Human powered drive-mechanism with versatile driving modes

• US 5,690,346 A
• Filed: 07/31/1995
• Issued: 11/25/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Antti M. Keskitalo
• Original Assignee: Antti M. Keskitalo
• Inventors: Keskitalo, Antti M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAVITT, GARY H
• Application Number:
  US08/508,386
• Time in Patent Office: 848 Days
• Field of Search: 280/233, 280/234, 280/243, 280/251, 280/288.1, 280/252, 280/253, 280/244, 280/246, 482/57, 482/62, 74/143
• US Class Current: 280/234
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 3/005 Recumbent-type bicycles
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 1/12 operated by both hand and foot power
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 1/24 with reciprocating levers, e.g. foot levers levers with can be immobilised as foot rests B62M5/00

Abstract

A frame (12) supporting two oscillatably movable members (16R) and (16L) for arms, and two reciprocally movable members (18R) and (18L) for feet. Cables (36) going off in pairs from each of the movable members in opposing directions, redirected by pulleys (34) toward and connected to rotatable members (14). Rotatable members (14) are coaxially connected with a sprocket wheel (42), and are also interconnected by additional cables (31) via pulleys (30) that are held back by springs (40), so as to cause one of a pair of rotatable members (14) to freely ratchet backwards while another one is turning forward. Sprocket wheel (42) is connected with a sprocket chain (44) to a vehicle propelling member (46). Handles (22R) and (22L) are connected with sleeved cables (26) to the topmost parts of movable members (16R) and (16L), and sleeved cables (26) connected at their other ends through a sleeved cable harness (282) to a steering pulley (28), that in turn is solidly connected to vehicle steering member (13). Each one of the movable members are connected to two of cables (36) and two of rotatable members (14) as described above forming individual power trains with two directional power stroke for each one of the movable members. Thus, collectively providing for versatile driving modes where each one of the movable members can be operated individually.

Claims

1. A human powered drive mechanism comprising:

a) a frame

b) individually movable members

c) flexible, unstrechable extensions

d) rotatable members

e) a rotatable shaft

f) redirecting means

g) additional flexible extention means

h) said individually movable members being supported said frame, each individual movable member being connected to two of said flexible, unstrechable extentions, each of said flexible, unstrechable extentions extending away from said movable members in oppposite directions and then one of said flexible, unstrechable extensions being redirected by redirecting means in the direction of said rotatable members, each of said flexible, unstrechable extentions attached to a separate rotatable member

i) said rotatable members being attached to said rotatable shaft so as to rotate the shaft when turned in one direction and freely ratchet backwards when turned in another direction

j) said rotatable members being connected in pairs and attached to said additional flexible extension means, the attachment of said additional flexible extentsion means to said rotatable members causing, during operation, one of said rotatable members to ratchet backwards while another of said rotatable members turns said rotatable shaft forward

k) a total of two of said flexible, unstrechable extentions, one of said redirecting means, two of said rotatable members, and one of said additional flexible extention means for each one of said movable members

l) said rotatable shaft and said additional flexible extention means attached to said frame

and whereby collectively providing means to cause a single-directional rotating motion of said rotatable shaft by said movable members operable individually with a complete versatility of driving modes and with a two directional power stroke.

2. The human powered versatile drive mechanism of claim 1 wherein said movable members are individually oscillatable handlebars and reciprocally movable footpedals.

3. The human howered versatile drive mechanism of claim 1 wherein said flexible, unstretchable extensions are cables.

4. The human powered versatile drive mechanism of claim 1 wherein said rotable members are pulleys.

5. The human powered versatile drive mechanism of claim 1 wherein said redirecting means are pulleys connected to said frame.

6. The humam powered versatile drive mechanism of claim 1 wherein said additional flexible extension means are cables travelling via pulleys that are held back and connected by springs to said frame.

7. The human powered versatile drive mechanism of claim 1 wherein said frame is designed as a vehicle comprising a vehicle propelling member and a steering member.

8. The human powered versatile drive mechanism of claim 7 further including a steering mechanism comprising

a) two handlebars

b) two handles solidly joined with pulleys at lower ends

c) four sleeved cables

d) a sleeved cable harness

e) a steering pulley

f) said two handles pivoted at the center of said pulleys to the topmost part of said two handlebars

g) said sleeved cables connected in opposing sides to the topmost locations on said pulleys in pairs, then directed down and made to cross on said pulleys in spaces remaining between said pulleys and said handlebars and travelling to opposing sides of said handlebars in relation to connections of said sleeved cables on said pulleys

h) sleeves of said sleeved cables solidly connected to both sides of said two handlebars closest to said handles, directed toward said steering member, and then solidly connected to said sleeved cable harness, where said sleeved cables connected at right sides of said handlebars are connected at left side of the harness by their sleeves, and the cables connected at left sides of said handlebars are connected at right side of the harness by their sleeves

i) said sleeved cables travelling through openings in said sleeved cable harness, made to cross in pairs in a space remaining between the harness and and said steering pulley and then made to travel half a circle on said steering pulley and then connected to it

j) said steering pulley solidly connected to said steering member

and whereby both of said handlebars can be conveniently and individually operated while steering.

9. The human powered versatile drive mechanism of claim 7 further including a sprocket wheel solidly connected to said rotatable shaft, and a sprocket chain as means to transfer rotating motion to said vehicle propelling member.