Drive system for muscle-powered equipment and vehicles, in particular bicycles

A muscle-powered drive mechanism for vehicles or other equipment comprising at least one drive component, the movement of which is adapted to be transmitted to a drive shaft using a movement transmission system, comprising:

• a first shaft receiving a first wheel;
• a second shaft receiving a first freewheel and a second freewheel such that a rotational movement of each of the freewheels in only one direction drives the second shaft;
• and
• a cable threaded about the first wheel, the cable threaded about the first and second freewheels such that a corresponding portion of each of the freewheels receives the cable running from the first wheel, wherein a forward or a backward movement of the first wheel generates a single direction rotational movement of the second shaft with only one of the freewheels driving the second shaft, the second shaft adapted to be the drive shaft or operatively attached to the drive shaft.

A muscle-powered drive mechanism for vehicles and other equipment with at least two drive components operated independently from each other and the drive movements of which are adapted to be transmitted to a drive shaft using a movement transmission system, comprising:

• a first drive component formed by a seat backrest drive mechanism whose drive movement is generated by a rotational movement of a seat backrest relative to a seat surface;
• and at least one of
• (a) a drive component formed by a seat surface drive mechanism whose drive movement is generated by a movement of the seat surface, whereby the rotational movement of the seat backrest is superimposed on the movement of the seat surface using a transmission means for a combined drive of the drive shaft;
• (b) a drive component formed by a foot-powered drive mechanism whose drive movement is generated by a movement of at least one pedal, whereby the rotational movement of the seat backrest is superimposed on the movement of the pedal using a transmission means for a combined drive of the drive shaft;
• and
• (c) a drive component formed by a hand-powered drive mechanism with operating rods whose drive movement is generated by a movement of the operating rods whereby the rotational movement of the seat backrest is superimposed on the movement of the operating rods using a transmission means for a combined drive of the drive shaft.