WO2006111590A1

WO2006111590A1 - Folding bicycle

Info

Publication number: WO2006111590A1
Application number: PCT/ES2006/000107
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ramón Brucart Puig
Original assignee: Invenciones Técnicas Y Mecánicas, S.L.
Priority date: 2005-04-19
Filing date: 2006-03-07
Publication date: 2006-10-26
Also published as: ES2264884B1; ES2264884A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a folding bicycle comprising handlebars which are coupled to a telescopic arm, in which the handlebars can be folded onto the telescopic arm, said structure being connected to a horizontal bar or cross member. The invention also comprises a telescopic arm for adjusting the distance between the two wheels. According to the invention, the bicycle propulsion means are suitably fixed to the aforementioned bar, said means taking the form of a pedal axle to which the corresponding cranks and pedals are attached. In addition, one of the cranks is equipped with a mechanism that enables same to be detached and the associated pedal to be positioned at the same level as the other pedal, said crank being automatically reattached upon pedalling. Both of the cranks are equipped with articulated mechanisms to enable the folding or lowering of same when the bicycle is not in use, thereby reducing the space occupied by the pedals to a minimum.

Description

FOLDING BICYCLE

D E S C R I P C I Ó N

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new bicycle model, formally and structurally similar to the existing scooters, of the type that are provided with a handlebar and a platform for putting the feet, properly established on the wheels, but with the peculiarity that being a bicycle has pedals and the corresponding mechanisms associated with them used to drive the vehicle.

The object of the invention is, therefore, to provide a new type of bicycle that, due to its structural characteristics, is fully foldable, easily without the need for complex tools, which together with its small dimensions, make it a device easily transportable, for example in the trunk of a car, and it occupies a minimum space when it is stored when it is not being used. In addition, the mobility presented by its pedals allows its adaptation to the different routes, thus facilitating its handling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The problem of transferring is known a bicycle, for example in the trunk of a car, which usually does not fit, having to resort to different solutions that are usually unsatisfactory.

The most common is to disassemble the wheels, with the problems that this entails in terms of tightening and loosening screws that, others, can be lost during the transfer. But being conventional bicycles, it is normal that even without wheels protrude from the trunk because, almost always, the situation of the pedals and the size of the handlebars, although in some models it can be folded slightly.

For all this, the trunk during the transfer usually remains open, tied by ropes or rubber bands, and there is no free space for luggage or any other package that the user deems appropriate.

Another alternative is to place the aforementioned bicycle on the roof rack, or to incorporate a trailer capable of transporting it into the car, in which case it would not be necessary to disassemble it, but they constitute a solution that entails other types of inconvenience, since in both cases it is necessary to hold the bicycle very well.

Apart from the problems caused by these conventional bicycles when transporting them, it should be added that problems also arise when they are stored or stored when they are not being used, or simply when they cannot be left parked on the street. This requires a considerable free space, where you can leave the bicycle, a space that is not available to all users of these vehicles, so in many cases its use is restricted. In addition they usually have a certain size, suitable for a type of people, that is to say with a certain height, being only adjustable the handlebar and the saddle, but not enough so that the same bicycle can be used by people of very different height and Constitution.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The folding bicycle that the invention proposes, solves in a completely satisfactory way the problem previously exposed, in the different aspects mentioned, since it is a bicycle that can be folded in a comfortable and simple way, until acquiring a small size, with what It does not pose any problems to be transported in the trunk of a car, or to be stored in a storage room, terrace, or any other place deemed appropriate.

In addition, the mobility of its elements allows its easy adaptation to different situations of use, that is, it can be regulated to be used by people of different physical constitution.

For this, the bicycle of the invention is constituted by the basic elements that a traditional bicycle can present, but structured differently, and with totally different features. More specifically, the bicycle that is recommended is equipped with a handlebar, to which the user of the vehicle is attached or grabbed, and which is properly coupled to a telescopic arm that allows the height of the seatpost to be adjusted, for which it has the appropriate means to fix the proper position to the user of the bike, and on which it is capable of folding completely when the bicycle is not going to be used and it is required that it occupies the smallest possible space.

