JP3629612B2 - folding bicycle - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention belongs to the technical field of a folding bicycle that is small in width and bulk in a folded state and can be easily carried.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Due to the recent ecology boom, folding bikes are often used from home to the nearest station when commuting, etc., folded and brought to the train, and then reassembled and used to the destination.
[0003]
Usually, the folding bicycle is a spoke type in which the wheels of the front and rear wheels have the same diameter, and the rotation shafts of the front wheels and the rear wheels are supported at both ends by a front fork and a frame, respectively. And when it folds, it is folded so that a front wheel and a rear wheel may be arranged in parallel by a connecting shaft of a hinge mechanism provided on a side surface of the frame.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the present invention]
When the folding bicycle is folded, the front and rear wheels are arranged in parallel, so the width (usually around 350mm) and the bulk are about twice as large, making it inconvenient to carry, and when you bring it into a train etc. Takes place and is annoying to other passengers.
[0005]
In addition, the body weight is typically about 10 kg (about 6 kg at the lightest), and it is heavy labor to carry in a facility with many stairs such as a station.
[0006]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a folding bicycle that is small in width and bulk in a folded state and can be easily carried.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As means for solving the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, the folding bicycle according to the invention described in claim 1 is
The frame 22 is formed in a shape in which a front frame and a rear frame that are divided at a midpoint position of a line connecting the centers of the rotation shaft of the front wheel 3 and the rotation shaft of the rear wheel 4 are continuously connected to each other. The position of the folding frame is connected to the side of the frame on the folding side by a connecting shaft 23a of the hinge mechanism 23 that is arranged perpendicular to the line, so that refraction of about 180 degrees is possible.
The axis of rotation of the front wheel 3 and rear wheel 4, by the frame to its extension member, and the folded side in a plan view are cantilevered from the same side of the opposite, of large front wheel 3 or rear wheels 4 The wheel on the radial side is constituted by a disc wheel, and the inner diameter of the rim of the disc wheel is formed larger than the tire outer diameter of the wheel on the small diameter side , and there is a recess having a depth that can accommodate the wheel on the small diameter side. Being formed,
In the folded state in which the frame 22 is refracted at the position of the connecting shaft 23a of the hinge mechanism 23 , the small-diameter side wheel is housed in the concave portion of the large-diameter side wheel (see FIG. 12) .
[0008]
The folding bicycle according to the invention described in claim 2
Frame includes a front frame 6 which supports a front wheel 3, is composed of a rear frame 8 which supports the rear wheel 4, the junction of the front frame 6 and the rear frame 8, the rotating shaft 3a and the rear wheels 4 of the front wheel 3 of the rotation shaft 4a superimposed vertically at midpoint O of the line M connecting the centers rotatably consolidated in the horizontal direction by the coupling shaft 7, which is the arrangement perpendicular to the line M of the same midpoint O is being done,
The rotating shafts 3a and 4a of the front wheel 3 and the rear wheel 4 are cantilevered from the same side opposite to the folding side in plan view by the front frame 6 and the rear frame 8 or their extension members. wheels of a large diameter side of the 3 or the rear wheel 4 is composed of a disc wheel, rim inner diameter R of the disc wheel, is larger than the outer diameter of the tire r of the wheels of the smaller diameter side, and the small diameter side wheel A recess 12 having a depth capable of storing the
The front frame 6 and the rear frame 8 overlaps the vertical in the folded state of being horizontally rotated around the connecting shaft 7, the wheel of smaller diameter side is characterized in that it is accommodated in the large diameter side of the wheel recess portion 12 .
[0009]
The invention according to claim 3 is the folding bicycle according to claim 2,
The post of the saddle is penetrated so that it can be inserted and removed in the vertical direction at a portion different from the connecting shaft connecting the front frame and the rear frame, and the two frames are fixed to each other in cooperation with the connecting shaft. about,
The front frame and the rear frame can be horizontally rotated around the connecting shaft by releasing the post of the saddle.
