JP2021181294A - Folding bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a folding bicycle that can be folded so that sizes in vertical, lateral and depth-directions become smaller, by simple folding operation.SOLUTION: A folding bicycle, which can be folded by overlapping a front wheel and a rear wheel with each other by rotation motion, comprises: a top tube extending rearward from a head tube supporting the front wheel; a seat tube that is detachably joined to a rear end of the top tube; and seat stay members that are rotatably joined to the seat tube and the top tube respectively and extend rearward to support the rear wheel. The seat tube, when detached from the top tube by folding operation, can rotate in a vertical direction with respect to the top tube. With the rotation of the seat tube, the seat stay members fold down to reduce an interval between the rear wheel and the seat tube, so that the rear wheel is moved to approach the front wheel. With a movement of the rear wheel, a tire outer peripheral surface of the rear wheel is made to approach or contact one side of a front hub of the front wheel revered rearward, so that the front wheel is obliquely overlapped on the rear wheel and then folded.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a folding bicycle that can be folded and made compact, and can be folded with a simple operation. In particular, the depth and volume when folded can be made extremely small as compared with the conventional case. It is about a folding bike.

Folding bicycles of 16 inches (H / E size) or larger are desirable from the viewpoint of driving stability and comfort in so-called wheeling where bicycles are carried on public transportation, but this is a major obstacle that does not spread in Japan. One of the major factors is that the folding operation is complicated, the folding shape is large when folded, and the installation area on the floor surface is particularly large due to the length of the depth.

Most of the folding structures of folding bicycles on the market have a folding structure in the top tube of the main frame, and by folding in the lateral direction, the front and rear wheels are overlapped to reduce the size. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a folding structure of a conventional folding bicycle. As shown in this figure, the hubs of the front wheels and the rear wheels overlap each other, and the frame structures interfere with each other, so that the bicycles are folded. The depth, that is, the width W in Fig. 1, is the total length of the hubs of the front and rear wheels unless a front fork shape with one axis or a special non-standard hub on the market is used. It is the limit of the conventional technology. In addition, since the saddle and the frame structure protrude from the outer peripheral portion of the wheel, there is a limit that the vertical and horizontal sizes cannot be reduced. For example, in Non-Patent Document 1, P43 to P44, the 16-inch (W / O size) type folding bicycle of Brompton, UK, which is currently on the market, is a typical example of the smallest shape, but has a length of 580 mm and a width of 585 mm. The depth is 300 mm, and the 18-inch (H / E size) type folding bike Pacific Hook Cycles Bertie Monocock Air (Non-Patent Document 1, P42), which is a typical folding bike capable of sports driving, has a vertical length of 600 mm. The width is 720 mm and the depth is 340 mm. It is widely known that the size of a folding bicycle when folded is represented by the length, width, and depth of the circumscribed cube (see Non-Patent Document 1).

In order to reduce the size in the vertical and horizontal directions, it is necessary to shorten the wheelbase, which affects the riding posture and running performance, and to complicate the folding mechanism. Further, regarding the depth (thickness), in the structure in which the main frame is folded sideways, 250 mm is the limit in the prior art except for a special shape. Further, in the folding operation, it is generally necessary to release the fixing of the seat post, the handle post, and the frame folding portion at least three places, and further simplification of the folding operation is required.

As a bicycle that copes with this problem and has a smaller size after folding, Patent Document 1 discloses a folding bicycle having two folding points. However, the bicycles disclosed here still have room for improvement in terms of structural simplification and depth size.

Patent Document 2 discloses a folding bicycle in which the folding operation is simplified with the folding direction as the vertical direction. However, the bicycle disclosed herein can be a hindrance to in-vehicle use in terms of height height size in the folded state.

Patent Document 3 discloses a structure in which the front and rear wheels are overlapped with the front and rear wheels off the center of the hub with the folding direction as the vertical direction. There is still room for improvement in terms of height size.

Patent Document 4 discloses a structure in which the front and rear wheels overlap each other with the folding direction as the vertical direction, but there is still room for improvement in terms of the size of the depth because the fork and the rear frame interfere with each other. ..

Patent Document 5 discloses a structure in which the front and rear wheels are in close contact with each other by having the fork and the rear frame on one side as a structure for reducing the depth, but a general hub on the market is used. There is still room for improvement in terms of things that cannot be done, strength and design.

Magazine "Folding Bike & Small Bike Catalog 2018" published May 10, 2018 Tatsumi Publishing Co., Ltd.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-238085 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-162169 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-194179 Registered Utility Model No. 3116838 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-49068

An object of the present invention is to provide a folding bicycle that can be folded in a small size in length, width, and depth by a simple folding operation.

The folding bicycle of the present invention for achieving the above object is a folding bicycle that can be folded by overlapping the front wheels and the rear wheels by a rotational operation, and has a top tube extending rearward from a head tube that supports the front wheels and the top tube. The seat tube comprises a seat tube that is detachably connected to the rear end and a seat stay member that is rotatably connected to each of the seat tube and the top tube and extends rearward to support the rear wheel. When separated from the top tube by the folding operation, the seat stay member can rotate in the vertical direction with respect to the top tube, and the seat stay member bends with the rotation of the seat tube, so that the rear wheel and the seat tube are connected to each other. The distance is shortened, the rear wheels are moved closer to the front wheels, and with the movement of the rear wheels, the tire outer peripheral surface of the rear wheels is turned to one side of the front hub of the front wheels that has been inverted backward. The front wheels are characterized in that they are tilted, overlapped and folded with respect to the rear wheels in close proximity or in contact with each other.

In the folding bicycle, the front wheel inverted backward is the center so as to cross the center line extending in the front-rear direction along the width center of the rear wheel (straddling both sides of the center line) in a plan view. Arranged at an angle with respect to the line.

Specifically, the seat tube rotates with respect to a first rotation axis provided on the top tube, and a first hinge extending forward from the seat tube supports the first rotation axis. Will be done.

Further, the seat stay member has a first stay whose one end is pivotally supported by a second rotation shaft provided on the top tube and a third rotation shaft provided at the other end of the first stay. It has a second stay that is pivotally supported and supports the rear wheel, and the first stay and the second stay can be bent by the third rotating shaft. A roller for suppressing loosening of the chain in the folded state is attached to the tip of the second stay.

The seat stay member has a second hinge extending from the second stay, and the second hinge is pivotally supported by a fourth rotating shaft provided at the lower end of the seat tube. The lower end of the seat tube includes an extension portion extending rearward from the lower end of the seat tube.

The rear end portion of the top tube abuts on the peripheral surface of the seat tube, and the top tube is detachably fixed to the seat tube by a clamp. A hole for inserting the seat post in the folded state is formed on the lower surface of the top tube 4.

The folding bicycle of the present invention can be folded by attaching / detaching both pedals and folding at only two places, and the size at the time of folding is the long side of the front and rear wheels where the side and the depth overlap, and the commercially available. It fits within the axial length of the rear hub (when the detachable pedal is attached / detached), and the vertical side can be made extremely small by overlapping the top tube and seat tube in parallel. Specifically, when the wheelbase is about 102 cm in a 16-inch type, it can be folded to a vertical side of 64 cm, a horizontal side of 62 cm, a depth of 20 cm, a volume of 79,360 cm ³ , and an installation area on the floor. It is 1,240 cm ^2. When the wheelbase is about 102 cm in the 18-inch type, it can be folded to a vertical side of 70 cm, a horizontal side of 68 cm, a depth of 20 cm, a volume of 95,200 cm ³ , and an installation area on the floor of 1,360 cm ^2. Is. (The 16-inch folding bike from Brompton, UK has a volume of 101,790 cm ³ and an installation area on the floor of 1,755 cm ^{2. The} Pacific Hook Cycles Bertie Monocock Air has a volume of 146,880 cm ³ on the floor. The installation area is 2,448 cm ^2. )
In particular, the size in the depth direction is extremely small, and the installation area on the floor is also small, which dramatically improves portability when traveling by public transportation. According to the present invention, it can be stored diagonally in the foot space of the Shinkansen (length 50 cm, width 50 cm), and can be stored in a general coin locker. It is also suitable for in-vehicle use (it can be stored in the foot space of the rear seat and the loading platform of a light vehicle). Furthermore, since it can run on its own in a folded shape, it is suitable for moving by elevator in high-rise condominiums and for indoor storage. In this way, a folding bicycle with extremely small vertical, horizontal, and depth sizes can be realized by a simple folding operation.

It is a figure which shows an example of the folding structure of a conventional folding bicycle. It is a figure which shows the frame structure of the folding bicycle in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which disassembled the frame of the folding bicycle in embodiment of this invention into a plurality of frame portions. The figure which shows the state which the frame of the folding bicycle by embodiment of this invention is folded. It is a figure which shows the frame which each frame part interlocked and was folded. It is a figure which shows the embodiment of the folding bicycle in embodiment of this invention, and is the figure which shows the running state. It is a figure which shows the folding operation and operation of the folding bicycle stepwise in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the folding operation and operation of the folding bicycle stepwise in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the folding operation and operation of the folding bicycle stepwise in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the folding operation and operation of the folding bicycle stepwise in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the folding operation and operation of the folding bicycle stepwise in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which showed the form seen from the upper part, the lower part, the front part, and the rear side when the folded form of FIG. 10 is a front view. 8 is a view seen from the opposite side surface of the side surface shown in FIGS. 8 and 10. It is a figure which shows the structure of the clamp 3 of the folding bicycle in embodiment of this invention, and the fixing and releasing operation thereof. It is sectional drawing which looked at the operation of the clamp 3 from the top. It is sectional drawing which saw the operation of the clamp 3 from the side view. It is a figure which shows the bending mechanism of a top tube 4 and a seat tube 14. It is the figure which looked at the frame structure of the folding bicycle of this invention from the bottom. It is a figure which shows the overlapping position of the front wheel and the rear wheel in the folded state of the folding bicycle of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, such embodiments do not limit the technical scope of the invention. Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to specific figures.

2A and 2B are views showing a frame configuration of a folding bicycle of the present invention, FIG. 2A is a perspective view, and FIG. 2B is a front view. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the frame of the folding bicycle of the present invention is disassembled into a plurality of frame portions. With reference to FIG. 2, the frame configuration of the folding bicycle will be described with reference to FIG. The frame of the folding bicycle is configured to have frame portions A, B, C and D.

The frame portion A is configured to have a hinge 5 for rotatably connecting the seat tube 14, the down tube 15, the bottom bracket 17, and the seat tube 14 to the top tube 4 at the joint portion a. At the lower end of the seat tube 14, a connecting portion d to which a hinge 18 described later is rotatably connected is provided. The lower end of the seat tube 14 includes a rear extension 14a that projects rearwardly from the lower end, and the coupling portion d may be provided at the tip of the rear extension 14a. The down tube 15 extends diagonally upward and forward from the lower end of the seat tube 14 and is coupled to the hinge 5. The rear extension portion 14a can also be regarded as a part of the chain stay.

The frame portion B includes a top tube 4 and a head tube 4a. A front fork 9 is attached from the head tube 4a. A front wheel is attached to the front tip of the front fork 9, which serves as a hub for the front wheel.

The frame portion C includes a rear seat stay 6b as a part of the rear frame for fixing the rear wheels, and a hinge 18 for rotatably connecting the rear seat stay 6b to the rear extension portion 14a of the seat tube 14 at the coupling portion b. It is composed of having. A rear wheel is attached to the rear tip of the rear seat stay 6b to serve as a hub for the rear wheel.

The frame portion D is configured to have a front seat stay 6a, and both ends of the front seat stay 6a are rotatably coupled to the rear seat stay 6b at the coupling portion c and the top tube 4 at the coupling portion d, respectively. .. The front seat stay 6a connects the rear seat stay 6b and the top tube 4, and the front seat stay 6a and the rear seat stay 6b form a seat stay member. By the folding operation, the front seat stay 6a and the rear seat stay 6b are foldably coupled at the joint portion c.

