Self-stabilizing training wheels for a bicycle

1. A stabilizing device for a bicycle having a frame and a rear wheel axle comprising a pair of hinges each having a hinge pin hingedly connecting a generally upright hinge portion fixedly secured to the frame on respective opposite sides of the rear wheel axle, and an outwardly extending floating hinge portion having a first end hingedly connected to an associated upright hinge portion and having a second end forming a wheel support portion; a training wheel attached to the wheel support portion of each hinge; and biasing means acting between associated hinge portions of each hinge for providing restoring forces on one side of the bicycle to which the bicycle tilts on making a turn while assuring that the training wheel on the other side of the bicycle remains in contact with the ground, said biasing means comprising a compression spring which remains under compression in all positions of the bicycle during normal use including turns, whereby both training wheels are always maintained in contact with the ground whether in the upright condition or when tilted during a turn thereby stabilizing the bicycle and providing smoother and safer turns.

2. A stabilizing device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a control rod extending through each compression spring for maintaining each spring straight and preventing same from buckling.

3. A stabilizing device as defined in claim 2, wherein each control rod is pivotally connected to an associated upright hinge portion and slidably connected to an associated floating hinge portion.

4. A stabilizing device as defined in claim 3, further comprising a pair of spaced legs extending outwardly from each upright hinge portion to form a fork, a pivot pin extending between said spaced legs of each fork and defining an axis of rotating substantially parallel to the axis of the associated hinge, each control rod being connected at one end to an associated pivot pin at a right angle thereto to thereby allow the control rod to rotate about an axis of the associated pivot pin.

5. A stabilizing device as defined in claim 4, wherein said floating hinge portion is provided with an upwardly extending tab proximate to said wheel support portion, said tab having a hole dimensioned to slidably receive the other end of an associated control rod, and serving as a stop for said compression spring while allowing said control rods to slide therethrough, whereby said compression springs are forced to occupy varying distances between associated fork pivot pins and tabs thereby imparting varying restoring forces to the bicycle.

6. A stabilizing device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a stabilizing bar rigidly secured at one end to an associated upright hinge portion and extending in a direction substantially parallel to an associated hinge pin, and connecting means for rigidly securing another end of said stabilizing bar to a portion of the bicycle frame remote from the attachment point of an associated upright hinge portion to thereby fix the positions of said upright hinge portions in relation to the frame.

7. A stabilizing device as defined in claim 1, wherein said training wheels are formed of soft rubber.

8. A stabilizing device as defined in claim 1, wherein said training wheels are formed of inflatable tubes.

9. A stabilizing device as defined in claim 1, wherein the dimensions of said hinges and training wheels are selected to arrange said floating hinge portions in substantially horizontal orientations.