Abstract:
A bicycle handlebar for supporting the head, forearms and elbows of the bicyclist. Pairs of handlebars are mounted to the steering stem. The lowest pair of handlebars extends horizontally for gripping when the bicyclist is in an erect position. The upper set of bars are mounted to the stem and extend curvingly outward and then upward to receive the forearms when the bicyclist bends forward. An intermediate set of bars may be located between the upper bars and lower bars receive the elbows of the bicyclist when the bicyclist leans forward.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of bicycles. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     In order to maximize the comfort and safety of the bicyclist, it is desirable to provide a bicycle construction to accommodate the various positions of the bicyclist upon the bicycle. For example, the bicyclist may assume an erect position or may bend forwardly to reduce air resistance when racing or bicycling at a fast pace. Likewise, when riding long distances, the bicyclist may want to change the position of his or her hands relative to the handlebars. The hands may be spread apart a great distance on the handlebars when negotiating difficult terrain or when in traffic whereas the hands may be placed relatively close together on the handlebars when traversing relatively flat terrain without traffic. In order to apply maximum pressure to the pedals, it is desirable that the bicyclist grip the handlebars in a location to exercise maximum force. Disclosed is a bicycle construction including a handlebar design allowing the bicyclist to grip the handlebar in four completely different positions. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,324,059 issued to Bryne discloses an aerodynamic bicycle with a handlebar construction having shelves for receiving the forearms and elbows of the bicyclist when in a racing position. Further, a shield fitted to the handlebar provides an edge against which the bicyclist may rest his or her helmet when in a racing position. Another type of bicycle head support is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,515 issued to McGlew which has an upwardly extending chin rest mountable to the handlebars. Another construction for a headrest for purposes of supporting the head during a shampoo is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,961,244 issued to Pottern. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment of the present invention incorporates two handlebars, one of which is curvaceous. After curving forward, the ends of this bar extend upwardly to receive the forearms of the bicyclist when in a forward leaning position. The top side of this bar adjacent to the stem and extending straight to the curve is covered by resilient cushioning material to receive the elbows or hands of the bicyclist. A second bar similar to handlebars on so called mountain or all terrain bicycles is attached firmly to the curvaceous upper bar with worm gear clamps. Only the upper bar incorporates a head rest. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved handlebar construction allowing for a variety of different gripping positions by the bicyclist. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a handlebar construction having a portion thereof for gripping while hill climbing thereby allowing for the application of maximum force to the pedal. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle handlebar construction having a rearwardly projecting headrest for receiving the chin of the bicyclist. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle handlebar construction having a cushioned portion upon which the elbows may rest when the bicyclist is in a racing position or the hands may rest when in a more upright position. 
     In addition to the prior objects, it is also desirable to provide a handlebar construction allowing for gripping when mounting the bicycle and for use in conditions requiring more stability. 
     Related objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a bicycle incorporating the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of the handlebars looking in the direction of arrows  2 — 2  of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the handlebars looking in the direction of arrows  3 — 3  of FIG.  2 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
     Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a conventional road bicycle  10  having a bicycle frame  11  with a front wheel  12  and rear wheel  13  rotatably mounted thereto. A conventional chain sprocket combination  14  is mounted to frame  11  and is engaged with the driving mechanism of the rear wheel  13 . The front of the frame includes a cylindrical tube  15  through which the bicycle fork  16  atop of fork  16  extends and is attached to the downwardly extending steering column  17  in the conventional manner. 
     Attached to the top of steering column  17  is the novel handlebar construction  18  (FIG.  2 ). Construction  18  includes a pair of mutually opposed and oppositely extending horizontal handlebars  19  and  20  integrally attached to the steering column or handlebar mounting stem  17  rotatably mounted to tube  15 . Stem  17  extends upwardly from bars  19  and  20  forming a stem extension  21  having a pair of oppositely directed, aligned and horizontally extending bars  22  and  23 . Yet a further pair of mutually opposed handlebars  24  and  25  have respectively proximal ends  26  and  27  mounted to bars  19  and  20 . The distal end portions  28  and  29  of bars  24  and  25  are integrally connected together and meet at a center portion  30  in line with stem  17 . A pair of handles  31  and  32  are attached and project upwardly from respectively distal end portions  28  and  29  of bars  24  and  25 . Proximal end portions  26  and  27  may either be integrally attached to bars  19  or  20  or may be fastened thereto by conventional clamping fasteners. 
