CA1283669C - Bicycle - Google Patents

Bicycle

Info

Publication number
CA1283669C
CA1283669C CA000503490A CA503490A CA1283669C CA 1283669 C CA1283669 C CA 1283669C CA 000503490 A CA000503490 A CA 000503490A CA 503490 A CA503490 A CA 503490A CA 1283669 C CA1283669 C CA 1283669C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
leaf spring
spring set
pedal
rear wheel
mounting
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
CA000503490A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Abel O. Coetzee
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1283669C publication Critical patent/CA1283669C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62KCYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
    • B62K19/00Cycle frames
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62KCYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
    • B62K3/00Bicycles
    • B62K3/02Frames
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62MRIDER PROPULSION OF WHEELED VEHICLES OR SLEDGES; POWERED PROPULSION OF SLEDGES OR SINGLE-TRACK CYCLES; TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SUCH VEHICLES
    • B62M3/00Construction of cranks operated by hand or foot
    • B62M3/08Pedals
    • B62M3/083Toe clip
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T74/00Machine element or mechanism
    • Y10T74/21Elements
    • Y10T74/2164Cranks and pedals
    • Y10T74/2168Pedals
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T74/00Machine element or mechanism
    • Y10T74/21Elements
    • Y10T74/2164Cranks and pedals
    • Y10T74/2168Pedals
    • Y10T74/217Pedals with toe or shoe clips

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Automatic Cycles, And Cycles In General (AREA)
  • Axle Suspensions And Sidecars For Cycles (AREA)
  • Steering Devices For Bicycles And Motorcycles (AREA)
  • Motorcycle And Bicycle Frame (AREA)

Abstract

A B S T R A C T

This invention relates to a bicycle. The bicycle includes a frame joining the front and rear wheels where the frame comprises a leaf spring suspension which enables the front and rear wheels to resiliently pivot relative to one another. The saddle and pedal mechanism are attached to the suspension.

Description

366~

Page 2.

INTRODUCTION TO T~E INVENTION

,:

THIS INVENTION relates to a bicycle and to a frame therefore.

BACKGROUND TO T~E INVEN~ION

Bicycles are widely used both as a means of transportation as well as for sport and leisure purposes and are available in several designs.
Basically they consist of a rigid frame, two wheels attached thereto, a saddle, a pedal mechanism and a steering mechanism. ~urthermore, some of the designs include 2 suspension system in the form of helical coils about shock absorbers which are normally positioned above the rear wheel or front wheel or both, and are integral with the bicycle frame.

-~J~

3~
Page 3.

It is also known to use leaf springs extending between the rear wheel and front wheel mountings of the bicycle. Such leaf springs by themselves however, allow for excess twisting movement of the wheels with respect to each other and this movement has had to be compensated by various means such as additional frame members for example. Often the leaf springs are mounted using rneans which allow for a certain amount of rotational movement about the mounting.

As many bicycles are often used over rough terrain and particularly for jumping purposes by children, an object of this invention is to provide a relatively inexpensive but effective suspension system for bicycles whereby use of the bicycles for jumpins purposes is enhanced. A
further object is to provide a bicycle of simple design and construction and which is easy to dissemble.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

_ _ In this specification the term le2f spring includes not only spring steel leaf springs --~ Page 4. ~3~69 but also leaf springs of other material and of cross sectional configurations other than rectangular, and a leaf spring set comprises at least one such leaf spring.

According to the invention there is provided a bicycle frame comprising:

a front wheel mounting connected to a rear wheel mounting solely by a single leaf spring set to enable the front and rear wheel mounting to resiliently pivot about a single pivotal position on loading of the bicycle.

~ urther according to the invention the frame includes a seat mounting mounted to the lea - spring set substantially at the pivotal position and the seat mounting including a mounting member extending perpendicularly to the leaf spring set.

Still further according to the invention the frame includes a pedal drive mechanism mounted to the leaf sprlng set substantially adjacent the pivotal point and the pedal drive mechanism ,.,,, . . 1.

~ .~836~i9 Pa~e 5.

comprises a chain driving sprocket and a set of foot pedals for use in rotating the driving sprocket.

Still further according to the invention the leaf spring set comprises at least one leaf spring of rectangular cross section.

The invention also provides a bicycle comprising a frame as described above.

"
~ urther according to the invention the bicycle comprises a front wheel and front mounting ~: therefor;

a rear driving wheel and rear mounting therefor;

the front mounting and rear mounting being connected solely by a single leaf spring set to provide an upward resilient bias on loading of the bicycle;

a seat mounting mounted to the leaf spring set substantially midway between the axles of the front and rear wheels;

/

. . .

3~6~
"-` ~

; a pedal chain drive mechanism for driving the rear wheel mounted to the leaf spring set substan-tially directly below the seat mounting.

Still further according to the invention the seat mounting and pedal chain drive mechanism are located approximately midway along the length of the leaf spring.

Still further according to the invention the pedal chain drive mechanism includes foot pedals each com-prising a lower load bearing member and an upper lif-ting member spaced from the load bearing side of the load bear-ing member and ~oined to the load bearing member at at least the inner end thereof.
` .

According to a still further broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bicycle frame which comprises a single leaf spring set which is substantially rectllinear in an unloaded condition. A rear wheel mount-ing is connected to the leaf spring set and includes rear fork means extending rearward from a rear end of the leaf spring set in rectilinear configuration with the leaf spring set for mounting an axle of a rear wheel. A front wheel is mounted connected to the leaf spring set and includes a front frame member extending forward from a front end of the leaf spring set in rectilinear configura-; tion with the leaf spring set. Front fork means is pivotally ~' 3 Ei69 Page 6a mounted to the front frame member on a steering axis trans-verse to the front frame member for mounting an axle of a front wheel. The leaf spring set is the sole framing element through which the front and rear wheel mountings are connected. A seat mounting and a pedel drive mechanism are both fixed to the leaf spring set substantially centrally of both the leaf spring set and respective axle locations for the front wheel and the rear wheel, whereby the front and rear wheel mountings pivot about a single pivotal position when a load is placed on the seat mounting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention described by way of example only follows with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

36~
-~~ ` Pa~e 7.
.'' Figure 1 illustrates diagramatically and in side view, a bicycle according to the invention.

Figure 2 is an isometric view of the leaf spring set of ~ig 1.

Figure 3 is a side view of a pedal for the bicycle.

DETAILED ~ESCRIPTIO~_OF THE DRAWINGS
`
Referring firstly to ~igure 1, there is provided a bicycle comprising a front wheel mounting ~1), a rear wheel mountins (2) and a leaf spring set, generally indicated by the numeral (3), which is adapted to bias the two mountings in the same generally downwards direction with respect to a seat (4) and to enable the mounting to pivot about a substantially single pivotal point w~ich is midway between the front and rear wheel axles.

Attached to the leaf spring set are a pedal mechanism (5) and a seat mountins (6). The leaf spring set (3) comprises three spring steel Page 8. ~3~9 leaf springs and is located between the two by means of a bolt integral with the seat member passing through a central aperture in the leaf spring set and into a threaded bore in the pedal mechanism housing.

The seat mounting includes a tubular member ~7) which extends generally perpendicularly to the leaf spring set (3) and terminates in the seat or saddle (4) of the bicycle.

The leaf spring set is mounted at each end of the main lea spring (8) to the front and rear wheel mountings (9) and (10) respectively using suitable bolts passing through corresponding apertures in the mountings and the main leaf spring of the leaf spring set. The rear wheel mounting comprise a fork (ll) which encompasses the rear wheel and the front wheel mounting is a fork (12) pivotally mounted in 2 steering bearins housing (13) and attached to handlebars (14) for the bicycle. The ho~sing (13) is in turn attached to the leaf spring set by a transverse member (lS).
The dimension of the transverse member, the leaf spring set and the rear fork are such tha' the / -_ - Pa~e 9. lX~3~9 pedal mechanism and seat mounting are centrally located with respect to the axles of the front and rear wheels.

The pedal mechanism comprises a housing (16) and a driving sprocket (17) attached to a suitable shaft passing through the pedal housing (16) in known manner. Pedals (19) are mounted to pedal members (20) in the normal way.

A drive chain (21) passes over the driving sprocket (17), a driven sprocket (22) co axial with the rear wheels (23) and a chain tensioner (24). The chain tensioner is required because the dîstance between the two sprockets changes according to tbe configuration of the leaf spring set during use of the bicycle.

As shown in Figure 3 each pedal (19) comprises a lower pedal member (25) and an upper lifting member (26) which are joined at one end to form a flattened 'C' shape, and a formation generally indicated by numeral (27) for attachment of the pedal to the pedal support (28).

--~ Pa~e lQ. 1~3669 ; This embodiment of the invention provides for a mo~lded padding (29) integral with the upper lifting member. The lower surface of the padding is shaped complimentary to a human foot and is of sufficient area to enable application of an unward force by a rider, using his or her feet without discomfort to the rider.

The formation used to locate the pedal relative to a standard pedal support and hence pedal mechanism ls of standard design. The ormation is comprised of a screw threaded stub axle (30) surrounding by a bearing device (31) which maintains the pedal in a level position. The stub axle and bolt thread are of standard dimension and are complimentary to a standard pedal support mounting.

