WO2015011385A1

WO2015011385A1 - Foldable cycle

Info

Publication number: WO2015011385A1
Application number: PCT/FR2014/051870
Authority: WO
Inventors: Laurent Tine; Sandrine BOUVIER; John MILLIE; Cathal Loughnane; Neil Simpson
Original assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa
Priority date: 2013-07-25
Filing date: 2014-07-21
Publication date: 2015-01-29
Also published as: FR3008950B1; FR3008950A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a foldable cycle comprising a first frame element (1) onto which a first wheel is mounted and a second frame element (2) onto which a second wheel is mounted, the first frame element (1) and the second frame element (2) being connected by a linking part (3) configured to enable the first frame element (1) to rotate about and move in translation along a horizontal linking shaft (X) relative to the second frame element (2). The cycle is characterized in that the linking part (3) is rigidly connected to the second frame element (2) and comprises at least one guide slot (30) configured to engage with at least one guide pin (6) that is rigidly connected to the first frame element (1).

Description

FOLDING CYCLE

[οοοΐ] The present invention claims the priority of the French application 1357367 filed July 25, 2013 whose content (text, drawings and claims) is here incorporated by reference. The invention relates to the field of foldable cycles.

To allow a simplified movement in large cities, we know bicycles can be folded to reduce their size to be transported by hand in a public transport (metro, bus, etc.) or placed in a motor vehicle trunk. Thus, the bike has an unfolded position of use and a folded storage position.

To allow folding of the bicycle, there is known in the prior art a bicycle having a frame in two parts connected by a hinge to allow the two frames to be superimposed in the storage position. By way of example, a bicycle is known whose first frame portion is connected to a second frame portion by a vertical axis so that the frame folds in a horizontal plane. Such articulation requires a large folding / unfolding area around the bicycle since the parts of the frame move in a horizontal plane in an arcuate motion. Also, such a bicycle has disadvantages when used in an urban environment, for example, near a sidewalk or access to a metro. To eliminate this drawback, document GB2414972 discloses a bicycle comprising a rear frame, an intermediate frame and a front frame. The rear frame and the front frame are each connected to the intermediate frame by an articulation allowing, on the one hand, a rotation along a horizontal axis and, on the other hand, a translation along said horizontal axis so that the rear frame , the intermediate frame and the front frame are parallel in the storage position.

Such a bicycle with a three-part frame and two joints is complex to achieve, which increases its manufacturing cost. Indeed, each articulation comprises two cams which cooperate to ensure, on the one hand, a rotation along a horizontal axis and, on the other hand, a translation along said horizontal axis. In addition, a spring is mounted between the two cams to hold them together and prevent unfortunate folding. In practice, to fold the bike, a user must exert a force opposing the force resilient spring while rotating one cam relative to the other. Such operations are impractical to implement, which has a disadvantage. These folding operations are also long to implement since a user must make them for both joints of the bike. Finally, the cams do not allow optimal guidance of one frame relative to the other, which reduces the life of the joints and, consequently, that of the bike.

The invention therefore aims to overcome these disadvantages by providing a cycle that can be folded quickly and conveniently in a small area and having a long service life. For this purpose, the invention relates to a cycle comprising a first frame member on which is mounted a first wheel and a second frame member on which is mounted a second wheel, the first frame member and the second frame member. frame being connected by a connecting piece configured to allow rotation and translation about a horizontal connecting axis of the first frame member relative to the second frame member.

The cycle is remarkable in that the connecting piece is integral with the second frame member and comprises at least one guide slot configured to cooperate with at least one guide pin integral with the first frame member.

[ooi o] Thus, the relative displacement of the frame members is perfectly defined by the cooperation of the guide slot with the guide finger. No complex and impractical manipulation should be performed by a user to fold / unfold a bike. In addition, the size and shape of the guide slot can be easily adjusted to allow convenient folding and does not depend on the dimensions of the frame. Advantageously, the wheels of the cycle are parallel in the folded storage position so as to allow the cycle to roll during its transport.

