PORTABLE FOLDABLE DEVICE FOR ASSISTED DRIVING OF CHILDREN'S BICYCLES

Abstract

A foldable portable device for assisted riding of children's bicycles, characterized in that it comprises a quick-release mechanism configured to attach to the handlebars of a bicycle, said mechanism being associated with a stem (2) joined at its lower end, and said stem (2) being connected to a folding mechanism (3) that allows the overall length of the device to be reduced to a compact size, and a handle (4) arranged on the folding mechanism (3).

Description

PORTABLE FOLDABLE DEVICE FOR DRIVING ASSISTED CHILDREN'S BICYCLES Object of the invention The present invention relates to a foldable portable device for assisted walking of children's bicycles, which allows an adult companion to guide and transport a bicycle in an upright position by attaching it to the handlebars, belonging to the field of bicycle accessories. Background of the invention It is increasingly common for preschool children to use pedal bikes without training wheels as a means of daily transportation, for example, to get to school. In these situations, the accompanying adult often has to carry the bike on foot for part of the journey, either to or from school. Carrying a child's bicycle manually presents an unresolved technical problem: the bicycle cannot be comfortably ridden by an adult holding the handlebars, because the handlebar height forces the companion into a hunched posture, which is uncomfortable and ergonomically unsuitable for journeys of any length. The alternative of carrying the bicycle on the shoulder is equally undesirable, as it involves direct contact between the wheels and the companion's clothing, causing wear and tear. Children's bicycle assistance devices are known in the prior art, such as the one described in Spanish utility model ES1071216U, which discloses a learning support attached to the rear of the bicycle, designed to assist the child while riding. Similarly, US patent US9051016B2 describes a training bar with quick-release fasteners, also intended for active cycling learning. However, neither of these devices is designed for guiding and transporting the bicycle on foot by an accompanying adult when the child is not using it. Documents relating to handlebar rotation limiting mechanisms, such as EP2239189A2, are also known, as well as various solutions concerning telescopic systems and quick-release clamp mechanisms in other technical fields. However, none of these documents discloses or suggests the combination of features that defines the present invention. Therefore, there is an unmet need in the state of the art for a device that allows an adult attendant to guide and carry a child's bicycle while standing, in an upright position, with stable support to the handlebars, and that is compact enough when not in use to be stored in a pocket or bag, and can be immediately installed and removed from any bicycle with tubular handlebars. Description of the invention The present invention solves the technical problem described by means of a portable and foldable device that is attached to the handlebars of a children's bicycle by means of a quick-release clamp, and which incorporates an articulated telescopic stem ending in a handle, allowing the adult companion to guide and transport the bicycle on foot in an upright position and with full directional control. The proposed solution is based on a combination of a quick-release clamp, compatible with tubular handlebars of varying diameters, and a telescopic, adjustable-length stem that raises the grip point to an ergonomic height for the adult passenger. This stem incorporates a folding mechanism that combines articulation and sliding elements, significantly reducing the device's overall length when not in use to a compact size suitable for carrying in a medium-sized pocket or bag. The assembly is completed by a handle that transmits the passenger's steering movements through the stem to the clamp, maintaining directional control of the handlebars at all times. Compared to existing solutions in the prior art, the present invention offers a comprehensive solution to the problem of carrying children's bicycles on foot. By raising the grip point to an ergonomic height, it eliminates the hunched posture that is unavoidable when holding the handlebars directly, and also avoids the need to carry the bicycle on the shoulder, with the resulting damage to clothing. The ability to fold the device down to a pocket size, combined with the tool-free installation and removal provided by the quick-release clamp, makes it a particularly suitable solution for everyday use. Finally, its compatibility with tubular handlebars of different diameters gives it a universal character that extends its application beyond a specific bicycle model. Brief description of the figures The following section briefly describes a series of drawings that help to better understand the invention and that are expressly related to an embodiment of said invention which is presented as a non-limiting example thereof. FIG 1. Shows a view of the foldable portable device for assisted driving of children's bicycles, in its folded position. FIG 2. Shows a view of the foldable portable device for assisted driving of children's bicycles, in its unfolded position. FIG 3. Shows a view of the foldable portable device for assisted driving of children's bicycles, in a real use situation. FIG 4. Shows a first detailed view of the operating mode of the foldable portable device for assisted driving of children's bicycles. FIG 5. Shows a second detailed view of the operating mode of the foldable portable device for assisted driving of children's bicycles. Exposition of a detailed method of carrying out the invention The present invention is described below with reference to a preferred embodiment, illustrated in the accompanying figures 1 to 3, without limiting the scope of protection defined by the claims. The device that is the subject of this invention arises from the practical need to carry a child's bicycle on foot, comfortably and upright, without having to carry it on the shoulder or adopt a hunched posture to reach the handlebars. In typical use, an adult must carry a child's bicycle on foot, for example, after school, which means walking distances with the bicycle without the child riding it. Children's bicycles have a very low handlebar height, which forces the adult to hunch over if they intend to steer directly from the handlebars, or to carry it on their shoulder, with the consequent contact of the wheels with their clothing. The device comprises four main elements: a quick-action element, a telescopic stem (2), a folding mechanism (3), and a handle (4). In a preferred embodiment, the quick-release element is a quick-release clamp (1) that connects the device to the bicycle. In the preferred embodiment, the clamp (1) is made of reinforced polyamide with metal inserts in areas of high mechanical stress, such as the actuating lever bolt, thus ensuring the durability of the fastening element under repeated use. The clamp (1) is a quick-release clamp type, equipped with an operating lever that allows it to be opened and closed without tools in approximately one second. The clamp (1) attaches to the bicycle handlebars and is compatible with tubular handlebars of different diameters, giving the device a universal character. Attaching the clamp (1) to the handlebars does not block their rotation, so the passenger maintains directional control of the bicycle via the grip (4) and the stem (2), making the necessary guiding movements to keep the bicycle straight and upright during transport. The stem (2) is attached at its lower end to the clamp (1) and extends vertically upwards. In the preferred embodiment, the stem (2) is made of aluminum, stainless steel, titanium alloys, carbon fiber, fiberglass-reinforced polyamide, or any high-strength polymeric material. These materials ensure a suitable combination of structural rigidity and low weight, depending on the weight and cost requirements of the final product. The stem (2) is telescopic, comprising at least an outer tube and a smaller-diameter inner tube that slides inside the outer tube, allowing the overall length of the stem (2) to be adjusted according to the height of the passenger. This adjustment allows the grip point to be at an ergonomic height for the adult, enabling them to walk in a fully upright position while guiding the bicycle with the wheels in contact with the ground.Both the outer and inner tubes have a tubular profile with a circular cross-section. The folding mechanism (3) is associated with the stem (2) and is the element that allows the device's overall length to be reduced to a compact size suitable for carrying in a medium-sized pocket or bag. In the preferred embodiment, the folding mechanism (3) is made of polymeric material, preferably polylactic acid (PLA) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), obtained by 3D printing, which facilitates obtaining geometries adapted to the required functionality. The folding mechanism (3) combines articulation and sliding or rotation elements, so that the inner tube of the stem (2) can fold or rotate relative to the outer tube, with both segments substantially parallel to each other in the folded position, thus minimizing the device's overall length.The folding mechanism (3) comprises a bolt or pivot shaft that acts as the joint pivot, as well as the necessary retaining elements to maintain the device in the deployed position during use. In larger production runs, the components of the folding mechanism (3) could be manufactured by injection molding from polypropylene, polyamide, or polycarbonate, without altering the essence of the invention. The handle (4) is located on the folding mechanism (3) and serves as the grip for the adult attendant. In the preferred embodiment, the handle (4) is made of polymeric material, preferably PLA or ABS, obtained by 3D printing, and has an elongated cylindrical shape with an outer surface adapted for a comfortable one-handed grip. The handle (4) transmits the attendant's guiding movements via the stem (2) to the clamp (1), allowing them to maintain directional control of the handlebars while transporting the bicycle. In alternative embodiments, the handle (4) could be injection-molded from polypropylene, polyamide, or polycarbonate, or coated with elastomeric materials to improve grip comfort. The device is used as follows. The accompanying adult removes the device from the pocket or bag where it was stored folded, unfolds it by operating the folding mechanism (3), and, if necessary, adjusts the length of the stem (2) to their height. They then open the clamp (1) using its quick-release lever, place it on the bicycle handlebars, and close it, securing the device to the bicycle in approximately one second. The accompanying adult then holds the handle (4) with one hand and can guide and carry the bicycle on foot with the wheels in contact with the ground, walking upright and with full control over the bicycle's trajectory. When the child wants to ride the bicycle, the accompanying adult opens the clamp (1), removes the device, folds it by operating the folding mechanism (3), and stores it in their pocket or bag. In one particular, non-limiting embodiment, the quick-release element is a quick-release clip-type fastening system, configured to remain fixed to the handlebar and provided with a push-button element which, when actuated, causes the controlled release of the retention mechanism.

Claims

1. A foldable portable device for assisted riding of children's bicycles, characterized in that it comprises a quick-release mechanism configured to attach to the handlebars of a bicycle, and wherein said mechanism is associated with a stem (2) attached at its lower end, and wherein said stem (2) is connected to a folding mechanism (3) that allows the overall length of the device to be reduced to a compact size, and a handle (4) arranged on the folding mechanism (3).

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the quick-release mechanism is a clamp (1).

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the quick-release mechanism is a quick-release clip-type fastening system.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the stem (2) is telescopic, allowing its length to be adjusted according to the height of the attendant. 5.A device according to any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the clamp (1) is made of reinforced polyamide with metal inserts in the areas of greatest mechanical stress.

6. A device according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the stem (2) is made of aluminum, stainless steel, titanium alloys, carbon fiber, glass fiber reinforced polyamide, or any polymeric material with high mechanical strength.

7. A device according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the folding mechanism (3) and the handle (4) are made of a polymeric material selected from polypropylene, polyamide, polycarbonate, polylactic acid (PLA), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).