The joining of the front and rear wheel mountings by means of a single leaf spring set, that is with no other stabilizing frames or springs, results in two types of resilient movement for the bicycle as a whole. The front and most obvious type is the spring or biased rotational movement of the two wheels abo~t a central position which is the point of loading of the blcylce and --~ Page 11. 1~36~

hence the position of fixture of the pedal mechanism and the seat ~ounting. The design of the leaf spring set is such that not only does it provide a shock absorber effect but the extent of the resilience allows the bicycle to be "jumped" by the rider effecting a downward loading of short duration. The extent to which this jumping is possible is increased by the use of the pedals described which allow for an upward force to be exerted on the bicycle. Tbe use of the chain tensioner enables drive chain tension to be maintained during jumping when the inter axial distance of the sprockets may change because of the inexact nature of the point about which the wheel mountings rotate.

The second type of movement is the relative twisting of the front and rear wheels with respect to each other which is provided for by the leaf spring set. This twisting is particularly important during accelaration and enables a large force to be applied to one peàal with a consequent shift in the centre of gravity of the rider while still ~aintainins good traction.

'' ' - Pa~e 12. ~ ~ ~ 9 From the description of the preferred embodiment it will be appreciated that the bicycle may be easily dismantled simply by undoing the bolts connecting the leaf spring set to the front and rear wheel mountings.

It will be further understood that numerous variations may be made to the above described embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope hereof. Particularly it should be noted that the leaf spring set may include a single leaf spring and the leaf springs may be of materials other than spring steel and may be of other cross sectional configurations. Bere it is particularly envisaged that materials such as fibre reinforced plastics may be used.

Claims (6)

1. A bicycle frame comprising a single leaf spring set which is substantially rectilinear in an unloaded condition, a rear wheel mounting connected to said leaf spring set and including rear fork means extending rearward from a rear end of said leaf spring set in rectilinear configuration with said leaf spring set for mounting an axle of a rear wheel, a front wheel mounted connected to said leaf spring set and including a front frame member extending forward from a front end of said least spring set in rectilinear configuration with said leaf spring set, and front fork means pivotally mounted to said front frame member on a steering axis transverse to said front frame member for mounting an axle of a front wheel, said leaf spring set being the sole frame element through which said front and rear wheel mountings are connected, and a seat mounting and a pedal drive mechanism both fixed to said leaf spring set substantially centrally of both said leaf spring set and respective axle locations for the front wheel and the rear wheel, whereby said front and rear wheel mountings pivot about a single pivotal position when a load is placed on said seat mounting.
2. A bicycle frmae as claimed in claim 1, in which said seat mounting includes a mounting member extending substantially perpendicularly to said leaf spring set.
3. A bicycle frame as claimed in claim 1, in which said pedal drive mechanism comprises a chain driving sprocket rotatably mounted to said leaf spring set, and a set of foot pedal means connected to said chain driving sprocket for rotating said driving sprocket.
4. A bicycle frame as claimed in claim 1, in which said pedal drive mechanism includes foot pedals, each foot pedal comprising a load bearing lower member, a lifting upper member spaced from a load bearing side of said lower member, and means joining respective ends of said lower member and upper member together at one side of said foot pedal and including a pedal locating formation disposed between said ends of said lower and upper members.
5. A bicycle frame as claimed in claim 4, in which said pedal location information includes a stub axle mounted between said ends of said lower and upper members.
6. A bicycle comprising a bicycle frame as claimed in claim 1, a front wheel having an axle mounted to said front fork means, a rear wheel having an axle mounted to said rear fork means, a seat mounted to said seat mounting, and chain drive means drivingly connecting said pedal drive mechanism to said rear wheel such that said rear wheel may be driven by said pedal drive mechanism.
CA000503490A 1985-03-07 1986-03-06 Bicycle Expired - Lifetime CA1283669C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA851708 1985-03-07
ZA85/1708 1985-03-07

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1283669C true CA1283669C (en) 1991-04-30

Family

ID=25577790

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000503490A Expired - Lifetime CA1283669C (en) 1985-03-07 1986-03-06 Bicycle

Country Status (13)

Country Link
US (1) US4732404A (en)
EP (1) EP0194159B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS61268577A (en)
KR (1) KR860007123A (en)
AT (1) ATE58344T1 (en)
AU (1) AU581062B2 (en)
BR (1) BR8601211A (en)
CA (1) CA1283669C (en)
DE (1) DE3675559D1 (en)
IN (1) IN166182B (en)
NZ (1) NZ215392A (en)
PH (1) PH23894A (en)
ZA (1) ZA861554B (en)

