A multi-person velocipede is provided with a pair of interconnected frame members. A pair of rotatable forward wheels are rigidly coupled to the forward portion of the frames, and a pair of rotatable rearward wheels are pivotably coupled to the rearward portion of the frames. Sets of pedals operatively engage the forward wheels to provide power, braking and turning operations to the velocipede.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to velocipedes, and more particularly to a multi-person velocipede, which is steered and braked using only the pedal power provided by the users.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Multi-wheel velocipedes have been in existence for many years and have taken many different forms. From bicycles to tricycles and quadricycles, velocipedes have provided many different forms of transportation and recreation. Some of these velocipedes have even been designed for multiple operators. However, designing a multi-person velocipede presents a number of challenging issues. First, the designer must decide how many operators and how many passengers will occupy the velocipede at any one time. Thereafter, the basic concerns of which of the operators will power, brake and steer the velocipede must be addressed. These are not simple issues to tackle, as the prior art has discovered.

U.S. Pat. No. 264,855 discloses a multi-person velocipede having two rearward wheels and a single forward wheel. A seat is positioned above each of the wheels to carry an operator. Each wheel is provided with a directly-geared crank for providing power to the velocipede. The “tricycle built for three” is steered only by the operator sitting above the forward wheel. Accordingly, the rear passengers provide little more than power to the velocipede.

U.S. Pat. No. 598,322 teaches a tricycle built for two having a single U-shaped frame that positions the operators in a side-by-side fashion above a pair of forward wheels. Both operators provide power to the velocipede, and both operate a pair of independently-moving handlebars that simultaneously turn a single rearward wheel through a paired linkage system. Accordingly, the velocipede is properly turned when both operators turn their handlebars in substantially the same manner at the substantially the same time. However, operation of the handlebars in even slightly different directions or at different magnitudes may nullify or substantially exaggerate a turning operation. Moreover, the addition of a turning linkage increases the likelihood of mechanical failure and possible injury.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,511,809 discloses a velocipede that is comprised of a pair of generally horizontally-spaced bicycle frames that are traditional in design but coupled to one another at their forward and rearward ends. Both operators provide power to the velocipede through a multi-geared system secured on both frames. The operators are both responsible for braking and turning operations as well. The independent handlebars of the velocipede are coupled to pairs of pivotable forks that each engage a single rotating and turnable forward wheel. The independent handlebars are coupled together through a pivoting linkage system. Again, the velocipede demonstrates a system that requires the operators to use substantially similar gear selections, braking actions, and independent turning actions, increasing the likelihood of a problem or failure in powering, braking or turning the velocipede.

Accordingly, what is needed is a multi-person velocipede that permits each of the operators to participate in powering, braking and turning the velocipede in a safe and simple fashion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The multi-person velocipede of the present invention is generally provided with first and second frame members, each having a forward and rearward wheel coupled thereto. The frame members are preferably coupled to one another with a rigid support member that maintains a horizontally-spaced relationship between the frames. Each frame member is provided with at least one seat on which an operator may sit and operate a set of pedals operatively coupled to the forward wheel. In a preferred embodiment, a single rigid handlebar extends transversely with the two frames at their forward ends.

Power is provided to the velocipede through their respective set of pedals, which are preferably directly geared to the forward wheels. Braking of the velocipede is also initiated by one or both of the operators through a simple reverse pedaling pressure. Turning of the velocipede is achieved by one operator engaging in a braking operation while the opposite operator continues to pedal in a generally forward direction. The velocipede may also be turned by having one operator pedal at a faster rate than the oppositely seated operator. The rear wheels are preferably mounted to their respective frames so that they pivot freely about a generally vertical axis to assist in turning the velocipede.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a multi-person velocipede that simply permits its operators to power, brake and turn the velocipede.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a multi-person velocipede that can be turned by its operators without pivoting the forward wheels of the velocipede about a generally vertical axis.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-person velocipede that is turned by its operators through simple increases in power or braking to one side of the velocipede.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-person velocipede having a pair of rotatable forward wheels that are rigidly coupled to a frame and a pair of rotatable rearward wheels that are pivotably coupled to the frame.

These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The multi-person velocipede10of the present invention is generally depicted inFIGS. 1 and 2of the present invention. The velocipede10is generally provided with a first frame member12and a second frame member14, both frame members having forward end portions16and18and rearward end portions20and22, respectively. A first forward wheel24is rotatably coupled to the forward end portion16of the first frame, while a second forward wheel26is rotatably coupled to the forward end18of the second frame14. The first forward wheel24is generally operated by a set of pedals having a pair of crank arms28and pair of pedals32coupled therewith. Similarly, the second forward wheel26is provided with a pair of crank arms30and a pair of pedals34. The sets of pedals selectively rotate the forward wheels about axes extending perpendicularly through the forward wheels.

