Abstract:
The present invention relates to a linear reciprocating driving apparatus. It includes a sliding assembly, a slave chain-engaging and reversing mechanism, a flying wheel, a driven sprocket, a driving chain, and a guide column. The sliding assembly is arranged on the framework of the propulsion apparatus to be activated by a rider. Also there is provided a slave chain-engaging and reversing mechanics with compensation means. The propulsion apparatus can obtain satisfying results and high efficiency. The invention can be applied to various manually powered vehicle and watercraft. They are mainly used for communication to substitute walking and physical exercise.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a driving apparatus and, in particular, to a driving apparatus that is characterized by a single endless chain and manually powered linear propulsion, mainly used for non-motorized vehicles or vessels with stable support. 
   2. Description of Prior Art 
   Vehicles and vessels need to be driven by power. Manually powered devices are commonly used in non-motorized wheel vehicles, among which some have linear reciprocating driving mechanisms for the purpose of substituting for walking rather than entertaining or exercising. Their structures are complex. Few can be put into actual use. 
   Chinese Pat. No. 99108216.8 (CN1275511A) discloses a bicycle with linear movement of pedaling. It has a toothed rack driving mechanism affixed on a tilted square frame. There are two toothed racks in a sliding groove. Depression of either pedal will cause the racks to move, thus draw sprocket wheels and a chain, and transfer the power to a rear driving wheel. A reset gear is used for reset control. 
   Other related patents are U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,646 (Farmos), U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,211 (Meguerditchian), Fr,A,2544052(MICHAUDETG), U.S. Pat. No. 4,169,609 (Zsmpedro), and U.S. Pat. No. 3,891,235 (Shelly). All the above-mentioned references disclose open technical designs that employ double endless chain mechanisms for alternate propelling. The operating process is simple. However it needs two sets of components to work alternately. The structure is very complicated and there are some difficulties in processing and installation. 
   Chinese Pat. No. 99123093.0 (CN1298824A) discloses a bicycle with a rocking crank. Its driving mechanism adopts two prime cranks on the left and right for pedal driving. The rear end of the crank is connected with the shaft end of a rear wheel with a driven crank linked in between, to drive a small sprocket and form a secondary transmission together with a coaxial large sprocket. Finally, the driving power is transmitted to the driving shaft of the rear wheel. Its method of operation approximates the linear movement of pedaling. But with too many transmission links, its efficiency is unavoidably reduced. 
   Chinese Patent Application (Application No. 01132621.2) discloses “a tractive chain-gripping cycle” including the structure of a steel wire rope traction. However, the steel wire rope will curl in the course of transmitting torque via a small pulley and the curl will affect normal operation of the cycle. In addition, the mechanism sometimes fails in reversing. 
   Obviously, the mechanism of the linear pedaling type shall first ensure its smooth and continuous operation, as well as the convenience during manufacture, especially avoid excessive transmission links and reduce idle runs so as to improve transmission efficiency. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a tractive linear driving apparatus with good integration and structure quality which can be conveniently equipped on manually-powered carriers. The apparatus has considerable flexibility in the manner of applying force, greater scope for development and design, and comparatively higher transmission efficiency. 
   The present invention of tractive linear reciprocating driving apparatus consists of a (main) frame as a fixed member; a sliding assembly incorporating a chain-gripping and reversing mechanism as a movable member; and a single endless chain, and its sprocket wheel and flywheel as a transmission member. The shaft of a flywheel outputs power and achieves mechanical transmission. 
   This tractive linear reciprocating driving apparatus comprises a sliding assembly, a slave chain-gripping and reversing mechanism, a flywheel, a driven sprocket, a chain and a main guide column, said apparatus comprising: 
   a main frame that consists of a guide column, an auxiliary frame column and main frame endplates, the two ends of the frame are affixed with the flywheel and the driven sprocket with a single endless chain installed and linked in between. Its guide column and auxiliary frame column used for directional linear sliding are installed on the side of the plane formed by the endless chain. A sliding assembly for linear driving and a slave chain-gripping and reversing mechanism are installed on the guide column. The upper and lower slide bars of the sliding assembly are mounted on the guide column for sliding upwards and downwards along the guide column. The pedals and handpowered rods are fixed to plates on both sides of the sliding assembly for driving forces to apply thereon; 
   The apparatus is characterized by: 
   1) the slave chain-gripping and reversing mechanism has a chain-gripping box located in the plane of the chain ring; the upper and lower slave slide bars connected with the chain-gripping box are mounted on the guide column. A chain-gripping tooth plate is provided in the chain-gripping box. One end of the chain-gripping tooth plate that is subject to force is float-connected to the sliding assembly via a connector. The connector consists of a pull-up rod, a pull-down rod and a connecting rod. The tooth plate in said chain-gripping box has two chain-gripping teeth to engage said chain on both directions to work jointly with both chain-retaining boards to engage the chain alternatively. 
   2) a reversing compensation means is provided for the slave chain-gripping and reversing mechanism to reverse, the reversing compensation means comprising a resilient member contacting the front of the tooth of the driven sprocket directly or indirectly in opposite direction, and reserving a space or clearance for movement. 
   The reversing compensation means is a mobile mechanism for the purpose of elastic contact located on or beneath the slave sprocket. An arm of the reversing compensation means is in contact with the front surface of the tooth of the driven sprocket elastically under the action of its resilient member. To stop or prevent the reversing movement of the chain tooth of the driven sprocket, said arm may press the chain tooth under the action of a spring, thus realize smooth reverse and a certain buffering result. 
   The reversing compensation means is a modified single-stage flywheel, in which there is a structural member for transmission between a leaf spring and a chain tooth. The leaf spring supports the rear end of a jack to make it elastically contact firstly with the front of trapezoid-shape rackets and then indirectly with the front surface of the chain tooth of an outer hull of the flywheel. 
   The tractive linear reciprocating driving apparatus of this invention has the following positive effects. 
   1. Since it adopts a single endless chain structure, the driving apparatus of the present invention has a more compact structure and is convenient in manufacturing and installation. In application, the whole apparatus can be installed directly in combination with the driving wheel or an axle of a vehicle or a boat. Linearly is applying of force produces higher efficiency. Even if an additional level of chain transmission is added, the effect is still quite good. 
   2. This driving apparatus is used mainly for equipping the exercising apparatus, due to the feature of the convenient and natural method of applying force. By simultaneously pedaling with his foot and pulling with his hand in operation, a user can obtain a comprehensive exercise effect. It is applicable to a one-man, two-man or multi-man manually-powered vehicle or boat, as well as transportation means or for use in sports competition. 
   3. Since the sliding assembly can adapt to the change of different angles of force applied thereto, it provides more room for design to meet different seating postures requirements and satisfy various needs in developing application fields and products diversification. 
   4. Since the present apparatus is more suitable for installing in a stably supported vehicle or boat, it has the features of convenience, safety and comfort. It can be operated by a user in chair and thus suitable for the old, weak and disabled for relaxation and entertainment. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a structural diagram of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the cross section along line A-A. 
       FIG. 3  is a structural diagram of the swing chain-gripping tooth plate. 
       FIG. 4  is a structural diagram of a reversing compensation means. 
       FIG. 5  is a structural diagram of a linear moving chain-gripping tooth plate. 
       FIG. 6  is a structural diagram of another type of sliding assembly. 
       FIG. 7  is a structural diagram of reversing compensation means integrated with a driven sprocket. 
       FIG. 8  is a structural schematic diagram of one-man driving tricycle of a first embodiment. 
       FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the embodiment in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 10  is a structural diagram of two-man driving tricycle of a second embodiment. 
       FIG. 11  is a structural diagram of amphibian bicycle of a third embodiment. 
     In the above-mentioned drawings, the following reference numbers represent:  1 . main frame  2 . flywheel  3 . chain  4 . sliding assembly  5 . pedal  6 . hand-pulling rod  7 . guide column  8 . driven sprocket  9 . sprocket support  10 . reversing compensation means  11 . auxiliary frame pillar  11 A. guide tongue  12 . upper slide bar of the sliding assembly  13 . pull-up rod  14 . chain-gripping box  15 . slave chain-gripping and reversing mechanism  16 . slave upper slide bar  17 . chain-retaining board  18 . slave lower slide bar  19 . chain-gripping tooth plate  20 . lower slide bar of the sliding assembly  21 . pull-down rod  22 . nose of connecting rod  23 . front butt plate of the sliding assembly  24 . rear butt plate of slipping module  25 . transitional coupling plate  26 . bottom plate of chain-gripping box  27 . short shaft  28 . hole to connect rod nose  29 . chain-gripping teeth  30 . limit pin  31 . chain-engaging teeth  32 . hanging plate  33 . groove frame  34 . positioning hole  35 . tension spring  36 . strong compressed spring  37 . arm  38 . arm shaft  39 . damp spring leaf  40 . guide groove  41 . jogger  42 . guide rail of plate column form  43 . chute  44 . chain tooth  45 . leaf spring  46 . chute wall  47 . compensation clearance  48 . mobile top block  49 . jack spring  50 . jack  51 . trapezoid-shape ratchet  52 . steel bead  53 . seat  54 . vehicle frame  55 . regulating wheel  56 . foot-controlled rudder pole  57 . driving wheel  58 . follower wheel  59 . handle bar  60 . rod handle  61 . connecting rod  62 . main (rear) buoy  63 . side buoy  64 . front buoy  65 . propeller 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   A better understanding of the invention will be obtained by referring to the accompanying drawings. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a tractive linear reciprocating driving apparatus of this invention. It comprises a main frame  1  that consists of, a guide column  7 , an auxiliary frame  11  and frame endplates. Connected to one end of the main frame is a flywheel  2  with driving sprocket and to the other end is a slave sprocket  8  with the same diameter, with a single endless chain installed in between. The guide column and the auxiliary frame column are installed on the side of the chain ring plane (backwards in the figure). A sliding assembly  4  and a slave chain-gripping and reversing mechanism  15  are installed on the guide column. The main frame may be installed in different ways for the different applications, and can be installed in the appropriate position of a vehicle or a boat through connecting pieces. In this embodiment, the upper and lower slide bars  12 ,  20  of the sliding assembly are mounted on the guide column  7  to slide upwards and downwards along the guide column with a guide tongue  11 A. Pedal  5  and hand-pulling rod  6  are affixed to rear butt plate of the sliding assembly so as to apply force with foot and hand, respectively. The chain gripping box  14  in said slave chain-gripping and reversing mechanism operates in the plane of the chain ring. The chain-gripping box  14  is connected with the upper and lower slave slide bars  16 ,  18  and mounted together on the guide column  7 . The chain-gripping box  14  is provided with a chain-gripping tooth plate  19  that is float-connected by a pull-up rod, a pull-down rod, a nose of a connecting rod and to the sliding assembly. The plate follows up the upward or downward movement of the sliding assembly and controls the activity of chain-gripping. In the figure, flywheel  2 —the driving sprocket to output power, turns the force applied thereto in linear way to shaft torque to operate the driving wheel. The chain-retaining board  17  with an arc projection to retain the chain is used to limit the position of chain in reversing and guarantee said chain-gripping tooth to engage chain smoothly. Reversing compensation means  10  guarantees the smooth operation of the slave chain-gripping and reversing mechanism. As shown in the figure, a chain-tensioning device is provided on the sprocket support  9  to adjust the tensioning of the chain by drawing slave sprocket shaft. The conventional structure of a bicycle chain tensioning device is adopted for this embodiment. 
     FIG. 2  illustrates a diagrammatic top view of this invention. Underneath is a bottom plate of the main frame  1 , the guide column  7  and the auxiliary frame pillar  11  on both sides. Pedal  5  is on the left and connecting the front butt plate of the sliding assembly  23 ,  24  and the lower slide bar  20 . The chain-gripping box  14  is shown in cross sectional view comprising chain-gripping tooth plate  19 , the pull-down rod  21  and a flywheel hidden underneath. The chain-gripping box  14  connects the upper and lower slave slide bars with transitional coupling plate  25 . As shown in the figure, a slave lower slide bar  18  and a lower slide bar of the sliding assembly  20  match with the jaw at a guide tongue  11 A on the right. The relation of connection between lower slide bar  20  and two butt plates  23 ,  24  of the sliding assembly incorporating a hand-pulling rod  6  and a pedal  5  is clearly shown. 
     FIG. 3  illustrates the structure of the chain-gripping assembly in said chain-gripping box. It belongs to a swing chain-gripping mechanism. A chain-gripping tooth plate  19  is fixed on a bottom plate  26  by a short shaft  27  with a hole  28  to connect the rod nose. When the tooth plate being drawn upwards and downwards, it swings and reverses the direction. There are two chain-gripping teeth  29 ,  31  toward two opposite directions on said chain-gripping tooth plate  19 . The tooth plate and the chain-retaining board  17  with a chain-retaining arc projection, cooperate with chain  3  and activate alternately to perform automatic slave reversing. There is a limit pin  30 . 
   The course of slave reversing control is as follows: when the nose of the connecting rod  22  is drawn downwards, the chain-gripping teeth  31  will insert in chain-links on the left to carry said chain to go downwards; when drawn upwards, the chain-engaging teeth  31  will disengage the chain and the chain-engaging teeth  29  will insert in chain on the right to carry said chain to go upwards. There is a limit pin  30 . 
     FIG. 4  illustrates the reversing compensation means installed on the lower part of the slave sprocket on the frame. The hanging plate  32  of said device is connected with a slave sprocket  8  by a coaxial coupling. An arm  37  is rotatable around the arm axle  38  in the hanging plate  32 . The upper arm end makes straightforward contact with the sprocket teeth. The lower arm end connects a tension spring  35 , enabling the upper arm end to contact the front surface of the sprocket tooth directly and always engage said toothsurface. In reversing of direction, when the chain-gripping tooth plate  19  below moves towards opposite side, a compensation motion in opposite direction occurs to solve the problem that the chain-gripping teeth cannot be inserted in the chain link hole for an instant, and ensures smooth reversing. A strong compressed spring  36  acts as a buffer in the course of reversing direction.  38  is an arm axle for securing the arm. A positioning hole  34  is used for adjusting mounting position.  39  is a damp spring leaf.  33  is a fixed groove frame. 
     FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of the chain-gripping tooth plate with linear motion structure. The chain-gripping tooth plate reverses its direction by moving in the guide groove  40 . In addition, joggers  41  are added. 
     FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of the guide column structure wherein  4  is the sliding assembly and the slave chain-gripping and reversing mechanism is also located therein.  42  is a guide rail of plate column form and  43  is a chute. 
     FIG. 7  illustrates a reverse compensation means modified from a single-stage flywheel of a conventional bicycle. It can function as a slave sprocket or a flywheel. The figure shows a part of the flywheel case in which  44  is a chain tooth in the outskirt of the outer hull that incorporates the trapezoid shape ratchets  51  in the inner margin of said outer hull  4 . A bead path with steel beads installed therein is located on both sides of said ratchets. A jack  50  (or chaplet) supports the inner side of said ratchet to force the outer hull only to be in unidirectional rotation. A jack spring  49  (or chaplet spring) forces said jack to prop up and always be in a working condition. A flywheel base and a bottom cover plate form an inner hull installed on the drive shaft. Originally, the flywheel performs only circular motion. There is no reversing or compensation problem. To adapt to the reversing function in this tractive linear reciprocating driving apparatus, a mobile top block  48  is added in a jack groove of the inner hull, which is between the original jack and the fixed block to support the jack, leaving an appropriate clearance (length)  47  for reversing compensation.  46  is the chute wall. A leaf spring  45  is provided behind said mobile top block. The leaf spring bends when said jack presses said ratchet. When in use, the compensator inner hull is fixed. During reversing, the leaf spring thereof rebounds and presses said jack to provide a compensation shift in the opposite direction and carries out the insertion of the teeth of the chain-gripping tooth plate into the chain hole during said shift so as to avoid instant failing of insertion and guarantee a smooth reversing. 
     FIGS. 8 ,  9 ,  10  and  11  are embodiments of three different applications of this invention. 
     FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate structure of a one-man manually-powered tricycle that comprises a carriage  54 , a regulating wheel  55 , a driving wheel  57 , a follower wheel  58 , a pedal  5 , a seat  53 , handlebar, as well as the transmission and brake devices. The conventional mechanism is used for its brake device. The driving wheel is in the front to the right. The regulating wheel is in the back. The driving apparatus is installed on the carriage in front of the seat. Connected to driving apparatus  1  are the pedal, rod handles  60 , handle bar  59  and a foot-controlled rudder pole  56  with positions for two feet. In this embodiment, both hands and feet can be used simultaneously, with one foot controlling direction. On the basis of this embodiment, a two-man manually-powered tricycle can be developed simply by widening the carriage and the seat. A conventional brake can also be used. 
   The following explains the working procedure of the tractive linear reciprocating driving apparatus of this invention as shown in the embodiment of said one-man tricycle. 
   1. After seated, a user controls regulating wheel with one foot, pedals with the other foot, grips the rod handle with one hand to be ready for lifting and holds the handle bar with the other hand. 
   2. When pedaling by the user, the sliding assembly  4  goes downwards along a straight line, through the nose of the connecting rod  22 , drives the pull-down rod  21  to enable the chain-gripping teeth  31  of the chain-gripping tooth plate  19  to insert into the left chain. By continuously applying force by the user, the flywheel  2  operates and the driving wheel rotates to drive the tricycle forwards (to the left in the figure). 
   3. When lifting the rod with hand by the user, the sliding assembly  4  goes upwards along a straight line and through the pull-up rod  13  enables chain-gripping teeth  29  of the chain-gripping tooth plate  19  to insert in the right chain. By continuously applying force by the user, flywheel  2  rotates in original direction and the driving wheel rotates to drive the tricycle forwards (to the left in the figure). 
   4. When stopping applying force by the user during pedaling with his/her foot and lifting with his/her hand, the tricycle keeps running forward by inertia. 
   5. Repeat above-said operation of stepping with the foot and lifting with the hand, the tricycle keeps running forward. 
     FIG. 10  illustrates an embodiment a fore-and-aft two-man tricycle. The regulating wheel  55  is located on the left front. The driving wheel  57  is on the right side in the middle. The follower rear wheel  58  is provided on the left side of the rear seat. In another word, the front and rear wheels are on one side and the driving wheel in the middle is on the other side. Two fore-and-aft seats are provided. The front seat rider controls the direction and pedals with his foot, thus the connecting rod  61  transmits the driving power to the sliding assembly. The rear seat rider mainly pulls the rod  60  to apply force. Two riders alternately apply force to jointly drive the tricycle forward. If necessary, the rear seat rider may help in applying force with pedaling. In fact, various two-man embodiments may be designed by utilizing the driving apparatus of this invention, for example, the design with rear regulating wheel, the design with double driving apparatus and two-man seats facing the same direction, the design with a single or double driving apparatus and two-man seats facing opposite direction, and the design with single or double driving apparatus having 4 parallel wheels. 
     FIG. 11  illustrates a structural representation of an amphibious bicycle that incorporates a carriage  54  and wheels, with the driving apparatus  1  tilting in the front. To suit application in water, a propeller  65  driven by a chain drive is positioned on the upper front. The propeller  65  has a draft of ¼˜⅙ of the propeller diameter. Three pairs of buoys are set in the front, middle and rear parts of the carriage on the left and right sides. They are the front buoys  64 , side buoys  63  and main (rear) buoys  62 , respectively. The side buoys  63  are fixed on both sides of carriage with the supporting litter that incorporate hinges to retract buoys. The buoys at position B, C and D are omitted on one side in the figure. 
   As indicated above, many products with different structures can be developed utilizing the driving apparatus of this invention. Such arrangements also include: adding an additional chain drive, utilizing leverage or hydraulic transmission, using multiple driving apparatus and different seating postures. Since there may be many varieties, this invention has an excellent future in practical application.