Bicycle work stand and method

A new and novel bicycle work stand utilized to effect repairs and adjustments to a bicycle. The bicycle work stand is constructed having a base member with spaced apart legs and an end portion. At least two spaced apart hooking means having cradle areas, extension arms and non-abrasive material covering the cradle areas of the at least two spaced apart hooking means are fixedly attached to the end portion of the base member. A support plate having support ears, V-shaped notches and non-abrasive material covering the support ears is fixedly attached to ends of the extension arms of the at least two spaced apart hooking means. A bottom bracket of a bicycle is removably engaged by the at least two spaced apart hooking means so that the cradle areas of the spaced apart hooking means removably contact an underneath portion of the bottom bracket of the bicycle. The support ears of the support plate contact an inner underside of chain stays of the bicycle producing an uplifting effect on the chain stays and on a rear wheel of the bicycle. The non-abrasive material covering the cradle areas of the spaced apart hooking means and the support ears prevents gouging, marring, scratching and defacing of the finished surface of the bicycle. The V-shaped notches prevent damage to various cables routed along the bicycle and facilitate the repair and adjustment or removal or installation of such cables. The bicycle work stand properly positions a bicycle for repairs and adjustments while maintaining stability and balance of the bicycle by utilizing a three point footprint and an oblique contact angle with the ground or similar flat surface. Also disclosed is a new and novel method for using the bicycle work stand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to work stands and more specifically to a 
new and novel bicycle work stand and method. The new and novel bicycle 
work stand and method is designed to place a bicycle in a proper position 
to effect repairs and adjustments to a bicycle while providing stable and 
balanced support of the bicycle. 
While there are a wide variety of bicycle stands that provide some support 
for a bicycle, such as The Greenfield Easystand.RTM., manufactured by 
Greenfield.RTM., these stands are designed to be portable kick-stands 
providing support to a bicycle while both front and rear wheels of the 
bicycle remain on the ground. Thus, since the rear wheel of a bicycle is 
not elevated by this type of stand, repairs and adjustments to the bicycle 
cannot be easily and readily effected thereby limiting the use if this 
type of stand. Other storage type stands are also available and are 
equally unsuited for effecting repairs and adjustments on a bicycle. These 
types of storage stands are generally constructed of lightweight material 
that cannot adequately support the bulk of the weight of a bicycle and 
further, are not designed to support the bulk of the weight of a bicycle. 
Like the before mentioned portable kick-stand, these types of storage 
stands are designed to support a bicycle while both front and rear wheels 
remain on the ground, thereby utilizing the contact points between both 
the front and rear wheels and the ground as additional support. 
Another type of stand that functions solely as a bicycle work stand is of 
the type having a base and elevated curved arm. The end of the elevated 
curved arm is designed to grip a bicycle at some point on the bicycle 
frame thereby elevating the bicycle from the ground. These types of work 
stands are cumbersome and require extra work space to effect repairs and 
adjustments on a bicycle. Additionally, these types of work stands must 
either be left assembled, taking up valuable space, or the stand must be 
disassembled after each use and reassembled prior to the next use. 
Another problem encountered with stands of this type is that these stands 
limit the accessibility of various areas of a bicycle that may be in need 
of repair or adjustment. Since this type of stand has an elevated arm 
which holds the bicycle in place, the elevated arm may at times be in the 
way of a technician or other person attempting to repair or adjust various 
components of a bicycle. The bicycle must then be re-positioned in the 
stand to continue the repairs or adjustments. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
To overcome the before described considerations and problems inherent in 
and encountered with prior art bicycle stands, there is provided by the 
subject invention a unique bicycle work stand and method that effectively 
positions a bicycle so that all components of the bicycle needing repair 
and adjustment are easily and readily accessible while providing stable 
and balanced support of the bicycle. The new and novel bicycle work stand 
is also designed to be easily stored without disassembly and thus, without 
the need to re-assemble the bicycle work stand before use on an bicycle. 
Additionally, the new and novel bicycle work stand does not encroach on 
the space available for effecting repairs and adjustments to a bicycle. 
Applicant's new and novel bicycle work stand is constructed with a base 
member having spaced apart legs and an end portion. The end portion of the 
base member has fixedly attached thereto at least two spaced apart hooking 
means having a cradle area, extension arms and a non-abrasive material 
covering the cradle area. The at least two spaced apart hooking means arc 
angularly offset in relation to the base member. A support plate having 
support ears, notches in close proximity to the support ears and a 
non-abrasive material covering the support ears is fixedly attached to the 
extension arms of the at least two spaced apart hooking means. The support 
ears and notches are continuously formed on the support plate. 
In the Preferred Embodiment, the new and novel bicycle work stand is 
further constructed front a rigid, non-flexing material such as steel, 
aluminum, brass and other metal alloys. Also in the Preferred Embodiment, 
the at least two spaced apart hooking means are fixedly attached to a side 
and an opposite side of the end portion of the base member by welding, 
brazing, high temperature fusion, or other metal joining methods. 
Similarly, a side of the support plate is fixedly attached to ends of the 
extension arms of the at least two spaced apart hooking means by welding, 
brazing, high temperature fusion, or other metal joining methods. 
The at least two spaced apart hooking means are designed to removably 
engage a bottom bracket of a bicycle. Cradle areas formed in the spaced 
apart hooking means support the bulk of the weight of the bicycle when the 
new and novel bicycle work stand is positioned on the bottom bracket of a 
bicycle. The cradle areas form a pivoting point around which the offset 
base member, and thus, around which the support ears also pivot. The 
support ears can then be moved into a position where the support ears 
contact an inner underside of the chain stays of a bicycle in an uplifting 
motion. The uplifting motion of the support ears elevates a rear portion 
of the bicycle and thus a rear wheel of the bicycle is also elevated. The 
spaced apart legs of the base member then rest on the ground, work bench 
or similar flat surface. 
The non-abrasive material covering the cradle area and support ears 
protects the finished surface of the bicycle. In the Preferred Embodiment, 
the non-abrasive material is rubber, soft plastic, vinyl and the like. The 
non-abrasive material is provided in pre-molded sections, the pre-molded 
sections of non-abrasive material being designed to removably cover the 
cradle areas and support ears. Thus, in the event the non-abrasive 
material covering a portion of the spaced apart hooking means and a 
portion of the support plate should become worn, the non-abrasive material 
can be easily and readily replaced by removing the worn pre-molded section 
of non-abrasive material and replacing the worn section with a new 
pre-molded section of non-abrasive material. In another embodiment, the 
non-abrasive material is commercially provided in a liquid form that is 
applied by dipping, brushing or spraying. 
Once the new and novel bicycle work stand has been properly positioned on a 
bicycle, repairs and adjustments to the bicycle can be easily and readily 
effected. Since the new and novel bicycle work stand supports the bicycle 
from underneath, all components of the bicycle are easily and readily 
accessible. Additionally, since the bicycle work stand supports the 
bicycle from underneath, there is no need to realign the bicycle in the 
work stand to access components of the bicycle requiring repairs and 
adjustment. Also, since the new and novel bicycle work stand elevates the 
rear portion of the bicycle, and thus elevates the rear ,wheel of the 
bicycle, the drive system and rear braking system of a bicycle are easily 
and readily accessible. Elevating the rear wheel allows the rear wheel to 
freely rotate thereby facilitating repairs and adjustments to the drive 
system and rear braking system of a bicycle as well as facilitating 
repairs and adjustments to the rear wheel itself. 
Since the base member has continuously formed thereon spaced apart legs, 
the bicycle work stand provides a very stable and balanced three point 
footprint, two of the three points being the spaced apart legs of the base 
member and the third point being the front wheel of the bicycle which 
remains on the ground once the rear wheel has been elevated. The angular 
offset of the at least two spaced apart hooking means in relation to the 
base member causes the base member to contact the ground, work bench or 
similar flat surface at an oblique angle whose direction is away from the 
front wheel thereby providing additional stability and balance to the 
bicycle work stand when positioned on a bicycle. 
Various cables are typically routed along the framework of a bicycle. Some 
cables, such as de-railer cables, are routed underneath the bottom bracket 
of a bicycle and along the chain stays of a bicycle. Notches provided in 
close proximity to the support ears of the support plate prevent the 
bicycle work stand from interfering with these cables when the bicycle 
work stand is positioned on the bicycle. The generally V-shaped notches 
also facilitate the removal and installation of such cables. New de-railer 
cables are generally stiff and difficult to maneuver while old de-railer 
cables generally contain various fixed bends and angles, caused by the 
routing of the cables, that are retained by the cables. Thus, in the case 
where new cables are being installed on a bicycle, applicant's new and 
novel bicycle work stand facilitates installation by allowing the cables 
to be easily and readily passed through the notches and properly routed 
along the bicycle. Similarly, in the case where old cables are being 
removed, adjusted or re-routed, applicant's new and novel bicycle work 
stand facilitates removal of the cables by allowing the various fixed 
bends and angles retained by the old cables to be easily and readily 
passed through notches. Thus, repairs and adjustments to or installation 
or removal of these cables can be effected without having to realign the 
bicycle in the new and novel bicycle work stand. 
To achieve the foregoing and other advantages, the present invention 
provides a new and novel bicycle work stand designed to easily and readily 
support a prior art bicycle, without gouging, marring, scratching or 
defacing the finished surface of the bicycle, while providing stable and 
balanced support to the bicycle when the bicycle work stand has been used 
to place the bicycle in a proper position to effect repairs and 
adjustments to the bicycle. 
The more important features of the present invention have been broadly 
outlined in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may 
be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art 
may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention 
that will be more fully described hereinafter and which, together with the 
features outlined above, will form the subject matter of the claims 
appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the 
conception, upon which the present disclosure is based, may readily be 
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and 
systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It 
is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such 
equivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and 
scope of the present invention. 
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent 
and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the 
scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar 
with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly front a 
cursory review the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the 
application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of 
the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be 
limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
Accordingly, it is an object and advantage of the invention to provide a 
new and novel bicycle work stand that easily and readily positions a 
bicycle so that repairs and adjustments to the bicycle may be easily and 
readily effected. 
Another object and advantage of the invention is to provide a new and novel 
bicycle work stand that provides stable and balanced support of a bicycle 
when the bicycle is positioned to effect repairs and adjustments to the 
bicycle. 
Another object and advantage of the invention is to provide a new and novel 
bicycle work stand that facilitates the removal and installation of 
various cables that may be routed along the framework of a bicycle. 
Another object and advantage of the invention is to provide a new and novel 
bicycle work stand that does not gouge, mar, scratch or deface a bicycle 
when the bicycle work stand bicycle is used to position a bicycle for 
repairs. 
Still another object and advantage of the invention is to provide a new and 
novel bicycle work stand that does not require assembly or disassembly. 
Another object and advantage of the invention is to provide a new and novel 
bicycle work stand that does not encroach on available work space. 
Another object and advantage of the invention is to provide a new and novel 
bicycle work stand that allows access to all components of a bicycle being 
repaired or adjusted without realignment of the bicycle in the bicycle 
work stand. 
Another object and advantage of the invention is to provide a new and novel 
bicycle work stand which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and 
marketed. 
Yet another object and advantage of the invention is to provide a new and 
novel bicycle work stand which is of durable and reliable construction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to the drawings in general and in particular to FIG. 1 of the 
drawings, there is shown applicant's new and novel bicycle work stand 
shown generally by the numeral 20. Applicant's new and novel bicycle work 
stand 20 has been designed to be utilized with prior art bicycles of 
various types to position a prior art bicycle so that repairs and 
adjustments to various parts of a prior art bicycle may be readily and 
easily completed. 
Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings there is shown a perspective view 
of the new and novel bicycle work stand 20. In the Preferred Embodiment, 
the bicycle work stand 20 is constructed from a rigid, non-flexing 
material such as steel, aluminum, brass and other metal alloys known in 
the art. In the Preferred Embodiment, the rigid, non-flexing material is 
designed to be front one eighth of an inch thick to three eighths of an 
inch thick. Other rigid, non-flexing materials and other thicknesses may 
also be used and are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the 
applicant's invention. 
A continuously formed inverted Y-shaped base member, shown generally by the 
numeral 22, having spaced apart legs 24 and 26, and an end portion, shown 
generally by the numeral 28, has fixedly attached thereto at least two 
spaced apart hooking means, shown generally by the numerals 30 and 32. A 
portion of end portion 28 is not visible in FIG. 1 of the drawings. In the 
Preferred Embodiment, the end portion 28 has at least two spaced apart 
hooking means fixedly attached thereot. Other combinations of spaced apart 
hooking means may also be used and are considered to be within the spirit 
and scope of the applicant's invention. 
The at least two spaced apart hooking means 30 and 32 have a lower portion, 
shown generally by the numeral 34, and an upper portion, shown generally 
by the numeral 36. Spaced apart hooking means 30 and 32 have an outer 
edge, 38 and 40 respectively, in lower portion 34 of the at least two 
spaced apart hooking means 30 and 32. Outer edge 40 of spaced apart 
hooking means 32 is shown in dashed lines for purposes of clarity. The 
method of attachment of the at least two spaced apart hooking means 30 and 
32 to end portion 28 of inverted Y-shaped base member 22 will be discussed 
more fully hereinafter. 
Spaced apart hooking means 30 and 32 have continuously formed therein 
cradle areas 42 and 44 respectively, cradle areas 42 and 44 being 
continuously formed in upper portion 36 of spaced apart hooking means 30 
and 32 respectively. In the Preferred Embodiment, cradle areas 42 and 44 
have a pre-determined shape, the pre-determined shape being generally 
semi-circular having a radius in a range of 15 millimeters to 30 
millimeters. Other configurations and radii may also be used and are 
considered to be within the spirit and scope of the applicant's invention. 
Spaced apart hooking means 30 and 32 have formed continuously thereon 
extension arms 46 and 48 respectively. Extension arm 48 is not visible in 
FIG. 1 of the drawings but is clearly shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. 
Still referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a support plate, shown 
generally by the numeral 50, is fixedly attached to extension arms 46 and 
48 of spaced apart hooking means 30 and 32 respectively. 
Support plate 50 has a lower portion, shown generally by the numeral 52, 
and an upper portion, shown generally by the numeral 54. Support ears 56 
and 58 and notches 60 and 62 are continuously formed in upper portion 54 
of support plate 50. Support ears 56 and 58, notches 60 and 62 and the 
method of attachment of support plate 50 to extension arms 46 and 48 will 
be discussed more fully hereinafter. 
