JPH08133160A - Folding bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To form a folding thickness into an extremely thin thickness so as to improve portability and storability by foldably supporting a saddle strut, front fork support block, pedal, handle, etc., between a pair of right/left side plates molded to serve as both a car frame and a car body. CONSTITUTION: A saddle strut base shaft 16 and an inverting block shaft 10, formed in a hollow unit to apply an internal thread to an end part, are respectively secured to right/left side plates 2 molded to serve concurrently as a car frame and car body, to rotatably mount in each shaft a saddle strut 3 of drive node and an inverting block 5 of driven node. These drive/driven nodes 3, 5 are pin connected by a connecting bar 4, to constitute a 4-bar rotary chain mechanism. According to front tumbling the saddle strut 3, a front wheel 6 supported to a front fork 7-2 through a front fork support block to the inverting block 4 is counter-clockwise rotated, to make the front wheel 6 foldable along the side plate 2 with the saddle strut 3. A handle 8 is also made foldable along the front fork.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a folding wheel in which a front wheel is folded along an axis of a vehicle body in a "shrimp bend" shape so that the folding thickness is minimized and the pedal and the steering wheel can be folded. It is about bicycles.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Folding bicycles currently on the market are roughly classified into (a) a frame that is divided into a front part and a rear part, and has a structure that folds in a "bifu-style" manner around a vertical base axis of a connecting part. (B) A structure in which the vehicle frame is divided into a front part and a rear part, and is folded in a front-rear stacking method about a hinge shaft that is connected midway. I see many things.

[0003]

However, these have the following drawbacks. (B) Since the vehicle frame is divided into the front and rear parts, the entire vehicle frame including the connecting members is required to be rigid, resulting in a large total weight, which is inconvenient for carrying and storing. (B) The structure that folds in a "biyou-style" style tends to have a large folding thickness due to its structure, and the one that does not have a retractable pedal further increases the overall folding thickness, making it especially inconvenient for carrying. (C) If the chain is exposed, it is necessary to distribute it to prevent the clothes from becoming dirty. The present invention has been made to solve these drawbacks.

[0004]

[Means for Solving the Problems] Of the "four-bar rotary chain mechanism" members that are sandwiched and fastened between two left and right side plates (1) and (2) that also function as a vehicle frame and a vehicle body, With the forward movement of the saddle strut (3), which is the main lever functioning as a "lever", the reversing block (5) of the connection is interlocked via the connecting rod (4) which is the intermediate node, and is the same as that node. The front wheel (6) held by the moving front fork support block (7) is rotated counterclockwise in the figure around the reversing block shaft (10) as an axis to pull it toward the center of the vehicle body to form a "shrimp bend" shape. Folding along the axis of the vehicle body makes the folding thickness the thinnest, and also the pedals (29) (29-2) and the handle (9) can be folded for easy carrying, storage, etc., and in a folded state. It is a folding bicycle structure that can be towed. .

[0005]

[Function] A saddle strut (3), which is a main driving member that acts as a "lever," of the "four-rod rotary chain mechanism" member that is formed by using the side plate right (1) formed as a vehicle frame and a vehicle body as a fixed node. ), The reversing block (5), which is a follower, is axially attached to the saddle pillar base shaft (16) and the reversing block shaft (10) fixed to the side plate right (1), respectively, and one end of each of the two joints and the intermediate joint. The above-mentioned "four-bar rotary chain mechanism" constituted by connecting both ends of the connecting rod (4) serving as
The structure is such that the rigidity of the vehicle frame is obtained by fastening the side plate left (2) having a shape and dimensions symmetrical to the side plate right (1), and the mechanism is fixed and released by the fixing nut (12). Therefore, the front wheel (6) held via the front fork support block (7) which moves in the same motion as the reversing block (5) by pulling the saddle strut (3) forward pulls the front wheel (6) toward the center of the vehicle along the axis of the vehicle. It is possible to displace.
Further, according to the present invention, a crankshaft having a "U" shape in the middle of a shaft attached with a sprocket (18) inscribed in the right side plate (1) and driving a rear wheel (15) in the lower center of the vehicle body ( 1
7) is penetrated, but the reason for its deformation is as shown in FIG.
When folding, the outer line of the front wheel (6) is
The front wheel (6) is in a state in which it cannot be displaced to the target value due to crossing and interference with the axis of 7).
The crankshaft (17) is divided into two parts, and an eccentric disc (2
0) is fixed and further fastened via a connecting piece (19) to provide a space that does not obstruct the entrance of the front wheel (6). Further, the present invention is provided with foldable pedal left and right (29) (29-2), and its mechanism is, as shown in FIG. 8.9, a sliding groove (27) formed on one surface of the crank left (13). The pedal left (29) which is screwed to the pedal base (original) (23-1) which is axially mounted by the base shaft (28).
Can be expanded or folded as needed, and has a structure in which positioning is performed by moving the slider (22) back and forth. On the other hand, the handle (9) is, as shown in FIG.
The handlebar support block (8) has a left-right symmetric shape, and has a pair of handle bases (original) (24) which are always meshed with each other at the center of the handle support block (8).
It is fastened to each other by the engagement of 5), and both are folded at the same time by pushing down one of them.

