Efficient, versatile oscillating pedal cycle

Claim 2

An efficient oscillating pedal type cycle comprising: a cycle having a frame, front and rear wheels, and a seat; a pair of pedal levers each having a front member and a rear member rigidly connected together, and having an intermediate pivot point substantially where said two members join; pedal means mounted near the front end of each of said front members of said pedal levers, said pedal means including means for engaging the feet for the rapid restoring of the pedals to their upper positions following each power stroke, chain means having one end coupled to the rear member of each of said pedal levers at a driving point to drive the rear wheel of said cycle; means connected to the other end of said chain means for maintaining said chain means under tension with a force equal to or less than 5 pounds; the angle including said pivot point of said pedal levers as an apex and extending from said driving point on the rear member to the mounting point for said pedal means on the front member, being an oblique angle, directed downward and to the rear when said pedal levers are in an intermediate position; means for mounting each said pedal lever on said frame with said pivot point located generally under said seat; means for providing oscillating motion for said pedal means in a circular arc having a radius between 10 and 16 inches; and means for providing a range of movement for said rearwardly extending portion of said pedal lever to a point near and above the hub of said rear wheel at its most rearward point of oscillation, and to a point approaching the vertical in its most forward point of oscillation but not into the zone in front of the seat where the rider's legs or ankles could be contacted.

Claim 3

An efficient oscillating pedal type cycle as defined in claim 1 wherein said front member is bent up intermediate said pivot point and said pedal mounting point.

Claim 4

An oscillating pedal type cycle as defined in claim 2, wherein each spring means is mounted between the axis of said rear wheel and the lower end of the path of said pedal means, whereby the bent configuration of said pedal lever permits a longer pedal stroke without interference with said spring means.

Claim 5

An oscillating pedal type cycle as defined in claim 1 further comprising: means for changing the speed ratio of said cycle by changing the effective connecting point of said chain means along the length of said rearwardly extending members of said pedal levers, said speed changing means including a slider mounted on each of said rearwardly extending members of said pedal levers, and means for securely locking said sliders in place on said pedal levers; and cable means connected to each of said sliders for remotely unlocking said sliders and shifting their positions to change speed ratios.

Claim 6

An oscillating pedal type cycle as defined in claim 4 wherein said rearwardly extending members of said pedal levers are of substantially T-shaped cross-section.

Claim 7

An oscillating pedal type cycle as defined in claim 4 wherein means are provided for moving said cable means both longitudinally and rotationally, for shifting and locking said sliders, respectively.

Claim 8

An efficient oscillating pedal type cycle as defined in claim 1 wherein said front pedal member is located principally above the line between said pivot point and said pedal mounting point.

Claim 9

An efficient oscillating pedal type cycle as defined in claim 1 wherein said front pedal member is located principally below the line between said pivot point and said pedal mounting point.

Claim 10

An efficient oscillating pedal type cycle as defined in claim 1 including means for mounting said pedal levers for operation wholly independent of one-another.

Claim 11

An efficient oscillating pedal type cycle as defined in claim 1 further comprising means secured to each of said pedal means for extending over the toe or instep of a rider for rapidly raising the front member of said pedal levers to the upper position.

Claim 12

An efficient oscillating pedal type cyle comprising: a cycle having a frame, front and rear wheels, and a seat, said frame being substantially limited in extent to the space above the line interconnecting the centers of said front and rear wheels; a pair of pedal levers each having a front member and a rear member rigidly connected together, and having an intermediate pivot point substantially where said two members join; pedal means mounted near the front end of each of said front members of said pedal levers; chain means having one end coupled to the rear member of each of said pedal levers at a driving point to drive the rear wheel of said cycle; means including a spring having a meximum force of less than five pounds connected to the other end of each of said chain means for maintaining said chain means under tension; means for mounting each said pedal lever on said frame with said pivot point located generally below said seat; means for providing a range of movement for said rearwardly extending portion of each said pedal lever to a point near and above the hub of said rear wheel at its most rearward point of oscillation, and to a point approaching the vertical in its most forward point of oscillation but not into the zone in front of the seat where the rider's legs or ankles could be contacted; movable slider means for changing the speed ratio of said cycle by changing the effective connection point of each of said chain means along the length of each of said rearwardly extending members of said pedal levers; means for securely, firmly positively locking said movable speed ratio changing means in place onto said pedal levers to preclude rattling and vibration in applying power to said bicycle, and for unlocking said slider means; cable means connected to each of said slider means for remotely actuating said locking and unlocking means to the unlocked position and for shifting the positions of said slider means to change speed ratios; said cycle including means for operating said pedal levers independently of one another, whereby said pedals may be operated with different length strokes, or together, or alternately with equal length strokes, and with the pedal raising motion at a different speed than the powerstroke; said pedal means including means for engaging the feet of the rider for rapid raising of said pedals, and also including means for permitting quick disengagement of the feet from said pedals for safety purposes.

