Bicycle pedal adapter

Abstract

A pedal adapter for a bicycle pedal is disclosed. The pedal adapter has a top portion and a bottom portion, which can be placed over the clipless pedal and secured. The bottom portion and the top portion can include a raised boss inside a recessed area for engaging the pedal. A user can attach the pedal adapter to the pedal quickly and easily.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A pedal adapter for use with a bicycle pedal comprising: 
 a first portion having an outwardly facing surface engagable by a user and an inwardly facing side engagable with a bicycle pedal;    a second portion fixed relative to said first portion, and having an outwardly facing surface engagable by a user and an inwardly facing side engagable with a bicycle pedal; and    a hinge coupling said top portion and bottom portion together in a clam shell fashion, wherein the bicycle pedal is fixed to the adapter by sandwiching the pedal between said first and second portions.    
     
     
         2 . The pedal adapter of  claim 1 , in which a pedal cavity is formed in at least one of said inwardly facing sides for receiving the pedal.  
     
     
         3 . The pedal adapter of  claim 1 , in which said top portion and bottom portions are secured together with a latching device.  
     
     
         4 . The pedal adapter of  claim 1 , in which at least one of said inwardly facing sides includes a boss extending inwardly for engaging the pedal.  
     
     
         5 . The pedal adapter of  claim 1 , in which at least one of said sides includes a friction enhancing material.  
     
     
         6 . The pedal adapter of  claim 1 , in which at least one of said engagement surfaces includes a traction mechanism.  
     
     
         7 . The pedal adapter of  claim 6 , in said traction mechanism is at least one traction screw.  
     
     
         8 . The pedal adapter of  claim 1 , in which at least one through hole is formed in said first and second portions.  
     
     
         9 . The pedal adapter of  claim 8 , in which at least one of said through holes formed in said first and second portions are aligned such that a cable can be passed through said through holes to assist in securing the bicycle when the bicycle is not in use.  
     
     
         10 . The pedal adapter of  claim 1 , in which at least one insert is positioned between said first and second portions to secure the pedal sandwiched therebetween.  
     
     
         11 . The pedal adapter of  claim 10 , in which said insert is designed to fit a particular brand of pedal.  
     
     
         12 . A pedal adapter for use with a bicycle pedal comprising: 
 a first portion having an outwardly facing surface engagable by a user and an inwardly facing side engagable with a bicycle pedal;    a second portion fixed relative to said first portion, and having an outwardly facing surface engagable by a user and an inwardly facing side engagable with a bicycle pedal;    a pedal cavity formed in at least one of said inwardly facing sides for receiving the pedal, wherein the bicycle pedal is fixed to the adapter by positioning the pedal in said cavity and sandwiching the pedal between said first and second portions.    
     
     
         13 . The pedal adapter of  claim 12 , including a 
 hinge coupling said top portion and bottom portion together in a clam shell fashion.    
     
     
         14 . The pedal adapter of  claim 12 , in which said top portion and bottom portions are secured together with a latching device.  
     
     
         15 . The pedal adapter of  claim 12 , in which at least one of said inwardly facing sides includes a boss extending inwardly from said cavity for engaging the pedal.  
     
     
         16 . The pedal adapter of  claim 12 , in which at least one of said sides includes a friction enhancing material.  
     
     
         17 . The pedal adapter of  claim 12 , in which at least one of said engagement surfaces includes a traction mechanism.  
     
     
         18 . The pedal adapter of  claim 17 , in said traction mechanism is at least one traction screw.  
     
     
         19 . The pedal adapter of  claim 12 , in which at least one through hole is formed in said first and second portions.  
     
     
         20 . The pedal adapter of  claim 19 , in which at least one of said through holes formed in said first and second portions are aligned such that a cable can be passed through said through holes to assist in securing the bicycle when the bicycle is not in use.  
     
     
         21 . The pedal adapter of  claim 12 , in which at least one insert is positioned in said cavity to secure the pedal sandwiched therebetween.  
     
     
         22 . The pedal adapter of  claim 21 , in which said insert is designed to fit a particular brand of pedal.