US3759543A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable speed lever action bicycle drive
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-05-22
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Granted: 1973-09-18
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Expires: 1992-05-22
Abstract
Abstract A bicycle drive comprising a pair of levers pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the bicycle frame, with foot pedals at their extremities. The rear wheel has dual sprockets with one way clutches, each sprocket being connected to one lever by a chain and cable, so that a downward stroke of the lever drives the wheel. The chain is concealed in the frame members and the cable connection to the lever is by means of a bracket which is movable along the lever by foot action, to vary the effective lever arm without changing the pedal stroke. Both pedals can be operated independently, alternately, or together to drive the bicycle, and speed can be shifted on each side independently without interrupting the driving effort.
Inventors
- 👤 M Clark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:45
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62M; B62M1/00; B62M1/24; B62M1/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
In a bicycle having a frame with a driven rear wheel mounted therein, a lever action drive mechanism comprising: a pair of elongated drive levers pivotally mounted to swing substantially vertically on the rear portion of said frame and extending forwardly on opposite sides thereof, said rear wheel having a pair of sprockets, each with a one way clutch coupled to drive the wheel in a forward direction, a shift unit slidably adjustably mounted on each drive lever, a drive chain passing around each of said sprockets and having a connection to the respective shift unit, and foot pedals attached to the forward ends of said drive levers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
In a bicycle having a frame with a driven rear wheel mounted therein, a lever action drive mechanism comprising: a pair of elongated drive levers pivotally mounted to swing substantially vertically on the rear portion of said frame and extending forwardly on opposite sides thereof, said rear wheel having a pair of sprockets, each with a one way clutch coupled to drive the wheel in a forward direction, a shift unit slidably adjustably mounted on each drive lever, a drive chain passing around each of said sprockets and having a connection to the respective shift unit, and foot pedals attached to the forward ends of said drive levers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A drive mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said chain has one end connected to the shift unit, and a return spring betwEen the other end of said chain and the frame to bias said drive lever upwardly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A drive mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said frame has tubular rear wheel supporting members terminating adjacent each sprocket, said springs and portions of each chain being enclosed in said members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
A drive mechanism according to claim 1, wherein each shift unit comprises a saddle bracket straddling the drive lever, a bellcrank pivotally mounted in said saddle bracket and having a clamp portion for engagement with the drive lever, said chain being connected to said bellcrank offset from the pivot to apply clamping pressure under tension of the chain, and means on said bellcranks for releasing the clamping pressure and moving the shift units along the drive levers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A drive mechanism according to claim 4 wherein said last mentioned means comprises a foot bar projecting from the end of the bellcrank opposite said clamping portion, said saddle bracket and said bellcrank having rollers for engagement on the drive lever when said foot bar is depressed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
A drive mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said frame has pulleys mounted on the upper portion thereof, each of said chains having a cable connected to one end and passing over the respective pulley to the shift unit, and a return spring connected between the other end of each chain and said frame to bias said drive levers upwardly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A drive mechanism according to claim 6, and including brake means mounted adjacent said pulleys for restraining said cables while said shift units are operated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A drive mechanism according to claim 6, and including stop means for limiting the upward and downward travel of said drive levers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A drive mechanism according to claim 8, wherein said drive levers are arcuate along their length, with the centers of radius approximately at the points of contact of the downwardly extending cables with their respective pulleys, when the drive levers are at their fully downward positions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
84 words
A drive mechanism according to claim 9, wherein each of said shift units comprises a saddle bracket straddling the drive lever from below, a bellcrank pivotally mounted in the bracket and having a clamp portion for engagement with the drive lever from above, said cable being connected to the bellcrank offset from the pivot to apply clamping action by tension on the cable, and a foot bar projecting from the end of the bellcrank opposite said clamping portion for selective release of clamping pressure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
78 words
A drive mechanism according to claim 10, wherein said bellcrank has a fork extending below the clamping portion, with a roller therein for engagement below the drive lever, a roller rotatably mounted in said saddle bracket above the drive lever, and a stop in said saddle bracket for limiting the movement of said bellcrank in the clamping pressure release action, whereby the rollers are urged into contact with the drive lever for rolling support of the shift unit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A drive mechanism according to claim 11, and including brake means mounted adjacent said pulleys for selectively restraining the cables therein.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-17 | 1977-03-19 | 1977-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-17 | 1981-03-19 | 1981-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-17 | 1985-03-19 | 1985-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |