AU2016202386A1 - Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

The Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel extends the standard unicycle frame with additional frame components to support the attachment of a steerable anterior training wheel. The additional frame components include top tube, head tube, and down tube and down forks. Said frame includes additional fork-end options. The tubed frame version of the Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel may include a bracing tube or tubes connecting the top tube with the down tube and forks, the top tube with the seat tube and forks and/or the seat tube and forks with the down tube and forks, to provide extra strength and rigidity. The Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel may also be: a) foldable; and/or b) two piece (frame separates into two pieces for easier transport or storage) The Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel is also available in monocoque form. The anterior training wheel may be of a different diameter to the main wheel of the unicycle. Figure 9: Example Frame for Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel With Additional Bracing Tube (195) sloping back Figure 10: Example Seat Tube and Seat Forks

Description

FRAME FOR A UNICYCLE WITH ANTERIOR TRAINING WHEEL

FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to the field of cycling and in particular to the frames of unicycles.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The standard unicycle frame consists of a seat tube, two fork blades and two-piece horizontal fork ends. The two fork blades are usually straight and parallel.

Figure 1 shows examples of standard unicycle frames with: a) a seat tube (10); b) optional crown (20); c) fork blades (30); and d) fork ends (40).

[0003] The standard unicycle frame may be crowned or uncrowned. See examples in Figure 2.

[0004] The standard unicycle frame fork blades may be separate tubes or formed from a single bent tube. See examples in Figure 3.

[0005] The standard unicycle frame fork ends are two-piece horizontal. These usually clamp bearings that are fixed laterally on the unicycle hub axle. See Figure 4.

[0006] The standard unicycle frame is typically constructed of either steel, aluminium or carbon fibre, although other materials such as titanium, duralumin, magnesium or thermoplastic can be used.

[0007] In general, the standard unicycle is difficult to learn to ride, compared with a standard bicycle.

[0008] Most standard unicycles have no capability to freewheel, nor any form of gearing. In the majority of cases, the drive mechanism is fixed (i.e. if the cranks move, then the wheel moves and vice-versa) and one-to-one ratio, viz. a single rotation of the cranks through 360 degrees results in a single rotation of the wheel through 360 degrees.

[0009] On most standard unicycles, the fixed drive mechanism is used to effect braking - relying on the rider to slow the speed of rotation of his legs. (A similar method is used by the rider of a track/velodrome bicycle to effect braking.)

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0010] The Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel extends the standard unicycle frame with frame components to support the attachment of a steerable anterior training wheel and associated handlebars, as well as providing additional options for the fork ends of the frame.

[0011] The Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel consists of: a) a top tube (120); b) a head tube (130); c) seat tube and seat forks (140). These correspond to the standard unicycle frame described in paragraph 0002 above; d) down tube and down forks (110); e) two-piece horizontal fork ends (190); and f) a steering fork (170) attached via the head tube.

See example frame in Figure 5.

[0012] In addition to the standard unicycle fork end (two-piece horizontal), the Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel includes the following additional slotted fork-end options: a) horizontal, opening to the rear; b) horizontal, opening to the front; c) vertical, opening downwards; d) angled downwards, opening to the rear; and e) angled downwards, opening to the front.

See examples in Figure 6.

[0013] While the preferred embodiment of the Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel has vertical seat tube and seat forks, options exist to have said seat tube and seat forks sloping: a) towards the anterior training wheel, i.e. forward (see Figure 7); or b) away from the anterior training wheel, i.e. backward (see Figure 8).

[0014] The Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel may optionally include mounting points and bosses for the attachment of front and/or rear brakes and/or gear changing mechanisms.

[0015] The Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel may optionally include bracing or strengthening tubes to reduce flexing of frame components when under load, such as when accelerating or when braking.

[0016] The Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel may optionally include a bracing tube (or multiple bracing tubes) connecting the top tube with the down tube, connecting the top tube with the seat tube, or connecting the seat tube with the down tube, to improve frame strength and reduce frame flexing. See 195 in Figure 9. Said bracing tube (or tubes) may each slope backwards, be vertical or slope forwards.

[0017] The seat tube and seat forks, and the down tube and down forks of the Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel may be straight, bent, curved, wishbone (crowned or uncrowned) or permutations of these styles. See examples in Figure 10 and Figure 11.

[0018] The top tube of the Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel may be straight, bent or curved.

[0019] The top tube of the Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel may be: a) sloping up to the front (see example in Figure 5); b) horizontal (see example in Figure 12); or c) sloping down to the front (see example in Figure 13).

[0020] The angles of the seat tube and seat forks and the head tube and associated steering fork affect the riding characteristics of the Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel in terms of comfort, tightness and manoeuvrability.

[0021] The Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel may attach an anterior training wheel with a diameter different to the diameter of the main driving wheel.

[0022] The Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel may also be a monocoque design, with the top tube, seat tube and down tube being replaced by a single tube (round, oval or rectangular) or “single frame body”.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 Examples of Standard Unicycle Frames, showing seat tube (10), crown (20), fork blades (30) and fork-ends (40).

[0024] Figure 2 Examples of crowned and uncrowned Standard Unicycle Frames.

[0025] Figure 3 Examples of Standard Unicycle Frames showing separate fork blades versus a single bent tube in an inverted “U” shape.

[0026] Figure 4 Example of Standard Unicycle Frame fork-ends - two-piece horizontal.

[0027] Figure 5 Example Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel. In this example, seat tube and seat forks (140) are vertical and top tube (120) slopes up to the front.

[0028] Figure 6 Example fork-end options for the Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel.

[0029] Figure 7 Example Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel with seat tube and seat forks sloping forward.

[0030] Figure 8 Example Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel with seat tube and seat forks sloping back.

[0031] Figure 9 Example Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel with additional bracing tube (195) connecting the top tube and down tube. In this example, the bracing tube slopes backwards.

[0032] Figure 10 Example seat tube and seat forks for the Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel..

[0033] Figure 11 Example down tube and down forks for the Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel.

[0034] Figure 12 Example Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel with top tube horizontal.

[0035] Figure 13 Example Frame for a Unicycle with Anterior Training Wheel with top tube sloping down to the front.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0036] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in Figures 5 to 13. It is to be understood that these descriptive embodiments are provided herein for explanatory purposes only and are not meant to unduly limit the claimed invention. Other embodiments of the present invention are considered to be within the scope of the claimed invention.

[0037] The descriptive embodiments illustrated in Figures 5 to 13 represent a unicycle frame with anterior training wheel for road racing or recreational use. It is to be expressly understood that embodiments other than a unicycle frame with anterior training wheel for road or recreational use are covered under the present invention. These embodiments include, but are not limited to, a unicycle frame with anterior training wheel for mountain unicycles, BMX unicycles, track (velodrome) unicycles, hybrid unicycles, urban (commuter) unicycles, folding unicycles, breaking (multiple piece) unicycles, exercise unicycles and monocoque frames.

[0038] Different components of this descriptive embodiment may have application in other usage as well, such as exercise equipment and in other vehicles such as motor cycles, scooters and motorised vehicles.

Claims (8)

1. A frame for a unicycle with anterior training wheel consisting of a: a. seat tube and seat forks with associated fork ends and optional crown; b. top tube; c. head tube; d. front steering fork, attached via the head tube; and e. down tube and forks.

2. The seat tube and seat forks of said frame which is vertical, sloping to the rear of the frame or sloping to the front of the frame.

3. The top tube of said frame which slopes upwards, is horizontal or slopes downwards.

4. An optional bracing tube or tubes which connects the: a. top tube with the down tube and down forks; and/or b. top tube with the seat tube and seat forks; and/or c. seat tube and forks with the down tube and forks.

5. A set of fork-ends, at the bottom of the seat forks (intersection of the seat forks and down forks), which either: a. open horizontally to the rear; b. open horizontally to the front; c. open vertically downwards; d. open at an angle downwards to the rear; e. open at an angle downwards to the front; or f. are two-piece horizontal.

6. A monocoque version of said frame.

7. A folding version of said frame.

8. A two-piece version of said frame.