Us Patent 3913947

8/20/2019 Us Patent 3913947

1/10

United

S t a t e s Patent [ 1 9 ]

H a r r i s

[ i n 3,913,947

[ 4 5 1

O c t . 2 1 , 1975

[ 5 4 1

VEHICLE WITH VARIABLE

SPEED

TRANSMISSION

[ 7 5 ]

I n v e n t o r : T r e v o r

L .

H a r r i s ,

C o s t a

M e s a ,

C a l i f .

[ 7 3 ] A s s i g n e e : H a r r i s

D y n a m i c s , C o s t a

M e s a ,

C a l i f .

[ 2 2 ] F i l e d :

J u n e

1 7 ,

1 9 7 4

[ 2 ] ]

A p p l .

N o . :

4 7 9 , 7 9 7

[52]

1 1 . 8 . C 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280/236; 74/217

B ;

280/261

[51 ]

I n t . C l . 2

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 862M

1 / 0 4 ; 1 3 6 2M

1/06

[58]

Field o f Search . . . . . . . . . 2 80/2 36,

261;

7 4 / 2 1 7 B

[ 5 6 ] R e f e r e n c e s C i t e d

FOREIGN

PATENTS OR

APPLICATIONS

3 2 4 , 8 9 6 1 0 / 1 9 0 2 F r a n c e

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

280/236

9 8 1 , 6 2 5 1/ 1 9 51 Fr ance

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7 4 / 2 1 7

B

4 3 9 , 5 4 0

1 2 / 1 9 3 5 U n i t e d

K i n g d o m . . . . .

7 4 / 2 1 7

B

4 1 7 , 1 8 3

1 / 1 9 4 7 l t a l y

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H 7 4 / 2 1 7 8

6 346 9/1895

weden

. . . .

I

. . .

, .

..

280/236

2 5 3 , 3 48

6/ 1 9 2 6

1 t a l y

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7 4/ 2 1 7 B

P r i m a r y Examiner—Leo

F r i a g l i a

A t t o r n ey , A g e n t , o r F i r m — G o r d o n L . P e t e r s o n

[ 5 7 ]

ABSTRACT

A e h i c l e adapted

t o m o v e

a l o n g

a s u p p o r t i n g s u r f a c e

c o m p r i s i n g a f r a m e , a

wheel

h a v i n g a

c e n t r a l l y

l o c a t e d

hub

m ounted

o n

t h e frame

f o r r o t a t i o n a l

m ove ment

about

a

f i r s t r o t a t i o n a l

a x i s

r e l a t i v e t o

t h e

f r a m e , and

a n

i n n e r r o t a t a b l e

me mb er

a t l e a s t p a r t i a l l y w i t h i n t h e

h u b . The i n n e r r o t a t a b l e

m e m b e r

i s mounted

f o r

r o t a

t i o n a l

m o v e m e n t about a second r o t a t i o n a l a x i s . The

i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e m e m b e r

and t h e hub a r e

movable

r e l a

t i v e

t o each

o t h e r

a l o n g a p a t h h a v i n g a r a d i a l c o m p o

n e n t

t o

p e r m i t a d j u s t m e n t i n t h e

r e l a t i v e

r a d i a l

p o s i

t i o n

of

t h e ? r s t

and

second

r o t a t i o n a l a x e s .

The hub

and t h e i n n e r r o t a t a b l e

m e m b e r

a r e

d r i v i n g l y

i n t e r c o n

nected by a

m echanis m

which

i n c l u d e s a

one-way

c l u t c h .

The

o p e r a t o r

o f

t h e v e h i c l e

can

a d j u s t t h e r e l a

t i v e

r a d i a l

p o s i t i o n

o f

t h e r o t a t i o n a l a x e s

t o

t h e r e b y

a d j u s t

t h e

d r i v e

r a t i o

between

t h e

hub

and

t h e i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e member.

2 2

C l a i m s ,

8 D r a w i n g F i g u r e s

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8/20/2019 Us Patent 3913947

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U.S.

Patent 0 6 : . 2 1 ,

1 9 7 5 S h e e t 2 o f 3 3 , 9 1 3 , 9 4 7

8/20/2019 Us Patent 3913947

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US. Patent O c t . 2 1 ,

1 9 7 5

S h e e t 3 o f 3 3 , 9 1 3 , 9 4 7

/ 5 5

2 7 a

/ 3 5 Ma

/ 4 5

8/20/2019 Us Patent 3913947

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3 , 9 1 3 , 9 4 7

VEHICLE

WITH

VARIABLE SPEED

TRANSMISSION

BACKGROUND

OF

THE INVENTION

l f

a

b i c y c l e i s t o be used f o r

t o u r i n g o r

over

h i l l y

t e r

r a i n ,

a

v a r i a b l e

s p e e d t r a n s m i s s i o n

i s e s s e n t i a l .

U n f o r t u

n a t e l y ,

n o n e o f

t h e p r i o r a r t s y s t e m s p e r f o r m s s a t i s f a c

t o r i l y

For example, one o f

t h e most

common a r i a b l e speed

t r a n s m i s s i o n s employs a c h a i n

and

a s e r i e s o f s p r o c k e t s

o f d i f f e r e n t d i a m e t e r s . The

c h a i n

can be m ov e d by t h e

r i d e r

from

one s p r o c k e t

t o a n o t h e r t o

change t h e

d r i v e

r a t i o .

With

t h i s

s y s t e m , d r i v e r a t i o s e l e c t i o n

i s

d i f f i c u l t

t o a c c u r a t e l y s e l e c t b e c a u s e t h e c h a i n m a y s k i p o v e r

t h e d e s i r e d s p r o c k e t .

M o r e o v e r ,

t h e c h a i n

m a y

be

“ t h r o w n ” .

At t h e v e r y b e s t

t h i s

r e q u i r e s

manual

p l a c e

ment o f t h e

c h a i n over one

o f

t h e s p r o c k e t s , and under

c e r t a i n

c i r c u m s t a n c e s ,

t h e back

wheel

may l o c k and

c a u s e

damage

t o t h e b i c y c l e and i n j u r y t o t h e

r i d e r .

Numerous

attempts

have been

m a d e

t o

overcome

t h e s e

d i s a d v a n t a g e s .

F o r e x a m p l e , a n o t h e r s y s te m u s e s

a c o m p l e x p l a n e t a r y g e a r s y s t e m

t o

p r o v i d e

o n l y

t h r e e

d i f f e r e n t

d r i v e

r a t i o s . G e n e r a l l y

none o f

t h e s e

o t h e r

s y s t e m s

p r o v i d e s a n

i n e x p e n s i v e a n d

r e l i a b l e v a r i a b l e

s p e e d t r a n s m i s s i o n w h i c h i s c a p a b l e o f p r o v i d i n g many

d i f f e r e n t

d r i v e

r a t i o s .

SUMMARY

OF THE

INVENTION

The p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n p r o v i d e s a v a r i a b l e

s p e e d

t r a n s m i s s i o n

w h i c h g e n e r a l l y s o l v e s

t h e

p r o b l e m s

n o t e d

a b o v e .

l n

a d d i t i o n , t h e

p r e s e n t

i n v e n t i o n p r o v i d e s

i n f i

n i t e

d r i v e

r a t i o a d j u s t m e n t

r a t h e r t h a n p r o p o r t i o n a t e

d r i v e r a t i o a d j u s t m e n t . A

h i g h

r a t i o c h a n g e i s a l s o

o b

t a i n a b l e .

One

f e a t u r e o f t h e

i n v e n t i o n i s

t h e i n c o r p o r a t i o n

o f

a


o f

t h e

t y p e d e s c r i b e d

i n

m y c o p e n d i n g

a p p l i c a t i o n

S e r . N o . 4 6 8 , 4 1 2 , ? l e d o n May 1 9 , 1 9 7 4 ,

and e n t i t l e d

V a r i a b l e

Speed T r a n s m i s s i o n ”

i n t o a v e

h i c l e

s u c h

a s a b i c y c l e .

T h i s

v a r i a b l e s p e e d t r a n s m i s s i o n

p r o v i d e s i n ? n i t e

r a t i o

a d j u s t m e n t a n d d o e s n o t r e q u i r e

s h i f t i n g of a c h a i n from

one s p r o c k e t t o

a n o t h e r .

A

u b s t a n t i a l p o r t i o n

o f

t h e v a r i a b l e s p e e d

t r a n s m i s

s i o n can be l o c a t e d w i t h i n

t h e hub o f

one

o f

t h e wheels

o f t h e v e h i c l e ,

s u c h

a s

t h e

r e a r w h e e l . The hub

p r o t e c t s

t h e

t r a n s m i s s i o n a g a i n s t

damage

a n d

t e n d s t o e x c l u d e

d i r t

a n d

o t h e r

c o n t a m i n a n t s

f r o m t h e

w o r k i n g

p o r t i o n s

o f t h e t r a n s m i s s i o n . l n a d d i t i o n ,

t h e

p o r t i o n o f t h e

t r a n s m i s s i o n w i t h i n t h e

hub d o e s n o t

i n t r o d u c e any im

b a l a n c e

i n t o t h e

wheel o r

t h e v e h i c l e .

With

a

p o r t i o n

o f t h e

t r a n s m i s s io n w i t h i n

t h e h u b , t h e

hub

may

b e u s e d a s p a r t o f t h e t r a n s m i s s i o n . By u s i n g

t h e hub

a s

a

p a r t

o f


t r a n s m i s s i o n ,

t h e

number o f t r a n s m i s s i o n p a r t s i s r e d u c e d . T h u s , t h e hub

i n

a d d i t i o n

t o p e r f o r m i n g

i t s

u s u a l f u n c t i o n s , a l s o s e r v e s

a s

a working


p a r t

a s

w e l l a s a housing f o r

a t l e a s t a p o r t i o n o f

t h e

v a r i a b l e s p e e d

t r a n s m i s s i o n .

More

s p e c i f i c a l l y ,



m a y i n c l u d e ,

i n a d d i t i o n

t o

t h e

h u b , an

i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e

me mb er a t l e a s t p a r t i a l l y w i t h i n t h e h u b .

Means

a r e

p r o v i d e d f o r

m o u n t i n g

t h e i n n e r

r o t a t i o n a l

member f o r

r o t a t i o n

a b o u t a

r o t a t i o n a l

a x i s . The

i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e

me mb e r

and

t h e hub

a r e movable r e l a t i v e t o each

o t h e r

a l o n g

a p a t h h av i n g a r a d i a l component

t o

p e r m i t

a d

j u s t m e n t i n

t h e

r e l a t i v e r a d i a l p o s i t i o n

o f

t h e

r o t a t i o n a l

a x e s o f t h e i n n e r r o t a t a b l e me mb er and

t h e

h u b .

‘ T h e

i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e m e mber and t h e

hub a r e

d r i v i n g l y i n t e r

connected

b y

means which m a y i n c l u d e

a t l e a s t

one

5

20

2 5

30

3 5

4 0

4 5

50

5 5

60

2

o n e - w a y c l u t c h . Means

o p e r a b l e b y t h e

o p e r a t o r

o f t h e

v e h i c l e a r e

p r o v i d e d f o r

a d j u s t i n g

t h e r e l a t i v e r a d i a l

po

s i t i o n o f t h e

r o t a t i o n a l

a x e s s o t h a t

t h e d r i v e r a t i o

be

tween

t h e

hub

and

t h e

i n n e r r o t a t a b l e m e m b e r can

be

v a r i e d b y t h e

o p e r a t o r .

E i t h e r

t h e hub o r t h e

i n n e r r o t a t a b l e m e m b e r m a y

s e r v e

a s

a

d r i v i n g

member

o f

t h e t r a n s m i s s i o n .

How

e v e r , i f

t h e

hub i s

t o s e r v e

i t s

u s u a l

p u r p o s e s ,

t h e n

t h e

i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e member

s h o u l d b e t h e

d r i v i n g m e mber

and

t h e

hub s h o u l d b e

t h e d r i v e n member.

The

i n n e r r o t a t a b l e m e m b e r

can be

mounted i n d i f

f e r e n t w a y s , and i n a ‘ p r e f e r r e d

c o n s t r u c t i o n

i t

i s

mounted

f o r r o t a t i o n o n

a

mounting

arm

l y i n g a t l e a s t

s u b s t a n t i a l l y o u t s i d e

o f t h e h u b . The

mounting

arm i s

m o v a b l e ,

a s

by p i v o t in g , t o

t h e r e b y

move t h e a x i s

o f

t h e


me mb er r a d i a l l y r e l a t i v e t o t h e a x i s

o f

t h e

h u b .

The

mounting

arm m a y

mount

t h e

i n n e r r o t a t

a b l e me mb er a t two s p a c e d

l o c a t i o n s

t o

p r o v i d e

s u b

s t a n t i a l s u p p o r t

f o r t h e i n n e r r o t a t a b l e

member.

A r i v

i n g element such a s a

sprocket

can be m ounted o n t h e


m e m ber between t h e two s p a c e d l o c a

t i o n s .

The

hub h a s a n

end

w a l l w i t h a n opening t h e r e i n

t h r o u g h w h i c h t h e


member p r o j e c t s .

The

o p e n i n g

i s

s u f f i c i e n t l y

l a r g e t o accommodate

t h e

r a d i a l

movement

o f

t h e

i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e member.

To

p r o t e c t t h e p o r t i o n s o f t h e v a r i a b l e s p e e d t r a n s m i s s i o n

h o u s e d b y t h e h u b ,

? e x i b l e s e a l means

a r e

p r o v i d e d

b e

tween t h e i n n e r r o t a t a b l e m e m ber and t h e hub f o r s e a l

i n g t h i s o p e n i n g .

The e x i b i l i t y

o f t h e

s e a l means a l l o w s

i t t o a c c o m m o d a te t h e

r a d i a l m o v e m e n t

o f t h e i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e

member.

The

p r e s e n t

i n v e n t i o n a l s o

p r o v i d e s

means f o r r e t a i n

i n g

t h e i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e

member n

a n y

s e l e c t e d p o s i t i o n

a l o n g

i t s

p a t h . A l t h o u g h

s u c h

means may t a k e d i f f e r e n t

f o r m s ,

i t may

a d v a n t a g e o u s l y i n c l u d e

a n

e l o n g a t e d

member d r i v i n g l y c o u p l e d t o t h e v a r i a b l e s p e e d

t r a n s

m i s s i o n means

and extending t o

a

l o c a t i o n a c c e s s i b l e t o

t h e o p e r a t o r ,

a s u b s t a n t i a l l y f i x e d me mb er mounted

on

t h e f r a m e , a n d

a

l o c k i n g e l e m e n t a d a p t e d t o b e wedged

between

a t

l e a s t p o r t i o n s o f t h e

members

t o

h o l d

t h e

e l o n g a t e d member

n

p o s i t i o n . T h i s m a i n t a i n s t h e d r i v e

r a t i o e s t a b l i s h e d b y t h e

t r a n s m i s s i o n s u b s t a n t i a l l y

con

s t a n t . The o p e r a t o r c a n

s e l e c t i v e l y r e l e a s e

t h e l o c k i n g

e l e m e n t

f r o m w e d g i n g

e n g a g e m e n t w i t h t h e members

t o

t h e r e b y

p e r m i t

t h e o p e r a t o r t o a d j u s t t h e d r i v e

r a t i o

e s t a b l i s h e d b y

t h e

t r a n s m i s s i o n .

A l t h o u g h

t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n

can be

u s e d

w i t h

many

d i f f e r e n t k i n d s o f

v e h i c l e s ,

i t

i s p a r t i c u l a r l y

adapted f o r

u s e w i t h two o r t h r e e

wheeled

l a n d

v e h i

c l e s , s u c h a s

b i c y c l e s

a n d m o t o r c y c l e s . The

p r e s e n t

i n

v e n t i o n

i s h i g h l y v e r s a t i l e i n t h a t i t c a n

b e

i n c o r p o r a t e d

i n t o a s t a n d a r d c r a n k p e d a l l e d b i c y c l e and i n t o a v e r t i

c a l l y

p e d a l l e d

b i c y c l e .

I n a

v e r t i c a l l y

p e d a l l e d b i c y c l e ,

t h e p e d a l s a r e

m ounted

o n l e v e r s which i n t u r n a r e

mounted on

t h e

frame f o r o s c i l l a t o r y

movement.

W h e n

t h e

p r e s e n t in v e n t i o n i s i n c o r p o r a t e d

i n t o

a

v e r t i c a l l y p e d a l l e d b i c y c l e , t h e t r a n s m i s s i o n means may

i n c l u d e

mea ns d r i v e n by one o r

both

o f t h e o s c i l l a t o r y

l e v e r s f o r

v a r y i n g t h e

d r i v e r a t i o

between s u c h

l e v e r s

and t h e

wheel o f

t h e

b i c y c l e

a s

a

f u n c t i o n

o f t h e a n g u l a r

p o s i t i o n

o f

s u c h l e v e r

a b o u t i t s

p i v o t

a x i s . Such means

may

i n c l u d e a

cam

having

an appropriate

c o n t o u r .

Thus, t h e t r a n s m i s s i o n mea ns i n c l u d e s a t r a n s m i s s i o n

u n i t

o r p o r t i o n v a r i a b l e b y t h e r i d e r a n d a n o t h e r p o r

t i o n v a r i a b l e

a s a

f u n c t i o n

o f l e v e r a n g l e .

Another f e a

t u r e

o f

t h i s

i n v e n t i o n i s t h a t t h e p o r t i o n

c o n t r o l l e d

b y

8/20/2019 Us Patent 3913947

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3 , 9 1 3 , 9 4 7

3

t h e r i d e r i s d r i v e n

b y

t h e p o r t i o n r e s p o n s i v e

t o

l e v e r

an

g l e . With

t h i s a r r a n g e m e n t ,

manual

s h i f t i n g o f t h e

t r a n s m i s s i o n does n o t u p s e t o r change

t h e

c a m func

t i o n .

The

i n v e n t i o n

c a n b e s t b e understood

b y

r e f e r e n c e t o

t h e f o l l o w i n g d e s c r ip t i o n t a k e n i n

c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e

a c c o m p a n y i n g

i l l u s t r a t i v e

d r a w i n g s .

BRIEF

DESCRIPTION

OF

THE DRAWINGS

F I G .

1 i s

a

fragmentary s i d e e l e v a t i o n a l view

o f

a b i

c y c l e c o n s t r u c t e d i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h

t h e t e a c h i n g s

o f

t h i s

i n v e n t i o n .

F I G .

2

i s

a r e a r e l e v a t i o n a l view

o f

t h e hub and a d j a

c e n t

s t r u c t u r e

w i t h

t h e wheel spokes

removed

f o r

c l a r

i t y

F I G . 3

i s a n e n l a r g e d , f r a g m e n t a r y , s i d e

e l e v a t i o n a l

v i e w

p a r t l y

i n s e c t i o n o f t h e hub a n d a d j a c e n t

s t r u c t u r e .

F I G .

4

i s

a n

e n l a r g e d , f r a g m e n t a r y ,

s e c t i o n a l v i e w

o f

one

p r e f e r r e d mechanism

f o r r e t ai n i n g t h e i n n e r r o t a t ~

a b l e

m e mber

i n p o s i t i o n .

F I G . 5

i s

a n e n l a r g e d s e c t i o n a l v i e w t a k e n

g e n e r a l l y

a l o n g l i n e 5—5 f F I G . 1 .

F I G .

6 s a

fragmentary

s i d e e l e v a t i o n a l

view o f a

v e r

t i c a l l y p e d a l l e d b i c y c l e

c o n s t r u c t e d

i n

a c c o r d a n c e

w i t h

t h e t e a c h i n g s o f t h i s i n v e n t i o n .

F I G . 7

i s

a

r e a r e l e v a t i o n a l

view o f

t h e b i c y c l e

of I G .

6 .

F I G .

8

i s a n e n l a r g e d s e c t i o n a l v i e w t a k e n g e n e r a l l y

a l o n g l i n e 8-8 f F I G . 6 .

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED

EMBODIMENTS

F I G . 1 shows a b i c y c l e 1 1 which

i n c l u d e s

a

frame

1 3

and

a

r e a r

w h e e l

1 5 .

The

b i c y c l e

1 1

i s o f

t h e

c r a n k

ped

a l l i n g

t y p e a n d

i n c l u d e s

a

p a i r o f

c r a n k s 1 7 r o t a t a b l y

m o u nted on t h e

fra me

1 3 i n

a

conventional

m anner and

c a r r y i n g

p e d a l s 1 9 ,

r e s p e c t i v e l y .

P o w e r i s

t r a n s m i t t e d

f r o m

t h e p e d a l s 1 9 b y

way o f

a v a r i a b l e

s p e e d t r a n s m i s

s i o n

21 t o

t h e

r e a r wheel 1 5 . The


21 i n

c l u d e s a t r a n s m i s s i o n u n i t

22

which e n a b l e s t h e r i d e r

t o

c h a n g e

d r i v e

r a t i o s .

E x c e p t

f o r

t h e

t r a n s m i s s i o n 2 1 , i t s

c o o p e r a t i o n w i t h t h e r e m a i n d e r o f t h e

b i c y c l e

1 1 , a n d

t h e c o n t r o l

means

f o r

t h e

t r a n s m i s s i o n , t h e

b i c y c l e 1 1

m a y

b e

o f s t a n d a r d

c o n s t r u c t i o n

and

i n c l u d e s t h e u s u al

n o n i l l u s t r a t e d

components, such

a s a f r o n t

wheel, a

s e a t , and handle

b a r s .

The f r a m e 1 3

i n c l u d e s

l o n g i t u d i n a l f r a m e members

2 3

a n d

d i a g o n a l

f r a m e

members

25

( F I G S .

1 ,

2 ,

a n d

5 .

The

r e a r wheel

15 i s mounted

on and between t h e

frame members 23 and

2 5

f o r r o t a t i o n about

a r o t a

t i o n a l a x i s .

More

s p e c i ? c a l l y ,

t h e

w h e e l 1 5

i n c l u d e s a

c e n t r a l l y

l o c a t e d hub 27

which

a l s o forms a p o r t i o n o f t h e

t r a n s

m i s s i o n u n i t 2 2 . The hub 27

i n c l u d e s

a

p e r i p h e r a l

w a l l

29

( F I G .

5 ) and o p p o s i t e end

w a l l s

31

a n d

3 3 .

The end

w a l l 33 h a s

a n

o p e n i n g

3 5 . The hub

27

i s

r o t a t a b l y

mounted

a t

one end by b e a r i n g s

37

mounted

i n t h e end

w a l l 31 and a b o l t

39

mounted i n t h e b e a r i n g s 37 and

a t t a c h e d

t o t h e f r a m e

members

23 and 25 by any s u i t

a b l e

m eans such a s

nuts 41.

The hub 27

i s

mounted a t t h e o t h e r

end

b y a

b e a r i n g

43

and

a n

open ended

h o u s i n g

4 5 .

The

h o u s i n g

45

h a s

a c o l l a r 4 7

o n

which t h e b e a r i n g s

4 3

i s mounted. When

s o

m o unted the hub

2 7

r o t a t e s about

a c e n t r a l r o t a

t i o n a l a x i s

4 6 . The

h o u s i n g 4 5

i s

mounted on

t h e

frame

members

2 3 and 2 5 by a s u i t a b l e f a s t e n e r

such

a s a b o l t

4 9 and a n u t 5 1 . The housing 4 5 i s

prevented

from

r o

25

30

35

4 0

4 5

50

55

60

65

4

t a t i n g by

an arm

5 3

which i s s u i t a b l y

a t t a c h e d a t

one

end t o t h e housing and

a t

t h e

o t h e r

end t o one

of

t h e

frame members 23 b y a clamp 5 5 .

The t r a n s m i s s i o n u n i t

2 2 i n c l u d e s

a

mounting ar m 5 7

mounted on

t h e h o u s i n g 4 5 f o r m ovement

a l o n g

a

p a t h

by any s u i t a b l e

means

such

a s

a f a s t e n e r 5 9 .

Although

t h e mounting arm 57 c o u l d undergo o t h e r k i n d s o f mo

t i o n r e l a t i v e

t o t h e h o u s i n g

4 5 ,

i n t h e

embodiment l l u s

t r a t e d ,

t h e mounting arm

s

mounted f o r p i v o t a l move

ment about

a p i v o t

a x i s

6 0 .

Although

v a r i o u s

c o n s t r u c t i o n s c a n b e e m p l o y e d , i n

t h e

embodiment i l l u s t r a t e d ,

t h e mounting

arm

57 i n

c l u d e s

two s p a c e d mounting s e c t i o n s

6 1

and 6 3 .

The


u n i t

2 2 i n c l u d e s

an

i n n e r r o t a t a b l e mem

b e r 65

mounted

on b e a r i n g s

67

and 69

c a r r i e d

b y

t h e

m o u n t i n g s e c t i o n s 6 1 a n d 6 3 , r e s p e c t i v e l y . The b e a r

i n g s

67 and 69

mount

t h e i n n e r r o t a ta b l e m e m ber 65

f o r r o t a t i o n about a c e n t r a l r o t a t i o n a l

a x i s

70 l y i n g p a r

a l l e l

t o t h e r o t a t i o n a l a x i s

4 6 and t o t h e

p i v o t

a x i s 6 0 .

By

m o v i n g

t h e

m o u n t i n g

arm

5 7

a b o u t i t s

p i v o t a x i s

6 0 ,

t h e a x i s 70 i s

m oved

r a d i a l l y r e l a ti v e t o t h e a x i s 4 6 .

I n

one a n g u l a r p o s i t i o n o f t h e mounting

arm

57

a b o u t i t s

p i v o t

a x i s

6 0 , t h e

r o t a t i o n a l

a x e s 4 6 and 7 0 a r e c o i n c i

d e n t .

The

i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e me mb e r 65 i s d r i v e n

i n

any

s u i t ~

a b l e m a nner

by

a d r i v e m e m b e r

such

a s

by

a

s p r o c k e t

7 1 which i s ? x e d l y mounted on

t h e i n n e r r o t a t a b l e

m e mber

65 i n t e r m e d i a t e t h e mounting

s e c t i o n s

6 1 and

6 3 . The

s p r o c k e t

7 1

i s

d r i v e n b y t h e c r a n k s 1 7 b y way

o f a l a r g e r d i a m e t e r s p r o c k e t

73

( F I G . 1 ) and a c h a i n

7 5 .

One

end

o f

t h e

h o u s i n g

45 i s

opened

t o a c c o m m o

d a t e t h e c h a i n 7 5 .

The opening 3 5

i s

of s u ? i c i e n t area

s o a s

t o a cc o m

modate

t h e

m ovement

o f

t h e i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e

m e m b e r

65

w i t h

t h e

mounting

arm 57 a l o n g

t h e

p a t h . A e x i b l e

s e a l

77

s a t t a c h e d

t o t h e c o l l a r 47 and t o t h e

mounting

s e c t i o n 63 so

a s t o s e a l t h e

opening

3 5 . I n order t o ac

c o m m o d a t e r a d i a l m ovement

o f t h e i n n e r r o t a t a b l e

me mb er 5 , t h e

s e a l

77 s

? e x i b l e

and m a y b e o f g e n e r

a l l y b e l l o w s - l i k e c o n s t r u c t i o n . I n t h e embodiment l l u s

t r a t e d t h e s e a l 77 i n c l u d e s a t

l e a s t

one f o l d 7 9 .

Means

a re p r o v i d e d f o r

d r i v i n g l y

i n t e r c o n n e c t i n g t h e

i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e

me mb e r

65

and t h e

hub 2 7 .

Such

means

i n t h e

embodiment i l l u s t r a t e d i n c l u d e s a p l u r a l i t y o f

one-way c l u t c h e s 81 and

a p l u r a l i t y o f

d r i v e

e l e m e n t s

8 3 . One o f t h e

d r i v e

e l e m e n t s 83

i s

p r o v i d e d

f o r

each

o f t h e one-way c l u t c h e s 8 1 . Any

number

o f

t h e

c l u t c h e s

81 can

b e p r o v i d e d

i n

t h e

s i x

c l u t c h e s

i l l u s

t r a t e d i n F I G . 5 a r e

p u r e l y

i l l u s t r a t i v e . However, t h e

l i n e a r i t y

o f t h e

o u t p u t w i l l g e n e r a l l y

i m p r o v e

a s t h e

number o f

t h e

c l u t c h e s 8 1 i s i n c r e a s e d .

The

one-way c l u t c h e s

8 1 a r e a r r a n g e d i n a n a x i a l l y

extending ro w on

t h e i n n e r r o t a t a b l e m e m b e r

6 5 . The

c l u t c h e s 81 a r e c o n c e n t r i c w i t h t h e i n n e r r o t a t ab l e

m e m b e r

65

and

m a y

be

o f i d e n t i c a l , c o n v e n t i o n a l

con

s t r u c t i o n .

Each o f

t h e

one-way c l u t c h e s 81 i s a r r a n g e d

t o d r i v e

i n

one d i r e c t i o n and f r e e wheel i n t h e o t h e r d i

r e c t i o n .

The one-way c l u t c h e s 81 a r e

arranged

o n

t h e


m e m b e r

65 s o

t h a t

a l l of them d r i v e

i n

t h e

same d i r e c t i o n . Each o f t h e one-way c l u t c h e s 81

m a y b e

o f

any c o n s t r u c t i o n which d r i v e s

i n

one d i r e c

t i o n

and a l l o w s

r e l a t i v e

motion

i n

t h e o p p o s i t e d i r e c

t i o n .

