Land vehicles – Wheeled – Occupant propelled type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-11
2003-09-09
DePumpo, Daniel G. (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Occupant propelled type
C297S215140, C297S215150
Reexamination Certificate
active
06616164
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to human powered cycles in general and, in particular, to human powered recumbent bicycles.
2. Description of the Background
In recent years, recumbent bicycles and-other recumbent cycles have gained significant popularity.
With a recumbent cycle, a rider is oriented in a substantially “recumbent” or “reclined” position. Typically, the rider's foot position is s ubstantially in front of the rider's seat position—e.g., usually, the cycle includes foot pedals that are rotatably mounted around a hub and a line between the axis of the hub and a center of the rider's seat is generally more than about 45 degrees from a vertical axis. Recumbent cycles often have enhanced ergonomic qualities and other advantages over common “upright” bicycles.
Usually, recumbent bicycles have seats that are large compared to common upright bicycle seats.
FIG. 11
illustrates some exemplary bicycles made by the present inventors at RANS INC.® (see: http:/WWW.rans.com). Specifically,
FIG. 11
shows recumbent bicycles R
1
, R
2
, R
3
, R
4
and R
5
and an exemplary common upright bicycle C
6
. As shown in
FIG. 11
, with a common “upright” bicycle, a rider's legs typically pass on either side of the seat S, demanding a narrow and uncomfortable seat design. For this reason, recumbent enthusiasts jocularly refer to common upright bicycles as “wedgies.”
On the other hand, recumbent cycles do not require a narrow seat design. Typically, a recumbent bicycle seat is designed to have supporting surfaces under left and right sides of a rider's buttocks and is preferably wide enough to support a rider beneath the left and right ischium bones at the base of a rider's pelvis.
In the illustrative recumbent bicycles of the present inventors shown in
FIG. 11
, the seats
100
include a seat base
110
that is supported on cross-bar
105
of the recumbent bicycle frame and a back rest
120
that is supported via one or more support rod
130
. The support rods may be longitudinally adjustable, such as including telescoping tubes that are fixed together via a fixing mechanism
135
. Moreover, as shown, reflector-tape strips
140
may be attached to the seat backs
120
. The base
110
also includes a bracket
150
to attach the seat
10
to the cross-bar
105
. The cross-bar also includes a seat channel SC that is fitted on the cross-bar
105
to facilitate attachment to the frame.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The preferred embodiments of the present invention significantly improve upon existing recumbent and the like cycles. Among other advantages, the preferred embodiments of the present invention can greatly facilitate use and/or operation of recumbent and the like cycles.
According to some illustrative embodiments, a recumbent or the like cycle is provided with an improved seat structure that can be used to facilitate angular positioning of the seat and/or handling of the cycle during transport and/or storage. Preferably, the seat structure enables fore-and-aft adjustment as well as angular adjustment of the seat.
According to.some illustrative embodiments, a recumbent cycle is provided that includes: a seat upon which a rider can sit; a frame upon which the seat is supported; a support member connected to the seat; a connecting member connected to the frame; the support member being pivotally mounted to the connecting member so as to pivot around an axis generally transverse to the cycle.
According to other illustrative embodiments, a method for adjusting the angular position of a recumbent-cycle seat includes: providing a support member for a seat base of the cycle; connecting a connecting member to a frame of the cycle; pivoting the support member with respect to the connecting member such that the angular position of the seat changes.
Among other advantages, the preferred embodiments of the present invention can greatly facilitate use and/or operation of recumbent and the like cycles. For example, the preferred embodiments enable easy adjustment of the seat position on a recumbent cycle without the use of tools. In addition, the preferred embodiments enable quick and easy changing of the seat position with minimal or no movement or slippage.
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patent: 4527811 (1985-07-01), DeMoss
patent: 4836604 (1989-06-01), Romano
patent: 5290054 (1994-03-01), Po
patent: 5509678 (1996-04-01), Ullman et al.
patent: 5584494 (1996-12-01), Krumm
patent: 5607171 (1997-03-01), Labranche
patent: 5853062 (1998-12-01), Hulett
patent: 6203043 (2001-03-01), Lehman
patent: 27076 (1897-08-01), None
RCN #23 The World's #1 Recumbent Source—Late Summer 1994.
RCN #26/27 Recumbent Cyclist News—1995.
RCN #34 Recumbent Cyclist News—Jun./Jul. 1996.
RCN #37 Recumbent Cyclist News—Jan./Feb. 1997.
RCN #41 Recumbent Cyclist News—Sep./Oct. 1997.
RCN #43 Recumbent Cyclist News—Jan./Feb. 1998.
RCN #52 Recumbent Cyclist News—Jun./Jul. 1999.
Schlitter John
Schlitter Randy
DePumpo Daniel G.
Parker, Esq. Stephen B.
Rans Inc.
Rothwell Figg Ernst & Manbeck p.c.
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