Folding bicycle

Claim 2

A foldable ten-speed bicycle comprising a foldable frame having a top bar and a diagonal bar, a hinge in one of said bars, first detachable means to hold said hinge inoperative while said bicycle is operative, a disjointable joint in the other of said bars, second detachable means to hold said joint assembled while said bicycle is operative, first and second gear change cables extending along said diagonal bar when said bicycle is operative, a first clamp and a second clamp, each said clamp engaging said diagonal bar and also receiving and guiding said cables, said second clamp having a bar engaging portion, a cable engaging portion and third detachable means securing said portions together, whereby upon detachment of said detachable means said cable engaging portion may be removed from said bar engaging portion to permit bending of said cables when said frame is folded.

Claim 3

A bicycle according to claim 1 in which said hinge comprises first and second sleeves shaped to fit over adjacent ends of said one of said bars, means to fix said sleeves on to said ends, and overlapping leaves, some of said leaves fixed to said sleeves, others of said leaves fixed to the other of said sleeves and a pivot pivoting said leaves together.

Claim 4

A bicycle according to claim 2 in which said first detachable means comprises a bolt fitting through said overlapping leaves and preventing pivoting of said hinge.

Claim 5

A bicycle according to claim 2 in which said sleeves are adjustable in size to accommodate different size bars.

Claim 6

A bicycle according to claim 1 in which said disjointable joint comprises first and second sleeves shaped to fit over adjacent ends of said other of said bars, means to fix said sleeves onto said ends, and overlapping leaves, one fixed to said first sleeve and the other to said second sleeve.

Claim 7

A bicycle according to claim 1 wherein said bar engaging portion of said clamp comprises a split sleeve shaped to fit over said diagonal bar, means for tightening said split sleeve on said bar and a stud, said cable engaging portion having a plate apertured to receive said stud and formed with guide holes to receive said cables.

Claim 8

A kit to convert a conventional 10-speed bicycle to a folding bicycle, said bicycle having a top bar, a diagonal bar and two speed change cables along said diagonal bar and wherein both said bars are severed preliminary to installation of said kit, said kit comprising a hinge having a first sleeve shaped to fit over one severed end of one of said bars, a first leaf fixed to said first sleeve, a second sleeve shaped to fit on one of said bars, a second leaf fixed to said second sleeve, a pivot pivoting said first and second leaves together, first detachable means to hold said first and second leaves fixed together; a disjointable joint having a third sleeve shaped to fit over the severed end of one of said bars, a third leaf fixed to said third sleeve, a fourth sleeve shaped to fit over the severed end of one of said bars, a fourth leaf fixed to said fourth sleeve, second detachable means to hold said third and fourth leaves together; and a cable engaging clamp having a bar engaging first portion, a second portion for engaging both said cables and third detachable means for holding said portions together.

Claim 9

A kit to convert a conventional 10-speed bicycle to a folding bicycle, said bicycle having a top bar, a diagonal bar and two speed change cables along said diagonal bar and wherein both said bars are severed preliminary to installation of said kit, said kit comprising a hinge having a first sleeve shaped to fit over one severed end of one of said bars, a first leaf fixed to said first sleeve, a second sleeve shaped to fit on one of said bars, a second leaf fixed to said second sleeve, a pivot pivoting said first and second leaves together, first detachable means to hold said first and second leaves fixed together; a disjointable joint having a third sleeve shaped to fit over the severed end of one of said bars, a third leaf fixed to said third sleeve, a fourth sleeve shaped to fit over the severed end of one of said bars, a fourth leaf fixed to said fourth sleeve, second detachable means to hold said third and fourth leaves together; and a cable engaging clamp having a bar engaging first portion, a second portion for engaging both said cables and third detachable means for holding said portions together.

Claim 10

A kit according to claim 7 in which at least some of said sleeves are adjustable in size to accommodate different size bars.

Claim 11

A kit according to claim 7 wherein said first portion comprises a split fifth sleeve shaped to fiT over one said bar, means for tightening said fifth sleeve on said bar and a stud, said second portion comprising a plate apertured to receive said stud and said third detachable means engages said stud.