CA2745585A1 - Bicycle steering/balancing device - Google Patents

Abstract

A device relating to simultaneously controlling both the steering and balance of a two-wheeled vehicle not limited to a traditional bicycle, while allowing a handler to stay as a pivot for a circle as opposed to running with the vehicle, while teaching a inexperienced rider to pedal forward, stop, steer and balance.

A steering control arm is mounted directly to the handle-bars in a horizontal position allowing an extension or said handle-bars. By controlling the steering, the rotation around the rear moment of contact with pound is controlled, aligning the front wheel with the back creating a vertical balance plane. By extension of the handle-bars by the arm, the vertical balance plane control is slowed and leveraged at the horizontal end to point of the jointed control arm.

By adding an extension with a hinged joint, allowing only vertical rotation, the handler can increase the size of the circle while still maintaining the control of both steering and balance, by pushing, pulling, lifting, or lowering the control arm.
As the experience and skill of the rider increases, after learning to pedal forward, stop, and balance with some skill, the hinged joint can be replaced with a universal joint to allow both vertical and horizontal movement, allowing the rider to then learn to steer, independently while still within the influence of the handler.

When the rider has acquired sufficient skill riding both directions, and can start, stop and steer independently, control from the handler is not required and the rider is safe and sound and confident enough with the skill set to ride alone.

Description

BICYCLE STEERING/ BALANCING DEVICE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to, but not limited to, a bicycle rider training device, and more particularly, to a steering/ balance control bar system to aid in training the novice to ride a two-wheeled bicycle. Without the aid of a rider training device, the handler is required to assume an awkward bending position to support the novice bike rider. Usually the handler has to bend over to grip the novice rider or some portion of the bike, usually the seat. Also the handler must have one hand on the handle bar in order to steer the bike. This while jogging along-side the bicycle in order to give the novice bike rider the experience and sensation of riding the bicycle.

The awkward bending position may cause several problems to develop for the handier who is assisting in the learning process. Back strain limits the handier's time and ability to assist as the bent-over position also increases the risk of stumbling while trying to jog along-side the rider. The result, learning to ride a two-wheeled device/ bicycle without an appropriate bicycle steering/ balancing device and a helmet may be very hazardous for both the novice rider and handier.

The control exerted by the handler while in the awkward bending position substantially limits the beginners' ability to guide the bike, increasing the time spent to overcome the fear of tipping and falling.

Various bicycle training devices have been offered as a solution to some or all of the above -mentioned problems. Generally, the earlier designs comprise of one or all of the following features: (1) a mounting mechanism for a pole comprised of two plates which are compressed together by a single bolt; (2) a mounting mechanism for a pole which is not adapted to fit various widths of forks; (3) a mounting mechanism that utilizes a seat tube as an attachment point for a stabilizing bar; (4) a pole which is attached to the mounting mechanism by threaded extensions; (5) a flexible pole attached to the rear of the bicycle; (6) a pole attached to the rear of the bicycle that is too short for the handler to visually monitor the side-to-side vertical motion of the pole; (7) a pole attached to the rear of the bike which is not vertically oriented; (8) a pole attached to the rear of the bicycle which extends beyond the rear axle of the bicycle. The earlier designs, however, are inadequate for at least one of several reasons.

The mounting mechanisms of earlier designs have several shortcomings. For instance, a mounting mechanism for a pole comprised of two plates which are compressed together by a single bolt is unsafe. Any loosening of the single bolt could allow the sudden and total release of the mounting mechanism from the bicycle- On the other hand, a mounting mechanism that utilizes the seat tube as an attachment point for a stabilizing bar prevents the seat from being placed in its lowest position.
Finally, a mounting mechanism for a pole which is not adapted to fit varying widths of forks does not allow for mounting on various sizes of bicycle frames.