[001 1] Preferably, the cycle comprises only a single connecting piece. In other words, the frame has only two frame elements, which accelerates its folding compared to a frame with three elements.

Preferably, the axial dimension of said guide slot along the horizontal connecting axis defines the displacement in translation of the first frame member relative to the second frame member. Thus, by setting the axial dimension of the slit, we set the translation along the horizontal axis of connection, which is advantageous to adapt to different frame thicknesses.

Preferably, the angular dimension of said guide slot around the horizontal connecting axis defines the rotational stroke of the first frame member relative to the second frame member. Thus, by parameterizing the angular dimension of the slot, the rotation is set along the horizontal axis of connection, which is advantageous for adapting to the different frame shapes and to the spacing between the two wheels of the cycle.

Preferably, the longitudinal slot has a helical shape so as to simultaneously perform a translation and a rotation about the horizontal connecting axis. Preferably, the connecting piece is in the form of a cylindrical piece extending along the horizontal connecting axis, said connecting piece having a cylindrical casing in which is formed the guide slot. Such a cylindrical envelope gives the connection piece a high degree of strength and, in addition, makes it possible to form a plurality of guide slots, which improves the guiding. According to one aspect of the invention, the first frame member comprises a cylindrical housing extending along the horizontal connecting axis adapted to receive the connecting piece. The cooperation of a cylindrical connecting piece with a cylindrical housing makes it possible to overcome any unwanted movement, in particular a movement transverse to the horizontal axis of connection, and to increase the robustness of the connection.

Preferably, said guide pin is integral with said cylindrical housing.

According to one aspect of the invention, the cycle comprises manual locking means of the first frame member relative to the second frame member in the use position of the cycle. Thus, any involuntary folding is avoided. More preferably, the manual locking means are mounted in the second frame member.

Preferably, the manual locking means comprise a projecting portion adapted to cooperate with a locking slot of the first frame member. According to a preferred aspect, the connecting piece is removably mounted to the second frame member. Thus, one can adapt the connecting piece according to the desired bending.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a cycle comprising a first frame member, a second frame member, and a link member; Figure 2 is a close perspective view of the connecting piece of Figure 1; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cycle during assembly of the frame elements; Figure 4 is a sectional view of the connecting piece when the cycle is in the folded storage position; and Figure 5 is a sectional view of the connecting piece when the cycle is in the unfolded position of use.

It should be noted that the figures disclose the invention in detail to implement the invention, said figures can of course be used to better define the invention where appropriate.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a cycle having a first frame member 1 on which is mounted a first wheel 10 and a second frame member 2 on which is mounted a second wheel (not shown). In this example, the first frame element 1 corresponds to the front part of the cycle while the second frame element 2 corresponds to the rear part of the cycle. The frame advantageously comprises only two parts to accelerate its folding. Still with reference to Figure 1, the first frame member 1 and the second frame member 2 are connected by a connecting piece 3 configured to allow rotation and translation about a horizontal axis X connection of the first frame element 1 with respect to the second frame element 2. In this example, with reference to Figures 1 and 2, the connecting piece 3 is in the form of a cylindrical piece extending along the horizontal axis of X connection and having a cylindrical casing 33 extending axially in which are formed two diametrically opposed guide slots 30. As illustrated in Figure 1, the connecting piece 3 comprises an annular wall 34 extending transversely to the horizontal axis X adapted to be secured to the second frame member 2. In this example, the annular wall 34 comprises a plurality of fixing holes 31 and the second frame member 2 comprises a plurality of fixing holes 21 to allow the passage of fastening screws 7 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) so as to fasten together the connecting piece 3 with the second frame member 2. Preferably, the connecting piece 3 is removably mounted relative to the second frame member 2 to facilitate assembly of the cycle.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cylindrical casing 33 of the connecting piece 3 comprises guide slots 30 configured to cooperate respectively with guide fingers 6 integral with the first frame member 1. With reference to FIG. 2, a guide slot 30 has an axial dimension D, defined along the horizontal axis of connection X, which corresponds to the translation displacement of the first frame element 1 relative to the second frame element 2. In practice, the axial dimension D of the concept in the closed position is between 100 mm and 220 mm, preferably, here of the order of 170 mm

