GB2444556A

GB2444556A - Assisting control of a child's cycle

Info

Publication number: GB2444556A
Application number: GB0624441A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sharon Colling
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-12-07
Filing date: 2006-12-07
Publication date: 2008-06-11
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-07
Also published as: GB2444556B; GB0624441D0

Abstract

For assisting control, an arm 3 comprises a handle 7 at one end and first and second attachment means for connecting the arm 3 to a handlebar of a cycle at the other end. The attachment means are interposed by an engagement part of the arm 3 which can be pressed against the handlebar stem and/or handlebar of the cycle to slow or stop the cycle. The other end is forked to provide forks 11, 13 having the attachment means, each comprising a strap or belt connector 19 passing through an aperture 16, 17. Each connector is fastened by hook and loop means, a buckle or a push-click device. The engagement part is provided by an arcuate mouth 15 between the forks 11, 13.

Description

Improvements in and relating to apparatu8 for assisting control of

cycles

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to apparatus for assisting control of cycles, to cycle assemblies and to methods of use of such apparatus.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

When teaching a child to ride a cycle an adult commonly has to stoop to hold onto their child's cycle, e.g. tricycle, bicycle with stabilisers etc., to assist with control and/or to help propel the cycle. Such stooping is uncomfortable and in addition parents are often left carrying heavy cycles home when their children no longer want to ride them.

Various devices for assisting control of cycles have been proposed. One is a handle attachment for fitting to the rear of a tricycle but this gives little control and is hard to use. GB2381782 discloses an alternative in the form of a pulling device for attaching to the handlebar of a cycle but that device would be of limited assistance in stopping a cycle.

Accordingly, the present invention aims to address at least one disadvantage associated with known control devices for cycles whether discussed herein or otherwise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for assisting control of a S child's cycle, the apparatus comprising an arm, a handle located at a first end of the arm and first and second attachment means provided at the opposed second end of the arm for connecting the arm to a handlebar of a cycle and wherein the attachment means are interposed by an engagement part of the arm which can be pressed against the handlebar stem and/or handlebar of the cycle to slow or stop the cycle.

Suitably, the apparatus comprises a forked arm. Suitably, the arm is bifurcated. Suitably, each fork of the arm comprises an attachment means. Suitably, the apparatus comprises a mouth which provides the engagement part of the arm and is arranged to receive and be pressed against the handlebar stem and/or handlebar of a cycle. The mouth may be formed by the fork of the arm.

Suitably, there is provided an apparatus for assisting control of a child's cycle, the apparatus compri8ing a forked arm, a handle located at a first end of the arm and first and second attachment means provided at the opposed forked second end of the arm for connecting each fork of the arm to a handlebar of a cycle and wherein the forks meet at a mouth which comprises an engagement part of the arm interposing the attachment means and which mouth is arranged to receive and be pressed against the handlebar stem and/or handlebar of the cycle to slow or stop the cycle.

Suitably, the mouth is arcuate. The forks may meet at an arcuate junction to define an arcuate mouth.

Suitably, the mouth has a depth, measured in the end to end direction of the arm, of at least 2cm, for example at least: 3cm; 4cm; or 5cm. Suitably, the mouth has a width, measured transverse to the end to end direction of the arm, of at least 3cm, for example at least: 4cm; 5cm; or 6cm.

In use, the arm may be attached to a handlebar on either side of the handlebar stem. Suitably, a fork of the arm may be attached to a handlebar on either side of the handlebar stem. The mouth may be aligned with the handlebar stem and may arch around the stem.

Suitably, the attachment means comprises connectors for attaching to the handlebar. Suitably the attachment means comprises one connector for each side of the handlebar.

Suitably, the connectors comprise flexible connectors.

Suitably, the connectors are arranged to releasably attach to the handlebar. Suitably, the length of the connectors is adjustable. Suitably the connectors can be tightly attached to the handlebar. The connectors may be such that they can be loosely attached to the handlebar.

The connectors may be such that the tightness of their attachment to the handlebar and their length may be independently adjusted. Alternatively, the connectors may be such that their tightness of attachment to the handlebar and length are adjusted simultaneously. In this case a tighter connection to the handlebar may result in a shorter length of connector between the arm of the apparatus and the handlebar and vice versa.