[0010]
The invention according to claim 4 is the folding bicycle according to claim 2 ,
The saddle post also serves as a connecting shaft that connects the front frame and the rear frame. A horizontal part is formed on the upper part of the post, and the saddle is attached movably along the horizontal part. And
[0011]
The invention according to claim 5 is the folding bicycle according to claim 3,
The saddle post is provided with a bent portion that avoids interference with the rear end portion of the front frame or the front end portion of the rear frame that rotates about the connecting shaft.
A bent portion passage groove that allows the bent portion of the post to pass through the frame arranged at the upper position of the front frame and the rear frame connected by the connecting shaft and allows the saddle and the post to be pushed down is continuous from the post hole. Be provided in a notch shape,
On the upper surface of the lower frame, the lower part of the bent part of the saddle that is pressed down is placed on the upper surface of the lower frame so that the lower part of the bent part of the saddle is not interfered with the upper frame. It is characterized in that a recess is provided for storing up to a substantially flush position.
[0012]
The invention according to claim 6 is the folding bicycle according to claim 5,
The indented portion of the lower frame is characterized in that the bent portion of the stored post is cut open on one side so that it can be rotated in the horizontal direction around the post.
[0013]
[Embodiments and Examples of the Invention]
The invention described in claims 2 and 3 and claims 5 and 6 will be described below based on the embodiment shown in FIGS.
[0014]
1 to 3 conceptually show the assembled state of the folding bicycle of the present invention. 4 and 5 conceptually show the folded state of the folding bicycle. 2 and 5, the handle 2 is omitted to show the relationship between the front wheel 3 and the rear wheel 4 and the front frame 6 and the rear frame 8 in detail.
[0015]
The folding bicycle includes a saddle 1, a handle 2, front and rear wheels 3, 4, a front fork 5 that supports the front wheel 3, and a front frame 6 that supports the front fork 5. The front frame 6 is perpendicular to the line M (that is, passes through the midpoint O) at the position of the midpoint O of the line M connecting the centers of the rotation shaft 3a of the front wheel 3 and the rotation shaft 4a of the rear wheel 4. A rear frame 8 that supports the rear wheel 4 and a pedal 9 that are connected to each other by a connecting shaft 7 that is arranged on the vertical line N and that is connected in an up-and-down manner (with the front frame 6 arranged at the upper position). And the sprocket 10 is rotated to drive the driving force from the sprocket 10 to the rear wheel 4 via the chain 11.
[0016]
The front frame 6, the rear frame 8, and the front fork 5 that is an extension member of the front frame 6 are each made of a lightweight material such as carbon fiber or titanium. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the front fork 5 is on the right side in the traveling direction, and when viewed in plan as shown in FIG . 2 , the front fork 5 is seen from the side opposite to the folding side indicated by the arrow . The rotating shaft 3a is cantilevered. Similarly, the rear frame 8 also cantilever-supports the rotating shaft 4a of the rear wheel 4 from the same side as the front wheel 3, as shown in FIG . Therefore, as compared with a conventional general folding bicycle, the structure of one half of the front fork 5 and the rear frame 8 is simply omitted, so that the weight of the vehicle body is reduced, the bulk is small, and it can be carried easily. .
[0017]
The front wheel 3 is constituted by a disc wheel 3b , and the rim inner diameter R of the disc wheel 3b is larger than the tire outer diameter r of the rear wheel 4, and has a depth L sufficient to accommodate the rear wheel 4. A recess 12 is formed (see FIG. 5) . Specifically, the rear wheel 4 is also formed of a disc wheel 4b, can the rim inner diameter of the disk wheel 4b is designed an 8-inch (20.32 cm), the rim inner diameter R of disc wheels 3b of the front wheel 3 is the disc wheels 4b to the tire 13 is rather greater than the outer diameter of the tire r of the rear wheel 4 is mounted, it is generally designed a 12-inch (30.48 cm) degree. The depth L of the recessed portion 12 of the disk wheel 3b is a depth at which the cross-sectional center line t of the tire 13 of the rear wheel 4 is disposed inward of the recessed portion 12 rather than the cross-sectional center line T of the tire 14 of the front wheel 3. Designed to. Incidentally, each of the disk wheels 3b and 4b is formed of a light alloy such as titanium or aluminum, reinforced plastic or the like integrally with a rim portion into which the tires 13 and 14 are fitted in order to reduce the weight. Therefore, it contributes to further reduction of the vehicle body weight.
[0018]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the front frame 6 and the rear frame 8 are rotated horizontally around the connecting shaft 7 so that the rear wheel 4 is housed in the recessed portion 12 of the front wheel 3. The wheel 4 and the front wheel 3 are arranged on substantially the same vertical plane (in the illustrated example, the cross-sectional center line t of the tire 13 and the cross-sectional center line T of the tire 14 are on the same line). That is, since the rear wheels 4 and the front wheel 3 is Ru folded into one state in plan view, it is possible to reduce the width dimension D of the I folded Ritatan state in one minute, the volume is reduced again It can be carried easily (the invention according to claim 2).
[0019]
In the folding bicycle of FIG. 1, the post 15 of the saddle 1 is passed through the post hole 6 a of the front frame 6 and the post hole 8 a of the rear frame 8 at a part different from the connecting shaft 7. Therefore, the post 15 cooperates with the connecting shaft 7 to firmly fix the two frames 6 and 8 to each other (the invention according to claim 3). Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a lock mechanism for preventing the rotation of the two frames 6 and 8, and the appearance is simple and the design is excellent.
[0020]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the post 15 of the saddle 1 is substantially U-shaped so as to avoid interference with the rear end portion 6 b of the front frame 6 that is arranged at the upper position and rotates horizontally around the connecting shaft 7. The bent portion 16 is provided.
[0021]
FIGS. 6 to 8 show the relationship between the saddle 1 (the bent portion 16 thereof), the front frame 6 and the rear frame 8 when folded, in time series.
[0022]
A bent portion passage groove 6c that allows the lower portion 16a of the bent portion 16 to pass therethrough and the saddle 1 and the post 15 to be pushed down from the post end hole 6a. It is provided toward the rear as a continuous notch shape. Further, in the periphery of the post hole 8a of the rear frame 8 arranged at the lower position, the lower portion 16a of the bent portion 16 that is pushed down does not cause interference with the front frame 6 that rotates horizontally. A recess 8b is provided for storing the lower portion 16a by pushing it down to a position substantially flush with the upper surface of the rear frame 8. The recessed portion 8b is pushed down and stored in the recessed portion 8b so that the front frame 6 disposed at the upper position and the rear frame 8 disposed at the lower position are folded on substantially the same vertical plane. The lower part 16a of the bending part 16 on the upper side has an open shape in which the right side is notched so that the lower part 16a can be rotated in the horizontal direction (the arrow direction in FIG. 7) around the post 15 (claims 5 and 6). Described invention).
[0023]
When the bicycle is folded, first, the locking mechanism that fixes the post 15 of the saddle 1 is released so that the lower portion 16a of the bent portion 16 can pass through the bent portion passage groove 6c of the front frame 6 (not shown). ), And the saddle 1 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the lower part 16a of the bent part 16 is passed through the bent part passing groove 6c, and the saddle 1 is pushed down until the lower part 16a is completely stored in the recessed part 8b of the rear frame 8. In this state, the rear end portion 6b of the front frame 6 is released using the bent portion 16, and the front frame 6 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Together with the rotation, the saddle 1 is rotated in the same direction, and the bent portion 16 is released (rotated) from the recessed portion 8b of the rear frame 8 and removed from the rear frame 8 (see FIG. 8). At this time, the saddle 1 is rotated to a position toward the traveling direction as shown in FIG. 8 so that the width dimension in the folded state is further reduced and the design is excellent.
[0024]
Finally, the relationship between the front frame 6 and the rear frame 8 is fixed by a lock mechanism (not shown), and the handle 2 is folded as shown by the dotted line in FIG.
[0025]
Therefore, since not only the front and rear wheels 3 and 4 but also the front frame 6 and the rear frame 8 are folded on the same vertical plane, the width (about 200 mm) can be reduced, and it is easy to carry. In addition, the folding operation is simple and no great force is required, so that it can be suitably used regardless of age or sex.
[0026]
Incidentally, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pedal 9 of the bicycle is configured to be folded inward by a hinge mechanism or the like. Therefore, when the pedal 9 is folded, the width dimension can be further reduced.
[0027]
6 to 8, the rear end portion 6b of the front frame 6 is provided with a bent portion passage groove 6c toward the rear. However, as shown in FIG. 9, the bent portion is formed on the right side surface of the front frame 6. A passage groove 6c may be provided. Thereby, the front frame 6 can be rotated without rotating the saddle 1, and the folding operation is further simplified.
[0028]
At this time, the bent portion passage groove 6c may be positioned on the circumference of the rotation circle Q of the post hole 6a of the front frame 6 that rotates horizontally. In this case, if the width of the bent portion passage groove 6c is the same as the diameter of the post hole 6a, the outer periphery of the post 15 cannot be constrained by the inner periphery of the post hole 6a. The post 15 comes off from the front frame 6 and the front frame 6 and the rear frame 8 rotate horizontally.
[0029]
Therefore, the width of the bent portion passage groove 6c is slightly smaller than the diameter of the post hole 6a, and the bent portion passage groove 6c is formed in a keyhole shape continuous from the post hole 6a. And the diameter of the bending part 16 is made smaller (thinner) than the diameter of other parts so that the bending part 16 can be passed through the bending part passage groove 6c.
[0030]
Therefore, when the bicycle is running, the outer periphery of the post 15 is constrained to the inner periphery of the post hole 6a of the front frame 6, so that the relationship between the front frame 6 and the rear frame 8 can be firmly fixed. If the saddle 1 is pushed down without rotating the front frame 6, the front frame 6 can be folded.
[0031]
Of course, by removing the post 15 from the post hole 6a of the front frame 6 and the post hole 8a of the rear frame 8 without providing the bent portion passage groove 6c of the front frame 6 or the bent portion 16 of the post 15, The two frames 6 and 8 may be folded. In short, any structure may be used as long as the two frames 6 and 8 can be horizontally rotated about the connecting shaft 7 by releasing the post 15 of the saddle 1 (the invention according to claim 3).
[0032]
FIG. 10 shows a different embodiment of the folding bicycle. The folding bicycle has substantially the same configuration as the folding bicycle of FIGS. 1 to 5, but the post 15 of the saddle 1 is inserted only into the post hole 6 a of the front frame 6. The fixing mechanism between the front frame 6 and the rear frame 8 is provided with the existing lock mechanism 17.
[0033]
Therefore, unlike the folding bicycles of FIGS. 1 to 5, the front frame 6 can be simply released by simply releasing the lock mechanism 17 without providing the bent portion passage groove 6 c of the front frame 6 or the bent portion 16 of the post 15. And the rear frame 8 can be folded.
[0034]
FIG. 11 shows a further different embodiment of the folding bicycle. This folding bicycle is also configured substantially the same as the folding bicycle of FIGS. 1 to 5, but the post 15 of the saddle 1 also serves as a connecting shaft that connects the front frame 6 and the rear frame 8. A horizontal portion 18 is formed on the top of the post 15, and the saddle 1 is movably attached along the horizontal portion 18 (the invention according to claim 4). Specifically, a saddle fixing tool 19 is provided at the lower part of the saddle 1. The saddle fixture 19 is provided with a hole (not shown) that penetrates the horizontal portion 18 of the post 15 in the advancing direction. When the bolt 21 is rotated by the handle 20, the side surface of the horizontal portion 18 is provided. The front end of the bolt 21 is pressed against the saddle 1, and the saddle 1 is positioned and fixed. Therefore, the connecting shaft 7 can be omitted, and the vehicle weight can be reduced.