Cradle areas 42 and 44 of spaced apart hooking means 30 and 32 and support 
ears 56 and 58 of support plate 50 are covered with a non-abrasive 
material shown generally by the numerals 64 and 65. In the Preferred 
Embodiment, the non-abrasive material 64 is rubber, soft plastic, vinyl 
and the like. Also in the Preferred Embodiment, the non-abrasive material 
64 and 65 is provided in pre-molded sections, the pre-molded sections of 
non-abrasive material 64 being designed to removably cover cradle areas 42 
and 44 and the pre-molded sections of non-abrasive material 65 being 
designed to removably cover support ears 56 and 58. The non-abrasive 
material 64 and 65 is fixedly attached to cradles areas 42 and 44 and 
support ears 56 and 58 by adhesives known in the art. Thus, in the event 
the non-abrasive material 64 and 65 should become worn, the non-abrasive 
material 64 and 65 can be easily and readily replaced by removing the worn 
pre-molded section of non-abrasive material 64 and 65 and replacing the 
worn section with a new pre-molded section of non-abrasive material 64 and 
65. Other non-abrasive materials known in the art and other methods of 
application known in the art may also be used and are considered to be 
within the spirit and scope of the applicant's invention. 
In another embodiment, the non-abrasive material 64 and 65 is commercially 
provided in a liquid form that is applied by dipping, brushing or 
spraying. Thus, cradle areas 42 and 44 and support ears 56 and 58 may be 
coated with a liquid form of non-abrasive material 64 and 65 such as 
liquid rubber, liquid plastics, liquid vinyl and the like, that when 
properly cured and dried provide a non-abrasive covering 64 and 65 that 
will not mar the finish of a bicycle. 
Referring now to FIG. 2 of the drawings there will be shown and described 
in detail the attachment of spaced apart hooking means 30 to end portion 
28 of base member 22. FIG. 2 of the drawings is an exploded view of spaced 
apart hooking means 30 and end portion 28 of base member 22 of applicant's 
new and novel bicycle work stand 20. Spaced apart hooking means 32, 
support plate 50 and a lower portion of base member 22 have not been shown 
for purposes of clarity. 
End portion 28 of base member 22 has a side 66 and an opposite side 68. 
Spaced apart hooking means 30 and 32 have an inner surface 70 and 72 
respectively. Inner surface 72 and spaced apart hooking means 32 are not 
shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings for purposes of clarity but are clearly 
shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. Still referring to FIG. 2 of the 
drawings, inner surface 70 of spaced apart hooking means 30 is fixedly 
attached to side 66 of end portion 28 of base member 22. Spaced apart 
hooking means 30 is fixedly positioned on side 66 of end portion 28 of 
base member 22 so that a longitudinal axis of outer edge 38, located in 
lower portion 34 of spaced apart hooking means 30 is angularly offset from 
a longitudinal axis of base member 22. 
Referring briefly back to FIG. 1 of the drawings, in the Preferred 
Embodiment, spaced apart hooking means 32, is similarly fixedly attached 
to opposite side 68 of end portion 28 of base member 22. Inner surface 72 
of spaced apart hooking means 32 is fixedly attached to opposite side 68 
of end portion 28 of base member 22. Spaced apart hooking means 32 is 
similarly fixedly positioned on opposite side 68 so that a longitudinal 
axis of outer edge 40, located in lower portion 34 of spaced apart hooking 
means 32 is similarly angularly offset from a longitudinal axis of base 
member 22. Thus, the attachment of spaced apart hooking means 30 and 32 to 
end portion 28 of base member 22, as before described, results in a spaced 
apart configuration of spaced apart hooking means 30 and 32 as illustrated 
in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The angular offset of spaced apart hooking 
means 30 and 32 in relation to base member 22 will be discussed more fully 
hereinafter. 
In the Preferred Embodiment, spaced apart hooking means 30 and 32 are 
fixedly attached to end portion 28 of base member 22 by welding, brazing, 
high temperature fusion, or other metal joining methods known in the art. 
Other known joining methods may also be used and are considered to be 
within the spirit and scope of the applicant's invention. In another 
embodiment, spaced apart hooking means 30 and 32 are continuously formed 
on end portion 28 of base member 22 by casting or other molding techniques 
known in the art. Other known methods of continuous formation may also be 
used and are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the 
applicant's invention. 
Referring now to FIG. 3 of the drawings there will be shown and described 
in detail the attachment of the support plate, shown generally by the 
numeral 50, to extension arms 46 and 48 of spaced apart hooking means 30 
and 32. FIG. 3 of the drawings is an exploded top view of a portion of 
applicant's new and novel bicycle work stand 20. Support plate 50 has been 
shown exploded from the bicycle work stand 20 and a portion of base member 
22 has not been shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings for purposes of clarity. 
Support plate 50 has a side 76, an attaching tab 78 and a laterally opposed 
attaching tab 80 continuously formed in lower portion 52 as is clearly 
illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. Still referring to FIG. 3 of the 
drawings, extension arms 46 and 48 have ends 82 and 84 respectively. Side 
76 of support plate 50 is fixedly attached to ends 82 and 84 so that 
attaching tab 78 is fixedly attached to end 82 of extension arm 46 and 
laterally opposed attaching tab 80 is fixedly attached to end 84 of 
extension arm 48. Support plate 50 is thus properly oriented on extension 
arms 46 and 48 of spaced apart hooking means 30 and 32, respectively, so 
that lower portion 52 of support plate 50 aligns with lower portion 34 of 
spaced apart hooking means 30 and 32 and upper portion 54 of support plate 
50 aligns with upper portion 36 of spaced apart hooking means 30 and 32. 
