WO2004005123A1

WO2004005123A1 - Collapsible bicycle

Info

Publication number: WO2004005123A1
Application number: PCT/DE2003/000038
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Hördum
Original assignee: Hoerdum Martin
Priority date: 2002-07-02
Filing date: 2003-01-09
Publication date: 2004-01-15
Also published as: DE10229698A1; AU2003205511A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a collapsible bicycle (1) which comprises a front wheel unit (2) provided with at least one front wheel, and a rear wheel unit (4) provided with at least one rear wheel. The front wheel unit and the rear wheel unit (4) are connected to each other with the aid of a hinged unit (6) which forms a rotatable axis in such a way that the collapsible bicycle (1) can be placed in operative position and in transport position by actuating the hinged unit (6). When the collapsible bicycle (1) is in operative position, the rotatable axis of the hinged unit (6) is oriented substantially parallel to the surface of a road.

Description

Designation: Folding bike

The present invention is a folding bike with the features of the preamble of the main claim.

Corresponding folding wheels are known in large numbers from the prior art. They generally have a front wheel unit with a front wheel and a rear wheel unit with a rear wheel. The simplest known design of a folding bike is given by the folding bike, which enjoyed a special popularity in the 70s of the 20th century. When Klapprad the front and the rear wheel unit are connected to each other via a hinge unit, wherein the hinge unit forms an axis of rotation. When folding bike this axis of rotation is oriented at a ready-mounted folding bike substantially perpendicular to the road surface.

Typical folding wheels have a heavyweight tubular steel frame, the two parts are connected to each other via said hinge unit. Common impeller size is a diameter of 20 inches. The previously known folding wheels have the design-related disadvantage of a relatively large pack size in the folded state.

Furthermore, it is structurally difficult to realize a folding bike with a low weight, which can be transported in the folded state by the user without much effort by hand.

Starting from the traditional folding wheels have become known in the meantime a variety of new folding bikes, which are modified by the previously known folding wheels substantially by

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc Frame structures differ. The aim of these modifications is generally a simplified collapsibility and a reduced packing size of the folding wheels. Prominent representatives of these folding wheels are, for example, the folding wheels, which are offered by the company Brompton Bicycle Ltd., Brentford, Middlesex TW8 9QR, UK, or offered under the name Moulton folding bikes Alex Moulton Bycicles, Bradford on Avon Wiltshire BA 15 IAH , UK are offered. The folding wheels mentioned have a significantly reduced weight and a much improved handling when folding. Due to their design, however, they are also equipped with 20 inches or larger wheels, which means that the folding bikes mentioned in the folded state have a high packing size, so that they can be transported by their users only very limited by hand.

Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a folding bike, which has the smallest dimensions in the folded state and can be realized due to its design of a few parts and, consequently, with low weight, so that it can be easily transported by his user by hand.

This object is achieved by a folding bike with the features of the main claim.

According to the invention, the axis of rotation of the hinge unit of the folding wheel according to the invention is oriented substantially parallel to the road surface when driving with the folding wheel in the driving state. This novel orientation of the axis of rotation of the hinge unit allows a substantial reduction of the packing size of the inventive folding wheel in the folded state. simultaneously

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc It allows the construction of a folding bike, which automatically builds up under the influence of gravity when it is brought by the user into an assembly position.

The front wheel unit has a longitudinal axis extending from the front wheel to the rotation axis of the hinge unit. Likewise, the rear wheel unit has a longitudinal axis which extends from the rear wheel to the axis of rotation of the hinge unit. Particular advantages now arise when the longitudinal axis of the front wheel unit and the longitudinal axis of the rear wheel unit in the driving state of the folding bike form a downwardly open V. In the transport state of the folding bike, however, the longitudinal axes of the front wheel unit and the rear wheel unit are advantageously oriented substantially parallel or include an acute angle, which may be below 15 ° in particular. By the described orientation of the front wheel unit and the rear wheel unit relative to each other, it is possible to realize a folding bike whose frame is stabilized in the driving state by the action of the weight of the driver, in particular is locked in the driving state.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the folding wheel according to the invention, a connecting part is provided, which is connected via a connecting joint articulated to a first wheel unit. The axis of rotation of the connecting joint is oriented substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the joint unit. The connecting part has a device for the second wheel unit, which connects the second wheel unit in the driving state of the folding bike with the connecting part. By connecting the second wheel unit of the folding wheel to the connection part via the connection device, the opening angle of the downwardly opened V formed by the longitudinal axes of the front and rear wheel units is fixed. In this advantageous embodiment of the

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc According to the invention Faltrades form portions of the front wheel unit, the rear wheel unit and the connecting part a triangle, wherein the axis of rotation of the hinge unit and the connecting joint of the connecting part form two of the three corner points.

Under a connecting device should be understood in terms of a folding wheel according to the invention all conceivable mechanical connecting parts which connect the connecting part with the rear wheel unit and thereby define the opening angle of the downwardly open V, which is formed by the frame. In the embodiments, a plurality of different such connecting parts are shown, e.g. are designed as a lever rod or as a connecting part with a central bore.

As already stated, the connecting part is connected via a connecting joint with a first wheel unit. Particular advantages now arise when the connecting part is connected at least in the driving state via a spring and / or damping element with the second wheel unit. In this way, with few components, an effective suspension of the inventive folding wheel can be realized.

In a particularly advantageous development of the folding wheel according to the invention, the connecting device of the connecting part has a lever rod pivotally connected to the connecting part and the second wheel unit. In particular, the connecting device of the connecting part may consist of a lever rod. In the simplest case, the lever rod consists of a rigid pipe section, which is pivotally connected at its first end to the connecting part and is pivotally connected at its second end to the second wheel unit. In conjunction with a support for the connecting part, which at the

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc second wheel unit is provided, the lever rod determines the maximum opening angle of the downward V in the driving state of the invention folding wheel.

Particular advantages arise when the connecting part carries a saddle for a bicycle. By a suitable construction can be achieved so that the weight of the driver sitting in the saddle stabilizes the frame of the inventive folding wheel in the driving condition.

The usability of the inventive folding wheel is substantially improved if the front wheel and / or the rear wheel are designed steerable. Due to the underlying simple frame construction of the inventive folding wheel, it is possible to design either the front wheel or the rear wheel or both steerable. This, too, constitutes a significant advantage of the folding wheel according to the invention over the folding wheels known from the prior art and allows various configurations of the folding wheel. Some examples of this are shown in the embodiments.

The operating comfort of the folding wheel according to the invention can be further improved by providing a mechanical drive unit for driving at least one impeller of the folding wheel. In a simple first embodiment, such is not provided, the folding wheel according to the invention is used as an impeller. However, it is readily possible to provide a mechanical drive unit for driving by the muscular force of the user or alternatively a motor drive unit based, for example, on an internal combustion engine or an electric motor.

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc Further features and advantages of the invention Faltrades will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following embodiments, which are explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. In this show:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a first exemplary embodiment of a folding wheel according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a second exemplary embodiment of a folding wheel according to the invention,

3a shows a third embodiment in the assembled state in side view,

Figure 3b: the third embodiment during the

Folding up,

FIG. 4 shows a fifth exemplary embodiment of a folding wheel according to the invention in side view,

5a shows a side view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a folding wheel according to the invention, FIG.

Figure 5b: a plan view of the connecting part of the fourth

embodiment,

FIG. 6a shows a side view of a sixth exemplary embodiment of a folding wheel according to the invention,

FIG. 6b shows a rear view of the folding wheel from FIG. 6a,

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc FIGS. 7a to 7c show the folding wheel according to the sixth exemplary embodiment in a set-up sequence,

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a seventh exemplary embodiment of a folding wheel according to the invention;

FIG. 9: an eighth exemplary embodiment of a folding wheel according to the invention in side view,

FIG. 10 shows a ninth exemplary embodiment of a folding wheel according to the invention in a perspective representation,

11 shows a tenth embodiment of a folding wheel according to the invention in a perspective view,

FIG. 12 shows an eleventh embodiment of a folding wheel according to the invention in a side view,

FIG. 13 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a folding wheel according to the invention in side view,

FIG. 14 shows a thirteenth exemplary embodiment of a folding motor-driven folding wheel according to the invention,

Figure 15: another embodiment of a

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc Folding wheel with luggage carrier according to the invention in side view,

FIG. 16: a further exemplary embodiment of a folding wheel according to the invention in the form of a recumbent in a perspective view,

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a folding bicycle according to the invention in the form of a toy for children;

FIG. 18 shows a further exemplary embodiment in the form of a

Tandems in side view,

Figure 19: a development of the sixth embodiment according to Figure 6a in perspective view, and

Figure 20: another embodiment with mechanical

Drive.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a first exemplary embodiment of a folding wheel according to the invention. The front wheel unit of the folding wheel 1 consists of a straight tube 41 with a round cross section. At its upper end, the tube 41 is rotatably mounted in a steering head sleeve 38, wherein for storage originating from the bicycle technology bearing with "A-Head ^α - system can be used. In this case, the upper end of the tube 41 protrudes beyond the steering head sleeve 38. On this free upper end of a handlebar 16 is placed using a suitable stem.

