. The table will be hinged along one edge of its width 5.2.1 Tilting Procedure—Tilt the table until the uphill wheel
and will be capable of moving freely through a downward starts to lift off the table. The tilt rate should be sufficiently
rotation from horizontal of 60° about that hinge. An antislip bar slow, so that the point at which the uphill tire lifts off can be
with a height of 3.2 mm (0.125 in.) is fixed in a position to easily identified. Record the angle at which the uphill tire lifts
contact the trailer wheel, furthest from the hinge, when the off the table. Repeat the tilting of the table two more times. The
trailer is placed in a centered position along the width of the results of these tests should agree within 61.0°. If they do not,
table. The bar shall be long enough to engage the wheel along verify that the dummy is properly restrained. (There should be
its area of contact with the table to prevent the trailer from no excess slack in the restraint system and the dummy should
slipping as the table is tilted. The trailer hitch will be simply be properly seated.) Also verify that the trailer is correctly
supported at the hitch by a flat horizontal surface at the height assembled. (There should be no excess play in any of the
normal for attachment to a bicycle. joints.) Record and average the test results.
5.1.2.3 Place the trailer on the tilt table with one wheel in 5.2.2 Single-Occupant Trailer Test—Erect the trailer in the
contact with the antislip bar and the hitch resting on the surface manufacturer’s suggested use configuration and inflate the tires
provided to support it. By a convenient method, release the to the maximum suggested air pressure. Restrain a dummy into
table so that it rotates freely downward from horizontal to its the seat restraints as suggested by the manufacturer. The
stop at 60° below horizontal, and allow the trailer to roll over minimum allowable tilt angle for the single-occupant trailer is
freely onto the hard horizontal surface until it comes to rest. 30.0°.
The trailer frame shall not fracture or fail at any point. Remove 5.2.3 Double-Occupant Trailer Test (Fully Loaded)—Erect
each dummy from the trailer and then measure and record the the trailer in the manufacturer’s suggested use configuration
straight-line distance from the marked seat point to each point and inflate the tires to the maximum suggested air pressure.
FIG. 1 Tilt Table for Rollover Test
F 1975
Restrain two dummies into the seat restraints as suggested by 5.3 Coupling Security Tests:
the manufacturer, to bring the trailer to maximum occupancy as
5.3.
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