Abstract:
The present invention relates to a linear reciprocating driving apparatus. It includes slipping module, slave engaging and reversing mechanics, flying wheel, driven sprocket, driving chain, and guide column. The slipping module is arranged on the framework of propulsion apparatus to be activated by rider. Also there is provided a slave engaging and reversing mechanics with compensation means. The propulsion apparatus can obtain satisfying results and improved efficiency. The invention can be applied to the vehicle, watercraft and exercising apparatus so as they were manually powered.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a driving apparatus that is characterized by single endless chain and manually powered linear propulsion, mainly used for securely-sustained non-motorized vehicle or vessel.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Vehicles and vessels need power driving. Manually powered devices are commonly used in non-motorized wheel vehicle, among which some have linear reciprocating driving mechanics for the purpose of substituting walking rather than entertaining or exercising.  
         [0003]     Chinese Pat. No. 99108216.8 (CN1275511A) forwarded a bicycle with linear path of movement. It has a toothed rack driven mechanism affixed on a tilted square frame with two toothed racks in a sliding groove. Depression of either pedal will cause rack to move, draw sprocket wheel and chain and transfer the power to rear driving wheel. A reset gear is used for reset control.  
         [0004]     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); U.S. Pat. No. 3,891,235 (Shelly). All the above-mentioned patents employ a plurality of endless chain mechanism and two members shall run alternately. Their structures are much complicated and there are also great difficulties in processing and installation.  
         [0005]     Chinese Pat. No. 99123093.0 (CN1298824A) forwarded a bicycle with rotatable crank. Its driving mechanism adopts two prime cranks on the left and right for pedal driving. The rear end of crank is connected with the crank end of rear wheel with driven crank linking in between, drives a small sprocket and form secondary transmission together with coaxial large sprocket, and finally transmitted to the driving shaft of rear wheel. It also belongs to approximately linear path of movement but with too many transmission links and reduced efficiency.  
         [0006]     My Chinese Patent (Application No. 01132621.2) discloses “tractive chain bicycle” including the structure of wire rope traction. However, the wire rope will curl in the course of small pulley transmitting torque and the curl will affect normal operation. In addition, the mechanics sometimes fail in reversing.  
         [0007]     Obviously, the mechanics with linear force applied shall first ensure its smooth continuous running as well as the convenience of processing, especially avoiding overmany transmission links and idle run so as to improve transmission efficiency.  
       DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention refers to a tractive linear driving apparatus with good integration and structure which is applicable to equipping with manually-powered carriers. The apparatus features considerable flexibility in the design of applying force, great leeway for R &amp; D and higher transmission efficiency.  
         [0009]     The present invention of tractive linear reciprocating driving apparatus consists of a solid frame, a movable member having a slipping module incorporating an engaging and reversing mechanics and transmission members of single endless chain, sprocket wheel and flywheel. The shaft of flywheel outputs power and forms mechanical transmission.  
         [0010]     This tractive linear reciprocating driving apparatus comprises slipping module, slave engaging and reversing mechanics, flywheel, driven sprocket, chain and guide column, it has: 
        A frame that consists of guide column, auxiliary frame column and frame endplates, the ends of frame are affixed with flywheel and 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 chain ring plane; a slipping module for linear driving and slave engaging and reversing mechanics is installed on the guide column; the upper and lower slide bars of the slipping module mounted on the guide column slide upwards and downwards along the guide column, pedal and handpower rod are used to apply force to butt plates on both sides of slipping module;        
 
         [0012]     It is characterized by: 
        1) The said slave engaging and reversing mechanics has an engagement means located in the plane of chain ring; upper and lower slave slide bars connected with the said engagement means is mounted on the guide column; engaging toothed bar is provided in the engagement means, strained end is float-connected with slipping module and connecting pieces that consist of pull-up rod, pull-down rod and connecting rod; the toothed bar in said engagement means has two teeth to engage said chain on both directions working jointly with both chain-retaining board and chain and activating alternately with teeth in each direction.     2) A reversing compensation means is designed for slave engaging and reversing mechanics that comprises a resilient member contacting the front of chain tooth directly or indirectly in opposite direction, and a space or clearance is left for movement.        
 
         [0015]     The said reversing compensation means is mobile mechanics for the purpose of elastic contact on or beneath slave sprocket and its arm may contact the front of chain tooth of slave sprocket elastically under the action of said resilient member. To check chain tooth, said arm may press chain tooth under the action of spring and realize smooth reverse, and serve as a considerable buffer.  
         [0016]     The said reversing compensation means is a modified single-stage flywheel in which there is a structural member for transmission between leaf spring and chain tooth, leaf spring props up the rear end of jack to make it elastically contact first the front of ladder type rackets and then the front of chain tooth of outer hull indirectly.  
         [0017]     The tractive linear reciprocating driving apparatus of this invention has the following vigorous effects: 
        1. Since it adopts single endless chain structure, the driving apparatus of this invention has a more compact structure and more convenience in processing and installation. In application, the whole apparatus can be installed directly in combination with driving wheel and axle of vehicle or boat. Linear applying of force has higher efficiency. Even if adding secondary chain drive, the effect is also quite good;     2. This driving apparatus is used mainly for equipping exercising apparatus, giving prominence to the feature of convenient and natural method of applying force. Since simultaneously stepping with foot and pulling with hand in operation, comprehensive exercising effect can be obtained. It is applicable to one-man, two-man or multi-man manually-powered vehicle and boat, as well as communication means or sports;     3. Since slipping module can suit the change of different angles of force applied hereto, more designing space to meet different seating postures can be obtained to satisfy various needs in applications and products;     4. Since it is more suitable for installing in securely-sustained vehicle or boat, this apparatus has the features of convenience, safety and comfort. It can be operated even in chair and suitable for the old and weak for entertainment.        
 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0022]      FIG. 1  is a structural diagram of this invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the structure delineated by line A-A.  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a structural diagram of swing toothed bar for chain engagement.  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a structural diagram of reversing compensation means.  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is a structural diagram of directly-moved toothed bar for chain engagement.  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  is a structural view of another type of slipping apparatus.  
         [0028]      FIG. 7  is a structural diagram of reversing compensation means integrated with follower wheel.  
         [0029]      FIG. 8  is a structural schematic diagram of one-man driven tricycle in the first embodiment.  
         [0030]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the embodiment in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 10  is a structural diagram of two-man driven tricycle in the second embodiment.  
         [0032]      FIG. 11  is a structural diagram of amphibian bicycle in the third embodiment. 
     
    
       [0033]     In the above-mentioned drawings:  
         [0034]      1 . frame  2 . flywheel  3 . chain  4 . slipping module  5 . pedal  6 . handpower rod  7 . guide column  8 . driven sprocket  9 . sprocket support  10 . reversing compensator  11 . auxiliary frame pillar  11 A. guide tongue  12 . upper slide bar of slipping module  13 . pull-up rod  14 . chain engagement means  15 . slave engaging and reversing mechanics  16 . slave upper slide bar  17 . chain-retaining board  18 . slave lower slide bar  19 . chain engaging toothed bar  20 . lower slide bar of slipping module  21 . pull-down rod  22 . nose of connecting rod  23 . front butt plate of slipping module  24 . rear butt plate of slipping module  25 . transitional coupling plate  26 . bottom plate of chain engagement means  27 . short shaft  28 . hole to connect rod nose  29 . chain-engaging teeth  30 . limit pin  31 . chain-engaging teeth  32 . hanged 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 crown  49 . jack spring  50 . jack  51 . ladder type ratchet  52 . steel ball  53 . seat  54 . carriage  55 . regulating wheel  56 . foot-controlled rudder mass  57 . driving wheel  58 . follower wheel  59 . handlebar  60 . rod handle  61 . connecting rod  62 . main (rear) buoy  63 . side buoy  64 . front buoy  65 . impeller  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0035]     A better understanding of the invention will be obtained by referring to the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0036]      FIG. 1  illustrates a tractive linear reciprocating driving apparatus given by this invention. It comprises a frame  1  that consists of guide column  7 , auxiliary frame  11  and frame endplates. Connected to one end of frame is flywheel  2  with driving sprocket and to another end is a slave sprocket  8  with the same diameter, with a single endless chain installed in between, its guide column and auxiliary frame column installed on the side of chain ring plane (backwards in the figure); a slipping module  4  and slave engaging and reversing mechanics  15  are installed on the guide column; frame may be installed in different ways for the different applications, and can be installed in the appropriate position of vehicle or boat through connecting pieces. In this embodiment, the upper and lower slide bar  12 ,  20  of the slipping module mounted on the guide column  7  slide upwards and downwards along the guide column with guide tongue  11 A; pedal  5  and handpower rod  6  are affixed to rear butt plate of slipping module so as to apply force with foot and hand; the chain engagement means  14  in said slave engaging and reversing mechanics works in the plane of chain ring, chain engagement means  14  is connected with upper and lower slave slide bar  16 ,  18  and mounted together on guide column  7 . In the chain engagement means  14  is provided a chain engaging toothed bar  19  that is float-connected by pull-up rod, pull-down rod, nose of connecting rod and slipping module, follows up the upward or downward movement of slipping module and controls the activity of chain engaging. 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. Chain-retaining board  17  with an arc projection to retain chain is used to limit the position of chain in reversing and guarantee said tooth to engage chain smoothly. Reversing compensation means  10  guarantees smooth operation of slave engaging and reversing mechanics. As shown in the figure, a chain-tensioning device is provided on sprocket support to adjust the tensioning of chain by drawing slave sprocket shaft; existing structure of bicycle chain tensioning is adopted for this embodiment.  
         [0037]      FIG. 2  illustrates a diagrammatic top view of this invention. Underneath is bottom plate of frame  1 , guide column  7  and auxiliary frame pillar  11  stand on both sides, pedal  5  is on the left connecting front butt plate of slipping module  23 ,  24  and lower slide bar  20 , chain engagement means  14  is shown in cross sectional view comprising chain engaging toothed bar  19 , pull-down rod  21  and flywheel hidden underneath. Chain engagement means  14  connects upper and lower slave slide bars with transitional coupling plate  25 . As shown in the figure, slave lower slide bar  18  and lower slide bar of slipping module  20  matches with the jaw at guide tongue  11 A on the right. The relation of connection between lower slide bar  20  and two butt plates  23 ,  24  of slipping module incorporating handpower rod  6  and pedal  5  is shown manifestly.  
         [0038]      FIG. 3  illustrates the structure of chain engaging module in said chain engagement means  14 . It belongs to a swing chain engaging mechanism. Chain engaging toothed bar  19  is fixed on bottom plate  26  by short shaft  27  with a hole  28  to connect rod nose, when being drawn upwards and downwards, swings and reverses the chain to engage. There are two chain-engaging teeth  29 ,  31  towards both directions on said chain engaging toothed bar  19 , together with chain-retaining board  17  with chain-retaining arc projection, jointly match with chain  3  and are alternately activated to perform automatic slave reversing.  30  is a limit pin.  
         [0039]     The course of slave reversing control is as follows: when nose of connecting rod  22  is drawn downwards, chain-engaging teeth  31  will insert in chain on the left to carry said chain to go downwards; when drawn upwards, chain-engaging teeth  31  will disengage said chain and chain-engaging teeth  29  will insert in chain on the right to carry said chain to go upwards.  30  is a limit pin.  
         [0040]      FIG. 4  illustrates the reversing compensation means installed on the lower part of slave sprocket on the frame. The hanged plate  32  of said device is connected with slave sprocket  8  by coaxial coupling, arm  37  is rotatable around arm axle  38  in hanged plate  32 , upper arm end makes straightforward contact with sprocket teeth, lower arm end contacts a tension spring  35 , enabling upper arm end to contact sprocket tooth front directly and always activate said tooth front. In reversing of direction, when lower engaging toothed bar  19  moves towards opposite side, a compensation motion in opposite direction occurs to solve the problem that toothed bar cannot insert in chain hole for an instant, and ensure smooth reversing. Strong compressed spring  36  acts as a buffer in the course of reversing direction.  38  is arm axle for securing. Positioning hole  34  is used for adjusting mounting position.  39  is damp spring leaf.  33  is groove frame for securing.  
         [0041]      FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of chain engaging toothed bar with directly motion structure. Chain engaging toothed bar reverses in guide groove  40  and joggers  41  are added.  
         [0042]      FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of guide column structure where  4  is slipping module and slave chain engaging and reversing mechanics are also located.  42  is guide rail of plate column form and  43  is chute.  
