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US4266794A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Two-wheeled vehicle

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-07-24
•
Granted: 1981-05-12
•
Expires: 1998-07-24
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Abstract

Abstract A two-wheeled vehicle similar to a bicycle has a frame comprising four pivotably interconnected frame members of which the lower one is provided with a bearing for a sprocket wheel of a chain drive. A crank arm is connected to the sprocket wheel and cooperates with a connecting rod pivotably connected to the upper frame member carrying a saddle. Pedals are mounted on the lower frame member or the front frame member, the latter guiding the steering handle and the front wheel fork. The driving torque is achieved by alternatively shifting the weight between the saddle and the pedals. The saddle moves up and down reciprocally to the pedals and the steering handle forth and back giving the illusion of riding on horseback. The same structural principle is suitable also for a home-trainer.

Inventors

  • 👤 Hans G. Bals

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-30 19:52
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62M; B62M1/00; B62M1/18; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/21; Y10T74/2164

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim 179 words
A two-wheeled vehicle similar to a bicycle comprising a frame having an upper frame member and a lower frame member pivotably connected to a front frame member by joints therebetween, and a rear frame member pivotably connected to the lower and upper frame members by joints therebetween, and wherein the upper frame member carries a saddle, the front frame member is provided with a bearing for a steering handle and a front wheel fork, the lower frame member is supported as a rocker on the axle of a rear wheel such that the rear part of the lower frame member extend beyond the axle, and is provided with a bearing for a driving sprocket wheel of a chain drive transmitting torque to the rear wheel, and the rear frame member is a link between the upper and lower frame members, the vehicle further comprising pedals connected to one of the front and the lower frame members, a crank arm fixed to the driving sprocket wheel and a connecting rod connected between the crank arm and the upper frame member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 179 words
A two-wheeled vehicle similar to a bicycle comprising a frame having an upper frame member and a lower frame member pivotably connected to a front frame member by joints therebetween, and a rear frame member pivotably connected to the lower and upper frame members by joints therebetween, and wherein the upper frame member carries a saddle, the front frame member is provided with a bearing for a steering handle and a front wheel fork, the lower frame member is supported as a rocker on the axle of a rear wheel such that the rear part of the lower frame member extend beyond the axle, and is provided with a bearing for a driving sprocket wheel of a chain drive transmitting torque to the rear wheel, and the rear frame member is a link between the upper and lower frame members, the vehicle further comprising pedals connected to one of the front and the lower frame members, a crank arm fixed to the driving sprocket wheel and a connecting rod connected between the crank arm and the upper frame member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 54 words
The vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the upper frame member is a metal tube, and at least one of (i) the saddle and (ii) at least one of the joints between the upper frame member and one of the rear frame member and the connecting rod are adjustable along the upper frame member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 15 words
The vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the pedals are adjustable as to their level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 19 words
The vehicle according to claim 1 wherein two parallel crank arms and connecting rods are arranged in parallel disposition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 23 words
The vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the lower frame member extends in one integral piece along both sides of the rear wheel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 41 words
The vehicle according to claim 5 wherein the lower frame member has a bend of between 10° and 60° at the axle of the rear wheel such that the rear part of the lower frame member extends in an upward position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 26 words
The vehicle according to claim 6 wherein the joint between the lower frame member and the rear frame member is located radially outside the rear wheel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 34 words
The vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the axis of the driving sprocket wheel at least nearly coincides with the axis of the joint between the front frame member and the lower frame member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 34 words
The vehicle according to claim 8 wherein the axis of the driving sprocket wheel is located in front of the axis of the joint between the front frame member and the lower frame member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 22 words
The vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the driven sprocket wheel of the chain drive is unrotatably connected to the rear wheel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 26 words
The vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the driven sprocket wheel of the chain drive is connected to the rear wheel by means of a clutch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 19 words
The vehicle according to claim 11 wherein the clutch is a pretensioned friction clutch with an adjustable maximum torque.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 14 words
The vehicle according to claim 11 wherein the clutch is disengageable by actuating means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 48 words
The vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the rear wheel has a free wheel hub and a spring means is connected between the rear frame member and the connecting frame such that the spring means is under tension when the crank arm and the connecting rod are aligned.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 34 words
A home-trainer corresponding to the vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the rear wheel is replaced by a flywheel and the axle of the latter is supported in a stand keeping the frame upright.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 43 words
The home-trainer according to claim 15 wherein the front wheel is replaced by one of at least one roller and at least one slide mounted on the front frame member and being guided by an essentially horizontal guide rail mounted on the stand.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 36 words
The home-trainer according to claim 15 wherein the front wheel is replaced by an essentially vertical supporting rod which is pivotably supported on the stand and is connected to the front frame member by a joint.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US587318A Cited
DE646688C Cited
GB189726434A Cited
US704377A Cited
US1141364A Cited
CH248369A Cited
US3024023A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1984-05-11 1984-11-10 1985-05-12 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1988-05-11 1988-11-10 1989-05-12 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1992-05-11 1992-11-10 1993-05-12 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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