JP2003182677A - Foldable bicycle and carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a foldable bicycle capable of securing convenience and easiness in transforming from a storing state to a using state without complicating a structure. <P>SOLUTION: The foldable bicycle provided with a frame 2 and a crank 24 supported by the frame 2 in such a manner that the same can rotate around a horizontal rotation axis C and including a rear drive gear 23, is provided with a bracket 25 supported by a frame 22 in such a manner that the same can swing around the rotation axis C forward and backward in a fixed range. The bracket 25 includes a rear wheel 26 and a driven gear 28 receiving driving force of a rear wheel driving gear 23 via a transmission means 27 to rotate the rear wheel 26. The rear wheel 26 is swung by the bracket 25 to be positioned at a storing position at front and a using position at a rear. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a folding bicycle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a folding bicycle that can be folded during storage to reduce the overall volume and can be made to have a size suitable for use during use.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a folding bicycle, a type in which an intermediate portion of a frame supporting front wheels and rear wheels is bent around an axis line in the vertical direction (Japanese Patent No. 2591900, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-20767), a horizontal axis line is used. Bending type (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 52-137835), 2
Type divided into two (Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-45832)
Various proposals have been made.

All of them are designed to have a small volume in a folded and stored state, and to maintain the strength of a bent portion or a divided portion while being convenient from the stored state to the used state and to facilitate work. And adopts a special structure.

[0004]

In a bicycle, the rotation of a crank is taken out to a front wheel or a rear wheel via a transmission means such as a chain, and when traveling, the transmission means from the crank to the front wheel or the rear wheel is folded or folded. , If it is divided, the structure becomes complicated. Therefore, in the invention described in the above-mentioned publication, folding or splitting is performed at a portion avoiding the crank or the transmission means.

However, since the crank is located approximately at the center of the length of the bicycle in the front-rear direction, the volume in the folded and stored state can be made sufficiently small by folding at this portion. The present invention was developed in view of this point, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a folding bicycle capable of ensuring convenience and ease when changing from a stored state to a used state without complicating the structure. To do.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a carrier suitable for carrying a folded bicycle in a stored state.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a folding bicycle which can give versatility to the folding bicycle when in use.

[0008]

The invention according to claim 1 is
A folding bicycle including a frame and a crank having a rear-wheel drive gear, which is rotatably supported by the frame around a horizontal axis of rotation. This folding bicycle is a bracket which is supported by the frame so as to be able to perform circular arc movement in a certain range forward and backward of the rotation axis around the rotation axis, and which is a rear wheel and the rear wheel drive gear via a transmission means. And a driven gear that rotates the rear wheel. The rear wheel is circularly moved by the bracket to take a front storage position and a rear use position.

According to this means, the bracket can move in an arc about the same rotation axis as the rotation axis of the crank. Therefore, when the bracket moves in an arc, the rear wheel and the driven gear of the bracket have the rotation axis. Moves in an arc around. The rear wheel takes a front storage position and a rear use position by this arc movement.

According to a second aspect, in the folding bicycle according to the first aspect, the rear wheel takes the storage position and the use position via the lower side of the rotation axis.

With this means, since the rear wheel takes the storage position and the use position via the lower side of the rotation axis, the rear wheel does not project upward when the rear wheel makes an arc motion, and it is easy to handle.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the folding bicycle according to the second aspect is characterized in that the bracket holds the folding bicycle in an upright state when the rear wheel is in the storage position.

According to this means, when stopping the riding of the bicycle, the bracket serves as a stand and holds the bicycle when the rear wheel is in the storage position.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the folding bicycle according to any one of the first to third aspects, the bracket has a boss supported by the frame, and an arc movement range of the bracket is provided on the boss. It is defined by a slit extending in the circumferential direction and a stopper fixed to the frame.

According to this means, when one end of the slit separates from the stopper and the other end abuts against the stopper, the bracket moves in a circular arc within a certain range.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the folding bicycle according to the fourth aspect is characterized in that it has lock means for fixing the rear wheel to the storage position or the use position.

