FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present technology relates to a stabilization system for a bicycle or other two-wheeled vehicles. More particularly, the present technology relates to a stabilization system that maintains the bicycle in an upright position when the bicycle is not in motion.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The bicycle as a vehicle is getting more popular as a mode of transportation. When the bicycle is in motion, the bicycle stays in an upright position due to rotational centrifugal force. When the bicycle stops, the rotational centrifugal force disappears and the bicycle becomes unstable. There are many attempts to make the bicycle stable when it is not moving. However, it would be useful to have a system that can keep the bicycle stable when not in motion, particularly when a rider is seated on the bicycle. It would also be beneficial if the system could allow the bicycle to be enclosable for all weather riding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present technology is directed to a stabilization system for a two wheeled vehicle, such as a bicycle, that includes shock absorbers that act to maintain the bicycle in an upright position when the bicycle is not in motion. In one aspect, the present technology is directed to a bicycle stabilization system that comprises: (a) first and second wheels configured for positioning one on each side of the bicycle adjacent to the rear bicycle wheel; (b) first and second horizontal members each having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first horizontal member is configured to couple to an axle of the first wheel, and the first end of the second horizontal member is configured to couple to an axle of the second wheel; (c) first and second vertical members each having an upper end and a lower end, wherein the lower end of the first vertical member is coupled to the first horizontal member at its second end thereof, and the lower end of the second vertical member is coupled to the second horizontal member at its second end thereof; (d) a horizontal balancing arm configured for rotatably mounting to the main bicycle body so that the balancing arm is perpendicular to the main bicycle body when in an upright position; the horizontal balancing arm having a first end rotatably coupled to the upper end of the first vertical member, and having a second end rotatably coupled to the upper end of the second vertical member; (e) first and second shock absorber arms each having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first shock absorber arm is slidably mounted to the first vertical member and the first end of the second shock absorber arm is slidably mounted to the second vertical member, and the second ends of the first and second shock absorber arms are configured for coupling to the main bicycle body. The shock absorbers can be coil or spring-loaded shock absorbers, or alternatively, can be hybrid shock absorbers that employ a combination of springs, magnets, gas, oil, etc.

[0004] In alternative embodiments, the stabilization system can include one or more additional spring coils/shock absorbers positioned on each of the first and second vertical members. The stabilization system may also include magnetic coils or stops, or another suitable form of stop or brake on each of the first and second vertical members to prevent or limit tilting of the bicycle when the stop or brake is engaged. Additionally, the shock absorber arms of the stabilization system may also include any suitable form of stop/brake to limit and/or control movement of the shock absorbers when the stop/brake is engaged and thereby prevent or limit tilting of the bicycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a stabilization system for a bicycle.

[0006] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the stabilization system showing the stabilization system when the bicycle is in upright and tilted positions.

[0007] Figure 3 is a rear view of the stabilization system showing the stabilization system when the bicycle is upright and tilted positions.

[0008] Figure 4 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the stabilization system showing the stabilization system when the bicycle is in upright and tilted positions.

[0009] Figure 5 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the stabilization system showing the stabilization system when the bicycle is in upright and tilted positions.

[00010] Figure 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the stabilization system permitting the bicycle to be enclosed. [00011] The figures are not necessarily to scale. Where appropriate, similar or identical reference numbers are used to identify similar or identical components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[00012] As used herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “rear”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “right” and “left” relate to the claimed subject matter as oriented in each figure.

[00013] As used herein, the term “proximal” refers to a direction toward the front of the bicycle, and the term ’’distal” refers to a direction toward the rear of the bicycle.

[00014] A system for stabilizing a bicycle is described generally with reference to Figures 1-3. Referring to Figure 1 , a bicycle stabilization system 10 is shown mounted on a bicycle 100. The bicycle 100 includes a main bicycle body 101 , and front and rear wheels 102 and 103 driven by pedals. In some embodiments, the bicycle can be motorized.

[00015] The bicycle stabilization system 10 includes a frame 11 supported by first and second wheels 12 and 13, respectively, that are positioned one on each side of the bicycle body and running parallel thereto. The first and second wheels are shown adjacent to the rear wheel 103 of the bicycle 100, but could be positioned at any suitable location along the main bicycle body. The frame of the stabilization system is configured for coupling to the bicycle and comprises first and second horizontal members 14 and 15, first and second vertical members 16 and 17, a horizontal balancing arm 18, and first and second shock absorber arms

19 and 20. [00016] The first and second horizontal members 14 and 15 are positioned one on each side of the bicycle and are parallel to the ground along the main bicycle body. The first horizontal member 14 has a first end 21 that is configured for coupling to the axle 22 of the first wheel 12, and the second horizontal member has a first end 23 that is configured for coupling to the axle 24 of the second wheel 13. Any suitable connector can be used to couple the first ends of the horizontal members 21 and 23 to their respective wheel axles.