For e x a m p l e , e a c h

o f

t h e c l u t c h e s 8 1 may b e o f

t h e Sprag o r r o l l e r t y p e , each

o f

which h a s i n t e r n a l

members 85

which

g r i p t h e i n n e r r o t a t a b l e me mb er 65

i n t h e d r i v i n g d i r e ct i o n

t o

form a d r i v i n g

c o n n e c t i o n

between t h e

c l u t c h

and t h e i n n e r r o t a t ab l e me mb e r and

8/20/2019 Us Patent 3913947

7/10

3 , 9 1 3 , 9 4 7

5

which a l l o w s f r e e w h e e l i n g

i n

t h e o t h e r d i r e c t i o n t o

p e r m i t r e l a t i v e a n g u l a r

m o t i o n b e t w e e n t h e c l u t c h a n d

t h e i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e

me mb er i n

t h e

o p p o s i t e

d i r e c t i o n .

Although t h e d r i v e

e l e m e n t s

83

c o u l d be o f v a r i o u s

d i f f e r e n t

c o n s t r u c t i o n s , i n t h e embodiment

i l l u s t r a t e d ,

each

o f t h e

d r i v e e l e m e n t s i s

i n

t h e form

o f

a r i g i d l i n k

p i v o t a l l y

c o u p l e d

b y a

p i n

87 t o ? a n g e s

on

t h e

a s s o c i

a t e d c l u t c h 8 1 .

The

?anges on t h e one-way c l u t c h e s 81

a r e s p a c e d c i r c u m f e r e n t i a l l y , and i n t h e embodiment

i l l u s t r a t e d a r e

e q u a l l y s p a c e d c i r c u m f e r e n t i a l l y

when

t h e

r o t a t i o n a l

a x e s 4 6 and

70

c o i n c i d e .

S i m i l a r l y , t h e

o u t e r

ends of t h e d r i v e elements 83 a r e

p i v o t a l l y

c o u p l e d t o

t h e p e r i p h e r a l

w a l l 29 o f

t h e

hub

2 7 b y

p i n s 8 9 w h i c h e x t e n d t h r o u g h

p a i r s

o f ? a n g e s 9 1

s u i t a b l y mounted

on

t h e p e r i p h e r a l w a l l . The l o c a t i o n

o f t h e attachments o f t h e

d r i v e elements

83 t o t h e pe

r i p h e r a l w a l l

2 9 ,

i . e . , t h e

c e n t e r l i n e s o f t h e p i n s

89 a r e

s p a c e d

a p a r t c i r c u m f e r e n t i al l y

e q u a l

d i s t a n c e s w h i c h

i s

6 0 ° i n t h e

embodiment i l l u s t r a t e d . I n

t h e

embodiment


t h e a x e s o f t h e

p i v o t a l

a t t a c h m e n t s

between

t h e d r i v e e l e m e n t s 83

and

t h e c l u t c h e s

8 1

and t h e

p e

r i p h e r a l w a l l 29

a r e

p a r a l l e l t o t h e r o t a t i o n a l a x e s

4 6

and

7 0 .

Thus, the hub 27 s e r v e s a s

an

outer


f o r t h e


2 1 . The u s e o f t h e i n n e r r o t a t a b l e

member 6 5 , t h e

one-way c l u t c h e s 8 1 , t h e

d r i v e

e l e

ments 8 3 , and

an

outer r o t a t a b l e member may

be

c a r

r i e d o u t

s u b s t a n t i a l l y

i n

a c c o r d a n c e w i t h m y c o p e n d i n g

a p p l i c a t i o n S e r . N o . 4 6 8 , 4 1 2 r e f e r r e d t o

a b o v e .

The r a d i a l s p a c i n g between t h e r o t a t i o n a l a x e s 4 6

and 7 0 o f


m e m ber 65

and

t h e hub

27 c a n b e v a r i e d b y p i v o t i n g t h e mounting arm 57

a b o u t

i t s

p i v o t

a x i s .

T h i s a l s o moves t h e i n n e r r o t at a b l e

m e mber

65

a l o n g a n

a r c u a t e

p a t h

t o b r i n g

a b o u t

a d j u s t

ment i n t h e

r e l a t i v e

r a d i a l p o s i t i o n s o f t h e

r o t a t i o n a l

a x e s o f t h e i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e

m e m ber and t h e h u b . V a r i

ous control means, such

a s t h e

control m e a n s 9 3

can

be

p r o v i d e d f o r s e l e c t i v e l y

m o v i n g

a n d r e l e a s a b l y ? x i n g

t h e mounting

arm 57

and t h e

i n n e r r o t a t a b l e me mb er

65 n a n y one

o f a

p l u r a l i t y

o f p o s i t i o n s

a l o n g

s u c h p a t h .

Although

t h e c o n t r o l

means

93

m a y t a k e

d i f f e r e n t

f o r m s ,

i n t h e

embodiment

i l l u s t r a t e d i t i n c l u d e s e l o n

g a t e d

means o r

a n e l o n g a t e d

me mb er

95 e x t e n d i n g

from t h e

o u t e r end o f t h e

mounting

arm 57 t o a

s u i t a b l e

l o c a t i o n a c c e s s i b l e t o t h e r i d e r o f t h e b i c y c l e

1 1 ,

a sub

s t a n t i a l l y ?xed

m e m ber i n

t h e

form o f

a h o u s i n g mem

b e r 9 7 , a n d

a p l u r a l i t y o f l o c k i n g e l e m e n t s

99

( F I G . 4 ) .

A l t h o u g h t h e

h o u s i n g

9 7

c o u l d

b e

o f

v a r i o u s d i f f e r e n t

c o n s t r u c t i o n s , i n t h e embodiment

l l u s t r a t e d ,

i t i s i n t h e

f o r m o f a n e l o n g a t e d t u b e

h a v i n g

a p e r i p h e r a l w a l l 1 0 1 ,

a n

end w a l l

1 0 3 ,

and

an

open end 1 0 5 .

The h o u s i n g 9 7

e x t e n d s t h r o u g h a n o p e n i n g

i n

t h e

h o u s i n g

45

and s

r e

t a i n e d

t h e r e i n by

any

s u i t a b l e m eans

such a s a s e t

screw

1 0 7 ( F I G . 3 .

The e l o n g a t e d

me mb er 95 i n c l u d e s a

p l u n g e r 109

s l i d a b l e

w i t h i n t h e

h o u s i n g

97 and a ? e x i b l e c a b l e 111

p i v o t a l l y c o u p l e d

a t

one

end t o

t h e p l u n g e r and a t

t h e

o t h e r

end

t o t h e o u t e r

end

o f t h e

mounting

ar m 57

i n

any s u i t a b l e

manner such

a s

by a p i n 1 1 3 . The

m ount

i n g

arm

57 i s b i a s e d c l o c k w i s e a s

viewed i n F I G .

3 by

a

s p r i n g

115

which

s

a t t a c h e d

a t

one end

t o

t h e

p i n

113

and a t t h e

o t h e r

end

t o t h e

h o u s i n g

4 5 .

The e l o n g a t e d

member 9 5

a l s o

i n c l u d e s a s t e r n 1 1 7

attached

t o , and

c o a x i a l w i t h , t h e

p l u n g e r 109

a n d h a v i n g a

f r u s t o c o n i

c a l

ramp s u r f a c e 1 1 9

w h i c h

e x t e n d s

r a d i a l l y

o u t w a r d l y

a s

i t extends

a w a y fro m t h e c a b l e 1 1 1 . A

e l e a s e

mem

b e r 1 2 1

o f g e n e r a l l y a n n u l a r

c o n ? g u r a t i o n

i n p l a n i s

a t

1 5

2 0

2 5

4 5

5 5

60

6

tached

t o an

extension 1 2 3

of t h e stem

1 1 7 f o r l i m i t e d

a x i a l

s l i d i n g m ovement

on

t h e s t e m . The

e l o n g a t e d

m e m ber 9 5 a l s o i n c l u d e s

a

push p u l l

c a b l e

125 a t

tached

a t one end by

a

threaded

p l u g

127 t o t h e r e l e a s e

m e m b e r

121

and extending t o a l o c a t i o n a c c e s si b l e t o

t h e

r i d e r

o f t h e

b i c y c l e

1 1 .

I n

t h e

embodiment


t h e l o c k i n g

e l e m e n t s

9 9 a r e i n t h e

form

o f

b a l l s .

Any

number

o f

t h e

l o c k i n g

e l e m e n t s 99 may b e

p r o v i d e d .

The

l o c k i n g e l e m e n t s

99

a r e

r e s i l i e n t l y

u r g e d u p w a r d l y

a l o n g t h e

ramp s u r f a c e

119 b y a c o i l c o m p r e s s i o n s p r i n g 1 2 9 w h i c h

b e a r s

a t

one end

o n

t h e plunger

1 0 9

and a t t h e

other end

o n a

washer 1 3 1 which i s s l i d a b l y mounted on t h e p l u n g e r

1 1 7 .

The

h o u s i n g 97

and

t h e

e l e m e n t s

w i t h i n t h e h o u s i n g

c o n s t i t u t e r e l e a s a b l e

l o c k i n g

m e a n s .

The

r e l e a s i n g

l o c k i n g

means i s , i n

e f f e c t ,

a

l i n e a r one-way

c l u t c h

which l o c k s t h e mounting arm 57 a g a i n s t c l o c k w i s e

movement.

S p e c i ? c al l y , t h e s p r i n g 1 2 9

u r g e s

t h e

l o c k

i n g

e l e m e n t s

99

u p w a r d l y a l o n g

t h e ramp s u r f a c e 1 1 9

t o wedge t h e l o c k i n g

e l e m e n t s

b e t w e e n t h e

p e r i p h e r a l

w a l l 1 0 1

and t h e

ramp s u r f a c e .

Any downwardly d i

r e c t e d

f o r c e

o n t h e c a b l e 111 t e n d s t o wedge t h e l o c k

i n g e l e m e n t s 99

more t i g h t l y between t h e

ra mp

s u r f a c e

1 1 9 and t h e p e r i p h e r a l w a l l 1 0 1 . C o n s e q u e n t l y ,

down

ward movement o f t he c a b l e

1 1 1

and

c l o c k w i s e

p i v o t a l

movement

( a s v i e w e d i n

F I G .

