BACK SUPPORT

Abstract

A back support (1) for a pedal driven device or other device including a saddle which provides a seat for a user of the device, includes a mount (2) which may be releasably engageable with the device. A contact part (4) which is configured to contact the back of the user of the device, is movably mounted in operative connection with the mount in an articulated manner. The exemplary contact part includes a bracket (7, 20) that is rotatable relative to the mount about a bracket axis (14). The bracket operatively connects the mount and contact bodies (6, 23, 24, 26, 27, 31, 32). The contact bodies are movably mounted in rotatable operative connection with the bracket about respective contact body axes (9, 28, 30) which extend parallel to the bracket axis.

Claims

1-17. (canceled)

18. An apparatus comprising: a back support configured for operative connection to a pedal driven device, the back support including: a mount, wherein the amount is configured to be engaged with the pedal driven device, a contact part, wherein the contact part includes a bracket, wherein the bracket is operatively connected to the mount in an articulated manner, a plurality of contact bodies, wherein the plurality of contact bodies include at least one of a ball or a roller configured to engage a back of an individual operating the pedal driven device, each contact body is in operatively supported in rotatable connection with the bracket and is rotatable relative to the bracket about a respective contact body axis, the bracket is operative to hold each of the contact bodies in operative connection with the mount and in operative connection with each of the other contact bodies.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the bracket has an I-shaped cross section.

20. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the bracket has an L-shaped cross-section.

21. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the bracket has an L-shaped cross-section, and two legs of different lengths.

22. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the bracket in cross-section includes two legs that extend at an angle of approximately 90° to one another.

23. The apparatus according to claim 18 and further comprising: at least one shaft in operatively attached connection with the bracket, wherein the at least one shaft extends along the at least one body axis, wherein at least one contact body is rotatable in supported connection with the at least one shaft.

24. The apparatus according to claim 18 and further comprising: at least one shaft in operatively attached connection with the bracket, wherein the at least one shaft extends along the at least one body axis, wherein at least two contact bodies are rotatable in supported connection with the at least one shaft.

25. The apparatus according to claim 18 and further comprising: at least one shaft in operatively attached connection with the bracket, wherein the at least one shaft extends along the at least one body axis and is rotatable relative to the bracket, wherein at least one contact body is rotatable in supported connection with the at least one shaft.

26. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the bracket of the contact part is rotatably operatively connected to the mount, and is rotatable about a bracket axis.

27. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the bracket of the contact part is rotatably operatively connected to the mount, and is rotatable about a bracket axis, wherein the bracket axis extends parallel to each contact body axis.

28. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the bracket of the contact part is rotatably operatively connected to the mount, and is rotatable about a bracket axis, wherein the bracket axis extends parallel to each contact body axis, and further including at least one locking fastener in operative connection with the mount and the bracket, wherein the at least one locking fastener is operative to selectively releasably hold the contact part fixed in a plurality of rotational positions relative to the mount.

29. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the bracket includes first, second and third bores, wherein each of the bores extends parallel to one another, wherein the bracket is rotatably operatively connected to the mount via the first bore, and is rotatable relative to the mount about a bracket axis, wherein a respective body axis extends in centered relation relative to each of the second and third bores.

30. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the mount includes two separable portions, wherein in a separated condition of the mount a first portion is connected to the device and a second portion is connected to the contact part, whereby the second portion and the contact part is removable from the pedal driven device by separation of the first and second portions.

31. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the mount includes two separation portions, wherein in a separated condition of the mount a first portion is connected to the device and a second portion is connected to the contact part, wherein the first portion comprises a sleeve, and the second portion comprises a trunnion, wherein the trunnion is releasably insertable into the sleeve, whereby the second portion and the contact part is removable from the device through disengagement of the trunnion and the sleeve.

32. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the mount includes two separable portions, wherein in a separated condition of the mount a first portion is connected to the device and a second portion is connected to the contact part, wherein the first portion comprises a sleeve, and the second portion comprises a trunnion, wherein the trunnion is releasably insertable into the sleeve, and further including a locking fastener, wherein the locking fastener is selectively operative to hold the trunnion and the sleeve in engaged relation, whereby responsive to releasing the locking fastener, the trunnion is removable from the sleeve and the contact part is removable from the device through disengagement of the trunnion and the sleeve.

33. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the mount is comprised of a framework with a plurality of openings therethrough.

34. The apparatus according to claim 18 and further comprising a saddle, wherein the saddle includes the back support.

35. The apparatus according to claim 18 and further comprising a bicycle, wherein the bicycle includes a saddle, wherein the saddle includes the back support.

36. The apparatus according to claim 18 and further comprising: a holder configured to releasably hold a beverage container, wherein the holder is in operative attached connection with the mount.

37. An apparatus comprising: a back support configured for operative connection to a device including a saddle which provides a seat for a user of the device, the back support including: a beam, wherein the beam is configured to be in fixed operatively attached connection with the device, and in an operative position extends vertically above and behind the saddle, a bracket, wherein the bracket is in rotatably movably mounted in operatively engaged connection with the beam, wherein the bracket is rotatably movable relative to the beam about a bracket axis, wherein the bracket axis extends generally horizontally, and is vertically above and behind the saddle, a plurality of contact bodies, wherein each of the contact bodies is configured to operatively engage a back of the user positioned on the saddle, is rotatably mounted in operative supported connection with the bracket, each contact body is rotatable relative to the bracket about a respective contact body axis that extends parallel to the bracket axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary back support comprising one contact body.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the back support shown in FIG. 1, with a contact body comprising two rollers one of which is shown in phantom.

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a section through an I-shaped bracket.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the bracket shown in FIG. 3.

