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Title:
A FOOT AND ARM DRIVABLE BICYCLE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2008/043144
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A foot and arm drivable bicycle, said bicycle including, a main frame supporting a foot and arm drivable rear wheel and a steerable front wheel, two symmetrically opposed substantially longitudinal extending retractable/extendable swingable arms, each swingable arm in communication with a foot drivable pedal, wherein the swinging of the arms and foot pedaling simultaneously are adapted to drive the rear wheel into a ground engaging motion, said bicycle further including a laterally rotatable steer rim in communication with the front steer wheel for turning the bicycle thereof into the required direction, said swingable arms including shift grips in communication with the steer wheel such that the vertical adjustment of the or each shift grip on thθ respective swingable arm rotates the steer rim, whereby such rotation is translated to a corresponding turn of the front steer wheel to direct the bicycle into the required direction.

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Inventors:
STURMBAUER ANDREAS (AU)
Application Number:
PCT/AU2007/001538
Publication Date:
April 17, 2008
Filing Date:
October 11, 2007
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
STURMBAUER ANDREAS (AU)
International Classes:
B62K21/16; B62K3/00; B62K23/02; B62M9/00
Foreign References:
US7223210B22007-05-29
US20030030245A12003-02-13
US5775708A1998-07-07
US5601301A1997-02-11
US3895825A1975-07-22
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
COLLISON & CO (Adelaide, S.A. 5000, AU)
Download PDF:
Claims:

CLAIMS

1. A foot and arm drivable bicycle, said bicycle including, a main frame supporting a foot and arm drivable rear wheel and a steerable front wheel, two symmetrically opposed substantially longitudinal extending retractable/extendable swfngable arms, each swingable arm in communication with a foot drivable pedal, wherein the swinging of the arms and foot pedaling simultaneously are adapted to drive the rear wheel into a ground engaging motion, said bicycle further including a laterally fotatabfe steer rim in communication with the front steer wheel for turning the bicycle thereof into the required direction, said swingable arms including shift grips in communication with the steer wheel such that the vertical adjustment of the or each shift grip on the respective swingable arm rotates the steer rim, whereby such rotation is translated to a corresponding turn of the front steer wheel to direct the bicycle into the required direction.

2. The foot and arm drivable bicycle of claim 1 wherein the swingable arms are in communication with the steer rim through a cabling arrangement whereby the steering rim includes a series of receiving slots or guides to which the cables can be placed and the vertical movement of the shift grip pulls the cable and which vertical adjustment is then translated into ratable horizontal movement of the steer rim.

3. The foot and arm drivable bicycle of claim 1 or 2 wherein each swingable arm is rotatably or pivotably connected to a corresponding pedal.

4. The foot and arm drivable bicycle of claim 3 wherein the swingable arms are symmetrically located on either side of the main frame of the bicycle.

5. The foot and arm drivable bicycle of claim 4 wherein each swing arm is connected to a corresponding pedal so that the respective pedal and swing arm can rotate and swing without opposing the other.

6. The foot and arm drivable bicycle of claim 5 wherein each connected swingable arm and pedal is connected to corresponding or shared rear pedal disc.

7. "" he foot and arm drivable bicycle of clafm 6 wherein the or each

5 pedal disc includes a belt drive connected to a rotable front disc on a common axle, of which said common axle is shared by a front cog of a chain/belt drive whose said chain/belt drive rear cog drives the back wheel of the bicycle into motion, such that the rotation of the or each rear pedal disc causes the common axle to rotate, of which rotation then is translated to the front cog of the 0 chain/belt drive and drives the rear wheel via rear cog of the chain/belt drive.

8. " The foot and arm drivable bicycle of claim 7 wherein the belt drive is a tooth belt drive

9. The foot and arm drivable bicycle of anyone of the preceding claims Wherein the foot pedals are adjustable to provide differing angles relative to the 5 ground.

10. The foot and arm drivable bicycle of anyone of the preceding claims wherein the bicycle further includes a traditional handle bar and/or breaking system extending from the front steerable wheel, in the event that if there is a loss of steering capabilities of the shift grips contained within the swingable o arms, the traditional handle bar can then over ride the swinging arms and take control of the stability and steering of the bicycle.

Description:

A FOOT AND ARM DRIVABLE BICYCLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an improved bicycle usable on roads and footpaths across any city or countryside, and more importantly to a unique bicycle that is able to be propelled into a ground engaging motion through the use of both arm swinging action and/or pedaling for a more energetic and/or fulfilling bicycle experience.

