Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDECARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
  • B62K15/00—Collapsible or foldable cycles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDECARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
  • B62K15/00—Collapsible or foldable cycles
  • B62K2015/001—Frames adapted to be easily dismantled

Definitions

• This invention relates to a foldable bicycle that employs a minimum number of quick release clamps to lock the frames in the open position and additionally to adjust the seat tube height. Quick releases attached to collars joined to the top and bottom tubes secure both the front and back frame and the seat post position.
• This invention also relates to a folding frame configuration having an in-line crank housing to permit the use of the standard method of attachment of the front Derailleur.
• the in-line configuration uses a front frame (mens or women's) collared onto a complete triangle back frame with a standard locking release clamps. The bottom collar is located below the crank housing.
• the bicycle has rigid front and rear frames collared together with a unique locking device at the top.
• the object of this invention to define a foldable bicycle that utilizes the minimum locking elements with a hinging concentric seat tube to achieve the rigid frame necessary in the open position and a rigid seat position.
• the single locking element is positioned at the top of the seat post. It combines a quick release clamp for the seat post and the quick release concentric folding restraining device into one clamp. This eliminates the need for a second clamp.
• the front frame is collared onto the seat tube member of the rigid back frame. This collar has a slit on the back side so that when the quick release clamp is tightened it squeezes the seat tube. This compression maintains the frame in the locked open position of the bicycle.
• the seat tube is also slotted so when the quick release, attached to the front frame, is squeezed it exerts pressure on the seat post as well as the seat tube. This pressure locks the seat post position as well as the front and rear frame positions.
• Both the top and bottom collar sections have U-shaped slots to permit maximum distortion when the quick releases are tightened,
• the top collar section must be at the top end of the seat tube so that the seat tube slot is also U shaped, open at its end to permit the maximum deformity of the seat tube. If the seat tube slot was not U- shaped as the collared section covering it, then the double slotted top collared of this invention would not secure the seat post as well as the front frame.
• the folding process is achieved expeditiously by releasing of only one quick releases at the top in lieu of two as was the case in the prior art.
• the bicycle frame in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention is made up of two interlocking frames, front one formed by the head tube, top and down tube plus the two seat tube collars, in the case of the men's bicycle.
• the back frame is made up of the seat tube, seat and chain stays.
• Each collared section of the front frame is banded between top and bottom rings welded to the seat tube of the back frame. This keeps the collared sections from moving up or down on the seat tube .
• the front frame comprises an angled top tube such that the top and down tubes are collared proximate to the crank housing.
• the crank housing is placed above the lower collar section on the back frame. This enables the standard attachment of the seat stays to crank housing with the smaller, rear frame section. In the folded position of the men's embodiment the smaller rear frame fits neatly within the front frame, both the chain and seat stays not hitting the bottom and top tube when folded.
• FIG. 1 is a side view of a ens's bicycle frame in accordance with a first and second aspects of this invention.
• FIG. 2 is a side view of a women's bicycle frame in accordance with the second aspect of this invention.
• FIG. 1 the fundamental rigid frame configuration of a men's frame with the larger front frame collared onto the smaller back frame is depicted.
• the collared system used to interlock the frame members is combined with their placement.
• the front frame member 1 is comprised of a head tube 2, a top tube 4, a down tube 6 and seat tube collars 10 and 14.
• each of these collars has a slot or cut which allows the collar to reduce its circumference and apply compressive pressure on the seat tube.
• the slots are identified in Figure 1 as elements 11 and 16.
• the seat tube 20 has a cut or slot 22 at the top for the purpose of applying a compressive force to lock the seat post 19 into position as the clamp is engaged.
• the back frame 21 is comprised of a continuous seat tube 20 housing a crank bracket 34 joined to chain stays 42, with the seat tube joined at the top to the seat stays 40. All these members are constructed using conventional bicycle technology by welding tubular elements to form a rigid construction. It is understood, but not illustrated, that as in a standard conventional bicycle, in the front frame of this invention the head tube houses a concentric handle bar stem, handle bars, controls, front fork brakes, wheels, etc. In the back frame, not illustrated is the seat, chain, cranks, pedals, chain rings , front and rear DERAILLEUR, brakes, cables, etc.
• the seat tube collars 10 and 14 have the standard quick releases 12 and 18 squeezing the slots 11 and 16.
• the front frame collar 10 When the front frame collar 10 is squeezed by means of the quick release 12, it clamps onto the seat post between the collar rings 24 and 26 to form the rigid frame. At the same time it also squeezes the slot 22 at the top of the seat tube 20. This simultaneously clamps the seat post 19 into a locked position. It will be appreciated that for purposes of reducing the size of the bicycle when in the folded position, the seat will be lowered or removed.
• the front frame collars are locked vertically in place by the rings 24, 26, 36, 38 welded to the seat tube 20.
• the ring 26 is replaced with the semi-circular guide track and safety pin housing 27 used with safety device 29. This is similar to this described in U.S. NO. 4,900,047.
• the folding operation in accordance with the present invention involves releasing the quick releases 12 and 18.
• the combined quick release 12 releases the bind between the front frame 1 and the back frame 21 and also the bind between the seat tube 20 and the seat post 19.
• the seat post 19 and seat are removed.
• the front wheel is removed and the safety device is retracted while the front frame 1 is folded around to the back frame 21.
• the front frame section 1, which includes also the front fork and the handle bars are then pressed tight against the rear frame 21,
• this bicycle can be outfitted with conventional accessories, water bottle, luggage racks lights, etc.
• the second aspect of this invention pertains the location of the crank housing relative to the frame elements.
• the collar 14 is located below the crank housing 34. That is, unlike prior configurations, the crank housing is not located at the lowest point on the seat tube. This positioning of the crank housing permits the use of conventional front Derailleur attachment components for both men's and women's frames.
• the crank housing 34 is positioned in-line with both the seat tube 20 and the chain stay 42 while at the same time above the lowest point of frame rotation (collar 14). In the contest of the men's frame, this permits nesting of the front and rear frames 1 and 21.
• the women's frame according to this second aspect of the invention is illustrated. It will be appreciated that corresponding elements are given the same numerals and that the same essential discussion of the those common components applies equally to this embodiment of the second aspect of the invention.
• the top frame 4 is lowered to define the basic geometry of a front frame for a women's bicycle.
• Each of the top and down tubes 4 and 6 have slots 23 and 16 and quick releases 17 and 18.
• the collar rings 44, 46 for the top tube, and those for the bottom tube 36, 38 are positioned to bracket the respect collars.
• the crank housing 34 is positioned above the lower collar rings 36, 38. As illustrated in Fig. 2 the crank housing 34 is also in-line with the seat tube 20 and the chain stays 42.
• crank housing 34 in located in the proper geometric position so that the alignment with both the chain stays 42 and the seat post 20 is maintained.
• the crank housing was located either at the bottom of the seat tube (and not aligned with the chain stays) or was a welded attachment to the rear frame (and thus not aligned with the seat tube) .
• the crank housing is positioned at the bottom of the seat tube is it not centered on the folding line of the frames so that complete folding could not be accomplished.
• the men's frame may position the crank housing below the lower collar section such as in Turheimer, Italian Pat, No. 26,352.
• the seat tube angle can be made steeper for a stiffer riding geometry.
• care must be taken in the geometry so that the chain stays do not hit the bottom tube until the farthest point away from the seat tube, thus permitting the tightest fold possible for this embodiment. It will appreciated that while the clamping feature is maintained the ability to completely fold will be lost.
• the collaring sections prefferably be made up of a spiraling geometry so that the front frame spiral vertically downward during the folding process. This also permits a steeper seat post for a stiffer riding geometry, the front frame sliding downward to miss hitting the rear axial point during the folding process, In the men's frame the position of the top collared section is always above the intersection of the seat stays and the seat tube.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Motorcycle And Bicycle Frame (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=22254894

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (2)

Citations (3)

Family Cites Families (8)

• 1996
  • 1996-04-08 EP EP96912474A patent/EP0891278A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1996-04-08 WO PCT/US1996/004179 patent/WO1997037886A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 1996-04-08 JP JP09536132A patent/JP2000508269A/ja not_active Ceased

Patent Citations (3)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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