Fairing for bicycles and the like
First Claim
1. A fairing for bicycles and the like of the type having a front wheel pivotal about a generally vertical axis, and a handlebar connected with the front wheel for steering the bicycle, said fairing comprising:
- (a) a substantially imperforate outer shell, positioned forward of the bicycle handlebar, and extending upwardly and downwardly therefrom to shield a rider on the bicycle against wind, rain and the like;
said outer shell having a generally semi-circular plan shape, with a geometrical center point; and
(b) means for connecting said fairing with one of the front wheel and the handlebar of the bicycle for rotation therewith as the bicycle is steered;
said connecting means retaining said fairing in front of the bicycle, and locating the center point of said outer shell in a generally concentric relationship with the vertical steering axis of the bicycle, thereby substantially alleviating the imposition of undesirable, externally imposed torques on the bicycle handlebar from the force of cross winds and the like acting on said fairing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A bicycle fairing for attachment to the handlebar and front wheel of a bicycle is disclosed. The fairing is constructed of a lower portion having a sheet-over-frame construction and an upper portion having a window therein. The window is comprised of a flexible, resilient pane which is unframed to provide the bicyclist with an unobstructed line of vision. The pane portion of the fairing is secured to the handlebar by a flexible line which prevents the pane from vibrating. The fairing is generally semicircular in cross section and is of such a length that it shields the rider'"'"'s entire body, from his head to his feet, when is in a crouched position on the seat, from wind, rain projectiles and the like. The fairing is positioned on the bicycle so that the center point of the semicircular fairing is concentric with the vertical steering axis of the bicycle and so that the medial edges of the fairing extend along the sides of the handlebar. This positioning of the fairing alleviates the stability problems caused by the buffeting of the fairing by crosswinds and headwinds.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A fairing for bicycles and the like of the type having a front wheel pivotal about a generally vertical axis, and a handlebar connected with the front wheel for steering the bicycle, said fairing comprising:
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(a) a substantially imperforate outer shell, positioned forward of the bicycle handlebar, and extending upwardly and downwardly therefrom to shield a rider on the bicycle against wind, rain and the like;
said outer shell having a generally semi-circular plan shape, with a geometrical center point; and(b) means for connecting said fairing with one of the front wheel and the handlebar of the bicycle for rotation therewith as the bicycle is steered;
said connecting means retaining said fairing in front of the bicycle, and locating the center point of said outer shell in a generally concentric relationship with the vertical steering axis of the bicycle, thereby substantially alleviating the imposition of undesirable, externally imposed torques on the bicycle handlebar from the force of cross winds and the like acting on said fairing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A fairing for bicycles and the like of the type having a seat for supporting a rider, pedals for propelling the bicycle, and a front wheel with a handlebar for steering the bicycle, said fairing comprising:
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(a) a substantially imperforate outer shell having an upper portion thereof extending over the handlebar to an upper edge, a medial portion extending outwardly adjacent the handlebar to opposite side edges, and a lower portion thereof extending downwardly from the handlebar, in front of and over the front wheel of the bicycle, to a lower edge; (b) a window positioned in the upper portion of said shell to facilitate steering the bicycle when the rider is in a crouched position on the bicycle seat; (c) means for positioning said shell in front of the bicycle and for connecting the same with the front wheel of the bicycle and the handlebar so that said outer shell rotates with the handlebar and front wheel as the bicycle is steered; and
wherein(d) said shell has the upper edge thereof positioned at a level substantially commensurate with the top of the head of the rider when the rider is in the crouched position on the seat, the opposite side edges thereof positioned substantially commensurate with grip portions of the handlebar, and the lower edge thereof positioned at a level substantially commensurate with a lowermost extension of the bicycle pedals, whereby said outer shell forms a continuously extending shield at least partially around the head, hands, torso, and legs of a rider when he is seated in the crouched position, to direct wind, rain, and the like around the rider for improved riding comfort, and to reduce wind resistance for improved pedaling efficiency, and wherein (e) said ribs and said upper portion of said shell are generally semi-circular in shape, said outer shell thereby having a generally semi-circular plan shape with a geometric center point. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification