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US 12,623,747 B2Granted
Systems and methods for folding and packing a human powerable vehicle
OwnerBert Vermeuleninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bicycle folding system comprises a front fork with a first steerer for rotating the front fork in a head tube, a second steerer that rotatably attaches to a crown of the front fork, and a clamp module that secures the first steerer in the head tube. The clamp module also detachably attaches to the second steerer, which (a) secures the second steerer in front of and substantially parallel to the first steerer when the bicycle is in a rideable configuration, and (b) detaches to allow rotation of the second steerer when folding the bike. The axis of rotation of the second steerer for the bike folding process is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the first steerer in the front fork.
Claims20
A folding system for a bicycle comprising:
- a front fork comprising:
- a fork steerer configured for rotation inside of a head tube;
- at least one fork blade configured for attaching a front wheel to the front fork;
- and
- a fork crown that connects the fork steerer to each fork blade;
- an auxiliary steerer, wherein:
- the auxiliary steerer comprises a proximal end and a distal end;
- the auxiliary steerer is non-collinear and at least approximately parallel to the fork steerer when the bicycle is in a rideable configuration;
- the auxiliary steerer is in front of the fork steerer when the bicycle is in a rideable configuration;
- the auxiliary steerer distal end is above the top of the head tube when the bicycle is in a rideable configuration;
- the auxiliary steerer distal end is configured for attaching a handlebar;
- a rotational coupling module wherein:
- the rotational coupling module attaches the auxiliary steerer proximal end to the fork crown;
- the rotational coupling module is configured to rotate the auxiliary steerer from a rideable configuration to a folded configuration;
- and
- the rotational coupling module is configured for rotating the auxiliary steerer in a plane parallel with a plane of rotation of a rear wheel of the bicycle;
- and
- a clamp module configured for:
- rigid non-rotatable attachment to the fork steerer in a region above the top of the head tube to secure the fork steerer in the head tube;
- and
- detachable attachment of the auxiliary steerer:
- to rigidly attach the auxiliary steerer to the front fork when the bicycle is in a rideable configuration;
- and
- to release the auxiliary steerer so that it can be rotated when the bicycle is converted to a folded configuration.
21 more elements
A bicycle folding system, wherein:
- the system comprises a fork, a shaft, a coupling, and a clamp;
- the fork comprises:
- a steerer configured for rotation inside of a head tube;
- at least one blade configured for attaching a wheel to the fork;
- and
- a crown that connects the steerer to the blade;
- the shaft is located in front of and substantially parallel to the steerer when the bicycle is in a rideable configuration;
- the coupling rotatably attaches one end of the shaft to the crown;
- the coupling comprises:
- a block configured for attachment to the crown;
- a pivot shaft configured for attachment to the shaft;
- and
- a pin configured for rotationally coupling the block to the pivot shaft;
- the other end of the shaft is configured for attaching a handlebar;
- the clamp secures the steerer in the head tube in a region above the head tube;
- and
- the clamp detachably attaches to the shaft:
- to rigidly attach the shaft to the fork when the bicycle is in a rideable configuration;
- and
- to release the shaft so that it can be rotated when converting the bicycle to a folded configuration.
17 more elements
A method for folding a bicycle comprising the steps of:
- establishing a fork that comprises:
- a steerer configured for rotation inside of a head tube;
- at least one blade configured for attaching a wheel to the fork;
- and
- a crown that connects the steerer to the blade;
- using a coupling to rotatably attach one end of a an auxiliary steerer to the crown;
- wherein:
- the auxiliary steerer is non-collinear and at least approximately parallel to the steerer when the bicycle is in a rideable configuration;
- the auxiliary steerer is in front of the steerer when the bicycle is in a rideable configuration;
- attaching a handlebar to the other end of the auxiliary steerer;
- using a clamp above the head tube to:
- secure the steerer inside of the head tube;
- rigidly attach the auxiliary steerer to the fork when the bicycle is in a rideable configuration;
- and
- release the auxiliary steerer so that it can be rotated when converting the bicycle to a folded configuration;
- and
- rotating the auxiliary steerer in a plane parallel to the plane of rotation of a rear wheel of the bicycle to convert the bicycle from the rideable configuration to the folded configuration.
14 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.