Bicycle riding training device

• US 5,303,944 A
• Filed: 03/04/1993
• Issued: 04/19/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Allan L. Kalmus
• Original Assignee: Allan L. Kalmus
• Inventors: Kalmus, Allan L.
• Primary Examiner(s): HILL, MITCHELL
• Application Number:
  US08/026,543
• Time in Patent Office: 411 Days
• Field of Search: 280/293, 280/288.4, 280/273, 74/551.8, 74/551.2, 74/502.2, 403/349, 403/348, 403/377, 403/306, 403/308, 403/97, 403/79
• US Class Current: 280/288.4
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 7/00 Devices for learning to ride cycles, not otherwise provided for, e.g. assisting balance
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 19/30 Frame parts shaped to receive other cycle parts or accessories axle suspensions B62K25/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 9/00 Children's cycles toy vehicles A63H17/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/5741 Separate screw or pin-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/5753 having separable end caps or plugs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7007 Bayonet joint
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7077 for telescoping members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20822 Attachments and accessories
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20864 Handles

Abstract

A bicycle riding training device or handle which is attachable to a bicycle and which can be easily adjusted and portion removed and reattached after being secured to the bicycle. A clamping portion is attached to the bicycle and a handle portion is locked into the clamping portion or unlocked from the clamping portion when it is no longer needed.

Claims

1. A device attachable to a bicycle seat assembly to support a rider seated thereupon the bicycle seat assembly, the device comprising:

(a) means for attaching the device to the bicycle seat assembly;

(b) a handle of an adjustable length releasably attachable to the means for attaching the device, the handle comprising;

(i) a shaft portion having a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end being releasably connected to the means for attaching the device; and

(ii) a gripping portion connected to the rearward end of the shaft portion;

(c) means for altering the length of the handle, the means for altering comprising;

(i) a seating ring slidably disposed on the gripper portion for adjusting the length of the handle;

(ii) a lock ring slidably disposed on the gripping portion proximate the seating ring;

(iii) a locking cap circumferentially disposed around an outer surface of the gripping portion, the locking cap having a threading formed on an interior surface thereof;

wherein the shaft portion has a threading formed thereon at the rearward end thereof which threadingly engages the locking cap, the gripping portion being telescopingly projectable into the shaft portion, the seating ring being insertable into the shaft portion and engagable with an inner surface of the shaft portion; and

further wherein the locking cap threadingly engages the shaft portion over the lock ring, such that the lock ring and locking cap cooperate in conjunction with the seating ring to adjust the length of the gripping portion to a desired length.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

(a) a clevis interposed the means for attaching and the shaft portion of the handle, the clevis having a base portion and two arm portions, the clevis being connected to the means for attaching, the arm portions having colinear perforations formed therein, the shaft portion being disposed between the arm portions and comprising a knuckle formed at the forward end thereof, the knuckle having a bore formed therethrough; and

(b) a pin projecting through the perforations and the bore such that the shaft portion is pivotally connected to the means for attaching.

3. The device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the knuckle has a plurality of ridges formed thereon and the arms of the clevis have corresponding ridges formed on the inside surfaces thereof, the ridges of the arms and the knuckle cooperating to fix the position of the shaft portion relative to the means for attaching, the pin securing the shaft to the clevis.

4. The device as set forth in claim 2, further comprising:

means for releasably joining the clevis to the means for attaching.

5. The device as set forth in claim 4, the means for releasably joining comprising:

(a) a receiving member having an outer surface defining an interior, the member having an L-shaped slot formed in the outer surface; and

(b) a projecting member which fits within the interior, and having a pin formed on the surface thereof, the pin passing through the L-shaped slot and wherein the pin and slot cooperating to interlock the receiving member and the projecting member.

6. The device as set forth in claim 5, further comprising a washer deployed upon the projecting member.

7. The device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising means for incrementally, universally rotatably connecting the shaft portion to the means for attaching.

8. A device attachable to a bicycle seat assembly having a seating portion and a support to allow support to be given to a rider seated upon the bicycle seat, the device comprising:

(a) an attaching member comprising a tubular portion slidably mounted to the seat support, the attaching member having a fastener disposed with the tubular portion to affix the attaching member at a desired position, the attaching member further having an extending portion integral with the tubular portion and extending rearwardly therefrom;

(b) a tubular receiving member integrally formed with the extending portion, the receiving member having an L-shaped slot formed therein and defining an interior;

(c) a tubular projecting member having a pin formed on an outer surface thereof, the projecting member telescoping into the interior of the receiving member, the pin passing into the slot of the receiving member so that the receiving member and the projecting member are interlocked;

(d) a clevis having a base portion and two arm portions having interior and exterior surfaces, the base portion and arm portions defining a interior, the base portions being integrally formed with the projecting member, the arm portions having colinear perforation formed therethrough, the interior surfaces having a plurality of ridges formed thereon;

(e) a handle comprising;

(1) a tubular shaft portion having a knuckle disposed at a forward end thereof, the knuckle having a bore formed therethrough and ridges formed along the sides thereof, wherein the knuckle is disposed within the clevis, the ridges of the arm portions and the ridges of the knuckle interdigitating to create a fixed relationship between the shaft portion and the clevis, the shaft portion having threadings formed proximate a rearward end thereof;

(2) a gripping portion, the gripping portion being telescopable into the shaft portion;

(3) a seating ring deployed around the outer surface of the gripping portion to seat the gripping portion relative to the shaft portion at a desired length;

(4) a locking ring deployed rearwardly of the seating ring around the gripping portion;

(5) a locking cap having a tubular portion and a circular flange member formed to the tubular portion, the cap having a threading formed upon the interior surface of the tubular portion, the cap threading corresponding to the threading upon the shaft portion, the cap being disposed over the locking ring and onto the rearward end of the shaft portion, the cap and the shaft portion being threadingly connected such that the gripping portion and the shaft portion are fixedly attached; and

(f) a pin disposed through the clevis and the knuckle to pivotally mounted the knuckle to the clevis, the pin being tightenable so as to releasably fix the orientation of the knuckle to the clevis.