Suitably, each connector comprises a strap and fastener.

Each connector may comprise a strap having first and second fastener parts comprising hook and loop material.

Alternatively, the connectors may comprise buckle fasteners or push/click fasteners. The connectors may comprise canvas, leather or a webbed-material belt.

The arm may each comprise connector means for connecting the arm to the connectors. Suitably, connector means lie either side of the engagement part of the arm. The forks of the arm may each comprise connector means for connecting the arm to the connectors. The connector means may comprise apertures for receiving the connectors.

Suitably the apertures comprise slots which may extend substantially transverse to the longitudinal extent of the arm. The slots may have a width corresponding to the width of the connectors. Suitably, the connectors have a width of between 0.5cm and 3cm.

Suitably, the arm is substantially rigid. The arm may be semi-flexible. Suitably, the arm comprises a rigid material. The arm may comprise wood, metal and/or plastics.

Suitably, the arm has a length of between 20cm and 80cm from first to second end. Suitably, the arm has a width from side to side of between 5 and 3Ocms.

Suitably, the handle is connected to the arm so as to extend from opposed sides thereof. Suitably, the handle extends in generally the same plane as the forks of the arm.

Suitably, the handle is substantially rigid. The handle may comprise a rigid material. The handle may comprise The arm may comprise a hinge such that it is foldable for storage. The arm may further comprise locking means for locking the arm in the unfolded configuration.

The apparatus may comprise means for connecting it to a cycle when not in use to control the cycle. The means may comprise a securement strap and may further comprise an aperture provided in the handle or arm for receiving that strap.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a cycle assembly comprising a child's cycle having an apparatus for assisting control of the cycle connected to the handlebar, wherein the apparatus comprises an arm, a handle located at a first end of the arm and first and second attachment means provided at the opposed second end of the arm for connecting the arm to a handlebar of a cycle and wherein the attachment means are interposed by an engagement part of the arm which can be pressed against the handlebar stem and/or handlebar of the cycle to slow or stop the cycle.

Suitably, the apparatus comprises a forked arm, a handle located at a first end of the arm and attachment means provided at the opposed forked second end of the arm connecting each fork to the handlebar and wherein the forks meet at a mouth arranged to receive the handlebar stem and/or handlebar for assisting to stop the cycle.

Suitably, the apparatus for assisting control of the cycle comprises an apparatus according to the first aspect.

The cycle may comprise a tricycle. Alternatively, the cycle may comprise a bicycle with stabilisers.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of controlling a child's cycle wherein the method uses an apparatus according to the first aspect connected to the handlebar of a child's cycle and/or a cycle assembly according to the second aspect to control the speed and/or direction of the cycle.

Suitably, the method comprises a person propelling a cycle by walking in front of the cycle and pulling the cycle with the apparatus.

Suitably, the method comprises a person steering a cycle by walking in front of the cycle and turning the apparatus and thus handlebar in the desired direction.

Suitably, the method comprises a person slowing or preferably stopping a cycle by walking or standing in font of the cycle and pushing the apparatus against the cycle so that the engagement part abuts the handlebar stem or handlebar of the cycle.

Suitably, the method comprises a person slowing or preferably stopping a cycle by walking or standing in font of the cycle and pushing the apparatus against the cycle so that the mouth receives and abuts the handlebar stem or handlebar of the cycle.

The method may comprise slowing or preferably stopping a cycle by pushing the apparatus against the cycle so that the stem of the cycle abuts the engagement part, preferably the mouth. In this mode of operation the attachment means, and preferably forks of the arm of the apparatus, may lie either side of cycle handlebar stem and substantially the same distance form the ground as one other.

The method may comprise slowing or preferably stopping a cycle by twisting the apparatus relative to the handlebar and pushing it against the cycle so that the handlebar of the cycle abuts the engagement part, preferably the mouth.

In this mode of operation the attachment means, and preferably forks of the arm of the apparatus, may lie either side of cycle handlebar with one being closer to the ground than the other.

