COMBINED FOLDABLE BICYCLE AND CONTAINER

Abstract: A foldable bicycle in which the main frame enclosed a storage space, combined with a case which encloses the complete bicycle when folded. The case includes integral guards to separate the contents from the mechanism, permitting transportation of goods in the case without damage. When the seat post is folded into the case, it exposes hooks which secure the folded steering asembly and permit carriage by a handle attached to the steering column. The lower rear case is formed as a jacket which slides over the fixed portion of the case to expose or cover the rear wheel, and is retained and latched by fasteners sliding in slots. Fairing fixed to the front fork complete the outline of the case. The chain wheel overlaps the rear wheel to permit a high gear ratio in a compact space.

Description: COMBINED FOLDABLE BICYCLE AND CONTAINER This invention fulfils the requirement to have internal storage space when in use, and portability and stowability when not in use . It has been found in practice that conventional bicycles, including other foldable bicycles, have little or no storage space, which limits their usefulness. In addition, when not in use, or when required to be transported by other means, most bicycles form awkward packages. This invention overcomes both these problems. By placing the bicycle frame adjacent to the walls of a container, and suitable modification of other components, a volume of storage space is achieved. When not in use as a bicycle, all external components may be quickly folded or stowed into the container, so that only the carrying handle remains outside, resulting in clean external lines necessary to prevent damage to itself and other packages. The bicycle may be pedal-driven, motor-driven or a combination (mo-ped). A particular embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :- Figure 1 is a side view of the complete invention in the stowed configuration. Figure 2 is a side view of the frame in the stowed configuration. Figure 3 is a side view of the complete invention in the deployed configuration. Figure 4 is a side view of the frame in the deployed configuration. Figure 5 is a rear view of the frame in the deployed configuration. Figures 6 and 7 are sectional views of alternative pedal configurations. Figure 8 is a sectional plan view of the complete invention in the stowed configuration. The main frame is fixed to the rear axle 9 in conventional manner, but diverges thence to meet the side walls 102 of a container or case 100, hereinafter called the case and, where appropriate, following those walls. The case 100 is shaped to separate the contents from the mechanism. The steering column 40 is housed in a conventional steering head 4 attached to cross-members of the frame 1, and rotates freely through 360 degrees. The front fork 41 supports two arms 42 at points 43 on lugs 44. The arms 42 support the front axle 3 at their lower ends, and may swing about points 43 to allow the front wheel 31 to be stowed within the case 100. In the deployed position the arms 42 are located between lugs 46 on fork 41 and locked by pins 47 or alternatively by collars 471 . The steering assembly is reversed for stowing. The fork 41 also supports fairings 70, 71, which form the lower forward part of the case when the front wheel is stowed. The seat 21 is supported by a telescopic vertical post 22, 23 fixed to a lateral sleeve 24 surrounding a tube 241 joining the sides of frame 1. The post 22 is braced by fixed lateral stays 242 and by a collapsible longitudinal stay 25, 26, hinged at axis 30 to form a geometric lock when the stay is under compression. To prevent accidental release of the lock, another stay 27. 28, with upward opening geometric lock, holds axis 30 in a fixed position. The lower stay 26 is attached and braced to sleeve 263 surrounding lateral tube 261 joining the sides of frame 1. /^ϋR O The upper steering column 48 is hinged at axis 49 so that it folds rearward for stowing after first reversing the complete ' I steering assembly. In the stowed position, handle 50, fixed to the - steering column 48, points upward through the top of the case ,for, carrying. Pin 491 holds the steering column in the deployed position. The handlebars 51, 52 break at the centre and are hinged at axes 53, 54 to lie flat beside the steering column 48. In doing so they engage hooks 55, 56 on sleeve 24 of the seat support, which must be in the stowd position for this engagement. When in this position, the steering is locked in the reversed position, and the complete device may be lifted by handle 50. The handlebars 51, 52 are locked in the deployed position by a pin or bolt 59 fitted through a hole in mounting plates 57, 58. Alternatively, they may be fixed in the deployed position by any suitable latch joining the two halves 51, 52. The upper seat post 23 slides within the lower post 22 for height adjustment and stowing, and is clamped by clamp 36. The seat 21 is mounted and clamped at the top of post 23 on a lateral axis 38 to allow the seat to fold forward and downwards for stowing. Clamps 36 and 39 are fitted with quick-release handles 37 and 391. The pedal shaft assembly 10 is supported by bearings 6 at each side of frame 1, between the chain wheel 7 and the pedals 8, thus allowing the chain wheel 7 to overlap the rear wheel 91 for compactness and to allow a high gear ratio. This layout differs from conventional bicycles, in which the bearings are mounted inboard of the chain wheel, and the chain must cross the rear fork, making an overlap difficult to achieve. The chain wheel 7 is attached to shaft 10 which may take one or two forms. In the former, the shaft is a square sleeve 103 supported at each end by bearings 6, and having its end flush with the outer surface 102 of the case 100. A removable square shaft 111 fits within the sleeve 103 and is attached at each end to pedal cranks 81, 82. One pedal crank 82 may be permanently fixed to shaft 111, while the other crank 81 is attached by conventional means, to enable shaft 111 and cranks 81, 82 to be removed for stowage. In the latter form, the shaft 101 is supported by bearings 601 which are mounted inset from the surface 102 of the case 100, so that the ends of the shaft 101 do not protrude from the surface of the case. The ends of the shaft 101 are shaped to take the standard screw-on pedal cranks 801, 802. The hubs of these cranks must extend sufficiently to allow unimped rotation of the cranks. The main case 1 is moulded to form integral wheel bays and mudguards, chain guard, and crankshaft guard. In the case of the rear wheel, the wheel bay is large enough to permit unimpeded wheel rotation, while the front wheel bay is a close fit around the wheel, as it is only used for stowing the wheel. The lid of the case is split longitudinally at the centre, and hinged at each side. Apertures in the lid permit the extension of the steering column, seat support, or carrying handle as required. The lid is held in the closed position by conventional latches, joining the two halves. oι. The lower rear portion of the case is formed as a jacket 60 which fits over the fixed case 100, and is hinged at the forward end by bolts 61. It slides over the case 100 to cover or expose * * * . the rear wheel 91 through aperture 69. The jacket 60 is»"h ' eld in contact with case 100 by sufficient fasteners sliding i'n slots 64. The rearmost slot 64 and its matching slot 65 in case 100 are configured to latch the jacket in the up or down position by sliding fastener 63 into the angled portion of the slot. - $ UR OM /

