Patent Application
20130126058
The present invention is in the field of bicycle accessories.
Bicyclists often need to turn their bikes upside down to initiate repairs, perform maintenance, or to inspect their bikes. Once upside down, bikes rest on their bike saddles and on components of their handlebars, including the shift levers, aero bars (if mounted), bike computers (if mounted), components of the handlebar headset and other components that may be mounted to the handlebar. Once upside down, the bike's components may become damaged, for example, the saddle may be scratched or torn and the handlebar components may become scratched, torn (e.g., handlebar tape), or broken (e.g., a bike computer) by the surface they are resting on.
Disclosed herein are bicycle accessories comprising a cover configured to be fitted over one or more components of a bicycle, and means for securing the cover over the one or more components. Also disclosed are methods of protecting one or more components of a bicycle, the method comprising providing a cover configured to be fitted over the one or more components of a bicycle, and securing the cover over the one or more components.
The present invention relates generally to protective bicycle component covers that are used when the bicycle is turned upside down, for example, while doing repairs, maintenance, or inspections. The protective covers protect points on the bicycle that could be scratched or damaged when the bike is turned upside down, including, without limitation, the bicycle saddle, components on the handlebar, including, without limitation, the shift levers, grips, aero bars, bike computer and the handlebar headset. These points are generally the points that come into contact with the ground when the bicycle is turned upside down.
Thus, disclosed herein are protective coverings for bicycle components that cover the components when a bicycle is turned upside down. In some embodiments, the protective covering includes one or more straps or an elastic opening capable of securing the cover to the bike component (securing portion). In certain embodiments, the securing portion is Velcro® straps or other securing means known in the art, such as a draw string, reusable taping, elastic/rubber-band type strap, elastic bands, snaps, clips, buckle, magnets, strap/D-ring, zipper, or buttons and the like, and/or combinations thereof.
In some embodiments, the protective covering is made from one or more appropriate materials such as terry cloth, cotton, plastic, polyester, rubber, latex nylon, Gore-Tex®, leather, Fleece, spandex, neoprene, urethane, silicone, wool, silk, linen, and the like, and/or combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the covering is made with a water resistant or water proof material. In some embodiments, the protective covering also includes a soft inner portion to protect the bike components from being damaged. In these embodiments, the soft inner portion, or soft padding, is located at a point where the bicycle component is most likely to come in contact with the ground. This includes the tips of components, or the lowest point on a component when the bicycle is turned upside down. In other embodiments, the soft inner portion, or soft padding, uniformly covers the entire area of the protective covering. In yet other embodiments, a layer of soft padding uniformly covers the entire area of the protective covering, but there is a thicker soft padding in locations where the bicycle component is most likely to come in contact with the ground.
In some embodiments, the protective covering is made of flexible or pliable material to enable the cover to be rolled or folded for storage when not in use. In some instances the rolled or folded cover is carried by a bicyclist in a bike-jersey pocket, or other storage device used by a bicyclist, such as a back pack, tote bag, or saddle bag.
In some embodiments, a single protective cover covers a single bicycle component. For example, there is a specific protective cover for the bike saddle, shift levers, bike computer, grips, handlebar head set, etc. In other embodiments, multiple bicycle components in close proximity are covered by a single protective cover. For example, in some embodiments, a single protective cover covers shift levers, bike computer, and grips.
Referring now to the drawings,
In certain embodiments, covering 100 comprises a soft padding 106 in the middle, which provides further protection for the bicycle saddle. In some embodiments, the area of the soft padding 106 coincides with the area of covering 100. In other embodiments, the area of the soft padding 106 is smaller than the area of covering 100. In the embodiment of
In some embodiments, for example those in which the outer edge 102 is non-elastic, means are provided for securing the covering 100 to the bicycle saddle. In some embodiments, straps 108, 110 are provided for this purpose. As discussed below, 112 and 114 are optional and some embodiments do not have 112 and 114 on straps 108 and 110, respectively. In certain embodiments, straps 108, 110 are made up of hook-and-loop fastener fabrics, such as Velcro®. In certain of these embodiments, straps 108, 110 are paired such that one of straps 108, 110 is the hook fabric while the other of straps 108, 110 is the loop fabric. In other embodiments, one of the hook or loop fabric is on the covering 100 while the other of the hook or loop fabric is on the straps 108, 110, such that straps 108, 110 adhere to the covering 100.
In other embodiments, straps 108, 110 comprise snaps 112, 114. In some embodiments, one of male or female snap 112, 114 is on one of straps 108, 110 while the other of male or female snap 112, 114 is on the other straps 108, 110. In other embodiments, one of male or female snap 112, 114 is on the covering 100, while the other of male or female snap 112, 114 is on the straps 108, 110, such that straps 108, 110 connect to the covering 100.
In other embodiments, 112 and 114 in
In some embodiments, there is only one strap 108, 110. In other embodiments, covering 100 has both straps 108, 110, while in yet other embodiments, covering 100 has additional straps. Additional straps can be located anywhere along the edge 102.
In other embodiments, protective coverings are contemplated for each individual component. These coverings are similar in design to those shown in
In another aspect, disclosed herein are methods for protecting bicycle components, the method comprising providing a cover configured to be fitted to protect one or more components of a bicycle, as described above, and securing the cover over the one or more components, as described above.