In this means, the range of the circular arc movement of the bracket is determined by the slit and the stopper, and at the end of the circular arc movement, the rear wheel takes the stored position and the used position. By fixing the rear wheel in this state, The rattling of the rear wheels can be prevented.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a frame, a handle connected to the front wheel via a first rod supported by the frame, and a saddle provided at an end portion of the second rod supported by the frame. And a crank having a rear-wheel drive gear, which is rotatably supported by the frame about a horizontal axis of rotation. This folding bicycle is a bracket which is supported by the frame so as to be able to perform circular arc movement in a certain range forward and backward of the rotation axis around the rotation axis, and which is a rear wheel and the rear wheel drive gear via a transmission means. And a driven gear that rotates the rear wheel. The first rod has a storage position that bends rearward,
The second rod is formed so as to have a substantially straight use position, and the second rod is formed to have a storage position in which the second rod bends forward and a substantially straight use position. Then, the rear wheel is circularly moved by the bracket, and takes a forward storage position and a rear use position through the lower side of the rotation axis.

With this means, the first rod, the second rod, and the rear wheel of the folding bicycle are brought to the folded storage position to carry the folding bicycle. When using the folding bicycle, the first rod, the second rod, and the rear wheel are in the use position.

According to a seventh aspect, in the folding bicycle according to the sixth aspect, the handle has a use position substantially orthogonal to the first rod and a storage position substantially parallel to the first rod. It is characterized by being formed.

[0021] In this means, the handle in the use position has a length corresponding to the distance between both hands of a person, and the handle is placed in the storage position parallel to the first rod, whereby the entire volume of the folded bicycle is increased. To reduce.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the folding bicycle according to the sixth or seventh aspect, the crank has pedals at two ends, and the pedals have a use position substantially parallel to the rotation axis. It is characterized in that it is formed so as to take a storage position substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis.

According to this means, the pedal in the use position is
The entire volume of the folded bicycle is reduced by attaching the pedals to the crank at a space corresponding to the space between the legs of a person and placing the pedals in the storage position orthogonal to the axis of rotation.

[0024] A ninth aspect of the present invention is the folding bicycle carrier according to the eighth aspect, wherein the first rod, the second rod, the rear wheel, the handlebar, and the pedal are respectively housed. It is a carrying device that is brought to a position and folded to be carried in this state. This carrier carries the bicycle in this state in which the first rod, the second rod, the rear wheel, the handlebars, and the pedal are folded in the stored positions.

With this means, since the folded bicycle has the smallest volume, the folded bicycle can be suitably carried by the carrier.

In a tenth aspect of the present invention, the carrier according to the ninth aspect is characterized in that the carrier is a bag with casters.

By this means, the folded bicycle can be put in a bag and the bag can be pulled and carried.

[0028] According to an eleventh aspect, in the carrier according to the ninth aspect, the carrier is a belt-shaped body having a shoulder belt.

By this means, the folded bicycle can be tied to the belt and the shoulder belt can be carried on the shoulder.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the folding bicycle according to the sixth aspect, the bracket is composed of two supporting members, and the supporting members are rotatably supported by the frame at one place, and the supporting member is provided at another place. It is characterized in that the rear wheel and the driven gear are supported, and they are connected to each other through a third rod at another position.

In this means, the bracket is attached to the frame, and the rear wheel and the driven gear are attached to the bracket by sandwiching the frame, the rear wheel and the driven gear between the two supporting members.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the folding bicycle according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cargo bed which is supported by the third rod so as to be capable of circular arc movement and which is formed so as to take a use position and a storage position. It is characterized by

In this means, the folding bicycle can be provided with versatility by providing the luggage carrier.
That is, by attaching small items to the loading platform in the use position, the driver is relieved of the hassle of having small items.

According to a fourteenth aspect, the folding bicycle according to the twelfth aspect further comprises a wheeled carrier detachably connected to the third rod.

