Bicycle and bicycle folding method

• US 6,623,023 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2001
• Issued: 09/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Suzuki, Shinichi, Hirano, Shinpei, Mamiya, Atsushi, Niitsu, Takuya
• Primary Examiner(s): VANAMAN, FRANK BENNETT
• Application Number:
  US09/822,180
• Publication Number:
  US 20010045723A1
• Time in Patent Office: 904 Days
• Field of Search: 280/278, 280/287, 180/65.1, 180/205, 180/208, 180/218, 180/219, 180/220, 180/223
• US Class Current: 280/278
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 15/008 foldable about 2 or more axes

Abstract

A bicycle and a bicycle folding method which allow a rider to easily and securely fold and unfold the bicycle is described. The bicycle has a front wheel and a rear wheel; a saddle on which a rider rides; a pair of pedals to which the rider imparts drive force; a first frame for holding the front wheel in a rotative manner; a handle for changing the direction of the front wheel; a second frame for holding the rear wheel in a rotative manner; and a linking portion for linking a linking member of the first frame with a linking member of the second frame, wherein the first frame and the second frame are brought close to each other by the rider'"'"'s lifting the linking portion with the front wheel and the rear wheel kept in contact with the ground, thereby folding up the bicycle with the front wheel and the rear wheel overlapping each other in at least one portion.

Claims

1. A bicycle comprising:

a front wheel and a rear wheel;

a saddle on which a rider rides;

a pair of pedals to which said rider imparts drive force;

a first frame for holding said front wheel in a rotative manner;

a handle for changing the direction of said front wheel;

a second frame for holding said rear wheel in a rotative manner;

a linking portion for linking a linking member of said first frame with a linking member of said second frame;

a stem for linking said front wheel and said handle, said stem being offset from the center of a direction changing axis of said front wheel; and

a stem holding portion for pivotally lowering said stem relative to said front wheel and said first frame, and a locking portion for locking said stem pivotally lowered onto said first frame;

wherein when said first frame and said second frame are brought toward each other by lifting said linking portion with said front wheel and said rear wheel kept in contact with the ground, said bicycle is in a folded position with said front wheel and said rear wheel overlapping each other in at least one portion.

2. A bicycle according to claims 1, further comprising a motor for imparting pedaling assisting force on at least one of said front wheel and said rear wheel, a battery for energizing said motor being detachably accommodated inside said first frame.

3. A bicycle according to claim 2, wherein said first frame has at a front end thereof a lid through which said battery is accessed.

4. A method for folding a bicycle of the type comprising a linking portion of a bicycle that links a linking member of a first frame having a front wheel with a linking member of a second frame having a rear wheel;

a stem that links said front wheel and a handle of said bicycle, said stem being offset from the center of a direction changing axis of said front wheel;

a stem holding portion for pivotally lowering said stem relative to said front wheel and said first frame; and

a locking portion for locking said stem pivotally lowered onto said first frame; and

comprising the steps of;

lifting by a rider of said linking; and

folding said first frame and said second frame with said front wheel and said rear wheel kept in contact with the ground in a state where said front wheel and said rear wheel overlap each other in at least one portion.

5. The method for folding a bicycle according to claim 4, further comprising the steps of imparting pedaling assisting force from a motor on at least one of said front wheel and said rear wheel, and energizing said motor from a battery being detachably accommodated inside said first frame.