Untitled record

(54) BICYCLE

CQ

AT 386 169

WR 0070010

- 2 No. 386169

The invention relates to a bicycle with a frame that carries a seat, with a pedal device having a coupled to the rear wheel via a chain crankshaft with rotatably mounted on opposite cranks pedals, with a steering, with a handlebar with handles for Steering of the bicycle is provided, and with an independent of the pedal device, by means of a separate support frame attached to the steering hand crank device, the two arms oppositely directed in arm height has on a shaft which is coupled via sprockets and a chain with the mounted in a fork front wheel.

Previous proposals for equipping a provided in the usual way with a pedal device bicycle with an additional hand drive device were often used to provide in the region of the handlebar drive lever, which were coupled via a linkage with the pedal device. From AT-PS no. 1122 For example, a bicycle with hand and foot drive is known in which a vertically movable, lever-like handlebar is provided which is coupled to a sleeve on the front wheel support to which a rocker arm is articulated again, which is coupled via push rods with the pedals. A similar hand drive device is also known from GB-PS No. 427,767, but with such hand-drive devices, obviously the steering of the bicycle is at least extremely difficult, and moreover, only a small torque transmission is possible. These disadvantages were obviously the reason why such u.ähnl. Hand drive devices with levers in practice could never prevail.

This disadvantage also applies in numerous other writings cf. eg FR-PS 931.232; British Patent No. 26,711 ad 1901; British Patent No. 11,789 to 1904; British Patent No. 22,678 ad 1909; British Patent No. 18,135 ad 1915; British Patent No. 1,044,078; U.S. Patent No. 3,910,599; US Patent No. 4,152,005 disclosed constructions in which, although hand crank means are provided, but not in addition to the handlebar, but in its place. In addition, some of these documents also refer to disabled vehicles or wheelchairs, where no pedal device - with the need for freedom of movement for the knee - is provided.

From the AT-PS no.335322 and no.215067 further exercise equipment in the form of so-called home or Zimmerfahrrädern are known in which a conventional pedal device for training the leg muscles and also a hand crank device are provided. The hand crank device is coupled to the pedal device via a shaft or chains, so that when turning the pedals, the hand cranks, preferably in the opposite direction of rotation, are rotated. However, an independent training of leg muscles and arm muscles is not possible.

In the US-PS no. 3823959 Finally, a bicycle of the type described is described in which a hand crank device is provided in addition to the handlebar, however, the arrangement is such that the steering or the handlebar with the handles before and above the Hand crank device is located. This is disadvantageous because upon actuation of the hand crank means an unfavorable upright sitting position with downwardly directed arms must be taken, which prevents effective, powerful crank operation. Also, in this case, the bicycle is practically unremovable via the hand crank device. Furthermore, the known arrangement is unfavorable in that the hand crank device with the simple L-shaped holder (which barely allows a stable attachment) greatly disturbs the movement of the knees when pedaling.

It is now an object of the invention to provide a bicycle of the type specified, in which not only a stable attachment of the hand crank device is achieved, but in particular a comfortable and effective operation of the crank mechanism is made possible.

The bicycle according to the invention of the type mentioned is characterized in that the support frame is arranged in front of the steering and except on the handlebar also on the front wheel overlapping fork is fixed, wherein the hand crank device is arranged substantially higher than the handlebar. According to such a design, the advantage is achieved that the steering of the bicycle is not excessively difficult, and that with the independent

Nr.386169

- 3 crank mechanism of the pedal device in the usual way accomplished drive of the bicycle particularly effective, with great power delivery, can be supported, which beispielseise a relief when driving uphill can be achieved. This is due to the fact that the cyclist can not assume a position with more arms extended forward. In addition, the hand crank device does not interfere with normal driving, with pedaling. In addition, with this arrangement, a comparatively significantly higher stability and strength in the attachment of the hand crank device possible or given, including the attachment to the fork contributes.

Moreover, the provision of the invention enables the provision of a separate fork on the hand crank device, which provides additional stabilization. Accordingly, it is according to the invention particularly advantageous if the support frame has an additional fork in which the axis of the front wheel is mounted.

