Abstract:
A tricycle includes a mainframe with front and rear sections. The front section may include a steering assembly with a rotatable wheel. The rear section may provide support for two spaced wheels and may be configured to provide a substantially unencumbered open area between the spaced wheels. The tricycle features a guide handle removeably connected to the tricycle and having a pair of footrests integrally connected to the guide handle adjacent a lower end.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a tricycle designed for multi-stage development of a child and providing an easily removable guide handle. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Basic three wheeled bicycles or tricycles are known in the art. A majority of such tricycles include a frame secured to two wheels at the rear of the tricycle, a seat secured to the frame and a steering assembly secured to the front of the tricycle including handlebars, a head tube, and a fork secured to a third, usually larger, front wheel. A set of pedals are usually secured to an axle of the front wheel so that a child may operate the tricycle by actuating the pedals in a circular motion. In addition, some tricycles comprise a step secured to the rear portion of the frame between the rear wheels to shield the axle and allow the child to operate the tricycle by placing one foot on the step and using the other foot to kick the ground, thus moving the tricycle forward. 
   An issue arises with basic tricycles in that younger children with shorter legs may have trouble riding a basic tricycle as their legs may not be long enough to actuate the pedals and/or the child may not be developmentally ready to power and guide the tricycle. In such cases, an adult may be required to push and/or guide a child seated on the tricycle during early developmental uses. 
   Heretofore, guide handles have been provided to give the guardian some control over the child and tricycle. However, previous guide handles are often difficult to remove from the tricycle and do not provide an alternative surface (apart from unreachable, turning pedals) for placement of a younger, smaller rider&#39;s feet to prevent scuffing as a result of the feet dangling to the ground. 
   Accordingly, there is a desire for an improved tricycle configured so that a guide handle with integrated footrests may be easily added or removed therefrom. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, the present invention is intended to address and obviate problems and shortcomings and otherwise improve previous tricycles and guide handles therefore. 
   To achieve the foregoing and other objects in accordance with additional exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a tricycle comprises a fork, a mainframe portion with front and rear sections, a front wheel, and two spaced rear wheels. The fork may be attached adjacent the front section, while the rear section may provide support for the spaced wheels and may be configured to provide a substantially unencumbered open area between the spaced wheels. 
   To further achieve the foregoing and other objects and in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present invention a removable guide handle for a tricycle is provided with a handle frame having upper and lower ends. A set of footrests may be integrally connected to the guide handle adjacent the lower end and a supervisor handle may be integrally connected to the guide handle adjacent the upper end. The guide handle may also comprise a connector on the frame configured to selectively attach the guide handle to the tricycle. 
   To even further achieve the foregoing and other objects of the present invention, a tricycle comprises a mainframe with front and rear sections. The front section may include a steering assembly with a rotatable wheel mounted thereto, while the rear section may support two rotatable wheels mounted thereto. The tricycle may also include a seat assembly mounted to the mainframe, a guide handle having at least one connector with a pair of footrests integrally connected adjacent its lower end, and a receptor adjacent the mainframe configured to receive the connector. 
   Still other embodiments, combinations, advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following descriptions wherein there are shown and described alternative exemplary embodiments of this invention for illustration purposes. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different aspects, objects and embodiments all without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings, objects, and description should be regarded as illustrative and exemplary in nature only and not as restrictive. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed that the same will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a partially exploded view of an exemplary tricycle and guide handle made according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary handle and accessories that may be secured to the guide handle of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary tricycle with attached guide handle in accordance with the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to the drawing figures in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the drawing figures,  FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary tricycle  20  and guide handle  80  according to the present invention. Tricycle  20  may comprise a steering assembly  30 , a mainframe assembly  44  and a seat assembly  58 . Tricycle  20  and components therefore may be made of any combination of durable materials, including but not limited to metal, plastic, composites, fiberglass, and the like. 
