Bicycle Handlebar and COntrol System

• US 20150296907A1
• Filed: 03/24/2015
• Published: 10/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2014
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Neal Henderson
• Original Assignee: Neal Henderson
• Inventors: Henderson, Neal
• Granted Patent: US 10,266,225 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 19/0024 with accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 2600/104 Cycling
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 27/10 Sleeves; Armholes
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 21/12 Handlebars; Handlebar stems
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 21/125 Extensions; Auxiliary handlebars
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 21/16 having adjustable parts therein
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 23/02 hand actuated arrangements of controls on handle-bars of engine-driven cycles B62K11/14
• CPC Class Codes: B62L 3/00 Brake-actuating mechanisms for back-pedalling brakes B62L5/00; Arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 25/08 with electrical or fluid transmitting systems

Abstract

A bicycle handlebar system is described. The system includes a wing-shaped handlebar for a bicycle that is attached to at least one of the rider'"'"'s forearms. A sleeve, worn by the rider is included in some embodiments. The system also includes a remote control system incorporated into the rider'"'"'s glove to control the derailleur and brakes of the bicycle without the need for the rider to move his hands to a new position. Multiple positions of the rider'"'"'s forearms are possible for varying degrees of aerodynamic performance and control of the bicycle.

Claims

1. A handlebar for a bicycle comprising:

a. a wing-shaped platform having a long axis and a short axis, a first edge and a second edge located on the outer perimeter and parallel to the long axis, a third edge and a fourth edge located on the outer perimeter and parallel to the short axis, the long axis perpendicular to the travel direction of the bicycle and including an attachment point to the bicycle located along the first edge and midway between the third edge and the fourth edge,

b. at least one hinge located within the wing-shaped platform said hinge located between the attachment point to the bicycle and either the third edge or the fourth edge, and parallel to the short axis thereby allowing that portion of the wing-shaped platform that is located between the hinge and the either the third edge or the fourth edge respectively to be rotated thereby raising or lowering the either the third edge or the fourth edge respectively.

2. The handlebar of claim 1 including two hinges within the wing-shaped platform said hinges located parallel to the short axis and on either side of the attachment point thereby allowing the third edge and the fourth edge to be raised and lowered.

3. The handlebar of claim 1 further including an attachment slot, said attachment slot located parallel to the short edge on a top surface of the wing-shaped platform and between the attachment point to the bicycle and either the third edge or the fourth edge, said attachment slot sized and shaped to accept an attachment pin worn by a rider of the bicycle and attached to a forearm of the rider thereby removably attaching the riders forearm to the handlebar by sliding the attachment pin into the attachment slot.

4. The handlebar of claim 1 further including an attachment zone located on the top surface of the wing-shaped platform and between the attachment point to the bicycle and either the third edge or the fourth edge, said attachment zone sized and shaped to connect with attachment zone worn by the rider of the bicycle and attached to a forearm of the rider thereby removably attaching the riders forearm to the handlebar by mating the attachment zone on the wing-shaped platform with the attachment zone on the riders forearm.

5. The handlebar of claim 4 wherein the attachment zone on the top surface of the wing-shaped platform is comprised of hook and latch material and the attachment zone worn by the rider is comprised of hook and latch material.

6. The handlebar of claim 4 wherein the attachment zone on the top surface of the wing-shaped platform is comprised of adhesive material.

7. A sleeve to be worn by a rider using the handlebar system according to claim 1, said sleeve comprising:

a. a tube shaped fabric covering to be worn over the riders forearm the fabric covering having a top surface and a bottom surface,

b. an attachment mechanism on the bottom surface of the fabric covering said attachment mechanism attaching to the handlebar system of claim 1.

8. The sleeve of claim 7 wherein the attachment mechanism is a pin, said pin sized and shaped to mate with a slot on the handlebar system.

9. The sleeve of claim 7 wherein the attachment mechanism is hook and latch material, said material sized and selected to mate with hook and latch material attached to the top surface of the handlebar system.

10. The sleeve of claim 7 wherein the attachment mechanism is adhesive material.

11. A control system for a bicycle rider using the handlebar system of according to claim 1 said control system comprising a cable housing attached to the top of the rider'"'"'s hand through which is threaded an actuator cable, the actuator cable sized to slide easily within the housing, a lever attached to a forefinger on the rider'"'"'s hand and said actuator cable attached to a first end of the lever such that when the rider flexes the forefinger to which the lever is attached the cable is pulled and thereby actuated.

12. The control system of claim 11 where the attachment to the rider'"'"'s hand is through means of a glove worn by the rider and the cable housing and lever are attached to the glove.

13. The control system of claim 11 comprising a plurality of cable housings and a plurality of levers each attached to separate fingers on a glove worn by the rider thereby allowing independent control of a plurality of devices on a bicycle said devices actuated separately by one of the plurality of cables.