Abstract:
A training handle for attaching to a bicycle to allow a person to stabilize the bicycle while a new rider is learning to balance. The training handle is adapted to engage the bicycle where the rear wheel engages the rear fork. The training handle includes: at least one engaging portion defining a hole for receiving the axle of the rear wheel; an elongated handle portion extending generally upwardly away from each engaging portion; and a first stabilizer extending inwardly from each engaging portion from a location adjacent the hole for engaging the rear fork and preventing movement of the training handle.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates generally to bicycles, and specifically to devices for training people to ride bicycles without the need for training wheels. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     People training to ride a bicycle commonly need some sort of assistance from a trainer to prevent them from falling and injuring themselves when they are in the process of learning how to balance. While the trainers may bend and grip the bike or even the trainee to stabilize the trainee, this practice has several potential drawbacks, including a sore back or back injury for the trainer, and the possibility of destabilizing or startling the trainee. Moreover, if the trainer develops a sore back, it may impair his or her ability to react quickly to the needs of the trainee. Skilled artisans in the bicycle art have devised a variety of handle-type devices that provide the trainer with a means for stabilizing the bicycle without necessarily bending or contacting the trainee. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,675 to Fleischer and U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,938 to de Miranda Pinto show handles for attachment to a bicycle for training a new rider. But in each case the handle may pivot with respect to the bicycle. Both patents show structure for limiting the pivoting movement, but the structure and its installation are unduly complex. Also, in both cases the handle is not designed to permit the trainee rider to swing a leg over the seat to mount the bicycle—because the handle extends up from the rear axle of the bicycle too close to the 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES 
     A new and useful training handle for a bicycle is adapted to engage the bicycle where the rear wheel engages the rear fork. The training handle includes: at least one engaging portion defining a hole for receiving the axle of the rear wheel; an elongated handle portion extending generally upwardly away from each engaging portion; and a first stabilizer extending inwardly from each engaging portion from a location adjacent the hole for engaging the rear fork and preventing movement of the training handle. 
     This arrangement provides a simple and reliable bike accessory that is easy to install and use in connection with two-wheel training. In many cases, the training handle can be secured to the bike with hardware that is already on the bike—as in the case of a bike having a training wheel kit that includes nuts and perhaps washers. Moreover, the new and useful training handle does not interfere with the trainee rider when the rider mounts and rides the bike. This allows users to keep the training handle on the bike well after the trainee learns how to balance, which provides additional benefits. For example: the trainer can use the handle to help the trainee start and stop; the trainer can use the handle to help push the trainee up a hill, or to slow a trainee going down a hill; and anyone can use the handle to lift the bike off the ground—in common cases where the bike does not have a kickstand. 
    
    
     FIGURES IN THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention shown attached to a bicycle; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the manner in which the embodiment of FIG. 1 attaches to a bicycle; and 
     FIG. 3 is top sectional view showing the manner in which the embodiment of FIG. 1 engages the frame of a bicycle. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which the bicycle training handle is generally shown at  10 . The invention is shown for use on a typical bicycle generally shown at  12  having a frame  14  with a rear fork  16  that receives the axle  18  of a rear wheel  20 . The wheel is secured to the frame with conventional nuts  22 . 
     There are multiple possible conceptions for the invention. According to the broadest conception, the training handle  10  includes: at least one engaging portion  24  defining a hole  26  for receiving the axle  18  of the rear wheel  20 ; an elongated handle portion generally indicated at  28  extending generally upwardly away from each engaging portion; and a first stabilizer generally indicated at  30  extending inwardly from each engaging portion from a location adjacent the hole for engaging the rear fork  16  and preventing movement of the training handle. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, there are two engaging portions  24 , one for each side of the rear wheel  20 . However, there may be only one engaging portion  24 , and the training handle  10  could still function, depending on the material used. 