   Steering assembly  30  may generally include handlebars  32  of any of a variety of shapes and sizes, a head tube  33 , and a fork  38  secured together with fastener  39 . A front wheel  40  with pedal  42  may be mounted to the fork  38 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the steering assembly  30  may be reminiscent of a standard or conventional tricycle and/or bicycle steering assembly. If desired, and as discussed later herein, steering assembly  30  may comprise a lock member  34  and cap  35  for locking handlebars  32  in a stationary position by sliding a lock engaging member  36  located on the inside of the cap  35  through the grooves  37  located on the lock member  34  and head tube  33 . In another embodiment, the steering assembly  30  may comprise any number of components necessary to steer a vehicle including, but not limited to, a steering wheel arrangement. 
   The illustrative mainframe assembly  44  is shown as including a front section  46  and a rear section  48 . Front section  46  may have first and second ends. Front section  46  may be connected to steering assembly  30  such as by welding the first end of front section  46  to a portion of a head tube  33  of steering assembly  30 . In addition, front section  46  may be secured to rear section  48  such as by welding the second end of front section  46  to the center of rear section  48 . In another embodiment, any fastening means (e.g. unitary molding, bolting, adhesives, etc.) may be used to secure components of frame assembly  44  and steering assembly  30 . 
   As previously indicated, rear section  48  of frame assembly  44  may comprise a U-shaped member mounted to the proximal end of front section  46  at approximately the center of rear section  48 . In another embodiment, rear section  48  may comprise a U-shaped, V-shaped, Y-shaped or similarly open center member mounted to the second end of front section  46  at approximately the center of rear section  48 . In addition, each arm  50   a  and  50   b  of rear section  48  may comprise a hub or drum  52  mounted to the distal end of each arm  50   a  and  50   b  of rear section  48 . Each drum  52  may be configured so that a wheel  54  may be rotatably mounted thereto such as with a fastener or axle stud  56  extending through the center of drum  52  and wheel  54 . In another embodiment, each wheel  54  may be mounted to rear section  48  in a variety of manners including, but not limited to rotatably mounting wheels  54  directly to arms  50   a  and  50   b.    
   As will be appreciated, the configuration of the frame of the present invention results in a substantially unencumbered opening between rear wheels  54 . As discussed later, this unencumbered opening allows the guide handle  80  of the present invention to extend through the opening, under tricycle  20 , and be removed without interfering with rear section  48 . This unique design also allows for use of the tricycle without the guide handle wherein no cross axle or step structure is present between the rear wheels to impede a user pushing the tricycle from behind. 
   The seat assembly  58  can be adjustable mounted at any position along the mainframe assembly  44  with one or more fasteners such as bolts  60 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , seat assembly  58  may be advantageously positioned at about the second end of front section  46  of frame assembly  44 . Seat assembly  58  may comprise a seat  62 , mounting plates  64  (only one shown) and one or more receptors (e.g.  66   a  and  66   b ). If desired, a backrest  62   a  and seat belt  68  may be included with seat assembly  58  to help secure a child to tricycle  20 . As will be understood, seat  62 , mounting plates  64  and receptors  66   a  and  66   b  may be secured to a seat plate  70  to hold seat assembly  58  together. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , receptors  66   a  and  66   b  comprise cylindrical tubes opening toward the rear of seat assembly  58 . As described later, receptors  66   a  and  66   b  can be conveniently configured to accept connectors  92   a  and  92   b  associated with the guide handle  80  to secure the guide handle to the tricycle. 
   Still referring to  FIG. 1 , an exploded view of an exemplary guide handle  80  is shown as including a handle frame with a lower section  82 , middle section  84  and upper section  86 . In addition, each section  82 ,  84  and  86  of guide handle  80  may be comprised of two posts a and b each secured together such as by a crossbar  88   a - 88   c . In another embodiment, guide handle  80  may comprise one or more posts and may similarly be comprised of one or more sections. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , for manufacturing, shipping, and storage efficiencies, a lower section  82 , middle section  84  and upper section  86  may be removeably secured together such as by respective telescopic insertion of the ends of each section  82 ,  84  and  86  into the adjacent section. Also, it is contemplated that such sections  82 ,  84  and  86  could be connected together in a foldable, hingeable or collapsible type arrangement to facilitate storage or transportation. Of course, the guide handle  80  could also be provided as a unitary structure, whether foldable or not, such as in the form of a molded or extruded structural part or permanently attached assembly. 
