Drive system for muscle-powered equipment and vehicles, in particular bicycles

• US 5,601,301 A
• Filed: 09/30/1994
• Issued: 02/11/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qingshan Liu
• Original Assignee: Qingshan Liu
• Inventors: Liu, Qingshan
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US08/316,532
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 280/220, 280/221, 280/223, 280/224, 280/225, 280/226.1, 280/233, 280/234, 280/235, 280/62, 482/62, 482/66, 482/70
• US Class Current: 280/233
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 1/20 with additional rider propulsion means

Abstract

A muscle-powered drive mechanism for vehicles or other equipment with at least one drive component, the drive movement of which is adapted to be transmitted to a drive shaft using a movement transmission system. By means of the mechanism, a user can selectively exercise a variety of muscles in the arms, legs or other parts of the body (e.g., back or abdominal regions), separately or together in many harmonious ways. For example, the system includes a set backrest drive mechanism whose drive movement is generated by a movement of a seat backrest relative to a seat surface independently of the movement of the seat surface. The system also includes a pair a freewheels mounted to a drive shaft. The movement of a mounted crank in either a forward or a rearward direction generations a single directional rotational movement of the shaft by means of one of the freewheels.

Claims

1. A muscle-powered drive mechanism for, vehicles or other equipment with at least one drive component, the drive movement of which is adapted to be transmitted to a drive shaft using a movement transmission system, comprising a drive component formed by a seat backrest drive mechanism whose drive movement is generated by a movement of a seat backrest independently from the movement and relative position of a seat surface, the seat backrest drive mechanism adapted to exercise muscles in back and abdominal regions of a user.

2. A muscle-powered drive mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the drive movement is generated by a rotational movement of the seat backrest relative to the seat surface.

3. A muscle-powered drive mechanism according to claim 1, the seat backrest drive mechanism comprising:

a seat with a seat surface and a backrest; and

a shaft disposed between the seat surface and backrest, wherein the backrest of the seat is adapted to selectively rotate about the shaft to exercise upper body muscles.

4. A muscle-powered drive mechanism according to claim 3, wherein a transmission means selectively transmits movement of the backrest about the shaft to a freewheel system.

5. A muscle-powered drive mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the drive movement of the seat backrest drive mechanism is generated by both a forward and a reverse rotational movement of the seat backrest relative to the seat surface, the drive shaft only rotating in a single direction.

6. A muscle-powered drive mechanism for vehicles or other equipment comprising at least one drive component, the movement of which is adapted to be transmitted to a drive shaft using a movement transmission system, comprising:

a first shaft receiving a first wheel;

a second shaft receiving a first freewheel and a second freewheel such that a rotational movement of each of the freewheels in only one direction drives the second shaft; and

a cable threaded about the first wheel, the cable threaded about the first and second freewheels such that a corresponding portion of each of the freewheels receives the cable running from the first wheel, wherein a forward or a backward movement of the first wheel generates a single direction rotational movement of the second shaft with only one of the freewheels driving the second shaft, the second shaft adapted to be the drive shaft or operatively attached to the drive shaft.

7. A muscle-powered drive mechanism as recited in claim 6, further comprising a third shaft receiving a second wheel, the cable threaded about the second wheel such that the second wheel receives the cable running from the freewheels.

8. A muscle-powered drive mechanism as recited in claim 6, wherein the cable is one of a chain and a belt.

9. A muscle-powered drive mechanism as recited in claim 6, wherein a first drive component is formed by a seat backrest drive mechanism whose drive movement is generated by a back and forth rotational movement of a seat backrest relative to a seat surface, the rotational movement transferred to the first wheel such that the second shaft has a single direction rotational movement.

10. A muscle-powered drive mechanism as recited in claim 6, wherein a first drive component is formed by a seat surface drive mechanism whose drive movement is generated by a back and forth movement of a seat surface, the drive movement transferred to the first wheel such that the second shaft has a single direction rotational movement.

11. A muscle-powered drive mechanism as recited in claim 6, wherein a first drive component is formed by a crank drive mechanism, whose drive movement is generated by a rotational movement of a crank, the crank attached to the first wheel such that the second shaft has a single direction rotational movement.

12. A muscle-powered drive mechanism as recited in claim 11, where there is a pedal attached to the crank, the pedal adapted to be moved by one of feet and hands of a user.

13. A muscle-powered drive mechanism as recited in claim 11, wherein the crank is adapted to be moved by a body part of a user.

14. A muscle-powered drive mechanism for vehicles and other equipment with at least two drive components operated independently from each other and the drive movements of which are adapted to be transmitted to a drive shaft using a movement transmission system, comprising:

a first drive component formed by a seat backrest drive mechanism whose drive movement is generated by a rotational movement of a seat backrest relative to a seat surface; and

at least one of

(a) a drive component formed by a seat surface drive mechanism whose drive movement is generated by a movement of the seat surface, whereby the rotational movement of the seat backrest is superimposed on the movement of the seat surface using a transmission means for a combined drive of the drive shaft;

(b) a drive component formed by a foot-powered drive mechanism whose drive movement is generated by a movement of at least one pedal, whereby the rotational movement of the seat backrest is superimposed on the movement of the pedal using a transmission means for a combined drive of the drive shaft; and

(c) a drive component formed by a hand-powered drive mechanism with operating rods whose drive movement is generated by a movement of the operating rods whereby the rotational movement of the seat backrest is superimposed on the movement of the operating rods using a transmission means for a combined drive of the drive shaft.