Bicycle handlebar with arm and head support

• US 6,564,673 B1
• Filed: 10/06/2000
• Issued: 05/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: George M. Kilmer
• Original Assignee: George M. Kilmer
• Inventors: Kilmer, George M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bucci, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Johnson, Vicky A
• Application Number:
  US09/680,785
• Time in Patent Office: 956 Days
• Field of Search: 745/511, 745/512, 745/513, 745/518
• US Class Current: 74/551.8
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 21/125 Extensions; Auxiliary handlebars
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2078 Handle bars
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20822 Attachments and accessories

Abstract

A bicycle handlebar for supporting the head, forearms and elbows of the bicyclist. Pairs of handlebars are mounted to the steering stem. The lowest pair of handlebars extends horizontally for gripping when the bicyclist is in an erect position. The upper set of bars are mounted to the stem and extend curvingly outward and then upward to receive the forearms when the bicyclist bends forward. An intermediate set of bars may be located between the upper bars and lower bars receive the elbows of the bicyclist when the bicyclist leans forward.

Claims

1. A handlebar for a bicycle to support the head, forearms and elbows of a bicyclist comprising:

a handlebar mounting stem mountable to a bicycle;

a first pair of mutually opposed arm supporting bars mounted to said stem, said bars each including arm receiving portions which extend upwardly to receive the forearms of a bicyclist when in a forward leaning position;

a second pair of primary elbow supporting bars mounted to said stem and located beneath said arm supporting bars to receive the elbows of the bicyclist; and

,

a third pair of handlebars located beneath said elbow-supporting bars and mounted to said stem for guiding when in an erect position, said second pair of primary elbow supporting bars and said third pair of handlebars being mounted independently of each other directly to said stem, said first pair of mutually opposed arm supporting bars including curved portions located lower than said third pair of handlebars and closer thereto than said arm receiving portions for gripping when in a hill climbing position between a forward leaning position and an erect position, said curved portions extending downwardly and outwardly from said third pair of handlebars and then upwardly and inwardly to said arm receiving portions.

2. A handlebar for a bicycle to support the head, forearms and elbows of a bicyclist comprising:

a handlebar mounting stem mountable to a bicycle;

a first pair of mutually opposed arm supporting bars mounted to said stem, said bars each including arm receiving portions which extend upwardly to receive the forearms of a bicyclist when in a forward leaning position;

a second pair of primary elbow supporting bars mounted to said stem and located beneath said arm supporting bars to receive the elbows of the bicyclist;

a third pair of handlebars located beneath said elbow-supporting bars and mounted to said stem for guiding when in an erect position; and

,

a head support mounted to and located between said arm receiving portions, said head support extends rearward toward the bicyclist and has a padded upper chin receiving edge.

3. A handlebar for a bicycle to support the head, forearms and elbows of a bicyclist comprising:

a handlebar mounting stem mountable to a bicycle;

a first pair of mutually opposed arm supporting bars mounted to said stem, said bars each including arm receiving portions which extend upwardly to receive the forearms of a bicyclist when in a forward leaning position;

a second pair of primary elbow supporting bars mounted to said stem and located beneath said arm supporting bars to receive the elbows of the bicyclist;

a third pair of handlebars located beneath said elbow-supporting bars and mounted to said stem for guiding when in an erect position;

a head support located between said arm receiving portions, said head support extends rearward toward the bicyclist and has a padded upper chin receiving edge; and

,

a pair of handles mounted to and located above said arm receiving portions for gripping as the bicyclist leans forward with the head, forearms, and elbows resting respectively against said head support, said elbow supporting bars, and said arm receiving portions.

4. The handlebar of claim 3 wherein:

said third pair of handlebars have opposite distal ends and extend outwardly of said arm receiving portions, said third pair of handles are straight between said distal ends for maximizing stability.

5. The handlebar of claim 4 wherein:

said arm supporting bars each include a pair of forwardly extending curved portions located between said third pair of handlebars and said arm receiving portions for gripping.

