WO2006059836A1

WO2006059836A1 - Non-power mini bike

Info

Publication number: WO2006059836A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/002985
Authority: WO
Inventors: Je Sung Woo
Original assignee: Je Sung Woo
Priority date: 2004-11-30
Filing date: 2005-09-09
Publication date: 2006-06-08
Also published as: KR100625647B1; KR20060060383A

Abstract

Disclosed is improvement of a scooter including a handle provided at an upper end, a front wheel rotatable at a lower end, a main frame installed perpendicular to a length-adjustable shaft vertically installed, and a pair of rear wheels provided at the rear of the main frame. Stepping of user rotates the pair of rear wheels, and an accelerating body having plural gears is integrally mounted to a rear end of the main frame for increasing rotating speed. Footholds connected by a latchet gear to both sides of the accelerating body to select a power transmitting direction. A seesaw frame mutually connects the driving frames, and its center portion is hinged to the main frame to support the main frame in a seesaw pattern. A free wheel clutch is installed between each rear wheel and the lower shaft to transmit power in one direction and freely rotate.

Description

NON-POWER MINI BIKE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a non-power mini bike that is an improvement of a scooter including a handle provided at an upper end, a front wheel rotatable at a lower end, a main frame installed perpendicular to a length-adjustable shaft vertically installed, and a pair of rear wheels provided at the rear of the main frame, and more particularly to a non-power mini bike that converts stepping behavior of a user into a rotating motion so that the rear wheels may be rotated fast using less stepping behaviors. Background Art

[2] Currently, an automobile operated by an internal-combustion engine is a representative means for long distance movement. However, an automobile exhausts various pollutions, needs much money for maintenance, causes traffic jams as the number of automobiles is increased, and occupies much space for parking. In addition, the automobile may be used only along designated roads.

[3] Such problems are not easily solved since their solutions require other serious inconveniences, and they may be harmful for economy in the long run. A bicycle may be an alternative as a means for traveling a short distance. But, a bicycle is not convenient for moving along stairway or narrow byways, so it is not frequently used. In case of an inline skate, a user should changes his/her shoes frequently and only use his/her own force to move, so the inline skate is used for exercise in parks but not used as a traveling means. In addition, a scooter is slow and requires less force, so it is mostly used as a toy of children.

[4] Thus, in order to promote the use of public transportation, a short-distance traveling means for moving to adjacent stops, stations or marts in a fast and easy way is still needed.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[5] The present invention is designed in consideration of the above problems, and therefore it is an object of the invention to provide a non-power mini bike, which is economic for short-distance travel, easy for carrying and using, and allowing fast moving.

Technical Solution

[6] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides an improvement of a conventional scooter, which includes footholds to obtain a driving force by stepping of a user like a bicycle pedal, the driving force generating a rotating force, transmitted to an accelerating body having a plurality of gears for accelerating the rotating speed, which is transmitted to rear wheels.

[7] In addition, the present invention provides a non-power mini bike, which includes a ratchet gear for selectively controlling a rotating direction as required while the footholds are rotated, and a free wheel clutch that may freely rotate and allows the rear wheels to receive a rotating force only in one direction.

[8] Moreover, the present invention provides a non-power mini bike provided with a braking device for stopping the accelerated mini bike as desired. Brief Description of the Drawings

[9] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be more fully described in the following detailed description, taken accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[10] FlG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mini bike according to the present invention;

[11] FlG. 2 is a side view showing essential parts for power transmission of the mini bike according to the present invention;

[12] FlG. 3 is a sectional view showing essential parts for acceleration of the mini bike according to the present invention;

[13] FlG. 4 and 5 is a side view showing the mini bike of the present invention, which is in use; and

[14] FlG. 6 is a perspective view showing a mini bike according to another embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[15] The present invention will be described in detail referring to the drawings. FlG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mini bike according to the present invention, FlG. 2 is a side view showing essential parts for power transmission of the mini bike according to the present invention, and FlG. 3 is a sectional view showing essential parts for acceleration of the mini bike according to the present invention.

[16] Referring to FlG. 1, the mini bike of the present invention includes a first vertical shaft 13 installed perpendicular to a front wheel 10, a second vertical shaft 12 installed above the first vertical shaft 13 and capable of being inserted into the first vertical shaft 13, a handle 11 installed to an upper end of the second vertical shaft 12 for a user to easily grip, and a lever 14 for allowing the second vertical shaft 12 to be vertically movable with respective to the first vertical shaft 13 and fixed at a predetermined position.

[17] In the above configuration, a height of the vertical shafts may be adjusted suitable for the human body of the user by releasing the lever 14, moving the second vertical shaft 12 to a suitable position, and then locking the lever 14 again.

[18] In addition, the mini bike of the present invention includes a main frame 20 fixed by a hinge 21 to a connecting member 15 prepared to the first vertical shaft 13 and perpendicular to the first vertical shaft, a pair of rear wheels 44 axially installed to right and left rear ends of the main frame 20, and a lateral pin 22 for making or releasing connection between the connecting member 15 and the main frame 20.

[19] As for a power transmission, referring to FlGs. 1 and 2, there are provided an accelerating body 40 prepared at the rear of the main frame 20, an upper shaft 41 installed to right and left upper portions of the accelerating body 40 so as to transmit a driving force of the user, an intermediate shaft 42 prepared to right and left intermediate portions of the accelerating body 40 so as to accelerate the driving force, and a lower shaft prepared to right and left lower portions of the accelerating body 40 so as to transmit the accelerated driving force to the rear wheels 44 that are respectively axially installed to the front end thereof.

[20] A user generates a driving force by means of rotation of a pair of driving frames 30 whose one ends are axially installed to both front ends of the upper shaft 41 respectively, and footholds 31 prepared to the other ends.

[21] That is to say, if a user steps the footholds 31 and applies force to the footholds 31 so that the footholds 31 are moving up and down alternately, the pair of driving frames 30 are rotated on the center of the upper shaft 41 within a predetermined angle. If such driving behavior is repeated, the upper shaft 41 may be continuously rotated.

[22] At this time, the upper shaft 41 requires one-directional rotation, and the driving frames 30 for rotating the upper shaft 41 are repeatedly rotated within a predetermined angle. Thus, as shown in FlGs. 2 and 3, a latchet gear 3 is installed to connect the driving frames 30 and the upper shaft 41.

[23] The latchet gear 3 has a vertical tooth shape at one side to transfer force and an inclined surface at the other side so that power is transmitted only in one direction and the gear rotates idle in the opposite direction. As an example, a ratchet spanner may be used.

[24] When using the above mechanism, a latchet controller 32 is preferably provided so that a power transmitting direction by rotation of the driving frames 30 may be selected, or shifted in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

[25] Meanwhile, the driving frames 30 are axially connected only to the upper shaft 41, so a separate anti-floating means is required to the other ends thereof. As for the anti- floating means, a seesaw frame 23 is interconnected to each driving frame 30 at a predetermined position, preferably adjacent to the foothold 31, and the main frame 20 is axially installed to a middle portion of the seesaw frame 23 by a hinge 24. In this case, when the footholds 31 are alternately moved vertically, the seesaw frame 23 plays a role of a seesaw on the basis of the hinge 24, thereby supporting the driving frame 30 connected to both ends not to be floated.

[26] Here, while the driving frame 30 reciprocates vertically on the basis of the upper shaft 41, the seesaw frame 23 makes a circular movement within a predetermined angle. In addition, since the driving frame 30 linearly moves up and down by the hinge 24 of the seesaw frame 23, each front end of the seesaw frame 23 and a connecting portion of the driving frame 30 resultantly reciprocate in different paths.

[27] Thus, each driving frame 30 and the seesaw frame 23 should be connected so that they support each other with being capable of freely bending in all directions. Thus, a joint 25 having a ring interconnecting a ring protruded from the driving frame 30 and a ring protruded from the front end of the seesaw frame 23 is preferably provided as shown in the figures.

[28] The joint 25 is not limited to the drawings, and it may employ a well-known universal joint (see FlG. 5). Thus, the joint 25 is defined to include all mechanical means that interconnects each driving frame 30 and the seesaw frame 23 and also is capable of bending in all direction.

[29] Now, an inner configuration of the accelerating body 40 is described with reference to FIG. 3.

[30] A group of gears Gl, G3, G5 in which small and large gears are fixed to each other is axially installed to an outer circumference of the upper shaft 41 connected to the driving frames 30. A common key (not shown) is installed to the outer circumference of the upper shaft 41 and an inner circumference of the gear Gl so that the gear Gl may transmit power, namely a rotating force of the upper shaft 41, and common bearings (not shown) are installed to inner circumferences of the gears G3, G5 so as to allow free rotation with respect to the upper shaft 41.

[31] In addition, a group of gears G2, G4, G6 is axially installed to an outer circumference of the intermediate shaft 42. These gears are all freely rotated since bearings are installed to contact points between the outer circumference of the intermediate shaft 42 and the inner circumferences of the gears G2, G4, G6.

