Field of the Invention:

The invention relates to the field of convertible vehicles, in particular bicycles, capable of being converted easily and quickly from an unfolded position or mode with a long wheelbase to a folded position or mode with a shorter wheelbase and reversely.

Background:

In the urban areas in particular, numerous individual vehicles are used such as scooters, mopeds, bicycles, quadricycles, and so on, but all of them raise serious parking problems at the end of the use due to the lack of room and to vandalism. A multitude of folding vehicles already exists such as bicycles, scooters (electrical or not) but which, for being folded, require multiple, complicated operations and which raise sometimes risks of entrapment or injury. Moreover, once folded these vehicles must be lifted so to be transported. In order to offer the stability required for safety in the traffic flow, a vehicle must generally have a relative high wheelbase which so become inconvenient at the end of use when it must be stored.

CN201 161667Y relates to a foldable bicycle of the type mentioned above. The folding is carried out by unlatching a rod of the pedal holder from the support of the steering column, by applying this rod of pedal holder against the seat support and by fixing it to such support, then by turning the seat support, which is engaged in a sleeve, to be able to rotate the rear wheel so that it places itself in a parallel and coaxial position with the front wheel. Such bike once folded is unstable, the wheelbase being nil after folding, it can however be pushed or pulled in inclined position.

EP2336014B1 provides a foldable bike capable of being converted from a rolling mode of long wheelbase to a rolling mode of short wheelbase in a single quick operation. The bike comprises a main body 1 connected to a secondary body 2 bearing a steering column via a jointed bent arm 3 and a jointed rectilinear arm 4, a pivoting seat support 25 which is connected to the bent arm 3 through a connecting rod 14. The passing from a conformation of vehicle with a maximum wheelbase to one with a minimum wheelbase forces the main body to move upwards and the bent arms 3, 4 to move parallel to the steering column. The deformable parallelogram linkage makes the system relatively complex and bulky. Moreover, the main body bearing the rear wheel moving upwards makes the bike high and unstable when it stand on the wheels in the short wheelbase.

The present invention aims at resolving the aforementioned drawbacks by still bringing easily and quickly the front and rear wheels closer one another, a reduced floor space is obtained while maintaining a rolling function, reducing complexity and improving the stability of the bicycle.

Summary of the invention:

The invention relates to a quick folding vehicle such as a bicycle as defined in the appended claims.

In particular, the invention relates to a folding vehicle such as a bicycle comprising:

- a main frame,

- a rear wheel arm which is mobile relative to the main frame,

- a seat support which is mobile relative to the main frame and

- a connecting means arranged for connecting the mobile arm and the seat support in such a manner that the pivoting in forward direction of the seat support relative to the main frame enables to simultaneously fold the rear wheel arm under the vehicle so as to reduce the floor space of the vehicle.

In particular, the seat support may be hinged to the main frame by a first pivot enabling the forward pivoting movement of the seat support. Preferably, the rear wheel arm may be hinged to the main frame by a second pivot enabling the folding of the rear wheel arm under the vehicle. In particular, the second pivot is positioned vertically below the first pivot. For example, the first pivot is positioned at an upper part of the frame whereas the second pivot is positioned at a lower part of the frame, e.g. closer to a crank bearing system of the vehicle.

In one preferred mode, the connecting means is a connecting rod arranged between the mobile arm and the seat support. The connecting rod is preferably linked to the mobile arm by a pivot linkage, e.g. at one end of the connecting rod, and to the seat support by a pivot linkage, at an opposite end of the connecting rod. Preferably, the pivot linkage of the connecting rod to the mobile arm is positioned to be vertically above the second pivot connecting the rear wheel arm to the frame when the vehicle is unfolded with a long wheelbase and to be vertically below the second pivot when the vehicle is folded with the shortest wheelbase.

Preferably, the seat support forms an elbow for providing a more compact folding. For this, the mobile seat preferably comprises a seat support part, e.g. formed as a seat tube to which the seat can be attached, and an extension part extending rigidly from the seat support part beyond the first pivot, at the opposite side of the seat and linking to the connecting rod by the pivot linkage. Preferably, the extension part is arranged relative to the seat support part such that the line passing between the first pivot of the seat support to the frame and the pivot linkage of the seat support to the connecting rod deviates in forward direction from a rectilinear extension direction relative to the main direction of the seat support part. In particular, the extension direction of the extension part deviates by a positive angle (A) lower than 90 degrees in forward direction, e.g. an angle between 5 and 80 degrees, preferably 20 and 65 degrees. In such configuration, when the seat support is pivoted, e.g. in forward direction, about first pivot relative to the main frame, the rear wheel arm is simultaneously folded under the vehicle, i.e. by pivoting in rearward and downward direction of the vehicle or frame. The seat support part and the extension part forming an elbow can be formed of an integral element or of two or more fixedly attached elements to facilitate manufacturing and assembling.

Upon rotation of the support seat in forward direction, the rear wheel arm is folded such that it is at least partially positioned below a crank bearing system of the vehicle.

Preferably, a locking hook is provided which is connected to the main frame and configured to connect the seat support and the rear wheel arm to the main frame so as to enable a stable rolling when the vehicle is unfolded. A locking hook may be further configured to connect the seat support and the rear wheel arm to the main frame so as to enable a stable rolling when the vehicle is folded.

Preferably, the pivot linkage of the connecting rod to the rear wheel arm when the vehicle is unfolded and the pivot linkage of the connecting rod to the seat support when the vehicle is folded are preferably both located in the scope of the locking hook, i.e. for hooking of the pivot linkages by the locking hook , thereby enabling the use of a single locking hook, when the vehicle is folded and as well when the vehicle is unfolded. In particular, in the unfolded position, the locking hook is configured to removably engage with the pivot linkage connecting the connecting rod to the rear wheel arm. In the folded position, the locking hook is configured to removably engage with the pivot linkage of the connecting rod to the seat support. Therefore, the same locking hook can be used for locking the vehicle in the folded and unfolded positions. The position of the locking hook on the main frame and its dimensions are determined as function of the kinematic of the folding and unfolding configurations of the pivot linkages of the connecting rod to the frame to ensure a proper locking in the folded/unfolded positions. In a mode, the locking hook is positioned rearwards relative to the first pivot of the seat support to the main frame whereas in another mode, the locking hook is positioned forwards relative thereto. This second mode is preferred as it provides more compactness to the vehicle and facilitates the actuation, e.g. release, of the locking hook e.g. via a remote actuating means.

In another possible embodiment of the invention, the connecting means can be a gearing or a chain or a cable. In particular, the seat support may comprise a toothed part which is engaged with a complementary toothed part of the wheel rear arm. Both toothed parts are arranged between the first and second pivots to the main frame. The toothed part are designed with a preferably convex toothed profile.

When the vehicle is in folded position, the seat support in closed position can form a travelling handle. In particular, when the vehicle is folded, the seat support part of the support becomes oriented in a substantially horizontal direction thereby providing a hand-able portion for the user.

In a possible mode, the pivot linkage of the rear wheel arm connected to the connecting rod may be linked to a suspension such as that such pivot linkage is the same for ensuring the suspension and folding. The suspension may be or comprise a dampener such as hydraulic and/or pneumatic and/or mechanical suspension. The suspension may be positioned between a front part and one or two legs of the rear wheel arm; the leg or legs comprising or being connected to a rear hub to which the rear wheel is rotatably connected.

The vehicle may also comprise an actuator configured for remotely actuating the locking hook. As a result, the vehicle is more easily foldable without the need to handle the locking hook manually. In a preferred example, the actuator comprises a lever remotely positioned on the vehicle relative to the locking hook and a cable between the lever and the locking hook to move the locking member from a locking position to an unlocking position. The lever may be positioned in any suitable location on the vehicle, but preferably in a location where the tension of the cable can be easily controlled, such as on the handle bar or on the main frame or on any other suitable location on the vehicle. In an alternative, the lever is positioned at one end of the locking hook preferably at the end opposite of the hooking end.