6. A handlebar for a bicycle to support the head, forearms and elbows of a bicyclist comprising:

a handlebar mounting stem mountable to a bicycle;

a first pair of mutually opposed arm supporting bars mounted to said stem, said bars each including arm receiving portions which extend upwardly to receive the forearms of a bicyclist when in a forward leaning position;

a second pair of primary elbow supporting bars mounted to said stem and located beneath said arm supporting bars to receive the elbows of the bicyclist;

a third pair of handlebars located beneath said elbow-supporting bars and mounted to said stem for guiding when in an erect position;

a head support located between said arm receiving portions; and

,

a pair of handles mounted to said stem and located above said arm receiving portions for gripping as the bicyclist leans forward with the head, forearms, and elbows resting respectively against said head support, said elbow supporting bars, and said arm receiving portions; and

wherein;

said third pair of handlebars extend outwardly of said arm receiving portions,

said arm supporting bars each include a pair of forwardly extending curved portions located between said third pair of handlebars and said arm receiving portions for gripping,

said head support is mounted to said arm-supporting bars and extends rearward toward the bicyclist, said head support has a padded upper chin receiving edge.

7. The handlebar of claim 6 wherein:

said pair of forwardly extending curved portions each extend from said third pair of handle bars through an approximate 180 degree curve to said arm receiving portions, said arm receiving portions extend convergingly inwardly from said forwardly extending curved portions and then upwardly forming a pair of forearm supports.

8. The handlebar of claim 7 wherein:

said second pair and said third pair extend horizontally whereas said handles are aligned to extend in the same direction as said forearm supports.

9. The handlebar of claim 8 wherein:

said arm receiving portions have distal end portions joined together with said head support mounted to said distal end portions.

10. The handlebar of claim 9 wherein:

said elbow supporting bars include enlarged distal ends to limit movement of the elbows.

11. The handlebar of claim 6 wherein:

said arm supporting bars and said handlebars are of a single unit construction.

12. A handlebar construction for a bicycle comprising:

a handlebar mounting stem mountable to a bicycle;

a first pair of mutually opposed arm supporting bars mounted to said stem, said bars each including arm receiving portions which extend upwardly to receive the forearms of a bicyclist when in a forward leaning position;

a head support located between said arm receiving portions, said head support extends rearward toward the bicyclist and has a padded upper chin receiving edge;

a second pair of primary elbow supporting bars mounted to said stem and located beneath said arm-supporting bars to receive the elbows of the bicyclist; and

,

a pair of handles mounted to said stem and located above said arm receiving portions for gripping as the bicyclist leans forward with the head, forearms, and elbows resting respectively against said head support, said elbow supporting bars, and said arm receiving portions; and

, wherein;

said handles are mounted to said arm supporting bars.

13. The handlebar of claim 12 and further comprising a third pair of handlebars and wherein:

said arm supporting bars each include a pair of forwardly extending curved portions located between said third pair of handle bars and said arm receiving portions for gripping.

14. A handlebar construction for a bicycle comprising:

a first pair of mutually opposed arm supporting bars, said bars each including arm receiving portions which extend upwardly to receive the forearms of a bicyclist when in a forward leaning position;

a second pair of primary elbow supporting bars connected to said arm supporting bars and located beneath said arm supporting bars to receive the elbows of the bicyclist; and

,

a third pair of handlebars for guiding when in an erect position, said second pair of primary elbow supporting bars and said third pair of handlebars being mounted independently of each other, said first pair of mutually opposed arm supporting bars including curved portions located lower than said third pair of handlebars and closer thereto than said arm receiving portions for gripping when in a hill climbing position between a forward leaning position and an erect position, said curved portion extending downwardly and outwardly from said third pair of handlebars and then upwardly and inwardly to said arm receiving portions.

15. A handlebar construction for a bicycle comprising:

a first pair of mutually opposed arm supporting bars, said bars each including arm receiving portions which extend upwardly to receive the forearms of a bicyclist when in a forward leaning position;

a head support located between said arm supporting bars, said head support extends rearward toward the bicyclist and has a padded upper chin receiving edge;

a second pair of primary elbow supporting bars connected to said arm supporting bars and located beneath said arm supporting bars to receive the elbows of the bicyclist;

a third pair of handlebars for guiding when in an erect position; and

,

a pair of handles mounted to and located above said arm receiving portions for gripping as the bicyclist leans forward with the forearms, and elbows resting respectively against said elbow supporting bars, and said arm receiving portions.

16. The handlebar of claim 15 wherein:

said third pair of handlebars extend outwardly of said arm receiving portions.

17. The handlebar of claim 16 wherein:

said arm supporting bars each include a pair of forwardly extending curved portions located between said third pair of handlebars and said arm receiving portions for gripping.