Bicycle accessory

Abstract

A bicycle accessory comprising an extendable arm 4 having a distal end and proximal end, a handle 5 at the proximal end and a gripper head 9 at a distal end, the gripper head 9 comprising at least one

Description

The present invention relates to a bicycle accessory and more particularly to an apparatus for facilitating moving bicycles when not being ridden. The apparatus also provides a bicycle accessory comprising an adapter for facilitating control of a child's bicycle. Cycling has developed to be one of the world's most popular means of transportation, sport and fitness. Children learn to cycle using many techniques. One technique is to use a balance bike, which has a frame and a pair of inline wheels and notably has no pedals . The child learns to balance on two wheels without the complication of pedals. The front wheel may be fixed to provide no steering or be rotatable about a substantially vertical shaft to facilitate steering. Another technique is to use a tricycle, which generally comprises a frame, a single front wheel and a pair of parallel rear wheels on a common axel. Pedals are linked to an axis of the front wheel and brakes are provided. The front wheel is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis to facilitate steering. The child learns to use pedals, brakes and steer without the stability problems of a two-wheel bicycle. Another technique is to use a bicycle comprising a frame, two inline wheels with pedals driving a rear wheel via a chain and sprockets and brakes having control levers on handlebars with one or two stabiliser wheels. The stabilizer wheels are small wheels arranged on an arm extending on a bracket from the frame generally in line with the axel of the rear wheel. The stabiliser wheels may be arranged to sit on flat ground with the frame in a generally vertical orientation, or may be slightly raised therefrom, so that the stabilizer wheels are only used if the child loses balance. One common problem is when a child is too tired or fed up with cycling. The inventors observed that it is difficult for an adult or instructor to handle both the bicycle and child at once. The adult would have to carry the bicycle or guide and steer the child's bicycle, possibly over rough terrain which can be difficult and awkward for the adult. The inventors have observed that a child often wants to progress on to a bicycle before the child is ready. In accordance with the present invention there is provided a bicycle accessory comprising an extendable arm having a distal end and proximal end, a handle at the proximal end and a gripper head at a distal end, the gripper head comprising at least one set of jaws and at least one further set of jaws for clasping at least part of a bicycle wherein the gripper head comprises a yoke having two ends, said set of jaws and said further set of jaws attached to the ends of the yoke with spacers arranged between said ends of the yoke and the set of jaws and further set of jaws with movable joints provided between said ends of the yoke and the spacers and between said spacers and said set of jaws and further set of jaws. The bicycle accessory may be used for handling and manoeuvring a bicycle when not in use. The adult or instructor does not have to hunch over to reach the handlebar, or be subjected to sharp movements whilst hunched over due to uneven ground, kerbs and other obstructions . The set of jaws may not need to firmly clamp, but may fit about a portion of or clasp the handlebar of a bicycle or adapter of the invention, allowing some relative movement between the bicycle accessory of the invention and the handlebar of the bicycle. The relative movement allows for relative movement between the bicycle riding over terrain and the hand of the user holding the handle of the bicycle accessory. Alternatively, the set of jaws may firmly grip the handlebar of a bicycle or adapter of the invention. The set of jaws may comprise solely static parts or may comprise a movable jaw. Optionally, the movable joint is a pin joint allowing rotation in one plane. Optionally, the extendable arm extends telescopically. Optionally, the extendable arm comprises at least a first tube and a concentric second tube slideable within the first tube. Optionally, a lock is provided between the first tube and the second tube to selectively inhibit relative longitudinal movement therebetween. Optionally, the lock comprises a first sleeve having a taper portion and a first threaded portion and a second sleeve having a beach portion and a second threaded portion. Optionally, when the threaded portions are mated, the taper portion moves relative to the beach portion to inhibit relative longitudinal movement between the first tube and the second tube. Optionally, the lock comprises a sprung pawl arranged on one of the first and second tubes and a recess or hole in the other of the first and second tubes, the pawl arranged to slot into the recess or hole to inhibit relative longitudinal movement of between the first and second tubes. Optionally, the first and second tubes have a cross-section of at least one of: circular, square, oblong, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, hexagonal or any other suitable shape. Optionally, the pair of jaws is spaced from the further pair of jaws by preferably between 5cm and 30cm and most preferably between 10cm and 20cm. Optionally, the pair of jaws and further pair of jaws is spaced by a yoke. Optionally, the yoke is of sufficient strength to resist torque in turning the handlebars. Optionally, the pair of jaws and further pair of jaws and yoke is of sufficient strength to resist the bicycle and rider tumbling, whilst remaining attached to the bicycle. Optionally, the spacing is sufficient for one pair of jaws to be on either side of a set of handlebars. Optionally, the yoke is adjustable to allow spacing between the set of jaws to be adjustable within a range. Optionally, the yoke lies substantially perpendicular to the extendable arm, the yoke having a first and second end, each end provided with a rotatable connection and a spacer rotatably connected to the pair of jaws. Optionally, the pair of jaws comprises a static jaw and a movable jaw, the movable jaw movable relative to the static jaw. Optionally, the jaw comprises a roughened gripping surface. Optionally, the jaw comprises a resilient gripping surface, such that the jaw does not mark the component of the bicycle to which it grips. Optionally, the set of jaws is provided with a spring or other such resilient member, which provides the set of jaws with a gripping force. Optionally, the