WO2014024169A1

WO2014024169A1 - Cycle comprising a hand towing device and method of hand towing of a cycle

Info

Publication number: WO2014024169A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/056523
Authority: WO
Inventors: Federico Kuschlan
Original assignee: Federico Kuschlan
Priority date: 2012-08-10
Filing date: 2013-08-09
Publication date: 2014-02-13
Also published as: ITPD20120245A1; EP2882636A1

Abstract

A cycle (4) comprising a frame (8) comprising at least one longitudinal member (12) which connects a front fork (16) and a rear fork (20), wherein the front fork (16) supports a front steering wheel.(24) and wherein the rear fork (20) supports at least one rear wheel (28) of the cycle (4), the rear fork (20) comprising at least one arm (40) which supports the rear wheel (20), the front fork (16) rotatably supporting a handlebar (32) comprising a pair of semi-handlebars (36). The cycle (4) comprises a towing device (44) detachably joined to said frame (8), said hand towing device (44) comprising a device body (48) extending from a first to a second end (52, 56), the device body (48) having a gripping handle (60) and comprising at least one branch (64) at the second end (56), said at least one branch (64) overlapping at least one arm (40) of the rear fork (20) and ending in a respective attachment portion (68) bent back so as to permit its coupling to at least one semi-handlebar (36), in the rest configuration the hand towing device (44) being joined to said frame (8) and in a configuration of use the hand towing device (44) being released from the frame (8) and coupled to the cycle (4) at least by coupling/attachment of the attachment portion (68) to at least one semi-handlebar (36), wherein the hand towing device (44) is hand deformable so as to be plastically deformed to adapt to the dimensions and shapes of the frame (8) of the cycle (4), so as to be hand shaped on the frame and follow the shapes thereof, in a non use configuration, and be hand shaped and coupled to the handlebar in hand towing configuration.

Description

DESCRIPTION

"Cycle comprising a hand towing device and method of hand towing of a cycle"

[0001] The present invention relates to a cycle comprising a hand towing device ^' and method of hand towing of a cycle .

[0002] In particular, it is known that in the presence of young children using their first means of transportation, such as tricycles and bicycles with wheels, for short- medium transfers, the accompanying adult is usually follow the same on foot.

[0003] When the children, for various reasons, such as fatigue, are no longer using their own means of transportation, it not infrequently happens to see the same adults above forced to bring this vehicle home either by dragging it on the road (resulting in a high bending of the back and taking a very uncomfortable posture) or lifting it from the ground (with consequent dragging of a non negligible and cumbersome weight for the purposes of a correct walking) .

[0004] The above-mentioned negative situations mainly affect bicycles with wheels and are often experienced by individuals such as grandparents and mothers that highly suffer from them.

[0005] With reference to tricycles, these are almost always provided with a (removable) driving handle which acts on the rear part of the vehicle allowing the displacement thereof even in the absence of the child: the negative sides of this solution, however, are different, among these is the fact that this handle is particularly cumbersome when not in use, and it cannot be used after the tricycle step.

[0006] It is also known that the need to manually carry means of transportation of children, for short-medium distances, also concerns bicycles without wheels. Below are two examples. In the first one, an accompanying adult wants to go to take the child to school making him find, his bicycle at the exit: on the way to and from school he must either lift the front wheel of the vehicle (thus forcing his arm to a non mild and prolonged effort) or drag the bike without training wheels on the road (leading to a bending of the spine and taking an awkward and incorrect posture) . The second example concerns a child who travels by bicycle along a mountain path in which there are flat and uphill stretches; the child is not able to deal with the climbing with his own strength by cycling and so he must get off, thus leaving the burden of carrying the vehicle to the accompanying adult or lifting the front wheel of the same or dragging it on the ground, also uphill, bending his back. [0007] In relation to the hand carrying of means of transportation of children we also note the following problems related to the fundamental issue of safety: there may be, in fact, stretches of road that the child and his companion must travel on where there are various hazards, including for example the presence of cars. The accompanying adult, for example, worried by the sudden arrival of cars at high speed and/or by possible unexpected manoeuvres of the child and/or his braking, rightly prefers to make the child step off the vehicle and hold his hand by the hazardous way: therefore, as in the cases described above, the accompanying adult has the burden of dragging the cycle. It is certainly true that in the situation just mentioned, the distance to be travelled by hand dragging the cycle can be short, but it is equally true that this need can affect people little prepared to make even minimal efforts (such as grandparents and/or pregnant mothers) and/or there may be occasions in which the hands of the accompanying adult are already full (for example with shopping bags) and the additional load of the vehicle weight turns out to be burdensome .

