JP2001158392A - Collapsible bicycle and storage case - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a collapsible bicycle foldable through little effort in a short time, looking nice when covered with a carrying cover, capable of preventing its frames or the like from projecting when folded to prevent damage to part of the frames. SOLUTION: A guide rail 45 extending along the longitudinal direction of a sub-pipe 5a is secured to the lower portion of a sub-frame 5, and a pair of right and left split slide pieces 46 slidable only in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 45 are provided along the guide rail 45. a support link 47 pivotally supported at its lower end against a main frame 3 via a seventh horizontal shaft 48 is freely rotatably connected to the slide pieces 46 at its upper end via an eight horizontal shaft 49, and the sliding position of the support link 47 is locked by tightening of a seat side lock means 50 provided on the eight horizontal shaft 49.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a foldable bicycle which can be folded and compact when not in use, and a storage case thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Folding bicycles that can be folded and compact when not in use without using a bicycle are already known. When folding a folding bicycle of this kind, a large number of folded parts are manually folded, respectively, in a folded posture. Further, when carrying the folding bicycle, the bicycle is folded, and then the folded bicycle is covered with a dedicated carrying cover, and the folding bicycle is carried while holding the handle of the carrying cover in this state.

[0003]

However, in this type of folding bicycle, the folding operation has to be performed individually at a number of locations, so that much time and effort is required for folding.

Also, in the folded state, the folded state has a plurality of irregularities and a special outer shape. Therefore, even if it is covered with a dedicated carrying cover, it has an odd outer shape and a large number of wrinkles. Was bad.

[0005] In addition, after folding, a part of the frame is often protruded, and during transportation, the protruded frame may be caught by another object or a part of the frame may be damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problem, and requires only a small amount of labor and time for folding work. When it is covered with a carrying cover, it has a good appearance. It is an object of the present invention to provide a folding bicycle and a storage case for the folding bicycle, which can prevent a part from being damaged.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a folding bicycle according to the present invention comprises a main frame 3 for rotatably supporting a crank 17, a sub-pipe 5a as a main body, and a rear end of the sub-pipe 5a. Is fixed to
Stand pipe 5b to which seat post 2 of saddle 1 is fixed
And a guide rail 45 extending along the longitudinal direction of the sub-pipe 5a is fixed to the lower portion of the sub-frame 5, and only along the guide rail 45 in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 45. A slide piece 46 which is slidable and is divided into a pair of left and right sides is provided. The slide piece 46 is provided with a support link 47 pivotally supported by the main frame 3 via a seventh horizontal shaft 48 at the lower end side. The upper end is rotatably connected via an eighth horizontal shaft 49, and the slide position of the support link 47 is locked by tightening the seat-side locking means 50 provided on the eighth horizontal shaft 49.

According to this configuration, when the sub-frame is pivoted with respect to the main frame, the other is pivoted in conjunction with the interlocking link to pivot, so that the sub-frame can be folded with less labor and time. Further, when the folded bicycle is put into service, the seat-side locking means 50 is operated and tightened, so that the folded bicycle can be used favorably.

The above folding bicycle is provided at a front end of the main frame 3 and is a steering device which is rotatable relative to the main frame 3 along the center plane of the vehicle.
It is preferable that the main frame 3, the steering device, the subframe 5, and the saddle 1 be folded in a space between the upper and lower tangents that contact the outer shape of the front wheel 11 and the rear wheel 12.

According to this configuration, when folded, the overall outer shape is substantially a simple shape in which the front wheel and the rear wheel are connected by two upper and lower tangent lines that are in contact with these outer shapes, so that the appearance is good. In addition, when folded, the frame is located inside the position of the tangent, so that the frame and the like can be prevented from protruding, and during transportation as in the related art, the protruding frame is caught by another object, It is prevented that a part of the device is damaged.

The lower part of the sub-pipe 5b has a main frame 3 and a sub-frame 5 when folded or unfolded.
It is preferable to provide a slow-moving means for restricting a sudden change in the posture when the camera is folded.

According to this configuration, when the body frame is folded or unfolded, abrupt movement thereof is prevented by the delay means, whereby an excessive load or impact is prevented from being applied to each part of the body frame. Damage to the body frame can be prevented.

[0013] A storage case for storing the above-mentioned folding bicycle, which is extended and contracted in the front-rear direction of the stored bicycle, is also included in the gist of the present invention.

According to this storage case, when the folding bicycle is stored in the storage case, it becomes a shape similar to that of a surfboard, and the appearance is good. Since the storage case is extended by the front wheel and the rear wheel at the time of folding, the storage case does not wrinkle and has a better appearance.

A storage case for storing the above-mentioned folding bicycle, wherein a cushioning material is provided on at least a part of the storage case having a band for hanging and covering a portion between a front wheel and a rear wheel in a folded state of the folding bicycle. The storage case used is also included in the gist of the present invention.

According to this configuration, the body of the folding bicycle can be protected by the cushioning material from contact with other objects during transportation or the like. Further, when the suspension is hung from the shoulder using the suspension band, it is possible to prevent a hard and sharp portion of the vehicle body from hitting the body.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A folding bicycle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the folding bicycle has a seat device such as a saddle 1 and a seat post 2 for a person to sit on, and a main frame 3, a sub-frame 5, and a left and right front frame. A vehicle body that constitutes a vehicle body such as a hawk 7 and a head pipe 8; a traveling device such as a front wheel 11 and a rear wheel 12 that actually performs traveling functions;
A steering device for operating the traveling direction such as a handle 13 and a handle stem 14 of the book, a braking device for controlling traveling motion such as a brake 15 and a brake lever 16, and a drive for a crank 17, a pedal 18, a crank gear 19 and the like. And a drive device for transmitting a force to the rear wheel 12 of the traveling device via a chain 20. In addition, the size of the front wheel 11 and the rear wheel 12 is 18 inches or less.

The main frame 3 is a front main pipe 3a.
And a rear main pipe 3b, an intermediate vertical pipe 3c, and a front end vertical pipe 3d. The drive unit such as the crank 17 is supported by the main frame 3, and the rear wheels 12 It is rotatably supported. The sub-frame 5 is a sub-pipe 5a forming its body.
The upright pipe 5b is fixed to the rear end of the seat, and the seat post 2 is inserted into the upright pipe 5b and attached so as to be able to adjust its position up and down. At the front end of the main frame 3, a front part 9 having a handle 13 divided into right and left, a handle stem 14 integrated with the handle 13, a head pipe 8, a front fork 7 divided into left and right, a front wheel 11, and the like are pivotally mounted. Supported.

As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, an upper connecting portion 21 and a lower connecting portion 22 extending in a horizontal direction are attached to an upper portion of the front fork 7, and a handle stem 14 is provided on the upper portion of the front fork 7, respectively. It is inserted in a rotatable state. Further, the upper connecting portion 21 is provided with a connecting lever device 23 for integrally connecting the front fork 7 and the handle stem 14, and the handle 13 and the handle stem 14 are closed by operating the connecting lever device 23 by lever operation. The handle 13 and the handle stem 14 can be switched so that the handle 13 and the handle stem 14 can be freely rotated with respect to the front fork 7 by being integrally fixed to the front fork 7. is there. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a vertically extending support pipe 24 is fixed to a central portion between the upper connection section 21 and the lower connection section 22, and the head pipe 8 is turned around the support pipe 24. It is externally fitted movably.

As shown in FIG. 5, the upper end and the lower end of the head pipe 8 are respectively extended rearward, and the lower end of the upper end extension 8a is formed at the upper end of the front vertical pipe 3d provided at the front end of the main frame 3. The first component is pivotally supported via a first horizontal shaft 25 to form a front component pivoting mechanism. A locking rod 26 is attached to the lower end extension 8b of the head pipe 8, and the locking rod 26 is attached to and detached from a horizontal groove 3e (see FIG. 6) provided at the lower end of the front vertical pipe 3d. It is free. Then, the locking rod 26 of the head pipe 8 is pulled rearward by the handle side locking means 30 provided below the front end of the main frame 3 so as to be able to be locked to the lower end of the front end vertical pipe 3d. .

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the handle side locking means 30 is provided with a gripping lever 31 pivotally supported via a second horizontal shaft 32 on a downwardly extending projection 3 f provided below the front end of the main frame 3. A pivot arm 34 pivotally supported by the gripping lever 31 via a third horizontal shaft 33, and a hook-like body 35 attached to the tip of the pivot arm 34 so as to be position-adjustable and bent at the tip. From the posture shown in FIG.
The front component 9 is rotated about the first horizontal axis 25 in the direction a, so that the locking rod 26 of the head pipe 8 is fitted into the horizontal groove 3e at the lower end of the front vertical pipe 3d. The locking rod 26 of the head pipe 8 is pulled rearward as shown in FIG. 5 by locking the locking rod 26 to the locking rod 26 and further rotating the gripping lever 31 rearward. The head pipe 8 of the structure 9 is the front end vertical pipe 3
d, that is, the main frame 3 is locked and fixed.

