HANDS FREE BICYCLE

An electric bicycle includes a frame that has a concave or arc shape. The bicycle also includes two wheels—a front wheel and a rear wheel, with each wheel being connected with an end portion of the frame. A battery-powered electric motor may be connected with the rear wheel to drive the rear wheel and propel the bicycle forward. The battery may be rechargeable. The speed of the bicycle may be controlled by the operator moving a lever with one of their feet. A rotatable knob located on the frame may be used as a cruise control speed setting device. The electric bicycle may be steered by the operator using their feet resting on a pair of foot pegs that are attached to or connected with the front wheel. The electric bicycle may include a regenerative braking system or a friction braking system.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter disclosed herein relates in general to an electric bicycle, and more particularly to an electric bicycle that has “hands free” steering in which the bicycle is steered using the operator's feet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that two wheeled bicycles typically employ a handlebar steering system, which requires the operator to use their hands and arms to steer the bicycle and to also maintain their balance on the bicycle. It would be beneficial to provide an electric bicycle that allows the operator to steer the bicycle instead using the operator's feet via foot pegs attached to or connected with the front wheel. The design of the electric bicycle of embodiments of the present invention allows for hands free operation of a bicycle that does not currently exist.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An electric bicycle includes a frame that has a concave or arc shape. The bicycle also includes two wheels—a front wheel and a rear wheel, with each wheel being connected with an end portion of the frame. A battery-powered electric motor may be connected with the rear wheel to drive the rear wheel and propel the bicycle forward. The battery may be rechargeable. The speed of the bicycle may be controlled by the operator moving a lever with one of their feet. A rotatable knob located on the frame may be used as a cruise control speed setting device. The electric bicycle may be steered by the operator using their feet resting on a pair of foot pegs that are attached to or connected with the front wheel. The electric bicycle may include a regenerative braking system or a friction braking system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It should be understood that, throughout this patent application and specifically in the written description that follows and in the accompanying drawing figures, various directional terms such as horizontal, vertical, up, down, upwardly, downwardly, front, back, top, bottom, upper, lower, left, right, and other similar terms as they are used herein refer to the hands free electric bicycle of the various exemplary embodiments of the present invention as that bicycle is typically oriented when used. All of these terms are used in this written description and in the drawings for convenience only and as an aid to better understanding the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. These terms are not intended to be limiting in the claims or to imply that the hands free electric bicycle must be used or positioned in any particular orientation.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, there illustrated is a side view and a front view, respectively, of an electric bicycle10having a frame14according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment of the electric bicycle10is intended primarily for use by an operator on a paved surface (e.g., a road or street) or other relatively smooth or hard surface. In contrast, a second embodiment of an electric bicycle10of the present invention is illustrated in the side view ofFIG. 3and is intended for use on more rugged terrain. This second alternative embodiment differs from the first embodiment primarily by the addition of a “coil over shock” suspension18to the rear portion of the frame14. Otherwise, the two embodiments of the electric bicycle10are similar such that like reference numerals are used herein to describe similar features.

In these two embodiments, the electric bicycle10comprises two wheels22,26—a front wheel22and a rear wheel26. Each wheel22,26is connected to a corresponding end portion of the frame14that is of a concave shape or an arc shape. The wheels22,26may each be connected to the frame14using corresponding brackets30,34. The frame14may be round or other shape in cross section and may comprise a hollow steel or aluminum tubing, or other rigid material such as hard plastic, titanium, or composite material. It suffices that the material comprising the tubing of the frame14be able to support the weight of an operator while the electric bicycle10is in normal operation. Also, the tubing of the frame14may enclose various components of the electric bicycle10, for example, electrical wiring or braking components.

The rear wheel26may be driven by a battery powered electric motor40, such as a hub motor located proximate or internal to the rear wheel26. One or more rechargeable batteries44may be provided inside the hollow tubing of the frame14and connected with the motor40. Recharging of the batteries44may be carried out by the owner/operator at a location or a charging station (e.g., the operator's home) that has a battery recharging power source, which would connect with the batteries44inside the frame14using a suitable connector.

Also, embodiments of the electric bicycle10of the present invention may include a regenerative braking system, which may be used to provide braking for the electric bicycle10. As such, the regenerative braking system can provide recharging electric power to the batteries44of the electric bicycle10. This is typically accomplished in a known manner by having the motor40also function as an electric generator during the regenerative braking period, with the generator providing recharging electrical current to the batteries44in this mode of operation. To implement such a regenerative braking system, the appropriate electrical and mechanical components may be located inside or outside of the tubing of the frame14.

In the alternative, braking of the electric bicycle10may be accomplished using a friction type braking system associated with the front wheel22and/or the rear wheel26. Such a traditional bicycle wheel braking system may be carried out and operated in a well-known manner.

The electric bicycle10of embodiments of the present invention is intended to be steered with the operator's feet resting on a pair of front foot pegs48,52(i.e., a left leg foot peg48and a right leg foot peg52). The foot pegs48,52may be attached to or connected with the front wheel22using, e.g., the bracket30. As such, the front wheel22may pivot on a bearing56that may be similar to that utilized in a typical bicycle front fork assembly.

The speed of the motor and thus of the electric bicycle10may be controlled by the operator using their right leg and foot to operate a throttle pedal or lever60. The throttle lever60may be pushed forward by the operator to increase the speed of the electric bicycle10. As such, the throttle lever60pivots and rotates around the right leg foot peg52. When the operator releases the applied force on the throttle lever60, the throttle lever60moves backward via, e.g., a spring force, and a regenerative braking system may then by activated. In addition, a brake pedal or lever64may be provided that pivots and rotates around the left leg foot peg48. When activated by applied force from the operator's left leg and foot, the brake lever64may activate a friction braking system on the front wheel22.

A rotatable knob68is positioned on a top surface of the frame14and at a location on the frame14in front of a seat72. The knob68may be hard wired to the motor40and batteries44by wires running inside or outside of the tubing of the frame14. The knob68may function together with the throttle lever60as a cruise control speed setting device.

The seat72for the operator of the electric bicycle10may be affixed to a top portion of the frame14. The seat72may have a rearward-facing light (i.e., a taillight)76affixed to the back portion of the seat72or the frame14. The taillight76may also indicate a braking condition of the electric bicycle10. A forward-facing head lamp or light80may be affixed to a front portion of the frame14to illuminate an area in front of the electric bicycle10e.g., during operation thereof.

The expected top speed of the electric bicycle10of embodiments of the present invention may be approximately 30 mph. Other possible options include the electric bicycle10being foldable, with the folding being facilitated by, for example, by a hinge located in the approximate center of the arc of the frame14.

Although not shown in the figures, a three-wheel embodiment of the electric bicycle10may be provided for the elderly or those balance challenged. This embodiment of the electric bicycle10may include one wheel22in the front and two wheels26in the rear, or vice versa.