GB2348408A

GB2348408A - Mobile or exercise cycle with handlebar providing drive

Info

Publication number: GB2348408A
Application number: GB0007602A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Chillery
Original assignee: CHALICE SYSTEMS Ltd
Current assignee: CHALICE SYSTEMS Ltd
Priority date: 1999-03-31
Filing date: 2000-03-30
Publication date: 2000-10-04
Anticipated expiration: 2020-03-30
Also published as: GB2348408A8; GB0007602D0; GB9907285D0; GB2348408B

Abstract

The cycle carries a rider in either a semi-prone position with his body and legs substantially in line and inclined forwards or in a recumbent position with his body inclined rearwards and his legs extending substantially forwards with its pedal cranks 22 spaced longitudinally from its seat 60. A handlebar 40 mounted on front forks 12 for conventionally turning the forks about a steering axis 14 is also manually oscillateable about a generally longitudinal axis 42 substantially perpendicular to and intersecting the steering axis so as to transmit unidirectional auxiliary drive to a transverse spindle 32 via two freewheel devices 48. In one form two links 44 connect opposite handlebar sides to respective cranks 46, or opposite levers are alternatively depressed by either handlebar end to provide drive via respective chain lengths.

Description

"Cycles" This invention relates to cycles, which expression is herein intended to include both mobile wheeled cycles having two or more wheels and stationary exercise cycles.

Cycles are usually propelled by the feet, hence the old name velocipede, but there have been proposals to propel them or to assist in their propulsion by manual means. Such proposals include Wo 96/12640 which discloses a bicycle of basically conventional configuration and conventional riding position having hand levers additional to its handlebar which are connected to its pedal cranks; and WO 96/24520 and WO 96/35605 each of which discloses a bicycle of basically conventional configuration and conventional riding position having a handlebar oscillateable about a generally transverse axis for driving the front wheel by way of freewheel means (which expression is intended throughout this specification to include sprag clutches). The conventional riding position referred to above has the body erect or inclined forwards and the legs extending substantially vertically downwards.

There exist foot-propelled cycles of so-called recumbent design which are ridden with the body inclined rearwards and the legs extending substantially forwards.

In both the conventional and recumbent riding positions the inclination of the body relative to the legs may restrict breathing due to compression of the abdomen against the diaphragm.

In the conventional riding position the substantially vertical legs, and also the body if that is substantially erect, cause significant air resistance.

It has also been proposed, in GB 2311262, to provide a foot-propelled bicycle designed to be ridden in a prone position.

One object of the present invention is to improve or maximise the exercise derived by the rider. Another object is to provide a mobile wheeled cycle having more effective propulsion means.

One aspect of the invention comprises a cycle adapted to carry a rider with his legs extending to pedal cranks spaced longitudinally of the cycle from a seat, and a handlebar which is manually oscillateable about a generally longitudinal axis so as to transmit unidirectional drive to a spindle by means including two freewheel devices.

Preferably, the rider is carried in a semi-prone position with his body and legs substantially in line and inclined forwards, and the pedal cranks are disposed substantially rearwards of the seat.

The cycle is preferably provided in addition to a seat with frontal support means for the body of the rider.

Preferably, the frontal support means engage the pelvis of the rider.

Where the cycle is a mobile wheeled cycle, the pedal cranks are preferably disposed at least as far rearwards as the axis of the rear wheel or wheels.

Preferably, the pedal cranks are disposed on the axis of the rear wheel or wheels.

Alternatively, the pedal cranks are disposed behind the rear wheel or wheels.

The rider may be carried in a so-called recumbent position with his body inclined rearwards and his legs extending substantially forwards, and the pedal cranks are disposed substantially forwards of the seat.

Where the cycle is a mobile wheeled cycle, the handlebar is preferably so mounted on front forks as to be capable of turning said forks about a steering axis whilst being oscillateable relative to said forks about the generally longitudinal axis which is substantially perpendicular to the steering axis.

