Abstract:
The auxiliary wheel attachment for a bicycle comprises flat metal strip material forming a frame that is rigid and strong enough to support the weight of an adult rider. The use of flat strip material allows the auxiliary wheel attachment to be fabricated using conventional metal cutting and bending techniques.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to an auxiliary wheel attachments for bicycles, and particularly to a frame for attaching the auxiliary wheels to the bicycle, and wherein the frame is rigid enough to be used by adults. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Auxiliary or training wheels are well known for preventing the tipping of a bicycle while a novice rider, who has not yet learned to balance on the bicycle&#39;s two wheels, practices riding the bicycle. While most of these devices have been intended for children who are learning to ride a bicycle for the first time, there have been few auxiliary wheel arrangements that were designed with adults in mind. Adults who might need and use auxiliary wheels also include the elderly and the handicapped. 
   Most training wheel devices are light in construction, with wheel diameters that are small to be in proportion to a child&#39;s bicycle. These devices are unsuitable for an adult because of the adult&#39;s larger size and weight, and thus larger size of bicycle. Furthermore, a lack of rigidity in construction is often a problem because of the lightweight construction of the frame holding the auxiliary wheels. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,848, issued Feb. 23, 2003 to Liu, describes a bicycle supportive wheel mounting structure having a wheel holder frame for removably attaching the supporting wheel to the rear wheel assembly. In addition to the numerous assembly pieces employed for securing the supporting wheel, a threaded U-shaped shackle piece is used for securing a flat mounting base to a seat stay (see column 2, lines 5–25). U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,122, issued Sep. 5, 2000 to Plana, shows a stabilizer training wheel assembly for a bicycle having two side wheels connected to the rear wheel axle by a set of single structural rods. One end of each rod is attached to a training wheel. Along its length, it forms a helical torsion spring and terminates in a U-shaped attachment member. A section of the U-shaped member engages the axle of the rear wheel and is secured in place by bolts. U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,354, issued Feb. 20, 1996 to Rainey, describes an apparatus for mounting an auxiliary wheel to a bicycle. As in the patent to Plana, a single rod, which is configured into a helical spring, is formed along its length, and is used for attaching the training wheels to the rear of the bicycle. A portion of the rod forms a straight shank, which engages the wheel axle. 
   German Patent document 3,728,017, published Aug. 22, 1987 to Trzaska, discloses the conversion of a bicycle into a vehicle for a disabled person with the use of auxiliary wheels. Two U-shaped brackets are used to secure the device to the rear wheel axle and the bicycle frame. The device further includes stabilizing props to provide the required rigidity to the frame. U.S. Pat. No. 3,437,352, issued Apr. 8, 1967, shows a bicycle safety wheel attachment comprised of a U-bolt attached training wheel assembly. The device attaches to the rear of the bicycle frame and has stabilizing rods and uses spacers at the wheel attachment portion to ensure that the training wheels rotate freely on the device. U.S. Pat. No. 2,723,133, issued Nov. 8, 1955 to Pawsat, describes a bicycle stabilizer and a one-piece frame-axle member therefor. The device is attached to the bicycle frame near the rear wheel using U-bolts. The device includes stabilizers to give the device added rigidity and support. 
