Abstract:
A generally C-shaped arm ( 18 ) is releasably and adjustably connected to the seat tube ( 24 ) of a bicycle to extend rearwardly and upwardly of the seat. At the arm upper end a plate ( 34 ) is affixed having a replaceable pad ( 38 ) which braces the body of the bicycle user especially during high performance use. A further embodiment utilizes a sphere ( 42 ) rotatably located within a chamber to provide a wide adjustment range for the pad ( 38 ). In another embodiment the C-shaped arm is composed of two parts ( 46, 48 ) selectively interconnectable to provide a corresponding variety of adjustments for pad to body spatial arrangement.

Description:
This is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08/617,474 filed Mar. 15, 1996, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Background of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to bicycles, and, more particularly, to apparatus adjustably affixed to the bicycle for securing and supporting the back of a user to aid in providing more efficient and comfortable usage of the bicycle. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     The usual bicycle seat has a relatively large, generally horizontal portion for holding the buttocks and a smaller portion forwardly thereof for crotch support. A predominant mode of use of this seat is for the rider to remain seated on the seat while operating the pedals. 
     A different mode of operation is contemplated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,108,462 where the seat 40 is angularly positioned such that the cyclist in a rest position is leaning the buttocks backwardly against the seat and partially presenting body weight downwardly on the seat. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 553,722 in addition to a conventional seat 2 there is provided a support 16 spring-mounted to the bicycle frame just behind the seat against which a rider can brace his back enabling strong pedal exertion without lifting from the seat and wasting energy. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to apparatus for use with a bicycle which increases efficiency of energy transfer to the bicycle and, at the same time, is more comfortable for the individual powering the bicycle whether it is operated at the slow, medium or top speed at which a given individual user is capable. The invention is especially advantageous when used in bicycle racing where exertion must be maintained at a high level for a relatively long period of time. 
     It is a fundamental concept and aspect of the present invention to provide a support means against which the back of the user of a bicycle can brace during forward thrusting against the pedals for simultaneously providing an increase in the pedal thrust motion and a resting aspect for the back thereby adding to the efficiency of operation by preserving strength and lasting power of the user. 
     According to a first embodiment, the back support and bracing means includes a generally C-shaped arm one end of which includes a slotted cylindrical connector for sliding receipt onto the upper end portion of the bicycle seat tube. Optionally, either a quick release finger operated clamp or a nut and bolt arrangement can be used for securing the arm to the seat tube. The opposite end of the arm has a plate onto which a removable pad positioned to face toward and slightly downwardly of the back of a bicycle user. The pad is constructed of plastic foam, for example, such that in view of its high wear usage in being repeatedly contacted by the back of the bicycle user, replacement can be easily made either routinely periodically or when needed. 
     An alternative version includes a ball joint connection between the plate and C-shaped arm providing multi-directional pad adjustment. A still further embodiment includes a variable connector linking two parts forming the C-shaped arm such that they may be adjusted with respect to each other to produce a changing aspect of the pad. 
     In use, on thrusting forward with the feet and legs to drive the pedals, this moves the back slightly rearwardly and upwardly to the point where the back engages the pad on the support means. From that moment on, further thrusting is aided by bracing the back against the pad which action simultaneously has a resting effect on the back to further enhance overall efficiency of bicycle use. 
     In yet another embodiment the C-shaped arm is formed into arc of smaller radius such that the pad continuously bears against the lower back region of a cyclist which is especially advantageous in racing. 