The poles of earlier designs are also inadequate. For example, a pole which is attached to the mounting mechanism by threaded extensions is impractical for configuring the pole around the seat, since any stabilizing force applied to the hand grip may unscrew the clamp. On the other hand, a flexible pole attached to the rear of the bicycle does not give the handier sufficient control over the bicycle. As a result, a flexible pole makes it very difficult for the handier to securely stabilize a child who is leaning too far or in the wrong direction. A pole attached to the rear of the bicycle which is not vertically oriented presents a risk of injury to the handler should the rider stop abruptly. A pole attached to the rear of the bicycle which extends beyond the rear axle of the bicycle may cause the bicycle to jack-knife. A jack-knife may occur because a force applied to the pole beyond the rear axle creates a moment around the rear tire where the rear tire contacts the ground.
The moment around the rear tire may then cause a lateral motion of the front wheel and a sudden jack-knife rotation of the handle bar.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to over-come the known shortcomings of known bicycle training devices. It is an object of the present invention to instill confidence in the minds of the beginning riders to allow them to believe they will not fall. It is an object of the present invention to allow the novice to experience the feeling of leaning into a turn. It is another object of the present invention to provide a balancing/ steering training device that allows the handler to safely, and in more comfort, assist the learning process. It is another object of the present invention to allow the handier to, in addition to jogging beside the rider, also stand still as the rider circles around the assistant in either direction. It is another object of the present invention to provide a balancing/ steering training device which is adapted to fit onto the majority of the most commonly used two- wheeled bicycles, vehicles and tricycles. It is another object of the present invention to provide a balancing /steering training device that isolates skills to independently balance while starting and stopping forward motion while pedaling.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a balancing /steering training device that isolates skills to independently balance while steering and starting and stopping the bicycle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a balancing/ steering training device that isolates skills to independently balance while steering, starting, and stopping and then combine those skills so as to gain independence from the handler under controlled conditions. It is another object of the present invention to provide a balancing /steering training device that isolates skills to independently balance while steering, starting and stopping, and prevents loss of control, loss of contact with the handler, and the dreaded downhill or runaway situations. It is another object of the present invention to provide a balancing /steering training device that isolates skills to independently balance while removing/ controlling the steering action with the vertical jointed training bar, allowing the whole bar to steer while still allowing a side to side tipping movement of the bicycle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a balancing /steering training device that isolates skills to Independently balance while adding steering to the control of the balance, by changing the joint to allow It to function both in the vertical and horizontal planes simultaneously.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a vehicle having a training support device. A preferred embodiment of the bicycle generally comprises: a rear wheel fork and a front wheel fork with handle bars; and a jointed training steering/ balancing bar attached to handlebars with u-bolts/clamps.
The present invention assists a rider learning to ride, but not limited to, a two wheeled bicycle. The jointed steering/ balancing arm allows the handier a comfortable means of steering and balancing the rider who is then going in a circle around the handier, eliminating the need to walk or jog along-side while assisting.

The features and benefits of the present invention in its many embodiments include:

I) Location of handier's grip - The shape of the elongate jointed pole, one end piece mounted to handlebars by u-bolts, places the assistant's hand grip on the hinged pole at ninety degrees to the direction of travel of the bicycle, the hinge allowing for variable height at grip point.

2) Position of the joint - By creating a joint between the handier and the handle bars, the control over steering at the beginning of training, because the joint will only flex in the vertical plane, allows the handier to still exert lateral influence. This desired lateral movement aids in vertical balancing on the line of travel, while removing the steering risk of jack-knifing. As the rider skills increase, controlling the steering can then be changed by moving the joint into the horizontal-vertical combination which allows for both lateral and steering forces to be applied simultaneously.

3) The position of the handler - By positioning the handier at the end of the jointed pole in the center of the circle, guidance/steering) balance is provided from a stationary position as the rider provides propulsion on a circular trajectory around the handier. Walking or jogging along-side is now an option, not a requirement.

4) Rigid attachment of arm - The sectional arm is attached to the handlebars by two u-clamps or other configuration to form a rigid section with the handlebar and the joint and an extension beyond the joint. The joint is a common universal joint with a lockable position to limit horizontal motion around the joint.

5) Rigidity of design - Some earlier designs "highlight" their feature of offering a "flexible" pole. The trainee, in order to concentrate on learning to ride, must feel security in the hands of the trainer. A
flexible pole makes it very difficult to securely stabilize a child who is leaning too far, or leaning the wrong way. The pole and mount design must be rigid, except for the u-joint, to assert positive control over the rider.

6) Dual U-bolt clamping - Two (2) independent U-bolts provide an extra. degree of safety and security over earlier designs that rely on a single bolt to provide compression and clamping. In these earlier designs, any loosening of the single bolt could allow a sudden and total release of the clamp from the bicycle frame.

7) Mount is independent of, and unrelated to seat height - Some earlier designs utilize the seat tube as an attachment point for a stabilizing bar. This method of attachment usually prohibits the seat from being placed in its lowest position, which would allow riders to reach the ground with their feet when they stop.

8) Variable horizontal orientation of the arm - The joint allows the handler to raise or lower the arm at the center of the circle to any desirable height. Standing at the center of the circular trajectory makes it safe for handier, with no adverse affects from abrupt stops by rider occurring at the outside of circle away from center handler position. The mounting position on the handlebars allows a position 90 [ninety degrees] to direction of travel, the extension to the movable joint causing maximum leverage for supporting trainee's weight.

9) Visual and tactile feel of bar The center position away from the rider allows for visual observation of the rider' side-to-side motion [vertical). The bar's motion represents the amplified feeling of the trainee's motion, allowing the handier to react to that feeling and provide assistance when needed in most timely reaction.

