Bicycle with support device

Abstract

Invention relates to the type of two wheel velocipede where the propulsion to the rear wheel is achieved by the use of riders legs/feet and propulsion to the front wheel is achieved by the use of riders arms and upper body on cranks that travel in circular motion using a single chain as a means to transfer force to the front wheel. An innovative step is the chest and upper body support pad which enables the rider to relieve strain of the back muscles and provide a surface against which to pull the handlebars.

Claims

1. A support pad device comprising of a pad with a top surface and a bottom surface, a post of a tubular shape having a first end attached to the pad wherein a second end fits directly inside and on a same axis of a fork steerer tube of a two wheeled cycle, the cycle further comprising: a handlebar including a left and a right crank oriented at 0 degrees relative to one another and securely attached to one another, a sprocket securely attached to the handlebar, a single chain or belt that engages with the sprocket and transfers propulsion to a front wheel from the handlebar capable of completing a full circular motion, a stem comprising of a first end having a horizontal tubular bearing surface rotatably connected to the handlebar and a second end securely attached to the fork steerer tube.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is the perspective view of the bicycle embodying the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is the side view of the bicycle embodying the invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view on an enlarged scale showing the invention and one example of how it fits inside the fork steerer tube.

(4) FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side view on an enlarged scale and shows an alternative positioning of a support pad directly to the fork steerer tube.

(5) FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view on an enlarged scale and shows an example of alternative means of connecting the support pad.

(6) FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view on an enlarged scale and shows an example of an alternative support pad shape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF

(7) The bicycle has a frame, indicated by the numeral 4, a fork 10 which includes a fork steerer tube 3, front wheel 9, rear wheel 11, stem 6, rear sprocket 12, rear chain 13, foot pedals 14 and seat 15 which are assembled in a standard and usual way comprising a bicycle. The elements thus far described are all conventional and well known and need not be described in further detail.

(8) Handlebar 5 is rotatably connected to stem 6 which has a bearing surface. Front sprocket 7 is attached to handlebar 5 and as it's set into circular motion transfers force to front chain/belt 8 which then drives the front wheel 9.

(9) Rider rests his upper body on support pad 1.

(10) Preferably the support pad 1 can have a protruding post 2 (either mounted to or be a single unit with the support pad 1) and where the said post 2 extends downwards and into the steerer tube 3 of the fork 10.

(11) In one example as the steerer tube 3 is usually hollow, the post 2 can fit inside it. This is made possible in recent past by the use of new thread-less fork systems which use a separate stem to mount the handlebars to the steerer fork, leaving the hollow top of the steerer fork empty and accessible.

(12) Preferably the version of the support pad 1 that uses a post 2 which inserts into the fork steerer tube 3 can be further secured including but not limited to means of clamping, bolting, clipping in or anchoring to name a few. Referring to FIG. 3, one example would be to use a clamp 16 (as usually used to secure a bicycle seat post to the frame) to clamp down on the fork steerer tube 3, compressing it and therefore clamping down on the post 2, securing it in place. The fork steerer tube 3 may have a small slit lengthways (not visible) where the clamp 16 attaches to aid in compression.

(13) Another version would have the support pad post be a tube whose inside diameter is larger than the outside diameter of the fork steerer tube therefore fitting over the fork steerer tube and may also be further secured to it by the means of a conventional clamp.

(14) Support pad 1 may be of a simple rectangular or rounded shape or be anatomically shaped to better fit the rider's body as well as be of a different shape to better conform to female anatomy which may mean being more elongated and narrow and some versions may be in a shape resembling a figure of eight pad 21 as shown in FIG. 6.

(15) Referring to FIG. 5 shows another example of an alternatively shaped support pad 17 which encompasses support struts 18. Support struts 18 are secured by post clamp 19 which also secures to post 2. When bolt 20 is tightened it compresses post clamp 19 and in turn grips onto support struts 18 and post 2 simultaneously. The post clamp 19 may allow for adjust-ability of support pad 17 angle.

(16) Referring to FIG. 4 the support pad 1 can also be mounted to the fork steerer tube 3 directly by various conventional methods including but not limited to adhesion, clamping or welding, removing the need to have a post 2 to connect the two.

(17) Another version could make use of a star nut (not illustrated) (which is usually found inside the fork steerer tube on most modern thread-less fork designs) which would act as an anchoring device to which a bolt would be threaded and the same said bolt would be secured to the support pad or post.

(18) A further version could have the bottom of the support pad post 2 cut at an angle (not illustrated) and using a nut also cut at the same angle so when the two are fastened towards each other by the means of a bolt they would create opposing side forces which would then expand outwards and onto the inside walls of the steerer tube. This is a conventional system used in the older bike designs to secure the older stem version into the fork steerer tube.

(19) Mounting the support pad 1 to the fork steerer tube 3 as opposed to mounting it in the top tube of the frame, down tube of the frame, seat post, handlebars or other bicycle parts has advantages in that it is in the exactly right position to avoid applying forces in an undesirable way on the bicycle.

(20) By placing the support pad 1 and it's mounting post 2 directly in line with the steerer tube 3, the riders weight and subsequent forces are applied directly to the axis of the front wheel 9 with no adverse affect on the steering.

(21) The rider is also able to remove the hands/arms from the handles and the bike would remain stable and moving in the intended direction as the forces from the support pad 1 are equal to both sides of the center of the bicycle. The rider can then use his hands to operate gears or other necessary controls on the cycle.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS

(22) 1 Support pad 2 Post 3 Fork steerer tube 4 Frame 5 Handlebar 6 Stem 7 Front sprocket 8 Front chain/belt 9 Front wheel 10 Fork 11 Rear wheel 12 Rear sprocket 13 Rear chain 14 Foot pedals 15 Seat 16 Clamp 17 Alternative pad 18 Support struts 19 Post clamp 20 Bolt 21 Figure of eight pad