GB2533838A

GB2533838A - A folding bicycle

Info

Publication number: GB2533838A
Application number: GB1517177.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Craciun Petre
Original assignee: Hummingbird Bicycle Co Ltd
Current assignee: Hummingbird Bicycle Co Ltd
Priority date: 2015-09-29
Filing date: 2015-09-29
Publication date: 2016-07-06
Also published as: GB201517177D0

Abstract

A portable bicycle 100 includes a bicycle frame 101; a steering column 102 configured to mount a front wheel 105 and to mount handlebars 103; a rear wheel bracket 106 configured to mount a rear wheel 107; and a chain drive 111 configured to drive the rear wheel 107, wherein the chain drive 111 is configured to be rotationally driven by foot pedals 109 around an axis 110 on the frame 101. The rear wheel bracket 106 is configured to pivot around the chain drive axis 110 on the frame from an open position (figure 1) to a closed position (figure 3). The rear wheel bracket 106 may comprise an elliptical aperture (803, figure 8) such that some lateral movement of the rear wheel bracket 106 is permitted when the bicycle 100 is folded. The bicycle 100 may be held in its folded condition, at least partially, by the handlebars 103.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No. GII1517177.0 RTM Date:31 NT 2016 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Tern (page 1) Brompton (page 1) Airnimal (page 1) Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk /ipo A Folding Bicycle

Field of Invention

The present invention is in the field of bicycles. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a novel folding bicycle.

Background

For convenience in storage, and in transitioning between conveyances such as trains, buses, and other vehicles, several different types of folding bicycles have been developed.

One such type is the Tern Verge 30H. The bicycle frame is constructed out of aluminium and provides a pivot in the middle of the bicycle frame to rotate the two wheels of the bicycle into a folded state. The wheels are rotated around an axis lying in the plane of the bicycle frame. The weight of this bicycle is 10. 7kg.

Another type is the Brompton S2L. The bicycle frame is constructed out of steel and titanium, and hinges around a pivot near the rear of the pedal drive to convert the bicycle into a folded state. The rear wheel bracket rotates within the plane of the bicycle frame. The weight of this bicycle is 10.9kg.

Yet another type is the Airnimal Chameleon. The bicycle frame is constructed out of aluminium, and hinges around a pivot above the pedal drive to convert the bicycle into a folded state. The rear wheel bracket rotates within the plane of the bicycle frame. The weight of this bicycle is 10kg.

With folding bicycles there is always a desire for a lighter bicycle because the user often needs to carry the folded bicycle onto-and-off other vehicles.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a folding bicycle which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least provides a useful alternative.

Summary of Invention

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a portable bicycle, including: a bicycle frame; a steering column configured to mount a front wheel and to mount handlebars; a rear wheel bracket configured to mount a rear wheel; and a drive-train configured to drive the rear wheel, wherein the drive-train is configured to be driven by foot pedals around an axis on the frame; wherein the rear wheel bracket is configured to pivot around the drive-train 15 axis on the frame from an open position to a closed position.

Other aspects of the invention are described within the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1: shows a diagram of a folding bicycle in a constructed state in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2: shows a diagram of a folding bicycle in a partially collapsed/constructed state in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3: shows a diagram of a folding bicycle in a first collapsed state in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 4: shows a diagram of a folding bicycle in a second collapsed state in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figures 5 and 6: show diagrams of, at least part of, a rear wheel bracket for a folding bicycle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 7: shows a cut-away diagram of a rear wheel bracket on a folding bicycle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 8: shows a diagram of a plate for a rear wheel bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 9: shows a bottom view of a folding bicycle in a first collapsed state in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The present invention provides a folding bicycle which can be converted by a user of the bicycle between a constructed state and one or more collapsed (or folded) states.

The inventor has discovered that the pivot for a folding bicycle can be placed at the rotational pedal drive. This provides several advantages. Firstly, it would be desirable to manufacture the bicycle frame out of carbon fibre. A key disadvantage of carbon fibre is that additional material must be used at pivot points to ensure the pivot points are sufficiently strong. This requirement for additional material negates the light-weight advantages of carbon fibre. By placing the pivot point at the rotational pedal drive location, the reinforcement necessary for the pedal drive rotation provides dual-purpose. Secondly, when the rear wheel rotates around the pedal drive, the chain maintains the same tension. This means that a chain-tensioner is not necessary.

In Figure 1, a folding bicycle 100 in a constructed state in accordance with a 5 first embodiment of the invention is shown.

The bicycle 100 includes a bicycle frame 101. The bicycle frame 101 may be made of aluminium, steel, titanium, carbon fibre, or a combination of those materials or any other resilient materials. In one embodiment, the bicycle 10 frame 101 is made largely of carbon fibre.

The bicycle 100 includes a steering column 102. The steering column 102 may be configured to mount handlebars 103. The steering column 102 may mount the handlebars 103: via a hinge 103a to enable a user to fold the handlebars 103 into a collapsed state; via a detachable means such as a clasp or grip to enable a user to fold or retract (for example, via telescoping) the handlebars 103 into a collapsed state; via any other attachment mechanism which enables the user to fold or retract the handlebars 103 into a collapsed state; or, in one embodiment, via an attachment means which does not permit the handlebars 103 to be moved into a collapsed state by the user. The steering column 102 may include a fork 104 to mount a front wheel 105.

The bicycle 100 also includes a rear wheel bracket 106. The rear wheel bracket 106 is configured to hold the rear wheel 107 of the bicycle 100 and 25 permit rotation of the rear wheel 107, for example, under drive and/or, in some embodiments, free rotation.

The bicycle 100 also includes a drive-train 108. The drive-train 108 is preferably a chain drive configured be rotationally driven by foot pedals 109 around an axis 110 on the frame 101. The chain drive 108 when driven rotates the rear wheel 107. The chain drive 108 may be comprised of, at least, a roller chain 111, a pedal drive sprocket 112, and a rear wheel sprocket 113.

It will be appreciated that alternative structures could be utilised for transferring drive power to the rear wheel 107, for example, a belt rather than a roller chain or a shaft drive rather than a chain drive.

The rear wheel bracket 106 is configured to enable a user to rotate the rear wheel bracket 106 around the drive-train axis 110 to convert the bicycle 100 from a constructed state into a collapsed state. The rear wheel bracket 106 may be comprised of two L-shaped plates (such as will be described in relation to Figures 5 and 6). However, it will be appreciated that the rear wheel bracket may be comprised of different shaped plates, or beams. In one alternative embodiment, the plates are integral via a bridge between the two plates which is adapted to also secure the rear brake calliper. In a further alternative embodiment, the plates are configured to form a rigid structure that clips into place.

The bicycle 100 may also include a seat tube 114, for example, within the bicycle frame 101, to receive a seat post 115 with a saddle 116. The seat tube 114 may include an attachment means 117, such as a clasp or grip, to enable fixing of the position of the seat post 115 within the seat tube 114.

In Figure 2, the folding bicycle 100 in a partially collapsed state in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention is shown.

The user has rotated the rear wheel bracket 106 partially around the drive-25 train axis 110 and has moved the handlebars 103 into a partially folded position.

In Figure 3, the folding bicycle 100 in a first collapsed state in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention is shown.

The user has rotated the rear wheel bracket 106 around the drive-train axis 110 to place the rear wheel 107 underneath the bicycle frame 101 and to convert the bicycle 100 into a collapsed state.

In this embodiment, the user has also folded the handlebars 103 into a collapsed state. In the collapsed state, the handlebars 103 may, at least in part, hold the rear wheel bracket 106 in its collapsed state. It will be appreciated that, in alterative embodiments, the handlebars 103 may be retracted rather than folded or may not be moved into a collapsed state at all.

In Figure 4, the folding bicycle 100 in a second collapsed state in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention is shown.

The user has decoupled the front wheel 105 from the fork 104 of the steering 15 column 102 and attached it to the rear wheel bracket 106 to place the bicycle 100 into another collapsed state.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the folding bicycle 100 may not provide for conversion of the bicycle into the second collapsed state.

