Land vehicles – Wheeled – Occupant propelled type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-07
2001-01-16
Swann, J. J. (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Occupant propelled type
C280S221000, C074S143000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173981
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a pedal-operated vehicle of the type having reciprocating pedals capable of upward and downward movement.
Various pedal-operated vehicles of the above-mentioned type have been patented over the years. However, such vehicles have all had one or more drawbacks which have adversely affected their utility and marketability. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,321 of Berman et al. discloses a vehicle having a pair of reciprocating pedals (described as “footboards”) and a drive mechanism which cross-couples the pedals together, whereby downward displacement of either pedal causes an equal and upward displacement of the other pedal. Consequently, a person riding the vehicle is highly restricted in the manner of manipulating the pedals. The Berman vehicle also includes a pair of sprockets coupled to a drive shaft by means of “unidirectional” one-way clutches. These clutches substantially prevent backward movement of the vehicle. Such backward movement would be desirable when maneuvering the vehicle into a storage location (particularly if the location is a “tight” space), and also whenever the rider inadvertently travels too far in a forward direction (i.e. into an intersection or past a desired location on a narrow path), and so must back up the vehicle to the desired location.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a pedal-operated vehicle having independently operable reciprocating pedals in combination with the capability of backward movement.
The above object is realized by a pedal-operated vehicle comprising: a frame; a front wheel and a rear wheel, the front and rear wheels being rotatably mounted to the frame; first and second independently operable pedals reciprocatingly mounted to the frame so as to be capable of upward and downward movement; and a drive means which can be selectively placed in an engaged mode or a disengaged mode, wherein (i) in the engaged mode, downward movement of either pedal imparts torque to the rear wheel in a first rotational direction to propel the vehicle forward and upward movement of either pedal imparts no torque to the rear wheel, the rear wheel being substantially nonrotatable in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, and (ii) in the disengaged mode the rear wheel is freely rotatable in the second rotational direction as well as in the first rotational direction.
According to a preferred embodiment hereafter described in detail with reference to the drawings, coaxial first and second rotatable shafts are selectively engageable with one another by means of a longitudinally movable coupling member. The first shaft is operably and independently connected to the first and second pedals with chains, sprockets, and associated one-way clutches without any cross-coupling of the pedals. Both pedals are biased in an upward direction by suitable means, such as resilient cords. The second shaft is operably connected to the rear wheel with sprockets and an endless chain. Disengagement of the second shaft from the first shaft, which cannot rotate in the second rotational direction because of the one-way clutches, allows free rotation of the second shaft and rear wheel in the second rotational direction, thereby allowing backward movement of the vehicle.
The novel combination of independently operable reciprocating pedals and capability for backward movement makes the vehicle of the invention very user-friendly. Independently operable pedals imposes virtually no restrictions on the manner in which the pedals can be manipulated. A rider can depress the pedals alternately in a stair-stepping motion or operate only one or both pedals at irregular intervals. The rider may also vary the length of stroke with respect to either pedal, or impart no movement to either pedal while coasting in a forward direction. As previously discussed, the capability for backward movement is desirable when the rider inadvertently travels too far in a forward direction, and when maneuvering the vehicle into a storage location.
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patent: 5192089 (1993-03-01), Taylor
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patent: 5368321 (1994-11-01), Berman et al.
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Sharp William R.
Swann J. J.
Zeender F.
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