US 12,479,530 B2Granted

Recumbent bicycle with power input analogous to standing to pedal an upright bicycle

AssigneeRonald Alan Thompson

InventorRonald Alan Thompson

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Abstract

Disclosed is a high performance recumbent bicycle that allows the rider to add substantial hand power by pulling the fork mounted crankset, about the steering axis, into foot pedal thrusts. The effect is superior to standing to pedal an upright bike, because the rider can provide power immediately, while remaining comfortably, safely and aerodynamically seated. Effective pedal force reaction is provided. Torque and work based hand power input methods are used. No supplemental mechanism is necessary. An embodiment has front wheel drive, a vertical steering axis, crankset offset ahead of the steering axis by a crankarm length, fork assembly rigid in torsion to rider hand and foot forces applied in opposition, and indirect steering mechanism which enables rider, grip, and pedal location and orientation for effective supplemental hand power input, and control of pedal forces on the steering. The enhanced steering control allows use of an aerodynamic disk front wheel.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A recumbent bicycle which can be propelled by foot pedals and supplemental hand power, comprising;

A. a frame which is attached to a front fork such that a steering axis is created about which said front fork is free to pivot with respect to said frame;
B. a seat which is attached to said frame and located to establish a rider's foot pedal force input direction to be more perpendicular than parallel relative to said steering axis;
C. at least one rear wheel which is rotatably attached to said frame;
D. a front wheel which is rotatably attached to said front fork;
E. a foot pedal crankset comprising a crankshaft, a right crankarm having a first end attached to a right crankshaft endpoint, and a left crankarm having a first end attached to an opposing left crankshaft endpoint, a right pedal attached to a second end of the right crankarm, and a left pedal attached to a second end of the left crankarm;
F. said foot pedal crankset moves with the front fork as the front fork pivots about the steering axis;
G. a means for rotational power transmission from said crankset to said front wheel;
H. a handlebar having a right and left handgrip and having indirect coupling to the fork such that the handlebar axis of rotation can be displaced from the steering axis and the handlebar can transmit force and motion input to the steering axis;
I. wherein said bicycle is configured so that hand input can be applied to left and right handgrips in coordinated opposition to foot pedal input generating a hand induced force or force and pivot of the front fork and the crankset assembly about the steering axis defining supplemental propulsive power to the crankshaft.

6 more elements

A recumbent bicycle which can be propelled by foot pedals and supplemental hand power, comprising;

A. a frame which is attached to a front fork such that a steering axis is created about which said front fork is free to pivot with respect to said frame;
B. a seat which is attached to said frame and located to establish a rider's foot pedal force input direction to be more perpendicular than parallel relative to said steering axis;
C. said steering axis is vertical;
D. at least one rear wheel which is rotatably attached to said frame;
E. a front wheel which is rotatably attached to said front fork;
F. a foot pedal crankset comprising a crankshaft, a right crankarm having a first end attached to a right crankshaft endpoint, and a left crankarm having a first end attached to an opposing left crankshaft endpoint, a right pedal attached to a second end of the right crankarm, and a left pedal attached to a second end of the left crankarm;
G. said foot pedal crankset moves with the front fork as the front fork pivots about the steering axis;
H. said crankshaft has an axis of rotation due to foot pedal input that is perpendicular to and is displaced no more than 8 inches ahead of the steering axis;
I. a means for rotational power transmission from said crankset to said front wheel;
J. a handlebar attached to the front fork having a right and left handgrip, said handlebar and front fork are rigid to torsion created by the rider's hand and foot forces applied in opposition, wherein said handlebar has a handlebar axis of rotation and has indirect attachment to the fork such that the handlebar axis of rotation can be displaced from the steering axis and the handlebar can transmit force and motion input to the steering axis;
K. wherein said bicycle is configured so that hand input can be applied to left and right handgrips in coordinated opposition to foot pedal input generating a hand induced force or force and pivot of the front fork and the crankset assembly about the steering axis defining supplemental propulsive power to the crankshaft.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/840,177Filed 14 Jun 2022 · us provisional application
Priority: 8 Jul 2021
Published: US 2023/0008724 A112 Jan 2023
Granted: 25 Nov 2025
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

B62K 3/005
Bicycles: recumbent-type bicycles
B62J 45/20
Electrical equipment arrangements specially adapted for use as accessories on cycles, not otherwise provided for: cycle computers as cycle accessories
B62J 50/22
Intended to provide information to rider or passenger: electronic, e.g. displays
B62K
Cycles