The rear wheel bracket of embodiments of the invention will now be described in relation to Figure 5 which shows a partial view of the rear wheel bracket 500 attached to the bicycle frame and Figure 6 which shows an alternative view of the same rear wheel bracket 500.

The rear wheel bracket 500 may be composed of two plates 501 and 502. The two plates 501 and 502 may be L-shaped such that one end 503 of each plate is pivotally connected to the frame 504 and the second end 505 of the plate is configured to rotationally connect to a rear wheel of the bicycle.

The plates 501 and 502 may be pivotally connected to the frame 504 around the same axis A-B as the drive-train 506.

The plates 501 and 502 may include a locking mechanism 507 to rotationally secure the rear wheel bracket 500 in the constructed state of the bicycle. The locking mechanism 507 may be configured to cause compression of the plates 501 and 502 around the bicycle frame 504. The locking mechanism 507 may be a lever or a bolt-nut, or any other suitable means.

In one embodiment, the locking mechanism 507 may include magnets for assisting in securing the rear wheel bracket 500.

Figure 7 shows a cut-away diagram of a rear wheel bracket 700 on a folding bicycle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

The rear wheel bracket 700 is comprised of two plates 701 and 702. A lever-based locking mechanism 703 is shown for compressed the two plates 701 and 702 against the bicycle frame 704 when the bicycle is in a constructed state to hold the rear wheel bracket 700 in position for safe riding of the bicycle by the user.

The plates are shown rotationally connected to same axis C-D as the drive-train 705.

Figure 8 shows one of the plates 800 for a rear wheel bracket for a folding bicycle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

The plate 800 shows a first end 801 for rotationally connecting to a rear wheel, and a second end 802 for pivotally connecting to a bicycle frame. The plate 800 is configured to connect to the bicycle frame via a through-hole 803. The through-hole is adapted to receive the axle for the drive-chain which passes through the through-hole 803 in this plate 800, a through-hole in the bicycle frame, and a through-hole in the second plate.

In this embodiment, the through-hole 803 is elliptical such that in a constructed state the plates do not permit significant lateral movement of the rear wheel, but in the collapsed state the plates permit lateral movement to enable the rear wheel 900 to overlap with the front wheel 901 as shown in Figure 9.

Potential advantages of some embodiments of the present invention are that a bicycle frame for a folding bicycle can be constructed out of carbon fibre while keeping weight at a minimum by reducing the need for reinforcement, and a chain-tensioner is not required to take up slack chain when the bicycle is folded.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departure from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.

Claims

Claims 1. A portable bicycle, including: A bicycle frame; A steering column configured to mount a front wheel and to mount handlebars; A rear wheel bracket configured to mount a rear wheel; and A drive-train configured to drive the rear wheel, wherein the drive-train is configured to be driven by foot pedals around an axis on the frame; Wherein the rear wheel bracket is configured to pivot around the drive-train axis on the frame from an open position to a closed position.
2. A bicycle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear wheel bracket includes two plates.
3. A bicycle as claimed in claim 2, wherein each plate is L-shaped.
4. A bicycle as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein a first end of each plate is pivotally connected to the frame and a second end of each plate is configured to rotationally connect to the rear wheel.
5. A bicycle as claimed in claim 4, wherein each plate is pivotally connected to the frame via an elliptical hole to enable lateral movement of the rear wheel bracket in the closed position.
6. A bicycle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear wheel bracket is held in the open position by a locking mechanism.
7. A bicycle as claimed in claim 6 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism causes the compression of the frame by the two plates.
8. A bicycle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the locking mechanism is a lever.
9. A bicycle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the locking mechanism is a bolt-nut.
10. A bicycle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handlebars are configured to move from an assembled position to a collapsed position, such that in the assembled position the handlebars control steering of front wheel.
11. A bicycle as claimed in claim 10, wherein the rear wheel bracket is held in the closed position, at least in part, by the handlebars when in the collapsed position.
12. A bicycle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame is composed largely of carbon fibre.
13. A bicycle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive-train is a chain drive and wherein the chain drive is rotationally drive by the foot pedals.13.A portable bicycle as herein described with reference to the Figures.