Bicycle Cable-Wrap Prevention Device

Abstract

A device attachable to a bicycle to prevent cables of the bicycle from wrapping around a steering tube is disclosed. The device includes an arm secured to a steering tube of the bicycle. The device includes a stop attached to the arm, to permit rotation of the steering tube about an axis of rotation relative to a head tube only between a first position and a second position.

Claims

1. A device (10) for attachment to a steering tube (20) of a bicycle (30) for preventing bicycle cables (40) from wrapping around a head tube (50) of a bicycle (30), wherein the bicycle (30) includes an upper tube (60) and a lower tube (70) joined to the head tube (50), wherein the device comprises: an arm (100) having a proximate end portion (110) removably secured to the steering tube (20) and a distal end portion (120) extending curvilinearly outwardly therefrom along a first axis (X-X), wherein the head tube (50) defines a hollow interior, wherein the steering tube (20) is rotatably disposed about a second axis (Y-Y) through the hollow interior of the head tube (50), and wherein the second axis (Y-Y) is disposed transverse to the first axis (X-X); and a stop (200) secured to the distal end portion (120) of the arm (100) and oriented along the second axis (Y-Y), wherein the stop (200) is sized and shaped to abut the lower tube (70), wherein the stop (200) permits rotation of the steering tube (20) only between a first position (300) and a second position (400), for preventing bicycle cables (40) from wrapping around a head tube (50) of a bicycle (30).

2. The device (10) of claim 1, wherein the arm (100) is removably secured to the steering tube (20) by a threaded faster mechanism (130).

3. The device (10) of claim 1, wherein the stop (200) is spherical.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0012] FIG. 1 is a partially fragmented perspective view of a bicycle having a steering tube component, showing an embodiment of the present subject matter removably secured to a lower portion of the steering tube component.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a partially fragmented perspective view of a bicycle having a down (or lower) tube, showing a component of the present subject matter abutting the down tube on its right side relative to a normal direction of travel.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a partially fragmented perspective view of a bicycle having a down (or lower) tube, showing a component of the present subject matter abutting the down tube on its left side relative to a normal direction of travel.

[0015] Throughout the FIGS. and the detailed description, similar reference numerals shall be used for similar components of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Turning now to FIGS. 1-3, I shall now describe the present subject mattermy inventionin detail. The present subject matter is directed to a device 10 for attachment to a steering tube 20 of a bicycle 30 for preventing bicycle cables 40 (only one of which is shown) from wrapping around a head tube 50 of the bicycle 30. The bicycle 30 includes a top (or upper) tube 60 and a bottom (or lower) tube 70 joined (usually welded) to the head tube 50.

[0017] For the bicycle 30, a normal direction of travel is from left-to-right in FIGS. 1, 2 and from right-to-left in FIG. 3. For the illustrated embodiment of the present subject matter, the device includes an arm 100 and a stop 200.

[0018] The arm 100 has a proximate end portion 110 and a distal end portion 120 spaced from the proximate end portion 110. The proximate end portion 110 of the arm 100 is removably secured to the steering tube 20 by a threaded fastener mechanism 130 which includes a machine screw of predetermined length, a nut having internal treads that mate with the threads of the machine screw, and washers (which include at least one spline or lock washer) between the nut and the steering tube 20, as illustrated by FIG. 3.

[0019] The arm 100 and distal end portion 120 extend curvilinearly outwardly from the steering tube 20 along a first axis X-X. The head tube 50 includes a hollow cylindrical interior (not shown), and the steering tube 20 is rotatably disposed about a second axis Y-Y through the hollow interior of the head tube 50. The second axis Y-Y is disposed transverse to the first axis X-X.

[0020] The stop 200, dimensioned and configured to abut the down (or lower) tube 70, is removably secured to the distal end portion 120 by a threaded fastener 210. The treaded fastener 200, when loosened, enables the stop 200 to be adjustably pivotable about a third axis Z-Z defined by the treaded fastener 210, to enable the stop 200 to be oriented so that a preselected portion of the stop 200 abuts a preselected portion of the lower tube 70 on its right and left sides, relative to the normal direction of travel of bicycle 30.

[0021] The stop 200 permits rotation of the steering tube 20 only between a first position 300 (FIG. 2) and a second position 400 (FIG. 3), for preventing bicycle cables 40 from wrapping around the head tube 50 of the bicycle 30.

[0022] As a result, the stop 200, by abutting the down (or lower) tube 70, prevents cables 40 from wrapping around the head tube 50, which otherwise could occur when a bike is, e.g., loaded onto a vehicle and the steering tube 20 inadvertently spun 360 degrees or more (from a position used for normal direction of travel) which locks up brakes and gears and damages cables 40. A stop 200 is designed to have any shape and/or size so long as its design prevents cable wrap in accordance with the present subject matter. Also, to prevent damage to an exterior surface finish of a down or lower tube 70, a stop 200 is manufactured of synthetic materials having physical properties that would cause virtually no damage to an exterior surface finish of a down or lower tube 70 of a bike 30. A stop 200 can, e.g., be a spherical tennis ball.

[0023] To meet the mandate of 35 USC 112 and identify bicycle components shown in FIGS. 1-3, but not described in this specification, the disclosure of each US patent discussed above is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0024] What has been illustrated and described is a device for preventing bicycle cables from wrapping around a head tube component of a bicycle. While the present subject matter is described in relation to a single embodiment, the present subject matter is not to be limited. On the contrary, many alternatives, changes, and/or modifications will become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art (POSITA) after this patent specification and its figures has been fully reviewed. Therefore, all such alternatives, changes, and/or modifications are to be viewed as forming a part of the present subject matter insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.