Bicycle pedaling power unit with leverage shifting

• US 6,554,309 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2001
• Issued: 04/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Peter Thir
• Original Assignee: Peter Thir
• Inventors: Thir, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Lesley D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): YEAGLEY, DANIEL S
• Application Number:
  US09/931,854
• Publication Number:
  US 20020036389A1
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• Field of Search: 280/236, 280/238, 280/251, 280/252, 280/253, 280/254, 280/255, 280/257, 280/267, 280/258, 280/288.1, 280/242.1, 280/7, 245/12, 245/941, 245/943
• US Class Current: 280/253
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 1/28 characterised by the use of flexible drive members, e.g. chains
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 5/00 Foot-driven levers as pedal cranks which can be immobilised as foot-rests immobilising against theft B62H5/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated

Abstract

A system for powering vehicles such as bicycles using leverage type pedals each connected to a freewheeling sprocket and then connected to a common drive shaft in the rear of the vehicle. A keyed shaft connects all free wheeling sprockets and provides for each sprocket to drive the keyed shaft in one rotational direction. A hand powering unit operates through a separate free wheeling sprocket and is also arranged like a lever in similar manner to the pedals. Lowered seating for horizontal movement of legs is preferred arrangement.

Claims

1. A vehicle propulsion system for maximizing power output, comprising:

a first pedal arm and a second pedal arm each having a sleeve and a pedal, said pedal arms being arranged for substantially horizontal motion;

a power transmission line connected to each of said sleeves at one end and in contact with a transmission system at another end;

a power output adjustment mechanism arranged to move said sleeves along said pedal arms thereby changing the length of said transmission lines from said sleeves to said transmission system;

a movable drive assembly comprising a main power unit movable between upper and lower positions in a vertical direction; and

a pedal return cable system, separate from said power transmission lines, adapted to move a pedal that is not utilized in a power stroke a distance substantially equivalent to a distance that another pedal is moving during a power stroke.

2. The vehicle propulsion system according to claim 1, further comprising a hand power lever having a power transmission line in contact with said transmission system.

3. The vehicle propulsion system according to claim 1, further comprising a length control device for said power transmission line to lengthen or shorten said line in response to system requirements.

4. The vehicle propulsion system according to claim 1, further comprising a system for returning said pedal not utilized in a power stroke to a position to be utilized in a power stroke.

5. The vehicle propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein said transmission system comprises at least two free-wheeling sprockets and at least one fixed sprocket.

6. The vehicle propulsion system according to claim 1, further comprising a user seat having substantial back support.

7. The vehicle propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein said pedal arms are connected to a common hinge such that at a mid-point of travel said pedal arms are directly below said hinge.

8. The vehicle propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein said system is utilized in an exercise machine.

9. A system for supplying power to a cycle comprising:

at least one pedal arm having a pedal for receiving a force input from a user'"'"'s foot, said foot pedal arm arranged for substantially horizontal motion;

a hand power lever having a surface for receiving a force input from hands of said user;

force transmission lines attached to said at least one foot pedal and said hand power lever on one end and in contact with a transmission system on another end, said force transmission lines having length control devices that function to increase or decrease lengths of said force transmission lines in response to system requirements;

a power output adjustment mechanism arranged to move sleeves along said at least one pedal arm thereby changing the length of said transmission lines from said sleeves to said transmission system; and

a movable drive assembly comprising a main power unit movable between upper and lower positions in a vertical direction.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein said system is utilized in an exercise machine.

11. The system according to claim 9, further comprising a system for returning said pedal not utilized in a power stroke to a position to be utilized in a power stroke.

12. The system according to claim 9, further comprising a power transmission system having at least two free-wheeling sprockets and at least one fixed sprocket.

13. The system according to claim 9, further comprising a user seat having substantial back support.

14. The system according to claim 9, comprising two pedal arms connected to a common hinge such that at a mid-point of travel said pedal arms are directly below said hinge.

15. A drive assembly comprising:

a first pedal arm and a second pedal arm each having a sleeve and a pedal, said pedal arms being arranged for substantially horizontal motion;

a power transmission line connected to each of said sleeves at one end and in contact with a transmission system at another end;

a power output adjustment mechanism;

a pedal return cable system, separate from said power transmission lines, adapted to move a pedal that is not utilized in a power stroke a distance substantially equivalent to a distance that another pedal is moved during a power stroke; and

a movable drive assembly comprising a main power unit movable between upper and lower positions in a vertical direction.

16. The drive assembly of claim 15, wherein said power output adjustment mechanism is arranged to move said sleeves along said pedal arms thereby changing the length of said transmission lines from said sleeves to said transmission system.

17. The drive assembly according to claim 15, wherein said transmission system comprises at least two free-wheeling sprockets and at least one fixed sprocket.

18. The drive assembly according to claim 15, further comprising a hand power lever having a power transmission line in contact with said transmission system.

19. The drive assembly according to claim 15, further comprising a length control device for said power transmission line to lengthen or shorten said line in response to system requirements.

20. The drive assembly according to claim 15, further comprising a user seat having substantial back support.

21. The drive assembly according to claim 15, wherein said pedal arms are connected to a common hinge such that at a mid-point of travel said pedal arms are directly below said hinge.

22. The drive assembly according to claim 15, wherein said assembly is utilized in an exercise machine.

23. A drive assembly comprising:

a seat to accommodate a user;

a first pedal arm and a second pedal arm each having a sleeve and a pedal, said pedal arms being arranged for substantially horizontal motion, wherein said pedal arms are slidable to control the distance between said pedal arms and said seat;

a power transmission line connected to each of said sleeves at one end and in contact with a transmission system mounted to a frame member at another end, wherein said transmission system is moveable along said frame member;

a power output adjustment mechanism;

a movable drive assembly comprising a main power unit movable between upper and lower positions in a vertical direction; and

a pedal return cable system, separate from said power transmission line, adapted to move a pedal that is not utilized in a power stroke a distance substantially equivalent to a distance that another pedal is moved during a power stroke.