GB2476301A

GB2476301A - Multiple rider cycle transmission

Info

Publication number: GB2476301A
Application number: GB0922182A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lucas Roberson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-12-21
Filing date: 2009-12-21
Publication date: 2011-06-22
Also published as: GB0922182D0

Abstract

A multiple rider human powered vehicle comprises a plurality of pedal assemblies (a) driving a pair of respective shafts (b) running longitudinally along the vehicle. A right angle gear (R) is attached to each shaft (b) at an end. A transverse connecting shaft (c) is connected between the two longitudinal shafts (b). This single connecting shaft (c) may carry a sprocket (v) to provide a chain drive transmission to a wheel or two wheels which will drive the vehicle. The connecting shaft (c) may be of a length to allow the longitudinal shafts (b) to be laterally spaced apart, liberating usable space along the centre of the vehicle.

Description

Description of Invention Page 1

Introduction & background

MulitpersOfl cycles have been in existence for almost as long as cycling. Multi-person quadricydes (4-wheel cycles) have been in existence for over a century. Multi-person cycles were people are facing perpendicular to the direction of travel have also been around for many years. This invention addresses a particular problem with the later.

Muth person Quadricylces where cyclists are seated perpendicular to the direction of travel Such cycles provide amusement for riders and on-lookers alike. This type of quadricycle may have any number of people, from 4 to as many as 40 seated in 2 parrallel rows. The cyclists with this type of cycle will be facing each other or sometimes with their backs to each other. Yet in both cases their facing and their positioning is perpendiclar to the direction of travel. And perpendicular to the cycles axis along its length from front to back.

Statement of invention

Cycling points are positioned into 2 parallel rows. The number of seats in the rows may vary.

Each cyclist on their seat turns a chain through a regular cycle chain and crank set and with a regular cycling motion. The chain for each cyclist on its row will meet a central crank shaft for that row only. There is acentral crank shaft for each of the 2 opposite rows. Each central crank shaft will receive the power from all of the cyclists on that row. The central cranks for each side run in parallel along the length of the centre of the cycle.

The power for each of the 2 central cranks is joined directly and solely through a gear. Both central cranks must run close together and parrallel so that both the central cranks fit the comon gear.This common gear combines the *.. power from the 2 central cranks. From this gear, power is then transmitted to the road wheel or wheels of the cycle. The Pedibus transmission mechanism allows the 2 central cranks to be separated from each *....: other. The Pedibus transmission mechanism allows these 2 central cranks to be positioned at any position across * the width of the cycles' body. 0**S

: Advantages of the Pedibus transmission mechanism *. This allows the cyclists chains to drop directly below the cyclist leaving the maximum possible surface area on the deck for other use as a platform without interference from the cycling chains. This allows the chains which connect * from the cyclists cycling point to the central crank to be much shorter and easier to repair and maintain. This * *** allows the same chains to be easily covered and completely safe from obstruction, damage and inteference. S*

Decsription Of Invention This invention will be decribed in terms of how existing technology works for the transmission for this type of cycle and how the new technology (invention) improves the functionability of this type of cycle.

Existing Technology Figure 3 shows a cross section illustration of how the transmission mechanism for this type of multiperson quadricycle works and figure 4 illustrates the same with an aerial veiw. In figure 3 a cyclist turns the pedas.The pedals are part of a standard cycling chain set and crank (a). The cycle chain (e) runs from the chain set (a) to a central crank (b). A cyclist turning the pedals in a regular cycling motion will drive the chain (e) and thus drive the central crank (b). Figure 4 illustrates the same process from above, showing a series of cycling points for the 2 rows of cycle points.

Each central crank (b) will receive the total power of all the cyclists pedaling on that row. The opposite row of cycle points works in exactly the same, but in reflection. The power provided to the central cranks (b) is combined through a gear box (j). From this gearbox U) power is then delivered to the driving road wheel or wheels.

Central cranks (b) are necessarily postioned at close proximity to connect to their common gear box (j) which combines the power from the 2 central cranks (b), which will ultimately drive the cycle.

The disavantages of this system are: 1.The chains have to be long to reach the centre which creates problems with maintenance and chains slipping off. 2.As in figure 3.a deck (h) has to be built above the chains and high from the ground if the middle area is to be used. Rendering the cycle less functional. 3. The longer chains are more exposed to interefernce and damage, and will need need more maintenance and repair. 4. Repairs of the central cranks (b) are more time consuming because more of the cycle needs to be dismantled to access these cranks.

Description of Invention Page 2

The New Technology Figure 5 shows a cross-section view of how the Pedibus transmission mechanism works. Figure 6 shows an aerial view of the same. In figure 5 the pedals are part of a standard cycling chain set and crank (a). A cycle chain (e) runs from the chain set (a) to a non-central crank (b). As with the old techno'ogy a cyclist turning the pedals in a regular cycling motion will drive the chain (e) and thus drive the crank (b). But crank (b) is not postioned in the centre.

Crank (b) can be positioned any where along the width of the body of the cycle. The Pedibus transmission mechanism (p) allows the cranks (b) to be separate and positioned at any distance apart. In figures 5 & 6. The position of the cranks (b) is directly under the cyclists.

The Pedibus transmission mechanism (P) works as follows: Each crank (b) is coupled to a right angle gear (R).The right angle gear will then change the direction of rotation of the crank (b) by 90 degrees. The right angle (R) will also be coupled to a connecting shaft (c). The connecting shaft (c) will be coupled to another right angle gear (R) on the opposite side.This right angle gear (R) will connect to the opposing crank (b). The power of the cranks (b) are now combined through the rightangle gears (R) and the connecting shaft (c). The connecting shaft (c) now contains all the torque delivered to both cranks (b),which originally came from the cyc'ing. On the connecting shaft (c) is a sprocket (v). Sprocket (v) can be used to deliver power to the driving road wheel through a chain. The length of connecting shaft (c) can be changed to define the postion of the parallel cranks (b). This is not possible with the old technology or without the Pedibus transmission **, mechanism.

* : The advantages of the Pedibus transmission mechanism are: 1. A broad deck (h) as in figure 5 can contain all the transmission components and create a large useable central * : deck space This deck space can be lower to the ground, making it more useable.

2. Each crank (b) can be maintained and checked easily and quickly. The chains leading to the cranks (b) can be short * and non-obstructive.

3. Less energy is lost through the Pedibus transmission mechanism as a result of their not being a gearbox U) as . in figure 4.

* Futher Illustrations Figure 7 shows an aerial view of the Pedibus transmission mechanism positioned within the body of a 4 wheel cycle. Figure 8 shows a cross section view of the Pedibus transmission mechanism positioned within the body of a 4 wheel cycle.

Claims

Claims 1. A transmission mechanism to allow two parallel cranks on a quadricycle to be separated beyond the distance of their connecting gear.
2. A transmission mechanism which connects the two separate cranks as described in 1. and easily allows the cranks to run parallel at any distance from each other.
3. A transmission mechanism as described in 1 & 2 which can be coupled to the two separate cranks through a set of shaft couplers.
4. The use of right angle gears and a shaft connecting these two right angle gears to provide scope for setting and, allowing the two Parallel cranks to be of any parallel distance apart.