[0008] In the art, the need to solve the above mentioned problems and limitations is therefore felt.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to solve the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the prior art.

[0010] Such drawbacks and limitations are solved with a cycle in accordance with claim 1 and with a method in accordance with claims 18 and 19.

[0011] Other embodiments of the present invention are described in the subsequent claims.

[0012] Further features and the advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the following description of preferred non-limiting embodiments thereof, in which:

[0013] figures la, lb and 2 are perspective views of a hand towing device according to possible embodiments of the present invention; figure la, in particular, shows a hand towing device before this is used for the first time by a user;

[0014] figure 3 is a perspective view of a cycle fitted with a hand towing device according to the present invention, in which the hand towing device is in a rest or non use configuration;

[0015] figures 4 and 5 are perspective views of cycles fitted with hand towing devices according to different embodiments of the present invention, wherein said hand towing devices are in a use configuration, i.e. hand towing;

[0016] figures 6 and 7 are perspective views of hand towing devices according to further embodiments of the present invention, in hand towing configuration.

[0017] Elements or parts of elements in common between the embodiments described below are referred to with the same reference numerals.

[0018] With reference to the above figures, reference numeral 4 generally indicates a cycle comprising a frame 8 having at least one longitudinal member 12 which connects a front fork 16 and a rear fork 20.

[0019] It should be noted that, for the purposes of the present invention, by cycle it is meant any means of transportation by wheels, such as a bicycle but also a tricycle or a quadricycle.

[0020] The present invention can refer to a cycle able to remain in balance even without user's intervention, such as a quadricycle, a tricycle but also a bicycle with two wheels fitted with additional wheels to always remain in balance; in addition to those mentioned above, by cycle it is also meant kick scooters with three or four wheels.

[0021] The present invention may also refer to cycles not able to stay balanced without user's intervention: in particular, it refers to both mini bikes for children (aged 2 to 5 years) without pedals, generally made with materials such as wood, nylon, fiberglass... which make them particularly light, and it also refers to traditional 2-wheeled bicycles used by children aged 4/5 years on.

[0022] The present invention relates to a use of the device for the transport of the cycle done by hand and foot by those who accompany the child.

[0023] Preferably, the use of the device must be done without the child being on the vehicle; it is also true that a reasonable and proper use of the device (thus always maintaining a very low speed and paying attention to the use of the pedals by the child) is absolutely, without any risk, compatible with the presence of the child on the vehicle (who, among the other things, lives this moment as a possible game) : a possible example of this broad possibility is represented by a child who is using a bicycle equipped with wheels and by the presence of an uphill stretch of road unable to be travelled over by the child with his own strength; here is that the accompanying adult can easily use the device, leaving the child on the vehicle and then repositioning the same on the frame at the end of this momentary short necessity.

[0024] In the following description, reference will be made to a bicycle equipped with two wheels, front and rear, with or without wheels fitted to the sides of the rear wheel, as also highlighted in the figures; however, the description should be understood in a general manner, referring also to any further type of cycle as described above .

[0025] The front fork 16 supports a front steering wheel 24 and the rear fork 20 supports at least one rear wheel 28 of cycle .