In this means, the folding bicycle can be provided with versatility by including the carrier. That is, since the carrier has wheels, heavy objects can be carried by bicycle. When transporting the folding bicycle, separate the carrier from the third rod.

According to a fifteenth aspect, in the folding bicycle according to the fourteenth aspect, the carrier comprises a connecting member connected to the third rod, and a storage having the wheels connected to the connecting member. It is characterized by

With this means, since the shapes and structures of the connecting member and the storage can be determined separately, it is possible to obtain the one suitable for a folding bicycle.

A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the folding bicycle according to the fifteenth aspect, wherein the connecting member has a grip and the storage has a footrest.

According to this means, the storage serves as a vehicle on which an infant can be placed, and the infant riding on the vehicle can secure safety by grasping the grip with the hand and placing the foot on the foot rest.

[0040]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a folding bicycle and a carrier according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The folding bicycle 20 is shown in side view in FIG.
With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 and FIG. 2 showing a plan view, a frame 22 and a crank 24 having a rear wheel drive gear 23 rotatably supported by the frame 22 about a horizontal rotation axis C are shown. Further, a bracket 25 supported by the frame 22 so as to be circularly movable in a certain range forward and rearward of the rotation axis C about the rotation axis C is provided. The rear wheel drive gear 23 is a chain wheel in the illustrated embodiment. This chain wheel is fixed to the crank 24 like a conventional bicycle.

The bracket 25 receives the driving force of the rear wheel drive gear 23 via the rear wheel 26 and the transmission means 27, and the rear wheel 2
6 and a driven gear 28 that rotates 6. Bracket 2
Since 5 moves in an arc about the rotation axis C, the rear wheel 26 and the driven gear 28 on the bracket 25 also move in an arc about the rotation axis C. as a result,
The rear wheel 26 has the front storage position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and
The rear use position shown in FIG. 4 is taken.

When the rear wheel 26 moves in an arc, the rotation axis C
Since the distance from is unchanged, the length of the transmission means 27 is also unchanged. Normally, the driven gear 28 has a built-in one-way clutch known per se, and the rear wheel drive gear 23
Since the rear wheel 26 freely rotates, the transmission means 27 follows without any hindrance when the rear wheel 26 takes the storage position and the use position. In the illustrated embodiment, the driven gear 28 is a sprocket and the transmission means 27 is a roller chain.

In the illustrated embodiment, the rear wheel 26 is located below the rotation axis C and is in a front storage position and a rear use position. According to this aspect, by slightly lifting the saddle to be described later and pulling the folding bicycle 20 forward or backward, the rear wheel 26 is in the grounded state from the stored position to the used position, and conversely from the used position to the stored position. You can move. Then, when the rear wheel 26 is in the storage position, the rear wheel 26 enters the space below the frame 22. In other words, the shape of the frame 22 and the size of the rear wheel 26 are selected so that the rear wheel 26 and the frame 22 do not interfere with each other when the rear wheel 26 is in the storage position.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the bracket 25 holds the folding bicycle 20 upright when the rear wheel 26 is in the storage position. That is, the two wheels 29 provided on the bracket 25 at intervals in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing are in contact with the ground to function as a stand. In this state, the dimensions of each part are preferably determined so that the rear wheel 26 is also grounded.

Referring to FIG. 5, which shows the back side in a perspective view,
The bracket 25 has a cylindrical boss 30 rotatably supported by the frame, and the boss 30 has a slit 31 extending in the circumferential direction. On the other hand, the stopper 32 is fixed to the frame and stands upright, and enters the slit 31.
As a result, the bracket 25 can move in an arc until both ends of the slit 31 hit the stopper 32. In other words, the circular arc movement range of the bracket 25 is defined by the slit 31 and the stopper 32.

Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 showing a side view,
Locking means 34 for fixing the rear wheel to the storage position or the use position is provided. The locking means 34 is the bracket 2
It comprises an arc-shaped slit 35 centered on the axis of rotation C opened in 5, and a lock bolt 36 screwed into the frame. In the illustrated embodiment, the slit 35 is located in front of the rotation axis C, and the slit 31 of the boss 30 is formed in the rotation axis C.
Since it is located rearward, the positional relationship between the stopper 32 and the lock bolt 36 is reversed. Lock bolt 36
7 has a lever 37 and a bolt 38, with reference to FIG. Shaft 39 connected to bolt 38
Are rotatably supported by the lever 37. Therefore, the lever 37 can be rotated in the A direction and the bolt 38 can be screwed in. Then, after screwing in, move the lever 37 to B
When pushed in, the cam surface 40 bites into the side surface of the bracket 25 and is locked. To release the lock, perform the reverse operation.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 again, the folding bicycle 20 according to the present invention includes a frame 22, a handle 44 connected to a front wheel 43 via a first rod 42 supported by the frame 22, and a frame. A saddle 47 provided at the end of the second rod 46 supported by the 22,
The frame 22 is rotatable about a horizontal rotation axis C.
A crank 24 having a rear-wheel drive gear 23 supported by
It can be implemented in the form provided with. The folding bicycle 20 further has a rotation axis C about the rotation axis C.
A rear wheel 26, which is a bracket 25 supported by the frame 22 so as to be circularly movable in a predetermined range in the front and rear of
A bracket 25 having a driven gear 28 that receives the driving force of the rear wheel drive gear 23 via the transmission means 27 and rotates the rear wheel 26 is provided. As described above, the rear wheel 26 is circularly moved by the bracket 25, and passes through the lower part of the rotation axis C to assume the front storage position and the rear use position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 22 has a straight main member 50 extending obliquely upward from the rear to the front, and a cylindrical sleeve 51 connected to the front end of the main member 50. The rotation shaft of the crank 24 is rotatably supported at the rear end of the main member 50. Although the structure itself is known, in the present invention, the main member 50 is made of a single material made of aluminum or steel to increase the rigidity, and a space for accommodating vertically is secured.

The first rod 42 includes a fork 52 rotatably supported by a sleeve 51 and a pin 5 on the fork 52.
3 has a cylindrical intermediate rod 54 that is foldable and is bendable, and a screw sleeve 55 that is rotatably attached to the intermediate rod 54. Front wheel 43 is fork 52
Is rotatably supported by the connecting rod 56 of the handle 44.
Are inserted into the intermediate rod 54 and fixed. A structure known per se in which the connecting rod 56 expands and contracts with respect to the intermediate rod 54 can also be adopted.

When the first rod 42 is in the storage position (FIG. 1) in which the intermediate rod 54 is bent rearward, the intermediate rod 54 is straightened, and the screw sleeve 55 is screwed into the screw at the upper end of the fork 52. The fork 52 and the intermediate rod 54 become substantially straight and the first rod 4
2 is the use position (Fig. 3). On the contrary, in order to put the first rod 42 in the use position into the storage position, the screw sleeve 55
Is loosened and the intermediate rod 54 may be bent backward.

The second rod 46 is a fixed rod 58 fixed to the main member 50 of the frame 22, a cylindrical intermediate rod 59 which is connected to the fixed rod 58 via a pin and is bendable, and an intermediate rod 59. And a threaded sleeve 60 rotatably mounted. The connecting rod 61 of the saddle 47 is inserted into and fixed to the intermediate rod 59.
A structure known per se in which the connecting rod 61 expands and contracts with respect to the intermediate rod 59 can also be adopted.

When the second rod 46 is in the storage position (FIG. 1) in which the intermediate rod 59 is bent forward, the intermediate rod 59 is straightened and the screw sleeve 60 is screwed into the screw at the upper end of the fixing rod 58. , Fixed rod 58
And the intermediate rod 59 is substantially straightened and the second rod 46 is in the use position (FIG. 3). On the contrary, in order to bring the second rod 46 in the use position to the storage position, the screw sleeve 60 may be loosened and the intermediate rod 59 may be bent forward.