The generally longitudinal axis preferably intersects the steering axis.

Preferably, the means comprise two elongated longitudinal levers pivotally mounted between their ends, the front end of each lever bearing on one side of the handlebar and its rear end being intermittently driveably connected to a sprocket fixed to the spindle by way of a length of chain, one of the freewheel devices, and a return spring.

Alternatively, the means comprise a rearwardlyextending shaft connected at its front end to the pivotpoint of the handlebar and at its rear end to a bevel pinion in constant mesh with two bevel gears each of which is driveably connected by one of the freewheel devices to the spindle.

The rearwardly-extending shaft is preferably connected to the handlebar by means for accommodating steering movement of the handlebar.

Alternatively, the means comprise two links universally connecting opposite sides of the handlebar to respective cranks each of which is driveably connected by one of the freewheel devices to a shaft rotateably mounted on the frame, and a sprocket fixed to the shaft and connected by an endless chain to a sprocket fixed to the spindle.

A cycle according to the invention may comprise a stationary exercise cycle.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a cycle with one form of hand-operated apparatus to assist in its propulsion, and with a semi-prone riding position; Figure 2 is a perspective view on a larger scale of an inverted version of said one form of apparatus ; Figure 3 is substantially a plan view also on a larger scale of part of another form of hand-operated apparatus for assisting in the propulsion of a cycle ; and Figure 4 is a perspective view generally similar to Figure 2 of a further form of hand-operated apparatus for assisting in the propulsion of a cycle.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, a bicycle includes a frame 10 to which front forks 12 are pivotally connected about a steering axis 14, a front wheel 16 rotateably mounted in the forks 12, and a rear wheel 18 rotateably mounted on the frame 10. Pedals 20 are rotateably mounted on cranks 22 fixed on an axle 24 which is concentric with but rotateable independently of the rear wheel 18. The spindle 24 is driveably connected by a sprocket 26 and an endless chain 28 to a sprocket 30 on a spindle 32 for driving the bicycle, the spindle 32 being rotateably mounted on the frame 10 and drivingly connected by a sprocket 34 and an endless chain 36 to Derailleur gearing 38 concentric with the rear wheel 18. One form of handoperated apparatus for assisting in the propulsion of the bicycle includes a handlebar 40 so mounted on the front forks 12 as to turn said forks about the steering axis 14 but pivotable relative to said forks about a generally longitudinal axis 42 substantially perpendicular to and intersecting the steering axis 14. As best seen in Figure 2, means connected to the handlebar 40 for transmitting unidirectional drive assistance to the bicycle by manually oscillating the handlebar comprise two links 44 universally connecting the handlebar on opposite sides of the axis 42 to respective cranks 46 each of which is driveably connected by a freewheel device 48 to a shaft 50 rotateably mounted on the frame 10, and a sprocket 52 fixed to one end of the shaft 50 and drivingly connected by an endless chain 54 to a sprocket 56 fixed to the spindle 32 for driving the bicycle. By virtue of the unconventional disposition of the pedal cranks 22 concentrically of the rear wheel 18, a rider 58 occupies a semi-prone position with the body and legs substantially in line and inclined forwardly, thus reducing air resistance. To this end, the bicycle is provided with a forwardly and downwardly inclined seat 60 disposed forwards of the pedal cranks 22, and also frontal support means for the body of the rider comprising a pair of forwardly and upwardly inclined laterally-spaced pads 62 adapted to engage the rider's pelvis. It will be understood that each of the endless chains referred to herein includes two adjacent links which are disconnectible and reconnectible in well-known manner.

Referring now to Figure 3 of the drawings, another form of hand-operated apparatus for assisting in the propulsion of the bicycle includes the handlebar 40 mounted on the front forks 12 in the same manner as that described in the preceding paragraph. However, in this case the means connected to the handlebar 40 for transmitting unidirectional drive assistance to the bicycle by manually oscillating the handlebar comprise a rearwardly-extending shaft 70. Said shaft is connected at its front end by means (not shown) for accommodating steering movement of the handlebar 40, such as a universal joint, to the pivot-point of the handlebar, and at its rear end to a bevel pinion 72.

Said pinion is in constant mesh within a gearbox (not shown) with two bevel gears 74 each of which is driveably connected by a freewheel device 76 to the spindle 32 for driving the bicycle.

Referring now to Figure 4 of the drawings, a further form of hand-operated apparatus for assisting in the propulsion of the bicycle includes the handlebar 40 fixed in a bracket 80 which is pivotable about a generally longitudinal axis 82 in a bifurcated stem 84 which carries the front forks (not shown) and is pivotable in a head tube (not shown) forming a fixed part of the frame 10. At opposite sides of the axis 82, the handlebar 40 bears directly or by way of wear-resistant or low-friction pads (not shown) onto the front ends of respective elongated longitudinal levers 86 which are pivotally mounted about aligned axes 88 in a bracket 90 fixed to the frame 10. The rear ends of the levers 86 are pivotally connected to the upper ends of respective lengths of chain 92, the lower ends of which are pivotally connected to points on respective sprockets 94 in such manner that if either of said chains is fully unwrapped from its associated sprocket its lower end will remain connected thereto. Each of the sprockets 94 is connected to the spindle 32 by way of a freewheel device 96. A torsional return spring (not shown) is interposed between either the outer race of each freewheel device 96 or each sprocket 94. Oscillation of the handlebar 40, in conjunction with the action of the torsional return springs, causes the rear ends of the levers 86 to move up and down by an amount proportional to the amount of oscillation of the handlebar, this proportion being determined by the distance from the axes 88 to the handlebar 40 relative to the distance from said axes to the points of pivotal connection between the upper ends of the lengths of chain 92 and the rear ends of the levers 86.

Upward movement of each of said ends causes the associated length of chain 92 to rotate associated sprocket 94 and thus, by way of the associated freewheel device 96, to rotate the spindle 32 intermittently. Said spindle drives the rear wheel by way of the spider 98 fixed to it, on which there is secured the sprocket 34. This assists in propulsion of the bicycle by complementing the effort provided by the pedals 20, which drive the sprocket 30 secured to the spider 100 also fixed to the spindle 32.

Downward movement of each rear end of the levers 86, when permitted by upward movement of the associated side of the handlebar 40, is ensured by the associated torsional return spring causing the associated sprocket 94 and the outer race of the associated freewheel to rotate so as to wrap the associated length of chain 92 onto said sprocket.

In one modification, the pedal cranks can be disposed behind the rear wheel on a frame extension, in which case a semi-prone riding position is retained but a shorter wheelbase is employed and the rearwardly-extending shaft of said other form of apparatus must pass to one side of or above said wheel. In another modification, the pedal cranks can be disposed in front of the rear wheel in a long wheel-base design. In a further modification, the frontal support means comprise a forwardly and upwardly inclined pad adapted to engage the rider's abdomen.

The semi-prone riding position is preferred because firstly, by virtue of the forwards inclination of the pelvis compared to a conventional riding position, it allows the rider to oscillate the handlebar 40 with greater force. Secondly, it removes the need for the rider to stand on the pedals 20 thereby enabling the optimumposition of the handlebar to be fixed. This is explained in more detail below.

The spindle 24 carrying the pedal cranks 22 must be to the rear of the seat 60. This is important for two reasons: 1). The rearward position of the pedal cranks 22 relative to the seat 60 enables full power for sprinting to be deployed from the legs without leaving the seat. This means that the rider suffers no loss of performance flexibility even though he cannot stand out of the seat 60 as he would in a conventional riding position. It may also increase the amount and uniformity of muscle use in the leg.

2). The fixed position of the body ensures that the handlebar 40 will always be in the optimum position, which would not be possible if the rider needed to move his body to sprint or for some other reason.

When viewed from the side, the pelvis is rotated forward when compared with a conventional riding position.

This is important because it enables more effective use to be made of the upper body.

The position of the handlebar 40, being approximately below the chest, coupled with the aforesaid forward rotation of the pelvis, enables maximum force to be generated because the upper body can be used in addition to the arms.

The design of the seat 60 and the pads 62 results in reduced contact pressure due to the increased area supported both behind and in front of the pelvis. The pads 62 in front of the pelvis also offer lateral stability replacing that normally offered by a conventional nonpropulsive handlebar.

The invention includes a mobile wheeled cycle having a recumbent riding position with foot-propulsion assisted by hand-operated apparatus as hereinbefore envisaged, which has most of the advantages of a semi-prone riding position but does not have the benefit, in terms of propulsive force and bodily exercise, of pelvic rotation.

The invention is equally well applicable to stationary exercise cycles, which typically have a non-steering handlebar and means for providing a variable resistance to operation. Both semi-prone and recumbent riding positions can be employed, but the semi-prone position is preferred in order to obtain the benefit of pelvic rotation.

Claims

"Claims":- 1. A cycle adapted to carry a rider with his legs extending to pedal cranks spaced longitudinally of the cycle from a seat, and a handlebar which is manually oscillateable about a generally longitudinal axis so as to transmit unidirectional drive to a spindle by means including two freewheel devices.
2. A cycle according to claim 1, wherein the rider is carried in a semi-prone position with his body and legs substantially in line and inclined forwards, and the pedal cranks are disposed substantially rearwards of the seat.
3. A cycle according to claim 2, provided in addition to a seat with frontal support means for the body of therider.
4. A cycle according to claim 3, wherein the frontal support means engage the pelvis of the rider.
5. A mobile wheeled cycle according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the pedal cranks are disposed at least as far rearwards as the axis of the rear wheel or wheels.
6. A mobile wheeled cycle according to claim 5, wherein the pedal cranks are disposed on the axis of the rear wheel or wheels.
7. A mobile wheeled cycle according to claim 5, wherein the pedal cranks are disposed behind the rear wheel or wheels.
8. A cycle according to claim 1, wherein the rider is carried in a so-called recumbent position with his body inclined rearwards and his legs extending substantially forwards, and the pedal cranks are disposed substantially forwards of the seat.
9. A mobile wheeled cycle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handlebar is so mounted on front forks as to be capable of turning said forks about a steering axis whilst being oscillateable relative to said forks about the generally longitudinal axis which is substantially perpendicular to the steering axis.
10. A mobile wheeled cycle according to claim 9, wherein the generally longitudinal axis intersects the steering axis.
11. A mobile wheeled cycle according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the means comprise two elongated longitudinal levers pivotally mounted between their ends, the front end of each lever bearing on one side of the handlebar and its rear end being intermittently driveably connected to a sprocket fixed to the spindle by way of a length of chain, one of the freewheel devices, and a return spring.
12. A mobile wheeled cycle according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the means comprise a rearwardly-extending shaft connected at its front end to the pivot-point of the handlebar and at its rear end to a bevel pinion in constant mesh with two bevel gears each of which is driveably connected by one of the freewheel devices to the spindle.
13. A mobile wheeled cycle according to claim 12, wherein the rearwardly-extending shaft is connected to the handlebar by means for accommodating steering movement of the handlebar.
14. A mobile wheeled cycle according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the means comprise two links universally connecting opposite sides of the handlebar to respective cranks each of which is driveably connected by one of the freewheel devices to a shaft rotateably mounted on the frame, and a sprocket fixed to the shaft and connected by an endless chain to a sprocket fixed to the spindle.
15. A stationary exercise cycle according to any one of claims 1,2,3,4 and 8.
16. A mobile wheeled cycle constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
17. A mobile wheeled cycle constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, Figure 1 as modified in accordance with Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.
18. A mobile wheeled cycle constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as partially illustrated by, Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.
19. A mobile wheeled cycle constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as largely illustrated by, Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.