It may also be possible for a user to slow or stop the cycle simply by pushing down on the apparatus to cause the strap to tighten and force the cycle towards the ground increasing its rolling resistance.

The apparatus is suitably connected to the cycle by flexible connections so that it can be moved relative to the handlebar 80 that the mouth can receive and abut the handlebar stem and/or handlebar of the cycle. This, and in particular the ability to twist the apparatus relative to the handlebar, may provide for substantial control of the cycle.

S BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of part of an apparatus for assisting control of a cycle; Figure 2 is a side view of an apparatus for controlling a cycle comprising the part of Figure 1 and connectors; Figure 3 is a side view of a connector for the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a side view of an alternative connector; Figure 5 is a side view of a further alternative connector; and Figure 6 is a plan view of the apparatus in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figures 1 to 5 show an embodiment of an apparatus i according to the present invention for assisting control of a child's cycle. The apparatus 1 allows an adult to control the movement of a cycle, such as a tricycle or bicycle with stabilisers ridden by a child.

The apparatus 1 comprises a rigid arm 3 having a first end connected to a handle 7. Towards its opposed second end 9 the arm 3 forks such that it comprises two forks 11, 13.

The forks 11, 13 meet at an arcuate junction which defines a mouth 15 for receiving and abutting the handlebar and/or handlebar stem of a cycle. The mouth serves as an engagement part of the arm for pressing against the handlebar or handlebar stem to slow or stop the cycle in use.

Each fork comprises connector means comprising an aperture 16, 17 for receiving a connector 19. Each aperture comprises a slot extending transverse to the longitudinal extent of the arm 3. Each has a length of around 3cm and a width of around 1cm.

The arm is around 50crns in length from end to end and the connector means are located around l5cms apart in a direction transverse to said end to end direction of the arm.

In the illustrated embodiment the arm and handle comprise wood but in other embodiments (not illustrated) may comprise plastics or metal. The arm and handle could be integrally formed though in the illustrated embodiment they comprise separate components secured to one another.

The connectors 19 are flexible and provide attachment means for connecting the apparatus 1 to the handlebar of a cycle.

Figure 3 shows a connector 19 used in the apparatus of Figure 2 in detail. The connector 19 is detachably connectable to a handlebar and comprises a strap 21 having first and second fastener parts 23, 25 comprising hook and loop fastener material such as Velcro . In the illustrated embodiment the connector 19 comprises a canvas strap 21 but in alternative embodiments (not shown) may comprise a leather belt, a material belt, a canvas belt or a webbed-material belt.

Figure 4 shows an alternative connector 39a. The connector 19a comprises a strap 27 having a buckle fastener 29.

Figure 5 shows an alternative connector 19b. The connector 19b comprises a strap 31 having a push/click fastener 33.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the connector comprises a first adjustable attachment section for detachably attaching to a handlebar and a second adjutab1e attachment section for attaching to the arm of the apparatus. Thus, it may be possible to tightly attach the connector to the handlebar of a cycle such that it substantially does not move relative thereto whilst allowing the length of the connector to be separately adjusted to provide the desired balance between stopping control and steering capacity.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the second end of the arm is wider than the first but absent the mouth. The arm thus has a spade like form and the engagement part is provided by the region of the arm between the connector means.

In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated) the arm comprises a hinge and is foldable lengthwise for storage.

In use the apparatus 1 is attached to the handlebar 100 of a cycle as illustrated by figure 6. It can be used by an adult to control, i.e. pull, steer or stop, a child's cycle. The apparatus 1 can be used when a child is on or off the cycle and avoids the adult having to stoop to hold the cycle.

The forks 11, 13 of the arm 3 of the apparatus 1 attach to the handlebar 100 on either side of the handlebar stem 110. The mouth 15 can thus be aligned with the stem 110.

The forks 11, 13 of the arm 3 are attached to the handlebar by the connectors 19. The strap 21 of each connector 19 passes through one of the apertures 16, 17 and is passed around the handlebar 100 by a user. The strap is adjusted to a desired tightness about the handlebar and then fixed that by being fastened to itself to form a closed loop.