[00017] The first and second horizontal members each have a second end 25 and 26, respectively. The second end 25 of the first horizontal member 14 is coupled to a lower end 27 of the first vertical member 16 via a joint 29, and the second end 26 of the second horizontal member 15 is coupled to a lower end 28 of the second vertical member 17 via a joint 30. The coupling can be a fixed or welded joint, or other suitable mechanism for joining the horizontal member to its respective vertical member. The vertical members 16 and 17 run vertical relative to the ground when the bicycle is in an upright position, and each has an upper end 31 and 32, respectively, that may extend higher than the front wheel of the bicycle when the stabilization system is attached to the bicycle.

[00018] The horizontal balancing arm 18 has a first end rotatably attached via a rotational joint 33 to the upper end 31 of the first vertical member 16, and a second end rotatably attached via a rotational joint 34 to the upper end 32 of the second vertical member 17. The balancing arm 18 also has a rotational joint 35 attached at the mid-point of the balancing arm for attaching the stabilization system to the main bicycle body either directly, or indirectly through an additional structure. In Figure 1 , the balancing arm is shown mounted to the bicycle body 101 via a rod 60, which has one end rigidly attached to the bicycle body, and the other end joined to the rotational joint 35. The handle bar stem passes through the body of the bicycle to attach to the front wheel for maneuvering. It should be appreciated that the balancing arm 18 could be mounted at other locations, such as behind the rider’s seat, or other suitable locations on the main bicycle body (see Figure 6). The mounting can be directly to the bicycle body, or indirectly, such as by mounting the balancing arm to an additional structure which is then mounted to the main bicycle body. A horizontal balancing arm indirectly mounted to the main bicycle body through an additional structure should still be considered as being mounted to the main bicycle body. The rotational joints 33, 34, and 35 are two-dimensional rotation joints that are oriented so that their respective axes of rotation run in the same direction. This allows the balancing arm 18 to rotate around a single axis when the bicycle is tilted in either direction (to the right or left), as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[00019] The stabilization system further includes first and second shock absorber arms 19 and 20, each having a linear joint 36 and 37 respectively, at one end thereof that connects to a respective one of the first and second vertical members 16 and 17. The linear joints 36 and 37 slide vertically up or down along their respective vertical member 16 and 17 only in one dimension. Each shock absorber arm 19 and 20 has an opposite end configured for rigid coupling 40 to the bicycle body. It should be appreciated that the shock absorber arms 19 and 20 could be coupled to the bicycle body either directly or indirectly through an additional structure, which is then joined to the main bicycle body (see Figure 6). Shock absorber arms that are indirectly coupled to the main bicycle body through an additional structure should still be considered as being configured for coupling to the main bicycle body. The first and second shock absorber arms 19 and 20 are each equipped with a shock absorber 38, 39, respectively. In one embodiment, the shock absorbers 38 and 39 are spring coil or spring-loaded shock absorbers. When the bicycle tilts or is tilted by the rider the linear joints 36 and 37 slide upwards or downwards depending on whether the bicycle is tilted to the left or right. Sliding of the linear joints 36 and 37 along their respective vertical members 16 and 17 compresses the spring coils of the shock absorbers 38 and 39, as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3. As an example, Figure 3 illustrates the position of the stabilization system when the bicycle is tilted at a 15 degree angle from its upright position. The compressed spring coils impart pressure to recoil back and bring the bicycle into an upright position, as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3. When the bicycle is in an upright position, the shock absorbers 38 and 39 are horizontal to the ground and in fully elongated position. In alternative embodiments, instead of a simple spring coil shock absorber, the shock absorbers could be hybrid shock absorbers that employ a combination of springs, magnets, gas, oil, etc.

[00020] With reference to Figure 4, an alternative embodiment of the stabilization system is shown. Aspects of different embodiments of the stabilization system can be identical to those described above and shown in Figures 1 -3. Those features are assigned reference numbers identical to those shown in Figures 1 -3. Features that are present in the alternative embodiments but differ in some aspect to those shown in Figures 1-3 are assigned the same numeric identifier but with an added letter. New features are assigned unique reference numbers.

