Abstract:
A radio controlled bicycle incorporates flywheel technology in addition to a unique disposition of motors, gears and electronics provides superior stability and mobility during operation. A flywheel is disposed in the crankshaft area of the bike and is separately driven by an motor independent from the drive motor. The independent operation of the flywheel from the drive system of the bicycle provides increased stability at slower speeds and eliminates the need for complex transmission systems between the drive system motor and the flywheel. An action figure having movable joints is releasably attachable to the bike and provides realistic animation during the bike operation.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates radio controlled toys, and more particularly, to a radio controlled bicycle. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Radio controlled or remotely controlled toys have become specialty items in the toy market. Radio controlled vehicles dominate in this market and as such, manufacturers attempt to duplicate well known vehicles as well as the latest in automotive development. 
     New radio controlled toys are departing from the standard vehicle configuration and are incorporating radio control technology into other more interesting toys. The shape and configuration of these new radio controlled toys is dependent on the design of the power, transmission and other systems necessary to make the toy work. Furthermore, the design of such toys is integral in the toy&#39;s ability to perform dynamic stunt maneuvers and actions while maintaining stability for continuous, uninterrupted enjoyment of the toy. Some examples of these important design consideration are the dimensions of the device, the mass of the device and the location of the toy&#39;s center of gravity. In view of these design requirements, toy designers are significantly limited in the shape of the toy they can make that includes all the circuitry, power source and control systems required for radio controlled toys. 
     In recent years, there has been increased interest in toy motorcycles, and more particularly toy motorcycles which are radio controlled with respect to speed and steering. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, toy motorcycles or bicycles having two wheels present balance and steering problems which are more complex and far different from problems encountered with four wheeled radio controlled: toy vehicles. These problems have been approached in a number of different ways by the prior art. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,583 teaches a radio controlled two-wheeled motorcycle toy that utilizes an electromagnetic system that is connected to the front fork via a resilient mechanism for selectively enabling the steering of the vehicle during operation. Also disclosed are a pair of auxiliary wheels which are integral to the stability of the toy. When the toy is operated and the steering mechanism is actuated to turn the vehicle, the centrifugal force generated which would otherwise cause the toy to fall over in the steered direction is controlled by the corresponding auxiliary wheel contacting the ground. The auxiliary wheels contact the ground to maintain the toy in an upright position and prevent it from tipping over. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,569 teaches a radio controlled two-wheeled which includes a horizontal, longitudinally extending shaft to which a battery pack containing frame is pivotally suspended in pendulum fashion. The front wheel of the toy motorcycle is mounted to a support mechanism comprising a fork, and a pivot member located forwardly of the fork. The battery pack is swung to the right or left in pendulum fashion by a radio controlled servo. The battery pack mechanism is operatively connected to the: front wheel support, so that it tilts in the same direction as the battery pack is shifted, causing the toy motorcycle to turn in that direction. In addition, a simulated rider mounted on the toy motorcycle contains weights within its body which shift along with the shifting of the battery pack. The toy motorcycle is provided with a stand for supporting the rear wheel thereof at starting. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,902,271 teaches another approach wherein a toy motorcycle is provided with a front frame supporting the front wheel and a rear frame supporting the rear wheel and a drive motor therefor. The rear flame, wheel and motor are tiltable with respect to the front frame to initiate left and right turns. Tilting of the rear frame is brought about by a servo mounted in the front flame and radio controlled. Auxiliary legs having wheels on their free ends project outwardly from both sides of the toy motorcycle, to maintain the toy motorcycle substantially upright when stopped. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,342,175, for example, teaches a two-wheeled motorcycle having a frame or chassis which carries a drive motor, a radio, a servo mechanism, and a power source. The servo is provided with a shaft which supports a weight in the manner of an inverted pendulum. By shifting the weight to the right or left, the toy motorcycle is caused to lean to the right or left. The front wheel of the motorcycle is supported by a fork which is attached to a pivot assembly located ahead of the fork. As a consequence of this construction, when the motorcycle is caused to lean in one direction or the other by the servo mounted weight, the front wheel will turn in the direction of that lean. The motorcycle is provided with a crash bar on each side which will help to maintain the motorcycle substantially upright during a turn and when standing still. 
