BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1A-B are partial views of bicycles illustrating differing gooseneck geometries.
FIG. 2 is a partial side view of a prior art mounting method for a handlebar mounted children's bicycle seat.
FIG. 3 is a side view of a children's bicycle seat with an adjustable mounting system according to some embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an oblique rear view of a children's bicycle seat with an adjustable mounting system according to some embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a front view of a children's bicycle seat with an adjustable mounting system according to some embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a photograph of a children's bicycle seat mounted on a bicycle according to some embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a photograph of a children's bicycle seat mounted on a bicycle according to some embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIGS. 3 and 5 illustrate side and front views, respectively, of a bicycle seat 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The bicycle seat 100 is adapted to be supported from the handlebars of a bicycle and also to press against the stem of gooseneck of the bicycle. A seat 101 is attached to a main support 102, which in turn is attached to the front support 103. The front support 103 is in the shape of an upside down U in some embodiments, with each side of the U being an upright support. The geometry of the front support thus allows for the clipping of two rotatable clips 104 to the handlebars of the bicycle, which each clip on either side of the gooseneck attachment to the handlebars. The handlebars of the bicycle provide the vertical support which supports the front support 103. Rotation around the axis of the handlebars is prevented by the attachment of the cross support 110 to the stem of the bicycle's gooseneck. The stem sits in a depression 112 in the cross support 110 and may be secured with a clip 111. As seen in FIG. 3, the seat may be hinged at the interface of the main support 102 to the front support 103 to a folded position 101a, which may be convenient for storage.
The front support provides for the mounting of the bicycle seat 100 to the bicycle, and also provides handholds for the child at the top of the front support. The bottom of the front support may include horizontal foot pegs which are utilized by the feet of the child sitting in the seat.
The preferred horizontal disposition of the main support allows for the proper seat geometry. The relative position of the clip, which clips onto the handlebars to the cross support which attaches behind the headset, will set the disposition and angle of the main support. Because of differing geometries of bicycle goosenecks, a single clip position is not adequate for a seat that is to be used for more than one bicycle type. The rotatable clips 104 are attached to the upright supports of the front support. The rotatable clips 104 are rotatable about a pivot 107 which is also the attach point of the rotatable clip 104 to the upright support of the front support 103. Rotation of the clips allows for proper mounting of the bicycle seat to bicycles with differing gooseneck geometries. The three attachment points, those of the two clips and of the cross support, all of which are removeably secured attachment points, provide firm and adequate mounting of the seat to the bicycle.
As seen in FIG. 3, a first end 105 of the rotatable clip 104 is in position to clip onto a handlebar. The first end 105 includes a clip that is in close proximity to the front support, and is adapted to mount to a gooseneck which has a short neck, from zero to two inches. A second end 106 of the rotatable clip 104 is, as seen in FIG. 3, not in position to be used. However, with the easy rotation of the rotatable clip 104 around its pivot 107, the second end 106 would be in proper position to be used to attach to a bicycle handlebar. The second end 106, as seen in the side view of FIG. 3, is adapted to be used with a gooseneck which has a long neck, which could be in the range of two to six inches, and still maintain an appropriate position of the main support and the seat.
Thus, the adjustable mounting system on the bicycle seat allows for adjustment of the seat for the use with different bicycles of different geometry. As seen in FIG. 7, which is photograph of a seat mounted onto handlebars according to some embodiments of the present invention, the rotatable clips 104 not only clip over the handlebars, but are also constrained from removal from the handlebars by fasteners 130. The fasteners 130 thread through threaded holes 131 in the clips. The fasteners may be used only on the portion of the clip rotated into position and being used, dependant upon the bicycle geometry. Also seen is the cross support 110, which also has a clip 111 locking the cross support 110 to the stem of the gooseneck of the bicycle. With the two fasteners 130 and the clip of the cross support in place, the seat is firmly and safely mounted to the handlebars.
FIG. 6 illustrates a caged footguard 150 which improves safety for the child in the seat. Whereas earlier version of seats had merely pegs which splayed out horizontally from the front support, mesh cages have been added along the inner side of the foot area to increase support and safety.
As evident from the above description, a wide variety of embodiments may be configured from the description given herein and additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is, therefore, not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures from such details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general invention.
Patent Application
20080001381