Further, a pivoting support piece 5c provided at a lower portion of the front end of the sub-frame 5 and an upper extension piece 3g provided at the front upper surface of the main frame 3 are connected via a fourth horizontal shaft 41. Thus, the lower front end of the sub-frame 5 is pivotally supported with respect to the front of the main frame 3 to form a saddle-side pivot support mechanism. Further, the front end of the sub-frame 5 and the upper end extension 8a of the head pipe 8 are connected to the link mechanism 40.
Are rotatably connected via a fifth horizontal shaft 42, a sixth horizontal shaft 43, and an interlocking link 44. Then, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the front component 9 is tilted with respect to the main frame 3 in a state where the handle side locking means 30 is detached from the locking rod 26 of the head pipe 8,
With this tilting operation, the sub-frame 5 is also folded by the interlocking link mechanism 40 so as to approach the main frame 3.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9 and the like, a guide rail 45 extending along the longitudinal direction of the sub-pipe 5a is fixed to a lower portion of the sub-frame 5 near the front, and the guide rail 45 extends along the guide rail 45. There is provided a slide piece 46 which is slidable only in the longitudinal direction of 45 and is divided into a pair of left and right sides. The upper end of a support link 47 pivotally supported on the lower end side via a seventh horizontal shaft 48 is rotatably connected to the slide piece 46 via an eighth horizontal shaft 49. The sliding position of the support link 47 can be locked by tightening the seat-side locking means 50 provided in the first position. Further, a damper device 51 (slowing means) such as hydraulic pressure is attached to the lower rear portion of the sub-pipe 5a.
9.

As shown in FIG. 10, the folding bicycle is provided with a carrying cover 53 as a storage cover for accommodating the folded bicycle. , A cushioning material (not shown) is attached. The outer shape is formed while being extended in contact with the front wheel 11 and the rear wheel 12 at the time of folding, so that the folding bicycle is stored. The carrying cover 53 has a shoulder band 53a attached to the shoulder, and a linear fastener 53b attached to the center of one surface.

As shown in FIG. 2, a recess 1a is formed at the rear side of the saddle 1. As shown in FIG. 8, the rear wheel 12 can be fitted into the recess 1a at the rear side of the saddle 1 when folded. It has become. Although the folding mechanism is not shown, the pedal 18 is also foldable along the crank arm.

In the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, during operation, the front structure 9 is erected on the main frame 3 and the handle side locking means 30 is engaged with the locking rod 26 of the head pipe 8. Stop and lock. On this occasion,
As the front component 9 stands, the sub-frame 5 also interlocks with the front component 9 via the interlocking link mechanism 40 so that the rear side is separated from the main frame 3. In this state, the position of the seat device such as the saddle 1 can be securely fixed by operating the seat-side locking means 50 by lever operation and tightening, and the handle 13 and the handle can be tightened by operating the connection lever device 23 by lever operation. Since the stem 14 can be integrally fixed to the front fork 7, the folding bicycle can be used favorably.

When folding the folding bicycle, the handle-side locking means 30 and the seat-side locking means 50 are loosened by lever operation, respectively, and as shown in FIGS. The locking rod 26 is disengaged from the 3d lateral groove 3e, and the slide piece 46 is slidable with respect to the guide rail 45. In this state, by tilting the upper side of the front component 9 obliquely backward while pulling the handle 13 toward the front, the front wheel 11 moves relatively forward with respect to the main frame 3 as shown in FIG. And the handle 13 is folded along the center plane of the vehicle body so that the handle 13 overlaps the main frame 3. Further, the seat portion structure 6 also overlaps with the main frame 3 in conjunction with the movement of the front portion structure 9. The handle 13 and the handle stem 14 can be rotated with respect to the front fork 7 by loosening the connecting lever device 23 after or almost simultaneously with the operation of the handle-side locking means 30 and the seat-side locking means 50. Therefore, the handle 13 is rotated inward so that the tip of the handle 13 moves toward the center of the vehicle body. Also, the pedal 18 is folded along the crank arm.

Then, in a state of being folded to some extent, this folding bicycle is housed in the carrying cover 53, and is further tilted until the sub-frame 5 comes into contact with the main frame 3 and the handle stem 14 comes into contact with the sub-frame 5. By folding the folding bicycle, the folding bicycle is properly stored in the carrying cover 53. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the bicycle is folded, and the bicycle components are sandwiched between two upper and lower tangent lines b and c (see FIG. 8) which are in contact with the outer shapes of the front wheel 11 and the rear wheel 12. When the foldable bicycle is stored in the carrying cover 53 having a similar outline, the shape is similar to that of a surfboard, and the appearance is good. Also, when folded, the parts of the bicycle are located inside the position of the tangent, so that the main frame 3, the sub-frame 5, and other parts can be prevented from protruding,
As in the prior art, during transportation, the protruding frame is prevented from being caught by another object or a part of the frame from being damaged.

