US3908474A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bicycle improvement through provision of an automatic transmission
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-10-23
•
Granted: 1975-09-30
•
Expires: 1993-10-23
Abstract
Abstract An automatic transmission for a bicycle is provided by a continuously variable ratio transmission means within the drive train of a bicycle, the ratio being adjustable by a handle-grip throttle. Operator error can be lessened by the provision of an optional governor which may be overridden if necessary.
Inventors
- 👤 Eli Wm Cole
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:13
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62M; B62M11/00; B62M11/04; B62M11/06; B62M15/00; F; F16; F16H; F16H29/00; F16H29/02; F16H29/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/15; Y10T74/1503; Y10T74/1508; Y10T74/151
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
In a bicycle including a hand control means mounted on a handlebar of the bicycle having pedal means, a non-stepped, continuously variable transmission means having a control member connected to said hand control means, said transmission means having a rotatable input shaft and a rotatable output shaft, the ratio of rotation of the two shafts being continuously variable upon movement of said control member, a first drive means for driving the input shaft, said first drive means connecting said pedal means and said input shaft, and a second drive means for driving a wheel connected to a hub of the bicycle, said second drive means connecting said output shaft and said hub the improvement consisting of the inclusion of a governor means for automatically adjusting the variable ratio of the transmission in response to the forward speed of said bicycle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
In a bicycle including a hand control means mounted on a handlebar of the bicycle having pedal means, a non-stepped, continuously variable transmission means having a control member connected to said hand control means, said transmission means having a rotatable input shaft and a rotatable output shaft, the ratio of rotation of the two shafts being continuously variable upon movement of said control member, a first drive means for driving the input shaft, said first drive means connecting said pedal means and said input shaft, and a second drive means for driving a wheel connected to a hub of the bicycle, said second drive means connecting said output shaft and said hub the improvement consisting of the inclusion of a governor means for automatically adjusting the variable ratio of the transmission in response to the forward speed of said bicycle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
126 words
The bicycle improvement of claim 1, wherein said governor means connects the hub of the wheel to said transmission means and includes bearing means in contact with said hub, said bearing means being encased within and adjustable retaining member having a weight member hanging substantially vertically therefrom, said weight member being connected to the control member of the transmission means, whereby the control member is moved in one direction to raise the ratio of the number of revolutions of the wheel relative to the number of revolutions of the pedal means when the speed of rotation of the wheel is decreased, and whereby the control member is moved in an opposite direction to lower said ratio when the speed of rotation of the wheel is increased.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The bicycle improvement of claim 1, wherein said governor means is inside said transmission means and connects said rotatable output shaft with an extension of said control member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
126 words
The bicycle improvement of claim 3, wherein said inside governor means includes bearing means in contact with said output shaft, said bearing means being encased within an adjustable retaining member having a hanger member depending substantially vertically therefrom, said hanger member being connected to a push member at one end thereof, the other end of said push member being pivotally connected to said extension of the control member, whereby the control member is moved in one direction to raise the ratio of rotation of the output shaft relative to the input shaft when the speed of rotation of the output shaft is decreased, and whereby the control member is moved in the other direction to lower said ratio when the output shaft rotation speed is increased.
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) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |