WO2008056962A1

WO2008056962A1 - Horseback riding type bicycle

Info

Publication number: WO2008056962A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/005658
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seung-Heung Lee
Original assignee: Jima International Co., Ltd
Priority date: 2006-11-09
Filing date: 2007-11-09
Publication date: 2008-05-15

Abstract

A horseback riding type bicycle is disclosed, in which a user can use it as an ordinary bicycle using pedals, but when a bicycle is accelerated, a saddle moves up and down as a user acts like moving up and down his hips, so that a bicycle is driven with the help of a driving chain connected with a lower side of a saddle for thereby obtaining a horseback riding effect, and a propulsion force and a driving force generation efficiency can be enhanced by generating a driving force.

Description

Description HORSEBACK RIDING TYPE BICYCLE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates a horseback type bicycle, and in particular to a horseback riding type bicycle in which a user can use it as an ordinary bicycle using pedals, but when a bicycle is accelerated, a saddle moves up and down as a user acts like moving up and down his hips, so that a bicycle is driven with the help of a driving chain connected with a lower side of a saddle for thereby obtaining a horseback riding effect, and a propulsion force and a driving force generation efficiency can be enhanced by generating a driving force.

[2]

Background Art

[3] Generally, a two- wheel bicycle comprises a frame part, a front wheel, a rear wheel, a pedal part, a front sprocket connected with the pedal part, a rear sprocket connected with the rear wheel, and a chain drivingly connected between the front and rear sprockets.

[4] There are further provided a brake device for braking the front and rear wheels, and a multiple-stage transmission device combined with different size sprockets.

[5] A user sits on a saddle and repeatedly steps the pedals, and the rear wheel is driven through the chain, so that the bicycle moves forward.

[6] In recent years, various bicycles are developed for the purpose of fitness along with a new trend for health life. Namely, in a newly developed bicycle, even when a user steps the pedals, the bicycle does not move. As leisure and sports become more popular, a single- wheel bicycle, a mountain bicycle or something having a particular function is further developed.

[7] With the above new trends, the Korean utility model registration number

20-0403224(Dec. 02, 2005), the Korean patent laid-open number 2006-0094933(Aug. 30, 2006), and the Korean utility model registration number 20-0189309(May 14, 2000) disclosed a horseback riding type bicycle. In the above patents, the elements used to provide a horseback riding function are related to the pedals, the constructions of the same are complicated, and the above bicycles may easily have operational failures.

[8] In the above patents, since a horseback riding effect is obtained as a saddle moves up and down only when a user steps the pedals, it is impossible to obtain a function that a bicycle operates normally without using a horseback riding function.

[9] Since a conventional horseback riding bicycle has a small driving force, a user is needed to move his upper body more powerfully in up and down directions. In this case, the user may easily become tired.

[10] So, it is urgently needed to develop an improved horseback riding type bicycle in which a user can obtain whole body exercise effects through a horseback riding function and can less fatigue along with a substantial driving force with the help of an improved horseback riding function.

[H]

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[12] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a horseback riding type bicycle which overcomes the problems encountered in the conventional art.

[13] It is another object of the present invention to provide a horseback riding type bicycle in which an original running mechanism is further provided with a certain independent member having a horseback riding function with the help of a chain operation upon driving pedals. So, it is possible to implement an original function of a bicycle as well as a horseback riding function as a bicycle is driven by an additional driving chain connected with a lower side of a saddle as a user moves up and down his hips at the same time when a bicycle is accelerated.

[14] It is further another object of the present invention to provide a horseback riding type bicycle an efficiency of a driving force generation is enhanced with the help of a tensional operation of a torsion spring of a horseback riding function device along with an elastic force of a spring when using a horseback riding operation in which a slide bearing built-in type fixture moves up and down.

[15] It is still further another object of the present invention to provide a horseback riding type bicycle which is able to enhance a driving force generation efficiency as a torsion tensional force is converted into a driving force with the help of a torsion operation of rubber connected with a horseback riding device when a slide bearing built-in type fixture performs a horseback riding function.

[16] It is still further another object of the present invention to provide a horseback riding type bicycle in which a driving force generation efficiency is enhanced with the help of a returning operation using an elastic force of a returning spring when a slide bearing built-in type fixture performs a horseback riding function.

[17] It is still further another object of the present invention to provide a horseback riding type bicycle which provides an improved frame structure of a bicycle which is able to more efficiently distribute a weight of a bicycle frame as compared to a conventional horseback riding type bicycle, while obtaining a horseback riding effect as a saddle moves up and down when a user moves up and down his hips, and a bicycle is driven by means of a driving chain connected with a lower side of the saddle, so that a user can feel like the user actually rides on a horseback.

