WO2010118499A1

WO2010118499A1 - Collapsible bicycle

Info

Publication number: WO2010118499A1
Application number: PCT/CA2009/000505
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andy Tioh
Original assignee: Andy Tioh
Priority date: 2009-04-15
Filing date: 2009-04-15
Publication date: 2010-10-21

Abstract

An improved bicycle of the type having a frame and a pair of wheels is disclosed. The improvement comprises a cantilevered rear arm extending to an end to which the rear wheel is mounted for rotation about its axis and a cantilevered front arm extending to an end to which the front wheel is mounted for rotation about its axis. The improvement also includes a receiver forming part of the frame and having opposite ends from which the front arm and the rear arm extend and to which the front arm and rear arm are operatively pivotally connected to permit the front arm and the rear arm to folded at least substantially against one another in a storage configuration of the improved bicycle.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE BICYCLE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of bicycling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bicycling is a popular method of transportation in many areas of the world. It is especially useful for relatively short distance travel in areas where motor vehicle traffic is light. For long distance travel, and in areas of concentrated motor vehicle traffic, bicycling is less attractive. Thus, it is commonplace to combine public transit with bicycling. To facilitate this, bicycles are regularly made collapsible, so that they may be carried by the rider onto a bus or subway.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An improved bicycle forms one aspect of the invention.

The improved bicycle is of the type including handlebars and pedals, a pintle, a crank assembly, a head tube, a framework, front and rear wheels and a drive mechanism.

The handlebars and pedals are spaced apart from one another in an operative configuration in use to enable a rider to hand-rotate the handlebars while foot- cranking the pedals.

The pintle has the handlebars operatively mounted thereto. The crank assembly has the pedals operatively mounted thereto.

The head tube has the pintle rotatably mounted therewith to permit said hand- rotation of the handlebars.

The framework couples the head tube and the crank assembly together to maintain the handlebars and pedals in said operative configuration in use.

The front wheel and rear wheel are disposed to engage the ground, respectively, frontwardly and rearwardly of the rider in use, and are mounted, respectively, operatively to the pintle and to the framework, for rolling movement about their respective axes. The front wheel, further, by virtue of its connection to the pintle, moves with the pintle about the pintle axis, for directional control of the bicycle.

The drive mechanism is for causing rotation of the rear wheel about its axis when the pedals are cranked.

The improvement comprises: a cantilevered rear arm forming part of the framework and extending to an end to which the rear wheel is mounted for said rotation about its axis; and a cantilevered front arm extending from the pintle to an end to which the front wheel is mounted for said rotation about its axis.

According to another aspect of the invention, the framework can include a receiver having opposite ends from which the front arm and the rear arm extend; and the head tube and the rear arm can be pivotally operatively mounted to the receiver to permit the front arm and the rear arm to be folded at least substantially against one another in a storage configuration of the improved bicycle. According to another aspect of the invention, the receiver can include a pair of laterally-spaced-apart receiver bodies, between which are disposed the front arm and the rear arm in the storage configuration of the improved bicycle.

According to another aspect of the invention, an articulated joint can be provided at the end of the front arm, to permit the front wheel to be arranged alongside the receiver in the storage configuration of the improved bicycle.

According to another aspect of the invention, a seat post can be provided, which extends in cantilevered relation from the receiver, and a seat can be secured to the seat post via a quick release.

According to another aspect of the invention, the seat post can be pivotally connected to the receiver and, in the storage configuration of the improved bicycle, the seat can be removed from the seat post and the seat post can be arranged at least substantially against the rear arm.

According to another aspect of the invention, an elongate crank receiver can form part of the framework and extend, from a pivotal connection and in cantilevered manner, to an end to which the pedals are operatively mounted for said cranking; and in the storage configuration of the improved bicycle, the crank receiver can be arranged at least substantially against the rear arm.

