Motorized vehicle and manufacturing methods therefor

Disclosed is a vehicle consisting of a bike frame having front and rear forks, a front wheel attached to the front fork, a rear wheel attached to the rear fork, and a drive train including a crank attached to the frame, a chain ring assembly attached to the crank, a cog assembly attached to the rear wheel, and a first endless chain coupling the chain ring assembly to the cog assembly. An engine having a drive element is attached to the frame between the front fork and rear forks. A drive gear assembly is attached to the frame, a second endless chain couples the drive element to the drive gear assembly, and a third endless chain couples the drive gear assembly to the chain ring assembly.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to motorized vehicles and to methods of manufacturing motorized vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Among all outdoor activities cycling is one of the most popular, especially road and mountain biking. For many, mountain biking is the most fun because mountain paths, desert trails, and country roads offer resplendent views of nature, fresh air, and respite from vehicular traffic. Structurally mountain bikes are considerably rugged and built to withstand hard, intense use over rugged terrain. Because mountain paths and nature trails are often quite hilly, mountain bikes are furnished with drive trains that offer a wide range of gearing ratios from very low gearing for climbing and high gearing for flat terrain.

Of great concern now is the preservation of natural resources, such as water and especially fuel oils. Although sport-utility vehicles and trucks and other large passenger vehicles were once popular and in high demand, they consume large amounts of fuel as a result are becoming increasingly less popular. Because people are becoming increasingly energy conscious, efforts to find convenient and energy-efficient transportation are now on the rise. Although motorcycles, small passenger vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and electric vehicles offer excellent energy-efficient modes of transportation, the technology and efficiency of bicycles and especially mountain bikes has remained ignored in terms of providing a baseline structure for a motorized vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, to achieve the desired objects and advantages of the invention while overcoming deficiencies in the art, an exemplary embodiment of the invention consists of a vehicle including a bike frame having front and rear forks, a front wheel attached to the front fork, a rear wheel attached to the rear fork, and a drive train including a crank attached to the frame, a chain ring assembly attached to the crank, a cog assembly attached to the rear wheel, and a first endless chain coupling the chain ring assembly to the cog assembly. An engine attached to the frame between the front fork and rear forks. The engine has a drive element and a power output. A drive gear assembly is attached to the frame, a second endless chain couples the drive element to the drive gear assembly, and a third endless chain couples the drive gear assembly to the chain ring assembly. A rear derailer is attached to the frame and associates with the cog assembly and the first endless chain, and a shift lever assembly is attached to the frame and is coupled to the rear derailer and is operative for adjusting the rear derailer for moving the first endless chain between gears of the cog assembly. A clutch is provided for connecting and disconnecting the drive element to the drive gear assembly, and a throttle is provided for controlling the power output of the engine.

Another embodiment of the invention is a vehicle consisting of a bike frame having front and rear forks, a front wheel attached to the front fork, a rear wheel attached to the rear fork, and a drive train including a crank attached to the frame, a chain ring assembly attached to the crank, a cog assembly attached to the rear wheel, and a first endless chain coupling the chain ring assembly to the cog assembly. A rear derailer is attached to the frame and associates with the rear cog assembly and the first endless chain. A shift lever assembly is attached to the frame and is coupled to the rear derailer, and is operative for adjusting the rear derailer for moving the first endless chain between gears of the cog assembly. Further to this embodiment is an engine, which is attached to the frame between the front fork and rear forks. The engine has a drive element and a power output. A drive gear assembly is attached to the frame, a second endless chain couples the drive element to the drive gear assembly, and a third endless chain couples the drive gear assembly to the chain ring assembly. Still further to this embodiment are a clutch for connecting and disconnecting the drive element to the drive gear assembly, and a throttle for controlling the power output of the engine.

A further embodiment of the invention is a vehicle consisting of a bike frame having front and rear forks, a front wheel attached to the front fork, a rear wheel attached to the rear fork, and a drive train including a crank attached to the frame, a chain ring assembly attached to the crank, a cog assembly attached to the rear wheel, and a first endless chain coupling the chain ring assembly to the cog assembly. An engine attached to the frame between the front fork and rear forks. The engine has a drive element and a power output. A drive gear assembly is attached to the frame, a second endless chain couples the drive element to the drive gear assembly, and a third endless chain couples the drive gear assembly to the chain ring assembly. A clutch is provided for connecting and disconnecting the drive element to the drive gear assembly, as is a throttle for controlling the power output of the engine. Further to this embodiment are a rear derailer attached to the frame and associated with the cog assembly and the first endless chain, and a shift lever assembly attached to the frame and coupled to the rear derailer for adjusting the rear derailer for moving the first endless chain between gears of the cog assembly.

Consistent with the foregoing of various exemplary embodiments of the invention and the ensuing detailed description, which are taken together, the invention also contemplates associated vehicle and vehicle manufacturing method embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed toFIG. 1in which is seen a motorized vehicle, embodying the principle of the instant invention, generally indicated by the reference character10including a frame11having an attached engine12, drive train13, throttle14and clutch15. Frame11is a bicycle frame. Although the invention can be facilitated with any bicycle frame, frame11is preferably a mountain bike frame. Frame11is considerably rugged and constructed of steel, aluminum, titanium, carbon fiber or any combination thereof or other suitable material or combination of materials, and includes front and rear ends16,17characterized by front and rear forks16A,17A, respectively. A front wheel18is attached to front fork16A in a conventional manner, and a rear wheel19is attached to rear fork17A in a conventional manner.

Drive train13offers a wide range of gearing ratios from very low gearing for climbing and high gearing for flat terrain. Drive train13is constructed and arranged and attached to frame11in a conventional manner, and consists of crank26attached and rotated to frame11in a conventional manner, a front gear or chain ring assembly32attached to crank26, and a rear gear or cog assembly33attached to the hub of rear wheel19. A rear derailer22is attached to frame11in a conventional manner and associates with cog assembly33, and an endless chain/belt36couples chain ring assembly32to cog assembly33. Frame11supports an attached shift lever assembly23(FIG. 3) that is coupled in a conventional manner, such as with a wire (not shown), to rear derailer22through which chain36passes. Shift lever assembly23is operative for adjusting rear derailer22for moving chain36between gears/cogs of cog assembly33. Shift lever assembly23is constructed in arranged in a conventional manner, the details of which will readily occur to the skilled artisan and will not be further discussed. A pair of differently sized fixed gears32A,32B characterize chain ring assembly32, although three or more can be employed, if desired. Frame11constitutes the main support structure of vehicle10to which the various components of the invention are attached or otherwise supported. Attached to frame11is a seat20disposed toward rear end17and handlebars21disposed toward front end16. Frame11can incorporates one or more other features commonly found on conventional mountain bikes, namely, shock absorbers, brakes, etc., further details of which will readily occur to the skilled artisan and will not be further discussed.

Engine12is a conventional internal combustion engine, such as a two horsepower Briggs & Straton internal combustion engine. Any suitable internal combustion engine can be used with the invention without limitation and at any suitable or desired horsepower consistent with the teachings of the invention. Because engine12is a two horsepower engine, it is relatively small. Nevertheless, engine12is secured to frame11between front and rear ends16and17beneath seat20. Suitable couplings or mounts are employed in the attachment of engine12to frame11. Engine12incorporates an ignition that is capable of turning engine120N. The ignition constitutes a “pull-type” ignition or one in which a key or switch is employed, such as with an electrically powered ignition. Any suitable ignition assembly or switch capable of starting engine12can be used.

Engine12includes a drive element30, which is driven by engine12for rotation. A drive gear assembly31is secured and rotated to frame11. A pair of differently sized fixed gears31A,31B characterize gear assembly31. Gear31A is larger than gear31B and this can be reversed. Gears31A,31B can be similarly sized if desired. Gear32A is larger than gear32B and this can be reversed. Gears32A,32B can be similarly sized if desired. Variously sized fixed gears characterize gear assembly33in a conventional manner, as does the derailer mentioned earlier, which are features common to most currently-available mountain bikes, further details of which will readily occur to the skilled artisan. An endless chain or belt34meshingly interacts with drive element30and gear31A, an endless chain or belt35meshingly interacts with gear31B and gear32B, and endless chain or belt36meshingly interacts with gear32A and gear assembly33.

Clutch15connects and disconnects drive element30to gear31A via endless belt34. When endless belt34connects drive element30to gear31A, rotational power is transferred from drive element30to cog assembly33causing rear wheel19to rotate, which facilitates powered wheeled movement of vehicle10. In particular, when endless belt34connects drive element30to gear31A, rotational power provided by drive element30is transferred to gear31A rotating it, in which rotational power is then transferred via endless belt35from gear31B to gear32A, then in which rotational power is transferred via endless belt36from gear32A to cog assembly33.

A jointed lever40and an attached rotated idler41characterize clutch15. In this embodiment, idler41is attached to engine12, although it can be attached elsewhere, such as to frame11. Lever40is attached to and interacts with idler41, and extends upwardly therefrom to a handle42. By grasping and acting on handle42, lever is capable of being pivoted. In response to pivotal movement of jointed lever40, idler41is movable between a first position away from endless belt34and a second position against endless belt34. In the second position of idler41, endless belt34is placed under tension tightening it into meshing or working engagement with drive element30connecting drive element30to gear31A via endless belt34permitting rotational power to transfer from drive element30to gear31A via endless belt34. In the first position of lever40, idler41is disposed away from endless belt34relieving tension therefrom taking endless belt34out of meshing or working engagement with drive element30disconnecting drive element30from gear31A. As seen inFIGS. 1 and 3, lever40interacts with a fixture43attached to frame11between its front and rear ends16,17. A male engagement feature45(FIG. 3) carried by lever40is capable of interlocking with female engagement features44locking it in place in its first and second positions and at various positions therebetween. The positioning of the male and female engagement features can be reversed, if desired.

Throttle14controls the power output of engine12. As seen inFIGS. 1–4, an attached levered element50that connects to and interacts with a valve of engine12controls the amount of fuel delivered to engine12, which controls the power output (e.g., speed) of engine12. Levered element50is attached to a stem51of frame11that connects handlebars21, and yet it can be attached elsewhere. Other throttle forms can be used with the invention. Rather than a levered element, the manually adjustable feature for governing the speed of engine12can be any suitable movable feature and even a rotating handled element, and personal preference will normally dictate the desired type or form of movable feature.

In sum, vehicle10is essentially a converted mountain bike, in which the pedaled crankshafts are removed in favor of the attachment of engine12, drive gear assembly31, throttle14and clutch15, and the association between drive gear assembly31and chain ring assembly32via endless belt35for facilitating power transfer from engine12to cog assembly33via endless belt36. Vehicle10is capable of being ridden by sitting up seat20and maneuvered with handlebars21. A rider of vehicle10can place his feet upon foot rests60,61(FIGS. 1–3) secured to frame11forward of chain ring assembly32and rearward of front wheel18for comfort. By turning engine12ON and operating throttle14and clutch15, vehicle is capable of being driven from place to place, representing a highly efficient means of local transportation. Furthermore, vehicle10can be operated at different speeds by controlling the operation of throttle14for controlling the output of engine12. Speed and gearing ratios can also be varied by shifting between the gears of cog assembly33with rear derailer22via shift lever assembly23. Although chain ring assembly32as two gears32A,32B, it can incorporate more, if desired. In this environment, vehicle10can incorporate a front derailer for gear assembly32, if desired, for providing a user with the ability to move between one or more available gear not occupied by belt35. A derailer can also be incorporated with cog assembly31, if desired. Those of ordinary skill will appreciate that a derailer is a device operable for switching between variously sized gears. In this respect, it will be evident that the various gear assemblies of vehicle10can and preferably will incorporate variously sized gears and associated and operable derailers, permitting the gearing range of vehicle10to be adjusted as desired during use.

The present invention is described above with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the nature and scope thereof. For instance, rather than an internal combustion engine, an electrically powered engine can be used, if desired. In the case of an electric motor, it is to be understood that a suitable throttle will incorporate a rheostat or other similar device for controlling the amount of electrical power output of the electric engine. Any suitable throttle capable of governing the output of such an electrically powered motor can be used without limitation. Various other changes and modifications to the embodiment herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is: