Abstract:
A modifiable bicycle includes a frame having a frame mount to which various components with mounting plates can be attached. The bicycle can be modified in a variety of ways by adding and removing components so as to function as a pedaled bike, a balance bike, or a scooter.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from the United States provisional patent application entitled MODIFIABLE BICYCLE SYSTEM, which was filed on Jun. 29, 2015, and assigned the Ser. No. 62/185,802. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field 
     The present invention relates generally to bicycles, and more specifically, to a bicycle system modifiable for use as a balance bike, scooter or pedaled bike. 
     Related Art 
     There are a variety of types of bicycles, herein defined as human-powered vehicles having two wheels attached to a frame, one wheel behind the other. One type of bicycle, a “balance bike” also known as a “Laufrad bike”, is propelled by the rider&#39;s feet striking the ground while the rider sits on a seat. Another type, a “scooter”, is propelled by one or the other, or by alternating both of, the rider&#39;s feet, typically while the rider is standing. A “pedaled” bike is propelled by the rider&#39;s feet exerting force on a mechanism that forces a wheel to turn. 
     It is difficult for some people to learn to ride a pedaled bicycle. For these people it may be useful to start with a simple bike using gross motor skills and balance, and incrementally transition to a pedaled bicycle which requires finer motor skills and more acute balance. Alternatively, some people simply want to ride different types of bikes depending on factors such as terrain, desired workout, and mood. Thus, it is desirable to have a single bicycle system that is modifiable for use as a Laufrad bike, scooter and pedaled bike. It is desirable that this modifiable bicycle is easy to modify, and easy to use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A modifiable bicycle includes a frame that supports two wheels aligned one behind the other, a handlebar that can be raised and lowered, and a seat that can be removed. The bottom side of the frame includes a frame mount to which various components with mounting plates can be attached. The bottom side of the frame can include a couple of downward protrusions that can be used individually or together as a connection point for components. The bicycle can be modified in a variety of ways by adding and removing components so as to function as a pedaled bike, a balance bike, or a scooter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an embodiment of the modifiable bicycle system configured as a pedaled bike; 
         FIG. 2  is an embodiment of the modifiable bicycle system configured as a balance bike; 
         FIG. 3  depicts the peg mount plate and frame aligned for attachment; 
         FIG. 4  depicts the peg mount plate in position on the frame mount, but unattached to the bicycle frame; 
         FIG. 5  depicts the pedal mount plate in position, and being attached to the bicycle frame with a bolt; 
         FIG. 6  depicts the pedal assembly attached to the bicycle ame; 
         FIG. 7  depicts the foot rest assembly and peg mount plate in position, but unattached to the frame mount on the bicycle frame; 
         FIG. 8  is a close-up perspective view of the peg mount plate; 
         FIG. 9  depicts the bicycle frame with the male neck extension and associated peg aligned for engagement with the female neck extension and associated groove; 
         FIG. 10  depicts the engaged neck extension of  FIG. 9 , secured in place by a clamp; 
         FIG. 11  depicts a bicycle system having the foot rest assembly attached to the bicycle frame; 
         FIG. 12  depicts a bicycle system having the foot board deck assembly attached to the bicycle frame and supported by a foot rest assembly mounted to the lower front frame tube; 
         FIG. 13  depicts the top side of the foot board deck assembly with the post mount, straps and buckle; 
         FIG. 14  depicts the bottom side of the foot board deck assembly with the straps, buckles and post mount abutment; and 
         FIG. 15  is an embodiment of the modifiable bicycle system configured as a scooter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     The following structure numbers shall apply to the following structures among the various FIGS.: 
       10 —bicycle system; 
       10   a —pedaled bike; 
       10   b —balance bike; 
       10   c —scooter; 
       25 —frame mount; 
       30 —pedal mount plate; 
       35 —peg mount plate; 
       37 —blade; 
       38 —tapered edge; 
       40 —bolt; 
       50 —apertures; 
       60 —frame; 
       64 —alternative peg mount plate; 
       65 —lower front frame tube; 
       66 —lower rear frame tube; 
       70 —pedal assembly; 
       80 —foot rest assembly; 
       82 —peg rest; 
       90 —foot board deck assembly; 
       92 —post mount; 
       93 —post mount support; 
       95 —strap; 
       96 —buckle; 
       100 —male neck extension; 
       105 —female neck extension; 
       106 —projection; 
       107 —groove; 
       109 —front wheel; and 
       110 —clamp. 
     Broadly, the bicycle system of the present invention includes a bicycle that has an elongated frame mount attached to, and protruding from, the frame. This elongated mount is the attachment point for a pedal assembly or for a foot rest assembly, depending on whether the bike is to be configured as a pedaled bike or a scooter. Alternatively, if nothing is attached to the elongated mount, the bicycle can be used as a balance bike. 
     Bicycle system of the present invention, generally referred to herein as  10 , can be configured to be pedaled bike  10   a  ( FIG. 1 ), balance bike  10   b  ( FIG. 2 ), or scooter  10   c  ( FIG. 15 ). The various bike configurations are achieved by employing specific components, for example pedal assembly  70 , foot rest assembly  80 , or foot board deck assembly  90 , respectively. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , frame  60  includes elongated frame mount  25  which protrudes downwardly from frame and is longitudinally parallel to the frame. Frame mount  25  includes a means for attaching a plate, here shown as apertures  50 . 
     Frame mount plate  25  serves as a connection site for a variety of component assemblies. By way of example, pedaled bike  10   a  has a pedal assembly  70  which includes a sprocket, chain and pedals, plus pedal mount plate  30  which releasably engages with frame mount  25 . Similarly, balance bike  10   b  includes foot rest assembly  80  having peg rests  82  and peg mount plate  35 . For simplicity  FIGS. 3-5  show peg mount plate  35 , but it should be understood that pedal mount plate  30  could likewise be used. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , peg mount plate  35  preferably includes two substantially parallel blades  37  with a space there between. As shown in  FIG. 4 , frame mount  25  fits between blades  37  of peg mount plate  35 , with apertures  50  aligned.  FIG. 5  depicts securing pedal mount plate  30  to frame mount  25  through aligned apertures  50  using bolt  40 . As stated earlier, pedal mount plate  30  and peg mount plate  35  are similarly attached, and interchangeable. 
     Upon attachment of pedal mount plate  30  the chain must be connected to the sprocket of the rear wheel, in order to achieve pedal driven propulsion of the bike. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , foot rest assembly  80  is rotatable such that peg rest  82  can be oriented horizontally as shown, vertically, as shown in phantom, or in any position there between. In this manner a rider may use balance bike  10   b  in a manner where they can rest one or both feet on peg rest  82 , or the rider can rotate peg rest  82  vertically so they have full range of motion during propulsion without the risk of inadvertently coming in contact with peg rest  82 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , each blade  37  preferably includes tapered edge  38 , which helps guide peg mount plate  35  (or pedal mount plate  30 ) into position surrounding frame mount  25 . 
     It is preferable for bicycle system  10  to employ a relatively tall handlebar system so the rider is comfortable regardless of the configuration as a pedaled, bike, balance bike, or scooter. As shown in  FIG. 9 , elongated handlebar is preferably achieved using male neck extension  100  that engages with frame  60 , and female neck extension  105  that engages with male neck extension  100 . Undesirable free rotation of female neck extension  105  relative to male neck extension  100  is achieved by engagement of projection  106  within groove  107 . As shown in  FIG. 10 . Clamp  110  secures female neck extension  105  over male neck extension plug  100  (not shown). In this manner handlebars, female neck extension  105 , male neck extension  100  and front wheel  109  all rotate as one unit. The handlebar stem is preferably approximately 28 to 32 inches high from the ground to the center of the handle bar. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , in an alternative embodiment, frame  60  has protruding lower front frame tube  65  and lower rear frame tube  66 . Lower rear frame tube  66  is preferably permanently attached to frame, for example by welding, however these structures are not necessarily present in lieu of frame mount  25 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , foot rest assembly  80  is engaged with lower front frame tube  65 . Lower front frame tube is engaged with frame  60  at alternative peg mount plate  64 . In this manner the bicycle system can be used as a balance bike. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the bicycle system can be used as a scooter by engaging post mount  92  of foot board deck assembly  90  with lower rear frame tube  66 , and resting front end of foot board deck assembly  90  on top of peg rests  82 . Foot board deck assembly  90  is secured to peg rest  82  using straps  95  that are secured by buckles  96 , as best shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . Referring to  FIG. 14 , post mount support  93  provides an abutment to post mount  92  ( FIG. 13 ). As shown in  FIG. 15 , scooter  10   c  is normally operated without a seat. 
     Frame mount  25  and lower rear frame tube  66  are preferably constructed of steel, but other materials such as alloy or carbon fiber could also be used. The majority of the structures of the bicycle system are preferably constructed of steel, but other materials such as alloys could also be used. Such structures include: pedal mount plate  30 ; peg mount plate  35 ; blade  37 ; lower front frame tube  65 ; lower rear frame tube  66 ; peg rest  82 ; post mount  92 ; post mount support  93 ; buckle  96 ; male neck  100 ; female neck extension  105 ; projection  106 ; and clamp  110 . Foot board deck assembly  90  is preferably constructed of plastic, but other materials such as wood or allow could also be used. Strap  95  is preferably constructed of nylon, but other materials such as leather could also be used. 
     In use, a user of bicycle system  10  selects a desired bicycle configuration from pedaled bike  10   a , balance bike  1013 , or scooter  10   c . They then attach the corresponding component, pedal assembly  70 , foot rest assembly  80 , or foot board deck assembly  90 , respectively. In the case of pedal assembly  70  and foot rest assembly  80 , attachment is achieved by connecting pedal mount plate  30  or peg mount plate  35  to frame mount  25 . In the case of pedaled bike  10   a , the chain of pedal assembly  70  is attached to the back wheel. In the case of scooter  10   c , foot board deck assembly  90  is engaged with lower front frame tube  65  and lower rear frame tube  66 , with front end of foot board deck assembly  90  preferably resting on peg rests  82 . In the case of scooter  10   c  the bicycle seat is removed. The user then may operate the bicycle in the desired configuration. 
     Specifications of certain structures and components of the present invention have been established in the process of developing and perfecting prototypes and working models. These specifications are set forth for purposes of describing an embodiment, and setting forth the best mode, but should not be construed as teaching the only possible embodiment. Rather, it should be understood that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. It should also be understood that ranges of values set forth inherently include those values, as well as all increments between. “Approximately” and the like shall mean +/−10% unless otherwise stated or nonsensical. It should also be understood that terms such as “substantially” and the like mean generally considered to be true, but allowing for slight variations. For example “substantially planar” allows for surface imperfections and “substantially permanently attached” means separable but probably resulting in damage.