COVER TO PROTECT BICYLCE COMPONETS

Abstract

Bicycle accessories comprising a cover configured to be fitted over one or more components of a bicycle, and means for securing the cover over the one or more components is disclosed, in addition to methods of protecting one or more components of a bicycle, the method comprising providing a cover configured to be fitted over the one or more components of a bicycle, and securing the cover over the one or more components.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of bicycle accessories.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Bicyclists often need to turn their bikes upside down to initiate repairs, perform maintenance, or to inspect their bikes. Once upside down, bikes rest on their bike saddles and on components of their handlebars, including the shift levers, aero bars (if mounted), bike computers (if mounted), components of the handlebar headset and other components that may be mounted to the handlebar. Once upside down, the bike's components may become damaged, for example, the saddle may be scratched or torn and the handlebar components may become scratched, torn (e.g., handlebar tape), or broken (e.g., a bike computer) by the surface they are resting on.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein are bicycle accessories comprising a cover configured to be fitted over one or more components of a bicycle, and means for securing the cover over the one or more components. Also disclosed are methods of protecting one or more components of a bicycle, the method comprising providing a cover configured to be fitted over the one or more components of a bicycle, and securing the cover over the one or more components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a protective cover for a bicycle saddle.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a protective cover, designed to protect multiple components on a bicycle handle bar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates generally to protective bicycle component covers that are used when the bicycle is turned upside down, for example, while doing repairs, maintenance, or inspections. The protective covers protect points on the bicycle that could be scratched or damaged when the bike is turned upside down, including, without limitation, the bicycle saddle, components on the handlebar, including, without limitation, the shift levers, grips, aero bars, bike computer and the handlebar headset. These points are generally the points that come into contact with the ground when the bicycle is turned upside down.

Thus, disclosed herein are protective coverings for bicycle components that cover the components when a bicycle is turned upside down. In some embodiments, the protective covering includes one or more straps or an elastic opening capable of securing the cover to the bike component (securing portion). In certain embodiments, the securing portion is Velcro® straps or other securing means known in the art, such as a draw string, reusable taping, elastic/rubber-band type strap, elastic bands, snaps, clips, buckle, magnets, strap/D-ring, zipper, or buttons and the like, and/or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the protective covering is made from one or more appropriate materials such as terry cloth, cotton, plastic, polyester, rubber, latex nylon, Gore-Tex®, leather, Fleece, spandex, neoprene, urethane, silicone, wool, silk, linen, and the like, and/or combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the covering is made with a water resistant or water proof material. In some embodiments, the protective covering also includes a soft inner portion to protect the bike components from being damaged. In these embodiments, the soft inner portion, or soft padding, is located at a point where the bicycle component is most likely to come in contact with the ground. This includes the tips of components, or the lowest point on a component when the bicycle is turned upside down. In other embodiments, the soft inner portion, or soft padding, uniformly covers the entire area of the protective covering. In yet other embodiments, a layer of soft padding uniformly covers the entire area of the protective covering, but there is a thicker soft padding in locations where the bicycle component is most likely to come in contact with the ground.

In some embodiments, the protective covering is made of flexible or pliable material to enable the cover to be rolled or folded for storage when not in use. In some instances the rolled or folded cover is carried by a bicyclist in a bike-jersey pocket, or other storage device used by a bicyclist, such as a back pack, tote bag, or saddle bag.

In some embodiments, a single protective cover covers a single bicycle component. For example, there is a specific protective cover for the bike saddle, shift levers, bike computer, grips, handlebar head set, etc. In other embodiments, multiple bicycle components in close proximity are covered by a single protective cover. For example, in some embodiments, a single protective cover covers shift levers, bike computer, and grips.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a protective covering 100, as disclosed herein, for a bicycle saddle. The covering 100 has an outer edge 102. In some embodiments, the outer edge 102 comprises an elastic band. The elastic band can lengthen when stretched. In these embodiments, the covering 100 is pulled over the bicycle saddle in much the same way as a shower cap is put on an individual's head. In other embodiments, the outer edge 102 is non-elastic, or no more elastic than the material from which the covering 100 is made.

In certain embodiments, covering 100 comprises a soft padding 106 in the middle, which provides further protection for the bicycle saddle. In some embodiments, the area of the soft padding 106 coincides with the area of covering 100. In other embodiments, the area of the soft padding 106 is smaller than the area of covering 100. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 the area of the soft padding 106 is defined by the perimeter 104.