Said handlebar is communicated with the front wheel of the bicycle, so that by turning it the rotation of the wheel occurs, which allows to direct the direction of the mentioned bicycle, in a conventional way as with any other vehicle of this type . The bicycle has a part that relates the fixed part of the telescopic arm with the fork on which the front wheel is mounted, so that this part can be reinforced, giving it greater stability, being also possible to decouple the said reinforcement piece.

Attached to the bottom of the structure that constitutes the handlebar, there is a crossbar or horizontal bar, materialized in another telescopic arm, which allows to regulate the distance between the two wheels of the bicycle, position that is fixed by the appropriate means established for that purpose. Said telescopic system in its most closed position makes it possible to considerably reduce the dimensions of the bar, which will also greatly reduce the total volume of the bicycle.

Attached to the bike bar, there are the means that provide the movement itself, that is, the pedals with their corresponding connecting rods that, when driven by the vehicle user, transmit the movement to a bottom bracket, which in turn he is in charge of moving to a plate, in which the corresponding chain plays, and which is related through a pinion to the rear wheel, which is ultimately responsible for driving the bicycle.

The mechanism described above may seem simple view similar to that of any traditional bicycle, but it presents a series of novelties in front of these, which are detailed below, and which will entail a series of advantages in terms of the handling and performance of the vehicle proposed by the invention.

In this way, the pedals, and more specifically the connecting rods to which they are attached, can be articulated in different ways, which allows these pedals to be placed in different positions, different from those traditionally established for them, and which in some cases improve the use of the bicycle, making it more manageable in certain crossings, such as when descending a slope, while other cases allow folding to occupy a smaller space in an inoperative situation and when stored or stored in places that They are usually not very wide.

For this, it is planned that one of the connecting rods, the one that is not directly related to the plate, has a mechanism that is operated by a lever or lever, located anywhere in the vehicle and that allows its disengagement from the axle; once said mechanism is actuated, the lever acts on a spring that causes the rod to be disengaged, and is placed parallel to the other rod, so that the two pedals coincide in the same position, that is, the two up, down or where the user is more comfortable, thus leaving the opposite position they normally present.

This movement of the crank position allows the user to adopt a more comfortable position in cases where he does not have to pedal, such as when he is going down a slope, so that when this situation ends, it is enough start the operation of the pedals so that when they are in the Initial position, the connecting rod automatically engages in place, without the need to operate the lever again.

According to another of the features of the invention, both cranks are capable of folding down or folding down, so that the volume occupied by the bicycle is reduced, without the pedals hindering when transported or stored, since the pedals remain positioned under the bar and inwards, instead of being out as is your usual position. For this, the connecting rods have triggers that, when activated, release the cranks, which, when articulated in their union with the bicycle axle, can be folded, adopting the folding position described above. This feature can be included in any pedal vehicle, not necessarily being a bicycle.

The vehicle also has a braking system associated with the rear wheel, and which is operated by the user's foot through the collaboration of a lever that acts on a spring, which causes the wheel movement to stop.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of practical implementation thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description. In an illustrative and non-limiting manner, the following has been represented:

Figure L- Shows a perspective view of the bicycle folding that the invention proposes, with all its elements placed in position of use.

Figure 2.- Shows a perspective view of a detail of the articulated mechanism that allows the folding of the handlebar on the telescopic arm.

Figure 3.- Shows another detail in perspective of the bicycle of the invention, in which the reinforcement of the handlebar structure, associated with the front wheel, is appreciated.

Figure 4.- Shows, according to another perspective view, a detail of a connecting rod and its corresponding pedal in which the different mechanisms for its decoupling and articulation, as well as the braking system, are appreciated.

Figure 5.- Shows another perspective view of the detail of the previous figure, but from its other side.