More preferably, the actuator further comprises an elastic return member such as a spring, arranged to return the locking hook in locking position when the tension on the cable provided by the lever is released. The spring can be an helical spring or equivalent.

More generally, the result of invention can be obtained by dividing the vehicle in seven main elements:

1 : A main frame

2: A rear wheel arm

3: A seat support

4: A pivot of rear wheel arm

5: A pivot of seat support

6: A connecting rod

7: A locking hook.

In the present application, the "forward" direction of the vehicle generally refers to a general direction inscribed in the longitudinal median plane of the vehicle and oriented from the rear wheel to the front wheel or toward the running direction of the vehicle. The "rearward" direction refers to the direction inscribed in the same plane and opposite to the "forward" direction. Such forward and rearward directions can be rotational directions about pivot of the mobile member e.g. the seat or seat support or rear wheel arm, having for origin a vertical line inscribed in such median longitudinal plane and passing by the corresponding pivot. The transversal direction refers to a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal median plane.

Brief description of the drawings:

Fig. 1 represents a lateral view of the vehicle in unfolded position, with maximum wheelbase.

Fig. 2 represents a lateral view of the main frame 1 .

Fig. 3 represents a lateral view of the rear wheel arm 2, which supports the rear wheel. Fig. 4 represents a lateral view of the seat support 3.

Fig. 5 represents a lateral view of the main frame 1 and the pivot point 5 of the rear wheel arm.

Fig. 6 represents a lateral view of the main frame 1 and the pivot point 5 of the seat support.

Fig. 7 represents a connecting rod 6 and pivots 6a and 6b. Fig. 8 represents a locking hook 7.

Fig. 9 represents a lateral view of the vehicle in folded position, with minimum wheelbase.

Fig. 10 represents a lateral view of the rear wheel arm linked in two parts 8 and 9 allowing a suspension spring 10 to be included.

Fig. 1 1 represents a lateral side view of the vehicle in unfolded position, of the rear wheel arm 12 and seat support 1 1 which are meshed.

Fig. 12 represents a lateral view of a quick folding vehicle, in particular a bicycle, according to the invention in unfolded position in the cycling mode with maximum wheelbase,

Fig. 13 represents a frontal view of the bicycle of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 represents a partial cross-sectional view along longitudinal median plane of the bicycle of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a detail view of the bicycle of Fig. 14. Fig. 16 represents a partial cross-sectional view along longitudinal median plane of the bicycle of Fig. 13 in the folded mode with minimum wheelbase while the rolling function being maintained.

Fig. 17 represents in enlarged view a detail of the quick folding device of the bicycle.

Fig. 18 represents in enlarged view another detail of the quick folding device of the bicycle.

Description in relation with the drawings:

The invention will now be described in relation to non-limiting examples.

The invention relates to a vehicle 100 comprising a main frame 1 , a mobile arm 2 of rear wheel, a mobile seat support 3 and a connecting rod 6 between the mobile arm 2 and the seat support 3, and in that the pivoting in forward direction of the seat or of the seat support 3 enables to simultaneously fold the rear wheel arm 2 under the vehicle so as to reduce the floor space of the vehicle.

The quick folding device may comprise a locking hook 7 which is fixed to the main frame 1 to connect the seat support 3 and the rear wheel arm 2 to the main frame so as to enable a stable rolling when the vehicle is unfolded.

The quick folding device may comprise a locking hook 7 fixed to the main frame 1 to fix the seat support 3 and the rear wheel arm 2 to the frame so as to enable a stable rolling when the vehicle is folded.

The linkage 6a of the connecting rod 6 when the vehicle is unfolded and the linkage 6b of the connecting rod 6 when the vehicle is folded are both located in the scope of the locking hook 7, thereby enabling the use of a single locking hook, when the vehicle is folded and as well when the vehicle is unfolded. As further illustrated the locking hook is pivotally mounted to the frame such as by pivot 30.

As illustrated in Fig. 10, the rear wheel arm 2 can be in two parts 8 and 9, linked in such a manner to include a suspension spring 10.

In different mode illustrated in Fig. 1 1 , the connecting rod 6 can be replaced by a gearing or a chain or a cable for playing the same function.