In some embodiments, for example those in which the outer edge 102 is non-elastic, means are provided for securing the covering 100 to the bicycle saddle. In some embodiments, straps 108, 110 are provided for this purpose. As discussed below, 112 and 114 are optional and some embodiments do not have 112 and 114 on straps 108 and 110, respectively. In certain embodiments, straps 108, 110 are made up of hook-and-loop fastener fabrics, such as Velcro®. In certain of these embodiments, straps 108, 110 are paired such that one of straps 108, 110 is the hook fabric while the other of straps 108, 110 is the loop fabric. In other embodiments, one of the hook or loop fabric is on the covering 100 while the other of the hook or loop fabric is on the straps 108, 110, such that straps 108, 110 adhere to the covering 100.

In other embodiments, straps 108, 110 comprise snaps 112, 114. In some embodiments, one of male or female snap 112, 114 is on one of straps 108, 110 while the other of male or female snap 112, 114 is on the other straps 108, 110. In other embodiments, one of male or female snap 112, 114 is on the covering 100, while the other of male or female snap 112, 114 is on the straps 108, 110, such that straps 108, 110 connect to the covering 100.

In other embodiments, 112 and 114 in FIG. 1 represent a button and a button hole. Conversely, both 112 and 114 are buttons with corresponding button holes on the covering 100, or vice versa, where the buttons are on the covering 100 and 112 and 114 are button holes.

In some embodiments, there is only one strap 108, 110. In other embodiments, covering 100 has both straps 108, 110, while in yet other embodiments, covering 100 has additional straps. Additional straps can be located anywhere along the edge 102.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a protective covering 200, designed to protect multiple components on the handle bar. Similar to covering 100, described above, some embodiments of covering 200 also exhibit a soft padding 206, whose edge 204 is coincidental with the edge 202 of covering 200 in some embodiments, while in other embodiments, the edge 204 defines an area that is smaller than the area defined by the edge 202. In some embodiments, covering 200 also exhibits straps 208, 210 ,212, 214, and fasteners 216, 218, 220, and 222, which operate similarly to straps 108, 110 and fasteners 112, 114 of FIG. 1, respectively.

In other embodiments, protective coverings are contemplated for each individual component. These coverings are similar in design to those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but the design is made specific for the individual component.

In another aspect, disclosed herein are methods for protecting bicycle components, the method comprising providing a cover configured to be fitted to protect one or more components of a bicycle, as described above, and securing the cover over the one or more components, as described above.

Claims

1. A bicycle accessory comprising:

a cover configured to be fitted over one or more components of a bicycle,

means for securing the cover over the one or more components.

2. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the one or more bicycle component is selected from the group consisting of bike saddle, shift levers, bike computer, aero bars, grips and components of a handlebar head set.

3. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the cover protects the one or more components from being scratched or damaged when the one or more components are rubbed against a hard surface.

4. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the means for securing is selected from the group consisting of hook-and-loop fabric straps, draw string, reusable taping, elastic/rubber-band type strap, elastic bands, snaps, clips, buckle, magnets, strap/D-ring, zipper, and buttons, and/or combinations thereof.

5. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the cover is formed from one or more materials selected from the group consisting of terry cloth, cotton, plastic, polyester, rubber, latex, elastic terry cloth, cotton, plastic, polyester, rubber, latex nylon, Gore-Tex®, leather, Fleece, spandex, neoprene, urethane, silicone, wool, silk, linen, and/or combinations thereof.

6. The accessory of claim 1, further comprising soft padding configured to minimize damage to the one or more components.

7. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the cover is water resistant or water proof.

8. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the cover is pliable to enable the cover to be compressed for storage when not in use.

9. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the cover is comprised of multiple pieces.

10. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the cover for protecting components found on a bicycle handlebar is one piece.

11. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the cover for protecting components on a bicycle handle bar comprises multiple pieces.

12. A method of protecting one or more components of a bicycle, the method comprising providing a cover configured to be fitted over the one or more components of a bicycle, and securing the cover over the one or more components.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the one or more bicycle component is selected from the group consisting of bike saddle, shift levers, bike computer, aero bars, grips and components of a handlebar head set.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the cover is secured over the one or more components using a means selected from the group consisting of hook-and-loop fabric straps, draw string, reusable taping, elastic/rubber-band type strap, elastic bands, snaps, clips, buckle, magnets, strap/D-ring, zipper, and buttons, and/or combinations thereof.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the cover further comprises soft padding configured to minimize damage to the one or more components.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the cover is water resistant or water proof.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the cover is pliable to enable the cover to be compressed for storage when not in use.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the cover is comprised of multiple pieces.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the cover for protecting components found on a bicycle handlebar is one piece.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the cover for protecting components on a bicycle handle bar comprises multiple pieces.