Motor vehicles – Special wheel base – Rider propulsion with additional source of power – e.g.,...
Reexamination Certificate
1996-02-05
2001-08-21
Boehler, Anne Marie (Department: 3618)
Motor vehicles
Special wheel base
Rider propulsion with additional source of power, e.g.,...
C180S220000, C180S068500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276479
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an electrically power assisted bicycle and more particularly to an improved bicycle of this type, the positioning of the driving components therefore, and an improved arrangement for facilitating battery servicing.
Electrically power assisted bicycles of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,266,501, issued Jul. 13, 1993 and copending applications, Ser. Nos. 08/026,868 filed Mar. 5, 1993, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,676 on Dec. 27, 1994; 08/059,540 filed Mar. 10, 1993, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,200 on Dec. 6, 1994 and 08/128,799 filed Sep. 29, 1993, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,148 on Dec. 12, 1995 all of which are assigned to the assignee hereof, have a number of advantages. In the construction shown in each of those applications and the aforenoted patent, the bicycle is provided with a conventional pedal mechanism operated by the rider.
In addition, there is provided an electric motor powered by a battery and controller arrangement for assisting the operator effort in response to the pedal input force so as to make the riding of the bicycle easier while at the same time maintaining its ability to provide exercise for the rider. In the arrangements shown in those applications, the motor and its driving transmission are disposed in a generally vertically orientation either aligned with or beneath the seat pillar. The battery and controller are disposed in a somewhat horizontally extending position along the main frame member that extends from the head pipe downwardly toward the pedal mechanism. Although this arrangement has a number of advantages, it tends to move the center of gravity of the bicycle generally forwardly of the crank mechanism and also somewhat elevates the center of gravity. Of course, by positioning these mechanisms below the crank axis, the aforenoted problems could be avoided but this would then substantially restrict the ground clearance for the bicycle.
It is, therefore, a principal object to this invention to provide an improved layout for the electrical power assist components of an electrically power assisted bicycle so as to improve the balance and maintain a practical but low center of gravity.
One way in which the aforenoted objects may be met is by positioning a battery case behind or adjacent the seat pillar and positioning the battery or batteries in this case. However, this type of arrangement can make it more difficult to access the batteries for service.
It is, therefore, a still further object to this invention to provide an improved battery carrying arrangement for an electrical power assisted bicycle wherein the batteries are positioned so that they can be easily serviced.
It is a further object to this invention to provide an improved movable seat arrangement for an electrically assisted bicycle so as to facilitate servicing of the components of the bicycle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first feature of the invention is adapted to be embodied in an electrically power assisted bicycle that is comprised of a frame and a front wheel dirigibly supported by the frame. A rear wheel is journalled for rotation by the frame and a seat is carried by the frame for accommodating a rider. A pedal assembly is journalled by the frame for rotation about a transverse crank axis for operation by a rider. A drive couples the pedal assembly to the rear wheel for manual driving of the rear wheel. An electric power assist mechanism is provided for transmitting a driving force to the rear wheel through the drive and comprises an electric motor disposed on one longitudinal side of the crank axis and an electrical battery for providing electrical power to the electrical motor and which is disposed on the other longitudinal side of the crank axis.
Another feature of the invention is adapted to be embodied in an electrically powered bicycle that is comprised of a frame assembly and a front wheel dirigibly supported by the frame assembly. A rear wheel is journalled for rotation by the frame assembly. The frame assembly is comprised of an upstanding seat post carrying a seat at the top thereof for accommodating a rider. An electric motor is carried by the frame assembly for powering the rear wheel and a battery case is carried by the frame assembly to the rear of the seat post for accommodating a battery for powering the electrical motor. The battery case is disposed beneath the seat and the seat is moveable relative to the seat post for accessing the battery case for battery removal.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3773131 (1973-11-01), Jaulmes
patent: 3884317 (1975-05-01), Kinzel
patent: 4085814 (1978-04-01), Davidson et al.
patent: 4168758 (1979-09-01), Holt
patent: 4406342 (1983-09-01), Lacroix
patent: 4410060 (1983-10-01), Cunard
patent: 4637274 (1987-01-01), Goldenfeld
patent: 5242028 (1993-09-01), Murphy et al.
patent: 5603388 (1997-02-01), Yaguchi
patent: 103329 (1924-02-01), None
patent: 0517224 (1992-12-01), None
patent: 658966 (1951-10-01), None
patent: 2050270 (1981-01-01), None
patent: 2083423 (1982-03-01), None
patent: 4244496 (1992-09-01), None
patent: 5-238461 (1993-09-01), None
patent: 5-278670 (1993-10-01), None
Akita Hisatoshi
Suzuki Masahiro
Takata Nozomu
Beutler Ernest A.
Boehler Anne Marie
Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
LandOfFree
Drive arrangement for electric power assisted bicycle does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Drive arrangement for electric power assisted bicycle, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Drive arrangement for electric power assisted bicycle will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2489254