3 )

o f t h e mounting

arm

57

a r e

p r e v e n t e d . Any upward

f o r c e

on

t h e

c a b l e 1 1 1

w i l l

n o t be


t o

t h e p l u n g e r 109

because t h e

c a b l e 1 1 1 i s ? e x i b l e .

counterclockwise movement o f t h e

mounting

arm 57

a s viewed i n

F I G .

3 i s r e s i s t e d b y

t h e s p r i n g

1 1 5 . I n t h e

e m b o d i m e n t i l l u s t r a t e d , c o u n t e r c l o c k w i s e p i v o t a l

m ove ment

of

t h e

mounting

ar m

57

a s

viewed

i n

FIG.

3

i s

a l s o r e s i s t e d b y

t h e

i n h e r e n t t e n d e n c y o f t h e i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e

m e m ber 65

t o s e e k a p o s i t i o n

c o a x i a l w i t h t h e

hub

27 a n d b y

t h e c h a i n 7 5

when

t h e

b i c y c l e i s

b e i n g

d r i v e n b y t h e c h a i n . An a d j u s t a b l e s t o p i n t h e f o r m o f

a

screw 1 3 3 ( F I G . 3 ) i s a t t a c h e d t o t h e lower w a l l o f t h e

h o u s i n g 45 a n d p r o j e c t s

u p w a r d l y

s o

t h a t

i t w i l l

e n g a g e

t h e

l o w e r edge o f t h e

mounting

arm

57

when t h e

i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e

m e m ber

65

i s c o a x i a l w i t h

t h e

hub

2 7 .

T h u s ,

i n

t h e embodiment


a l l o f t h e d r i v e r a t i o s

o t h e r t h a n I

t o

l a r e

p r o v i d e d

b y r a i s i n g t h e a x i s 70 o f

t h e

i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e m e m b e r

65

above

t h e

a x i s

4 6 o f t h e

hub 2 7 . Of c o u r s e , t h e t r a n s m i s s i o n u n i t 2 2 m a y

be

c o n s t r u c t e d

s o t h a t s h i f t i n g m a y b e a c c o m p l i s h e d b y

moving

t h e i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e

member

65 downwardly

f r o m

i t s

c o a x i a l p o s i t i o n

w i t h t h e

hub 2 7 , i f

d e s i r e d .

To p i v o t t h e mounting

arm

5 7 c o u n t e r c l o c k w i s e , t h e

r i d e r m a n i p u l a t e s a l e v e r ( n o t shown

i n

a

c o n v e n t i o n a l

m a n n e r so a s

to e x e r t

a p u l l i n g force

o n

the cable 1 25.

T h i s f o r c e

i s

t r a n s m i t t e d t h r o u g h t h e r e l e a s e

m e mber

12 1

t o

t h e stem 117 and plunger 109 t o m o v e t h e stem

and p l u n g e r u p w a r d l y

a s

v i e w e d

i n

F I G .

4 .

The l o c k i n g

e l e m e n t s

9 9 a l l o w

such

upward movement n t h a t

such

upward m o v e m e n t

of t h e r a m p

s u r f a c e 1 1 9 t e n d s t o r e

d u c e t h e w e d g i n g e f f e c t

a g a i n s t

t h e l o c k i n g e l e m e n t s .

The

upward movement

o f

t h e p l u n g e r

1 0 9

i s t r a n s m i t

t e d through t h e c a b l e 1 1 1 t o t h e mounting arm 57

t o

p i v o t t h e l a t t e r c o u n t e r c l o c k w i s e a s viewed i n F I G . 3

a g a i n s t t h e

b i a s i n g

a c t i o n

o f

t h e s p r i n g 1 1 5 . W h e n t h e

d e s i r e d

p o s i t i o n

o f

t h e mounting arm 57 s r e a c h e d , up

ward

m o v e m e n t

o f t h e

c a b l e 125 s

t e r m i n a t e d

and

t h i s

a l l o w s t h e

s p r i n g 1 2 9

t o a g a i n t i g h t l y wedge

t h e

l o c k i n g

elements 99 between t h e r a m p s u r f a c e

119 and t h e

pe

r i p h e r a l w a l l 1 0 1 .

8/20/2019 Us Patent 3913947

8/10

3 , 9 1 3 , 9 4 7

7

Although o t h e r arrangem ents can b e u s e d ,

i n

t h e em

b o d i m e n t i l l u s t r a t e d ,

t h e

s p r i n g 1 1 5

i s o p e r a t i v e t o

p i v o t t h e

mounting arm 57 c l o c k w i s e when

t h e

r i d e r

o f

t h e b i c y c l e 1 1

r e l e a s e s

t h e r e l e a s a b l e

means 9 3 . T h i s

i s

a c c o m p l i s h e d b y

t h e

r i d e r

e x e r t i n g

a p u s h i n g

f o r c e on

t h e p u s h p u l l c a b l e 1 2 5 . T h i s

p u s h i n g

f o r c e

p u s h e s

t h e

r e l e a s e

m e m ber

1 2 1

downwardly

a

l i m i t e d

d i s t a n c e

a l o n g t h e e x t e n t i o n 123 and i n t o c o n t a c t

w i t h

t h e l o c k

i n g

e l e m e n t s 9 9

t o

u r g e them

d o w n t h e

ramp

s u r f a c e

1 1 9 .

T h i s r e l e a s e s t h e s t e m

1 1 7 ,

t h e

p l u n g e r 1 0 9 , a n d

t h e c a b l e 1 1 1 f o r down ward movement. A c c o r d i n g l y ,

t h e s p r i n g 1 1 5 p i v o t s t h e m o u n t i n g

arm 57 c l o c k w i s e

a s viewed

i n FIG. 3

t o

t h e extent

t h a t

t h e r i d e r m ov es

t h e p l u n g e r

1 1 7 d o w n w a r d l y .

I n o p e r a t i o n o f t h e b i c y c l e

l l ,

r o t a t i o n

o f

t h e c r a n k s

l 7 d r i v e s

t h e

s p r o c k e t 7 1 t h r o u g h t h e s p r o c k e t

7 3

and

t h e c h a i n 7 5 . T h i s i n t u r n r o t a t e s t h e i n n e r r o t a t a b l e

m e m b e r 65 which d r i v e s t h e hub

27

through

t h e

one

w a y c l u t c h e s 81 and t h e d r i v e elements 8 3 . The r a t i o

o f an g u l a r d i s p l a c e m e n t o f t h e

i n n e r


65

t o

a n g u l a r d i s p l a c e m e n t o f

t h e

hub

27

can b e

v a r i e d

b y a d j u s t i n g t h e

r e l a t i v e

r a d i a l p o s i t i o n o f t h e a x e s 46

and 7 0 . When t h e

a x e s 4 6

and 70 a r e

c o i n c i d e n t ,

t h e

d r i v e r a t i o i s l t o l and a s t h e

r o t a t i o n a l

a x i s 7 0 i s d i s

p l a c e d r a d i a l l y f r o m t h e r o t a t i o n a l a x i s 4 6 ,

t h e d r i v e

r a t i o

i n c r e a s e s .

As

t h e mounting

arm

57 and

hence

t h e

inner rotatable member 6 5 can assume an i n f i n i t e num

b e r o f

d i f f e r e n t

p o s i t i o n s r e l a t i v e

t o

t h e

hub

2 7 , a n i n ?

n i t e number

o f d r i v e

r a t i o s

i s

o b t a i n a b l e .

The r e l a t iv e r a d i a l p o s i t i o n s

o f

t h e

a x e s

46 and 70

can b e

e s t a b l i s h e d

by

t h e

r i d e r

a s d i s c u s s e d

above

by

u t i l i z i n g

t h e

r e l e a s a b l e

means

9 3 o r b y any o t h e r s u i t

a b l e

means f o r a d j u s t i n g

t h e a n g u l a r

p o s i t i o n

o f

t h e

mounting

arm

5 7 .

The

d e t a i l s

of t h e

manner

i n

which

t h e


me mb er 6 5 , t h e

one-way c l u t c h e s

8 1 , t h e d r i v e

e l e m e n t s

8 3 , and t h e

hub 27 c o o p e r a t e

t o

p r o v i d e a n i n ? n i t e

number

o f d r i v e r a t i o s i s e x p l a i n e d

i n m y

c o p e n d i n g

a p p l i c a t i o n S e r .

N o . 4 6 8 , 4 l 2

r e f e r r e d

t o above.

P i v o t a l

m o v e m e n t of t h e mounting

arm

5 7

w i l l

have

a

minimal e f f e c t on t h e

r e q u i r e d l e n g t h o f c h a i n

7 5 .

However, a n i d l e r 134 ( F I G . 1 ) may

b e p r o v i d e d ,

i f d e

s i r e d ,

t o t e n s i o n t h e c h a i n 7 5 .

F I G S . 6-8

show

a v e r t i c a l l y p e d a l l e d b i c y c l e 1 l a

con

s t r u c t e d

i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e t e a c h i n g s o f t h i s i n v e n

t i o n .

E x c e p t a s n o t e d

s p e c i ? c a l l y

h e r e i n , t h e b i c y c l e

1 1 a i s i d e n t i c a l

t o

t h e b i c y c l e l 1 a n d c o r r e s p o n d i n g

p o r t i o n s

a r e

d e s i g n a t e d

b y c o r r e s p o n d i n g

r e f e r e n c e

n u

m e r a l s f o l l o w e d b y

t h e

l e t t e r a .

The

b i c y c l e

11a

h a s a

frame 13a

which

m a y

be of

t h e

t y p e shown i n m y c o p e n d i n g a p p l i c a t i o n S e r . N o .

3 l 5 , 4 9 7 ,

f i l e d D e c .

I 5 ,

1 9 7 2 , a n d

e n t i t l e d “ V e l o c i

p e d e . The

f r a m e 1 3 0

h a s

f r a m e

members

23a

and 25a

t o which t h e

r e a r wheel 15a

i s attached

i n

t h e s a m e

m anner sh o w n i n FIGS. 1 - 5 .

The

b i c y c l e 1 1 a

i s

m a n u a l l y p o w e r e d b y l e v e r s 1 3 5

which a r e mounted o n t h e frame 13a by

p i n s

137 f o r

o s c i l l a t o r y movement a b o u t s u c h

p i n s

w i t h t h e a x i s

o f

t h e

o s c i l l a t o r y

movement b e i n g

p a r a l l e l

t o ,

a n d c l o s e l y

a d j a c e n t

t h e

a x i s o f

t h e w h e e l 1 5 a .

A

s u i t a b l e l i n k a g e

1 3 9

i s

coupled

t o both of t h e

l e v e r s

135

and t o t h e

frame

m e m ber

25a

t o

p o s i t i v e l y

i n t e r c o n n e c t t h e

l e

v e r s .

This

a s s u r e s

t h a t w h e n one of

t h e

l e v e r s 1 3 5

i s

moving on

t s down ward

s t r o k e , t h e

o t h e r l e v e r

135

i l l

b e moving

o n i t s

upward

s t r o k e . The l i n k a g e 139 may

b e s u b s t a n t i a l l y a s d i s c l o s e d i n m y c o p e n d i n g

a p p l i c a

t i o n

S e r . No.

315,497 r e f e r r e d t o

a b o v e .

0

20

2 5

35

55

60

65

8

A r a n s m i s s i o n 21a t r a n s m i t s

power

f r o m t h e p e d a l s

19a

t o t h e r e a r

wheel

1 5 a . The


21a i n

c l u d e s

c a b l e s

141 a t t a c h e d a t

t h e i r

lower ends

t o t h e

l e v e r s

1 3 5 ,

r e s p e c t i v e l y ,

and

at t h e i r u p p e r e n d s t o

cams

1 4 3 ,

r e s p e c t i v e l y .

Each

o f t h e

c a b l e s

1 4 ]

i s

wrapped p a r t l y

around t h e a s s o c i a t e d

c a m

1 4 3 .

Each

o f

t h e

ca ms

1 4 3

has

a

p e r i p h e r y

144 which

i s a p p r o p r i

a t e l y c o n f i g u r e d s o t h a t

t h e d r i v e r a t i o

between

t h e a s

s o c i a t e d

l e v e r 135

and

t h e


u n i t 22a v a r i e s

a s

a f u n c t i o n

o f

t h e

a n g u l a r

p o s i t i o n

o f

s u c h l e v e r . The

contour

o f

t h e

p e r i p h e r i e s

1 4 4 can

be

s e l e c t e d t o

t a i l o r

t h i s d r i v e

r a t i o

t o t h e p a r t i c u l a r

r e s u l t s d e s i r e d . The

cams

1 4 3 a r e

r e t u r n e d by r e t u r n

s p r i n g s 1 4 2

( o n l y

one

b e i n g

shown i n

F I G .

6 ) a t t a c h e d t o

t h e c a m s ,

r e s p e c

t i v e l y ,

and t o

t h e

f r a m e 1 3 a .

Each

o f t h e cams

143 s

r o t a t a b l y mounted by a b e a r

i n g 1 4 5 i n

a

s h a f t 1 4 7

h a v i n g

an

a x i a l

stepped

b o r e

ex

t e n d i n g

t h r o u g h

i t

The

s h a f t 1 4 7

i s

i n t u r n r o t a t ab l y

mounted by

b e a r i n g s

149 f o r r o t a t i o n w i t h i n a b l o c k

151

which i s a t t a c h e d t o t h e

frame

1 3 a i n

any

s u i t a b l e

m a n n e r

such

a s

by

screws 153.

The

cams

143 a r e d r i v i n g l y coupled t o t h e s h a f t

147

b y one-way

c l u t c h e s 1 5 5 ,

r e s p e c t i v e l y , a n d a r e

h e l d

t h e r e i n b y

a

b o l t

1 5 6 .

Each o f t h e one-way

c l u t c h e s

155

i s arranged

s o t h a t i t i s

i n a

d r i v i n g m o d e when t h e a s s o

c i a t e d l e v e r

135 i s

o n i t s

d o w n w a r d

s t r o k e

and

i s i n a

f r e e - w h e e l i n g

m o d e when t h e a s s o c i a t e d l e v e r i s

o n

i t s

upward s t r o k e . A c c o r d i n g l y ,

t h e

s h a f t 1 4 7 i s

d r i v e n

u n i d i r e c t i o n a l l y

a n d

a l t e r n a t e l y b y

t h e

l e v e r s 1 3 5 .

To

t r a n s m i t t h e

r o t a t i o n a l m ovement of t h e s h a f t 147

t o t h e r e a r w h e e l 1 5 a ,

a

s p r o c k e t 157 s s u i t a b l y a f ? x e d

t o t h e s h a f t 147 and an e n d l e s s c h a i n 75a

cooperates

w i t h t h e s p r o c k e t

157 and

a


u n i t

22a

which

m a y

b e

s u b s t a n t i a l l y i d e n t i c a l

t o t h e


u n i t 2 2

shown

i n F I G . 5 .

The c h a i n

75a d r i v e s a

s p r o c k e t ( n o t

s h o w n ) c o r r e s p o n d i n g

w i t h t h e s p r o c k e t

7 1

shown i n

F I G . 5 . A c c o r d i n g l y , r o t a t i o n a l i n p u t

i s

p r o v i d e d

t o

t h e t r a n s m i s s i o n

u n i t

22a

which

f u n c t i o n s

i n t h e m anner described

above

t o d r i v e

t h e

r e a r

wheel

1 5 a .

The t r a n s m i s s i o n

u n i t

2 2 0

i s p r e v e n t e d

f r o m r o t a t i n g

by

an arm 530

which

i s a t t a c h e d

t o

t h e

frame

m e m b e r

2 5 a .

The

t r a n s m i s s i o n u n i t 220 i s r o t a t e d

a p p r o x i

m a t e l y 7 0 °

c o u n t e r c l o c k w i s e from t h e p o s i t i o n occu

p i e d

b y t h e t r a n s m i s s i o n u n i t

2 2 .

I n o p e r a t i o n o f t h e b i c y c l e 1 1 a , o s c i l l a t i o n o f

t h e l e

v e r s 135 d r i v e s t h e c a m s 1 4 3 .

Each

of

t h e l e v e r s

1 3 5

d r i v e s t h e a s s o c i a t e d

c a m

1 4 3 o n

i t s

d o w n w a r d

s t r o k e

and

t h e

c a m i s

r e t u r n by t h e

a s s o c i a t e d

r e t u r n

s p r i n g

1 4 2 d u r i n g

t h e

upward

s t r o k e

o f

t h e a s s o c i a t e d l e v e r .

The s h a f t

1 4 7

i s d r i v e n u n i d i r e c t i o n a l l y a n d a l t e r n a t e l y

b y

t h e cams 1 4 3 t h r o u g h t h e a s s o c i a t e d one-way

c l u t c h e s

1 5 5 .

The r o t a t i o n a l motion

o f

t h e s h a f t 147 i s


t o t h e


u n i t 22a b y way o f

t h e

s p r o c k e t

157

and

t h e

c h a i n

7 5 0 .

With

t h e

b i c y c l e

1 1 0 ,


u n i t 220 p e r

mits t h e

r i d e r

t o s e l e c t a d r i v e

r a t i o

and t h e ca ms

1 4 3

p r o v i d e d r i v e r a t i o v a r i a t i o n a s a f u n c t i o n o f

a n g u l a r

p o s i t i o n

o f

t h e l e v e r s 1 3 5 . One f e a t u r e o f t h e i n v e n t i o n

i s

t h a t t h e cam s

1 4 3

d r i v e

t h e


u n i t 2 2 a s o

t h a t t h e

c a m f u n c t i o n i s n o t

a l t e r e d by

t h e d r i v e

r a t i o

c h a n g e s

i n

t h e


u n i t .

A l t h o u g h

e x e m p l a r y e m b o d i m e n t s o f t h i s i n v e n t i o n

h a v e b e e n shown a n d d e s c r i b e d , many c h a n g e s , modi?

c a t i o n s

and s u b s t i t u t i o n s my be m a d e by t h o s e w i t h o r

d i n a r y

s k i l l

i n t h e a r t w i t h o u t

n e c e s s a r i l y

d e p a r t i n g ‘

from

t h e

s p i r i t and s c o p e o f

t h i s

i n v e n t i o n .

8/20/2019 Us Patent 3913947

9/10

3 , 9 1 3 , 9 4 7

9

I c l a i m :

1 .

A e h i c l e

adapted

t o

m o v e

a l o n g a s u p p o r t i n g s u r

f a c e c o m p r i s i n g :

a frame;

a t l e a s t one w h e e l , s a i d wheel

h a v i n g a c e n t r a l l y l o

c a t e d

h u b ;

? r s t means c o o p e r a b l e w i t h

t h e

hub

f o r mounting t h e

wheel

o n

t h e frame f o r

r o t a t i o n a l

m o v e m e n t r e l a ‘

t i v e t o t h e frame about a ? r s t r o t a t i o n a l

a x i s ,

s a i d

w h e e l b e i n g

a d a p t e d

t o

r o l l

a l o n g

t h e s u p p o r t i n g

s u r f a c e ;

an

i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e

m e m b e r

a t l e a s t p a r t i a l l y

w i t h i n

s a i d

h u b ;

second

means

f o r mounting

s a i d i n n e r r o t a t a b l e

member

f o r

r o t a t i o n a l m o v e m e n t about

a

second

r o t a t i o n a l

a x i s ,

s a i d

i n n e r


and

s a i d hub

b e i n g r e l a t i v e l y

m o v a b l e a l o n g

a p a t h

h a v

i n g a r a d i a l component t o p e r m i t a d j u s t m e n t i n t h e

r e l a t i v e r a d i a l p o s i t i o n o f t h e f i r s t and second r o t a

t i o n a l a x e s ;

d r i v e

means

i n c l u d i n g

a t

l e a s t one

one-way

c l u t c h

and

a t l e a s t

one d r i v e

element f o r d r i v i n g l y

cou

p l i n g s a i d

i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e member t o s a i d h u b , s a i d

one-way

c l u t c h a n d

s a i d

d r i v e

e l e m e n t b e i n g

w i t h i n

s a i d h u b , s a i d

d r i v e

e l e m e n t

b e i n g

d r i v a b l e

a i o n g a

p a t h

which c i r c u m s c r i b e s t h e i n n e r r o t a t a b l e mem

b e r ;

means f o r i m p a r t i n g i n p u t

motion

t o

a t l e a s t one of

s a i d

hub

a n d s a i d

i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e

member; and

means o p e r a b l e

b y t h e

o p e r a t o r o f t h e

v e h i c l e

f o r

a d

j u s t i n g

t h e r e l a t i v e

r a d i a l p o s i t i o n o f s a i d

r o t a t i o n a l

a x e s whereby t h e d r i v e

r a t i o

between

s a i d hub

and

s a i d

i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e

me mb er

can

b e

v a r i e d

by

t h e

o p e r a t o r .

2 . A

e h i c l e a s

de?ned

i n c l a i m

1

wherein s a i d

one

one-way

c l u t c h i s a

? r s t one-way

c l u t c h ,

s a i d d r i v e

means i n c l u d i n g

a second one-way

c l u t c h ,

s a i d ? r s t and

second one-way c l u t c h e s b e i n g mounted on s a i d

i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e

member.

3 . A

e h i c l e a s

de?ned i n

c l a i m

1 wherein s a i d

s e c

ond means i n c l u d e s a

mounting

ar m l y i n g

a t l e a s t

sub

s t a n t i a l l y o u t s i d e o f

s a i d

h u b , s a i d

i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e mem

b e r b e i n g

r o t a t a b l y

mounted on s a i d mounting arm

f o r

r o t a t i o n a l

movement

about

s a i d

second

r o t a t i o n a l a x i s ,

s a i d

m o u n t i n g arm

b e i n g

movable t o

c h a n g e t h e r e l a

t i v e r a d i a l p o s i t i o n o f

s a i d

? r s t a n d s e c o n d r o t a t a b l e

a x e s , s a i d

i m p a r t i n g

means

d r i v i n g

s a i d

i n n e r r o t at a b l e

member.

4 . A e h i c l e a s de?ned i n c l a i m 3

i n c l u d i n g

means f o r

p i v o t a l l y m o u n t i n g

s a i d

m o u n t i n g

a r m .

5 .

A v e h i c l e

a s de?ned i n

c l a i m 3

wherein

s a i d

m o u n t i n g

arm r o t a t a b l y

s u p p o r t s t h e

i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e

me mb er a t l e a s t

a t

? r s t and second s p a c e d l o c a t i o n s

a l o n g t h e i n n e r r o t at a b l e member,

s a i d

i m p a r t i n g

m e a ns includes

a

member m ou nted on s a i d inner r o t a t

a b l e me mb er between s a i d ? r s t and second l o c a t i o n s .

6 . A e h i c l e a s

de?ned

i n

c l a i m 1

wherein s a i d hub

h a s an end w a l l w i t h

an

opening

t h e r e in , s a i d

i n n e r r o

t a t a b l e member

p r o j e c t s

t h r o u g h

s a i d

o p e n i n g a n d i s

m o v a b l e

a l o n g

s a i d p a t h , s a i d

o p e n i n g

b e i n g s u f ?

c i e n t l y l a r g e

t o

accommodate

t h e

movement

o f

s a i d

i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e

member a l o n g s a i d p a t h , a n d ? e x i b l e

s e a l

means

between


m e m b e r

and

t h e hub

f o r

s e a l i n g s a i d o p e n i n g

and

f o r

accommodat

i n g t h e movement o f s a i d i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e

me mb er a l o n g

s a i d p a t h .

20

25

30

3 5

40

4 5

5 0

5 5

60

10

7 .

A e h i c l e a s

de?ned i n c l a i m

1 wherein s a i d im

p a r t i n g means i n c l u d e s

a l e v e r

mounted f o r


m o v e m e n t about

a p i v o t

a x i s and having m eans t o co

o p e r a t e w i t h

t h e f o o t o f

t h e o p e r a t o r t o p e r m i t

t h e l e v e r

t o b e p i v o t e d a b o u t s u c h

p i v o t a l

a x i s ,

t h i r d means f o r

v a r y i n g

t h e

d r i v e

r a t i o

between s a i d l e v e r and

s a i d

one

of s a i d


member

and

s a i d

hub a s a

func

t i o n

o f t h e

a n g u l a r

p o s i t i o n

o f s a i d

l e v e r a b o u t

s a i d

p i v o t

a x i s ,

a n d

means

f o r d r i v i n g l y

i n t e r c o n n e c t i n g

s a i d

t h i r d

m e a n s

and

s a i d one of

s a i d

i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e mem

ber and s a i d

hub

whereby s a i d t h i r d mea ns can d r i v e

s a i d one o f s a i d i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e

m e m b e r and s a i d h u b .

8 .

A e h i c l e a s de?ned i n claim 1

wherein

s a i d

s e c

ond

mea ns mounts s a i d

i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e m e m b e r f o r

movement a l o n g

s a i d p a t h ,

s a i d

a d j u s t i n g

means i n

c l u d e s

a

?xed member, a n e l o n g a t e d me mb er d r i v i n g l y

c o u p l e d

t o

s a i d i n n e r r o t a t ab l e me mb er and e x t e n d i n g

t h r o u g h

s a i d ?xed member, and a t l e a s t one

l o c k i n g e l

ement

a d a p t e d t o b e

wedged

between

a t l e a s t p o r t i o n s

o f

s a i d

members

whereby

s a i d

e l o n g a t e d

member

a n d

s a i d

i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e

m e m b e r

can

be

h e l d i n a s e l e c t e d

p o s i t i o n ,

and

means

f o r

p e r m i t t i n g t h e o p e r a t o r t o s e

l e c t i v e l y

r e l e a s e t h e l o c k i n g

e l e m e n t

t o a l l o w move

ment o f

s a i d

e l o n g a t e d

member

t o

a d j u s t t h e

r a d i a l po

s i t i o n o f t h e i n n e r r o t a t a b l e m e m b e r e l a t i v e t o

t h e

h u b .

9 . A e h i c l e adapted t o m o v e a l o n g a s u p p o r t i n g s u r

f a c e

c o m p r i s i n g :

a frame;

a t l e a s t one w h e e l , s a i d

w h e e l h a v i n g

a

c e n t r a l l y

l o

c a t e d h u b ;

? r s t means

c o o p e r a b l e w i t h

t h e

hub


wheel o n t h e frame

f o r

r o t a t i o n a l m o v e m e n t r e l a

t i v e t o

t h e frame about

a ? r s t

r o t a t i o n a l a x i s , s a i d

w h e e l b e i n g a d a p t e d t o r o l l

a l o n g t h e

s u p p o r t i n g

s u r f a c e ;

s a i d hub h a v i n g a n end w a l l w i t h a n o p e n i n g t h e r e i n ;

a n i n n e r r o t a t a b l e member

e x t e n d i n g

t h r o u g h s a i d

o p e n i n g

a n d

i n t o s a i d

h u b ;

means f o r mounting s a i d i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e

m e m ber f o r

r o t a t i o n a l m ovement about a

second

r o t a t i o n a l

a x i s

a n d

f o r movement a l o n g a p a t h t o p e r m i t

a d j u s t

ment n

t h e

r e l a t i v e r a d i a l p o s i t i o n o f t h e r o t a t i o n a l

axes;

d r i v e

means f o r d r i v i n g l y

c o u p l i n g


m e m ber

t o

t h e h u b ;

s a i d

o p e n i n g

i n

t h e

end

w a l l

o f

s a i d

hub b e i n g s u f ?

c i e n t l y

l a r g e

t o

accommodate

t h e

movement

o f

t h e

i n n e r r o t a t a b l e member

a l o n g s a i d p a t h ;

f l e x i b l e

s e a l

m eans between t h e

i n n e r r o t a t a b l e mem

b e r

and

t h e

hub

f o r s e a l i n g

s a i d

opening

and f o r

a c

commodating

t h e movement

o f s a i d

i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e

member

a l o n g s a i d

p a t h ;

means

f o r

d r i v i n g t h e i n n e r r o t a t a b l e

member;

and

means o p e r a b l e b y

t h e

o p e r a t o r o f t h e v e h i c l e f o r

m o v i n g t h e i n n e r r o t a t a b l e member a l o n g s a i d p a t h

whereby

t h e d r i v e

r a t i o

between t h e

hub

and t h e

i n n e r

member can be v a r i e d .

1 0 .

A heeled v e h i c l e a d a p t e d t o b e

p r o p e l l e d

b y

a

r i d e r c o m p r i s i n g :

a

frame;

a

f r o n t wheel r o t a t a b l y

mounted

o n s a i d

f r a m e ;

a r e a r

wheel r o t a t a b l y

mounted o n s a i d f r a m e ;

a

? r s t l e v e r m ounted

o n

s a i d frame f o r o s c i l l a t o r y


a

? r s t p i v o t a l a x i s ;

a second

l e v e r

m ounted o n s a i d frame

f o r



a

second p i v o t a l

a x i s ;

8/20/2019 Us Patent 3913947

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3 , 9 1 3 , 9 4 7

1 1

each

o f

s a i d

l e v e r s having

mea ns

adapted

t o cooper

a t e w i t h a f o o t

of

t h e r i d e r t o p i v o t such l e v e r about

i t s p i v o t a l

a x i s ;

t r a n s m i s s i o n means f o r d r i v i n g l y c o u p l i n g s a i d l e v e r s

t o one o f s a i d

wheels

whereby t h e o s c i l l a t o r y mo

t i o n o f t h e l e v e r s d r i v e s s a i d one

w h e e l ;

s a i d


mea ns

i n c l u d i n g

? r s t

m eans

d r i v e n

b y s a i d

? r s t l e v e r

f o r v a r y i n g

t h e d r i v e r a t i o b e

tween t h e

? r s t

l e v e r and s a i d

o n e wheel

a s

a func

t i o n o f t h e

a n g u l a r

p o s i t i o n

o f s a i d ? r s t l e v e r a b o u t

s a i d

? r s t p i v o t a l

a x i s ; a n d

s a i d t r a n s m i s s i o n m eans including second

m e a ns

d r i v e n

b y

s a i d ? r s t

means f o r

v a r y i n g t h e d r i v e

r a t i o

between t h e second m eans and s a i d one wheel and

c o n t r o l means o p e r a b l e b y t h e r i d e r f o r c o n t r o l l i n g

s a i d second mea ns whereby

t h e

r i d e r

can s e l e c

t i v e l y

a d j u s t t h e

d r i v e r a t i o .