Also, at the time of folding, FIGS. 1, 7 and 8
As shown in FIG. 7, the distance between the front wheel 11 and the rear wheel 12 is increased, and the dimensions L1, L2, L3 in the front-rear direction are gradually increased and the carrying cover 53 is extended, so that the carrying cover 53 is wrinkled. And an even better appearance.
Therefore, when carrying the carrying cover 53, the appearance is good. Even when the carrying cover 53 is stored in a house, not only can it be compactly stored, but also the appearance can be good when leaning against a wall. Further, the cushioning member provided on the carrying cover 53 can protect the body of the folding bicycle from contact with other objects during transportation or the like. Further, when the vehicle body is hung from the shoulder using the shoulder band 53a, it is possible to prevent a hard and sharp part of the vehicle body from hitting the body.

As described above, when the front component 9 is tilted with respect to the main frame 3, the seat component 6 is brought into the folded position in conjunction with the interlocking link mechanism 40. It can be folded in time and workability is good.

When the folded bicycle is put into service, the bicycle is taken out of the carrying cover 53 and the front component 9 is erected on the main frame 3 as described above, and the handle side locking means is provided. The folding bicycle can be used favorably by tightening the 30, the seat side locking means 50 and the connecting lever device 23 by lever operation.

Further, at the time of folding or unfolding, a sudden change in the posture of the main frame 3, the sub-frame 5, and other link mechanism parts at the time of folding is restricted by the damper device 51 as a delay means. Therefore, an excessive load or impact is prevented from being applied to the main frame 3, the sub-frame 5, and other link mechanism components, and the body frame components and the like can be prevented from being damaged.

It is to be noted that a suspension may be incorporated in a part of the folding structure, and in this case, the effect of favorably absorbing vibrations during traveling can be obtained. Further, in the above-described embodiment, a mechanism for sliding to the sub-frame 5 side is provided. However, it is needless to say that a similar function and effect can be obtained by providing a sliding mechanism on the upper surface side of the main frame 3 instead. Absent.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention, the main frame 3 for rotatably supporting the crank 17 and the sub-pipe 5a forming the main body, and the seat post of the saddle 1 fixed to the rear end of the sub-pipe 5a A sub-frame 5 comprising a vertical pipe 5b to which the sub-pipe 5 is fixed. A guide rail 45 extending along the longitudinal direction of the sub-pipe 5a is fixed to a lower portion of the sub-frame 5, and along the guide rail 45. A slide piece 46 is provided which is slidable only in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 45 and is divided into a pair of left and right sides. The slide piece 46 is pivotally connected to the main frame 3 via a seventh horizontal shaft 48 at the lower end side. The upper end of the supported support link 47 is rotatably connected via an eighth horizontal shaft 49, and a seat-side locking means 50 provided on the eighth horizontal shaft 49. Support by tightening link 47
By locking the slide position of
By pivoting the subframe relative to the mainframe,
In conjunction with the other, the other pivots to a folding posture, and can be folded with less labor and time, thereby improving operability.
When the folded bicycle is put into service, the bicycle is taken out of the carrying cover 53, and the front structure 9 is erected on the main frame 3 as described above, so that the handle side locking means 30, the seat The folding bicycle can be used favorably by tightening the side locking means 50 and the connecting lever device 23 by operating the lever.

A steering device provided at the front end of the main frame 3 and capable of pivoting relative to the main frame 3 along the center plane of the vehicle body, a front wheel 11 and a rear wheel 12 are provided. The main frame 3, the steering device, the sub-frame 5, and the saddle 1 are folded in a space between two upper and lower tangents that are in contact with the outer shape of the rear wheel 12, so that when folded, the overall outer shape is substantially the same as that of the front wheel. Because it has a simple shape that connects the rear wheel with the upper and lower two tangents that touch these outer shapes, it has a good appearance, and when folded, the frame is inside the position of the tangent, so the frame etc. Can be prevented from protruding, and the protruding frame can be prevented from being caught by another object or a part of the frame from being damaged during transportation as in the related art.

Further, a slowing means is provided below the rear portion of the sub-pipe 5b to restrict a sudden change in the posture of the main frame 3 and the sub-frame 5 during folding or unfolding. Alternatively, during deployment, the abrupt movement is prevented by the delay means, whereby an excessive load or impact is prevented from being applied to each part of the body frame, and the body frame can be prevented from being damaged.

