US6364335B1 — Folding bicycle to lie within the bulk of its whe…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 1041 words

A bicycle ( 10 ) whose bulk when folded for transport is substantially that of two wheels ( 11 , 12 ) placed side by side, wherein: at an upper end of a rear fork ( 80 ) is an articulation ( 34 ), at a lower end of a frame ( 20 ) with its axis parallel to that of a rear wheel ( 12 ) that permits the rear wheel to bent up to a top of the frame ( 20 ); a pedal unit ( 110 ) with a gear ( 14 ) is supported uppermost by a tubular bar ( 90 ) and whose upper end is an articulation ( 38 ) placed at one lower end ( 22 ′) of the frame ( 20 ) with its axis parallel to that of the pedal unit ( 110 ) that permits the gear ( 14 ) to be bent up to the top of a frame part ( 20 ); a bar ( 90 ) of the pedal unit ( 110 ) can be anchored to the rear fork ( 80 ) by a hand-operated locking device ( 95 ) placed at an apex of a locking triangle formed of a junction between short bars ( 92 , 93 ) at an angle to one another, that departs from lower and upper position of the bar ( 90 ) providing stability of the rear fork ( 80 ) and the pedal unit ( 110 ) when the bicycle ( 10 ) is open out for use; a handle bar ( 60 ) shaped as an upward facing (U) is mounted on a rod ( 63 ) that can be fixed to the front fork ( 40 ) by a hand-operated locking device ( 65 ) that permits rotation of the handle bar ( 60 ) on an axis orthogonal to the rod ( 63 ) until hand grips face downwards and are substantially coplanar with the rod ( 63 ), the front fork ( 40 ) is supported by a rod ( 41 ) freely turning above inside a tube ( 42 ) fixed to a front ( 21 ) of the frame ( 20 ); the rod ( 63 ) carrying the handle bar ( 60 ) slides inside a steering column ( 50 ), at whose upper end is a hand-operated locking device ( 55 ), said column being fixed to the fork ( 40 ) on the front wheel ( 11 ) above by a lateral hinge ( 53 ) on a geometrical plane transverse to an upper rod ( 51 ) for rotating the fork ( 40 ) and oriented substantially at 45° in relation to a longitudinal geometrical plane of symmetry of the front wheel ( 11 ) and laterally by a locking device ( 45 ) placed at a top of the upper rod ( 41 ) of the fork ( 40 ); the tube ( 42 ) that supports the upper rod ( 41 ) of the fork ( 40 ) is fixed to the front ( 21 ) by a bracket ( 43 ) and by an articulation ( 28 ), whose axis is substantially orthogonal to that of the rear wheel ( 12 ), on a hand-operated articulating and locking device ( 25 ); a saddle ( 13 ) is supported by a rod ( 101 ) that slides into a tube ( 100 ) joined at one lower end ( 24 ) of the frame ( 20 ) by an articulation ( 33 ) whose axis is parallel to that of the rear wheel ( 12 ) near the articulation ( 34 ) of the fork ( 80 ); by a hand-operated articulation and locking device ( 105 ), at a top of the tube ( 100 ) joined to a tie rod ( 107 ) that slides inside an upper tubular extension ( 23 ′) of the frame ( 20 ), a sliding movement of the rod ( 101 ) of the saddle ( 13 ) and of the tie rod ( 107 ) can be stopped and both parts locked in a desired position; a pin ( 112 ) in a left pedal ( 111 ) is supported by a hand-operated locking device ( 15 ) at an end of a pedal crank ( 114 ) that permits rotation of the pin ( 112 ) around a longitudinal axis of the pedal crank ( 114 ) till it is substantially parallel to the rearwheel ( 12 ) when the bicycle ( 10 ) is folded for transport; it is thus possible when the bicycle is open for use, to release the locking devices ( 65 , 55 , 45 , 95 , 25 , 105 , 115 ) one after the other and transform the bicycle ( 10 ) into its folded position for transport, bringing both the gear ( 14 ) and the rear wheel ( 12 ) to an upper part of the frame ( 20 ), rotating the handlebar ( 60 ) downwards, pushing the rod ( 63 ) of the handlebar ( 60 ) inside the steering column ( 50 ), turning the column ( 50 ) around the bottom hinge ( 53 ) at 45° against the front wheel ( 11 ), rotating a group comprising, side-by-side the front wheel ( 11 ), the front fork ( 40 ), the column ( 50 ) with the handle bar ( 60 ) against the rear wheel ( 12 ) and the pedal unit ( 110 ) inserting the rod ( 101 ) supporting the saddle ( 13 ) inside the tube ( 100 ) and the tie rod ( 107 ) of the saddle ( 13 ) inside the tubular extension ( 23 ′) of the frame with rotation of the tube ( 100 ) toward the frame ( 20 ), rotating the pin ( 112 ) in the left pedal ( 111 ) until it lies substantially against the group, thus reducing an overall bulk of the bicycle ( 10 ) so that it substantially corresponds to the dimensions of the two wheels ( 11 , 12 ) placed side-by-side.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 1041 words