[18]

Technical Solution

[19] To achieve the above objects, there is provided a horseback riding type bicycle which comprises a frame unit which includes a front wheel frame for rotatably engaging a front wheel, a vertical bar which is integrally upright at an upper end of the front wheel frame, a handle which is height-adjustably engaged at an upper end of the vertical bar, a rear wheel frame for rotatably engaging a rear wheel, with a front end being integral, with a rear end being divided into two parts and extended in a rear direction, and a connection bar of which a front end is integrally connected with the vertical bar, and a rear end is integrally connected with a front end of the rear wheel frame; a forward running driving unit which includes a front sprocket which is engaged at a front shaft passing through an integral portion of the connection bar and the rear wheel frame in a left and right direction, a pedal which is connected to rotate the front sprocket, a rear sprocket which is engaged at the rear shaft passing through the rear wheel frame in a left and right direction, and a first chain for a forward movement connected between the front sprocket and the rear sprocket; a saddle frame unit which includes a first saddle frame of which a front end is connected at an integral portion of the connection bar and the rear wheel frame, a second saddle frame of which a rear end is integrally connected at each rear end of the rear wheel frames divided, and a saddle bracket which integrally connects a rear end of the first saddle frame and a front end of the second saddle frame; and a horseback riding unit which is independently disposed at the upper and lower positions about the saddle bracket as a center and allows a saddle to move up and down as a user moves up and down his hips.

[20] The horseback riding unit includes a slide bearing built-in type fixture which passes through the saddle bracket in an upper and lower direction and is fixed; a crankshaft which passes through the slide bearing built-in type fixture in an upper and lower direction; a saddle which is engaged at an upper end of the crankshaft; an upper spring holder which is closely fixed on a lower surface of the saddle, with the crankshaft passing through the upper spring holder; a lower spring holder which is fixedly mounted on an upper surface of the slide bearing built-in type fixture, with the crankshaft passing through the lower spring holder; a cushion spring which is elastically compressed between the upper spring holder and the lower spring holder; a rod which is hinged at a lower end of the crankshaft; a pair of circular driving plates at which a lower end of the rod is hinged, respectively; a driving sprocket which is engaged between the circular driving plates; a driving shaft which operates as a rotation center shaft and passes through the center of the circular driving plate and the driving sprocket, with the both ends of the same being rotatably fixed at the rear wheel frame divided into two parts; a driven shaft which is disposed with the same axis as the rear shaft passing through the rear wheel frame in a left and right direction and is independently rotatable; a driven sprocket which is engaged at the driven shaft; a second chain which is connected between the driving and driven sprockets; and horseback riding driving force generation unit.

[21] The connection bar of the frame unit includes a joint unit being detachable by adapting a bolt and a nut type fastener at an intermediate portion of the same.

[22] The first and second saddle frames of the saddle frame unit are formed in upwardly protruded arch shapes so that the weight of the user can be uniformly distributed, with the weight being applied in up and down directions during the horseback riding operation.

[23] The front wheel frame of the frame unit is formed in a forwardly protruded and curved shape so that the handling force of the user applied to the handle is uniformly distributed during the horseback riding operation.

[24] A lower end of the rod and the circular driving plate is not directly connected, but is connected with each other through a connection link for angularly rotating the driving plate with less force.

[25] The saddle of the horseback riding unit is formed in an actual horse saddle shape for achieving a horseback riding effect.

[26] There is further provided an indoor exercise support unit which includes a support plate which supports the rear wheel frame divided into two parts and is supported on the floor for lifting up the rear wheel, and a support which is integrally upright on the support plate and supports the rear wheel frame.

[27] The horseback riding driving force generation unit is characterized in that a driving shaft sequentially passes through the driving force generation means at an inner side of the rotation housing in which the driving sprocket engaged with the rod and being rotatable based on an up and down movement of the saddle is fixed, and the fixing housing, which fixedly surrounds the driving force generation means, and is fixed at the rear wheel frame, and the driven sprocket connected with the driving sprocket through the second chain is engaged at one side of the rear wheel frame for thereby transferring a driving force to the rear wheel.

[28] The driving force generation means includes a torsion spring of which one end is engaged at the rotation housing, and the other end is engaged at the fixing housing.

[29] The horseback riding driving force generation unit includes an installation space for installing a fixing block which is fixed at the driving shaft; a fixing housing which passes through the fixing shaft and is engaged at one end of the fixing block; and a driving force generation means which passes through the driving shaft and surrounds the fixing block, wherein the driven sprocket connected with the driving sprocket through the driving chain in the rotation housing is engaged at one side of the rear wheel frame for thereby transferring a driving force to the rear wheel.

[30] An outer surface of said driving force generation means is fixed at the rotation housing, and an inner surface of the same is formed of a rubber engaged at the fixing block.

[31] The horseback riding unit further includes a tension spring of which both ends are fixed between the lower surface of the slide bearing built-in type fixture and the upper side of the rod for thereby helping a recovering operation when it returns to an upper side.

[32]

Advantageous Effects

[33] As described above, the horseback riding type bicycle according to the present invention has the following advantages.

[34] (1) The ordinary running apparatus, which runs based on the operation of a chain upon stepping the pedals, is provided with a certain member separately installed irrespective of the pedals for obtaining a certain horseback riding function. So, a user can use the bicycle of the present invention like an ordinary function bicycle. As the user moves up and down his hips during the running of the bicycle, the saddle moves up and down as well, so that the user feels like riding a horse as the bicycle is driven by means of an additional driving chain connected with a lower side of the saddle.

[35] (2) A user can use the bicycle of the present invention indoor like a fitness bicycle, so that the user can feel like riding a horse.

[36] (3) The front wheel frame and the rear wheel frame are disconnected using a bolt and a nut fastener of the connection unit, so that a portability and mobility are enhanced.

[37] (4) When the slide bearing built-in fixture is used for a horseback riding operation for an up and down movement, it is possible to enhance a driving force efficiency along with an elastic force of the spring and a tensional force of the torsion spring of the horseback riding function apparatus.

[38] (5) As the torsion tensional force is converted into a driving force with the help of a torsion operation of a rubber engaged to the horseback riding force apparatus during the up and down movements of the slide bearing built-in type fixture, it is possible to enhance the efficiency of the driving force.

[39] (6) The efficiency of the driving force generation is enhanced with the help of the recovering operation using the elastic force of the recovering spring during the up and down movements of the slide bearing built-in type fixture. [40] (7) Since a driving force is generated using the elastic forces of the torsion spring and the rubber, operation noise and friction force decrease, and a semi-permanent use can be possible. Management is easy. [41]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[42] The present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings which are given only by way of illustration and thus are not limitative of the present invention, wherein; [43] Figures 1 and 2 are perspective and front views illustrating a frame structure of a horseback riding type bicycle according to the present invention; [44] Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating a horseback riding unit of a horseback riding type bicycle according to the present invention; [45] Figure 4 is a front view illustrating a state that a saddle and a rod are positioned on the top dead point in a horseback riding type bicycle according to the present invention; [46] Figure 5 is a front view illustrating a state that a saddle and a rod are positioned on the bottom dead point in a horseback riding type bicycle according to the present invention; [47] Figures 6 and 7 are views illustrating the trajectory of a horseback riding operation of a horseback riding type bicycle according to the present invention; [48] Figure 8 is a front cross sectional view illustrating a state that an indoor exercise is performed according to another embodiment of the present invention; [49] Figure 9 is a side view illustrating a horseback riding type bicycle according to another embodiment of the present invention; [50] Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a slide bearing built-in fixture and a foot/horseback riding unit according to the present invention; [51] Figure 11 is a disassembled side perspective view illustrating a driving force generation unit according to the present invention; [52] Figure 12 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a driving force generation unit of Figure 11 which it is viewed from another side according to the present invention;

[53] Figure 13 is an engaged perspective view of Figure 11;

[54] Figure 14 is an engaged perspective view of Figure 12;

[55] Figure 15 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a driving force generation unit according to another embodiment of the present invention; [56] Figure 16 is an engaged vertical cross sectional view of Figure 125; and

[57] Figure 17 is an operation sequence of an operation of a horseback riding unit of a horseback riding type bicycle according to the present invention. [58]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[59] In the present invention, there is provided a horseback riding type bicycle which comprises a frame unit 100 which includes a front wheel frame 104 for rotatably engaging a front wheel 102, a vertical bar 106 which is integrally upright at an upper end of the front wheel frame 104, a handle 108 which is height- adjustably engaged at an upper end of the vertical bar 106, a rear wheel frame 114 for rotatably engaging a rear wheel 112, with a front end being integral, with a rear end being divided into two parts and extended in a rear direction, and a connection bar 116 of which a front end is integrally connected with the vertical bar 106, and a rear end is integrally connected with a front end of the rear wheel frame 114; a forward running driving unit 200 which includes a front sprocket 202 which is engaged at a front shaft 118 passing through an integral portion of the connection bar 116 and the rear wheel frame 114 in a left and right direction, a pedal 204 which is connected to rotate the front sprocket 202, a rear sprocket 206 which is engaged at the rear shaft 120 passing through the rear wheel frame 114 in a left and right direction, and a first chain 208 for a forward movement connected between the front sprocket 202 and the rear sprocket 206; a saddle frame unit 300 which includes a first saddle frame 302 of which a front end is connected at an integral portion of the connection bar 116 and the rear wheel frame 114, a second saddle frame 304 of which a rear end is integrally connected at each rear end of the rear wheel frames 114 divided, and a saddle bracket 306 which integrally connects a rear end of the first saddle frame 302 and a front end of the second saddle frame 304; and a horseback riding unit which is independently disposed at the upper and lower positions about the saddle bracket 306 as a center and allows a saddle to move up and down as a user moves up and down his hips.

[60]

Mode for the Invention

[61] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[62] As shown in Figures 1 through 5, a horseback riding type bicycle according to the present invention comprises a frame unit 100, a forward running driving unit 200, a saddle frame unit 300, and a horseback riding unit 400.

[63] First of all, the frame unit 100 will be described.

