US 5,690,346 AGranted

Human powered drive-mechanism with versatile driving modes

OwnerAntti M. Keskitaloinventor

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Abstract

A frame (12) supporting two oscillatably movable members (16R) and (16L) for arms, and two reciprocally movable members (18R) and (18L) for feet. Cables (36) going off in pairs from each of the movable members in opposing directions, redirected by pulleys (34) toward and connected to rotatable members (14). Rotatable members (14) are coaxially connected with a sprocket wheel (42), and are also interconnected by additional cables (31) via pulleys (30) that are held back by springs (40), so as to cause one of a pair of rotatable members (14) to freely ratchet backwards while another one is turning forward. Sprocket wheel (42) is connected with a sprocket chain (44) to a vehicle propelling member (46). Handles (22R) and (22L) are connected with sleeved cables (26) to the topmost parts of movable members (16R) and (16L), and sleeved cables (26) connected at their other ends through a sleeved cable harness (282) to a steering pulley (28), that in turn is solidly connected to vehicle steering member (13). Each one of the movable members are connected to two of cables (36) and two of rotatable members (14) as described above forming individual power trains with two directional power stroke for each one of the movable members. Thus, collectively providing for versatile driving modes where each one of the movable members can be operated individually.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A human powered drive mechanism comprising:

a) a frame
b) individually movable members
c) flexible, unstrechable extensions
d) rotatable members
e) a rotatable shaft
f) redirecting means
g) additional flexible extention means
h) said individually movable members being supported said frame, each individual movable member being connected to two of said flexible, unstrechable extentions, each of said flexible, unstrechable extentions extending away from said movable members in oppposite directions and then one of said flexible, unstrechable extensions being redirected by redirecting means in the direction of said rotatable members, each of said flexible, unstrechable extentions attached to a separate rotatable member
i) said rotatable members being attached to said rotatable shaft so as to rotate the shaft when turned in one direction and freely ratchet backwards when turned in another direction
j) said rotatable members being connected in pairs and attached to said additional flexible extension means, the attachment of said additional flexible extentsion means to said rotatable members causing, during operation, one of said rotatable members to ratchet backwards while another of said rotatable members turns said rotatable shaft forward
k) a total of two of said flexible, unstrechable extentions, one of said redirecting means, two of said rotatable members, and one of said additional flexible extention means for each one of said movable members
l) said rotatable shaft and said additional flexible extention means attached to said frame
and whereby collectively providing means to cause a single-directional rotating motion of said rotatable shaft by said movable members operable individually with a complete versatility of driving modes and with a two directional power stroke.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.