Patent US6032971A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6032971A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Folding bicycle frame
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1998-02-13
•
Granted: 2000-03-07
•
Expires: 2018-02-13
Abstract
Abstract A folding bicycle in which all the pivoting members have horizontally pivot axes and all the members are indirectly connected to a single collar that slides up and down a seat post. In order to achieve an open or closed state, the collar is made to slide along the post and is then secured by tightening a quick release lever on the collar. Two front tubes extending between the steering head and the lower part of the seat post are parallel.
Inventors
- 👤 Jaime Herder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:10
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62K; B62K15/00; B62K15/006; B62K15/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A folding bicycle frame characterised by a seat post with upper and lower, front and rear struts pivoted about a lower portion of the seat post, the front end of the front struts being pivotally attached to a steering-head bracket, the lower rear struts accepting a rear wheel and a substantially vertical spar pivotally interconnecting the upper rear strut to the lower rear strut or struts, a collar positionable along an upper portion of the seat post has front and rear connecting linkages that pivotally interconnect between the seat collar and the upper front and rear struts, so that sliding the collar along the seat tube changes the angle of the front and rear struts between open and folded states, and locking said seat collar at its lowermost or uppermost position fixes the frame in an open or folded state respectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A folding bicycle frame characterised by a seat post with upper and lower, front and rear struts pivoted about a lower portion of the seat post, the front end of the front struts being pivotally attached to a steering-head bracket, the lower rear struts accepting a rear wheel and a substantially vertical spar pivotally interconnecting the upper rear strut to the lower rear strut or struts, a collar positionable along an upper portion of the seat post has front and rear connecting linkages that pivotally interconnect between the seat collar and the upper front and rear struts, so that sliding the collar along the seat tube changes the angle of the front and rear struts between open and folded states, and locking said seat collar at its lowermost or uppermost position fixes the frame in an open or folded state respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A folding bicycle frame as in claim 1 wherein the collar is tightened using a lever operated cam compressor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A folding bicycle frame as in claim 1 wherein the forward struts are substantially parallel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A folding bicycle frame as in claim 1 wherein one or more of the struts are tubular and incorporate end inserts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A folding bicycle frame according to claim 4 wherein the inserts are formed by molding or casting a setable molten or liquid like substance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A folding bicycle frame according to claim 1 wherein one or more of the pivot joints comprise plates sandwiched outside the respective struts and a bolt passes through both the plates and a hole or bearing in the strut.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A folding bicycle frame as in claim 1 wherein the rear upper strut is substantially horizontal when the frame is in the open state.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
10 words
A bicycle which includes a frame according to claim 1.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
SU435978A1
Cited
GB2021055A
Cited
US4448437A
Cited
EP0108832A1
Cited
GB2206320A
Cited
DE4232592A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-03-07 | 2003-09-06 | 2004-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-07 | 2007-09-06 | 2008-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-07 | 2011-09-06 | 2012-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |