GB2085379A - Driving mechanism for bicycle and the like devices - Google Patents

Abstract

A driving mechanism for a bicycle, for example, using a conventional chain drive comprises an arcuate body 1 pivoted for oscillating movement on a base 8 connected to the bicycle frame. A foot rest 5 is attached or integral with the body. A connecting rod 6 connects one end of the arcuate body to the crank 9 of a chain wheel 10 of the bicycle to convert oscillatory motion of the body into rotation of the chain wheel to drive the bicycle. The arcuate body can be oscillated by a rider without bending of the knee. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECiFICATION Driving mechanism for bicycle and the like devices The invention relates to improvements in or relating to driving mechanism for bicycle or like devices. In particular, this invention relates to bicycles in which the conventional pedals are replaced by a device to enabie a person to ride a bicycle without bending the riders legs at the knee.

Background of the invention: In the prior art bicycle, the pedals are so arranged that they move in a circular opposed fashion to each other. The cycle is driven by rotating the legs in a cycling action by flexing the legs at the l:nee alternately. This flexing knee action may be impossible for some people as for example persons having an artificial leg or whose knee has become calcified because of inaction or disease.

Further, it has also been found that a considerable amount of energy is wasted in the reverse free wheel action of the leg which is not driving the cycle at any given moment.

Objects and features with brief description: An object of the present invention, therefore is to provide a driving mechanism for the common cycle using the conventional chain and axle drive wherein the pedals are replaced by a compensatory driving mechanism consisting of a foot rest attached to an arcuate body oscillating on a base connected to the cycle frame; said arcuate body being connected by connecting rod to an eccentric crank shaft which is connected to the front end of the conventional cycle.

The pressing of the foot rest causes the depression of the arcuate body which in turn rotates the crank shaft and in turn the front axle. The motion of the front axle is transmitted to the rear driving axle by the conventionai chain.

According to the present invention, there is provided a driving mechanism for a bicycle and the like devices using the conventional chain and axle drive comprising an arcuate body oscillating on a base connected to the cycle frame; a foot rest attached or integral with the arcuate body connected to the said base through a bracket as connecting rod connecting the arcuate body to an eccentrically mounted crank shaft and a sprocket wheel mounted on the said crank shaft for driving the chain and axle drive of the cycle.

According to anotherfeature of the invention, the said arcuate body is leaded at its tips.

According to another feature of the invention, the said arcuate body is spring loaded.

According to another feature of the invention, the said bracket connecting the foot rest to the base is provided with a plurality of holes for the said connection.

The Drawings: In the drawings an embodiment of the invention is set forth, wherein: Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of the mechanism employed to this invention.

Figure 2 illustrates an end elevation of the mechanism.

Figure 3 illustrates a front elevation of the connecting rod.

Figure 4 represents the front and side elevation of the bearing.

Figure 5 illustrates the isometric view of the crank shaft.

Figure 6A and 6B represent the arcuate body.

Figure 7 represents the bracket.

Figure 8 iliustrates an isometric view and front elevation view of the base.

Figure 9 illustrates an angle for supporting the base on the cycle frame.

Figure 10 illustrates the isometric side view of foot pad provided on the foot rest block.

Figure 11 represents the spring connecting the arcuate body to the base.

Figure 12 represents the main bracket arm connecting the base to the frame.

Figure 13 represents the loop bracket for connecting the main bracket arm to the cycle frame.

Figure 14 represents the isometric view of the bicycle having the driving mechanism according to this invention.

Figure 1 represents the assembled view of the driving mechanism and Figure 1 to 13 represent the views of the various parts.

The mechanism consists of the arcuate body 11 having loaded tips 2 and 3 (particularly illustrated in Figure 6). The tips 3 and 2 may be made of heavy metal. To the arcuate body 1 is attached or is made integral a foot rest block 4 having a foot rest pad 5.

The foot rest block and the arcuate body are connected to a bracket 11 through the pin 26 as seen Figure 2. The bracket 11 as seen in Figure 7 has a.

plurality of holes 23 through which the pin 26 can pass for adjustment of the height and angle of the block 14. The assembly of the arcuate body 1, the block4 and the bracket 11 is in turn welded or otherwise connected to the base 8. The base 8 is connected to the frame of the cycle (not shown in Figure 1 to 12). The holes 23 are used to hold the base 8 on to the connecting arm whereas the holes 22 are used to fix clip 15 (see Figure 2 to 13) to the frame of the cycle.

The arcuate body 1 (as seen particularly in Figure 6) is shaped like an arc and has loaded tips 2 and 3.

On the front end (near tip 2) of the body is connected the connecting rod 6 (see Figure 3) at its end 16. The connecting rod 6 is fitted below the mechanism and is connected through a bearing 18 (see Figure 4) placed within the end 17 of the connecting rod 6 to the crank shaft 9 (particularly seen in Figure 5). The mounting of the connecting rod is eccentric, since the end 17 of the rod 6 is connected on a depression 19 of the crank shaft 9. Thus up and down motion of the connection rod 6 causes rotation of the crank shaft 9. Near tip 3 of the arcuate body 1 is connected a spring 7 (particularly seen in Figure 1) the other end of which is connected to base 8. Angle brackets 21 (as seen in Figure 9) are welded or otherwise connected to the base and fixed on the cycle frame for additional support of the base and thereby the mechanism to the cycle.A foot pad 5 (particularly seen in Figure 10) is provided for convenience of the rider. The crank shaft 9 is connected to the front sprocket wheel 10 of the cycle and as is conventionally done through the chain drive 12 to the rear sprocket wheel 13.

Working ofthe invention: The rider mounts the cycle 25 and places his foot on the foot rest pad 5. In another embodiment of the invention, the driving mechanism may be provided on either side of the cycle for both the feet or connection given by way of a rod from both front and back of the arcuate body so that the right leg could also be used to press the pad or if necessary the right leg is used to assist the return stroke by pressing the rear rod when the bicycle is ascending.

Forward pressure on the pad 5 depresses the block 4 and hence the arcuate body 1 downwards. Thus in turn causes the connecting rod 6 to move down and hence the crank shaft rotates to accommodate the downward motion of the connecting rod. The argu- ate body 1 has been screwed against spring tension.

Further the kinetic energy created also turns the crank shaft.

This causes the arcuate body to return to its position. Further, the bending of the foot at the axle relay also used for the return stroke. The front sprocket thus continues to turn as long as the depression of the foot pad and the movement of the arcuate body is maintained.

Thus no flexing of the leg at the knee is required to be done and further even the use of one leg is sufficient to drive the vehicle smoothly. Practice trails have shown that the power generated is about one and a half times more than the power generated in the conventional cycling action and no movement of the leg is wasted. In the prior art the return movement of the pedals does not consititue a power stroke. In the mechanism according to this invention, the return stroke, i.e. when the arcuate body springs back to its original position is itself a power stroke.

Apartfrom the obvious uses by the physically handicapped, this cycle is also is a powerful vehicle for conventionally driving as it involves better utilisation of the leg energy.

Claims (5)

1. A driving mechanism for bicycle and the like devices using the conventional chain axle drive comprising an arcuate body oscillating on a base connected to the cycle frame; a foot rest attached or integral with the said arcuate body connected to the said base through a bracket as connecting rod connecting the arcuate body to an eccentrically mounted crank shaft and a sprocket wheel mounted on the said crank shaft for driving the chain and axle drive of the cycle.

2. A driving mechanism for bicycle and the like devices as claimed in ciaim 1, wherein the said arcuate body is loaded at its tips.

3. A driving mechanism for bicycle and the like devices as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein the said arcuate body is spring loaded.

4. A driving mechanism for bicycle and the like device as claimed in claim li 2 and 3, wherein the said bracket connecting the foot rest to the base is provided with a plurality of holes for the said connection.

5. A driving mechanism for bicycle and the like device as claimed in claims q to 4 and as described hereinabove with respect to the accompanying drawings.