FR2882023A1 - Balance maintaining device for child`s bicycle, has tube fixed with plastic or foam handle and comprising ends fixed on rear wheel hub of bicycle, and two rods fixed to frame by bolting their ends in clamping point of seat tube - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a round tube (8) fixed at its upper part, with a compact plastic or foam handle (1). Lower ends (C, D) of the tube are fixed on a rear wheel hub (E) of a bicycle in two points (C`, D`). Two rods (3, 4) are fixed to one of the ends of the tube by free axles (5), permitting to raise or descend the rods freely, and are fixed to the frame (G) by a bolting of the ends (A, B) of the rods in the clamping point of a seat tube.

Description

- 1 -

  The present invention relates to a device for learning to bike to children in good conditions, without anxiety and without the fear of falling. Indeed, after removing the small stabilizing wheels aside, it is difficult for the child to find his balance and therefore pedal alone; a parent is obliged to accompany the latter by holding him either by the arm, or by the back, which is very embarrassing, disabling, even stressful for the child who feels seized, therefore not free of his movements and especially attracted by this catch, so unbalanced.

  The solutions proposed to date, if they make it possible to keep the bike upright when stopped, do not completely solve the problem of stability and therefore balance during pedaling and this because of the only anchor point of the device on the bike and away from the handle holding the center of gravity of the set: bike + child.

  The device according to the invention overcomes this disadvantage. It is actually a triangular attachment grip system (three attachment points), placed at the rear of the bike and just behind the seat (near the center of gravity), to avoid any floating between grasping (handle) and cycling.

  This strong solidarity between the handle and the bike will allow a very good support and guidance of the latter. The accompanying parent will immediately feel any swerve of the bike and can rectify the balance and that without latency.

  The operation is very simple and practical for the parent. It is enough for him to stand next to the bike and to grasp with one hand the handle, without bending (height adjustable) thus without damaging the back during the apprenticeship. - 2 -

  The child can safely settle on the bike and, when he is ready, start pedaling while his father is walking with him first, then trotting quietly beside him and without a direct grip on his person, hence an impression of freedom and autonomy.

  The fear of falling and the anxieties disappear. A little at a time, the parent can open the hand and this in fact let the child ride alone and find his balance without the latter noticing it.

  From the slightest imbalance of the bike, the parent will close the hand on the handle and regain control.

  The grip of the handle will be horizontal and palm up, this solution is the best for the maintenance and sensations.

  The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention: FIG. 1 represents in profile, the bicycle with the device of the invention fixed on it and held by an adult ready to start.

  Figure 2 shows in 3/4 back, the device ready to 20 attach to the frame of the bike.

  Figure 3 shows a 3/4 face, a variant of this device, here with a telescopic handle to allow an adaptation thereof to the size of the attendant.

  FIG. 4 is a profile of the device of the invention.

  Figure 5 shows back, the device of the invention.

  With reference to these drawings, the device, in its simple version, according to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, consists of several elements, namely: A main part (8) formed by a round steel or aluminum tube lacquered resembling a U returned and slightly bent at mid-height (9). On the upper part of this element (8) is a handle (1) made of plastic or compact foam and for comfort and especially a better grip. This handle (1) will be fixed on the element (8), thus integral with it. The two lower ends (D) and (C) of the element (8) are either crushed and perforated, or embellished with an open washer, see (D) and (C) according to Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 , welded at the end of the tube, and this in order to operate a double low attachment of the device of the invention, on the hub (E) of the rear wheel of the bicycle in two points (D ') and (C') according to the figure 2.

  - A secondary part consisting of two rods (3) and (4) also separated round steel or aluminum tube. They are connected at one of their ends to the main element (8) by an axis (5) composed of either a rivet welded to the element (8) or a threaded insert placed in the element ( 8) plus a clamping screw of the same diameter piercing and fixing the rods (3) and (4) to the element (8) according to FIG. 3. This system of free axes allows, according to FIGS. 3 and 4, rods (3) and (4) up or down freely, in order to adapt the device to different models and sizes of bicycles and therefore to different seat tube clamping heights (F).

  The two rods (3) and (4) are used for the upper fixation of the device (therefore the third fixation on the bicycle), and this, according to FIG. 2, by the meeting and tightening of the ends (A) and (B) on the seat tube clamping point (F) by bolting. The ends (A) and (B) of the rods (3) and (4) are treated in the same way as the ends (D) and (C), that is to say, according to the choice of the manufacturer, crushed-perforated or embellished with open and welded washers.

  According to a variant illustrated in FIG. 3, it will be possible to adjust the height of the handle (1) of the device - 4 - thanks to a conventional telescopic principle: the element (2) is inserted into the two main tubes ( 2 ') and 2 ") and fix by a principle of pins (6) and (6') on spring, as used on the old camping tent pegs or on the tubes of domestic vacuum cleaners. 6) and (6 ') facing the two holes (7) and (7') and under the pressure of springs internal to the portion (2), emerge through these holes (7) and (7 'and so stop and fix the element (2) on the entire device .Il suffice, to be able to change the setting, to recess the two lugs (6) and (6 ') in the holes (7) and (7') then to go up or down the element (2).

  By way of non-limiting example, the device will have average dimensions of the order of 65 cm high, 14 cm wide and 25 cm deep.

  The tubes forming this device will have a diameter of between 10 mm and 15 mm.

  The device according to the invention is particularly intended for learning balance on a bike for 20 children. - 5 -

Claims (5)

  1. A balancing device for a child's bicycle, characterized by a tube system (8) surmounted by a foam handle (1) and completed by two connecting rods (3) and (4), all set in three distinct points (F), (D ') and (C') on the bike.   2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the ends (D) and (C) of the system (8), at the bottom, are positioned on the ends (D ') and (C') of the hub (E) of Rear wheel.   3. Device according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterized by the attachment of the two connecting rods (3) and (4) to the element (8) by two free axes (5) allowing these rods to go up or down to adapt more easily to different bike frames.   4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized by the attachment to the frame (G) of the two connecting rods (3) and (4) by bolting the ends (A) and (B) of said respective connecting rods ( 3) and (4) at the tightening point of the seat post (F).   5. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the portion (2) fits into tubes (2 ') and (2 ") until externalization of two lugs (6) and (6') by and through two holes (7) and (7 ') and this telescopic principle, to adjust the height of the holding handle (1).