Linear driving apparatus
First Claim
1. A machine powered by a user, comprising:
- a frame;
at least one drive wheel;
at least one rotatable driver comprising a pulley or a sprocket, rotatably mounted with respect to the frame, which engages with the drive wheel to rotate the drive wheel;
a flexible, elongated power transmitter comprising a belt, a chain, or a cable, said transmitter being mounted for reciprocating linear motion with respect to the frame and passing around and engaging the rotatable driver to rotate the driver in at least a first rotational direction, said power transmitter having a first portion and a second portion;
a first pedal fixedly engaging the first portion of the power transmitter; and
a second pedal fixedly engaging the second portion of the power transmitter, said first and second pedals being mounted to the frame in a manner that permits only non-arcuate, linear reciprocating motion of said pedals with respect to said frame, said second pedal connected to the first pedal such that motion of the first pedal in a first linear direction causes the second pedal in an opposite, second linear direction, and the motion of the first pedal in the second linear direction causes motion of the second pedal in the first linear direction, whereby linear motion of said pedals causes said power transmitter to rotate said rotatable driver and said drive wheel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for linearly driving a vehicle or machine. The apparatus includes a frame, at least one drive wheel, and at least one rotatable driver comprising a pulley or a sprocket, rotatably mounted with respect to the frame. Further, the system includes a flexible, elongated power transmitter comprising a belt, a chain, or a cable, the transmitter being mounted for reciprocating linear motion with respect to the frame and passing around and engaging the rotatable driver to rotate the driver in at least a first rotational direction. The apparatus also has a first and second pedal to engage the power transmitter in a first and second direction. The first and second pedals are mounted to the frame in a manner that permits only non-arcuate, linear reciprocating motion of the pedals with respect to the frame. The second pedal is connected to the first pedal such that motion of the first pedal in a first linear direction causes the second pedal in an opposite, second linear direction, and the motion of the first pedal in the second linear direction causes motion of the second pedal in the first linear direction.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A machine powered by a user, comprising:
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a frame; at least one drive wheel; at least one rotatable driver comprising a pulley or a sprocket, rotatably mounted with respect to the frame, which engages with the drive wheel to rotate the drive wheel; a flexible, elongated power transmitter comprising a belt, a chain, or a cable, said transmitter being mounted for reciprocating linear motion with respect to the frame and passing around and engaging the rotatable driver to rotate the driver in at least a first rotational direction, said power transmitter having a first portion and a second portion; a first pedal fixedly engaging the first portion of the power transmitter; and a second pedal fixedly engaging the second portion of the power transmitter, said first and second pedals being mounted to the frame in a manner that permits only non-arcuate, linear reciprocating motion of said pedals with respect to said frame, said second pedal connected to the first pedal such that motion of the first pedal in a first linear direction causes the second pedal in an opposite, second linear direction, and the motion of the first pedal in the second linear direction causes motion of the second pedal in the first linear direction, whereby linear motion of said pedals causes said power transmitter to rotate said rotatable driver and said drive wheel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A drive system for a human-powered machine, comprising:
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a linear track; a pair of pedals mounted for linear reciprocating motion along said track; a linkage between said pedals such that upon linear motion of one pedal in one direction the other pedal moves in the opposite direction, and vice versa; a power transmitter comprising a belt, a cable, or a roller chain, said power transmitter having a first portion fixedly connected to said first pedal and a second portion fixedly connected to said second pedal, said power transmitter mounted for reciprocating movement; at least one rotatable driver comprising a pulley or a sprocket coupled to said power transmitter such that movement of said power transmitter rotates said driver; first and second one way clutches, each coupled to one said rotatable driver; and a drive wheel coupled to said one way clutches, such that upon movement of said power transmitter in a first direction, said first one way clutch engages to rotate said drive wheel in a predetermined direction, and upon movement of said power transmitter in a second direction, said second one way clutch engages to rotate said drive wheel in said same predetermined direction. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification