GB1592850A

GB1592850A - Pedal cycle and a kit of parts capable of being used in the assembly of such a cycle

Info

Publication number: GB1592850A
Application number: GB3844076A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: HOWIE A
Current assignee: HOWIE A
Priority date: 1977-12-16
Filing date: 1977-12-16
Publication date: 1981-07-08

Description

(54) A PEDAL CYCLE AND A KIT OF PARTS CAPABLE OF BEING USED IN THE ASSEMBLY OF SUCH A CYCLE (71) 1, ANDREW HOWIE, a British subject, of Roselynn, Brodick, Isle of Arran, Bute, Scotland, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to a pedal cycle and to a kit of parts capable of being used in the assembly of such a cycle.

Many people are unable to ride a conventional bicycle because they lack the necessary balancing skill. Even if they possess this skill, they may still be hesitant about riding a bicycle in a place where they are not familiar with the roads or the traffic conditions. This invention seeks to provide a cycle which can carry and be pedalled by two people but which can be controlled by only one of them, which requires no balancing skill and which is steered by only one of the riders in a manner similar to that of a conventional bicycle.

Accordingly, the invention provides a cycle comprising: two cycle frame means rigidly connected in fixed side-by-side relation, each said cycle frame means having cycle saddle mounting means and having rotatably mounted thereon a set of crank-and-pedal means for use by a respective rider, a respective driven wheel rotatably mounted on each said frame means so as to be driven from the associated pedal-and-crank means, a pair of steerable wheels each rotatably mounted between the limbs of a front fork which includes a steering shaft rotatably mounted in an aperture in a respective said frame means, a respective track arm mounted on each said front fork at or in proximity to the junction of the steering shaft and fork limbs and extending outwardly from the fork, and a track rod having each of its opposed ends connected to a respective said track arm, a first pair of handle-bars being fixedly mounted on one of said steering shafts, and a second pair of handle-bars being fixedly mounted on the frame means mounting the other one of said steering shafts in proximity to said other steering shaft but detached therefrom.

The invention also provides a kit of parts for use in the assembly of a cycle of the invention, and comprising two cycle frames with steering means and wheel mounting means connected thereto, and connecting means for rigidly connecting said two cycle frames in fixed side-by-side rotation, each said cycle frame comprising a head tube, a rear tube for mounting at its upper end a cycle saddle, at least one connecting member interconnecting the head tube and the rear tube so as to hold them in a fixed relation, and a pair of rear struts extending from the rear tube and/or the connecting member for mounting a cycle wheel, each said head tube being formed for rotatably mounting the steering shaft of a front fork having limbs which extend downwardly from said steering shaft to provide said wheel mounting means, said connecting means comprising at least one cross-member having at or adjacent opposed ends thereof clamping means for fixedly securing the cross-member to respective ones of said cycle frames, said steering means comprising a pair of handle-bars fixedly connected to the steering shaft mounted on a first one of said cycle frames, two track arms each being fixedly mounted or mountable on the front fork, at or in proximity to the junction of the steering shaft and fork limbs, on a respective one of said cycle frames so as to extend outwardly from the fork, and a track rod pivotably connected or connectable at or adjacent its opposed ends to said track arms, the other one of said cycle frames, and/or said connecting means, being provided with handlebar holding means for fixedly holding a second pair of handle-bars in proximity to but detached from the steering shaft mounted on said other one of said cycle frames.

To use such a kit in the assembly of a cycle of the invention, the track arms are (if necessary) fixed to the front forks of the two cycle frames, the two track arms are (if necessary) interconnected by the track rod, the or each cross member is fixed by its clamping means to the two cycle frames, saddles are fixed in the rear tubes of the two frames, four wheels are fixed between the front forks and rear struts of the two cycle frames, one pair of handle-bars is fixed to the steering shaft mounted on said first one of said frames, and the handle-bar holding means is fixed in position on the other one of said frames in proximity to but separate from the steering shaft thereof and a second pair of handle-bars fixed therein. In addition cranks, pedals, chain brakes and brake controls are fitted to the cycle frame.

A preferred arrangement of brake controls for the cycle and kit of the invention, which arrangement differs from that in conventional cycles, is described below.

All references in this specification to "upwardly" or "downwardly" assume that the cycle or the cycle frames in the kit is/are in the normal orientation with the steering shafts above the associated wheels. Similarly, all references to "forwardly" and "rearwardly" assume that, as is conventional, the steerable wheels are front wheels.

Desirably, the kit of the invention includes a front cross member provided with clamping means by means of which it can be fixedly secured to the head tubes and/or to the connecting member adjacent the head tubes of the two cycle frames, and a rear cross-member provided with clamping means by means of which it can be secured to the rear tube and/or the rear struts of the two cycle frames. If, as is conventional, the rear struts each terminate in a plate having a slot which can accommodate the shaft of a cycle wheel, the kit of the invention preferably comprises a third cross-member which can be secured to one of the said plates on each frame.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, though by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective front three-quarter view of a cycle of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the cycle shown in Figure 1 from one side and above; Figure 3 is a perspective view of part of a kit of the invention in assembled form; and Figure 4 is a view, largely in section, of one end of a third cross-member of the assembled kit shown in Figure 3.

The cycle shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a frame (generally designated 1) including two parallel tubular main frame members 2, four pairs of wheel support struts 3, each pair of which are joined at their ends remote from the main members 2, a first cross-member 4 joining the rear ends of the main members 2 and which as may be seen from the drawings is generally U-shaped, a second cross-member 5 connecting the joined ends of the inner two pairs of wheel support struts 3, two link members 6 interconnecting the first and second cross-members 4 and 5 respectively, two head tubes 7, each extending substantially vertically from the front end of one of the main members 2, and a third cross-member 8 interconnecting the two head tubes 7. Two saddles 9 are mounted on the frame 1 in the conventional manner by means of saddle tubes 10 which extend into the hollow rear ends of the main frame members and are fixed in position by ring clamps 11.

A crank-and-pedal set 12 is rotatably mounted in the frame 1 at the point where each main frame member 2 joins the corresponding wheel struts 3. Each of the crank-and-pedal sets is provided with a front sprocket 13 which engages a driving chain 14 protected by a chain guard 15. Each chain 14 also engages a rear sprocket 16 which drives a rear driven wheel 17 via a converntional three-speed hub 18.

Since the drive to each of the two rear wheels is independent, the cyclists can if they choose be in different gears, independent gear selectors for the two hubs are provided on the two handle-bars (see below) of the cycle.

The rear wheels 18 are rotatably mounted between adjacent pairs of wheel support struts 3 in the conventional manner.

In each of the head tubes 7 is pivotally mounted a steering shaft 19 of a front-fork; said steering shaft passing through the left-hand down tube terminates adjacent the upper end thereof, but the shaft passing through the right-hand down tube bears a pair of handlebars 20. The lower end of each steering shaft 19 is joined to the front fork limbs between which is mounted a rotatable, front, steerable wheel 21. The left-hand wheel 21 is provided with both a caliper brake 22 and a hub brake 23 whereas the right-hand wheel 21 is provided with only a hub brake 23a. The off side limb of each front fork also bears a track arm 24 which extends outwardly from the front fork. A rigid track rod 25 is pivotally mounted on both track arms 24 at the ends thereof remote from the shafts. Thus, pivoting of the handle-bars 20 will steer both front wheels 21 of the cycle.

It is intended that, when only one of the riders is an experienced cyclist, he shall occupy the right-hand (offside) saddle. Accordingly the caliper brake 22 on the left-hand front wheel is controlled by a brake lever 26 mounted on the left-hand side of the handle-bars 20 and the hub brake 23a on the right-hand wheel by a brake lever 27 mounted on the right-hand side of the handle-bars 20. Thus, the right-hand cyclist can brake both front wheels. The hub brake 23 on the left-hand wheel is controlled by a brake lever 28 mounted on dummy handle-bars 29 which are fixedly mounted on the left-hand head tube 7 by clamps 30.

All four wheels of the cycle are equipped with mudguards 31 mounted in the conventional manner, the rear mudguards being provided with reflectors (not shown). A basket 32 is fixed on the cross-member 8 and a child's seat 33 on the cross-members 4 and 5.

Two luggage racks 34 are mounted in the conventional manner above the rear mudguards 31.

In an alternative brake arrangement, the brake lever 28 on the dummy handle-bars 29 is dispensed with. The hub brakes 23 and 23a are connected through conjoined cables to the brake lever 26 so that operation of the brake lever 26 actuates both hub brakes 23 and 23a.

The brake lever 27 is connected by cable to the caliper brake 22. This engagement ensures that the braking operations are entirely under the control of the experienced cyclist occupying the right-hand position.

Although the cycle shown is not equipped with brakes on the rear wheels, any conventional type of rear wheel brakes may be fitted if desired, and brake control means capable of controlling both rear wheel brakes may be fitted to the right-hand handle-bars 20.

The assembled kit of the invention shown in Figure 3 comprises two cycle frames (generally designated 40 -- only one is shown in Figure 3), two track arms 41, a track rod 42, front, rear and third cross-members 43, 44 and 45 respectively and a handle-bar holding means (not shown). Except as mentioned below, both cycle frames 40 are of identical form and construction.

Each cycle frame 40 has a head tube 48 journalling a steering shaft 47 of a front fork which shaft 47 is fixedly connected to a pair of front fork limbs 46 for mounting of a bicycle wheel between said front fork limbs 46. The steering shaft 47 of the illustrated right-hand cycle frame 40 extends out of the upper end of its associated head tube 48 for a substantial distance and terminates in a ring clamp (not shown) to which can be attached a pair of handle-bars (also not shown), but the unillustrated, left-hand cycle frame 40 has a steering shaft 47 which terminates adjacent the upper end of its associated head tube 48 (the two head tubes 48 are of the same length).

Each cycle frame 40 also has a rear tube 49, accommodating a saddle tube 50 to which is fixed a conventional cycle saddle (not shown), and a connecting member 51 inter-connecting the head tube 48 and the rear tube 49 of the frame so as to hold the two tubes 48 and 49 in fixed positions relative to one another. On the central part of the connecting member 51 of each frame 40 is provided a pedal shaft 52 held within a shaft housing 53; as in the case of a conventional cycle, cranks and pedals may be mounted on the shaft 52. Finally, each cycle frame 40 has a first pair of rear struts 54, which extend rearwardly and downwardly from the upper end of the rear tube 49, and a second pair of rear struts 55, which extend substantially horizontally from the lower end of the rear tube 49, the two struts on each side of each frame 40 both terminating at a common plate 56 in which is cut a slot 57 which can accommodate the shaft of a rear wheel (not shown) which can be held between the two pairs of rear struts 54 and 55.

Each track arm is fixedly welded to the front fork limbs 46 of its associated frame 40 (though alternatively each track arm could be fixedly clamped to the front fork limbs 46 or welded or clamped to the steering shaft 47 of its associated frame 40) and extends rear wardly and outwardly from the fork. The track rod 42 is detachably and pivotally mounted, at its opposed ends, by means of swivels 58 (only one of which is shown) to the two track arms 41, thus forcing the two steering shafts 47 to turn together about their respective axes.

The front cross-member 43 comprises a tube provided at its opposed ends with two quick release ring clamps 59 (only one of which is shown) by means of which it is fixedly secured to the head tubes 48 of the frames 40. From each end of the front cross-member 43 a bracing member 64 extends downwardly to a quick-release clamp 65 which is fixed to the adjacent connecting member 51. The rear cross-member 44 actually comprises two brackets 60 (again only one is shown), fixedly secured by quick-release clamps 61 to the upper rear struts 54 of the associated frame 40, and a tube 62 bearing at each of its opposed ends a quick-release clamp 63 by means of which it is fixedly secured to the ends of the brackets 60 remote from the struts 54. The third cross-member 45 comprises a solid metal rod provided at its opposed axial ends with substantially U-shaped clamping portions 67 (Figure 4).

From adjacent the centre of the tube 62 a pair of bracing members 66 (only one of which is shown) extend downwardly and outwardly to adjacent the ends of the third cross-member 45. Each U-shaped clamping portion 67 has its associated plate 57 held between its two limbs and a screw 68 is passed through a bore in the outer limb, through a bore in the plate 57 and engaged with a threaded bore in the inner limb, thereby fixedly securing the third cross-member 45 to the plate 57.

The handle-bar holding means of the kit comprises an extension member (not shown) integral with and extending upwardly and forwardly from the front cross-member 43 adjacent the unillustrated frame 40, and terminating in a ring clamp capable of fixedly holding a pair of handle-bars. It will be appreciated that the handle-bars thus secured to the crossmember 43 are not pivotable. (The handiebar holding means may alternatively be disposed on the head tube 48 of the unillustrated frame 40).