An advantageous embodiment is further characterized in that an extending from the sprocket on the shaft of the crank mechanism at least up to the area of ​​the handlebar chain guard is provided.

In order to adapt the hand crank device in position to the size of the respective user of the bicycle and / or to be able to tension the chain in the case of a chain transmission, it is also advantageous if the support frame has a telescopically length-adjustable support on which the shaft of the hand cranks is mounted ,

The invention will be explained below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. The drawing shows a side view of a road bike with independent crank mechanism.

In the drawing, a generally conventional road bike is shown with a frame -1- wearing a saddle-shaped seat. The bicycle also has a front wheel -3- and a rear wheel -4-, which can be driven in a conventional manner by means of a pedal device -5-. The pedal device -5- has two mutually oppositely directed pedal cranks -6- with pedals -7-, and on the pedal shaft sits a sprocket -8-, which is connected via a chain -9- with a sprocket -10- on the axis of Rear wheel -4- is coupled.

Similarly, the front wheel -3- is associated with a sprocket -11-, which is coupled via a chain transmission -12- with a crank mechanism to be explained later -13-. The chain -12- runs over a sprocket -14- the hand crank device -13-, said sprocket -14- on a two hand cranks -15-, which have in opposite directions and rotatably mounted handles -16- have, common waves -17- sits. The shaft -17- is mounted on a separate support frame -18-, which is telescopically adjustable in length in its upper section at -19- to adapt the hand crank device -13- to the body size of the user and / or a tensioning of the chain -12- to enable. On the other hand, for tensioning the chain -12-, a conventional chain tensioning device known per se from rear wheels can be provided in the region of the bearing of the axle -20- of the front wheel -3- in the fork -21- of the bicycle frame -1-.

The support frame -18- has an additional fork -22- disposed in front of the fork -21- of the conventional bicycle frame -1-, which is fixedly connected to the fork 21, eg by welding or screwing, as indicated schematically at -23- , connected is. Upwards, this fork continues in a rod-shaped, as mentioned at -19- telescopically extendable, and the set length lockable support -24- fort with the help of a welded arm -25- with the handlebar -26- of the bicycle fixed, for example by means of clamping straps or the like. is connected, wherein the hand crank device -13- is located at a greater height compared to the handlebar -26-. In the fork -22- of the support frame -18- is at the lower end of the axis of the front wheel -3- and the associated sprocket -11- stored. The front wheel -3- is suitably one of rear wheels ago known per se freewheel device, especially associated with coaster brake, such devices are well known, so that they require no further Erläute- 4 Nr.386169 tion or graphic representation.

In order to avoid the risk of injury or contamination, a chain guard -27- is provided for the chain -12- the hand crank device -13-, which is shown broken off in Fig.l and downwards eg up to the level of the fork -21 or 22-, but preferably extends at least to below the handlebar -26-.

As can be seen, in the illustrated bicycle, the hand crank mechanism -13- with the chain transmission -12-, the support frame -18- and the sprocket -11- for the front wheel -3- forms a separate one of the pedal means -5- and the drive of the rear wheel -4- completely independent, provided by the steering with the handlebar -26- device, which can be used as desired, regardless of the pedal device. In the case of non-use, the bicycle can be steered in a conventional manner by means of the handlebar -26-. If the hand crank device -13- is to be used, - especially on straight stretches - each of the hand cranks -15- be grasped and operated with one hand, with a certain exercise, the bike easily steered, especially straight can be steered. If - for inexperienced drivers, with initial use of the hand crank device - still difficulties in steering the bike should occur, it is also possible to steer the bike with one hand on the handlebar -26- and the hand crank device -13- only with the other hand to press.

The illustrated in the drawing crank mechanism -13- can also be attached as a separate additional device in retrospect on existing bicycles, then of course the front wheel -3- the sprocket -11- and the chain transmission -12- is assigned.

In principle, it is of course also conceivable, instead of the chain -12 or 12 '- a transmission with a shaft, in particular with a universal joint, similar to that disclosed in the AT-PS no.335322 provide.

The invention is also applicable to other bicycles than the illustrated, as in particular in a tandem bicycle.