[0026] The front fork 16 is steering and rotatably supports a handlebar 32 comprising a pair of semi-handlebars 36. Handlebar 32 may have any shape, be of size and material. The division of the handlebar in two semi-handlebars 36 may even be theoretical: in other words, by semi- handlebars 36 it is meant the right and left portions, with respect to a centre plane M of handlebar 32, which are grasped by the user for steering. Therefore, the two semi-handlebars 36 may also be integral with a single bar or handlebar.

[0027] According to a possible embodiment, each semi- handlebar 36 is fitted with a brake lever 37 associated to the semi-handlebar 36 by, for example, fixing brackets 38.

[0028] The semi-handlebars 36 converge, in a known manner, in a steering tube 39 of cycle 4.

[0029] The rear fork 20 comprises at least- one arm 40, and preferably a pair of arms 40 which support the rear wheel 28.

[0030] Advantageously, cycle 4 comprises a hand towing device 44 removably associated to said longitudinal member 12. Alternatively to the longitudinal member 12, it is possible to use other points of association or constraint of the hand towing device 44 to frame 8, such as the front fork 16.

[0031] The hand towing device 44 comprises a device body 48 extending from a first to a second end 52, 56.

[0032] The device body 48 has a gripping handle 60 and includes at least one branch 64 at the second end 56.

[0033] According to a possible embodiment (figures lb-5), the gripping handle 60 is arranged at said first end 52.

[0034] According to a further embodiment (figures 6-7), the gripping handle 60 is arranged at an intermediate portion of the device body 48 comprised between the first end 52 and the second end 56 of the device body 48.

[0035] According to the embodiment in figures 6-7, the device body 48 comprises a fixing portion 62 at said first end 52 of the device body 48, said fixing portion 62 being adapted to fix device 44 to the steering tube 39 of the cycle which supports said semi-handlebars 36.

[0036] The gripping handle 60 may be coated in such a way as to allow a better grip by the accompanying adult.

[0037] In an embodiment, said device body takes on an overall elongated configuration, substantially 'I' shaped. In other words, branch 64 and the device body 48 are aligned on a same axis. In particular, according to one embodiment, branch 64 and the device body 48 are aligned on a same axis, providing for branch 64 to be extendable/retractable relative to the device body 48, or the device body 48 may end with end 56. _:

[0038] Preferably, said at least one branch 64 overlaps at least one of arms 40 of the rear fork 20 and ends with a respective attachment portion 68 bent back so as to be coupled to at least one semi-handlebar 36.

[0039] According to a possible embodiment, the attachment portions 68 of the hand, towing device 44 are coupled to the respective semi-handlebars 36 at said fixing brackets 38.

[0040] As an alternative to the attachment portion 68 it is possible to provide ^'equivalent removable fixing means, such as Velcro strips, adhesive elements and the like.

[0041] Preferably, the hand towing device 44 in use engages the cycle without the need for fixing means fixed on the cycle; according to possible embodiments, there may be provided such fixing means fixed on the cycle^: these should be placed in one or more points from which there is control of the direction of the cycle; also, where provided, these fixing means must have the feature of being universally applicable to cycles differing in shape and size. [0042] Advantageously, in the rest configuration the hand towing device 44 is associated with said longitudinal member 12 and in use configuration the hand towing device 44 is disengaged from the longitudinal member 12 and coupled to cycle 4 by fitting the attachment portion 68 on at least one semi-handlebar 36 and/or by connecting the fixing portion 62 to the steering tube 39 of the cycle which supports said semi-handlebars 36.

[0043] Preferably, the device body 48 divides into two branches 64 at the second end 56, so as to assume an overall 'Υ' configuration, said branches 64 overlapping at least partially at arms 40 of the rear fork 20.