The frame portions A, B, C, and D are rotatably connected at the connecting portions (rotational axes) a, b, c, and d, and are integrally interlocked in the folding operation. In the present invention, by setting the morphology of each part of the frame parts A, B, C, and D and the optimum position of the connecting parts a, b, c, and d, the depth can be reduced while avoiding the interference of each frame part. It has a folding structure that enables thin and compact folding.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a folded state of a folding bicycle frame in the present invention, and shows a state in which each frame portion is interlocked and folded. The front wheel mounting position at the tip of the front fork 9 and the rear wheel mounting position of the rear frame are arranged at optimum positions, and for example, the length in the vertical direction can be accommodated to 640 mm, the width can be accommodated to 620 mm, and the depth can be accommodated to about 200 mm.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a folding bicycle in the present invention, and shows a runnable state (unfolded unfolded state). In the folding bicycle according to the present invention, the hinge 5 extending laterally from the seat tube 14 is in close contact with the lower portion of the top tube 4 in a double structure and overlaps with each other, and is rotatably coupled around the coupling portion a. The rear end of the top tube 4, that is, the end opposite to the head tube 4a, abuts on the peripheral surface of the seat tube 14 and is detachably fixed by the clamp 3. The structure of the clamp 3 will be described later. As a result, the down tube 15, the seat tube 14, and the top tube 4 are integrated to form a main frame, and the front wheel 10 is attached via the front fork 9. Further, the handle post 2 is attached to the head tube 4a, and the seat post 1 is further attached to the seat tube 14. The seat post 1 is fixed to the seat tube by a seat clamp 1a so as to be removable or expandable with respect to the seat tube 14. The chainring 12 and the crank 16 are attached to the bottom bracket 17 as a rotation axis.

Further, in the rear frame in which the rear seat stay 6b and the hinge 18 are integrated, the tip of the hinge 18 can rotate to the connecting portion (rotating shaft) b located at the rear extension portion 14a of the seat tube 14 of the frame portion A. The connecting portion between the rear seat stay 6b and the hinge 18 becomes the connecting portion (rotating shaft) c of the rear frame, and the connecting portion c of the rear frame and the connecting portion (rotating shaft) d of the top tube 4 are connected to the front seat. It is rotatably coupled via the stay 6a, and the rear wheel (rear wheel) 11 is attached to the rear seat stay 6b. The rear wheel 11 is driven by a chain attached to the chain ring 12 and the sprocket 13.

6 to 10 are diagrams showing the folding operation and operation of the folding bicycle in the present invention step by step. From the runnable state shown in FIG. 5, first, as shown in FIG. 6, the clamp 3 is released from the coupling, the seat tube 14 is released from the connection with the top tube 4, and the seat tube 14 is rotated in the vertical direction. The fixing of the top tube 4 and the seat tube 14 at the contact surface is released, and the hinge portion 5 bends in the vertical direction while rotating with respect to the top tube 4 about the joint portion a, and the top tube 4 and the seat tube 14 are bent. Is separated. Further, in conjunction with this operation, the rear frame, that is, the rear side is rotatably attached to the joint portion c between the joint portion b with the top tube 4 and the rear seat stay 6b via the rotational operation of the front seat stay 6a. The operation of the rear wheel 11 attached to the seat stay 6b approaching the seat tube 14 side is performed. Further, due to this rotational operation, the hinge 5 that overlaps the lower part of the top tube 4 in a double structure also rotates around the joint portion a and rotates so that the overlap with the top tube 4 is removed, as shown in FIG. As described above, the distance between the rear wheel 11 and the seat tube 14 is shortened, and the rear wheel 11 is folded so close that it comes into contact with the seat tube 14. The seat post 1 can be expanded and contracted with respect to the seat tube 14 by releasing the seat clamp 1a.

FIG. 16 is a view (perspective view) showing the bending mechanism of the top tube 4 and the seat tube 14. In the unfolded state of FIG. 5, the end of the top tube 4 abuts on the peripheral surface of the seat tube 14 and is fixed by the clamp 3. Further, the hinge 5 overlaps with the lower portion of the top tube 4 and is in close contact with the hinge 5. In the folded state of FIG. 6, by releasing the fixing of the clamp 3, the hinge 5 is rotated around the joint portion a, and the top tube 4 is separated from the seat tube 14 and bent in the vertical direction. Further, the rear wheel 11 attached to the rear rear stay 6b approaches the seat tube 14 via the front seat stay 6a rotatably attached to the joint portion b of the top tube 4 and the joint portion c of the rear rear stay 6b. Action is performed. The operation of separating the top tube 4 and the seat tube 14 from each other may be performed by rotating at least one of the top tube 4 side and the seat tube 14 side in the vertical direction after the fixing by the clamp 3 is released.

The seat post 1 rotates to the lower side of the top tube 4 by the rotational operation of the top tube 4 side or the seat tube 14 side. A hole 4b for inserting the seat post 1 in the folded state is formed on the lower surface of the top tube 4, and the seat post 1 is contracted with respect to the seat tube 14 as shown in FIG. 8 (a). By pushing it in, the lower end portion of the seat post 1 is fitted into the hole portion 4b provided in the top tube 4 having a hollow inside. By this operation, the top tube 4 and the seat tube 14 are fixed in a folded state, and the wheel in the folded state can be rotated and moved.

FIG. 17 is a view of the frame configuration of the folding bicycle of the present invention as viewed from the bottom surface, and the hole portion 4b is provided on the lower surface side of the top tube 4. Further, FIG. 12A is a view seen from the opposite side surface of the side surface shown in FIG. 8A. Further, in the middle stage of the folding operation shown in FIG. 8A, the folding bicycle is in a self-propelled form.

FIG. 8B is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 8A, showing in detail the arrangement of the chain 19 in this folded state. The distance between the chain ring 12 and the rear seat stay 6b is also shortened, and the chain 19 is sandwiched between the rollers 6c attached to the tip of the rear seat stay 6b and arranged. The roller 6c is arranged in the vicinity of the rotation axis c, and the roller 6c enables the chain 19 to rotate, and the looseness of the chain 19 in the folded state is eliminated.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a stage in which the front wheel (front wheel) 10 is rotated backward and overlapped with the rear wheel (rear wheel) 11. As shown in FIG. 18, the tire outer peripheral surface of the rear wheel 11 is brought close to or in contact with one side of the front hub of the front wheel 10, and the front wheel 10 is tilted about 25 degrees with respect to the rear wheel 11 and folded. Will be. The positions of the hubs of the front wheels 10 and the rear wheels 11 in the width direction can be made as close as possible, and the length (thickness) in the width direction in which the front wheels 10 and the rear wheels 11 overlap can be shortened (thinned) to the utmost limit. can.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the final form of compact folding suitable for carrying and in-vehicle use, in which all the folding operations are completed by folding the handle post 2. Further, FIG. 12B is a view seen from the opposite side surface of the side surface shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a form seen from above, below, from the front, and from the rear when the figure of FIG. 10 is viewed from the front.

13 (a) to 13 (c) are views showing the structure of the clamp 3 for fixing the seat post 1, the top tube 4 and the seat tube 14 of the folding bicycle according to the present invention in one place, and the fixing and releasing operations thereof. .. 14 (a) to 14 (c) are cross-sectional views of the operation of the clamp 3 as viewed from above, and correspond to FIGS. 13 (a) to 13 (c), respectively. The clamp 3 is formed integrally with or adjacent to the seat clamp 1a, is rotatably attached to the outer periphery of the seat tube 14, and by releasing the tightening of the seat clamp 1a, the tightening of the seat tube 14 is released and the clamp is clamped. By rotating 3 to the left and right, the fixing of the hinge 5 of the top tube 4 and the seat tube 14 is released.

15 (a) and 15 (b) are cross-sectional views of the operation of the clamp 3 as viewed from the side surface. FIG. 15A shows a fixed state, and FIG. 15B shows a released state. The outer circumference of the seat tube 14 is rotatably attached, and the fixing and releasing are performed by sandwiching and rotating the fixing claw (flange) 4c at the tip of the top tube 4. FIG. 16 above is a perspective view of a state in which the clamp 3 is released and the top tube 4 and the seat tube 14 are bent, as viewed from an angle.

The front seat stay 6a may serve as a suspension by attaching a rubber cushion inside.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the overlapping positions of the front wheels and the rear wheels in the folded state of the folding bicycle of the present invention. The folding bicycle of the present invention is a vertically folded folding bicycle in which the front wheels 10 and the rear wheels 11 are overlapped, and has a structure for reducing (thinning) the depth, as shown in FIG. 18, a straight line passing through the center of the rear wheels ( The head tube position P (projection surface in the plan view of the head tube) is set on the line of the center line) L, and by folding it in the vertical direction, the front and rear wheels are shifted by about 25 degrees and the front and rear wheels are moved to the center. It is possible to place them on top of each other as close as possible to the position of the hub. The front wheel inverted backward is inclined with respect to the center line L so as to cross the center line L extending in the front-rear direction along the width center of the rear wheel (straddling both sides of the center line L) in a plan view. And be placed. In the folded state, the depth is approximately 200 mm within the axial length of the rear hub (with an external transmission using a rear hub that can be fitted with a commercially available sprocket) (using a removable pedal and removing the pedal). For example, the length and width are set to about 620 mm (the length is set to overlap from the outer diameter of 16 inch tires of 395 mm), and all structures such as frames, handles, handle posts, seats, seat posts, and cranks are included. , It is possible to fit it in a square of the relevant size without sticking out.

The folding bicycle of the present invention has a hinge 5 of a folding mechanism that rotatably adheres to the top tube 4 and the seat tube 14 in a double structure, and by rotating around the joint portion a, the top tube 4 and the seat are formed. The tube 14 is separated, and the front wheel and the rear wheel are arranged so as to overlap each other at the position shown in FIG. 17 with an opening of about 25 degrees.

The hinge 5 forms a triangular structure together with the seat tube 14 and the down tube 15, a bottom bracket 17 is formed at the common lower end portion of the seat tube 14 and the down tube 15, and the hinge 5 and the top tube 4 have a double structure. By being fixed in close contact, they are integrated to form a main frame.

Further, the rear rear stay 6b forming the rear frame has a hinge 18 extending from a portion where the joint portion c at the front end thereof is provided, and the hinge 18 is attached to the joint portion b provided at the rear extension portion of the seat tube 14. Along with the rotation of the front seat stay 6a that is rotatably attached and connects the joint c and the joint d, the rear rear stay is linked to the operation in which the top tube 4 is separated from the seat tube 14 and rotates in the folding operation. 6b is close to the seat tube 14 side, and the front and rear wheels are arranged at the positions shown in FIG. All structures are aggregated within the width of the long sides of the two wheels that overlap in contact with the front and rear hubs and the axle length of the rear hub using the quick release (when the pedals are attached and detached using the removable pedals) without interference. This is a folding structure characterized in that the depth and volume at the time of folding can be made extremely small.

Further, in the present invention, the clamp 3 is integrally formed with the conventional folding structure in which the handle is folded on the front wheel and the seat tube 14 into which the seat post is inserted, and the seat post is fixed and released, and the clamp 3 is rotated. The top tube 4 and the seat tube 14 can be fixed and released, and the hinge 5 can be rotated around the joint a as an axis. By releasing the fixed parts at only two places, there is no need to attach or detach parts. , Allows to be folded.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a thin folding bicycle whose size of the folded form is extremely small as compared with the conventional case, and it is possible to spread the wheeling and to self-propell in the folded form. It is possible, and it is suitable for moving by elevator in high-rise condominiums and for indoor storage, and it can be said that it contributes greatly to the expansion of bicycle applications.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and includes various modifications and modifications that can be conceived by a person having ordinary knowledge in the field of the present invention, and does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. Of course, even if there is a design change, it is included in the present invention.

1: Seatpost, 1a: Seat clamp, 2: Handlepost, 3: Crank, 4: Top tube, 4a: Head tube, 4b: Hole, 4c: Claw, 5: Hinge, 6a: Front seat stay, 6b: Rear seat stay, 6c: Roller, 9: Front fork, 10: Front wheel (front wheel), 11: Rear wheel (rear wheel) 12: Chain ring, 13: Sprocket, 14: Seat tube, 14a: Rear extension, 15: Down tube, 16: Crank, 17: Bottom bracket, 18: Hinge, 19: Chain, a: Coupling part (rotating shaft), b: Coupling part (rotating shaft), c: Coupling part (rotating shaft), d: Joint (rotary axis)

The folding bicycle of the present invention for achieving the above object is a folding bicycle that can be folded by overlapping the front wheels and the rear wheels by a rotational operation, and has a top tube extending rearward from a head tube that supports the front wheels and the top tube. The seat tube comprises a seat tube that is detachably coupled to the rear end and a seat stay member that is rotatably coupled to each of the seat tube and the top tube and extends rearward to support the rear wheel. By the folding operation, the seat stay member can be rotated in the vertical direction with respect to the top tube away from the rear end of the top tube, and the seat stay member bends with the rotation of the seat tube, and the rear wheel and the seat tube are bent. The distance between the rear wheel and the rear wheel is shortened, the rear wheel is moved closer to the front wheel, and as the rear wheel moves, the tire outer peripheral surface of the rear wheel is reversed backward to one of the front hubs of the front wheel. The front wheel is tilted, overlapped and folded with respect to the rear wheel in close proximity to or in contact with the side, and the front wheel inverted backward is along the width center of the rear wheel in a plan view. It is characterized in that it is arranged at an angle with respect to the center line so as to cross the center line extending in the front-rear direction (straddling both sides of the center line).

Claims (10)

In a folding bicycle that can be folded by overlapping the front and rear wheels by rotating motion
A top tube extending rearward from the head tube supporting the front wheels,
A seat tube that is detachably connected to the rear end of the top tube,
A seat stay member rotatably coupled to each of the seat tube and the top tube and extending rearward to support the rear wheel is provided.
The seat tube can rotate in the vertical direction with respect to the top tube when it is separated from the top tube by a folding operation, and the seat stay member bends with the rotation of the seat tube to the rear wheel. The distance from the seat tube is shortened, the rear wheel is moved closer to the front wheel, and the rear wheel is moved closer to the front wheel.
With the movement of the rear wheels, the tire outer peripheral surface of the rear wheels is brought close to or in contact with one side of the front hub of the front wheels that has been inverted backward, and the front wheels are inclined with respect to the rear wheels. A folding bike that is characterized by being stacked and folded. The front wheel inverted backward is characterized in that it is arranged at an angle with respect to the center line so as to cross the center line extending in the front-rear direction along the width center of the rear wheel in a plan view. The folding bike according to claim 1. The folding bicycle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the seat tube rotates with respect to a first rotation axis provided on the top tube. The folding bicycle according to claim 3, wherein a first hinge extending forward from the seat tube is pivotally supported by the first rotation shaft. The seat stay member is pivotally supported by a first stay whose tip is pivotally supported by a second rotation shaft provided on the top tube and a third rotation shaft whose tip is pivotally supported by a third rotation shaft provided at the rear end of the first stay. 4. The fourth aspect of claim 4, wherein the first stay and the second stay have a second stay that supports the rear wheel, and the first stay and the second stay can be bent by the third rotation shaft. Folding bike. The folding bicycle according to claim 5, wherein a roller for suppressing loosening of the chain is attached to the tip of the second stay. The seat stay member has a second hinge extending from the second stay, and the second hinge is pivotally supported by a fourth rotation shaft provided at the lower end of the seat tube. The folding bike according to claim 5 or 6. The folding bicycle according to claim 7, wherein the lower end of the seat tube includes an extension portion extending rearward from the lower end of the seat tube. The folding bicycle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the top tube has a rear end portion abutting on a peripheral surface of the seat tube and is detachably fixed to the seat tube by a clamp. The folding bicycle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a hole for inserting a seat post is formed on the lower surface of the top tube in the folded state.

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