1 l .

A

heeled v e h i c l e

a s de?ned i n c l a i m

10

wherein

s a i d

one

wheel i n c l u d e s a c e n t r a l l y l o c a t e d hub, a t l e a s t

a s u b s t a n t i a l

p o r t i o n

o f s a i d second

means b e i n g

h o u s e d b y

s a i d

h u b .

1 2 .

A wheeled v e h i c l e

a s de?ned i n

c l a i m

10 wherein

s a i d f i r s t m e a ns includes a

c a m ,

a s h a f t r o t a t a b l y

m o unted

o n s a i d frame, and

m eans i n c l u d i n g

a

one-way

c l u t c h

f o r

r o t a t a b l y mounting

s a i d c a m

on

s a i d

s h a f t ,

and s a i d t r a n s m i s s i o n

mea ns

i n c l u d e s m eans f o r d r i v

i n g l y c o u p l i n g s a i d s h a f t

t o s a i d

second m e a n s .

1 3 . A v e h i c l e adapted t o m ove

a l o n g

a

s u p p o r t i n g

s u r f a c e


a frame;

a t l e a s t one wheel;

m eans

f o r mounting

t h e

wheel o n t h e

frame

f o r

r o t a

t i o n a l movement e l a t i v e t o s a i d frame

about

a f i r s t

r o t a t i o n a l a x i s ,

s a i d w h e e l

b e i n g a d a p t e d t o r o l l

a l o n g

t h e

s u p p o r t i n g

s u r f a c e ;

a n

i n p u t member;

means f o r

mounting

t h e

i n p u t

m e m b e r

on t h e

frame

f o r m ovement r e l a t i v e

t o

t h e

f r a m e ;

t r a n s m i s s i o n means

f o r d r i v i n g l y

i n t e r c o n n e c t i n g

t h e

i n p u t m e m ber and

s a i d

wheel s o t h a t

movement

o f

t h e i n p u t member d r i v e s s a i d w h e e l ;

s a i d


means

i n c l u d i n g means f o r

v a r y i n g

t h e

d r i v e

r a t i o between

s a i d

i n p u t member and s a i d

w h e e l ;

c o n t r o l

means o p e r a b l e

b y t h e o p e r a t o r

o f

t h e v e h i

c l e f o r ad j u s t i n g s a i d t r a n s m i s s i o n

means t o t h e r e b y

a d j u s t s a i d

d r i v e

r a t i o ;

s a i d c o n t r o l means i n c l u d i n g an e l o n g a t e d

m e m ber

d r i v i n g l y

coupled

t o


means and

extending t o a l o c a t i o n a c c e s si b l e t o t h e o p e r a t o r ,

a

s u b s t a n t i a l l y ?xed

member mounted

o n s a i d

f r a m e , a n d a

l o c k i n g

e l e m e n t

a d a p t e d

t o b e

wedged

between a t l e a s t p o r t i o n s o f

s a i d

members

t o

t h e r e b y

h o l d t h e

e l o n g a t e d member i n p o s i t i o n t o

m a i n t a i n t h e d r i v e r a t i o

e s t a b l i s h e d

by

t h e t r a n s

m i s s i o n

means s u b s t a n t i a l l y c o n s t a n t ;

and

s a i d c o n t r o l means i n c l u d i n g

means

o p e r a b l e b y t h e

o p e r a t o r f o r r e l e a s i n g t h e l o c k i n g

e l e m e n t

f r o m

w e d g i n g

e n g a g e m e n t

w i t h s a i d members

t o

t h e r e b y

p e r m i t t h e o p e r a t o r t o

a d j u s t

t h e d r i v e r a t i o e s t a b

l i s h e d by


means.

1 4 . A

e h i c l e a s

de?ned i n claim

13

wherein s a i d r e

l e a s i n g means i n c l u d e s a t l e a s t

a

p o r t i o n o f t h e

e l o n

g a t e d

me mb er between t h e ?xed me mb er and s a i d l o

c a t i o n .

20

25

30

3 5

40

45

50

55

60

65

12

1 5 . A

v e h i c l e

a s de?ned i n claim 13 wherein s a i d

?xed m e m ber

i n c l u d e s

a h o u s i n g member, s a i d

e l o n

g a t e d

member

e x t en d i n g t h r o u g h s a i d h o u s i n g

m e m

b e r ,

a t l e a s t

one

o f s a i d h o u s i n g

member

and e l o n g a t e d

m e m b e r h a v i n g a

r a m p

s u r f a c e t h e r e o n , and

means

f o r

d r i v i n g

s a i d

l o c k i n g

e l e m e n t

up s a i d

ramp s u r f a c e

t o

t h e r e b y

l o c k

t h e

e l o n g a t e d

me mb e r

t o

t h e

?xed

mem

b e r .

1 6 .

A

v e h i c l e a s de?ned i n

c l a i m 13 wherein

s a i d

wheel

i n c l u d e s

a

c e n t r a l l y l o c a t e d

hub and a t l e a s t a

s u b s t a n t i a l

p o r t i o n o f s a i d t r a n s m i s s i o n

means

i s

housed i n

s a i d

h u b .

1 7 .

A

e h i c l e a s de?ned n c l a i m 1 wherein

s a i d

i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e

m e m ber i n c l u d e s

a s h a f t e x t e n d i n g i n t o s a i d

hub,

s a i d i m p a r t i n g means i n c l u d e s

a

d r i v e me mb e r

mounted

o n and

d r i v i n g l y c o u p l e d

t o s a i d

s h a f t , and

s a i d

a d j u s t i n g means a d j u s t s t h e

r a d i a l

p o s i t i o n

o f s a i d

s h a f t .

1 8 . A

e h i c l e

a s de?ned n c l a i m 17 wherein

s a i d

hub

h a s o p p o s i t e e n d s , s a i d ? r s t

means

i n c l u d e s t h i r d

means

f o r r o t a t a b l y

mounting

one end o f

s a i d

hub

o n s a i d

frame and f o u r t h

means f o r

mounting

t h e

o t h e r end

o f

s a i d

hub o n s a i d frame, s a i d f o u r t h mea ns i n c l u d i n g a

n o n r o t a t a b l e

m e m ber o u t s i d e

o f

s a i d s h a f t .

1 9 . A v e h i c l e a s de?ned i n

c l a i m

18

wherein

s a i d

n o n r o t a t a b l e me mb e r

a t l e a s t

p a r t i a l l y

houses

s a i d s e c

ond m eans.

2 0 .

A

e h i c l e a s

de?ned

i n claim 1

wherein s a i d

o n e

w a y

c l u t c h i s

mounted

o n t h e i n n e r r o t a t ab l e

member

a n d

s a i d

d r i v e

e l e m e n t d r i v i n g l y c o u p l e s

t h e o n e - w a y

c l u t c h

t o

t h e

h u b .

2 1 .

A e h i c l e a s de?ned i n claim 1

wherein

s a i d hub

has

a

p e r i p h e r a l w a l l

and

s a i d

d r i v e

m eans extends

gen

e r a l l y

r a d i a l l y

o u t w a r d l y

f r o m

s a i d

i n n e r

r o t a t a b l e

m e mber

t o

s a i d p e r i p h e r a l

w a l l .

2 2 .

A

e h i c l e a d a p t e d t o move

a l o n g

a s u p p o r t i n g

s u r f a c e


a

frame;

a t l e a s t

one

w h e e l ,

s a i d

wheel h a v i n g a c e n t r a l l y l o

c a t e d h u b ;

? r s t

means

c o o p e r a b l e w i t h t h e

hub


wheel

o n

t h e frame

f o r r o t a t i o n a l

m ove ment

r e l a

t i v e t o t h e frame about a ? r s t r o t a t i o n a l a x i s , s a i d

w h e e l

b e i n g

a d a p t e d

t o

r o l l a l o n g t h e s u p p o r t i n g

s u r f a c e ;

a s h a f t at l e a s t p a r t i a l l y

w i t h i n

s a i d h u b , s a i d s h a f t

h a v i n g a c e n t r a l a x i s ;

second

means

f o r

mounting

s a i d s h a f t f o r r o t a t i o n a l

m o v e m e n t

about a second r o t a t i o n a l a x i s ,

s a i d

sec

ond

r o t a t i o n a l a x i s and s a i d

c e n t r a l a x i s b e i n g

s u b

s t a n t i a l l y

c o i n c i d e n t ,

s a i d

s h a f t a n d s a i d hub

b e i n g

r e l a t i v e l y

m o v a b l e

a l o n g a p a t h h a v i n g a

r a d i a l

component

t o p e r m i t a d j u s t m e n t i n

t h e

r e l a t i v e

r a

d i a l p o s i t i o n

o f

s a i d ? r s t

and second

r o t a t i o n a l

axes;

d r i v e means i n c l u d i n g a t l e a s t

one

one-way c l u t c h

f o r

d r i v i n g l y c o u p l i n g s a i d i n n e r r o t a t a b l e member t o

s a i d h u b ;

a

d r i v e m e m b e r

m ounted on t h e

s h a f t f o r

d r i v i n g

s a i d

s h a f t ;

a n d

means f o r

a d j u s t i n g t h e

r a d i a l

p o s i t i o n

o f s a i d

s h a f t

t o

a d j u s t

t h e

d r i v e r a t i o between s a i d hub

and

s a i d

s h a f t .

1 k

Documents

Us Patent 3913947