Folding bicycle with releasable brace assembly
US4566713A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 7, 1983 |
| Grant date | Jan 28, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 7, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62K15/006
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A folding bicycle having an elongated handlebar assembly including an elongated post that is hinged at its lower end to swing into a folded position, and a triangular brace assembly having its apex end connected to the upper-end portion of the post at a pivot that lies along the steering axis fo the bicycle, by a quick-connect and quick-release coupling permitting quick and easy folding and unfolding of the bicycle. The base end of the brace assembly extends transversely of the bicycle for lateral and torsional rigidity, the brace bars being anchored to the frame by two laterally spaced hinges defining a common axis. Each brace bar has a section of adjustable length, and each hinge has a take-up mechanism. Three alternative couplings are disclosed, the first being a longitudinally ribbed, transversely tapered wedge-fit coupling, and the second comprising two separable bearing balls that are engageable in a bearing ring at the upper end of the brace assembly, under the control of a lever-operated cam mechanism. The third is a pivot pin that is spring-loaded into coupling engagement with the bearing ring on the base assembly, and is manually retractable to release the ring for foldin…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.