The seat support 3 in closed position can serve as travelling handle. The pivot of the rear wheel arm 2 is the same for ensuring the suspension and folding.

The invention further relates to a vehicle comprising the quick folding device 100 as aforementioned. Preferably, the vehicle is bicycle.

By way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of the invention relates to a bicycle (see Fig. 1 ) is presented:

The main frame 1 at least comprises the steering column 15, the front wheel 12, the bottom or crank bracket system 13, the various accessories, and so on, and on which are placed the pivot 4 on which respectively the rear wheel arm 2 and the pivot 5 are hinged on which respectively the seat support 3 is hinged. The rear wheel arm is arranged for bearing the rear wheel 14 in a rotatable manner.

A preferred (non-limitative) embodiment of vehicle of the invention will now be described in relation to Figs. 12 to 18. The same references as for the previous embodiment will be used to designate the same technical elements or parts.

The folding bicycle comprising a main frame 1 . The main frame provides rigidity to the structure and may be formed of metal such as aluminium or steel and/or composite material such as carbon and/or glass fibre. The main frame may comprise, at the front, a steering column 15 with a front fork 16 that receives the front wheel. The front fork may optionally comprise a suspension to improve comfort of the bicycle. The frame may further comprises a handle bar 17 and other different accessories such as braking handles or levers.

At its bottom, the frame generally holds a crank bearing system 13 with pedals 18, 19 and, optionally, a motorized assisting driving assembly 20, which links to a transmission system including one or more chains and pinons to entrain a rear wheel 21 of the vehicle.

Onto the main frame is connected a seat support 3 which is mobile relative to the frame when the bicycle needs to be moved from an unfolded position to a folded position and reversely. For this, the seat support is mounted onto the frame 1 by a first pivot 5. Preferably, the seat support comprises a seat support part 22, such as a seat tube, at one end of which a seat 23 of the bicycle is attached as known in the art. The seat support further comprises an extension part 24 that is fixedly connected to the seat support part or tube 22 such as via an attaching and tightening means 25 (e.g. bolt and nut or screw) such that the extension part can neither rotate nor translate relative to the seat support. The extension part may alternatively be an integral part of the seat support part 22 (as in Fig. 1 ). The extension part forms an elbow oriented forwardly relative to the seat support part preferably with a change of direction preferably localized at the pivot 5. The arm 2 of the rear wheel is also connected to the main frame 1 in particular via a second pivot 4. The second pivot is located vertically lower than the first pivot. The rear wheel arm generally comprises one or two lateral legs extending rearward to rotatably support the rear wheel 21 . Therefore, the rear wheel arm may be constituted of one single piece with one or two legs or may be constituted of several pieces such at least two separate legs. In the illustrated example, the rear wheel arm comprises a pair of legs 26 connected to a connecting arch 27 by way of an intermediate dampener 28. As a result, the arm is not rigid but has the ability to elastically deform with a dampening effect as a response to shocks provided to the rear wheel by the ground during riding.

According to an important aspect of the invention, the rear wheel arm and seat support are connected by a connecting rod 6 via respectively a pivot linkage 6a and pivot linkage 6b. Therefore, in the folding/unfolding operations, the seat support 3 is arranged with the first transversal pivot 5 of transversal direction to rotate in forward rotational direction F (e.g. counter clockwise). The rear wheel arm 2 comprises a transversal pivot 4 with the frame arranged in such a manner that the arm 2 can rotate about it to move the arm in reverse rotational direction B and below the vehicle (e.g. clockwise). Therefore, via the intermediate connecting rod, the seat support drives in the rear wheel arm 21 in rotation about the second transversal pivot 4 in reverse rotational rearward direction B to place it below the vehicle, in particular below the crank bearing system 13 (as illustrated in Fig. 16). In the below position of the arm, the touch points of the wheels 12, 21 to a flat ground become aligned while the rear of the frame moves slightly upwards and the seat support part becomes substantially horizontal or slightly inclined relative to horizontal. In such configuration, the bicycle keeps its rolling function for being moved by the user easily and safely.

