CA1306480C - Quadracycle - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT

A four-wheeled recumbent cycle comprises a frame which carries a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels and a pair of pedal-driven chain wheels by which the two separate riders can individually drive the respective rear wheels. The frame defines an elongate inclined frame element along which the individually formed integrally molded seats can slide for clamping at a required adjusted position. A canopy is supported on two vertical struts rearwardly of the seats and extends in a cantilever manner forwardly from the struts. The struts can be folded so that the canopy lies rearwardly of the seats in a collapsed condition.

Description

~3~64~

QUADRACYCLE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a quadracycle, that is a four-wheel cycle of the type which can accommodate two riders sitting side-by-side with each being able to apply power to the cycle through a pedal and chain system.
Devices of this ~ype are available on the marketplace but are of relatively unattractive design both from the appearance point of view and from the ergonomics point of view. In most cases the device comprises a bench seat upon which the riders sit with the pedals below the bench seat. This leads to a vehicle which has very high wind resistance, high center of gravity and poor ergonomic efficiency. In many cases the device includes a canopy which is mounted simply on four post extending upwardly from the frame of the vehicle basically at the four corners of the vehicle. Such a canopy is inconvenient for folding and storage and is very basic and unattractive in its appearance.
SUMMARY OF THE IMVENTION
One object of the present invention therefore to provide an improved quadracycle of this general type.

~30~4~

According to the first aspect of the in~ention therefore there is provided a four~wheeled recumbent cycle comprisiny a pair of front wheels, a pair of rPar wheels, a pair of pedal-dri.ven chain wheels each carrying a chain and communicating drive thereby to respective one of the rear wheels, a steering mechanism, a pair of separate seats each for receiving a rider, and a frame formed from welded frame elements defining at a front portion of the frame a pair of supports each carrying a respective one of the front wheels for pivotal movement about a substantially vertical axis, said steering mechanism being connected to each of the front wheels to actuate steering movements thereof, two rear supports each for receiving a respective one of the rear wheels, and two elongate straight frame elements each inclined from a lower-most front end to a position above a respec-tive one of the rear wheels, each of said seats comprising a separate seat member defining a base and backrest portion and each being mounted on a respective one of the elongate straight frame elements for forward and rearward adjustment movement therealong.
According to the second aspect of the invention there is provided a four-wheeled recumbent cycle comprising a pair of front wheels, a pair of rear wheels, t ~3~

a pair of pedal-driven chain wheels each carrying a chain and communicating drive thereby to respective one of the rear wheels, a steering mechanism, a pair of separate seats each for receiving a rider and a frame formed from welded frame elements defining at a front portion of the frame a pair of supports each carrying a respective one of the front wheels for pivotal movement about a substan-tially vertical axis, said steering mechanism being connected to each of the front wheels to actuate steering movements thereof, two rear supports each for receiving a respective one of the rear wheels, and a pair of upwardly extending struts mounted on said frame rearwardly of said seats and a canopy mounted upon said upwardly extending struts and supported thereon in cantilever arrangement so as to extend forwardly from said struts over said seats, wherein each of said struts can be folded about a first and a second positioned spaced therealong so that an intermediate portion of each of the struts extends in the folded position rearwardly and downwardly from a lower-most portion thereof and in which an upper portion of the strut and the canopy extends forwardly from an outer end of the intermediate portion so as to lie in folded position thereon at the rear of the seats.
With the foregoing in view, and other :L31~;48~

advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specifi-cation proceeds, the invention is herein described by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, which includes a description oF the best mode known to the applicant and of the preferred typical embodiment of the principles of the present invention, in which:
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a cycle according to the invention.
Figure 2 is a side elevational view similar to that of Figure 1 on an enlarged scale of a rear portion of the cycle showing a canopy on the cycle in a raised position.
Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 showing the canopy in a stored or folded position.
Figure 4 is a top plan view of the frame only of the cycle of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is an isometric view of the frame only of the cycle of Figure 1.
Figure 6 is an isometric view of one seat of the cycle.
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along the ~3~6~

