Exercise vehicle with rod steering system

An exercise vehicle is provided with an improved push/pull rod steering system for use in directing vehicle travel and maintaining balance without interfering significantly with vehicle power. The vehicle includes a frame with an attached drive system that includes a drive wheel. The drive system includes arm levers operatively connected to the drive wheel so that counter-reciprocal movement of the arm levers produces rotation of the drive wheel. The steering system includes a guidance wheel rotatively coupled with the frame, a steering crank which is operatively coupled with the guidance wheel, hand levers pivotally attached to the arm levers and push/pull rod assemblies connecting the hand levers to the steering crank. When one hand lever pivots, the steering crank rotates, causing the guidance wheel to turn while simultaneously causing the other hand lever to pivot the opposite direction.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein relate generally to exercise vehicles, and more particularly, to a steering system for use in a vehicle which is propelled at least partially by action of a rider's arms.

BACKGROUND

One advantage offered by “human-powered” vehicles is that such vehicles provide exercise for the rider, improving health and fitness. Other activities, such as running and jogging, also provide exercise, but are difficult on the back, legs, feet, and joints. Cycling avoids the jarring effect of running or jogging, but requires high speeds or long distances to achieve truly beneficial aerobic exercise. None of these activities provide meaningful upper body exercise. What is needed is a vehicle which provides aerobic benefit even at low speeds, and which provides the rider with an upper body workout. This may be accomplished by using simultaneous arm and leg movements to propel the vehicle.

Although some vehicles are known to utilize both the arms and legs to produce propulsion, these vehicles tend to utilize the power of the human body in an inefficient manner. Power typically is applied only in surges, and when such power is applied, the muscles are active in only one direction. One example of such a vehicle is U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,936 to Schmidlin. This vehicle has a complex and expensive arrangement of chains, rollers, and sprockets.

One problem which is common to human-powered vehicles which employ both the arms and legs to propel the vehicle relates to steering, an operation which may be complicated by the use of the rider's arms for propulsion. Presently known art attempts to address this problem, but has not completely solved the problem. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,708 to Heath discloses an “Exercise Vehicle with Cable Steering System.” This vehicle discloses arm levers that moved back-and-forth to aid propulsion and a push/pull cable steering system with actuating hand cranks on the arm levers. However, this cable steering system requires expensive cables which would eventually need to be replaced. Additionally, the steering cable would bend, developing friction that would require additional force to overcome. Also, when bent, there is slack in the cables, requiring extra movement in one end of the steering system before the other end moves.

The following represents a list of known related art:

The teachings of each of the above-listed citations (which does not itself incorporate essential material by reference) are herein incorporated by reference. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

SUMMARY AND ADVANTAGES

Embodiments of the present invention solve the aforementioned problems by introduction of a human-powered exercise vehicle which employs a push/pull rod steering system. The exercise vehicle includes a frame, a drive system attached thereto, at least one drive wheel rotatively coupled with the frame to effect propulsion of the vehicle, and a steering system which is also attached to the frame. The exercise vehicle's drive system includes a pair of counter-reciprocal arm levers, which project generally upward from the frame within arm's reach of the rider. The arm levers transfer motion to the drive wheel, movement of the arm levers producing corresponding rotation of the drive wheel. The exercise vehicle also has pedals so that the rider may propel the vehicle with simultaneous arm and leg motions. In one embodiment of the invention, the arm levers are connected to pedal extensions. In another embodiment, the arm levers are connected to foot platforms instead of pedal extensions and the pedals are omitted.

The vehicle's steering system includes a pair of hand levers which are pivotally attached to the arm levers, each hand lever being grasped by one of the rider's hands. The hand levers, in turn, control a guidance wheel which is coupled with the vehicle's frame. The guidance wheel is configured both to roll on a surface and to rotate left or right to effect a change in the direction of vehicle travel. A steering crank is attached to the guidance wheel so that the wheel turns when the steering crank rotates around a vertical axis. Push/pull rod assemblies connect the steering crank to the hand levers. A rider thus may turn the vehicle right or left by pivoting one of the hand levers or both in the appropriate directions. When a hand lever rotates, the steering crank rotates, causing the other hand lever to correspondingly pivot. The rider thus is able to maintain full and effective power because the rider's arms remain in the same vertical plane, whether the vehicle is traveling through a turn, or in a straight line. For two wheeled vehicles where both steering and balancing are required, the invented hand and arm lever configuration provides the rider with vertical stability and control of the vehicle frame while enabling steering and propulsion movements. Any slack or play which could develop through wear in the parts between the hand levers and the steering crank is eliminated by the weight of the rider's hands and arms pushing downward equally on both hand levers and thus, through the rod assemblies, into the steering crank. Wear in the steering system is limited to parts which can easily and inexpensively be replaced from the local bicycle shop or hardware store.

Additional advantages of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Further benefits and advantages will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, which specify and show embodiments of the present invention.

REFERENCE NUMBERS USED IN DRAWINGS

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, similar reference characters will denote similar elements throughout the several views. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

When appropriate, like reference materials and characters are used to designate identical, corresponding, or similar components in differing figure drawings. The figure drawings associated with this disclosure typically are not drawn with dimensional accuracy to scale, i.e., such drawings have been drafted with a focus on clarity of viewing and understanding rather than dimensional accuracy.

One or more embodiments of the present invention are described herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of these embodiments. It will be evident to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without some of these details. On the other hand, to avoid obscuring the invention, in describing some embodiments, certain details necessary for a functioning device are not shown, but one skilled in the art would understand these necessary details are present.

Reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” in the description of a particular feature, structure, or characteristic means that the particular feature, structure, or characteristic described is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

It will, of course, be appreciated that in the development of any actual implementation of this invention, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made in order to achieve a developer's specific goals, such as compliance with application and business-related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

In describing the various embodiments, directional terms are used, such as left, right, up, down, upward, downward, front, rear, forward, rearward, etc. These directional terms are based on a human rider's frame of reference and presumes a direction of travel of the vehicle in the direction the rider faces. The reference designators for matching elements of the vehicle include letters to indicate the side of the vehicle to which it is attached. The letter “I” indicates the left side and the letter “r” indicates the right side. “Down” and “downward” mean generally toward the surface on which the vehicle travels and “up” and “upward” mean generally away from the surface on which the vehicle travels. “Forward” and “front” mean generally the direction in which the rider faces and “rearward” and “rear” are generally the opposite thereof. Also “turning the vehicle” means changing the direction of travel of the vehicle to the right or left.

A first embodiment of an exercise vehicle10is shown inFIGS. 1-7. As shown inFIGS. 1,2, and5, the exercise vehicle10includes a frame14, a steering system12, right and left arm levers45r,45land a drive system16. Drive system16includes drive wheel18which is rotatively connected to the rear portion of the frame14, and employs the following components which are similar to those on a conventional bicycle: a multi-geared transmission20, a chain22, a chain wheel24, right and left drive cranks26rand26l, right and left pedals29r,29l, gear shifter25and right and left brake levers27r,27l. The right and left drive cranks26r,26lare rotatively mounted to the lower portion of the frame14at bottom bracket shell88. Unlike a conventional bicycle, however, the depicted exercise vehicle10has pedal extensions32r,32lpivotally connected on their rearward end to the pedals29r,29l. The right and left pedal extensions32r,32lprotrude forwardly from the respective right and left pedals29r,29l. The right and left pedal extensions32r,32lare pivotally connected on their forward end to lower arm portions34r,34lrespectively of the arm levers45r,45l.

A rider30is shown in phantom lines inFIG. 1seated on a seat50with the rider's feet on the pedals29r,29l. The rider30propels the exercise vehicle10using the pedals29r,29land the arm levers45r,45l.

The drive system16is configured to operate in a drive mode, conveying rotational force from the drive cranks26r,26lto the drive wheel18via the chain wheel24, chain22, and multi-geared transmission20. When the rider is thus propelling the exercise vehicle10, the pedals29move in an elliptical or circular fashion and the arm levers45r,45lmove in a back-and-forth reciprocating fashion. The drive system16is configured to also operate in a free wheel mode as well, with the drive wheel18rotating while the chain22, chain wheel24, drive cranks26and arm levers45r,45lremain stationary relative to the frame14.

The forward ends of the pedal extensions32r,32lare pivotally attached to the respective right and left lower arm portions34r,34lat attach points depicted by right and left lower pivots36r,36l. The two arm levers45r,45lare formed from a rigid connection of upper arm portions38r,38lto corresponding lower arm portions34r,34lby connecting plate assemblies40r,40lat a center pivot axis42. The lower arm portions34r,34lhave pivot supports82r,82lat their upper ends (shown inFIG. 10). The pivot supports82r,82l, together with flanged bushings78, are penetrated by a center pivot pin104which is shaped so that the arm levers45r,45lpivot on a center pivot axis42.

