Patent ID: 6612597
Filing Date: 2003-09-02
Classification: B62K

Abstract:
A tandem bicycle adapter for use with a bicycle comprising a frame having a crank set with a first drive sprocket, a rear fork having two laterally opposed rear wheel axle mounting plates, or dropouts; a first axle mounted between the dropouts on the bicycle; a rear wheel and final drive sprocket mounted on the axle, a first drive chain spanning between the first drive sprocket and the final drive sprocket on the bicycle, and a seat post; the tandem bicycle adapter comprising:an adapter frame having front and back ends, lower and upper levels; an elongated generally horizontal boom on the lower level of the adapter frame having front and back ends; an adapter axle assembly on the front end of the boom that holds a second axle horizontally transversely to the boom; a sprocket hub rotatably mounted on the adapter axle assembly, with a fixed sprocket that rotates with the sprocket, hub and a freewheel sprocket that rotates independently of the sprocket hub in one direction of rotation relative to the sprocket hub, and otherwise co-rotates with the sprocket hub, driving the sprocket hub and fixed sprocket; an adapter crank set on the back end of the boom with a crank axle, a crank, and foot pedals; first and second sprockets fixed to the adapter crank set axle; an axle assembly chain that spans between the fixed sprocket of the adapter axle assembly and the first sprocket of the adapter crank set; a wheel fork on the back end of the adapter frame, having two laterally opposed wheel axle mounting plates, or dropouts; a seat on the upper level of the adapter frame; a top tube assembly on the adapter frame, having a top tube extending to the upper front end of the adapter frame, the top tube having a front end with a seat post clamp for releasable attachment to the seat post of the bicycle; a handle bar on the top tube assembly of the adapter frame for a rider in the seat on the adapter frame.