     In an effort to further the stunt capabilities of radio controlled toys, toy designers have started implementing the use of flywheels to provide gyroscopic stabilization and to communicate positional change information to electronic and electro-mechanical stabilization systems in a wide variety of aeronautical, navigational, toy and novelty devices. An example of such flywheel implementation is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,891. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,891 discloses a remote controlled toy vehicle with improved stability including a flywheel mounted in the rear wheel. A clutch assembly operatively connects the flywheel to the rear wheel propulsion system so as to enable the rotation of the flywheel at speeds faster than the rear wheel during operation. In this invention, the flywheel rotates only when the propulsion system is activated and the rear wheel of the vehicle is being driven in a predetermined direction. 
     The use of flywheels increases the possibilities of different radio controlled toy designs and is ideal for implementation into a two wheeled vehicle to increase its stability and thereby the range of maneuvers it can make during operation. As such, it is desirable to provide a radio controlled two-wheeled vehicle (e.g., bicycle) that is capable of simulating the balance provided by a human rider in a real bicycle, and performing various dynamic stunts, while maintaining stability and balance during operation. Since a bicycle is the most dynamic two wheeled vehicle design for performing stunt action maneuvers, the bicycle is a desirable candidate for conversion into a radio controlled toy. 
     Unlike motorcycles, a bicycle is relatively slower and inherently less stable. In addition, the rider not only is a greater proportion of the total mass of the vehicle, but due to their position on the bike, raises the overall center of gravity compared to motorcycles. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a radio controlled bicycle that incorporates flywheel technology in order to increase the stabilization of the toy and thereby increase the playability, stability and maneuverability of the toy. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide a radio controlled bicycle that is scaled to a realistic bicycle and rider and which operates stably at slow speeds. 
     This and other objects are achieved in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in which a radio controlled bicycle includes power, stabilization and steering systems to enable a variety of realistic and stunt actions. The disposition of the gyroscopic stabilization in the crankshaft area of the bicycle not only lowers its center of gravity, but also increases the stability and diversity of stunt action motion while adding to the realism of appearance during operation. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the two-wheeled radio controlled toy vehicle includes a chassis having front and rear ends and a central portion between the ends and front and rear wheels operatively connected to and providing support for the respective front and rear ends. A front wheel fork assembly is operatively connected to the front end of the body and rotatably supports the front wheel of the bicycle. 
     A steering mechanism connected to the front wheel fork is operative to steer the toy vehicle in a desired direction. A drive system selectively drives the rear wheel of the toy vehicle in response to radio commands received from a user operated remote transmitter. A stability system having its own separate drive&#39;and transmission from the drive system increases the stability of the toy vehicle during operation. 
     The electronic circuitry and power supply necessary for operating the drive, stability and steering mechanisms in response to user received radio commands from a remote transmitter are also included within the design. 
     Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings wherein like reference numerals denote similar elements throughout the views: 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of the radio controlled bicycle with an adjustable action figure according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 a  is a schematic side view of the radio controlled bicycle without the figure according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 b  is schematic side view of the radio controlled bicycle according to another embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 c  is a schematic side view of the radio controlled bicycle according to another embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 d  is schematic side view of the radio controlled bicycle according to a further embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 a  is a schematic side view of the radio controlled bicycle according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 b  is a schematic top view of the radio controlled bicycle according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 c  is an enlarged perspective view of the crankshaft area of the radio controlled BMX bicycle according to another embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 d  is a plan view of a stabilizer according to various embodiments of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the crankshaft area with flywheel according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 5 a  is a cross-sectional view of the top tube of the bicycle taken along lines V—V of FIG. 3 a ; 
     FIG. 5 b  is a cross-sectional view of the down tube of the bicycle taken along lines VI—VI of FIG. 3 a ; 
     FIG. 6 is schematic top view of the steering mechanism of the radio controlled bicycle according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the steering mechanism of the radio controlled bicycle according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the radio controlled bicycle showing the rider figure in various stunt positions according to an embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 shows a side view of the radio controlled bicycle  10  according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown, an action FIG. 200 is disposed on bike  10  and is molded and jointed to provide a life like look and action which will be described later with reference to FIG.  8 . FIG. 200 can be clothed and includes realistic looking shoes or boots that are releasably connected to the pedals or stunt tubes (pegs that are mounted to the ends of the front and rear axles, four total). 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 a , bike  10  is made up of a top tube  12 , a down tube  14 , a crankshaft/flywheel housing  16 , a seat tube  18 , a steering assembly  20 , a seat stay tube  22 , a handle bar assembly  24 , a front fork  26  having an axle  28  and a rear axle  30  at the base of the seat stay tube  22 . Wheels  32   a  and  32   b  are rotatably mounted to the front and rear axles,  28  and  30 , respectively. A seat post  34  is mounted within seat tube  18  and includes a seat  36  mounted thereon. Bike  10  can include a stabilizer  42  (FIGS. 2,  3   c  and  3   d ) which serves to prevent the bike from falling over when it is stopped or impacted during operation. 
     A drive motor  38  is preferably disposed between the seat tube  18  and seat stay tube  22 , and a plurality of gears  40  operatively connect drive motor  38  to the rear axle  30  and to a reductions gear  48  (FIG. 4) for pedal action during operation. Gears  40  can be any suitable known type of gearing system, provided that the necessary gear reduction between the drive motor  38  and the rear axle  30  is achieved. Gears  40  act as one transmission on board bike  10 . Those of skill in the art will recognize that the arrangement, number and size of gears  40  are dependent on the motor and wheel size and therefore can be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 2 b  and  2   c  show another embodiment where the motor  38  is eliminated and one motor  44  disposed in the seat tube  18  is operable to drive both the flywheel  58  and the rear wheel  32   b . According to this embodiment, when the remote receiver on the bike is powered on, and there is no signal being received from the remote transmitter (not shown), motor  44  is operable and rotates constantly counter-clockwise. Through the application of gears G 1  and G 2 , clutch mechanism C 1  and flywheel gear  56 , flywheel  58  is driven in a counter clockwise direction. Gears G 3 -G 7  operably connect the rear wheel  32   b  to the motor  44  via a clutch C 2 . Thus, engagement or disengagement of clutch C 2  determines whether the rear wheel is driven or not, respectively. Clutch C 2  also enables the simultaneous operation of the flywheel and rear wheel drive. FIG. 2 c  shows the operation of gears G 1  and G 3 -G 7  when clutch C 2  is engaged. As shown, when a radio signal is received indicating forward motion, the motor  44  reverses direction (i.e., rotates clockwise) and continues to drive the flywheel counter-clockwise through clutch C 2 . Clutches C 1  and C 2  can be, for example, sliding pin type clutches. As such, according to this embodiment, the flywheel is constantly driven in a forward (counter-clockwise) direction, and the rear wheel is simultaneously driven forward with the flywheel when the direction of motor  44  is reversed (from its original counter-clockwise direction). 
     FIG. 2 d  shows yet another embodiment of the flywheel and rear wheel drive systems of the invention. In this embodiment, one motor  38  is disposed between the seat tube  18  and seat stay tube  22 . A primary drive gear C 4  operably connects gears  40  to motor  38  to thereby drive the rear wheel  32   b , and a clutch C 3  drives gear  57  which drives flywheel gear  56  and thereby flywheel  58 . According to this embodiment, clutch C 3  and idler gear  57  transmits drive power to the flywheel  58 , via flywheel gear  56 , from the main motor  38  only when the bike is under power and being driven through gears G 8  and  40 . Thus, when the drive power is removed via motor  38 , flywheel  58  will continue to spin freely without drive power and thereby continue to provide gyroscopic stabilization even after the removal of drive power via motor  38  and clutch C 3 . Those of skill in the art recognize that the embodiments of FIGS. 2 a - 2   d  are exemplary in nature and that other gear, clutch and drive systems may also be implemented without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
     FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  show various schematic views of bike  10  from different perspectives. FIG. 3 a  shows a side view of bike  10  with drive gears  40  arranged in a different configuration from that shown in FIG.  2 . In addition, a flywheel motor  44  and a flywheel drive gear  46  are disposed in seat tube  18 , and flywheel drive gear  46  is operatively coupled to flywheel gear  56  (FIG.  4 ). The flywheel drive motor  44 , positioned within seat tube  18 , can be accessed from one side by an access panel  50  (FIGS. 3 c  and  4 ). Front fork  26  includes a shock absorbing action that enables front wheel  32   b  to be displaced a limited amount D and thereby increase the stability of the bike during operation (especially: over uneven surfaces). 
     FIG. 3 b  shows a partial top view of the bike  10  where drive gears  40  are disposed on one side of the bike and a realistic looking chain and crank assembly  66  (see also FIG. 1) is disposed on the other side of the bike. In a preferred embodiment, the crank assembly  66  is operatively connected with the drive gears  40  or the pedal action drive gear  48  (FIG. 4) such that the pedal crank rotates during operation to provide realistic bicycle riding appearance and action of the FIG. 200 on bike  10 . The chain and rear sprocket are molded to provide the aesthetic appearance of a real bike but do not move during operation. In yet another contemplated embodiment, the chain and rear sprocket can be operably connected to the crank assembly  66  and rotate therewith during operation. 
     FIG. 3 d  shows two embodiments of the position of stabilizer  42  according to the invention. In one embodiment, stabilizer  42  is perpendicularly disposed with respect to the crankshaft housing  16  (dotted embodiment), and in another embodiment, stabilizer  42  is angularly disposed with respect to the crankshaft housing  16 . In both embodiments, the ends of the stabilizer with respect to the ground and the pedals  60   a  and  60   b  is an important design consideration and includes a height H 1  and H 2 , respectively with respect to the ground. As can be seen, the ends of the stabilizer  42  must be such that when the bike tips over in either direction, the pedals  60   a  or  60   b  do not touch the ground and prevent subsequent re-erection of the bike through application of the drive motor and/or internal flywheel. Referring to the first embodiment (i.e., dotted configuration), the stabilizer  42  will touch the ground at approximately a 22 degree angle with respect to the ground. The second embodiment of stabilizer  42  (i.e., angularly disposed with respect to crankshaft housing) will contact the ground when the bike is tilted approximately 27 degrees on either side. In this second embodiment, the ends of the stabilizer  42  contact the ground such that a 90 degree angle between the ground and end of the stabilizer is produced. The height H 2  is the largest distance at which the ends of stabilizer  42  may be disposed from the ground while still providing sufficient angular clearance of the pedals when the bike it tipped in either direction. 
     FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the crankshaft/flywheel housing  16  and seat tube  18  according to an embodiment of the invention. The flywheel drive motor  44  is mounted within the seat tube  18  with the access panel  50  provided on one side. Internally, drive motor  44  includes a gear  45  that is meshed with a flywheel drive gear  46  which is meshed with a flywheel gear  56 . Flywheel gear  56  is fixedly connected to the flywheel  59 . Flywheel motor  44  is a standard motor that is dedicated to driving the flywheel only and is not responsible for any other driving functions of the bicycle. Gears  45 ,  46  and  56  act as a second onboard transmission for bicycle  10 . Thus, through the implementation of a separate motors and transmissions for propulsion and stability, the flywheel drive motor  44  can be always powered during operation, so as to maintain the rotation of flywheel  58  at all times. Flywheel motor  44  is capable of speeds in the range of 5-10,000 revolutions per minute (rpm), and in conjunction with the gear ratio of gears  45 ,  46  and  56  provide the necessary high speed rpm (e.g., 15-10,000) for suitable gyroscopic force to be generated by the flywheel  58 . This “always on” operation of the flywheel motor and thus constant rotation of flywheel  58 , the stability of the bicycle is significantly increased during slower speeds. Thus, the flywheel  58  not only prevents the bicycle from falling over at slow speeds, but actually enable superior stability during slower movements and stunt actions. 