[0035]
The folding bicycle shown in FIG. 11 is also provided with an existing lock mechanism 17 as a fixing means for the front frame 6 and the rear frame 8. Therefore, as in the folding bicycle of FIG. 10, the front frame 6 and the rear frame can be simply released by simply releasing the lock mechanism 17 without providing the bent portion passage groove 6c of the front frame 6 or the bent portion 16 of the post 15. 8 can be folded.
[0036]
The folding bicycle shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, 10, and 11 includes a front frame 6 and a rear frame 8, but as illustrated in FIG. 12, the folding bicycle is configured as a continuous frame 22. May be. In this case, the frame 22 can be refracted by about 180 degrees by the connecting shaft 23a of the hinge mechanism 23 provided on the side surface of the frame 22 in the same manner as a conventional folding bicycle. The rear wheel 4 is housed in the recess 12 of the front wheel 3 (the invention according to claim 1). In short, the configuration of the frame is not particularly limited as long as it does not depart from the technical idea that the small-diameter wheel is housed in the recess of the large-diameter wheel in the folded state.
[0037]
1 to 5 and 10 to 12, the front wheel 3 is configured to have a large diameter and the rear wheel 4 is configured to have a small diameter.
[0038]
1 to 5 and 10 to 12 are configured to support the front wheel 3 and the rear wheel 4 from the right side in the traveling direction, but may be supported from the left side.
[0039]
Moreover, the rotating shafts 3a and 4a of the front and rear wheels 3 and 4 may be supported from different sides. When folding, the handle 2 is rotated 180 degrees so that the front and rear wheels 3, 4 have their rotational shafts 3 a, 4 a supported from one side common to the traveling direction, and then folded. At this time, the connecting shaft 7 has the handle 2 rotated 180 degrees, and the rotating shaft 3a and the rear wheel of the front wheel 3 in a state where the rotating shafts 3a and 4a of the front and rear wheels 3 and 4 are supported from one side common to the traveling direction. The four rotation shafts 4a are arranged at the midpoint position of the line connecting the centers of the four rotation axes 4a and perpendicular to the above-mentioned line.
[0040]
1 to 5 and 10 to 12, the front and rear wheels 3 and 4 are formed as disc wheels, but may be formed as spoke wheels with a number that can ensure strength.
[0041]
1 to 5, 10, and 11, the front frame 6 is disposed at the upper position and the rear frame 8 is disposed at the lower position. However, the front frame 6 is disposed at the lower position and the rear frame 8 is disposed at the lower position. It may be arranged at the top.
[0042]
[Effects of the present invention]
In the folding bicycle according to the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, the small-diameter wheel is accommodated in the large-diameter wheel, and the wheels are arranged on substantially the same vertical plane. Moreover, since not only the wheel but also the front frame and the rear frame are folded on the same vertical plane, the width and the bulk can be reduced, and it can be easily carried. In addition, the folding operation is simple and no great force is required, so that it can be suitably used regardless of age or sex.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a left side view conceptually showing an assembled state of a folding bicycle according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view conceptually showing an assembled state of the folding bicycle according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a front view conceptually showing an assembled state of the folding bicycle according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a left side view conceptually showing a folded state of the folding bicycle according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a plan view conceptually showing a folded state of the folding bicycle according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a relationship between a saddle (a bent portion thereof), a front frame, and a rear frame in an assembled state.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a relationship between the saddle (a bent portion thereof) in a state where the saddle is pushed down, and a front frame and a rear frame.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a relationship between a saddle (bent portion thereof) in a folded state and a front frame and a rear frame.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a different relationship between a saddle (a bent portion thereof) and a front frame and a rear frame.
FIG. 10 is a left side view conceptually showing an assembled state of different folding bicycles.
FIG. 11 is a left side view conceptually showing an assembled state of still another folding bicycle.
