Patent ID: 6299189
Filing Date: 2001-10-09
Classification: B62K,B62M

Abstract:
An exercise cycle apparatus comprising:(a) a frame having a front portion extending longitudinally from a rear portion, said rear portion including a pair of extensions spaced laterally one from the other, each said extension defining a rear wheel axle;(b) a handle-steerable front wheel rotatably coupled to said front portion of said frame;(c) a pair of rear wheels coupled in independently rotatable manner respectively to said rear wheel axles of said rear portion extensions of said frame; and(d) a pair of independently actuable treadle assemblies each coupled to one said rear wheel and said frame for driving the rotation of said rear wheel relative to said frame, each said treadle assembly including:(1) a ratchet sprocket wheel coupled in angularly displaceable manner about said rear wheel axle for driving engagement of one said rear wheel;(2) a foot support pivotally coupled at a pivot shaft to one said rear portion extension of said frame for reversible displacement between first and second positions relative to said rear portion extension, said foot support defining at least a pair of connection points spaced in radially offset manner from said pivot shaft; and(3) a drive link extending from said foot support to loop about said ratchet sprocket wheel, said drive link having first and second ends coupled respectively to said pair of foot support connection points, said drive link having a chain section colinearly joined to a resilient section, said chain section engaging said ratchet sprocket wheel, said resilient section resiliently biasing said foot support to said first position;whereby said drive link linearly advances to drive an angular displacement of said ratchet sprocket wheel responsive to user displacement of said foot support from said first position to said second position, and automatically returns said foot support to said second position upon the release thereof by the user.