RECUMBENT BICYCLE WITH ENCLOSED CHAIN DRIVE

Abstract: A novel improved recumbent vehicle having a frame (12) comprising an elongate tubular support portion (30) adapted to substantially entirely enclose within its interior the vehicle's primary drive (80) thereby eliminating risk of rider entanglement. Other features of the recumbent vehicle according to the invention include a steering assembly including handlebars (82) selectively positionable along the frame (12) and diametrically interconnected by steering cables (84, 86) to a front fork (120) selectively positionable along the frame (12) and rotatably supporting a front wheel (18) providing for nearly 90<o> steering movement of the front wheel (18), and a seat (14) selectively positionable along the frame (12) to accommodate various size riders and adapted to support a rider without the need for complicated seat bracing apparatus.

Description: Recumbent Bicycle with Enclosed Chain Drive. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to land vehicles operable by a rider in a non-upright posi¬ tion and more specifically to recumbent pedalable vehi¬ cles. Pedalable land vehicles such as conventional bicycles operated by a rider in an upright position are well known. Other versions of pedalable vehicles have also been reported wherein the rider operates the vehi¬ cle in a non-upright position. See, generally. Gross, et al.. Scientific American 249/6:142-15"2 (December, 1983). Of interest to the present invention are the following reports of pedalable vehicles wherein the rider is seated in a reclining or "recumbent" posi¬ tion: Turner, et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,333,664; Hopkins, et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,279,429; Hopkins, U.S. Patent No. 4,198,072; Matsuura, U.S. Patent No. 3,921,467; and Robinson, U.S. Patent No. 3,753,577. Turner, et al. discloses a recumbent bicycle wherein the rider is seated in a reclining position and operates pedals located at the front end of the frame and steers the vehicle by moving a handlebar integrally attached to the front wheel. The bicycle frame comprises small diameter tube supports which support the crank assembly, front and rear wheels, bicycle seat and the bicycle chain drive interconnecting the crank assembly and rear wheel which chain drive runs along the exterior of the frame. The seat disclosed in Turner, et al. is a padded fiberglass shell supported by an intricate seat back support system to prevent torsion during pedaling. The Hopkins U.S. Patent No. 4,198,072 discloses a tricycle recumbent vehicle having a bicycle chain drive assembly located alongside the front portion of the frame inter¬ connecting the crank assembly with the front wheel and a rear two-wheel steering carriage assembly allowing pivoting of the rear axle about two different axes. The seat 15 is provided in two sections, a hip support sec¬ tion and a back support section joined at a pivot allow¬ ing angular positioning of the back support, and is integral with the frame. Hopkins U.S. Patent No. 4,279,429 discloses a tricycle-type recumbent vehicle having a steering control mechanism including hand grips integrally attached to the rear axle and a gimbal means that provides pivotal steering movement of the rear wheels about two axes. The tricycle has a bicycle chain drive located alongside the front portion of the frame interconnecting the front wheel with the crank assembly and a seat provided in two portions, a hip support por¬ tion and a back support portion. Matsuura 3,921,467 discloses a recumbent cycle chain drive assembly located along the longitudinal axis of the cycle. The disclosed tricycle recumbent vehicle drive chain includes a pri¬ mary sprocket attached to the cycle pedal assembly and a final sprocket attached to the rear wheels' axle and tensioner sprockets therebetween which route the cycle chain below the cycle seat in the center of the open tricycle frame to attempt to prevent entanglement of the rider. The disclosed cycle drive also includes a par¬ tial chain guard located over part of the crank assembly sprocket and drive chain. Robinson 3,753,577 discloses a recumbent tricycle pedalable vehicle having the seat attached to the frame between the rear wheels and at a height below that of the rear wheels' axles. The steer¬ ing assembly comprises a handlebar assembly connected to a sprocket interconnected by a chain to a sprocket con¬ nected to the front wheel. A dual chain drive assembly attached alongside the frame having two chains inter¬ connecting a pedal assembly sprocket with the rear axle sprocket is also shown. Also of interest to the present invention are reports of attempts to provide more efficient and aero- dynamic pedalable vehicles. See, generally. Gross, et al. "The Aerodynamics of Human-Powered Land Vehicles", Scientific American Vol. 249, No. 6 (December, 1983) pp. 142-152. Reported vehicles therein included several varieties of recumbent bicycles (p. 148) having chain drive assemblies located alongside tubular frame struc¬ tures. Steering assemblies employed include handlebars attached directly to the front wheel (Easy Racer, Schon- dorf Ail-Weather Vehicle) and handlebars mounted below the rider's seat (Avatar 2000). The Avatar handlebars are interconnected with the front fork by a tie rod attached to each handlebar and the front fork. Similar versions of aerodynamically designed recumbent vehicles have been reported by the International Human Powered Vehicle Association in its September, 1983 report of the Ninth Annual Human Powered Speed Championships. Included in the reported vehicles is the "Infinity" recumbent bicycle having a bicycle chain drive located alongside the tubular frame and a steering assembly including a handlebar assembly welded to rear portion of the frame at a fixed position and interconnected with the front wheel fork assembly by two cables, one cable interconnecting the left handlebar with the left side of the front fork and a right cable connecting the right handlebar with the right side of the front fork. The seat is welded to a slide attached to the rear of the frame near the point at which the handlebars are fixed to the frame and has two parallel side supports support¬ ing a fabric hammock-type seat. Of particular interest to the present inven¬ tion is the fact that the reported recumbent bicycles all have chain drive assemblies located alongside the vehicle frame in close proximity to the rider's legs resulting in significant risk of entanglement of the rider with the chain. The reported recumbent vehicles have also been found to be difficult to maneuver at low speeds due to the limited turning capacity provided by the steering assemblies reported which do not provide more than about a 45° turn of the steering wheel to either side. There exists, therefore, a need in the art for safer, more maneuverable recumbent vehicles adapted to readily accommodate a variety of different size riders. BRIEF SUMMARY The present invention provides novel improved recumbent pedalable vehicles having a frame comprising an elongate tubular support means adapted to substan¬ tially entirely enclose within its interior the vehi¬ cle's primary drive means thereby eliminating risk of rider entanglement. One presently preferred embodiment includes a vehicle adapted to be operated by a rider in a recumbent position including a frame having a front portion rotatably supporting a