According to another aspect of the invention, the handlebars can be secured to the pintle via a quick release and can be removed from the improved bicycle in the storage configuration. According to another aspect of the invention, the framework can include a hub which is pivotally connected to the receiver; the rear arm can be fixedly connected to the hub; the seat post can be pivotally connected to the hub and arranged at least substantially against the rear arm in the storage configuration; an elongate crank receiver can form part of the framework and extend, from a pivotal connection at the hub, to an end to which the pedals are operatively mounted for said cranking, the crank receiver being arranged at least substantially against the rear arm in the storage configuration of the improved bicycle.

According to another aspect of the invention, in use, respective quick release locks provide for: the hub to be locked against pivotal movement relative to the receiver; the seat post to be locked against pivotal movement relative to the hub; and the crank receiver to be locked against pivotal movement relative to the hub.

The improved bicycle can, according to another aspect of the invention form, along with a backpack, personal transportation apparatus. The backpack can be adapted, when the improved bicycle is in the storage configuration, to: store interiorly the seat and handlebars thereof; and to securely, releasably receive exteriorly the framework thereof.

Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following claims, detailed description and drawings, the latter being briefly described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an improved bicycle according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, in an operative configuration for use;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1;

FIG.3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, with the seat and handlebars of the improved bicycle removed;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, with the seat post and crank receiver folded to meet the rear arm;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, with the rear arm, seat post and crank receiver rotated into the receiver;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, with the front arm rotated into the receiver;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5, with the front wheel folded over the receiver;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a backpack for use with the structure of

FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view of the structure of FIG. 8 fitted on a person and the structure of FIG. 7 secured to the structure of FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the improved bicycle of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a view of the structure of FIG. 10, from another vantage point;

FIG. 12 is a view of encircled structure 12 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a front view of the encircled structure 13 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a front view of encircled structure 14 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a rear view of encircled structure 15 of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 16 is a side view of the structure of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As indicated, the present invention relates to an improved bicycle which in FIG. 1 is designated with general reference numeral 20 and will be seen to be of the general type including handlebars 22, pedals 24, a seat 26 mounted to a seat post 28, a pintle 30, a crank assembly 32, a head tube 34, a framework 36 and front 38 and rear 40 wheels.

The handlebars 22, seat 26 and pedals 24 are spaced apart from one another in an operative configuration in use to enable a rider, seated on or straddling the seat 26, to hand-rotate the handlebars 22 while foot-cranking the pedals 24.

The pintle 30 has the handlebars 22 mounted thereto. The crank assembly 32 has the pedals 24 operatively mounted thereto by crank arms 116.

The head tube 34 has the pintle 30 rotatably mounted therewithin to permit said hand-rotation of the handlebars 22.

The framework 36 couples the head tube 34, the seat post 28 and the crank assembly 32 together to maintain the handlebars 22, seat 26 and pedals 24 in said operative configuration in use.

The front wheel 38 and rear wheel 40 are disposed to engage the ground, respectively, frontwardly and rearwardly of the rider in use, and are mounted, respectively, operatively to the pintle 30 and to the framework 36, for rolling movement about their respective axes. The front wheel 38, further, by virtue of its connection to the pintle 30, moves with the pintle 30 about the pintle axis, for directional control of the bicycle 20. The wheels 38,40 are conventional rim-tire assemblies.

Bicycles according to the present invention have, in common with other known bicycles, a drive mechanism 42 for causing rotation of the rear wheel 40 about its axis when the pedals 24 are cranked. The drive mechanism 42 of the exemplary embodiments bears similarity to known mechanisms, in that it includes a toothed gear 44 formed on the crank assembly 32, a toothed gear 46 for driving the rear wheel 40 [and for braking the rear wheel 40, on application of reversed motion, i.e. coaster brakes] and a chain 48 operatively coupling both gears 44,46. However, at least somewhat unusually, the chain 48 of the illustrated bicycle is housed interiorly of the framework 36, through the use of interior guide gears which direct the chain 48 through the framework 36 and one or more interior idler gears which take up slack. Persons of ordinary skill in the art of bicycle construction could readily construct such a drive mechanism, and as such, a detailed description is neither necessary nor included.

Turning now to FIGS. 1-9 for description of the broad differences in structure and function represented by the exemplary bicycle, the exemplary improved bicycle will be seen to include a pair of quick releases 50,52, a receiver 54, a hub 56, a rear arm 58, an elongate crank receiver 60, a front arm 62 and an articulated joint 64.

The quick releases 50,52 are disposed one each at the junction of the pintle 30 and handlebars 22 and at the junction of the seat post 28 and seat 26, to enable each of the handlebars 22 and seat 26 to be easily removed without tools, as shown in FIG. 3. These quick releases, although not shown in detail, are of the well-known cam-lock style, wherein one of the elements to be connected has fixed thereto a collapsible collar and the other of the elements to be affixed can be fitted in relatively snug relation within the collar when the collar is relaxed. A connecting pin extends between the ends of the collar, and has pivotably mounted thereto at one end a lever which terminates in a cam surface that bears against the collar end. Pivoting the lever causes the cam surface of the lever to rotate against the collar, thereby withdrawing the pin and compressing the collar to lock the inserted element therewithin.

The receiver 54 includes a pair of laterally-spaced-apart, generally open rectangular receiver bodies 66 and has opposite ends 54A,54B.

The crank receiver 60 extends to an end 6OA which carries the crank assembly 32. The pedals 24 are of a foldable type, and are mounted to the crank assembly 32 by crank arms 116 and an arrestor 68. The arrestor 68 is discussed in detail in following paragraphs, but at this point should be understood to allow the crank arms 116 to be selectively radially extended and retracted.

The hub 56 is disposed at one end 54A of the receiver 54.

The rear arm 58 is fixedly connected to the hub 56 and extends to an end 58A to which the rear wheel 40 is mounted for said rotation about its axis. Rear wheel 40 is mounted to the rear arm 58 in a conventional manner and as such is not described in detail.

Each of the seat post 28 and the crank receiver 60 extend, from a respective pivotal connection and in cantilevered relation, from the hub 56, so as to permit the seat post 28 and the crank receiver 60 to be pivoted against the rear arm 58, as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 also shows the pedals 24 folded in a common direction and the crank arms 116 retracted (and thus not visible).

The hub 56 itself is pivotally connected to the receiver 54, thereby to enable, the rear arm 58, seat post 28 and crank receiver 60 to be pivoted to a position inside the receiver 54, as shown in FIG. 5.

The front arm 62 is rigidly secured to and extends in cantilevered relation from the pintle 30 to an end 62A to which the front wheel 38 is mounted for said rotation about its axis. The front wheel 38 is mounted to the arm end 62A in a conventional manner and thus is not described in detail.

The head tube 34 is pivotally connected to the other end 54B of the receiver 54 to permit the front arm 62 to be folded, into close proximity to the rear arm 58, between the receiver bodies 66, as shown in FIG. 6 The articulated joint 64 provided at the end 62A of the front arm 62 permits the front wheel 38 to be arranged alongside the receiver 54, as shown in FIG. 7; this configuration defines a storage configuration of the improved bicycle 20.

Arrestors 68 provide for:

• the hub 56 to be selectively locked against pivotal movement relative to receiver 54;

• the seat post 28 to be selectively locked against pivotal movement relative to hub 56;

• the crank receiver 60 to be selectively locked against pivotal movement relative to the hub 56; and

• the crank arms 116 to be selectively locked against radial extension or retraction

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9, arrestors 68 are defined by pairs of threaded fasteners. The arrestors 68 disposed at the ends 54A,54B of the receiver serve both as the mechanism for securing the receiver bodies 66 to one another and the pivot points for, respectively, the head tube 34 and the crank receiver 60/rear arm 58/seat post 28. The arrestor 68 disposed at the end of the crank receiver 60 extends through slots 117 formed in the crank arms 116 and selectively locks the crank arms 116 against radial extension and retraction. Each threaded fastener has an outer circular handle/knob (visible) and a threaded protuberance (not visible), one of the protuberances being threaded interiorly and the other being threaded exteriorly. The operator merely needs to loosen the fasteners by hand, to allow for the various attached components to be moved, and to tighten the fasteners, to lock the components against movement. Teeth (not shown) are provided on the abutting surfaces of the various components, to increase grip. FIG. 8 shows a backpack 70 for use with the structure of FIG. 6, when secured in the storage configuration. The backpack 70 has an interior void (not shown) adapted to receive, for interior storage, the seat 26 and handlebars 22 and is adapted to receive on its exterior the structure of FIG. 7, for easy carriage, all as shown in FIG. 9.

FIGS. 10-17 show exemplary details of construction, with reference to another exemplary embodiment of the improved bicycle, designated with general reference numeral 74 in FIG. 10.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are illustrative of the construction of the handlebars 22, and reveal the handlebars 22 to include an upright 76 and a crossbar 78. The upright 76 has a bore (not shown) through which the crossbar 78 passes and a throughpassing aperture 86 intersecting the bore. The crossbar 78 has opposed spring pins 80 which project from the aperture 86 when the crossbar 78 is operatively positioned in the bore to hold same in position for use. Depression of the spring pins 80 allow the crossbar 78 to be removed from the bore, for storage in the packpack 70.

FIG. 12 details the construction of the connection of the seat 26 and seat post 28 and reveals that the seat 26 of this embodiment has a pair of laterally spaced-apart flanges 82 which straddle the seat post 28, and a pair of spring pins 80 extending through the flanges 82 and seat post 28 to provide for a rigid connection therebetween. A plurality of apertures 88 are provided in the flanges 82 to allow for the angular position of the seat 26 relative to the post 28 to be adjusted, by depressing the lower spring pins 80 and rotating the flanges 82 around the central spring pin 80. The seat 26 can be removed altogether, for storage in the backpack 70, by compressing both pairs of spring pins 80 and removing the flanges 82 from the seat post 28. The seat post 28 itself is a telescopic element having an upper portion 28B telescopically received within a lower portion 28A. The lower portion 28A is the portion of the seat post 28 which is pivotally connected to the receiver 54 (as previously discussed and as discussed below) and has a plurality of apertures 90. The upper portion 28B is the portion which is connected to the seat 26 in use and carries a protruding spring pin 80. Compression of this spring pin 80 allows for the upper portion 28B to be inserted into the lower portion 28A; the pin 80 springs outwardly at the first of the apertures 90. The seat post 28 may be shortened by depressing the spring pin 80 again and moving the pin 80 to the next of the apertures 90. This process can be repeated, and reversed, as desired, until a desired overall length is obtained.

FIG. 13 details the construction of the connection between the head tube 34, the receiver 54 and the handlebar 22. An inspection of FIG. 13 reveals that the head tube 34, which carries the pintle 30, is pivotally connected to the receiver 54 by a locking pin 84 which engages opposed apertures 92 in the receiver 54. This locking pin 84 also securely holds the receiver bodies 66 together at this point. On each side of the head tube 34 is pair of spring pins 80 (only one of each pair being shown in FIG. 13). The illustrated spring pin 80 springs outwardly into an aperture 94 in the adjacent receiver body 66 when the head tube 34 is positioned as in the operative configuration, as shown in FIG. 13. The illustrated spring pins 80 can be compressed, to permit movement of the head tube 34 towards the storage configuration. The second (not visible in FIG. 13) spring pin springs outwardly into aperture 94 when the head tube 34 is positioned as in the storage configuration. The pintle 30 itself fits into a socket 96 (shown in phantom) in the upright 76 of the handlebar 22 and carries a spring pin 80 which engages an aperture 98 that leads into the socket 96. Depression of this spring pin 80 permits the upright 76 to be removed from the pintle 30 for storage in the backpack 70. FIG. 14 details the construction of the articulated joint 64. A review of this illustration shows that the articulated joint 64 includes a lower part 100 and an upper part 102. The lower part 100 has the front wheel 38 operatively mounted thereto as previously discussed. The upper part 102 carries a pair of locking pins 84. The locking pins 84 secure the upper part 102 to each of the lower part 100 and the front arm 62, while allowing for pivotal movement of the lower part 100 and the front arm 62 around the pins 84. The upper part 102 also carries a pair of spring pins 80, which can be depressed, to allow for folding movement of structures 100,102,62 and which spring outwardly into apertures 104, 106 formed in the lower part 100 and front arm 62 when structures 100,102,62 are arranged in a linear fashion, i.e. for use.

FIGS. 15 and 16 detail the connection of the hub 56, rear arm 58, crank receiver 60 and seat post 28. The hub 56 includes a pair of discs 108, spaced apart from one another and fitted between the receiver bodies 66. A locking pin 84 extends through the discs 108 and receiver bodies 66, locking the receiver bodies 66 together and allowing for pivotal movement of the hub 56. Each disc 108 carries a pair of spring pins 80. One of the spring pins 80 engages in a corresponding aperture 110 in the adjacent receiver body 66 when the hub 56 is positioned as in the operative configuration, as shown in FIG. 15; the other of the spring pins 80 engages in aperture 110 when the hub 56 is positioned as in the storage configuration. This permits the hub 56 to be conveniently moved between the operative and storage configuration merely by depressing the spring pin 80 that is engaged in aperture 110 and rotating the hub 56 until the other spring pin 80 engages the aperture 110.

The rear arm 58 is rigidly secured to the discs 108 by welding or the like. The seat post 28 is disposed between the discs 108 and pivotally mounted thereto by a locking pin 84. The seat post 28 also carries a spring pin 80, which engages into a selected one of a pair of apertures 116,118 defined on the discs 108, to allow for the orientation of the seat post 28 to be adjusted. Also defined on the discs is an aperture 120 which receives the spring pin 80 carried by the seat post 28 when the seat post 28 is oriented as in the storage configuration, i.e. alongside rear arm 58.

Finally, the crank receiver 60 is also disposed between the discs 108 and pivotally mounted thereto by a hinge pin 80 which is shown in phantom in FIG. 16. The crank receiver 60 also carries a spring pin 80. This spring pin 80 engages in a corresponding aperture 112 in the disc 108 when the crank receiver 60 is positioned as in the operative configuration as shown in FIG. 16; when the crank receiver 60 is positioned as in the storage configuration, i.e. alongside rear arm 58, this spring pin 80 engages aperture 114.

Whereas but several exemplary embodiments of the present invention are herein specifically illustrated, variations are possible.

For example, whereas threaded-type fasteners, spring pins and cam-locks are specifically identified as potential locking mechanisms, other alternatives are possible. For example, only, the parts to be locked together could be provided with communicating bores, and locked together with clevis pins, cotter pins or nut- and-bolt assemblies.

Further, whereas the crossbar of the second illustrated embodiment passes through a bore in the upright, a folding mechanism, wherein the arms of the handlebar are adapted for selective folding parallel to the upright, could also be utilized. As well, whereas the upright of the illustrated embodiments is removed in the storage configuration, the upright could also be folded against the front arm. As well, whereas conventional wheels are shown, hubless versions could also be employed.

Additionally, whereas a coaster-style drive mechanism is described, a multi-gear arrangement, with hand brakes could also be employed.

Yet further, whereas foldable pedals are described, removable pedals could equally be used, and stowed within the backpack when the bicycle is in the storage configuration.

Moreover, whereas the seat post is described to be telescopic, this is not necessary. As well, whereas a spring pin arrangement is described for locking the seat post components together, other arrangements, such as the described cam-lock arrangement, could be employed.

As well, whereas the front and rear arms of the illustrated embodiments fold within the illustrated receiver, this "sandwiched" relationship is not necessary.

