WO2010089731A1

WO2010089731A1 - A tricycle

Info

Publication number: WO2010089731A1
Application number: PCT/IL2009/000133
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacques Daniel
Original assignee: Jacques Daniel
Priority date: 2009-02-05
Filing date: 2009-02-05
Publication date: 2010-08-12

Abstract

A tricycle including a frame, a first wheel rotatably mounted on the frame and being arranged for rotation in a first wheel rotation plane, a second wheel rotatably mounted on the frame and being arranged for rotation in a second wheel rotation plane and a third wheel rotatably mounted on the frame and being arranged for rotation in a third wheel rotation plane, the first, second and third wheel rotation planes are at least one of mutually coplanar and intersecting.

Description

A TRICYCLE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to tricycles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following U.S. Patents and published patent applications are believed to relate to the current state of the art:

U.S. Patents: 7,367,576; 7,341,268; 7,314,226; 7,306,249; 7,290,780; 7,210,696; 7,156,409; 7,140,629; 7,134,677; 7,124,849; 7,059,621; 7,055,842; 6,966,572; 6,883,817; 6,877,756; 6,799,771; 6,764,090; 6,425,598; 6,364,335; 6,354,618; 6,336,649; 6,267,401; 6,032,971; 5,590,895; 5,398,955; 4,895,386; 4,844,494; 4,824,131; 4,824,130; 4,718,688; 4,634,138; 4,598,923; 4,462,606; 4,457,529; 4,284,288; 4,202,561; 4,182,522; 4,132,428; 4,111,447; 4,067,589; 3,990,717 and D273,484.

U.S. Patent Publications: 2007/0158928; 2006/0244237; 2006/0131091; 2006/0097476; 2005/0263979; 2005/0230933; 2005/0035570; 2005/0017479; 2004/0061304; 2004/0032110; 2002/0167151 and 2001/0045723.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide an improved tricycle having three road wheels arranged to rotate generally in respective wheel rotation planes which are either coplanar or intersecting.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a tricycle including a frame, a first wheel rotatably mounted on the frame and being arranged for rotation hi a first wheel rotation plane, a second wheel rotatably mounted on the frame and being arranged for rotation in a second wheel rotation plane and a third wheel rotatably mounted on the frame and being arranged for rotation in a third wheel rotation plane, the first, second and third wheel rotation planes are at least one of mutually coplanar and intersecting.

Preferably, the tricycle also includes pedals arranged in driving relationship with the first wheel. Additionally, the pedals are selectably pivotable pedals. hi accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the second wheel is arranged forward of the first wheel in the first wheel rotation plane. Additionally or alternatively, the third wheel is arranged rearward of the first wheel in the first wheel rotation plane.

Preferably, the tricycle also includes handlebars mounted on the frame and being positioned over the second wheel. hi accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the frame is foldable. Additionally, the frame is foldable about multiple axes defined with respect to the frame. Alternatively, the frame is foldable about multiple mutually perpendicular axes defined with respect to the frame.

Preferably, the first, second and third wheels and the frame are sized and configured so that when the tricycle is in a fully folded orientation it is capable of being carried on the back of a user, without extending outwardly beyond the arms of the user and without extending beyond below the waist or above the shoulders of the user.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the first, second and third wheels and the frame are sized and configured to fit in an area with dimensions of 60 cm by 45 cm by 15 cm when the tricycle is in a fully folded orientation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Figs. IA and IB are simplified pictorial illustrations of a tricycle constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention in respective assembled and partially disassembled states; Figs. 2 A and 2B are simplified illustrations of the tricycle of Figs. IA and IB respectively being ridden by a user and in a partially disassembled and folded orientation in a backpack for being carried by the user; and

Figs. 3A - 3G are simplified illustrations of the tricycle of Figs. IA - 2B at various sequential stages of being converted from the rideable state of Fig. 2A to the folded, transportable state of Fig. 2B .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference is now made to Figs. IA and IB, which are simplified pictorial illustrations of a tricycle constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention in respective assembled and disassembled states, and to Figs. 2 A and 2B, which are simplified illustrations of the tricycle of Figs. IA and IB, respectively, being ridden by a user and in folded orientation in a backpack for being carried by the user. As seen in Figs. IA - 2B, it is a particular feature of the tricycle of the present invention that it includes three wheels which are arranged, when in use, for rotation generally in respective wheel rotation planes which are at least one of coplanar and intersecting.

The tricycle preferably comprises a main wheel 100, which is rotatably mounted on a main wheel sprocket assembly 102. Main wheel sprocket assembly 102 includes a top cross piece 104 which is fixed to first and second fork elements 106 and 108 and a first and second transmission housing 110 and 111, which preferably house an automatic transmission 112, such as an internal mechanical automatic transmission assembly as described in U.S. Patent Publication U.S. 2007/0275811, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. First and second pedal assemblies 114 and 115, including selectably pivotable pedals 116 and 117, are preferably removably coupled to the automatic transmission 112. Main wheel 100 preferably has a diameter of about 16 inches or 40 cm. Main wheel 100 has a fixed plane of rotation, designated by reference numeral 118. Preferably, fixedly attached to the cross piece 104 is an upstanding hollow shaft portion 120 which preferably receives, in a removable but non-mutually rotatable manner, a hollow seat extension shaft 122. Hollow seat extension shaft 122 receives, preferably in a removable and rotatable manner, a seat support shaft 124, fixed to a seat 126. The height and rotational orientation of the seat 126 relative to seat extension shaft 120 is selectably fixed by a user, by means of a conventional squeeze clamp 128. Extending rearwardly from respective first and second fork elements 106 and 108 are respective rear wheel support shafts 136 and 138, which are additionally supported by respective reinforcement shaft 142, connected to first fork element 106, and reinforcement shaft 144, connected to second fork element 108 as well as by reinforcement shafts 146 and 148, connected to first and second transmission housings 110 and 111, respectively. At rear ends of rear wheel support shafts 136 and 138 there are preferably provided quick release selectably pivotable shaft coupling element 156 and 158, which are selectably pivotably connected to forward ends 166 and 168 of a bifurcated rear wheel support element 170 forming part of a rear wheel assembly 180. Rear wheel assembly 180 preferably comprises a rear wheel 182, which is freely rotatable about a rear wheel rotation axis 184, which is fixed in a rear wheel sprocket 186. Rear wheel sprocket 186 is preferably bearing mounted so as to be freely rotatable within predetermined angular limits about a rear wheel sprocket rotation axis 188 relative to rear wheel support element 170. It is a particular feature of the present invention that rear wheel sprocket rotation axis 188 lies in the plane of rotation 118 of main wheel 100, such that the plane of rotation of the rear wheel 182 at all times is either coplanar or intersects the plane of rotation 118 of main wheel 100. Preferably, the limits of rotation of the rear wheel sprocket 186 and thus of rear wheel 182 relative to the plane of rotation 118 are +/- 30 degrees. A typical diameter of the rear wheel 182 is 10 cm.

Extending forwardly from respective first and second fork elements 106 and 108 are respective forward wheel support shafts 236 and 238, which are additionally supported by respective reinforcement shaft 242, connected to first fork element 106, and reinforcement shaft 244, connected to second fork element 108, as well as by reinforcement shafts 246 and 248, connected to first and second transmission housings 110 and 111, respectively. At forward ends of forward wheel support shafts

236 and 238 there are preferably provided quick release selectably pivotable shaft coupling element 256 and 258, which removably receive respective rearward ends 266 and 268 of a bifurcated forward wheel support element 270 forming part of a forward wheel assembly 280.

Forward wheel assembly 280 preferably comprises a forward wheel 282, which is freely rotatable about a forward wheel rotation axis 284 which is fixed in a forward wheel sprocket 286. Forward wheel sprocket 286 is preferably bearing mounted so as to be freely rotatable about a forward wheel sprocket rotation axis 288 relative to forward wheel support element 270. It is a particular feature of the present invention that forward wheel sprocket rotation axis 288 lies in the plane of rotation 118 of main 5 wheel 100, such that the plane of rotation of the forward wheel 282 at all times is either coplanar or intersects the plane of rotation 118 of main wheel 100.

Forward wheel sprocket 286 is preferably selectably pivotably coupled to a bifurated handlebar support element 290, which is in turn preferably selectably pivotably coupled to a handlebar support shaft 292, which is in turn preferably

10 selectably pivotably coupled to a handlebar assembly 294. Handlebar support shaft 292 is preferably rotatably supported by a collar element 296, which is in turn preferably removably but not rotatably coupled to a generally horizontal support shaft 298, which is in turn preferably removably but not rotatably coupled to crosspiece 104. Handgrips

300 and 302, selectably pivotable about axes 304 and 306, as indicated by arrows 308

15 and 309, respectively, are preferably coupled to handlebar assembly 294.

Preferably, attached to handgrip 300 is a handbrake 310 coupled, via a brake cable 312, to a brake assembly 314.

