Abstract:
A cycling glove having a hand portion and a sleeve portion that incorporates an integrated latching mechanism situated just above the wrist and underneath the forearm. This latching mechanism has a housing fitted with a pivoting clamp element which, when the rider leans foward to bring the latching mechanism into engagement with the bar, partially encircles the handlebar and rotates with spring loading to provide, in combination with the housing, a clamping connection with the handlebar. To “click off” the handlebar, the rider simply withdraws one arm at a time, releasing the pressure on the clamping element which allows it to return to its at-rest position. The mounting surface of the handlebar is preferably provided with a thin handlebar sleeve for protection from abrasion arising as a result of repeated engagement and disengagement of the latching mechanism.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention is related to the field of cycling and, more particularly, to a sleeved glove having an integrated latching mechanism for removable attachment to the handlebar of a bicycle.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Whether in casual touring or during a road race or a lengthy cross country ride such as a Century event, the overall time required to cover the prescribed distance depends upon many factors in addition to basic rider conditioning. One important factor is wind resistance and the adoption of a body position that minimizes the same.  
         [0005]     A cyclist&#39;s elapsed time in completing a race or ride will be largely influenced by the percentage of time during which he or she can maintain an aerodynamic tuck position that not only reduces wind resistance but also increases speed while conserving energy. This tuck position allows the rider to lean forward onto the forearms and “spin”, which is a technique of applying a cadence to the pedals that advanced riders and all racers constantly work on and practice in order to improve their biking performance. As may be observed when watching professional bike racing, it is important for the teams not only to apply the principles of aerodynamics when working as a team but also to practice good individual body positioning during a race in order to ensure energy conservation and produce maximum performance from themselves and their equipment.  
         [0006]     One way of producing maximum performance from cycling equipment is to invest much time and money in the engineering of equipment that is lighter and stronger. Thousands of dollars are spent to produce bicycle frames that are extremely light in weight. Everything that is thereafter bolted to the frame, e.g., wheels, handlebar and stem, gears, brakes, etc., must also be comparably lightweight and strong. Serious riders may spend thousands of dollars for a bike and then, over a period of time, spend hundreds more on accessories and replacement parts that are still lighter and stronger.  
         [0007]     One such accessory may take the form of any number of aerodynamic bars that are currently on the market and in use. Such bars, which come in various shapes and configurations, may replace the existing handlebar, whether a conventional “10-speed” road style handlebar or other mountain bike or hybrid style bar, or may bolt directly to the existing handlebar, typically extending forward like an extra appendage hanging out over the front wheel. These bars are often provided with arm rests at the appropriate location to support the rider when he or she is leaning on the forearms. While such aerodynamic bars do allow the rider to attain an aerodynamic position, they are expensive, often unsightly and add additional weight so as to create an undesirable cost-benefit trade-off for the competitive cyclist. They can also make it difficult for inexperienced riders to use the bicycle when it has been modified in this way.  
         [0008]     Accordingly, a need exists for a means of allowing the cyclist to comfortably adopt and maintain an aerodynamic tuck position for extended periods while cycling, without added weight or cumbersome structure that detracts from the balance and appearance of the bicycle.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     In view of the foregoing, one object of the present invention is to overcome the difficulties of attaining an aerodynamic position on a bicycle having any one of a number of conventional road style handlebars.  
         [0010]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that can be worn like a typical riding glove but which includes a sleeve portion having a latching mechanism for attachment to the handlebar.  
         [0011]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a sleeved glove with latching mechanism that affirmatively engages the handlebar when the rider&#39;s weight is forward but which instantly releases in response to rearward or upward movement of the rider&#39;s arm.  
         [0012]     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that fully supports aerodynamic positioning of the rider when desired, while retaining full use of the conventional handlebar for ease of casual upright riding positions.  
         [0013]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable device for adapting any bicycle to support aerodynamic positioning without adding any appreciable weight or noticeable structure to the bike.  
         [0014]     In accordance with this and other objects, the present invention is directed to a glove having a hand portion of the kind all riders usually wear to protect their hands while riding, but which includes a sleeve portion that incorporates a latching mechanism that is situated just above the wrist and underneath the forearm. This latching mechanism has a housing with a semicylindrical channel fitted with a cooperating clamping element which, when the rider leans foward to bring the latching mechanism into engagement with the bar, partially encircles the handlebar of the bike and rotates to provide a clamping connection therewith. As long as the rider&#39;s weight is forwardly and downwardly directed onto the handlebar, the latching mechanisms, one on each arm, remain fully engaged with the handlebar, providing full control of the bicycle and also a very secure rest for the forearms. To “click off” the handlebar, the rider simply withdraws one arm at a time, releasing the clamping element and housing channel from their engagement with the bar and allowing the rider free use of that gloved hand for alternative grasping of the handlebar, access to a water bottle, etc. The mounting surface of the handlebar is preferably provided with a thin handlebar sleeve for protection from abrasion arising as a result of repeated engagement and disengagement of the latching mechanism.  
         [0015]     These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a concept drawing of a sleeved glove for aerodynamic cycling position in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the housing/platform assembly and latching mechanism of the sleeved glove, showing a pivot pin in exploded view, in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the housing/platform assembly and latching mechanism of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the housing/platform assembly, latching mechanism and pin of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is an end view of the housing/platform assembly, latching mechanism and pin of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the housing of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the latching mechanism of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 8A  is a side view of the latching mechanism of  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 8B  is a top view of the latching mechanism of  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 8C  is an end view of the latching mechanism of  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a handlebar sleeve for mounting on the handlebar and engaging with the latching mechanism in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the housing/platform assembly with latching mechanism as mounted to a handlebar on the handlebar sleeve of  FIG. 9 , in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the housing/platform assembly with latching mechanism mounted on the handlebar sleeve, as shown in  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 12  is a top view of the housing/platform assembly with latching mechanism mounted on the handlebar sleeve, as shown in  FIG. 10 ; and  
         [0030]      FIG. 13  is an end view of the housing/platform assembly with latching mechanism mounted on the handlebar sleeve, as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0031]     Although only one preferred embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiment is given by way of illustration only. It is not intended that the invention be limited in its scope to the details of construction and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Also, in describing the preferred embodiments, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. It is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.  
         [0032]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the present invention is directed to a sleeved glove, generally designated by the reference numeral  10 , which includes a fabric glove  12  and a sleeve portion  14 . Being worn like a conventional glove, the glove  12  utilizes conventional cycling glove sewn construction with a padded palm area (not shown), wrist fastening element  16  and finger covering portion  18 . The finger covering portion  18  may be embodied for partial covering so as to have open fingertips, as shown in  FIG. 1 , or a full-fingered glove may be used for cooler weather conditions or when greater protection of the fingers is desired.  
         [0033]     The sleeve portion  14  extends to the mid-forearm and includes a forearm fastening element  20  such as a hook and loop type fastener that may be adjusted to fit snugly with infinitely variable sizing. Any other suitable fastening element may also be used. For purposes of description herein, the front or forward portion of the sleeved glove is defined as that which corresponds with the finger covering portion  18 , while the rear portion is that closest to the wearer&#39;s elbow.  
         [0034]     Coupled to the bottom of the sleeve portion  14  is a mounting surface embodied as a platform/housing assembly, generally designated by the reference numeral  22 . As shown in  FIGS. 2-6 , the platform/housing assembly  22  includes a thin membrane portion or platform  24  which is an integrated structural part of the housing  26 . The membrane may be made of any semi-flexible or flexible material such as plastic and is preferably sewn to the sleeve portion  14 . The platform/housing assembly  22  provides for load distribution along the bottom of the rider&#39;s forearm, improving the long-term comfort of the sleeved glove  10  and aiding in steering stability.  
         [0035]     The housing  26  has a recessed area or cavity  28  on an underside thereof which is provided with a pair of cylindrical apertures  30  in opposing side surfaces  32 . The housing is also preferably provided with a projecting portion, such as a downwardly and forwardly extending hook portion  34 , that defines an open generally semi-cylindrical channel  36 . This channel  36  receives the handlebar when the sleeved glove is brought into the engaged position.  
         [0036]     Fitted within the cavity  28  of the housing  26  is a latching mechanism, generally designated by the reference numeral  38 . The latching mechanism is rotatably coupled to the housing  26  by a pivot pin  40 , the ends of which pin are secured within the cylindrical apertures  30  of the housing. The lower edge of the side surfaces  32  is preferably provided with a raised portion or lip  42  to interact with the latching mechanism  38  when the sleeved glove is engaged with the handlebar, as will be more fully explained hereinafter.  
