US 4,411,443 AGranted

Streamlined bicycle design

OwnerChristopher A. Pollardinventor

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Abstract

The invention includes a low-drag cycle having an elongated frame extending between a smaller front wheel and a larger rear wheel. A cyclist assumes a recumbant position over the frame facing down. A cycle is steered by means of the front wheel, while the cyclist powers the cycle by means of a pedal arrangement driving the larger rear wheel. A streamlined, pod-shaped body which is symmetrical about an axis parallel to the direction of travel achieves a very low coefficient of drag and maximizes laminar flow to further reduce drag. The cycle wheels are contained within two streamlined fairings which extend from the streamlined cycle body to near the ground, the area between wheels being left open to increase the lateral stability of the cycle and to allow the rider to straddle the frame so that both feet may be placed on the ground while starting or stopping the cycle. Once sufficient speed is attained to ensure stability, hinged doors in the streamlined body automatically close as the cyclist returns both feet to the pedals.

A streamlined, two-wheeled bicycle, comprising:

a steerable front wheel assembly including a front wheel;
a rear wheel assembly including a rear wheel;
an elongated frame having a front end to which is connected the front wheel assembly and having a rear end to which is connected the rear wheel assembly;
the frame including means for supporting a rider in a head-forward, recumbent position over the frame;
a pedal assembly located at the rear portion of the frame so that the pedals are engaged by the feet or the rider when in said recumbent position;
means for transmitting power from the pedal assembly to the rear wheel assembly to propel the bicycle;
an elongated pod-shaped, streamlined body attached to the frame and substantially completely enclosing the frame, the pedal assembly and a rider when the rider is in said recumbent position wherein the pod-shaped body is substantially symmetrical about an axis parallel to the direction of movement of the cycle;
the body further having a front section which smoothly expands in diameter, smoothly joining with a middle section which is convex with respect to said axis, and a rear section which is concave with respect to said axis and which tapers substantially to a pointed end;
the body having a maximum diameter of D and being mounted to the frame such that the distance from the ground to said axis is approximately D and wherein the maximum diameter D of the body is approximately 15 percent of the total length of the body;
a front wheel fairing attached to the body and substantially enclosing the front wheel in combination with the body;
a rear wheel fairing attached to the body and substantially enclosing the rear wheel in combination with the body;
the front and rear wheel fairings being separate such that an open space beneath the body and between the front and rear wheel fairings is provided;
and
wherein each of the front and wheel fairings are shaped so that horizontal sections thereof are in the form of an elongated, teardrop shape.

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Abstract

Claims9