Patent US4547056A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4159652A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bicycle drive assembly
Assignee: CYCLE DRIVE CORP
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Filing: 1977-05-31
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Granted: 1979-07-03
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Expires: 1997-05-31
Abstract
Abstract A drive assembly for a physically propelled vehicle such as a bicycle having a crank arm operatively connected to the drive member for rotating the drive member, and a power arm rotatively mounted on a power axis for relative angular movement between the power arm and crank arm. The drive axis, defined by the drive member, is relatively offset from the power axis. A control mechanism interconnects the power arm and crank arm for rotating the crank arm and drive member, and for accelerating the power arm ahead of the crank arm during one portion of the crank arm cycle and decelerating the power arm behind the crank arm during another portion of the crank arm cycle. A power-adjusting mechanism is connected to the power arm for moving the power axis relative to the drive axis for changing the point in the cycle of the crank arm when the acceleration and deceleration of the power arm occurs.
Inventors
- 👤 Earl M. Trammell, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 12:10
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62M; B62M1/00; B62M1/24; B62M1/26; B62M9/00; B62M9/04; B62M9/06; B62M9/08; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/15; Y10T74/1503; Y10T74/1508; Y10T74/151; Y10T74/21; Y10T74/2164; Y10T74/2165; Y10T74/2167
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A drive assembly for a physically propelled vehicle, comprising: (a) a drive member rotatively mounted on a drive axis, (b) a crank arm operatively connected to the drive member for rotating the drive member, (c) a power arm rotatively mounted on a power axis for relative angular movement between the power arm and crank arm, the drive axis and power axis being relatively offset, (d) a pedal means operatively connected to the power arm for rotating the power arm, (e) control means interconnecting the power arm and crank arm for rotating the crank arm and drive member, and for accelerating the power arm ahead of the crank arm during one portion of the crank arm cycle and decelerating the power arm behind the crank arm during another portion of the crank arm cycle, and (f) power-adjusting means connected to the power arm for moving the power axis relative to the drive axis for changing the point in the cycle of the crank arm when the acceleration and deceleration of the power arm occurs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A drive assembly for a physically propelled vehicle, comprising: (a) a drive member rotatively mounted on a drive axis, (b) a crank arm operatively connected to the drive member for rotating the drive member, (c) a power arm rotatively mounted on a power axis for relative angular movement between the power arm and crank arm, the drive axis and power axis being relatively offset, (d) a pedal means operatively connected to the power arm for rotating the power arm, (e) control means interconnecting the power arm and crank arm for rotating the crank arm and drive member, and for accelerating the power arm ahead of the crank arm during one portion of the crank arm cycle and decelerating the power arm behind the crank arm during another portion of the crank arm cycle, and (f) power-adjusting means connected to the power arm for moving the power axis relative to the drive axis for changing the point in the cycle of the crank arm when the acceleration and deceleration of the power arm occurs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A drive assembly as defined in claim 1, in which: (g) the control means includes: (1) a cam surface provided on one of the arms, and (2) a cam follower carried by the other of the arms and engaging the cam surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
187 words
A drive assembly for a physically propelled vehicle, comprising: (a) a drive member rotatively mounted on a drive axis, (b) a crank arm operatively connected to the drive member for rotating the drive member, (c) a power arm rotatively mounted on a power axis for relative angular movement between the power arm and crank arm, the drive axis and power axis being relatively offset, (d) a pedal means operatively connected to the power arm for rotating the power arm, (e) control means interconnecting the power arm and crank arm for rotating the crank arm and drive member, and for accelerating the power arm ahead of the crank arm during one portion of the crank arm cycle and decelerating the power arm behind the crank arm during another portion of the crank arm cycle, (f) power-adjusting means connected to the power arm for moving the power axis relative to the drive axis for changing the point in the cycle of the crank arm when the acceleration and deceleration of the power arm occurs, (g) the power-adjusting means including means for rotating the power axis about the drive axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
187 words
A drive assembly for a physically propelled vehicle, comprising: (a) a drive member rotatively mounted on a drive axis, (b) a crank arm operatively connected to the drive member for rotating the drive member, (c) a power arm rotatively mounted on a power axis for relative angular movement between the power arm and crank arm, the drive axis and power axis being relatively offset, (d) a pedal means operatively connected to the power arm for rotating the power arm, (e) control means interconnecting the power arm and crank arm for rotating the crank arm and drive member, and for accelerating the power arm ahead of the crank arm during one portion of the crank arm cycle and decelerating the power arm behind the crank arm during another portion of the crank arm cycle, (f) power-adjusting means connected to the power arm for moving the power axis relative to the drive axis for changing the point in the cycle of the crank arm when the acceleration and deceleration of the power arm occurs, (g) the power-adjusting means including means for rotating the power axis about the drive axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
