Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
  • B62K3/00—Bicycles
  • B62K3/002—Bicycles without a seat, i.e. the rider operating the vehicle in a standing position, e.g. non-motorized scooters; non-motorized scooters with skis or runners
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
  • B62K15/00—Collapsible or foldable cycles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62M—RIDER PROPULSION OF WHEELED VEHICLES OR SLEDGES; POWERED PROPULSION OF SLEDGES OR SINGLE-TRACK CYCLES; TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SUCH VEHICLES
  • B62M1/00—Rider propulsion of wheeled vehicles
  • B62M1/24—Rider propulsion of wheeled vehicles with reciprocating levers, e.g. foot levers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62M—RIDER PROPULSION OF WHEELED VEHICLES OR SLEDGES; POWERED PROPULSION OF SLEDGES OR SINGLE-TRACK CYCLES; TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SUCH VEHICLES
  • B62M1/00—Rider propulsion of wheeled vehicles
  • B62M1/24—Rider propulsion of wheeled vehicles with reciprocating levers, e.g. foot levers
  • B62M1/30—Rider propulsion of wheeled vehicles with reciprocating levers, e.g. foot levers characterised by the use of intermediate gears
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62M—RIDER PROPULSION OF WHEELED VEHICLES OR SLEDGES; POWERED PROPULSION OF SLEDGES OR SINGLE-TRACK CYCLES; TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SUCH VEHICLES
  • B62M3/00—Construction of cranks operated by hand or foot
  • B62M3/08—Pedals
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62M—RIDER PROPULSION OF WHEELED VEHICLES OR SLEDGES; POWERED PROPULSION OF SLEDGES OR SINGLE-TRACK CYCLES; TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SUCH VEHICLES
  • B62M3/00—Construction of cranks operated by hand or foot
  • B62M3/16—Accessories

Definitions

• the present invention is in the field of individual vehicles. It relates more particularly to an individual vehicle foldable or compact for urban use and foldable to be transported as a wheeled suitcase.
• Such a vehicle would be intended for travel in urban areas, over relatively short distances. Its top speed would be reduced compared to that of a conventional bicycle, in particular to allow its evolution on a sidewalk without breaking the regulations protecting pedestrians.
• a maximum speed of the order of 12 to 15 km / h - or even 20 km / h on the road - may be considered suitable in these conditions, while being significantly faster than that of a pedestrian.
• this vehicle would allow it to serve, more particularly, complementary mode of transport of another main mode: for example, to serve to reach a station twice as fast as at least - and at the cost of less effort, to be then embarked on a train, in compacted configuration and as luggage, then be reused on arrival of the train, either as a vehicle or possibly as a luggage rack, to finally reach a building , and be re-compacted to take an elevator and be housed for example in an office, given its reduced size.
• this type of vehicle could also have other more specific uses, like vehicle and shopping cart on a golf course, or for the tourist walk, etc.
• An object of the present invention is to provide an individual vehicle not exhibiting, or little, at least one of the disadvantages presented above.
• the derailleur also participates in increasing the overall size of the assembly, also creating entanglement difficulties in the event of proximity to another bicycle, by interpenetration with certain elements thereof ( pedals, brake handles, handlebars).
• Vehicles with only two driving and steering wheels are also known, and the passenger controls his balance by leaning forward to cause acceleration of the vehicle and rearward to cause deceleration. These vehicles turn when a difference in rotational speed is created between the two wheels. These vehicles do not have a third wheel forming a lift polygon but require relatively large diameter wheels and electric propulsion which itself requires batteries and heavy enough bulky engines making it difficult to store them in a car trunk or handling in a building as towed luggage.
• the document FR3020336 proposes a vehicle comprising an inverted T-shaped frame, comprising at least two drive and steering wheels, each provided with a brake, respectively disposed at the ends of the transverse branch of the T and a steering and steering control.
• braking arranged in the part upper part of the central branch of the T, a wheel arranged to move freely supported by a wheel support, said wheel being off-axis with respect to the driving and steering wheels and forming with the latter the support polygon of the vehicle, at least one support for the passenger, said support being placed vertically to said support polygon, a propulsion device arranged to drive said wheels in rotation, a device capable of creating a speed differential between the two wheels.
• This configuration provides the vehicle with a support polygon providing great stability and despite a very small size of the assembly including wheels.
• the fact of having three points of support makes it possible to do without any inertial or gyroscopic effect to ensure the stability of the whole, even when stopped.
• the vehicle also acquires a good cornering stability, since only the speed difference between the two wheels is controlled, the orientation of the vehicle is only the consequence of the turn produced by the difference in speed. .
• the passenger support according to the invention may consist of a platform on which the passenger will stand if the vehicle is motorized, or pallets if it is not motorized.
• the vehicle may be provided with other means of passenger support.
• the present invention aims to overcome at least in part these disadvantages.
• a wheeled individual vehicle comprising a T-shaped frame with a central branch, a transverse branch and a maneuvering column, said transverse branch comprising at its ends two drive wheels, characterized in that the central branch is arranged horizontally in rolling position, and comprises a wheel constituting a third rolling support, said vehicle further comprising two pallets, and a thruster, arranged capable of transmitting a force on the pallets, to create a driving torque at the driving wheels, said thruster comprising a rectifier module of direction to transform a alternating movement of the pallets in a continuous rotational movement of the drive wheels.
• the center of gravity of the vehicle according to the invention is low, which allows greater stability during use, and the drive wheels being driven simultaneously regardless of the pallet on which the user supports, the stability is further improved.
• said sense rectifier module may comprise two freewheels coupled so that an output gearwheel is always driven in the same direction, whatever the supported pallet, which constitutes an embodiment of the invention simple and robust, said vehicle may include a controllable differential allowing the driving wheels to be rotated at the same speed, to follow a rectilinear trajectory, or to turn at different speeds, to describe a curved trajectory, which improves the stability of the vehicle online right and in turns,
• said maneuvering column may be foldable, allowing a small footprint of the vehicle for example for its transport or storage,
• each pallet can cooperate with a cross structure configured to keep the pallet substantially horizontal orientation, which provides a better user comfort,
• each pallet may comprise a main crank, which drives a front axle so that a descent of the pallet prints a rotation to said front axle, and an auxiliary crank attached by one end to the central arm, by the other end to the pallet, and in its center to the main crank, so as to form with the main crank said cross structure, the feet of the user therefore remain flat at all times, which is more comfortable and allows to use leg strength more effectively, with better stability,
• said thruster may comprise a speed variator provided with a gearshift wheel, and said wheel may be disposed on said central branch in the vicinity of the pallets, so as to be operable by a user of the vehicle, so that the user can easily adapt the transmission ratio to the slope or type of terrain
• said vehicle may comprise a means for locking the two pallets in the middle position, so as to form, if necessary with the aid of complementary plates, a substantially flat surface with the central branch, this making it possible to use the vehicle to transport a charge,
• said caster may comprise a two-position fixing means, an operating position and a lowered position printing to the central branch a position inclined upwards towards the rear, this making it possible to use the vehicle as a carriage, with a better stability of the objects placed on said carriage,
• said vehicle may comprise a parking brake provided with an actuator disposed on the frame, in order to immobilize the parked vehicle in a safe manner, and moreover to allow the vehicle in the raised position to be placed against a wall with the wheels locked, without risk of falling of the vehicle because of the free wheel rolling,
• said vehicle may comprise at its transverse branch means for fixing a second column parallel to the maneuvering column, this making it possible to use the vehicle as a carriage that can be pushed.
• the present invention also relates to a kit, comprising a vehicle according to the invention, a column adapted to be fixed parallel to the maneuvering column, and two plates intended to be placed on the two pallets in the middle position, to obtain a flat surface to level of the central branch.
• the vehicle can be used alternately to transport a person, or as a carriage to carry a load.
• FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a vehicle according to the invention
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the other side of the vehicle of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vehicle of FIG. 1 in the folded position
• FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle of FIG. 1
• Figure 5 is a top view, in perspective of the pallets of the vehicle of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 6 is a bottom view, in perspective of the pallets of the vehicle of FIG. 1
• Figures 7 to 9 are views of a detail of the fixing of the vehicle pallets of FIG. 1,
• the tricycle-type vehicle is intended for human individual transport and powered by the muscular force of a passenger boarded most often standing or substantially standing allowing him to rest on his legs, having the feet on two pallets 1, 2 moving vertically in reverse movements, the descent of a pallet 1, 2 causing the rise of the other and vice versa.
• the propulsion is ensured by the alternating application of the weight of the passenger on one then the other of the two pallets 1 and 2 to cause the descent of the pallet 1, 2 in support, the amplitude of this descent may vary up to at an upper limit corresponding to a pallet support said "complete", supports of less amplitude, so-called "partial" being possible.
• the vehicle comprises at the front two driving wheels and steering 3 and 4, non-steerable but associated with a controllable differential 5 allowing these wheels 3, 4 is to rotate at the same speed to follow a straight path (activated differential 5 blocked) or to rotate at different speeds, the difference in speeds being controlled by a turning device to describe a curved path (unlatched activated differential), or else to be disconnected from each other of the propulsion device (differential 5 disabled) to allow the disembarked passenger to pull behind the vehicle as rolling luggage on both wheels 3 and 4 become independent.
• a wheel 6 lift is arranged at the rear of the vehicle.
• Said vehicle further comprises a control handle 8.
• This control handle 8 makes it possible, on the one hand, to perform a simultaneous general braking of the two wheels 3, 4, on the other hand to effect a differential braking of one or the other wheel 3, 4.
• This differential braking produces a directional effect, braking a wheel 3, 4 preferentially. Its actuation first produces the release of the differential 5, to allow a different speed of the two wheels 3, 4. It can be superimposed on the general braking to obtain a slowdown effect during a turn.
• the energy to provide to maintain its movement is low since it must balance only the rolling resistance, and the passenger has therefore not to produce that very little effort, and it has interest to do so by choosing the maximum development and making a succession of short partial supports, which then resembles stairs of low height.
• the passenger can then be embarked while standing, or sitting in the case of a vehicle with a seat. Always on a horizontal ground and at constant linear speed but in curved trajectory, the passenger is subjected to the centrifugal force that it must balance by leaning slightly towards the inside of the bend made.
• the guidance of the curved vehicle is effected by bending first to the side where it is desired to turn and restoring its balance by a suitable differential braking which produces a curvature of the trajectory and thus creates the centrifugal force of necessary balancing.
• the standing position without being mandatory, is the best for such guidance.
• the centrifugal force applies for the force of inertia, so that the passenger must, to maintain his balance, to lean - more or less slightly depending on the acceleration caused - forward to accelerate and backwards to brake, and therefore the upright position is preferable to give more fluidity to these developments.
• This type of piloting is simple compared to that of many other commonly used materials, generally used for recreation, rolling stock or slippery.
• the vehicle which is the subject of the invention comprises a T-shaped frame 10 (FIGS. 1 to 3) whose central branch 64, arranged substantially horizontally in the operating position, contains (FIGS .4 to 8) a drive module 12 whose elements move in alternate directions depending on whether the support is on one or the other of the two pallets 1 and 2 and a rectifier module direction 13.
• the rectifier module of direction 13 is necessary since the engine supports are discontinuous and alternate directions, while the drive wheels 3, 4 must always turn in the same direction for the vehicle is driven continuously.
• the direction of the rectifier module 13 may comprise two freewheels coupled so that for example an output gear wheel 14 is always driven in the same direction, regardless of the pallet 1, 2 in support, and that the pallet that goes back does not prevent the supporting pallet from producing its effect.
• a first freewheel externally carries the output gearwheel 14 which is driven when this first freewheel is driving, while the second freewheel carries a gearwheel identical to the output gear 14 which meshes with the latter. Because of this meshing, the output gear wheels 14 and the gear wheels therefore always rotate in opposite directions and at the same speed.
• the second freewheel linked to the gearwheel, then rotates freely in the non-driving direction, while inversely when the second freewheel is driving, the output gearwheel 14 remains driven in the same direction as before, but this time indirectly and through the gear wheel which is itself driven.
• the sense rectifier module 13 may comprise an electronically controlled device and clutches transforming the alternating movement of the vanes into a continuous movement of the wheels 3, 4.
• the transverse branch 65 of the frame 10 is disposed horizontally in the normal operating position of the vehicle. It has housed two half-shafts driving the wheels 3 and 4 and the controllable differential 5 to which these half-shafts are connected, which differential 5 comprises a drive wheel 18 cooperating by meshing with the output gear 14.
• differential 5 comprises a drive wheel 18 cooperating by meshing with the output gear 14.
