Energy coil system for vehicles

• US 20100148465A1
• Filed: 10/20/2009
• Published: 06/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas E. Coghill Jr
• Original Assignee: Thomas E. Coghill Jr
• Inventors: Coghill, Thomas E. JR.
• Granted Patent: US 8,632,087 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/214
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 1/10 by utilising wheel movement for accumulating energy, e.g. driving air compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 1/105 using elastic elements

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments of a bicycle are provided comprising a bicycle frame having a front wheel support section, a rear wheel support section and a center section. The bicycle includes a rear wheel rotatably coupled to the rear wheel support section. The bicycle further includes a front wheel having a hub rotatably coupled to the front wheel support section, the hub being configured and integrated with an energy coil system that stores energy during a forward revolving movement of the front wheel, and when the energy is fully stored, the energy coil system is locked until selectively released.

Claims

1. A bicycle comprising:

a bicycle frame having a front wheel support section, a rear wheel support section and a center section;

a rear wheel rotatably coupled to the rear wheel support section; and

front wheel having a hub rotatably coupled to the front wheel support section, the hub being integrated with an energy coil system that stores energy during a forward revolving movement of the front wheel, and when the energy is fully stored, the energy coil system is locked until selectively released.

2. The bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the energy coil system includes a control mechanism having at least one mode switch, the at least one mode switch being configured to selectively switch to a storing mode and, alternately, an unlock mode and wherein the energy coil system selectively stores the energy when the at least one mode switch is switched to the storing mode.

3. The bicycle according to claim 2, wherein the energy coil system comprises:

a coil spring is configured to windup and store the energy during the forward revolving movement of the front wheel during the storing mode until fully wound;

a clutch assembly having a locking mechanism which locks the coil spring when fully wound, wherein the coil spring remains fully wound until released by the locking mechanism in response to the at least one mode switch being switched to the unlock mode.

4. The bicycle according to claim 1, wherein when the energy coil system is released, the stored energy causes the front wheel to drive forward.

5. The bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the hub includes an axle about which said hub rotates, the energy storing system includes a coil spring operatively connected to said axle.