         [0043]      FIG. 7  illustrates a reverse compensation means modified from single-stage flywheel of existing bicycle. It has dual functions of slave sprocket and flywheel. The figure shows a part of flywheel case in which  44  is chain tooth in outskirt of outer hull that incorporates ladder type ratchet  51  in the inner margin of said outer hull, ball path with steel balls installed is on both sides of said ratchet; a jack  50  (chaplet) props up the inside of said ratchet to force outer hull only to be in unidirectional rotation. Jack spring  49  (chaplet spring) forces said jack to prop up always in working condition. Flywheel base and bottom cover plate form an inner hull installed on drive shaft. Flywheel originally performs pure circular motion and needs no reversing or compensation. To adapt the reversing for this tractive linear reciprocating driving apparatus, a mobile crown  48  is added in jack groove of inner hull between original jack and the fixed block to bear said jack, leaving an appropriate clearance  47  for reversing compensation.  46  is chute wall. A leaf spring  45  is provided behind said mobile crown, bending when said jack props up said ratchet. This compensator uses solid inner hull, the leaf spring thereof rebounds and props up said jack to provide a compensation shift in opposite direction in reversing, carries out the insertion of the teeth of toothed bar in chain hole during said shift so as to avoid instant failing of insertion and guarantee a smooth reversing.  
         [0044]      FIGS. 8, 9 ,  10  and  11  are embodiment of three different applications of this invention.  
         [0045]      FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate structure of the same one-man manually-powered tricycle that comprises carriage  54 , regulating wheel  55 , driving wheel  57 , follower wheel  58 , pedal  5 , seat  53 , handlebar, transmission and brake devices. Traditional mechanism is used for brake device. Driving wheel is in the right front, regulating wheel is in the behind, and driving apparatus is installed on the carriage before seat. Connected to driving apparatus  1  are pedal, rod handle  60 , handlebar  59  and foot-controlled rudder mass  56  with double foot positions. In this embodiment, hands and feet can be used simultaneously, with one foot controlling direction. On the basis of this embodiment, two-man manually-powered tricycle can be simply developed by widening carriage and seat. Traditional brake can also be used.  
         [0046]     Hereunder explains the working procedure of tractive linear reciprocating driving apparatus of this invention as shown in the embodiment of said one-man tricycle: 
        1. After riding on seat, control regulating wheel with one foot, step with the other foot, grip rod handle to be ready for lifting and hold handlebar with the other hand.     2. When stepping, slipping module  4  goes directly downwards, driven by nose of connecting rod  22 , pull-down rod  21  enables chain-engaging teeth  31  of chain engaging toothed bar  19  to insert in the left chain; while continuously applying force, flywheel  2  runs and driving wheel rotates to drive the tricycle forwards (to the left in the figure);     3. When lifting the rod with hand, slipping module  4  goes directly upwards, pull-up rod  13  is driven to enable chain-engaging teeth  29  of chain engaging toothed bar  19  to insert in the right chain; while continuously applying force, flywheel  2  runs in original direction and driving wheel rotates to drive the tricycle forwards (to the left in the figure);     4. When stopping applying force in stepping with foot and lifting with hand, the tricycle keeps running forward by inertia;     5. Repeat above-said operation of stepping with foot and lifting with hand, the tricycle keeps running forward.        
 
         [0052]      FIG. 10  illustrates an embodiment of another kind of fore-and-aft two-man tricycle. Regulating wheel  55  is designed in the left front, driving wheel  57  is on the right side in the middle, follower rear wheel  58  is provided on the left side of rear seat, namely, front and rear wheels are on the same side and driving wheel in the middle is on the other side. Two fore-and-aft seats are designed. The front rider controls the direction and joins stepping with foot; connecting rod  61  imparts driving power to slipping module. The rear rider mainly pulls the rod to apply force. Two riders alternately apply force to jointly drive the tricycle forward. If necessary, rear rider can help applying force with stepping. In fact various two-man embodiment may be designed utilizing the driving apparatus of this invention, such as the type of rear regulating wheel, double driving apparatus in the same direction, face-to-face type with single or double driving apparatus and 4-wheel type with single or double driving apparatus.  
         [0053]      FIG. 11  illustrates a structural representation of amphibious bicycle that incorporates carriage  54  and wheels, with driving apparatus  1  tilting forwards. To suit application in water, an impeller  65  driven by chain drive is designed in upper front with a draft of ¼˜⅙ impeller diameter. Three pairs of buoy are set in front, middle and rear carriage on left and right sides. They are respectively front buoys  64 , side buoys  63  and main (rear) buoys  62 . Side buoys  63  are fixed on both sides of carriage with supporting litter that incorporate hinges to retract buoys. The buoys at position B, C and D are omitted in one side in the figure.  
         [0054]     To sum up, many products with different structures can be developed utilizing the driving apparatus of this invention. Such arrangements also include: adding secondary chain drive, utilizing leverage or hydraulic transmission, multiple driving apparatus and different seating posture. Since there may be many varieties, this invention has an excellent future of application.