Folding bicycle

US9840303B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ford Global Technologies, LLC · US

Inventors

• Martin Lutz · Cologne, DE
• Jan Linsel · Cologne, DE
• Kay Hohenboeken · Cologne, DE
• Stefan Quiring · Leverkusen, DE
• Markus Reith · Cologne, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 21, 2016
• Grant date: Dec 12, 2017
• Expiry date: Jan 21, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B62K15/008
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A folding bicycle has a main-frame with a bottom bracket, crank, pedals, and a seat post. A front is attached to the main-frame by a front hinge having an axis parallel to the crank axis, and has a mono-fork suspension. The front frame rotates about the front hinge to a folded position wherein the mono-fork is behind the front hinge axis. A rear swingarm suspension has a rear sprocket and is attached to the main-frame by a rear hinge that preferably is coincident with the crank axis. The swingarm is of a single-stay configuration and is rotatable about the rear hinge to a folded position wherein the rear sprocket is forward of the crank axis. The main-frame may consist of left and right sidewalls spaced apart from one another, and the mono-fork lies at least partially between the sidewalls when the front frame is in the folded position.