[0044] According to a possible embodiment, the device body 48 comprises at least one extendable/retractable portion 72 so as to be able to modify at will the overall length of said device body 48. For example, the extendable/retractable portion 72 comprises a stem 76 at least partially housed inside a relative cover 80.

[0045] The extendable/retractable portion 72 may comprise a bellows portion suitable to be plastically lengthened or shortened .

[0046] Preferably, branches 64 are plastically deformable so as to be able to modify the shape and/or angle of aperture identified in relation to the device body 48 and to adapt the angular orientation of branches 64 in relation to arms 40 of the rear fork 20.

[0047] According to an embodiment, branches 64 are provided with an adjustment portion 84 of the relative length. For example, said adjustment portion 84 comprises a stem 76 at least partially housed inside a cover 80.

[0048] Preferably, the attachment portions 68 are plastically mouldable so as to be able to open and close the attachment portions 68 in the coupling and release steps of the hand towing device 44 to handlebar 32. For example, it is possible to enlarge the a^'ttachment portions 68 in the coupling step to handlebar 32, but also close the same attachment portions 68 for the next hand towing step: in this way, it is avoided that during a stop or an abrupt slowing down of the user that drives the cycle, the latter, by inertia, may continue to run even by a few inches and thus disengage from the hand towing device 44. Likewise, the attachment portion 62 is plastically bending so as to be able to open and close the attachment portions 68 in the coupling and release steps of the hand towing device 44 to cycle 4.

[0049] It is possible to assume that, in the presence of a same material that makes up the entire device, at the attachment portions 68 and the fixing portion 62 there is a different composition of the same, for example softer, adapted to facilitate the continuous operations described Joeiow.

[0050] In particular, the hand towing device 44 is hand deformable so as to be plastically deformed to adapt to the dimensions and shapes of frame 8 of cycle 4, so as to be hand shaped on the frame and follow the shapes thereof, in a non use configuration, and be hand shaped and coupled to the semi-handlebars 36 and/or to the steering tube 39 in hand towing configuration.

[0051] Device 44 may thus be manufactured and sold with a unique shape, universally valid for all cycles (for example, the shape shown in fig. la) ; the single buyer will then independently model the shape of the device to fit the shape and size of the frame of his cycle.

[0052] The adaptation to frame 8 of cycle 4 occurs in adjacent manner: in fact, the hand towing device 44 follows, with all the parts that form it, exactly the shape of frame 8 in every point of the same.

[0053] The deformability may be obtained, for example, by making the device of a metal material or with at least one deformable metal core. It is also possible to use non-metal materials suitable to be deformed so as to adapt the hand towing device 44 to the shapes and dimensions of the cycle.

[0054] Preferably, the hand towing device 44 must be plastically deformable, so as to preserve the shape imposed by the user over time, but it must also be able to be reshaped repeatedly over time, in order to be adapted to different forms or uses by the user. Obviously, the material and the dimensions of the device must be such as to be hand moulded by the user and be repeatedly bent without undergoing any cracks and/or fissures .

[0055] The hand modelling by the user does not require any technical tools such as pliers, hammers; modelling is immediate and requires no fixing time.

[0056] At the same time, the material and/or the dimensions of the hand towing device 44 must be such that the device must not deform significantly during the same towing step, which must preferably (but not limited to, as mentioned above) take place without the user being on the cycle.

[0057] The above inherent rigidity of the device is very important for a safe and easy control of the transported cycle, and therefore also for the safety of those who carry it, even in less simple situations such as sudden braking, bends, down-hills.

[0058] The size, the thickness of the device are reduced to the minimum necessary to meet the requirement of the aforementioned rigidity; the size is very small to the point that when the device is not in use and is applied to the frame, it change the aesthetics of the cycle to a very small, almost imperceptible extent.

[0059] In the position of non-use, the device is transported by the cycle.

[0060] The fixing of the hand towing device 44 to cycle 4 may be by suitably shaping the device itself to frame 8 and using a fixing element 88 positioned on frame 8.

[0061] The fixing element 88 allows the hand towing device 44 to be removably fixed: by removable fixing it is meant that, when not in use, the hand towing device must be securely attached to frame 8 with no possibility of being loosened while the cycle is moving, and at the same time the fixing element 88 must allow the quick detachment of the hand towing device 44 from frame 8 to be able to be employed in its function of towing.

[0062] For example, said fixing element 88 is a snap fixing element that implements a shape coupling with a portion of the device body 48; the fixing can also take place by means of ropes, rubber bands, fabric bands, for example closable with Velcro, magnetic means and so on.

[0063] Where provided, these fixing elements 88 must have the feature of being removable and universally applicable to cycles differing in shape and size.

[0064] Preferably, at least one of the fixing elements must have the feature of not allowing the device to be removed by the child; better said, the device must be able to be released from the frame only by an adult through a safety mechanism similar for example to that already in use for opening drugs (opening with cap) . In fact, the device could become a hazardous blunt instrument in the hands of a child and therefore its use should be exclusive by the accompanying adult .

[0065] If there are multiple fixing points, for all those other than the above safety one there may be provided, for example, ropes, rubber bands, fabric bands such as reclosable Velcro, magnetic means and so on.

[0066] Additional or alternative fixing elements of the hand towing device 44 to frame 8 may be placed for example on further frame portions, such as the support structure of the seat, the handlebar and the like.

[0067] The fixing element 88, or multiple fixing elements 88, may also be inserted or be an integral part of the hand towing device 44: in this case, the hand towing device 44 already includes all the required accessories and requires no external elements. In any case, at least one of the fixing elements 88 must not allow the removability by the child.

[0068] The use of a cycle fitted with a hand towing device according to the invention will now be described.

[0069] In particular, when the user is pedalling on the cycle, the device is in the rest or non-use position, associated with the frame of the cycle, in a hidden position and without creating any impediment to the pedal itself (figure 3) . When the device must be used' (figures 4-5) it is sufficient to detach the device from the frame and couple the attachment portions to the semi-handlebars (or other possible solution described above) . In this way, it is possible not only to drag the cycle but also easily operate the handlebar to bend.

[0070] This method of use is particularly suited to cycles able to remain . in balance even without user's intervention, for example a quadricycle, a tricycle but also a bicycle with two wheels fitted with additional wheels to always remain balanced. On the other hand, in the case of cycles not able to stay in balance in the absence of the user, typically bikes without wheels, it is preferable to use the hand towing device according to the embodiment shown in figures 6-7 .

[0071] In particular, the - hand towing device 44, according to this further embodiment, contemplates to plastically deform the attachment portions 68 so as to bend and hook them to at least one semi-handlebar 36 and, preferably, to the fixing brackets 38 and/or to the brake levers 37.

[0072] Moreover, the device body 48 is manually and plastically deformed so as to fix the fixing portion 62, arranged at said first end 52 of the device body 48, to the steering tube 39 of the cycle which supports said semi-handlebars. In this way, the device body 48 is coupled to cycle 4 both at the attachment portions 68 and at the fixing portion 62, assuming an overall bent configuration so as to provide an intermediate portion, projecting between the first and the second ends 52, 56 of the device body 48, which acts as a gripping handle 60. It is therefore possible to tow cycle 4 grasping the hand towing device 44 on the side of the gripping handle 60, arranged projecting between the first and the second end 52, 56 of the device body 48. In particular, the gripping handle (figures 6-7) is positioned between the attachment portions 68, coupled to the semi-handlebars 36, and the fixing portion 62 fixed to the steering tube 39.

[0073] This configuration (figures 6-7) is particularly suited to cycles that are not able to remain in balance without the user; in fact, the double coupling of the hand towing device 44 to the cycle allows a remarkable directionality of cycle 4 and also the ability to keep it in balance without excessive effort. In this way, the cycle can be easily dragged letting the front wheel slide normally on the ground, thereby avoiding any lifting effort. [0074] As can be understood from the description, the cycle according to the invention allows the drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome.