[0006]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be described below. (A) Overall shape and folding mechanism The side plate right (1), which is a fixed joint of the limited chain, is designed and molded from a lightweight alloy plate material for both the car frame and the vehicle body, and the saddle support shaft (16) and the hollow body are used to form the brim. And the inversion block shafts (10) each having a threaded end are fixedly attached, and a saddle support post (3) of the main driving node and a reversal block (5) of the driven node which are adapted to the two shafts are axially attached, respectively. A "four-bar rotary chain mechanism" configured between these four sections by pin-connecting one end of each of the two sections and both ends of the connecting rod (4), which is a medial node, to the side plate right (1 ) The same material and dimensions as those of), and a symmetrical shape is formed, and the saddle strut base shaft (16) is clamped by the side plate left (2) and the side plate right (1) is provided with an interleaving piece (1-2) at an appropriate position. It is fastened to each other through the frame to obtain the rigidity of the car frame and the car body, and further fixed The Tsu preparative (12) to permit movement and restriction of the mechanism, thus fixing nut (1
The front wheel (7-2) supported by the front fork support block (7) by the reversing block (5) along with the forward tilting of the saddle strut (3) (left side in the figure) due to the release of 2) ( 6) The structure is such that it can be folded so that it is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing around the reversing block shaft (10) as an axis and pulled toward the center of the vehicle body along the axis of the vehicle body to be held in a "shrimp bend" shape. ing. (B) Concerning the structure of the crankshaft (17) A feature of the present invention is that the side plate right left (1) is provided below the center of the vehicle body.
A crankshaft (1) having a "U" shape when seen in plan view in the middle of the shaft that penetrates (2) and is supported by the bearing housing (21)
The reason for the deformation of 7) is that, as shown in FIG. 5, when the vehicle body is folded, the outer edge of the front wheel (6) crosses and interferes with the axis of the crankshaft (17), so that the front wheel (6) cannot be displaced by the target value. In order to solve this problem, according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6.7, an eccentric disc (20) is fixed to each of the two shafts, and a sprocket (18) is attached to one of the shafts, and a rear wheel is attached via a chain. (15) is driven, and both eccentric discs (20) are fastened together to form a crankshaft (17) through a connecting piece (19) having an appropriate thickness on the back surface thereof. This is to solve the problem. Therefore, when the vehicle body is folded, positioning of the connecting piece (19) is required, but as a countermeasure against that, the pedal left (2
The structure of 9) is related to the problem of folding. (C) As for the pedal left (29) folding mechanism and related effects, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the slider (22) loosely attached to the sliding groove (27) of the crank left (13) and the base shaft (28) as well. ) The pedal source (original) (23-
The relationship with 1) is that the slider (22) moves forward and engages with the development of the pedal base (23-1) to make a role of a wedge during traveling, and when the pedal left (29) is folded, the slider (22) moves. ) Has a structure that does not interfere with the reversal of the pedal base (23-1) by retracting. On the other hand, the pedal source (23-
The claw (23-2) opposite to 1) is shaped so that the tip projects beyond the outer edge of the crank left (13) itself when the pedal left (29) is folded. As shown in 3.7, the crank positioning hole (26) is provided near the center of the left side plate (2) which is always in close proximity.
And the tip of the claw (23-2) are engaged with each other, the claw (23- for the purpose of positioning the connecting piece (19) provided on the crankshaft (17) as described in (c) above.
This is the function of 2), and the folding of the pedal left (29) is performed first as a pre-folding operation. Further, the right pedal (29-2) does not need the claw (23-2). (D) Description of Folding Mechanism of Handle (9) As shown in FIG. 10, the handle (9) is a hollow front fork (7-) fixed to the front fork support block (7).
2 slide bars (8-2) that can easily slide the inner diameter of 2)
A pair of always meshed handles that have teeth on the center of the handle support block (8) that holds the
It is axially attached by (24) and has a hollow body left-right symmetrical L-shape, and both are mutually regulated by a latch (25). Therefore, when folding, either of the latches (25) is released next. Both are folded by pushing down the handle (9). Further, in order to move the entire block up and down, an up / down grip (31) is provided, and a notch (8-3) is provided in the middle lower part of the slide bar (8-2) to provide a front fork support block. The restriction block (7) with a triangular cross section attached to (7)
The upper limit of the height of the handle (9) is regulated by the engagement of -4), and the slide bar (8-2) is fixed by the fixing knob (7-3). (E) Regarding the front fork direction restricting metal fitting, the present invention has the main purpose of folding and folding the front wheel (6) in a "shrimp bend" shape along the axis of the vehicle body, and the folding mechanism has been described in (A). As shown in FIG. 11, an L-shaped front fork restricting plate (32) is mounted on the upper surface of the reversing block (5) in order to smoothly perform the folding work. ), The A surface of the block follows the B surface of the front fork control plate (32) and descends to the lower limit. Therefore, it is held by the two front forks (7-2) orthogonal to the axis of the vehicle body. The front wheel (6) which is in line with the axis of the vehicle body allows the folding work to be performed without any trouble. The present invention has the above-mentioned structure. Next, the use of the present invention will be described. Folding operation sequence, pedal left (2
9) is folded and the claw (23-2) is engaged with the crank positioning hole (26) on the left side plate (2). (A) Loosen the fixed knob (7-3) and slide bar (8
-2) Release the lock (b) After grasping the up / down grip (31) and pushing it down to the lower limit, release the latch (25), and then the handle (9)
Fold it down and fix the fixing knob (7-3). (C) Loosen the fixing nut (12) with the left hand, lift the gripping front wheel (6) appropriately from the road surface, and pull the operation handle (21) with the right pressure to the limit to the right as shown in the figure. After removing the engagement, turn the grip to the left as far as it will go, reverse the saddle (11), and further tilt the saddle strut (3) forward (to the left in the figure) to move the front wheel ( 6) Completed folding, and fixed nut (12) was restored to fix the whole. (D) Fold the pedal right (29-2). This completes folding. Next, the order of expansion is shown below. (A) While the rear wheel (15) is in contact with the road surface, loosen the fixing nut (12) with the left hand and continue gripping, and pull the saddle strut (3) to the limit with the operating handle (21) with the right hand. At this time, the front part of the vehicle body is appropriately floated above the road surface), then the saddle (11) is restored, and the fixing nut (1
2) Restoration The whole is fixed and the rear front wheel (6) is grounded. (B) Loosen the fixed knob (7-3) and move it upwards and downwards (3
1) Grasp the handle support block (8) and pull up the rear fixing knob (7-3) to secure the slide bar (8-2). (C) Deploy the handle 9 and apply the latch (25) to secure both. . (D) Deploy the left and right pedals (29) and (29-2) respectively. This completes the deployment work.