A lower end of the tube 41 is a fork-shaped impeller receptacle 42

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc provided in which a front wheel 3 is rotatably mounted. As a front wheel 3, for example, a ball-bearing rubber roller of an inline skate can be used. Corresponding rolls are available in high quality and at low prices in the market. They typically have a diameter in the range of 7-10 cm. Their use offers the advantage of good running properties at low cost and makes it possible to realize a folding bike 1 with the smallest dimensions in the transport state.

A rear wheel unit 4 is connected to the front wheel unit 2 via a hinge unit 6. In this case, the rear wheel unit consists of a straight tube 41 with a round cross-section. At its upper end, the tube 41 is rigidly connected to the hinge unit 6. At its lower end, the tube 41 has a fork-shaped impeller receptacle 42, in which a rear impeller 5 is rotatably mounted. The rear wheel 5 is formed identical to the front wheel 3.

The hinge unit 6 connects the front wheel unit 2 pivotally connected to the rear wheel unit 4, wherein during pivoting of the rear wheel unit 4 against the front wheel unit 2, a rotational movement about an axis perpendicular to the paper plane rotation axis of the hinge unit 6 is executed, as in Figure 1 by the arrow indicated. The hinge unit 6 has a locking device which locks the inventive folding bike 1 both in the driving state and in the transport state. To build the folding bike 1 or fold this lock is released by pressing a locking lever 37th

With the tube 41 of the rear wheel unit 4 is a seat post 32, which also consists of a tube 41 with a round cross-section, by means of a

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc Articulated connection 40 pivotally connected. This articulated connection 40 also has a locking device with which the saddle 14 carried by the seat post 32 can be locked in a position of use and in a transport position. In order to move the saddle 14 between these positions, the locking device is released by actuation of the locking lever 37.

All tubes 41 are made of thin-walled, seamlessly drawn aluminum tube, as it is used in the construction of bicycle frame use. Alternatively, other materials such as steel, fiber reinforced plastics, titanium alloys, etc. may be used.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of an inventive folding wheel 1 in side view. The front wheel unit 2 has an analog to the figure 1 construction. Likewise, the rear wheel unit 4 has an analog to the figure 1 construction. The front wheel unit 2 and the rear wheel unit 4 are in turn pivotally connected to each other via a hinge unit 6, wherein the hinge unit 6 forms an axis of rotation which is perpendicular to the paper plane. A rotational movement of the rear wheel unit 4 against the front wheel unit 2 is possible about this axis of rotation, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. The hinge unit 6 has, in contrast to the first embodiment, no locking device, the maximum opening angle of the downwardly open V formed by the front wheel unit 2 and the rear wheel unit 4 is determined by forming abutment surfaces in the hinge unit 6, to which the tube 41 of the rear Wheel unit 4 strikes.

The steering head sleeve 38 of the second embodiment is fixedly connected to a pipe support 43. This pipe support 43 is provided for receiving a seat post 32 with a circular cross-section. The in the

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc Pipe support 43 inserted seat post 32 is secured by means of a through-hole inserted through a securing pin 34. The seat post 32 carries a saddle 14 for a user. A certain adjustability of the folding wheel 1 shown is achieved by the saddle 14 is slidably mounted on the seat post 32, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 2.

FIG. 3a shows a third exemplary embodiment of a folding wheel 1 according to the invention in the driving state in a side view. The front wheel unit 2 and the rear wheel unit 4 are formed analogously to the first two embodiments. Between the front wheel unit 2 and the rear wheel unit 4, a connecting part 8 is arranged. On the tube 41 of the front wheel unit 2, a sliding sleeve 39 is slidably disposed. With this sliding sleeve 39, the connecting part 8 is pivotally connected by means of a connecting joint 9. The axis of rotation of the connecting joint 9 is perpendicular to the plane of the paper. Furthermore, the connecting part 8 is rotatably connected to the rear wheel unit 4 in its central region by means of a hinge connection 40, whose axis of rotation is also perpendicular to the plane of the paper.

From Figure 3b, the transition of the folding bike 1 from the driving condition in the transport state can be seen. To move from the driving state to the transport state, the connecting part 8 and the rear wheel unit 4 are scissors-like rotated against each other, with the sliding sleeve 39 moves on the tube 41 of the front wheel unit 2, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 3b. At the same time, the wheels 3 and 5 move toward each other. The transport state is taken when the tube 41 of the rear wheel unit 4 comes to rest against the tube 41 of the front wheel unit 2.