In a preferred embodiment, the sets of pedals are directly geared with the first wheel24and the second wheel26to eliminate the necessity of selectively adjustable gear systems. However, it is contemplated that a simple multi-gear assembly could be provided to both the forward wheels to enable the operators to change the gearing ratios in which the forward wheels are powered. In a preferred embodiment, the sets of pedals will be geared with the forward wheels to permit the operators to stop pedaling the cranks28and30in a forward direction while allowing the first forward wheel24and the second forward wheel26to continue rotating in a forward direction. However, it will also be preferred that the sets of pedals be geared with the forward wheels such that pressure-sensitive reverse pedaling of the cranks28and30will apply braking pressure to their respective first forward wheel24or second forward wheel26. Such methods of directly gearing crank arms to wheels will be known to those of skill in the art and for purposes of conciseness will not be discussed in structural detail herein. It is contemplated, however, that other gearing methods could be provided such that the sets of pedals would literally be directly geared to the forward wheels so that the cranks28and30rotate in a forward direction with the forward wheels, without the option of independent movement or “coasting.” In that embodiment, power and braking would be applied by each of the operators as described previously. Although it is further contemplated in yet another embodiment, standard hand-actuated braking systems could be provided to selectively engage the rims of the forward wheels to brake the velocipede10.

The velocipede10is preferably provided with a first rearward wheel36and a second rearward wheel38. The rearward wheels36and38are rotatably coupled to a pair of mounting brackets40and42, which are coupled to the rearward end portions20and22of the first frame12and second frame14. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting brackets40and42permit the rearward wheels36and38to freely pivot about generally vertical axes. Accordingly, a means for turning the velocipede10is provided without the necessity of pivoting either or both of the forward wheels24or26about a generally vertical axis. In this preferred embodiment, a first pair of forks41is coupled to the forward end portion16of the frame12, and second pair of forks43is coupled to the forward end portion18of the second frame14. A single elongated handlebar44is preferably provided to extend between the first pair of forks41and the second pair of forks43. In this manner, the handlebar44not only provides the operators with a stable structure to grasp while operating the velocipede10, but also provides a rigid interconnection between the first frame12and the second frame14such that the two frames are positioned in a horizontally-spaced relationship with one another. However, it is contemplated that one or more supports would couple the first frame12to the second frame14in a horizontally-spaced relationship such as the transverse support46and/or the cross-support48shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. Accordingly, while it is preferred that the support be provided by both the handlebar44and the supports46and/or48, it is contemplated the handlebar44or the supports46and/or48could provide sufficient coupling strength between the first frame12and the second frame14.

In use, a first operator will be preferably seated upon a first seat member50, which is coupled to the upper end of the first frame12. Similarly, it is preferred that a second operator be positioned atop a second seat member52atop the second frame14. In this position, both operators are able to easily engage the sets of pedals in forward and rearward rotating manners. It is preferred that the velocipede10be operated in a forward direction by having both operators engage the sets of pedals in a forward pedaling fashion. Similarly, braking can be achieved by both operators in the manners described hereinabove. However, it is contemplated that the forces engaged by both operators need not be equal to satisfactorily operate the velocipede10of the present invention in a forward-moving or braking operation. The velocipede10is preferably turned during operation by both operators in one of two different ways. First, for example, when a left turn is desired, the second operator could continue operating cranks30in a generally forward direction while the first operator engaged the cranks28in a braking operation. A left turn can also be attained by simply providing a substantial increase of forward pedaling power to the cranks30while operating the cranks28in a coasting or moderately forward pedaling manner. Accomplishing right-hand turns is preferably achieved in one of the same but oppositely-directed fashions. In either such turning operation, the pivotable nature of the rearward wheels36and38will greatly enhance the turning radius of the velocipede10. However, it is contemplated that the velocipede10could be engaged in either such turning operation with rigidly fixed forward and rearward wheels. It is also contemplated that providing the rearward wheels36and38with smaller diameters than those of forward wheels24and26will make it easier to bring the rearward end portions20and22of the frames12and14around any turn that is engaged.

Although the velocipede10is generally depicted and described herein as positioning the operators in an “upright” position, it is contemplated that a recumbent position for either or both operators would still satisfy the objects of the present invention. Moreover, it is contemplated that the addition of rearward passenger members or rearward operators could be easily incorporated with the design of the present invention.

In the drawings and in the specification, there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention; and although specific items are employed, these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in the form and proportion of parts, as well as substitution of equivalents, are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as further defined in the following claims.