     In still yet another version, a generally C-shaped arm adjustably interconnects at one end to the regular seat post and has a padlike cushion on the other end for contacting the buttocks or just below the kidney region. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the attached drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a bicycle equipped with the support and bracing means of the invention shown during typical average speed use of the bicycle; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the bicycle of the present invention while used in sprinting or speed use of the bicycle; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective, enlarged, partially fragmentary view of the support and bracing means of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment in which the pad is provided with adjustability; 
     FIG. 5 is an elevational sectional, partially fragmentary, view of a further embodiment; 
     FIG. 6 is yet another embodiment of the invention especially advantageous for use with a racing bicycle; and 
     FIGS. 7A and 7B are a perspective of yet another version of the invention and a plan view of its seat tube connector, respectively. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Turning now to the drawing and particularly FIG. 1, there is shown a conventional bicycle  10  on which a user  12  of the bicycle is mounted on a seat  13  and propelling the vehicle in a normal manner with average amount of energy being applied such that the user can remain seated for the most part. A supporting and bracing means  14  of a first embodiment of the present invention, which will be more particularly described herein, is seen to be located generally just rearwardly of the seat  13  and which has a pad (at normal speed) that will be positioned slightly spaced from the back of the user and does not contact the back of the user in a pressurizing manner unless the user leans or moves in a rearward direction. 
     On the other hand, if the user  12  wishes to exert more force on the pedals as, for example, in climbing a steep hill or in attempting to achieve or maintain a high rate of speed, the individual user automatically rises from the seat at least a slight amount in order to better exert downward and forward force onto the pedals (FIG.  2 ). When so moving, the buttocks or adjacent back of the individual will at the same time tend to go slightly upwardly and farther to the rear bringing the user into direct pressure-exerting contact with the means  14 . This contact provides support for both the back and legs at the time of maximum force exertion and, as well, provides bracing enabling the user to exert, in a more efficient and convenient manner, a greater leg and body force against the pedals. 
     Turning now to FIG. 3, the supporting and bracing means  14  is seen to be of unitary construction including a generally C-shaped arm  18  having a tubular connector  20  at one end and at the opposite or upper end a pressure plate or contact means  22 . Connector  20  is a generally cylindrical member having an overall length L of at least 2.0 inches and an internal diameter enabling ready sliding receipt onto a seat tube  24 , the latter being a generally vertical rod-like member onto the upper end of which the bicycle seat is typically affixed. The means  22  is canted with respect to a vertical line to the ground plane so as to face toward the back of the rider  12  and downwardly toward the seat. 
     A slot  26  is formed in a sidewall of the connector  20  and has at each side first and second outwardly extending flanges  28  and  30  facing one another and including a pair of aligned openings  32  extending therethrough. The internal diameter of the connector and the spacing between the flanges are such that when the connector is slidingly received onto the seat tube  24 , there will be sufficient space between the flanges to enable clamping relationship of the connector onto the tube via a threaded means  34  having parts extending through opening  32 . The length of the connector as measured along the seat tube axis is critical (preferably at least 2.0 inches) in that if it is too short there tends to be an excessive levering action on the seat tube which can effectively either damage the seat tube at the contact point or produce breakage of the supporting and bracing means connector  20  during use. 
     The arm  18  is unitary with the connector  20  and is generally C-shaped extending away from the connector in a rearward direction as assembled onto the seat tube. The upper end of the arm terminates at the pressure plate  22  which is a generally rectangular member with radiused corners having a flat surface facing generally toward the  13  seat and located spaced rearwardly from the seat. The arm is generally T-shaped in cross-section with a flat base portion  35  and a centrally located, continuous, outwardly extending ridge  36  on the base portion outer or convex surface for reinforcing the arm particularly against compressive stresses during use. A pad  38  constructed of plastic foam, for example, is removably secured to the forwardly facing surface of the support plate according to a first embodiment by means of a so-called “Velcro” connector where the plate surface is provided with either the loop or hook half of the releasable connection means and the other half is mounted onto the pad. The foam pad is preferably removable as just described since it receives a considerable amount of friction and body contact pressure during use and, therefore, may require replacement at relatively frequent periods depending upon the amount of use of the bicycle. Also, since the bicycle may be used by people of different size it may be found advisable to provide pads of different shape and thickness to accommodate different individuals. 
     In assembly onto a bicycle, it is necessary first to remove the seat and then slide the connector  20  down onto the seat tube such that the C-shaped arm  18  extends upwardly and rearwardly of the seat after which the seat can then be located at the proper height and clamped into position as already described. Finally, the connector  20  is positioned at the proper height on the seat tube in order to function properly for a given use of the bicycle. Although individual attitudes may vary, it is believed that optimum performance for average (non-racing) use is achieved when the pad faces the user&#39;s back and slightly downwardly so as to contact the back in the kidney region or slightly below on the buttocks when the user rises from the seat several inches. 
     Optionally, the connector  20  can be selectively clamped onto the seat tube  24  by a finger-actuated threaded means  34  (FIG. 1) or a so-called conventional Allen bolt and nut (not shown). Also, in this first version, the arm  18 , connector  20  and plate  22  are preferably constructed as one-piece from molded aluminum, for example. 
     For the ensuing description of a further embodiment of the invention reference is now made to FIG.  4 . As shown, the rear surface of a pressure plate  39  is formed to include a generally spherical chamber  40  within which is received a generally spherical element  42  secured to an end portion of a C-shaped arm  44 , that is otherwise identical to arm  18 . This construction provides a relatively wide range of adjustment for the pressure plate and pad mounted thereon to aid in accommodating persons of considerably different body sizes and shapes. 
     For the ensuing description of yet another embodiment, reference is made to FIG.  5 . In particular, the C-shaped arm shown there is made in two parts  46  and  48  which are releasably interconnected by facing surfaces each having a plurality of spaced-apart indexing ridges  50 . Accordingly, the parts can be selectively rotated with respect to each other to a desired adjustment and then secured together by a bolt  52  and nut  54  arrangement, for example. 
     FIG. 6 depicts a side elevational view of the C-shaped arm  18  for a construction of the invention contemplated for conventional recreational use. Also shown there is a further version of a C-shaped arm  56  specifically for use by a racer, for example, who typically will be operating the bicycle for extended periods of time at high speed. Although the shapes are similar, the arm  56  has a smaller radius of curvature and the height dimensions (H 1 , H 2 ) for the two arms differ substantially. In practical constructions of the invention, H 1 =9.5 inches and H 2 =8.5 inches were the preferable dimensions. 
     FIG. 7A depicts yet another embodiment of the invention of two piece variety providing adjustability of location of a contacting pad represented schematically at  58 . A first generally C-shaped arm  60  has the pad  58  connected at one end as in FIG. 3, for example, and has its other end formed into a plate-shaped member  62  which plate lies in the plane formed by the curvature of the arm. The member  62  has a first opening  64  and a second curved slotted opening  66  adjacent the first opening. A connector  68  has a tubular portion  70  having a bore  72  sufficient to enable receipt onto the seat tube  24  and a slotted wall with a pair of facing, outwardly extending flanges  74  and  76 . The flanges include aligned holes  78  and curved slotted openings  80  enabling alignment with the corresponding openings in member  63  when the member is assembled in the connector space between the flanges. FIG. 7B shows securement of the parts by threaded means  82  ad  84  received through the aligned circular and curved slot openings. 
     The arm  60  is preferably molded metal (e.g., aluminum) of generally T-shaped cross-section having a cross-bar  86  on the concave part of arm  60  and outwardly extending central post part  88 . 
     In the practice of the present invention there is provided a body support and brace for a bicycle. More particularly, the invention  14  is immovably secured to the upper end portion of the bicycle seat tube  24  and has a pad  22  that contacts the buttocks or immediately adjacent back portion of the cyclist when the cyclist rises slightly from the seat and begins to apply a driving force on the pedals which, in effect, braces the whole body at this time enabling optimal pedaling to be achieved. It is contemplated that the present invention will be most advantageous during racing or other cycling activity is engaged in requiring high speed or high-energy exertion for accomplishment. 
     Although the invention has been described in connection with preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that one skilled in the appertaining art may suggest modifications that come within the spirit of the described invention and the scope of the appended claims.