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US 8,894,081 B2Granted
Side-by-side bicycle adapter
AssigneeeMetrus, Inc.
InventorA. Steven Teerlink
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An adapter for interconnecting two bicycles in a side-by-side configuration, wherein the adapter comprises a plurality of articulating joints to permit the joined bicycles to articulate or tilt in coordination while being ridden. The present invention further includes various tilting mechanisms and braking systems to achieve and maintain desired tilted positions of the joined or interconnected bicycles.
Claims14
A side-by-side bicycle adapter, comprising:
- a steering connection assembly having a first connector configured to attach to a fork of a first bicycle, and further having a second connector configured to attach to a fork of a second bicycle, the steering connection assembly further comprising a track rod having a first ball joint connection with the first connector and a second ball joint connection with the second connector;
- a main connector carriage having a forward cross-member interconnecting the first and second bicycles at a forward portion, the forward cross-member providing a first bearing connection between the first and second bicycles, a rearward cross-member interconnecting the first and second bicycles at a rearward portion, the rearward cross-member providing a second bearing connection between the first and second bicycles, a central support interconnecting the forward and rearward cross-members;
- a rear axle connector comprising a cross-member providing a third bearing connection approximately between a rear axle of the first bicycle and a rear axle of the second bicycle;
- a tilting mechanism interposed between the first and second bicycles and having a first end pivotally coupled to the rear axle connector and further having a second end pivotally coupled to the rearward cross-member;
- and
- a braking system coupled to the tilting mechanism to selectively arrest movement of the tilting mechanism at any desired position.
3 more elements
A method for manufacturing a side-by-side bicycle adapter, the method comprising:
- providing a steering connection assembly having a first connector configured to attach to a fork of a first bicycle, and further having a second connector configured to attach to a fork of a second bicycle, the steering connection assembly further comprising a track rod having a first ball joint connection with the first connector and a second ball joint connection with the second connector;
- providing a main connector carriage having a forward cross-member for interconnecting the first and second bicycles at a forward portion, the forward cross-member providing a first bearing connection between the first and second bicycles, a rearward cross-member for interconnecting the first and second bicycles at a rearward portion, the rearward cross-member providing a second bearing connection between the first and second bicycles, and a central support for interconnecting the forward and rearward cross-members;
- providing a rear axle connector comprising a cross-member for providing a third bearing connection approximately between a rear axle of the first bicycle and a rear axle of the second bicycle;
- coupling a tilting mechanism between the first and second bicycles, the tilting mechanism having a first end pivotally coupled to the rear axle connector and further having a second end pivotally coupled to the rearward cross-member;
- and
- coupling a braking system to the tilting mechanism, the braking system being capable of selectively arresting movement of the tilting mechanism at any desired position.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.