resilient member is a Belville washer, coiled spring, or shaped rubber or the like. Optionally, the gripping force is sufficient to maintain the bicycle in an upright position to inhibit the bicycle from tipping beyond a reasonable angle, but will release before any harm to an instructor's wrist holding the handle. Optionally, the set of jaws comprises a lever to facilitate overcoming the gripping force to open the set of jaws to allow the apparatus to be connected and disconnected from the bicycle. Optionally, the bicycle accessory comprises an adapter to facilitate connection to the bicycle. Optionally, the adapter comprises an arm having a distal and proximal end, the distal end comprising a tube clamp and the proximal end comprising a Tee bar. Optionally, the arm is cranked. The Tee bar may be sized so that the set of jaws may not firmly clamp about the Tee bar, but may fit snuggly to allowing some relative movement between the bicycle accessory of the invention and the Tee bar. The relative movement allows for relative movement between the bicycle riding over terrain and the hand of the user holding the handle of the bicycle accessory, whilst retaining the ability to hold the bicycle in a substantially vertical orientation. Alternatively, the set of jaws may firmly grip the Tee bar. Optionally, the grips may comprise a rotating element to provide a firm grip, but allow the bicycle accessory of the invention to rotate at least a few degrees about the Tee bar. In use, the tube clamp is suitable for connection to a down tube or seat post of a bicycle. For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1A is a front view the bicycle accessory in accordance with the present invention shown in use attached to a bicycle; Figure IB is a perspective view of part of the bicycle accessory shown in Figure 1, disengaged from the bicycle; Figure 2A is a perspective view of the bicycle accessory shown in Figure 1 in a folded state; Figure 2B is a side view of the bicycle accessory shown in Figure 2A; Figure 2C is a top plan view of the bicycle accessory shown in Figure 2A; Figure 3A is a perspective view of the bicycle accessory shown in Figure 1 in an extended state; Figure 3B is a side view of the bicycle accessory shown in Figure 3A; Figure 3C is a top plan view of the bicycle accessory shown in Figure 3A; Figure 4A is a perspective view of the bicycle accessory shown in Figure 1 with an adapter in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 4B is a perspective view of the adapter shown in Figure 4A. Referring to Figure 1A, there is shown a bicycle accessory in accordance with the present invention generally identified by reference numeral 1. The bicycle accessory 1 is shown in use, attached to a bicycle 2 at one end and held by an instructor 3 at another end. The bicycle accessory 1 is shown disengaged from the bicycle 2 in Figure IB. The bicycle accessory 1 generally comprises an extendable member 4, a handle 5 and a gripping head 6. As shown in Figures 1A and IB, the gripping head 6 comprises a pair of jaws 7 and a further pair of jaws 8 extending from respective ends of a torsion bar 9. The torsion bar 9 is of mainly oblong cross section with chamfered edges and has a rear face provided at a centre point with an integral sleeve 11 arranged to receive a distal end 10 of the extendable member 4. The torsion bar 9 lies perpendicular to the extendable member 4. The pair of jaws 7 and further pair of jaws 8 are each linked to the torsion bar via a spacer 12 and 13 having pivotable pin connections 14 to 17. Pin connections 14 and 15 pivotably link the spacer 12 and 13 to respective ends of the torsion bar 9, the pins 18 and 19 of the pin connections 14 and 15 are arranged substantially perpendicular to the axis of the extendable member 4 allowing pivotal movement in a plane of gripping action of the pairs of jaws 7 and 8. The pins 18 and 19 pass through holes (not shown) in overlap 22 and 23 of the torsion bar 9 and underlap 24 and 25 of the spacer respectively. The overlaps 22 and 23 and underlaps 24 and 25 are less than half of the depth of the main body of the torsion bar 9 and spacers 12 and 13 which together provide a continuous depth whilst maintaining a rigid connection to withstand torque transmitted through the torsion bar when in use. The pins 18 and 19 are provided with heads at either end to inhibit the pins from moving and allowing the spacer to be moved about the pin relative to the torsion bar, with a degree of friction by way of surface tension so that the position set by the user is generally maintained. A screw thread may be provided between the pins 18 and 19 and the heads to lock or inhibit movement between the spacer 12 and 13 and the torsion bar 9. Splines 36 may be provided to facilitate tightening of the head relative to the pin 18 and 19. Alternatively, wings (not shown) may be provided to facilitate tightening of the head relative to the pin 18 and 19. Pin connections 16 and 17 pivotably link the spacer 12 and 13 to proximal ends of the pair of jaws 7 and further pair of jaws 8, the pins 20 and 21 of the pin connections 16 and 17 are arranged substantially perpendicular to the axis of the extendable member 4 allowing pivotal movement in a plane of gripping action of the pairs of jaws 7 and 8. The pins 20 and 21 pass through holes (not shown) in overlap 26 and 27 of the spacer 12 and 13 and underlap 28 and 29 of an upper jaw 30 and 31 of the pair of jaws 7 and further pair of jaws 8 respectively. The overlaps 26 and 27 and underlaps 28 and 29 are approximately half of the depth of the main body of the spacers 12 and 13 and the first portion of the upper jaw 30 and 31 which together provide a continuous depth whilst maintaining a rigid connection to withstand torque transmitted through the torsion bar when in use. Any of the heads may be provided with splines, such as splines 36. The pair of jaws 7 and further pair of jaws 8 have a static upper jaw 30 and 31 and a movable lower jaw 32 and 33 defining a throat 34 and 35. The fixed upper jaw 31 comprises a gripping portion 37 and 40 and a reaction portion 38 and 41 with a pin 39 having a head resting in a cup washer 43 arranged between the gripping portion 37 and 40 and the reaction portion 38 and 41. The moveable lower jaw 32 and 33 each comprises a gripping portion 44 and 45 and a lever portion 46 and 47 with a hole arranged therebetween for receiving the pin 39 and 39' . A strong spring (not shown) is arranged about each of the pins 39 and 39', the spring having tails (not shown) biased against inside walls of the reaction portion 38 and 41 to bias the gripping portions 37, 40 and 44, 45 together to assume the position shown inter alia in Figure 2B. The gripping portions 37, 40 and 44, 45 may be provided with a nonmarking surface 48—51 to inhibit marking an item being gripped and / or to improve grip. The bicycle accessory 1 has an extendable member 4 shown in an extended position in Figures 3A to 3C. The extendable member 4 comprises a first tube 50 of circular cross-section having a distal end inserted and rotationally and longitudinally fixed in sleeve 11 which forms part of the torsion bar 9. The distal end may be fixed in the sleeve 11 by one of friction fit, roughened taper, differential expansion, rivet, glued, adhered, welded or soldered. A second tube 51 of slightly larger diameter than the first tube 50, has a locking mechanism 52 fitted to the distal end thereof. The first tube 50 is telescopically slidably arranged within the second tube 51. The locking mechanism 52 may comprise a pair of tapered cylindrical surfaces 57 and 58 provided with a thread therebetween, whereupon clockwise rotation between the tapered surfaces moves the tapers along one another tightens a grip about the outer surface of the first tube 50 to selectively inhibit longitudinal movement between the first and second tube 50, 51. Anti-clockwise rotation between the tapered surfaces loosens a grip about the first tube 50. A third tube 55 of slightly larger diameter than the second tube 51 has a locking mechanism 56 fitted to the distal end thereof. The second tube 51 is telescopically slidably arranged within the third tube 51. The locking mechanism 56 may comprise a pair of tapered cylindrical surfaces 59 and 60 provided with a thread therebetween, whereupon clockwise rotation between the tapered surfaces moves the tapers along one another tightening about the outer surface of the second tube 51 to selectively inhibit longitudinal movement between the second and third tube 51, 55. Anticlockwise rotation between the tapered surfaces loosens a grip about the second tube 51. The handle 5 is arranged at a proximal end of the third tube 55 and may be formed integrally therewith. The first, second and third tubes 50, 51 and 55 may be made from a plastics material, composite material or a metal such as aluminium or steel. Hoop strength in the first, second and third tubes is sufficient to prevent collapse of the tubes when locked together using locking mechanisms 52 and 56. End stops (not shown) are provided to prevent tubes 50, 51 and 55 from parting when extended telescopically. The handle 5 lies perpendicular to the extendable member 4 and extends on opposing sides to form a Tee shaped handle. The handle 5 is formed integrally with third tube 55 injection moulded from a plastics material. The handle may be formed ergonomically to be comfortable when held in the hand of an instructor 3. In use, the bike accessory 1 is stored folded in the form shown in Figures 2A to 2C. The bike accessory 1 is unfolded by rotating the pair of jaws 7, further pair of jaws 8 and spacers 12 and 13 outwardly about the pins 18 to 21 and positioning the pair of jaws 7 and further pair of jaws 8 to a forward position at a width suitable for attaching to handlebar 70 of the bicycle 2. The pin connections 14 to 17 may hold the desired angle by friction or may now be tightened by rotating respective heads to inhibit relative movement between the pair of jaws 7, further pair of jaws 8, spacers 12, 13 and the torsion bar 9. The extendable member 4 is then extended by pulling between the handle 5 and the gripper head 6, telescopically moving the first, second and third tubes 50, 51 and 55 to an extended position. The locking mechanisms 52 and 56 are used to lock the extendable member 4 in an extended position. The gripping head 6 is offered up to the handlebar 70 and levers 46 and 47 are squeezed against the reaction portions 38 and 41 to open the throats 34 and 35 to allow the pair of jaws 7 and further pair of jaws 8 to pass over the handlebar 70 into the throats 34 and 35 to fit over either side of the head set 71 and optionally grip the handlebar 70. As is common, the head set 71 is arranged in a head tube 72 which allows the handlebars 70 to rotate to steer a front wheel 69 of the bicycle 2. The instructor or adult 3 is able to walk alongside the bicycle 2. The pair of jaws 7 and further pair of jaws 8 may be arranged to fit on the handle bar 70 between grips 79 and 80. The invention also provides an adapter 100 and a bicycle accessory 1 shown in use in Figure 4A. The adapter 100 has an arm 101 which optionally takes the form of a cranked arm, but may be straight, curved or take another suitable shape in order to facilitate a suitable connection point or bar to receive the gripping head 6 of the bicycle accessory 1 of the invention. In the embodiment shown, the arm comprises a bend 102 to take the form of a cranked arm. The cranked arm 101 may be made from any suitable material, such as metal, plastics or composite material, such as steel, aluminium, polypropylene, polyethylene or carbon fibre or a combination thereof. In this embodiment, the cranked arm 101 is made from a steel. A distal end of the cranked arm 101 is provided with a clamp 103. The clamp 103 comprises a first clam shell 104 welded to the distal end of the cranked arm 101 and a second clam shell forming a separate part. The first and second clam shells 104 and 105 each have a substantially semi—cylindrical portion which together define a throat of a shape suitable to fit around a seat post 74 or seat tube 76. Each end of the first and second clam shells 104 and 105 has a lug portion 107 having two holes receiving bolts 108 and nuts (not shown) extending therethrough. The adapter is attached to the bicycle 2 by placing the clam shells 104 and 105 about the seat post 74 or set tube 75, bolts 108 inserted and nuts turned to fix the adapter 100 to the bicycle 2, ensuring the cranked arm 101 extends rearwardly of the seat post 74. A proximal end of the cranked arm 101 has a perpendicular bar 110 welded thereto. It should be noted that the seat post 74 may slide telescopically in the seat tube 75 with a seat post clamp 76 to lock the seat post 74 at a desired height. A saddle 77 is arranged atop the seat post 74. The seat tube 75 generally forms part of a frame of the bicycle 2. In use, the bicycle accessory 1 of the invention is offered up to the adapter 100. The clamping head 6 is used to clamp the bicycle accessory 1 to the perpendicular bar 110. An instructor 3 holds the handle 5 of the bicycle accessory 1 with a view to maintain the bicycle in a generally upright orientation whilst the rider cycles or learns to cycle.

