Bicycle training weight

A bicycle training weight comprises an elongated tubular member having sections angularly disposed relative to one another for connection to a bicycle frame below the down tube, bottom bracket and chain stays of the frame, the weight having straps for securing the weight to the frame, cushions at the point of angular joinder of the tube sections and a cover on one end for inserting and removing individual weights from the tubular member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to training weights for bicycles and more 
particularly to weights for bicycles adapted for mounting at a point below 
the bicycle frame. 
Weights have been used in the past during aerobic activities, such as 
running, to increase resistance and enhance the training effect of the 
activity. Such weights often are hand held or attached to the body or 
clothing of the athlete. 
More recently, such weights have been used on bicycles for training 
purposes. Weights have been designed which fit in standard bicycle water 
bottle brackets, or which have integral clips for mounting to the down 
tube of a bicycle frame. It has also been proposed to provide a weight 
which fits into the angle formed between the down tube of the bicycle 
frame, which extends downwardly from the handle bars, and the seat tube, 
which extends downwardly from the bicycle seat. This latter design of a 
weight is secured in clips which mount to the bicycle frame and provides a 
lower center of gravity than weights mounted directly to the down tube. 
Because, however, the angle between the down tube and the seat tube varies 
among bicycle models, one such weight will not fit a wide variety of 
bicycles. Additionally, typical bicycle training weights have a fixed 
weight. To vary the weight, a different training weight must be 
substituted for the one previously installed. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In general, a bicycle training weight in accordance with the invention, 
comprises an elongated tubular member having two sections angularly 
disposed with respect to one another along their respective longitudinal 
axes. Solid weighting material is positioned within the tubular member. 
Fasteners are connected to each end of the tubular member adapted for 
extension toward the upper surface of the tubular member defining the 
included angle of the tubular sections, and adapted for connection to a 
bicycle frame. In particular embodiments, the fasteners comprise straps 
which extend around the tubular member, one strap end having an adjustable 
buckle connected thereto for adjustably receiving the free end of the 
strap. Preferably, cushioning material is positioned at the point of 
angular joinder of the tubular sections on the upper surface and 
preferably a pair of such cushioning members are provided spaced from each 
other equidistantly from the center of a plane extending through the axis 
of the tubular sections. 
In a particular embodiment of the invention, one end of the tubular member 
has an opening at the end and comprises a closure member for closing the 
opening. The weighting material comprises a plurality of individual 
weights removably positioned in the tubular member, thus permitting 
selective adjustment of the amount of weight utilized. The training weight 
can also include at the other end of the tubular member, a solid 
non-removable portion of weighting material, e.g., lead, solidified within 
the tube to provide a minimum weight, e.g. 3000 gms. The individual 
weights may weigh 500 gms. each so that by inserting six or seven of such 
weights, the total weight of the training weight is 6,000 or 6,500 gms. In 
a particular embodiment, the training weight is of square cross-section. 
Advantageously, training weights according to the invention can be mounted 
underneath the down tube, bottom bracket, and chain stays of a bicycle 
frame to lower the center of gravity as much as possible. Being located in 
this position, the strap adjustments will permit connection of the 
training weight to a wide variety of bicycle frames. The cushions at the 
point of joinder of the two angular sections provide spacing between the 
tubular sections and the bicycle frame for fitting a variety of bicycle 
sizes and also provide lateral stability for the weight. In the version of 
the training weight in which individual weights are removable through a 
closure or cover. The removable individual weights permit, as noted above, 
adjustment of the total amount of training weight utilized. 
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the 
description of preferred embodiments thereof, taken together with the 
drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
As illustrated in FIG. 1, a training weight 10, according to the invention, 
is mounted below a bicycle frame 12. The bicycle frame comprises a down 
tube 14 extending from the steering tube 16, above which the handle bars 
18 are mounted, to a bottom bracket 20 through which the crank 22 is 
rotatably mounted, which crank supports the pedals 24 for the bicycle. A 
seat tube 26 extends from the seat 28 to the bottom bracket 20 and chain 
stays 30 extend rearwardly from the bottom bracket 20. 
As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the training weight 10 comprises a 
steel tubular member of rectangular, square, preferably cross-section. The 
tubular member comprises two tubular sections 32,34 welded together at an 
angle relative to their respective longitudinal axes and, preferably, a 
removable closure member, i.e., cover 50. The upper surface 36 of sections 
32, 34 defines an included angle of approximately 135.degree.. One of the 
tubular sections 32 is shorter than the other 34, and has a steel plate 38 
welded across the end of the tubular section 32 to seal that section. 