When a folding bicycle having such a structure is housed in a storage case that expands and contracts in the front-rear direction of the housed bicycle, the folding case is similar to a surfboard. The shape is good, and the appearance is good. Even when housed in a house, not only can it be stored compactly, it also has a good appearance even when it is leaned against a wall, and the added value as a folding bicycle is improved. In addition, since the storage case is extended by the front wheel and the rear wheel at the time of folding, wrinkles do not enter the storage case, and the appearance is further improved.

The storage case has a suspension band, and a cushioning material is used in at least a part of the storage case that covers a portion between the front wheel and the rear wheel in the folded state of the folding bicycle. By using the cushioning material, the body of the foldable bicycle can be protected from contact with other objects during transportation, etc.In addition, when hanging from the shoulder using a suspension band, the sharp pointed part of the body It can be prevented from hitting the body.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view when a folding bicycle according to an embodiment of the present invention is in service.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the folding bicycle.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway front view showing a support portion of a handle stem of the folding bicycle.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway front view showing a head pipe portion of the folding bicycle.

FIG. 5 is an essential part side view showing a connection portion between the main frame and the sub frame of the folding bicycle.

FIG. 6 is an essential part side view showing a connecting portion between the main frame and the sub-frame during the folding operation of the folding bicycle.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the folding bicycle in a folding operation.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the folding bicycle when the folding operation is completed.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a subframe and a slide portion of the folding bicycle.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state in which the folding bicycle is stored by the carrying cover.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Saddle 3 Main frame 3d Front end vertical pipe 5 Subframe 6 Seat part structure 7 Front fork 8 Head pipe 8a Upper end extension part 8b Lower end extension part 9 Front part structure 11 Front wheel 12 Rear wheel 13 Handle 14 Handle stem 21 Upper part Connecting part 22 Lower connecting part 23 Connecting lever device 25 First horizontal axis 26 Locking rod 30 Handle side locking means 32 Second horizontal axis 40 Interlocking link mechanism 41 Fourth horizontal axis 42 Fifth horizontal axis 43 Sixth horizontal axis 44 Interlocking link 45 Guide rail 46 Slide piece 47 Support link 50 Seat side locking means 51 Damper device (slowing means) 53 Carrying cover (storage case)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Taikichi Morimoto 13-13 Katayamacho, Kashiwara-shi, Osaka National Bicycle Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Hiroshi Nakano 13-13 Katayamacho, Kashiwara-shi, Osaka National Bicycle Industry Inside (72) Inventor Atsushi Kohama 13-13 Katayamacho, Kashiwara-shi, Osaka National Bicycle Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Seiichi Watanabe 1006 Kadoma, Oji, Kadoma, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A folding bicycle capable of folding a vehicle body, comprising: a main frame (3) rotatably supporting a crank (17); a sub pipe (5a) forming a main body; and a rear end of the sub pipe (5a). And a standing pipe (5b) to which a seat post (2) of a saddle (1) is fixed. A sub pipe (5a) is provided below the sub frame (5).
A guide rail (45) extending along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail (45) is fixed, and is slidable only in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail (45) along the guide rail (45) to be divided into a pair of right and left parts. Slide piece (46)
The slide piece (46) is provided with a seventh horizontal axis (4
An upper end of a support link (47) pivotally supported by the main frame (3) via an eighth horizontal shaft (49) is rotatably connected via an eighth horizontal shaft (49), and the eighth horizontal shaft (49). Wherein the sliding position of the support link (47) is locked by tightening the seat-side locking means (50) provided in the folding bicycle. 2. The main frame (3) is provided at a front end of the main frame (3) and extends along a vehicle body center plane.
(12) having a front wheel (11) and a rear wheel (12) that can be pivoted relatively with respect to the space between the upper and lower tangents that contact the outer shapes of the front wheel (11) and the rear wheel (12) The folding bicycle according to claim 1, characterized in that the main frame (3), the steering device, the sub-frame (5) and the saddle (1) are folded therein. 3. A main frame (3) for folding or unfolding is provided below a rear portion of the sub-pipe (5b).
And a sub-frame (5) provided with a delay means for restricting a sudden change in posture when the frame is folded.
The folding bicycle according to claim 1 or 2. 4. A storage case for storing the folding bicycle according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the storage case extends and contracts in the front-rear direction of the stored bicycle. 5. A storage case in which the folding bicycle according to claim 1, 2 or 3 is stored, comprising a hanging band, wherein a portion between a front wheel and a rear wheel in a folded state of the folding bicycle is provided. A storage case, wherein a cushioning material is used in at least a part of the storage case to be covered.