     Those of skill in the art will recognize that the flywheel is preferably made of a dense material with the majority of its mass being disposed along its circumference. Preferably, the flywheel is made of metal, but may also be made of other suitable known materials. As is known, the flywheel mass, diameter and speed are all important in order to create gyroscopic stabilization effect. 
     Also contained within crankshaft/flywheel housing  16  is a circular circuit board  54  that is electrically connected to on/off switch  52  (FIG. 3 c ), batteries  13 , steering system  20 , motors  38  and  44  and includes all radio frequency (RF) receiver and control electronics required for operation of bike  10  using a remote control transmitter device (not shown). A large reduction gear  48  is also disposed within the crankshaft/flywheel housing  16 . The pedal gear  48  is driven by the drive gears  40  (e.g., see FIG. 2) which in turn drives pedal drive shaft  61  operatively connected to the pedals  60   a  and  60   b , thereby rotating the pedals during operation. The rotation of pedals  60   a  and  60   b  while FIG. 200 is connected thereto results is a realistic appearance of the figure actually pedaling (powering) the bike. The circular circuit board  54  does not rotate about pedal drive shaft  61 , while flywheel  58  rotates at high speeds around the slower rotating pedal drive shaft  61 . 
     In accordance with other contemplated embodiments, the flywheel can be mounted in other positions on the bike. In one example, the flywheel may be mounted adjacent to the rear wheel. In another example, the flywheel can be contained within the front wheel of the bike, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the necessary drive transmissions and/or clutch assemblies would be added to such embodiments to enable independent operation of the flywheel with respect to the operation of the drive systems. 
     FIGS. 5 a  and  5   b  show cross-sections of the top tube  12  and down tube  14 , respectively. As shown, the batteries  13  for the bike  10  are contained within these two tubes as shown and can be removable through access panels  11  and  15  in tubes  12  and  14 , respectively. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the access panels  11  and  15  may be secured onto their respective tubes through any suitable known type of connections, for example, a snap fitting cover or through the use of a cover and screws that secure the cover in place. Batteries  13  are removable and can be alkaline or carbon-zinc disposable types or nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion, or any other suitable known type of rechargeable battery. As shown, the batteries  13  are arranged side by side in the top tube  12 , and are stacked in an inverted pyramid configuration in down tube  14 . This arrangement enables a more realistic profile for top and down tubes  12  and  14 , respectively. In other embodiments, the batteries  13  may be rechargeable and non-removable from the bike. In this instance, a charging jack  53  (FIG. 3 c ) can be added to the bike for providing the user with an electrical connection to the batteries for charging the same. 
     FIGS. 6 and 7 show the steering system  20  according to an embodiment of the invention. Steering system  20  includes a C-shaped upper fork bushing sleeve  86  adapted to receive a cylindrical bushing  80  connected to the steering coil housing  78 . A shaft or caster axle  82  is fitted through an axial bore through cylindrical bushing  80  and engages a hole  94  in the fork  26 . Shaft  82  is preferably force fitted into hole  94  so that cylindrical bushing  80  can freely rotate about the shaft within C-shaped bushing sleeve  86 . A disc or cap  86  can be provided to enclose the top of shaft  82 , cylindrical bushing  80  and C-shaped bushing sleeve  86 . An electromagnetic steering coil  74  is positioned within housing  78  and includes an downwardly extending peg  76  that passes through a hole (not shown) in the bottom of housing  78  and which engages in slot  90  of a steering guide tab  88 . Steering coil  74  includes wires  73  that conduct the necessary voltage from the circuit board  54  to actuate the coil. 