As shown in FIG. 3, solid weighting material, lead 40 and cement 41, fill 
that section 32 of the tube and partially fill the other tubular section 
34 as well. The cement 41 seals the lead and provides a smooth outer 
surface. The end of tubular section 34 is open and a groove 42 is formed 
on the bottom surface 37 of section 34 parallel to and inset from the open 
tube end 44, as shown in FIG. 3. The closure member, i.e., cover 50, for 
closing the open tube end 44, comprises a steel plate formed to provide 
rearwardly extending top 64, side 66, 68 and bottom 51 walls, the bottom 
wall 51 having an upwardly projecting flange 52 for engagement in the 
groove 42 on the tubular section. The cover upper wall 64 extends 
rearwardly only a short distance compared to cover bottom wall 51, 
permitting removal of the cover by pivoting about the point at which 
flange 52 engages groove 42, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 3. The edges 
of cover side walls 66, 68 extend in straight lines from the rear edge of 
upper wall 64 to flange 52 on the bottom wall 51, i.e. the side walls 66, 
68 extend at an angle to the end of tubular section 34. 
Additional solid weighting material is provided by a plurality of 6 or 7 
individual weights 54 made of bronze, having outer dimensions just 
slightly smaller than the inner dimensions of the tubular section 34, are 
provided for adjustment of the total weight of the tube. The weight of the 
tube without the individual weights 54, is preferably approximately 3000 
gms. The individual weights 54 preferably weigh about 500 gms. each. 
Cushioning material, e.g. crumpled paper 55, shown in FIG. 3, may be 
placed within the tube to prevent movement of the individual weights 54 
within the tube during use. 
Fastener, i.e., strap 56, adjacent one end of the tubular member, extends 
around the tubular section 32 and is secured by screws 58 to each of the 
side surfaces 46, 48 (only the screw on side 46 is shown). Fastener, i.e. 
strap 57 extends around cover 50 and is secured by rivets 59 to cover side 
walls 66, 68 at the lower, wider portions thereof. One end of each strap 
56, 57 has an adjustable buckle 60 secured thereto and the other strap end 
62 of each strap 56, 57 is free for insertion into the buckle. The strap 
ends extend toward and are positioned at the upper surface 36 of the tube. 
The straps 56, 57 are preferably secured so that the buckle is located 
closely adjacent one of the side surfaces 46, 48 and side walls 66, 68 so 
that it will not engage and mar the bicycle frame 12. The illustrated 
straps are common bicycle toe clips such as are available through Hans 
Johnson Co. of Dallas, Tex. 
On the upper surface 36, at the point of angular joinder of the two tubular 
sections 32, 34, a pair of elongated cushions, extending a short distance 
along the length are provided, laterally spaced apart equidistantly from 
the center of the upper surface 36, each cushion comprising a base member 
64, end fittings 66, 68 which are riveted to the tubular member by rivets 
70, and a cushioning member 72. The base members 64 and end fittings 66, 
68 are of hard plastic. End fittings 66, 68 each have a portion 67, 69 
overlying base member 64 and rivets 70 extend through overlying portions 
67, 69 and base member 64 to secure the assembly to upper surface 36. An 
elastomeric plastic cushioning member 72 is placed between each set of the 
end fittings 66, 68 in a compression fit and with grooves 74 in each side 
the lower portion of the elastomeric members 72 engaging inwardly 
projecting edges 76 of the base members 64, as shown in FIG. 4. The 
illustrated cushions formed by these members are formed from automobile 
door guards. 
In use, the desired amount of weight is determined and the number of 
individual weights 54 added or removed from the tubular member 10 to 
achieve the total weight desired. The flange 52 of cover 50 is then 
engaged in groove 42 and the cover 50 is pivoted over the open end 44 of 
the tubular member 10 to close the open end. The training weight 10 is 
then placed under the bottom bracket 20 of the bicycle frame 12 with the 
two cushion members 72 firmly against the bottom bracket 20. As 
illustrated in the drawings, the orientation of the training weight is 
such that the cover 50 is in the uppermost position. The straps 56, 57 are 
then secured around the down tube 14 and the chain stays 30 on either side 
of the bottom bracket 20. Advantageously, cover bottom wall 51 acts as a 
lever arm with flange 52 in groove 42 as the fulcrum so that pressure 
exerted by strap 57 on bottom wall 51 assures that cover 50 remains firmly 
closed when the training weights is mounted to a bicycle frame 10. If it 
is desired to alter the weight, the tubular member 10 can be removed from 
the bicycle frame 12, the cover 50 opened, and the appropriate adjustment 
made by adding or removing individual weights 54. To prevent rattling of 
the individual weights 54 within the tube 10, the empty space at the end 
of the tube can be filled as above noted with crumpled paper 55. 
In other contemplated embodiments, the tubular member and cover may be made 
of molded plastic and the cushions may be molded into the plastic tubular 
member.