US 6,053,830 AGranted

Power-spring assist to pedals of bicycle

OwnerRobert C. Glaeserinventor

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Abstract

A spring-assist drive for a pedal-operated rider-propelled vehicle such as a bicycle which makes use of a wind-up coil spring mounted within the frame of the bicycle as auxiliary power. The spring is selectively wound by the rider operating the pedals to turn a spindle on which is mounted a sprocket wheel. A chain from the sprocket wheel drives a pivoting gear assembly comprising a ratcheting sprocket and attached drive gear. In a preferred embodiment, the tension on the chain will be adjustable by a chain tension adjustment mechanism. The drive gear releasably engages a power gear mounted on a common hub with the spring. A brake band and drum assembly holds the energy in the spring until the brake is released by the rider, whereupon the spring unwinds to drive a sprocket wheel mounted on the common hub, which sprocket wheel is connected to a sprocket wheel mounted on the spindle, turning the rear wheel drive sprocket wheel and the rear wheel.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A power-spring assembly for a rider-propelled vehicle having a frame, one or more ground-engaging drive wheel mounted on said frame, a crank and spindle assembly mounted on said frame operatively connected to each said drive wheel, said power-spring assist assembly comprising:

(a) a coiled power spring attached at its inner end to a hub;
(b) a housing positioned within the frame of the vehicle and enclosing said power spring;
(c) means for selectively charging said power spring from said crank and spindle assembly, said means comprising a sprocket wheel mounted on said spindle assembly, a selectively disengagable pivoted gear assembly having a ratcheting sprocket wheel and a drive gear mounted on a common shaft, a power gear mounted on said hub in common with the inner end of the power spring, which power gear can be selectively engaged or disengaged with said drive gear, and a chain connecting the sprocket wheel on said spindle to said ratcheting sprocket wheel on said hub;
(d) means for storing and selectively releasing energy in said power spring;
(e) means for transmitting energy from said power spring to said drive wheel.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.