Figure 6.- Shows a perspective representation where the two pedals appear in the same position with respect to the axis.

Figure 7.- It shows another detail in perspective, of the other pedal of the bicycle with the connecting rod arranged to be folded under the bar.

Figure 8 shows the same detail in perspective of the previous figure but with the cranks fully folded and the pedals under the bar of the bicycle. Figure 9 shows a perspective representation of the bicycle object of the invention in an inoperative position, with all its elements folded, occupying the minimum possible volume.

Figure 10.- It shows, finally, a perspective representation of the folding bicycle, where the two pedals appear in the same position with respect to the axle, with a person on board.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the figures outlined, and more specifically of Figure 1, it can be seen how the folding bicycle proposed by the invention is constituted by a handlebar (1), provided with the corresponding handles (2), for gripping and holding the bicycle by the user, and that is properly coupled to the seat post (3), formed in part by a telescopic arm (4), which moves inside another fixed tubular arm (5), and which allows regulation in height of said handlebar (1).

To set the position of the telescopic arm, adapting the height of the handlebar to each bicycle user, the system has a clamp (6) easily actuated by a trigger (7), which tightens said clamp (6), while it loosen when the aim is to move the telescopic arm (4) to regulate its position again, or to reduce its height to the maximum, being completely hidden in the tubular body (5).

The handlebar (1) together with the seat post (3), also offers the possibility of folding completely on the fixed arm (5), towards the inside the bicycle, thus reducing the volume of the bicycle, as shown in figure 9. To do this, it has at its point of connection with the telescopic arm (4) with an articulated mechanism (8), which allows the complete rotation of the handlebar (1) and the seat post (3) on the arm (5), releasing its working position with the help of a trigger (9).

This handlebar (1) is responsible for correcting the direction of the bicycle, so it is related to the front wheel (10) by means of a fork (11) that allows its rotation. To make this structure more stable, the bicycle has a reinforcement part (12), which is materialized in a tubular profile, which has the particularity that it can also be decoupled from its original position, by means of a closing system (13) easily manipulated, which allows the separation of said profile into two sections (12) and (12 '), so that the upper section (13) is likely to remain attached to the arm (5) as it has in its part upper, at the point of attachment to said body (5) with a suitable articulated mechanism (14), which allows its rotation.

From the bottom of the structure that relate to the handlebar

(1) with the front wheel (10), part a crossbar or horizontal bar (15), which constitutes another telescopic arm, which allows to regulate the distance between the front wheel (10) and the rear wheel (16), with the collaboration of a fixed tubular arm (17), assisted by suitable means of fixing (18) of the telescopic arm (15) in the appropriate position for each moment, that is to say adapted to each user, or collected completely, occupying the minimum space in if it is not used, situation is represented in figure 9.

Said fixing means (18), in the embodiment example They are preferably equipped with a handle (19) which, by means of its actuation, allows the opening of the fixing system (18) in a simple way, and therefore that the telescopic arm (15) is moved, until it adopts its new position, moment in which the handle is activated again, but this time to tighten the clamping system (18).

Conveniently coupled to the fixed bar (17), and in the vicinity of the rear wheel (16), are the rest of the elements of a bicycle, but with the particularities offered by the invention, since it is a bicycle completely different from the traditional ones.

The corresponding connecting rods (21) and (21 ') are installed on the bottom bracket (20), to which the appropriate pedals (22) are fixed, whose drive allows the movement of the plate (23), on which the classic one plays chain (24), which is related by a pinion (25) to the rear wheel (16), which is the one that finally receives the impulse given by the user on the pedals (22), thereby causing the movement of the bicycle.

The pedals (22), with the collaboration of the connecting rods (21-21 ') to which they are attached are equipped with articulated mechanical systems that allow their disengagement and rotation, adopting various positions that improve the handling of the bike, and minimize the space that these elements occupy.

To do this, one of the connecting rods, specifically the one referred to as (21 '), has an articulated system (26), which by means of a lever or lever (27) operating with the foot acting on a spring (28), causes the rod to be uncoupled (21 '), which can be then turned until reaching the same position in which the other connecting rod (21) is located, the two pedals (22) being level at the same height, as shown in figure 6. This position is very comfortable for the user in situations, as previously mentioned, in which it is not necessary to give pedals, as happens when a slope is being lowered, because it allows you to take both feet in balance, thereby facilitating its handling. The coupling of the connecting rod (21 ') in its normal working position is performed automatically, without the need to press the lever (27) again, just press the other pedal (22), so that when they are placed in positions facing each other, the connecting rod (21 ') engages in place.

Both pedals (22), and more specifically the connecting rods (21-21 '), also have another mechanism (29), located at its point of attachment to the shaft (20), and which is properly articulated, so that by actuating on the triggers (30), located on the connecting rods (21-21 '), as can be seen in figure 7, said mechanism (29) is released and said cranks together with the pedals (22) can be turned or knocked down. completely down, being coupled under the system formed by the bar (17) and the plate (23), so that the pedals (22), which in their normal position both hinder when the bike is not being used, are hidden, thus reducing the volume they occupy, as can be seen in Figure 8.

Parallel to the fixed bar (17), a lever or lever (31) is installed, properly fixed to said bar (17), which constitutes the vehicle brake actuation system, so that when the user steps on the foot with the lever (31) it acts on a spring (32) which in turn is related to the rear wheel brake system (16), causing the bicycle speed to be reduced. The mechanisms of both brake actuation and the decoupling of the connecting rod (21 ') can be placed in any other part of the vehicle, such as its handlebars. In this preferred construction they have been located in the bar (17) because its folding is easier.

According to the above, the folding bicycle that the invention proposes constitutes a vehicle that offers the possibility of adapting to all types of users that present different complexions, at the same time that it can be folded up to a minimum volume, so it can be stored in confined spaces, and comfortably transported, for example, in the trunk of a car.

The materials, form and arrangement of the elements, will be subject to change as long as it does not alter the essentiality of the invention, which is then claimed.

Claims

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N E S

I ^a .- Folding bicycle, characterized in that it is constituted by a handlebar coupled on a telescopic arm, which allows to regulate its height, and which is related to the front wheel, having been provided that said handlebar is foldable on the telescopic arm, this structure being attached to a crossbar or horizontal bar, also constituted by a telescopic arm, which regulates the distance between the two wheels, bar to which the means that provide the movement to the bike are properly fixed, materialized in a bottom bracket to which they are attached the corresponding cranks with the pedals, which move a plate in which the corresponding chain plays that moves a sprocket in charge of transmitting said movement to the rear wheel, one of the cranks equipped with a mechanism that allows its decoupling and positioning of the pedal at the same level as the other, automatically engaging again at the start of pedaling, with the anticipation that Both cranks have two articulated mechanisms for folding or folding in the bicycle's inoperative position, thus minimizing the space occupied by the pedals.

2 ^a , - Folding bicycle, according to claim I ^a , characterized in that the handlebar has a reinforcement structure, embodied in a tubular part that has a closure system that allows its decoupling and folding.

3 .- folding bicycle, according to previous claims, characterized in that the folding mechanism of the handle on the telescopic arm is driven by a trigger.

4 ^a .- Folding bicycle, according to previous claims, characterized in that the articulated mechanism of the connecting rod, has a lever or operating lever, which acts on a spring that causes the decoupling of said connecting rod, allowing its rotation.

5 .- folding bicycle, according to previous claims, characterized in that the articulated system that permits folding or bending of both cranks and pedals, provides for actuation of a trigger conveniently located on said connecting rods.

6 ^a .- Folding bicycle, according to previous claims, characterized in that it has a braking system, associated with the rear wheel, and which is operated by the user's foot through the collaboration of a lever that acts on a spring, which causes the braking of the movement of the wheel.