The direction of the saddle 47 is opposite between the storage position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the use position shown in FIG. This is based on the requirement to make the length of the folded bicycle in the front-back direction as short as possible when it is in the storage position shown in FIG. Further, the angle of the saddle 47 with respect to the intermediate rod 59 is substantially orthogonal in the use position of FIG. 3, but is small in the storage position of FIG. this is,
This is for accommodating the saddle 47 below the first rod 42. Therefore, in order to further reduce the volume of the entire folded bicycle, it is preferable to change the direction or the angle of the saddle 47. The function can be achieved by attaching the saddle 47 to the connecting rod 61 using the lock bolt 36 shown in FIG.

When in the storage position of FIG. 2, the handle 44 is
Is protruding laterally. Therefore, the handle 44 is set to the first
It is preferably formed so as to have a use position that is substantially orthogonal to the rod 42 and a storage position that is substantially parallel to the rod 42, which can reduce the volume occupied by the folded bicycle.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 showing the cross section, a connecting block 64 having a trapezoidal cross section is attached to the central portion of the handle 44, while a recess 65 into which a part of the connecting block 64 is inserted into the connecting rod 56. A through hole having a hole is opened, and the lock bolt 36 is passed through the through hole and screwed into the connecting block 64. In the use position of FIG. 8, the connecting block 64 is fixed by the lock bolt 36 in the state where the connecting block 64 is in the recess 65, and the rattling of the handle 44 is prevented. Loosen the lock bolt 36 and the handle 44 is connected to the connecting rod 56.
When the handle 44 is turned so as to be substantially parallel to and the lock bolt 36 is tightened, the handle 44 assumes the storage position shown in FIG.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the crank 24 has two
Having pedals 66 at each end, the pedals 66 project laterally when they are in the use position. Therefore, it is preferable that the pedals 66 are formed so as to have a use position that is substantially parallel to the rotation axis C and a storage position that is substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis C. As a result, the volume occupied by the folded bicycle can be reduced.

Referring to the plan view of FIG. 10 and the side view of FIG. 11, the base 6 having the crank 24 fixed to the end thereof is shown.
7, the pedal 66 has a frame body 68 swingably connected to the base portion 67, and a lock block 69 that moves forward and backward with respect to the frame body 68. The frame 68 integrally has a block receiver 70 having a hole into which the lock block 69 can enter. On the other hand, a pair of lock pieces 71 protruding from the lock block 69 penetrate through a slit (not shown) provided in the frame body 68 and extend in the left-right direction in FIG. It is connected. Spring 7
3 is arranged in the hole of the block receiver 70, and the lock block 69 is biased toward the base portion 67. As a result, when the pedal 66 is in a position parallel to the rotation axis C, the lock piece 71 advances into and fits into the groove 74 of the base 67, and is in the use position (FIG. 10). Move the slider 72 to move the lock piece 71
When the frame 66 is removed from the groove 74 and the frame 68 is swung up to an angle orthogonal to the rotation axis C (misalignment), the pedal 66 is in the storage position (FIG. 11).

The carrier according to the present invention is a folding bicycle 2
0 first rod 42, second rod 46, and rear wheel 26.
It is suitable for transporting the folding bicycle 20 in the state where the handlebar 44 and the pedal 66 are in the storage position and folded.

Referring to FIG. 12 showing the state in which the bicycle is stored and FIG. 13 showing the state in which the bicycle is being carried, the carrier 80
Is a bag with casters 81, and is a folding bicycle 20.
Are contained in a bag 80. The bag 80 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, it is carried by pulling it with a drawstring 82 or lifting it with a hanging belt 83.

Referring to FIG. 14 showing a state of being tied to a bicycle and FIG. 15 showing a state of being carried, the carrier 90 is a belt-shaped body having a shoulder belt 91. Band 90
Tightens the belts 92, 9 on both ends of the shoulder belt 91.
Have three. The folding bicycle 20 is fastened and held by these fastening belts 92 and 93, and the shoulder belt 91 is carried on the shoulder.