crank assembly having foot pedals, a front wheel support pivotably attached to the frame generally intermediate the front portion and rear portion of the frame and rotatably supporting a front wheel, a rear wheel rotatably supported by the rear portion of the frame including a rear axle rigidly supporting a rear sprocket, a seat supported by the frame generally intermediate the front wheel and rear wheel, wherein the improvement comprises a frame com- prising an elongate tubular support means having a front portion rotatably supporting the crank assembly, a center portion supporting the seat, and a rear portion rotatably supporting the rear wheel, said elongate tubu¬ lar support means being adapted to substantially entirely enclose within its interior a primary drive means comprising a crank sprocket means rigidly sup¬ ported by said crank assembly and interconnected by a power transfer means to an inner drive sprocket means rigidly supported by a drive shaft means interconnected by a secondary drive means to said rear wheel. The front portion of the frame is adapted to rotatably sup¬ port the crank assembly which comprises a crank shaft having a center sprocket means support portion, inter¬ mediate bearing support portions and outer crank support portions. The crank shaft is rotatably horizontally supported at intermediate bearing support portions by the front portion providing for rotatable support of the center sprocket means support portion within the front portion of the elongate tubular support at a position substantially horizontally perpendicular to the interior longitudinal axis of said elongate tubular support. The outer crank support portions of the crank shaft rigidly support bicycle cranks rotatably supporting bicycle foot pedals. The center crank sprocket means support portion of the crank shaft rigidly supports the crank sprocket of the primary drive means at a position inside the front portion of the elongate tubular support and in substantial longitudinal alignment with the longitudinal axis of the elongate tubular support. The rear portion of the elongate tubular support rotatably supports the drive shaft means having a center inner drive sprocket means support portion, intermediate bearing support portions and outer support portions. The drive shaft is rotatably horizontally supported by the rear portion of the frame by the bearing support portions providing for rotatable support of the center inner drive sprocket support means portion at a position inside the rear portion of the frame at a position substantially hori¬ zontally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate tubular support and substantially parallel to the crank shaft means. One of the outer support por- tions of the drive shaft is interconnected by a sec¬ ondary drive means to the rear wheel. The center inner drive sprocket support portion of the drive shaft rigidly supports the inner drive sprocket at a position inside the rear portion and in substantial longitudinal alignment with the longitudinal axis of the elongate tubular support. The crank sprocket and inner drive sprocket are interconnected by a power transfer means such as a chain at a position substantially entirely within the interior of said elongate tubular support providing for transfer of power supplied from rotation of the crank assembly from the crank sprocket to the inner drive sprocket and to said secondary drive means and to said rear wheel, thereby eliminating the risk of rider entanglement with the primary drive means. . A second important feature of the present invention includes recumbent vehicles having a steering assembly having handlebars selectively positionable along the frame and interconnected by two steering cables diametrically attached to the front fork pro- viding for nearly 90° steering movement of the front wheel to either side and improving low speed maneuver¬ ability of the vehicle. Another important feature of the present invention includes recumbent vehicles having a seat selectively positionable along the frame to accommodate various size riders wherein the seat comprises a seat backrest support rigidly supporting a seat backrest supporting a rear seat web support, seat side support portions supporting side seat web supports and a seat center support portion supporting a center seat web support and a seat web supported therein adapted to support a rider without the need for complicated seat back bracing apparatus. Another important feature of the present invention includes recumbent vehicles having a combina- tion of the above-described elongate tubular support means substantially entirely enclosing the primary drive means and having a steering assembly comprising a handlebar assembly selectively positionable along the frame and interconnected by two steering cables dia- metrically contacting the handlebar assembly and the front fork providing for nearly 90° steering movement of the front wheel to either side and improving low speed maneuverability of the vehicle. Another important feature of the present invention includes recumbent vehicles having a combina¬ tion of the above-described elongate tubular support means and steering assembly and having a seat selec¬ tively positionable along the frame adjacent the handle¬ bars of the steering assembly wherein the seat comprises a seat backrest support rigidly supporting a seat back¬ rest supporting a rear seat web support, seat side sup¬ port portions supporting side seat web supports and a seat center support portion supporting a center seat web support and a seat web supported therein adapted to support a rider without the need for complicated seat back bracing apparatus thereby minimizing rider entanglement, providing for increased low speed maneu¬ verability and providing for accommodation of riders of various sizes. Numerous aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description along with the accompany¬ ing drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, FIG. 1 is an elevated per¬ spective view of one embodiment of a recumbent pedalable vehicle in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional side view of the recumbent pedalable vehicle of FIG. 1 taken along the longitudinal vertical axis of the frame; FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the front portion of the frame and crank assembly taken along section line 3-3 of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the steering assembly taken along section line 4-4 of FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the frame and handlebar steering assembly taken along sec¬ tion line 5-5 of FIG. 2; FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the frame and front fork steering assembly taken along sec- tion line 6-6 of FIG. 2; FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevated perspective view of one embodiment of a recumbent pedalable vehicle seat according to the present invention; FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevated perspective view of the seat web of FIG. 7 removed from the seat web supports; FIG. 9 is a sectional fragmentary side view of the seat backrest and rear seat web support taken along section line 9-9 of FIG. 7; and FIG. 10 is a sectional fragmentary side view of one seat side support taken along section line 10-10 of FIG. 7. FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view of an elliptical, elongate tubular support embodiment of a