Torsion seat-handle to facilitate learning bicycle riding

A bicycle riding training device, or torsion seat-handle, attaches directly to the seat frame of a bicycle allowing the rider to receive immediate physical feedback from the instructor. The rider can “feel” the instructor's corrections through the seat, allowing the rider to more quickly learn how to balance the bicycle. The torsion seat-handle extends rearwardly and upwardly from the seat of the bicycle, such that it may be grasped by an instructor to provide physical corrections the rider. Additionally, the angular deployment of the torsion seat-handle can be adjusted to account for the height of the instructor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Learning to balance a bicycle while simultaneously steering and pedaling involves many attempts by the novice rider, with many of those attempts resulting in crashes. Several devices exist to aid the novice bicycle rider to stabilize the bicycle during the learning process.

In addition to the ubiquitous “training wheels,” handle devices exist which assist is stabilizing a novice rider by allowing an instructor to hold the bicycle in an upright position. Such handle devices attach to the rear axle or the bike frame itself, and are often awkward. The instructor cannot alter the angular deployment of the handle device, and more importantly in use does not allow the novice rider to “feel” the instructor's corrections.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention a torsion seat-handle is disclosed wherein the training device is mechanically affixed directly to the bicycle seat, thereby allowing the novice rider to receive physical feedback from the instructor through the bicycle seat itself. Hence, the rider can quickly respond to the movement of his/her seat and make the necessary adjustments to keep the bicycle in a balanced (i.e., upright) position. Unlike prior art, the present invention is not designed to “right” the bicycle, it simply does not generate the torque required to correct the bicycle to its upright position, but instead provides just enough torque to change the seat's position, providing a physical indication of the direction in which the rider needs to shift his/her weight in order to balance the bicycle. Informal studies have shown that the herein disclosed training device, through physical feedback, increases the speed as which a novice rider masters riding a bicycle. The brain actually learns the balanced position in a more expeditious manner.

The training device is adjustable at two connection points to account for differing heights of potential instructors, and account for different bike frame styles, bike seat sizes, and tire sizes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG. 1-3an exemplary bicycle2is shown with the torsion seat handle20mechanically affixed thereon. Turning toFIGS. 7 & 8the torsion seat-handle20can be seen in its entirety. Mounting bracket22is comprised of an upper jaw24and a lower jaw26. Upper jaw24presents two longitudinal depressions28which open downwardly to cooperate with the two longitudinal depressions30of lower jaw26, which open upwardly when jaws24and26engage seat support frame4, which is mechanically fastened to seat post3, such that seat support frame4is engaged between the jaws formed by the opposite depressions28and30as illustrated inFIG. 7.

To mechanically secure mounting bracket22to seat support frame4, upper jaw24and lower jaw26present two vertical orifices (not visible) for receiving engagement bolts32which are secured with fastening nuts34as is well know in the art. SeeFIGS. 4-6.

Attachment boss36extends normally from lower jaw26and comprises an connection orifice38therethrough. Circumscribing connection orifice38is a serrated mating surface40, which is well known in the art. Connection bar42connects mounting bracket22with handle44. Connection bar42includes a bracket mounting aperture44at its proximate end and a handle mounting aperture46at its distal end. Serrated mating surface40of connection orifice28is designed to engage second serrated mating surface48which circumscribes bracket mounting aperture45allowing for the removable connection of mounting bracket22to connection bar42via connection bolt50and connection wingnut52. SeeFIG. 5. Additionally, serrated mating surfaces40and48allow connection bar42to be positioned throughout a wide range of angles as is illustrated inFIGS. 4-6.

Handle44includes a bulbous portion58for providing easy gripping by an instructor at its distal end and a locking aperture60at its proximate end. Handle mounting aperture46is circumscribed by a third serrated mating surface62to matingly engage the fourth serrated mating surface64which circumscribes locking aperture60, allowing for the removable connection of the handle44to the connection bar42via handle bolt54and handle wingnut56. Serrated mating surfaces62and64allow handle44to be positioned throughout a wide range of angles as is illustrated inFIGS. 4 & 5.

In use, the instructor attaches the mounting bracket22to the seat support frame4of the bicycle2. The instructor then tightens fastening nuts34about engagement bolts32until mounting bracket22is immovably attached about the seat support frame4. The instructor then attaches the connection bar42at the desired angle to mounting bracket22via connection bolt50and tightening connection wingnut52until connection bar42is immovably attached to mounting bracket22. Finally, the instructor attaches handle44to connection bar42via connection bolt54and tightening handle wingnut56until handle44is immovably attached about connection bar42. When utilized to train a novice bicycle rider to ride a bicycle2, the instructor simply follows behind the bicycle2while balancing the bicycle2with the torsion seat-handle20, making the appropriate corrections to maintain the vertical orientation of the bike. Because the corrective forces applied through the torsion seat-handle are directly applied to the frame of the bicycle seat (rather than to the bike frame), and due to the seat frame's ability to flex and move, the amount of movement incurred at the seat exceeds the amount of movement that would be incurred by seat (and hence the bicycle rider) if a similar handle were attached to the bike frame. The novice rider receives immediate physical feedback through his/her buttocks. That is, he/she feels the adjustments the instructor makes via the torsion seat-handle. Having this physical sensation associated with each correction allows the novice rider's brain to more quickly assimilate the physical sensation of the instructor's correction with learning the “balanced” position required for bicycle riding.