lines 7-7 of Figure 6 showing the construction of one of the seats.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The cycle as shown in the drawings comprises a frame generally indicated at 10 which carries at a forward end two spaced supports for a pair of front wheels 11 only one of which is visible in Figure 1 but it will be appreciated that the other wheel lies directly behind the wheel shown. At a rearward end of the frame there is provided a support for a pair of rear wheels 12 and again only a single one of the rear wheels is visible. The frame also provides suppork for a pair of seats 13 and 1~ one of which is shown in Figure 1 and two of which are shown schematically in Figure 4. The seats are aligned so as to co-operate with respective ones of a pair of pedal-driven chain wheels 15 of a conventional construction. Each chain wheel cooperates with a chain 16 which communicates drive to a respective one of the rear wheels 12 by way of a sprocket mounted upon the hub 17 of the respective rear wheel.
Each of the front wheels is driven in pivotal steering movement about respective vertical axes by a ~3~

steering mechanism schematically indicated at 18 which is driven by a steering wheel 19 positioned to cooperate with one of the seats. The steering wheel carries a steering column 20 which passes through a sleeve 21 of the frame so as to communicate drive to the steering mechanism 18 which is of conventional construction and accordingly will not be described in detail.
The frame comprises a pair of separ~te subframes 22 and 23 coupled by a plurality of transverse frame elements. The frame is formed from light-weight tubing which is suitably welded at the connecting points to provide a rigid structure formed by the separate frame elements as will be described herein.
Each of the subframes 22 and 23 comprises a main elongate first frame element 24 which extends from a forward end at the front wheel support and is inclined therefrom upwardly and rearwardly. Directly beneath the first frame element is a lower second frame element 25 which is coupled to the first frame element at the front end. In between the upper and lower elements 24 and 25 is coupled a plurality of coupling frame elements comprislng elements 26 and 27 which extend downwardly Erom the upper element 24 at spaced positions along the length thereof and converge toward a lowermost apex 28 at ~3C~6~

a rear end of the lower element 25. In addition a further strengthening strut 29 extends ~rom the upper end of the element 26 forwardly and downwardly to a position approximately half-way along the lower element 25. A
parallel element 30 is arranged to lie directly parallel and closely adjacent to the upper element 24 so that the elements between the inclined elements 26 and 27 form a pair of parallel rails with a small therebetween thus defining a rigid strengthened structure in that area of the frame and providing a base for the seat 13 as will be described hereinafter.
The two subframes 22 and 23 so formed are connected together by a first main transverse coupling element 31 at a rear end of the first elements 24. A
second transverse coupling element 32 couples the subframes at the end of the lower element 25. A third transverse coupling element 33 is arranged to extend between the subframes at the area of the rear wheels. A
fourth transverse element 34 is arranged at the front end of the frame at the junction between the elements 24 and 25. A fifth transverse frame element 35 extends from a vertical strut 36 on one subframe across to a similar vertical strut 36 at the other subframe and connects to the upper side of the upper element 24 of the subErame ~6~

23.
A strut 37 ex~ends forwardly and downwardly from the vertical strut 36 and ~onnects to the upper side of the upper element 24. An upper end of the strut 37 extends upwardly and rearwardly terminating in a transverse handle 38 for grasping by the non-steering rider.
Centrally of the frame parallel to the two subframes is provided a pair of frame elements one of which is indicated at 39 and extends from a centre of the transverse element 35 downwardly and rearwardly so as to couple to a forward side ~f the transverse element 32.
The second central element is indicated at 40 and connects to an upper side of the transverse element 32 and extends therefrom upwardly ~nd rearwardly to connect to the transverse element 31.
The rear wheel su~porting assembly comprises on an outer side of the rear wheel a pair of su~port struts 42 and 43 which extend respectively from an extension portion 32A of the transverse element 32 and from the element 31 toward an apex at the hub 17 of the rear wheel 12. On an inner side of the rear wheel i~ provided a similar triangular structure defined by struts 44 and 45 which similarly meet at an apex at the hub 17. The apex ~!L3C~69L8C~ ~
g .

is formed by a suitable plate member having a slot through which the hub is bolted in the conventional manner. The transverse coupling element 33 is connect at the apex on the inner side of the rear wheels and extends therefrom across the width of the ~rame. The transverse element 33 is strengthened by the addition of incline struts 46 and 47 which extend upwardly and inwardly and connect to the transverse element 31. The centre of the transverse element 33 is connected by struts 48 and 49 forwardly in a substantially horizontal plane and which connect to the transverse element 32.
Thus each of the subframes carries a front wheel, a rear wheel, a seat and a pedal-driven chain wheel all in a substantially aligned position on the sub-frame.
The seat 13 comprises an integrally rotation-ally molded body including a backrest portion 50 and a base portion 51 together with a clamping member 52 which is formed on the under side of the base portion 51. A
layer of a resilient rubber material 131 is provided on the upper surface oE the seat. The clamping member 52 defines a receptacle 521 Eor a pair of bearing members 522 which can be pressed into position surrounding and clamping the elements 24 and 30 and includes cylindrical . .
:

~3~6~

recesses for cooperating with the outer sur~aces of the elements 24 and 30. The receptacle 521 is formed of two sides and two partial end faces which locate the bearing members within the receptacle. The receptacle sides can be drawn together by a manually operable bolt assembly S4 which extends through the two sides of the base 52 and through the bearing member so as to clamp the parts together s~ueezing between them the elements 24 and 30.
In this way the seat can be released by a loosening act-ion of the bolt 54 and can then slide along the rails 24 and 30 to a required position at a required spacing ~rom the pedals to accommodate the individual rider.
The individual rider also has access to a sep-arate actuating lever (not shown) which can operate a gear-change mechanism within the hub 17 of the rear wheel associated with that rider so the rider can choose a pedal speed suitable to his own riding action indepen-dently of the other rider driving the other of the rear wheels.
As best shown in Figures 2 and 3, mounted on the transverse element 31 is a pair of stru~s 56 which extend upwardly from the element at a position rearwardly of the seat 13 and spaced to respective sides of the element 31 adjacent the respective subframes. The struts .. , . :

~3~

56 terminate at a height approximately e~ual to the height of the seat 13 at which they are connected to a pair of strut portions 57 by way of a pivot pin coupling 58 offset to the rear of the strut 56. The portions 57 extend upwardly beyond the seat 13 in the same direction as the struts 56. At an upper end of each of the por-tions 57 is mounted a canopy generally indicated at 59.
The canopy 59 is formed from a plurality of frame ele-ments which are connected to a rearmost strut portion 60 and extend forwardly therefrom in cantilever arrangement.
The strut portion 61 is connected to the upper end of the portion 57 in a similar manner to the connection of the lower end of the portion 57. Over the ~rame elements of the canopy is attached a suitable fabric material 61 so the canopy extends over the passengers on the cycle seat-ed in the seats 13 and 14.
In the position shown in full line in Figure 2, the portion 57 is latched to the portion 56 in an extended position so as to lie parallel thereto on an rear side thereof with a suitable latching arrangement defined by three aligned sleeves 581, 582 and a longitud-inal pin 583 which holds the portion in the erected posi-tion. Similarly, the portion 60 is latched in an extend-ed position by an identical latching mechanism generally ~ ~648~

