Man-propelled vehicle, such as in particular a cycle

Translation of description of equivalent WO 9800332 A1

GEAR, AS INCLUDING CYCLE, A HUMAN POWERED

The invention relates to a device, such as in particular cycle, human-powered, comprising a longitudinal frame provided, about one of its ends, with a seat and a backrest, towards its opposite end, a pedal system can be activated with the feet by a user in a seated position with the back held in the folder, said pedal system being associated to transmission means connecting it to a drive shaft, adapted to transform the movement of this pedal system into a rotational movement of said motor shaft.

Such devices, described in particular in FR 811,916 and BE 432,336, regarding the cycles have the advantage of offering the user a position "semi-reclined" comfortable, while requiring a similar effort or even less compared with conventional cycles. However, such cycles do not allow to optimize the efficiency of efforts by the user because of the "dead spots", inherent in their design, which correspond to positions of the pedals where the force transmitted is reduced or even zero. It should be noted, moreover, that at present, all the marketed cycles designed to be used in the sitting position are provided with a conventional pedal assembly generally disposed in front of the machine. As well as those mentioned above, and because of the design of pedals, these cycles have "dead spots" which do not allow to optimize the efficiency of effort.

The present invention aims to overcome all the drawbacks described above, and has as main objective to provide a device optimizing the efficiency of efforts.

Another objective is to provide a simple design engine also having a small footprint. Another objective is to provide a machine which, in its cycle design, can easily be equipped with storage space for transporting any type of utensils. To this end, the invention provides a machine, such as in particular cycle, comprising a longitudinal frame provided, about one of its ends, with a seat and a backrest, towards its opposite end, a pedal system can be activated with the feet by a user in a seated position with the back held in the folder, said pedal system being associated to transmission means connecting it to a drive shaft, adapted to transform the movement of this pedal system into a rotational motion of said drive shaft, - the pedal system comprising two pedals connected to the frame by actuating means able to allow to impart an alternating translation movement,

- The transmission means comprising, for each pedal, a rotary member unidirectional transmission associated with elastic return means carried by the drive shaft and connected to the actuating means by a connecting member adapted to drive said member in rotation and rotating the drive shaft, during movements of said pedal in a direction of removal of the latter with respect to the seat.

According to the invention this apparatus is characterized in that it comprises two levers capable of being actuated manually, connected to the frame by actuating means able to allow to impart an alternating translation movement, the actuating means each handle being connected to a rotary member unidirectional transmission associated to elastic means and carried by the drive shaft, by a linking element adapted to rotate said rotary member and the drive shaft, during movements of said lever according to a direction of going away from the seat. First, such a device allows optimal use of muscle power developed by the four members of the user. In fact, each member brings an alternative translation movement of a pedal or joystick and drives the associated transmission member that is active in only one direction of rotation. So, this machine provides a force developed much higher than that obtained with the current gear. Furthermore, it should be noted the simplicity of the design of this machine comprising a frame, movable actuator means with respect to said chassis, and a unidirectional transmission member connected to each pedal and each handle. Finally, it should be noted the complete independence between the action of the various members allowing all freedoms of use.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the actuating means comprise, for each pedal and each lever, a carriage slidably mounted along the frame.

In addition, the two carriages of each pair of carriages are preferably interconnected by a flexible linking element associated to a fixed reference member of the frame, arranged to maintain tight said linking element in positions of the carriages where these are located symmetrically on either side of the median point of their path.

Thus, the thrust force generated by a member, leg or arm, as it extends, is added the other member of the tensile force, when the latter is folded in synchronization with the extension of said first member .

Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the machine comprises elastic elements limit switch arranged to act as a stop to the carriages in the position of the latter furthest from the seat. These elastic stops serve to accumulate the power supplied muscularly-end extension members, which maximum power out, and return the energy accumulated at the beginning of the return phase of the carriages which corresponds to a given muscle power lower.

Similarly, the device preferably comprises elastic elements limit switch arranged to act as a stop to the carriages in the position of the latter closest to the seat.

Such elastic elements are credited tensile forces and to return them for a greater thrust. They can further be used in combination with the elastic members and the aforesaid flexible connecting elements.

Furthermore, always in order to optimize the performance, each rotary member advantageously unidirectional transmission has a substantially ovoid shape, and is mounted eccentrically on the motor shaft so that the length of the lever between the axis of rotation said drive shaft and the longitudinal axis of the force exerted on the carriage is inversely proportional to the distance separating said carriage from one seat. Thus, in the folded position of the members corresponding to a lesser force developed, the effort required to cause rotation of the rotary members is less than that to provide the end of the extension where the force is maximum. Moreover, in its cycle application where the machine according to the invention conventionally comprises at least a rear drive wheel with an axis provided with a free wheel connected by a chain to at least one roller secured to the drive shaft, and a front wheel provided with an axle mounted on a fork integral with a head tube, this machine preferably comprises two handles each articulated respectively to the upper end of one of the levers so as to be pivotable about a axis longitudinal, said handles being connected to a control bar attached to the steering tube by means of connecting elements adapted to cause rotation of said operating bar and steerer tube around a vertical axis.

Furthermore, in the context of this application cycle, the tray is preferably mounted on the motor shaft via a free wheel adapted to enable to rotate said drive shaft only when the machine is moved to the 'before.

Other features, objects and advantages of one invention become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of non-limiting examples two preferred embodiments. In the drawings forming an integral part of this description:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a ring according to the invention,

- Figure 2a is a side view, - Figure 2b is an enlarged detail of Figure 2a,

- Figure 3 is a cross section through a vertical plane A, enlarged, representing carriers pedal carts, - Figure 4 is a partial bottom view of the frame to the right of the steering tube,

- Figure 5 is a diagram of operation of the means of maneuvering the steering tube - Figure 6 is a longitudinal section through a horizontal plane B of the rear end of the chassis of this cycle.

- Figure 7 is a schematic top view of an alternative embodiment of a ring according to the invention, shown without a seat and without front wheel,

- And Figure 8 is a cross section through a vertical plane C, on an enlarged scale, of the frame this alternative cycle.

The preparation cycles in 1 invention shown as examples in the figures are two-wheel cycles. The cycle shown in Figures 1 to 6 comprises, first, a frame component 1 a longitudinal guide rail consisting of a tubular profile 2 of rectangular cross section, on each of the side faces of which are welded two profiles, such as 3, T-shaped arranged so that the leg of said T extends ent orthogonal with respect to the corresponding lateral face of the tubular profile 2.

The chassis 1 carries, towards its front end, a conventional steering tube 4 in the extension of which extends a fork 5 supporting the axis of the front wheel 6.

To its rear end, the frame 1 is extended by two tubular frames such as 7 parallel, each having a generally triangular shape. One side of these frames defines a support 8 for the folder 9a of a seat 9 secured at its base 9b of the frame 1, while the two other sides form two forks extending between said support and the axis 8 the rear wheel 10 which they support the shaft carrying the free wheel 11.

These two frames 7 are connected, at their tops lying substantially in the rear extension of the frame 1 by a shaft 12, said motor, mounted in bearings, bearing or the tray (s) such as 13 of said ring connected conventionally the freewheel 11 by a chain 14. Each plate 13 is also mounted on the motor shaft 12 via a free wheel adapted to allow for reducing the cycle.

Along the chassis 1 are slidably mounted four identical carts such as 15, 16 associated in pairs: two carriages 15 to walking actuating each carrying a pedal such as 17 and two carriages 16 for manual actuation each carrying a controller such as 18.

Each of these carriages 15, 16 consists of a U-shaped section capable of fitting one of the profiles 3 of the T-shaped frame 1. In addition, each carriage 15, 16 carries three pairs of rollers such as 19 arranged for come into contact with either side of the branch and respectively of the two flanges of the section 3 of the frame, towards the end of said leg and wings.

Furthermore, the carriages 15 (or 16) of each pair are connected by a cable 20 (or 21) associated with a return pulley 22 (or 23) with a vertical axis secured in the frame 1, arranged so that any displacement of a carriage in one direction causes the movement of the carriage associated in the other direction. Furthermore, each of the carriages 15, 16 is connected by a cable such as 24, 25 of adjustable length by any means known per se, to an ovoid pulley such as 26, 27 mounted around the drive shaft 12, each said pulleys comprising a rotatable member unidirectional transmission of the freewheel system type and being associated with an integrated restoring spring (not shown).

The function of each of these ovoidal pulleys 26, 27 is to cause a rotation of the drive shaft 12, when moving in the direction of the front wheel 6 of the carriage 15, 16 associated. When returning carts 15, 16 ovoid these pulleys 26, 27 are relatively ineffective at 1 crankshaft 12 and undergo a simple rotation under the action of the associated spring. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2b, these ovoidal pulleys 26, 27 are mounted eccentric relative to one drive shaft 12 so that the lever between the axis of this shaft and the axis of the force tending to cause the rotation of said pulleys is a variable length, preferably decreasing progressively measuring the advance of carriages 15, 16.

In addition, as shown in Figures 2b and 6, the ovoid pulleys 26 associated with carriages 15 to actuating walking are smaller than those 27 associated with carriages 16 for manual actuation.

Finally, concerning the carriages 15, 16, the frame 1 carries elastic stop members such as 28, 29 arranged to limit the forward stroke of said carriages and to exert on the latter a force tending to push the rearward.

Similarly, the chassis 1 carries the elastic stop members such as 60, 61, arranged to limit the rearward travel of the carriages 15, 16 and exert on the latter a force tending to push them forward .

The longitudinal position of the elastic stop members 28, 29, 60, 61 may further be adjusted according to the size of the user, particularly so as to limit the rotation angle of the pulleys ovoid

26, 27.

Furthermore, the levers 18 have a telescopic structure and comprises a fixed section 18a consists of a curved tube, and a mobile portion 18b able to allow to adjust the height of said handles relative to the chassis 1.

The movable section 18b of each of these levers 18 is further extended by a handle 30, 31 hinged about a longitudinal axis.

These handles 30, 31 is secured to the end of two cables, respectively 32, 33 and 34, 35 attached symmetrically on either side of the hinge axis. The opposite end of the cables 32-35 is in turn fixed to a horizontal control bar 36 V-shaped fixed to the steering tube 4.

As shown in Figure 5, the cables 32-35 are arranged so that upon pivoting of a handle 30, 31, said cables cause the rotation of the drive rod 36 in one direction or the other.

Finally, and conventionally, the handles 30, 31 are equipped with brake handles such 37 and members (not shown) for controlling the (or) derailleur (s).

7 shows a variant in which the chassis is constituted by a hollow cylindrical tube 38 bent so as to have the shape of a fork whose end bent at 180 degrees constitutes the front end of the cycle.

The two branches 39, 40 of the fork 38 are further shaped so that said fork has, longitudinally three sections of different widths: a front section 38a minimum width along which the two arms 39, 40 extend parallel and substantially horizontally, an intermediate section 38b of greater width than the front section 38a, along which the legs 39, 40 also extend parallel and substantially horizontally, and a rear portion 38c of maximum width along which the branches 39, 40 have a first portion of length which they extend in parallel and which is arranged the drive shaft 41, and a second length portion where they converge 1 a to one another so as to bring towards their end, the tree carrying the freewheel of the rear wheel 42.

In addition, this rear section 38c which constitutes the rear portion of the ring bearing including the seat is downwardly inclined relative to the front sections 38a and 38b intermediate.

As shown in Figure 8, each carriage 43 comprises a cylindrical carriage housed in the tube 38 of the frame, with a retaining bracket of the pedal 44 or lever 45, extending through to a longitudinal slot in said tube.

Furthermore, these trolleys 43 and tube 38 are provided, facing each other, of longitudinal grooves accommodating the balls 46 of sliding.

As shown in Figure 7, the pedal holder carriages 44 are arranged to slide along the front section 38a of the chassis and are connected by a cable 47 associated with a return pulley 48 with a vertical axis mounted to the front end of said chassis.

The door-levers carriages 45 are in turn arranged to slide along the intermediate portion 38b of the chassis and are connected by a cable 49 associated with two guide pulleys such as 50 mounted to the front end of said intermediate section.

Finally, as for the first embodiment, these carriages 43 are connected by cables such as 51, 52 to ovoidal pulleys such as 53, 54 carried by the motor shaft 41.

It should be noted further that the tube 38 may have a rounded shape other than circular, and the carriages 43 may be slideably mounted around the tube and not within the latter. In addition, the slide can be provided, instead of the balls 46, by contact Teflon / Teflon (trademark), or touch an iron / bronze with greasing ...

As shown in FIGS, such cycles have the advantage of having a small footprint. In addition, by design, on the one hand, all the cables are integrated into the plane of the frame and, on the other hand, a large volume is provided below this frame enabling the implementation of storage volumes.

Furthermore, such rings may be fitted with any conventional accessories such as fairing ...