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc At its rear end, the connecting part 8 is connected to a seat post 32 on which a saddle 14 is slidably disposed.

The third exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 3 a and 3 b has the advantage that the folding wheel 1 according to the invention, when brought into a vertical position by the user, builds up autonomously under the influence of gravity from the transport state into the driving state. At best, this requires little user support.

Due to the scissor-type arrangement of the rear wheel unit 4 and connecting part 8 and the arrangement of the saddle 14, the load of the saddle 14 by the weight of the seated in the saddle driver 14 leads to a mechanical tension of the front wheel unit 2, the rear wheel unit 4 and the connecting part 8 existing frame of the folding bike 1, which stabilized this significantly.

FIG. 5a shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of a folding wheel 1 according to the invention, which consists of a modification of the third exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3a. The only difference to the folding wheel 1 shown in FIG. 3 a is the embodiment of the articulated connection 40, via which the rear wheel unit 4 and the connecting part 8 are articulated. In the fourth embodiment according to FIG. 5 a, the connecting part 8 has a plurality of through bores 33, which extend along the connecting part 8. The articulated connection 40 is now formed by a securing screw 35, which is inserted through a through hole 33 in the connecting part 8 and through a through hole 33 in the tube 41 of the rear wheel unit 4 and secured. In which in the connecting part 8, a plurality of through holes 33 is provided, is a

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc Adapting the dimensions of the inventive folding wheel 1 to the needs of the driver by selecting a suitable through hole 33 in the simplest manner possible.

Figure 5b shows in plan view the connecting part 8 of the third and fourth embodiment. It consists of a metallic base body, which may be milled from aluminum, for example. At its front end, the main body has a semicircular recess which is inserted over the sliding sleeve 39. The connector is designed so that the base body 34 against the sliding sleeve 39 about an axis of rotation which is perpendicular to the paper plane, can rotate. Furthermore, the base body has a central opening 45, through which the tube 41 of the rear wheel unit 4 is passed. Finally, the main body is mechanically fixed at its rear end to the seat post 32, for example by means of screwing or welding.

Figure 4 shows a fifth embodiment of an inventive folding wheel 1 in a side view, which is characterized by a particularly small number of parts and a high degree of adjustability. The structure of the front wheel unit 2 again corresponds to that of the first embodiment, as well as the structure of the rear wheel unit 4. In addition, in the rear wheel unit 4, a plurality of through holes 33 are executed. With the front wheel unit 2, a connecting part 8 is pivotally connected, wherein the connecting part 8 may correspond to that of the fourth embodiment according to Figure 5b. Also, the connecting part 8 has a plurality of through holes 33. The connecting part 8 is now connected by means of a connecting joint 9 articulated to the front wheel unit 2, here in more detail with the steering head sleeve 38 of the front wheel unit 2. The axis of rotation of the connecting joint 9 is again perpendicular to the

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc Paper plane. An adaptation of the geometry of the folding bike 1 to the needs of the user is now done by the user according to his needs suitable through holes 33 in the tube 41 of the rear wheel unit 4 and the connecting part 8 selects and the rear wheel unit 4 and the connecting part 8 by means of a locking screw 35, which is inserted through the respective through holes 33 and secured, hingedly interconnected. It is immediately apparent that with the number of five through bores in the pipe 41 as well as in the connecting part 8, a large variety of individual settings of the folding wheel according to the invention can be realized.

FIGS. 6a and 6b show a sixth exemplary embodiment of a folding wheel 1 according to the invention. The folding wheel according to the sixth exemplary embodiment also has a construction which is fundamentally oriented to the structure of the folding wheel 1 known from the first exemplary embodiment. The front wheel unit 2 consists of a straight pipe 41 with a round cross-section, which, however, in contrast to the first embodiment is designed in two parts with different pipe diameters, wherein the pipe section with a smaller diameter is displaceable in the interior of the pipe section with a larger diameter. The pipe section with a smaller pipe diameter can be locked by means of a telescopic adjustment 44 in the pipe section with a larger pipe diameter. The pipe section with a larger pipe diameter is in turn rotatably mounted in a steering head sleeve 38 using known control head bearings. On the upper end of the pipe section with a larger diameter turn a handlebar 16 is mounted using a stem. It is irrelevant whether the pipe section with a larger diameter of the tube 41 passes through the steering head sleeve 38 or whether the pipe section with smaller

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc Diameter completely engages through the pipe section with a larger diameter and protrudes from the upper end of the steering head sleeve 38. At the lower end of the tube 41 of the front wheel unit an impeller receptacle 42 is again provided, in which a front impeller 3 is rotatably mounted. With the front wheel unit 2, a rear wheel unit 4 is pivotally connected to each other via a hinge unit 6, the possible relative movement of the front wheel unit 2 and the rear wheel unit 4 is indicated by the curved arrow in Figure 6a.