Claims

1. A bicycle accessory comprising an extendable arm having a distal end and proximal end, a handle at the proximal end and a gripper head at a distal end, the gripper head comprising at least one set of jaws and at least one further set of jaws for clasping at least part of a bicycle wherein the gripper head comprises a yoke having two ends, said set of jaws and said further set of jaws attached to the ends of the yoke with spacers arranged between said ends of the yoke and the set of jaws and further set of jaws with movable joints provided between said ends of the yoke and the spacers and between said spacers and said set of jaws and further set of jaws.

2. A bicycle accessory as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the movable joints are pin joints allowing rotation in one plane.

3. A bicycle accessory as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the extendable arm extends telescopically.

4. A bicycle accessory as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the extendable arm comprises at least a first tube and a concentric second tube slideable within the first tube and a lock is provided between the first tube and the second tube to selectively inhibit relative longitudinal movement therebetween.

5. A bicycle accessory as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lock comprises a first sleeve having a taper portion and a first threaded portion and a second sleeve having a beach portion and a second threaded portion.

6. A bicycle accessory as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pair of jaws comprises a static jaw and a movable jaw, the movable jaw movable relative to the static jaw.7 . A bicycle accessory as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the jaw comprises a resilient gripping surface, such that the jaw does not mark the component of the bicycle to which it grips.

8. A bicycle accessory as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gripper is provided with a spring or other such resilient member, which provides the gripper with a gripping force.

9. A bicycle accessory as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising an adapter to facilitate connection to the bicycle.

10. A bicycle accessory as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the adapter comprises an arm having a distal and proximal end, the distal end comprising a tube clamp and the proximal end comprising a Tee bar.

11. A bicycle accessory as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the arm is cranked.

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