GB2256838A

GB2256838A - Bicycle supporting handle.

Info

Publication number: GB2256838A
Application number: GB9113236A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth Roy Barker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-06-19
Filing date: 1991-06-19
Publication date: 1992-12-23
Also published as: GB9113236D0

Abstract

A handle adapted to be attached to a child's cycle to facilitate its being pushed by an adult includes an elongated member (26) and incorporates a swivel point (22) near that end adjacent the cycle. Preferably, the handle has a quick-release coupling (20) near that end adjacent the cycle. The handle may comprise a bracket (10) adapted to be permanently attached to the cycle, one part of the quick-release coupling being permanently connected by the swivel joint to said bracket and the other part of said coupling being disposed at that end of the elongated member adjacent the cycle. <IMAGE>

Description

A HANDLE FOR A CYCLE This invention relates to a handle adapted to be attached to a child's cycle to facilitate its being pushed by an adult.

The object of the invention is to enable an adult pedestrian to assist the propulsion of a child's cycle in an ergonomically efficient manner.

The invention comprises a handle adapted to be attached to a child's cycle to facilitate its being pushed by an adult, said handle including an elongated member and incorporating a swivel point near that end adjacent the cycle.

Preferably, the handle has a quick-reelease coupling near that end adjacent the cycle.

Preferably, also, the handle comprises a bracket adapted to be permanently attached to the cycle, one part of the quick-release coupling being permanently connected by the swivel joint to said bracket and the other part of said coupling being diposed at that end of the elongated member adjacent the cycle.

Preferably, the elongated member is of adjustable length.

Preferably, also, the elongated member has telescopic portions and means for locking said portions together whereby the length of siad member is adjustable by increment?s.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which : Figure 1 is a side eleveation of a handle attached to the seat stem clamp of a child's cycle; and Figure 2 shows how the handle is attached to a cycle not provided with a seat stem.

Referring now to figure 1 of the drawings, a handle for a child's cycle comprises a bracket 10 adopted to be permanently attached by a bolt 12 to the clamp 14 for the stem 16 of the seat 18.

The clamp and stem arrangement enables the height of the seat to be adjusted in well known manner. One part 20 of a quickrelease coupling of "plug-in" type is permanently connected by a spherical swivel joint 22 to the bracket 10, and the other part 24 of said coupling is disposed at that end adjacent the cycle of an elongated member indicated generally at 26. The parts 20 and 24 are respectively male and female, and the part 20 has an annular groove 28 (see figure 2) engageable by claws (not shown) disposed within the part 24 which can be disengaged from said groove by axial movement of a sleeve 30 disposed on the part 24.

The member 26 has an inner telescopic portion 32 which carries the part 24, and an outer tubular telescopic portion 34 terminating at its end remote from the cycle in a downwardly bent hand grip 36. A flange 38 on the portion 32 limits shortening of the member 26. A bolt 40 is engageable in a diametrical hole 42 in the portion 34 and in any one of a series of diamerical holes 44 in the portion 32 so that the length of the member 26 can be adjusted by increments and said portions can then be locked together, to suit the size of the cycle and the adult.

In the modification shown in figure 2, the part 20 is Lshaped and is permanently connected by the spherical swivel joint 22 to a bracket 50 adapted to be permanently ate'ached by screws 52 directly to the horizontal sheet metal seat platform of a small child's tricycle not provided with a seat stem.

In use, the handle is ergonmically efficient not only because it enables an adult to push a child's cycle along without having to stoop over, but also because, due to the universal movement of the handle provided by the spherical swivel joint, the adult does not have to deviate from a straight path when the child causes the cycle to make minor changes of direction which would cause the rear end of a fixed handle to swing appreciably from side to side in a disadvantageous way. The quick-release coupling enables the elongated member to be readily removed when the cycle is to be used by a child alone without propulsive assistance from an adult pedestrian.

Claims

1. A handle adapted to be attached to a child's cycle to facilitate its being pushed by an adult, said handle including an elongated member and incorporating a swivel point near that end adjacent the cycle.

2. A handle as claimed in claim 1 having a quick-release coupling near that end adjacent the cycle.

3. A handle as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2 which includes a bracket adapted to be permanently attached to the cycle, one part of the quick-release coupling being permanently connected by the swivel joint to said bracket and the other part of said coupling being diposed at that end of the elongated member adjacent the cycle.

4. A handle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 in which the elongated member is of adjustable length.

5. A handle as claimed in claim 4 in which the elongated member has telescopic portions and means for locking said portions together whereby the length of said member is adjustable by increments.

6. A handle adapted to be attached to a child's cycle substantially as hereinbefore defined with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.