BACKGROUND ART

For the most part conventional bicycles include a main frame with support for a drivable rear wheel and a steerable front wheel. The ground engaging propulsion of the bicycle in the most part is derived from pedal power of the rider, while the steering of the bicycle into the desired direction is achieved through the turning of the horizontal handle bars.

While suoh bicycles are satisfactory if the sole purpose of the bike is to get from point (A) to point (B) without consideration of time or energy used, problems still exist with such designs in that for the most part of the journey, wnile the rider is exercising their feet, little is done in the exercising of their upper body part and particularly their arms, as their arms in the most part remain rested upon the handle bars.

As the rider's arm remains rested on the handle bars to assist in steering the bicycle, the opportunity of increasing the exercising of the arms and the upper oody is not possible with such designs.

As the upper body and in particular the arms remain in the most part rested during the activity of cycling the bicycle, overall levels of fitness to

the entire body cannot be optimized, as the rider as introduced above effectively is engaging only their feet in the activity of cycling.

Still further, it seems problematic that given the purpose of the cycle is to provide motion through a rider's own exertion, greater exertion on the bicycle in the most part would translate to better speed and overall endurance for the riding experience.

For example if one was able to get the upper body and arms involved in providing an energy source to drive the bicycle, this could be then complemented with the existing pedal power of the rotating feet, thereby providing a much greater drivable force on the cycle on the bicycle.

As the person skilled in the art would appreciate if the bike can be driven not only by pedal power but also the use of the arms and upper body, this would mean that the whole body becomes involved in the activity associated with cycling, which in this rpodern era of the health conscious community would be most advantageous.

However as introduced above the problem still remains that any activity of the upper body and arms during the cycle experience is restricted by the current designs of bicycles, because if a safe and steerable cycling experience is to be maintained, the rider's hands must remain steady and stable across the handle bars for steering purposes.

Therefore an object of this invention is to provide an improved bicycle which can harness drivable energy provided for by the rider through both foot and arm action while at the same time provide a safe riding experience for the rider without loss of any stability or steering capabilities during the ride.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly in one form of the invention there is provided a foot and arm drivable bicycle, said bicycle including,

£ main frame supporting a foot and arm drivable rear wheel and a steerablθ front wheel,

two symmetrically opposed substantially longitudinal extending retractable/extendable swingable arms,

each swingable arm in communication with a foot drivable pedal, wherein the swinging of the arms and foot pedaling simultaneously are adapted to drive the rear wheel into a ground engaging motion,

said bicycle further including a laterally rotatable steer rim in communication with the front steer wheel for turning the bicycle thereof into the required direction,

said swingable arms including shift grips in communication with the $teer wheel such that the vertical adjustment of the or each shift grip on the respective swingable arm rotates the steer rim, whereby such rotation is translated to a corresponding turn of the front steer wheel to direct the bicycle into the required direction.

An advantage of such an arrangement is the bicycle design now allows the rider to effectively utilize both upper and lower parts of the body to become involved in the activity of cycling, of which exertion of the upper and lower parts of the body can be translated into a drivable means to place the bicycle into motion.

Previously any activity of the upper part of the body, particularly a swinging action of the arms, would be unsafe and in the most part destabilize the rider causing accidental dismounts.

Nonetheless in this design the arms can swing back and forth providing additional energy and power to drive the rear wheel but at the same time balance and stability is maintained as the arms are gripped to these vertical uprights.

Importantly the steerability of the bicycle is not compromised, as the bicycle provided for in this invention includes the unique shiftable grips along the respective arms, such that by vertically adjusting the positions of the grips this movement can then be translated to the lateral steer rim, and with the rotation of this steer rim this then turns the front steering wheel.

Hence the traditional horizontal handle bar, which in the past has the rider's resting there upon to assist in the steering of the bicycle has been replaced by a unique steer rim which allows for the longitudinal extending retractable/extendable swing arms which gives the rider the opportunity of utilizing the upper portions of their body in the experience of cycling, without as introduced- above any detriment to the safety, stability and the steering capabilities of the bicyde.

In preference the swing arms are in communication with the steer rim through a cabling arrangement whereby the steering rim includes a series of receiving slots or guides to which the cables can be placed.

As the person skilled in the art would appreciate cable arrangements can be provided in a variety of ways of which one particular embodiment wilt be discussed in greater detail following herewith, but what remains important to this form of the invention for the cable arrangement in general is that the shift grips vertically move a cable or cables to various up and down locations along the arm. This relative movement will then cause a certain amount of steered rotation of the steer rim, and once the steer rim begins to rotate its rotation is simply like fhat one would associate with the turning of the conventional handle

bar where the movement is passed on to the front wheeLto turn the bicycle in the required direction.

