Cyclist power link

Abstract

An apparatus for connecting a rider to a bike comprises a belt with a link at the front to a coupling on the bike frame which coupling allows hands free release of the link from the frame. A strap connected to the belt at one end and to a cable at the other end which has a ball bearing attached which engages a mating recess in the coupling such that the rider can disengage the cable by moving her body forward of the coupling.

Claims

1. An apparatus for connecting a rider to a bike comprising: a waist belt with a link at the front, a coupling capable of being mounted on a frame of a bike and having a mating recess, the link comprising a strap connected to the front of the belt at one end and to a cable at the other end, the cable has a ball bearing attached which engages the mating recess in the coupling, the coupling maintains a secure connection between the bike and the rider while pedaling but allows hands free release of the link from the frame while still pedaling, wherein the rider can disengage the cable from the coupling by moving the waist belt forward of the coupling enabling hands free release of the link from the frame while still pedaling.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the cable has a second intermediate ball bearing which can engage the mating recess in the coupling for hill climbing such that the rider can disengage the cable by moving the belt forward of the coupling.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the coupling is attached to the bike frame by means of a single circular clamp.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the coupling is formed integral to the bike frame.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the coupling has no sharp projections.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the waist belt is adjustable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) An embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a rider connected to a bike by an apparatus

(3) FIG. 2 is an enlargement of the bike frame coupling of FIG. 1

(4) FIG. 3 shows the coupling of FIG. 2 with apparatus connected

(5) FIG. 4 is a front elevation of the coupling of FIG. 2 attached to the bike frame and

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the coupling of FIG. 2 by itself.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) Rider 2 in FIG. 1 is wearing belt 7 buckled at 8. One end of strap 10 is linked to the front of belt 7 at 9 and the other end to stainless steel cable 11. Stainless steel ball bearing 12 is fixed on the free end of cable 11 and engages mating recess 18 in coupling 13 mounted on frame 3 of the bike. Cable 11 passes through open slot 17 in coupling 13.

(8) FIGS. 2 to 5 show coupling 13 mounted on frame 3 in detail. Coupling 13 is retained on frame 3 by single circular clamp 14 which passes over front 19 of coupling 13 with spacers 16 protecting brake and gear cables such as 4 running along frame 3. Ball bearing 12 nests in recess 18 with cable 11 passing through slot 17.

(9) Accordingly when rider 2 rises from seat 6 to increase pedal 5 thrust, the apparatus anchors the small of the back of rider 2 to frame 3 allowing greater pedal 5 thrust than rider 2 can achieve with her weight alone. In fact cable 11 can be provided with a second intermediate ball bearing which allows closer coupling of rider 2 to bike frame 3 and hence even greater pedal 5 thrust for ascending steep climbs.

(10) It will be noted that not only does the apparatus of the present invention allow variable connection of rider 2 to bike frame 3 but it does so while keeping rider 2 safe from injury. Rider 2 can disengage the apparatus from the bike simply by moving her body forward in direction 15 so that ball bearing 12 slides out of recess 18. This can be done while rider 2 keeps both hands on the handle bars. Further there are no sharp projections or chains which might cause injury in the event off an accident.

VARIATIONS

(11) It will be realized that the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example only and that all other modifications and variations as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art including mechanical equivalents are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth. For example, coupling 13 could be fixed to frame 3 by means alternative to clamp 14 and could of course be formed as an integral part of frame 3.

(12) Throughout the description and claims of this specification the words comprise and variations of that word such as comprises and comprising are not intended to exclude other additives components integers or steps.