[64] The frame unit 100 is a frame structure of a bicycle, with a front wheel frame 104 being disposed at a front side of the bicycle for drivingly engaging a front wheel 102. The front wheel frame 104 is formed in a forwardly protruded shape so that a user can more tightly grab a handle 108 during a horseback riding operation. [65] Since the front wheel frame 104 is formed in a forwardly protruded shape, it may look like the front legs of a horse for thereby obtaining a certain visual effect. [66] A vertical bar 106 is vertically installed at an upper end of the front wheel frame 104, and a handle 108 is engaged at an upper end of the vertical bar 106, with the height handle being adjustable. [67] A front side of the connection bar 116 is connected with a rear side of the vertical bar

106. Here, the connection bar 116 is getting slanted more and more in a backward direction. The rear wheel frame 114 is integrally connected at a rear end of the connection bar 116. [68] The rear wheel frame 114 is made in one pair in which a front end of each part is integrally connected with each other, and a rear end of each part is divided into two parts and is extended by a certain length. The rear wheel 112 is drivingly engaged between the rear ends of the rear wheel frame. [69] The rear end of the connection bar 116 is integrally connected with a front end of the rear wheel frame 114. [70] The intermediate portion of the connection bar 116 is divided, and one end of the same is formed of a bolt 122, and the other end of the same is formed of a nut type fastener 124. As the nut type fastener 124 is tightened to the bolt 122, it is connected, and as the nut type fastener 124 is released, it is disconnected, so that the bicycle can be easily moved or carried.

[71] The construction of the forward running driving unit 200 will be described.

[72] Here, the forward running driving unit 200 is provided for a forward movement as the user steps the pedals of the bicycle. A front shaft 118 passes through a portion in which the rear end of the connection bar 116 and the front end of the rear wheel frame

114 are integrally connected, and a front sprocket 202 is drivingly connected with an end of the front shaft 118. [73] The pedals 204 are engaged at both ends of the front shaft for thereby driving the front sprocket 202. [74] A rear shaft 120 passes through the rear end of the rear wheel frame 114, and a plurality of rear sprockets 206 are engaged at the rear shaft 120 for a multiple stage transmission. [75] A first chain 208 adapted for a forward running operation is connected between the front sprocket 202 and the rear sprocket 206 for a transmission of a driving force. [76] As the user steps the pedals 204, the front sprocket 202 rotates, and the generated driving force is transmitted to the rear sprocket 206 through the first chain 208, and the bicycle runs in a forward direction with the help of the rotation of the rear sprocket

206. [77] When the pedals 204 are driven to rotate in a reverse direction, the pedals 204 does an idle rotation, so that a driving force is not transmitted to the front sprocket 202.

[78] The construction of the saddle frame unit 300 will be described.

[79] A front end of the first saddle frame 302 having a 1/4 elliptical shape is integrally connected at an integrated portion of the connection bar 116 and the rear wheel frame 114. A rear end of each second saddle frame 304 having a 1/4 elliptical shape is integrally connected at each rear end of the rear wheel frame 114 divided.

[80] Here, the rear end of the first saddle frame 302 and the front end of the second saddle frame 304 are integrally connected by means of the saddle bracket 306.

[81] The first and second saddle frames 302 and 304 are protruded in a 1/2 elliptical shape, respectively.

[82] Here, the first and second saddle frames 302 and 304 of the saddle frame unit 300 are protruded in a 1/2 elliptical shape(arch shape) for the purposes that the weight of the user who moves up and down during a horseback riding operation is more effectively distributed.

[83] The construction of the horseback riding unit 400 separately installed in the saddle frame unit 300 will be described as follows.

[84] The horseback riding unit 400 is independently disposed at the upper and lower portions about the saddle bracket 306 and is designed so that the saddle moves up and down as the user's hips move up and down. So, the user can enjoy like riding on a horseback as the bicycle is driven by means of the driving chain connected with the lower side of the saddle.

[85] The slide bearing built-in type fixture 402 passes through the saddle bracket 306 in a vertical direction.

[86] A crankshaft 404 having a certain length vertically passes through the interior of the slide bearing built-in type fixture 402, and a saddle 406 is engaged at an upper side of the crankshaft 404 for allowing a user to sit on the same.

[87] The lower surface of the saddle 406 and the upper side of the crankshaft 404 are detachably engaged with the help of a clamp (not shown), and the saddle is formed in a horseback saddle shape so that the user may feel like an actual horseback saddle.

[88] An upper spring holder 408 is closely fixed to a lower surface of the saddle 406, and a lower spring holder 410 is fixedly disposed on an upper surface of the slide bearing built-in type fixture 402, and a cushion spring 412 is elastically compressed or recovered between the upper and lower spring holders 408 and 410.

[89] The upper end of the cushion spring 412 is elastically supported by the upper spring holder 408, and the lower end of the cushion spring 412 is elastically supported by the lower spring holder 410.

[90] The upper end of the crankshaft 404 passes through the upper and lower spring holders 408 and 410, respectively, and is clamped on a lower surface of the saddle 406.

[91] A rod 414 having a certain length is hinged at a lower end of the crankshaft 404, and a lower end of the rod 414 is hinged on one surface of each of a pair of circular driving plates 416, respectively.

[92] In more details, as shown in Figure 6, the portion in which the lower end of the rod

414 is engaged at the circular driving plate 416 is spaced apart from the rotation center of the driving plate to the front side. As the spaced distance L is longer, it is possible to more easily angularly rotate the circular driving plate 416 with less force using the rod 414 based on a lever law.