10) A Lockable u-joint - A pin and yoke U-joint locked by sliding cross inside pipe, in vertical plane only which, allowing one pin to be removed and arm extended to next hole, then allows movement in both horizontal and vertical planes.

In addition to the novel features and advantages mentioned above, other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings and preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of a bicycle bearing a steering/ balancing jointed guiding arm and the location of the assistant at center of the circle.

FIG. 2 is a top view showing the position of the jointed control arm attached to handle bar points and showing the horizontal steering axis.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the steering/ balancing arm and the lateral influence on the vertical balancing axis.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the locked U-joint with vertical only by sliding the locking slide cross in, and horizontal /vertical positioning between the fixed handlebar section and the movable handler section along with T or D end point configuration.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the lockable sliding cross of the U-joint which by sliding in or out allows for a repositioning from vertical only movement of end section to vertical and horizontal movement simultaneously.

FIG. 6 is a representation of sliding flexible U-joint cover/grip.

FIG. 7 presents the location of U-clamps relating to U-joint, movable handle, coupler, extension handle, and D handle along with expanded view of lockable sliding cross.

DETAILED DESRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

The present invention is directed to, but is not limited to, a bicycle bearing a steering/ balancing arm training device.

FIG.1 is a side elevated view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A preferred embodiment of a bicycle generally comprises: a rear wheel fork, wheel and axle, a front wheel fork, a wheel and axle and commonly a seat and handlebars [1 5] above the axle- As shown in FIG.2, the steering /balancing device [1 ], is mounted rigidly to the handlebars (15]
using clamps, straps or other fixtures [4].

As shown in FIG. 1 , an assistant [7] is positioned at the center of the circular trajectory [6] and holds extension handle [2] including a D or 'I- or various grips, inside the lockable U-joint [3].

In the first starting position of the locking U-joint [3], the pins are placed in the arrangement [Hole AA and Hole BR] by sliding the lockable cross inside the pipe, allowing only vertical movement at the U-joint [3] of the extension handle [2].

In the second positioning of the pins [Hole AA and Hole CC], at the U-joint [31, the movement at the U-joint is then allowed in both the vertical balancing axis [8] and horizontal steering axis [9] planes.
As shown in FIG.3, all pin positions allow the vertical balancing axis [8] to be controlled always.

By locking the horizontal steering axis [9] at the joint, the steering or movement of horizontal steering axis [9] is influenced by the whole control arm from the end-point at the center [10] to the axis in the handlebars at 11 Oa], As shown in FIG.4, the first position [Hole AA and Hole 80] of the lockable sliding cross and pins of the locking ujoint, allow for vertical rotation only of the steering /balancing device.

As shown in FIG.5, by changing the pin placement to the second position [Hole AA and Hole CC]1 rotation of both vertical balancing axis [8] and horizontal steering axis [9]
occurs simultaneously.

As shown in Fig. 6, a flexible U-joint cover [6] prevents external mechanical interference of U.-joint [3].

The preferred embodiments herein disclosed are not intended to be exhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the invention. 1 "he preferred embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the present invention, so that others skilled in the art may practice the invention. Having shown and described preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will realize that many variations and modifications may be made to affect the described invention. Many of these variations and modifications will provide the same result and fall within the spirit of the claimed invention. It is the intention therefore, to limit the invention only as indicated by the scope of the claims:

Claims (3)

1. A bicycle and handlebars bearing a steering/ balancing training device, said bicycle comprising but not limited to:
(a). A rear fork, wheel, and axle and a front fork, wheel, axle and handlebars;
(b). A Steering/balancing training device arm attached to handlebars rigidly at attachment end of the lockable jointed extension arm.

2. A Steering/ balancing training device arm attached to handlebars rigidly at the attachment end of the jointed extension arm.

(a) Attachment to handlebars by means of u-bolt, strapping or other suitable rigid clamping.
(b) Arm extension with a D, T or other terminal handle grip at end opposite attachment end.

(c) Lockable, by sliding the cross inside the handle, multi- position joint in extension arm allowing or limiting handle movement as required.

3. A Steering /balancing training device arm attached to handlebars rigidly at attachment end of the jointed extension arm that;

(a) With the guidance of an assistant allows, but doesn't limit, the rider to travel in a circle around the handier.

(b) Allows the assistant to influence the vertical balancing plane by lateral movement of the steering/ balancing arm.

(c) Allows the assistant to influence the horizontal steering axis by rotational movement of the steering /balancing arm.

(d) Allows the assistant to influence both the vertical balancing axis and the horizontal steering axis simultaneously by rotational and, vertical and lateral movement of the steering/ balancing arm.