It is believed that, in the light of the foregoing general and specific description of the invention, those skilled in the art will not encounter any problems in assembling the kit shown in Figure 3, together with front and rear wheels, handle-bars, saddles, pedals, pedal cranks, chains and sprockets to produce a cycle of the invention generally similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2 but having somewhat different cross-members and left-hand handle-bars. It is recommended that the kit shown in Figure 3, when thus used to assemble a cycle of the invention, be provided with brakes and brake controls similar to those of the cycle shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Although the cycle frames used in the cycle of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2 and of the kit shown in Figure 3 are of the form conventionally used in ladies' cycles, the frames could equally be of the form conventionally used in gentlemen's bicycles.

It will be seen that the only modifications necessary in a conventional bicycle frame to make it suitable for use in a cycle assembly of the invention are the welding of one of the track arms 41 thereto (and this modification can be disposed with if the track arm is clamped instead of welded to the front fork) and the drilling of the aperture in the plate 57 adjacent the end of the third cross-member 45 (and again this can be dispersed with if a different method is used to fix the crossmember 45 to the plates 57 which it abuts).

WHAT I CLAIM IS : - 1. A cycle comprising two cycle frame means rigidly connected in fixed side-by-side relation, each said cycle frame means having cycle saddle mounting means and having rotatably mounted thereon a set of crank-and-pedal means for use by a respective rider, a respective driven wheel rotatably mounted on each said frame means so as to be driven from the associated pedal-and-crank means, a pair of steerable wheels each rotatably mounted between the limbs of a front fork which includes a steering shaft rotatably mounted in an aperture in a respective said frame means, a respective track arm mounted on each said front fork at or in proximity to the junction of the steering shaft and fork limbs and extending outwardly from the fork, and a track rod having each of its opposed ends connected to a respective said track ann, a first pair of handle-bars being fixedly mounted on one of said steering shafts, and a second pair of handle-bars being fixedly mounted on the frame means mounting the other one of said steering shafts in proximity to said other steering shaft but detached therefrom.

2. A cycle as claimed in Claim 1, in which the steerable wheels are equipped with brakes and in which a brake control means capable of controlling the operation of all the steer able wheel brakes is provided on or adjacent said first pair of handle-bars.

3. A cycle as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, in which the driven wheels are provided with brakes and in which a brake control means capable of controlling the operation of all the driven wheel brakes is provided on or adjacent the first pair of handle-bars.

4. A cycle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which there are two driven wheels each provided with a multi-speed hub and in which there are provided two gear selectors each capable of controlling the gear ratio selected by one of the multi-speed hubs, the two gear selectors being operable independently of one another.

5. A cycle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the two frame means are connected by a first cross-member connecting points on the two frame means adjacent the cycle-saddle mounting means thereof and a further cross-member connecting points on the two frame means adjacent the said apertures therein.

6. A cycle as claimed in Claim 5, in which each of the frame means has fixedly secured thereto a pair of rear struts supporting one of the driven wheels, and the connecting means includes an additional cross-member connecting two rear struts on different ones of the frame means.

7. A cycle as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6 wherein a central portion of the first crossmember extends between the two frame means rearwardly of the cycle-saddle mounting means.

8. A cycle as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the first cross-member is generally U-shaped.

9. A cycle as claimed in any one of Claims 5-8 wherein the second pair of handle-bars is fixedly mounted on said further crossmember adjacent said other steering shaft.

10. A cycle according to Claim 1 substantially as herein described, with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

11. A kit of parts for use in the assembly of a cycle according to Claim 1 and comprising two cycle frames with steering means and wheel mounting means connected thereto, and connecting means for rigid]y connecting said two cycle frames in fixed side-by-side relation, each said cycle frame comprising a head tube, a rear tube for mounting at its upper end a cycle saddle, at least one connecting member interconnecting the head tube and the rear tube so as to hold them in a fixed relation, and a pair of rear struts extending from the rear tube and/or the connecting member for mounting a cycle wheel, each said head tube being formed for rotatable mounting the steering shaft of a front fork having limbs which extend downwardly from said steering shaft to provide said wheel mounting means, said connecting means comprising at least one cross-member having at or adjacent opposed ends thereof clamping means for fixedly securing the crossmember to respective ones of said cycle frames, said steering means comprising a pair of handle-bars fixedly connected to the steering shaft mounted on a first one of said cycle

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. cranks, chains and sprockets to produce a cycle of the invention generally similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2 but having somewhat different cross-members and left-hand handle-bars. It is recommended that the kit shown in Figure 3, when thus used to assemble a cycle of the invention, be provided with brakes and brake controls similar to those of the cycle shown in Figures 1 and 2. Although the cycle frames used in the cycle of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2 and of the kit shown in Figure 3 are of the form conventionally used in ladies' cycles, the frames could equally be of the form conventionally used in gentlemen's bicycles. It will be seen that the only modifications necessary in a conventional bicycle frame to make it suitable for use in a cycle assembly of the invention are the welding of one of the track arms 41 thereto (and this modification can be disposed with if the track arm is clamped instead of welded to the front fork) and the drilling of the aperture in the plate 57 adjacent the end of the third cross-member 45 (and again this can be dispersed with if a different method is used to fix the crossmember 45 to the plates 57 which it abuts). WHAT I CLAIM IS : -

1. A cycle comprising two cycle frame means rigidly connected in fixed side-by-side relation, each said cycle frame means having cycle saddle mounting means and having rotatably mounted thereon a set of crank-and-pedal means for use by a respective rider, a respective driven wheel rotatably mounted on each said frame means so as to be driven from the associated pedal-and-crank means, a pair of steerable wheels each rotatably mounted between the limbs of a front fork which includes a steering shaft rotatably mounted in an aperture in a respective said frame means, a respective track arm mounted on each said front fork at or in proximity to the junction of the steering shaft and fork limbs and extending outwardly from the fork, and a track rod having each of its opposed ends connected to a respective said track ann, a first pair of handle-bars being fixedly mounted on one of said steering shafts, and a second pair of handle-bars being fixedly mounted on the frame means mounting the other one of said steering shafts in proximity to said other steering shaft but detached therefrom.

frames, two track arms each being fixedly mounted or mountable on the front fork, at or in proximity to the junction of the steering shaft and fork limbs, on a respective one of said cycle frames so as to extend outwardly from the fork, and a track rod pivotably connected or connectable at or adjacent its opposed ends to said track arms, the other one of said cycle frames, and/or said connecting means, being provided with handle-bar holding means for fixedly holding a second pair of handle-bars in proximity to but detached from the steering shaft mounted on said other one of said cycle frames.

12. A kit as claimed in Claim 11, in which the connecting means comprise a front crossmember, provided with clamping means by means of which it can be fixedly secured to the head tubes and/or to at least one connecting member adjacent the head tubes of the two cycle frames, and a rear cross-member provided with clamping means by means of which it can be secured to the rear tube and/or the rear struts of the cycle frames.

13. A kit as claimed in Claim 12, in which the rear struts each terminate in a plate having a slot which can accommodate the shaft of a cycle wheel and which kit further comprises a third cross-member which can be secured to one of the said plates on each frame.

14. A kit as claimed in Claim 13, in which each end of the third cross-member is provided with a substantially U-shaped clamping portion such that the plate of each cycle frame can be disposed between the two limbs of the clamping portion and a fixing member passed through an aperture in one limb, through an aperture in the adjacent plate and cngaged with a recess in the other limb, thereby securing that end of the third cross-member to the adjacent plate.

15. A kit as claimed in any one of Claims 12 to 14 wherein the rear cross-member and clamping means are formed and arranged so that in use of the kit a central portion of the rear cross-member extends rearwardly of the cycle saddle.

16. A kit as claimed in Claim 15 wherein the rear cross-member and clamping means together form a generally U-shaped assembly.

17. A kit as claimed in any one of Claims 12 to 16, in which the handle-bar holding means is fixedly mounted or mountable on the front cross-member adjacent one. end thereof.

18. A kit as claimed in any one of Claims 11 to 16 wherein said handle-bar holding means in proximity to but detached from the steering shaft of the other one of said cycle frames is disposed on the head tube of said other one of said cycle frames.

19. A kit for use in the assembly of a cycle, the kit being substantially as herein described, with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A cycle as claimed in Claim 1 when assembled using a kit as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 19.