GB2484091A

GB2484091A - Multi-track vehicle and carriage for adapting vehicle.

Info

Publication number: GB2484091A
Application number: GB1016331.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eric Read
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-09-29
Filing date: 2010-09-29
Publication date: 2012-04-04
Also published as: GB201016331D0

Abstract

A carriage 100 is attachable to a vehicle 20 such as a bicycle, the carriage 100 comprising two wheels 180, one of which is drivable, joint means 140 for allowing the carriage 100 to pivot relative to the vehicle 20 about a first axis substantially parallel to a direction of movement of the vehicle 20 and carriage 100 in use, and power transfer means 160 for supplying torque to at least one of the wheels 180 to drive it thereby. Also claimed is a vehicle so-formed. The vehicle may take the form of a bicycle rickshaw.

Description

A carriage attachable to a vehicle The present invention relates generally to a carriage attachable to a vehicle, a vehicle comprising a front part and a rear part and a method of converting a bicycle or tricycle to a vehicle comprising a front part and a rear part and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in the field of pedal powered vehicles.

Pedal powered rickshaws are known which comprise a seat, handlebars and pedals for the driver and a carriage behind for carrying passengers and/or goods. The carriage typically has two wheels provided on an axle. The rickshaw is typically driven by the driver turning the pedals thus moving a chain which passes over a cog provided on the axle and thus turning the rear wheels.

However, such vehicles may tilt and risk toppling over during cornering if their speed is above a certain amount. This can lead to uncomfortable travelling in the case of the former outcome and can be dangerous in the case of the latter.

The present invention provides improvements to the known rickshaw as will be explained herein.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a carriage attachable to a vehicle, the carriage comprising two wheels, at least one of which is drivable, joint means for allowing the carriage to pivot relative to the vehicle about a first axis substantially parallel to a direction of movement of the vehicle and carriage in use, and power transfer means for supplying torque to at least one of the wheels to drive it thereby.

The term "drive" is used to mean to rotate the wheel and thus impel the carriage in a particular direction.

Only one of the rear wheels may be drivable.

The joint allows for the front vehicle and the rear carriage to rotate relative to one another. This means that when cornering the vehicle will tilt over relative to the rear carriage but due to the wider wheel base of the carriage, relative to the vehicle, both rear wheels will remain in contact with the ground surface over which it is travelhng and therefore remain substantially vertical. This prevents topphng over of the carriage and generally provides a smoother ride for passengers/goods therein, and for the driver, as the vehicle may behave in a similar manner to that of a typical bicycle while cornering.

To further avoid overturning of the carriage, the carriage may include rotation limiting means to limit the pivoting of the carriage relative to the vehicle about the first axis. The rotation limiting means may comprise springs or stops.

The first axis may also be defined as parallel to the ground (and/or horizontal) and perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the wheels.

The carriage may have a minimum width (measured along the axis of rotation of the two wheels) in the range of 400mm to 800mm, more particularly in a range of 500 to 700mm, and in one embodiment of approximately 65 0mm.

The vehicle may be a bicycle or a tricycle, having only one front wheel, and the carriage may be arranged to be attached to the vehicle in place of the vehicle's rear wheel(s). Other forms of vehicle are contemplated such as mopeds, motorbikes and quad bikes. It is possible that the rear wheel(s) of the vehicle remain in place.

The joint means may prevent pivoting of the carriage relative to the vehicle about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.

The second axis may be substantially parallel to a surface on which the vehicle and carriage arrangement travels in use, The joint may substantially only allow rotation about the first axis. The carriage may include means for substantially preventing rotation about any other axis.

The carriage may further comprise attachment means for attaching the carriage to the vehicle. The attachment means may include a clamp for clamping onto the vehicle, although means are contemplated such as the use of bolts, interlocking male and female members etc. The attachment means may include the joint means. The attachment means may be a bar with the joint located along its length.

The power transfer means may include a cog, pulley, sprocket or shaft rotatable by a torque provider. The torque provider may include a chain, belt, band or rod driven by pedals provided on the vehicle. Alternatively, or additionally, the torque provider may include a motor.

A portion of the power transfer means may be arranged within a portion of the attachment means. For instance a drive shaft may be provided within the attachment means. In this way, any relative rotation between the vehicle and carriage will not substantially affect the transfer of torque from the torque provider, such as the pedals, and the rear wheel(s). Alternatively, a portion of the attachment means may be provided inside the power transfer means.

The attachment means may be the only inextensible connection between the front vehicle and the rear carriage.

The torque provider may be located on either the carriage or the vehicle.

The carriage may include a set of gears in mechanical association with the power transfer means. These gears may be standard bicycle gears.