indicated at 62 which again holds it in the erected posi-tion. Rubber buffers 58~ are provided between the port-ion to prevent free play in the erected position.
In the position shown in Figure 3 the canopy is in the collapsed stored position. In this position the portion 57 is folded down so as to extend downwardly and rearwardly from the upper edge of the strut 56 and the canopy is folded back over the top of the portion 57.
The canopy is latched into the ~olded position by a sleeve 585 on the nose of the canopy which cooperates with the central sleeve 582 on the lower end of the por-tion 57. An underside of the portion 57 lies against a rubber buffer 57~ on the rear part of the frame.
As shown in Figures 2 and 3 in the collapsed condition the canopy rests over a rear luggage compart-ment defined by rearwardly extending struts 64, 65 and 66 and a horizontal connecting element 67. The compartment can include a fabric cover for the luggage compartment which is not shown.
As shown in Figure 4, a child passenger seat is mounted adjacent the transverse element 31 on a post 6~
extending vertically from the centre element 40 and is shown schematically at 70. Beneath the feet of the child on the seat 70 is provided a footrest section in the form ~3C~64~3 of a sheet of expanded metal or the like as indicated at 71. The sheet is connected behind the transverse element 32 and inside the stru~s 48 and ~9.
The inclined central element 39 carries an infant seat 72 shown schematically which is clamped to the frame element 39 so that the infant lies in the seat laying back in the direction of the element 39 with the infant facing the riders. The infant seat is carried on a Y-shaped frame which attaches to the ~ransverse element 35 above the element 39.
The folding canopy arrangement allows the canopy to be readily lowered or folded when the riders wish to be exposed to the sunshine or it can be raised to provide shade or protection against the rain. The folding canopy allows the cycle to be operated with the canopy folded and in addition allows the cycle to be stored without difficulty.
The provision of the gear mechanism within the hubs of the rear wheels allows the riders to choose gear ratios whlch make the quadracycle very comfortable to operate. The rear wheels are independently driven there-fore the operators can pedal at totally different rates.
This feature also makes it possible for a handicapped person who may be unable to pedal a cycle to still ride ~31~6~

along with the driver doing the pedalling. The use of a three-speed hub will ensure ease of pedalling by nearly any aged person on almost any incline.
The independently adjustably seats also allow riders of very different sizes to com~ortably operate the cycle. In addition the cycle can be equipped with a unique stereo system. The system uses a portable stereo unit of the type which does not include its own speakers which is mounted in between two amplified speakers.
The width of the wheel base in which the front wheels are wider than the rear wheels and the low centre of gravity provide great stability for the cycle which make it a very secure and safe cycle to operate. The brakes can be provided as internal drum brakes in the rear hubs which give positive braking under most weather conditions.
The positioning of the child and infant seats allows the child and/or infant to be carried in a manner which is safe and protected by the riders. Both the child seats are placed in such a manner that the children can be closely watched and looked after.
The steering wheel is attached to a telescop.ic steering column which can be adjusted by a cap screw of conventional type which is thus readily available. The ~3~8al steering wheel can thus be moved to a position comfortable for the steering rider. A brake lever is attached to the steering column which acts also as a parking brake handle which can be latched into the required positions using two-position catches. Equal braking on both sides of the cycle is arranged by providing a brake pulley in the hrake handle which ensures equal force application to each of the brake cables. A spring can be provided to assist in returning the brake handle and parking brake handle to the release position.
Fenders and chain-guards are also provided which are formed by rotational molding Erom a suitable plastics material. The fenders and chain-guards are attached by suitable stays to mounting cabs on the frame.
The Eront wheels project forwardly from the front of the Erame and have a wider wheel base so they act to protect the riders and the ~rame from contact with any object. Thus the tires and wheels can receive any impact and possible damage and can be readily replaced while inhibiting or avoiding damage to the frame or to the riders. The wider wheel base at the front enables to the cycle's pedals to be safely hidden behind the front ~3C~ O

of the cycle thus protecting the feet of the rider from impact oE injury. In addition the wider wheel base at the front enables the rider to judge curbs and obstacles more readily so that the rear wheels can safely pass through any area following the front wheels.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as hereinabove described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

(1) A four-wheeled recumbent cycle comprising a pair of front wheels, a pair of rear wheels, a pair of pedal-driven chain wheels each carrying a chain and communicating drive thereby to respective one of the rear wheels, a steering mechanism, a pair of separate seats each for receiving a rider and a frame formed from welded frame elements defining at a front portion of the frame a pair of supports each carrying a respective one of the front wheels for pivotal movement about a substantially vertical axis, said steering mechanism being connected to each of the front wheels to actuate steering movements thereof, two rear supports each for receiving a respec-tive one of the rear wheels, and two elongate straight frame elements each inclined from a lower-most front end to a position above a respective one of the rear wheels, each of said seats comprising a separate seat member defining a base and backrest portion and each being mounted on a respective one of the elongate straight frame elements for forward and rearward adjustment move-ment therealong.
(2) The invention according to Claim 1 wherein the frame includes a pair of second elongate straight frame elements each parallel to a respective one of the first frame elements and arranged therewith to define a pair of rails lying in a vertical plane along which said seat can slide.
(3) The invention according to Claim 2 wherein the frame includes a pair of depending frame elements attached to said first frame element at spaced positions along the length thereof and converging downwardly there-from to an apex beneath said first frame element, said second frame element extending between said two depending frame elements.
(4) The invention according to Claim 3 including two pairs of rear wheel support struts one pair extending rearwardly from said apex and the other pair extending from a rear end of said first frame element.
(5) The invention according to Claim including a first and a second transverse frame elements, said first transverse frame element being arranged beneath said first elongate frame elements and extending therebetween and the second transverse frame element being arranged adjacent the rear wheels and extending therebetween.
(6) The invention according to Claim 5 including a footrest surface between said transverse frame elements.

