Land vehicles – Wheeled – Occupant propelled type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-29
2001-11-20
Boehler, Anne Marie (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Occupant propelled type
C280S293000, C280S301000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318745
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to bicycle training wheel apparatuses and pertains, more particularly, to an improved adjustable, self stabilizing training wheel apparatus to assist beginning bicycle riders to maintain their balance while learning to ride a bicycle, and stabilizing the bicycle while being restricted in a range of adjustably dampened axial movement. The apparatus preferably attaches to both sides of the rear wheel of the bicycle.
2. Prior Art
Conventional training wheel assemblies typically include a pair of auxiliary wheels positioned on opposite sides of the bicycle with arms extended sideways, and adjacent to the rear wheel such as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,615,535. The auxiliary wheels act between the ground and bicycle body to resist a tipping or turning over of the bicycle upon either of its sides and to stabilize the bicycle when the bicycle is oriented upright. Hence, the bicycle equipped with such a prior art auxiliary wheel arrangement could not have its body leaned even in making a sharp turn to restore balance against the centrifugal force then acting on the bicycle body, this resulting in an increased risk of falling or making it difficult to ride.
As the rider gains skill and confidence the wheels are adjusted upward with respect to the surface of the ground. The auxiliary wheels no longer ride along the ground and the rider must improve his or her balance to ride the bicycle. Eventually the rider learns to ride the bicycle and the training wheel assembly is removed.
A limitation associated with a conventional training wheel assembly of the aforementioned type relates to the reduction of stability provided by the assembly when the front wheel of the bicycle is turned to effect a steering change, and is due, at least in part, to this rigid arrangement which does not permit the bicycle to be leaned during the course of a steering change. Hence, motion forces of the bicycle which tend to urge the bicycle along a straight-ahead course and which are normally compensated for by leaning the bicycle into a turn, are instead likely to tip the bicycle over in the opposite direction of an attempted turn, possibly resulting in injury to the rider.
Such compensations are not necessary adjustments when riding a bicycle without a training wheels apparatus, and therefore the bicycle rider is not exposed to the normal leaning action of a bicycle without training wheel assemblies. An inexperienced rider may be unprepared for the normal leaning action when making the transition from a bicycle with a training wheel assembly to a bicycle without a training wheel arrangement.
Improvements to the fixed training wheel assembly such as those in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,595,213; 5,064,213; 5,100,163; 5,352,403 typically involve combinations of articulated arms, springs, and other components which can accommodate changes in the tilting positions of the bicycle. Adjustable training wheel assemblies of this type typically include an auxiliary wheel arrangement which comprises arms extending sideways from the bicycle body to be vertically displaceable, a means for imparting to the arms a torque required for lowering the tips of these arms, and auxiliary wheels attached to the tips of the arms.
A limitation associated with an adjustable training wheel assembly of the aforementioned type relates to the sideways skidding of the auxiliary wheels during bicycling when the bicycle is leaned in either direction. The auxiliary wheels are displaced vertically during turning, which also has the unwanted effect of displacing the auxiliary wheels horizontally, thus changing the respective distances between the rear bicycle wheel and the auxiliary wheels at the point of ground contact, increasing or decreasing the separation between the rear bicycle wheel and the auxiliary wheels depending on the direction of bicycle lean. This construction has the unwanted result of slowing the bicycle due to frictional forces created during turning maneuvers, increased turning vibration from alternate gripping or sliding of the auxiliary wheels, and premature wear of the auxiliary wheels.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,213 attempts to limit the premature wear of the auxiliary wheels by utilizing tires with a “high friction coefficient”. A limitation of this arrangement is it further increases both vibration and frictional forces while turning the bicycle, thus slowing the bicycle further.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved self compensating adjustable training apparatus easily attachable to a bicycle for the purpose of facilitating the learning to ride by stabilizing the bicycle while being ridden straight-ahead or while being turned.
Another object of the invention is to provide an attachment of the character set forth for bicycles which is constructed and arranged to permit the vehicle to conform to the natural tendency of the rider to lean or bank inwardly when making a turn thereon.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such an assembly which overcomes the lack of stability involved in turning a bicycle with a fixed training wheel assembly.
A still further object of this invention is to provide an adjustable training wheel assembly that will allow an inexperienced rider to adjust to the “feel” of riding a bicycle and learn to balance more naturally with a training wheel assembly that allows the bicycle to lean within certain adjustable limits.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide such an assembly which eliminates the frictional forces due to distance changes between the rear bicycle wheel and the auxiliary wheels.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such an assembly which effectively allows the bicycle to lean during turning thereby simulating to the rider the normal action of a bicycle without a training wheel apparatus.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide such an assembly which allows an uncomplicated adjustment of the lean angle of the bicycle during turning.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable degree of resistance to the lean of the bicycle to enhance the stability of the bicycle for an inexperienced rider.
A yet still further object of the present invention is to provide such an assembly which is durable in construction, and reliable in operation.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a stabilizing device of the type aforementioned which is simple and convenient to install.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a stabilizing device as in the previous objects which promotes stability in all tilted positions of the bicycle by automatically maintaining contact of both auxiliary wheels with the ground irrespective of the lean angle of the bicycle.
To accomplish the foregoing and other objects of this invention there is provided an improved compensating adjustable training wheel assembly which is attached to a bicycle for assisting the development of balancing skills, particularly when first learning to ride a two-wheel bicycle.
The present invention provides a hinged frame assembly that will support a bicycle rider yet still allow the bicycle to safely lean a restricted amount. The hinged frame assembly forms a rectangle when the bicycle is upright, but forms a parallelogram when the bicycle lean varies from the upright position. Thus the auxiliary wheels lean in coordination with the bicycle's rear wheel and maintain a prescribed distance from the rear bicycle wheel. This allows the rider to experience a more natural movement when learning to ride the bicycle, thereby aiding the transition from bicycling with training wheel apparatuses to bicycling without training wheel apparatuses.
The degree of bicycle lean is controlled by adjusting the length of chain or cable between the lower-inner corner and the upper-outer corner of each frame assembly.
The degree of resistance to the lean of the bicycle necessary to enhanc
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