In the case of more than one rear wheel being driven by the power transfer means, the carriage may include differential means to allow the rear wheel to rotate at different speeds. In one embodiment, only one rear \vheel is driven.

The carriage may include carrying means adapted for carrying a passenger and/or goods. Such carrying means may include a seat or a shelf or the like.

The carriage may be retrofittable to an existing vehicle such as a bicycle or tricycle.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a carriage in accordance with the first aspect in combination with a vehicle wherein the vehicle is a bicycle or a tricycle. The combination may be termed a three-wheeled conveyance.

In a third aspect, the invention provides a conveyance comprising a front part and a rear part, the front part having at least one wheel and the rear part having at least two rear wheels, wherein the front and rear parts are pivotable relative to one another substantially only about an axis parallel relative to a direction of movement of the conveyance in use, and wherein the front part includes a torque provider, and the conveyance includes power transfer means for supplying torque from the torque provider to at least one of the rear wheels to drive it thereby.

The front part may have only one wheel for contact with the ground in use.

The conveyance may only include one front wheel and two rear wheels in contact with the ground in use. The power transfer means may supply torque from the torque provider to only one of the rear wheels to drive it thereby. Alternatively, the power transfer means may supply torque from the torque provider to one or more of the rear wheels to drive it/them thereby.

The torque provider may include a set of pedals. Other features may be included as described with respect to the first aspect.

In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a method of converting a bicycle or tricycle to a conveyance comprising a front part and a rear part, the front part having at least one wheel and the rear part having at least two wheels, wherein the front and rear parts are pivotable relative to one another substantially only about an axis substantially parallel relative to a direction of movement of the conveyance in use, the method comprising the steps of providing a bicycle or tricycle as the front part and providing a carriage as the rear part, removing the rear wheel(s) from the bicycle or tricycle, attaching the carriage to the bicycle or tricycle, and providing power transfer means to supply torque to at least one of the wheels of the carriage.

The front part may have only one wheel for contact with the ground in use.

The power transfer means may be integral with the carriage. The power transfer means may supply torque from the torque provider to only one of the rear \vheels to drive it thereby.

The method may further include the step of attaching the drive chain from the bicycle or tricycle to the power transfer means.

The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is an elevational view of one embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of part of an embodiment of a vehicle similar to that shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a plan view of a part of an alternative vehicle.

The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

It is to be noticed that the term "comprising", used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and B" should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device areA andB.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may refer to different embodiments.

Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics of any embodiment or aspect of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

Similarly it should be appreciated that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form yet further embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can he used in any combination.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth.

However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of

this description.

The invention will now be described by a detailed descrip don of several embodiments of the invention. It is clear that other embodiments of the invention can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit or technical teaching of the invention, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

In Figure 1 vehicle 10 includes a typical bicycle 20 comprising a frame 30, handlebars 40, saddle 50, front wheel 60, pedals 70, drive chain 80, drive cog 85 and seat stays 35. The bicycle 20 is shown with the rear wheel having been removed.

A carriage 100 is also shown in Figure 1. The carriage 100 includes a frame 110 supporting a seat or shelf 120 upon which a passenger or goods may rest. The frame is supported by an axle 175 at either end of which are located a wheel 180 for allowing the carriage to move. The axle 175 comprises a cartiage drive pulley 170. The carriage 100 is connected to the bicycle 10 by means of a link, in the form of a shaft or rod, 130.

This rod is affixed to the carriage frame 110 at one end. The two may be welded or bolted together etc. The other end of the substantially horizontal link 130 is attached to the bicycle 10. This may he by welding or bolting etc. In one embodiment, shown in more detail in Figure 2, the link 130 is bolted to, and between, the seat stays 35. The hnk 130 includes a joint 140 which allows a front portion of the link, and therefore the bicycle 20, to rotate relative to a tear portion of the link, and therefore the carriage 100.

The rotation may only be permitted about an axis parallel to the longitudinal length of the link 130.

An axle 86 (refer to Figure 2) is fitted to the bicycle 10. It is arranged substantially between the seat stays 35 but also extends to at least one side thereof outside the seat stays 35. The axle 86 supports a bicycle drive pulley 150 between the seat stays 35. It also supports a drive cog 85 arranged outside, and to one side of, the seat stays 35 (although, in one embodiment, the drive cog 85 may be located between the seat stays 35). The drive chain 80 on the bicycle 10 is arranged around this drive cog such that rotation of the pedals 70 causes rotation of the drive cog 85. As the bicycle pulley 150 is arranged on the axle 86 rotation of the drive cog 85 creates rotation of the axle 86 and thus rotation of the bicycle drive pulley 150.