If the connectors 19 ere loosely attached, a user may be provided with additional steering capacity. If the connectors 19 are tightly attached, movement across the handlebar may be minimised and better stopping control may be provided.

To slow or stop a cycle with the apparatus 1 a user can push the apparatus 1 against the cycle such that the stem is received in and abuts the mouth 15. The arcuate shape of the mouth 15 may guide the stem 110 into the mouth 15 so as to assist stopping of the cycle. At the same time the user can push on the apparatus to cause the mouth 15 to move downwardly on the stem so as to take up any slack in the connectors 19. That may allow greater control and may also increase the rate of stopping action by pushing the cycle against the ground.

Alternatively, if the connectors 19 loosely connect the arm 3 to the handlebar 100 the user can twist/rotate the apparatus 1 relative to the handlebar 100 so as to position one fork 11, 13 above the handlebar 100 and one fork 11, 13 below the handlebar 100. The user can then push the apparatus 1 against the cycle such that the handlebar 100 is received in and abuts the mouth 15. The arcuate shape of the mouth 15 may guide the handlebar 100 into the mouth 15 so as to assist stopping of the cycle.

Twisting/rotating the apparatus 1 in this manner can take up the slack in the connectors 19 drawing the arm 3 of the apparatus and the cycle towards one another. This can allow greater control than when there is slack in the connectors 19. The rate of stopping may be increased by pushing down harder on the handlebar 100 so as to push the cycle against the ground.

As well as being useful to control the speed of a cycle, for example when going down hill or when wanting to bring it to a stop, the apparatus 1 can also be used to steer the cycle. A user does this simply by turning the apparatus 1 to rotate the handlebar. The apparatus 1 can also be used to pull the cycle along which a user can do by walking in front of the cycle using the apparatus 1 to pull the cycle behind them. The apparatus can also be used to help lift the cycle up and down curbs or over obstacles.

It will be appreciated that preferred embodiments of the present invention may be suitable for any handlebar arrangement and may provide a user with the ability to conveniently control a cycle to which the apparatus is attached.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (a). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features

disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

Claims 1. An apparatus for assisting control of a child's cycle, the

apparatus comprising an arm, a handle located at a first end of the arm and first and second attachment means provided at the opposed second end of the arm for connecting the arm to a handlebar of a cycle and wherein the attachment means are interposed by an engagement part of the arm which can be pressed against the handlebar stem and/or handlebar of the cycle to slow or stop the cycle.
2. An apparatus for assisting control of a child's cycle, the apparatus comprising a forked arm, a handle located at a first end of the arm and first and second attachment means provided at the opposed forked second end of the arm for connecting each fork of the arm to a handlebar of a cycle and wherein the forks meet at a mouth which comprises an engagement part of the arm interposing the attachment means and which mouth is arranged to receive and be pressed against the handlebar stem and/or handlebar of the cycle to slow or stop the cycle.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the mouth is arcuate.
4. An apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the mouth has a depth, measured in the end to end direction of the arm, of at least 2cm.
5. An apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the mouth has a width, measured transverse to the end to end direction of the arm, of at least 3cm.
6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment means comprises connectors for attaching to the handlebar.
7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the connectors comprise flexible connectors.
8. An apparatus according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the length of the connectors is adjustable.
9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the arm comprises a hinge such that it is foldable for storage.
10. A cycle assembly comprising a child's cycle having an apparatus for assisting control of the cycle connected to the handlebar, wherein the apparatus comprises an arm, a handle located at a first end of the arm and first and second attachment means provided at the opposed second end of the arm for connecting the arm to a handlebar of a cycle and wherein the attachment means are interposed by an engagement part of the arm which can be pressed against the handlebar stem and/or handlebar of the cycle to slow or stop the cycle.
11. An assembly according to claim 10 wherein the apparatus comprises an apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9.
12. A method of controlling a child's cycle wherein the method uses an apparatus according to any of claims 3. to 9 connected to the handlebar of a child's cycle and/or a cycle assembly according to claim 10 or 11 to control the speed and/or direction of the cycle.
13. An apparatus1 cycle assembly or method substantially as herein described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.