Patent ID: 9555853
Date: 2017-01-31
CPC Classifications: B62M

Claim:
1. A propulsion system for human powered vehicles, comprising: an outer lever having an input end and an output end, the outer lever being configured to receive a force input from a human limb at the input end; an orbiting sprocket being coupled to the output end of the outer lever, the outer lever extending forwardly from the orbiting sprocket relative to a vehicle powered by the propulsion system; a fixed sprocket, wherein the orbiting sprocket orbits around the fixed sprocket, the orbiting sprocket and the fixed sprocket being located in a substantially common plane, and being offset one from another; a closed tension-bearing member engaging an outer circumference of both the orbiting sprocket and the fixed sprocket; a crank lever spanning a distance between the fixed sprocket and the orbiting sprocket, the crank lever maintaining a relative distance between the orbiting sprocket and the fixed sprocket; a driveshaft being co-axial with the fixed sprocket, the driveshaft being free to rotate with respect to the fixed sprocket and the crank lever being fixedly connected to the driveshaft and rotationally connected to the orbiting sprocket; a chassis being propelled by the driveshaft; a pedal crank rotatably coupled to the chassis and to the outer lever; and a pedal rotatably coupled to the pedal crank; wherein application of a downward force on the pedal causes an upward force to be applied by the pedal crank to the input end of the outer lever to thereby cause the orbiting sprocket to rotate forwardly in the forward direction of travel of the vehicle, around the fixed sprocket and thereby rotate the crank lever to impart rotation to the driveshaft and propel the chassis.