GB2527325A - A bicycle training aid and a method of aiding a person to ride a bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

A bicycle training aid 10 comprises a handle 20 connected to a bicycle rider via a harness 40 comprising shoulder straps, 50, 60 and a waist belt 130 that is worn, thereby providing a handle 20 at a height which enables an adult to stand up and run comfortably alongside the bike. In this way, a person may be aided in learning to ride a bicycle by a companion holding the handle 20 to prevent the person from falling sideways off the bicycle. The harness may be adjustable, and the handle 20 may be substantially less flexible than the harness.

Description

BICYCLE TRAINING All) AND A METHOD OF AIDING A PERSON To RTDL A BICYClE The ptrt invention relates generally to a bicycle training aid and a method of aiding a person to ride a bicycle, and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in teaching children to ride, bicycles.

Preferred practice when teaching a child to ride a bicycle is for the adult to lean over to hold the back of the saddle with one hand, and a handle bar with the other. The adult then runs alongside the bike as the child pedals. this ergonomically poor position gives rise to severe discomfort and the adult is only able to sustain their pace over a short distrnce. this distance is not great enough for the child to be able to learn to balance the hike themselves, and results in an unsatisfactory learning process for the child. Running in a bent over position is unhealthy and likely to cause injury to the adult, particularly if the child requires sudden and/or firm counterbalancing.

As the child develops their ability, an adult may stand astride a rear wheel of the bicycle and hold onto the saddle of the bicycle. Ilowever, this is also an ergonomically poor position in which the adult needs to bend over to reach the saddle and run with their legs far apart.

An alternative method often sought is te push the rider down a slope and hope that balance is gained before crashing. this method carries risk of injuty to the rider, and is also stressful for the rider and accompanying adult.

One attempt to solve this problem is a long handle that is clamped to the seat post of the bicycle, allo\ving an accompanying adult to hold the bicycle upright; however, such handles are cumbersome and heavy and act to alter the characteristics of balance of the bicycle making it difficult for the child to learn to balance. In addition, an adult that compensates for a tilt of the bicycle is removing essential tactile feedback from the child and inhibiting their learning.

The present invention provides a handle at a height which enables the adult to stand up and run comfortably alongside the bike. This invention turns what is often a stressful learning situation into a pleasLirable and safe one, and consec1uenfly the time taken to learn to balance on a bicycle is much reduced. The risks of injuries occurring either to the child or to the adult are also significantly reduced.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bicycle training aid, comprising: a harness configured to be worn by a person learning to ride a bicycle, the harness having: a left shoulder strap configured to pass over the left shoulder of the Person when in use; a right shoulder strap configured to pass over the right shoulder of the person when in use; and a waist belt configured te pass ar(-)trd the waist of the person when in use; and a handle arranged on the. harness to be located behind the person when in use.

Tn this way, a person may be aided in learning to ride a bicycle by a companion holding the handle to prevent the person from falling sideways off the bicycle. By connecting the handle to the user directly via a harness, balance of the person can be controlled without altering the behaviour of the bicycle itself, this is advantigeous, because it allows a person to feel a response of the bicycle to their actions, without that response being buffered and/or mitigated by the companion.

Being attached te the persomi's body, the present invention does not alter the balance profile of the bicycle unless correction is required and given (by the companion holding the handle). The person can feel pressure being applied to the handle when losing balance, and gains confidence front the knowledge that the companion is protecting lunri/lier fronji a tall. blic prolonged Iinmcfice of tlic corripamuoni runimunig comfortably beside the child allows sufficient time for confidence to develop and a bond of trust to grow between the person learning and the companion.

The tvaist belt may be a strap. In some embodiments, the tvaist belt may be a chest and/or sternum strap; that is, the \vaist belt may be a strap configured to connect the left and right shoulder straps and may be arranged to pass over the chest and/or sternum of the person \vhen in use. However, in preferred enthodiments, the waist belt is configured to preclude passage around the persons chest and/or over the person's sternum. The waist belt may be specifically configured to grip the person around their waist, for instance just above the hip. In this way, secure connection between the person and the harness can be achieved, resulting in a strong connection between the handle and the person such that, for instance, small movements of the handle (e.g. approximately 1cm, 2cmn, 4cm, Scm, 7cm, 8cm and/or 10cm) result in corresponding mnovements in the person, when in use.

The handle may he arranged on the harness to he located in a position corresponding tei at least one of: behind the person's head, in the nape of the person's neck, across the person's back, and/or between the person's shoulder blades.

The handle may have a first end connected to the left shoulder strap and a second end connected to the right shoulder strap.

The handle may be connected to the left and right shoulder straps directly or indirectly.

The left and right shoulder straps may he configured to extend down the front of the person and may connect to the waist belt.

In this way, a force acting to lift the waist belt, for instance due to a lifting motion by a companion on the handle, causes the person to be lifted by means of the waist belt. In this way, personal injury due to straps passing under the arm pits of the person can he avoided.

The harness may further comprise a back portion arranged to connect the left and right shoulder straps across the person's hack when in use. Tn this way, relative movement of the left and right shoulder straps with respect to each other can be limited, the handle may be connected to the back portion.

Ihe left arid riglit slioulder straps rTlay extend down the back of tlic user to the waist belt. Alternatively or additionally, the hack portion may extend down the back of the user to the waist belt, and the left and tight shoulder straps may be connected to the back portion at a point spaced from the waist belt. Ends of the left and right shoulder straps located on the back of the person when in use may be spaced from the waist belt.

The waist belt may be configured to passaround the back of the person when in use. Alternatively or additionally, a first end of a first portion of the waist belt may he arranged to attach to the back portion, a first end of a second portion of the waist belt may be arranged to attach to the hack portion, and a second end of the first portiot and a second end of the second portion may he configured to releasably couple together around the front of a person such that a loop around the waist of the person is formed by the first and second portions of the waist belt and the back portion.

The harness may comprise at least one strap connection mnetnber. Tn this way, ease of wearing the harness may be improved. The strap connection member may be a buckle, a clip, hook-and-loop fastenings. a button, a zip, a quick-release lmckle and/or any other type of fastening. the harness may comprise a strap connection meniber on the waist belt. In this way, the waist belt may he releasal)ly coupled around the waist of a user. Alternatively or additionally, the left and/or right shoulder strap may be releasably coupled to the waist belt in at least one respective location. The left and/or right shoulder strap may be releasably coupled to the waist belt at both their respective ends.

The harness may be adjustable. in this way, the harness may be adjusted to suit people of differing sizes. lor instance, the size of the waist belt may be adjusted to suit people of different girths; the length of the shoulder straps may lie adjusted to suit people of different heights; the length of the handle may be adjusted to suit companions of different height and/or hand size and/or to suit people of different shoulder breadth.

In particular, the harness may comprise at least one adjustment mechanism. At least one of the adjusiment mechanisms may he integrally formed with the at least one strap connection member. in this way, the aid may he nsed by children, adulis and those with learning difficulties Alternatively or additionally, the aid may be manufactured in a variety of different sizes.

The harness and/or handle may comprise straps and/or belts. For instance, the harness and/or handle may comprise webbing material, vinyl plastics material, woven textile arid/or fibre iriaterial, synthetic rriaterial (such as nylon, polypropylene arid/or polyester), natural material (such as cotton) and/or plastics material. In parneular, the harness and/or handle may comprise cotton, nylon, polypropylene and/or polyester webbing.

The straps may have a width of approximately 25mm. 38mm, 45cm or 50mm.

The straps may have a thickness of betveen approximately 0.5mm and 5mm, in particular between approximately 0.8mm and 3mm, more particularly approximately 1.2mm.

The harness and/or handle may comprise a bright colour, for instance red or yellow. The webbing may be pattertKd. The harness and/or handle may comprise a high visibility portioti, for instance a reflective pothot and/or a fluorescent/luminescent/day-glow portion (for instance a strip applied to the aid).

The handle may be substantially less flexible than the harness, in this way, a secure grip can be provided to a companion of the person wearing the haniess, and the handle may he contigured to stand proud of the harness for ease of grasping by a conipanion of the person learning to ride a bicycle. lor instinee, the handle may he reinfR)rced, fR)r example with rope. In sonic embodiments, the handle may comprise webbing material (or other material composing the harness) wrapped around a reinforcing member (for instance a section of rope).

The harness may be padded for comfort.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of aiding a person to ride, a bicycle, the. method comprising the steps of: providing a bicycle training aid according to any preceding claim; wearing, by the person, the harness; hcilding, by a companion of the person, the handle; the companion accompanying the person as the person rides the bicycle, such that the companion is able to counter any potential falling motion of the person by applying force to the person with the handle, via the harness.

The amount of pressure applied to the handle can vary according to the ability and confidence of the person and the road conditions. For example a semi open handed grip may be appropriate for a confident child, whereas a less confident child 1 5 would require a tighter grip.

With practice, the adult is able to run alongside the bike without applying any pressure to the handle at all, a sign that they are balancing independently. the handle can bc further used to support thc child as they learn to start thc bicycle from staralirig, and also to stop it safely.

the above and other characteristics, featires and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the follo\ving detailed description, taken in conjunction xvith the accompanying dra\vings, \vhich illustrate, by xvay of example. the principles of the invention. this description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is front view of a harness according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a rear view of the harness of figure 1 The present invention will be described with respect to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. Each drawing may not include all of the features of the invention and therefore should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative diniensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the tenns first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. it is to be understood that the terms so used are. interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

Tt is to be noticed that the term "comprising" used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. it is thus to he interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the prcsemicc or addition of one or rriorc othcr features, imitegcrs, steps or eomiipomicnts, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comnprising mneans A and B" should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. it means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B. Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term "connected", used in the description, should not he interpreted as being restricted to direct connections only. "Connected" may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

Reference throughout this specification to "an embodimnent" or "an aspect" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodinent or aspect is included in at least one embodiment or aspect of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment", or "in an aspect" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or aspect, hut may refer to different embodiments or aspects. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics of any enibodiment (Jr aspect of the invention may he combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent tci one of ordmary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one (Jr more embodiments (Jr aspects.

Similarly, it should he appreciated that in the description various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single e.mbodinae.nt, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Moreover, the description of any individual dra\ving or aspect should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are rricarit to bc witluri tlic scopc of tlic invention, arid forrii yct further cnribodiirienits, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

in the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth.

Ho\vever. it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. in other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shoxvn in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of

this description.

in the discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a paramter, coupled with an indication that one of said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

Ihe use of the term "at least one" may naean only one in certain circumstances.

The principles of the invention will now he described by a detailed description of at least one drawing relating to exemplary features of the invention. Tt is clear that other arrangements can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the underlying concept or technical teaching of the invention, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Figures 1 and 2 sho\v, respectively, front and rear views of the present invention 10, which comprises a handle 20 in the form of a strap wrapped around and enclosing a length of rope. The handle 20 has a length of between approximately 20cm and 45cm, in particular between approximately 30cm and 40cm, more particularly 34cm. the handle 20 is connected at a first end to a left shoulder strap 30 and at a second end to a right shoulder strap 40. Each shoulder strap comprises a rear portion 50, 60 connected to a respective front portion 70, 80 by a respective adjustment member 90, 100. which may he in the form of a ladder-lock adjuster.

A back portiot 11(1) connects the rear portions 50, 60 together to prevent them slipping offa users shoulders. The back portion 110 is stitched to the rear portions 50, by stitching 120 shown as dotted lines.

A belt 130 is arrangeI to encircle a user's waist when in use, and has a buckle located at the front to allow the belt 130 to lie worn arid rerriovcd. Ihc belt has a length between approximately 60cm and 1 00cm, in particular between approximately 70cm and 90cm, more particularly 80cm. the buckle is adjstable such that the effective length of the belt can be reduced to suit user's having different waist sizes. A free end 150 of the belt 130 is shown passing through the adjustment part of the buckle 140.

Each rear portion 50, 60 has a length of between approximately 30cm and 70cm, in particular between approximately 40cm and 60cm, more particularly approximately 50cm. In an alternative form, each rear portion 50, 60 hasa length of between approximately 20cm and 50cm, in particular bettveen approximately 25cm and 40cm, more particularly approximately 30cm. First ends of the rear portions 50, 60 are stitched to a part of the belt 130 substantially adjacent to a mid-point of the belt 130.

Second ends of the rear portions 50, 60 are stitched around the adjustment members 90, 100.

Each front portion 70, 80 has a length of bettveen approximately 10cm and 40cm, in particular between approximately 15cm and 30cm, more particularly 2ipproxinlitely 20cm. In an alternative form, each front portion 70, 80 hasa length of between approximately 20cm and 50cm, in particular between approximately 25cm and 40cm, more parnelarly approximately 33cm. First ends of the front portions 70, 80 are stitched to a part of the belt 130 substantially adjacent to the buckle 140. Second ends of the front portions 70, 80 arc passed through the adjustment members 90, 100 such that the effective lengths of the front portions 70, 80 (and thereby the shoulder straps 50, 60) can be reduced. Free ends 160, 170 of the front portions 70, 80 are shown passing through the adjustment members 90, 1 (JO.

Claims (9)

1. (:LAIMS 1. A bicycle training aid, comprising: a harness conhgured to he worn bY a person learning to ride a bicycle, the harness having: a left shoulder strap configured to pass over the left shoulder of the person when in use; a right shoulder strap configured to pass over the right shoulder of the person when in use; and a waist belt configured to pass around the waist of the person when in use; and a handle arranged on the harness to he located behind the person when in use.
2. 2. The bicycle training aid of claim 1, wherein the handle has a first end connected to the left shoulder strap and a second end connected to the right shoulder strap.
3. 3. The bicycle training aid of claim I or claim 2, wherein the left and right shoulder straps arc configured to extend down the front of the etsont arid connect to the waist belt.
4. 4. The bicycle training aid of any preceding claim, wherein the harness further coniprises a back portion arranged to connect the left and right shoulder straps across the person's back when in use.
5. 5. The bicycle training aid of any preceding claim, the harness comprises at least one strap connection member.
6. 6. The bicycle training aid of any preceding claim, wherein the harness isadjustable.
7. 7. The bicycle training aid of any preceding claim, wherein the handle is substantially less flexible than the harness.
8. 8. A bicycle training aid substuitially as hereinhetore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
9. 9. A method of aiding a Person to ride a bicyde, the method conipnsing the steps of: providing a bicycle, training aid according to any preceding claim; wearing, by the person, the harness; holding, by a compamon of the person, the handle; the companion accompanying the person as the person rides the bicycle, such that the companion is' able to counter any potential falling motion of the person by applying force to the person with the handle, via the harness. Ii