Patent Publication Number: US-10780939-B2

Title: Bicycle handlebar assembly with forearm support

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of and claims priority in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/203,545, filed Jul. 6, 2016, which claims priority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/188,915, filed Jul. 6, 2015 which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a bicycle handlebar assembly, and more specifically to handlebar assembly including forearm supports for minimizing impact on a rider&#39;s hands and wrists while maintaining superior control and handling of the bicycle. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Many people enjoy riding bicycles or other similar vehicles; however, some are not able to ride as often as they like due to wrist or hand injuries or sensitivity while riding. Since the operator of a typical bicycle must grip the handlebars in front of them, any impact against the front wheel of the bicycle will be transferred up the frame of the bicycle and will jolt the operator&#39;s hands and wrists. Often riders can suffer discomfort or pain in their wrists and hands while riding, and this discomfort can prevent the rider from riding. 
     Existing bicycles or attachments for bicycles include what are well known in the art as “aerobars.” These aerobars allow the rider to lean forward on the bicycle, placing their forearms into supports and gripping narrowly-spaced handlebars for increased aerodynamic performance. However, in this position the rider loses a great deal of control over the bicycle due to their new orientation on the bike and the narrow spacing of the handles. 
     What is needed is a handlebar assembly with forearm rests that allow users to eliminate impacts on their hands and wrists, while maintaining the comfortable riding position enjoyed with typically-spaced handlebars. 
     Heretofore there has not been available a bicycle handlebar assembly with the advantages and features of the present invention. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally provides a bicycle handlebar assembly including a stem extension and a handlebar cross member, a pair of steering bars affixed perpendicular to the handlebar cross member, and a pair of forearm supports affixed to the handlebar cross member in proximity with the steering bars. The gear shifting and brake controls are placed at the forward ends of the two steering bars. 
     An alternative embodiment of the present invention includes an adjustable handlebar cross member assembly which may be raised and lowered along a mounting structure affixed to a stem extension. This allows a more experienced bicycle rider to lower the handlebars while the vehicle is in operation to obtain a more aerodynamic position. This design not only spreads the forearm supports, but it also raises the handlebar cross member, so the rider both sits up higher in a more traditional and comfortable way, and rides with arms more spread apart in a more traditional and comfortable way 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating various objects and features thereof. 
         FIG. 1  is a side-elevational view of a first embodiment of the present invention shown in a typical environment of a bicycle. 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of a component thereof. 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a rear elevational view thereof. 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of present invention shown in a typical environment of a bicycle. 
         FIG. 6A  is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment thereof. 
         FIG. 6B  is a side elevational view of yet another alternative embodiment thereof. 
         FIG. 7  is a front elevational view thereof. 
         FIG. 8  is a rear elevational view thereof shown in a lowered position. 
         FIG. 9  is a rear elevational view thereof shown in a raised position. 
         FIG. 10  is a top plan view thereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     I. Introduction and Environment 
     As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
     Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The words, “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning. 
     II. First Embodiment Bicycle Handlebar System  2   
       FIGS. 1-4  show a first embodiment of the present invention. A U-shaped tube  20  connected to a horizontal crossbar  18  forms the basic frame  8  of the handlebar assembly  4 . The tube  20  connects to the stem  16  of the bicycle  3  above the steerer tube  17  and is secured by a stem clamp plate  19 , just out in front of the top tube  15  as shown in  FIG. 4 . A pair of steering bars  10  are mounted to the horizontal crossbar  18  and spaced apart to provide typical steering control of the handlebar assembly, unlike existing aerobar assemblies which are placed close together to provide an aerodynamic position with a sacrifice in steering control and comfort. 
     The assembly is raised up perpendicular to the bicycle tire  5 , such that the rider can grip the steering bars  10  while mostly seated up in a position resembling a typical casual bicycle riding position. Approximately a 45 degree angle would be a preferable angle between the tube  20  and the stem  16 . A pair of forearm supports  14  are placed outside of the steering bars, mounted preferably to the steering bars  10  but may be optionally mounted directly onto the horizontal crossbar. The rider will place their forearms onto the support pads  14  and will then grip the steering bars  10  about the handles  12  which are projected out in front of the crossbar  18 . The handles  12  include connections and controls for the bicycle  3  brakes via the brake lines  22 . All of the gear switching controls and brake controls are located at the end of the steering bars, and the steering bars are shaped to accommodate the rider&#39;s hands. In this position, any impact that would normally be sent up the bicycle&#39;s frame to the rider&#39;s hands and wrists is instead transferred to the rider&#39;s forearms through the padded supports, thereby nullifying what would otherwise be a jarring impact that could injure or aggravate the rider&#39;s hands and wrists. 