[0075] Through the introduction of the device, a greater use, in terms of the number of times in which it is used, of the cycle by children is promoted (let's think of the above examples of the bicycle taken at the exit of the school and/or travelling uphill) and thus, the love and culture of this beautiful and environmentally friendly means of transportation is rooted even more in them since an early age.

[0076] The easy use of the device helps and encourages the occurrence of behaviours in favour of the safety of the child and his companion: in fact, in the presence of dangerous stretches of road, albeit short, the accompanying adult may make the child step off the vehicle and take him by hand; at the same time, the accompanying adult can easily and effortlessly transport the vehicle to the point where the child can step on it again in safe conditions.

[0077] Using the device will prevent efforts or bad posture to adults who, in the absence of the child on their own vehicle, must take the vehicle home or carry it on other occasions; often this situation happens to grandparents and/or mothers who do not like bending or carrying a weight that is certainly not negligible; moreover, if carried by arm, these means are also a hindrance to a normal walk and can cause falls.

[0078] With the purchase of a single device it is possible to solve the problem of hand carrying the cycle without the child having to pedal, compared to multiple, very different cycles and over a longer time span.

[0079] The hand towing device is carried by the vehicle when not in use and thus when the child is pedalling his accompanying adult has nothing to take with him or hold in his hands.

[0080] The hand towing device when not in use does not substantially change the aesthetics of the vehicle. Moreover, the hand towing device serves, with the same functionality of hiding into the frame when not in use, multiple means of transportation of children, differing from each other in shape and material, which follow one another in chronological order: in fact, the child first begins his first ride with the tricycle before moving to the little bike with wheels and then to the one without wheels .

[0081] Another advantage of the device, confirming one of the strengths of this instrument which is the adaptability of the same, occurs in situations such as the following: the device is in a step of non-use of a cycle (cycle 1); another cycle (cycle 2) has the opportunity to be towed: here is that the device of cycle 1 can be immediately and easily available for use with cycle 2.

[0082] Also, when not in use and applied to the frame of the cycle, the device does not occupy any space and is no cumbersome in any way: this differentiates it a lot from the driving handle of tricycles.

[0083] Moreover, in the presence of a cycle with wheels and a child who does not want to ride, it often happens that the device will become a nice and useful game: in fact, the child can use the device to carry his own vehicle along, happily walking all or part of the stretch of road to return home.

[0084] The device has also limited manufacturing costs due to its simplicity.

[0085] Moreover, the hand towing device suitably bent around the frame and/or the cycle wheels may also be used as anti-theft device.

[0086] Moreover, once its use has ended, the device can easily be "recycled" both because its dimensions are very limited and, possibly, due the type of material with which it is made.

[0087] Moreover, also in terms of recycling, the device can be easily re-used for different purposes such as becoming a hook and/or multiple hooks for hanging light material or other uses still compatible with the material with which it is made.

[0088] Advantageously, the same device can be associated with cycles of different sizes and shapes after modifying its shapes and curvatures. The device when not in use does not create any hindrance to the riding and implies a completely negligible increase in the weight of the cycle.

[0089] A man skilled in the art may make several changes and adjustments to the devices described above in order to meet specific and incidental needs, all falling within the scope of protection defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. Cycle (4) comprising

