Exercise bicycle handlebar

Abstract

The invention involves a base handle bar configuration having a stem and a base gripping portion connected with the stem. A variety of combinations of stub grips, spanning bars, arcuate bars, cross bars, prong grips, and the like are connected with the base gripping portion. The handle bar may be connected with any type of exercise device and is particularly suited for connection with an exercise bicycle. The various handlebar configurations provide a user with numerous gripping alternatives during use of the exercise device.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An exercise device comprising: 
 a handlebar assembly comprising: 
 a handlebar stem;  
 a base handlebar structure including a main bar connected transversely with the handlebar stem, the main bar defining a first portion and a second portion, 
 the base handlebar structure further including a first outer bar extending forwardly from the first portion of the main bar and a second outer bar extending forwardly from the second portion of the main bar,  
 the first outer bar defining a first section and a first angularly offset section being angularly offset from the first section,  
 the second outer bar defining a second section and a second angularly offset section being angularly offset from the second section;  
 
 a first stub grip extending inwardly from the first outer bar toward the second outer bar; and  
 a second stub grip extending inwardly from the second outer bar toward the first outer bar.  
   
     
     
         2 . The exercise device of  claim 1  wherein the handlebar stem comprises a forwardly extending support arm defining a first side and a second side, and wherein the first portion of the main bar extends outwardly and downwardly from the first side of the support arm and the second portion of the main bar extends outwardly and downwardly from the second side of the support arm.  
     
     
         3 . The exercise device of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 an exercise bicycle including a head tube defining an aperture; and  
 wherein the handlebar stem is in engagement with the aperture.  
 
     
     
         4 . The exercise device of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a third stub grip extending inwardly from the first outer bar toward the second outer bar; and  
 a fourth stub grip extending inwardly from the second outer bar toward the first outer bar.  
 
     
     
         5 . The exercise device of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a third stub grip extending outwardly from the first outer bar; and  
 a fourth stub grip extending outwardly from the second outer bar.  
 
     
     
         6 . The exercise device of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the first stub grip extends inwardly from the first outer bar at about a right angle to the first outer bar;  
 the second stub grip extends inwardly from the second outer at about a right angle to the second outer bar.  
 
     
     
         7 . The exercise device of  claim 4  wherein: 
 the third stub grip extends inwardly from the first outer bar at about a right angle to the first outer bar; and  
 the fourth stub grip extends inwardly from the second outer bar at about a right angle to the second outer bar.  
 
     
     
         8 . The exercise device of  claim 5  wherein: 
 the third stub grip extends outwardly from the first outer bar at about a right angle to the first outer bar; and  
 the fourth stub grip extends outwardly from the second outer bar at about a right angle to the second outer bar.  
 
     
     
         9 . The exercise device of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a spanning bar defining a first bar section, a second non-linear section, and a third bar section, the first bar section connected with the first outer bar, the third bar section connected with the second outer bar, and the second non-linear section located between the first bar section and the third bar section.  
 
     
     
         10 . The exercise device of  claim 9  wherein the second non-linear section of the spanning bar defines a rearwardly directed curve.  
     
     
         11 . The exercise device of  claim 9  wherein the second non-linear section of the spanning bar defines a rearwardly and upwardly directed curve.  
     
     
         12 . The exercise device of  claim 9  wherein the second non-linear section of the spanning bar defines a rearwardly and a downwardly directed curve.  
     
     
         13 . The exercise device of  claim 9  wherein the second non-linear section of the spanning bar defines a forwardly directed curve.  
     
     
         14 . The exercise device of  claim 9  wherein the second non-linear section of the spanning bar defines an upwardly and forwardly directed curve.  
     
     
         15 . The exercise device of  claim 9  wherein the second non-linear section of the spanning bar defines a forwardly and a downwardly directed curve.  
     
     
         16 . An exercise device comprising: 
 a handlebar assembly comprising: 
 a handlebar stem;  
 a base handlebar structure including a main bar connected transversely with the handlebar stem, 
 the main bar defining a first portion and a second portion,  
 the base handlebar structure further including a first outer bar extending forwardly from the first portion of the main bar and a second outer bar extending forwardly from the second portion of the main bar,  
 the first outer bar defining a first section and a first angularly offset section being angularly offset from the first section,  
 the second outer bar defining a second section and a second angularly offset section being angularly offset from the second section;  
 
 a first arcuate bar, having a first end and a second end and defining an arc therebetween, the first end connected with the first portion of the main bar and the second end connected with the first outer bar; and  
 a second arcuate bar, having a first end and a second end and defining an arc there between, the first end connected with the second portion of the main bar and the second end connected with the second outer bar.  
   
     
     
         17 . The exercise device of  claim 16  wherein the handlebar stem comprises a forwardly extending support arm defining a first side and a second side, and wherein the first portion of the main bar extends outwardly and downwardly from the first side of the support arm and the second portion of the main bar extends outwardly and downwardly from the second side of the support arm.  
     
     
         18 . The exercise device of  claim 17  further comprising: 
 an exercise bicycle including a head tube defining an aperture; and  
 wherein the handlebar stem is in engagement with the aperture.  
 
     
     
         19 . The exercise device of  claim 16  further comprising a cross bar connected between the first arcuate bar and the second arcuate bar.  
     
     
         20 . The exercise device of  claim 19  further comprising: 
 a first stub grip extending outwardly from the first outer bar; and  
 a second stub grip extending outwardly from the second outer bar.  
 
     
     
         21 . The exercise device of  claim 19  wherein the first arcuate bar extends forwardly from the first portion of the main bar and outwardly to the first outer bar; and 
 wherein the second arcuate bar extends forwardly from the second portion of the main bar and outwardly to the second outer bar.  
 
     
     
         22 . An exercise device comprising: 
 a handlebar assembly comprising: 
 a handlebar stem;  
 a base handlebar structure including a main bar connected transversely with the handlebar stem, 
 the main bar defining a first portion and a second portion,  
 the base handlebar structure further including a first outer bar extending forwardly from the first portion of the main bar and a second outer bar extending forwardly from the second portion of the main bar,  
 the first outer bar defining a first section and a first angularly offset section being angularly offset from the first section,  
 the second outer bar defining a second generally horizontal section and a second angularly offset section being angularly offset from the second generally horizontal section;  
 
 a first stub grip extending inwardly from the first outer bar toward the second outer bar; and  
 a second stub grip extending inwardly from the second outer bar toward the first outer bar; and  
 a spanning bar defining a first bar section, a second non-linear section, and a third bar section, the first bar section connected with the first outer bar, the third bar section connected with the second outer bar, and the second non-linear section located between and connected with the first bar section and the third bar section.  
   
     
     
         23 . The exercise device of  claim 22  wherein the handlebar stem comprises a forwardly extending support arm defining a first side and a second side, and wherein the first portion of the main bar extends outwardly and downwardly from the first side of the support arm and the second portion of the main bar extends outwardly and downwardly from the second side of the support arm.  
     
     
         24 . The exercise device of  claim 23  further comprising: 
 an exercise bicycle including a head tube defining an aperture; and  
 wherein the handlebar stem is in engagement with the aperture.  
 
     
     
         25 . The exercise device of  claim 22  wherein the second non-linear section of the spanning bar defines a rearwardly directed curve.  
     
     
         26 . The exercise device of  claim 25  wherein the second non-linear section of the spanning bar defines a rearwardly and an upwardly directed curve.  
     
     
         27 . The exercise device of  claim 25  wherein the second non-linear section of the spanning bar defines a rearwardly and a downwardly directed curve.  
     
     
         28 . The exercise device of  claim 22  wherein the second non-linear section of the spanning bar defines a forwardly directed curve.  
     
     
         29 . The exercise device of  claim 28  wherein the second non-linear section of the spanning bar defines an upwardly and forwardly directed curve.  
     
     
         30 . The exercise device of  claim 28  wherein the second non-linear section of the spanning bar defines a forwardly and a downwardly directed curve.  
     
     
         31 . The exercise device of  claim 22  further comprising: 
 a first stub grip extending forwardly from the first portion of the main bar at about a right angle to the first portion of the main bar; and  
 a second stub grip extending forwardly from the second portion of the main bar at about a right angle to the second portion of the main bar.  
 
     
     
         32 . The exercise device of  claim 22  further comprising an arcuate bar, having a first end and a second end and defining an arc therebetween, the first end connected with the first portion of the main bar and the second end connected with the second portion of the main bar.  
     
     
         33 . The exercise device of  claim 32  further comprising: 
 a first stub grip extending outwardly from the first outer bar at about a right angle to the first outer bar; and  
 a second stub grip extending outwardly from the second outer bar at about a right angle to the second outer bar.  
 
     
     
         34 . An exercise device comprising: 
 a handlebar assembly comprising: 
 a handlebar stem;  
 a base handlebar structure including a main bar connected transversely with the handlebar stem, 
 the main bar defining a first portion and a second portion,  
 the base handlebar structure further including a first outer bar extending forwardly from the first portion of the main bar and a second outer bar extending forwardly from the second portion of the main bar,  
 the first outer bar defining a first section and a first angularly offset section being angularly offset from the first section,  
 the second outer bar defining a second section and a second angularly offset section being angularly offset from the second section;  
 
 a first angled stub grip extending forwardly, upwardly, and inwardly from the first outer bar; and  
 a second angled stub grip extending forwardly, upwardly, and inwardly from the second outer bar.  
   
     
     
         35 . The exercise device of  claim 33  wherein the handlebar stem comprises a support arm defining a first side and a second side, and wherein the first portion of the main bar extends outwardly and downwardly from the first side of the support arm and the second portion of the main bar extends outwardly and downwardly from the second side of the support arm.  
     
     
         36 . The exercise device of  claim 34  further comprising: 
 an exercise bicycle including a head tube defining an aperture; and  
 wherein the handlebar stem is in engagement with the aperture.  
 
     
     
         37 . The exercise device of  claim 33  further comprising: 
 a first stub grip extending inwardly from the first outer bar toward the second outer bar at about a right angle to the first outer bar; and  
 a second stub grip extending inwardly from the second outer bar toward the first outer bar at about a right angle to the second outer bar.  
 
     
     
         38 . The exercise device of  claim 33  further comprising an arcuate bar, having a first end and a second end and defining an arc therebetween, the first end connected with the first portion of the main bar and the second end connected with the second portion of the main bar.  
     
     
         39 . An exercise device comprising: 
 a handlebar assembly comprising: 
 a means for adjustably mounting the handlebar assembly on the exercise device;  
 a first base gripping means for providing gripping alternatives;  
 at least one second gripping means for providing additional gripping alternatives, wherein the at least one second gripping means is attached to the first base gripping means.