FIG. 5 and FIGS. 16 and 17 showing the perspective state.
Referring to FIG.
It consists of 0 and 101. These support members 100, 101
Is rotatably supported by the main member 50 of the frame 22 at one location, supports the rear wheel 26 and the driven gear at another location, and is interconnected via the third rod 102 at yet another location. Has been done. By forming the bracket 25 in this form, it is easy to give the folding bicycle 20 versatility.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 and 17,
The platform 103 is supported by the third rod 102 so as to be able to move in an arc. The loading platform 103 has an L-shaped fixing rod 104,
The tip of the fixing rod 104 is connected to the supporting members 100 and 101.
It is inserted into one of the two holes 105 formed in the opening to be in the use position (FIG. 16) and is inserted into the other of the two holes to be in the storage position (FIG. 17).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 18 showing a perspective state and FIG. 19 showing a state in which an infant is riding, the wheeled carrier 110 is detachably connected to the third rod 102.

The carrier 110 sandwiches the third rod 102, and the connecting member 111 connected to the third rod 102 by bolts and nuts, and the wheel 1 connected to the connecting member 111.
And a storage 113 having twelve. The storage 113 can be opened and closed by a lock clip 114. By attaching the grip 115 to the connecting member 111 and the foot rest 116 to the storage 113, an infant can ride on the storage 113.

Instead of the above embodiment, the following implementations are possible. In the above embodiment, the rear wheel 26 is the crank 24.
Although the storage position and the use position are taken below the rotation axis C, the arc movement range of the bracket 25 can be determined so as to take the storage position and the use position above the rotation axis C. In the above embodiment, the rear wheel drive gear 23 is a chain wheel, the driven gear 28 is a sprocket, and the transmission means 27 is a chain. Alternatively, the rear wheel drive gear 23 and the driven gear 28 may be normal gears, and the transmission means 27 may be a toothed belt. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the lock bolt 34 is used in the locking means 34 of FIG. 7 (A). Instead of this, for example, as shown in FIG. 7B, the lock means 34 may be a lock pin 36A. Lock pin 36A
Is supported movably in the direction of the arrow via a spring (two-dot chain line), and it is locked and unlocked by a one-touch method.

[0067]

As described above, according to the folding bicycle of the present invention, the distance between the rear wheel drive gear on the crank and the driven gear on the bracket is constant regardless of the position of the bracket. Therefore, the rear wheel can be in the storage position and the use position without changing the structure of the crank or the length of the transmission means. When the rear wheel is in the storage position, the storage position is in front of the rotation axis of the crank, so that the entire volume of the bicycle folded into the storage position can be reduced.

Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, since the rear wheel takes the storage position and the use position via the lower side of the rotation axis, the rear wheel projects upward when the rear wheel makes an arc motion. Easy to handle without Further, since the rear wheel can be moved in a circular arc with the rear wheel being in contact with the ground, the circular motion of the rear wheel can be stably performed.

According to the invention of claim 3, since the bracket functions as a so-called stand, it is not necessary to separately provide a stand. That is, when stopping the riding of the bicycle, if the rear wheels are in the storage position, the bracket serves as a stand and the bicycle can be held.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4, when one end of the slit is separated from the stopper and the other end of the slit abuts against the stopper, the bracket moves circularly within a certain range, and the length of the slit increases. The arc movement range of the bracket can be set depending on the height, so it is simple and reliable.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the range of the circular arc movement of the bracket is determined by the slit and the stopper, and the rear wheel takes the storage position and the use position at the end point of the circular arc movement. By fixing the rear wheel, rattling of the rear wheel can be prevented.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the volume occupied by the first rod, the second rod and the rear wheel is small when the folded storage position is set, and the entire volume of the folding bicycle is small. . Further, since the rear wheel passes between the lower side of the rotation axis and the storage position and the use position, the entire volume of the bicycle folded to the storage position can be reduced.

