GB2457919A

GB2457919A - Vehicle propelled by combined seat and treadle action

Info

Publication number: GB2457919A
Application number: GB0803687A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rocky Jenlon Lee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-02-29
Filing date: 2008-02-29
Publication date: 2009-09-02
Also published as: GB0903099D0; GB2457809A; GB2457809B; GB0803687D0

Abstract

The vehicle has a treadle 71 and a seat 70 connected such that propulsion is generated by alternate downward seat and treadle movement, the downward movement of one causing return movement of the other. The output from the seat 70 and treadle 71 has step-up gearing to magnify driving stroke and drives two one-way devices on rear wheel or wheels on a continuous cycle. The seat 70 and treadle can be connected by a transmission such as gearing, chains, sprockets, the seat being on arms such that it move arcuately downwards against a spring 75a or on a parallel arm linkage for vertical movement. Alternatively, the seat 70 and treadle 71 are directly coupled by the seat arms. This propulsion does not require input from a handlebar which provides merely steering control.

Description

SPECIFICATION

TITLE OF INVENTION

A Push and Pull Vehicle by Stand-and-Sit Action

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Field of the invention

This invention relates to a push-and-pull action to power a vehicle or a body weight operated scooter, By handlebar's pulling back and pushing forward to make body stand-up and sit-down, this invention makes vehicle moving forward. Normally, a push-and-pull vehicle which handlebar needs to handle pushing or pulling action and steering action at same time, it makes complicate on steering mechanism. This invention work at opposite side force of a push and pull action: use hand and body weight push a moving seat which is major reaction force on a hand pushing action, so as to the feet which is major base support when in a pulling action. This invention achieves same result as a man powered push-pull vehicles and avoid its complicate steering mechanism; Since no push-pull involve on steering, this invention can be applied any kind of steering mechanism vehicle. By pushing on a fixed handlebar together with body weight sitting down to a moving seat, the moving seat drives vehicle forward, also by pulling handlebar together with standing up on a treadle, the body weight push down the treadle and drivers vehicle forward. A pushing sitting action and a pulling standing action refer to a swing action hereafter. The treadle and moving seat like a seesaw which rocks or a swing output gear or sprocket with a leverage, it makes the vehicle moving forward and at same time the handlebar steers front wheel(s) to turn vehicle direction by turning left and right as a normal bicycle way.

Brief Description of the Prior Art.

The US patent 5192089, Paddle Operate Scooter has a seesaw standing paddle, and uses one foot to push front end of the seesaw peddle and another foot push at rear end of the seesaw peddle, and both link to their chain to drive each one-way sprocket at each side of rear wheel to power scooter forward. It needs a user stand at lateral posture because two foot stand at a straight line direction while upper body and both hands at left-and-right direction, this makes it difficult to maneuver and get tired and uncomfortable at waist, shoulder and neck because a body twisting posture. Even though, steps on a seesaw peddle only work on two legs mussel, it is nothing new other than a regular bicycle, and get boring and uncomfortable very quick.

This invention adding a moving seat at rear end of the seesaw paddle and design a user both hands pulling on handlebar together with both feet standing up at front end of seesaw paddle to drive vehicle forward, and use both hand to push, same time uses hip to sit on said moving seat at rear end of seesaw, use push and body weight to drive vehicle forward continuously. It just like: holding on a bar, repeats standing up and sitting down action to make vehicle move forward. It uses hands, arms, stomach, waist, legs and feet all the time with a balanced posture, it makes vehicle running mostly by body weight, it is easy and faster speed, good exercise and fun. Also, this invention provides same result as a man-powered push-and-pull vehicle with a way of regular bicycle steering. Also this invention can be applied on steering by tipping steenng post left and right type steering vehicle because steering post no need to swing back and forth to generate power.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of this invention A Push and Pull Vehicle by Stand-and-Sit Action is to provide a solid turning, fast reaction steering feeling as a regular bicycle while still able to push or to pull or do both to drive vehicle forward, It just works on opposite side force of pulling and pushing by stand-up and sit-down actions. It contains a handlebar with a steering column on steering, a treadle and a moving seat working together as leverage against each other, and with an increasing gear ratio device to magnify driving stroke and drives 2 one-way devices on rear wheel at a continuous cycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

Fig. I shows this invention swing device and with slanting moving seat type at end of pushing state.

Fig. Ia shows a chain tension sprocket changes rotation at another side of rear wheel.

Fig. 2 shows this invention on connecting means on two pivotal shafts at end of pushing state.

Fig. 3 shows this invention with vertical moving seat type at end of pulling state.

Fig. 4 shows a top view of this invention with treadle pivot shaft and moving seat pivot shaft and increasing gear ratio device.

Fig. 5 shows a side view of a seesaw beam type, moving seat with a big gear drives increasing gear ratio device.

Fig. 6 shows a transparent side view of a single pivot shaft type.

Fig. 7 shows a top view of this invention with single pivot shaft and increasing gear ratio device.

Fig. 8 shows a foldable front wheel assembly and vertical treadle type with a seesaw angled beam.

Drawing number list: I swing column, 3 front wheel, 5 chassis, 6 chain, 6a chain, 7 one-way device, 7a one-way device, 8 rear wheel, 14 handlebar, 25 increasing gear ratio device, 60 A Push and Pull Vehicle by Stand-and-Sit Action, 61 Front wheel assembly, 63 rear wheel assembly, 68 swing device, 68a swing output gear, 70 moving seat, 70a moving seat lever arm, 70b moving seat pivotal shaft, 71 treadle, 7] a treadle lever arm, 71 b treadle pivotal shaft, 72 tension shaft, 72a sprocket, 72b sprocket, 73 two lever arms connecting means, 73a seesaw beam, 73b single pivotal shaft, 73c gear, 73d chain, 73e gear set, 73f gear, 74 sprocket output, 75 stopper, 75a stopper cushion, 76 shaft, 77 gear, 78 shaft, 79 multiple gear, 80 multiple gear, 81 shifter, 82 shifter lock, 84 long key, 85 shaft sleeve, 86 pin, 87 nut, 88 section of big gear.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Refer to Fig. 1, A Push and Pull Vehicle by Stand-and-Sit Action 60, comprises of a chassis 5, a front wheel assembly 61 with steering mechanism controlled by a handlebar 14 at front end of said chassis 5, a rear wheel assembly 63 containing two one-way device 7, 7a driving on rear wheel 8, a swing device 68 on said chassis 5 between front assembly 61 and rear wheel assembly 63 and containing a drive means 68a such as gear or sprocket or pulling chain to drive an increasing gear ratio device 25, said increasing gear ratio output drives said two one-way device 7, 7a on rear wheel assembly 63 with one switching direction and another straight connection; as Fig Ia shows, an idler shaft 72 with sprocket 72a, 72b at outside of the chain loop 6 keeps chain 6 tension, also changes rotation direction at sprocket 72b to drive another one-way device at the other side of rear wheel 8. Said swing device 68 comprises of a treadle 71 connects with a lever arm 71 a which having a pivotal shaft 71 b supported by bearings on said chassis 5, a moving seat connects with a lever arm 70a which having a pivotal shaft 70b supported by bearings on said chassis 5; both lever arm been connected each other by a connection means 73 such as chains, sprockets or gears which makes said treadle's torque against said moving seat's torque, and one of said pivotal shaft 70b or 71 b contains said swing output means 68a to drive said increasing gear ratio device 25, by grasp on said handlebar 14, do pull-stand-up on said treadle 71 and push-sit-down to said moving seat 70 and use pushing, pulling and body weight work on said swing device 68 and powers said vehicle 60 moving forward.

When pushing action, whole body weight land on moving seat 70 by hip as Fig 2 shows and push down to drive swing output gear 68a turning, same time the feet peddle 71 has no body weight and been raised up because gear 73c connects to gear 73f as Fig 2 shows, so as rear wheel chain 6a reverse rotation to reset pulling cycle. When pulling action, cause whole body stand-up by feet on the treadle 71 as Fig 3 shows and leave moving seat 70 no body weight and been raised up to reset the pushing cycle, so as chain 6 reverse rotation to reset its cycle, and cycle continues.

Said front wheel assembly 61 with a steering mechanism includes a single front wheel type as bicycle, tricycle type which contains a handlebar, a steering column, a front wheel on a front wheel fork; or a two front wheel type which contains a handlebar, a steering column, and linkage to link two front wheels.

Said handlebar 14 can be any shape and size with a steering column 1, provides a user holding place to make stand up or sit down action and control forward direction. Said steering column I is a long bar, and can be any shape for a rigid design, or a telescope type with adjustable locking device as a hand-pull luggage's pulling handle device for a leverage adjustment; The rear wheel assembly 63 includes a single wheel type as bicycle, or a two-wheel type as a tricycle or a car type. It contains two one-way devices 7, 7a, in same direction for vehicle coasting; one of one-way device for pulling action, another for pushing action which switches direction before connection or vise versa, To switching rotation direction, it adds one more driving gear, or driven by outside of a chain loop as Fig I a showed. To save space, it also partial containing said increasing gear ratio device 25 to magnify the swing stroke and a gear shifting device to speed up to a proper speed if needed.

The chassis 5 holds the front wheel assembly 61, the pivot support for swing device 68, the rear wheel assembly 63 at back side and also supports some of the idler as needed; it can be any shape as needed, Preferable as Fig 4 shows, by 2 parallel plates which allows swing lever arm at outside of frame, and let inside room for increasing gear ratio device and chains to drive rear gear (as illustrated) or vise versa, or both inside of base frame. The chassis 5 also includes all kind of frame type as a single front-wheel as a scooter, tricycle and tow-front wheel type as a quads etc., all refer to the chassis 5 hereafter.

The increasing gear ratio device magnified the stroke big enough to speed up vehicle. By gear, sprocket, belt or some special device etc, there are many ways to increasing gear ratio to magnified stroke and impractical list all. One example on increasing gear ratio device 25 consists of a small gear together with a big gear as a gear set which rotates free on its shaft, and let one set's big gear meshes to another set's small gear, and continue this arrangement till reach to a gear ratio needed to match up the rear wheel dimension. Preferable but not limited by. make a 45 degree swing per second from treadle 71 or moving seat 70, and generates 5 to 10 mile per hour speed on a 12" rear wheel, it may need gear ratio over 32 times, It can be arrange at any suitable location to fit any type vehicle application, or be arranged a pre-increase gear ratio before reaching gear shifting device, this arrangement solves most of heavy load at beginning gears and make easy on down stream devices such as gear shifting, one-way gear or one-way bearing etc. It also apply many types drive means as: gear drive, chain and sprocket drive, belt friction drive, timing belt type etc; the gear size in the increasing gear ratio device may vary in size to meet specific gear ratio needed or for a same shaft center dimension between 2 meshed gears to slide a gear for shifting, or gear may attached a sprocket to convert to a chain drive type to transmit power on a longer distance reason. Said increasing gear ratio output diverts into two driving force, one of them switched direction then both drive the rear wheel one-way device 7, 7a at rear wheel 8 shaft. Also, it may include an available gear shifting device such as bicycle gear selector etc, to achieve vehicle proper speed and torque.

Said moving seat frame can be any shape, preferable as a fork shape as Fig] shows to avoid any mechanical interference. Refer to Fig 4 said connects at one end of lever arm 70a which is preferable on each side of chassis and forms as a pair of lever arm 70a for balance reason, another end of said lever arm 70a solid connects to its pivotal shaft 70b which according to condition need, may goes through (as illustrated) on said chassis bearings and solid connects to another side of lever arm 70a, or both side of lever arm 70a solid connects to its own pivot shaft 70b which is supported by each side chassis bearing; one type of said moving seat is fixed on its lever arm 70a or as one body, and slanting following pivot center when turns as Fig I showed which may help hand-pushing angle; another type is keeping said moving seat 70 moving vertically all the time as Fig 2, Fig 3 shown for a comfortable ride. Refer to Fig 2 and Fig 3, there are 2 hinges above pivot shaft 70b, 2 hinges under moving seat side and two parallel bars above two lever arm 70a, and make parallelogram all the time when lever arm 70a turns, this make one side vertical all the time to provide moving seat 70 vertically. Fig I shows moving seat 70 is one part with lever arm 70a, so whole seat swings at swing output gear 73 center point. For a compact arrangement the seat can be detached from seat socket for easy storage as Fig 8 shows. In order to keep smooth at end of swing stroke, there is a cushion spring 75a to keep seat comfortable ride.

Also Fig 4, said treadle 71 connects at one end of lever arm 71a which is preferable on each side of chassis and forms as a pair for balance reason, another end of lever arm 71 a solid connects its pivotal shaft 71 b which same condition as moving seat mentioned, goes through said chassis (not illustrated) or has individual pivot support on each side of chassis according to situation need (as illustrated); one type of said treadle 71 is fixed on said lever arm 71a, and slant following pivot center when turns as Fig 6 showed which help feet step down angle; another type keeps treadle moving vertical all the time as described parallelogram method for a comfortable ride as Fig 8 shows. Treadle 71 can be a round bar, plate, platform or any shape, let feet step down and generate torque.

Said treadle pivotal shaft 71b and moving seat pivotal shaft 70b are solid connected with its own lever arm 70a, 71a and full supported by bearings on chassis 5, also by condition, one or both pivotal shafts can be setup to connect said swing output gear 68a to drive said increasing gear ratio device 25; Furthermore, since both pivotal shafts 70b, 71b are separately independent to drive said increasing gear ratio device input, the treadle lever arm 71 a and moving seat lever arm 70a can be setup rotate clockwise or anticlockwise direction, depend on space or increasing gear ratio device condition. In order to reset cycle by each other, said pivotal shaft 70b, 71 b are connected each other by a connection means 73 such as gears, linkages or sprockets, and in a way makes a seesaw effect which reset each other on each action cycle as Fig 4 shown, also Fig 2 shows said connection means including gear 73c on pivot shaft 70b, a chain 73d to a gear set 73e then a gear 73f on pivot shaft 71b, this also makes a motion ratio adjustment between moving seat and treadle 71 by different ratio to get best comfortable working action balance because sitting a longer time on each cycle may more comfortable than standing. Also according to space available, either pivotal shaft 70b or 7lb or both can be set up to attach with said pivot gear 68a which is a starting gear to drive said increasing gear ratio device 25.

Said moving seat pivot shaft 70b and said treadle pivot shaft 71b can be combined as one pivotal shaft 73b and forms a seesaw beam 73a shape as prior art states, or seesaw beam 73a forms an angle (preferable between 120 to 180 degree) between two lever arms for a lower pivotal shaft application as Fig 6 shows. Said seesaw beam 73a front end supports treadle 71, rear end supports moving seat 70, seesaw's single pivotal shaft 73b is supported by bearings (not illustrate) on said chassis 5.

Furthermore, said drive means 68a can be by rotating means on pivotal shaft 73b such as a gear, a sprocket, a pulley, a timing gear; or by pulling matters such as chains, cables at lever arm both ends. Fig 5 shows a rotating means by a section of a big gear 88 connecting behind seat frame drives a small gear, and attach a bigger gear which drives a chain to said increasing gear ratio device 25; this is same effect as a big gear from pivot shaft 73b. As for a pulling matter application a chains links under said treadle 71 and another chain links under moving seat 70, both chains been guided by some idlers to encircle inputs sprocket of said increasing gear ratio device and the other end of each chain hold by a return spring (not illustrate) on said chassis.

Fig 4, 6, 7 shows only one example of many ways of increasing gear ratio, gear shifting and switch rotation method all together. Refer to Fig 7 is a top view, Fig 6 is a transparent side view for reference purpose; step down treadle 71 makes moving seat 70 rising up for next seat action cycle; since single pivotal shaft 73b solid connection with two swing output gears 68a drive 2 gear sets which free rotate on shaft, and increase partial gear ratio, then both turn gear 77 one from gear mesh one from shaft 75; This will take most of heavy load by double driving at same time. Gear 77 increases another partial of gear ratio again and finally meshes to long gear 79 which has 3 different gears as one part in a difference position for gear shifting. (One with 4 times gear width, another with 2 times gear width). Gear 79 mashes with gear 80 which has 3 different gears in one part with each in a difference location. (The biggest one with 2 gear width). Gear 80 controlled by a fork on shifter 81. Different space makes one gear move out meshing before next gear engages in to avoid meshing 2 difference gear ratios at same time. Shifter 81 can be rest at pre-determine position by gear selector 82. There is a shaft sleeve 85 to keep shifter 81's shaft short to prevent stick out when shifting. Gear 80 drives a long key way 84 with sprocket 74 which drive one-way device 7. There is a tension shaft 72 connects sprocket 72a and 72b. Since 72a engaging at outside of chain 6, it switches rotation direction and through chain 6a drives one-way device 7a. Both one-way devices are same direction to rear wheel and make 7a is driving forward and 7 is reversing and coasting. Same way works on hand-pushing and moving seat been push down by body weight cycle, this makes pivot gear rotate in reverse direction, finally makes one-way device 7 drives rear wheel while one-way device 7a is reversing and coasting.

The output of said increasing gear ratio device 25 or gear shifting device can be arranged to use sprocket tensioned sprocket for changing rotation as mention before, also can be arranged as 2 separate chains drive from the shaft of output gear 80; and only one changes direction by driving one more gear, then each chain drives each side of rear wheel one-way device to make continuous forward. Since both chains are in a circle loop, there is no need on a return spring to reset cycle: compare to reset cycle by return spring, this way will not waist energy work on return spring. In order to keep fast reset response, the return spring need to be strong and will waist energy.

Fig 8 show a foldable front wheel assembly, pin 86 locks whole assembly on chassis 5 by two selectable positions and been secured by a nut 87.

This invention also can be add the suspension system, brake system, lighting for Street legal, folding front wheel mechanism as a kick scooter does.

Claims

CLAIMWhat is claimed is: 1. A Push and Pull Vehicle by Stand-and-Sit Action, comprises of: a chassis, a front wheel assembly with steering mechanism controlled by a handlebar at front end of said chassis, a rear wheel assembly containing two one-way device driving on rear wheel, a swing device on said chassis between front assembly and rear wheel assembly and containing a drive means to drive an increasing gear ratio device which output connects said two one-way device on rear wheel assembly with one switching direction and another straight connection; in which, wherein said swing device comprises of a treadle connects with its lever arm which contains a pivotal shaft which is pivotal supported on said chassis, a moving seat connects with its lever arm which contains a pivotal shaft which is pivotal supported on said chassis, both pivotal shaft been connected each other by a connection means which makes said treadle torque against said moving seat torque, and at least one of said pivotal shaft contains said drive means to drive said increasing gear ratio device; by grasp on said handlebar, do pull-stand-up on said treadle and push-sit-down to said moving seat and use pushing, pulling and body weight work on said swing device and powers said vehicle moving forward.
2. A Push and Pull Vehicle by Stand-and-Sit Action as claimed as claim 1, wherein said drive means contains a rotating means which rotates around on its pivotal shaft to drive said increasing gear ratio device.
3. A Push and Pull Vehicle by Stand-and-Sit Action as claimed as claim 1, wherein said drive means contains one pulling matters links under said treadle and another pulling matter links under moving seat; both pull matters been guided by idlers to encircle inputs of said increasing gear ratio device and the other end of each said pulling matter hold by a return spring on said chassis.
4. A Push and Pull Vehicle by Stand-and-Sit Action as claimed as claim 1, wherein said treadle pivotal shaft and said moving seat pivotal shaft combine as one pivot shaft and forms a seesaw beam which has one pivotal supported on said vehicle chassis; in which said seesaw beam front end supports said treadle, seesaw beam rear end supports said moving seat, and pivot center contains said drive means,
5. A Push and Pull Vehicle by Stand-and-Sit Action as claimed as claim 2, wherein said seesaw beam forms an angle between treadle lever arm and moving seat lever arm on pivotal shaft.
6. A Push and Pull Vehicle by Stand-and-Sit Action as claimed as claim 1, wherein said treadle and its lever arm formed as one body, also moving seat and its lever arm forms as one body and to make said moving seat and said treadle rotate around its own pivotal center when swing.
7. A Push and Pull Vehicle by Stand-and-Sit Action as claimed as claim I, wherein said lever arm formed by a parallelogram linkage to keep said seat, said treadle moving in a vertical manner when swing.
8. A Push and Pull Vehicle by Stand-and-Sit Action as claimed as claim I, wherein said increasing gear ratio device forms two section arrangement, one for a heavy load section and another for fast speed section.
9. A Push and Pull Vehicle by Stand-and-Sit Action as claimed as claim 1, wherein said increasing gear ratio device contains a gear shifting device to change gear ratio and torque.
10. A Push and Pull Vehicle by Stand-and-Sit Action as claimed as claim 1, wherein said switching direction by an idler shaft which contains two sprockets, one is driven by outside loop of a driving chain, another sprocket drives a load by inside of a chain loop.