A bicycle ( 10 ) whose bulk when folded for transport is substantially that of two wheels ( 11 , 12 ) placed side by side, wherein: at an upper end of a rear fork ( 80 ) is an articulation ( 34 ), at a lower end of a frame ( 20 ) with its axis parallel to that of a rear wheel ( 12 ) that permits the rear wheel to bent up to a top of the frame ( 20 ); a pedal unit ( 110 ) with a gear ( 14 ) is supported uppermost by a tubular bar ( 90 ) and whose upper end is an articulation ( 38 ) placed at one lower end ( 22 ′) of the frame ( 20 ) with its axis parallel to that of the pedal unit ( 110 ) that permits the gear ( 14 ) to be bent up to the top of a frame part ( 20 ); a bar ( 90 ) of the pedal unit ( 110 ) can be anchored to the rear fork ( 80 ) by a hand-operated locking device ( 95 ) placed at an apex of a locking triangle formed of a junction between short bars ( 92 , 93 ) at an angle to one another, that departs from lower and upper position of the bar ( 90 ) providing stability of the rear fork ( 80 ) and the pedal unit ( 110 ) when the bicycle ( 10 ) is open out for use; a handle bar ( 60 ) shaped as an upward facing (U) is mounted on a rod ( 63 ) that can be fixed to the front fork ( 40 ) by a hand-operated locking device ( 65 ) that permits rotation of the handle bar ( 60 ) on an axis orthogonal to the rod ( 63 ) until hand grips face downwards and are substantially coplanar with the rod ( 63 ), the front fork ( 40 ) is supported by a rod ( 41 ) freely turning above inside a tube ( 42 ) fixed to a front ( 21 ) of the frame ( 20 ); the rod ( 63 ) carrying the handle bar ( 60 ) slides inside a steering column ( 50 ), at whose upper end is a hand-operated locking device ( 55 ), said column being fixed to the fork ( 40 ) on the front wheel ( 11 ) above by a lateral hinge ( 53 ) on a geometrical plane transverse to an upper rod ( 51 ) for rotating the fork ( 40 ) and oriented substantially at 45° in relation to a longitudinal geometrical plane of symmetry of the front wheel ( 11 ) and laterally by a locking device ( 45 ) placed at a top of the upper rod ( 41 ) of the fork ( 40 ); the tube ( 42 ) that supports the upper rod ( 41 ) of the fork ( 40 ) is fixed to the front ( 21 ) by a bracket ( 43 ) and by an articulation ( 28 ), whose axis is substantially orthogonal to that of the rear wheel ( 12 ), on a hand-operated articulating and locking device ( 25 ); a saddle ( 13 ) is supported by a rod ( 101 ) that slides into a tube ( 100 ) joined at one lower end ( 24 ) of the frame ( 20 ) by an articulation ( 33 ) whose axis is parallel to that of the rear wheel ( 12 ) near the articulation ( 34 ) of the fork ( 80 ); by a hand-operated articulation and locking device ( 105 ), at a top of the tube ( 100 ) joined to a tie rod ( 107 ) that slides inside an upper tubular extension ( 23 ′) of the frame ( 20 ), a sliding movement of the rod ( 101 ) of the saddle ( 13 ) and of the tie rod ( 107 ) can be stopped and both parts locked in a desired position; a pin ( 112 ) in a left pedal ( 111 ) is supported by a hand-operated locking device ( 15 ) at an end of a pedal crank ( 114 ) that permits rotation of the pin ( 112 ) around a longitudinal axis of the pedal crank ( 114 ) till it is substantially parallel to the rearwheel ( 12 ) when the bicycle ( 10 ) is folded for transport; it is thus possible when the bicycle is open for use, to release the locking devices ( 65 , 55 , 45 , 95 , 25 , 105 , 115 ) one after the other and transform the bicycle ( 10 ) into its folded position for transport, bringing both the gear ( 14 ) and the rear wheel ( 12 ) to an upper part of the frame ( 20 ), rotating the handlebar ( 60 ) downwards, pushing the rod ( 63 ) of the handlebar ( 60 ) inside the steering column ( 50 ), turning the column ( 50 ) around the bottom hinge ( 53 ) at 45° against the front wheel ( 11 ), rotating a group comprising, side-by-side the front wheel ( 11 ), the front fork ( 40 ), the column ( 50 ) with the handle bar ( 60 ) against the rear wheel ( 12 ) and the pedal unit ( 110 ) inserting the rod ( 101 ) supporting the saddle ( 13 ) inside the tube ( 100 ) and the tie rod ( 107 ) of the saddle ( 13 ) inside the tubular extension ( 23 ′) of the frame with rotation of the tube ( 100 ) toward the frame ( 20 ), rotating the pin ( 112 ) in the left pedal ( 111 ) until it lies substantially against the group, thus reducing an overall bulk of the bicycle ( 10 ) so that it substantially corresponds to the dimensions of the two wheels ( 11 , 12 ) placed side-by-side.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 202 words

A bicycle as defined in claim 1 , wherein the frame ( 20 ) is formed of a tubular bar bent into a longitudinal fork symmetrical to a vertical geometrical plane of symmetry of the bicycle ( 10 ) and inclined toward the front wheel ( 11 ) with the curved front section ( 21 ) and two arms, the left arm ( 22 , 22 ′) being extended downwards and towards an inside of the bicycle ( 10 ) bending at substantially 90° and the right arm ( 23 , 23 ′) being completed by the external lateral extension ( 24 ) bent at substantially 90° toward the rear fork ( 80 ) until ends ( 22 ′, 24 ) of the arms ( 22 , 22 ′, 23 , 23 ′, 24 ) reach a coplanar position with a connecting bridge ( 19 ) lying on a longitudinal geometrical plane of the bicycle ( 10 ) making a slight reciprocal divergence, the articulations ( 34 , 44 ) of a rear fork ( 32 ) and of the pedal unit ( 110 ) being respectively placed on ends of the right ( 23 ) and left ( 22 ′) arms.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 198 words

A bicycle as defined in claim 1 , wherein on a left arm of the fork ( 80 ) of the rear wheel ( 12 ) of the bicycle ( 10 ) there is a triangular extension ( 85 , 86 ) fixed substantially at upper and lower ends of the fork ( 80 ), facing inside the bicycle ( 10 ) fixed by a U-bolt ( 87 ) on a downward apex, of an amplitude corresponding to that of the lower short bar ( 92 ) of the locking triangle ( 92 , 93 ) that penetrates inside the rear fork ( 80 ) and of an ear ( 82 ) with a recess ( 83 ) placed at a point of connection to an extension ( 81 ) of the rear fork ( 80 ) facing towards outside of the bicycle ( 10 ) in which recess ( 83 ) a threaded pin ( 94 ) can pass and be fixed by a wing nut ( 96 ) after the lower short bar ( 92 ) of the locking triangle ( 92 , 93 , 90 ) has been inserted inside the U-bolt ( 87 ).

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 112 words

A bicycle as defined in claim 1 , wherein the locking device ( 65 ) for the handle bar ( 60 ) is formed of two half bearings ( 61 , 62 ), with one of the bearings ( 62 ) facing upwards with a semi-cylindrical slot corresponding to a diameter of a central cross-piece ( 70 ) of the handlebar ( 60 ), fixed to the rod ( 63 ) of the handlebar ( 60 ) and the other half bearing ( 61 ) being substantially the same, facing the first half bearing ( 62 ) both connected by screws ( 66 ) through fixed by wing nuts ( 67 ).

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 72 words

A bicycle as defined in claim 1 , wherein the device ( 55 ) for locking the rod ( 63 ) carrying the handle bar ( 60 ) on the column ( 50 ) consists of a half ring ( 56 ) fixed to the column ( 50 ) that can be tightened as desired by a clamp comprising a transverse screw ( 57 ) and a wing nut ( 58 ).

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 104 words

A bicycle as defined in claim 1 , wherein the device ( 45 ) for locking the steering column ( 50 ) of the handlebar ( 60 ) to the rod ( 41 ) of the front fork ( 40 ) consists of a tongue ( 54 ) fixed to the column ( 50 ) at a certain distance from the lower hinge ( 53 ), that can be connected to a square ( 46 ) fixed to the upper rod ( 51 ) of the front fork ( 50 ) by a screw ( 48 ) and a wing nut ( 49 ).

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 134 words

A bicycle as defined in claim 1 , wherein the device ( 25 ) for locking and articulating the bracket ( 43 ) on the tube ( 42 ) of the fork ( 40 ) of the front wheel ( 11 ) on the frame ( 20 ) comprises a substantially horizontal fork ( 27 ) facing toward the front wheel ( 11 ) and provided with two parallel holes, one hole for the articulation ( 28 ) between the fork ( 47 ) and the bracket ( 43 ) and the other hole to receive a screw ( 29 ) through a hole ( 30 ) in the bracket ( 43 ) so that a wing nut ( 31 ) tightening the screw ( 29 ) locks the whole in a riding position.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 277 words

A bicycle as defined in claim 1 , wherein the device ( 105 ) for locking the tube ( 100 ) that supports the sliding rod ( 101 ) carrying the saddle ( 13 ) consists of a half ring ( 102 ) with a perforated tongue and a transversel screw ( 104 ) with a wing nut ( 103 ) to tighten the half ring ( 102 ) and therefore to lock the rod ( 101 ) in two positions, one position of maximum extension while in use and the other position of maximum compression for transport, being applied to the screw a perforated tongue ( 106 ) placed at an end of the tie rod ( 107 ) of the saddle ( 13 ) that slides into the tubular extension ( 23 ′) of the right arm ( 23 ) of the frame ( 20 ) so that by locking the device ( 105 ) a position of the rod ( 107 ) is also locked in its position of use with maximum extension, or in its position of transport with maximum compression, as a rotation of the tube ( 100 ) on its articulation ( 33 ) at the lower end ( 24 ) of the frame ( 20 ) determines a rotation of the perforated tongue ( 106 ) associated to the locking device ( 105 ) and housing a screw ( 104 ) with the wing nut ( 103 ), so that by locking the rotation, both the tire rod ( 107 ) of the saddle ( 13 ) and the tube ( 100 ) are also locked in their relative positions.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 133 words

A bicycle as defined in claim 1 , wherein the device ( 115 ) for locking the pin ( 112 ) of the pedal ( 111 ) on a left pedal crank ( 113 ) in two positions, for use and for transport, consists of a bar ( 116 ) fixed to the pin ( 112 ), free to rotate longitudinally inside the pedal crank ( 114 ) and through which passes transversely a pin ( 117 ), served by a spring, that can penetrate as desired in one or another of transversel holes in the bar ( 116 ), corresponding to the position of the pin ( 112 ) of the pedal ( 111 ) respectively orthogonal to the pedal crank ( 114 ) or on the same plane as the crank.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 69 words

A bicycle as defined in claim 1 , wherein the bulk of the bicycle is substantially comprised within a parallelopiped dimensions of which are 40×50×20 cm, if a diameter of the wheels ( 11 , 12 ) is 40 cm, or is comprised within a parallelopiped with dimensions of which are 50×, 60, 20 cm, if a diameter of the wheels ( 11 , 12 ) is 50 cm.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 159 words

A bicycle as defined in claim 1 , wherein inside the lateral extension ( 24 ) of the right arm ( 23 ) of the frame ( 20 ) there is a cylindrical helical compression spring ( 145 ) at whose base there is a plate ( 150 ) welded to an end of an extension ( 24 ) through which passes a metal wire ( 146 ) associated above to an upper head ( 148 ) of the spring ( 145 ) and emerging freely below from a hole ( 152 ) in the plate ( 150 ), then becoming associated to a clamp ( 151 ) placed on one arm of the rear fork ( 80 ) close to its articulation ( 34 ) with the frame ( 20 ), said spring ( 145 ) being so loaded as to contribute to balancing the rear fork ( 80 ) together with the rear wheel ( 12 ).

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 149 words

A bicycle as defined in claim 1 , wherein the wire ( 146 ) associated to the head ( 148 ) of the spring ( 145 ) on emerging from the head ( 148 ) passes through a lateral hole ( 144 ) that connects the right arm ( 23 ) of the frame ( 20 ) to its extension ( 24 ) and becomes associated to a clamp ( 147 ) placed substantially at a tip of the rod ( 147 ) of the saddle ( 13 ) of the right arm ( 23 ) of the frame ( 20 ), said wire ( 146 ) becoming extended at synergy with the spring ( 145 ) contributing to balancing the rear fork ( 80 ) and ensuring its stability in the folded position with the rear wheel ( 12 ) substantially inserted within the frame ( 20 ).

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 194 words

A bicycle as defined in claim 2 , wherein a cylindrical helical compression spring ( 155 ) is placed at the end ( 22 ′) of the left arm ( 22 ) of the frame ( 20 ), said spring ( 155 ) making contact with a plate ( 154 ) welded at an end of an arm ( 22 ′) close to the articulation ( 38 ) of the bar ( 90 ) that carries the pedal unit ( 110 ), and having at its upper end a head ( 158 ) with a clamp ( 159 ) to which it is associated a metal wire ( 156 ) that, passing through the spring ( 155 ) and emerging freely from a central hole ( 160 ) in the plate ( 154 ), becomes associated to a clamp ( 157 ) placed on the bar ( 90 ) carrying the pedal unit ( 110 ) close to its articulation ( 38 ) on the extension ( 22 ′) of the frame ( 20 ) contributing to balancing the pedal unit ( 110 ) complete with the gear ( 14 ) and a chain.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 171 words

A bicycle as defined in claim 1 , wherein the rod ( 63 ) of the handle bar ( 60 ) houses within it a cylindrical helical compression spring ( 135 ) that makes contact uppermost on a plate ( 140 ) welded substantially at an upper end of the rod ( 63 ), a metal wire ( 136 ) being associated to a clamp ( 139 ) on a lower hand ( 138 ) of the spring ( 135 ) that passes through the spring and emerges freely from a central hole of the plate ( 140 ), from where it becomes associated through a hole ( 147 ) to the central cross-piece ( 70 ) of the handle bar ( 60 ) so that when the handle bar is rotated to fall the bicycle ( 10 ) from its position of use to its position from transport the wire ( 136 ) is pulled and compresses the spring ( 135 ) that balances the weight of the handle bar.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 226 words

A bicycle as defined in claim 1 , wherein at a lower end of the steering column ( 50 ) of the handle bar ( 60 ) there is a cylindrical compression spring ( 125 ) that substantially makes contact with the lower end of the column ( 50 ) and with a plate ( 51 ) that connects it to a hinge ( 53 ) supported by a bracket ( 52 ) fixed to the front fork ( 40 ) of the bicycle ( 10 ), the spring ( 125 ) having uppermost a head ( 128 ) with a clamp ( 129 ) to which is associated a wire ( 126 ) that, passing along the spring, emerges freely through a hole ( 130 ) made in the plate ( 51 ) and becomes associated to a clamp ( 127 ) placed substantially in a center of the bracket ( 52 ) so that when the steering column ( 50 ) of the handle bar ( 60 ) is bent against the front wheel ( 11 ) in a position for transporting the bicycle ( 10 ), the helical spring ( 125 ) becomes compressed due to its being pulled by the wire ( 126 ) so balancing the weight of the column ( 50 ) and on the handle bar ( 60 ).

