Human powered vehicle and drive system
First Claim
1. A human powered vehicle comprisinga. a frame having a longitudinal axis and a seat for a rider facing parallel to said longitudinal axis,b. a steerable front wheel operably journaled on said frame and a rear drive wheel journaled from said frame including variable drive means for receiving power to said drive wheelc. a drive mechanism comprising footrests in front of said seat, mounted together on reciprocable linear motion means whereby the motion of said footrests is parallel to said longitudinal axis of said frame, and a reciprocable hand operated levering means in harmony with said linear motion means, said levering means pivoted on said frame and extending below said pivot, and having an upper end and a lower end, said lower end of said levering means pivotally connected by a rigid linkage member to said footrest linear motion means whereby a reciprocating rotational motion of said levering means defines a reciprocating linear motion of said footrests and vice-versa, said upper end of said levering means includingd. a steering means in operative connection with said steerable front wheel via flexible sleeved cables, said steering means including thereon a handlebar, wherein rotation of said handlebar effects steering the vehicle, and drawing said handlebar effects said rotational motion of said levering means, and said linear motion of said footrests, thereby producing a power stroke, the power being transferred to said drive wheel through ae. drive train comprising an overrunning clutch, a jackshaft, and an elongated flexible drive means, one end of which is attached to said linear motion portion of said drive mechanism, and the other end to said frame via a biasing means, positioned to bias said drive mechanism through a return stroke, said flexible drive means traversing said overrunning clutch, said overrunning clutch operably attached to said jackshaft to effect rotation of said jackshaft in the forward direction, said jackshaft also containing thereon a sprocket, said drive wheel with said variable driving means driveably connected to said sprocket by an endless chain.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A two wheeled human powered vehicle, having a frame with seating arrangement resembling a long wheelbase recumbent bicycle. The drive mechanism includes two parallel operating lever arms supporting a steering assembly on their upper end, fulcramed in the middle, and operably connected at their lower end to a linearly reciprocable footrest assembly. The operator forces the footrests forward directly with the legs while assisting with the arms by drawing the handlebar, thereby providing a rowing motion that utilizes arm and leg power independently. Linear motion is converted to rotational motion and power is transferred to the drive wheel via a jackshaft, including an overrunning clutch, along with a sprocket and an endless chain, operably connected to the drive wheel. Steering is accomplished through flexible sleeved cables, controllably connecting the handlebar to the front steering fork.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A human powered vehicle comprising
a. a frame having a longitudinal axis and a seat for a rider facing parallel to said longitudinal axis, b. a steerable front wheel operably journaled on said frame and a rear drive wheel journaled from said frame including variable drive means for receiving power to said drive wheel c. a drive mechanism comprising footrests in front of said seat, mounted together on reciprocable linear motion means whereby the motion of said footrests is parallel to said longitudinal axis of said frame, and a reciprocable hand operated levering means in harmony with said linear motion means, said levering means pivoted on said frame and extending below said pivot, and having an upper end and a lower end, said lower end of said levering means pivotally connected by a rigid linkage member to said footrest linear motion means whereby a reciprocating rotational motion of said levering means defines a reciprocating linear motion of said footrests and vice-versa, said upper end of said levering means including d. a steering means in operative connection with said steerable front wheel via flexible sleeved cables, said steering means including thereon a handlebar, wherein rotation of said handlebar effects steering the vehicle, and drawing said handlebar effects said rotational motion of said levering means, and said linear motion of said footrests, thereby producing a power stroke, the power being transferred to said drive wheel through a e. drive train comprising an overrunning clutch, a jackshaft, and an elongated flexible drive means, one end of which is attached to said linear motion portion of said drive mechanism, and the other end to said frame via a biasing means, positioned to bias said drive mechanism through a return stroke, said flexible drive means traversing said overrunning clutch, said overrunning clutch operably attached to said jackshaft to effect rotation of said jackshaft in the forward direction, said jackshaft also containing thereon a sprocket, said drive wheel with said variable driving means driveably connected to said sprocket by an endless chain.
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2. The vehicle of claim I further including a roller journaled at said lower end of said levering means wherein said flexible drive means is deflected from a straight course by said roller as said drive mechanism approaches the end of said power stroke, thereby decelerating said drive mechanism, and forcing higher rotational energy into said drive train to assist said power stroke.
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14. The vehicle of claim I wherein said steerable front wheel utilizes a standard bicycle fork assembly for steering movement about a predetermined steering axis.
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15. The vehicle of claim I wherein said handlebar is a standard bicycle handlebar utilizing standard componentry contained thereon.
Specification