Families Citing this family (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ZA861554B (en) * 1985-03-07 1986-11-26 Abel Olwagen Coetzee A bicycle
US4838569A (en) * 1988-04-25 1989-06-13 Ford Thomas R Bicycle
USD320585S (en) 1989-11-29 1991-10-08 Brown Sidney S Bicycle frame
US5279383A (en) * 1990-03-20 1994-01-18 Ohlins Racing Ab Spring suspension device
US5217241A (en) * 1990-09-18 1993-06-08 Ocean State International Inc. Bicycle suspension system
US5226674A (en) * 1991-08-27 1993-07-13 Schwinn Bicycle Company Cycle rear suspension system
US5205572A (en) * 1991-08-27 1993-04-27 Schwinn Bicycle Company Cycle rear suspension system
US5324059A (en) * 1992-03-25 1994-06-28 Bryne Richard M Aerodynamic bicycle
US5403028A (en) * 1993-05-04 1995-04-04 Trimble; Richard H. Drive wheel suspension system for human powered vehicle
US5749591A (en) * 1995-08-17 1998-05-12 Thurm; Kenneth R. Motorcycle leaf spring suspension system
JPH09109972A (en) * 1995-10-23 1997-04-28 Itochu Corp Suspension device for bicycle
US5901974A (en) * 1996-09-04 1999-05-11 Gt Bicycles, Inc. Bicycle, anti-dive braking system
US6079726A (en) * 1997-05-13 2000-06-27 Gt Bicycles, Inc. Direct drive bicycle
AU9013698A (en) * 1997-07-14 1999-02-10 Gennady Anatolievich Khrebtan Vehicle (variants), vehicle frame, muscular drive (variants), tent-type hood, boot, damping device and step fixation device
US6099010A (en) * 1997-10-28 2000-08-08 Gt Bicycles, Inc. Bicycle with crank assembly suspension system
US6073950A (en) * 1997-10-28 2000-06-13 Busby; James S. Bicycle with crank assembly suspension system
CZ2002351A3 (en) * 2002-01-29 2003-09-17 Karel Hladík Bicycle chain drive
CZ297884B6 (en) * 2006-01-20 2007-04-18 Hladík@Karel Bicycle chain transmission
CN201049172Y (en) * 2007-04-28 2008-04-23 胡立群 Body-building vehicle
GB0906909D0 (en) * 2009-04-22 2009-06-03 Tube Plastics Ltd Recreational vehicle
US7954400B2 (en) * 2009-08-27 2011-06-07 Joseph Lee Cage pedal
DE102012101551B4 (en) * 2012-02-27 2016-11-03 Benteler Sgl Gmbh & Co. Kg chassis
US8939458B2 (en) 2013-06-12 2015-01-27 American Design and Master-Craft Initiative, LLC Suspension system

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US567430A (en) * 1896-09-08 Bicycle-frame
US392523A (en) * 1888-11-06 Herbert s
US493696A (en) * 1893-03-21 Attachment for cycle-pedals
US434234A (en) * 1890-08-12 Arthur d
DE459750C (en) * 1928-05-11 Fritz Huth Dr motorcycle
US1114855A (en) * 1913-08-02 1914-10-27 George G Buckland Bicycle-frame.
AT92092B (en) * 1920-03-10 1923-04-10 Josef Ing Forster Car wheel.
US1438919A (en) * 1920-08-05 1922-12-12 Kelly Thomas Daniel Spring suspension for cycles
GB175955A (en) * 1921-02-23 1922-11-23 Allmaenna Bolaget Cycloidkulla Yielding frame device for bicycles, motor cycles and similar vehicles
US1745963A (en) * 1926-02-08 1930-02-04 Trouche Henri Bicycle and motor-cycle frame
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ZA861554B (en) * 1985-03-07 1986-11-26 Abel Olwagen Coetzee A bicycle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0194159A2 (en) 1986-09-10
EP0194159B1 (en) 1990-11-14
NZ215392A (en) 1988-02-12
JPS61268577A (en) 1986-11-28
PH23894A (en) 1989-12-18
DE3675559D1 (en) 1990-12-20
AU5434886A (en) 1986-09-11
US4732404A (en) 1988-03-22
EP0194159A3 (en) 1987-06-24
BR8601211A (en) 1986-11-25
KR860007123A (en) 1986-10-08
IN166182B (en) 1990-03-24
ZA861554B (en) 1986-11-26
ATE58344T1 (en) 1990-11-15
AU581062B2 (en) 1989-02-09

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