Bicycle, handlebar and adapter system
OwnerDan C. Lennoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Novel handlebars for a bicycle are disclosed which provide gripping positions below the handlebar crosspiece. These lower drop positions allow a rider to comfortably maintain a low frontal area without the need for forwardly extending handlebar elements. The lower drop gripping positions can be included in new handlebars or can be added to conventional handlebars by installing adapter kits. Additionally, a handlebar strut system is disclosed which can more efficiently transfer rider power to the bicycle. The strut system reduces upward handlebar flex while allowing downward flex. This can allow the rider to accelerate more quickly while retaining the shock absorbing benefits of downward handlebar flex.
Claims32
A bicycle comprising a frame, a rear wheel journaled to the frame, a steering post journaled to the frame, a front fork attached to the steering post, a front wheel journaled to the fork, a saddle affixed to the frame at a predetermined position above the frame, and a handlebar connected to the steering post, said handlebar including a crosspiece having a central region connectable with the steering post and having sideways portions extending sideways therefrom, a pair of intermediate drop portions each having a first generally forwardly and downwardly extending portion extending from said crosspiece and extending therefrom a second downwardly and rearwardly extending portion, and at least one lower drop portion extending from the intermediate drop portions or the sideways portions and extending on opposite sides of the steering post and generally beneath the steering post to define a pair of hand gripping positions located generally beneath the steering post to allow the rider to assume a narrow frontal profile.
An adapter kit for an original bicycle handlebar having a crosspiece with a central portion connectable to a steering post located forwardly of a bicycle seat and a pair of original drop portions extending forwardly and downwardly from ends of the crosspiece, comprising:
- at least one lower drop portion for providing a plurality of hand gripping positions beneath said handlebar crosspiece;
- and
- attaching means for attaching said lower drop portion to the original handlebar with an orientation forward of said steering post and generally beneath said crosspiece to define hand gripping positions located inside of the original drop portions and generally beneath the steering post to allow the rider to assume a narrow frontal profile.
A bicycle handlebar connectable to a steering post located forwardly of a bicycle seat, comprising:
- a crosspiece having a central section connectable with the steering post and a pair of sideways portions extending sideways therefrom;
- a pair of intermediate drop portions extending forwardly and downwardly from the pair of sideways portions to a region generally beneath the crosspiece;
- and
- a pair of lower drop sections extending from one of the pair of portions to opposite sides of the steering post and generally beneath the steering post for defining a pair of hand gripping positions located generally beneath the steering post to allow the rider to assume a narrow frontal profile.
A bicycle handlebar connectable to a steering post located forwardly of a bicycle seat, comprising:
- a crosspiece tube having a central portion connectable with the steering post and a pair of sideways portions extending sideways therefrom;
- a pair of integral intermediate drop portions formed by bends extending forwardly and downwardly from the pair of sideways portions to a region generally beneath the crosspiece;
- and
- a pair of integral lower drop portions formed by bends extending inwardly from the pair of intermediate drop portions to define hand gripping positions in which the lower drop portions are generally parallel to the crosspiece tube and terminate with a pair of ends having a gap therebetween with the gap being generally beneath the steering post.
A bicycle handlebar connectable to a steering post located forwardly of a bicycle seat, comprising:
- a crosspiece having a central portion connectable with the steering post and a pair of sideways portions extending sideways therefrom;
- a pair of outer drop portions extending forwardly and downwardly from end regions of the pair of sideways portions to a region generally beneath the crosspiece to define hand gripping positions beneath the crosspiece;
- and
- at least one inner drop portion extending forwardly and downwardly from a region of the crosspiece located inside of the end regions to a region generally beneath the crosspiece to define a hand gripping position located generally beneath the steering post to allow the rider to assume a narrow frontal profile.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.