As in the previous embodiments, in the sixth embodiment, the longitudinal axes of the front wheel unit 2 and the rear wheel unit 4 in the running state of the folding wheel 1 open to the Earth's surface V. Here, the longitudinal axis of the front wheel unit 2 is given by the bearing point of the front wheel. 3 Likewise, the longitudinal axis of the rear wheel unit is given by the pivot point of the rear wheel 5 and the pivot point of the hinge unit 6. The axis of rotation defined by the hinge unit 6 is as in the previous embodiments perpendicular to the paper plane in Fig. 6a ,

Also, the tube 41 of the rear wheel unit 4 is designed in two parts, wherein a pipe section with a smaller diameter is guided displaceably in the interior of a pipe section with a larger diameter. The pipe section with a smaller diameter is connected by means of a telescopic adjustment 44 fixed but adjustable with the pipe section with a larger diameter.

The connecting part 8 is in turn formed analogous to the connecting part 8 of the fourth embodiment of FIG. 5b. That is, it overlaps with its central opening 45, the tube 41 of the rear

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc Wheel unit 4. The connecting part 8 is connected at its front end by means of a connecting joint 9 articulated to the steering head sleeve 38 of the front wheel unit 2. In its middle part, the connecting part 8 is pivotally connected to the first end on a lever rod 13. The axis of rotation of this articulated connection 40 in turn is perpendicular to the plane of the paper. At its second end, the rod 13 is pivotally connected via a hinge connection 40 to the pipe section with a larger diameter of the tube 41 of the rear wheel unit 4. In its rear area, the main body 8 in turn carries a seat post 32 which carries a saddle 14. An adjustability of the frame of the folding wheel according to the sixth embodiment is achieved, in which the connecting part 8 rests on a support 36, which consists of a displaceable on the tube 41 of the rear wheel unit 4 sleeve, the position of this sleeve on the tube 41, for example by means a locking screw can be fixed. In the driving condition of the folding wheel 1, the underside of the connecting part 8 now comes to rest on the upper side of the sleeve 36 forming the cuff. A cushioning effect can be achieved by covering the upper surface of the cuff with an elastic material, in particular an elastomer such as that used for suspension forks for bicycles. However, such a resilient element is not apparent from Figures 6a and 6b.

FIG. 6b shows the folding wheel 1 from FIG. 6a in a rear view, wherein the folding wheel 1 is shown standing ready for use in the driving state on a road surface. The horizontally extending dashed lines indicate the orientations of the axes of rotation which comprise the hinge unit 6, the connecting joint 9 and the articulated connections 40. Furthermore, dashed lines, the axis of rotation of the front wheel 3 and the rear wheel 5 is shown. It can be clearly seen that all

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc Rotary axes are oriented substantially parallel to each other and the road surface.

FIGS. 7a, 7b and 7c show a construction sequence of the folding wheel 1 according to the sixth exemplary embodiment. FIG. 7a shows the folding wheel 1 from FIG. 6a in the transport state. In this, the longitudinal axes of the front wheel unit 2 and the rear wheel unit 4 are substantially parallel to each other, or include only an acute angle, which moves in the range of less than 10 ° with each other. It can clearly be seen that the concept of the frame of the folding wheel 1 according to the invention enables an extremely small pack size of the folding wheel 1 in the transport state. It can be seen from FIGS. 7b and 7c how the folding wheel according to the sixth exemplary embodiment automatically builds up under the influence of gravity, which is indicated by the vertical arrow in FIG. 7b, when the folding wheel 1 moves from the user into an upright position on the road surface 7 standing position is brought. During the assembly process, the user only has to ensure that the folding bike 1 remains in the upright position and support the body movement of the folding bike 1 at most slightly manually. From Figure 7b is again very clearly see the support 36, whose position on the tube 41, as indicated by the double arrow, can be varied.