According to the invention of claim 7, the handle in the use position has a length corresponding to the distance between both hands of a person. Therefore, by placing the handle in the storage position parallel to the first rod, the volume of the entire folded bicycle can be reduced.

Further, according to the invention of claim 8, the pedal in the use position is attached to the crank at an interval corresponding to the interval between both feet of a person. Therefore, the volume of the folded bicycle as a whole can be reduced by placing the pedal in the storage position orthogonal to the rotation axis.

According to the invention of claim 9, since the folded bicycle has the smallest volume, the folded bicycle can be suitably carried by the carrier.

According to the invention of claim 10, the folded bicycle can be put in a bag and the bag can be pulled and carried.

According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, the folded bicycle can be tied to the belt-shaped body and the shoulder belt can be hung on the shoulder and carried.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the bracket is mounted on the frame, and the rear wheel and the driven gear are mounted on the bracket by sandwiching the frame, the rear wheel and the driven gear with two supporting members. If this is done, the mounted rear bracket will support the rear wheel and the driven gear on both sides, and stable support is possible.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the invention, the folding bicycle can be provided with versatility by providing the luggage carrier. That is, by attaching small items to the loading platform in the use position, the driver is relieved of the hassle of having small items. Then, when transported, the entire volume can be reduced to the storage position.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the folding bicycle can be provided with versatility by including the carrier. That is, since the carrier has wheels, heavy objects can be carried by bicycle.
When transporting the folding bicycle, separate the carrier from the third rod.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, since the shapes and structures of the connecting member and the storage can be determined separately, it is possible to obtain a folding bicycle.

Further, according to the invention of claim 16,
The storage serves as a vehicle on which an infant can be placed, and the infant riding on the vehicle can secure safety by grasping the grip with the hand and placing the foot on the foot rest.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an embodiment of a folding bicycle according to the present invention, in which each part is in a storage position and is in a folded state.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing an embodiment of a folding bicycle according to the present invention, showing a state in which each part is in a use position but is held upright.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing an embodiment of the folding bicycle according to the present invention, showing a state where each part is in a use position and is capable of traveling.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the main part of the bracket as viewed from the back side.

FIG. 6 shows a part of the side view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a lock means, (A) shows a lock bolt, and (B) shows a lock pin.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a mounting portion of the handle with the handle in a use position.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a mounting portion of the handle with the handle in the storage position.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing the pedal in a use position.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing the pedal in the storage position.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a carrier according to the present invention that accommodates a folding bicycle.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state where the carrier shown in FIG. 12 is being carried.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing another embodiment of the carrier according to the present invention in which a folding bicycle is tied up.

FIG. 15 is a side view showing a state where the carrier shown in FIG. 14 is being carried.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which a luggage carrier is attached to a bracket, showing a condition that the luggage carrier is in a use position.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which a luggage carrier is attached to a bracket, and shows a state in which the luggage carrier is in a storage position.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a carrier.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a use state in which the carrier of FIG. 18 is connected to a folding bicycle.

[Explanation of symbols]

20 folding bicycles 22 frames 23 Rear wheel drive gear 24 cranks 25 bracket 26 rear wheel 27 Transmission means (chain) 28 Driven gear 30 boss 31 slits 32 stopper 34 Locking means 35 slits 36 Rock bolt 36A lock pin 37 lever 38 Volts 39 shaft 40 Cam surface 42 first rod 43 front wheel 44 handle 46 Second rod 47 saddle 50 main components 51 sleeve 52 forks 53 pin 54 Intermediate rod 55 screw sleeve 56 Connecting rod 58 Fixed rod 59 Intermediate rod 60 screw sleeve 61 Connecting rod 64 connected blocks 65 dent 66 pedals 67 base 68 frame 69 lock block 70 Lock receiver 71 lock pieces 72 Slider 73 spring 74 groove 80 Carriers (bags) 81 casters 82 drawstring 83 hanging belt 90 strips 91 Shoulder belt 100 support member 101 support member 102 Third rod 103 cargo bed 104 fixed rod 105 holes 110 carriers 111 Connection member 113 storage 114 lock clip 115 grip 116 foot rest

