RU2726360C1 - Additional caterpillar drive of bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: machine building.SUBSTANCE: invention relates to machine building, particularly, to additional caterpillar drives of bicycles. Drive includes frame, caterpillar track, drive rollers, caterpillar rolls or rollers. Design is mounted on wheel axle, bicycle frame or wheel axle and bicycle frame providing thrust of drive rollers to wheel with further transfer of rotation to caterpillar rolls and caterpillar. Design is made with possibility of rotation along axis between working position approximately equal to horizontal, and nonworking position, in which parts of caterpillar drive do not touch ground or road surface.EFFECT: fast folding and unfolding of caterpillar drive.8 cl, 3 dwg

Description

The invention relates to a bicycle attachment for driving on snow and / or mud and can replace or supplement a bicycle wheel.

From the prior art patent KR 101148449 is known, which describes an off-road bicycle in which the track is located simultaneously on the driving and driven wheels, which requires space between them for extending the track and, accordingly, the original frame. Differences from the stated solution are that:

The optional track drive is a standard bike attachment;

- Additional tracked drive does not require any changes to the design;

- The additional track drive is located on the rear drive wheel axle and does not interfere with steering.

Known patent CN 2910765, describing a bicycle with a caterpillar drive, which uses the original design of the rear, consisting of two wheels. Differences from the stated solution are that:

The optional track drive is a standard bike attachment;

- Optional crawler drive does not require design changes.

Known patent KR 101128842, describing a bicycle in which the track drive is a replacement for the standard wheel. Differences from the stated solution are that:

The optional track drive is a standard bike attachment;

- The additional track drive is based on the operation of the standard wheel and has the ability to shift axially if necessary to move on the wheel.

Known patent CN 2262524, describing a bicycle in which the original design of the rear with a caterpillar drive is applied. Differences from the stated solution are that:

The optional track drive is a standard bike attachment;

- The additional track drive is based on the operation of the standard wheel and has the ability to shift axially if necessary to move on the wheel.

The closest solution is US Pat. No. 7,232,130, which describes a rear crawler drive of a bicycle in which the track can have its own drive wheel or be fitted over an existing one. But with such a device, the dimensions of the caterpillar can be limited by the dimensions of the bicycle frame and, regardless of the position of the tensioner, the caterpillar put on the rear wheel will always be in contact with the ground, regardless of weather and road conditions, which on paved roads can lead to its rapid abrasion. In addition, the invention describes a fastening structure that may lead to the need for changes in the structure of the existing invention. Differences from the stated solution are that:

The additional track drive is a bike attachment;

- If necessary, the additional track drive can be shifted along the wheel axis, allowing you to continue driving without using the track;

- Although the additional track drive is attached to the bike frame, the main structure is moved outside of it, which makes it possible to manufacture the track and track rollers of various widths;

- The additional track drive is able to provide the best start to the movement on loose and liquid surfaces due to the wider track to keep the bike upright.

The technical result of the claimed invention is to create a tracked bicycle drive that would be able to quickly fold-unfold for movement on different surfaces, would have low pressure on the surface and could be used in conjunction with a bicycle wheel for riding on changing surfaces.

The technical result is achieved by placing a tracked drive (drive frame) on the wheel axis with the ability to rotate along this axis from the position of movement on the surface on the tracks to the position of movement on a standard wheel. Low pressure on the surface is ensured by the ability to manufacture and install track rollers and the track itself of any width, which is limited by the strength of the joints and the type of frame of the mechanism. And the possibility of joint use can be provided by raising the track just above the contact patch of the wheel, so that on a hard surface the bike moves on the wheel, and on a loose surface when the wheel goes deeper (for example, into snow or mud), the track drive starts to work.

Particular cases of manufacturing a structure are:

- Manufacturing of a structure with fastening only on the axle or on the axle and / or frame of the bicycle;

- The use of additional fastening elements of the structure;

- Manufacturing of a structure with an increased or reduced number of drive rollers or track rollers;

- Manufacturing of a structure that has no connection with the wheel axis;

- Manufacturing of a structure using a floating mode of the caterpillar in which the position of the structure relative to the axis can change when overcoming the terrain;

- Manufacturing of a structure with a different method of transferring force between elements.

