Land vehicles – Wheeled – Occupant propelled type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-01
2001-07-24
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Occupant propelled type
C280S250000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264224
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to velocipedes, especially bicycles, having hand cranked propulsion for the front wheel.
2. Description of Prior Art
Bicycles and other velocipedes with hand cranks to drive the front wheel are known in the prior art. These have not become highly popular due to cost, inconvenience, bulkiness, and lack of appropriate drive trains make bicycle cruising speeds practical.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,662 by this inventor discloses advances over the prior art. The present invention is safer, less bulky, more convenient, and more attractive than that earlier design. This is due to improvements in the front drive train configuration and geometry and other improvements, including an improved brake lever design, and repositioning of the shifter levers.
Several other patents show velocipedes with hand cranked propulsion, and are listed here for reference. They show a variety of designs that are dissimilar to the present invention in some or all respects, and have inherent disadvantages. For example, many of them use hand cranks in which the left and right cranks are offset 180 degrees from each other This type of alternating crank is not stable enough to allow the crank handles to be used for steering a bicycle while cranking.
Prior related U.S. Pat. Nos. include: 4,773,662 (Phillips, 1988); 4,152,005 (Vanore, 1979); 4,270,766 (Thomas, 1981); 3,910,599 (Thomas, 1975); 3,823,959 (Winters, 1974); 4,109,927 (Harper, 1978); 4,303,255 (Thomas, 1981); 4,316,616 (Boivin, 1982); 4,417,742 (Intengan, 1983); 4,498,684 (Intengan, 1985); 4,548,420 (Patroni, Jr., 1985); 4,653,613 (Biancas, 1987); 4,685,692 (Fullilove et al., 1987).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The objectives of the present invention are provision of a bicycle with independent front and rear cranks and drive trains, so that either one or both cranks can be used to propel the bicycle. Another objective is provision of a front drive assembly that can be fitted to existing bicycle frames. Another objective is a front drive train that is compact and covered, for safety, appearance, and reduced bulk. Another objective is provision of gear shifters that can be operated without releasing a hand from the hand crank. Another objective is provision of brake levers from which the brake cables extend directly forward to eliminate interference with the crank and to avoid catching on obstacles while riding.
The objectives of the present invention are achieved by a compact, covered front drive assembly that replaces the handlebars on an existing bicycle frame. It drives the front wheel while standard foot pedals and drive train drive the rear wheel. However, it can also be operated independently of the foot pedals, or locked for use of the foot pedals alone. It has drive ratios and shifting that are independent of the rear drive ratios, and that are configured for comfortable hand cranking rates, including normal bicycle cruising speed. Shift levers are mounted within reach of a rider's thumbs, without removing a hand from the cranks. A brake lever on each handle holds the brake cables forward at all times, eliminating interference both with the hand cranks and with obstacles brushing beside the bicycle.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2533728 (1950-12-01), Gedat et al.
patent: 3823959 (1974-07-01), Winters
patent: 3910599 (1975-10-01), Thomas
patent: 4109927 (1978-08-01), Harper
patent: 4152005 (1979-05-01), Vanore
patent: 4270766 (1981-06-01), Thomas
patent: 4303255 (1981-12-01), Thomas
patent: 4313616 (1982-02-01), Boivin
patent: 4417742 (1983-11-01), Intengan
patent: 4498684 (1985-02-01), Intengan
patent: 4548420 (1985-10-01), Patroni, Jr.
patent: 4653613 (1987-03-01), Blaucas
patent: 4685692 (1987-08-01), Fullilove et al.
patent: 4773662 (1988-09-01), Phillips
patent: 5082302 (1992-01-01), Nacar
patent: 5152729 (1992-10-01), Phillips
patent: 5908199 (1999-06-01), Rigato
patent: 6099009 (2000-08-01), Schroeder
Johnson Brian L.
Luby Matt
Stewart John V.
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