A pair of hand levers44r,44l(i.e., handles) are pivotally attached to the upper end of each of the arm levers45r,45l. In some embodiments, the hand levers44r,44lare covered with a cushioning material (such as foam rubber, plastic or leather) to facilitate the rider's grip. To assist in propelling the exercise vehicle10, the rider30grasps each of the hand levers44r,44land simultaneously moves the arm levers45r,45lback and forth in the opposite directions from one another (i.e., in a counter-reciprocal fashion).

The reader's attention now is directed to steering system12, which is shown in FIGS.1,2,3,6and7. As indicated, the steering system12includes the hand levers44r,44lwhich are pivotally attached to the tops of the corresponding upper arm portions38r,38l, each of the hand levers44r,44lbeing configured to pivot up or down about a corresponding hand lever axis43r,43l(seeFIG. 1). Each of the hand lever axes43r,43lis normal to a longitudinal axis of its corresponding upper arm portion38r,38l. The hand levers44r,44linclude hand lever cranks46r,46lrigidly connected to the hand levers44r,44lthat pivot about the same hand lever axes43r,43lrespectively. When a hand lever44pivots up, its corresponding hand lever crank46pivots up, and vice versa. When a hand lever44pivots down, its corresponding hand lever crank46pivots down, and vice versa.

The rider30initiates a change in the direction of the exercise vehicle10travel by pivoting one of the hand levers44r,44lup or down. This action causes the connected hand lever crank46to pivot in the same direction. This force is propagated further by push/pull rod assemblies48r,48lwhich transmit force between the hand lever cranks46r,46land a steering crank52. In some embodiments, the hand lever cranks46r,46lare omitted and the hand levers44r,44ltransmit force directly to the push/pull rod assemblies48r,48lrespectively.

The steering crank52rotates about a steering axis110that is generally vertical (shown inFIG. 7). The steering crank52is located at an upper end of front fork54. A guidance wheel58is rotatively coupled to the front fork54. When the steering crank52rotates left or right, the front fork54and guidance wheel58turn in the same direction, thereby changing the direction of travel of the exercise vehicle10.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 7, the push/pull rod assemblies48r,48linclude vertical rods66r,66l, bell cranks67r,67l, and horizontal rods74r,74l. The bell cranks67r,67lare “L” shaped with horizontal and vertical arms rigidly connected (seeFIG. 6). The bell cranks67rand67lare pivotally coupled to the frame14through bell crank pivots70r,70l. The bell cranks67r,67lhave horizontal bell crank ends68r,68land vertical bell crank ends72r,72l. The vertical rods66r,66lhave lower vertical rod ends112r,112l, which are pivotally coupled with horizontal bell crank ends68r,68lrespectively. The horizontal rods74r,74lare pivotally connected at their rearward ends to vertical bell crank ends72r,72land pivotally connected at the forward ends to the steering crank52. Pushing and/or pulling force from the hand levers44r,44lis communicated first via the vertical rods66r,66lwhich are pivotally attached at their upper ends to the hand lever cranks46r,46lrespectively. When one horizontal bell crank end68moves up, the other moves down and vice versa. The bell cranks67r,67lpivot on the bell crank pivots70r,70lwhich move vertical bell crank ends72r,72lforward or rearward. When one vertical bell crank end72moves forward, the other moves rearward and vice versa. The push/pull rod assemblies48r,48lare configured so that when bell cranks67r,67lare pivoting on the bell crank pivots70r,70l, the lower vertical rod ends112r,112lpass at least near the center pivot axis42. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 7, the lower vertical rod ends112r,112lpass not just near, but through the center pivot axis42.

Configuring push/pull rod assemblies48r,48lso the lower vertical rod ends112r,112lpass through the center pivot axis42will minimize uncommanded steer. However, in other embodiments, the lower vertical rod ends112r,112ldo not pass through the center pivot axis42, but pass near enough that uncommanded steer is kept to a negligible level. The center pivot pin104is shaped and attached to the frame14in such a manner (shown inFIG. 6) as to allow the lower vertical rod ends112r,112lto pass without interference through or near the center pivot axis42.

An alternative way to describe the interaction of the components shown inFIG. 7is to imagine a right bell crank line69rdefined as a line running through the right bell crank pivot70rand the right lower vertical rod end112r(not shown inFIG. 7), and a left bell crank line69ldefined as a line running through the left bell crank pivot70land the left lower vertical rod end112l. The push/pull rod assemblies48r,48lare configured so that the bell crank lines69r,69lintersect the center pivot axis42(not shown inFIG. 7) when the push/pull rod assemblies48r,48lare in a neutral, straight steering position. In a right turn steering position, as shown inFIG. 7, the left bell crank line69lforward of the left bell crank pivot70lpasses above the center pivot axis42and the right bell crank line69rforward of the right bell crank pivot70rpasses below the center pivot axis42. In a left turn steering position, the left bell crank line69lforward of the left bell crank pivot70lpasses below the center pivot axis42and the right bell crank line69rforward of the right bell crank pivot70rpasses above the center pivot axis42. When switching from the left turn steering position to the right turn steering position, the bell crank lines69r,69lpass through the center pivot axis42.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 7, the bell crank pivots70r,70lare simple pivots such that the horizontal bell crank ends68r,68lmove in arcs around the bell crank pivots70r,70l, with the arcs passing at least near through the center pivot axis42. In other embodiments (not shown), the bell crank pivots70r,70land/or pivots at the horizontal bell crank ends68r,68lare complex sliding pivots such that that the lower vertical rod ends112r,112lmove in straight vertical lines passing at least near the center pivot axis42.

In yet another embodiment (not shown), the bell cranks67r,67l, bell crank pivots70r,70l, the steering crank52, and the horizontal rods74r,74lare all shifted lower than shown inFIG. 7, with the bell crank pivots70r,70lattaching to a lower part of the frame14and the steering crank52attaching to a top of a shorter front fork54. In such embodiments, the right and left lower vertical rod ends112r,112lare pivotally coupled with the horizontal bell crank ends68l,68rthrough right and left extending rods respectively. The right and left lower vertical rod ends112r,112lare coupled with means for confining the right and left lower vertical rod ends112r,112lto vertical movement, means such as sleeves or brackets with slotted grooves. In such embodiments, the lower vertical rod ends112r,112lstill pass at least near the center pivot axis42and when switching from the left turn steering position to the right turn steering position, the bell crank lines69r,69lstill pass through the center pivot axis42.

When the rider rotates hand lever44rdownward, push/pull rod assembly48rwill pull on a right side of the steering crank52, causing steering crank52to rotate right about the steering axis110. At the same time, a left side of the steering crank52pulls on push/pull rod assembly48l, causing hand lever44lto pivot upward. InFIG. 7, steering crank52is shown rotated to the right. When in this position, the guidance wheel58also is turned to the right (the guidance wheel is not shown inFIG. 7).

FIG. 2shows the hand levers44r,44lgenerally horizontal and the guidance wheel58in a straight position. InFIG. 3, hand levers44r,44lare shown in an orientation which would produce a right-hand turn. The resulting right-hand turn of the guidance wheel58is also shown.

Although the upper arm portions38r,38lmove back and forth, they are rigid in terms of their lateral connection to the frame14. That is, if the upper arm portions38r,38lare moved to the left, the frame14is tilted to the left and vice versa. Although the hand levers44r,44lare pivotally attached to the upper arm portions38r,38lrespectively and move generally up and down, they too are rigid in terms of their lateral connection to the frame14. Through the hand levers44r,44l, the rider has the ability to keep the top ends of the upper arm portions38r,38leither from moving left or right (not allowing the frame to tilt left or right) or to move them left or right (causing the frame to tilt left or right) whichever is desired by the rider. Therefore, the rider30has a firm hold on the frame's vertical orientation even while the upper arm portions38r,38lare moving back and forth and simultaneously the hand levers44r,44lare moving up or down. This combined with stability provided by the seat50and combined with the rider's control of the guidance wheel58enables the rider30to maintain good balance while operating the exercise vehicle10.

Using the steering system12, the rider30may effectively steer the exercise vehicle10and keep his or her balance while maintaining efficient power produced by the counter-reciprocal action of the arm levers45r,45l. During this counter-reciprocal action each of the rider's arms is kept in or near respective vertical planes62r,62lwhich extend forward from corresponding shoulders64r,64lin the direction of travel. When this is accomplished, the rider's arms produce more power during counter-reciprocal action.

FIG. 4shows the rider30performing a right-hand turn. Hand lever44rpivots downwardly and hand lever44lpivots upwardly. However, each of the rider's hands60r,60l(and the rider's arms) remain in or near the respective vertical planes62r,62lwhich extend in a direction of travel from the corresponding shoulders64r,64l. Similarly, because the hand lever axes43r,43lare independent, and generally in alignment with the rider's shoulders and arms, the rider's hands60r,60lwill remain substantially near an optimal horizontal plane61, even during a turn.

FIGS. 8 and 9show a second embodiment, with foot platforms28r,28lalternatively used instead of pedals29r,29land pedal extensions32r,32l. The foot platforms28r,28lsupport the feet of a standing rider and connect the drive cranks26r,26lto the lower arm portions34r,34l. In this embodiment, the exercise vehicle10does not have seat50and the rider30operates the exercise vehicle10in a standing position. In yet another embodiment (not shown), the exercise vehicle10has foot platforms28r,28land a seat50.

The reader's attention is now directed to connecting plate assembly40lwhich is shown inFIG. 10. Upper arm portion38lhas upper plate39lattached to it. Lower arm portion34lhas lower plate351attached to it. Two holding loops76snugly (but rotatively) fit around flanged bushings78and pivot support82land are bolted to the upper arm portion. Connecting plate841is bolted to the upper plate39land attached to the lower plate351with two quick release binder bolts86which fit in the two notches shown. This connecting plate assembly40lallows the upper arm portion38lto be quickly rotationally de-coupled from the lower arm portion34lwhen the quick release binder bolts86are released and removed. The upper arm portion38lcan then be rotated back and down to the frame14for transport or storage as shown inFIG. 11. The hand levers44r,44l, can also be folded down after releasing similar binder bolts47r,47lwhich attach the vertical rods66r,66l, to the hand lever cranks46r,46l(seeFIG. 2).

FIG. 12shows a configuration in which the upper arm portions38r,38lare connected together in parallel and secured to the frame so that beginning riders can more easily learn to ride the vehicle. Cross plate101is attached to both upper plate39land39rand to frame anchor102, which is attached to the frame14.

Those who are skilled in the art will appreciate and understand that modifications may be made to the described embodiments of the invented exercise vehicle10and steering system12without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the exercise vehicle10may have two, three, four or more wheels. The exercise vehicle may have one or more drive wheel18or may have one or more guidance wheel58. Also, the pedals29r,29lor foot platforms28r,28lmay be replaced by foot rests so that the rider30propels the exercise vehicle10by back-and-forth arm motions only.

While cruising about in the exercise vehicle10, the rider receives a full body aerobic exercise and maximizes the power and efficiency of the rider's arm and leg motions while maintaining balance and executing a turn of the vehicle.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The exercise vehicle10and steering system12for such a vehicle may be understood to provide a transportation and/or exercise vehicle for a person. Such a vehicle utilizes the full power potential of the human body by using the simultaneous motion of the arms and legs to produce motion of the vehicle. The exercise vehicle's system provides an easy and efficient system for steering such a vehicle.

The exercise vehicle provides both aerobic and muscle-building exercise. It also better utilizes the human body as an engine by simultaneously using the rider's upper and lower body muscles. The exercise vehicle combines the powerful push and pull motion of the arms with the simultaneous and synchronized pedaling, climbing, or elliptical motion of the legs, thereby producing good upper body anaerobic exercise and good stair-climbing type aerobic exercise. The exercise vehicle exercises the entire body, even when a relatively short distance is traveled and when such travel is accomplished at slower speeds. Full body exercise that is smooth and shock free with minimum impact stress exerted on the muscles and joints is possible using the exercise vehicle.

The steering system12of the exercise vehicle10does not interfere with propulsion and provides good vertical control of the frame14for balance. The rider30remains in an upright position while propelling the exercise vehicle10, thereby enabling the rider30to better see the surroundings, including approaching obstacles, and to better be seen by others who might be on a converging path. Continuous power is applied smoothly to the drive wheel18, so that when the legs are providing the least power during the cycle, the arms are providing maximum power and vice versa. Also, the exercise vehicle10may be readily folded and thus easily transported in an automobile.