Untitled record

The invention relates to a steering control device for a bicycle, in particular a racing bike, with a handlebar stem pointing forward in the direction of travel, the front end of which has a transversely and horizontally extending steering tube and on the steering tube pointing forward in the direction of travel, curved grip supports are provided on their free Ends are connected to a substantially U-shaped fitting.

For cyclists, especially those who use their vehicle for sporting activities, steering control devices that only allow one or two holding positions are very disadvantageous. A good support effect with low muscle strain would be given if the arms are fully stretched. However, this posture is unsuitable for ferry operation, since all vibrations originating from the roadway are passed on directly to the driver's support apparatus. For this reason, several embodiments of handlebars offer not only a support for the hands but also for the forearms. In this case, the weight of the upper body is supported on the forearms near the elbows. The handles, which protrude very far in the direction of travel, are only used to hold on to the bike and to carry out steering movements.

From US 5 094 322 A a steering control device for a bicycle, in particular for a racing bike, is known, which has two handle pads provided on the steering tube and pointing in the direction of travel, the handle pads being curved and essentially U-shaped at their free ends Fitting are connected.

Similar steering actuation devices for bicycles are also known from US 5 265 496 A, DE 39 20 664 A1, DE 40 22 434 A1, US 5 000 469 A, US 5 235 872 A and US Pat

DE 39 32 890 A1 is known.

The disadvantage of all known, above-cited versions of steering actuation devices is that they only allow one or two holding positions. Furthermore, due to their idiosyncratic curvatures, these steering actuating devices only permit a maximum of a point-like one

Support_of_ the_ forearms. This is further reinforced by the curvature that is partially downwardly guided. The consequence of this handlebar design is that only very restricted seating positions are possible. Such restricted seating positions lead to an immense drop in performance, especially for top athletes who race up to 300 km per day in the saddle.

Furthermore, from US Pat. No. 4,750,754 A, a device is known which is mounted on the conventional handlebar, in which rod-shaped handle pieces protruding forwards are correspondingly connected to arm shells for supporting the forearms. This device is designed in such a way that, in addition to the holding positions offered by the conventional handlebar, only a single further, completely fixed driving position is added. It must also be taken into account that an important holding position is omitted at the installation site of the device described on the handlebar.

Modifications of the described embodiment try to circumvent this by, for example, the arm rests are articulated so that they can be swiveled away from the disturbing position if necessary, or an attempt is made to make the supports of the forearms less pronounced cup-shaped.

All these embodiments of auxiliary devices for steering actuation have a common disadvantage that they allow a relaxed armrest in a strongly forwardly inclined upper body posture, but only allow a single sitting position and thereby prevent some conventional holding positions. Furthermore, since the armrests are arranged more or less in a direct line to the steering axis, vibrations resulting from uneven road surfaces are transmitted unsprung to the driver's shoulder belt.

In addition to the handlebar attachments described above, which primarily focus on an aerodynamic sitting position

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tion are also known according to AT 375 891 B, which are mainly intended to enable a sitting and arm posture that is better adapted to the body. This enables the driver to take holding positions that are shifted forwards and upwards compared to the conventional grip position. The focus is on supporting the development of force during the pedaling movement, with the hands resting on the handles in the most natural arm position possible. Such handlebar attachments increase and improve the sitting position on the bike. Since these embodiments are intended for sitting positions with a comparatively upright upper body, arm rests are not provided and are also not necessary. An aerodynamic advantage cannot be achieved, or only to a very limited extent, through the upright sitting posture with such devices.

The object of the invention is to create a steering control device or an additional device for the steering control device on the bicycle, which on the one hand avoids the disadvantages outlined above and on the other hand allows ergonomically favorable holding positions for the driver, in particular for the racing driver.

The steering actuation device according to the invention is characterized in that the handle rests have an upwardly convex, continuously extending curvature and a polygonal, in particular triangular, cross-section over their entire length, the

Corners are preferably rounded.

With the invention it is possible for the first time to adopt a variety of possible sitting and grip postures. For cyclists, especially racing cyclists, that is to say the target group who use their vehicle to practice sports, it is important that the steering actuation device allows many different stopping positions. The reason lies on the one hand in the human anatomy, whose muscles are not suitable for holding work that may last for hours in a fixed posture, and on the other hand in the need for an aerodynamically favorable sitting posture on the bike, which, however, only has to be taken at high driving speed.

In order to achieve a low air resistance, the athlete tries to lean the upper body as far forward as possible in the direction of travel and thus to reduce the air passage cross-section. If the upper body is leaned forward strongly, the arms must support its weight in order to relieve the spine. Since exertion of the arm muscles hardly contributes to propulsion, it must be carefully kept to the lowest possible level.

This is achieved by the invention, which has two rod-shaped forward facing, attached to the conventional bicycle handlebar grip pads, which are connected at their front end by a corresponding molded piece and are shaped such that they allow an armrest in addition to their Funk40 tion as handles when the driver chooses a grip position on the central fitting. The point of support of the forearm can be selected closer to the wrist or further away, depending on the holding position on the fitting. On the one hand, this has the advantage that the support point of the arm can be relocated in order to avoid local fatigue; Upper body with little support, a large distance leads to good support of the upper body with little mobility. The vertical movements caused by uneven road surfaces can therefore be compensated for as required without leaving the aerodynamically favorable sitting posture.

It is therefore to be regarded as a general further surprising advantage that all the advantages of existing embodiments are combined in the described invention without taking over their disadvantages.

The handle rest is in accordance with the function as a handle as well as the function as a support

AT 413 686 Β designed for the forearm. As already mentioned, the grip rests enable further holding positions, in particular those that, starting from the conventional steering tube, enable a hand posture that is shifted forwards and upwards, which supports the pedaling movement in a way that is appropriate to the body.

The cross section of the handle rest is essentially polygonal, in particular triangular, with preferably rounded edges. In particular for racing cyclists who practice their sport in terms of performance or even as a top-class sport, this embodiment has the advantage that it enables the grip supports to be adapted to the body.

The raised curvature of the support surface of the handle rest runs continuously. It is easy to see that if the curvature is too great, that is, if the radius of curvature is too small, top athletes get pressure points on their forearms. Likewise, if the curvature is too weak, not all holding and sitting positions that can be reached are reached.

According to a further particular embodiment of the invention, the convex curvature of the support surface of the handle support is formed from at least two different radii. As a result, following on from what has been said, the handle rest can be optimally adapted to the athlete's body stature.

The grip rests can have a smaller distance from one another at their free ends than in the area of ​​the steering tube. This results in an improved arm and sitting position, which is very much in keeping with the natural posture.

According to a very special feature of the invention, the two grip rests are connected to a connecting part at the end facing the steering tube and this connecting part has at least one device for positive and / or non-positive connection for attachment to the steering tube. As a result, this device can be designed to be self-sufficient and attached to existing steering actuation devices. A simple possible retrofitting of existing racing machines with this invention^-Setup is possible in the simplest form.

The U-shaped fitting can be directed upwards and forms an obtuse angle with the handle supports at the fastening point. This results in an improved hand and arm position, since the hand is positioned in a natural position. This also means that the forearms do not suffer any twisting, so that an ergonomically better sitting posture is possible.

According to a further development of the invention, the U-shaped fitting is pivotably attached to the handle supports. This results in further options for adapting the racing machine to the body constellation of the user.

According to a particular development of the invention, the U-shaped shaped piece is mounted displaceably in the longitudinal extension of the handle supports. This also opens up further options for adaptation to the operator's body.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the handle rests have longitudinal grooves in which the U-shaped fitting is slidably mounted. This simple construction enables optimal adjustment possibilities.

The handle rests and the U-shaped shaped piece can be formed in one piece. This results in an efficient production and of course also a cost-effective production of a device according to the invention, which enables economical retrofitting.

The grip pads and / or the U-shaped molded piece can also be made of plastic

AT413 686B. A weight minimization is advantageously achieved in this way. This embodiment also makes it possible to make the device according to the invention particularly stable and to make it particularly compatible with regard to material.

The invention is explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments that are shown in the drawing.

Show it:

1 shows a steering actuation device in which the grip supports are arranged directly on the steering tube,

Fig. 2 to 4 a steering control device in different views, which lends itself to possible retrofitting,

5 shows a cross section through a handle support and FIGS. 6 to 9 show different holding positions.

By way of introduction, it should be noted that in the exemplary embodiment described, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals or the same component designations, the disclosures contained in the entire description correspondingly referring to the same parts with the same

Reference numerals or the same component names can be transferred. The position details chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., also relate to the figures immediately described and shown, and should be transferred to the new position in the event of a change in position. Furthermore, individual features from the exemplary embodiment shown can also represent independent solutions according to the invention.

According to FIG. 1, a steering control device for bicycles, in particular for racing bicycles, which are preferably used by top athletes, has a handlebar stem 1, one end of which opens into a fork (not shown) in which a front axle is provided. At the other end of the handlebar stem 1, a steering tube 2 is arranged, the steering tube 2 being provided horizontally to the handlebar stem 1.------------------- -------- ------ In order to ensure ergonomically favorable holding and sitting positions for the athlete, there are two handle pads 3 on the steering tube 2 pointing in the direction of travel, which have a raised curvature 4 over their length - indicated by the arrow r for the radius . At the ends of the grip supports 3 facing away from the steering tube 2, these are connected to a substantially U-shaped fitting 5.

There are no limits to the way in which the grip pads 3 are mounted on the steering tube 2. With a corresponding dimensioning, these grip supports could also have bores and the steering tube 2 could be inserted through these bores. Of course, a screw fastening would also be possible if it meets the requirements. In any case, the grip supports 3 are positively and / or non-positively connected to the steering tube 2. In principle, the connection between the ends of the handle supports 3 and the U-shaped molded piece 5 can also be freely selected. It is easily conceivable that the U-shaped fitting 5 to the

Handle pads 3 is rotatably attached.

However, it could also be of advantage that the handle supports 3 and the U-shaped shaped piece 5 are formed in one piece. With such a design, a choice of material in the field of plastics is very likely. Of course, only individual parts, such as only the handle pads 3 or only the U-shaped molded piece 5, can be made from a plastic that meets the requirements.

In the case of a one-piece construction in particular, the U-shaped shaped piece 5 will be arranged in such a way that it is directed upwards and at the connection point with the handle supports encloses an obtuse angle with them. This angle can preferably be about 140-150 °

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Each handle pad 3 is according to the function as a handle in which it is just enclosed with the hand, as well as the function as a support for the forearm, especially when the

Hand embraces the U-shaped fitting, formed.

The corresponding curvature 4 of the support surface for the forearm is important in these grip supports 3. This curvature 4 can run continuously or can also be formed from two or more radii r. For example, in the area of ​​the steering tube 2, a weaker curvature 4 could be advantageous, since a driver very often leans forward to perform his work. In this way, his forearms would rest on the handle support 3 over a wider area and the pressure points that could arise in the case of a punctiform support would be avoided.

A further improvement of the arm positions results from the fact that the ends of the grip supports 3 facing the U-shaped molded piece 5 are at a smaller distance from one another than the ends belonging to the steering tube 2.

According to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the device is shown as a self-sufficient retrofit device that can be easily attached to the steering tube 2. The two grip supports 3 are connected to a connecting part 6 at the ends facing the steering tube 2. This connecting part 6 can be a tube for reasons of weight. For fastening to the steering tube 2, this connecting part 6 has two fastening clips 7. This additional device can of course be attached to the steering tube 2 in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner. At the end of the handle supports 3 facing away from the connecting part 6, the U-shaped shaped piece 5 is again provided.

According to FIG. 2, the U-shaped shaped piece 5 is mounted displaceably in the longitudinal extension of the handle supports 3, the handle supports 3 having longitudinal grooves 10 for this purpose.

According to FIG. 5, the cross section of a handle support 3 is shown. In the case shown, the cross-section of the handle support 3 is essentially triangular with rounded edges 8. Of course, the cross-section could also be polygonal. But it is also conceivable that the cross-section is similar to a semicircle, the flattened part serving as a support surface for the forearm.

According to FIGS. 6 to 9, various grip and forearm positions that can be achieved with the device are shown. As already mentioned in the introduction, it is important for racing cyclists that the steering control device allows many different holding positions.

To the extent that, due to these different holding positions, the driver can adopt a wide variety of sitting postures.

6 and 7 show a support point 9 of the forearms on the handle support 3 depending on the holding position on the U-shaped fitting 5. This support point 9 can be selected closer to the wrist or further away so that the support point of the arm is relocated. This also increases or decreases the vertical support effect of the upper body as required.

According to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the two forward-facing grip pads 3 and the U-shaped molded piece 5 enable a hand posture that is displaced forwards and upwards and supports the pedaling movement in a way that is appropriate to the body.

Finally, it should be pointed out that in the exemplary embodiment described above, individual parts are disproportionately enlarged or shown schematically in order to improve the understanding of the solution according to the invention. Furthermore, individual parts of the

AT413 686B the combination of features of the exemplary embodiment described above in conjunction with other individual features form independent solutions according to the invention.

Above all, the individual embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 can form the subject 5 of independent solutions according to the invention. The related tasks and solutions according to the invention can be found in the detailed descriptions of these figures.