recumbent vehicle according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring in detail to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-2 of the drawings, according to the present invention there is provided a recumbent pedalable vehicle 10 comprising a frame 12 having an elongate tubular support portion 30 having a front portion 32 supporting a crank assembly 38, a center portion 34, a rear portion 36 supporting an outer drive sprocket 24 of a secondary drive means 22 comprising a conventional bicycle chain drive including a rear wheel 20 rotatably supported by rear wheel stays 28 and chain stays 26 and conventional bicycle derailleur 100 mounted on one chain stay and engaging conventional bicycle chain 102 interconnecting outer drive sprocket 24 and rear sprocket 104 attached to rear wheel axle 21. Elon- gate tubular support 30 also supports seat 14 for a rider at a position intermediate outer drive sprocket 24 and crank assembly 38, and pivotably supports front wheel fork 120 at a position generally intermediate front portion 32 and rear portion 36 of the elongate tubular support means which front fork rotatably sup¬ ports front wheel 18. Elongate tubular support portion 30 of frame 12 may be constructed of any suitable mate¬ rial providing adequate surfaces for supporting crank assembly 38, seat 14, front wheel fork 120 and secondary drive means 22 while providing adequate support for a rider when seated in seat 14 and capable of withstanding the stresses experienced in operation of the pedalable vehicle. The elongate tubular support is adapted to provide an adequate interior diameter to accommodate primary drive means 80 substantially entirely within its interior, the primary drive means shown here consisting of a chain 81 interconnecting crank sprocket 58 of crank assembly 38 with internal drive sprocket 132 attached to drive shaft 133 which also supports outer drive sprocket 24 of secondary drive means 22 best shown in FIG. 2. As a specific example illustrated here, elongate tubular support portion 30 consists of a 42 inch long section of .065 inch (.165 cm) wall thickness tubular steel having a 2.5 inch (6.35 cm) outside diameter. It is contem- plated that thinner lighter materials such as stainless steel, titanium or other strong lightweight tubular materials may also be employed if a more lightweight pedalable recumbent vehicle is desired. Front portion 32 of elongate tubular support portion 30 is adapted to support crank assembly 38 and, as a specific example illustrated here best shown in FIGS. 1-3, consists of two 2.5 inch (6.35 cm) circular notches cut into the sides of the end of front portion 32 perpendicular to longitudinal axis of the elongate tubular support adapted to receive sprocket tube 52 of the crank assembly, it being understood that other shape supports may be provided at front portion 32 adapted to receive the configuration of the crank assembly employed. Sprocket tube 52, as a specific example illustrated here, consists of a 2.75 inch (6.985 cm) long section of 2.5 inch (6.35 cm) outside diameter tubular steel having a .065 inch (.165 cm) wall thick¬ ness and square cut at the ends, to provide two substan¬ tially flat faces parallel to one another. As a specific example illustrated here, sprocket tube 52 has a hole milled in the center of one side to conform to the edges of the notches provided in front portion 32 to provide an intersection 33 with a weldable edge, and is welded to the front portion to form the intersection allowing access to the crank sprocket positioned within the interior of the sprocket tube from the interior of the elongate tubular support. Rear portion 36 of elongate tubular support portion 30 is adapted to rotatably support drive shaft 133. By way of a specific example illustrated here, rear portion 36 includes two 2.5 inch (6.35 cm) diameter circular notches cut into the sides of the end of the rear portion perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate tubular support and parallel to the notches provided in front portion 32 as described with respect to the front portion, above, adapted to receive an inner drive sprocket tube 130 consisting of a 2.75 inch (6.985 cm) section of 2.5 inch (6.35 cm) outside diameter tubular steel having a .065 inch (.165 cm) wall thickness with square cut ends and a hole milled in one side to provide an intersection with a weldable edge. Inner drive sprocket tube 130 is welded to the rear portion to form the intersection at a position allowing access to the inner drive sprocket 132 positioned within the interior of the sprocket tube from the interior of the elongate tubular support as employed with respect to the crank sprocket tube. Although the illustrated drive shaft sprocket tube and crank sprocket tube, drive shaft and crank shaft shown here are basically identical in configuration in order to facilitate construction, it is understood that different configurations may be employed provided the crank shaft and drive shaft are adequately supported by the elongate tubular support and provided adequate access is maintained to the inner drive sprocket and crank sprocket from the interior of the elongate tubular support. Rear portion 36 of elongate tubular support 30 is also adapted to rotatably support rear wheel 20. As illustrated here, the rear portion rigidly supports respective bicycle chain stays 26 and rear wheel stays 28. Chain stays 26 are attached by one end to the rear portion by welding or other suitable fastening means. The respective bicycle chain stays support at their other ends conventional rear wheels drop-outs 106 adapted to removably support the axle of rear bicycle wheel 20 having a rear wheel sprocket 104 attached thereto. Conventional wheel drop-outs are also sup¬ ported by respective rear wheel stays 28 attached by one end to the drop-outs by welding or brazing, the other ends of the rear wheel stays being supported by rear wheel stay support 29 supported by rear portion 36 by being welded thereto. The rear wheel stay support may also be supported by brace 27 welded to the rear wheel stay support and the rear portion. A conventional bicycle derailleur 100 is attached to the chain stay on the outer drive sprocket side of the vehicle if a mul¬ tiple-gear vehicle is desired. Elongate tubular support 30 is adapted to receive and substantially entirely enclose primary drive means 80 which, as shown here, consists of power trans¬ fer means 81 interconnecting crank sprocket 58 of the crank assembly with inner drive sprocket 132 attached to drive shaft 133 rotatably supported within drive shaft sprocket tube 130. Power transfer means 81 shown here consists of a chain adapted to engage the crank sprocket and inner drive sprocket in a continuous loop and pro¬ vides for the transfer of power from rotation of crank assembly 38 by the rider to crank sprocket 58 to the chain causing rotation of inner drive sprocket 132 and drive shaft 133. Drive shaft 133 is interconnected with secondary drive means 22 and transfers power from the power transfer means to the secondary drive means caus- ing rotation of rear wheel 20. As shown here by way of a specific example, secondary drive means 22 consists of an outer drive sprocket 24 rigidly supported by one of the outer support portions of drive shaft 133 alongside rear portion 36 and interconnected by a continuous bicycle chain drive 102 to rear wheel sprocket 104. As illustrated here, power