JP2009248694A - Bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bicycle excellent in stability in stopping and in traveling. <P>SOLUTION: The bicycle 2 is provided with a main frame 4; a front wheel 6; a rear wheel 8; a steering part 12; a pair of auxiliary wheels 10 positioned at right and left sides of the main frame 4; a pair of auxiliary support devices 11 for supporting the auxiliary wheels; a braking device 16; and a parking device 18. The auxiliary support device 11 is provided with a lifting device and a fixing device. The lifting device is supported on the main frame 4. The auxiliary wheels 10 are rotatably mounted to the lifting device. The auxiliary wheels 10 are supported on the main frame 4 movably in a vertical direction by the lifting device. The fixing device can fix and fixing-release movement in the vertical direction of the auxiliary wheel 10. The braking device 16 is provided with a front wheel brake for braking the front wheel; and a rear wheel brake for braking the rear wheel. The parking device 18 operates and releases the front wheel brake or the rear wheel brake and the fixing device together. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a bicycle having auxiliary wheels on the left and right of a main frame.

  In addition to front wheels and rear wheels, there are bicycles with a pair of left and right auxiliary wheels. When the bicycle is inclined in the left-right direction, the bicycle is inclined in the inclination direction of the inclined surface. On this slope with a large slope, the slope of the bicycle is also large. On a slope with a large slope, this bicycle may fall. When riding on the ground with large irregularities, this bicycle is shaken greatly from side to side. This bicycle is inferior in stability when traveling on an inclined surface in the left-right direction and traveling on a ground with large unevenness. In cornering on flat ground, this bicycle cannot tilt its body. This bicycle has poor stability during cornering.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-145318 discloses a bicycle that supports the pair of left and right auxiliary wheels so that the left and right auxiliary wheels can be rotated independently. The pair of arms that rotatably support the auxiliary wheels are urged downward by an elastic body. This bicycle includes arm lock means. The arm lock means locks the rotation of the arm. When the bicycle is traveling, the arm can be rotated by the urging force of the elastic body, and the auxiliary wheel follows the unevenness of the ground to enable stable traveling. When the bicycle is stopped, the rotation of the arm is locked while the auxiliary wheel is grounded. As a result, the bicycle can stand up in a stable posture even when stopped. In this bicycle, the posture of the bicycle at the time of running and stopping is stable.

In this bicycle, the brake is applied by grasping a brake lever attached to the handle. The arm can be locked by grasping an arm fixing lever attached to the handle. The brake and arm lock are released by releasing the lever.
JP 2007-145318 A

  In this bicycle, when the driver gets off the bicycle, the lock of the brake and the rotation of the arm is released. In this bicycle, the stability of the bicycle in a stopped state is impaired by releasing the brake lever and the arm fixing lever. When loading a load on the loading platform, it is necessary for the driving car to get off the bicycle and load the load. When bringing a small child on board, the driver needs to get off the bicycle and assist. In this bicycle, there is room for improvement in stability when the driver gets off the bicycle.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle excellent in stability at the time of stopping and running.

  A bicycle according to the present invention includes a main frame, front wheels, rear wheels, a steering unit, a pair of auxiliary wheels positioned on the left and right of the main frame, a pair of auxiliary support devices that support the auxiliary wheels, and a braking device. And a parking device. This steering part is attached in front of the main frame. The front wheels are rotatably supported below the steering unit. The rear wheel is rotatably attached to the rear of the main frame. The auxiliary support device includes an elevating device and a fixing device. The lifting device is supported by the main frame. The auxiliary wheel is rotatably attached to the lifting device. The auxiliary wheels are supported by the lifting device so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the main frame. This fixing device can fix and release the movement of the auxiliary wheel in the vertical direction. The braking device includes a front wheel brake that brakes the front wheel and a rear wheel brake that brakes the rear wheel. This parking device operates and releases both the front wheel brake or the rear wheel brake and the fixing device.

  Preferably, the steering portion of the bicycle includes a handle. The braking device includes a first lever and a second lever. The fixing device includes a fixing lever. The first lever is attached to one of the left and right ends of the handle. By operating this first lever, the front wheel brake can be actuated and released. The second lever is attached to the other of the left and right ends of the handle. By operating this second lever, the rear wheel brake can be actuated and released. The fixing lever is attached to either the left or right end of the handle. By operating this fixing lever, the fixing device can be operated and released. The first lever, the second lever, and the fixed lever can be individually operated, and one of the first lever and the second lever and the fixed lever can be operated simultaneously.

  Preferably, the main frame of the bicycle includes an auxiliary seat.

  Preferably, the bicycle lifting apparatus includes a swing arm and an elastic body. One end of the swing arm is pivotally attached to the main frame so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. The auxiliary wheel is rotatably supported at the other end of the swing arm. The elastic body is arranged to urge the swing arm downward with respect to the main frame.

  Preferably, the bicycle fixing device includes a restraining plate and a fixing brake. The restraint plate is fixed to the main frame. This fixed brake is attached to the other end of the swing arm. The fixed brake fixes the rotation of the swing arm with a restraint plate interposed therebetween.

  The bicycle according to the present invention is excellent in the stability of the bicycle in both the running state and the stopped state. In this bicycle, the operability of the braking device and the fixing device for rotating the auxiliary wheel is excellent.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments with appropriate reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a bicycle 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The rightward direction in FIG. 1 is the forward direction of the bicycle 2. The left direction in FIG. 1 is the rear direction of the bicycle 2. The bicycle 2 includes a main frame 4, a front wheel 6, a rear wheel 8, a pair of auxiliary wheels 10 located on the left and right of the main frame 4, a pair of auxiliary support devices 11 that support the auxiliary wheels, a steering device 12, a drive device 14, A braking device 16 and a parking device 18 are provided.

  The main frame 4 includes a saddle 20 and a rear seat 22 as an auxiliary seat. The saddle 20 is located above the center of the main frame 4. The rear seat 22 is located behind the saddle 20. The rear seat 22 is provided with two seats in the front-rear direction. The rear seat 22 may have one seat or more than two. Instead of the rear seat 22, an auxiliary seat may be provided in front of the saddle 20.

  The steering device 12 includes a handle 24 and a steering shaft 26. A handle 24 is fixed to the upper end of the steering shaft 26. The center of the handle 24 is fixed to the upper end of the steering shaft 26. The steering shaft 26 is located in front of the main frame 4. The steering shaft 26 is supported by the main frame 4 so as to be rotatable about its axis.

  The front wheel 6 is rotatably mounted below the steering shaft 26. The rear wheel 8 is rotatably attached to the rear of the main frame 4.

  The drive device 14 includes a pair of left and right cranks 28, a drive gear (not shown), a chain 32, and a driven gear (not shown). The pair of left and right cranks 28 are rotatably attached to the main frame 4. The crank 28 is located on the left and right side surfaces of the main frame 4. A drive gear is rotatably attached to the main frame 4. The rotating shaft of the crank 28 and the rotating shaft of the drive gear are in the horizontal direction and are coaxial. The crank 28 and the drive gear are rotatable together. The driven gear is rotatably attached to the rear of the main frame 4. The axis of rotation of the driven gear and the rear wheel 8 is horizontal and coaxial. The driven gear and the rear wheel 8 are rotatable together. The chain 32 is spanned between a drive gear and a driven gear.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the auxiliary wheel 10, the auxiliary support device 11, the braking device 16, and the parking device 18 of the bicycle 2 of FIG. The braking device 16 includes a front wheel brake 36 and a rear wheel brake 38. The front wheel brake 36 includes a disk 40, a brake caliper 42, a first wire 44, and a front wheel brake lever 46. The disk 40 is integrated with the front wheel 6. The disk 40 is rotatable coaxially with the front wheel 6. The brake caliper 42 is attached below the steering shaft 26.

  The front wheel brake lever 46 is attached to the right end of the handle 24. One end of the front wheel brake lever 46 is pivotally attached to the handle 24. The front wheel brake lever 46 is rotatable about a fulcrum at one end attached to the shaft. The front wheel brake lever 46 is rotatable in a direction toward and away from the handle 24. One end of the first wire 44 is connected to the front wheel brake lever 46. The other end of the first wire 44 is connected to the brake caliper 42. The brake caliper 42 is disposed at a position where the disc 40 can be sandwiched by a friction material (not shown).

