Land vehicles – Wheeled – Occupant propelled type
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-27
2001-04-03
Hurley, Kevin (Department: 3619)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Occupant propelled type
C280S256000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209900
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a land-use cycle provided with a moving fulcrum type leverage and adapted to be propelled by human power, e.g., by foot operation.
A conventional bicycle is designed so that a user can rotate a chain gear by alternately working cranked pedals, which are fixed individually to the opposite sides of the shaft of the chain gear with a phase difference of 180 degrees, by both his feet and transmit this rotation to a rear wheel by means of a chain, thereby propelling the bicycle.
A torque generated in the shaft of the chain gear can be represented by the product of the distance from the shaft to each pedal and a force in the direction of a tangent to the path of rotation of each pedal. Since the strength of a user's leg is limited, the distance from the shaft of the chain gear to each pedal must be made relatively long in order to increase the torque.
Since the diameter of the path of rotation of each pedal of the conventional bicycle is settled on the basis of the length of a standard user's leg, however, it is so hard to work the pedals that the operating efficiency and stability are poor if the diameter of the path is made longer than the existing one.
Moreover, the chain, which is used to transmit the rotation of the chain gear to the rear wheel, may possibly be disengaged from the chain gear or broken, so that it is awkward to handle and requires use of an all-over cover, thus involving a lot of problems.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a cycle with a moving fulcrum type leverage, which can produce a necessary propulsive force more easily than conventional cycles despite the omission of a chain.
A bicycle according to the present invention comprises: a frame including a handlebar; first and second wheels mounted individually on the front and rear portions of the frame for rotation; first and second support members movable along the inside of the first and second guide members, respectively; first and second lever members extending in the horizontal direction and having moving fulcrums supported individually on the first and second moving support members; first and second pedals formed on the respective force points of application of the first and second lever members, respectively; first and second crank devices connected to the respective points of action of the first and second lever members and coupled to an output shaft with a phase difference of 180 degrees from each other with respect to the output shaft; and a gear device coupling the output shaft to the hub spindle of one of the first and second wheels, the gear device including a transmission gear unit, and the frame having thereon a changing device for changing the gear ratio of the transmission gear unit and a brake device for limiting the rotation of the first and second wheels.
Further, a tricycle according to the invention comprises: a tricycle body including one steerable front wheel connected directly to a handlebar and two rear wheels connected to each other by means of a rear-wheel spindle; a rear-wheel gear fixed on the rear-wheel spindle; first and second crank pins arranged individually in eccentric positions symmetrical with respect to the center of the rear-wheel gear; first and second lever members rotatably mounted on the first and second crank pins as points of action, respectively; first and second pedals rotatably mounted on the front end portions of the first and second lever members, respectively; first and second rollers rotatably mounted on the rear end portions of the first and second lever members, respectively; and first and second guide members holding the first and second rollers for longitudinal movement and constituting moving fulcrums, the rear-wheel gear including a transmission gear unit, and the tricycle body having thereon a changing device for changing the gear ratio of the transmission gear unit and a brake device for limiting the rotation of at least one of the wheels.
Furthermore, a hand-operated bicycle according to the invention comprises: a frame; at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel rotatably mounted on the frame; a rear-wheel gear fixed on the spindle of the rear wheel; a crankshaft provided in a position eccentric to the rear-wheel gear; a lever member rotatably mounted on the crankshaft as a point of action; a grip portion formed on a point of application on the front end of the lever member; a roller rotatably mounted on a fulcrum on the rear end of the lever member; and a guide member for holding the roller for longitudinal movement.
Another bicycle according to the invention comprises: a bicycle body including one steerable front wheel connected directly to a handlebar and at least one rear wheel connected on a rear-wheel spindle; a rear-wheel gear fixed on the rear-wheel spindle; a driving gear in mesh with the rear-wheel gear; first and second crank pins arranged individually in eccentric positions symmetrical with respect to the center of the driving gear; first and second lever members rotatably mounted on the first and second crank pins as points of action, respectively; first and second force application-point rollers rotatably mounted in positions corresponding to points of application on the front end portions of the first and second lever members, respectively; first and second fulcrum rollers rotatably mounted on the rear end portions of the first and second lever members, respectively; first and second application-point guide members for holding the first and second application-point rollers in order to constitute a moving application-point regulator in conjunction with the first and second application-point rollers; first and second fulcrum guide members for holding the first and second fulcrum rollers in order to constitute a moving fulcrum regulator in conjunction with the first and second fulcrum rollers; first and second piston rods vertically fixed to the first and second application-point guide members, respectively; and first and second pedal plates mounted on the upper ends of the first and second piston rods, respectively.
Thus, there may be provided cycles with a moving fulcrum type leverage in which a propulsive force can be obtained more easily and steadily than in conventional cycles without using a chain and without substantially changing the length of the stroke of feet or hands.
Additional object and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
The object and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinbefore.
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Fischer Andrew J.
Frishauf, Holtz Goodman, Langer & Chick, P.C.
Hurley Kevin
Yoshiki Industrial Co., Ltd.
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