See generally FIG. 1 of the drawings. 
Still referring to FIG. 3 of the drawings and in the Preferred Embodiment, 
attaching tabs 78 and 80 of support plate 50 are fixedly attached to ends 
82 and 84 of spaced apart hooking means 30 and 32 by welding, brazing, 
high temperature fusion, or other metal joining methods known in the art. 
Other known joining methods may also be used and are considered to be 
within the spirit and scope of the applicant's invention. In another 
embodiment, support plate 50 is continuously formed on ends 82 and 84 of 
spaced apart hooking means 30 and 32 by casting or other molding 
techniques known in the art. Other known methods of continuous formation 
may also be used and are considered to be within the spirit and scope of 
the applicant's invention. 
Referring now to FIG. 4 of the drawings there is shown a right side 
elevational view of a portion of applicant's new and novel bicycle work 
stand 20. FIG. 4 of the drawings illustrates the angular offset of outer 
edge 38 of spaced apart hooking means 30 in relation to base member 22. 
The angular offset of spaced apart hooking means 32 in relation to base 
member 22 is not shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings for purposes of clarity. 
However, the angular offset of spaced apart hooking means 32 in relation 
to base member 22 is a mirror image of FIG. 4 of the drawings. 
A longitudinal axis of spaced apart hooking means 30, shown generally by 
the numeral 86, follows outer edge 38 of the lower portion 34 of spaced 
apart hooking means 30. Spaced apart hooking means 30 is fixedly attached 
to base member 22, as previously described, so that the longitudinal axis 
86 of spaced apart hooking means 30 is angularly offset from a 
longitudinal axis of base member 22, shown generally by the numeral 88, in 
the direction of arrow 74. In the Preferred Embodiment, the angular offset 
of the respective before mentioned longitudinal axes may be from zero 
degrees to thirty degrees. Other angular degrees of offset may also be 
used and are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the 
applicant's invention. 
The angular offset of spaced apart hooking means 32 in relation to base 
member 22 is a mirror image of the angular offset of spaced apart hooking 
means 30 in relation to base member 22 as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings 
but has not been shown for purposes of clarity. 
Referring now to FIG. 5 of the drawings there is shown a front elevational 
view of a portion of applicant's new and novel bicycle work stand 20. FIG. 
5 of the drawings illustrates the configuration and orientation of support 
plate 50. Support ears 56 and 58 have been designed to removably contact 
chain stays of a prior art bicycle. Notches 60 and 62 arc continuously 
formed in support plate 50 in close proximity to support ears 56 and 58, 
respectively, and have been designed to allow the bicycle work stand 20 to 
be placed in proximity to a front de-railer cable and a rear de-railer 
cable, respectively, of a prior art bicycle without interfering with the 
cables. A prior art bicycle having chain stays, a front de-railer cable 
and a rear de-railer cable has not been shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings 
for purposes of clarity but will be discussed more fully hereinafter. 
Referring now to FIGS. 6 to 11 of the drawings in general, there will be 
described in detail how applicant's new and novel bicycle work stand 20 is 
used with a prior art bicycle to position a prior art bicycle so that 
repairs and adjustments to various parts of a prior art bicycle may be 
readily and easily completed. 
Referring to FIG. 6 of the drawings there is shown a prior art bicycle 
shown generally by the numeral 90. FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a 
prior art bicycle 90. The prior art bicycle 90 is shown in the Preferred 
Embodiment and in FIG. 6 of the drawings for purposes of illustration 
only. Applicant's new and novel bicycle work stand 20 may also be used 
with bicycles having other shapes, designs, configurations and sizes. 
Prior art bicycles, of the type illustrated in FIG. 6 and shown generally 
by the numeral 90, have a bottom bracket 92 and chain stays 94 and 96. 
Chain stay 96 cannot be seen FIG. 6 of the drawings but is clearly 
illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings. Still referring to FIG. 6 of the 
drawings there is also shown seat tube 98 and down tube 100. 
A front de-railer cable 102 is routed from a shifting mechanism, not shown 
in FIG. 6 of the drawings for purposes of clarity, along the underside of 
down tube 100, below bottom bracket 92, along a lower portion of seat tube 
98 and ending at a front de-railer mechanism which is also not shown in 
FIG. 6 of the drawings for purposes of clarity. Similarly, a rear 
de-railer cable 104 is routed from a shifting mechanism, not shown in FIG. 
6 of the drawings for purposes of clarity, along a side of down tube 100, 
below bottom bracket 92, along chain stay 96 and ending at a rear 
de-railer mechanism. Chain stay 96 and the rear de-railer mechanism are 
also not shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings for purposes of clarity. The 
orientation of the front de-railer cable 102 and rear de-railer cable 104 
in relation to portions of a prior art bicycle 90 and applicant's new and 
novel bicycle work stand 20, will be discussed more fully hereinafter. 
Referring now to FIG. 7 of the drawings there is shown applicant's new and 
novel bicycle work stand 20 positioned on a portion of a prior art bicycle 
90. FIG. 7 of the drawings is an enlarged perspective view of the bicycle 
work stand 20 in position on the appropriate portion of a prior art 
bicycle 90. Only a portion of the prior art bicycle 90 has been shown in 
FIG. 7 of the drawings for purposes of clarity. 
Spaced apart hooking means 30 and 32 removably engage bottom bracket 92 of 
a bicycle. The spaced apart configuration of spaced apart hooking means 30 
and 32 allow spaced apart hooking means 30 to be positioned on a one side 
of down tube 100 and seat tube 98 while spaced apart hooking means 32 is 
simultaneously positioned on an opposite side of down tube 100 and seat 
tube 98. 
Support ears 56 and 58 removably contact chain stays 94 and 96 at a 
position on an inner underside portion of chain stays 94 and 96. Thus, 
once the spaced apart hooking means 30 and 32 have removably engaged 
bottom bracket 92 and support ears 56 and 58 have removably contacted 
chain stays 94 and 96, cradle areas 42 and 44 support a bicycle at bottom 
bracket 92 while support ears 56 and 58 support chain stays 94 and 96. 
Since the bottom bracket 92 of bicycle may vary in diameter, cradle areas 
42 and 44 have been designed with a pre-determined shape, the 
pre-determined shaped proximately engaging the bottom bracket 92. 
Additionally, the pre-determined shape of cradle areas 42 and 44 is 
generally semi-circular in shape as previously described. Cradle area 44 
is not visible in FIG. 7 of the drawings but is clearly shown in FIGS. 1 
and 5 of the drawings. 
Still referring to FIG. 7 of the drawings, the angular offset of spaced 
apart hooking means 30 and 32 from base member 22 produces an uplifting 
effect on support plate 50 when the bicycle work stand 20 is positioned on 
the bottom bracket 92 of a bicycle 90 thereby causing support ears 56 and 
58 to raise chain stays 94 and 96 in the direction of arrow 106. The 
resulting uplifting effect, which facilitates repairs and adjustments to 
the bicycle, and the position of support ears 56 and 58 on chain stays 94 
and 96 will be discussed more fully hereinafter. 
Since support ears 56 and 58 and cradle areas 42 and 44 are covered with 
non-abrasive material 65 and 64, respectively, such as rubber, plastic, 
vinyl and the like, as previously described, the finished surface of a 
prior art bicycle is not gouged, marred, scratched or defaced by 
applicant's new and novel bicycle work stand 20 when the bicycle work 
stand 20 is positioned on a bicycle to effect repairs and adjustments to 
the bicycle. 
Referring now to FIG. 8 of the drawings there is shown a right side 
elevational view of a portion of applicant's new and novel bicycle work 
stand 20 in position on the appropriate portion of a prior art bicycle 90. 
A lower portion of base member 22 and a portion of a prior art bicycle 90 
are not shown for purposes of clarity. FIG. 8 of the drawings illustrates 
the relationship of cradle area 42 to bottom bracket 92 and the 
relationship of support ear 56 to chain stay 94, respectively, of a prior 
art bicycle. The relationship of cradle area 44 to bottom bracket 92 and 
the relationship of support ear 58 to chain stay 96, respectively, is a 
mirror image of FIG. 8 of the drawings, but has not been shown for 
purposes of clarity. 
Once the bicycle work stand 20 has been positioned on a bicycle, spaced 
apart hooking means 30 removably engages bottom bracket 92 so that cradle 
area 42 provides support of the bicycle at bottom bracket 92. Although 
cradle area 44 of spaced apart hooking means 32 is not visible in FIG. 8 
of the drawings, cradle area 44, being a mirror image of cradle area 42, 
simultaneously engages bottom bracket 92 as before described and also 
provides support of the bicycle at bottom bracket 92. Thus, the bulk of 
the weight of a bicycle can be easily and readily supported by cradle 
areas 42 and 44 of applicant's new and novel bicycle work stand 20. 
Additionally, once the bicycle work stand 20 has been positioned on a 
bicycle, support ear 56 removably contacts chain stay 94 at a position on 
an inner underside portion of chain stay 94. Although support ear 58 and 
chain stay 96 are not visible in FIG. 8 of the drawings, support ear 58 
simultaneously contacts chain stay 96 at a position on an inner underside 
portion of chain stay 96. The relation of support ear 58 to chain stay 96 
is a mirror image of support ear 56 and chain stay 94 as shown in FIG. 8 
of the drawings, but has not been shown for purposes of clarity. 
The apex of support ears 56 and 58 is designed to be higher than the lowest 
point of cradle areas 42 and 44. In the Preferred Embodiment, the apex of 
support ears 56 and 58 is designed to be from 12 millimeters to 20 
millimeters higher than the lowest point of cradle areas 42 and 44. Other 
heights may also be used and are considered to be within the spirit and 
scope of the applicant's invention. 
The before described relation of support ears 56 and 58 to cradle areas 42 
and 44 allows support ears 56 and 58 to pivot around cradle areas 42 and 
44. Thus, once the bicycle work stand 20 has been positioned on a bicycle, 
it can easily be seen how support ears 56 and 58 effectively move chain 
stays 94 and 96 front a normal position to an uplifted position, in the 
direction of arrow 106 by the before described pivoting action around 
cradle areas 42 and 44 and thus around bottom bracket 92. The uplifting 
movement of chain stays 94 and 96 results in the raising of a rear wheel 
of a prior art bicycle 90, not shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings for 
purposes of clarity but which will be discussed more fully hereinafter. 
Referring now to FIG. 9 of the drawings there will be shown and described 
in detail the positioning of support ears 56 and 58 on chain stays 94 and 
96. Additionally, there will be shown and described in detail notches 60 
and 62 of support plate 50. FIG. 9 is a sectional view of applicant's new 
and novel bicycle work stand in position on a bicycle taken along lines 
9--9 of FIG. 8 of the drawings. 
Support ears 56 and 58 have been designed to removably contact chain stays 
94 and 96 at an inner underside portion of chain stays 94 and 96, 
respectively. By removably contacting chain stays 94 and 96 on the inner 
underside portion as shown in FIG. 9 of the drawings, support ears 56 and 
58 provide stability to a prior art bicycle 90 when a rear wheel, not 
shown in FIG. 9 of the drawings for purposes of clarity, has been raised 
by the before described pivoting action of the bicycle work stand 20. The 
stability and raising of the rear wheel of a prior art bicycle 90 will be 
discussed more fully hereinafter. 
Still referring to FIG. 9 of the drawings, there is shown notches 60 and 62 
continuously formed in support plate 50 and in close proximity to support 
ears 56 and 58 respectively. In the Preferred Embodiment, notches 60 and 
62 are generally V-shaped. Other shapes and configuration may also be used 
and are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the applicant's 
invention. 
Notches 60 and 62 allow a front de-railer cable 102 and a rear de-railer 
cable 104, respectively, to pass through or near bicycle work stand 20 
without the bicycle work stand 20 interfering with the routing of front 
de-railer cable 102 and rear de-railer cable 104. Additionally, notches 60 
and 62 prevent bicycle work stand 20 from pinching or otherwise damaging 
front de-railer cable 102 and rear de-railer cable 104. 
Since there are a wide variety of designs and shapes of prior art bicycles, 
the routing of front de-railer cable 102 and rear de-railer cable 104 may 
vary. Front de-railer cable 102 and rear de-rafter cable 104 may not 
actually pass through notches 60 and 62, respectively. However, even if 
the design of a prior art bicycle is such that front de-railer cable 102 
does not actually pass through notch 60 and rear de-railer cable 104 does 
not actually pass through notch 62, notches 60 and 62 facilitate the easy 
removal and installation of de-railer cables 102 and 104. 
New de-railer cables 102 and 104 are generally stiff and difficult to 
maneuver while old de-railer cables 102 and 104 generally contain various 
fixed bends and angles, caused by the routing of the cables 102 and 104, 
that are retained by the cables 102 and 104. Thus, in the case where new 
cables 102 and 104 are being installed on a bicycle, applicant's new and 
novel bicycle work stand 20 facilitates installation by allowing the 
cables 102 and 104 to be easily and readily passed through notches 60 and 
62, respectively, and properly routed along the bicycle. Similarly, in the 
case where old cables are being removed, adjusted or re-routed, 
applicant's new and novel bicycle work stand 20 facilitates removal of 
cables 102 and 104 by allowing the various fixed bends and angles retained 
by the old cables 102 and 104 to be easily and readily passed through 
notches 60 and 62 respectively. Thus, repairs and adjustments to or 
installation or removal of cables 102 and 104 can be effected without 
having to realign the bicycle in the new and novel bicycle work stand 20. 
Referring now to FIG. 10 of the drawings there is shown and will be 
described in detail applicant's new and novel bicycle work stand 20 as 
utilized on a prior art bicycle, shown generally by the numeral 90. FIG. 
10 is a side elevational view showing applicant's new and novel bicycle 
work stand 20 in position on a prior art bicycle 90. 
Once applicant's new and novel bicycle work stand 20 has been positioned on 
the appropriate portion of a prior art bicycle 90 and the spaced apart 
legs 24 and 26 have been positioned on a flat surface 108 such as the 
ground, work bench or similar flat surface, the angular offset of spaced 
apart hooking means 30 and 32 front base member 22, as previously 
described, and the pivoting action around cradle areas 42 and 44 and thus 
around bottom bracket 92 as previously described, causes an uplifting 
effect of support ears 56 and 58 on chain stays 94 and 96, also previously 
described, thereby effectively raising rear wheel 110 off the flat surface 
108 in the direction of the arrow 106. Spaced apart leg 26, spaced apart 
hooking means 32, cradle area 44, support ear 58 and chain stay 96 are not 
visible in FIG. 10 of the drawings but are clearly shown in FIG. 7 of the 
drawings. 
