Land vehicles – Wheeled – Occupant propelled type
Patent
1998-12-28
2000-12-05
Dickson, Paul N.
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Occupant propelled type
280251, 280233, 280234, 280243, 2802881, B62M 104
Patent
active
061555843
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to an engine, such as particularly a cycle, for human propulsion, comprising a longitudinal chassis provided, toward one of its ends, with a seat provided with a backrest and, toward its other opposite end, with a system of pedals adapted to be actuated by the feet by a user in seated position with the back supported by the backrest, said system of pedals being associated with transmission means connecting it to a drive shaft, adapted to translate the movement of this pedal system into a movement of rotation of said drive shaft.
Such engines, described particularly in the patents FR 811 916 and BE 432 336, as to cycles, have the advantage of offering the user a comfortable "semi-reclining" position, whilst requiring an effort similar to or even less than that of conventional cycles.
However, such cycles do not permit optimizing the output of the efforts exerted by the user because of the "dead points" inherent in their design, which correspond to positions of the pedals in which the force transmitted is reduced or even zero.
It is moreover to be noted, that at present, all the cycles on the market designed to be used in a sitting position are provided with a conventional pedal system generally disposed at the front of the engine. As in those mentioned above, and because of the design of the pedal system, these cycles have "dead points" which do not permit optimizing the output of the forces.
The present invention seeks to overcome all of the drawbacks cited above, and has for its principal object to provide an engine optimizing the output of the efforts exerted.
Another object is to provide an engine of simple design having moreover a small size.
Another object is to provide an engine which, because of its cycle design, can easily be provided with arrangements for the transport of all types of implements.
To this end, the invention provides an engine, such as particularly a cycle, comprising a longitudinal chassis provided, toward one of its ends, with a seat provided with a backrest and, toward its opposite end, with a system of pedals adapted to be actuated by the feet by a user in a seated position with the back maintained by the backrest, said pedal system being associated with transmission means connecting it to a drive shaft, adapted to transform the movement of this pedal system into a movement of rotation of said drive shaft, actuating means adapted to permit giving them an alternating movement of translation, unidirectional transmission associated with resilient return means, carried by the drive shaft and connected to the actuating means by a connection member adapted to drive in rotation said rotatable member and the drive shaft, upon displacement of said pedal in a direction away from this latter relative to the seat.
According to the invention, this engine is characterized in that it comprises two handles adapted to be actuated manually, connected to the chassis by actuating means adapted to permit giving them an alternating movement of translation, the actuating means of each handle being connected to a rotatable member for unidirectional transmission associated with resilient means and carried by the drive shaft, by a connection member adapted to drive in rotation said rotatable member and the drive shaft, upon displacement of said handle in a direction away from the seat.
In the first instance, such an engine permits using in an optimum manner the muscular power developed by the four extremities of the user. Thus, each extremity drives in alternating displacement in translation a pedal or a handle and actuates the associated transmission member which is actuated in a single direction of rotation. Thus, this engine permits obtaining a developed force which is very much greater than that obtained with present engines.
Moreover, there should be noted the simplicity of design of this engine, comprising a chassis, actuating means moveable relative to said chassis, and a unidirectional transmission member connected to each pedal and to each handle.
Finally, there is to be no
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Dickson Paul N.
Draper Deanna
LandOfFree
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