Figure 8 shows a seventh embodiment of a folding wheel according to the invention 1. This embodiment shows a walker for handicapped, especially the elderly. It differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 essentially by a fork 29, which is integrated in the rear wheel unit 4 and serves to receive two rear wheels 5. The distance between the legs of the fork 29 is dimensioned so that the legs of the saddle on the 14th

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc seated driver of the folding bike 1 unhindered walking movements can perform. By three wheels, namely a front wheel 3 and two rear wheels 5 are provided, the folding of this embodiment obtains a significantly increased stability and is thus optimally tailored to the needs of people with disabilities.

FIG. 9 shows an eighth exemplary embodiment of a folding wheel 1 according to the invention. This is particularly adapted to the needs of comfort-conscious users. The folding wheel corresponds in its construction substantially to that shown in FIG. 6a. It is complemented by a damping element 11 and a spring element 12. The damping element 11, for example an elastomer, oil pressure or gas pressure tossdämpfer, and the spring element 12, in particular a coil spring, are arranged coaxially and at their upper end and at its lower end with each other connected. At its upper end, the damping element 11 and the spring element 12 are pivotally connected via a hinge connection 40 with the seat post 32 of the connecting part 8. At its lower end, the damping element 11 and the spring element 12 are articulated via a hinge connection 40 with the tube 41 of the rear wheel unit 4. The pivot points of the articulated joints 40 are arranged so that a certain relative movement of the front wheel unit and the rear wheel unit 4 in the direction of the double arrow shown is possible. The damping element 11 and the spring element 12 thereby ensure a vibration-damped suspension of the saddle 14, which significantly increases the comfort of the user of the folding bike.

If, in the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the damping element 11 is omitted and only one spring element 12 having a sufficiently high spring constant is inserted in its place, then this leads

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc an up and down movement of the saddle 14 in the direction of the double arrow drawn to a "up and Zubewegung" of the formed by the front wheel unit 2 and the rear wheel unit 4, downwardly open V of the frame of the folding bike For propulsion of the folding wheel 1 according to the invention, for this purpose, there are provided on the wheels of the folding wheel 1, namely the front running wheel 3 and the rear running wheel 5, pinions 21 which are rigidly connected to the respective running wheel. which allow a rotational movement of the respective impeller in the forward direction only, the rotation in the reverse direction is blocked.

If now an up and down movement of the saddle 14 induces an upward and downward movement of the V of the frame of the folding wheel 1, then the up and down movement of the saddle leads to a forward movement. If the saddle 14 is moved downwards, this increases the opening angle of the V, due to the blocking effect of the return-lock springs 30, this leads to a forward movement of the front wheel unit, but not to a backward movement of the rear wheel unit. Likewise, the reduction in the opening angle of the V caused by upward movement of the saddle results in forward movement of the folding wheel, since backward movement of the front wheel is blocked by the associated return lock spring 30. By contrast, a forward movement of the rear wheel 5 is released by the associated return lock spring. An up and down movement of the saddle 14 therefore leads to a more or less continuous forward movement of the folding bike 1. If the up and down movement carried out with the appropriate violence, so the entire folding bike according to this eighth embodiment can be used as a sports equipment. In particular, it is then possible with the inventive folding wheel according to this

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc Embodiment to perform jumps in the forward direction.

FIG. 10 shows a ninth exemplary embodiment of a folding wheel according to the invention. This is a tricycle, especially for children, based on the same inventive design principles as the previous embodiments. It in turn has a front wheel unit 2, which is steerably mounted in a steering head sleeve 38 as in the previous embodiments. The rotatably mounted at the lower end of the front wheel unit 2 front wheel 3 has a larger diameter and is rigidly connected to pedal cranks 19, as is already known in three-wheeled vehicles. The rear wheel unit 4 of the folding bike 1 has in its lower region a fork 29, at the two fork arms each a rear wheel 5 are rotatably mounted. The fork legs of the fork 29 are designed so that an unimpeded pedaling movement of sitting on the saddle 14 driver of the tricycle is possible.

FIG. 11 shows a tenth exemplary embodiment of a folding wheel 1 according to the invention. This differs essentially in two points from the preceding embodiments. The front wheel unit 2 now carries two front wheels 3, which are not steered. By contrast, the rear wheel unit 4 carries only a rear wheel 5, which is rotatably mounted in a steering head sleeve 38. The rotational movements are in turn transmitted via a link 16. The front wheels 3 of the front wheel unit 2 are supported by a common drive shaft on which a pinion 21 is arranged. The drive shaft is rotatably mounted on a chain stay 22, which in turn is connected via a hinge connection 40 articulated to the tube 41 of the front wheel unit 2. In its central region, the chain stay 22 is articulated via a further articulated connection 40 with a

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc Drive rod 23 connected. This is connected at its upper end articulated via a further hinge connection 40 with the central region of the connecting part 8. Due to this kinematic arrangement, the connecting part 8 and the chain stay 22 perform a positively coupled movement.

