Adjustable System for Stabilizing a Bicycle

Abstract

A light weight, automatic release, variably adjustable bicycle stabilizer is disclosed. The invention is comprised of five main parts: a first part being an adjustable, pivoting, slightly flexible u-shaped fork that stabilizes the wheel; a second part being an anchor bracket; a third part being a down tube stabilizer; a fourth part being a compression band; and a fifth part being an onboard, LED, safety light. The invention is selectively affixed to the underside of a bicycle frame. The anchor is disposed on the down tube and the slightly flexible u-shaped fork wheel stabilizer swings out from said anchor and grabs the front wheel preventing the wheel from turning and tipping the bike over. The end of each fork is wider on the inside. This stops the bicycle from rolling backward when parked on an incline.

Claims

1. A bicycle stand comprised of the following parts: (a) An adjustable, pivoting, rigid, yet slightly flexible, u-shaped, fork wheel stabilizer; (b) An anchor bracket; (c) A down tube stabilizer; (d) An axle; (e) A compression band; and (f) An onboard LED light.

2. The bicycle stand of claim 1 wherein the adjustable, pivoting, slightly flexible, u-shaped, fork wheel stabilizer and the down tube stabilizer are pivotally connected by the anchor bracket.

3. The bicycle stand of claim 1 wherein the adjustable, pivoting, slightly flexible, u-shaped, fork wheel stabilizer is U-shaped and has at least two, parallel tine members.

4. The bicycle stand of claim 1 wherein the down tube stabilizer is U-shaped and has at least two, parallel tine members.

5. The bicycle stand of claim 1 wherein the anchor bracket having a torsion spring along its longitudinal axis.

6. The bicycle stand of claim 1 wherein the anchor bracket having at least two sets of barbs on distal ends configured to receive the compression band.

7. The bicycle stand of claim 1 wherein the onboard LED being affixed to the anchor bracket.

8. The bicycle stand of claim 1 wherein the onboard LED having its own power source.

9. A method of stabilizing the bicycle while leaning on a vertical surface, the method comprised of: (a) Selectively affixing to the bicycle down tube; (b) Extending and engaging the bicycle front wheel; (c) Gripping the bicycle front wheel; (d) Preventing the bicycle front wheel assembly from rolling; (e) Preventing the bicycle front wheel assembly from turning; (f) Illuminating the front and sides of the bicycle; (f) Disengaging from the bicycle front wheel; and (g) Automatically retracting and stowing the adjustable, pivoting, wheel stabilizer, (h) Wider ends on fork to prevent rolling backwards when parked on incline.

10. The method of stabilizing the bicycle while leaning on a vertical surface, wherein the selectively affixing to the bicycle down tube being performed with the compression band being wrapped around the bicycle down tube and connected to the barbs on the anchor bracket of claim 1.

11. The method of stabilizing the bicycle while leaning on a vertical surface, wherein the selectively affixing to the bicycle down tube also being performed with the anchor bracket of claim 1 that is slightly flexible and accommodating a multitude of down tube sizes.

12. The method of stabilizing the bicycle while leaning on a vertical surface, wherein the flexing and gripping the bicycle front wheel tire being performed with the slightly flexible adjustable, pivoting, wheel stabilizer of claim 1.

13. The method of stabilizing the bicycle while leaning on a vertical surface, wherein the preventing the bicycle front wheel from rolling being performed by the adjustable, pivoting, wheel stabilizer tines of claim 1 gripping the bicycle front wheel tire of claim 9.

14. The method of stabilizing the bicycle while leaning on a vertical surface, wherein the preventing the bicycle front wheel from turning being performed by the adjustable, pivoting, wheel stabilizer tines of claim 1 gripping the bicycle front wheel tire of claim 9.

15. The method of stabilizing the bicycle while leaning on a vertical surface, wherein the illuminating of the bicycle front being performed by the onboard LED of claim 1.

16. The method of stabilizing the bicycle while leaning on a vertical surface, wherein the disengaging from the bicycle front wheel when the user pushing the bicycle forward.

17. The method of stabilizing the bicycle while leaning on a vertical surface, wherein the automatic retracting and stowing the adjustable, pivoting, slightly flexible, u-shaped, fork wheel stabilizer being performed by the tension in the torsion spring of claim 1.

18. The method of stabilizing the bicycle while leaning on a vertical surface, wherein the wider ends of each fork tip prevents the bicycle from rolling backwards and disengaging from tire.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive, examples of embodiments and/or features.

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the invention.

[0018] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the invention.

[0019] FIG. 5 shows a view of the swinging, wheel stabilizer in the contracted position.

[0020] FIG. 6 shows a view of the swinging, wheel stabilizer in the extended position.

[0021] FIG. 7 shows a section view of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0022] In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only; they are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation. Conventional components of the invention are elements that are well known in the prior art and will not be discussed in detail for this disclosure.

[0023] FIGS. 1 and 2 showing perspective views of the preferred embodiment of the invention generally being comprised of an L-shaped bracket having down tube stabilizer 2; and adjustable, pivoting, wheel stabilizer 6 being pivotally-connected by axle 4 there between. The aforementioned axle 4 also being spring-loaded allowing the adjustable, pivoting, wheel stabilizer 6 to contract when not in use. Said down tube stabilizer 2; and adjustable, pivoting, wheel stabilizer 6 being U-shaped with at least, but not limited to, two, parallel tine members and being made of a medium, durometer material such as plastic and the like allowing them to expand and contract slightly to accommodate different sized down tubes and tires. FIGS. 3 and 2 showing a front view and side view of the invention with anchor bracket 3, also being U-shaped and having at least, but not limited to, two barbs on each distal ends to accept a compression band 9 (that wraps around and grips a down tube) and being made of a slightly flexible materialsuch as plastic and the like, allowing them to expand and contract slightly to accommodate different sized down tubes. FIG. 3 also showing an onboard LED 7 being disposed proximally within down tube stabilizer 2 and having its own battery power source therein. FIG. 4 shows a side view anchor bracket 3 having at least two barbs on distal ends. This arrangement minimizes the need for many sizes of bands. The two sets of barbs can be used to attach the bands tight enough to hold the bracket in place to hold a bike stationary. Other embodiments may incorporate a double-sided adhesive strip be selectively affixed to the anchor bracket 3 aiding in rigidly affixing the device to the down tube. FIG. 7 showing a section view of said anchor bracket 3 with compression band 9 flexing and allowing it to secure different sized down tubes.

[0024] FIGS. 5 and 6 showing perspective views of the invention installed on bicycle 10 with compression band 9 selectively and rigidly affixing it to the bikes down tube. Said compression band 9 wrapping around the bicycles down tube and engaging barbs on the anchor bracket 3. Other embodiments of the invention may incorporate an adhesive strip on anchor bracket 9 to secure the bracket. FIG. 6 showing the adjustable, pivoting wheel stabilizer 6 in the extended position gripping and holding front wheel 8 within the longitudinal axis of the bicycle preventing it from tipping over when leaned against a vertical surface there on. The adjustable, pivoting, wheel stabilizer 6 being automatically disengaged from front wheel 8 when the user pushes the bicycle forward. Once disengaged, said adjustable, pivoting, wheel stabilizer 6 retracting to the down tube automatically by means of the torsion spring configured inside axle.

[0025] FIG. 7 Shows an enlarged section view of the invention interface selectively affixed to a bicycle down tube. The flexibility of said anchor bracket 3 accommodates different-sized bicycle down tubes.

[0026] It is additionally noted and anticipated that although the device is shown in its most simple form, various components and aspects of the device may be differently shaped or slightly modified when forming the invention herein. As such those skilled in the art will appreciate the descriptions and depictions set forth in this disclosure or merely meant to portray examples of preferred modes within the overall scope and intent of the invention, and are not to be considered limiting in any manner. While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.