Multi-speed transmission for friction driven cycles
OwnerRobert H. Facerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-speed friction drive suitable for propelling cycle vehicles comprises a drive frame attachable to the frame of the cycle, a drive motor mounted to the frame, a gear hub mounted to the drive frame and driven by the motor through a belt drive. A friction roller is formed on the outer shell of the gear hub, which is coupled to the belt drive through a shiftable gear arrangement internal to the gear hub. The cycle is propelled by frictional engagement of the roller with a cycle wheel.
Claims14
A motor driven cycle comprising:
- a cycle frame mounted for rolling on at least two cycle wheels;
- a multi-speed gear hub including a hub axle mounted to said cycle frame, a gear input, output gear means, a hub shell driven by said output gear means, and gear shift means for varying the ratio between said gear input and said output gear means;
- a drive motor mounted to said cycle frame;
- means drivingly connecting said motor to said gear input;
- friction roller means coaxially mounted to said hub shell;
- and
- means for urging said friction roller means into frictional driving engagement with one of said cycle wheels.
In a motor driven cycle comprising a cycle frame mounted for rolling on at least two cycle wheels, and a drive motor mounted to said cycle frame for driving a friction roller means engageable with one of said cycle wheels, the improvement comprising:
- a multi-speed gear hub including a hub axle mounted to said cycle frame, a gear input, output gear means, a hub shell driven by said output gear means, and gear shift means for varying the ratio between said gear drive and said output gear means;
- said friction roller means being driven by said hub shell;
- and
- means drivingly connecting said motor to said gear drive input.
A motor driven tri-cycle comprising:
- a tri-cycle frame mounted for rolling on two rear wheels and a front wheel steerable by means of a fork provided with a handle bar;
- a motor drive frame pivotably mounted to said fork for movement in the plane of said front wheel;
- a multi-speed gear hub including a hub axle mounted to said motor drive frame, a gear drive input with a sprocket mounted thereto, output gear means, a hub shell driven by said output gear means, and gear shift means for varying the ratio between said gear drive and said output gear means;
- a drive motor mounted to said motor drive frame;
- a first cog wheel fixed to the output shaft of said drive motor, a second cog wheel mounted to said sprocket, cog belt means drivingly connecting said first and second cog wheels;
- friction roller means on said hub shell;
- and
- spring means connected between said drive frame and the lower end of said fork for urging said friction roller means into frictional driving engagement with said forward cycle wheel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.