US 2006/0138743 A1Published application

Flexible frame for bicycle and the like

OwnerBentley Bealinventor

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Abstract

One aspect of the present invention is comprised of a flexible rear frame member for a bicycle or velocipede. Other embodiments of the invention also include one or more assemblies, such as a rear wheel assembly, a seat assembly, a crank assembly, and strut members, which are adapted to be attached to the flexible rear frame member. A second aspect is a flexible front frame member, which may be pivotally attached to the flexible rear frame member. Other embodiments of this second aspect of the invention may also include one or more assemblies, such as a front wheel assembly and front strut members, which are adapted to be attached to the flexible front frame member. In some embodiments of the invention, the flexible rear frame member and the flexible front frame member, along with their respective assemblies, may together comprise a bicycle or velocipede.

Claims128

Dependent claims

A bicycle or velocipede frame comprising a rear frame member, the rear frame member being further comprised of:

(a) a rear frame head portion adapted to be joined to a steering mechanism for the bicycle or velocipede;
(b) a downward frame portion that extends downwardly and rearwardly from the rear frame head portion to the position of a crank assembly, wherein the downward frame portion transitions to a distal frame portion at the rear distal end of the position of the crank assembly;
(c) a distal frame portion that extends in a rearward direction from the rear distal end of the position of the crank assembly, wherein the distal frame portion is bifurcated into two rear parallel portions rearward of the position of the crank assembly to permit a rear bicycle wheel to fit between them and the two rear parallel portions extend rearwardly, then rearwardly and upwardly, then forwardly and upwardly, and then forwardly, at which point the two rear parallel portions are joined together into a single portion and extend forwardly to the position of a seat assembly, wherein the distal frame portion transitions to a top frame portion at the forward distal end of the position of the seat assembly;
and
(d) a top frame portion that extends forwardly from the forward distal end of the position of the seat assembly to the rear frame head portion.

2 more elements

A bicycle or velocipede frame comprising a rear frame member, the rear frame member being further comprised of:

(a) a rear frame head portion adapted to be joined to a steering mechanism for the bicycle or velocipede;
(b) a downward frame portion that extends downwardly and rearwardly from the rear frame head portion to the position of a crank assembly, wherein the downward frame portion transitions to a distal frame portion at the rear distal end of the position of the crank assembly;
(c) a distal frame portion that extends in a rearwardly direction from the rear distal end of the position of the crank assembly, wherein the distal frame portion is bifurcated into two rear parallel portions rearward of the distal end of the position of the crank assembly to permit a rear bicycle wheel to fit between them;
(d) a rising frame portion that extends from approximately the position of the crank assembly upwardly and forwardly and then upwardly and rearwardly circumscribing an arc until the rising frame portion is extended to the approximate position of a seat assembly;
and
(e) a top frame portion that extends approximately rearwardly from the rear frame head portion to a point rearward of the position of the seat assembly, wherein the top frame portion and the rising frame portion join at approximately the position of the seat assembly and the top frame portion and the rising frame portion form an angle of less than 90 degrees at such position.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.