[00021] In the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 4, one or more additional spring coils/shock absorbers may be added to each of the first and second vertical members 16 and 17 to provide additional recoil support to the linear joints 36 and 37. In this embodiment, first vertical member 16 has an additional coil spring/shock absorber 52 positioned at its lower end and an additional coil spring/shock absorber 53 positioned at its upper end, and second vertical member 17 has additional coil spring/shock absorbers 54 and 55 positioned at its lower end and upper end, respectively. The additional shock absorbers 52, 53, 54, and 55 can be coiled spring shock absorbers or alternatively, hydraulic, pneumatic or magnetic shock absorbers, or a hybrid combination thereof.

[00022] Referring now to FIG. 5, in some embodiments, magnetic coils or magnetic stops 56 and 57 may be positioned at the midpoint of the vertical members 16b and 17b, respectively, to help maintain the bicycle in the upright position. In this embodiment, the linear joints 36b and 37b, connected to the vertical members 16b and 17b, respectively, are made of a metal, such as steel, that is attracted to the magnetic stops. The linear joint 36b is drawn to the magnetic stop 56, and the linear joint 37b is drawn to the magnetic stop 57, which helps to keep the shock absorber arms 19 and 20 horizontal to the ground and the bicycle stabilized in the upright position. When the bicycle is tilted to the right or left, the linear joints 36b and 37b slide along the vertical members 16b and 17b, as shown in Figure 5. The magnetic attraction of the linear joints to the magnetic stops helps to bring the linear joints back to the midpoint of the vertical members, thereby assisting in returning the bicycle to its upright position. It should be appreciated that the magnetic coils or magnetic stops 56 and 57 could also be added to the vertical members 16 and 17 of any of the embodiments described herein.

[00023] In an alternative embodiment, any suitable form of stops/brakes known to one skilled in the art could be substituted for the magnetic stops 56 and 57 to limit and/or control the movement of the linear joints along the vertical members. When the stops or brakes are engaged, movement of the linear joints along the vertical members is restricted, which helps prevent the bicycle from tilting. In a similar way, any suitable form of stops/brakes known to one skilled in the art could be added to the shock absorber arms 19 and 20 of any of the embodiments described herein to limit and/or control the movement of the shock absorbers. When the stops or brakes are engaged, movement of the shock absorbers is restricted, which helps prevent the bicycle from tilting. It should be understood that the brakes described herein are part of the stabilization system and are separate from the brakes on the bicycle itself.

[00024] The length of the horizontal members 14 and 15, the length (or height) of the vertical members 16 and 17, and the length of the horizontal balancing arm 18 can vary depending on the size of the bicycle, and the size and style of the bicycle frame. The relative positions of the horizontal members, the vertical members, and the horizontal balancing arm can also be adjusted to change the position and height relative to the wheels 12 and 13.

[00025] Referring now to Figure 6, an alternative embodiment of the bicycle stabilization system is shown in which a stabilization system 10c is mounted at the rear of the bicycle. In this embodiment, a rod 60c has a proximal end rigidly attached to the seat post of the bicycle body, and a distal end that extends rearwardly with respect to the bicycle. A rotational joint 35c attached at the midpoint of a horizontal balancing arm 18c is joined to the distal end of the rod 60c for mounting the stabilization system to the bicycle. A support rod 62 also extends rearwardly with respect to the bicycle and has a proximal end coupled to the axle of the rear bicycle wheel. A distal portion of the support rod 62 is joined to the rod 60c to support the rod 60c and keep it rigid. In this embodiment, the shock absorber arms are coupled to the support rod 62, which is coupled to the bicycle.

[00026] Since the stabilization system keeps the bicycle in an upright position when not in motion, a rider does not need to have either or both feet on the ground to keep the bicycle upright. This allows a bicycle to be at least partially enclosed by a cover or enclosure 51 , as shown in Figure 6. The enclosure protects the rider from inclement weather, thereby permitting all weather riding. The cover can be made of flexible or rigid material, and can completely or partially enclose the bicycle.

[00027] The present technology is now described in such full, clear and concise terms as to enable a person skilled in the art to which it pertains, to practice the same. It is to be understood that the foregoing describes preferred embodiments of the present technology and that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the present technology as set forth in the appended claims.