A drive belt 160 is arranged around both the bicycle drive pulley 150 which may be described as a torque provider) and the carriage drive pulley 170. Accordingly, rotation of the bicycle drive pulley 150 causes rotation of the drive belt 160 (which may be described as a power transfer means) and thus rotation of the carriage drive pulley 170.

As the carriage drive pulley 170 is connected to the axle 175, its rotation creates rotation of the axle 175 and thus rotation of at least one of the rear wheels 180 thus driving the vehicle tO.

Figure 2 shows a slightI different embodiment to that of Figure 1. One difference is that the axle 86 is shown supporting a cassette of gears 185 on one side of, and outside of, the seat stays 35 in place of a single drive cog 85.

This cassette 185 is driven by the drive chain 80.

The axle 86 is also shown supporting the bicycle drive pulley 150 between the seat stays 35.

The axle 86, drive cog 185, bicycle drive pulley 150 arrangement may be fitted to an existing bicycle after removal of the rear wheel. Nuts 87 may be used to retain the arrangement thereto. The axle 86 may fit to the bicycle using the same brackets as for supporting the rear wheel. However, other means are contemplated.

The link 130 is also shown attached to the seat stays 35 of the bicycle, via a cross-member 135, and retained thereto by means of nuts and bolts 136. These may clamp around the seat stays (not shown) if no suitable apertutes ate available for bolts.

The link 130 includes a joint 140 which allows relative rotation between the portion nearest the bicycle 20 and the portion nearest the carriage 100 about an axis parallel with the length of the link 130 (and the portion of drive belt 160 visible in Figure 2).

The link is fixed to, or integral with, the frame 110 of the carriage 100.

The axle 175, supporting the wheels 180 (not shown), also supports the carriage drive pulley 170. The drive belt 160 is shown arranged around the carriage drive pulley and the bicycle drive pulley 150.

Although a belt 160 is depicted other forms are contemplated such as chains, ropes, wires, hands etc. The axle 175 includes relative rotation means 176 to allow the portion 1 75b of the axle to the right of the relative rotation means to rotate relative to the portion 1 75a of the axle to the left of the relative rotation means 176. Accordingly, when the vehicle travels in a direction other than a straight line (for example, during turns) there is no requirement for differentials as the two rear wheels will be permitted to travel at different rotational speeds.

In one embodiment, two axles are provided in place of a single axle 175. One axle may connect one wheel and the drive pulley 170 such that the wheel is driven, and the other axle may be relatively short such that it only supports the other wheel drive.

In another embodiment, the drive pulley 170 may be pivotable about the first axis, being substantially parallel to a direction of movement of the vehicle and carriage in use. This may he useful if it is not possible, or undesirable, to twist the drive belt 160 during cornering. In this case a constant velocity (or universal) joint may be provided between the drive pulley and the axle 175 such that if the drive pulley pivots relative to the first axis and/or the plane in which the radius of the rear wheels lie, torque may still be provided to one of the rear wheels.

The drive belt 160 extends around the link 130 such that a portion lies above it and a portion lies beneath it in use of the vehicle 10.

Although drive belts 160 and pulleys 150, 170 have been described it will be understood that chains and cogs could equally be used, or indeed other similar torque transferring means.

When the vehicle 10 takes a turn the bicycle part 20 will tend to tilt over as is well understood. However, the rear carriage part 100 \vill remain upright. The relative rotation between the two parts 20, 100 is permitted due to the joint 140 in the hnk 130.

This rotation means that the bicycle drive pulley 150 will tilt over relative to the carriage drive pulley 170 which means that a twist will develop in the belt 160. Due to the flexible nature of the belt 160 this will not cause problems even in tight turns, when relatively more tilting of the bicycle 20 occurs.

However, this twisting of the drive belt 160 may be ehminated by means of an alternative arrangement, one embodiment of\vhich is shown in Figure 3.

Although the cross-member 135 and axle 86 have been shown and described as separate items it is possible, in one embodiment, that they are integral in that link 130 is connected to the axle 86 or to the stays 35 co-axially with the axle 86.

In Figure 3, the general arrangement is similar to that shown in Figure 1 and 2.

However, one difference is that the axle 286 arranged between the seat stays 35 supports a bicycle drive cog 250. This bicycle drive cog 250 rotates, by means of interference of teeth thereon, with a drive shaft fore cog 255 arranged perpendicularly to the bicycle drive cog 250. Accordingly, rotation of the axle 286, by means of rotation of the pedals 70, rotates the bicycle drive cog 250 and thus the drive shaft fore cog 255.

The drive shaft fore cog 255 rotates, in turn, a drive shaft 260. This drive shaft supports, at its rear end, a drive shaft aft cog 270. This drive shaft aft cog 270 rotates, by interference of teeth thereon, a carriage drive cog 280 supported by the axle 275.