Mechanically. A good mechanical strength of the assembly in the open position of the concept requires a ratio x1 .5 between the diameter of the general pivot and the axial length D D = pivot diameter X1 .5

Still with reference to Figure 2, a guide slot 30 has an angular dimension A, defined around the horizontal axis X connection, which corresponds to the rotational stroke of the first frame member 1 relative to the second element In practice, the angular dimension A is between 60 ^° and 150 °, preferably here about 95 °.

In this example, each slot 30 extends substantially in the same plane so that, during the displacement of the first frame member 1 relative to the second frame member 2, a rotation is accompanied simultaneously by a translation along the horizontal axis of connection X. Preferably, the guide slot has a helix shape. Nevertheless, it goes without saying that the guide slot 30 could have a different shape, in particular a shape of S or L, in order to dissociate the rotational and translational movements. For example, when the guide slot 30 has an L shape, the rotation is consecutive to the translation. As illustrated in Figure 1, the first frame member 1 comprises a cylindrical housing 4 extending along the horizontal axis of the X connection adapted to receive internally the connecting piece 3. The cylindrical housing 4 is here machined with the first frame element 1 but it could also be reported on the latter. The cylindrical housing 4 comprises a cylindrical casing 40 having two radial openings 41 adapted to receive guide fingers 6. After assembly, the guide fingers 6 extend radially inside the cylindrical housing 4 in order to engage in the guide slots 30 as will be presented later. In this example, a guide pin 6 is in the form of a longitudinal screw as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Preferably, the end of the guide pin 6 mounted in the guide slot 30 is formed of a material sliding, preferably in polymer to reduce friction during guiding. Such guiding fingers 6 are advantageously removable so as to allow their replacement in case of wear.

In other words, the guide fingers 6 are integral with the first frame member 1 and extend in the guide slots 30 of the second frame member 2 so as to guide the rotational and translational movement of the frame members. 1, 2. Such a connection is robust and avoids any undesired relative displacement, which increases the service life of the cycle. In addition, the shape of the guide slot 30 can be easily parameterized to fold quickly and easily a cycle taking into account its dimensions and its bulk. Preferably, the cycle comprises manual locking means 5 of the first frame member 1 relative to the second frame member 2 in the use position of the cycle. Thus, any involuntary folding of the cycle is avoided.

Referring to Figure 1, the manual locking means 5 are mounted in the second frame member 2, preferably in translation along an axis orthogonal to the horizontal axis X connection.

In this example, with reference to Figure 1, the manual locking means 5 comprise a projecting portion 52 adapted to extend consecutively in a locking slot 42 formed in the cylindrical casing 40 of the cylindrical housing 4 of the first frame member 1 and in a locking slot 32 formed in the cylindrical casing 33 of the connecting piece 3 of the second frame member 2. Thus, when the protruding member 52 of the locking means 5 extends through the locking slots 32, 42, any relative movement of the first frame member 1 relative to the second frame member 2 is prohibited.

Preferably, the locking means 5 are in the form of a mechanical part mounted in a cavity 22 of the second frame member 2 so that the projecting portion 52 extends at the connecting piece 3 The locking means 5 comprise, in this example, a handle 51, the shape of which is adapted to receive the end of a user's finger, which is accessible in the cavity 22 to control the translation of the portion protrusion 52 in the locking slots 32, 42. It goes without saying that other locking means could be suitable.

To mount the cycle, the connecting piece 3 is secured to the second frame member 2 and the connecting piece 3 is placed in the cylindrical housing 4 of the first frame member 1 as shown in Figure 3. Thus, the cylindrical casing 40 extends between the projecting element 52 of the blocking means 5 and the connecting piece 3.

