Patent Application
20090224508
This invention relates to the field of basic frame structures for human propelled bikes.
In the bicycle industry the frame of human propelled vehicles are mostly configured in triangular tube structures which helps support the crank sprocket between the wheels, the seat post cylinder, the stirring cylinder, the rear wheel and the front forks holding the front wheel. Currently, this basic frame structure offers a sound instrumental benefit to the bicyclist, by rigidly holding its mechanical components in place so that a rider may propel him or her self from one point to another. The frame structure of the Lever Enhanced Pedaling System (LEPS) supports its drive train components near its rear portion and within the vertical rear ends of its tubes. Such configuration allows each drive sprocket mounted within the cylinder of the frames rear tubular portion to be rotated by a linear transmission member. Each drive sprocket is mounted to the rear wheel with slip lock connection. Each drive sprocket connected to the rear wheel is mounted centrally within its vertical tube member near its base allowing each sprocket to be rotated by its member drive train assembly on its center, thus maintaining a balance which prevents the levers from flexing horizontally while they are being pedaled.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,077,648 uses a frame with a mid portion that is elevated above its mounted wheels. Furthermore, its frames contour starts from its stirring cylinder horizontally and is then formed in a downward curve which ends at the axle of the rear wheel. What distinguishes this frame from that of the LEPS is that its drive sprockets are not within the tubes of its frame structure, the frames tubes are more narrower than that of the LEPS's and the frontal part of said prior art's tube does not go beyond its stirring cylinder. The prior art's propulsion mechanism utilizes a first class lever, so it is mechanically configured differently from the LEPS's, which uses a second class lever. Thus, both frames are structured differently for accommodating two different classes of lever machines. The repositioning support structure of the prior art, which provide means for each lever to reciprocate is different in that it is located on the right side of the bicycle below the frames tubular structure. The LEPS's repositioning system is above its frame structure, which is designed to have pulley wheels mounted on it so that the reciprocal cable could be pulled back and forth above its tubular foundation.
The Velocipede U.S. Pat. No. 3,834,733 by Harris uses an elevated frame free from the condition of being directly between its two wheels. Its transmission means reciprocates between its two lever machines while they are being pedaled, which is similar to the LEPS's hydraulic assistant propulsion mechanism (Ser. No. 12/291,353).
What distinguishes the Velocipede's frame from that of the LEPS is that it needs a triangular tubular structure that is vertically upright, while the LEPS's tubular triangle structure is more horizontal and its triangular construction utilizes a two point system, which prevents tubular collapse below the seat, where a riders weight is stressed as well as the reciprocal mount plate 12 where the reciprocal cable holding the weight of the rider is mounted on. As long as the tubes are bonded at two points lengthwise 72 and (74 & 76), this bond would not be pivotal, which would prevent the frame from gradually sinking in as opposed to a tubular bond that is held together at one pivotal point. The other bonded joints of the frame could be compared to a bridge that is arched with triangular plates supporting the joints.
Furthermore, the mid portion of the Velocipede's transmission means is routed outside of the bicycles frame, while a great portion of the LEPS's transmission means is routed inside of its tubular frame (Ser. No. 12/291,353 FIG. 2). The latter frame is wide enough in diameter to allow this.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,174 (Efros) utilizes a frame having a mid portion that is elevated above the axle of its wheels, while the frame of the LEPS is elevated like wise, but different in form. The frame invented by Efros uses an upright tubular structure that includes a triangular construction from its rear hub to the seat post cylinder. The triangular structure of the LEPS having open through spaces is primarily horizontal and therefore different from the latter prior art. The LEPS's frame does have upright triangular supports, but they are primarily solid plates with no open spaces. The frame by Efros has narrower tubes than that of the LEPS. Furthermore, its tube structure does not extend beyond the stirring cylinder.
In summary, each three stated prior art have differences in frame structure that is blatantly different from the frame of the LEPS, furthermore, they lack the advantage of having a frame wide enough to integrate legible hand operated electronics into the frame of their bicycles and the frontal portion of these frames does not have standard integrated lamps to improve visibility during night riding.
The tubular design in this patent application is based on the mechanical configuration in patent application Ser. No. 12/291,353. Experiments had been conducted on a lighter frame that was planar, composed primarily of sheets of aluminum cut and bent into a frame form that was raised between its wheels. When pressure was applied to one of its pedals, the frame twisted because its structure was not strong enough to support the torque generated from the lever machine. So it was determined that a tubular frame would have more structural strength and not twist significantly while pedaling. With this in mind, a design was configured so that the frames tube diameter would be 2.75″ allowing the stirring cylinder to occupy two bores through the top and bottom surfaces near the front of the frame and welded in place. The frontal portion of the frame leads backwards and stops under the seat. The end of this tube is welded to the center of an aluminum rectangular plate. The plate extends from this welded joint to right and left adjacent tubes to form symmetrical (
The vertical portions of each symmetrical tube 26 have a pair of polygonal triangular plates 6 welded vertically to their rear surfaces. Each triangular plate has a bore 24 which accommodates a member fulcrum. Each fulcrum has a member lever machine 70 (
Another factor which distinguishes the LEPS's frame from conventional bicycle frames is that its rear vertical tubes must be on center with its lever machines 70 and pedals. The applied force on the pedals must be aligned with its member lever 70 and vertical rear portion of the frame 2 to maintain straight downward pedaling and eliminate lever 70 wobbling. Most bicycles have frame structure widths that are well within the horizontal distance of their pedals, thus making the LEPS's frame automatically wider than conventional bicycle frames. The function of the basic frame structure described is to maintain stiffness while sustaining great stresses from the torque generated from the lever machines 70.
Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages of the LEPS's frame clarified in this patent application, a number of objects and advantages of the present invention are:
According to the information presented, the LEPS's frame structure is a tubular structure configured to accommodate two lever machines and neutralize significant twisting due to tremendous torque generated from pedaling.
A preferred embodiment of the invention can be illustrated in
The central plate 12 welded in place between the two symmetrical tubes 26 has an upper end that is formed forward. These ends are bent at an angle, which allow the grooves of the pulley wheels mounted to the rear of its surface to point to the pulley wheels mounted within the cylinder of the repositioning system (Ser. No. 12/291,353 FIG. 5).
The tubular frame for the LEPS is composed of 5 elements that make up its basic structure. These elements are:
The first element connects the central tube 30 to the stirring cylinder 18, which is essential for the frame to be connected to the front wheel and fork assembly for stirring purposes. The second element is the symmetrical tubes 26 connection to the central tube 30, which is incomplete without a second point of attachment to the central tube 30, which is the 4th element. Since pivoting usually occurs at one central point, two points of attachment are essential for preventing the pivoting of the symmetrical tubes 26. In order for the 4th element to be effective, the central plate 12 must be held rigidly in place and kept from rotating clockwise or counter clockwise. This is accomplished by aligning the center flat surface of the central plate 12 to the center of the end diameter of the central tube 30 and bonding them together. The wide diameter of the central tube 30 strengthens the rigidness of the central plate 12, because flexion resistance is spread over a larger surface area and tube mass. With these elements in mind, it should be acknowledged that the essential frame elements can be adaptable to different frame forms and be different in proximity to one another.
The manner of how each welded component of the frame functions, while operating the vehicle can be illustrated in
Other features of the LEPS's frame structure include the integration of an outdoor lamp 46 within the frame 2 which focuses light in one direction. This lamp 46 would most likely be round in shape which would enable it to fit in the round inner walls of the frames 2 frontal tube. The lamps outer casing surface being circular in form would be parallel to the inner walls of the frames frontal tube. The frontal portion of the frame 2 is pointed slightly downward which would point the cylinder casing of the lamp 46 in the same direction, thus focusing its light beam 34 in this downward direction. A light beam at this angle would allow rider to detect ground objects in its traveling path so as to avoid collision with them. Another advantage of an integrated lamp 46 in the frame 2 is that people driving cars at night in the opposite direction of the rider would see the frames 2 light beam and avoid colliding with the rider.
Another feature of the frame 2 that would be difficult for conventional bicycle frames to imitate would be the integration of an electronic display touch screen 1 which would display GPS mapping, heart rate, speed, time, date, calendar and an I-pod like device which would benefit riders as they rode the bike. Such a screen display 1 would be wide enough to be legible with touch screen capabilities and also water proof. Its surface should be flush with the surface of the frame 2 and extend from the left to right with a partial circumference of about 4 inches, wide and a length of about 5 inches.
The Lever Enhanced Pedaling System (LEPS) frame is wide compared to other bicycles, but this is due to the mechanical nature of the bike, being that it must accommodate a sprocket 36 centrally within each rear symmetrical portion. Furthermore, because torque from the lever machines 70 generate significant twisting force on the bike's frame 2, a wider central tube is needed to prevent the frame 2 from twisting during pedaling. The wider the frame diameter the stiffer the frame construction would be, because twisting force would be spread over a longer surface area. A wider frame 2 means that more electronic devices could be integrated into it, which would bond bicycling and information technology together. Thus, such an integration would keep bicyclist well connected with the rest of the world through integrated electronics like the Multi-Touch display LCD screen from Apple inc. or Zunes from Microsoft or an iphone like display within manual and visual range, which would allow the bicyclist to know how fast he or she was going, how to get to a particular destination through turn by turn directions and visual information of his or her cardiovascular system during cycling exercises. Furthermore, GPS could be included into the bicycle's frame 2 to track down the bike if it was stolen or to signal for help if the bicyclist was stranded out doors after a crippling accident. Police officers could use the integrated electronic device to run information on license plates, to look up the criminal record of a career criminal or to take notes at a crime scene. So these bikes would easily accommodate police patrolling.
In front of the stirring column would be an integrated head lamp which would help riders see obstacles and objects on the ground while bicycling at night. The frame design would be perfect for this feature because the front end of the frame is pointed at an angle towards the terrain, which would direct the light in that direction.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61063412 | Feb 2008 | US |