[93] Here, a driving sprocket 418 is engaged between a pair of the circular driving plates

416. So, the circular driving plate 416 and the driving sprocket 418 can concurrently rotate.

[94] The both ends of the driving shaft 420 are rotatably engaged at the rear wheel frame

114 divided, respectively, while operating as a rotation center axis which passes through the centers of the circular driving plate 416 and the driving sprocket 418.

[95] A driven shaft 422 is independently rotatable and is engaged with the same axis as the rear shaft 120 passing through the rear wheel frame 114 in left and right directions, and a driven sprocket 424 is engaged at the driven shaft 422.

[96] The driving and driven sprockets 418 and 424 are connected with each other through the second chain 426.

[97] There is further provided a tension spring 307 of which both ends are fixed on a lower surface of the slide bearing built-in type fixture 402 and an upper side of the rod 414 for helping a returning operation when it returns to an upper side, with the slide bearing built-in type fixture 402 and the rod 414 belonging to the horseback riding driving force generation units 500 and 600.

[98] As shown in Figure 9 through 14, there are provided horseback riding driving force generation units 500 and 600 for generating a driving force with the help of an up and down movement of a rider sit on the saddle 406 of the bicycle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[99] The horseback riding driving force generation unit 500 includes a rotation housing

502 for fixing a driving sprocket 418 using a bolt(not shown) which rotates based on an up and down movement of the saddle 406 as it is connected with the rod 414.

[100] At this time, the rotation housing 502 is extended to an engaging end 502a connected with the driving sprocket 418 for thereby forming a space in the interior, and an engaging hole 502b' is formed on one side of the closed surface, and an insertion end 502b has a through hole 502b" at the center for thereby forming an upside down T- shaped cross section.

[101] The driving shaft 505 sequentially passes through the driving force generation member 503 in an inner space of the rotation housing 502 and the fixing housing 504 for fixing the driving force generation member 503, and is fixed at a channel shaped engaging end 11a positioned at a lower side of the rear wheel frame 114, and the driven sprocket 424 connected with the driving sprocket 418 through the second chain 426 is engaged at one side of the rear wheel frame 114 for thereby transmitting a driving force to the rear wheel 112.

[102] The fixing housing 504 is formed in the same shape as the rotation housing 502 and is inserted into the interior of the insertion end 502b of the rotation housing 502 with a certain margin and is integrally extended to the protrusion end 504a having a through hole 504a' at a center of the same. A sealing end 504b having an engaging groove 504b' closes an opening of the insertion end 502b.

[103] In addition, the driving force generation member 503 includes a torsion spring 503a of which one end is engaged with an engaging hole 502b' of the rotation housing 502, and the other end of the same is engaged with an engaging groove 504b' of the fixing housing 504.

[104] The driving shaft 505 is made of a light aluminum material, with an insertion groove 505a being formed at both ends of the same and being inserted into the engaging end 114a.

[105] Here, the rotation housing 502, the fixing housing 504, the torsion spring 503a and the driving shaft 505 are engaged and rotate idle using the bearing 505b by passing the driving shaft 505 through the through hole 502b" of the rotation housing 502. The torsion spring 503a is inserted into the inner space of the insertion end 502b so that one end of the same is caught by means of the engaging hole 502b'. The driving shaft 505 is inserted into the through hole 504a' of the fixing housing 504, so that the protrusion end 504a of the fixing housing 504 is inserted into an inner side of the torsion spring 503a along with an insertion end 502b of the rotation housing 502, and the other end of the torsion spring 503a is caught by means of the engaging groove 504b'. Here, the fixing housing 504 does not rotate idle with respect to the driving shaft 505.

[106] The insertion groove 505a of the driving shaft 505 is inserted into the engaging end 114a of the rear wheel frame 114, and the driving shaft 505 is stably fixed not to escape from the engaging end 114a using the bolt(not shown).

[107] As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the horseback riding driving force generation unit 600 comprises a driving shaft 601, a fixing block 602, a fixing housing 603, and a driving force generation member 604.

[108] The driving shaft 601 is formed in the same shape as the driving shaft 505, with an insertion groove 601a inserted into the engaging end 114a of the rear wheel frame 114 being formed at both ends of the driving shaft 601.

[109] The fixing block 602 has a through hole 602a at a center of the same so that it is forcibly inserted into the driving shaft 601. An engaging protrusion groove 602b having a plurality of protrusions and grooves formed in series along an inner circumferential surface is provided.

[110] A fixing housing 603 includes an engaging protrusion 603b having a plurality of protrusions and grooves formed along an outer circumference so that it is inserted through a through hole 603 a formed at a center portion for an engagement through the driving shaft 601, and is engaged with the engaging protrusion groove 602b of the fixing block 602.

[I l l] A driven sprocket 424 connected with the driving sprocket 418 through a second chain 426 is engaged at one side of the rear wheel frame 114 for thereby transferring a driving force to the rear wheel 112, with the driven sprocket 424 being rotatably engaged at the driving shaft 601 with the help of the bearing 601b, with the driving sprocket 418 surrounding the fixing block 602 and being engaged with the rotation housing 605 which forms an installation space 605a in which the driving force generation member 604 is installed.

