WO2010003206A1

WO2010003206A1 - Harness or vest for cyclists that improves traction and performance

Info

Publication number: WO2010003206A1
Application number: PCT/BR2009/000200
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alejandro Bravo Avaria Waldo
Original assignee: Alejandro Bravo Avaria Waldo
Priority date: 2008-07-10
Filing date: 2009-07-08
Publication date: 2010-01-14
Also published as: BRPI0802546A2

Abstract

A Harness or Vest for Cyclists that Improves Traction and Performance is composed of a harness or vest (Figure 1 ), being an anatomical and flexible structure for the body of the cyclist (Fig.2, Fig.3 and Fig.4), which can be made from various highly resistant materials such as leather, thick textiles or synthetics (Figure 1-A), wrapped around the trunk of the cyclist (Figure 2). In its lower extremity, the harness of vest has a system for fastening (5), to be attached to a coupling apparatus (Figure 1-B) connected to the vertical support bar immediately below the bicycle seat. The harness or vest may also be coupled to the structure of the bicycle by means of a frontal strap (Figure 1-C), which fastens the cyclist's thorax to the bicycle crossbar.

Description

HARNESS OR VEST FOR CYCLISTS THAT IMPROVES TRACTION AND PERFORMANCE

The objective of the present invention patent is a model of a Harness or Vest for Cyclists that Improves Traction and Performance, to be used on any type of previously constructed bicycle, either for competition or regular use, for adults or children, for the purpose of increasing the rider's strength, speed and performance in relation to currently existing bicycles. It is well known that the force and traction of a bicycle is directly related to the physical state of the cyclist and principally to his body weight, which is transferred to the peals. That is to say, an athlete weighing 70 kilos will be able to transfer a maximum force of 70 kilos when his (her) feet are touching the pedals, transferring all his weight to the pedals of the bicycle.

Regarding the wide use of this current method, there are some inconveniences which can be attributed, such as, for example, the limitation of the force and traction of a bicycle due to the fact that this force is limited to the weight of the rider and not to his/her muscular force.

Another problem with the current method consists of the fact that the current bicycle manufacturers have tried to improve the force and the speed, concentrating only on reducing the weight of the bicycle and improving the system of gear cogs and shifts of the bicycle, ignoring the weight of the rider, which continues only supported on the bicycle, and wasting valuable muscular energy, due to the fact that the rider is disconnected and not attached to the structural conjunction of the bicycle. Considering these problems and, for the purpose of overcoming them, the Harness or Vest for Cyclists that Improves Traction and Performance was developed. The object of this patent, which consists of a structure which makes it possible to interconnect and fix the body of the athlete to the structure of the bicycle, thus enabling the transfer of the main muscular force to the pedals, equivalent to the body weight and muscular force that he/she manages to impose with his/her legs. Olympic records show that an athlete weighing 70 kilos can generate a pressure of up to 200 kilos based on the force of his /her legs. This means that a cyclist weighing 70 kilos could expect to transfer 200 kilos to the pedals of the bicycle and not just 70 kilos, as is the case with existing bicycles at the present time.

This method consequently permits the force upon the bicycle pedals to be increased nearly three times. This form of construction of a Harness or Vest for

Cyclists that Improves Traction and Performance solves the oversight previously mentioned, since it unites the body of the cyclist with the structure of the bicycle.

On the other hand, the performance of the bicycle now depends upon the physical state of the athlete and not solely on his/her weight, due to the fact that the body of the rider is no longer just supported on the bicycle but also unified to the structure of the bicycle. The attached drawings show the disposition of the

Harness or Vest for Cyclists that Improves Traction and Performance, object of the present patent, in which:

Figure 1 shows all the components of the apparatus in an exploded perspective;

Figure 1-A shows it (in harness or vest form) in perspective;

Figure 1-B shows the coupling of the cyclist's body to the bicycle; Figure 1-C shows the frontal strap (which further helps to increase the traction);

Figure 2 shows how the invention is assembled and how it is used (2-A from the side, 2-B from the back and 2-C from the front); Figure 3 shows the item in another situation, assembled and being used (3-A from the side, 3-B from the back and 3-C from the front);

Figure 4 shows the item in another solution, assembled and being used (4-A from the side, 4-B from the back and 4-C from the front).

In accordance with the aforementioned illustrations, the invention, the Harness or Vest for Cyclists that Improves Traction and Performance, object of the present patent, consists of a structure for fixing the body of the rider to the structure of the bicycle. It is composed of a harness or vest (Figure 1-A) in which a flexible and anatomic structure for the body of the cyclist made by sewing belts or panels of highly resistant material, leather or synthetics similar to the type used in automobile safety belts. This harness or vest secures all the cyclist's vertebral column with a system of belts, the first two passing from the front at the height of the thorax over the shoulders and down to the lower back. (1) Another belt crosses the previously mentioned belts diagonally, passing from the front to the back, at the height of the thorax. (2) At this frontal point, a safety latch is located (3), from which point two more belts are attached in diagonals descending from the chest around to the lower back and reaching the end of the vertebral column. (4) At this lower extremity, the harness or vest has buttonholes (5) for latching to the coupler. This coupler (Figure 1-B) is attached to the vertical structural tube immediately below the bicycle seat and is composed of two molded metallic plates (6) with holes (7) for four bolts and nuts (8). Pointing toward the rear on the coupler are two projections (9) with hooks that can be attached to the cyclist's body harness or vest. In the present conception, the Capacitor may also be coupled to the structure of the bicycle by means of a frontal strap, which further enhances the traction. (Figure 1-C) This can be attached in the frontal connection of the vest or harness (3) by means of a safety hook (10), connected to a cable (11) of resistant material, secured with a mechanism that regulates the length of the cable (12) and connected to a anchor point (13) fixed to the bicycle crossbar with bolts and nuts (14).

The assemblage of the invention is shown being used in (Figure 2), in which we note the attachment of the body of the cyclist to the structure of the bicycle using the frontal strap to further enhances the traction. This arrangement may contain a system of latches similar to those used in car safety belts, which permit liberty of light movements and lock automatically when they are tightened abruptly. The design of the Capacitor may be tighter around the body of the cyclist (Figure 3), following the principles of anatomical structures, with due means of regulating for the size of the cyclist and resistances compatible with his (her) needs, as shown assembled and being used. The linking of the lower part of the vest or harness to the coupler affixed to the structure of the bicycle may also be made in a more open manner but still surrounding and firmly fixing the hips of the cyclist. (3-A and 3-B) Depending on his anatomy and his style of pedaling, this solution may be more adequate. In another possible variation, the design of the vest or harness may include a coupling (15) in its lower frontal part, in addition to the double coupler behind (16) linked to the structure of the bicycle, as shown assembled and in use. (Figure 4) The due regulating mechanisms based on height and size, firmly attached to all the central axis of the body of the cyclist (4- A, 4-B and 4-C) provide him (her) more body flexibility.

Logically, the Harness or Vest for Cyclists that

Improves Traction and Performance, with this construction can be obtained in different sizes and materials. Furthermore, the construction could be obtained from modified and different designs and structures based on the invention presented here for the purpose of meeting the different needs of the users of this type of equipment. In some cases, the use of the frontal strap, which further enhances the traction, may not be needed. (Figure 1-C).

Claims

1) The "HARNESS OR VEST FOR CYCLISTS THAT IMPROVES TRACTION AND PERFORMANCE," is composed of the harness or vest (Figure 1), being an anatomical and flexible structure for the body of the cyclist (Figure 2, Figure 3 and Figure 4), can be made from various highly resistant materials such as leather, thick textiles or safety belts, wrapped around the trunk of the cyclist (Figure 2). In its lower extremity the vest has a system for fastening (5), to attach to the coupling (Figure 1-B), connected to the bar immediately below the bicycle seat. The harness or vest may also be coupled to the structure of the bicycle by means of a frontal strap (Figure 1-C), which fastens the cyclist's thorax to the bicycle structure. However, this frontal strap does not have to be used, possibly being substituted by adding a frontal coupling to the design of the harness or vest (Figure 4), fastening tightly to the central axis of the cyclist's trunk. (Figure 4-A, Figure 4-B and Figure 4-C)

The present disposition or structure makes it possible to interlink, attach and unify the body of the athlete to the structure of the bicycle, enabling in this manner the transfer of all the muscular force of the cyclist's legs to the pedals, said force being equivalent to the weight that he is able to lift with his legs.

This means that increasing the force of a bicycle by almost three times, characterized by the performance of the bicycle, now depends on the muscular force of the legs of the athlete linked to the structure of the bicycle and no longer depends only on the weight of the cyclist supported on the bicycle pedals.