JP2004017949A - Collapsible bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multi-function and multiple purpose collapsible bicycle, which can be used not only for riding as an ordinary bicycle but also for utilizing it as a cart after collapsing it. <P>SOLUTION: The collapsible bicycle 100 can be collapsed by approaching front wheels 10a, 10b to a rear wheel 11, without any other means, from an elongated shape usable for riding it as the ordinary bicycle to a contracted shape in which a total length of the bicycle is shortened, and vice versa. In the collapsed state, riding is impossible, but the bicycle can stand by itself by means of three points of the two right and left front wheels 10a, 10b and the rear wheel 11, and can stably move by pushing it by hands without any other means. In addition, because a steering mechanism composed of a handle 12, a steering post 13, etc. can effectively work as it is even in the collapsed state, the bicycle can be utilized as a cart, such as a shopping cart, a baby cart, in the collapsed state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a folding bicycle, and more particularly to a multifunctional / multipurpose folding bicycle that can be folded and used as a cart such as a shopping cart or a baby cart.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, there are various types of folding bicycles that are convenient for storage and have excellent portability in a vehicle. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-334979 discloses an invention related to a folding bicycle that is compact and has high frame strength when traveling by making the frame substantially triangular and folding in the vertical direction.
[0003]
In this way, folding bicycles are not only convenient for storage, but can also be used as a means of transportation that can be used as a means of turning around at the destination by using transportation means such as cars and trains to distant areas. Then, it becomes possible to use in various forms that were difficult at all.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the folding bicycle has the following inconveniences.
Pay attention to where you are on the go. That is, because of its portability, the risk of being stolen is higher than that of a general bicycle. In addition, it is not easy to carry around the store and so on, and there is an unsuitable aspect for transportation means for daily shopping.
[0005]
In addition, a folding bicycle is not designed in consideration of the case of carrying a large load in general. However, if the bicycle is used on a daily basis, it is desirable to be able to carry a certain amount of luggage or an infant. There have been no folding bicycles that meet such demands.
[0006]
In order to solve such a problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a multifunctional and multipurpose folding bicycle that can be used as a cart by being folded as it is, as well as riding on a normal bicycle.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve such an object, the folding bicycle of the present invention comprises a self-supporting traveling means having a front wheel and a rear wheel, and supports the front wheel and the rear wheel, respectively, and the front wheel and the rear wheel. A vehicle body portion having a folding structure capable of expanding and contracting the distance between the vehicle body, locking means for locking each state of expansion and contraction of the vehicle body portion, and a loading platform mounted on the vehicle body portion, the vehicle body portion being in an extended state When the vehicle is locked, the vehicle can be traveled, and when the vehicle body is locked in a compressed state, the cart is configured to be able to travel by hand as a cart utilizing the cargo bed.
[0008]
By having such a configuration, the present invention can be used as a normal foldable cart as well as riding as a normal bicycle. For example, when shopping, it can be used as a normal bicycle to a store, All-round use is possible, such as being able to be used as a cart in the store.
[0009]
Here, the traveling means may have a plurality of front wheels and one rear wheel. With such a configuration, when folded and used as a cart, a stable self-supporting state is ensured both when traveling and when stopped. In particular, the stability when the loading platform is attached to the front portion of the vehicle body is increased, and the rear wheel is positioned between both feet, so that walking can be naturally performed.
[0010]
The loading platform may be detachable from the vehicle body. As a result, carts of various purposes and functions can be realized, and the carrier can be used alone.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a folding bicycle according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of the folding bicycle, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the folding bicycle.
[0012]
As shown in these drawings, the folding bicycle 100 includes a head pipe 1, a top frame 2, a top stay 3, a down frame 4, two left and right chain stays 5 and 5, and two left and right seat stays 6 and 6. , A foldable vehicle body portion composed of a seat pipe 7, a seat portion composed of a saddle 8 and a saddle pipe 9 fixed to the upper end of the saddle 8 and supported by the seat pipe 7, Driving means constituted by front wheels 10a, 10b and one rear wheel 11, steering means constituted by a handle 12, a handle post 13 and the like, and steering forces for left and right cranks 15 and pedals 16 are provided. It is comprised with the drive means which transmits to the rear-wheel 11 via the chain wheel 17, the chain 18, a free wheel, etc.
[0013]
A handle post 13 is connected to the upper part of the head pipe 1 so that it can rotate coaxially during steering of the handle. A front fork 19 is connected to the lower portion of the head pipe 1 so as to be rotatable integrally with the handle post 13. The front fork 19 has a bifurcated lower portion, and the fork portion is further bifurcated to hold the left and right front wheels 10a and 10b rotatably via a support shaft, a front hub, and the like. Left and right front forks 19a and 19b are configured. A rear wheel 11 is rotatably held at the rear ends of the left and right chain stays 5 and 5 via a support shaft, a rear hub, a free wheel, and the like.
[0014]
In FIG. 4, the detail of the connection structure of the head pipe 1 and the top frame 2 in the foldable vehicle body part of the folding bicycle 100 of this embodiment is shown.
[0015]
As shown in the figure, the head pipe 1 is provided with a first rib 20 protruding by welding or the like, for example. At the front end portion of the top frame 2, a notch portion 21 that sandwiches the first rib 20 from both the left and right sides is provided. The first rib 20 and the cutout portion 21 of the top frame 2 are connected to each other by a pivot shaft 22 so as to be rotatable. As a result, the top frame 2 can rotate around the pivot shaft 22 with respect to the head pipe 1.
[0016]
FIG. 4 shows a state of connection between the head pipe 1 and the top frame 2 during riding of the folding bicycle 100 of the present embodiment. At this time, the front pipe 2 is extended to the front end portion by welding or the like. A locking portion 23 for fixing is fitted to the first rib 20, and a locking hole 24 provided in the locking portion 23 and a locking hole 25 with a thread groove illustrated by a dotted line provided in the first rib 20 are linear. Overlap to be continuous. By inserting an attached lock screw 26 into these two continuous lock holes 24 and 25 and fastening them, the front end portion of the top frame 2 is fixed to the first rib 20, and the head pipe 1 and the top frame 2 when riding The predetermined connection form is maintained.
[0017]
FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the connecting structure of the top frame 2, the top stay 3 and the down frame 4 in the foldable vehicle body part of the folding bicycle 100 of the present embodiment, and shows a state of connection during riding.
[0018]
As shown in the figure, a second rib 27 for connection is extended at the rear end of the top frame 2 by welding or the like. A notch 28 is provided at the front end of the down frame 4 to sandwich the second rib 27 from the left and right sides. The second rib 27 and the cutout portion 28 of the down frame 4 are connected to each other by a pivot shaft 29 so as to be rotatable. As a result, the down frame 4 can be rotated with the pivot shaft 29 as a fulcrum with respect to the top frame 2.
[0019]
Further, a notch portion 30 is provided at the front end portion of the top stay 3 to sandwich both the rear end portion of the top frame 2 and the down frame 4 from the left and right sides. The rear end portion of the top frame 2 and the cutout portion 30 of the top stay 3 are connected to each other by a pivot shaft 31 so as to be freely rotatable. As a result, the top stay 3 can rotate around the pivot shaft 31 with respect to the rear end portion of the top frame 2.
[0020]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the folding bicycle 100 of this embodiment has a length in the traveling direction of the entire vehicle body (front wheels 10a and 10b and rear wheels 11). Can be folded so as to reduce the distance), or conversely, the folded state can be returned to the extended state where the original riding can be performed.
[0021]
That is, FIG. 6 shows a state in the middle of folding, and the top frame 2 can be freely rotated by removing the lock screw 26 shown in FIG. 4 from the lock holes 24 and 25. Therefore, if a force is applied so as to compress the vehicle body from the front and rear, the top frame 2 rotates in a direction to rise up with the pivot shaft 22 as a fulcrum with the rear portion as a head, and the top frame 2 and the top stay shown in FIG. 3 and the down frame 4, the down frame 4 rotates in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the top frame 2 with the pivot shaft 29 as a fulcrum. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the head pipe 1, the top frame 2, and the down frame 4 are aligned substantially in parallel with each other, and are in a compact folded state. Further, the saddle pipe 9 and the seat pipe 7 are connected by, for example, a hinge mechanism 32 or the like, and the total length can be further shortened by tilting the saddle pipe 9 forward by the hinge mechanism 32 in the folded state.
[0022]
The saddle pipe 9 may be inserted and accommodated in the seat pipe 7 instead of being tilted forward by the hinge mechanism 32.
[0023]
FIG. 8 shows how the head pipe 1 and the top frame 2 are connected when the folding bicycle 100 of the present embodiment is folded.
[0024]
At this time, the lock part 23 extended to the front end part of the top frame 2 is in a state of sandwiching the down frame 4 from both the left and right sides. The lock hole 24 provided in the lock part 23 and the lock hole 33 provided with a thread groove provided in the down frame 4 overlap so as to be linearly continuous. By inserting and fixing the attached lock screw 26 into the two continuous lock holes 24 and 33, the down frame 4 is fixed to the lock portion 23, and the compact folding form is fixed. .
[0025]
Now, the folding bicycle 100 of the present embodiment can be folded from a stretched form capable of riding as a normal bicycle into a form in which the front wheels 10a, 10b and the rear wheel 11 are brought close to each other and the entire length is compressed. The reverse is also possible. In the folded state, even if it is not possible to get on, it can stand on its own at the three points of the left and right front wheels 10a, 10b and the rear wheel 11, and can be driven stably as it is, and the handle 12, the handle post 13, etc. The steering device constituted by the above functions effectively even in the folded form.
[0026]
Therefore, the folding bicycle 100 of this embodiment can be used as a cart such as a shopping cart or a baby cart in a folded compressed form.
[0027]
FIGS. 9 and 10 show an example in which the folding bicycle 100 of this embodiment is folded and used as a baby cart.
[0028]
The child auxiliary seat 35 which is a loading platform is detachably attached to a vehicle body such as the head pipe 1 by a mounting bracket 36. In this case, since there are two front wheels 10a and 10b on the left and right, a stable and independent state is ensured both when traveling and when stopped.
[0029]
The user 37 will drive while grabbing the handle 12 from the back. At this time, since the rear wheel 11 is located between both feet, the user 37 can walk naturally. Further, since the handle post 13 can be tilted forward, the handle post 13 does not interfere with driving.
[0030]
The child auxiliary seat 35 may be either a detachable type or a fixed type, and if it is a detachable type, it is possible to provide another loading platform.
For example, as shown in FIG. 11, by attaching a shopping basket 38 to the vehicle body instead of the child auxiliary seat 35, it can be folded and used as a shopping cart. In addition, it is possible to attach a loading platform for various purposes.
[0031]
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 12, the auxiliary seat 35 for children can be removed from the folding bicycle 100 of this embodiment and used alone.
[0032]
As described above, according to the folding bicycle 100 of this embodiment, it is possible to fold as it is and use it as a cart as well as normal riding. Therefore, for example, at the time of shopping, it can be used as an ordinary bicycle to the store, and can be used as a cart in the store.
Further, in the folding bicycle 100 of this embodiment, it is possible to easily perform a lock switching operation that can be locked in an extended form and a folded (compressed) form during riding by simply replacing one lock screw 26. it can.
[0033]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
For example, although there are two front wheels on the left and right, three or more may be used. There may be two or more rear wheels.
Further, the front and rear wheels may be set to be left and right 2, and a loading platform may be attached to the rear portion so that the front and rear of the folding bicycle 100 may be reversed.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the folding bicycle of the present invention, it is possible to fold it as it is and use it as a cart for various purposes as well as riding on a normal bicycle.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a folding bicycle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the folding bicycle.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the folding bicycle.
FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a connection structure between a head pipe and a top frame of the folding bicycle.
FIG. 5 is a detailed view of a connecting structure of a top frame, a top stay and a down frame of the folding bicycle.
FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state during folding of the folding bicycle.
FIG. 7 is a side view showing a folded state of the folding bicycle.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state of connection between the head pipe and the top frame when the folding bicycle is folded.
FIG. 9 is a side view showing an example of a folding bicycle that can be folded and used as a baby cart.
10 is a side view showing a form in which the folding bicycle of FIG. 9 is folded and used as a baby cart. FIG.
FIG. 11 is a side view showing an example of a folding bicycle that can be folded and used as a shopping cart.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of single use of a child auxiliary seat.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Head pipe 2 ... Top frame 3 ... Top stay 4 ... Down frame 5 ... Chain stay 6 ... Seat stay 7 ... Seat pipe 8 ... Saddle 9 ... Saddle pipe 10a, 10b ... Front wheel 11 ... Rear wheel 12 ... Handle 13 ... Handle Post 17 ... Chain wheel 19 ... Front forks 21,28 ... Notches 22,29,31 ... Pivoting shaft 23 ... Lock portions 24,25,33 ... Lock hole 26 ... Lock screw 35 ... Children's auxiliary seat 38 ... Kago 100 …bicycle

Claims (3)

A self-supporting traveling means having a front wheel and a rear wheel;
A vehicle body portion that supports the front wheel and the rear wheel, and has a folding structure that can extend and contract a distance between the front wheel and the rear wheel,
Locking means for locking each state of expansion and contraction of the vehicle body,
Comprising a loading platform mounted on the vehicle body,
When the vehicle body portion is locked in the extended state, the vehicle can be traveled. When the vehicle body portion is locked in the compressed state, it is configured to form a form that can be manually driven as a cart utilizing the cargo bed. Folding bicycle characterized by that. The folding bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the traveling means has a plurality of front wheels and one rear wheel. The folding bicycle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the loading platform is detachable from the vehicle body.

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