Bi-directional rotating grip brake for use with a conventional hand

Abstract

In accordance with the invention, conventional cable operated, pull up braking systems can be combined with a pair of bi-directional, rotatable grip subassemblies to provide braking action without change in the rider's grip. Each subassembly of the invention includes a cord attached to a hand grip that includes a longitudinal bore that is slidable about but rotatable with respect to the handle bar. In one embodiment, each hand grip includes a cylinder having an enlarged head, a central segment and a longitudinal bore slightly greater in diameter than the handle bar. At the exterior of the central segment is an exterior cylindrical cover preferably of compressible rubber. The outer diameter of the compressible cover is larger than that of the enlarged head of the support cylinder, and is of sufficient length to comfortably accommodate the grip of the rider. At the interior of the central segment is a pair of bearings prepared by wrapping two separate lengths of ultra high molecular weight tape about the handle bars. In that way, with the rider gripping the hand grips but not the movable members of the conventional braking system, rotation of at least one of the hand grips relative to the handle bars in either a counter-or clockwise direction is translated into linear movement of the cable attached to the movable member whereby braking action is achieved at the front and/or back wheel brake subassemblies of the bicycle. In carrying out the invention, the method steps are also described.