Patent EA-003001-B1 (EA)
Title: Improved bicycle crank system
IPC: B62M3/00
Filed: 1999-03-04
Abstract: 1. A bicycle crank system (110) including: a left crank (112L) which includes a left crank pedal opening (112LA) positioned at an outer distal end, a left crank brace opening (112LC) positioned at an inner distal end, a left crank spindle opening (112LB) positioned between the left crank pedal opening (112LA) and the left crank brace opening (112LC), and a downward obtuse angle configuration from the left crank spindle opening (112LB) to the left crank brace opening (112LC) in relation to an angle between the left crank pedal opening (112LA) and the left crank brace opening (112LC); a right crank (112R) which includes a right crank pedal opening (112RA) positioned at an outer distal end, a right crank brace opening (112RC) positioned at an inner distal end, a right crank spindle opening (112RB) positioned between the right crank pedal opening (112RA) and the right crank brace opening (112RC), and a downward obtuse angle configuration from the right crank spindle opening (112RB) to the right crank brace opening (112RC) in relation to an angle between the right crank pedal opening (112RA) and the right crank brace opening (112RC); a spindle (14) rotatably mounted within a spindle housing (14A), and including a left extreme securely positioned in the left crank spindle opening (112LB) and a right extreme securely positioned in the right crank spindle opening (112RB), these extremes being of a smooth circular configuration with a center at the orifice that receives the fastening screw of the crank arms (112L, 112R), followed in their extremes of major diameter, the spindle (14) that presents the grooves where it will receive me charming brace inner disk (16C) in the left and right part of the inner brace; a chainring brace (16) which includes a chainring brace post (16A) extending outwardly from a chainring brace inner disk (16C), the chainring brace post (16A) is securely mounted within the right crank brace opening (112RC), die chainring brace (16) further including a chainring brace outer disk (16D) having a plurality of teeth extending outwardly therefrom, the chainring brace outer disk (16D) is circumferenrially positioned around and securely attached to Ac chainring brace inner disk (16C), the chainring brace (16) is securely attached to the right spindle (14R) which is positioned through a chainring brace spindle opening (16B) therein centered; a brace (18) which includes a brace post (ISA) extending outwardly therefrom, the brace (18) is securely attached to the left spindle (14L) which is positioned through a brace spindle opening (18B), the brace post (ISA) is securely mounted within the left crank brace opening (112LC); a right pedal (20R) is rotatably mounted on a right pedal member (20RA) which is securely attached to the right crank (112R) within the right crank pedal opening (112RA); and a left pedal (20L) is rotatably mounted on a left pedal member (20LA) that is securely attached to the left crank (112L) within the left crank pedal opening (II 2LA). 2. The bicycle crank system (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chainring brace post (16A) further includes a chainring brace post lock (16AA) extending therefrom which securely engages the right crank (112R). 3. The bicycle crank system (110) as claimed in any one of claims 1-2, wherein at least one chainring brace spindle opening tongue (16BA) extends inwardly with the chainring brace spindle opening (16B) functioning to engage at least one complimentary groove positioned in the right spindle (14R). 4. The bicycle crank system (110) as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, wherein the brace post (18A) farther includes a brace post lock (18AA) extending therefrom which securely engages the left crank (112L). 5. The bicycle crank system (110) as claimed in any one of claims 1-4, wherein at least one brace spindle opening tongue (18BA) is extended inwardly within the brace spindle opening (1 SB) and functions to engage at least one complimentary groove positioned in the left spindle (14L). 6. The bicycle crank system (110) as claimed in any one of claims 1-5, wherein the left and right crank arms (112L, 112R) are in a geometric form that forms an obtuse angle given by the position of the crank pedal opening (112LA, 112RA), crank spindle opening (112LB, 112RB) and the crank brace opening (112LC, 112RC). 7. The bicycle crank system (110) as claimed in any one of claims 1-6, manufactured from a material selected from a group consisting of metal, metal alloy, fiberglass, epoxy, carbon-graphite, wood, wood composite, plastic and plastic composite. 8. The bicycle crank system (110) as claimed in any one of claims 1-7, wherein the distance between at least one crank brake opening (112LC, 112RC) and the corresponding crank spindle opening (112LB, 112RB) is minimized. 9. The bicycle crank system (110) as claimed in any one of claims 1-8, wherein each crank (112L, 112R) has a configuration selected from straight, curved and including one or more bends therein. 10. The bicycle crank system (110) as claimed in any one of claims 1-9, wherein the brace beam is either parallel to the cranks or at an angle with respect to the cranks. 11. The bicycle crank system (110) as claimed in any one of claims 1-10, further including a weight attached to the extreme end of each brace (18). 12. The bicycle crank system (110) as claimed in any one of claims 1-11, wherein the spindle (14) includes a smoothly contoured portion at its extreme end and includes the apparatus for receiving the brace (18) and chainring brace (16) at a location adjacent to the smoothly contoured portion.