Handlebar mounted bike accessory

An accessory (10) for bicycle handlebars (101); wherein, the accessory comprises a spring mounted figurine member (20) having its torso (22) and arms (24) releasably engaged with the handlebar (101); and, wherein the figurine member (20) may be removed from the handlebar (101) to serve as a stuffed toy.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The present invention relates to the field of bicycle accessories in 
general, and in particular to a figurine mounted in a simulated riding 
position relative to the handlebars of a bicycle. 
BACKGROUND ART 
This invention was the subject matter of Document Disclosure Program 
Registration No. 289709 which was filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark 
Office on Aug. 23, 1991. 
As can be seen by reference to the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,251,241; 
4,321,883; 2,168,939; and 3,945,337; the prior art is replete with myriad 
and diverse accessories for attachment to the handlebars of a bicycle. 
While all of the aforementioned prior art constructions are more than 
adequate for the basic purpose and function for which they have been 
specifically designed, these patented structures do not even remotely 
approximate the purpose and structure embodied in the subject matter of 
the present invention. 
As most adults are aware children seem to be perpetually inclined to 
festoon their bicycles with myriad and diverse decorative items to express 
their personal style and also to distinguish their bicycles from those of 
their playmates. 
As a consequence of the foregoing situation, there has existed a 
longstanding need for a new type of bicycle accessory that will not only 
produce a unique appearance and cooperate with the bicycle handle bar in a 
novel manner; but which will also serve as a stuffed toy companion for the 
child when detached from the bicycle; and the provision of such a 
construction is a stated objective of the present invention. 
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
Briefly stated, the handlebar mounted bicycle accessory that forms the 
basis of the present invention comprises a stuffed figurine unit, a spring 
unit and a plurality of securing units. 
The spring unit and the securing units are adapted to form an operative 
releasable connection between the figurine unit and the bicycle handlebar. 
In addition the figurine unit will be provided with a plurality of 
simulated appendages and a torso that will be releasably secured to the 
handlebar to dispose the figurine in an upright riding position. 
As will be explained in greater detail further on in the specification, the 
figurine unit is provided with a recess dimensioned to receive the spring 
unit such that the torso of the figurine unit will be resiliently engaged 
relative to the handlebar to thereby move in a natural manner as the 
bicycle traverses uneven terrain. 
In addition the figurine unit is also provided with a flap closure that 
will cover the recess, when the figurine is not installed on the bicycle; 
such that the figurine unit may function as a normal stuffed toy at other 
times.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
As can be seen by reference to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, 
the bicycle accessory that forms the basis of the present invention is 
designated generally by the reference numeral (10). The accessory (10) 
comprises in general: a figurine unit (11); a spring unit (12); and, a 
pair of releasable securing units (13). These units will now be described 
in seriatim fashion. 
As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 the figurine unit (11) comprises a figurine 
member (20) provided with a head (21) a torso (22) and a plurality of 
appendages (23) such as simulated arms (24) and legs (25). 
In addition, as can best be seen by reference to FIG. 3, the bottom of the 
figurine torso (22) is provided with an enlarged elongated recess (26) 
having a closure flap (27) for selectively covering and uncovering the 
recess (26), for reasons that will be explained presently, 
As can best be appreciated by reference to FIG. 2 the spring unit (12) 
comprises an elongated helical spring (30), which is dimensioned to be 
received in the elongated recess (26) in the torso (22) and which is 
secured on one end (31) to the handlebar of a bicycle (100); such that the 
spring (30) forms the operative releasable connection between the torso 
(22) of the figurine member (20) and the handlebar (101). 
Still referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the releasable securing 
units (13) comprise pairs of hook (40) and loop (41) fasteners which are 
disposed at spaced locations on the handlebars (101), as well as on the 
palm portions of the arms (24) of the figurine member (20). 
By now it should be appreciated that the figurine member (20) is intended 
to be disposed in an upright sitting position relative to the bicycle 
handlebars (101); wherein, the torso (22) of the figurine (20) is 
supported by the helical spring (30) and the arms (24) of the figurine 
(20) are releasably engaged to the handlebar (101) by the cooperation of 
the hook and loop fasteners (40) (41). 
Furthermore, the presence of the helical spring (30) within the body cavity 
recess (26) of the figurine member (20) allows the figurine member (20) to 
bounce in a natural fashion on the handlebar (101) as the bicycle (100) 
traverses uneven terrain. 
As was also mentioned previously the closure flap (27) is provided to cover 
the recess (26) when the figurine member (20) is not deployed on the 
bicycle handlebar (101); such that the figurine unit (11) may also be 
selectively utilized as a stuffed toy. 
In addition this invention further contemplates providing both the head and 
extremities of the figurine member (20) per se, with reflective elements 
(50) disposed on the hands, feet, and face portions of the figurine member 
(20); and, it is further contemplated that the outer covering on the torso 
922) of the figurine member (20) will be provided with strips or patches 
of reflective material (51) to make the bicycle accessory (10) more 
visible in low light conditions such as at dawn, dusk and dark. 
Having thereby described the subject matter of the present invention, it 
should be apparent that many substitutions, modifications and variations 
of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is 
therefore to be understood that the invention as taught and described 
herein is only to be limited to the extent of the breadth and scope of the 
appended claims.