At its rear end, the chain stay 22 carries in a bearing rotatably mounted pedal cranks 19, which are rigidly connected to a drive pinion. This drive pinion drives the pinion 21 of the drive shaft of the front wheels 3 via a chain 20.

The entire frame structure of the folding bike 1 according to the tenth embodiment is similar to the above embodiments, in particular as shown in Figures 7a to 7c foldable folded. In the folded state and the folding wheel according to this embodiment takes an extraordinarily small pack size. The folding bike according to the tenth embodiment is particularly suitable for transporting, for example, luggage, since a luggage rack 28 is provided in the area of the front wheel unit.

FIG. 12 now shows a winter sport suitable modification of the folding wheel shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b. Instead of the wheels 3 and 5 provided there are provided in the eleventh embodiment shown in Figure 12 skids for locomotion on ice or skis for travel on snow. Otherwise, the construction, as can be seen in FIGS. 6a and 6b, was adopted identically.

FIG. 13 shows a further embodiment of a folding wheel which, in its construction, also essentially corresponds to that of FIGS. 6a and 6b

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc 6b apparent folding bike corresponds. This was supplemented by a drive rod 23, which is connected at its upper end by means of a hinge connection 40 articulated to the seat post 32 of the connecting part 8. At its lower end, the drive rod 23 is pivotally connected to a chain stay 22 by means of another hinge connection 40. In this area, a pivot bearing for cranks 19 is provided on the chain stay 22. At its rear end is the chainstay

22 rotatably connected via a hinge connection with the lower end of the rear wheel unit 4, here in the region of the rotary bearing of the rear wheel 5. In addition, the rear wheel 5 is rigidly connected to a pinion 21. This is driven by a chain 20 of the drive pinion rigidly connected to the crank 19. Care must be taken in this embodiment that the drive rod

23 and the chain stay 22 are executed with their respective hinges 40 so that an unimpeded movement of the front wheel unit 2 and the rear wheel unit 4 between the transport state and driving state remains possible.

FIG. 14 shows a further exemplary embodiment, which likewise is based on the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 6a and 6b. In this embodiment, a motor 26 is provided for driving the folding wheel 1, which drives via a gear 27, a chain 22 and a pinion 21 connected to a pinion 21 rear wheel 5. As engine 26 may be provided an internal combustion engine or an electric motor. To supply the motor 26, a tank 25 or a battery 25 is accordingly provided on the rear wheel unit 4. For driving the motor 26, a footrest 24 is provided in the region of the front wheel unit 2, which carries one or more control pedals for the motor 26 and the associated gear 27. On the footrest 24, the user can park his feet while driving.

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of a folding wheel 1 according to the invention which is based on the exemplary embodiment from FIGS. 6a and 6b and has a luggage carrier 28 in the region of the front wheel unit 2. This luggage carrier 28 is used to carry luggage and is particularly suitable for use, for example, at stations or airports.

FIG. 16 shows a further embodiment of the folding wheel 1 according to the invention, wherein the folding wheel is used as a recumbent. Starting from the structure shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b, the rear wheel unit 4 of the folding wheel 1 is modified. At the lower end of the tube 41 of the rear wheel unit, a drive rod 23 is pivotally mounted via a hinge connection 40. This drive rod 23 carries at its rear end a rear wheel 5. In its central region, the drive rod 23 is pivotally connected via a further hinge connection 40 with the central part of the connecting part 8. At its front end, the drive rod 23 has a bearing for receiving the cranks 19, which drive via a chain 20 connected to the rear wheel 5 pinion 21. This embodiment of the folding wheel 1 according to the invention is particularly suitable for use by experienced drivers for rapid movement.

FIG. 17 shows a modification of the folding wheel shown in FIG. 16 for use by children. Instead of a respective front wheel 3 and a rear wheel 5, two wheels are provided in each case. The rear wheels 5 are mounted on a common drive shaft which carries the pinion 21. The front wheels have individual suspensions and are pivotable via steering lever 31 by means of the link 16. The folding wheel shown according to this embodiment corresponds to a go-kart whose frame is made foldable.

