Abstract:
A drive apparatus for converting a substantially linear drive force to a rotary propulsive force, the apparatus includes a track member and a pedal slidingly engaging the track member. The pedal is movable between first and second positions. The apparatus further includes an axle. A unidirectional clutch mechanism is coupled to the pedal and the axle. The clutch operably engages the power axle when a substantially linear force is applied in moving the pedal from the first position to the second position such that a rotary propulsive force is produced by the axle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    This application relates generally to a drive apparatus. More specifically, this application discloses a drive apparatus that converts a substantially linear driving force to a rotary propulsive force that may be used in a variety of applications such as to generate the propulsive force in a transportation device. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    This application discloses a drive apparatus for converting a substantially linear driving force to a rotary propulsive force. The apparatus is of simple construction and can be used in a variety of applications including in standard bicycles, tricycles, reclining bicycles, personal watercraft such as paddle boats, scooters and any other similar transportation apparatus that uses a rotational force as a means to propel the transportation apparatus forward. The drive apparatus can also be used in stationary exercise devises such at stationary bikes, stair climbers, and any devices that utilize a reciprocating substantially linear force as part of the exercise regimen. 
         [0003]    In particular, this disclosure provides a drive apparatus for converting a substantially linear drive force to a rotary propulsive force, the apparatus comprising: a track member; a pedal slidingly engaging the track member, the pedal movable between first and second positions; an axle; and a unidirectional clutch mechanism coupled to the pedal and coupled the axle, wherein the clutch operably engages the axle when a substantially linear force is applied in moving the pedal from the first position to the second position such that a rotary propulsive force is produced by the axle. 
         [0004]    This disclosure also provides a drive apparatus for converting a substantially linear drive force to a rotary propulsive force, the apparatus comprising: a first track member; a first pedal slidingly engaging the track member, the first pedal movable between first and second positions; a second track member; a second pedal slidingly engaging the track member, the second pedal movable between first and second positions; an axle; a first unidirectional clutch mechanism coupled to the first pedal and coupled the axle, wherein the first clutch operably engages the axle when a substantially linear force is applied in moving the first pedal from the first position to the second position such that a rotary propulsive force is produced by the axle; and a second unidirectional clutch mechanism coupled to the second pedal and coupled the axle, wherein the second clutch operably engages the axle when a substantially linear force is applied in moving the second pedal from the first position to the second position such that a rotary propulsive force is produced by the axle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The drawings, when considered in connection with the following description, are presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a schematic environmental view of a transportation device having a drive apparatus; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a schematic top view of the transportation device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a schematic cross-sectional top-view of a drive apparatus; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective view of a track member and pedal. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , shown therein and generally designated by the reference character  100  is an embodiment of the drive apparatus  100  constructed in accordance with the following description. The drive apparatus  100  is shown incorporated in a transportation device  110 , however, it should be appreciated that the drive apparatus may be incorporated in a scooter, a tricycle, a reclining bicycle or any other similar transportation device that utilizes a rider&#39;s leg movement to propel the transportation device in a desired direction. The illustrative transportation device  110  generally includes a front frame  115 , handle bars  120  coupled to the front frame  115 , a front wheel  125 , and a rear wheel  130 . The device  110  may also include one or more stabilizing wheel assemblies  90  to assist the user with balance and maintain the device  110  in a substantially upright position. It will be understood that the forgoing components are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting in any way. 
         [0011]    The drive apparatus  100  includes a first track member  135  and a second track member  140 . Each track  135 ,  140  is coupled to the front frame  115  and extend rearwardly towards the rear wheel  130 . Each track  135 ,  140  may be releasably engaged to the front frame  115  whereby the grade or angle of each track  135 ,  140  relative to the ground may be adjusted. For example, and without limitation, each track  135 ,  140  may be adjusted between a substantially horizontal orientation and an orientation at approximately 45-degrees relative to the ground (or a substantially horizontal reference line). Thus, a user may selectively adjust the angle of each track  135 ,  140  in order to adjust the physical effort the user must input to propel the transportation device  110 . Also, the rear portion of each track member  135 ,  140  rotatably engage an axle  175 . 
         [0012]    A first pedal  145  is in sliding engagement with the first track member  135  and movable between a first position  150  and a second position  155 . As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the first pedal  145  may include one or more wheel members  147 . The wheel members  147  may be oriented in a horizontal and/or vertical orientation and operable to slidingly engage the track member  135 . It will be understood that the wheel members may be in any suitable orientation and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. The first track member  135  may include one or more tracks  149  disposed thereabouts and configured to slidingly receive each of the first pedal wheel members  147 . It will, however, be appreciated that the pedal  145  and track member  135  may have any suitable configuration and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. Similarly, the second pedal  160  is in sliding engagement with the second track member  140  and movable between a first position  165  and a second position  170 . The second pedal  160  and second track member  140  may be similarly configured to the first track member  135  and first pedal  145  as shown in  FIG. 4 ; however, it will be appreciated that the second track member  140  and second pedal  160  may have any suitable configuration and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0013]    The drive apparatus  100  also includes a first unidirectional clutch mechanism  180 . The unidirectional clutch  180  mechanism includes a unidirectional clutch bearing  185 . The unidirectional clutch bearing  185  is coaxially disposed within and coupled to a spool  190 . The axle  175  is coaxially disposed within the spool  190  and clutch bearing  185 . The unidirectional clutch bearing  185  is configured to operably engage the axle  175  when the bearing  185  is rotated in one direction and disengage the axle  175  when the bearing  185  is rotated in the opposite direction. A belt  200  extends from the spool  190  to the first pedal  145 . While the illustrative embodiment employs a belt  200 , it will be appreciated that any suitable device or mechanism may be employed and remain within the scope of the present disclosure; for example, and without limitation, a rope, sting, spring or any other suitable device or mechanism may extend from the spool  190  to the first pedal  145 . 
         [0014]    When a user applies a linear force to the first pedal  145  to move the first pedal  145  from the first pedal first position  150  to the first pedal second position  155 , the belt  200  is unwound from the spool  190  whereby the spool  190  and the clutch bearing  185  are rotated in a direction that causes the clutch bearing  185  to engage the axle  175  such that the axle  175  is rotated and a rotary propulsive force is imparted to the rear wheel  130 . When a user applies a linear force to the first pedal  145  to move the first pedal  145  from the first pedal second position  155  to the first pedal first position  150 , the clutch bearing  185  disengages the axle  175  and the axle  175  is not rotated therefrom. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, the apparatus  100  includes a first biasing system  250  comprising a housing  195 , a resilient member  205  and a plate  210 . The housing  195  extends from the spool  190 . The interior of the housing  195  is encased by the plate  210 . The plate  210  is rigidly coupled to the rear portion of the first track member  135  such that the plate does not rotate when the axle is rotating. While the plate  210  is rigidly coupled to the rear of the first track  135 , it will be appreciated that the plate  210  may be coupled to any stationary (relative to the rotation of the spool  190 ) item or device and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. The resilient member  205 , such as a spiral-torsion spring, is disposed within the housing  195  and coaxially about the axle  175 . The first end of the resilient member  205  is coupled to the housing and the second end of the resilient member  205  is coupled to the plate  210 . The resilient member  205  is configured to bias the first pedal  145  in the first pedal first position  150 . The resilient member may also be configured to rotate the spool  190  to uptake, or wind the belt  200  thereabouts, when the first pedal  145  is moved from the first pedal second position  155  to the first pedal first position  150 . 
         [0016]    The drive apparatus  100  also includes a second unidirectional clutch mechanism  215 . The unidirectional clutch  215  mechanism includes a unidirectional clutch bearing  220 . The unidirectional clutch bearing  220  is coaxially disposed within and coupled to a spool  225 . The axle  175  is coaxially disposed within the spool  225  and clutch bearing  220 . The unidirectional clutch bearing  220  is configured to operably engage the axle  175  when the bearing  220  is rotated in one direction and disengage the axle  175  when the bearing  220  is rotated in the opposite direction. A belt  230  extends from the spool  225  to the second pedal  160 . While the illustrative embodiment employs a belt  230 , it will be appreciated that any suitable device or mechanism may be employed and remain within the scope of the present disclosure; for example, and without limitation, a rope, sting, spring or any other suitable device or mechanism may extend from the spool  225  to the second pedal  160 . 
         [0017]    When a user applies a linear force to the second pedal  160  to move the second pedal  160  from the second pedal first position  165  to the second pedal second position  170 , the belt  230  is unwound from the spool  225  whereby the spool  225  and the clutch bearing  220  are rotated in a direction that causes the clutch bearing  220  to engage the axle  175  such that the axle  175  is rotated and a rotary propulsive force is imparted to the rear wheel  130 . When a user applies a linear force to the second pedal  160  to move the second pedal  160  from the second pedal second position  170  to the second pedal first position  165 , the clutch bearing  220  disengages the axle  175  and the axle  175  is not rotated therefrom. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, the apparatus  100  includes a second biasing system  255  comprising a housing  235 , a resilient member  245  and a plate  240 . The housing  235  extends from the spool  225 . The interior of the housing  235  is encased by the plate  240 . The plate  240  is rigidly coupled to the rear portion of the second track member  140  such that the plate does not rotate when the axle is rotating. While the plate  240  is rigidly coupled to the rear of the second track  145 , it will be appreciated that the plate  240  may be coupled to any stationary (relative to the rotation of the spool  225 ) item or device and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. The resilient member  245 , such as a spiral-torsion spring, is disposed within the housing  235  and coaxially about the axle  175 . The first end of the resilient member  245  is coupled to the housing and the second end of the resilient member  245  is coupled to the plate  240 . The resilient member  245  is configured to bias the second pedal  160  in the second pedal first position  165 . The resilient member may also be configured to rotate the spool  225  to uptake, or wind the belt  230  thereabouts, when the second pedal  160  is moved from the second pedal second position  170  to the second pedal first position  165 . 
         [0019]    The drive apparatus  100  may be operated in a reciprocating manner whereby a user may propel the transportation device forward. For example, a user may engage each pedal  145 ,  160  with his or her feet. The user may then apply a linear force to the first pedal  145  to move the first pedal  145  from the first pedal first position  150  to the first pedal second position  155  whereby the first unidirectional clutch mechanism  180  will operate as previously discussed and the device  110  will be propelled forward by rotation of the rear wheel  130 . As the user is moving the first pedal  145  from the first pedal first position  150  to the first pedal second position  155 , the user may be simultaneously moving the second pedal  160  from the second pedal second position  170  to the second pedal first position  165  whereby the second belt  230  is wound about the spool  225 . Once the first pedal  145  reaches the first pedal second position  155  and the second pedal  160  reaches the second pedal first position  165 , the user may then move the second pedal  160  from the first position  165  to the second position  170  thereby propelling the device  110  forward per rotation of the real wheel  130 , as previously discussed, and simultaneously move the first pedal  145  from the second position  155  to the first position  150  whereby the first belt  200  is wound about the spool  185 . 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, the pedals  145 ,  160  may be functionally linked to a reciprocating assembly  260 . The reciprocating assembly  260  may include a first pulley  265  coupled to the device  110  at or near the front frame  115  and a second pulley  270  coupled to the rear portion of the device  110 . A belt  275  may link the pulleys  265 ,  270  together. The first pedal  145  may be coupled to the upper portion of the belt  275  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) and the second pedal  160  may be coupled to the lower portion of the belt  275  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). Thus, when one of the pedals  145 ,  160  receives a linear force moving the pedal  145 ,  160  from the first position  150 ,  165  to the second position  155 ,  170 , the other pedal  145 ,  160  moves in the opposite direction, i.e. from the second position  155 ,  170  to the first position  150 ,  165 . While each pulley  265 ,  270  is shown as having an axis of rotating substantially parallel to the rotational axis of each wheel  125 ,  130 , it will be appreciated that the pulleys  265 ,  270  may have any suitable orientation and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0021]    While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.