• Said transverse branch also comprises a bilateral and unilateral braking module grouping together the elements associated with the handle 8 for braking, steering and steering control of the differential 5, in particular cylinders of the pistons of two disc brakes whose disks 62 are associated with the two wheels 3 and 4.
• a bilateral and unilateral braking module grouping together the elements associated with the handle 8 for braking, steering and steering control of the differential 5, in particular cylinders of the pistons of two disc brakes whose disks 62 are associated with the two wheels 3 and 4.
• the vehicle according to the invention comprises a double articulated crank device 101 located between the central branch 64 of the frame 10 and the pallet 1, 2 which is attached thereto.
• the double articulated crank device 101 is formed of a main crank 102 and an auxiliary crank 103.
• the auxiliary crank 103 is supported on one side of the main crank 102 at a fixed point of the frame 10, and maneuvers the pallet 1, 2 which is on the other side of the main crank 102, articulating on a main axis 104 carried by the latter that it crosses and frames.
• a first end of the main crank 102 is integral in rotation with a front axle 105 close to the transverse branch 65 of the frame 10 and parallel to it.
• the front axle 105 drives an inner crank 106 forming part of the thruster.
• the second end of the main hand crank 102 located towards rear of the frame 10, carries a rear axis 107, parallel to the front axis 105, which is fitted on the pallet 1, 2.
• the auxiliary crank 103 is articulated in rotation around the main axis 104 passing through the main crank 102 in the vicinity of the middle thereof.
• the central portion of the auxiliary crank 103 forms a rigid rectangular central frame composed, on three of its sides, of a U-shaped part surrounding the main crank 102 below it, and on its fourth side, a cylinder which is the main axis 104 passing through the main crank 102.
• This central frame is extended, on the side of the frame 10, a rear wing 108 parallel to the main crank 102 and deployed in the direction of the rear axis 107 on which the pallet 1, 2 is fitted, and on the opposite side that is to say on the side of the pallet 1, 2, a front wing 109 similar to the rear wing 108 but deployed this time towards the front axle 105.
• the necessary rigidity of the central frame is provided by a welded assembly of the cylinder forming the main axis 104, at its two ends, on the rest of the central frame. This welding to be performed after assembling the cranks 102 and 103, the assembly 101 resulting is not removable and must be used as a single piece articulated.
• the wings 109 and 108 have near their ends lights intended to receive rollers 110.
• the light of the rear wing 108 cooperates with a fixed roller 10 (hidden by its support in FIG 5), integral with the frame 10, and that of the front wing 109 cooperates with another roller 1 10 disposed at the front of the pallet.
• the geometry of the assembly is made such that when the main crank 102 rotates about the front axle 105, the pallet 1, 2 which is held in its rear part by the rear axle 107 and in its front part by the roller 1 10 cooperating with the front wing 109, always remains oriented substantially in the same direction.
• This pallet 1, 2 can not move, both vertically as regards the angle it forms with the horizontal, as under the action of a movement of the double crank 101 associated with it.
• connection between the double crank 101 and the inner crank 106 is advantageously completed by the fitting of a pin secured to the main crank 102 inside a housing arranged in the inner crank 106.
• the stud passes through the wall of the frame 10 in a light 1 1 1 created in this effect, the arrangement of the various elements leading to this light 1 1 1 is reduced in size and does not affect the rigidity of the frame 10.
• a clamping screw ensures the correct fitting of the nipple in its housing. To allow the introduction or removal of the thruster, this screw must be removed, and the assembly formed by the double crank 101 and its pallet 1, 2 must be spaced from the frame 10 by a few millimeters, until the stud no longer protrudes inside the frame 10, leaving the free passage for the displacement of the thruster.
• the folding column 9 of steering and braking can be lightened and simplified by rotating it in a block around a vertical axis by creating at its base a sufficiently large and robust rotating bearing, itself secured to the branch
• the rotation of this rotating column when vertical, causes directional braking by lifting in the direction of rotation one or the other of two brake levers located in the central just under the axis of the column, and the rear support on the handle located at the top of the column causes retarder braking by lowering an inner rod to the column, which is directly press on two brake bodies which are secured to one another relative to the 'other.
• the column 9 comprises a telescopic fitting allowing to adjust at will the height of the handle 8.
• the inner support rod is free as the braking retarder is not actuated, and regardless of the height of the handle.
• the lowering of the handle initially causes a jamming by jamming, according to a conventional process, between the support rod and a movable plate vertically and secured to the handle. Once this arcboutement realized and in a second time, the lowering complementary handle pulls down the rod and causes braking. This simple device intervenes and whatever the height of the handle.
• a horizontal axis joint allows its folding towards the rear of the vehicle.
• This column has near its base a movable arm 1 12, one end having a finger 1 13 can be manceuvrée foot, arm which serves to maintain the column in its two extreme positions, namely the upright position and the folded position, according to the following process:
• the vehicle according to the invention can also be transformed into luggage trolley.
• the same operation of deactivating the differential 5 and decoupling of the two wheels 3, 4 is carried out, but as in luggage rack configuration the steering column remains erect, this operation is caused this time by a simple manual control .
• the vehicle-trolley object of the invention is pushed with one hand to the using the steering column and braking remained erect, and with the other hand using a second column (which is the first element of a conversion kit luggage rack) which is removable and foldable as the first, to which it is parallel.
• the direction of travel is reversed depending on whether the subject of the invention is in a vehicle or trolley configuration.
• the same wheel 6 is lowered relative to the frame 10 so that it can rotate freely over a complete revolution while remaining constantly below the frame 10. This lowering is facilitated by a mounting allowing a fast (almost instantaneous) passage from a high position of said wheel 6 (in the vehicle configuration) to a low position which is that of the carriage configuration.
• Lowering the wheel 6 causes the creation of an angular gap between the frame 10 and the road, and the two columns are slightly bent behind the direction of travel for the truck, which helps to stabilize the luggage on board who come to rely on the said columns.
• a platform capable of supporting luggage is made on the one hand by mounting on each pallet 1, 2 (by simply engaging in housings provided for this purpose in pallets 1, 2) a removable auxiliary support plate of which two copies complete the conversion kit luggage rack, and secondly by blocking the pallets 1, 2 in height in a central position such that the top of the support plates is in the plane of the upper face of the frame 10
• a set of sufficiently spaced coplanar supports including the upper face of the frame 10 and the upper ends of the two auxiliary support plates
• the locking pallets 1, 2 in the middle position where they are both at the same height is performed by turning a screw permanently present for this purpose under each pallet 1, 2, and which is engaged in a small housing dug in their respective main cranks 102.
• This screw blocks indirectly (through the pallet 1, 2) the auxiliary crank 103 against its main crank 102, which fixes the height of the pallet 1, 2. All that is required is a screw engaged under a pallet 1, 2 so that the height of the two pallets 1, 2 is fixed at the same time to the proper level.
• the vehicle according to the invention comprises a parking brake, operable foot. It uses the wheel brakes and their clamping mechanism producing retarder braking.
• a lever acts on the stop against which the brake bodies rest when they are at rest, that is to say when the retarder braking is not actuated.
• the lever actuated by a pressure of the user's foot which moves it downwards, slightly pushes this stop, which locks the brakes sufficiently to prevent the wheels 3, 4 from turning in the parking, this clamping being maintained as long as the lever remains engaged in a notch that prevents it from going up.
• a new foot action allows to release the lever of this notch, releasing the braking parking.
• This feature makes it possible in particular, when the machine is in luggage configuration, to put the frame 10 in an almost vertical position and to press its uppermost part against a wall without the compacted vehicle falling back due to the free rotation of the vehicle. its wheels 3, 4 (which are then disconnected from the thruster and free to turn), as soon as the parking brake is actuated.
• the parking brake facilitates the holding in vertical position by the user of the vehicle which has become luggage resting on its two wheels 3, 4.
• the vehicle object of the invention may be provided, optionally, a saddle (not shown) supported on the central branch 64 of the frame 10.
• a saddle (not shown) supported on the central branch 64 of the frame 10.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Transportation (AREA)
• Handcart (AREA)
• Motorcycle And Bicycle Frame (AREA)
• Soil Working Implements (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=57796736

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (1)

Family Cites Families (10)

• 2016
  • 2016-10-25 FR FR1670630A patent/FR3057846B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2017
  • 2017-10-24 WO PCT/FR2017/052928 patent/WO2018078274A1/fr unknown
  • 2017-10-24 EP EP17797702.2A patent/EP3532369A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events