The stability of the folding and unfolding positions of the bicycle can be secured by a locking hook 7. The locking hook may be pivotally mounted on the frame such as by a transversal pivot 30. The hook is formed as an arm 29 with a hooking end 31 . The locking hook is shaped and dimensioned in such a manner to be able to engage upon rotation about its pivot 30, both the linkage pivot 6a between the arm and the connecting rod and the linkage pivot 6b between the support seat and the connecting rod. As a result the folded and unfolded positions can be secured by a single hook.

Fig. 15 shows a view of the bicycle in unfolded mode with a long wheelbase in which the locking hook engages the pivot linkage 6a between the rear wheel arm and the connecting rod 6.

Fig. 16 shows a view of the same bicycle in folded mode with a short wheelbase in which the locking hook engages the pivot linkage 6b between the seat support and the connecting rod 6.

In order to release the locking hook from the pivot linkage(s) 6a and/or 6b in the unfolded and/or folded position(s), an actuator 32 may be provided and be configured for remotely actuating the locking hook 7. The actuator is preferably arranged for unlocking the locking hook from the pivot linkages. For example, the actuator may comprise a lever 33 remotely positioned on the vehicle relative to the locking hook, e.g. on the handle bar as shown in Fig. 17. The actuator further comprises a cable 34 or any equivalent transmission member, connecting the lever 33 and the locking hook 7. As illustrated in Fig. 18, the cable may be attached to the locking hook such as between its pivot 30 and the hooking end 31 such that a sufficient pulling effort on the cable forces the hook to rotate and to disengage its hooking end 31 from pivot linkage 6a. The same hook engages the pivot linkage 6b when the connecting rod is in extended position of Fig. 16. The actuator also preferably comprises an elastic return member 35 arranged to automatically return the locking hook 7 in locking position(s) when the tension on the cable provided by the lever is released. For instance, the elastic return member may be an helical spring connected at the opposite side or end of the hook member relative to the pivot 30 or hook end 31 and further connected to the frame, e.g. to a piece of the crank bearing system.

It should be noted that the present embodiment of Fig. 12-18 differs from the one of Figs 1 -1 1 in that the locking hook is positioned in front of the connecting rod 6. The advantage is that the operation of the actuator is more direct and simpler.

An advantageous (non-limiting) arrangement of the rear wheel arm 2 shown in Fig. 16 is that the second pivot 4 of the arm on the frame can be made coaxial with a drive transmission pinion 36 which connects a transmission chain 37 to the rear pinions box 38 of the rear wheel (Figs. 12 and 16). The drive transmission pinion 36 is arranged to transfer energy from the crank bearing system 13 via e.g. a secondary chain 39 to the rear wheel. As a result, the tension of the chain(s) can remain substantially unchanged between the folded and unfolded positions.

The invention has been described for a bicycle with a crank bearing system assisted by an electrical motor contained in a motorized driving mechanism or assembly 20. However, the invention concerns as well a non-motorized bicycle or a bicycle in which the motor is located in a hub of the front wheel and/or hub rear wheel.

Numerical references:

1 . Main frame

2. Rear wheel mobile arm

3. Mobile seat support

4. Second pivot

5. First pivot

6. Connecting rod

6a. Pivot linkage between rod and arm

6b. Pivot linkage between rod and seat support

7. Locking hook

8. Secondary part of arm

9. Main part of arm

10. Suspension spring

1 1 . Gear part of seat support

12. Gear part of rear wheel arm

13. Crank bearing system

14. Rear wheel

15. Steering column

16. Front fork

17. Handle bar

18. Pedal

19. Pedal

20. Driving assembly

21 . Rear wheel

22. Seat support part

23. Seat

24. Extension part

25. Tightening means

26. Legs of rear wheel arm

27. Connecting arch

28. Dampener

29. Arm of locking hook

30. Pivot of hook 31 . Hooking end

32. Actuator

33. Lever

34. Cable

35. Elastic return member

36. Transmission pinion

37. Transmission chain

38. Pinions box

39. Secondary transmission chain