Still referring to FIG. 10 of the drawings, the spaced apart legs 24 and 26 
of base member 22 in conjunction with front wheel 112 provide a stable and 
balanced three point footprint, two of the three points being the spaced 
apart legs 24 and 26 of base member 22 and the third point being the front 
wheel 112 of the bicycle 90 which remains on the ground or flat surface 
108 once the rear wheel 110 has been elevated. Even if front wheel 112 is 
moved or turned, a portion of front wheel 112 remains in contact with flat 
surface 108. The resulting three point footprint reduces the likelihood of 
the bicycle 90 being overturned if accidentally bumped or jarred. Second 
leg 26 is not visible in FIG. 10 of the drawings but is clearly shown in 
FIG. 7 of the drawings. 
Additionally, the angular offset of the at least two spaced apart hooking 
means 30 and 32 in relation to base member 22 causes base member 22 to 
contact the ground or flat surface 108 at an oblique angle, the direction 
of the angle being away from the front wheel 112 as shown generally by the 
arrow 114, thereby providing additional stability and balance to the 
bicycle work stand 20 when positioned on a bicycle 90. Also, because 
support ears 56 and 58 removably contact chain stays 94 and 96 on an inner 
portion of chain stays 94 and 96, support ears 56 and 58 provide 
additional stability by restricting lateral or side-to-side movement of 
the prior art bicycle 90. 
Still referring to FIG. 10 of the drawings, it can be clearly seen how 
applicant's new and novel bicycle work stand 20 facilitates the repair and 
adjustment of various bicycle components. The bicycle work stand 20 is 
designed to provide easy access to all components of the bicycle in a 
non-intrusive manner and without requiring realignment of the bicycle work 
stand 20 in relation the prior art bicycle 90 while repairs and 
adjustments to the prior art bicycle 90 are being effected. By supporting 
a bicycle 90 from the underneath portion of bottom bracket 92, all upper 
components of the bicycle 90 are easily and readily accessible. By raising 
rear wheel 110 from fiat surface 108, components of the drive system and 
rear braking system of a bicycle are easily and readily accessible. 
Additionally, raising rear wheel 110 from flat surface 108 allows rear 
wheel 110 to freely rotate thereby facilitating repairs and adjustments to 
the drive system and rear braking system of a bicycle as well as 
facilitating repairs and adjustments to the rear wheel 110 itself. 
All cables present on the bicycle 90, such as de-railer cables, brake 
cables and the like, are easily and readily accessible and are not 
interfered with by applicant's new and novel bicycle work stand 20. 
Additionally, the bicycle work stand 20 facilitates the removal and 
installation of various cables as previously described. 
Referring now to FIG. 11 of the drawings there will be described in detail 
a new and novel method by which applicant's new and novel bicycle work 
stand is utilized. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the applicant's new 
and novel method. 
The first step in the method, shown generally by the numeral 116, is to 
provide at least one bicycle work stand having a base member, at least two 
spaced apart hooking means and a support plate, the base member also 
having spaced apart legs, the at least two spaced apart hooking means also 
having a cradle area and the support plate also having support ears and 
notches in close proximity to the support ears, and also providing at 
least one prior art bicycle having a seat tube, a rear portion, a rear 
wheel, a bottom bracket and chain stays. In the second step, shown 
generally by the numeral 118, the bottom bracket of the bicycle is 
removably engaged by the at least two spaced apart hooking means of the 
bicycle work stand. In the third step, shown generally by the numeral 120, 
the seat tube is lifted upward thereby temporarily elevating the rear 
portion and thus the rear wheel of the bicycle. In the fourth step, shown 
generally by the numeral 122, the bicycle work stand is rotated into a 
position where the cradle area of the at least two spaced apart hooking 
means removably contacts an underside portion of the bottom bracket of the 
bicycle and the support ears removably contact the chain stays of the 
bicycle on an inner underside portion of the chain stays. In the fifth 
step, shown generally by the numeral 124, the seat tube and thus the rear 
portion of the bicycle is lowered until the spaced apart legs of the base 
member of the bicycle work stand firmly and obliquely contact the flat 
surface such as the ground, work bench or similar flat surface. In the 
sixth step, shown generally by the numeral 126, repairs and adjustments 
are made to the bicycle. And finally, in the last step, shown generally by 
the numeral 128, the bicycle work stand is removed from the bicycle by 
reversing steps 118 through 124. 
From the above it can be seen that the applicant's new and novel bicycle 
work stand and method of use accomplishes all of the objects and 
advantages presented herein before. Nevertheless it is within the spirit 
and scope of the invention that changes in the applicant's basic bicycle 
work stand and method may be made and the Preferred Embodiment and the 
modifications shown and described herein have only been given by way of 
illustration.