         [0037]     The latching mechanism  38 , shown in more detail in  FIGS. 7, 8A ,  8 B and  8 C, includes a generally semi-cylindrical C-clamp portion  44  having an axially extending rib  46  with a through-passing aperture  48  therein defining a pivot axis  50 . The pin  40  extends through this aperture  48  and, with the ends thereof secured in the apertures  30 , allows the latching mechanism to pivot about the pivot axis  50 , as limited by the dimensions of the cavity  28  and the hook portion  34  that defines the channel  36 . The upper surface  28   a  of the cavity is generally rectangular, with the axially extending rib  46  having sufficient room to rotate freely below such upper surface  28   a , and with the side walls  32  preferably being generally perpendicular thereto.  
         [0038]     Extending from the C-clamp portion  44  is a curved arm  52  having generally flat and substantially parallel upper and lower surfaces  52   a ,  52   b  terminating in a cylindrical abutment portion  54  at the distal end. The abutment portion  54  contacts the rearward area of the upper surface  28   a  of the housing cavity  28  and is generally parallel with the axially extending rib  46 . The curvature of the arm  52  allows for a spring-like flexing action when the C-clamp portion  44  is rotated around the handlebar upon engagement therewith, as will be more fully set forth hereinafter.  
         [0039]     A dimple  56  is provided on each of the outer side surfaces  58  of the C-clamp portion  44 . These dimples  56  act as detents, providing a positive “clicking in” of the latching mechanism  38  in conjunction with the lip  42  of the housing  26  when the sleeved glove  10  is engaged with the bicycle handlebar and the clamp portion is rotated rearwardly.  
         [0040]     To protect the handlebar from scuffing and general abrasion arising from repeated contact with the hook portion  34  and corresponding channel  36  of the housing, a handlebar sleeve  58  such as that shown in  FIG. 9  is fitted to the handlebar. The handlebar sleeve  58  provides proper tolerances for the latch mechanism  38 , while being available with various internal diameter sizes to fit the particular handlebar being used. By selecting the proper-sized handlebar sleeve  58 , the sleeved glove  10  according to the present invention can clip to any conventional road style handlebar top tube and, if desired, may also be used with any of the variant styles, sizes and diameters of handlebars on the market, either currently or in the future, provided a suitable, generally horizontal, top-tube orientation is available.  
         [0041]     When not in use, the handlebar sleeve  58  can be easily removed if desired, being readily installed, removed and reinstalled without damage to either the sleeve  58  or the handlebar. The handlebar sleeve  58  is preferably constructed of a material that provides high tolerance control, self-lubricating features and extended wear properties, such as, but not limited to, plastics products including Kydex®, Nylon@, Delrin®, Teflon®, ABS (acrylic butarate styrene), etc.  
         [0042]      FIGS. 10-13  depict various views of the sleeved glove  10  and handlebar sleeve  58  as mounted on a handlebar  60 .  
         [0043]     In use, when the latching mechanism is adjacent the sleeve  58  and handlebar  60  for engagement therewith, the latch mechanism pivots on the pin  40  and captures the handlebar to assist in stabilizing the steering control using the sleeved glove  10 . As best shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , during the motion of capturing the handlebar, the clamp portion  44  of the latching mechanism  38  is rotated rearwardly around the handlebar  60  to preload the latching mechanism in preparation for release of the clamp portion when the rider&#39;s weight or pressure is removed from the horizontal tube of the handlebar. The rotation of the latching mechanism  38  also brings the projecting portion  34  of the housing  26  into positive contact with the handlebar so that the bar  60  is held between the C-clamp and the hook portion  34  to better secure and locate the sleeved glove  10  thereon when in the engaged position “A”, as shown in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0044]     To disengage the sleeved glove  10 , which is done one glove at a time for safety in bicycle handling, the rider simply lifts one forearm away from the handlebar  60 , while continuing to ride with the other forearm sleeved glove  10  in clamped engagement with the handlebar. The removal of the downward and forward pressure against the handlebar unloads the latching mechanism, allowing the preloaded leaf-spring-type force of the arm  52  to rotate the C-clamp  44  forwardly, back to its at-rest position “B”, and thus disengaging the clamp from the handlebar. Once the rider&#39;s disengaged hand/arm has been relocated to a control position on the handlebar, the rider&#39;s other forearm with sleeved glove  10  can be similarly disengaged.  