Additionally, whereas in this description, various components are indicated to foldable/pivotable "at least substantially against" one another, it should be understood that abutting contact is not required and indeed may not be desirable in all cases. In this description and in the appended claims, "at least substantially against" should be understood merely as requiring a relationship wherein the parts of interest assume a volumetrically relatively compact shape.

Accordingly, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the accompanying claims, purposively construed.

Claims

1. An improved bicycle of the type including : handlebars and pedals, spaced apart from one another in an operative configuration in use to enable a rider to hand-rotate the handlebars while foot-cranking the pedals; a pintle to which the handlebars are operatively mounted; a crank assembly to which the pedals are operatively mounted; a head tube in which the pintle is rotatably mounted to permit said hand-rotation of the handlebars; a framework coupling the head tube and the crank assembly together to maintain the handlebars and pedals in said operative configuration in use; a front wheel and a rear wheel disposed to engage the ground, respectively, frontwardly and rearwardly of the rider in use, the front wheel and the rear wheel being mounted, respectively, operatively to the pintle and to the framework, for rolling movement about their respective axes and the front wheel further, by virtue of its connection to the pintle, being movable with the pintle about the pintle axis, for directional control of the bicycle; and a drive mechanism for causing rotation of the rear wheel about its axis when the pedals are cranked,

wherein the improvement comprises:

a cantilevered rear arm forming part of the framework and extending to an end to which the rear wheel is mounted for said rotation about its axis; and

a cantilevered front arm extending from the pintle to an end to which the front wheel is mounted for said rotation about its axis.

2. An improved bicycle according to claim 1, wherein

the framework includes a receiver having opposite ends from which the front arm and the rear arm extend; and

the head tube and the rear arm are pivotally connected to the receiver to permit the front arm and the rear arm to folded at least substantially against one another in a storage configuration of the improved bicycle.

3. An improved bicycle according to claim 2, wherein the receiver includes a pair of laterally-spaced-apart receiver bodies, between which are disposed the front arm and the rear arm in the storage configuration of the improved bicycle.

4. An improved bicycle according to claim 2, wherein an articulated joint is provided at the end of the front arm, to permit the front wheel to be arranged alongside the receiver in the storage configuration of the improved bicycle.

5. An improved bicycle according to claim 4, further comprising a seat post extending in cantilevered relation from the receiver and a seat secured to the seat post via a quick release.

6. An improved bicycle according to claim 5, wherein the seat post is pivotally connected to the receiver and, in the storage configuration of the improved bicycle, the seat is removed from the seat post and the seat post is arranged at least substantially against the rear arm.

7. An improved bicycle according to claim 2, wherein

an elongate crank receiver forms part of the framework and extends, from a pivotal connection and in cantilevered relation, to an end to which the pedals are operatively mounted for said cranking; and

in the storage configuration of the improved bicycle, the crank receiver is arranged at least substantially against the rear arm.

8. An improved bicycle according to claim 2, wherein the handlebars are secured to the pintle via a quick release and removed from the improved bicycle in the storage configuration.

9. An improved bicycle according to claim 6, wherein:

the framework includes a hub which is pivotally connected to the receiver;

the rear arm is fixedly connected to the hub;

the seat post is pivotally connected to the hub and arranged at least substantially against the rear arm in the storage configuration;

an elongate crank receiver forms part of the framework and extends, from a pivotal connection at the hub, to an end to which the pedals are mounted for said cranking, the crank receiver being arranged at least substantially against the rear arm in the storage configuration of the improved bicycle.

10. An improved bicycle according to claim 9, wherein, in use, respective quick release locks provide for:

the hub to be locked against pivotal movement relative to the receiver;

the seat post to be locked against pivotal movement relative to the hub; and

the crank receiver to be locked against pivotal movement relative to the hub.

11. Personal transportation apparatus comprising :

the improved bicycle according to claim 9; and

a backpack adapted, when the improved bicycle is in the storage configuration, to

store interiorly the seat and handlebars thereof; and to securely, releasably receive exteriorly the framework thereof.