Single lever control for variable speed bicycles and the like

• US 4,002,350 A
• Filed: 10/16/1975
• Issued: 01/11/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Norman E. Timbs
• Original Assignee: Norman E. Timbs
• Inventors: Timbs, Norman E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wood, Jr., M. H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Siemens, Terrance L.
• Application Number:
  US05/622,817
• Time in Patent Office: 453 Days
• Field of Search: 180/77 H, 280/236, 280/237, 280/238, 74/471 XY, 74/473 R, 188/24
• US Class Current: 280/236
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 11/04 of changeable ratio
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 11/14 with planetary gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 37/0846 CVT using endless flexible members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20201 Control moves in two planes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20287 Flexible control element

Abstract

The interrelation of a vehicle and transmission and brake means therefor which are cooperatively dependent structurally and functionally, wherein a variable speed "stiff-hub" drive adapted particularly to bicycles and comprised of a constant mesh infinitely variable gearing with an input crank shaft and a wheel drive, and a control means which operates in conjunction with a single lever which also comprises the braking force actuator for simultaneous gear ratio and brake control.

Claims

1. A vehicle and single lever control for the simultaneous actuating and conditioning of the brakes and transmission thereof, and including;

a frame with wheeled suspension for mobility, brake means operating with at least one wheel to decelerate the vehicle, transmission means operating with at least one wheel to propel the vehicle with torque applied therethrough from a prime mover, and a single manually operable lever compressible in one plane to actuate the brake through coupling means therebetween, and rotatable in an other plane to condition the transmission through coupling means therebetween.

2. The vehicle and single lever control therefor as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lever is pivoted to a base to move in said one plane for compressibility, and wherein the base is swively mounted for rotatability of the lever in said other plane.

3. The vehicle and single lever control therefor as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lever is pivoted on a transverse axis to a base to move in said one plane for compressibility, and wherein the base is swively mounted on an axis normal to the transverse axis for rotatability of the lever in said other plane.

4. The vehicle and single lever control therefor as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lever is pivoted on a transverse axis to a base to move in said one plane for compressibility and the said coupling means therefor being flexible and terminating in the base with a reciprocable element connected to the lever and to the brake means to actuate the same, and wherein the base is swively mounted on an axis normal to the transverse axis for rotatability of the lever in said other plane.

5. The vehicle and single lever control therefor as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lever is pivoted to a base to move in said one plane for compressibility and wherein the base is swiveled on a mounting on an axis normal to the transverse axis for rotatability of the lever in said other plane, and the coupling means therefor terminating in the mounting for the base and with a reciprocable element connected to the rotatable base and to the transmission means to condition the same.

6. The vehicle and single lever control therefor as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lever is pivoted on a transverse axis to a base to move in said one plane for compressibility and the said coupling means therefor being flexible and terminating in the base with a reciprocable element connected to the lever and to the brake means to actuate the same, and wherein the base is swiveled on a mounting on an axis normal to the transverse axis for rotatability of the lever in said other plane, and the said coupling means therefor terminating in the mounting for the base and with a reciprocable element connected to the rotatable base and to the transmission means to condition the same.

7. The vehicle and single lever control therefor as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lever is pivoted on a transverse axis to a base to move in said one plane for compressibility and the said coupling means therefor being flexible and terminating in the base with a reciprocable element connected to the lever and to the brake means to actuate the same, and wherein the base is swiveled on a mounting with friction means to releasably hold the rotative positioning on an axis normal to the transverse axis for rotatability of the lever in said other plane, and the said coupling means therefor terminating in the mounting for the base and with a reciprocable element connected to the rotatable base and to the transmission means to condition the same.