     This assembly provides a user with familiar steering control over a bicycle that is otherwise lost using typical aerobar assemblies, while providing structural and comfortable support against the rider&#39;s forearms, preventing injury or discomfort to the rider&#39;s hands and wrists. 
     III. Second Embodiment Bicycle Handlebar System  102   
       FIGS. 5-10  show a second embodiment handlebar assembly  104  for a bicycle  3 . Here, the stem  16  extension attaches to an adjustable mount base  106  which acts as a stop to a pair of slides  108  which slide along a pair of tubes  120  extending upwards toward the rider. These tubes  120  function as a ramp to allow the assembly to slide from a raised position to a lowered position. A crossbar  118  similar to the crossbar of the embodiment above is connected to these tubes via the slides  108  and can be slid up and down as the rider desires. The lower setting simulates the standard drop bars that riders employ on their handlebars when they wish to reposition into a lowered, more aerodynamic position. Unlike aerobars, this embodiment would maintain typical control over the handlebar while allowing the user to take advantage of a more aerodynamic position. The bars  110  include forearm supports  114  and end grips  112  which include the controls for brakes and gearing and are attached to brake and control lines  122  and switches  124  for such control. 
     In one embodiment  204  as shown in  FIG. 6A , the slides  108  would be triggered by an electric lock  206  which would prevent the bar from being raised or lowered except for when it is released by the rider using the switch  126  mechanism to unlock the slides  108  from the tubes  120 , thereby preventing an accidental lowering or raising of the bar. The user would press a switch  126  which would release the lock, thereby allowing the structure to be lowered to a desired level, after which it would be locked into place again until the user decided to raise or lower the bar. Preferably the switch  126  is placed on the inside of the bars  110  to prevent accidental pressing of the switch. A release mechanism physically interlocks with the tubes  120  and can be released using an electric motor, gear, or any other mechanical or electrical device  208 . Approximately a 45 degree angle would be a preferable angle between the tubes  120  and the stem  16 . 
     In the case of an electrically operated device  208 , a servo or similar unit, or motor, could operate a release and locking mechanism, allowing the user to move the bars either up and backward toward the user or lower and forward away from the user, and then locking the bars in the new position. If instead a cable-actuated non-electric release  256  as shown in  FIG. 6B  and embodiment  254  is used, a lever  258  or other mechanical device would be used to a similar effect. As an alternative, a motor could be used with or without gearing or a toothed or screw drive to directly move the assembly up or down along the path guided by the tubes and the slides. 
     Other means of raising and lowering the assembly could be employed, such as a lever or a manual lock. Still other options include the cross bar being attached to two parallel tubes, which then slide through a fixed cross piece that is attached to the stem. Another alternative system would be more like a single ramp device. Another would be a double-hinged folding arm. Yet another possible way to construct this would be to use one or more telescoping supports which allow the tubes to slide into lower sections when the bar is lowered and slide out of lower sections (e.g. telescope) when raised. Suffice it to say that there are a number of possible mechanisms for accomplishing the movement of the cross bar down and forward or up and back while riding. 
     Similarly, the release and locking element could be a screw mechanism, possibly even powered, that would itself move the cross bar, rather than the cross bar being moved by the rider&#39;s pushing or pulling. In a non-powered device, the user would raise and lower the crossbar using the locking element to move the bar between one of multiple positions along the tubes  120 . 
     Like in the previous embodiment, the steering bars  110  are affixed to the horizontal crossbar  118  and project away from the rider. All controls are located at the end of these steering bars in the grips  112 . A forearm rest  114  is attached to the steering bar to accept the user&#39;s forearms, thereby removing impact from the user&#39;s wrists and hands. 
     The drawings show the pair of slides  108  traveling along a pair of tubes  120 . Alternatively, a single tube could be used, or another comparable structure entirely could be used as long as the handlebar assembly is allowed to move up and toward the user in a raised position and down and away from the user when in an aerodynamic position. This action as discussed above could be activated by a switch or a lever or some comparable device. Similarly, the steering bars  110  may be selectively moved outwards or inwards as the user desires. This action may also be activated using a switch or lever allowing for quick and safe displacement of the bars. Also, unlike as shown in the drawing, the tubes  120  could be physically connected to the slides  108  such that the tubes actually slide within the blocks  106  and do not extend up toward the user while the assembly is in a lowered, aerodynamic position. 
     The slides and tubes, as discussed above, could come in a variety of shapes and include a variety of locking, stopping, and release features including a spring-loaded button, a manually-inserted peg, button and hole release/braking, friction braking, geared braking, gas-cushioned braking, or toothed braking with a toothed track along the tubes  120  and a toothed insert within the slide  108 . 
     Other hand positions could also be supported using bar ends (e.g. as shown in  FIG. 10 ) for climbing positions and other personal riding preference. 
     It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.