   Other patent documents showing training wheel devices include U.S. Published Patent Application 2002/0135146, published Sep. 26, 2002 to Hsing (inclination prevention device for preventing tipping while turning); U.S. Pat. No. 2,723,133, issued Nov. 8, 1955 to Pawsat (training wheels that attach to the bicycle frame with U-bolts); U.S. Pat. No. 2,793,877, issued May 28, 1957 to Meier et al. (training wheels with leaf springs for restoring the bicycle to vertical); U.S. Pat. No. 2,817,540, issued Dec. 24, 1957 to Pawsat (training wheel frame that provides a foot rest for a passenger); U.S. Pat. No. 4,012,054, issued Mar. 15, 1977 to Moore, (bicycle safety devices for preventing the bicycle from tipping over backwards when the front wheel is raised off the ground); U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,000, issued Mar. 7, 1989 to Saunders (training wheels which raise up and down in response to turning and leaning of the bicycle); U.S. Pat. No. 5,064,213, issued Nov. 12, 1991 to Storch (training wheels with springs that tend to keep the bicycle vertical); U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,204, issued Aug. 16, 1994 to Herndon (training wheels with a handle for raising and lowering the wheels); U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,745, issued Nov. 20, 2001 to Sharp, III (training wheels with springs that tend to keep the bicycle vertical); U.S. Pat. No. 6,398,248, issued Jun. 4, 2002 to Dodson (conventional training wheels in combination with a training handle attached to the bicycle frame); U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,256, issued Jul. 16, 2002 to Clark (turning wheels that make a noise when in contact with the ground and rotating); U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,302, issued Dec. 3, 2002 to Coates (training handle that attaches to the bicycle frame); U.S. Pat. No. 6,588,788, issued Jul. 8, 2003 to Clark (turning wheels that make a noise when in contact with the ground and rotating); United Kingdom Patent Application No. 2,104,464, published Mar. 9, 1993 to Sullivan (outrigger for two-wheeled vehicles); United Kingdom Patent Application No. 2,117,336, published Oct. 12, 1983 to Wright (training wheels with springs that tend to keep the bicycle vertical); and German Patent Document 3,302,581, published Jul. 26, 1984 to Kinkel (device for converting a conventional bicycle to a bicycle for the disabled). 
   None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, an auxiliary wheel attachment solving the aforementioned problems are desired. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The auxiliary wheel attachment of the present invention includes a structurally rigid, yet lightweight frame assembly made of stock steel strip pieces that are bent into appropriate shapes and then bolted together. Using a stock steel strip, such as a strip 1½ inches wide by 3/16 inches thick, allows the frame assembly to be manufactured at a lower cost compared to custom configuration frame parts. Only simple and conventional bending and cutting techniques are necessary for fabrication of the components of the frame. Also, the wheels used for the auxiliary wheel attachment may be stock parts, for example, 8-inch diameter lawn mower wheels. 
   Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a bicycle auxiliary wheel attachment that is lightweight, yet sturdy enough to support the weight of an adult. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a bicycle auxiliary wheel attachment in which the height of the wheels is adjustable depending on the size of the bicycle. 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide a bicycle auxiliary wheel attachment wherein the components of the attachment are made from stock steel strip, and formed using conventional cutting and bending techniques. 
   Still another object of the invention is to provide a bicycle auxiliary wheel attachment that is simple and convenient to install on a bicycle. 
   It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
   These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an environmental, perspective view of an auxiliary wheel attachment according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a partially exploded view of the auxiliary wheel attachment of  FIG. 1  showing how the various parts are related. 
       FIG. 3  is an elevational view of the auxiliary wheel attachment of  FIG. 1 , with the bicycle omitted, for purposes of clarity of the figure. 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the auxiliary wheel attachment. 
       FIG. 5  is an elevational view of the auxiliary wheel attachment of  FIG. 4 , with the bicycle again omitted for purposes of clarity of the view. 
   

   Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   A first embodiment of the present invention is shown mounted on a bicycle in  FIG. 1 . The auxiliary wheel attachment is shown in partially exploded view in  FIG. 2 , and in front elevational view in  FIG. 3 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , a curved brace  70  comprises a generally serpentine member with three distinct straight sections integrally formed together with two curved sections. In particular, first long straight section  71  is integrally formed with a first curved section  72 . The first curved section  72 , in turn, is integrally formed with short straight section  73 . The member then leads into a reverse curved section  74  that goes into a second long straight section  75 . Each of the long straight sections  71  and  75  have two bolt holes for receiving connection bolts  78 . Holes  77  ( FIG. 2 ), at the bottom end of straight section  75 , receive axle  220  for auxiliary wheel  200 . As seen in  FIG. 2 , a spacer  211  (only one is shown) may be inserted between each wheel  200  and section  75 , so that wheel  200  does not rub against its section  75 . Further, although each wheel is shown with a separate bearing  210 , it is most common in the trade to provide the wheel and bearing as an integral assembly. 