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc Figure 18 shows a modification of a folding wheel according to the invention, which is based on the same construction principles as the embodiments already shown. Also, this folding wheel builds up automatically from an assembly position under the influence of gravity. It represents a first realization of a foldable tandem. Accordingly, two links 16 and two saddles 14 are provided. Instead of a connecting part 8 and a hinge unit 6, two are provided in each case. Furthermore, an additional coupling rod 46 is provided, which is connected at its upper end to the first hinge unit 6 and at its lower end to the second connecting part 8. Furthermore, the coupling rod 46 is pivotally connected to a lever rod 13. The coupling rod therefore takes over the function of the tube 41 of the rear wheel unit 4. Due to the construction shown, the frame of the Falttandems can fold like scissors.

FIG. 19 shows the folding wheel from FIGS. 6a and 6b in a solar or rain-capable development. For this purpose, the hinge unit 6 is further developed such that it forms a receptacle for the shaft of a sun or umbrella 47.

Finally, FIG. 20 shows a simplified embodiment of a folding wheel driven by muscle power via pedal cranks 19, chain 20 and pinion 21 in comparison to FIG. In this embodiment, the pivot bearing of the cranks 19 is supported directly by the lever rod 13. In order to provide the required geometrical conditions, the connecting joint 9 of the connecting part 8 and the articulated connection 40 of the lever rod is respectively displaced in the immediate vicinity of the impeller receivers 42. For this purpose, the steering head sleeve 38 is extended to the runner receptacle 42 of the front wheel 3.

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc Practically all embodiments shown use front and rear wheels 3, 5 with small diameters and treads made of solid rubber. This has positive effects on the achievable pack size of the folding wheels. If, on the other hand, special emphasis is placed on the smooth running of the folding bike, wheels with a larger diameter and / or pneumatic tires can easily be used. In particular, conventional bicycle spoked wheels can be used.

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc Designation: Folding bike

reference numeral

1 folding wheel 18 skids 38 steering head sleeve

2 front 19 pedal crank 39 sliding sleeve

Wheel unit 20 Chain 40 Joint connection

3 front wheel 21 pinion g

4 rear 22 chainstay 41 tube

Wheel unit 23 Drive rod 42 Impeller mount

5 Rear wheel 24 Footrest 43 Pipe support

6 Hinge unit 25 Tank 44 Telescope adjustment

7 Road surface 26 Engine height 27 Transmission 45 Central opening

8 connecting part 28 luggage carrier 46 coupling rod

9 connecting gongs 29 Fork 47 Shield k 30 Backstop spring

10 Connection pr ection 31 Steering lever

11 Damping ele- ments 32 Seat post nt 33 Through hole

12 spring element ung

13 Lever rod 34 locking pin

14 saddle 35 safety bolt

15 drive unit practice

16 handlebar 36 edition

17 Ski 37 locking lever

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc

Claims

Designation: FaltradPatentansprüche

A folding bicycle (1) comprising a front wheel unit (2) having at least a front wheel and a rear wheel unit having at least one rear wheel, the front and rear wheel units (4) being formed by a hinge unit (6) forming a rotation axis. are connected to one another in such a way that the folding wheel (1) can be brought into a driving state and a transport state via an actuation of the hinge unit (6), characterized in that the axis of rotation of the hinge unit (6) when driving with the folding wheel (1 ) is oriented substantially parallel to the road surface (7).

2. Folding (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal axis of the front wheel unit (2) extending from the front wheel to the axis of rotation of the hinge unit (6), and the longitudinal axis of the rear wheel unit extending from the rear wheel ( 5) to the axis of rotation of the hinge unit (6), in the driving state of the folding wheel (1) form a downwardly open V.

3. Folding (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that a connecting part (8) is provided, which is connected via a connecting joint (9) hingedly connected to a first wheel unit, wherein the axis of rotation of the connecting joint (9) substantially parallel to

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc Rotary axis of the joint unit is oriented, and and the connecting part (8) has a connection device (10) for the second Radr Drehacauf in which it is trapped in the driving condition of the folding bike (1), whereby the opening angle of the downwardly open Vs is fixed.

4. folding bike (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the connecting part (8) in the driving state via a spring and / or damping element (11) is connected to the second wheel unit.

5. folding bike (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the connecting device (10) has a pivotally connected to the connecting part (8) and the second wheel unit lever rod (13).

6. folding bike (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the connecting part (8) carries a saddle (14) for a driver.

7. folding bike (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the saddle (14) is arranged so that the weight of a seated on the saddle (14) driver locks the folding bike (1) in the driving state.

8. folding bike (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the front wheel (3) or the rear wheel (5) are mounted steerable.

9. folding bike (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a wheel unit has a mechanical drive unit (15) for driving at least one impeller of the folding bike (1).

File number: HÖR 1/02 File: Registration documents.doc