transfer means 81 consists of a chain, but may be replaced by a shaft means or other power transfer means capable of transferring the power generated from rotation of crank assembly 38 to the rear wheel through secondary drive means 22 or directly to rear wheel 20 if the rear wheel is attached directly to the drive shaft. Crank assembly 38, as illustrated herein, consists of crank sprocket tube 52 having respective bearing caps 54 and 56 attached by fixing pins 60 to opposite parallel faces of the sprocket tube best shown in FIGS. 2-3. Bearing caps 54 and 56 rigidly support respective outer bearing races 64 which rotatably sup¬ port bearings 62 rotatably supporting respective inner bearing races 68 attached to intermediate bearing sup- port portions 48 of crank shaft 44, maintaining crank shaft in a position substantially horizontally perpen¬ dicular to the longitudinal axis of elongate tubular support 30. Center sprocket support portion 46 of crank shaft 44 rigidly supports crank sprocket 58 in substan- tial longitudinal alignment with the longitudinal axis of elongate tubular support 30 and providing for engage¬ ment of the crank sprocket with power transfer means 81. Respective outer portions 50 of crank shaft 44 extend outward from bearing caps 54 and 56 and are adapted to rigidly support conventional bicycle cranks 70 and 72 rotatably supporting foot pedals 74 and 76. As indicated above, inner drive sprocket tube 130 and drive shaft 133, are, as shown here, constructed in a manner identical to crank sprocket tube 52 and crank shaft 44, respectively. Inner drive sprocket 132 is rotatably supported by drive shaft 133 by the same bear¬ ing means employed in crank assembly 38 and the inner drive sprocket support portion is supported at a posi¬ tion within the inner drive sprocket tube in substantial vertical longitudinal alignment with crank sprocket 58. Drive shaft 133 is rotatably supported by respec¬ tive bearing caps 131 similar to that employed in crank assembly 38 except that the drive shaft is supported eccentrically when a chain is employed as power transfer means 81 so that rotation of the bearing caps 131 tightens the chain power transfer means. One of the outer support portions of the drive shaft rigidly sup¬ ports outer drive sprocket 24 of secondary drive means 22 according to the illustrated embodiment of the present invention. The other outer support portion of the drive shaft is available for attachment to small electric or gasoline engines or inertia storage devices if the pedalable recumbent vehicle is desired to be equipped with such features. The outer portions of the drive shaft may also support respective cranks of a bicycle crank assembly rotatably supporting pedals if a tandem vehicle is desired. Front wheel fork 120 is supported by elongate tubular support means 30 generally intermediate crank assembly 38 and front sprocket 24, as is illustrated here best shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, consists of an upper clamp 112 with an interior surface adapted to conform to the upper exterior surface of elongate frame support 30 and adjustably fastenable by fastening bolts 116 to a lower clamp 114 having an interior surface adapted to conform to the lower exterior surface of elongate tubular support 30 allowing said upper and lower clamps to be adjustably positioned along the elon¬ gate tubular support. As shown here by way of a specific example, upper clamp 112 and lower clamp 114 consist of a 2.75 inch (6.985 cm) long section of 2.5 inch (6.35 cm) inside diameter steel tube with a .065 inch (.165 cm) wall thickness cut longitudinally in half and having four fastening means supports 115 consisting of four 5/16 inch (.794 cm) wide by 1/4 inch (.635 cm) thick steel strips each 2.75 inches (6.985 cm) long welded along the outside of the longitudinal cut and drilled to accept fastening means 116. Lower clamp 114 has a 2.0 inch (5.08 cm) hole cut in the lower center portion. Lower clamp 114 rigidly supports front fork shell 118, which as illustrated here as a specific example, consists of 2.0 inch (5.08 cm) inside diameter tubular steel having a .065 inch (.165 cm) wall thick¬ ness cut to a 2.0 inch (5.08 cm) section with two 2.625 inch (6.668 cm) notches cut into opposite sides of the top end of the fork shell to provide an intersection 117 with a weldable edge for attachment to lower clamp 114, the lower edge of fork shell being square cut relative to the longitudinal axis of the fork shell. Fork shell 118 pivotally supports the front fork assembly consist¬ ing of a crown tube 140 rigidly supporting fork crown 142 rigidly supporting respective conventional front bicycle forks 144 and 146 which rotatably support the front wheel. As shown here, fork shell 118 rigidly supports within its interior an interior bearing support 122 rigidly supporting respective outer bearing races 124 rotatably supporting bearings 126 best shown in FIG. 6. Bearings 126 rotatably support internal bearing races 128 attached to fork crown tube 140 by jam nut 152 and locking nut 154 threadably engaging the top portion of the crown tube rotatably supporting the fork crown within the fork shell. Crown tube 140 is rigidly attached to fork crown 142 by brazing or welding rigidly supporting respective left and right conventional front forks 144 and 146 having conventional wheel drop-outs 148 adapted to rotatably support front wheel 18 between the front forks. Conventional bicycle handbrake 150 and handbrake cable guides 151 may also be mounted on front fork 120 best shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. Elongate tubular support 30 supports a seat 14 generally intermediate front wheel 18 and outer drive sprocket 22 adapted to support a rider, and also sup¬ ports a steering assembly comprising handlebars rotatably supported by elongate tubular support 30 within the rider's reach and interconnected with front fork 120 for steerably controlling recumbent pedalable vehicle 10. To operate the recumbent pedalable vehicle the rider straddles the center portion 34 of the elon¬ gate tubular support with both feet on the ground and holding the handlebars while sitting in seat 14, places one foot on one of the foot pedals of crank assembly 38 while balancing the vehicle with the other foot still on the ground and rotates crank assembly 38 by pressing on the foot pedal while pushing off the ground with the other foot which is then placed on the other foot pedal. Another embodiment of the present invention includes an elliptical elongate tubular support 31 shown in Fig. 11 which has an adequate interior clearance diameter to accommodate primary drive means 81 substan¬ tially entirely within its interior and is constructed of any suitable material capable of withstanding the stresses experienced in operation of the vehicle and supporting the vehicle's other components. Elliptical elongate tubular support 31 as shown also has adequate surfaces to support the vehicle's other components which may be affixed to upper clamp 33 and/or lower clamp 35 secured by fastening means 39 threadably engaging fastening means supports 37 rigidly attached to ellip¬ tical tubular support 31 similar to upper clamps 112, 194, lower clamps 114, 198, fastening means 116 and fastening means supports 115 of Figs. 5 and 6, respec¬ tively. Another important feature of the present invention includes a steering assembly 16 for a recum¬ bent pedalable vehicle best shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4-6 consisting of a front fork 120 pivotably mounted on frame 12 and interconnected with a handlebar assembly 82 pivotably mounted on the frame by steering cables 84 and 86 in diametric contact with the front fork and respec¬ tive sides of the handlebar assembly providing for transfer of steering power from movement of the handle¬ bars to the front fork and to the front wheel. As illustrated here, best shown in FIG. 6, front fork 120 consists of the elements described above with the top portion of crown tube 140 also being threaded to receive a threaded jam nut 152 and threaded locking nut 154 adapted to securely fasten front fork steering cable support 156 to the crown tube, the crown tube having a key way 161 cut into one side and adapted to receive a key portion 163 rigidly attached to the interior of fork steering cable support 156, and one side of fork shell 118 having two slots 88 cut therein adapted to receive steering cables 84 and 86. Front fork steering cable support means 156 best shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, as illus¬ trated here as a specific example, consists of a steer¬ ing spool having an outer side surface 158 with two concentric grooves 160 and 162 about .08 inches (.203 cms) wide cut into its outer surface adapted to receive steering cables 86 and 84, respectively, each steering cable having an outside diameter of about .062 inches (.157 cms). Steering cable support spool 156 may be constructed of steel, aluminum or brass or other hard material and, as illustrated here as a specific example, is constructed from a section of 2.0 inch (5.08 cm) outside diameter aluminum bar stock turned down to about 1.875 inches (4.763 cms) on a lathe, with a hole bored in the center to accommodate fork crown tube 140 and two concentric grooves, cut about .08 inches (.203 cms) wide into outer surface 158 about 1/8 inch (.318 cm) apart and the spool cut away from the bar stock to provide a spool of about 1/4 inch (.635 cm) thickness. Key por¬ tion 163 is provided on the inner surface of the hole in spool 156 accommodating the crown fork tube by deforming the inner surface by swedging or by attaching a key portion to the inner surface. Top surface 170 of steer¬ ing cable support spool 156 also has a groove 172 cut in the surface adapted to receive steering cable 86 con¬ necting with hole 173 drilled through the cable support spool adapted to engage steering cable stop 174 attached to one end of steering cable 86 at a position approxi¬ mately 180° opposite from the point at which steering cable 86 first contacts groove 160 when steering assembly 16 is in a non-turn position, allowing cable 86 to wrap around the steering cable support spool in con¬ tact with groove 160 to the point of diametric attachment of cable stop 174 to hole 173. Lower surface 180° of the steering cable support spool 156 similarly has a groove 182 cut into its surface adapted to receive steering cable 84 and interconnects groove 162 with hole 183 adapted to engage steering cable stop 184 attached to one end of the steering cable at a position substan¬ tially 180° opposite the point of attachment of cable 84 to hole 173 of steering cable support spool 156 and substantially 180° opposite to the point cable 84 first contacts the groove 162 in the non-turn position, allow¬ ing cable 84 to wrap around the steering cable spool in contact with groove 162 to the point of diametric attachment of cable stop 184 to hole 183. Grooves 172 and 182 may be cut into respective upper and lower sur- faces by placing the spool in a milling machine and milling a groove in the upper surface, removing the cable support spool from the machine, turning it over to expose lower surface 180 and milling a similar groove at the same location on the milling pattern or by cutting grooves by other well-known means. Holes 173 and 183 may be drilled through the spool by employing a drill press or hand drill. Handlebar assembly 82, best shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, may be constructed of the same elements and in the same manner employed in construction of front fork assembly 120 with the exception that a handlebar gooseneck 192 is pivotably supported within handlebar shell 190. As illustrated here, handlebar assembly 82 consists of upper clamp 194 having an inner surface adapted to conform to the upper exterior surface of elongate tubular support 30 and adjustably fastenable by fastening bolts 196 supported by fastening supports 115 to lower clamp 198 having an interior surface adapted to conform to the lower exterior surface of elongate tubu- lar support 30 allowing the upper and lower clamps to be adjustably positioned and securely fastened along the elongate tubular support at a desired position. Handle¬ bar shell 190 rigidly supports bearing support portions 122 rigidly supporting external bearing races 124 rotatably supporting bearings 126 rotatably supporting inner bearing races 128 rigidly supported by handlebar crown tube 202 having a key way 161 and a threaded upper portion adapted to threadably engage jam nut 152 and lock nut 154 similar to that employed in supporting fork crown tube 140 except that the bottom portion of handle- bar crown tube 202 is flared outward and, as a specific example illustrated here, a 2.0 inch (5.08 cm) outside diameter washer 200 is welded to the bottom of the crown tube above the flare to produce a cap for the bottom of handlebar shell 190, and handlebar steering cable sup- port 204, as a specific example shown here, is attached to handlebar crown tube 202 at a position below the bearings instead of immediately below jam nut 152, it being understood that the handlebar steering cable sup¬ port may be attached to the crown tube below the jam nut if desired. Handlebar shell 190 has two slots 240 cut in its side adapted to receive cables 84 and 86. Steer¬ ing cable support 204, as a specific example shown here, consists of a steering cable support spool constructed in a manner and of the same material as front fork steering cable support spool 156 including having a hole cut in the center of the spool adapted to receive crown tube 202 and having its inner portion deformed to pro¬ vide key way 205, and having two concentric circular grooves 206 and 208 about .08 inches (.203 cms) wide cut into outer surface 210 of the cable support spool adapted to receive steering cable 86 and 84, respec¬ tively, best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Cable support spool 204 has a groove 214 cut in upper surface 212 connecting groove 206 with hole 216 drilled through the cable support spool and adapted to receive steering cable 86 at a position approximately 180° opposite the point steering cable 86 first contacts groove 206 when the handlebar is in a non-turn position, allowing the steering cable to wrap around steering spool 204 in contact with groove 206 and to extend downward through hole 216 and through corresponding hole 218 in washer 200 and engage cable stop 220, hole 216 being at a point diametrically opposite the point steering cable 86 first contacts groove 206 when the steering assembly is in a non-turn position. Steering cable 84 is received by groove 208, wraps around the cable support spool in contact with groove 208 until it reaches groove 224 cut in lower surface 222 of the cable support spool connects with hole 226 drilled through the cable