Thus rotation of the drive shaft 260 rotates the drive shaft aft cog 270 and so rotates the axle 275 and thus rotates one of the wheels 180.

A portion of the drive shaft 260 is shown located within the link 230. It may he supported therein with suitable bushes (not shown). An opening 233 in the link 230 at the forward (bicycle 20) end allows the drive shaft 260 to protrude through to engage, via the drive shaft fore cog, with the bicycle drive cog 250. Similarly, an opening 213, in the link 233 (or carriage frame 210) at the rearward (carriage 100) end allows the drive shaft to extend through to the axle 275.

The link 230 includes a joint 240 which allows relative rotation between the portion nearest the bicycle 20 and the portion nearest the carriage tOO about an axis parallel with the length of the hnk 230 (and the drive shaft 260).

The link 230 is fixed to, or integral with, the frame 210 of the carriage 100.

The axle 273 includes relative rotation means 276 to allow the portion 273b of the axle to the right of the relative rotation means to rotate relative to the portion 275a of the axle to the left of the relative rotation means 276. Accordingly, when the vehicle travels in a direction other than a straight line (for example, during turns) there is no requirement for differentials as the two rear wheels will be travelling at different rotational speeds.

The arrangement shown in Figure 3 is schematic in that it does not include all the details showing how the drive shaft aft cog 270 and drive shaft 260 are supported and/or housed. However, these are details which a skilled person \vill address without any difficulty.

The various embodiments discussed with reference to Figure 2 may also be employed with the embodiments shown and discussed \vith reference to Figure 3.

Claims

Claims I. A carriage attachable to a vehicle, the carriage comprising two wheels, at least one of which is drivable, joint means for allowing the carriage to pivot relative to the vehicle about a first axis substantially parallel to a direction of movement of the vehicle and carriage in use, and power transfer means for supplying torque to at least one of the wheels to drive it thereby.
2. The carriage of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a bicycle or a tricycle and the carriage is arranged to be attached to the vehicle in place of the vehicle's rear wheel(s).
3. The carriage of any preceding claim, wherein the joint means prevent pivoting of the carriage relative to the vehicle about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.
4. The carriage of claim 3, wherein the second axis is substantially parallel to a surface on which the vehicle and carriage arrangement travels in use.
5. The carriage of any preceding claim, further comprising attachment means for attaching the carriage to the vehicle.
6. The carriage of claim 5, wherein the attachment means includes a clamp for clamping onto the vehicle.
7. The carriage of either one of claims 5 and 6, wherein the attachment means includes the joint means.
8. The carriage of any preceding claim, wherein the power transfer means includes a cog, pulley, sprocket or shaft rotatable by a torque provider.
9. The carriage of claim 8, wherein the torque provider is located on either the carriage or the vehicle.
10. The carriage of either one of claims 8 and 9, when dependent, either directly or indirectly, on claim 5, wherein a portion of the power transfer means is arranged within a portion of the attachment means.
11. The carriage of any preceding claim, including a set of gears in mechanical association with the power transfer means.
12. The carriage of any preceding claim, including carrying means adapted for carrying a passenger and/or goods.
13. The carriage according to any preceding claim in combination with a vehicle \vherein the vehicle is a bicycle or a tricycle.
14. A conveyance comprising a front part and a rear part, the front part having at least one wheel and the rear part having at least two rear wheels, wherein the front and rear parts are pivotable relative to one another substantially only about an axis parallel relative to a direction of movement of the conveyance in use, and wherein the front part includes a torque provider, and the conveyance includes power transfer means for supplying torque from the torque provider to at least one of the rear wheels to drive it thereby.
15. The conveyance of claim 14, \vherein the front part has only one wheel for contact with the ground in use.
16. The conveyance of either one of claims 14 and 15, wherein the torque provider includes a set of pedals.
17. A method of converting a bicycle or tricycle to a conveyance comprising a front part and a rear part, the front part having at least one wheel and the rear part having at least two wheels, wherein the front and rear parts are pivotable relative to one another substantially only about an axis substantially parallel relative to a direction of movement of the conveyance in use, the method comprising the steps of providing a bicycle or tricycle as the front part and providing a carriage as the rear part, removing the rear wheel(s) from the bicycle or tricycle, attaching the carriage to the bicycle or tricycle, and providing power transfer means to supply torque to at least one of the wheels of the carriage.
18. The method of claim 17, further including the step of attaching the drive chain from the bicycle or tricycle to the power transfer means.
19. A carriage attachable to a vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
20. A conveyance comprising a front part and a rear part substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
21. A method of converting a bicycle or tricycle to a conveyance comprising a front part and a rear part substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.