   Lower section  82  of the guide handle  80  may comprise one or more footrests  90  for receiving a child&#39;s feet in operation. As described below, in another embodiment, a single bar may extend substantially perpendicularly to the posts  82   a  and  82   b  along lower section  82  of the guide handle  80  for placement of the feet. The footrest portion of handle  80  would be beneficial, for example, during early developmental stages when a child may not be ready (physically or otherwise) to attempt use of the pedals. In addition, lower section  82  may comprise a cross bar  88   a  to secure the right and left lower section posts  82   a  and  82   b  in spaced relation. In situations where the lower section  82  and footrests  90  are not required (e.g. the child&#39;s feet can reach and actuate the pedals of the tricycle), the lower section may be removed from the remainder of the guide handle  80  in use. 
   As further discussed below, middle section  84  is illustrated in this example as comprising two connectors  92   a  and  92   b  for telescopic insertion into the receptors ( 66   a  and  66   b ). Connectors  92   a  and  92   b  may be secured to the posts  84   a  and  84   b  of the middle section  84  by a weld or other conventional securing arrangement. Like the lower and upper sections ( 82  and  86 ), the middle section  84  may comprise a crossbar  88   b  or other structural arrangement to secure the right and left posts  84   a  and  84   b  together. In addition, the posts  84   a  and  84   b  of the middle section  84  may be configured for telescopic insertion into the corresponding poles of the upper and lower sections ( 82  and  86 ). For example, a first end of the middle section  84  may be configured to be telescopically inserted into a second end of the lower section  82  and first end of the middle section  84  may be configured to be telescopically inserted into a second end of the upper section  86 . If desired, push button locks, bolts, etc. may be used to further secure the sections  82 ,  84  and  86  together. Also, it should be understood that while such telescopic alternatives may be most convenient and effective, other connection arrangements (e.g., clamps) could alternatively be used. 
   Top section  86  of a guide handle  80  may comprise a supervisor handle  93  with one or more grips  94  secured to posts  86   a  and  86   b  of the top section  86 . Supervisor handle  93  and its grips  94  may be used by an adult to steer (or supervise) the tricycle, and can be provided in any of a variety of shapes and sizes. 
   Another aspect of the present invention is that a variety of accessories may be selectively added to the guide handle. Referring to  FIG. 2 , for example, a canopy  100  may be removeably secured adjacent top section  86  of the guide handle  80 . Such a canopy might be provided in a variety of forms. As illustrated in  FIG. 2  the canopy  100  may comprise arms  104   a  and  104   b  to secure the canopy  100  to the top section  86  of the guide handle  80  by inserting the arms  104   a  and  104   b  into the apertures  106  of the top section  86  and securing nuts  108  to the arms  104   a  and  104   b . It should be understood that the canopy  100  may be made up of any similar arrangement of material and support members secured at any position along the guide handle  80  by any conventional securing means. In addition, the canopy  100  may comprise a support bar  110  for supporting the weight of the canopy  100  against the top section  86  of the guide handle  80 . The support bar  110  may rest in one or more brackets  112  positioned on the top section  86 . The canopy  100  may be removed from the top section  86  by, for example, unscrewing the bolts  108  and pulling the arms  104   a  and  104   b  of the canopy  100  outward. Snap-in type arrangements could similarly be utilized. 
   The canopy  100  itself may comprise a visor  101  and may be comprised of a cloth, vinyl, plastic or any other material capable of blocking sun and/or weather elements. In one embodiment, the canopy may include one or more strategically placed windows  102  (e.g., clear material or openings) in visor  101  to allow sunlight through the canopy and/or for a guardian to monitor the activity under the visor  101 . 
   If desired, a pocket pouch  114 , tray, rack, basket or other convenience device may similarly be secured adjacent to the upper section  86  of the guide handle  80  by one or more Velcro straps  115  and  116 . In another embodiment, the pocket pouch or other accessory  114  may be positioned at any location along the guide handle  80  and may be secured to the guide handle  80  by any conventional fastening means. Additional accessories may similarly be secured to the guide handle including, but not limited to a light, a horn or a water bottle holder. 
   Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the lower section  82  is illustrated as separate from the remainder of the guide handle  80 . As previously discussed, the lower section  82  may be removed in situations where the rider does not need/desire footrests, but supervision through the use of the remainder of the guide handle is still desired. Additionally, as previously indicated, a foot bar  91  may extend across the posts  82   a  and  82   b  for placement of the rider&#39;s feet. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , an illustrative tricycle  20  and guide handle  80  in accordance with the present design is shown. The guide handle  80  in this example would be mounted to the tricycle  20  by maneuvering the lower section  82  of the guide handle  80  between the opening in the rear section  48  and telescopically inserting connectors  92   a  and  92   b  of the guide handle  80  into receptors  66   a  and  66   b  respectively. Guide handle  80  may be removed by essentially reversing the process. If desired, as mentioned above, additional fasteners or retainers may be associated with connectors  92   a  and  92   b  and/or receptors  66   a  and  66   b  such as a clamping device or button lock mechanism to further secure guide handle  80  to tricycle  20 . 
   While the foregoing description refers to attaching guide handle  80  to tricycle  20  by telescopic insertion of connectors  92   a  and  92   b  into receptors  66   a  and  66   b  located within the seat assembly  58 , it is contemplated that such telescoping attachment may exist in a variety of different embodiments. It should be understood that the connector/receptor arrangement should be designed to provide for convenient and stable attachment/detachment, while being strong enough to provide adequate control and ease of use. As such, any number of connector/receptor connections and/or other clamping or removable attachment configurations may be utilized. For example, connectors  92   a  and  92   b  may telescopically fit over receptors  66   a  and  66   b  rather than telescopically fitting within receptors  66   a  and  66   b . In addition, receptors  66   a  and  66   b  may be associated with the rear section  48  of tricycle  20  or positioned elsewhere other than seat assembly  58 . Of course, attachment arrangements with no telescoping characteristics could equally be utilized. For example, the guide handle may be configured to snap into an apparatus positioned on the tricycle reminiscent of a boot and snow ski arrangement. In addition, the handle and/or tricycle may comprise one or more clips for securing the handle to the tricycle. 
   Still referring to  FIG. 3 , in operation, a child may sit on the seat  62  with his/her feet supported on the footrests  90  of guide handle  80 . An adult may push and/or guide tricycle  20  by placing their hands on the grip  94  of the supervisor handle  93  and pushing forward. If desired, the adult may pull back on the supervisor handle  93  thereby lifting the front wheel  40  off of the ground and pushing tricycle  20  forward reminiscent to a two-wheeled dolly. Alternatively, if the adult desires to have full steering control of the tricycle  20 , the adult may lift cap  35  upward, and rotate cap in order to align engaging member  36  with grooves  37  in the locking member  34  and head tube  33 . Once the engaging member  36  is aligned as described above, cap  35  may be pushed downward. Such action may fix the locking member  34  about the head tube  33  thereby preventing rotation of the handle bars  32  and thereby maintaining the front wheel  40  in a preset orientation. In this way, the overall character and extent of control by the adult supervisor can be adopted to the development level of the child at the time. 
   Once the child is developed sufficiently to pedal and control the tricycle without assistance the cap may be disengaged from the grooves  37  so that the handlebars  32  may rotate and, the lower section  82  of guide handle  80  (and eventually the entire guide handle) may be removed from tricycle as discussed above. 
   The foregoing description of the various embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. For example, the tricycle guide handles in accordance with the present invention may comprise a variety of different sizes and be attached to tricycles in a variety of different arrangements. Accordingly, while some of the alternative embodiments of the tricycle guide handles have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications and variations that have been discussed herein, and others that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the claims.