Abstract:
A folding bicycle includes: a front body having a front frame and a front wheel pivotally coupled to the front frame; a rear body having a rear frame axially coupled to and freely separable from the front frame and a rear wheel pivotally coupled to the rear frame; a folding mechanism provided between the front frame and the rear frame and configured for connection thereof; and a fastening mechanism for fastening the folding mechanism to at least one of the front frame and the rear frame so as for the front frame and the rear frame to be coupled together axially, firmly, and integrally, and allowing the folding mechanism to be received in at least one of the front frame and the rear frame.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to folding bicycles, and more particularly, to a bicycle capable of being pushed, pulled and driven after being folded. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Bicycles nowadays are among commuters&#39; choices and sports equipment. With green consciousness on the rise, bicycles are increasingly popular with metropolitans. However, metropolitan bicyclists are confronted with bicycle-specific problems, such as limited bicycle parking areas and theft. As a result, it is not uncommon for bicycles to be parked at staircases, hallways or at home in apartments to evade thieves, though dragging typically bulky bicycles to the upper stories in an apartment is a toil to bicyclists. What is more, it is inconvenient for vacationists to deliver bicycles to the countryside to be used as sports equipment. To cope with the aforesaid problems, bicycle manufacturers developed folding bicycles which can be folded up to be carried and transported easily. Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , which are schematic views of a conventional folding bicycle, the conventional folding bicycle comprises a front body  11 , a rear body  12 , and a pivotally turning structure  13  provided between the front body  11  and the rear body  12  and configured to draw the front body  11  and the rear body  12  closer to each other so as to render the folded conventional folding bicycle compact. 
         [0005]    However, with the front body  11  being flipped over to overlap the rear body  12 , the pivotally turning structure  13  pivotally coupled to the front body  11  and the rear body  12  is inevitably exposed, compromising the integrity and appearance of the folding bicycle. Also, the pivotally turning structure  13  lacks a positioning structure, and thus the unfolded front body  11  and rear body  12  can only be aligned in an attempt, using the unreliable human eye. Unless the unfolded front body  11  and rear body  12  are in a straight line, the folding bicycle will be fragile and unsafe. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, bicycle manufacturers nowadays are confronted with an urgent issue that involves developing a folding bicycle highly integrated and effective to position so as to enable the folding bicycle to be straightened out when unfolded and thereby overcome the aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In view of the aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art, the present invention provides a folding bicycle with a folding mechanism configured to couple a front body and a rear body together and concealable in a rear frame of the rear body after the folding bicycle is unfolded. 
         [0008]    The present invention further provides a folding bicycle capable of aligning a front body and a rear body when unfolded. 
         [0009]    The present invention further provides a folding bicycle having a folding mechanism for coupling a front body and a rear body together and concealable in a rear frame of the rear body so as to ensure the integrity and enhance the looks of the folding bicycle. 
         [0010]    To achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides a folding bicycle comprising: a front body comprising a front frame and a front wheel pivotally coupled to the front frame; a rear body comprises a rear frame axially coupled to and freely separable from the front frame and a rear wheel pivotally coupled to the rear frame; a folding mechanism comprising a first folding element coupled to the front frame, a third folding element coupled to the rear frame, and a second folding element pivotally coupled to and freely rotatable about the first folding element and the third folding element, allowing the folding mechanism to be received in at least one of the front frame and the rear frame by coupling the front body and the rear body axially so as to enable axial alignment of the first folding element and the third folding element, allowing the folding mechanism to be partially exposed from at least one of the front frame and the rear frame by separating the front frame from the rear frame so as to fold up the folding bicycle, and allowing the front wheel and the rear wheel to be parallel by positioning the first folding element and the third folding element in parallel; and a fastening mechanism for fastening the folding mechanism to at least one of the front frame and the rear frame so as for the front frame and the rear frame to be coupled together axially and firmly, and allowing the folding mechanism to be received in at least one of the front frame and the rear frame. 
         [0011]    The first, third, and second folding elements have a first pivot portion, a fourth pivot portion, and second and third pivot portions, respectively. The first pivot portion is corresponding in position and shape to the second pivot portion, and the fourth pivot portion is corresponding in position and shape to the third pivot portion, allowing the first pivot portion to be pivotally coupled to and freely rotatable about the second pivot portion of the second folding element, and allowing the fourth pivot portion to be pivotally coupled to and freely rotatable about the third pivot portion of the second folding element. 
         [0012]    The first folding element is fixedly coupled to an end of the front frame, wherein the end is where the front frame and the rear frame join; and the second folding element and the third folding element are freely slidable so as to be received in or exposed from an end of the rear frame, wherein the end is where the rear frame and the front frame join. The third folding element is fixedly coupled to an end of the rear frame, wherein the end is where the rear frame and the front frame join; and the first folding element and the second folding element are freely slidable so as to be received in or exposed from an end of the front frame, wherein the end is where the front frame and the rear frame join. The first folding element is freely slidable so as to be received in or exposed from an end of the front frame, wherein the end is where the front frame and the rear frame join; and the second folding element and the third folding element are freely slidable so as to be received in or exposed from an end of the rear frame, wherein the end is where the rear frame and the front frame join. 
         [0013]    The folding mechanism further comprises a position-limiting structure comprising a positioning block disposed on the first folding element and a position-limiting slot formed in the front frame, allowing the positioning block to be slidable along the position-limiting slot so as for a sliding travel of the first folding element to be limited by the position-limiting slot. Alternatively, the folding mechanism further comprises a position-limiting structure comprising a positioning block disposed on the third folding element and a position-limiting slot formed in the rear frame, allowing the positioning block to be slidable along the position-limiting slot so as for a sliding travel of the third folding element to be limited by the position-limiting slot. Alternatively, the folding mechanism further comprises a first position-limiting structure and a second position-limiting structure. The first position-limiting structure comprises a first positioning block disposed on the first folding element and a first position-limiting slot formed in the front frame, and the second position-limiting structure comprises a second positioning block disposed on the third folding element and a second position-limiting slot formed in the rear frame, allowing the first and second positioning blocks to be slidable along the first and second position-limiting slots so as for a sliding travel of the first and third folding elements to be limited by the first and second position-limiting slots, respectively. 
         [0014]    The fastening mechanism comprises a fastener assembly disposed on the front frame or the rear frame and a hook assembly disposed on the rear frame or the front frame for fastening and separating the front frame and rear frame. The fastener assembly comprises a frame and a traverse rod disposed in the frame. The hook assembly comprises a handle pivotally coupled to and freely rotatable about the rear frame and a hooked rod pivotally coupled to and freely rotatable about the handle, in which the hooked rod has a hook portion, allowing the handle to be pushed and turned so as for the hook portion of the hooked rod to be coupled to a traverse rod of the fastener assembly to fasten the fastener assembly to the hook assembly, and allowing the hook portion of the hooked rod to be disconnected from the traverse rod of the fastener assembly to unfasten the fastener assembly from the hook assembly. 
         [0015]    An end of the front frame has a first coupling portion, and an end of the rear frame has a second coupling portion corresponding in position and shape to the first coupling portion. The first coupling portion is convex or concave. The second coupling portion matches the first coupling portion by being concave or convex. The rear body is further provided with an auxiliary handle. 
         [0016]    The folding bicycle further comprises a fold securing mechanism for securing in position the front body and the rear body while the front wheel and the rear wheel are parallel. The fold securing mechanism is an S-shaped hook. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are schematic views of a conventional folding bicycle unfolded and folded, respectively; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a schematic side view of a folding bicycle unfolded according to the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a partial exploded view of the folding bicycle of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are cross-sectional views of a folding mechanism for the folding bicycle unfolded according to the present invention; 
           [0021]    FIG.  4 A′ is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the folding mechanism shown in  FIG. 4A  according to the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the folding mechanism for the folding bicycle folded according to the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a partial schematic top view showing how to fold the folding bicycle with the folding mechanism according to the present invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a schematic side view of the folding bicycle folded according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    The present invention is herein illustrated with specific embodiments, so that one skilled in the pertinent art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the disclosure of the invention. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , which are a schematic side view of a folding bicycle unfolded according to the present invention and a partial exploded view of the folding bicycle, respectively. The folding bicycle comprises a front body  21 , a rear body  22 , a folding mechanism  23 , a fastening mechanism  24 , and a fold securing mechanism. 
         [0027]    The front body  21  comprises a front frame  211  with a convex or concave first coupling portion  2110  at the end thereof and a front wheel  212  pivotally coupled to the front frame  211 . 
         [0028]    The rear body  22  comprises a rear frame  221  axially coupled to and freely separable from the front frame  211  and a rear wheel  222  pivotally coupled to the rear frame  221 . At the end of the rear frame  221  is a second coupling portion  2210  thereof. The second coupling portion  2210  matches the first coupling portion  2110  by being concave or convex. The rear body  22  is further provided with an auxiliary handle  223 . 
         [0029]    The folding mechanism  23  comprises a first folding element  231  coupled to the front frame  211 , a third folding element  233  coupled to the rear frame  221 , and a second folding element  232  pivotally coupled to and freely rotatable about the first folding element  231  and the third folding element  233 . The front body  21  is coupled to the rear body  22  axially so that the folding mechanism  23  is received in at least one of the front frame  211  and the rear frame  221  and thereby the first folding element  231  and the third folding element  233  are aligned axially. On the other hand, the front frame  211  is separated from the rear frame  221  so as to fold up the folding bicycle, and therefore the folding mechanism  23  is partially exposed from at least one of the front frame  211  and the rear frame  221 , thereby allowing the front wheel  212  and the rear wheel  222  to be parallel by positioning the first folding element  231  and the third folding element  233  in parallel. 
         [0030]    The fold securing mechanism (not shown) secures in position the front body  21  and the rear body  22  while the front wheel  212  and the rear wheel  222  are parallel. The fold securing mechanism is preferably an S-shaped hook. Detailed description of the fold securing mechanism is omitted herein, as the production of S-shaped hooks is a mature and well-known technology. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 4A , the first folding element  231  is fixedly inserted into the front frame  211 , leaving one end of the first folding element  231  exposed from the front frame  211 . The exposed end of the first folding element  231  has a first pivot portion  2311 . In other words, the first pivot portion  2311  is exposed from the front frame  211 . The second folding element  232  has a second pivot portion  2322  corresponding in position and shape to the first pivot portion  2311  and a third pivot portion  2323 . The first pivot portion  2311  is pivotally coupled to and freely rotatable about the second pivot portion  2322  of the second folding element  232 . The third folding element  233  has a fourth pivot portion  2334  corresponding in position and shape to the third pivot portion  2323 . The fourth pivot portion  2334  is pivotally coupled to and freely rotatable about the third pivot portion  2323  of the second folding element  232 . The second folding element  232  and the third folding element  233  are receivable in and projectable from the rear frame  221 . As shown in the drawing, the first pivot portion  2311  and the fourth pivot portion  2334  are each a single lug, whereas the second pivot portion  2322  and the third pivot portion  2323  are each a pair of lugs, for coupling the first folding element  231 , the second folding element  232 , and the third folding element  233  together. Alternatively, the first pivot portion  2311  and the fourth pivot portion  2334  are each a pair of lugs, whereas the second pivot portion  2322  and third pivot portion  2323  are each a single lug, for bringing the aforesaid coupling effect. The above-mentioned involves reverse arrangement and therefore is not depicted in the drawings for the sake of brevity. 
         [0032]    In another embodiment of the folding mechanism  23 , the third folding element  233  is fixedly inserted into the rear frame  221 , leaving one end of the third folding element  233  exposed from the rear frame  221 . The first folding element  231  and the second folding element  232  are receivable in and projectable from the front frame  211 , thereby allowing the folding mechanism  23  to be received in the front frame  211  and the rear frame  221 . 
         [0033]    The folding mechanism  23  further comprises a position-limiting structure  234 . The position-limiting structure  234  comprises a positioning block  2341  disposed on the third folding element  233  and a position-limiting slot  2342  formed in the rear frame  221 . The positioning block  2341  is slidable along the position-limiting slot  2342  so as for a sliding travel of the third folding element  233  to be limited by the position-limiting slot  2342 . Alternatively, the position-limiting structure  234  comprises the positioning block  2341  disposed on the first folding element  231  and the position-limiting slot  2342  formed in the front frame  211 . The positioning block  2341  is slidable along the position-limiting slot  2342  so as for a sliding travel of the first folding element  233  to be limited by the position-limiting slot  2342 . 
         [0034]    Referring to FIG.  4 A′, which is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the folding mechanism  23  shown in  FIG. 4A  according to the present invention, a sliding travel of the first folding element  231  and the third folding element  233  is limited by a first position-limiting structure  234   a  and a second position-limiting structure  234   b , respectively, so as for the folding mechanism  23  to be received in the front frame  211  and the rear frame  221 . 
         [0035]    The first folding element  231  is freely slidable so as to be received in or exposed from the front frame  211 , whereas the second folding element  232  and the third folding element  233  are freely slidable so as to be received in or exposed from the rear frame  221 . Alternatively, the first folding element  231  and the second folding element  232  are freely slidable so as to be received in or exposed from the front frame  211 , whereas the third folding element  233  is freely slidable so as to be received in or exposed from the rear frame  221 . Both allow the folding mechanism  23  to be received in the front frame  211  and the rear frame  221 . 
         [0036]    The first position-limiting structure  234   a  comprises a first positioning block  2341   a  disposed on the first folding element  231  and a first position-limiting slot  2342   a  formed in the front frame  211 , allowing the first positioning block  2341   a  to be slidable along the first position-limiting slot  2341   a  so as for a sliding travel of the first folding element  231  to be limited by the first position-limiting slot  2341   a . The second position-limiting structure  234   b  comprises a second positioning block  2341   b  disposed on the third folding element  233  and a second position-limiting slot  2342   b  formed in the rear frame  221 , allowing the second positioning block  2341   b  to be slidable along the second position-limiting slot  2342   b  so as for a sliding travel of the third folding element  233  to be limited by the second position-limiting slot  2342   b . Hence, the first folding element  231  and the third folding element  233  are slidable along the front frame  211  and the rear frame  221 , respectively, so as for a sliding travel of the first folding element  231  and the third folding element  233  to be limited by the first position-limiting structure  234   a  and the second position-limiting structure  234   b , respectively. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4A , the fastening mechanism  24  fastens the folding mechanism  23  to at least one of the front frame  211  and the rear frame  221  so as for the front frame  211  and the rear frame  221  to be coupled together axially and firmly, and allows the folding mechanism  23  to be received in at least one of the front frame  211  and the rear frame  221 . Specifically speaking, the fastening mechanism  24  comprises a fastener assembly  241  disposed on the front frame  211  and a hook assembly  242  disposed on the rear frame  221 . Alternatively, the fastening mechanism  24  comprises the fastener assembly  241  disposed on the rear frame  221  and the hook assembly  242  disposed on the front frame  211 . The above-mentioned involves opposite arrangements that bring a fastening effect equally well. The fastener assembly  241  comprises a frame  2411  and a traverse rod  2412  disposed in the frame  2411 . The hook assembly  242  comprises a handle  2421  pivotally coupled to and freely rotatable about the rear frame  221  (or the front frame  211 ) and a hooked rod  2422  pivotally coupled to and freely rotatable about the handle  2421 . The hooked rod  2422  has a hook portion  24220 . 
         [0038]    The above description of the fastening mechanism  24  is intended to illustrate a preferred embodiment thereof rather than limit the disclosure contained in the present invention. For instance, a fastening effect is achieved by passing a pin through the front frame  211 , the rear frame  221 , and the folding mechanism  23 . Alternatively, a positioning pin furnished with a resilient spring slides along the front frame  211  or the rear frame  221  resiliently and, more advantageously, protracts and retracts resiliently while being received in a positioning hole formed in the first folding element  231 , the second folding element  232 , and/or the third folding element  233  of the folding mechanism  23  (depending on how the folding mechanism  23  is received), so as to position the folding mechanism  23  and fastens the front frame  211  and the rear frame  221  together, thereby bringing a fastening effect as well. 
         [0039]    The end of the first folding element  231 , where the first folding element  231  and the front frame  211  join, has a male taper; and the inner wall of the front frame  211  has a female taper. Optionally, the end of the third folding element  233 , where the third folding element  233  and the rear frame  221  join, has a male taper; and the inner wall of the rear frame  221  has a female taper. As a result, the tapers reinforce the fastening effect of receiving the folding mechanism  23  in the front frame  211  and the rear frame  221  by receiving the outwardly tapered first folding element  231  and/or the outwardly tapered third folding element  233  in the inwardly tapered front frame  211  and/or the inwardly tapered rear frame  221 . The tapers are, for example, Morse tapers, Brown tapers, Jarno tapers, or milling machine standard tapers. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the second folding element  232  and the third folding element  233  of the folding mechanism  23  are received in the rear frame  221  so as for the folding mechanism  23  to hide inside the rear frame  221 . The positioning block  2341  of the position-limiting structure  234  is positioned deep down in the position-limiting slot  2342  (as shown on the right in  FIG. 4A ). The handle  2421  of the fastening mechanism  24  is turned toward the rear frame  221  so as for the hook portion  24220  of the hooked rod  2422  to be engaged and coupled with the traverse rod  2412  of the fastener assembly  241 , thereby fastening the hook assembly  242  and the fastener assembly  241  together as shown in  FIG. 4A . A convex portion  2110  of the front frame  211  engages with a concave portion  2210  of the rear frame  221  as shown in  FIG. 4B , so as for the folding mechanism  23  to hide inside the rear frame  221 , and in consequence the front frame  211  and the rear frame  221  are coupled together in an integrated and esthetic manner. Also, embedding the convex portion  2110  in the concave portion  2210  not only reinforces the bonding of the front frame  211  to the rear frame  221  but also keeps the front body  21  and the rear body  22  in a straight line, thereby dispensing with unreliable vision-based alignment and ensuring bicyclists&#39; safety. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , to fold up the folding bicycle, pull the handle  2421  upward to disconnect the hook portion  24220  of the hooked rod  2422  from the traverse rod  2412  of the fastener assembly  241 , and then push the front body  21  forward (or pull the rear body  22 ) to draw the second folding element  232  and the third folding element  233  from the rear frame  221 . The folding process is made simpler as the positioning block  2341  of the position-limiting structure  234  is in the forefront of the position-limiting slot  2342  (as shown on the left in the drawing) and thereby capable of limiting a sliding travel of the third folding element  233 . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the front body  21  is flipped over to overlap the rear body  22  (or the rear body  22  is flipped over to overlap the front body  21 ) such that the front body  21  and the rear body  22  are drawn closer to each other; hence, the folded folding bicycle is compact enough to be transported or stored conveniently. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , the front body  21  and rear body  22  are drawn closer to each other so as for the front wheel  212  and the rear wheel  222  to be parallel, and thus a cyclist can easily push or pull the folded folding bicycle while holding the auxiliary handle  223  of the rear body  22 . 
         [0044]    A folding bicycle of the present invention comprises a folding mechanism receivable in at least one of a front frame and a rear frame so as for the folding mechanism to be concealable and therefore conducive to integrity and esthetic appearance of the folding bicycle. A convex portion of the front frame can be embedded in a concave portion of the rear frame so as to enhance the bonding of the front body to the rear body and keep the front body and the rear body in a straight line, thereby dispensing with unreliable vision-based alignment and ensuring bicyclists&#39; safety. 
         [0045]    The foregoing specific embodiments are only illustrative of the features and functions of the present invention but are not intended to restrict the scope of the present invention. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that all equivalent modifications and variations made in the foregoing embodiments according to the spirit and principle in the disclosure of the present invention should fall within the scope of the appended claims.