Patent · US Expired

Operator powered vehicle

US4379566A · kind A · utility

96Cited by
11References
38Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 26, 1981
Grant dateApr 12, 1983
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 26, 2001

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T74/20438
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An operator powered vehicle configured to be ridden by an operator in an upright or forced weight position wherein muscle force provided to pedals is augmented by the weight of the operator and by an upward force provided by the operator's arms on the handle bars. Lever-type pedal arms having an up and down motion are employed and the pedal arms are coupled to the rear wheel by one or two flexible drive cables. The cables are wrapped about the rear wheel hub in unsecured relation thereto so that the bicycle may be moved backwardly without damage to the drive cable or to the wheel. The ends of the cables are tensioned to prevent the cables from becoming unwrapped from the rear wheel hub. Means are provided to permit disassembly of the steering assembly and the front wheel from the frame to provide for ease of carrying and storage of the vehicle when it is not being used.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.