     Steering coil  76  operates in conjunction with -ring magnet  72  situated around coil  74  within housing  78 . Thus, when the steering coil is actuated with a voltage having a predetermined polarity (i.e., predetermined based on the desired direction of steering), it win respond to a magnetic field created by ring magnet  72  and thereby cause the entire coil to rotate in one direction or the other within the housing  78 . For example, assuming a left turn is desired, the steering coil  74  is actuated with a voltage having polarity which causes coil  74  to create a magnetic field which, when interacting with the magnetic field created by ring magnet  72 , causes the coil to rotate in a clockwise direction. The clockwise rotation of coil  74  within housing results in downwardly extending peg  76  to also move clockwise while engaged in slot  90  of steering guide tab  88 . The rotation of peg  76  within slot  90  causes the fork to be rotated about shaft  82  in a counter-clockwise direction (i.e., to the left with respect to the bike). 
     One potential problem in a steering mechanism of this type is the possibility of over steering in one direction or the other, which can result in the tipping over of the bike. This over steering is not necessarily caused by physically steering too hard in one direction, but may also be caused by the centrifugal force created by turning the bike when traveling at high speeds in a substantially straight direction. Prior art methods for compensating for this physical phenomena include the implementation of side: wheels that engage the ground at a predetermined tilt angle (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,583). 
     In order to accurately control the steering action of bike  10  and prevent tipping resulting from the centrifugal forces created by turning during forward momentum, the C-shaped bushing sleeve  86  includes C-slot edges  92   a  and  92   b  that function to limit the rotational movement of the cylindrical bushing  80  within the bushing sleeve  86 . The limitation of the rotational movement of the cylindrical bushing  80  in conjunction with the stabilizing function of the operation of flywheel  58  effectively eliminates the tipping possibilities and provides superior user control over the operation of bike  10 . 
     Using the above example of a left turn movement, during the clockwise rotation of coil  74  and thereby peg  76  within slot  90 , the bushing support  79  connecting cylindrical bushing  80  to the coil housing  78  will hit or be stopped by C-slot edge  92   b  and thereby be prevented from over-steering in that direction. The same concept applies to the right turn action and opposing C-slot edge  92   a . In a preferred embodiment, the flywheel speed is fixed at a top speed (e.g., 5-10 k r.p.m.). However, other contemplated embodiments include the switching or modulation of the flywheel speed according to various control schemes of the bicycle. Thus, if the flywheel speed is selectively increased during a turning action, the stabilization of the bike  10  will be increased and will prevent tipping of the bike. In addition, the flywheel may be turned off when the bike is at a predetermined speed of operation or is simply traveling in a straight line. 
     Steering system  20  is enclosed by a housing  100 . Housing  100  has notches or slots  96   a  and  96   b  which engage projections  94   a  and  94   b , respectively, extending from steering coil housing  78 . 
     FIG. 8 shows the action FIG. 200 in some of the many possible various stunt positions according to the invention. Action FIG. 200 is made up of a body  201  and includes a plurality of joints  212 ,  214 ,  216 ,  218 ,  220  and  222  disposed in the arms, shoulders, legs and hips. FIG. 200 includes shoes or boots  204   a  and  204   b  having C-shaped or other circular—like fittings adapted to be snapped onto the front stunt pegs  64   a  (not shown) and  64   b , rear stunt pegs  62   a  (not shown) and  62   b  or pedals  60   a  and  60   b . In addition, the figure&#39;s hands  202   a  and  202   b  are molded such that the fingers may releasably fit over the handlebars  210  and also on the stunt tubes for handstand type stunt actions. The C-shaped fittings of the shoes/boots and molded hands of the figure are such that during operation, FIG. 200 will not un-snap and detach, unless and until the bike  10  crashes, which impact can cause the FIG. 200 to release from the bike and therefore not get damaged from a crash. According to the disclosed embodiments, partial attachment of FIG. 200 is also possible (i.e., less than both hands and feet). This allows additional movement and articulation of the figure caused by inertia and movements of the bike. 
     While there have shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, changes in the form :and details of- the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all; combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results am within the scope of the invention.