     Each engaging portion  24  includes a second stabilizer  32  located adjacent the hole  26  on the opposite side of the hole from the first stabilizer  30 . The second stabilizer  32  also extends inwardly for engaging the rear fork  16 . The second stabilizer  32  may be any kind of projection that can extend into the rear fork  16  to further stabilize the training handle  10  and lighten the load on the first stabilizer  30 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the second stabilizer  32  is a fastener that is screwed or welded into place. The second stabilizer  32  may extend through the engaging portion  24  as shown, or it may project from one side of the engaging portion. Other similar structures will be apparent to persons of skill in the art in view of this teaching. For example, the second stabilizer  32  may resemble the first stabilizer. 
     As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first stabilizer  30  includes a spacer  34  extending from the engaging portion  24  and adapted to engage the side of the fork  16  in the manner shown. The first stabilizer  30  also includes a finger  36  extending from the spacer  34  and adapted to extend into the fork  16 . The spacer  34  has a predetermined length to space the engaging portion  24  away from the bicycle frame  14  to provide clearance for a wheel nut  22 . The spacer  34  has shoulders that prevent it from extending into the fork  16 . When the training handle  10  is assembled onto the bike, the finger  36 , which is narrower than the spacer  34 , extends into the fork  16  near the rear axle  18  of the bike  12 . The second stabilizer  32  is sized so that it may extend into the fork  16  on the other side of the rear axle  18 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the handle portion  28  further includes an intermediate portion  38  disposed adjacent the engaging portion  24 , and also a gripping portion  40 . The intermediate portion  38  extends generally horizontally away from each engaging portion  24  so that the gripping portion  40  extends behind the rear wheel  20 . This feature spaces the gripping portion  40  back from the seat so that the rider can swing a leg over the seat to straddle the bike. If the handle portion  28  is too close to the seat, it will impair the rider as the rider tries to straddle the bike. 
     The training handle  10  further includes a curved portion  42  between each intermediate portion  38  and each gripping portion  40 . The gripping portion  40  is also curved as shown in the figures. 
     Preferably, the training handle  10  is made from a tubular metal material that is formed as shown in the figures to create the various curves, the flattened portion on the engaging portion  24 , the spacer  34 , and the finger  36 . However, various different materials are possible, as will be appreciated by people of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, the training handle  10  may be made from several different pieces that may be made from different materials. 
     There is a different conception of the invention involving some different terminology. According to that conception, the training handle  10  includes a top portion  44 , and first and second legs  46  each extending vertically away from the top portion. The legs  46  extend parallel to one another each toward a foot end. The training handle  10  also includes first and second feet  38 , each extending horizontally away from a foot end of the legs  46  toward a connecting end  24 . In other words, the first foot extends away from the foot end of the first leg, and the second foot extends away from the foot end of the second leg. The connecting ends  24  of each foot define a hole  26  for receiving the axle  18  of the rear wheel  20 . Each connecting end  24  also includes a first stabilizer generally indicated at  30  extending inwardly from a location adjacent its hole  26  for engaging the rear fork  16 . 
     In any case, the training handle  10  can be secured to the bicycle  12  in the manner shown in the figures. The axle  18  of the rear wheel  20  extends through holes  26 ; and the first and second stabilizers  30 ,  32  extend into the fork on either side of the axle  18 . Nuts  48  thread onto the axle  18  and secure the training handle in place. These nuts  48  may be nuts from a training wheel kit or elsewhere. The nuts  48  or similar suitable hardware (possibly including washers) may also be supplied in a kit with the training handle  10 . 
     The preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail as required by the Patent Statute; and they have been disclosed in such a way as to suggest other embodiments that do not depart from the essence of the invention. With this disclosure, people of ordinary skill in the art in particular will appreciate a variety of ways in which the invention may be practiced. 
     The true scope of the invention is set forth in the following claims and not in the foregoing Description of the Preferred Embodiments. The terms of the claims mean what they say and have the ordinary meaning that would be attributed to them by persons skilled in the art—absent a clear effort in this patent to give the claim terms a meaning other than their ordinary meaning. The claims are intended to be broader in scope than the Description of the Preferred Embodiments; and indeed they are intended to be as broad as permitted by law.