Patent Application
20190225293
The present application is related to United States patent number US20150001828 A1, issued Jan. 1, 2015, by Gary Silva, included by reference herein.
The Silva patent claims a step through frame with a mechanically attached seat and below the seat peddle position clearly different than the present invention design.
The present invention relates to a bicycle and, more particularly, to a bicycle designed for comfort, reduced maintenance and ability to fit a variety of human sizes and shapes.
Bicycle design has remained nearly the same for over 100 years. The typical design is one of a diamond shape featuring pedals under the rider, a height-adjustable seat and lean-forward ridding position. This design is situated well for speed but not for comfort. The adjustable seat does not always stay adjusted it can easily slip posing a serious injury risk to the rider. It can be stolen and must be moved to accommodate each new rider. In a rental situation this can be many times per day and soon the adjustment hardware is worn out, does not stay adjusted and must be replaced. It requires an on-sight mechanic to make the adjustments and make all the repairs, this adds to maintenance and repair costs.
By having a short seat and the cranks positioned under the seat, the rider is unable to easily adjust their position on the bike and while the bike may fit them correctly, nobody else can safely ride the bike without adjusting the height of the saddle—and this poses risks because the locking mechanism on the saddle is prone to wear out or to not be secured tightly enough and the saddle will drop under the rider's weight—leading to serious injury.
The diamond shape frame is hard for some people to mount and can create a safety problem for smaller riders who are suddenly raised off the ground and cannot reach the ground with their feet while sitting in the bicycle seat which prevents them from stabilizing themselves and prevent falling.
Seats are typically designed to fit a particular size rider do to their size, age or gender. If the seat is not a proper fit it can not only be uncomfortable but may damage the riders body. This may not be a problem in bicycles that always have the same rider and that rider has made the investment into a seat that fits them properly, but it is especially a problem where bicycles are rented out and encounter a multitude of different sized and shaped riders on a daily basis. A rental shop cannot possibly stock enough variety of seats to fit every different rider they will rent to. Nor is it practical to assume that when the rider says the adjustment is correct that it will remain so after a short time ridding.
Diamond shaped frames for male riders have a high center bar requiring the male rider to lift and swing his leg over the frame. This can be a problem for older male riders or male riders with an injury preventing them from achieving normal movement. This design can also prevent a male rider from easily reaching the ground with his feet when stopped creating a possibility of a fall over and resulting injury.
A variety of custom, though expensive, bike seats are available to make the rider more comfortable. These include deep relieve seats, foam filled seats, backed seats, gel filled seats, extra wide seats. There are seats designed specifically for men or women that consider the differences in anatomy between the sexes. The variety of seats is extensive and tries to target the problem of discomfort associated with bicycle riding.
Seat height adjustment helps to reduce discomfort and has existed for a long time to help raise or lower the rider to the most comfortable position with regards to the relationship between seat height and pedal distance. By loosening a tightener to position the seat which is typically mounted or attached to a tube or shaft that is inserted into a slightly large tube allowing for a sliding in or out motion, the seat can be raised or lowered to more perfectly fit the rider.
Step though frames have been used for some time for bicycles designed for female riders but not for male riders.
The most obvious shortcoming is the shear variety of solutions available. In the example of a single rider who owns their own bicycle and rides no other one of the prior solutions may be practical. However, in the case of a rental company, the variety of riders of which many are not avid bike riders, presents and insurmountable problem in providing comfort and or safety to the rider.
Imagine the variety of shapes sizes and genders that wish to rent a bicycle on any given day. Now image how large the ware house would need to be to inventory the immense variety of seats available to provide the customers with the proper seat. Each rider would have to guess at the seat best suited for them and that's not an easy task. One must truly ride with that seat for a period to learn how comfortable or uncomfortable it may be. In addition, the seat height adjustment must be proper providing yet another variable to be adjusted. If the rider is heavy and the seat adjustment worn some the seat may slide downward as the rider travels or suddenly drop upon encountering an unexpected bump.