- a frame (8) comprising at least one longitudinal member (12) which connects a front fork (16) and a rear fork (20), wherein the front fork (16) supports a front steering wheel (24) and wherein the rear fork (20) supports at least one rear wheel (28) of the cycle (4), ^■- the rear fork (20) comprising at least one arm (40) which supports the rear wheel (20), the front fork (16) rotatably supporting a handlebar (32) comprising a pair of semi-handlebars (36),

characterised in that

- the cycle (4) comprises a towing device (44) detachably joined to said frame (8), said hand towing device (44) comprising a device body (48) extending from a first to a second end (52, 56), the device body (48) having a gripping handle (60) and comprising at least one branch (64) at the second end (56), said at least one branch (64) overlapping at least one arm (40) of the rear fork (20) and ending in a respective attachment portion (68) bent back so as to permit its coupling to at least one semi-handlebar (36) , in the rest configuration the hand towing device (44) being joined to said frame (8) and in a configuration of use the hand towing device (44) being released from the frame (8) and coupled to the cycle (4) at least by coupling/attachment of the attachment portion (68) to at least one semi-handlebar (36),

wherein the hand towing device (44) is hand deformable so as to be plastically deformed to adapt to the dimensions and shapes of the frame (8) of the cycle (4), so as to be hand shaped on the frame and follow the shapes thereof, in a non use configuration, and be hand shaped and coupled to the handlebar in hand towing configuration.

2. Cycle (4) according to claim 1, wherein the branches (64) are plastically deformable so as to be able to modify the shape and/or angle of aperture identified in relation to the device body (48) and to adapt the angular orientation of the branches (64) in relation to the arms (40) of the rear fork (20) .

3. Cycle (4) according to any of the previous claims, wherein said attachment portions (68) are plastically mouldable so as to be able to open and close the attachment portions (68) in the coupling and. release steps of the hand towing device (4) to the handlebar (32) .

4. Cycle (4) according to any of the previous claims, wherein each semi-handlebar (36) is provided with a brake lever (37) associated to the semi-handlebar (36) by means of fixing brackets (38), and wherein the attachment portions (68) of the hand towing device (44) attach to the respective semi-handlebars (36) at said fixing brackets (38 ) .

5. Cycle (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the gripping handle (60) is arranged at said first end (52) of the device body (48) .

6. Cycle (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gripping handle (60) is arranged at an intermediate portion of the device body (48) comprised between the first and the second end (52, 56) of the device body (48) .

7. Cycle according to claim 6, wherein the device body (48) comprises a fixing portion (62) at said .first end (52) of the device body (48), said fixing portion (62) being adapted to fix the device (44) to a steering tube (39) of the cycle (4) which supports said semi-handlebars (36) .

8. Cycle (4) according to any previous claim, wherein the device body (48) and the branch (64) are aligned on the same axis so that the hand towing device (44) assumes an overall 'I' configuration.

9. Cycle (4) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the device body (48) divides into two branches (64) at the second end (56), so as to assume an overall 'Y' configuration, said branches (64) overlapping at least partially at the arms (40) of the rear fork (20) .

10. Cycle (4) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the device . body (48) comprises at least one extendable/retractable portion (72) so as to be able to modify at will the overall length of said device body (48).

11. Cycle (4) according to claim 10, wherein said extendable/retractable portion (72) comprises a stem (76) at least partially housed inside a relative cover (80) .

12. Cycle (4) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said extendable/retractable portion (72) comprises a bellows section suitable for being plastically extended or shortened.

13. Cycle (4) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the branches (64) are provided with an adjustment portion (84) of the relative length.

14. Cycle (4) according to claim 13, wherein said adjustment portion (84) comprises a stem (76) at least partially housed inside a cover (80) .

15. Cycle (4) according to any of the previous claims, wherein said attachment portions (68) and/or the fixing portion (62) comprise detachable attachment means, such as for example folding and/or reclosable cable ties, jointing/snap mechanisms and the like.

16. Cycle (4) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the frame (8) comprises at least one attachment element (88) which couples to a portion of the hand towing^■ device (44) so as to detachably attach it to the frame itself.

17. Cycle (4) according to any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the hand towing · device (44) comprises at least one attachment element (88) which couples to a portion of the frame (8) so as to detachably attach it to the frame itself .