[32] Moreover, a gear G7 is installed to an outer circumference of the lower shaft 43 to which the pair of rear wheels 44 are axially installed, and a key (not shown) formed its inner circumference allows mutual power transmission and engagement with the gear G6.

[33] The accelerating body configured as above is operated as follows. Assuming that small and large gears Gl, G2 of one group have a gear ratio of 1 :2, when the upper shaft 41 makes one revolution, the gear Gl also makes one revolution, but the small gear G2 engaged with the large gear Gl makes two revolutions, two times of the large gear Gl. In addition, the smaller gear G3 engaged with the relatively larger gear G2 makes four revolutions, two times of the gear G2, and subsequently the gear G4 makes eight revolutions, the gear G5 makes 16 revolutions, the gear G6 makes 32 revolutions, and finally the gear G7 makes 64 revolutions. Thus, a user may transmit a fast rotating force to the rear wheels 44 only using small rotating behavior driving the driving frames 30, and such accelerating structure may give the same effects though the gear ratio is changed.

[34] Meanwhile, a free wheel clutch 4 is mounted to a connecting portion of the lower shaft 43 and the rear wheels 44, and a braking device is provided to sides of the rear wheels 44 so as to forcibly stop or decelerate a high-speed rotation thereof.

[35] The free wheel clutch 4 is also called a one-way clutch, and well known in the art as a mechanical clutch that may freely rotate and transmit power applied in one direction during free rotation. If the free wheel clutch 4 is installed, the rear wheels 44 may freely rotate on the ground regardless of rotation of the lower shaft 43, and the free wheel clutch may receive and transmit a rotating force of the lower shaft 43 transferred by a user operating the footholds 31 together while it rotates freely.

[36] The braking device includes a drum 55 fixed to the outer circumference of the lower shaft 43, a brake 50 surrounding the drum 55 and having one end mounted by a hinge 54 and the other end to which a spring 5 is elastically installed, and a pad 56 provided to an inner side of the brake 50 and having high coefficient of friction, as shown in FlG. 2.

[37] In addition, a wire 52 passing through the spring 5 is connected to a brake handle 51 prepared to one side of the handle 11.

[38] Referring to FlG. 1 again, the brake handle 51 prepared to one side of the handle 11 is installed at a position for a user to conveniently grip. The wire 52 connected to the brake handle 51 is installed along the second vertical shaft 12, the first vertical shaft 13 and the main frame 20, and preferably diverged in two parts at a diverging tube 53 positioned above the main frame 20 so that it may be connected to the brake 50 installed to a side of each rear wheel 44.

[39] As mentioned above, in order to operate the braking device configured as above, a user pulls the brake handle 51 so that the wire 52 pulls the brake 50 elastically widened to be contacted with the pad 56 and cause a frictional force. Installation position and method of the braking device for decelerating or stopping the rear wheels are not specially limited, and also not limited to the above case.

[40] FlG. 4 and 5 is a side view showing the mini bike according to the present invention, which is in use.

[41] Referring to of FlG. 4, if the lateral pin 22 fixing the connecting member 15 and the main frame 20 is removed, the second vertical shaft 12 and the first vertical shaft 13 installed to the front wheel 10 may be rotated on the hinge 21 as shown by dotted lines, and then the mini bike may be completely folded as shown in of FlG. 5 and then stood by using the rear wheels 44 and a stand 45 mounted to the accelerating body 40.

[42] FlG. 6 shows overall configuration of a mini bike according to another embodiment of the present invention, and the mini bike may be modified based on the technical spirit of the present invention as follows.

[43] Referring to FlG. 6, the mini bike has brake handles 51, 51a provided to both sides.

That is to say, one brake handle 51 is connected to one wire 52, and the other brake handle 51a is connected to the other wire 52a so that the wires 52, 52a are respectively connected to brakes 50 installed to both ends of the accelerating body 40.

[44] In such configuration, if a user operates a left brake handle, the left rear wheel 44 is stopped, while, if a user operates a right brake handle, the right rear wheel is stopped. Thus, a user may change a direction only by operating any brake handle, which allows speedier and various driving.

[45] Meanwhile, referring to FlG. 6, instead of the foothold 31 integrally installed to the driving frame 30, a pedal shaft 31a protruded outward from each front end of the driving frame 30 may be prepared, and a pedal 31b may be pivotally installed to the pedal shaft 31a. In this case, though the pair of driving frames 30 reciprocate asymmetrically, the pedal 31b may rotate, ensuring easier operation and more stable running.