[0031] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a contact body having a roller configuration.

[0032] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of an alternative exemplary arrangement.

[0033] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the back support shown in FIG. 6.

[0034] FIG. 8 shows a section through an L-shaped bracket.

[0035] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the L-shaped bracket shown in FIG. 8.

[0036] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of two contact bodies having a roller configuration.

[0037] FIG. 11 shows the contact bodies shown in FIG. 10 and comprising the L-shaped bracket shown in FIG. 9.

[0038] FIG. 12 shows a back support comprising contact bodies, which are ball-shaped on one side, and contact bodies, which have a roller configuration, on the other side.

[0039] FIG. 13 shows a dividable mount.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The exemplary back support 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a mount 2, which is alternatively referred to as a beam. The exemplary mount can be fastened to a saddle of a bicycle (not shown) or to another pedal-driven device by means of a manually operable screw 3. The mount extends behind and above the saddle. A contact part 4 serves to support the back of a person (not shown) operating the device. This contact part is fastened to the mount 2 in an articulated manner. The exemplary contact part is configured to be capable of being fixed in various rotational positions by means of a locking fastener such as a locking screw 5 or to be moveable during operation.

[0041] In this exemplary arrangement, a bracket 7 with an I-shaped cross section serves as a movable connection between a contact body 6 and the mount 2. The contact body 6 comprises a cylindrical roller 8, which is moveably mounted in rotatable connection with the bracket 7 so as to be capable of being rotated about a contact body axis 9 that in the exemplary arrangement extends horizontally as shown. For this purpose, the contact body 6 can simply be attached to a shaft that extends along contact body axis 9. The contact body 6 can be movable along the back of a bicycle rider that is seated on the saddle by means of the bracket 7 by not being fixed in position by the locking fastener or alternatively can be locked in a position, which individually matches the bicycle rider (variator).

[0042] In this exemplary arrangement rollers 8 and 10, which are firmly connected to shaft 11 and rotatable about the contact body axis 9, are in each case arranged on both horizontal sides of the bracket 7. The contact bodies 8 and 10, which extend along the contact body axis 9 are rotatable as shaft 11 is rotatable relative to the bracket 7. The bracket is also rotatable relative to the mount. For this purpose, the exemplary bracket 7 has a first bore 12 for the shaft 11. On the other end of the bracket 7, there is a bore 13 which in the operative position is centered relative to a bracket axis 14, which is vertically above the saddle and about which the contact part 4 is rotatably connected to the mount 2. The contact body axis 8 is thereby arranged parallel to the bracket axis 14.

[0043] The further exemplary arrangement shown in FIGS. 6 to 12 is essentially constructed like the exemplary arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. In FIG. 7 the saddle 44 is shown. In this arrangement the bracket 20, however, has an L-shaped cross section, in order to hold respective contact bodies 23, 24 at spaced-apart ends on shafts that extend through bores 21 and 22. With the bore 25 through which the bracket axis extends lying vertically therebetween, the bracket 20 is rotatable about the bracket axis or selectively held in a fixed rotational position on the mount 2 by means of a locking screw 5.

[0044] In the case of this exemplary arrangement, the contact bodies 23, 24 are also formed as rollers 26, 27, which are operatively attached to bracket 20 to be rotatable about a contact body axis 28, 29. The bores 21, 22 and 25 of the bracket 20 are provided for a bracket axis 30 along which the locking fastener 5 extends and a pair of shafts 45, 46 which respectively extend along the two contact body axes 28, 29. The exemplary contact parts 23 and 24 are secured with a bore with a thread in the shaft 11 by means of a washer and screw so that the contact parts cannot fall down laterally in response to strong pressure during the movement of the rider in the lateral direction (Z-direction). These washers can be seen well in FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 11 shows the contact parts 23 and 24 and the shafts 45 and 46, in which the bore with the thread is located on the front side, in order to attach a screw with a safety washer there.

[0045] FIG. 12 shows, in an exemplary arrangement how balls 31, 32 as well as rollers 26, 27 can be used on contact body axes.

[0046] The exemplary mount 2 has various struts 33, 34 (only numbered in an exemplary manner), by means of which the mount 2 is constructed as a framework and with openings therethrough.

[0047] In the exemplary arrangement, a drinking bottle holder 35, which releasibly receives a beverage holding container comprised of a drinking bottle 36, is fastened to this mount 2.

[0048] The exemplary alternative mount shown in FIG. 13 is dividable and separable into two separate portions. For this purpose, the mount 42 has a first part 37 which is alternatively referred to herein as a first portion, comprising a sleeve 38, and a second part 39 alternatively referred to herein as a second portion, comprising a trunnion 40. In this exemplary arrangement the trunnion 40 can be inserted into and engaged in the sleeve 38, in order to connect first part 37 and second part 39 to one another. A locking means 41 comprises a locking fastener or other suitable member for holding the first and second parts in engagement. In an exemplary arrangement a small pin, which extends transversely through the sleeve 38 and the trunnion 40, may be used in order to prevent that the second part 39 from being separated from the first part 37

[0049] Thus the exemplary arrangements achieve improved operation, eliminate difficulties encountered in the use of prior devices and arrangements, and achieve the useful results described herein.

[0050] In the foregoing description certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity and understanding. However no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover the descriptions and illustrations herein are by way of examples and the new and useful concepts are not limited only to the exact features and relationships that have been shown and described.

[0051] Having described features, discoveries and principles of the exemplary arrangements, the manner in which they are constructed and operated, and the advantages and useful results attained, the new and useful features, devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations, systems, equipment, operations, methods processes and relationships are set forth in the appended claims.