Bicycle conversion device

Claim 1

A bicycle conversion kit device intended for converting a conventional rigid frame two wheel bicycle into a folding type bicycle, the conventional type bicycle having front and back wheels interconnected by a frame including at least one lnegthwise tubular extending member, the conversion device comprising the combination of: a device adapted to be temporarily secured to the lengthwise extending member approximately midway of the length of the bicycle frame and providing a slot therein extending normal to the axis of the lengthwise member and adapted to receive therethrough a cutting blade intended for severing the frame member into a front sectional frame member and a rear sectional frame member with the division point approximately midway of the length of the bicycle framework; a pair of elongated hollow cylindrical collar members hingedly connected together at their innermost surfaces in a manner providing pivotal movement about the hinge between an operative position orienting the collar members in axial alignment with each other and an inoperative position orienting the collar members in substantially parallel side-by-side relationship, the first one of the pair of collaR members adapted to be telescopically received over the severed end portion of the lengthwise extending member, the second of the pair of collar members adapted to be telescopically received over the severed end portion of the other section of the lengthwise extending member; the first and second collar members each having an interior elongated cylindrical compartment extending therethrough of a diameter approximately equal to the exterior diameter of the tubing for snugly receiving the same therein, each collar member adapted to be disposed on its respective tubular section with the innermost hinged edge thereof substantially adjacent the severed edge of the tubular section; a bolt and nut associated with each collar member to be axially inserted through a pair of diametrically opposed apertures in each collar membere to secure each collar member to the associated lengthwise member, the hingedly connected collar members connecting the front sectional frame to the rear sectional frame pivotally at such division point to provide relative pivotal movement of the frame section between an operative service position where the front and back wheels are in aligned tandem relationship, and an inoperative folded position in which the two wheels of the bicycle are located substantially side-by-side in spaced and approximately parallel relationship; and a locking device disposed intermediate the innermost hinged edges of the collar members adapted to releasably secure the collar members in the axially aligned operative position to retain the hinged frame section in the operative aligned position preventing pivotal movement thereof, such key means adapted to also release the aligned position permitting the folding of the bicycle frame, the locking device comprising: an elongated rectangularly shaped locking member having one end portion of a flat shaft portion secured to one of the collar members at a position diametrically opposed to the hinge connecting the collar members together, the shaft projecting axially out of the one collar member and provided with a radially outward extending V-shaped projection, an aperture provided in the second collar member to receive the V-shaped projection when the collar members are disposed in aligned operative relationship, the apex portion of the V-shaped projection extending through the opening provided in the side wall of the second collar member to define therewith a a passage intermediate the interior apex portion and the exterior side wall surface, the passage extending substantially normal to the axis of the aligned collar members, and key means consisting of a T-shaped key having an elongated shaft to be axially inserted through the passage to retain the V-shaped projection locked in position in the opening whereby the collar members are retained in the operative aligned position, withdrawal of the key means from the passage permitting the projection to be manually depressed interiorly of the second collar member with the collar member then being free for pivoting to its inoperative position.