WO2010048723A1

WO2010048723A1 - Folding bicycle

Info

Publication number: WO2010048723A1
Application number: PCT/CA2009/001561
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Boutakis
Original assignee: Peter Boutakis
Priority date: 2008-10-29
Filing date: 2009-10-28
Publication date: 2010-05-06
Also published as: TW201029877A

Abstract

In a first aspect, the invention is directed to a folding bicycle frame, including a front frame portion, a rear frame portion and a seat portion. The front frame portion, the rear frame portion, and the seat portion are all pivotally connected together. The folding bicycle frame is movable between a use position and a storage position. In the use position the front frame portion, the rear frame portion and the seat portion are held in a configuration suitable for riding by a user. In the storage position the front frame portion, the rear frame portion and the seat portion are folded towards each other.

Description

Title: FOLDING BICYCLE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a folding bicycle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A typical folding bicycle includes a simple hinge mechanism to permit the front and rear halves of the bicycle to fold laterally relative to each other. However, such bicycles are not typically easy to fold and require a relatively large amount of space to store. [0003] It would be advantageous to provide a folding bicycle that overcomes one or more of these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In a first aspect, the invention is directed to a folding bicycle frame, including a front frame portion, a rear frame portion and a seat portion. The front frame portion, the rear frame portion, and the seat portion are all pivotally connected together. The folding bicycle frame is movable between a use position and a storage position. In the use position the front frame portion, the rear frame portion and the seat portion are held in a configuration suitable for riding by a user. In the storage position the front frame portion, the rear frame portion and the seat portion are folded towards each other.

[0005] In a second aspect, the invention is directed to a folding bicycle that incorporates the folding bicycle frame described above. [0006] In a third aspect, the invention is directed to a folding bicycle frame, including a front frame portion, a rear frame portion, a seat portion, and a driver link. The front frame portion, the rear frame portion, the seat portion and the driver link are all pivotally connected together to form a linkage. The folding bicycle frame is movable between a use position and a storage position. In the use position, the front frame portion, the rear frame portion and the seat portion are held in place in a configuration suitable for riding by a user. In the storage position, the front frame portion, the rear frame portion and the seat portion are folded towards each other.

[0007] In a fourth aspect, the invention is directed to a folding bicycle frame, including a front frame portion, a rear frame portion, a seat portion, and a driver link. The front frame portion, the rear frame portion, the seat portion and the driver link are connected together as a four-bar linkage. [0008] In a fifth aspect, the invention is directed to a folding bicycle including a front frame portion, a rear frame portion, a seat portion, wherein the weight of the rider assists in holding the bicycle in a use position and inhibits the bicycle from folding to a storage position.

[0009] In a sixth aspect, the invention is directed to a folding bicycle including a front frame portion, a rear frame portion and a seat portion, wherein the front frame portion, the rear frame portion and the seat portion are movable from a storage position to a use position under their own weight.

[0010] In a particular embodiment of the sixth aspect, the front and rear frame portions are foldable upwardly about a pivot axis from a storage position to a use position, and wherein the pivot axis is positioned horizontally between the front and rear wheels, and wherein the weight of the components that are associated with the front wheel have a center of mass that is rearward of the axis of the front wheel, and wherein the weight of the components that are associated with the rear wheel have a center of mass that is forward of the axis of rotation of the rear wheel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the attached drawings, in which: [0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a folding bicycle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, in a use position;

[0013] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the folding bicycle shown in

Figure 1 , showing a handlebar portion in a partially folded position; [0014] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the folding bicycle shown in

Figure 1 , showing the handlebar portion in a partially folded position and showing the unlocking of a front frame portion and a back frame portion from each other;

[0015] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the folding bicycle shown in Figure 1 , showing the handlebar portion in a further folded position and showing the front frame portion and back frame portion in a partially folded position;

[0016] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the folding bicycle shown in

Figure 1 , showing the handlebar portion in a further folded position and showing the front frame portion and back frame portion in a further folded position;

[0017] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the folding bicycle shown in

Figure 1 , showing the handlebar portion in a folded position and showing the front frame portion and back frame portion in a folded position; [0018] Figure 7 is a perspective view from another viewpoint of the folding bicycle shown in Figure 1 , showing the handlebar portion in a folded position and showing the front frame portion and back frame portion in a folded position;

[0019] Figure 8 is a magnified perspective view of the locking device that is part of the folding bicycle shown in Figure 1 , shown locked in a use position;

[0020] Figure 9 is a magnified perspective view of the locking device that is part of the folding bicycle shown in Figure 1 , shown in a storage position; and - A -

[0021] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the locking device shown in Figure 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0022] Reference is made to Figure 1 , which shows a folding bicycle

10, which may also be referred to as the bicycle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The folding bicycle 10 is configured to fold and unfold easily between a use position, shown in Figure 1 , and a storage position shown in Figure 6. In the use position, the folding bicycle 10 is configured to be ridden by a user (not shown). In the storage position, the bicycle 10 is configured to be stored.