(7) The invention according to Claim 4 including a first transverse frame element arranged substantially at said apex and extending from the apex of one of said first frame elements to the apex of the other of the frame elements, and a second transverse frame member extending from an inner one of said rearwardly extending struts adjacent said rear wheels, and wherein there is provided a footrest surface supported between said first and second transverse frame elements.
(8) The invention according to Claim 7 including a third transverse frame element connected to a rear end of each of said first frame elements and extending therebetween and wherein there is provided a third seat between said two seats such that the feet of the rider on the third seat can rest upon the footrest portion.
(9) The invention according to Claim 8 including a fourth transverse frame element positioned across the frame above said chain wheels and adjacent said steering mechanism and wherein there is provided an inclined central frame element extending from said fourth transverse frame element downwardly and rearwardly to said first transverse frame element.
(10) The invention according to Claim 9 including an infant seat attached to said inclined central frame element.
(11) The invention according to Claim 1 wherein each of said pedal-driven chain wheels is rotatably mounted on a respective one of said first frame elements.
(12) The invention according to Claim 1 including a pair of upwardly extending struts mounted on said frame rearwardly of said seats and a canopy mounted upon said upwardly extending struts and supported thereon in cantilever arrangement so as to extend forwardly from said struts over said seats.
(13) The invention according to Claim 12 wherein each of said struts can be folded about a first and a second positioned spaced therealong so that an intermediate portion of each of the struts extends in the folded position rearwardly and downwardly from a lower-most portion thereof and in which an upper portion of the strut and the canopy extends forwardly from an outer end of the intermediate portion so as to lie in folded position thereon at a rear of the seats.
(14) The invention according to Claim 1 wherein each of said seats comprises an integrally molded body having a bifurcated portion arranged to releasably clamp on said first frame element.
(15) The invention according to Claim 1 wherein each of said rear wheels is independently rotatable relative to the other of the rear wheels and wherein each of the rear wheels includes a gear mechanism mounted in a hub thereof and defining a plurality of gear ratios for rotation of the wheel at differential speeds relative to a sprocket of the wheel, said gear mechanism of each of said wheels being separately actuable by a rider seated in the associated seat.
(16) A four-wheeled recumbent cycle comprising a pair of front wheels, a pair of rear wheels, a pair of pedal-driven chain wheels each carrying a chain and communicating drive thereby to respective one of the rear wheels, a steering mechanism, a pair of separate seats each for receiving a rider and a frame formed from welded frame elements defining at a front portion of the frame a pair of supports each carrying a respective one of the front wheels for pivotal movement about a substantially vertical axis, said steering mechanism being connected to each of the front wheels to actuate steering movements thereof, two rear supports each for receiving a respec-tive one of the rear wheels, and a pair of upwardly extending struts mounted on said frame rearwardly of said seats and a canopy mounted upon said upwardly extending struts and supported thereon in cantilever arrangement so as to extend forwardly from said struts over said seats, wherein each of said struts can be folded about a first and a second positioned spaced therealong so that an intermediate portion of each of the struts extends in the folded position rearwardly and downwardly from a lower-most portion thereof and in which an upper portion of the strut and the canopy extends forwardly from an outer end of the intermediate portion so as to lie in folded position thereon at the rear of the seats.