Balance bike conversion systems
AssigneeO'Reilly Enterprises, Inc
InventorPhillip O'Reilly
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A balance bike conversion system may include first and second protective inserts, each having an interface adapted to engage opposite ends of a bicycle bottom bracket. A connector may be adapted to connect the first and second protective inserts, thereby securing the inserts to the bottom bracket. The connector may be adapted to adjust the distance between the inserts, thereby accommodating variability in the width of the bottom bracket. The system may further include adapters to enable the system to be used with bicycles having bottom brackets with different diameters. The protective inserts and/or adapters may provide mechanical support to the bottom bracket, thereby protecting it from damage.
Claims19
A conversion kit for converting a pedal bicycle to a balance bicycle by removing the pedals, cranks and a spindle from the pedal bicycle and replacing them with components of the conversion kit, the pedal bicycle comprising a bottom bracket, the conversion kit comprising:
- a first protective insert having an interface adapted to engage a first end of the bottom bracket of the bicycle;
- a second protective insert having an interface adapted to engage a second end of the bottom bracket, opposite the first end;
- and
- a connector adapted to connect the first protective insert to the second protective insert, thereby securing the first and second protective inserts to the bottom bracket;
- wherein the connector is adapted to adjust a distance between the first and second protective inserts, thereby accommodating variability in a width of the bottom bracket.
A conversion kit for converting a pedal bike to a balance bike by removing the pedals, cranks and a spindle from the pedal bike and replacing them with components of the conversion kit, the pedal bike comprising a bottom bracket, the conversion kit comprising:
- a first protective insert having means for engaging a first end of the bottom bracket;
- a second protective insert having means for engaging a second end of the bottom bracket opposite the first end;
- and
- means for securing the first and second protective inserts to the bottom bracket and accommodating variability in a width of the bottom bracket.
A method for converting a pedal bike to a balance bike comprising:
- removing the pedals, cranks and a spindle from the pedal bicycle;
- coupling a first protective insert to a bottom bracket of the pedal bike to protect a first end of the bottom bracket;
- coupling a second protective insert to the bottom bracket to protect a second end of the bottom bracket;
- and
- coupling a connector between the first protective insert and the second protective insert, thereby securing the first and second protective inserts to the bottom bracket.
A method for converting a pedal bike to a balance bike comprising:
- removing the pedals, cranks, bearings, and a spindle from the pedal bicycle;
- coupling a first protective insert to a bottom bracket of the pedal bike to protect a first end of the bottom bracket;
- coupling a second protective insert to the bottom bracket to protect a second end of the bottom bracket;
- and
- coupling a connector between the first protective insert and the second protective insert, thereby securing the first and second protective inserts to the bottom bracket.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.