Brief Description of Drawings:

FIG. 1 - General view of a bicycle with an additional tracked drive installed;

FIG. 2 - An enlarged view of the installed additional tracked drive;

FIG. 3 - Additional bicycle track drive.

The bike's optional track drive illustrations show the following:

1. Bicycle frame

2. Bicycle wheel

3. Track frame

4. Interframe fastener

5. Drive rollers

6. Track rollers

7. Caterpillar

8. Spring

9. Gears

The auxiliary track drive works as follows:

I. Working position. In the working position, the crawler drive frame (3) is lowered down along the wheel axis (2) to a position approximately equal to the horizontal one relative to the ground. The interframe fastener (4) is attached to the axle and / or the bicycle frame, and the spring (8) pulls the drive frame (3) to the wheel (2). Moreover, the interframe element (4) and the spring (8) are not mandatory structural elements, since the drive frame (3) may have the structure necessary for fastening the structure in its body. Further, since the drive frame (3) is pulled up to the wheel, the drive rollers (5) come into contact with the wheel (2) so that the rotation of the wheel (2) causes the drive rollers (5) to rotate in the opposite direction. Drive rollers (5) using gears (9) or chains, drive belts, rods, etc. transmit rotation and torque to the rollers (or the drive roller of the caterpillar) of the caterpillar (6), the rotation of which causes the movement of the caterpillar (7) in the direction equal to the direction of rotation of the wheel (2), thereby ensuring the movement of the bicycle on the caterpillar drive.

II. Out of service position. In the out-of-service position, the drive frame (3) along the wheel axis (2) rises to a position unequal to the horizontal so that the parts of the tracked drive do not touch the ground or the road surface and is fixed in this position. Moreover, the tracked drive in this position can operate in idle mode (if the contact of the drive rollers (5) with the wheel (2) remains) or be completely immobilized (if, due to adjustments, the movement of the drive frame (3) further from the wheel axis (2) with using an interframe fastener (4), a spring (8) or using other devices, devices, fasteners, the drive rollers (5) are removed from the wheel (2)).

Design features:

1. Additional mounting on the frame. Since the main attachment area of the tracked drive structure is located on the wheel axis (2), even though the attachment in this place may include an element of the bicycle frame (1), the structure can be rotated along the wheel axis (2). In order to avoid this, it is possible to use additional fastening devices that will create a strong structure. However, in order to avoid the location of large elements and increase the complexity of the structure, it should be recommended to limit yourself to the part of the bicycle frame (1) that is directly connected with the wheel mount (2).

2. Covering the drive rollers (5). In winter, it is possible for structural elements to freeze up, which can lead to elements slipping during operation. It is especially important to avoid this on the drive rollers (5) which are in contact with the wheel (2) by means of the wheel stop in them, i.e. if they become icy, the wheel may begin to slip. To avoid this, it is possible to apply a special coating of the drive rollers (5) using rubber materials, applying pimples, slots, grooves.

3. Application of floating mode. It should be noted that when driving through the terrain (hills, hills, artificial irregularities), an extensive loss of contact of the caterpillar (7) with the road is possible, since in this case part of the wheel or part of the caterpillar will provide movement. To avoid this and ensure the stable operation of the structure, it is possible to provide the so-called floating mode of operation of the structure, in which the frame (3) or part of the frame will be able to deviate from the initially specified plane depending on the slope of the surface. This can be provided by free movement of the structure at a certain angle at the point of attachment to the bike frame (1), or elsewhere using hinges, springs or rods.

4. Possibility of combined use of a caterpillar drive with a wheel. A situation may arise where the type of road surface changes frequently. This can happen, for example, in winter, when there are sections on a snow-covered road, under which a heating main is located, and also when it is necessary to overcome a cleaned motorway moving between local settlements. In this case, the structure can be initially manufactured or adjusted in such a way that the lower edge of the wheel (2), when viewed from the side, is slightly lower than the lower edge of the track (7). Thus, on a hard surface the wheel (2) will provide movement, and in difficult areas the wheel will sink into the ground or snow and the caterpillar (7) will provide movement.

5. Width limitation by the frame of the mechanism. Despite the fact that there are significant restrictions on the width of the used track rollers

(6) and the caterpillar (7) itself is not, it should be borne in mind that fastening the structure to the bicycle frame (1), which has a certain size, leads to the need to complicate the structure of the caterpillar drive frame (3), which in the simplest version has straight walls, with with a gap approximately equal to the width of the bicycle frame (1). An increase in the frame (3) will lead to the complexity of the production of the structure as a whole, an increase in the weight of the structure, but it is possible in cases when the bicycle is used in difficult road conditions.

6. Start of movement in difficult conditions. As a rule, when starting to ride a bicycle, a person makes a slight push forward, after which he begins to pedal. In difficult conditions (mud, snow), it can be difficult to make such a push, therefore, the vertical stability of the bicycle is of particular importance, which can be achieved within the framework of this invention using the width and plane of the track (7). It should be assumed that a wheel with a rounded tire shape (in section) has a better chance of the bike tilting on its side. The caterpillar (7) is flat (in section) and has greater stability, which increases with increasing width.

7. Application of bearings and bushings. Depending on the type of attachment of the drive frame (3) or the interframe fastening element (4) to the bicycle, the method by which the structure transitions to a working or non-working position can also differ. In some cases, bearings or bushings may be included in the structure to facilitate axial movement of the structure to assume a new position. Their presence will also contribute to the absence of the need to unscrew (loosen) the fasteners of the structure to move it.

8. Gears. The design specifies the transfer of torque, rotation and force from the drive rollers (5) to the track rollers (6) using gears. In general, gears are optional and can be replaced with rods, chain drives, belt drives, magnetic links, etc.

9. Springs. The springs (8) are designed in the indicated design to pull the drive frame (3) to the interframe fastener (4) and to create a tighter contact between the wheel (2) and the drive rollers (5). These tasks can be performed both by tension springs and by other elements, depending on the fastening design used. These can be compression springs, gas springs, cables that tighten the structure with the help of human muscle effort, etc. In addition, a complete rejection of such elements is possible in cases where the design of the tracked drive is initially made in such a way as to ensure reliable contact of the wheel (2) with the drive rollers (5).

10. Adjustment of the position of the structure. The position of the structure can be provided by various elements. For example, the simplest way of fastening is to use a wheel nut, which will be manually untwisted and loosened when the structure needs to be moved. Specialized wheel fasteners can also be used, which will allow the structure to be disengaged without the need to influence the wheel fastening (2). Thus, by disengaging the structure or loosening the fasteners, you can move the drive frame (3) along the axis of the wheel (2) to the desired position depending on the terrain to be overcome.

11. Track rollers and drive rollers. Depending on the situation, the names of the track rollers, intermediate rollers, intermediate rollers, etc. may be used in the same design instead of the phrase Track rollers or drive rollers.

The solution of the previously described problems is facilitated by the fastening of the structure on the wheel axle with the possibility of turning, the possibility of using track rollers and caterpillar tracks of any size and the ability to adjust the height of the structure so that on hard surfaces the movement is provided by the wheel, and on soft surfaces.

Claims (8)

1. Additional track drive of a bicycle, including a frame, a track, drive rollers, track rollers or rollers, characterized in that the structure is attached to the wheel axle, the bicycle frame or the wheel axle and the bicycle frame providing the thrust of the drive rollers to the wheel with further transmission of rotation track rollers and caterpillar, while the structure is made with the possibility of pivoting along the axis between the working position, approximately equal to the horizontal, and the non-working position, in which the parts of the caterpillar drive do not touch the ground or the road surface. 2. An additional tracked bicycle drive according to claim 1, characterized in that it has an additional attachment to the bicycle frame. 3. An additional tracked bicycle drive according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmission of torque, rotation and force from the drive rollers to the track rollers can be provided by means of rods, chain drive, belt drive or magnetic coupling. 4. An additional tracked bicycle drive according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive rollers can be covered with a rubber material or pimples, grooves, splines can be applied to them. 5. An additional caterpillar drive of a bicycle according to claim 1, characterized in that a free wheeling of the structure can be applied at the attachment point, as well as in another place using hinges, springs or rods. 6. Additional track drive of the bicycle according to claim 1, characterized in that the structure can be manufactured or adjusted in such a way that the lower edge of the wheel is lower than the lower edge of the track. 7. An additional tracked bicycle drive according to claim 1, characterized in that, depending on the type of attachment, bearings or bushings can be used. 8. Additional track drive of the bicycle according to claim 1, characterized in that the track rollers and drive rollers can be replaced by rollers.

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