support spool and located approximately 180° opposite the point cable 84 first contacts groove 208 when the handlebar is in a non-turn position and extends downward through hole 226 and corresponding hole 228 in washer 200 and engages cable stop 230. Cable stops 220 and 230 may include cable tensioner means adapted to tension steering cables 84 and 86 to provide adequate contact of the steering cables with the cable supports to provide adequate steering control. Handlebar gooseneck 192 is a conven¬ tional handlebar gooseneck including wedge portion 232 threadably engaging threaded member 234 threadably adjustably supporting gooseneck 192 rigidly supporting conventional handlebar 238. It is also contemplated that steering cables 84 and 86 may be replaced by a single cable interconnecting the front fork cable sup¬ port and handlebar cable support both adapted to route the cable between the respective cable grooves in the spools providing the cable leaves its groove at a posi¬ tion substantially 180° opposite the point the cable first contacts the groove in a non-turn position. Cable spools 156 and 204 may be of different outer diameters to provide a steering ratio if desired. Preferred recumbent vehicles including this feature of a steering assembly employing a steering cable means diametrically contacting and interconnecting the handlebar assembly and front fork have been found to provide nearly 90° turning of the front wheel, enhancing low speed maneuverability and providing a significant improvement over the tie-bar and non-diametric cable steering systems reported in the art which can only provide about a 45° turn of the front wheel as the cable or tie bar on opposite sides of the front fork and handlebars begin to oppose one another when a tighter turn is attempted. Another important feature of a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a seat 14 supported on frame 12 generally intermediate outer drive sprocket 24 and front fork 120, seat 14 consisting of a seat fastening means selectively positionably fastenable along the frame and having a middle portion and side portions and as illustrated here, consists of upper clamp 194 of handlebar fastening means of handlebar assembly 82 having middle portion 240 and side portions 242 best shown in FIGS. 1-2. Middle portion 240 rigidly supports seat center support 244 having a backrest sup¬ port portion 246 and a front seat web support portion 270 and, as illustrated here as a specific example, consist of a 22 inch (55.88 cm) section of steel pipe having a 1/16 inch (.159 cm) wall thickness and a 5/8 inch (1.588 cm) outside diameter bent into a reverse J shape curve with the lower portion of the J shape being adapted to conform with upper surface of middle portion 194 of the seat fastening means to provide a weldable intersection for welding seat center support 244 to the middle portion of the seat fastening means. Seat back¬ rest support portion 246 supports near its upper end seat backrest 248 which is preferably swivelly supported by seat backrest swivel 250 selectively positionable along seat backrest portion 246 allowing adjustment of the height of the seat backrest relative to the frame to accommodate various size riders. Seat backrest 248 may be constructed of plastic, wood, metal or other strong material and padded for added comfort, and as illus¬ trated here as a specific example best shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 7 and 9, consists of a rounded T-shape metal section 249 about 9 inches (22.86 cm) wide by 8 inches (20.32 cm) high cut from .035 inch (.089 cm) sheet metal with foam padding 252 attached to the surface contacting the rider by padding cover 254. Seat backrest 248 also rigidly supports rear seat web supports 256 which, as illustrated here as a specific example, consists of a series of four horizontal 1/8 (.318 cm) inch by 1 inch (2.54 cm) slots 256 cut into seat backrest 248 about 1 inch (2.54 cm) below the point of attachment of seat backrest swivel. Seat side supports 260 and 262, best shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7 by way of a specific example, consist of a 24 inch (60.96 cm) section steel pipe hav- ing a wall thickness of 1/16 inch (.159 cm) with 5/8 inch (1.588 cm) outside diameter bent into a shallow U- shape curve of about a 6 inch (15.24 cm) depth, the U- shape being cut into two equal length sections with ends adapted to conform to side portions 242 of the seat fastening means to provide weldable edges and welding the edges to the side portions. Seat side supports 260 and 262 rigidly support at their other ends respective seat side web supports 264 and 266 " which, as illustrated here, consist of bending the end portions into shallow S-shaped angled sections extending generally upward and forward generally parallel to front portion 270. Seat center support 270 rigidly supports center seat web support 272 consisting of a shallow S curve bent in the end of the seat center supporting and extending gen- erally forward and upward from middle portion 240 and rigidly supports center seat web support 272 at about the same height above frame 12 as seat side web supports 260 and.262, it being understood that the height of the seat center support 272 may be adjusted to suit the comfort of the rider. Seat web 280 is supported by rear seat web support 256, side seat web supports 264 and 266 and center seat web 272 and is adapted to securely support the rider in a recumbent position above frame 12. As illustrated here, seat web 280 consists of flexible rear seat web straps 282 having ends adapted to removably attach to rear seat web support 256 and having other ends integrally attached to the rear portion 284 of seat net 286 best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In the presently preferred embodiment, rear seat webs 282 are supported by the rear seat web supports by threading the rear seat web through slots 256 and around seat web stop 300 and back through slots 256 and attaching the end of the rear seat web to itself on the forward side of the slot with well-known fastening means 302 such as Velcro best shown in FIG. 9. Seat net 286 has attached to its front por¬ tion 288 a flexible front seat web strap 290 having front seat strap ends 292 and 294 adapted to removably attach to respective seat side supports 264 and 266, best shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 10, and a center portion 296 adapted to removably attach to center seat support 272. Front seat strap ends may be removably attached to the side seat supports by wrapping the ends around respective side supports and attaching the end to itself on the lower inside portion of front seat web strap 290 by well-known fastening means 302 such as Velcro, best shown in FIG. 10. Center portion 296 of front seat web strap 290 may also be attached to center seat web sup¬ port by pocket 297 formed by sewing a section of seat web strip to the lower portion of the front seat web to form a pocket. Seat 14 supports a rider in a recumbent posi¬ tion above frame 12 at a location allowing easy access to handlebar assembly 82 and is positionably adjustable along elongate tubular support 30 relative to crank assembly 38 to accommodate different size riders. Rear seat webs 282 and front seat strap 290 are constructed of strong flexible material such as nylon seat belt straps and are integrally attached to seat net 286 which, as illustrated, consists of strong nylon mesh webbing such as laundry bag webbing by sewing or other means thereby producing a seat web 280 capable of with¬ standing and absorbing the torsion caused by the rider's movement of crank assembly 38 without the need for intricate seat back supports. Another important feature of a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a recumbent vehicle 10 having a combination of an elongate tubular support 30 substantially entirely enclosing primary drive means 80 and steering assembly 16 includ- ing steering cables 84 and 86 diametrically intercon¬ necting front fork 120 and handlebar assembly 82. This preferred embodiment of a pedalable recumbent vehicle thus provides a vehicle wherein the risk of rider entanglement with power transfer means is eliminated and provides increased front wheel steering rotation to about 90° to each side thereby enhancing low speed maneuverability relative to the reported recumbent vehicles. Front wheel 18 is also selectively position- able along elongate tubular support 30 allowing adjust- ment of the vehicle's wheel base to provide enhanced maneuverability or stability. Another feature of a presently preferred embodiment according to the present invention includes a recumbent vehicle 10 having the combination of seat assembly 14 and handlebar assembly 82 attached to the same fastening means adapted to selectively positionably attach to elongate tubular support 30 which substan¬ tially entirely encloses primary drive means 80. This preferred embodiment includes seat 14 having rear seat web support 246, side seat supports 262 and 264 and center seat web support portion 270 attached to the upper surface of the fastening means which lower surface supports handlebar assembly 82, allowing the seat and handlebars to be positioned at any location along elon¬ gate tubular support 30 so as to accommodate any size rider in contrast to the seat and/or handlebar assemblies reported in the art, as well as providing the other advantages of elimination of the risk of rider entanglement and improved maneuverability mentioned above. Numerous modifications and variations of the invention as illustrated above and in the drawings are expected to occur to those skilled in the art. Conse¬ quently, only those limitations that appear in the appended claims should be placed on the invention as above described.

Claims: [received by the International Bureau on 30 July 1986 (30.07.86); original claims 1-49 cancelled; new claims 50-86 added (8 pages)] —50. In a vehicle adapted to be operated by a rider in a recumbent position, including a frame hav¬ ing a front portion and a rear portion, a frame interior, a crank assembly including foot pedals sup- ported on the front portion of the frame, a front wheel support pivotably attached to the frame intermediate the front portion and the rear portion of the frame and rotatably supporting a front wheel, a rear wheel rotat¬ ably supported by the rear portion of the frame, a seat supported on the frame generally intermediate the front wheel support and the rear wheel, and a steering means including a handlebar pivotably supported on the frame generally adjacent the seat and interconnected with the front wheel support, the improvement comprising: means for_xotatably supporting said crank assembly at said front portion of said frame; primary drive means comprising means for transferring power, provided by rotation of said crank assembly, from said crank assembly to said rear wheel; and me ' ans for substantially entirely enclosing said primary drive means within the frame's interior.— —51. A vehicle according to Claim 50 wherein said crank assembly comprises: a crank shaft having a pair of respective end portions and an interior portion intermediate said end portions; said end portions comprising means for rotat¬ ably supporting said" foot pedals exterior to the front portion of the frame; and means for rotatably mounting said interior portion within the interior of the front portion of the frame.— —52. A vehicle according to Claim 51 wherein said interior portion of the crank shaft comprises; means for rigidly supporting said means for transferring power provided by rotation of said crank assembly.— —53. A vehicle according to Claim 52 wherein: said means for transferring power provided by rotation of said crank assembly comprises a crank sprocket.— —54. A vehicle according to Claim 50 wherein: said means for substantially entirely enclos¬ ing said primary drive means within the frame's interior comprises an elongate tubular support.— —55. A vehicle according to Claim 54 wherein: said elongate tubular support has an elliptical cross section.— —56. A vehicle according to Claim 55 wherein: said elongate tubular support has a circular cross section.— —57. A vehicle according to Claim 50 wherein: said primary drive means comprises a drive shaft and means rotatably mounting said drive shaft on said rear portion of the frame.— —58. A vehicle according to Claim 57 wherein: said drive shaft comprises a pair of respective end portions and an interior portion intermediate said end portions; and said rotatably mounting means comprises means for rotatably mounting said interior portion within the interior of the rear portion of the frame.— —59. A vehicle according to Claim 58 and comprising: means for interconnecting said drive shaft to said rear wheel to transfer power, provided by rotation of the drive shaft, to the rear wheel.— —60. A vehicle according to Claim 59 wherein said means for interconnecting said drive shaft with said rear wheel comprises: means for interconnecting at least one of said end portions of the drive shaft with said rear wheel.— —61. A vehicle according to Claim 60 wherein: said means for interconnecting said end por¬ tion with the rear wheel comprises secondary drive means.— —62. A vehicle according to Claim 61 wherein said secondary drive means comprises: a bicycle drive sprocket rigidly attached to one of said end portions of the drive shaft at a posi¬ tion exterior to the frame; a rear wheel sprocket rigidly attached to said rear wheel; and a chain drive interconnecting said drive sprocket to said rear wheel sprocket.— —63. A vehicle according to Claim 58 wherein: said interior portion of said drive shaft comprises means for rigidly supporting said means for transferring power provided by rotation of the crank assembly.— —64. A vehicle according to Claim 63 wherein: said means for transferring power comprises a drive sprocket. —65. A vehicle according to Claim 57 wherein: said means mounting the drive shaft comprises means eccentrically rotatably mounting the drive shaft on said rear portion of said frame.— — 66. A vehicle according to Claim 50 wherein: said means for transferring power provided by rotation of said crank assembly comprises a continuous chain drive.— —67. A vehicle according to Claim 50 wherein: said means for transferring power provided by rotation of said crank assembly comprises power shaft means.— —68. A vehicle according to Claim 50 wherein said steering means comprises: means mounting said handlebar for movement among selective positions on the frame; means mounting said front wheel support for movement among selective positions on the frame; and means diametrically interconnecting said mounting means for said handlebar and said mounting means for said front wheel support for transferring steering power, provided by steering movement of the handlebar, to the front wheel.