     Handlebars  19  and  20  are the conventional handlebars provided on a bicycle. The end portions  33  and  34  may be provided with cushioned grips to grab when mounting the bicycle and for use in tricky or difficult conditions requiring more stability. When distal ends  33  and  34  are gripped, the hands of the bicyclist are located far apart allowing greater control of stem  17  and wheel  12 . Handlebars  19  and  20  are particularly useful when negotiating traffic or over difficult rocky terrain. 
     Handlebar  24  is a mirror image of handlebar  25  and thus the following description of bar  24  will apply equally to bar  25 . The proximal end  26  of bar  24  is attached to bar  19  between the distal end  33  of bar  19  and stem  17  and at a location approximately beneath the enlarged outer end  35  of bar  22 . Bar  24  extends downwardly from proximal end  26  and then through a gentle curve of approximately  180  degrees, as indicated by arrow  51 , to a location approximately equal in elevation to bar  22  at which point bar  24  extends inwardly forming a forearm receiving portion  36 . Portion  36  of bar  24  then extends upwardly forming an additional forearm receiving portion  37  to the distal end portion  28  joined to distal end portion  29  of bar  25  at the central portion  30 . Forearm receiving portion  36  extends horizontally from slightly outward of end  35  and to a location approximately midway between stem  21  and end  35  with portion  37  then extending upwardly. 
     Handles  31  and  32  are integrally attached or clamped to end portions  28  and  29  and are aligned with the upwardly extending forearm portions of bars  24  and  25 . For example, handle  31  is located approximately in line with portion  37 . As a result, the left hand of the bicyclist may grip handle  31  when in a racing position thereby resting the left forearm against portion  37  with the forearm then extending across and in contact with portion  36  thereby positioning the left elbow adjacent and atop bar  22 . In this position, the bicyclist bends forward so that both forearms are resting against bars  24  and  25  with the elbows resting against bars  22  and  23 . 
     Head support  40  is cantileverly mounted to center portion  30  of bars  24  and  25  by bracket  41  having one end attached to center portion  30  and the opposite end attached to headrest  40 . Headrest  40  has a rectangular shaped block configured main body with a distal end  42  having a foam cushion  43  secured to the upper horizontally extending edge thereof. Cushion  43  is positioned approximately over bars  19 ,  20 ,  22 , and  23  thereby allowing the bicyclist to rest his or her chin thereon as handles  31  and  32  are gripped with the forearms resting on portions  37  and  44  of bars  24  and  25  and the elbows resting on bars  22  and  23 . Head support  40  is thereby located between the arm receiving portions  37  and  44  of bars  24  and  25 . 
     Bars  22  and  23  have external surfaces which are heavily upholstered or padded providing for steady and comfortable riding including the elbows if the hands are in the forward position. The hands forward position lowers wind resistance, permits full extension of the fingers, protects the face and postpones tiredness because the neck and hand muscles can rest and is used on an even riding surface. Distal ends  35  and  45  of bars  22  and  23  are enlarged to prevent the elbows or hands from accidentally slipping off the end thereof. Bars  22  and  23  are located beneath the forearm supporting bars  24  and  25  whereas bars  19  and  20  are located beneath bars  22  and  23  for guiding when in an erect position. The elbow supporting bars  22  and  23  and the handlebars  19  and  20  extend horizontally whereas handles  31  and  32  extend in the same direction as the forearm supporting portions  37  and  44 . Portions  37  and  44  extend convergingly inward from portions  46  and  47 . 
     The outwardly curved portions  46  and  47  of bars  24  and  25  extend from bars  19  and  20  to the arm receiving portions  36  and  48  of bars  24  and  25  and thus are positioned therebetween. Portions  46  and  47  may be gripped when the bicyclist is in a position between the forwardly leaning position and an erect position. As a result, curved portions  46  and  47  may be gripped for hill climbing when the bicyclist is either seated or in the standing position to apply maximum force to the pedals. The thumbs and first fingers may apply pressure to portions  36  and  48  with the hands being in a position between supinated and pronated and cocked up. The top side of bars  24  and  25  adjacent to the stem and extending straight to the curve is covered by resilient cushioning material. 
     Stem  17  may be mounted to the bicycle in a conventional manner. For example, stem  17  (FIG. 3) may be provided with a right angle bend  61  with a bolt  60  extending downwardly through the stem being threadedly received by an expandable or movable lock which is positioned within the hollow stem of fork  16  extending upwardly through tube  15 . By tightening bolt  60 , the fastener is caused to grip the inside wall of the stem thereby securing stem  17  to fork  16 . 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred road bicycle embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected, such as changes and modifications needed for use on all terrain bicycles.