[112] The driving force generation member 604 includes a rubber 604a of which an outer surface is fixed at the rotation housing 605, and an inner surface is engaged at the fixing block 602.

[113] The rubber 604a is made by melting a latex-like raw rubber and is adhered to the rotation housing 605 and the fixing block 602, respectively.

[114] The operation of the horseback riding type bicycle according to the present invention will be described.

[115] Figure 6 is a trajectory view illustrating an operation of a horseback riding type bicycle according to the present invention.

[116] In a state that a user sits on the saddle 406, the front sprocket 202 rotates as the user steps the pedals 204. The generated rotational force is transferred to the rear sprocket 206 through the first chain 208. As the rear sprocket 206 rotates, the bicycle moves forward.

[117] As the bicycle starts running, in a state that the bicycle is accelerated, a certain weight is repeatedly provided to the saddle 406 when the user repeatedly moves up and down his hips, as shown in Figure 6, the saddle moves up and down, and the bicycle is driven by means of an additional driving chain connected with a lower side of the saddle, so that the user may feel like riding a horse.

[118] Namely, the crankshaft 404 moves up and down as the weight is intermittently applied to the saddle 406, and at the same time the cushion spring 412 installed between the upper and lower spring holders 408 and 410 is repeatedly compressed and recovered, and the rod 414 hinged with the crankshaft 404 moves from the top dead point to the bottom dead point, so that the circular driving plate 416 is angularly rotated in the normal or reverse direction.

[119] With the above repeating operations, the user sitting on the saddle 406 may effectively exercise like he feels actually riding a horse.

[120] As shown in Figure 6 A, in a state that the rod 414 is positioned at the top dead point(the distance T upwardly moved from the position L which is horizontally and forwardly moved from the rotation center of the driving plate), when the crankshaft 404 moves down, the circular driving plate 416 angularly rotates in the counterclockwise direction and moves down, and the rod 414 is positioned at the bottom dead point as shown in Figure 6C(the distance B moved downwardly from the position L which is forwardly and horizontally moved from the rotation center of the driving plate).

[121] On the contrary, when the crankshaft 404 moves up, the rod 414 returns from the bottom dead point to the top dead point, and the driving plate 416 angularly rotates in the clockwise direction.

[122] At this time, the circular driving sprocket 416 disposed between a pair of the driving plates angularly rotates. When the rod 414 moves from the top dead point to the bottom dead point like in an ordinary bicycle chain method, the rotational force of the circular driving sprocket 416 is transferred to the driven sprocket 424 through the second chain 426 for thereby driving the chain.

[123] As the user repeatedly moves up and down his hips during running of the bicycle, the saddle moves up and down as well, and the bicycle is driven by means of an additional driving chain connected with a lower side of the saddle, so that it is possible to obtain a horseback riding-like exercise effect.

[124] According to another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 7, the lower end of the rod 414 is connected with the circular plate shaped driving plate 416 through a connection link 438, not directly connecting with the circular plate shaped driving plate 416, so that the lower end of the rod 414 becomes farther from the rotation center of the circular driving plate 416.

[125] Less torque of the rod 414 is transferred to the circular driving plate 416 through the connection link 438, so that it is possible to angularly rotate the circular driving plate 416 with less force(torque). Since the operation trajectory is the same as the earlier described trajectory, the detailed description of the same will be omitted.

[126] According to further another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in

Figure 8, the horseback riding type bicycle of the present invention may be used as a fitness bicycle in which a user just steps the pedals, not moving.

[127] In order to achieve the above operation, there is provided an indoor exercise support unit 432. The indoor exercise support unit 432 comprises a support plate 428 having a certain area supported on the floor, and a plurality of supports 430. [128] In a state that the support plate is supported on the floor, the rear wheel frame 114, which is divided into two parts, is mounted on the upper surface of the supports 430, so that the rear wheel 112, which is an actual driving wheel, is suspended in the air away from the floor, so that the bicycle does not actually move forward or backward.

[129] As shown in Figures 9 through 17, the operation of the bicycle using the horseback riding driving force generation unit 500 after the bicycle is accelerated using the forward running driving unit 200 will be described.

[130] In a state that the user sits on the saddle 406 and moves his upper body downward, the cushion spring 412 is compressed, and the tension spring 307 is extended.

[131] The saddle 406 and the crankshaft 404 moves while passing through the slide bearing built-in type fixture 402 in the lower direction, and presses the rod 414.

[132] The rod 414 pressed by means of the crankshaft 404 enables the rotation housings 502 and 605 to rotate in the lower direction of the bicycle.

[133] In the interior of the rotation housing 502, since one end of the torsion spring 503a is fixed at the rotation housing 502, and the other end of the same is engaged with the fixing housing 504, the torsion spring 503a is torsion-extended with the help of the rotation of the rotation housing 502, so that it has a tensional force.

