US4022485A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collapsible bicycle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-04-05
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Granted: 1977-05-10
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Expires: 1996-04-05
Abstract
Abstract A collapsible bicycle includes a rigid main frame and a collapsible rear frame movable between riding and storage positions. The rigid main frame supports the front wheel, pedals, handlebars, and seat, and the rear frame supports the rear wheel. The rear frame includes a first pair of struts which are pivotally connected to the main frame at the lower rear portion thereof and a second pair of struts which are pivotally connected to the first pair of struts. When the rear frame is in the riding position, the first pair of struts extends rearwardly from the main frame, and the second pair of struts extends upwardly and forwardly from the rear ends of the struts of the first pair to a connector on the upper rear portion of the main frame which connects the second pair of struts to the rear of the main frame. When the bicycle is to be stored, the struts of the second pair are disconnected from the connector at the rear of the main frame, the two pairs of struts are pivoted forwardly about the pivot connection between the main frame and the first pair of struts, and the struts of the second pair are connected to a second connector on the upper front portion of the main frame.
Inventors
- 👤 Elward LeRoy Cox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 09:56
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62K; B62K15/00; B62K15/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
259 words
A collapsible bicycle frame comprising a front frame and a collapsible rear frame movable between riding and storage positions, the front frame including a plurality of elongated frame members interconnected to form a polygonal main frame having a front and a rear, a wheel fork rotatably mounted at the front of the main frame in one of the frame members and adapted to be connected to the axle of a bicycle wheel, the collapsible rear frame including a first pair of rear wheel support struts pivotally connected to the main frame at the rear thereof and extending rearwardly thereof, a second pair of rear wheel support struts connected to the first pair of struts and extending upwardly and forwardly therefrom, axle-connecting means on one of the pairs of struts for connecting the struts to the axle of a bicycle wheel when the rear frame is in the riding position, first connector means on the rear of the main frame for releasably connecting the upper ends of the second pair of struts to the main frame at the rear thereof whereby the first and second pairs of struts are maintained in a riding position and can rigidly support a wheel connected to the struts, and second connecting means at the front of the frame for releasably connecting the upper ends of the second pair of struts to the main frame at the front thereof when the first pair of struts is pivoted about is pivotal connection to the main frame whereby the rear frame is maintained in a storage position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
259 words
A collapsible bicycle frame comprising a front frame and a collapsible rear frame movable between riding and storage positions, the front frame including a plurality of elongated frame members interconnected to form a polygonal main frame having a front and a rear, a wheel fork rotatably mounted at the front of the main frame in one of the frame members and adapted to be connected to the axle of a bicycle wheel, the collapsible rear frame including a first pair of rear wheel support struts pivotally connected to the main frame at the rear thereof and extending rearwardly thereof, a second pair of rear wheel support struts connected to the first pair of struts and extending upwardly and forwardly therefrom, axle-connecting means on one of the pairs of struts for connecting the struts to the axle of a bicycle wheel when the rear frame is in the riding position, first connector means on the rear of the main frame for releasably connecting the upper ends of the second pair of struts to the main frame at the rear thereof whereby the first and second pairs of struts are maintained in a riding position and can rigidly support a wheel connected to the struts, and second connecting means at the front of the frame for releasably connecting the upper ends of the second pair of struts to the main frame at the front thereof when the first pair of struts is pivoted about is pivotal connection to the main frame whereby the rear frame is maintained in a storage position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
153 words
The bicycle frame of claim 1 in which the main frame includes a generally vertically extending front tubular frame member, a generally vertically extending rear frame member, and top and bottom frame members extending between and connected to the front and rear frame members, the first pair of struts being pivotally connected to the main frame adjacent the connection between the rear and bottom frame members, the first connecting means being mounted on the main frame adjacent the connection between the top and rear frame members whereby the rear frame members and the two pairs of struts form a triangle when the rear frame is in the riding position, the second connecting means being connected to the main frame adjacent the connection between the front and top frame members whereby the first pair of struts extends generally parallel to the rear frame member when the rear frame member is in the storage position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The bicycle frame of claim 1 in which the struts of the second pair are pivotally connected to the struts of the first pair.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The bicycle frame of claim 1 in which the upper end of each of the struts of the second pair includes a hook, each of the first and second connector means including a shaft for holding the hooks of the struts of the second pair and locking means for releasably locking the hooks on the shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
The bicycle frame of claim 4 in which the main frame includes a generally vertically extending tubular rear frame member, a seat having a supporting shaft inserted into the upper end of the rear frame member, the locking means of the first connector means including a pair of clamping members mounted on the shaft of the connecting means, one of the clamping members being movable toward the other clamping member to clamp the hooks of the struts of the second pair and to clamp the supporting shaft of the seat with the rear frame member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The bicycle frame of claim 1 in which the struts of the second pair extend on opposite sides of the main frame when the rear frame is in the storage position.
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) | 1980-05-09 | 1980-11-08 | 1981-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-09 | 1984-11-08 | 1985-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-09 | 1988-11-08 | 1989-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |