Patent · US Expired

Power-assisting device for a bicycle and a bicycle equipped with the same

US5909781A · kind A · utility

28Cited by
5References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 24, 1996
Grant dateJun 8, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 24, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB62M6/45
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A power-assisting device for use with a bicycle includes a hollow shaft which is adapted to be rotatably supported in a hanger lug of the bicycle. The hollow shaft is restricted to movement along a rotation center line thereof, and has (i) a first end portion adapted to be projected out of the hanger lug and detachably attached to a rear wheel drive gear, and (ii) a second end portion adapted to be projected out of the hanger lug and detachably attached to an input gear. A crank shaft is rotatably supported in a center hole of the hollow shaft. The crank shaft is restricted to movement along a rotation center line thereof, and has first and second end portions extending out of the hollow shaft and adapted to be detachably attached to a first and second ones of a pair of pedal-equipped crank arms. A power-assisting unit is adapted to be detachably attached to a body of the bicycle, and includes a motor and a rotation force transmission mechanism adapted to transmit a motor rotation force from the motor to the input gear. The rotation force transmission mechanism has a one-way clutch for transmitting the motor rotation force to the input gear only in a direction for driving the bicyc…

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