VEHICLE PROPULSION SYSTEM AND VEHICLES ADAPTED TO INCLUDE PROPULSION SYSTEM

• US 20070114086A1
• Filed: 09/22/2005
• Published: 05/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert Glessner
• Original Assignee: Robert Glessner
• Inventors: Glessner, Robert
• Application Number:
  US11/162,781
• Publication Number:
  US 20070114086A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/205
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 11/145 built in, or adjacent to, the bottom bracket

Abstract

A propulsion system includes a first torque transmission element and a second torque transmission element, the first torque transmission element being adapted to transmit torque to the second torque transmission element. The propulsion system further includes a first torque transmission element crank coupled to the first torque transmission element by a bearing arrangement that transmits torque to the first torque transmission element when the first torque transmission element crank is turned in a first rotational direction about an axis of the first torque transmission element and that permits the first crank to be turned freely relative to the first torque transmission element when the first torque transmission element crank is turned in a second rotational direction. A vehicle comprising a propulsion system and a bicycle are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A propulsion system, comprising:

a first torque transmission element;

a second torque transmission element, the first torque transmission element being adapted to transmit torque to the second torque transmission element; and

a first torque transmission element crank coupled to the first torque transmission element by a bearing arrangement that transmits torque to the first torque transmission element when the first torque transmission element crank is turned in a first rotational direction about an axis of the first torque transmission element and that permits the first crank to be turned freely relative to the first torque transmission element when the first torque transmission element crank is turned in a second rotational direction.

2. The propulsion system as set forth in claim 1, comprising a second first torque transmission element crank coupled to the first torque transmission element by a bearing arrangement that transmits torque to the first torque transmission element when the second first torque transmission element crank is turned in the first rotational direction about the axis of the first torque transmission element and that permits the second first torque transmission element crank to be turned freely relative to the first torque transmission element when the second first torque transmission element crank is turned in the second rotational direction.

3. The propulsion system as set forth in claim 1, comprising a second torque transmission element crank coupled to the second torque transmission element and adapted to transmit torque to the second torque transmission element when the second torque transmission element crank is turned in the second rotational direction.

4. A rider propelled vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle frame including a bracket;

a wheel rotatably mounted on the vehicle frame;

a propulsion system attached to the bracket, the propulsion system comprising a first torque transmission element, and a first torque transmission element crank coupled to the first torque transmission element by a freewheel that transmits torque to the first torque transmission element when the first torque transmission element crank is turned in a first rotational direction about an axis of the first torque transmission element and that permits the first torque transmission element crank to be turned freely relative to the first torque transmission element when the first torque transmission element crank is turned in a second rotational direction, and a second torque transmission element, the first torque transmission element being adapted to transmit torque to the second torque transmission element;

a chain wheel coupled to the second torque transmission element, the second torque transmission element being coupled to the chain wheel such that torque is transmitted between the second torque transmission element and the chain wheel when the first torque transmission element is turned in the first rotational direction;

a sprocket attached to the wheel; and

an endless chain extending around the chain wheel and the sprocket.

5. The vehicle as set forth in claim 4, comprising a crank rod pivotably attached to the first torque transmission element crank remote from axis of the first torque transmission element.

6. The vehicle as set forth in claim 5, comprising a lever pivotably mounted relative to the frame and linked to the crank rod such that pivotal movement of the lever is adapted to turn the first torque transmission element crank in the first rotational direction.

7. The vehicle as set forth in claim 6, wherein pivotal movement of the lever in at least one of the first and second lever rotational directions is adapted to turn the first torque transmission element crank in the first rotational direction.

8. The vehicle as set forth in claim 5, wherein the crank rod extends through a tubular portion of the frame.

9. The vehicle as set forth in claim 4, comprising a second torque transmission element crank coupled to the second torque transmission element and adapted to transmit torque to the second torque transmission element when the second torque transmission element crank is turned in the second rotational direction.

10. A bicycle comprising;

a frame comprising a top tube, a down tube, and a seat tube connected between the top tube and the down tube,

a fork comprising a steering column; and

a head tube assembly comprising a steering yoke attached to the top tube and the down tube, a stem and a bottom plate pivotably attached to a top end and a bottom end of the steering yoke, respectively, a tube attached at top and bottom ends thereof to the stem and the bottom plate, respectively, the steering column extending into and being fixed relative to the tube.

11. The bicycle as set forth in claim 10, comprising an arm pivotably attached to the stem.

12. The bicycle as set forth in claim 11, comprising a pivot member pivotably attached to the steering yoke, and a linkage member pivotably attached to a point on the arm remote from an axis of pivoting of the arm and the steering yoke and to the pivot member.

13. The bicycle as set forth in claim 12, comprising:

a wheel rotatably mounted on the vehicle frame;

a propulsion system attached to the bracket, the propulsion system comprising a first torque transmission element, and a first torque transmission element crank coupled to the first torque transmission element by a freewheel that transmits torque to the first torque transmission element when the first torque transmission element crank is turned in a first rotational direction about an axis of the first torque transmission element and that permits the first torque transmission element crank to be turned freely relative to the first torque transmission element when the first torque transmission element crank is turned in a second rotational direction, and a second torque transmission element, the first torque transmission element being adapted to transmit torque to the second torque transmission element; and

a crank rod pivotably attached at one end to the pivot member and at a second end to the first torque transmission element crank.

14. The bicycle as set forth in claim 13, wherein the crank rod extends through the down tube.

15. The bicycle as set forth in claim 13, comprising:

a second arm pivotably attached to the stem;

a second pivot member pivotably attached to the steering yoke;

a second linkage member pivotably attached to a point on the second arm remote from an axis of pivoting of the second arm and the steering yoke and to the second pivot member;

a second first torque transmission element crank coupled to the first torque transmission element by a bearing arrangement that transmits torque to the first torque transmission element when the second first torque transmission element crank is turned in the first rotational direction about the axis of the first torque transmission element and that permits the second first torque transmission element crank to be turned freely relative to the first torque transmission element when the second first torque transmission element crank is turned in the second rotational direction; and

a second crank rod pivotably attached at one end to the second pivot member and at a second end to the second first torque transmission element crank.

16. The bicycle as set forth in claim 15, wherein the first and second crank rods extend through the down tube.

17. The vehicle as set forth in claim 13, comprising a second torque transmission element crank coupled to the second torque transmission element and adapted to transmit torque to the second torque transmission element when the second torque transmission element crank is turned in the second rotational direction.

18. The bicycle as set forth in claim 10, comprising a handlebar attached to the stem.