[0007]

The present invention has the following advantages. (B) Since the folding thickness is particularly thin, it is easy to carry and store, and it can be boxed as a finished product and is economical in terms of distribution. (B) By putting on a cover, etc., you can bring it in a train, bus, etc. (c) In the folded state, you can "pull" the rear wheel (15) by ground rolling and put on the cover. "Towing" can be handled by providing an opening that can be opened / closed only at the grounding part of the rear wheel (15). (D) Since the chain and other internal organs are included, there is no need to worry about dirt on clothes. (E) Since both the car frame and the car body are molded, a wide range of developments such as selection of materials to be used and design can be considered.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a main part of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a developed front view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a folded plan view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a folding front view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the crankshaft of the present invention.

7 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway exploded perspective view of the folding pedal of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway folding exploded perspective view of the foldable pedal of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the handle folding related member of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an assembled perspective view of the front fork position regulating member of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Side plate right 22 Slider 1-2 Spacing piece 23-1 Pedal source (original) 2 Side plate left 23-2 Claw (claw) 3 Saddle post 24 Handle source (original) 4 Connecting rod 25 Latch 5 Reverse block 26 Crank positioning Hole 6 Front wheel 27 Sliding groove 7 Front fork support block 28 Base shaft 7-2 Front fork 29 Pedal left 7-3 Fixed knob 29-2 Pedal right 7-4 Restriction block 31 Upper and lower grip 8 Handle support block 32 Front fork Restriction plate 8-2 Slide bar 8-3 Cutout portion 9 Handle 10 Inversion block shaft 11 Saddle 12 Fixing nut 13 Crank left 14 Crank right 15 Rear wheel 16 Saddle column base shaft 17 Crankshaft 18 Sprocket 19 Connecting piece 20 Eccentric disc 21 Operation handle

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A side plate right (1) formed as a vehicle frame and a vehicle body is used as a fixed joint, and a saddle support shaft (1) fixed to the joint.
6) and the reversing block shaft (10), the saddle strut (3) as the main joint and the reversing block (5) as the follower joint are axially attached, respectively, and the connecting rods (intermediate joints) that form the intermediate joints with each one end of the two joints. 4) The "four-bar rotary chain mechanism" member configured by mutually connecting both ends of the side plate of the side plate left (2) which is a fixed node having a shape and size symmetrical to the side plate right (1). The mechanism is fixed by clamping and the fixing nut (12) is used to fix and open the mechanism. Further, a crankshaft (17) having a "U" shape in the middle of the shaft is pierced through the front wheel ( 6) The storage area is secured and the retractable pedal left and right (2
9) Folding bicycle including (29-2) and handle (9)