Then, with reference to FIG. 3, the guide fingers 6 are introduced radially from the outside of the housing 4 so as to extend respectively in the guide slots 30.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the guide fingers 6 do not comprise a portion protruding radially outwardly relative to the cylindrical housing 4 so as to allow a rotation of the second frame 2 on the outer surface of the cylindrical housing. 4 when folding. Indeed, the radial openings 41 of the cylindrical envelope 40 are sized to, firstly, radially block the heads of the guide fingers 6 and, secondly, to avoid the formation of a relief at the level of the cylindrical casing 40 of the cylindrical housing 4 as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Referring to Figure 4 showing the cycle in the folded position, the cylindrical housing 4 of the first frame 1 is fixed and has a guide pin 6 extending fixedly in the guide slot 30 of the connecting piece 3 solidaire of the second frame member 2. As illustrated in Figure 4, the cylindrical housing 4 allows a precise and robust guidance of the connecting piece 3. In folded storage position, the piece link 3 extends partially in the cylindrical housing 4. Such a position makes it possible to position the front and rear wheels of the cycle in parallel. Thus, a user can roll the cycle in folded storage position, which is convenient and therefore advantageous.

When folding, the second frame member 2 moves relative to the first frame member 1. The guide slot 30, integral with the second frame element 2, moves relative to the guide pin 6, integral with the first frame element 1. Because of the shape of the guide slot 30, the second frame member 2 is guided in translation and in rotation about the horizontal axis X so that the second frame member 2 is aligned with the first frame member. frame 1 in unfolded position of use. In the unfolded position, the connecting piece 3 extends entirely into the cylindrical housing 4. The cylindrical housing 4 provides robust guidance by preventing any undesired transverse displacement.

To secure the unfolded position, the blocking means 5 are moved manually by the finger of the user. Such locking is possible only when the unfolded position is reached since the locking slots 32, 42 must be aligned to allow insertion of the projecting portion 52.

It goes without saying that the first frame element of the cycle could correspond to the rear part of the cycle so that the connecting piece is secured to the rear part of the cycle. Preferably, the cycle comprising a pedal and a handlebar, the connecting piece 3 is located between said pedal and said handlebar. Such positioning prevents a user from getting dirty hands since the area between the pedal and the handlebar is not prone to soiling.

Claims

A cycle comprising a first frame member (1) on which is mounted a first wheel and a second frame member (2) on which a second wheel is mounted, the first frame member (1) and the second frame member. (2) being connected by a connecting piece (3) configured to allow rotation and translation about a horizontal connecting axis (X) of the first frame member (1) relative to the second frame member (2) , characterized in that the connecting piece (3) is integral with the second frame member (2) and comprises at least one guide slot (30) configured to cooperate with at least one guide pin (6) integral with the first frame member (1).

2. Cycle according to claim 1, wherein the axial dimension (D) of said guide slot (30) along the horizontal connecting axis (X) defines the translational movement of the first frame member (1) relative to the second frame member (2).

3. Cycle according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the angular dimension (A) of said guide slot (30) about the horizontal axis of connection (X) defines the rotational stroke of the first frame member. (1) relative to the second frame member (2).

4. Cycle according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connecting piece (3) is in the form of a cylindrical piece extending along the horizontal axis of connection (X), said connecting piece (3) having a cylindrical shell (33) in which the guide slot (30) is formed.

5. Cycle according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, the first frame member

(1) comprises a cylindrical housing (4) extending along the horizontal connecting axis (X) adapted to receive the connecting piece (3).

6. Cycle according to claim 5, wherein said guide finger (6) is integral with said cylindrical housing (4).

7. Cycle according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising manual locking means (5) of the first frame member (1) relative to the second frame member

(2) in the use position of the cycle.

8. Cycle according to claim 7, wherein the manual locking means (5) are mounted in the second frame member (1).

9. Cycle according to one of claims 7 to 8, wherein the manual locking means (5) comprise a projecting portion (52) adapted to cooperate with a locking slot (32) of the first frame member (1). .

10. Cycle according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the connecting piece (3) is removably mounted to the second frame member (2).