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 806 words

A bicycle as defined in claim 1 , wherein the device placed at an end of a left pedal crank ( 165 ) or, when prepared for transport on a same geometrical plane as that of the pedal crank ( 165 ), consists of a configuration of an end of the pedal crank ( 165 ) that comprises, in an outward sequence, a length of a constant square cross-section ( 168 ) a collar ( 169 ), a terminal length of a constant square cross-section ( 166 ) and a locking washer ( 170 ) applied to a front of the end ( 168 ) of the pedal crank ( 165 ) by a screw ( 172 ), a diameter of the washer being greater than dimensions of a cross-section of the pedal crank ( 165 ), sides of the lengths ( 166 , 168 ) of a square cross-section and a diameter of the collar ( 169 ) being substantially equal, a head ( 175 ) for association to the pedal crank ( 165 ) being placed at an end of a pin ( 174 ) in a pedal ( 177 ), the head consisting of a square ring whose initial dimensions substantially correspond to those of the end lengths ( 166 , 168 ) of the pedal crank ( 165 ), permitting the head ( 175 ) to slide freely, a ring nut ( 180 ) being placed on the end length ( 166 , 168 ) of the pedal crank ( 165 ), there being in the ring nut a central hole ( 181 ) of a constant square section whose dimensions substantially correspond to those of the end lengths ( 166 , 168 ) of the pedal crank ( 165 ), an elastic metal U-shaped fork ( 185 ) being placed diagonally at one corner one ( 190 ) of the hole ( 181 ) in the ring nut ( 180 ), the fork having arms ( 184 ) fixed securely on extension ( 188 , 189 ) placed substantially central in sides of the corner ( 190 ) of the hole ( 181 ), a central plate ( 187 ) of the fork cutting the corners so that the ring ( 175 ) of the pin ( 174 ) in the pedal ( 177 ) can be placed on the square-section end ( 168 ) of the pedal crank ( 165 ), in the position for use with the pin ( 174 ) orthogonal to an axis of the pedal crank ( 165 ) and a position of the ring nut corresponding to that of the collar ( 169 ), and being possible for the ring nut ( 180 ) to move spontaneously toward the square area ( 166 ) inside the pedal crank ( 165 ) as the fork ( 185 ), placed diagonally to the one corner ( 190 ) of the hole ( 181 ) in the ring nut ( 180 ), spontaneously moves to one side ( 166 ′) of the area ( 166 ) of the pedal crank ( 165 ) causing the square ( 181 ) in the ring nut ( 180 ) to be out of line with the square body ( 166 ) of the end of the pedal crank ( 165 ), a consequence of this being that the pedal ( 177 ) remains locked in its positional use while, when the pedal ( 177 ) has to be moved to its position for transport, the elastic fork quality can be pressed by hand so as to free the corner ( 190 ) in the square hole ( 181 ) in the fork ( 185 ) on which it interferes, cause the ring nut ( 180 ) to move inside the pedal crank ( 165 ) so that it coincides with the square section length ( 166 ) permitting the ring ( 175 ) of the pin ( 174 ) in the pedal ( 177 ) to pass a position of the collar ( 169 ) and to rotate to assume a position substantially corresponding to the geometrical plane of the pedal crank ( 165 ) followed by its movement to a position on the square section end ( 168 ) of the pedal crank ( 165 ) leaving the ring nut ( 180 ) free to resume its position on the collar ( 169 ) and then to rotate freely so as to interfere to the elastic fork ( 185 ), with the corner ( 190 ) of the hole ( 181 ), the sides ( 166 ′) of the square cross section end ( 166 ) of the pedal crank ( 165 ) then locking the pedal ( 177 ) in a position for transporting the bicycle ( 10 ).

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2005-04-01	2005-10-01	2006-04-02	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2009-04-01	2009-10-01	2010-04-02	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2013-04-01	2013-10-01	2014-04-02	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Folding bicycle to lie within the bulk of its wheels laid side by side

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