   Further referring to  FIG. 3 , strut  80  comprises three distinct straight sections integrally formed together with two curved sections. In particular, a first short straight section  81  is integrally formed with a first curved section  82 , which is, in turn, integrally formed with long straight section  83 . Straight section  83  leads into a second curved section  84  and then into a second short straight section  85 . In each of the straight sections  81  and  85  are bolt holes for bolts  78 . 
     FIG. 2  shows first and second flat plates  90  and  100 . Plate  90  has two bolt holes, and plate  100  has three bolt holes  101 . Two of these bolt holes  101  are spaced apart the same distance as the distance between the legs of U-bolt  92 . 
   Again referring to  FIG. 3 , a curved member  120  comprises three distinct straight sections and three distinct curved sections. In particular, a first short straight section  121  is integrally formed with a first large radius section  122 , which is, in turn, integrally formed with a long straight section  123 . Integrally formed at the other end of straight section  123  is a second large radius section  124  leading into a small radius section  125 . Integrally formed at the end of small radius section  125  is a second short straight section  126 . Alternatively (and preferably), the curved member can be formed with three distinct straight sections and only two distinct curved sections. The curved section  124  could be eliminated, with straight section  123  ending in the sharply bent section  125 . 
     FIG. 2  shows a third flat plate  160  of the invention. This plate  160  has a single bolt hole  161  in the center. 
     FIG. 2  also shows a U-shaped member of the invention. Two short legs  191  are integrally formed with long base  190  by radius sections  193 . In the center of base  190  is a single bolt hole, and in the center of each of the legs  191  is a bolt hole. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , the assembly of the auxiliary wheel assembly  1  will be described. The top straight sections  71  and  81  of one curved brace  70  and one strut  80  are juxtaposed with one leg  191  of U-shaped member  190 , and connected together with a bolt  78  and nut  79  through the appropriate bolt holes. The process is then repeated for the other side of the assembly. Since the second short straight section  85  of strut  80  is now juxtaposed with the appropriate bolt hole of curved brace  70 , these are connected with a bolt  78  and nut  79  on both sides of the assembly. The first straight section  121  of curved member  120  is then juxtaposed with the appropriate bolt hole of one curved brace  70  and one hole of flat plate  90  and connected together with a bolt  78  and nut  79 . 
   The process is repeated for the other side. Since the second short straight section  126  of curved member  120  is now aligned with the appropriate bolt hole, a bolt  78  and nut  79  are used to connect together curved brace  70  and curved member  120 , and the process is repeated for the other side. All of the nut and bolt connections are made finger tight so that there is some movement possible between the various components. 
   At this point the auxiliary wheel assembly is ready for attachment to the bicycle. Reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2  will assist in appreciating the following discussion. The upper part of the bicycle fork  230  is sandwiched between the U-shaped member  190  and the flat plate  160  and secured with a bolt  78  and nut  79 . This connection is screwed down tightly with a wrench. One of the flat plates  100  is placed against one leg of the lower frame member  240  with the holes intended for the U-bolt  92  on either side of the leg. U-bolt  92  is then passed through the appropriate holes and secured tightly thereto with nuts  93 . This process is repeated for the other side. 
   It is at this point that all of the connections are tightened down with a wrench so that the auxiliary wheel assembly is made completely rigid. Finally, the wheels with bearings  210  are attached to the appropriate axle holes with axle bolts  220 , spacers  211  (if needed and used), and axle nuts  225  so that they hold the bicycle in an upright position. 
   A second embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 4 . Parts  70 ,  80 ,  90 ,  100 ,  160  and  190  are the same as described for the first embodiment above. The elements particular to the second embodiment are shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     FIGS. 4 and 5  show a first L-shaped member  130 . A first long straight section  131  is integrally formed substantially perpendicular to a second long straight section  133  through a small radius  132 . The second long straight section  133  is integrally formed at the other end substantially perpendicular to a short straight section  135  by a second small radius  134 . Bolt holes  136  are provided in first straight section  131  and axle hole  137  is provided in the short straight section  135 . 
   Further referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , first straight brace  140  comprises a long straight section  143  integrally formed at both ends to first and second short straight sections  141  and  145  by first and second radius sections  142  and  144 . 
   Again referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a second straight brace  150  of the second embodiment of the invention is similar to the first straight brace  140  except for somewhat different proportions. A long straight section  153  is integrally formed at both ends to first and second short straight sections  151  and  155  by first and second radius sections  152  and  154 . 
     FIGS. 4 and 5  further show a second L-shaped member  180 . First long straight section  181  is integrally formed to first short straight section  183  by first radius section  182 . First short straight section  183  is integrally formed to second long straight section  185  by second radius section  184 . Second long straight section  185  is integrally formed substantially perpendicular to third long straight section  187  by third radius section  186 . Third long straight section  187  is integrally formed substantially perpendicular to second short straight section  189  by fourth radius section  188 . Bolt holes  196  are provided in first long straight section  181  and second long straight section  185 . Axle hole  197  is provided in second short straight section  189 . 
   Referring again to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , assembly of the second embodiment of the invention will be described. The top straight sections  71  and  81  of one curved brace  70  and one strut  80  are juxtaposed with one leg  191  of U-shaped member  190  and connected together with a bolt  78  and nut  79  through the appropriate bolt holes. The process is then repeated for the other side of the assembly. Since the bolt hole in the second short straight section is now aligned with the appropriate bolt hole of curved brace  70 , a bolt  78  and nut  79  are used to connect them together on both sides of the assembly. Next, the plate  90  is juxtaposed with the upper bolt hole  136  of first L-shaped member  130  and the appropriate bolt hole of curved brace  70 , and bolt  78  and nut  79  used to fasten them together. Another plate  90  is then juxtaposed with the upper bolt hole  196  of second L-shaped member  180  and the appropriate bolt hole of curved brace  70 , and bolt  78  and nut  79  used to fasten them together. Second flat plates  100  are attached to first flat plates  90  with bolts  78  and nuts  79  in the holes  101  not intended for the U-bolt  92 . Then the two straight braces  140  and  150  are installed by lining up their bolt holes with the appropriate bolt holes in L-shaped members  140  and  150  and fastened with bolts  78  and nuts  79 . All connections are fastened finger tight to allow adjustment of the wheel assembly to the bicycle. 
   At this point, the auxiliary wheel assembly is ready to attach to the bicycle. Again, reference is made to  FIG. 1  to see the bicycle parts referred to below. The wheel assembly is positioned so that the second L-shaped member  180  is adjacent the sprocket side of the bicycle wheel. The upper part of the bicycle fork  230  is sandwiched between the U-shaped member  190  and the flat plate  160  and secured with a bolt  78  and nut  79 . This connection is screwed down tightly with a wrench. The second flat plate  100  is placed against one leg of the lower frame member  240  with the holes intended for the U-bolt  92  on either side of the leg. U-bolt  92  is then passed through the appropriate holes and secured tightly thereto with nuts  93 . This process is repeated for the other side. 
   It is at this point that all of the connections are tightened down with a wrench so that the auxiliary wheel assembly is made completely rigid. Finally, the wheels are attached to the appropriate axle holes with axle bolts  220 , bearings  210 , and axle nuts  225  so that they hold the bicycle in an upright position. It should be noted that unless the axle bolts are disposed in the bottommost axle holes, additional bolts and nuts will be required in the bottommost holes to make the assembly completely rigid. 
   It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.