18. Hand towing method of a cycle comprising the steps of:

- preparing a cycle (4) having a frame (8) comprising at least one longitudinal member (12) which connects a front fork (16) and a rear fork- (20), wherein the front fork (16) supports a front steering wheel (24) and wherein the rear fork (20) supports at least one rear wheel (28) of the cycle (4), the rear fork (20) comprising at least one arm (40) which supports the rear wheel (28), the front fork (16) rotatably supporting a handlebar (32) comprising a pair of semi-handlebars (36) ,

- fitting the cycle (4) with a hand towing device (44) detachably joined to said frame (8), said hand towing device (44) comprising a device body (48) extending from ■a first to a second end (52, 56), the device body (48) having a gripping handle (60) at said first end (52) and dividing into least one branch (64) at the second end (56), said at least one branch (64) overlapping at least one arm (40) of the rear fork (20) and ending in a respective attachment portion (68) bent back so as to permit its coupling to at least one semi-handlebar (36), - wherein the hand towing device (44) is hand deformable so as to be plastically deformed by the user, the hand towing device (44), in the rest configuration, being joined to said frame (8) of the cycle following the shapes of the longitudinal member (12) and/or of the rear fork (20) and/or of the front fork (16),

- releasing, in a configuration of use, the hand towing device (44) and attaching it to the cycle by coupling the attachment portions (68) to at least one semi-handlebar (36),

- wherein the step of joining the hand towing device (44) comprises the step of hand plastic deforming of the device body (48) and/or of the attachment portions (68) so as to allow an extension of the device body (48) and a safe fixing of the attachment portions (68) to the semi- handlebars (36) , respectively,

- towing the cycle (4) grasping the hand towing device (44) on the side of the gripping handle (60), arranged at said first end (52) .

19. Hand towing method of a cycle comprising the steps of: - preparing a cycle (4) having a frame (8) comprising at least one longitudinal member (12) which connects a front fork (16) and a rear fork (20), wherein the front fork (16) supports a front steering wheel (24) and wherein the rear fork (20) supports at least one rear wheel (28) of the cycle (4), the rear fork (20) comprising at least one arm (40) which supports the rear wheel (28), the front fork (16) rotatably supporting a handlebar (32) comprising a pair of semi-handlebars (36) ,

- fitting the cycle (4) with a hand towing device (44) detachably joined to said frame (8), said hand towing device (44) comprising a device body (48) extending from a first to a second end (52, 56), the device body (48) dividing into least one branch (64) at the second end (56), said at least one branch (64) overlapping at least one arm (40) of the rear fork (20) and ending ^'in a respective attachment portion (68) bent back so as to permit its coupling to at least one semi-handlebar (36) ,

- wherein the hand towing device (44) is hand deformable so as to be plastically deformed by the user, the hand towing device (44), in the rest configuration, being joined to said frame (8) of the cycle following the shapes of the longitudinal member (12) and/or of the rear fork (20) and/or of the front fork (16),

- releasing, in a configuration of use, the hand towing device (44) and attaching it to the cycle by coupling the attachment portions (68) to at least one semi-handlebar (36) ,

- wherein the step of joining the hand towing device (44) comprises the step of hand plastic deforming of the attachment portions (68) and of the device body (48) so as to allow a safe fixing of the attachment portions (68) to the semi-handlebars (36) and plastically bend the device body (48), respectively, so as to manually deform and fix a fixing portion (62), arranged at said first end (52) of the device body (48), to a steering tube (39) of the cycle (4) which supports said semi-handlebars (36), the hand towing device (44) being coupled to the cycle both at the attachment portions (68) and at the fixing portion (62), assuming an overall bent configuration so as to provide an intermediate portion, projecting between the first and the second end (52, 56) of the device body (48), which acts as gripping handle (60),

- towing the cycle (4) grasping the hand towing device (44) on the side of the gripping handle (60), arranged projecting between the first and the second end (52) of the device body (48).