— —69. A vehicle according to Claim 68 wherein: said mounting means for said handlebar com- prises means for rigidly clamping said mounting means to the frame.— —70. a vehicle according to Claim 68 wherein: said mounting means for the front wheel sup- port comprises means for rigidly clamping said mounting means to the frame.— —71. A vehicle according to Claim 70 wherein: said front wheel support comprises a front wheel fork rotatably supporting said front wheel.— —72. A vehicle according to Claim 68 wherein said diametrical interconnecting means comprises: first means, rigidly supported by said mount¬ ing means for the handlebar, for supporting steering cable means; second means, rigidly supported by said mount¬ ing means for the front wheel support, for supporting steering cable means; and steering cable means diametrically intercon- . necting said first and second steering cable support means.— —73. A vehicle according to Claim 50 wherein said seat comprises: means mounting said seat for movement among selective positions on the frame; and seat web means for securely positioning the rider above the frame.— —74. A vehicle according to Claim 73 wherein said mounting means for said seat comprises: means for rigidly clamping said mounting means to the frame.— —75. A vehicle according to Claim 73 wherein said seat web means comprises: means for supporting said seat web means; and means for rigidly attaching said seat web means to said seat web support means.— —76. In a vehicle adapted to be operated by a rider in a recumbent position, including a frame hav¬ ing a front portion and a rear portion, a crank assembly including foot pedals supported on the front portion of the frame, a front wheel support pivotably attached to the frame intermediate the front portion and the rear portion of the frame and rotatably supporting a front wheel, a rear wheel rotatably supported by the rear portion of the frame, a seat supported on the frame generally intermediate the front wheel support and the rear wheel, and a steering means including a handlebar pivotably supported on the frame generally adjacent the seat and interconnected with the front wheel support, the improvement comprising: means mounting said handlebar for movement among selective positions on the frame; means mounting said front wheel support for movement among selective positions on the frame; and means diametrically interconnecting said mounting means for said handlebar and said mounting means for said front wheel support for transferring steering power, provided by steering movement of the handlebar, to the front wheel.— —77. A vehicle according to Claim 76 wherein: said mounting means for said handlebar com¬ prises means for rigidly clamping said mounting means to the frame.— —78. A vehicle according to Claim 76 wherein: said mounting means for said front wheel sup¬ port comprises means for rigidly clamping said mounting means to the frame.— —79. A vehicle according to Claim 78 wherein: said front wheel support comprises a front wheel fork rotatably supporting said front wheel.— —80. A vehicle according to Claim 76 wherein said diametrical interconnecting means comprises: first means, rigidly supported by said mount¬ ing means for the handlebar, for supporting steering cable means; second means, rigidly supported by said mount¬ ing means for the front wheel support, for supporting steering cable means; and steering cable means diametrically intercon¬ necting said first and second steering cable support means.— —81. In a vehicle adapted to be operated by a rider in a recumbent position, including a frame hav¬ ing a front portion and a rear portion, a crank assembly including foot pedals supported on the front portion of the frame, a front wheel support pivotably attached to the frame intermediate the front portion and the rear portion of the frame and rotatably supporting a front wheel, a rear wheel rotatably supported by the rear portion of the frame, a seat supported on the frame generally intermediate the front wheel support and the rear wheel, and a steering means including a handlebar pivotably supported on the frame generally adjacent the seat and interconnected with the front wheel support, the improvement comprising: means mounting said seat for movement among selective positions on the frame; means, rigidly supported by said mounting means, for supporting seat web means; and seat web means rigidly supported by said sup¬ port means for securely positioning the rider above the frame.— —82. A vehicle according to Claim 81 wherein: said mounting means for said seat comprises means for rigidly clamping said mounting means to the frame.— —83. A vehicle according to Claim 82 wherein said means for supporting said seat web comprises: first means, rigidly mounted to said mounting means for the seat, for supporting the front portion of said seat web; second means, rigidly mounted to said mounting means for the seat, for supporting the side portions of said seat web; and third means, rigidly mounted to said mounting means for the seat, for supporting the back portion of said seat web.— —84. A vehicle according to Claim 83 wherein: said third means for supporting the back por¬ tion of said seat web comprises backrest means.— —85. A vehicle according to Claim 84 wherein: said backrest means comprises means mounting said backrest for movement among selective positions on the third support means.— —86. A vehicle according to Claim 81 wherein: said seat web comprises nylon webbing. ~ * By the above Amendment claims 1-49 have been cancelled without prejudice and new claims 50-86 have been added to the application. New claims 50-75 replace cancelled claims 1-19. New claims 76-80 replace cancelled claims 20-35. New claims 81-86 replace cancelled claims 36-49. The Amendment does not go beyond the disclo¬ sure of the international application as filed. New independent claim 50 and claims 51-67 which depend from claim 50 recite subject matter disclosed in FIGS. 1-6 and 11 and the accompanying specification relating to the substantially entirely enclosed primary drive system of the claimed invention. New claims 68-72 which depend from claim 50, new independent claim 76 and new claims 77-80 which depend from claim 76 all recite subject matter disclosed in FIGS. 1-6 and 11 and the accompany¬ ing specification relating to the diametrical steering means of the claimed invention. New claims 73-75 which depend from claim 50, new independent claim 81 and new claims 82-86 which depend from claim 81 all recite sub¬ ject matter disclosed in FIGS. 1-2 and 7-10 and the accompanying specification relating to the seat means of the claimed invention. Applicant respectfully submits that new claims 50-86 recite patentable subject matter over the art cited in the International Search Report. None of the cited reference disclose or suggest applicant's claimed recumbent vehicle including a substantially enclosed primary drive means, as recited in claims 50-67; nor do they disclose or suggest applicant's claimed vehicle including diametrical steering means, as recited in claims 68-72 and 76-80. The cited art also does not disclose a recumbent vehicle including applicant's claimed seat means, as recited in claims 73-75 and 81-86.

Inventors: MCELFRESH LLOYD A, MCELFRESH, LLOYD, A.
Applicants: MCELFRESH LLOYD A, MCELFRESH, LLOYD, A.
Application year: 1986
Main classification: B62K3
IPC codes: B62K3, B62K21