Claims: THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: Claim 1. A foldable bicycle in which the framework surrounds a storage space, combined with a container or case which encloses the complete bicycle when the foldable parts are stowed, characterised by internal mouldings which -separate the contents of the container from the moving parts of the bicycle. Claim 2. In the combined foldable bicycle and container referred to in claim 1, a method of folding the upper steering column to expose a carrying handle after first reversing the steering assembly. Claim 3. In the combined foldable bicycle and container referred to in claim 1, a method of erecting and stowing the seat and seat support by means of quick release clamps permitting the seat to be rotated, and the telescopic seat support post to be adjusted in length, and a collapsible longitudinal stay with a quick-release geometric lock permitting quick erection of the seat assembly or, conversely, its quick stowage within the space available. Claim 4. In the combined foldable bicycle and container referred to in claim 1, and in conjunction with the folding components of claims 2 and 3, a securing system comprising hooks fitted to the lateral seat support sleeve, which immobilise the steering column in the reversed position and engage the folded handlebars to enable the complete assembly to be carried by means of the handle referred to in claim 2. Claim 5. In the combined foldable bicycle and container referred to in claim 1, a method of moving the lower rear portion of the case as a jacket over the fixed portion of the case to expose or cover the rear wheel, together with a means of securing the jacket to the fixed portion of the case and latching it in the up or down position. Claim 6. In the combined foldable bicycle and container referred to in claim 1, a means for stowing the front wheel within the case on movable arms connected to the front fork, together with a means and an alternate means of securing those arms to the front fork in the deployed position by pins or collars. Claim 7. In the combined foldable bicycle and container referred to in claim 1, and in conjunction with the securing system referred to in claim 4, a method of mounting the lower forward portion of the container on the front fork so that it will move with the front fork while being steered, and form a secure portion of the case when the steering column is secured in the stowed position. Claim 8. In the combined foldable bicycle and container referred to in claim 1, a method of mounting the pedal crank shaft so that the chain wheel may overlap the rear wheel to give a compact assembly with a high gear ratio.

Inventors: MILLER ERIC GILES, MILLER, ERIC, GILES
Applicants: MILLER ERIC GILES, MILLER, ERIC, GILES
Application year: 1984
Main classification: B62K15
IPC codes: B62K15