[0023] Referring to Figure 1 , the folding bicycle 10 includes a front frame portion 12, a rear frame portion 14, a seat portion 16, a driver link 18, a handlebar portion 20, a front wheel 22, a rear wheel 24 and a locking device 26. For clarity of the figures, a drive system which may include, for example, a crank and pedals, a chain, front and rear sprockets and associated gear shifting hardware is not shown but may be included with the folding bicycle 10. Similarly, a braking system, which may include, for example, front and rear brake calipers, and left and right hand handlebar- mounted levers, and associated cables is not shown but may be included with the folding bicycle 10.

[0024] The front frame portion 12, the rear frame portion 14, the seat portion 16, the driver link 18, the handlebar portion 20 and the locking device 26 make up a folding bicycle frame 27. The front frame portion 12 may include a front top tube element 28, a head tube 30 connected to the front top tube element 28, a front fork 32 including a stem base 34 that is rotatable in the head tube 30 and that protrudes upwardly from the top of the head tube 30. The handlebar portion 20 includes a handlebar stem 36 that is pivotally connected to the stem base 34 by a handlebar portion hinge 38, and a handlebar 40 that extends laterally from the handlebar stem 36. The handlebar portion 20 is movable between a handlebar use position (Figure 1 ), and a handlebar storage position (Figure 6). In the handlebar use position, the handlebar 40 extends generally transversely to the front frame portion 12 for gripping by a user when riding the folding bicycle 10. The handlebar portion 20 is lockable in the handlebar use position by a handlebar locking device 42, which may be any suitable type of locking device. In the handlebar storage position (Figure 6), the handlebar portion 20 extends generally alongside the front frame portion 12. A handlebar portion retaining member 44 may be provided to retain the handlebar portion 20 in the handlebar storage position. The handlebar portion retaining member 44 may have any suitable structure for retaining the handlebar portion 20. For example, the handlebar portion retaining member 44 may be a magnet (Figure 1 ) which may be positioned on the front frame portion 20 to receive the handlebar stem 36 and to thereby hold the handlebar portion 20 in the handlebar storage position. It will be noted that, in embodiments wherein the handlebar portion retaining member 44 is a magnet, the handlebar stem 36 may be made from or fitted with a material that is attracted to the magnet. It is possible, however, for the suitable handlebar portion retaining member 44 to have any other suitable structure to retain the handlebar portion 20 in place alongside the front frame portion 12. In embodiments wherein the handlebar portion retaining member 44 is a magnet, it may be configured to have a shallow groove to more securely hold the handlebar stem 36 in position.

[0025] The handlebar portion hinge 38 may define a pivot axis Ahph

(shown best in Figure 6) that is oriented to permit the pivoting of the handlebar portion 20 from the handlebar use position (Figure 1 ) to the handlebar storage position (Figure 6) as described above. As can be seen in Figure 6 pivot axis Ahph may extend a suitable angle relative to the horizontal, and also at some suitable angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the front frame portion 12.

[0026] The front wheel 22 is mounted in the front fork 32 in any suitable way, such as by a quick release connector, or by nuts and washers.

[0027] The rear frame portion 14 may include a rear top tube element

46 and a rear triangle 48 to which the rear wheel 24 is attached by any suitable means such as by a quick release connector or by nuts and washers. The rear top tube element 46 and the front top tube element 28 are pivotally connected together at a pivot connection 49, shown more clearly in Figure 9, for pivoting about a top tube elements pivot axis Afr, which is positioned proximate their respective lower surfaces, shown at 50 and 52. As shown in Figure 9, on the front top tube element 28 there is a first front/rear top tube abutment surface 54 that mates with a second front/rear top tube abutment surface 56 on the rear top tube element 28 above the pivot connection 49. In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the first front/rear top tube abutment surface 54 is a male surface that is received in a female second front/rear top tube abutment surface 56, thereby maintaining the front and rear top tube elements 28 and 46 in engagement and alignment when exposed to lateral forces during use. It is alternatively possible, however, for the second front/rear top tube abutment surface 56 to be the male surface and for the first front/rear top tube abutment surface 54 to be the female surface. When the folding bicycle 10 is in the use position shown in Figure 1 , the first and second front/rear top tube abutment surfaces 54 and 56 (not shown in Figure 1 ) engage each other, and are held in engagement by the locking device 26, which may positioned proximate the upper surfaces of the front and rear top tube elements 28 and 46, shown at 58 and 60 respectively.

[0028] During movement of the folding bicycle 10 from the use position (Figure 1 ) to the storage position (Figure 6) the front and rear top tube elements 28 and 46 fold downwardly towards each other, about the pivot axis Afr (Figure 9). Referring to Figure 1 , during use, forces from the ground on the front and rear wheels 22 and 24 to support the bicycle 10 and rider (not shown) tend to generate opposing moments 62 and 64 in the front and rear top tube elements 28 and 46 respectively. As a result of these moments 62 and 64, the lower portions of the front and rear top tube elements 28 and 46 are placed in tension and the upper portions of the front and rear top tube elements 28 and 46 are placed in compression. By positioning the pivot connection 49 below the first and second front/rear top tube element abutment surfaces 54 and 56 (Figure 9) and by positioning the locking device 26 proximate the front and rear top tube element upper surfaces 58 and 60 (Figure 1 ), the pivot connection 49 and not the locking device 26 is called upon to resist the tensile forces acting on the lower portions of the front and rear top tube elements 28 and 46, while the abutment surfaces 54 and 56 resist the compressive forces acting on the upper portions of the front and rear top tube elements 28 and 46.

[0029] The pivot connection 49 may be configured so that the pivot axis Afr is oriented generally horizontally, but at a selected angle as shown in Figure 10) to the transverse axis Atrans of the folding bicycle 10 to permit the front and rear frame portions 12 and 14 to fold beside each other.

[0030] In some embodiments, the hubs of the front and rear wheels

22 and 24, shown at 66 and 68 (Figure 7), may be the widest points on the wheels 22 and 24. When the storage bicycle 10 is in the storage position it may be preferably to have the wheels 22 and 24 be positioned such that hubs 66 and 68 are approximately but not precisely aligned (Figure 6). Preferably, when in the storage position, one of the front and rear wheels 22 and 24 is positioned slightly forward of the other. For example, as shown in Figure 6, the front wheel 22 may be slightly forward of the rear wheel 24. By positioning the wheels 22 and 24 with the hubs 66 and 68 approximately aligned, the wheels 22 and 24 together occupy a smaller dimension in the longitudinal direction of the folding bicycle 10, relative to an embodiment wherein one wheel is significantly forward of the other. By positioning the wheels 22 and 24 so that the hubs 66 and 68 are not precisely aligned, the wheels 22 and 24 can be brought closer together laterally so that the overall width of the folding bicycle 10 in the storage position is reduced relative to an embodiment wherein the hubs 66 and 68 are in alignment.

[0031] Referring to Figure 1 , the seat portion 16 includes a seat post

69 for receiving a seat assembly 70 that mounts in the seat post 69 and may be held in place by any suitable means such as by a quick release connector or by a threaded fastener and a nut. The seat assembly includes a seat stem 70a and a seat 70b. The seat portion 16 is pivotally mounted to the rear frame portion 14 by a pivot connection 71 about a seat portion pivot axis Asp (shown more clearly in Figure 8) which may extend directly laterally to the folding bicycle 10. The seat portion 16 may further include a first seat portion/rear frame portion abutment surface 72 which is engageable with a second seat portion/rear frame portion abutment surface 74 positioned at a suitable place on the rear frame portion 14, such as on the rear top tube element 46. The pivot connection 71 may be positioned proximate the upper surface 60 of the rear top tube element 46, and above the first and second seat portion/rear frame portion abutment surfaces 72 and 74. When the folding bicycle 10 is in the use position (Figure 8), the first and second seat portion/rear frame portion abutment surfaces 72 and 74 engage each other. Referring to Figure 1 , during use, the weight of the rider (not shown) on the seat 70b places a moment on the seat post 69 that is resisted by the rear frame portion 14. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the pivot connection 71 is placed in tension and the first and second seat portion/rear frame portion abutment surfaces 72 and 74 are in compression.

[0032] As most clearly shown in Figure 8, the first seat portion/rear frame portion abutment surface 72 may be a male surface that engages a female second seat portion/rear frame portion abutment surface 74. This permits the seat portion 16 and rear top tube 46 to resist lateral forces that may occur during use. Alternatively the first seat portion/rear frame portion abutment surface 72 may be a female surface that engages a male second seat portion/rear frame portion abutment surface 74.

[0033] By positioning the pivot connection 71 above the first and second seat portion/rear frame portion abutment surfaces 72 and 74, the seat portion 16 and rear frame portion 14 are foldable upwardly towards each other when folding the folding bicycle 10 from the use position (Figure 1 ) to the storage position (Figure 6).

[0034] The driver link 18 has a first end 76 that is pivotally connected to the front frame portion 12 and a second end 78 that is pivotally connected to the seat portion 16. As a result, when the front frame portion 12 and rear frame portion 14 are folded towards each other, the front frame portion 14 drives the driver link 18 rearwardly, which in turn drives the seat portion 16 to pivot about the pivot connection 71 and fold relative to the rear frame portion 14.

[0035] When the folding bicycle 10 is folded to the storage position

(Figure 6) and is oriented generally vertically with the wheels 22 and 24 on the ground, the seat portion 16 extends generally vertically. As a result, the seat 70b can be used as a handle with which to guide the folded folding bicycle 10 when rolling the folded folding bicycle 10 along the ground.

[0036] The driver link 18, the seat portion 16, the front frame portion

12 and the rear frame portion 14 together form a four-bar linkage 80. The front frame portion 12 may be considered a first link; the rear frame portion 14 may be considered a second link; the seat portion 16 may be considered a third link, and the driver link 18 may be considered a fourth link.

[0037] Referring to Figures 1 and 8, the locking device 26 locks the front frame portion 12, the rear frame portion 14 and the seat portion 16 in a use position. The locking device 26 may work by locking two mutually pivotally connected links of the four-bar linkage 80 relative to each other, thereby also locking the relative positions of the other two links of the four- bar linkage 80. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the locking device 26 locks the front and rear frame portions 12 and 14 relative to each other. Instead of locking the front and rear frame portions 12 and 14, it is alternatively possible for the locking device 26 to directly lock other mutually pivotally connected links relative to each other, such as the rear frame portion 14 and the seat portion 16.

[0038] The locking device 26 may be any suitable type of locking device. The locking device 26 may include a first arm 82 and a second arm

84 (Figure 9). The first arm 82 has a first end that is pivotally connected to the front top tube element 28. The second arm 84 has a first end that is pivotally connected to the rear top tube element 46. The first and second arms 82 and 84 have respective second ends and are pivotally connected to each other at their respective second ends. The second arm 84 has a locking tab engagement surface 86 for engagement with a locking tab 88

(Figure 8) that is on the front top tube element 28. The locking tab 88 is resilient to permit the locking tab engagement surface 86 to move past and is biased towards a closed position to capture the locking tab engagement surface 86 and thereby lock the front and rear top tube elements 28 and 46 in abutment, which therefore locks the front and rear frame portions 12 and 14, which in turn locks the four-bar linkage 80 in the use position. The locking tab 88 may be biased towards its locking position wherein it is positioned to lock the second arm 84 in the use position.

[0039] A handle 90 is provided on the rear top tube element 46 for the user to hold while folding the bicycle 10 to the storage position, and for carrying and lifting a folded bicycle 10 when needed. The handle 90 is oriented away from the centerline of the rear top tube element 46 so that it does not obstruct the movement of the seat portion 16 towards the rear top tube element 46.

[0040] The folding of the bicycle 10 is shown progressively from Figures 1 to 6. To fold the handlebar portion 20, the user may unlock the handlebar portion 20 (Figure 2) and fold it over to its storage position (Figures 6 and 7) so that it is retained by the handlebar portion retaining member 44 (Figure 6) alongside the front frame portion 12. To fold the front and rear frame portions 12 and 14 and the seat portion 16, the user may hold the handle 90 with one hand and may use the other hand to unlock the locking tab 88 (Figure 3). Once the locking tab 88 is unlocked, the user may pull upward on the handle 90 to initiate folding of the front and rear frame portions 12 and 14. Referring to Figure 4, as the front and rear frame portions 12 and 14 fold towards each other, the driver link 18 drives the seat portion 16 to rotate about the pivot connection 71. Referring to Figure 5, as the user lifts the rear top tube element 46 to a vertical orientation, the front frame portion 12 swings downwardly under its own weight towards a folded position wherein the front wheel 22 is positioned generally alongside the rear wheel 24 (Figure 6), with the hubs 66 and 68 in approximate but preferably not perfect alignment. The movement of the front frame portion 12 from the position shown in Figure 5 drives the seat portion 16 to a position wherein it is generally parallel with and nested against the rear top tube element 46 and therefore in a generally vertical orientation. The folding bicycle 10 is then in the storage position. The user may roll the folding bicycle 10 on its rear wheel 24 by guiding the bicycle 10 with one hand on the seat 70b. A storage position locking device may be provided to lock the bicycle 10 in the storage position. The storage position locking device may be the locking device 26, which may for example, be configured to lock in two separate positions, corresponding to the use position and storage position of the bicycle 10. For example, a second locking tab (not shown) may be provided with the locking device 26 to catch one of the first and second arms 82 and 84 as it swings past the second locking tab, as the bicycle 10 arrives at its storage position. Alternatively, the storage position locking device may be a separate locking device.

[0041] To unfold the bicycle 10 from the storage position to the use position, the user unlocks the storage position locking device if one is provided, while holding on to the seat 70b. The front and rear frame portions 12 and 14 will unfold under their own weight and will move to their use position. This is achieved by a combination of features of the folding bicycle 10. One such feature is that the front and rear frame portions are foldable upwardly about the pivot axis Afr from their storage position to their use position. Another such feature is that the pivot axis Afr is positioned horizontally between the front and rear wheels. Additionally, the weight of the components that are associated with the front wheel 22, namely, the front frame portion 12, the handlebar portion 20 and a first portion of the driver link 18, have a first combined center of mass that is rearward of the axis of rotation of the front wheel 22. Further additionally, the weight of the components that are associated with the rear wheel 24, namely, the rear frame portion 14, the seat portion 16 and a second portion of the driver link 18, have a second combined center of mass that is forward of the axis of rotation of the rear wheel 24. This combination of features is present throughout substantially all of the path from the storage position to the use position of the bicycle 10. As a result, throughout substantially all of the aforementioned path, the weight and configuration of the elements of the folding bicycle 10 urge the front and rear frame portions 12 and 14 to fold upwardly towards their use position.

[0042] Once the front and rear frame portions 12 and 14 achieve their use position the locking device 26 locks them in it. The handlebar portion 20 can be raised to its use position and locked thereat by the handlebar locking device 42.

[0043] It will be noted that a relatively low force is required by the locking device 26 in order to hold the folding bicycle 10 in the use position. As a result, the locking device 26 may be relatively resistant to failure. [0044] If cable-operated caliper brakes (not shown) are provided with the bicycle 10 the cables (not shown) may be configured and routed so that they have sufficient length to prevent the need to disconnect them when folding or unfolding the bicycle 10. Alternatively other types of brake may be provided, such as a coaster brake, which would not require any disassembly or reassembly when folding or unfolding the bicycle 10.

[0045] The bicycle 10 described herein may be sold as a complete unit, or, instead, the bicycle frame 27 may be sold, without the front and rear wheels 22 and 24 and optionally without selected other components, with the expectation that the wheels 22 and 24 and any such other components would be provided either by an intermediate company or by the end user.

[0046] While the above description constitutes a plurality of embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the present invention is susceptible to further modification and change without departing from the fair meaning of the accompanying claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A folding bicycle frame, comprising: a front frame portion; a rear frame portion; and a seat portion, wherein the front frame portion, the rear frame portion and the seat portion are all pivotally connected together, wherein the folding bicycle frame is movable between a use position and a storage position, wherein in the use position the front frame portion, the rear frame portion and the seat portion are held in a configuration suitable for riding by a user, wherein in the storage position the front frame portion, the rear frame portion and the seat portion are folded towards each other.

2. A folding bicycle frame as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the seat portion and rear frame portion are pivotally connected to fold towards each other upwardly, and wherein the rear frame portion and the front frame portion are pivotally connected to fold towards each other downwardly.

3. A folding bicycle frame as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a driver link pivotally connected at a first end to the front frame portion and pivotally connected at a second end to the seat portion, such that folding of the front and rear frame portions towards each other drives the seat portion to fold relative to the rear frame portion.

4. A folding bicycle frame as claimed in claim 2, wherein the front and rear frame portions extend generally along a plane and wherein the front and rear frame portions are pivotally connected along a pivot axis that is canted a selected angle relative to the normal of the plane such that movement of the folding bicycle to the storage position positions the front and rear frame portions generally beside each other.

5. A folding bicycle frame as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pivot axis is generally horizontal.

6. A folding bicycle frame as claimed in claim 6, wherein the rear frame portion includes a pair of seat stays and the seat portion includes a seat post, wherein, in the storage position the seat post is generally parallel to the seat stays.

7. A folding bicycle frame as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a locking device configured for locking the front frame portion, the rear frame portion and the seat portion in the use position.

8. A folding bicycle frame as claimed in claim 3, wherein the locking device includes a first arm pivotally connected to the rear frame portion and a second arm pivotally connected to the front frame portion and pivotally connected to the first arm, wherein the first arm, the second arm, the front frame portion and the rear frame portion together form a four-bar linkage, and further comprising a locking tab configured to lock the first and second arms in a use position for the first and second arms, and thereby lock the front and rear frame portions, and the seat portion in the use position.

9. A folding bicycle frame as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a handlebar portion, wherein the handlebar portion is pivotally connected to the front frame portion.

10. A folding bicycle frame as claimed in claim 10, wherein the handlebar portion includes a handlebar stem and a handlebar extending laterally outward from the handlebar stem, wherein the handlebar portion is pivotable along a handlebar portion pivot axis between a handlebar use position wherein the handlebar extends generally transversely to the front frame portion, and a handlebar storage position wherein the handlebar portion extends generally alongside to the front frame portion.

11. A folding bicycle frame as claimed in claim 11 , further comprising a handlebar portion retaining member positioned on the front frame portion and configured to releasably hold the handlebar portion in the handlebar storage position.

12. A folding bicycle, comprising: a front frame portion; a front wheel rotatably mounted to the front frame portion; a rear frame portion; a rear wheel rotatably mounted to the rear frame portion; and a seat portion, wherein the front frame portion, the rear frame portion, the seat portion are all pivotally connected together, wherein the folding bicycle is movable between a use position and a storage position, wherein in the use position the front frame portion, the rear frame portion and the seat portion are held in a configuration to be ridden by a user, wherein in the storage position the front frame portion, the rear frame portion and the seat portion are folded towards each other.

13. A folding bicycle as claimed in claim 12, wherein, in the storage position the seat portion is folded to a selected angle relative to the rear frame portion for use as a handle to roll the folding bicycle on a surface.

14. A folding bicycle as claimed in claim 12, wherein the front and rear frame portions extend generally along a plane and wherein the front and rear frame portions are pivotally connected along a pivot axis that is canted a selected angle relative to the normal of the plane such that movement of the folding bicycle to the storage position positions the front and rear frame portions generally beside each other.

15. A folding bicycle as claimed in claim 14, wherein in the storage position, when the folding bicycle is oriented with the seat portion extending generally vertically, the bottom of the front wheel is approximately level with the bottom of the rear wheel and the front wheel is approximately parallel to the rear wheel.

16. A folding bicycle as claimed in claim 15, wherein the front wheel has a front wheel hub and the rear wheel has a rear wheel hub, and wherein in the storage position the front wheel hub is approximately but not precisely aligned with the rear wheel hub.

17. A folding bicycle frame, comprising: a front frame portion; a rear frame portion; a seat portion; and a driver link, wherein the front frame portion, the rear frame portion, the seat portion and the driver link are all pivotally connected together to form a linkage, wherein the folding bicycle frame is movable between a use position and a storage position, wherein in the use position, the front frame portion, the rear frame portion and the seat portion are held in place and are configured to be ridden by a user, wherein in the storage position, the front frame portion, the rear frame portion and the seat portion are folded towards each other.

18. A folding bicycle frame, comprising: a front frame portion; a rear frame portion; a seat portion; and a driver link, wherein the front frame portion, the rear frame portion, the seat portion and the driver link are connected together as a four-bar linkage.