It is appreciated that forward wheel 282 is operative to rotate about sprocket rotation axis 288 in response to user movement of handlebar assembly 294. 0 As seen in Fig IB and described further hereinbelow in reference to Figs.

3 A and 3B, pedal 116 is selectably pivotable about an axis 320, as indicated by arrow 322. As described further hereinbelow in reference to Figs 3 A and 3B, pedal 117 is also selectably pivotable about an axis 330 (Fig. 3A).

Reference is now made to Figs. 3A - 3G, which are simplified 5 illustrations of the tricycle of Figs. IA - 2B at various sequential stages of being converted from the rideable state of Fig. 2 A to the folded, transportable state of Fig. 2B. As seen in Figs. 3A and 3B, the tricycle is in a fully rideable orientation and its seat 126 is lowered in the direction indicated by an arrow 340. Pedal 116 is pivoted about axis 320, as indicated by arrow 342, and pedal 117 is pivoted about axis0 330, as indicated by arrow 344. Handgrips 300 and 302 are pivoted about axes 304 and - - 306, respectively, as indicated by arrow 346. Fig. 3C shows generally horizontal support shaft 298 decoupled from crosspiece 104 and pivoted to lie parallel to handlebar support shaft 292 and shows handlebar assembly 294 pivoted to lie perpendicular to handlebar support shaft 292.

Fig. 3D shows forward wheel assembly 280 pivoted relative to main wheel sprocket assembly 102, at quick release selectably pivotable shaft coupling elements 256 and 258, and bifurcated handlebar support element 290 pivoted relative to forward wheel sprocket 286. Fig. 3E shows forward wheel assembly 280 further pivoted toward main wheel sprocket assembly 102 and also shows handlebar support shaft 292 pivoted with respect to bifurcated handlebar support element 290. Fig. 3 F shows bifurcated handlebar support element 290 further pivoted to lie generally horizontally above main wheel 100 and handlebar support shaft 292 pivoted with respect to bifurcated handlebar support element 290, so as to lie generally at a right angle with respect to shaft 292 and handlebar assembly 294 pivoted with respect to handlebar support shaft 292 so as to lie generally at a right angle with respect thereto and generally parallel to bifurcated handlebar support element 290, generally horizontally at the bottom of main wheel 100.

Fig. 3 G shows rear wheel assembly 180 pivoted at selectably pivotable shaft coupling element 156 and 158 with respect to main wheel sprocket assembly 102 so as to generally underlie seat 126. It is appreciated that when the tricycle is in the orientation of Fig. 3G, it may be readily inserted into a backpack, such as that shown in Fig. 2B. In the orientation illustrated in Figs. 3 G and 2B, the tricycle typically has a height of about 60 cm, a length of about 45 cm and the depth is about 15 cm.

It is appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereto which would occur to a person of skill in the art upon reading the above description and which are not in the prior art.

Claims

1. A tricycle comprising: a frame; a first wheel rotatably mounted on said frame and being arranged for rotation in a first wheel rotation plane; a second wheel rotatably mounted on said frame and being arranged for rotation in a second wheel rotation plane; and a third wheel rotatably mounted on said frame and being arranged for rotation in a third wheel rotation plane, said first, second and third wheel rotation planes are at least one of mutually coplanar and intersecting.

2. A tricycle according to claim 1 and also comprising pedals arranged in driving relationship with said first wheel.

3. A tricycle according to claim 2 and wherein said pedals are selectably pivotable pedals.

4. A tricycle according to claim 2 and wherein said second wheel is arranged forward of said first wheel in said first wheel rotation plane.

5. A tricycle according to claim 2 and wherein said third wheel is arranged rearward of said first wheel in said first wheel rotation plane.

6. A tricycle according to claim 4 and also comprising handlebars mounted on said frame and being positioned over said second wheel.

7. A tricycle according to claim 1 and wherein said frame is foldable.

8. A tricycle according to claim 7 and wherein said frame is foldable about multiple axes defined with respect to said frame.

9. A tricycle according to claim 7 and wherein said frame is foldable about multiple mutually perpendicular axes defined with respect to said frame.

10. A tricycle according to claim 7 and wherein said first, second and third wheels and said frame are sized and configured so that when said tricycle is in a fully folded orientation it is capable of being carried on the back of a user, without extending outwardly beyond the arms of the user and without extending beyond below the waist or above the shoulders of the user.

11. A tricycle according to claim 7 and wherein said first, second and third wheels and said frame are sized and configured to fit in an area with dimensions of 60 cm by 45 cm by 15 cm when said tricycle is in a fully folded orientation.