Claim 13

An efficient oscillating pedal type cyle comprising: a cycle having a frame, front and rear wheels, and a seat, said frame being substantially limited in extent to the space above the line interconnecting the centers of said front and rear wheels; a pair of pedal levers each having a front member and a rear member rigidly connected together, and having an intermediate pivot point substantially where said two members join; pedal means mounted near the front end of each of said front members of said pedal levers; chain means having one end coupled to the rear member of each of said pedal levers at a driving point to drive the rear wheel of said cycle; means including a spring having a meximum force of less than five pounds connected to the other end of each of said chain means for maintaining said chain means under tension; means for mounting each said pedal lever on said frame with said pivot point located generally below said seat; means for providing a range of movement for said rearwardly extending portion of each said pedal lever to a point near and above the hub of said rear wheel at its most rearward point of oscillation, and to a point approaching the vertical in its most forward point of oscillation but not into the zone in front of the seat where the rider's legs or ankles could be contacted; movable slider means for changing the speed ratio of said cycle by changing the effective connection point of each of said chain means along the length of each of said rearwardly extending members of said pedal levers; means for securely, firmly positively locking said movable speed ratio changing means in place onto said pedal levers to preclude rattling and vibration in applying power to said bicycle, and for unlocking said slider means; cable means connected to each of said slider means for remotely actuating said locking and unlocking means to the unlocked position and for shifting the positions of said slider means to change speed ratios; said cycle including means for operating said pedal levers independently of one another, whereby said pedals may be operated with different length strokes, or together, or alternately with equal length strokes, and with the pedal raising motion at a different speed than the powerstroke; said pedal means including means for engaging the feet of the rider for rapid raising of said pedals, and also including means for permitting quick disengagement of the feet from said pedals for safety purposes.

Claim 14

A cycle as defined in claim 11 including means for rotating each of said cable means to unlock said sliders, and for moving each of said cable means along its length to change speed ratios.

Claim 15

A cycle as defined in claim 11 wherein said spring is connected between the end of each chain and the front member of each of the associated pedal levers.

Claim 16

A cycle as defined in claim 11 wherein quick release means are provided at each end of said chain for disconnecting said chain from said cycle.

Claim 17

A versatile, efficient, high speed, oscillating pedal type cycle comprising: a cycle having a frame, front and rear wheels, and a seat, said frame being substantially limited in extent to the space above the line interconnecting the centers of said front and rear wheels; means including a pair of pedal levers each having a predetermined range of movement for applying power to drive said cycle; pedal means secured to the front of said pedal levers for engagement by the feet for driving said bicycle, wherein the improvement is characterized in that: said cycle includes means for mounting said pedal levers for operation wholly independently of one-another, whereby said pedals may be operated with different length strokes, or together, or alternatively, with equal length strokes, and with the pedal raising motion at a different and more rapid or slower speed than the power stroke; and also includes means for the high speed restoring of the front of said pedal levers to their upper portions, including means associated with each pedal means for engaging the foot or shoe of the rider, said restoring means having minimal opposing force less than 5 pounds, to pedal actuation during the power stroke.

Claim 18

A versatile, efficient, high speed, oscillating pedal type cycle comprising: a cycle having a frame, front and rear wheels, and a seat, said frame being substantially limited in extent to the space above the line interconnecting the centers of said front and rear wheels; means including a pair of pedal levers each having a predetermined range of movement for applying power to drive said cycle; pedal means secured to the front of said pedal levers for engagement by the feet for driving said bicycle, wherein the improvement is characterized in that: said cycle includes means for mounting said pedal levers for operation wholly independently of one-another, whereby said pedals may be operated with different length strokes, or together, or alternatively, with equal length strokes, and with the pedal raising motion at a different and more rapid or slower speed than the power stroke; and also includes means for the high speed restoring of the front of said pedal levers to their upper portions, including means associated with each pedal means for engaging the foot or shoe of the rider, said restoring means having minimal opposing force less than 5 pounds, to pedal actuation during the power stroke.

Claim 19

A versatile oscillating pedal type cycle as defined in claim 15 wherein: each of said pedal levers has a front member and a rear member rigidly connected together, and an intermediate pivot point substantially where said two members join; and further comprising: chain means having one end coupled to the rear member of each of said pedal levers at a driving point to drive the rear wheel of said cycle; and means connected to the other end of said chain means for maintaining said chain means under tension, said tensioning means having a force of less than about 5 pounds.

Claim 20

A versatile oscillating pedal type cycle as defined in claim 15 further comprising means for pivotally mounting each said pedal lever on said frame with the pivot point located generally under said seat.

Claim 21

A versatile oscillating pedal type cycle as defined in claim 15 wherein each said pedal lever has its front member bent between its pivot point and the mounting point for said pedal means, to permit a longer, more efficient pedal stroke.

Claim 22

An oscillating pedal type cycle as defined in claim 16 further comprising: means for changing the speed ratio of said cycle by changing the effective driving point of said chain means along the length of said rearwardly extending members of said pedal levers, said speed changing means including a slider mounted on each of said rearwardly extending members of said pedal levers, and means for securely and positively locking said sliders in place on said pedal levers; and cable means connected to each of said sliders for remotely unlocking said sliders and shifting their positions to change speed ratios.

Claim 23

An oscillating pedal type cycle as defined in claim 19 wherein means are provided for moving said cable means both longitudinally and rotationally, for shifting and locking said sliders.

Claim 24

A versatile oscillating pedal type cycle as defined in claim 15 further comprising means secured to each of said pedal means for engaging the upper surface of the toe or instep of the shoe of a rider to raise the front member of said pedal levers to the upper position, said engaging means being open to the side for ease in releasing the feet from the pedal.

Claim 25

An oscillating pedal type cycle as defined in claim 16 further comprising: means for changing the speed ratio of said cycle by changing the effective connected point of said chain means along the length of said rearwardly extending members of said pedal levers, said speed changing means including a slider mounted on each of said rearwardly extending members of said pedal levers, and means for securely and positively locking said sliders firmly in place on said pedal levers; and cable means connected to each of said sliders for remotely unlocking said sliders and shifting their positions to change speed ratios.

Claim 26

A cycle as defined in claim 22 including means for rotating each of said cable means to unlock said sliders, and for moving each of said cable means along its length to change speed ratios.

Claim 27

A cycle as defined in claim 16 wherein said means for maintaining said chain means under tension is a spring connected between the end of each chain and the front member of each of the associated pedal levers.

Claim 28

A cycle as defined in claim 16 wherein quick release means are provided at each end of said chain for disconnecting said chain from said cycle.

Claim 29

A versatile oscillating pedal type cycle as defined in claim 16 further comprising: means associated with each pedal means for engaging the foot or shoe of the rider, said restoring means including means for permitting unconstrained outward lateral movement of the feet, whereby the safety of the cycle rider is enhanced.

Claim 30

A cycle as defined in claim 16 wherein said tensioning means is a constant tension spring.

Claim 31

A versatile oscillating pedal type cycle comprising: a cycle having a frame, front and rear wheels, and a seat; means including a pair of pedal levers each having a predetermined range of movement for applying power to drive said cycle; said cycle including means for mounting said pedal levers for operation wholly independent of one-another, whereby said pedals may be operated with different length strokes, or together, or alternatively with equal length strokes, and with the pedal raising motion at a different speed than the power stroke; pedal means secured to the front of said pedal levers for engagement by the feet for driving said bicycle; and means for the high speed restoring of the front of said pedal levers to their upper positions, including means associated with each pedal means for engaging the foot or shoe of the rider, said restoring means including means for permitting unconstrained outward lateral movement of the feet, whereby the safety of the cycle rider is enhanced; said restoring means having an opposing force applied to said pedal levers of less than five pounds during the power stroke.

Claim 32

A versatile oscillating pedal type cycle comprising: a cycle having a frame, front and rear wheels, and a seat; means including a pair of pedal levers each having a predetermined range of movement for applying power to drive said cycle; said cycle including means for mounting said pedal levers for operation wholly independent of one-another, whereby said pedals may be operated with different length strokes, or together, or alternatively with equal length strokes, and with the pedal raising motion at a different speed than the power stroke; pedal means secured to the front of said pedal levers for engagement by the feet for driving said bicycle; and means for the high speed restoring of the front of said pedal levers to their upper positions, including means associated with each pedal means for engaging the foot or shoe of the rider, said restoring means including means for permitting unconstrained outward lateral movement of the feet, whereby the safety of the cycle rider is enhanced; said restoring means having an opposing force applied to said pedal levers of less than five pounds during the power stroke.

Claim 33

A versatile oscillating pedal type cycle comprising; a cycle having a frame, front and rear wheels, and a seat; means including a pair of pedal levers each having a predetermined range of movement for applying power to drive said cycle; said cycle including means for mounting said pedal levers for operation wholly independent of one-another, whereby said pedals may be operated with different length strokes, or together, or alternatively with equal length strokes, and with the pedal raising motion at a different speed than the power stroke; pedal means secured to the front of said pedal levers for engagement by the feet for driving said bicycle; means for the restoring of the front of said pedal levers to their upper positions at speeds higher than the speed of the power stroke and with full capability of introducing pauses at the beginning and end of the restoring stroke, including means associated with each pedal means for engaging the foot or shoe of the rider, said restoring means having an opposing force of less than 5 pounds applied to each of said pedal levers during the power stroke.

Claim 34

A versatile oscillating pedal type cycle comprising; a cycle having a frame, front and rear wheels, and a seat; means including a pair of pedal levers each having a predetermined range of movement for applying power to drive said cycle; said cycle including means for mounting said pedal levers for operation wholly independent of one-another, whereby said pedals may be operated with different length strokes, or together, or alternatively with equal length strokes, and with the pedal raising motion at a different speed than the power stroke; pedal means secured to the front of said pedal levers for engagement by the feet for driving said bicycle; means for the restoring of the front of said pedal levers to their upper positions at speeds higher than the speed of the power stroke and with full capability of introducing pauses at the beginning and end of the restoring stroke, including means associated with each pedal means for engaging the foot or shoe of the rider, said restoring means having an opposing force of less than 5 pounds applied to each of said pedal levers during the power stroke.

Claim 35

A versatile oscillating pedal type cycle comprising: a cycle having a frame, front and rear wheels, and a seat; means including a pair of pedal levers each having a predetermined range of movement for applying power to drive said cycle; said cycle including means for mounting said pedal levers for operation wholly independent of one-another, whereby said pedals may be operated with different length strokes, or together, or alternatively, with equal length strokes, and with the pedal raising motion at a different speed than the power stroke; pedal means secured to the front of said pedal levers for engagement by the feet for driving said bicycle; and means for the high speed restoring of the front of said pedal levers to their upper positions, including means associated with each pedal means for engaging the foot or shoe of the rider, said restoring means having minimal opposing force less than 5 pounds, to the pedal lever during the power stroke.

Claim 36

A versatile oscillating pedal type cycle comprising: a cycle having a frame, front and rear wheels, and a seat; means including a pair of pedal levers each having a predetermined range of movement for applying power to drive said cycle; said cycle including means for mounting said pedal levers for operation wholly independent of one-another, whereby said pedals may be operated with different length strokes, or together, or alternatively, with equal length strokes, and with the pedal raising motion at a different speed than the power stroke; pedal means secured to the front of said pedal levers for engagement by the feet for driving said bicycle; and means for the high speed restoring of the front of said pedal levers to their upper positions, including means associated with each pedal means for engaging the foot or shoe of the rider, said restoring means having minimal opposing force less than 5 pounds, to the pedal lever during the power stroke.

Claim 37

A high speed, high efficiency, bicycle comprising: a bicycle having a frame, front and rear wheels, and a seat; a pair of pedal levers each having a front member and a rear member rigidly connected together; means for pivotally mounting said pedal lever on said frame at a point generally below said seat; means for mounting said pedal levers for operation independently of one another; individual pedal means for engaging the rider's foot, pivotally mounted toward the front of said pedal levers; means mounted on said pedal means for engaging the foot of the rider to provide the principal force for high speed raising of the front of said pedal lever to the upper position following each power stroke; tension drive means having a first portion coupling the rear member of each of said pedal levers to drive the rear wheel of said bicycle, said tension drive means being interlockingly coupled to drive the hub of said rear wheel, and having a second portion extending beyond said hub; and spring means for applying a force less than five pounds to maintain said second portion of said tension drive means extended.

Claim 38

A high speed, high efficiency, bicycle comprising: a bicycle having a frame, front and rear wheels, and a seat; a pair of pedal levers each having a front member and a rear member rigidly connected together; means for pivotally mounting said pedal lever on said frame at a point generally below said seat; means for mounting said pedal levers for operation independently of one another; individual pedal means for engaging the rider's foot, pivotally mounted toward the front of said pedal levers; means mounted on said pedal means for engaging the foot of the rider to provide the principal force for high speed raising of the front of said pedal lever to the upper position following each power stroke; tension drive means having a first portion coupling the rear member of each of said pedal levers to drive the rear wheel of said bicycle, said tension drive means being interlockingly coupled to drive the hub of said rear wheel, and having a second portion extending beyond said hub; and spring means for applying a force less than five pounds to maintain said second portion of said tension drive means extended.

Claim 39

A high speed, high efficiency, full size bicycle comprising: a bicycle having a frame, front and rear wheels each at least approaching 27 inches in diameter, and a seat; a pair of pedal levers each having a front member and a rear member rigidly connected together; means for pivotally mounting said pedal lever on said frame at a point generally below said seat; means for mounting said pedal levers for operation independently of one another; individual pedal means for engaging the rider's foot, pivotally mounted toward the front of said pedal levers; means mounted on said pedal means for engaging the foot of the rider to provide the principal force for high speed raising of the front of said pedal lever to the upper position following each power stroke; tension drive means having a first portion coupling the rear member of each of said pedal levers to drive the rear wheel of said bicycle, said tension drive means being interlockingly coupled to drive the hub of said rear wheel, and having a second portion extending beyond said hub; spring means for applying a force less than five pounds to maintain said second portion of said tension drive means extended; said coupling means for driving the rear wheel including two roller clutch means having virtually no back-play for unidirectionally applying force derived from said respective pedal levers to said rear wheel; and the angle including said pivot point of said pedal levers as an apex and extending from the driving point on the rear member to the mounting point for said pedal means on the front member, being an oblique angle, directed downward and to the rear when said pedal levers are in an intermediate position.

Claim 40

A high speed, high efficiency, full size bicycle comprising: a bicycle having a frame, front and rear wheels each at least approaching 27 inches in diameter, and a seat; a pair of pedal levers each having a front member and a rear member rigidly connected together; means for pivotally mounting said pedal lever on said frame at a point generally below said seat; means for mounting said pedal levers for operation independently of one another; individual pedal means for engaging the rider's foot, pivotally mounted toward the front of said pedal levers; means mounted on said pedal means for engaging the foot of the rider to provide the principal force for high speed raising of the front of said pedal lever to the upper position following each power stroke; tension drive means having a first portion coupling the rear member of each of said pedal levers to drive the rear wheel of said bicycle, said tension drive means being interlockingly coupled to drive the hub of said rear wheel, and having a second portion extending beyond said hub; spring means for applying a force less than five pounds to maintain said second portion of said tension drive means extended; said coupling means for driving the rear wheel including two roller clutch means having virtually no back-play for unidirectionally applying force derived from said respective pedal levers to said rear wheel; and the angle including said pivot point of said pedal levers as an apex and extending from the driving point on the rear member to the mounting point for said pedal means on the front member, being an oblique angle, directed downward and to the rear when said pedal levers are in an intermediate position.