US3574396A - Head or backrest and safety device for cycles - Google Patents

Abstract

An envelope of head or back cushion receiving the upper end of a U-shaped tubular member which closely fits the envelope and tends to hold it in position, and a two-part button having an element piercing the envelope, said button having a reflective element at least at one side of the envelope and holding the latter against removal from the tubular member.

Description

United States Patent Martin J. Bird Norwalk, Ohio Apr. 23, 1969 Apr. 13, 1971 Persons-Majestic Mfg., Company Worcester, Mass.

Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee HEAD OR BACKREST AND SAFETY DEVICE FOR CYCLES 2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 297/195 Int. Cl B62j 1/00 Field of Search 280/289 (S), 289; 297/(Back Rest), 219; D90/15, 16

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS DES. 215,990 11/1969 Faulhaber D90/l5 2,229,160 1/1941 Wittcoff 297/219X 3,357,063 12/1967 Eiben 24/49? 3,425,745 2/ 1969 Michels 297/195 Primary Examiner-James T. McCall AttorneyCharles R. Fay

ABSTRACT: An envelope of head or back cushion receiving the upper end of a U-shaped tubular member which closely fits the envelope and tends to hold it in position, and a twopart button having an element piercing the envelope, said button having a reflective element at least at one side of the envelope and holding the latter against removal from the tubular member.

PATENTED APR 1 3 l9?! FlG.

INVENTOR Mmp3 BY Z444,

ATTORNEY HEAD OR BACKREST AND SAFETY DEVICE FOR CYCLES BACKGROUND OF THE INvENTIoN SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides for a comfortable padding in the form of an envelope having an open end which is slipped over the U-shaped upper end of a safety bar for a cycle. These safety bars are generally elongated in nature and are usually attached to the hub or rear end plates of the rear wheel of a cycle, extending upwardly to a point where the saddle may be attached thereto and rising above the saddle to a terminal point at the head or the nape of the neck or back of the cyclist. The envelope in the present case is slipped over the upper U- shaped end of the safety bar and is normally held merely by friction, so that it can be removed or stolen with ease. The present invention provides a conventional button comprising a male and a female part, the male part including a roughened spike member which pierces both sides of the envelope and is very firmly connected to the female part which is located at the opposite side of the envelope, providing a locking means to prevent removal of the cushioned envelope and at the same time providing for a e.g. round reflective button at either or both sides of the envelope, but preferably facing the rear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view of the new safety envelope;

FIG. 2 is a rear view thereof, parts broken away and in section, and

FIG. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The reference numeral indicates a bent tubular bar which as is well known in the art may be attached at its lower ends, not shown, to the cycle saddle or to the hub or the rear end plates of the rear wheel of the cycle. These bars rise upwardly to a point above or adjacent to the head of the cyclist or in some cases terminate somewhat lower adjacent the nape of the neck or at the back of the cyclist, for the purpose of providing a certain degree of safety in the event of upset of the cycle. Such safety devices are well known and it is believed need not be further described except that at the upper end thereof it is in the form of an inverted U which is indicated at 12 in FIGS. 2 and 3.

A cushion device in the form of an envelope is provided to slip over the upper end of the safety bar. The envelope is elongated and has two sides 14 and 16, 14 being the rear and 16 the forward side, the latter being embossed as indicated at 18 and providing a more comfortable rear support for the head or back of the cyclist. The envelope has a closed end 20 and an open end at 22 and is slipped over the upper end of the safety bar with a rather light friction fit so that although it stays in position, is easily accidentally removed or stolen.

In the present case there is provided a button comprising two parts generally indicated at 24 and 26. The part 24 in the present case is provided with a roughened spike at 28 which is received in a clutchlike member, not shown but well understood in the art, in the opposite button part 26, thus securing the two plies or sides 14 and 16 of the envelope together at a point below the closed end 12 of the U of the safety bar and between the sides thereof, thus preventing unauthorized removal of the envelo e er se.

At least the rearward portion 2 o the button is provided with a reflectorized surface for additional safety reasons and if desired of course the forward portion of the button 26 may also be provided with a reflective surface. The two parts of the button 24 and 26 although relatively thick do not extend beyond the edges of the envelope as at 30, 32, see FIG. 3, as defined and extended by the tubular member 10 located therein.

It will be seen that the envelope is easily slipped over the closed end 12 of the U-shaped safety bar and the button parts 24, 26 are then merely positioned and snapped together. This button is of a well known kind which is very difficult to separate once the parts are secured and therefore the cushioned envelope is not easily stolen and cannot be accidentally lost.

I claim:

1. A safety bar for a cycle generally in inverted U-shape having a closed end extending upwardly, an envelope applied thereto, said envelope having a closed end and an open end and being slidable over the closed end of the U-shaped safety bar for light frictional securement thereto, and a fastener comprising two parts, one at each side of the envelope within the area of the closed end of the U-shaped safetybar, means securing the two parts of the fastener together in substantially permanent relationship, said means extending through the envelope and thereby securing the envelope substantially permanently with respect to the safety bar.

2. The safety bar of claim 1 wherein at least one of the parts of the fastener has a reflective surface thereon.

Claims (2)

1. A safety bar for a cycle generally in inverted U-shape having a closed end extending upwardly, an envelope applied thereto, said envelope having a closed end and an open end and being slidable over the closed end of the U-shaped safety bar for light frictional securement thereto, and a fastener comprising two parts, one at each side of the envelope within the area of the closed end of the U-shaped safety bar, means securing the two parts of the fastener together in substantially permanent relationship, said means extending through the envelope and thereby securing the envelope substantially permanently with respect to the safety bar.

2. The safety bar of claim 1 wherein at least one of the parts of the fastener has a reflective surface thereon.

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