FR2661885A1 - DEVICE FOR IMPROVING THE ERGONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF THE CYCLIST. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device allowing the cyclist to concentrate all his muscular energy on the pedal and crank assembly. It consists of a harness (1) (2) (3) (4) put on by the cyclist and connected to the bicycle by a hook (7) which pivots at the end of the spindle (12) of the bracket (5) (9) locked on to the saddle tube (10). When the cyclist is in the maximum effort position, the hook (7) is engaged in the ring (3), the harness, adjusted in terms of length, is stretched between the shoulders and the fastener (3) on the hook (7); he presses against the dorsal strap (2) in order to combat the reaction which tends to raise him out of the saddle. He can concentrate all of the power of his leg muscles on the pedal and crank system thereby saving the energy spent as a pure loss by the arm, torso, and pelvis muscles. The device according to the invention is particularly intended for competitive cycling as well as cycle touring.

Description

DEVICE FOR IMPROVING YIELD
ERGONOMIC OF THE CYCLIST.

 The present invention relates to a device allowing a cyclist to concentrate all of his: muscle power at the bottom bracket. Traditionally, when the force pressing on the pedal exceeds the weight of the cyclist, it is essential for the cyclist to apply a reaction using the arms, trunk and pelvis, to restore dynamic balance, hence a significant energy expenditure.

 The device according to the invention overcomes this drawback.

 It has two elements.

 1) a harness endorsed by the cyclist, consisting of two suspenders and a back strap provided with a ring at its end and a length adjustment system, for example using a sliding buckle.

 2) A stem attached to the seat tube. At the end of the bracket there is a hook. When the cyclist is in the maximum effort position; the hook engaged in the ring, the harness adjusted in length is stretched between the shoulders and the point of attachment on the hook. He presses on the back strap to fight against the reaction that tends to lift him from the saddle; he can then concentrate all his force on the pedal. According to a variant, the hook of the stem is replaced by a strap winder provided with a hook.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention.

Figure 1 shows the harness in its removable form.

Figure 2 shows in section the power in its removable form.

 Figure 3 shows in section the hook (7) which can be mounted on the axis (12).

 Figure 4 shows in section a variant of the device consisting of a strap winder (28) with its hook (24) which can also be mounted on the axis (12).

 FIG. 5 represents the bracket (27) which keeps the hook of the reel in its new position in good position.

 With reference to these drawings, the harness in its non-limiting embodiment consists of two straps (1) which run between the shoulder blades of the cyclist, pass over the shoulders and under the armpits. They are connected at the level of the belt to a dorsal strap (2) integral with the two shoulder straps at their junction between the shoulders and prolated to the level of the saddle (11). At this end is attached a loop (3) with a length adjusting device (4). The straps can be made of fabric, leather or any other suitable material. According to a variant not shown, the harness can be secured to the jersey by weaving, stitching, gluing or any other process.

 The attachment of the harness to the bicycle is carried out by a bracket which can for example, according to a removable and nonlimiting form of manufacture, be composed of a sleeve (5) split on a generator and include two ears (6) allowing its blocking on the seat tube (10) using a bolt (8). On this sleeve is welded a tube (9) at an angle determined by the recoil of the seat tube and parallel to it. Inside the tube slides an axis (12) fixed in good position by a stop screw (13). At the end of this axis, two flats are a hole (14) where the hook (7) is articulated using a bolt (15). It is formed at its base by a yoke (16 ) allowing its mounting at the end of the axis (12) and a folding in its upper part (17) at an angle sufficient to ensure the retention of the ring (3). The edges are rounded and it can pivot on its axis (15) so that it can be erased in the event of a fall. it is held vertically and in abutment against the quarry of the salt by a return spring (18). it is adjusted in height so as to exceed the upper level of the saddle (11) to allow engagement of the ring (3) of the harness.

 The assembly is made of metal or any other material having sufficient mechanical strength. The seat post can be removable or integral with the seat tube (10).

Figure 4 shows in section a variant in which the hook is replaced by a strap winder. it can for example be mounted using a yoke (19) under the same conditions as the hook on Itaxe (12) and be housed under the saddle. It is fitted with a locking or unlocking system controlled by a cable (20) using a lever placed on the handlebars within easy reach. The end of the strap (21) of the reel is fixed using two screws (22) and a plywood (23), a hook (24) having the same characteristic as the upper part (17) of the hook. it is held in good position by an axis (25) and it presses on the stirrup (27) fixed to the quarry of the saddle by two screws (26). This design allows the cyclist to modify during the journey, the length of the strap of the retractor, therefore its position on the bike and finds its usefulness for example in off-road routes.

 The arrangements according to the invention are particularly intended to improve the ergonomic performance of the cyclist by ensuring him, whatever his position on the bicycle, a fixed fulcrum to exert maximum force on the crankset and therefore to concentrate all his energy at this level without unnecessary fatigue of the muscles of the arms, trunk and pelvis.

Claims (8)

 1) Device for improving the ergonomic performance of the cyclist, characterized in that it consists of a harness (1) (2) (3) (4q endorsed by the user and a system for attaching the harness to the frame of the bicycle The cyclist leans on the back strap (2) to combat the reaction which tends to lift him from the saddle and allows him to act with the maximum force on the pedals.  2) Device according to claim 1 characterized by a harness, in its removable design consisting of two straps (1) which go between the shoulder blades of the cyclist, pass over the shoulders and under the armpits. They are connected at the waist to a back strap (2) secured to the two shoulder straps at their junction between the shoulder blades.  3) Device according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the back strap comprises a system for adjusting the length of the loop (3); for example by sliding loop (4) to adapt to the morphology of the cyclist.  4) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the harness (1) and (2) can be secured to the jersey by weaving, stitching or gluing.  5) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the harness is fixed to the frame of the bicycle by the ring (3) to the hook (7) which is articulated on the axis (12) integral with the bracket (5) (9) fixed on the seat tube (10).  6) Device according to claim 1 and 5 characterized in that the hook (7) can be replaced by a strap winder (28) fixed on the axis (12) via the yoke (19) for modifying the length of the hook (24) and therefore the position of the cyclist on the bicycle.  7) Device according to claim 6 characterized in that the hook (24) fixed at the end of the strap (21) is held in good position by an axis (25) which rests on the bracket (27) fixed to the saddle career (11).  8) Device according to claim 6 or claim 7 characterized by a manual control of blocking or unblocking ltenrouleir (28) using a cable (20) controlled by a lever fixed on the handlebar.