         [0045]     The arm  52  and C-clamp portion  44  are constructed of a material that will not only provide the latching mechanism  38  with sufficient strength to capture the handlebar, but which will also have the ability to flex and provide the desired spring-loading force to assist in disengagement of the clamp portion. Preferred materials include plastics products, such as, but not limited to, Kydex®, Nylon®, Delrin®, Teflon®, ABS (acrylic butarate styrene), etc. Similarly, the pin is constructed of a material that will suitably handle the loads and wear characteristics necessary for the latching mechanism as described herein, such as, but not limited to, steel, stainless steel, titanium, etc.  
         [0046]     The present invention may also be embodied as a sleeve for use with a standard pair of cycling gloves, either with or without connection thereto. Such a sleeve may be embodied as a generally tubular piece of fabric material that is pulled on over the hand to grip the forearm. Adequate gripping of the forearm may be obtained either through the use of a fabric material of sufficient elasticity or, separately from or in addition to such elasticity, through the inclusion of one or more wrist and forearm fastening members. Separate wrist and forearm fastening members may be provided, such as are shown in  FIG. 1 , or the length of the sleeve may be provided with an extended fastening member.  
         [0047]     As a further alternative, the sleeve may be embodied as a flat piece of fabric having a strip of loop fastening material on one longitudinal edge and a corresponding strip of hook fastening material on the opposite longitudinal edge. The fabric may be then be wrapped around the forearm, without being drawn over the hand, and the hook and loop fastening strips joined to secure the desired degree of tension on the arm. Other fastening means known in the art and appropriate for such use may also or alternatively be used.  
         [0048]     Particularly in such sleeve-only embodiments, one or more stiffening elements may also be sewn into the length of the sleeve fabric to provide greater stability for the housing. While providing a supporting skeletal structure, such stiffening elements should be of sufficient flexibility to ensure wearer comfort.  
         [0049]     As a further alternative embodiment, the sleeve may include a flexible stiffening element embodied as a band around the upper edge of the forearm to retain the positioning of the sleeve, either with or without further structural support from lengthwise stiffening elements. The fabric portion of such a sleeve may cover only the underside of the forearm to which the housing is secured, leaving the upper side of the forearm bare.  
         [0050]     The precise construction and coverage of the sleeve portion may be varied in other ways, so long as the sleeve portion is provided with a suitable mounting surface for the securing and operation of the latching mechanism as the latter is herein described. Thus, in any of the alternative sleeve-only embodiments just described, the housing/platform assembly with latching mechanism is integrated into a mounting surface, e.g., a housing, in the underside of the sleeve in the same manner as was described in connection with the preferred sleeved-glove embodiment, with the manner of operation being the same as has already been disclosed.  
         [0051]     While the preferred embodiments of the present invention utilize the rotating clamping mechanism as set forth herein, other latching mechanisms may also be used, falling within the intended scope of the present invention as directed to a sleeved glove worn by a cyclist and allowing for aerodynamic positioning on a bicycle without the need for specialized handlebar constructions. Accordingly, the latching mechanism may be alternatively embodied by a non-rotating clamping mechanism of variable shape, a ball and socket type of connecting apparatus, or a contact connection such as a hook and loop fastener, e.g., Velcro®, having good break-away characteristics.  
         [0052]     As a further alternative, the handlebar sleeve could be provided with rails or runners that would provide a snap-on or slide-on type of connection with complementary structure mounted to the sleeve portion of the glove. Whether the sleeve and handlebar elements slide or snap into engagement with one another, the connection should be such as to allow the rider to pull out of the connection with an upward and/or rearward motion, whether or not the connecting elements are in the alignment that would be necessary for initial coupling thereof. In this way, the rider&#39;s safety is ensured. Other fastening structures having an operation such as that utilized in ski bindings or in clip-on pedals for cycling could be adapted to provide the needed engagement with the handlebar when the rider is aerodynamically positioned, while also allowing for ready disengagement with control of the bicycle being maintained.  
         [0053]     The foregoing descriptions and drawings should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. The invention may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes and is not limited by the dimensions of the preferred embodiment. Numerous applications of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the specific examples disclosed or the exact construction and operation shown and described. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.