Pedal drive

Claim 2

A pedal drive for driving a bicycle or the like having a driven weheel or the like, comprising: a. a pair of rotatable, transverse shafts disposed in spaced parallelism and with one above the other; b. a pair of matched, laterally spaced sprockets on each shaft, with the corresponding sprockets of the two shafts aligned in a common plane normal to said shafts; c. an endless chain extending about each pair of corresponding sprockets, whereby each of the two chains move around identical oblong pedal paths extending around the respective sprockets and along the reach between the sprockets; d. pedal means secured to and outstanding from each chain, with the pedal at one side being in diametric opposition to the pedal at the other side; e. transmission means connecting with one of said shafts and to the aforesaid driven wheel or the like to drive the same responsive to pedalling of the pedal drive; f. stabilizing means for holding each pedal in a laterally outstanding position as it moves about the pedal path, each said stabilizing means being pivotally connected at one end to the corresponding pedal; and g. pivotal mounting means for the oppoSite end of each said stabilizing means, each said mounting means being spaced rearwardly from and disposed exteriorly of said pedal paths.

Claim 3

In the pedal drive defined in claim 1, wherein: said shafts are is essentially vertical alignment.

Claim 4

In the pedal drive defined in claim 1, wherein: a. said stabilizing means includes a laterally outstanding pivot pin spaced from the pedal disposed parallel to the said transverse shafts; b. each of said pedal means includes a pedal shaft paralleling said transverse shafts; and c. a hinged stabilizer arm at each side pivotally connected to said pivot pin and to each end of the corresponding pedal shaft, with the axes of the arm hinge, the pivot pin and pedal shaft being in spaced parallelism at all positions while the corresponding pedal shaft moves about the pedal path and the hinged arm articulates in response to such movement.

Claim 5

In the pedal drive defined in claim 1, wherein said chain is formed as an array of interconnected links fitted to said corresponding sprockets; and said pedal means includes a shaft having a unitary chain link at one end providing one of the array of links forming the chain.

Claim 6

In the pedal drive defined in claim 1, wherein: said bicycle includes a frame, having a centrally disposed, depending member; a bearing for each said sprocket shaft and disposed between the sprockets mounted thereon; a mount for the upper sprocket shaft and attached to said depending frame member; a mount for the lower sprocket shaft and attached to said depending frame member; and each said mount is provided with means for changing the vertical position of the corresponding bearing.

Claim 7

A pedal drive for driving a bicycle or the like having a driven wheel or the like, comprising: a. a pair of rotatable, transverse shafts disposed in spaced parallelism and with one above the other; b. a pair of matched, laterally spaced sprockets on each shaft, with the corresponding sprockets of the two shafts aligned in a common plane normal to said shafts; c. an endless chain extending about each pair of corresponding sprockets, whereby each of the two chains move around identical oblong pedal paths extending around the respective sprockets and along the reach between the sprockets; d. pedal means secured to and outstanding from each chain, with the pedal at one side being in diametric opposition to the pedal at the other side; e. transmission means connecting with one of said shafts and to the aforesaid driven wheel or the like to drive the same responsive to pedalling of the pedal drive; f. stabilizing means for holding each pedal in a laterally outstanding position as it moves about the pedal path, each of said pedal means including a pedal shaft paralleling said transverse shafts and each said stabilizing means including a laterally outstanding pivot pin rearwardly of said pedal paths and disposed parallel to the transverse shafts; and g. a hinged stabilizer arm at each side pivotally connected to said pivot pin and to the corresponding pedal shaft, with the axes of the hinge of said arm, the pivot pin and pedal shaft being in spaced parallelism at all positions while the corresponding pedal shaft moves about the pedal path and the hinged arm articulates in response to such movement, the end of each stabilizer arm connecting with the respective pedal shaft being inclined upwardly so as to provide clearance for the operator''s foot upon the pedal.

Claim 8

A pedal drive for driving a bicycle or the like having a driven wheel or the like, comprising: a. a pair of rotatable, transverse shafts disposed in spaced parallelism and with one above the other; b. a pair of matched, laterally spaced sprockets on each shaft, with the corresponding sprockets of the two shafts aligned in a common plane normal to said shafts; c. an endless chain extending about each pair of corresponding sprockets, whereby each of the two chains move around identical oblong pedal paths extending around the respective sprockets and along the reach between the sprockets; d. pedal means secured to and outstanding from each chain, with the pedal at one side being in diametric opposition to the pedal at the other side; e. transmission means connecting with one of said shafts and to the aforesaid driven wheel or the like to drive the same responsive to pedalling of the pedal drive; f. stabilizing means for holding each pedal in a laterally outstanding position as it moves about the pedal path, each of said pedal means including a pedal shaft paralleling said transverse shafts and each said stabilizing means including a laterally outstanding pivot pin rearwardly of said pedal paths and disposed parallel to the transverse shafts; and g. a hinged stabilizer arm at each side pivotally connected to said pivot pin and to the corresponding pedal shaft, with the axes of the hinge of said arm, the pivot pin and pedal shaft being in spaced parallelism at all positions while the corresponding pedal shaft moves about the pedal path and the hinged arm articulates in response to such movement, the end of each stabilizer arm connecting with the respective pedal shaft being inclined upwardly so as to provide clearance for the operator''s foot upon the pedal.

Claim 9

In the pedal drive defined in claim 6, wherein: a pedal pad is carried upon each pedal shaft; and each stabilizer arm includes a pair of spaced, upwardly inclined forks straddling the pedal pad and pivotally fitted upon the pedal shaft.