Bicycle handlebar video system

Abstract

A bicycle video system for facilitating improved aerodynamic positioning of a bicyclist. The bicycle video system includes a video display. The video display is used by the bicyclist to view an area in front of the bicycle. The video display allows the bicyclist to ride while maintaining a lowered head position to see an area in front of the bicycle. The bicycle video system also includes a video camera. The video camera is in electrical communication with the video display. The video camera is positioned in a direction toward an area in front of the bicycle to capture images in front of the bicycle. The video camera may transmit a video signal representative of a real-time image of an area in front of the bicycle to the video display. The video display may continuously receive real-time images of an area in front of the bicycle.

1 . A bicycle video system, comprising:
 a bicycle handlebar defining a top surface, the bicycle handlebar configured for attachment to a bicycle frame;   a video display coupled to the top surface of the bicycle handlebar; and   a video camera coupled to the bicycle handlebar, the video camera being directed toward an area in front of the bicycle handlebar;   wherein the video display is in electrical communication with the video camera for receiving a signal representative of a real-time image generated by the video camera.   
   
   
       2 . The bicycle video system of  claim 1 , wherein the bicycle handlebar has a first end and a second opposing end, the video display being positioned on the top surface of the bicycle handlebar generally equidistant from the first end and the second opposing end. 
   
   
       3 . The bicycle video system of  claim 1 , wherein the bicycle handlebar further comprises a bicycle handlebar stem being connectable to a front fork of the bicycle frame. 
   
   
       4 . The bicycle video system of  claim 1 , wherein the bicycle handlebar further comprises a pair of handlebar grips extending from the first end and the second opposing end. 
   
   
       5 . The bicycle video system of  claim 2 , wherein the video camera is positioned on the bicycle handlebar at a point generally equidistant from the first end and the second opposing end. 
   
   
       6 . The bicycle video system of  claim 3 , wherein the video camera is positioned to substantially align with the bicycle handlebar stem. 
   
   
       7 . The bicycle handlebar of  claim 1 , wherein the video display is pivotally coupled to the bicycle handlebar. 
   
   
       8 . The bicycle handlebar of  claim 1 , wherein the video display is configured to receive a continuous signal representative of real-time images generated by the video camera. 
   
   
       9 . A bicycle handlebar mounted bicycle video system, comprising:
 a bicycle handlebar mount for attaching to a bicycle handlebar;   a video camera disposed within the bicycle handlebar mount, the video camera being positioned toward an area in front of the bicycle handlebar;   a flexible shaft extending from the bicycle handlebar mount, the flexible shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the flexible shaft being coupled to the bicycle handlebar mount; and   a video display coupled to the distal end of the flexible shaft, the video display being in electrical communication with the video camera for receiving a signal representative of a real-time image generated by the video camera.   
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the bicycle handlebar mount is a clamp. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the position of the video display is adjustable via the flexible shaft. 
   
   
       12 . A method of displaying a real-time image generated by a video camera coupled to a bicycle frame and a video display coupled to a bicycle handlebar attached to the bicycle frame, the method comprising:
 positioning the video camera in a direction forward of the bicycle frame;   optically sensing a scene forward of the bicycle frame using the video camera coupled to the bicycle frame;   transmitting a video signal from the video camera to the video display; and   displaying the real time image on the video display in response to receiving a video signal from the video camera.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the video camera is disposed within the bicycle handlebar. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the video camera is housed in a mount affixed to the bicycle handlebar. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the video display is disposed on the bicycle handlebar equidistant from a pair of handlebar grips. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the video display is connected via a flexible stem to a mount affixed to the bicycle handlebar. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the video display is adjustable. 
   
   
       18 . A bicycle video system, comprising:
 a bicycle handlebar defining a top surface, the bicycle handlebar configured for attachment to a bicycle frame;   a video display coupled to the top surface of the bicycle handlebar; and   a video camera coupled to the bicycle frame, the video camera being directed toward an area in front of the bicycle frame;   wherein the video display is in electrical communication with the video camera for receiving a signal representative of a real-time image generated by the video camera.