ARTICULATED, FOLDING AND SECTIONAL BICYCLE WITH SPECIAL SUSPENSION SYSTEM

Abstract: Articulated, folding and sectional bicycle with special suspension system which consists of two sections (1 and 2) which are articulated with each other by means of a special joint (S) which provides the bicycle with the ability to be foldable as well as sectional so that it is easily put inside a special bag in order to be transported. The above features are combined with the advantage that the special elastic suspension (Antishock), which the sections (1 and 2) share, provides the bicyle with the ability to withstand the irregularities of the roads with greater ease. The combination of all these features provides the specific bicycle with an advantage in comparison to the corresponding bicycles of the market [folding, sectional, with special suspension (Antishock), less weight, low cost of materials].

Description: ARTICULATED, FOLDING AND SECTIONAL BICYCLE WITH SPECIAL SUSPENSION SYSTEM DESCRIPTION The invention concerns a bicycle the frame of which consists of two independent sections (1) and (20 which are articula¬ ted with each other by means of a joint (S) the axis of which is parallel with respect to the axes of the wheels so that the section (1) of the frame has the ability to rotate with respect to the section (2) of the frame and vice versa. The section (1) of the frame includes, basically, the front wheel, the handle bar and the seat. The section (2) of the frame includes, basically, the rear wheel and the axis with the cogged wheel, the pedals and the transmission chain. The joint (S), which is designed in the form of the front axis of a race bicycle, allows the easy disassembling of the system (1) and (2). The section (1) and (2) are suspended from each other by means of a wire rope (3). The wire rope can't reach a state of full expansion because the spiral spring (A) acts upon it -the tension of this spring keeps the wire rope (30 bent. Thus, the above system plays the role of the elastic element which is interposed in between the two sections (1) and (2) which are suspended from each other. Articulated, sectional and folding bicycles, and with suspension at the front and at the rear wheel, have appeared in the market from time to time. However, the combination of the sectional/folding feature with the special suspension (Antishock) appears in the market for the first time. Mainly, because it is the first time that the ability of the bicycle to be folding and sectional becomes also the reason for which it is one with a suspension, by means of an original elastic system (combination of a wire rope and a spring or other elastic means). The bicycle of this type : a) Can be folded, with the sections )1) and (2) rotating round the joint (S),so that it becomes smaller in dimensions and, by consequence, it can be placed in the trunk of the car or into a bag or suitcase, in order that it is trans¬ ported, and b) It is possible that the section (1) is separated from the section (2) -by way of disassembling the articulated coupling (S) of the joint- in order that they are placed side by side so as to occupy a very small space, and to reassemble the bicycle when it has to be used. On the other hadn, the characteristic special suspension system (Antishock), which connects the sections (1) and (2) with each other, provides the bicycle with the ability to absorb the bumps due to the irregularities of the ground whereas, at the same time, when the travel of the suspension reaches its end the shock is eliminated due to the special geometry which is created by the combination of the wire rope and the sping -which spring may be a simple spiral spring (since it functions by being subjected to traction and not to compression).

Claims: C L A I M S 1. The articulated folding bicycle with special suspension system consists of : - The section (1) of the frame which includes, basically, the front wheel, the handle bar and the seat. - The section (2) of the frame which includes, basically, the rear wheel, the pedal system, a cogged wheel and the transmission system. - The joint (S) which includes the axis with the two bearings - the one of which belongs to the section (1) an d the other to the section (2). Also, it is characterized by the fact that the suspension (Antishock) of special geometry is a combination of the wire rope (3) and the spiral spring (4) and that this suspension is able to absorb the shock at the end of its travel. 2. Articulated, folding and sectional bicycle with special suspension system which is characterized, according to the claim (1), by the fact that the wire rope (3) can be manufactured of any material. 3- Articulated, folding and sectional bicycle with special suspension system which is characterized, according to the claim (1), by the fact that the spiral spring (4) can be any other elastic means.

Inventors: MICHAIL GEORGE, MICHAIL, GEORGE
Applicants: MICHAIL GEORGE, MICHAIL, GEORGE
Application year: 1995
Main classification: B62K15
IPC codes: B62K3, B62K15, B62K25