[134] In the interior of the rotation housing 605, it rotates in a state that an inner surface of the rubber 604a is fixed at the fixing block 602, and an outer surface is adhered to the rotation housing 605, so that a torsion occurs in the rubber 604a for thereby generating a tensional force.

[135] When the torsion spring 503a has a tensional force in the above manner, the user moves upwardly his upper body, and the saddle 406 and the crankshaft 404 pass through the slide bearing built-in type fixture 402 in the upward direction, and the rod 414 is pulled in the upper direction of the bicycle, so that the driving sprocket 418 engaged with the rotation housing 502 rotates, and the second chain 426 is pulled for thereby rotating the driven sprocket 424 and transferring a driving force to the rear wheel 112.

[136] At this time, the tensional force of the torsion spring 503a is recovered, and the recovering force is sequentially transferred to the rotation housing 502 and the driving sprocket 418 for thereby obtaining accelerating rotational force, so that a propulsion force increases.

[137] When the rubber 604a has a tensional force, a user moves his upper body in an upward direction, and the saddle 406 and the crankshaft 404 moves upwardly while passing through the slide bearing built-in type fixture 402, and then the rod 414 is pulled in the upward direction of the bicycle. So, the driving sprocket 418 engaged to the rotation housing 605 rotates, and the second chain 426 is pulled, and the driven sprocket 424 rotates, so that a driving force is transferred to the rear wheel 112. [138] When it is judged that the tensional force of the rubber 604a is small, the fixing block 602 is rotated using the fixing housing 603, so that the rubber 604a is rotated in the opposite direction of the direction that the rotation housing 605 rotates for thereby increasing a tensional force.

[139] In more detail, the engaging protrusion 603b is inserted into the engaging protrusion groove 602b of the fixing block 602 before the fixing housing 603 is fixed at the driving shaft 601, and the fixing housing 603 is rotated in the opposite direction of the direction that the rotation housing 605 is to be rotated, so that a torsion force is generated in the rubber 604a. When the fixing housing 603 is fixed at the driving shaft 601, the torsion phenomenon of the rubber 604a more increases when the rotation housing 605 is rotated for thereby generating a bigger tensional force.

[140] The recovering force generated as the tensional force of the rubber 604a is recovered is sequentially transferred to the rotation housing 605 and the driving sprocket 418, so that a faster and stronger rotational force is transferred for thereby enhancing a propulsive force.

[141] The recovering force, which is generated as the tensional spring 307 moved and extended in the lower directions of the crankshaft 404 and the rod 414 and recovers, pulls the rod 414 for thereby increasing a propulsive force.

[142] So, a user moves up and down his upper body like riding a horse, so that the bicycle has a propulsive force by which the bicycle runs forward.

[143] The user can have an exercise effect like a fitness bicycle as he simply steps the pedals. As the user moves up and down his hips, he can feel like riding a horse.

[144] In addition, a propulsive force is generated using the torsion spring 503a of the driving force generation member 503, noise and vibration decrease.

[145] Since the torsion spring 503a is adapted in the present invention, the product of the present invention can be used semi-permanently for thereby saving a repair and part exchange cost.

[146] A propulsive force is generated using the rubber 604a of the driving force generation member 604, noise and vibration do not occur, and the product of the present invention is light.

[147] The recovering force of the tensional spring 307 helps enhancing the propulsive force, an efficiency of the product is increased.

[148]

Industrial Applicability

[149] In the present invention, since a driving force is significantly increased when the driving force generation member is used as compared when the rotation housings 502 and 605 are rotated using the up and down movements of the crankshaft 404 and the rod 414, it is possible to generate a substantial driving force with simple movements. Since it is possible to easily ride the bicycle in a simple posture, all kinds of persons can easily use the product of the present invention for a good health.

[150] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described examples are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the meets and bounds of the claims, or equivalences of such meets and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

[151]

Sequence Listing

[152] horseback, saddle, bicycle, chain, handle, pedal

[153]

[154]

[155]

[156]

[157]

Claims

[1] A horseback riding type bicycle, comprising: a frame unit 100 which includes a front wheel frame 104 for rotatably engaging a front wheel 102, a vertical bar 106 which is integrally upright at an upper end of the front wheel frame 104, a handle 108 which is height-adjustably engaged at an upper end of the vertical bar 106, a rear wheel frame 114 for rotatably engaging a rear wheel 112, with a front end being integral, with a rear end being divided into two parts and extended in a rear direction, and a connection bar 116 of which a front end is integrally connected with the vertical bar 106, and a rear end is integrally connected with a front end of the rear wheel frame 114; a forward running driving unit 200 which includes a front sprocket 202 which is engaged at a front shaft 118 passing through an integral portion of the connection bar 116 and the rear wheel frame 114 in a left and right direction, a pedal 204 which is connected to rotate the front sprocket 202, a rear sprocket 206 which is engaged at the rear shaft 120 passing through the rear wheel frame 114 in a left and right direction, and a first chain 208 for a forward movement connected between the front sprocket 202 and the rear sprocket 206; a saddle frame unit 300 which includes a first saddle frame 302 of which a front end is connected at an integral portion of the connection bar 116 and the rear wheel frame 114, a second saddle frame 304 of which a rear end is integrally connected at each rear end of the rear wheel frames 114 divided, and a saddle bracket 306 which integrally connects a rear end of the first saddle frame 302 and a front end of the second saddle frame 304; and a horseback riding unit 400 which is independently disposed at the upper and lower positions about the saddle bracket 306 as a center and allows a saddle to move up and down as a user moves up and down his hips.

