FR2700744A1 - Multi-seater tricycle vehicle propelled by a system of two independent pedal and bottom bracket assemblies each acting especially on one chain, and additional propulsion module which can be coupled to such a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention which falls within the field of cycles relates to a multi-seater tricycle vehicle and to its additional multi-seater propulsion module which can be coupled on, which are both individually propelled by a system of two independent pedal and bottom bracket assemblies (17) each acting especially on one chain (16) for driving the driving rear wheels (15). The tricycle (A) and the module (B) have in common, in the case of each of them, three saddles (19) and (20), a foot rest (8), two pedal and bottom bracket assemblies (17), two driving rear wheels (15), a towing ring (22) and a frame comprising the tubular elements (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6). The tricycle (A) for its part includes a steering column (tube) (10), handlebars (9), forks (13) and a guiding front wheel (14). The couplable module (B) for its part includes a coupling hook (23). Such a vehicle and its module are used especially in the sports and/or leisure fields.

Description

The present invention relates to a multiplace tricycle vehicle and its attachable propellant multiplace module, both driven individually by a system of two independent pedals each acting in particular on a chain. More particularly, such a vehicle is similar to cycles, and more generally to any device powered by one or more pedal systems acting in particular on one or more chains, for transporting people by muscular energy.

 It is already known about multiplace cycles and quadricycles that can be seen in amusement parks or for hire from professional rental companies specializing in tourist sites. These vehicles are heavy, unsightly, cumbersome to use and store, and have changed little in their designs since their appearance on the leisure market.

The present invention aims to overcome all of these drawbacks by creating in particular a multiplace tricycle vehicle fitted with a trailer in the form of a couplable propellant propellant module. We are looking to create a vehicle generating a new driving sensation, at a moderate manufacturing cost, with attractive aesthetics, which is simple, robust, light, easy to maintain, modular to allow a variable number of users to move.

To this end, the present invention relates to a vehicle characterized by a multiplace tricycle propelled by a system of two independent pedals each acting in particular on a chain for driving two driving wheels, and its trailer characterized by a multiplace propellable attachable propulsion module powered by a system of two independent pedals each acting in particular on a chain for driving two driving wheels, said tricycle vehicle comprising a frame, a handlebar actuating a front steering wheel, two pedal systems, two chains, two rear driving wheels, a means serving as a seat and a coupling ring, said module comprising a frame, two pedal systems, two chains, two driving wheels, means serving as a seat and a coupling hook.

Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description which follows, by way of example, with reference to the appended drawings which illustrate the invention: FIG. 1 W and (B) represents in perspective the tricycle vehicle and its attachable propulsion module according to the invention; Figure 2 W and (B) shows in perspective a variant of the tricycle vehicle and its attachable propulsion module.

With reference to these drawings, the tricycle vehicle (A) and its attachable propellant module (B) each comprise inter alia two parts forming a tubular structure (1) connected to two rear forks (6) each receiving a wheel (15) each driven by a pedal (17) acting on a chain (16). The pedals are integral with the tubular structure (1) shaped to receive a means acting as a seat (25) or saddles (19) and (20). The tricycle vehicle comprises a handlebar (9) acting on a front wheel (14) fixed on a fork (13) for the change of trajectory. The attachable propulsion module differs from the tricycle only in its front part because the assembly comprising the handlebar ( 9), the fork (13), the steering wheel (14) and the steering column (12) is replaced by a hook (23) to allow coupling by positioning said hook (23) of the module in the ring ( 22) of the tricycle provided for this purpose.

The two parts of the tubular structure (1) are integral in the end of their front extension at level (7) and are fixed to the steering column (12). This junction point (7) also receives the tube (4) which is integral with it.

The non-detailed steering column (12) allows, in a manner known for this type of application, the maintenance from top to bottom but free in rotation of the non-detailed axis (11) which passes through said steering column. The axis (11) in its upper part is integral with the handlebars (9) by means of an articulation (10) of a known but not detailed type to allow the handlebars to be folded down towards the saddles (19) in the aim of reducing the bulk when storing the tricycle. The lower part of the axle (11) is integral with the fork (13) which receives the front steering wheel (14).

The handlebars (9) which actuate the front steering wheel (14) have a sufficient width to allow the good support of the passengers if they do not use the handles (18) of saddles while allowing the piloting of the tricycle by the latter.

In order to improve the rigidity of the frame, the vertical ends of the tubular structure (1) are connected together by the tube (2) and, the inner forks (6) receiving the rear wheels (15) are connected together by the 'intermediate of the tube (3) which is fixed to said forks as close as possible to the inner axes of the rear wheels (15).

The tube (2) is connected in the middle to the tube (4) itself connected to the steering column (12) thus forming, with the tubular structure (1) itself connected to the tube (3) via of the inner part of the forks (6), a triangulation adapted to the distribution of mechanical stresses.

The propellant module attelable figure 1 (B) does not have a steering column since this is replaced by a towing hook (23) fixed at the point (7) where lead the front ends of the tubular structure (1) and the tube (21).

The articulated mechanical connection between the tricycle and its guided module is via a hook (23) fixed to the front end of the module and which is positioned on the ring (22) fixed on the rear part of the tricycle in the middle of the tube (2). The module also has a ring (20) fixed on its rear part in the middle of the tube (2) in order to receive another additional module, thus making possible the locomotion of an assembly consisting of a tricycle guiding one or more coupled modules . The passengers of the module (s) hitched to the tricycle, each of which generates its own traction by the system of two pedals will therefore not cause any additional penalty to the users in relation to each other.

A third saddle (20), provided with its handle (18) is fixed on the tube (2) between the saddles (19) to receive a third passenger. For the comfort of the central passenger, a clip (8) is fixed to the tube (5) fixed at its ends to the tubes (4) and (3).

The passengers of the attachable module hold on to the individual handles (18) of saddles (19) and (20) or to the bar (24) which is integral with the tube (4).

Braking is provided independently on each of the rear wheels (15) by back pedaling action which acts on a drum brake of a known model not illustrated, located in each rear wheel hub (15).

The two lower parts corresponding to the points (21) of the tubular structure (1) located closest to the ground in front of the pedals (17) have the shoe function to protect the toothed crowns of pedals (17) from impacts resulting from crossing accidental obstacle such as a sidewalk. In order to obtain effective protection of the toothed crowns of the bottom brackets (17) against the aforementioned impacts, the lower part of the toothed crowns must be located above the imaginary line formed by said points (21) mentioned above of the tubular structure (1) and the axis of the rear wheels (15).

In the variant according to FIG. 2 (A) and (B), the means serving as a seat (25) is a bench seat provided with a backrest.

In the variant according to FIG. 2 (A) and (B), an advertising panel (26) is fixed to the rear of the tricycle and to the rear of its module in the space included, for the height, between the tubes (2) and (3), and in the space included, for the width, corresponding to the distance between the two internal axes of the rear wheels (15).

Claims (9)

1 - Vehicle characterized by a multiplace tricycle (A) and its attachable propellant multiplace module (B), both driven individually by a system of two independent pedals (17) each acting in particular on a chain (16) for driving the wheels rear (15) mounted on the forks (6) connected to the tubular structure (1) which receives on one side a means serving as a seat (19) and (20) and on the other side, for the tricycle a column steering (12) on which is adapted a handlebar (9) and a fork (13) receiving a front steering wheel (14), the module which differs from the tricycle in its front part by the absence of the steering elements (9) , (12), (13) and (14) above, has at the front end of its tubular structure (1) a hook (23) which can be positioned on the ring (22) of the tricycle. 2 ~ Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the steering column (12) of the tricycle is replaced by a hook (23) to obtain a towable propellant module. 3 ~ vehicle according to claims 1, 2 sets, characterized in that the propellant module is guided and coupled via the hook (23) which is positioned on the ring (22) attached to the rear of the multiplace tricycle . 4 ~ Vehicle according to claims 1, 2, 3 sets, characterized in that the coupling system (22) and (23) can guide and hitch other additional propulsive multi-module modules, themselves equipped with this device (22) and (13) thus making possible the locomotion of an assembly consisting of one or more modules coupled to the tricycle. 5 ~ Vehicle according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4 sets, characterized in that the lower part of the toothed ring of the pedals (17) must be located above the imaginary line formed between the points (21) of the structure tubular (1) located closest to the ground and the axis of the rear wheels (15). 6 - Vehicle according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 sets, characterized in that the braking system of a known type not shown is actuated by reverse pedaling. 7 - Vehicle according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 sets, characterized in that two saddles (19) are each fixed to one of the upper vertical ends of the tubular structure (1) and a third saddle (20) is fixed to the tube (2) between the two saddles (19). 8 - Vehicle according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 sets, characterized in that the three saddles (19) and (20) are each provided with a holding handle (18). 9 - Vehicle according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 sets, characterized in that a treadle (8) is fixed, for the comfort of the central passenger, perpendicular to the tube (5) him - even secured at its ends to the tubes (4) and (3). 10 - Vehicle according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 sets, characterized in that the saddles (19) and (20) are replaced by a seat (25).  1 1 - Vehicle according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 sets, characterized in that an advertising panel is fixed to the rear of the tricycle as well as to the rear of its module in the area determined by the space between the tubes (2) and (3) for the height and by the space between the two internal axes of the rear wheels (15) for the width. 12 - Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the handlebar (9) of the tricycle is provided with an articulated device (10) of a known type but not illustrated, located above the steering column (12) allowing thus folding the handlebars towards the saddles (19). 13 - Vehicle according to claims 1, 12 sets, characterized in that the handlebars (9) is wide enough to ensure on the one hand the maintenance of passengers and on the other hand the steering by all or part thereof. 14 - Vehicle according to claims 1, 2, 10, 11 sets, characterized in that a holding bar (24), intended for passengers of the module (B) who do not wish to use the handles (18) of saddle, is fixed on the tube (4).