A drive assembly as defined in claim 1, in which: (g) the power-adjusting means includes an eccentric rotatively mounted on the drive axis, the eccentric defining the power axis, and the eccentric being selectively rotated on the drive axis to turn the power axis about the drive axis, and (h) the power arm is rotatively mounted on the eccentric.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
245 words
A drive assembly for a physically propelled vehicle, comprising: (a) a drive member rotatively mounted on a drive axis, (b) a crank arm operatively connected to the drive member for rotating the drive member, (c) a power arm rotatively mounted on a power axis for relative angular movement between the power arm and crank arm, the drive axis and power axis being relatively offset, (d) a pedal means operatively connected to the power arm for rotating the power arm, (e) control means interconnecting the power arm and crank arm for rotating the crank arm and drive member, and for accelerating the power arm ahead of the crank arm during one portion of the crank arm cycle and decelerating the power arm behind the crank arm during another portion of the crank arm cycle, (f) power-adjusting means connected to the power arm for moving the power axis relative to the drive axis for changing the point in the cycle of the crank arm when the acceleration and deceleration of the power arm occurs, (g) a crankshaft drivingly connected to the crank arm, the crankshaft defining the drive axis, (h) the power-adjusting means including: (1) a sleeve rotatively mounted on the crankshaft, and (2) an eccentric drivingly connected to the sleeve, the eccentric defining the power axis, and the eccentric being selectively rotated about the drive axis to turn the power axis about the drive axis, and (i) the power arm is rotatively mounted on the eccentric.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
245 words
A drive assembly for a physically propelled vehicle, comprising: (a) a drive member rotatively mounted on a drive axis, (b) a crank arm operatively connected to the drive member for rotating the drive member, (c) a power arm rotatively mounted on a power axis for relative angular movement between the power arm and crank arm, the drive axis and power axis being relatively offset, (d) a pedal means operatively connected to the power arm for rotating the power arm, (e) control means interconnecting the power arm and crank arm for rotating the crank arm and drive member, and for accelerating the power arm ahead of the crank arm during one portion of the crank arm cycle and decelerating the power arm behind the crank arm during another portion of the crank arm cycle, (f) power-adjusting means connected to the power arm for moving the power axis relative to the drive axis for changing the point in the cycle of the crank arm when the acceleration and deceleration of the power arm occurs, (g) a crankshaft drivingly connected to the crank arm, the crankshaft defining the drive axis, (h) the power-adjusting means including: (1) a sleeve rotatively mounted on the crankshaft, and (2) an eccentric drivingly connected to the sleeve, the eccentric defining the power axis, and the eccentric being selectively rotated about the drive axis to turn the power axis about the drive axis, and (i) the power arm is rotatively mounted on the eccentric.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
173 words
A drive assembly for a physically propelled vehicle, comprising: (a) a drive member rotatively mounted on a drive axis, (b) a crank arm operatively connected to the drive member for rotating the drive member, (c) a power arm rotatively mounted on a power axis for relative angular movement between the power arm and crank arm, the drive axis and power axis being relatively offset, (d) a pedal means operatively connected to the power arm for rotating the power arm, and (e) control means interconnecting the power arm and crank arm for rotating the crank arm and drive member, and for accelerating the power arm in one direction relative to the crank arm during one portion of the crank arm cycle and decelerating the power arm in the opposite direction relative to the crank arm during another portion of the crank arm cycle, the control means including: (1) a cam surface provided on one of the arms, and (2) a cam follower carried by the other of the arms and engaging the cam surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
173 words
A drive assembly for a physically propelled vehicle, comprising: (a) a drive member rotatively mounted on a drive axis, (b) a crank arm operatively connected to the drive member for rotating the drive member, (c) a power arm rotatively mounted on a power axis for relative angular movement between the power arm and crank arm, the drive axis and power axis being relatively offset, (d) a pedal means operatively connected to the power arm for rotating the power arm, and (e) control means interconnecting the power arm and crank arm for rotating the crank arm and drive member, and for accelerating the power arm in one direction relative to the crank arm during one portion of the crank arm cycle and decelerating the power arm in the opposite direction relative to the crank arm during another portion of the crank arm cycle, the control means including: (1) a cam surface provided on one of the arms, and (2) a cam follower carried by the other of the arms and engaging the cam surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3908474A
Cited
US3987682A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-07-02 | 1983-01-01 | 1983-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-07-02 | 1987-01-01 | 1987-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-07-02 | 1991-01-01 | 1991-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |