Patent Application
20200047835
The device of this invention resides in the field of bicycles and more particularly relates to a device for supporting the chest of a bicyclist when riding a bicycle.
Bicycles with handles that curve downward for grasping enable a bicyclist to position his/her body in a low, aerodynamic position. Bicycle accessories referred to as Aerobars have been developed to enable a bicyclist to remain in such low position with elbows resting on supports and with a projection extending forward which the bicyclist can grasp for steering control.
Maintaining a low, aerodynamic position for long periods of time is difficult for a bicyclist and causes the rider's shoulders to hunch upwards, causing tension and strain in the back and torso of the rider. Fatigue builds up over time in the bicyclist who supports his body on either handlebars or on Aerobars.
Not only do riders fatigue, but they also have pressure on their backs, and shoulders. The stress increases on the arms, wrists and groin areas of the rider causing such discomfort as numbness, soreness as well as the aforementioned fatigue.
There is a need to reduce the stress and provide comfort to bicycle riders to increase the pleasure a rider has. This is good for society as the more people that ride and the longer they ride is commonly known to increase cardiovascular health.
There is also a need to provide a cycling support device that is portable, light weight and adjustable. These allow a rider to move the device from one bicycle to another bicycle easily and others to use the cycling support device when the rider is not using it.
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. All terms in the plural shall also be taken as singular and vice-versa. Further, any reference to he shall also be applicable to she and vice-versa.
Referring now to
The bicycle 100 has two wheels 102, 103, but may have training wheels or other devices attached which may increase the number of wheels but still referred to as a bicycle. The bicycle 100 has a frame 106. The wheel 102 is coupled to a distal end 107 of the frame 106 of the bicycle 100 and the wheel 103 is coupled to a proximal end 108 of the frame 106 of the bicycle 100.
The bicycle 100 has a sprocket 110. The sprocket 110 is coupled from a pair of foot pedals 112 to a gear 114 by a chain 116. The gear 114 is coupled to the wheel 103 which turns the wheel 104 in a forward or a reverse direction. The bicycle 100 is moved in a direction by pedaling the foot pedals 112 and moving the chain 116, thus engaging the gears 114 and moving the wheel 103.
The frame 106 of the bicycle 100 further has a seat 118. The seat 118 allows a place for a rider to sit while pedaling the foot pedals 112 of the bicycle 100. The seat 118 is coupled to the frame 106 of the bicycle 100 by a seat post 120. The seat post 120 is adjustable to fit the length and desire position of a rider.
Also coupled to the frame 106 of the bicycle 100 is a handle bar 122. The handle bar 122 of the bicycle 100 is used to steer the bicycle 100 by moving the wheel 102 in the direction the rider is manipulating the handle bar 122 of the bicycle. The handle bar 122 of the bicycle 100 also has braking handles 124 and may have a gear shifter (not shown).
The braking handles 124 are coupled to the wheel 102 and the wheel 103 by a cable 126. When pressure is applied to the brake handle 124 of the bicycle 100, the brakes 128, 129 are pulled against the wheel 102, 103 by the tension applied to the cable 126. When the brake handle 124 is released, the tension is eased on the cable 126 and the brakes 128, 129 are relaxed and are no longer in contact with the wheels 102, 103.
The gear shifter (not shown) is useful when the bicycle 100 has multiple gears. The changing of the gear shifter allows for the rider to adjust the difficulty in pedaling the bicycle 100.
Referring now to
The cycling support device 200 is also of a size that it allows the handle bar 122 of the bicycle 100 to move easily without being unduly restricted, thus allowing the rider to have control of the bicycle 100 such that the bicycle 100 is controllable not differently when the bicycle 100 has the cycling support device 200 or when the bicycle 100 does not have the cycling support device 200.
The cycling support device 200 has a shaft 202. The shaft 202 is made of a material that is light and easily movable by a rider. The shaft may be constructed of a light, strong metal, polyvinyl chloride, aluminum, carbon fiber, plastic, etc.
The shaft 202 may be made in one piece or in multiple pieces 203, 204. The shaft 202 may be made of multiple pieces where the multiple pieces fit together at different lengths to accommodate different sized riders. The multiple pieces of the shaft 202 is adjustable to different lengths to accommodate the different riders. The shaft 202 further has a quick release clamp 206. The quick release clamp 206 allows the rider to quickly adjust the position of the chest cushion of the cycling support device 200 to a desired comfortability.
The stem 212 connects the shaft 202 to the chest cushion 210 and can either be ridged or include a suspension component (not shown) for additional comfort.
The shaft 202 has a distal end 207 and a proximal end 208. The distal end 207 of the shaft 202 has a coupler 209. The coupler 209 of the shaft 202 is used to couple the shaft 202 to the bicycle 100. The shaft 202 may be connected to the coupler 209 at different angles to facilitate different rider positions, typically between 15 and 30 degrees towards the rider. The coupler 209 is made of a semi-ridged rubber material to allow the shaft 202 and entire chest support system 200 to modestly flex with the movement of the rider. A pivot pin 214 couples the distal end 207 of the stem 202 to the coupler 209.
The proximal end 208 of the shaft 202 is coupled to a chest cushion 210. The chest cushion 210 may be made of any material such as vinyl, cloth, leather, sheepskin, etc. The chest cushion 210 may be padded. The padding of the chest cushion may be down feathers, foam, microfiber, etc. The chest cushion 210 may come in different shapes based on the rider's gender and comfort requirements.
Moving now to
The cycling support system 200 has been adjusted by releasing the quick release clamp 206 and allowing the stem 212 to move up and down freely within the shaft 202. Thus, the shaft 202 has been positioned to a comfortable and supportive position for the rider.
The chest cushion 210 is positioned at the chest level of the rider and thus supporting the rider and making the ride of the bicycle 100 to be more comfortable and less stress upon the rider.
The chest support device 200 has been angled for maximum support and comfort of the rider and is coupled to the frame 106 of the bicycle 100. The connector 209 of the chest support device 200 is coupled to the frame 106 of the bicycle 100 with a hinged connector.
Moving now to
The features described with respect to one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments or combined with or interchanged with the features of other embodiments, as appropriate, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.