FIG. 12 is a left side view conceptually showing an assembled state of still another folding bicycle.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Saddle 2 Handle 3 Front wheel 4 Rear wheel 3a, 4a Rotating shaft 3b, 4b Disc wheel 5 Front fork 6 Front frame 6b Rear frame rear end 6c Bending portion passage groove 7, 23a Connecting shaft 8 Rear frame 8b Recess in rear frame Portion 12 Disc wheel recesses 13 and 14 Tire 15 Post 16 Bending portion 16a Bending lower portion 18 Post horizontal portion 22 Frame R Disc wheel rim inner diameter r of large diameter wheel Tire outer diameter of small diameter wheel

Claims (6)

In folding bike,
The frame is formed in a shape in which a front frame and a rear frame that are divided at a midpoint position of a line connecting the centers of the rotation axis of the front wheel and the rotation axis of the rear wheel are continuously connected to each other. In addition, it is connected to the side of the frame on the folding side so that refraction of about 180 degrees is possible by the connecting shaft of the hinge mechanism arranged perpendicularly to the line.
The rotating shafts of the front wheels and the rear wheels are cantilevered from the same side opposite to the folding side when viewed in plan by the frame or its extension member, and the wheels on the large diameter side of the front wheels or the rear wheels is composed of a disk wheel rim inside diameter of the disc wheel, it is larger than the outer diameter of the tire of a wheel of small diameter side, and the wheel of smaller diameter-side recessed portion of the retractable depth is formed about,
A folding bicycle characterized in that, in a folded state in which the frame is refracted at the position of the connecting shaft of the hinge mechanism , the small-diameter wheel is housed in the recess of the large-diameter wheel. In folding bike,
Line frame includes a front frame supporting a front wheel, is composed of a rear frame for supporting a rear wheel, the junction of the front frame and the rear frame, connecting the respective central rotational axis of the front wheel rotating shaft and the rear wheel superimposed at the midpoint position of the up and down, that it is consolidated rotatably in a horizontal direction by the line and vertically disposed connecting shaft in the middle position,
The axis of rotation of the front and rear wheels, said by the front frame and the rear frame to its extension member, the folded side in plan view are cantilevered from the same side of the opposite, larger diameter of the front or rear wheel wheel side is constituted by a disk wheel rim inside diameter of the disc wheel, it is larger than the outer diameter of the tire of a wheel of small diameter side, and the wheel of smaller diameter-side recessed portion of the retractable depth formed is being done,
The front frame and the rear frame overlap vertically in the folded state of being horizontally rotated around the connecting shaft, the wheel of smaller diameter side is characterized in that it is accommodated in the recessed portion of the wheel of larger diameter, folding bicycle. The post of the saddle is penetrated so that it can be inserted and removed in the vertical direction at a portion different from the connecting shaft connecting the front frame and the rear frame, and the two frames are fixed to each other in cooperation with the connecting shaft. about,
The folding bicycle according to claim 2, wherein the front frame and the rear frame are horizontally rotatable about a connecting shaft by releasing a post of a saddle. The saddle post also serves as a connecting shaft that connects the front frame and the rear frame. A horizontal part is formed on the upper part of the post, and the saddle is attached movably along the horizontal part. The folding bicycle according to claim 2 . The saddle post is provided with a bent portion that avoids interference with the rear end portion of the front frame or the front end portion of the rear frame that rotates about the connecting shaft.
A bent portion passage groove that allows the bent portion of the post to pass through the frame arranged at the upper position of the front frame and the rear frame connected by the connecting shaft and allows the saddle and the post to be pushed down is continuous from the post hole. Be provided in a notch shape,
On the upper surface of the lower frame, the lower part of the bent part of the saddle that is pressed down is placed on the upper surface of the lower frame so that the lower part of the bent part of the saddle is not interfered with the upper frame. 4. The folding bicycle according to claim 3, further comprising a dent portion that accommodates a substantially flush position. The recessed portion of the lower frame is characterized in that the bent portion of the stored post is shaped to be opened by cutting out one side so that it can be rotated in the horizontal direction around the post, The folding bicycle according to claim 5.

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