[46] Furthermore, since asymmetrical vertical reciprocation of the driving frames 30 is within a range of triangular axes made by one front wheel 10 and two rear wheels 44, it is possible to ensure stable operation.

[47] Meanwhile, the joint 25 having a ring connection structure may be replaced with a universal joint structure as mentioned above. Seeing FlG. 5 that shows an enlarged view of the universal joint 25a, a connector 302 is axially installed through the front end of a driving bar 301 protruded from the driving frame 30, and a connector 303 is also axially installed through the front end of the seesaw frame 23 so that each connector 302, 303 axially installed to each front end of the driving bar 301 and the seesaw frame 23 may rotate on the basis of the axes of the driving bar 301 and the seesaw frame 23. In addition, a connecting member 304 for mutually connecting and fixing the connectors 302, 303 is further axially mounted to right and left ends of the connectors 302, 303.

[48] The universal joint 25a configured as above may sufficiently, stably support the operations of the driving frames 23 and the seesaw frame, and it would be understood by those skilled in the art that there may be many changes and modifications of the present invention. Industrial Applicability [49] As described above, the non-power mini bike of the present invention is economic without needing oil or electricity, traveling fast, easy for carrying or keeping, convenient to cany on stairs, and suitable for traveling a short distance near the home. In addition, it ma be utilized as a sports instrument for adults since it may give a high speed.

[50] Furthermore, owing to the above advantageous economic and convenience properties, the mini bike of the present invention may be used as a traveling means, which may be substituted with an automobile, for a short-distance travel, and it may also contribute to solving traffic jam and environmental pollution and saving money.

[51] The preferred embodiments of the present invention has been described in detail, however it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Claims

[1] A non-power mini bike, comprising: a height-adjustable vertical shaft having a handle provided to an upper end thereof and a rotatable front wheel provided at a lower end thereof, a main frame being perpendicularly connected to the vertical shaft, the main frame being pivotally hinged with the vertical shaft; an accelerating body integrally mounted to a rear end of the main frame and including a plurality of gears transferring a rotating power from an upper shaft to a lower shaft, driving frames being installed to both upper ends of the accelerating body and having footholds respectively, a latchet gear being installed in the driving frame so as to transfer power only in one direction between each driving frame and the upper shaft; a seesaw frame for mutually connecting the driving frames, a center portion of the seesaw frame being hinged to the main frame so as to support the main frame in a seesaw pattern, each front end of the seesaw frame being connected to the driving frame using a joint that is capable of bending in all directions; and rear wheels installed to both ends of the lower shaft of the accelerating body, a wheel clutch being installed between each rear wheel and the lower shaft so as to transmit power in one direction and freely rotate.

[2] The non-power mini bike according to claim 1, further comprising: a braking device installed to the pair of rear wheels so as to decelerate or stop rotation of the rear wheels, the braking device being connected to a braking handle prepared to the handle by means of wire.

[3] The non-power mini bike according to claim 2, wherein the brake handle is prepared to right and left handles respectively, and the wire connected to each braking handle is separately connected to each rear wheel so as to selectively brake one rear wheel.

[4] The non-power mini bike according to claim 1, wherein the joint is a universal joint, which includes connectors pivotally axially installed to a front end of a driving shaft protruded out of each driving frame and both ends of the seesaw frame, and a connecting member whose both ends are pivotally mounted to both ends of each connector.

[5] The non-power mini bike according to claim 1, wherein the foothold includes a pedal shaft protruded at a front end of the driving frame, and a pedal pivotally installed to the pedal shaft.

[6] The non-power mini bike according to claim 1, wherein the latchet gear has a latchet controller for changing a power transferring direction as desired when necessary.

[7] The non-power mini bike according to claim 1, further comprising: a standing unit provided to a predetermined portion of the accelerating body so that the mini bike is stood using the rear wheels when the vertical shaft and the main frame are folded using the hinge.

[8] The non-power mini bike according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein an intermediate shaft is further provided between the upper shaft and the lower shaft so that large and small gears are engaged at a predetermined ratio, which includes a driving gear (Gl) coupled to an upper shaft circumference by a key and at least one gear(G3, G5, ...) coupled using a bearing; at least two gears(G2, G4, G6, ...) coupled to an intermediate shaft circumference using a bearing and engaged with each gear coupled to the upper shaft alternately in a large and small relation; and a gear (G7) coupled to a lower shaft circumference by a key and engaged with one selected from the gears of the intermediate shaft.