Abstract:
A bicycle having a frame with pivotal front and rear wheels with means for engaging and disengaging said pivotal movement on one of the wheels by moving a pivotal strut to engage the rear wheel frame thereby preventing movement of the wheel frame. Moving the actuator to a frame engaging position allows rotation of the rear wheel frame.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to bicycles and, more specifically, to a bicycle having a frame incorporating means for selectively engaging and disengaging an actuator whereby the rear wheel can be rotated. 
   The present invention provides a bicycle having a frame with pivotal front and rear wheels with means for engaging and disengaging said pivotal movement on one of the wheels by moving a pivotal strut to engage the rear wheel frame thereby preventing movement of the wheel frame. Moving the actuator to a frame engaging position allows rotation of the rear wheel frame. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   There are other frame types designed for bicycles. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 1,584,568 issued to Clark on May 11, 1926. 
   Another patent was issued to Ajero on Nov. 5, 1957 as U.S. Pat. No. 2,812,194. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 3,015,498 was issued to Tanaka et al on Jan. 2, 1962 and still yet another was issued on Aug. 18, 1981 to Fulton as U.S. Pat. No. 4,284,288. 
   Another patent was issued to Belden on U.S. Pat. No. 3,801,130 as U.S. Pat. No. 3,801,130. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,209 was issued to Haack on Aug. 26, 1980. Another was issued to Maebe on Mar. 26, 1985 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,506,902 and still yet another was issued on Nov. 2, 1999 to Montague et al. as U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,551. 
   Another patent was issued to Montague on Oct. 24, 2000 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,478. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 6,406,047 was issued to Sawyer, Jr. on Jun. 18, 2002. Another was issued to Wang on Sep. 17, 2002 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,519. Still yet another was issued on Jan. 1, 1897 to Smith as U.K. Patent No. GB 1949 and another was published on Jan. 28, 1999 as International Patent Application No. WO99/03723. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 1,584,568 
   Inventor: Charles H. Clark 
   Issued: May 11, 1926 
   A bicycle or similar device comprising rear frame to which the rear wheel is connected in the usual way, an upwardly projecting coupling stem rigidly connected to said frame, a front frame to which the front wheel is connected and provided with a sleeve pivotally mounted upon the upper end of said upwardly projecting portion of the stem, and means cooperating with said stem and sleeve for effecting an interlocking engagement between the same. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,812,194 
   Inventor: Fortunato S. Ajero 
   Issued: Nov. 5, 1957 
   In a velocipede, the combination of a frame, a front traction wheel rotatably secured to said frame for steering movement, a pair of rear traction wheels rotatably secured to said frame for steering movement, means for driving at least one of said rear wheels, an angularly movable driving connection between said means and said one rear wheel, primary steering means for said front wheel including a steering member operatively secured to said front wheel and rotatable therewith, auxiliary steering means for said rear wheels including a clutch plate coaxial with said steering member and rotatably mounted relatively thereto, a clutch element pivotally secured to said clutch plate and yieldably engaging said steering member to secure said plate to said steering member for simultaneous rotation therewith, means for selectively disengaging said clutch element from said steering member, and means for locking said clutch plate in a predetermined position of angularity in response to said disengagement. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,015,498 
   Inventor: Shoji Tanaka et al 
   Issued: Jan. 2, 1962 
   A folding bicycle comprising front, center and rear frame assemblies, a handle bar mechanism on the front assembly, a seat post and pedal driven mechanism on the rear assembly, hinge members connecting respective pairs of said assemblies; each hinge member comprising: upper and lower hinge plates on one of the assemblies of one of the pairs, said plates being provided with engaging slots at one side thereof, a stud supported on a side of the other assembly of said one pair of pivotally supported on said plates at the other side of the latter, a locking rod rotatably supported on said other assembly on the other side of the latter, said rod including sections of reduced dimension to enter said slots and engage therein, and tightening means for fixing said rod to said plates. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,801,130 
   Inventor: Ralph A. Beldon 
   Issued: Apr. 2, 1974 
   A two wheeled, rider propelled vehicle having both wheels pivotably mounted upon a medial principal frame. The pivotable rear wheel frame supports pedal mechanism propelling the rear wheel and may be steered by the feet of the user. Mechanical biasing means communicate between the pivotable rear wheel frame and mainframe to bias motion and a latching mechanism allows fixed positioning of the two members. A vertically adjustable seat is fixedly carried by the principal frame and the forward portion of the vehicle provides a traditional manually steerable, pivotably mounted front wheel frame. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,284,288 
   Inventor: Roger G. Fulton 
   Issued: Aug. 18, 1981 
   A portable folding bicycle for compact storage in a folded position utilizes a main frame having front and rear frame sections supporting front and rear wheels and hinged together for folding and positioning the wheels into compact side-by-side relationship. A seat structure is removably attached to the rear frame section and power transmission members such as crank assemblies, sprockets and a drive chain extend between the rear frame section and the rear wheel for causing powered rotation. The front frame section has at least one frame member defining a receptacle for receipt of the front wheel upon folding, and a steering assembly affixed thereto and including upper and lower end portions. A front fork assembly is foldably mounted to the steering assembly and has at least one fork member rotatably supporting the front wheel and a connecting hinge attaching the front fork member to the lower end portion of the steering assembly for rearward and upward folding of the front fork member and the front wheel whereby the front wheel is received into the receptacle for compact storage when the bicycle is folded. A handle bar assembly is connected to the front fork member and is collapsible relative thereto. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,209 
   Inventor: Frank P. Haack 
   Issued: Aug. 26, 1980 
   A bicycle with an articulated frame is described for novelty riding use. A rider may manipulate a clutch while riding the bicycle to cause restraint to be removed from a joint joining front and rear frame portions of the bicycle and maneuver in such a way as to cause the two frame portions to be angularly aligned. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,506,902 
   Inventor: Richard M. Maebe 
   Issued: Mar. 26, 1985 
   A bicycle comprises front and rear wheel assemblies which are independently steerable. The rear wheel assembly includes a pedal crank which is mounted on the axle of the rear tire. A rear fork holds the rear axle and includes a shaft which is rotatably coupled to a rear portion of the bicycle frame. A saddle is mounted to the top of the shaft of the rear fork. Turning the saddle and/or the pedal crank laterally rotates the rear wheel assembly independently of the front wheel assembly. The front wheel assembly similarly includes a fork which holds the axle of the front tire. A shaft portion of the fork is rotatably coupled to a front portion of the bicycle frame and is coupled to a handlebar. Turning the handlebar rotates the front wheel assembly independently of the rear wheel assembly. The frame retains the front and rear wheel assemblies in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the bicycle is ridden to provide a greater degree of stability and to facilitate the independent steering of the front and rear wheel assemblies. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,551 
   Inventor: David G. Montague et al 
   Issued: Nov. 2, 1999 
   A foldable bicycle designed so when the bicycle is folded, the front and rear frames bypass each other (non-overlapping) to permit a complete folding position and using a fold on or near the seat tube, and to maintain a rigid open riding position with simple standard fold restraining devices. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,478 
   Inventor: Harry D. Montague 
   Issued: Oct. 24, 2000 
   A foldable bicycle comprises a front frame ( 1 ), a rear frame ( 21 ), and a seat tube ( 20 ). The front frame ( 1 ) and the rear frame ( 21 ) are foldable with respect to each other. In a first aspect, a single release clamp ( 12 ) releases the front frame from the rear frame in a single operation. This occurs by having the seat tube ( 20 ) slotted at the top ( 11 ). In a second aspect, the crank housing ( 34 ) is positioned in axial alignment with the seat tube ( 20 ) and one point ( 14 ) of folding occur below the crank housing. This aspect pertains to both a men&#39;s and a women&#39;s frame. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,406,047 
   Inventor: Thomas Kidder Sawyer, Jr. 
   Issued: Jun. 18, 2002 
   A bicycle having a front and rear wheel geared capability. A bicycle having both front and rear wheel gear controlled and chain driven. A bicycle frame where the front and rear halves pivot on a vertical center section. A steering mechanism that is controlled by the front handlebar that rotates a gear that is meshed with notches on the front end of the steering cable assembly. A center double sprocket system that is connected to drive gears on the front and rear axles by a fixed bar with pivot capabilities, and are chain driven. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,519 
   Inventor: Ping Tien Wang 
   Issued: Sep. 17, 2002 
   A waist-twisting leisure bike includes a front body frame, a rear body frame, and a lateral frame. The front body frame has a handle, a support rod, a front fork tube, a front fork base, a front fork and a front wheel. The rear body frame has a driving device, a seat and a rear wheel. The lateral frame consists of a first and a second lateral frame respectively connected to the front body frame and the rear body frame. The first and the second lateral frame are pivotally connected to each other. Then a rider can twist the waist for changing swaying angle of the first and the second lateral frame so as to change the moving direction of the bike. So the bike in the invention can move by pedaling but also be used for waist-twisting exercise as well. 
   U.K. Patent Number GB 1949 
   Inventor: William Borthwick Smith 
   Issued: Jan. 1, 1898 
   The invention discloses a triangular frame consisting of two inclined tubular sides c and f connected by a more or less horizontal tubular bottom g, the side of c having a steering bar passing through it, a fork at the lower end of the steering bar carrying the steering wheel a, and a fork at the lower end of side f carrying the driving wheel d, the two inclined sides 
   International Patent Application Number WO99/03723 
   Inventor: David G. Montague et al 
   Published: Jan. 28, 1999 
   A foldable bicycle designed so when the bicycle is folded, the front ( 1 ) and rear ( 2 ) frames bypass each other to permit a complete folding position and using a fold on or near the seat tube ( 7 ), and to maintain a rigid open riding position with simple standard fold restraining devices. 
   While these bicycles may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle having a frame providing means for selectively engaging two rotative wheels. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle having means for disengaging selective rotation of one of the wheel members. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle having a frame incorporating an actuator as means for engaging and disengaging rotation of the rear wheel. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle wherein said actuator is pivotably attached to said frame. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle wherein said actuator engages the rear wheel frame thereby preventing rotation. 
   Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
   The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a bicycle having a frame incorporating means for selectively engaging and disengaging an actuator whereby the rear wheel can be rotated. 
   The present invention provides a bicycle having a frame with pivotal front and rear wheels with means for engaging and disengaging said pivotal movement on the rear wheel by moving a pivotal strut to engage the rear wheel frame thereby preventing movement of the wheel frame. Moving the actuator to a frame engaging position allows rotation of the rear wheel frame. 
   The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
   The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention in an unlocked position; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the present invention in a locked position; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the present invention in an unlocked position; 
       FIG. 5  is a detailed view of the actuator of the present invention in a locked position; 
       FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the actuator of the present invention in an unlocked position; 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the actuator of the present invention in a locked position; 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of the bicycle of the present invention having the actuator in a locked position; and 
       FIG. 9  is a top view of the present invention with actuator in an unlocked position. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the Bicycle with a Selectively Pivotable Rear Wheel Assembly of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.
           10  Bicycle with a Selectively Pivotable Rear Wheel Assembly     12  frame     14  front wheel assembly     16  rear wheel assembly     18  front wheel     20  rear wheel     22  pivotal actuator strut     24  actuator mounting bracket     26  actuator locking knob     28  threaded bolt of  26       30  frame of  16       32  rear wheel assembly pivot means     34  pedal assembly of  16       36  bifurcated tubular frame to  34       38  bifurcated tubular frame to  20       40  first bifurcated member of  36       42  second bifurcated member of  36       44  horizontal member of  16       46  front wheel assembly pivot means     48  connector frame member     50  locking pin     52  locking pin recess       

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
     FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention. The present invention is  10  a bicycle  11  having a frame  12  with a pivotal front wheel assembly  14  having a front wheel  18  associated therewith and a pivotal rear wheel assembly  16  having a rear wheel  20 . A connector frame member  48  joins the front wheel assembly  14  to the rear wheel assembly  16  and has a rear wheel assembly pivot means  32  on a first end and a front wheel assembly pivot means  46  on a second end. The rear wheel assembly  16  includes a pair of bifurcated tubular frames  36 , 38  extending angularly away from each other from the rear wheel assembly pivot means  32  with the distal ends thereof connected to and stabilized by a horizontal member  44 . A pivoting actuator strut  22  is disposed on the underside of the connector frame member  48  and is selectively positioned by the user to either lock or unlock the rear assembly  16  by either locking it in place parallel to the connector frame member  48  to allow the rear wheel assembly  16  to pivot or by rotating and securing it between the two bifurcated members  40 , 42  leading to the pedal assembly  34 . 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention  10  in an unlocked position. Shown is the present invention  10  having the actuator strut  22  in an unlocked position allowing the rear wheel assembly  16  to work independently from the front wheel assembly  14 . 
     FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the present invention  10  in a locked position. Shown is the present invention  10  having the actuator strut  22  in a locked position between the twin bifurcations  40 , 42  leading to the pedal assembly  34  preventing the rear wheel assembly  16  from working independently from the front wheel assembly  14 . 
     FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the present invention  10  in an unlocked position. Shown is the present invention  10 , a two-wheeled rider-propelled bicycle  11  having both wheels  18 , 20  pivotably mounted upon their respective assembly&#39;s  14 , 16 . The pivotable rear wheel assembly  16  supports a pedal assembly  34  propelling the rear wheel  20  and may be steered by the feet of the user. An actuator strut  22  communicates between the pivotable rear wheel assembly  16  and the connector frame  48  to bias motion, allowing fixed positioning of the two members. 
     FIG. 5  is a detailed view of the actuator strut  22  of the present invention having the actuator strut  22  in a locked position between the twin bifurcations  40 , 42  preventing the rear wheel from working independently from the front wheel. The actuator strut  22  is mounted to the connector frame  48  by a mounting bracket  24  and a locking knob  26  and the distal end of the actuator strut  22  is maintained in position by a locking pin  50  that is inserted through corresponding recesses  52  in actuator strut  22  and the first  40  and second  42  bifurcations. 
     FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the actuator strut  22  of the present invention in an unlocked position allowing the rear wheel to work independently from the front wheel. The actuator strut  22  is mounted to the connector frame  48  by means of a mounting bracket  24  and locks positions by means of a locking knob  26  with a threaded bolt  28  extending therefrom. 
     FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the actuator strut  22  of the present invention in a locked position preventing the rear wheel from working independently from the front wheel. The actuator strut  22  is mounted to the connector frame  48  by means of a mounting bracket  24  and locks positions by means of a locking knob  26  with a threaded bolt  28  extending therefrom. 
     FIG. 8  is a top view of the bicycle of the present invention  10  having the actuator in a locked position preventing the rear wheel assembly  16  from working independently from the front wheel assembly  14 . 
     FIG. 9  is a top view of the present invention  10  with actuator in an unlocked position allowing the rear wheel assembly  16  to work independently from the front wheel assembly  14 . 
   It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
   While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
   Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.