In preference each swing arm is rotatably or pivotably connected to a corresponding pedal.

As the person skilled in the art would appreciate the pedals and the swingable arms are symmetrically located on either side of the main frame of the bicycle wherein preference each swing arm is connected to a corresponding pedal so that the respective pedal and swing arm can rotate and swing without opposing the other.

In preference each connected swing arm and pedal is connected to corresponding pedal discs which rotate independently about a shared shaft.

In preference each pedal discs includes a belt drive connected to a rotable front disc on a common axle, of which said common axle is shared by a front cog of a chain/belt drive whose rear cog drives the back wheel of the bicycle into motion, such that the rotation of the or each rear pedal disc causes the common axle to rotate, of wnieh rotation then is translated and drives the rear wheel via rear cog of the chairVbelt drive.

Jn preference the belt drive is a tooth belt drive.

The advantage of that arrangement is that the belt is less likely to slip and the pedals remain in the same relative position to each other.

As the person skilled in the art can see this arrangement utilizes a pulley type system whereby the action of the pedal and swinging movement rotates independently pivotable supported pedal discs, of which movement is then translated through a belt system to bring both movements on to a central rotating axle, the same axle to which your traditional bicycle chain cog would be attached, upon which rotation of this cog through the traditional bicycle chain

mechanism then drives the rear cog which then turns the rear wheel and places the bfcycle into motion.

Advantageously by introducing these independent rear pedal discs means that the pedal action of the cyclist will always be in the same relevant position to the other providing optimum torque for the driving of the bicycle.

In preference the foot pedals are adjustable to provide bearing angles to make the pedals more rider friendly as the bicycle is ridden over uphill or downhill pedaling.

In preference the bicycle further includes a traditional handle bar and/or breaking system extending from the front steerable wheel, in the event or riding the bicycle downhill with no need to propel with arm motion or that if there is a loss of steering capabilities of the shift grips contained within the swingable arms, the traditional handle bar can then over ride the swinging arms and take control of the stability and steering of the bicycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of the bicycle in a preferred' embodiment of this invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the bicycle shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a front view of the bicycle in the preferred embodiment of this invention.

Figure 4 is a rear view of bicycle.

Figure 5 is a top view of bicycle.

Figure 6 shows an internal or cut a way view of the insides of the swing arms and part of the cable arrangement connected to the steer rim of this - preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 shows further viewing of the shift grips internal view inside the swingable arms.

Figure 8 shows an external view of the shift grips positioning on the swingable arm.

Figure 9 shows an exploded perspective view of the cabling arrangement extending from the swingable arms into the steering rim.

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the steering rim feature of the invention.

Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the feature of the connection between the swinging arms and the pedal.

Figure 12 shows a perspective view of the drive belt mechanism feature of this preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 13 shows a perspective view of the pedals and the adjustment feature.

Figure 14 shows a further side view representation of the bicycle and in particular the lower swing arm.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The bicycle includes swingable arms 1 of which are connected to pedals 5 through the lower arm 4.

A rider while standing on the pedals 5 is able to fulfil the elliptical pedal movement while simultaneously pulling or pushing the swingable arms 1. During the fulfilment of this torque creating movement the rider is able to simultaneously steer the bicycle from the shift grips 2. Shifting the grips 2 upwards on the left swingable arm while shifting the right shift grip 2 downwards affects the steering rim 3 which is then able to rotate right and vice versa.

The lower arm 4 also includes a curved bend so that when the front wheel 26 is turned it is not restricted by any obstacle or the like.

Figure 6 shows the swingable arms 1 internal view wherein the shift grip 2 is connected with the cable plate 7. The cable plate 7 runs through a slot 13 on the upper portion of the swingable arm 1. Steering cables 8 are attached to the cable plate 7. The steering cables 8 run in both directions through the perspective guiding plates 1 1. The steering cable that runs upwards goes around a cable roll 9 and again through the upper, and lower guiding plate 11 , and from there into cable housing 10. That part of the cable that runs downward goes through the lower guiding plate 11 and into a separate cable housing.

Both cable housings ' run around the lower cable rolls 9 to the centre guidance in the swing arm bearings 29 centre. From there the steering cables 8 run around the guide rollers 12 and along the steer rim 3.

In Figure 7 there is a slightly more exploded part view of Figure 6 wherein the cable plate 7 is attached to * the shift grip 2 through the swing arm slot 13 and to the steering cables 8 on the inside of the upper swing arm. Figure 7 shows the right shift grip but as a person skilled in the art would realise on the left side the steering cables run nearer inverted to the steering rim. Thus the rider always has a secure control of the shift grips while moving the swing arms 1.

Figure 8 shows an external view of the shift grips 2 and how they can be slidably adjusted up and down the swingable arm 1. In case the bicycle has to brake a back pedal brake 40 may also be used as an alternative.

Figure 9 assists in understanding the steering principal between the cabling arrangement and the rotatable steer rim 3 wherein the steering cables 8 on each side have to run through the centre of the swing arm bearings 29 axis.

The housing 10 of the steering cables after running around the lower cable rolls 9, go Io the centre of guide 14. These centre guidance 14 are located on both sides of the swing arm bearings 29. The connection of the housing 10 with the centre guidance 14 allows the steering cable high torsion and from the centre guidance 14 the steering cables run around the guide rollers 12 to the steering rim 3.

Figure 10 shows the steering rim 3 wherein the steering cables 8 cross inside the swing arm bearing 29 without touching they run around the guide rollers 12 in two levels. As the person skilled in the art would appreciate this means that the steering wheel 3 needs to have two chamfers in the same levels. Inside these chamfers 15 the steering cables run along the steering rim 3 to the steering bolts 16. The four guide rollers are mounted on the swing arm bearings distant board 30 which is attached to the bicycle framework.

Figure 11 shows the inter relationship wherein the upper swing arm 1 is connected to the lower swing 4 arm through the swing arm adjustment disc 17. This cisc 17 allows the upper swing arm 1 to be customised to the rider's arm length by varying the angle to the lower swing arm 4, which in this embodiment shows 3 potential settings shown as 41 a, 41 b and 41c.

To adjust the angle the bolts of the adjustment bracket 18 have to be pulled out and after sliding the upper arm 1 to the new position released into the respective holes 41a, 41 b and 41c in the adjustment disc 17. For transport reasons the upper swing arm 1 can be positioned in a horizontal setting 19.

Figure 12 illustrates the belt drive mechanism which places the rear wheel into motion.

The arrangement includes two belt drives 20 and one conventional bicycle chain 21. The belt drives 20 have one independently pivoted 22 rear belt disc 23 on respective sides. The rear disc belts 23 are driven by the rider's pedal movement in combination with the swinging arm action from the pedal disc 6.

Via the belts torque this is transferred to the front belt discs 20. Both front belt discs 20 are pivoted on the same axle together with the front cog wheel 33 of the traditional bicycle chain 21. Thus both pedal disc 6 and pedals 5 constantly stay in the same relative position to the other.

The front cog wheel to 33 of the conventional bicycle chain 21 transfers torque via the chain 34 to the rear cog wheel 24 and thus the rear bicycle wheel 32.

In some embodiments a double bearing for both could also be made available wherein the belt drive and the chain drive can be applied. The belt drive axle passes through the centre of the double bearing to a belt in the pedal discs. Thus both pedal discs would move through the same axle and the belt disc on one side could be left out of the design.

On the other hand the independent bearings of the rear belt drive discs can be moved upwards, away from the rear wheel axis. Thus the diameter of the pedal discs can be maintained independently of the wheel size e,g.

for folding bikes and give enough ground clearance for tilting the bicycle into curves,

In Figure 13 the foot pedals 5 are positioned to run in a conventional elliptical path as one would expect in an elliptical cross training machine. Foot pedals 5 allow for pivoting for up or downhill pedalling and are connected to the pedal pole via a limited bearing 25. The angling is limited to 20 degrees to prevent the touching of the pedal 5 to the ground when the bike tilts and curves and the like.

Figure 14 shows the lower swing arm 4 similar to the one presented in Figure 11 wherein the lower swing arm 4 is connected with the upper swing arm 1 via the adjustment disc 17. Only the lower swing arm is directly mounted to the swing arm bearing 29 leaving the lower swing arm in a straight 180 degree position to the upper swing arm which would result in a collision of the lower swing arm with the front bicycle wheel when steering.

Consequently the lower swing arm stands in an angle of approximately 160 degrees to the upper swing arm. This angle is controlled by the adjustment of disc 17 as shown in Figure 11. Also, to avoid touching with the front wheel 26 is the rounded shape 27 of the lower swing arm section in level with the front wheel plus the reduced size of the front wheel 26. The amplitude of the swing arms can be varied according to the rider's size and arm length with the swing arm angle adjustments 28.