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] January 11, 2002 (2002.1.1
1)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 1]

[Fig. 2]

[Figure 6]

[Figure 8]

[Figure 9]

[Figure 3]

[Figure 4]

[Figure 5]

[Figure 7]

[Figure 10]

FIG. 11

[Fig. 12]

[Fig. 13]

FIG. 14

FIG. 16

FIG. 15

FIG. 17

FIG. 18

FIG. 19

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A folding bicycle comprising a frame and a crank having a rear-wheel drive gear, which is rotatably supported by the frame about a horizontal axis of rotation, the folding bicycle comprising: A bracket supported on the frame so as to be able to move forward and backward in a certain range in an arc, and a driven wheel that receives the driving force of the rear wheel drive gear through a transmission means and rotates the rear wheel. A folding bicycle, comprising: a bracket having a gear, wherein the rear wheel is circularly moved by the bracket to take a front storage position and a rear use position. 2. The folding bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the rear wheel is in the storage position and the use position after passing below the rotation axis. 3. The folding bicycle according to claim 2, wherein the bracket holds the folding bicycle in an upright state when the rear wheel is in the storage position. 4. The folding bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the bracket has a boss supported by the frame, and an arc movement range of the bracket is a circumferential direction provided on the boss. A foldable bicycle characterized in that it is defined by a slit extending to and a stopper fixed to the frame. 5. The folding bicycle according to claim 4, further comprising locking means for fixing the rear wheel to the storage position or the use position. 6. A frame, a handle connected to a front wheel through a first rod supported by the frame, a saddle provided at an end of a second rod supported by the frame, and a horizontal A folding bicycle, which is rotatably supported by the frame about a rotation axis and has a crank having a rear-wheel drive gear, and has an arc motion in a certain range in front of and behind the rotation axis about the rotation axis. A bracket supported by the frame and having a rear wheel and a driven gear for receiving the driving force of the rear wheel drive gear via a transmission means and rotating the rear wheel; The first rod is formed so as to have a storage position in which it is bent rearward and a use position in which it is substantially straight, and the second rod is a storage position in which it is bent forward. The rear wheel is circularly moved by the bracket to take a forward storage position and a rear use position via the lower side of the rotation axis. , Folding bike. 7. The folding bicycle according to claim 6, wherein the handle is formed to have a use position substantially orthogonal to the first rod and a storage position substantially parallel to the first rod. Folding bicycle characterized by that. 8. The folding bicycle according to claim 6, wherein the crank has pedals at two ends, and the pedals have a use position substantially parallel to the rotation axis and the rotation axis. A folding bicycle, characterized in that it is formed so as to assume a storage position that is substantially orthogonal to. 9. The carrier for a folding bicycle according to claim 8, wherein the first rod, the second rod, the rear wheel, the handle, and the pedal are respectively set to the storage positions. A carrier that is folded and then transported in this state. 10. The carrier according to claim 9, wherein the carrier is a bag with casters. 11. The carrier according to claim 9, wherein the carrier is a belt-shaped body having a shoulder belt. 12. The folding bicycle according to claim 6, wherein the bracket is composed of two support members, the support members being rotatably supported by the frame at one location and the rear wheel at another location. A folding bicycle, which supports the driven gear and is connected to each other through a third rod at another location. 13. The folding bicycle according to claim 12, further comprising a cargo bed supported by the third rod so as to be capable of performing an arcuate movement, the cargo bed being configured to assume a use position and a storage position. Folding bicycle to be. 14. The folding bicycle according to claim 12, further comprising a wheeled carrier detachably connected to the third rod. 15. The folding bicycle according to claim 14, wherein the carrier includes a connecting member connected to the third rod, and a storage case having the wheels connected to the connecting member. Folding bicycle to be. 16. The folding bicycle according to claim 15, wherein the connecting member has a grip and the storage has a footrest.