The possibility of an uncomfortable ride exists simply because of seat issues which could easily result in the rider being unhappy and not taking advantage of the vender's services in the future.
The other factor not addressed by existing solutions is the horizontal relation whip of where the rider sits and the position of the bicycles pedals. Having to lean forward which a diamond shape bicycle frame encourages, can be very uncomfortable for many people.
The diamond design that uses this step through design is easily recognized as a gender specific design causing male riders to shy away from it.
A rental service depends upon the bicycle rider enjoying a leisurely and comfortable ride. They need their customers to enjoy and remember that enjoyment, so they will come back and be repeat customers or share their joy with others bringing in new business. An uncomfortable ride will not produce the desired results.
would be advantageous to provide an easy on/off access by means of a step through frame design of the bike allowing easy on and off without having to lift your leg and the ability to quickly place your feet on the ground to stabilize the bicycle.
It would also be advantageous to provide a seat position that allows for riders of varying heights to use the same size bike.
It would further be advantageous to provide an integrated seat meaning the seat cannot be stolen like an adjustable seat post design can be.
It would further be advantageous to provide an integrated seat, so the user does not have to adjust it to be able to ride the bike.
It would further be advantageous to provide a bicycle, so the rider is behind the bottom bracket, so they are in a more comfortable position and able to be flat footed on the ground when stopped.
The present invention relates to bicycles, and is particularly concerned with bicycles having a rigid mounted seat and step through frame that is designed around the seat. The present invention is a uni frame bicycle with a step through design and a rigid mounted banana style seat pedal forward design.
A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:
For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.
Detailed description of
The head tube 12 serves as a joining place for the down tube 10 and top tube 56 to be weldably attached and the hollow internal portion of the head tube 12 permits a steering mechanism to be mounted (not shown) in the head tube 12 in a generally vertical position permitting the rotation of the front steering wheel (not shown). A seat structure 70 rises vertically from the mid frame structure 50 and then bends in a generally inverted L shape toward the rear of the frame permanently attached at both ends to the mid frame structure 50 serving as the seat structure 70 permitting the removable mounting of the seat 68 by means of one or more fasteners (not shown). The seat 68 is long and slender allowing the ride to choose a comfortable position on the seat 68 by moving the body rear ward or forward. This permits a at least a 12″ difference in heights between riders without the need for a seat 68 adjustment. A bottom bracket plate 78 weldably attached to the down tube 10 and the top tube 56 adds strength to the entire frame unit providing a mounting place by means of the bottom bracket shell 88 for the peddle mechanism (not shown). A seat 68 is mounted to the seat structure 70 by means of removable fasteners (not shown) and provides a location for the rider to sit if the rider chooses to sit while riding the bike. This location of the seat 68 is to the rear of the bottom bracket shell 88 where the peddles (not shown) are mounted creating an in-front of the seat 68 peddling position as opposed to a directly below peddle position.
A plurality of cable guide 16 bracket (s) are weldably attached to both the mid frame structure 50 and the down tube 10 providing a place where control cables (not shown) for brake and gear shifting applications can be removeably attached. Control handles (not shown) mounted on the steering bars (not shown) permit the rider to activate brakes (not shown) on one or more wheels (not shown) with their hands or to shift speed gears (not shown) as the bikes speed increases or decreases changing the power dynamics needed for a human to power the bike in a forward motion.
The chain stay 18 runs parallel to the chain (not shown) and consists of two parallel horizontal tubes connecting the down tube 10 to the drop out 104 (s). A rear derailleur cable (not shown) is routed along the down tube 10, then along the chain stay 18 to the derailleur hanger 106. The bottom bracket plate 78 weldably connects the chain stay 18 at its intersection with the down tube 10 to the top tube 56 while providing a location for the bottom bracket shell 88 that will house the peddle mechanism (not shown).
Detailed description of
While the description describes preferred embodiments, it is understood that other modification could be made and still remain in the scope of the present invention.
Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.
Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.