[2] The bicycle of claim 1, wherein said horseback riding unit 400 includes: a slide bearing built-in type fixture 402 which passes through the saddle bracket

306 in an upper and lower direction and is fixed; a crankshaft 404 which passes through the slide bearing built-in type fixture 402 in an upper and lower direction; a saddle 406 which is engaged at an upper end of the crankshaft 404; an upper spring holder 408 which is closely fixed on a lower surface of the saddle 406, with the crankshaft 404 passing through the upper spring holder; a lower spring holder 410 which is fixedly mounted on an upper surface of the slide bearing built-in type fixture 402, with the crankshaft 404 passing through the lower spring holder; a cushion spring 412 which is elastically compressed between the upper spring holder 408 and the lower spring holder 410; a rod 414 which is hinged at a lower end of the crankshaft 404; a pair of circular driving plates 416 at which a lower end of the rod 414 is hinged, respectively; a driving sprocket 418 which is engaged between the circular driving plates 416; a driving shaft 420 which operates as a rotation center shaft and passes through the center of the circular driving plate 416 and the driving sprocket 418, with the both ends of the same being rotatably fixed at the rear wheel frame divided into two parts; a driven shaft 422 which is disposed with the same axis as the rear shaft 120 passing through the rear wheel frame 114 in a left and right direction and is independently rotatable; a driven sprocket 424 which is engaged at the driven shaft 422; a second chain 426 which is connected between the driving and driven sprockets 418 and 424; and horseback riding driving force generation units 500 and 600.

[3] The bicycle of claim 1, wherein said connection bar 116 of the frame unit 100 includes a joint unit 126 being detachable by adapting a bolt 122 and a nut type fastener 124 at an intermediate portion of the same.

[4] The bicycle of claim 1, wherein said first and second saddle frames 302 and 304 of the saddle frame unit 300 are formed in upwardly protruded arch shapes so that the weight of the user can be uniformly distributed, with the weight being applied in up and down directions during the horseback riding operation.

[5] The bicycle of claim 1, wherein said front wheel frame 104 of the frame unit 100 is formed in a forwardly protruded and curved shape so that the handling force of the user applied to the handle 108 is uniformly distributed during the horseback riding operation.

[6] The bicycle of claim 2, wherein a lower end of the rod 414 and the circular driving plate 416 is not directly connected, but is connected with each other through a connection link 438 for angularly rotating the driving plate with less force.

[7] The bicycle of claim 2, wherein said saddle 406 of the horseback riding unit 400 is formed in an actual horse saddle shape for achieving a horseback riding effect.

[8] The bicycle of claim 1, wherein there is further provided an indoor exercise support unit 432 which includes a support plate 428 which supports the rear wheel frame 114 divided into two parts and is supported on the floor for lifting up the rear wheel 112, and a support 430 which is integrally upright on the support plate 428 and supports the rear wheel frame 114.

[9] The bicycle of claim 2, wherein said horseback riding driving force generation unit 500 is characterized in that a driving shaft 505 sequentially passes through the driving force generation means 503 at an inner side of the rotation housing 502 in which the driving sprocket 418 engaged with the rod 414 and being rotatable based on an up and down movement of the saddle 406 is fixed, and the fixing housing 504, which fixedly surrounds the driving force generation means 503, and is fixed at the rear wheel frame 114, and the driven sprocket 424 connected with the driving sprocket 418 through the second chain 426 is engaged at one side of the rear wheel frame 114 for thereby transferring a driving force to the rear wheel 112.

[10] The bicycle of claim 9, wherein said driving force generation means 503 includes a torsion spring 503a of which one end is engaged at the rotation housing 502, and the other end is engaged at the fixing housing 504.

[11] The bicycle of claim 2, wherein said horseback riding driving force generation unit 600 includes an installation space 605a for installing a fixing block 602 which is fixed at the driving shaft 601; a fixing housing 603 which passes through the fixing shaft 51 and is engaged at one end of the fixing block 602; and a driving force generation means 604 which passes through the driving shaft 601 and surrounds the fixing block 602, wherein the driven sprocket 424 connected with the driving sprocket 418 through the second chain 426 in the rotation housing 605 is engaged at one side of the rear wheel frame 114 for thereby transferring a driving force to the rear wheel 112.

[12] The bicycle of claim 10, wherein an outer surface of said driving force generation means 604 is fixed at the rotation housing 605, and an inner surface of the same is formed of a rubber 604a engaged at the fixing block 602.

[13] The bicycle of claim 2, wherein said horseback riding unit 400 further includes a tension spring 307 of which both ends are fixed between the lower surface of the slide bearing built-in type fixture 402 and the upper side of the rod 414 for thereby helping a recovering operation when it returns to an upper side.