Patent Application
20080163719
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of bicycles. More specifically, the invention comprises a palm support for a “drop” style bicycle handlebar.
2. Description of the Related Art.
Most touring and racing bicycles utilize “drop” style handlebars. An example of a drop style handlebar is illustrated in
Handlebar 1 is constructed in this manner to allow the rider to use multiple hand positions when steering the bike. Handlebar 1 also provides a location for mounting a hand brake or a shift lever. As illustrated in
There are several different gripping positions which are commonly used by riders. In one gripping position, the rider places each hand on middle portion 31 on either side of the stem. In a second gripping position, the rider grasps each drop 3 with a hand. This position allows the rider to assume a smaller profile and reduce wind resistance. In the last main gripping position, the rider grasps each hood 22 with a hand. This hand position is often referred to as “on the hoods.” The “on the hoods” position is generally used when riding the bicycle over flat terrain and when climbing hills. Thus, the majority of the time is spent steering the bicycle from the hoods.
When riding on the hoods, the rider rests the portion of rider's palm between the thumb and index finger on the top of the hood. The rider then wraps the thumb around the inside portion of the hood and the fingers around the outside portion of the hood. The inside carpus area of the wrist is then supported by the handlebar tubing. The outer portions of the palm (portions of the palm distal to the thumb, including the metacarpus area of the fingers and the outer portion of the wrist) are left unsupported and drape off the outer sides of the hood. Thus, the thumb acts as a hook which keeps the hands from sliding off the hoods. Grip is maintained by squeezing the thumb and fingers together.
Many riders experience a substantial amount of pain and discomfort when riding “on the hoods.” Substantial pressure is applied to the inside area of the hand contacting the hoods while riding, since this area of the hand supports the forward and downward leaning weight of the rider's upper torso. This asymmetric pressure on the inside of the palm and the lack of support on the outside of the palm causes the hand to rotate off the sides of the hood. The rider counteracts this rotation by constantly squeezing and gripping the hood with the thumb and fingers. Additional pressure is also applied to the inside palm area during braking when the forward momentum of the rider is transmitted to the handlebars. This pressure on the inside palm area compresses nerves which control hand muscles and convey sensory data from the hand. Prolonged compression of these nerves results in and numbness, pain, weakness in grip, and a loss of hand function. This loss of hand function reduces the rider's ability to steer, brake, and shift the bicycle.
Although several inventors have developed different types of ergonomic handles and padding designed to make gripping a handlebar more comfortable, these devices do not provide the needed outside support for the hand while riding on the hoods. It is therefore desirable to provide a palm support which addresses these shortcomings of the prior art.
The present invention is a palm support for a drop style handlebar. The palm support includes an attachment means for attaching the palm support to the handlebar frame along the forward portion of the frame between the forward bend and the hood. The palm support also includes a support member which projects outwardly away from the frame and supports the outer portion of the rider's palm (the portion of the palm distal to the thumb and proximal to the fifth metacarpal bone) when the rider grips the hood.
The palm support reduces the pressure on the interior portion of the rider's palm when riding on the hoods. The palm support also counteracts the asymmetric pressure on the inside of the palm which has the tendency to cause the hands to rotate off the hood. Accordingly, the palm support provides a more comfortable gripping position and reduces the numbness and pain rider's experience while riding on the hoods. The palm support also provides a new gripping position that may be utilized when steering the bicycle.
As illustrated in
Turning now to
Support member 4 is illustrated in greater detail in
The reader will note that the clamping type of attachment mechanism allows the rider to vary the “lean” of the palm Support as desired. For example, the rider may loosen bolt 6 and tilt forward wall 10 downward relative to rearward wall 11. Support member 4 may be rotated along the axis of bolt 6 until relief 26 contacts band 5. This allows the rider to develop a customized lean that suits the rider's preferences.
The preceding description contains significant detail regarding the novel aspects of the present invention. It should not be construed, however, as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as providing illustrations of the preferred embodiments of the invention. For example, as illustrated in