  The rear wheel brake 38 includes a drum brake 48, a second wire 50, and a rear wheel brake lever 52. Although not shown, the drum brake 48 includes a drum that rotates integrally with the rear wheel 8 and a friction material that is pressed against the drum. The rear wheel brake lever 52 is attached to the left end of the handle 24. One end of the rear wheel brake lever 52 is pivotally attached to the handle 24. The rear wheel brake lever 52 is rotatable about a fulcrum at one end attached to the shaft. The rear wheel brake lever 52 is rotatable in a direction toward and away from the handle 24. One end of the second wire 50 is connected to the rear wheel brake lever 52. The other end of the second wire 50 is connected to the drum brake 48.

  FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of the auxiliary wheel 10 and the auxiliary support device 11 on the right side of the bicycle 2 of FIG. The bicycle 2 includes a pair of auxiliary wheels 10 and an auxiliary support device 11 on the left and right. The left auxiliary wheel 10 and the auxiliary support device 11 are located on the left side of the main frame 4. The right auxiliary wheel 10 and the auxiliary support device 11 are located on the right side of the main frame 4. The auxiliary support device 11 includes an elevating device 54 and a fixing device 56. The lifting device 54 includes a swing arm 58 and a coil spring 60 as an elastic body. The auxiliary wheel 10 is rotatably attached to one end of the swing arm 58. The other end of the swing arm 58 is pivotally attached to the main frame 4. The swing arm 58 is rotatable in the vertical direction with respect to the main frame 4. The coil spring 60 is attached to the main frame 4. The coil spring 60 is attached so as to bias the swing arm 58 downward.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the fixing device 56 includes a fixing lever 62, a third wire 64, a pair of left and right restraining plates 66, and a pair of left and right brake calipers 68. The fixing lever 62 is attached to the right end of the handle 24. One end of the fixed lever 62 is pivotally attached to the handle 24. The fixed lever 62 is attached to the pivoted end as a pivot. The fixed lever 62 is rotatable in a direction toward and away from the handle 24. The fixing lever 62 includes a lever stopper (not shown). The fixing lever 62 can be stopped in a state where it is rotated in a direction approaching the handle 24 by a lever stopper. In the bicycle 2, the front wheel brake lever 46 and the fixed lever 62 are disposed so as to be operated simultaneously. The front wheel brake lever 46 or the fixed lever 62 is arranged so that only one of them can be operated.

  The restraint plate 66 is fixed to the main frame 4. The brake caliper 68 is attached to the swing arm 58. The brake caliper 68 is disposed at a position where the restraint plate 66 can be sandwiched by a friction material (not shown). One end of the third wire 64 is connected to the fixed lever 62. The other end side of the third wire 64 is branched into two. The third wire 64 has a pair of other ends. The other end of the third wire 64 is connected to the brake caliper 68.

  The parking device 18 includes a parking lever 70, a fourth wire 72, and a fifth wire 74. The parking lever 70 is attached to the main frame 4. One end of the fourth wire 72 is connected to the parking lever 70. The other end of the fourth wire 72 is connected to the brake caliper 42. One end of the fifth wire 74 is connected to the parking lever 70. The other end of the fifth wire 74 is branched into two. The fifth wire 74 has a pair of other ends. The other end of the fifth wire 74 is connected to the brake caliper 68.

  The parking lever 70 of the bicycle 2 is pulled by the driver. Thereby, the 4th wire 72 and the 5th wire 74 are pulled. As the fourth wire 72 is pulled, the brake caliper 42 operates. The front wheel 6 is braked. This bicycle 2 is restricted from traveling in the front-rear direction. When the fifth wire 74 is pulled, the brake caliper 68 is activated. The swing arm 58 is fixed. Thereby, auxiliary wheel 10 is fixed in the state where it grounded to the ground. The bicycle 2 is restricted from tilting in the left-right direction. In the state where the parking brake 70 is pulled, a passenger is put on the rear seat 22 which is an auxiliary seat of the bicycle 2. Even small children who need assistance when riding on the rear seat 22 can safely ride them.

  Next, the driver sits on the saddle 20 of the bicycle 2. The driver holds the handle 24, the front wheel brake lever 46, and the fixed lever 62 simultaneously with the right hand. Next, the parking brake 70 is returned to the original position with the left hand and the operation is released. Since the front wheel brake lever 46 and the fixed lever 62 are gripped, the front wheel 6 is braked, and the state where the vertical rotation of the auxiliary wheel 10 is fixed is maintained.

  Only the front wheel brake lever 46 is released. Thereby, the brake of the front wheel 6 is released. The crank 28 of the bicycle 2 is wound by the driver. The crank 28 rotates. The drive gear is rotated by the rotation of the crank 28. The rotation of the drive gear is transmitted to the chain 32. This chain 32 transmits rotation to the driven gear. The rear wheel 8 is rotated by the rotation of the driven gear. The bicycle 2 is driven by the rotation of the rear wheel 8.

  The bicycle 2 can travel with the driver holding the fixed lever 62. The bicycle 2 can run with the auxiliary wheel 10 pivoting in the vertical direction fixed. Thus, the bicycle 2 is prevented from tilting left and right even during low-speed traveling with the passenger on the rear seat 22. When the fixing lever 62 is released, the fixed rotation of the auxiliary wheel 10 in the vertical direction is released.

  FIG. 4 is a partial side view showing the use state of the bicycle 2 of FIG. FIG. 4 shows a ground contact state in a plane. FIG. 4 is a view of the bicycle 2 as seen from the rear. In this bicycle 2, the wheel body 53 is grounded to the ground by the urging force of the coil spring 60. In the bicycle 2, the swing arm 58 rotates in the vertical direction corresponding to the unevenness of the ground. Thereby, it is suppressed that the bicycle 2 is shaken to right and left. On the slope inclined left and right, the bicycle 2 can run with the left and right auxiliary wheels 10 being grounded without tilting the vehicle body. The bicycle 2 is excellent in stability when traveling on a ground with large irregularities and a ground inclined right and left.

  The handle 24 in FIG. 1 is rotated by the driver. As the handle 24 rotates, the steering shaft 26 rotates. By the rotation of the steering shaft 26, the traveling direction of the front wheels 6 is changed. Thereby, the traveling direction of the bicycle 2 is changed.

  FIG. 5 is a partial side view showing another use state of the bicycle 2 of FIG. FIG. 4 is a view of the bicycle 2 in a cornering traveling state as viewed from the rear. The left and right auxiliary wheels 10 can be grounded while the bicycle 2 is tilted. The bicycle 2 is excellent in cornering traveling stability.

  The fixed lever 62 of the bicycle 2 includes a lever stopper. With this lever stopper, the bicycle 2 can run with the rotation of the fixing lever 62 fixed even if the hand is released. The bicycle 2 can be run even with the auxiliary wheels 10 fixed. The bicycle 2 is excellent in safety even when traveling on a flat road at a low speed.

  In particular, when two or more people are on board and when he / she is carrying heavy loads, the balance during traveling is likely to be lost. The bicycle 2 is excellent in running stability of straight traveling and cornering in a state where two or more people are on board. The bicycle 2 is excellent in straight running and cornering running stability in a state where heavy loads are loaded.

  When the vehicle is stopped, the handle 24, the front wheel brake lever 46, and the fixed lever 62 are grasped with the right hand of the driver. As a result, the bicycle 2 stops, and at the same time, the rotation of the auxiliary wheel 10 in the vertical direction is fixed. Thereby, this bicycle 2 can be safely stopped without falling down in the left-right direction. In particular, when two or more people are on the vehicle, the vehicle body tends to tilt when the vehicle is stopped. In the bicycle 2, this inclination is suppressed.

  When stopping, the parking lever 70 is pulled with the driver's left hand. Thereafter, the front wheel brake lever 46 and the fixed lever 62, which are held with the right hand, are released. Thereby, the front wheel brake 36 is applied and the state where the vertical rotation of the auxiliary wheel 10 is fixed is maintained. In this state, the passenger is lowered from the rear seat 22 of the bicycle 2. The driver can also assist when the passenger gets off.

  In this bicycle 2, the braking of the front wheel 6 and the fixed rotation of the auxiliary wheel 10 in the vertical direction are performed together, but the braking of the rear wheel 8 and the fixed rotation of the auxiliary wheel 10 in the vertical direction are performed together. Also good. Further, the positions of the front wheel brake lever 46 and the rear wheel brake lever 52 may be replaced with the left and right ends of the handle 24. Although the parking device 18 was operated from the parking lever 70, it is not limited to the lever type. The operation of the parking device 18 may be a dial type or push button type switch.

  The bicycle according to the present invention is excellent in stability in a stopped state and a running state. This bicycle is excellent in stability in a stopped state and a running state. Switching between the operation and release of the parking brake can be done safely with one operation.

  The bicycle according to the present invention is suitable as a bicycle having an auxiliary seat for carrying a passenger and a bicycle carrying heavy luggage.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a bicycle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the auxiliary wheel, braking device, and parking device of the bicycle of FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of the auxiliary wheel and auxiliary support device on the right side of the bicycle of FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial side view showing the use state of the bicycle of FIG. FIG. 5 is a partial side view showing another use state of the bicycle of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

2 ... Bicycle 4 ... Main frame 6 ... Front wheel 8 ... Rear wheel 10 ... Auxiliary wheel 11 ... Auxiliary support device 12 ... Steering device 14 ... Drive device 16 ...・ Brake device 18 ... Parking device 20 ... Saddle 22 ... Rear seat 24 ... Handle 26 ... Steering shaft 28 ... Crank 32 ... Chain 36 ... Front wheel brake 38 ... -Rear wheel brake 40 ... Disc 42 ... Brake caliper 44 ... First wire 46 ... Front wheel brake lever 48 ... Drum brake 50 ... Second wire 52 ... Rear wheel brake lever 54 ... Lifting device 56 ... Fixing device 58 ... Swing arm 60 ... Coil spring 62 ... Fixing lever 64 ... Third wire 66 ... Restraint plate 68 ... Blur Kikyaripa 70 ... parking lever 72 ... the fourth wire 74 ... the fifth wire

Claims (5)

A main frame, a front wheel, a rear wheel, a steering unit, a pair of auxiliary wheels positioned on the left and right of the main frame, a pair of auxiliary support devices that support the auxiliary wheels, a braking device, and a parking device are provided. And
This steering part is attached to the front of the main frame,
This front wheel is rotatably supported below the steering part,
This rear wheel is rotatably mounted behind the main frame,
The auxiliary support device includes a lifting device and a fixing device,
This lifting device is supported by the main frame,
This auxiliary wheel is rotatably attached to the lifting device,
This auxiliary wheel is supported by the lifting device so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the main frame,
This fixing device can fix and release the movement of the auxiliary wheel in the vertical direction,
The braking device includes a front wheel brake for braking the front wheel and a rear wheel brake for braking the rear wheel,
A bicycle in which the parking device operates and releases the front wheel brake or the rear wheel brake and the fixing device together. The steering part has a handle,
The braking device includes a first lever and a second lever;
The fixing device includes a fixing lever;
This first lever is attached to one of the left and right ends of the handle,
By operating this first lever, the front wheel brake can be activated and released,
This second lever is attached to the other of the left and right ends of the handle,
By operating this second lever, the rear wheel brake can be activated and released,
This fixed lever is attached to either the left or right end of the handle,
By operating this fixing lever, the fixing device can be activated and released,
The bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the first lever, the second lever, and the fixed lever are individually operable, and one of the first lever and the second lever and the fixed lever are simultaneously operable. .   The bicycle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the main frame includes an auxiliary seat. The lifting device includes a swing arm and an elastic body,
One end of this swing arm is pivotally attached to the main frame so that it can rotate in the vertical direction.
The auxiliary wheel is rotatably supported at the other end of the swing arm,
The bicycle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the elastic body is arranged to urge the swing arm downward with respect to the main frame. The fixing device includes a restraining plate and a fixing brake;
This restraint plate is fixed to the main frame,
This fixed brake is attached to the other end of the swing arm,
The bicycle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fixed brake sandwiches the restraining plate to fix the swing arm.

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