Propulsion and Speed Change Mechanism for Lever Propelled Bicycles

This invention relates to propulsion and speed change mechanisms for lever propelled bicycles.

The invention is especially suitable for use in a bicycle which is propelled by transmitting force imparted from the up and downward motion of propulsion levers to the rear wheel through a chain and chain gears (also known as sprockets) in which speed change is achieved by changing the position of connecting bars which connect the chain with speed change arms. It will be appreciated that the term bicycle comprehends other vehicles which are adapted to be propelled in a similar manner and which have a different number of wheels, such as tricycles.

Conventional bicycles are mostly driven by circular motion of crank pedals. However, only a small portion of the 360.degree. rotation of the crank is used to propell the bicycle and the rest of the rotary motion is wasted. Therefore, the operator spends more energy and feels tired more readily for the same running conditions. Since the pedal stroke cannot be adjusted and a full turn is inevitably required to drive the conventional bicycle, the rider is not comfortable if his or her physical condition does not fit with the crank pedal's circular motion stroke. Furthermore speed change in a conventional bicycle involves the use of various size chain gears mounted in the same axle which is a complex and heavy structure, demanding higher motion energy. Oftentimes it is necessary to stop and reconnect the chain, since it can be disconnected from the speed change gears while in operation.

Although lever propelled bicycles, propelled by up and downward motion of propulsion levers have been proposed, the mechanisms used for transmitting the motion energy of the propulsion levers to the rear wheel has not been satisfactory. Often a fan-type gear or a rack gear is connected to the propulsion levers and engaged with a pinion which is mounted on the rotary axle of the rear wheel. The bicycle is propelled by repeated forward and backward or up and downward motion of the rack gear or fan-type gear. When the motion is stopped at the top-most and bottom-most position of the propulsion levers, the momentum of the rack or fan gear is transmitted as a shock to the pinion on the rear wheel. Thus, the propulsion is accompanied by repeated, unreasonable shocks and is prone to unreliability. Especially, the latch and pawl of a free wheel in the propulsion mechanism are readily worn out and may break due to the severe repetition of shocking contact and separation. In addition speed change has been achieved by changing the length of a speed change bar. The connecting pin of a connecting bar of the fan-type gear or rack gear which moves the rear wheel is fitted into one of the notches in a row of notches on the speed change bar which is moved up and down on the bar by a speed change wire actuated by pushing a speed control lever up and down. The connecting pin, however, is subject to a substantial burden while in operation which is exacerbated during the pulling motion of the speed control lever. Under this heavy burden, it is very difficult to move the connecting pin by manipulating the small speed control lever by hand. The operator may then have to stop before making a speed change, and speed change while the bicycle is in motion is difficult. The foregoing problems have militated against the practical use of lever propelled bicycles, even though the energy required to propell such a bicycle is much less as compared with conventional bicycles propelled by circular motion of crank pedals.

It is the object of this invention to provide an improved propulsion mechanism as well as an improved speed change mechanism for lever propelled bicycles thereby to increase the usefulness of such bicycles.

In accordance with an embodiment of this invention, two one-way clutches (roller-type free wheels) attached with chain gears are mounted at both ends of the axle of the rear wheel of the bicycle. A chain is entrained around the chain gears. When a pair of chains is used one of the ends of the chain is connected, preferably with a see-saw cable which is supported around a guide roller. The other ends of the chains is connected, preferably with connecting bars having connecting pins, to the speed change arms of a propulsion lever arm assembly. The speed change arms and the propulsion levers are a one piece assembly pivotally mounted for oscillating motion. Each speed change arm is equipped with pivotal members, which may be triangular pieces pivotally fixed thereto. These pivotal members hold the connecting pin of the connecting bar. A control bar, which may have cam projections, can be adjusted by a speed control, and pivots any one of the pivotal members selectively outward of the speed change arm. The connecting pin of the connecting bar from the chain is held by the pivotal member which extends from the speed change arm. Up and downward (oscillatory) movement of the propulsion levers causes the chain to make a see-saw motion. The rear wheel is thus moved forward by the chain gear. Upon adjusting the speed control, any one of the pivotal members of the speed change arm is extended by the control bar from the speed change arm and the connecting pin is automatically caught in a notch on the extended pivotal member. The connection from the chain is therefore made to different positions on the speed change arm. Thus, speed change is obtained readily and even while the bicycle is in operation. At the same time, the flexibility of the chain reduces shock caused by momentum when the up and downward motion of the propulsion levers is stopped at the top-most and bottom-most position thereof. This also avoids unreasonable shocks to the propulsion devices (the clutches and other mechanisms in the rear wheel). Thus, these devices are less likely to fail and wear out. Inasmuch as the bicycle is propelled by the propulsion levers, motion energy of the legs is not wasted and the up and downward motion of the propulsion levers is used fully to propell the bicycle. A feature of the invention is to provide a bicycle which an operator can ride more comfortably and easily for a longer time, as compared with a conventional bicycle.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention as well as a presently preferred embodiment thereof will become more apparent from a reading of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a general elevational view of a bicycle equipped in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the propulsion and speed change mechanism which is an essential part of the bicycle shown in FIG. 1 and is provided in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the hub and oneway clutch mechanism which contains roller-type free wheels, in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3(A) is a side view of the free wheel arrangement;

FIG. 4(B) is a side view illustrating the free wheel in forward motion;

FIG. 4(C) is a side view illustrating the free wheel in backward or rearward motion;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of the rear hub and free wheel assembled together;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view broken away to illustrate the speed change mechanism provided in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 7(D, E and F) are diagramatic views of the speed change mechanism in first speed, second speed, and third speed, respectively.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is shown in FIG. 1 a bicycle comprising propulsion levers 4 and speed change arms 3. These propulsion levers and speed change arms are built in one piece and mounted on the main shaft portion 2 at the bottom of the front frame 1 of the bicycle. The one piece assembly of propulsion levers 4 and speed change arms 3 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 2 in such a manner that the propulsion levers 4 are moveable up and down alternatively (oscillate) by means of pedals 4'. The propulsion levers 4 maintain a certain angle with respect to the speed change arms 3. These arms are slightly curved in an amount dependent upon dimensions of the frame and chains 7" and link 14. Movement of the link will therefore be along the proper locus of curvature. Chains 7" are connected with connecting bars 14 to the speed change arms 3. Guide rollers 13 support a see-saw cable 7' Free wheels 11a of one-way clutch mechanisms with chain gears 7 are mounted on the rear shaft portion 2' at the bottom of the rear frame 1'. The rear wheel assembly at the rear shaft portion 2' is made up of an axle 5 and a hub 6 with a square notch 6' which is cut at the end portion of the hub 6, as shown in the upper right corner of FIG. 3. A cam plate 8 with a plurality of sloped indentations 8', equally distant from each other along the cylindrical surface of the cam plate 8, is provided. The cam plate 8 is attached to the chain gear 7. Each sloped indentation 8' is provided with a hard roller 9 and spring 9'. The cam plate 8 is disposed inside a drum 11 having a latch 10 and pawl 10' which form the shape of the Greek letter, lambda. This assembly of the free wheel 11a is further assembled with a ratchet gear 12. Two such gears 12 are provided at both ends of the axle. The protruding end of the latch 10 fits into the square notch 6' formed on the hub 6 under the bias of a spring 10" (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The pawl 10' is caught by the ratchet gear 12 during backward motion. This causes the latch 10 to separate from the notch 6'. The roller 9 is constricted in the narrow part of the sloped indentation 8' under the inner cylindrical surface of the drum 11 during forward motion of the bicycle. This transmits the power of the chain gear 7 to the hub 6 through the drum 11 (see FIGS. 3, 4 and 5). Several notches 6' may be provided so as to enable more rapid reengagement when forward movement is resumed.

The chain gears 7 at the ends of the axle 5 have chains 7" entrained thereon. One of the ends of these chains are connected to a see-saw cable 7' which is entrained around guide rollers 13. The other or free ends of the chains are linked with connecting bars 14. Each of the connecting bars is connected to a different speed change arm 3 by means of a connecting pin 14' as shown in FIG. 2.

Each speed change arm 3 is equipped with pivotal members disposed longitudinally therealong in a row. These pivotal members are in the form of triangular pieces 15 mounted at fixed pivots. Each triangular piece has a "U"-shaped notch 15' at the apex of two sides of the triangle thereof. The pivotal connection is made by a supporting pin 16. Springs 16' bias the triangular pieces 15 downwardly toward the bottom of the arms (see FIGS. 6 and 7). A cam bar 17 in each arm is disposed for longitudinal movement in the arm under the triangular pieces 15. The cam bar has the same number of cam projections 17' as the number of pieces 15. The cam bar 17 is positioned and biased by a spring 17". The cam bar 17 is connected to a cable or wire 19' which extends through a conduit 19 to a capstan or wire roller 18'. The capstan 18' is turned by a speed control knob 18. The knob 18 is assembled to a drum which holds a ball 18"' biased by a spring 18"". The ball is biased against holes 18" and the capstan 18'. By turning the speed control knob 18, the cam bar 17 is moved to the right or left, as viewed in FIGS. 6 and 7. Any one of the pivotal pieces 15 is selectively pushed and extended by a cam 17' on the cam bar 17 out of the edge of the speed change arm 3 on which the connecting pin 14' is moveable. Thus, the connecting pin 14' at the end of the connecting bar 14 is automatically caught into the "U"-shaped notch 15' of the extended piece 15. The speed change is effected by the connection of the connecting bar 14 at different positions on the speed change arm 3.

In FIG. 3 a set of ball bearings 20 is disposed in a seat 21 and held therein by a bearing race 22 which is assembled to the axle 5 by a nut 23.

To ride the bicycle, an operator sits on the saddle, holds the handle and puts his feet on the right and left pedals 4'. The operator makes repeated up and downward motion (oscillating motion). Then the speed change arms 3 move forward and backward repeatedly according to the angle which they make with the propulsion levers 4. The speed change arms pull on the connecting bars 14 alternatively thereby causing see-saw motion of the chain 7". The chain gears 7 rotate in both directions alternatively. If the chain gear 7 is rotated clockwise, the cam plate also rotates in the same direction. The roller 9 rolls up into the narrow space adjacent the sloped side of the indentation 8' and is caught hard inside of the cylindrical surface of the drum 11 of the free wheel 11a. This constricts the drum 11 and the free wheel 11a is rotated with the chain gear 7. At this time, since the protruding end of the latch 10 in the drum 11 is disposed in the square notch 6' on the hub 6, as shown in FIG. 4(B), and the hub 6 is also rotated in the same direction, causing the bicycle to move forward.

If the chain gear 7 is rotated reversely by the chain 7", or is stationary as during coasting, the roller 9 in the cam plate indentations is rolled down to the wider part of the indentations and separated from the drum 11 of the free wheel 11a. Thus, the reverse rotating motion of the chain gear 7 is not transferred to the drum. The hub 6 is still rotated forward by its rotational momentum without being affected by the reversely rotating chain gear 7. When the chain gear 7 is rotated in the propulsion direction again, the cam plate 8 and the drum 11 are held together and the force is transmitted to the hub 6. Therefore, every time the propulsion levers 4 are moved up and down, the force imparted from their motion is transmitted to the chain gear 7 and the free wheels 11a which are mounted at both ends of the rear axle 5 and the bicycle runs forward continuously.

When speed change is required, the speed control knob 18 is turned and the cam bar 17 is moved to extend the first pivotally mounted piece 15 which is nearest to the shaft 2 from among the plurality of pivotal pieces 15 which are disposed in a row in the speed change arm 3 as shown in FIG. 7(D). Thus, the connecting pin 14' of the connecting bar 14 is automatically caught into the "U"-shaped notch 15' on the first piece 15 by the weight of the connecting bar itself and the movements of the speed change arm 3. This results in selecting the lowest or first speed. As shown in FIG. 7(E), the second pivotally mounted piece 15 is extended and the connecting pin 14' of the connecting bar 14 is caught into the second piece 15. Then the somewhat faster, second speed is obtained. If the third piece 15 is extended and the connecting pin 14 is caught into the third piece as shown in FIG. 7(F), a still faster speed, the third speed, is obtained. In this manner the speed change knob is turned and the position of the connecting pin 14' caught on the speed change arm is changed to vary the effective length of the speed change arm, and thus to obtain the desired speed change.

When the bicycle is moved backward and the wheels are rotated in reverse direction, the pawl 10' is caught into one of the teeth of the ratchet gear 12 and pushes up on the latch 10, thereby separating it from the square notch 6' of the hub 6 as shown in FIG. 4(C). Thus, only the hub 6 rotates while the free wheel 11a and the chain gear 7 are free. The bicycle then can run backwards or coast like a conventional bicycle without causing the up and downward movement of the propulsion levers 4.

A bicycle in accordance with the present invention provides the following advantages over conventional, as well as other lever propelled bicycles. Because the bicycle is designed in such a way that the roller type free wheel attached with the chain gear is mounted at both ends of the rear axle, the chains are fitted to the chain gears to provide a see-saw action. The connecting bars connected to the chains are linked to the speed change arms which form a one-piece unit with the propulsion levers. The bicycle is propelled by up and downward motion of the pedals. The angle of this motion can be determined according to the operators physical condition and convenience. Thus, the operator can operate the bicycle with greater comfort and less strain. Also, the force imparted by the up and downward motion of the propulsion levers is fully transmitted to the hub through the chain gears and the free wheels. Thus, energy is not wasted and much less force is required to operate the bicycle. Furthermore, the leg motion to cause the up and downward movement of the propulsion levers is similar to a persons normal walking motion. Therefore, even beginners can easily operate the bicycle in the same manner as walking in place without any special training. Since the flexibility of the chain reduces shock caused by the momentum of the speed change arm when its forward and backward motion is stopped at its foremost and backmost position, unreasonable shocks to the propulsion devices in the rear shaft portion are avoided and smooth power transfer through the roller type free wheels can be achieved. The reliability and life of the propulsion devices is enhanced and much longer operation of the bicycle obtained.

In addition, because many pivotal, triangular pieces are installed in a row on the speed change arm and any one piece is selectably extended out of the arm with the cam bar operated by the speed control knob, the connecting pin located at the end of the connecting bar is caught into the piece which is extended and the desired speed change can readily be obtained even while the bicycle is in operation, depending on the road condition such as uphill and downhill to assure more comfortable and convenient operation of the bicycle.