Patent Publication Number: US-2018050760-A1

Title: Mid-mount motor assembly apparatus and method of use

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/206,144 filed Aug. 17, 2015, titled “Mid-Mount Motor Assembly Apparatus and Method of Use” and the subject matter thereof is incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to motorizing a bicycle, and more particularly to an assembly for a quick-release mid-mount motor assembly system. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Bicycles are useful modes of transportation, but motorizing them provides certain inadequacies. If riders want to add a motor to their bicycle, they typically have to either buy a motorized bicycle or have a motor professionally and permanently installed. Once the motor is installed, the bicycle can typically only be powered by the motor. Thus, if the motor breaks or power source is compromised, the rider is unable to ride the bicycle until the motor is repaired, refueled, or recharged. The market has not yet provided an easy-to-install, mid-mount motor for bicycles that also allows the bicycle to be either pedaled or motored without any adjustments, or to be alternatively assisted by, including, but not limited to, a gas, electric, or propane motor interchangeably without the use of tools. 
     The present invention comprises a mid-mount motor assembly system that is an improvement on the motorized bicycle assemblies currently available. The present invention allows the rider to either pedal or use the motor at any time while riding without have to make any modifications or changes. The present invention also provides a quick-release mid-mount motor assembly system that is able to be retro-fitted to already-produced bicycle and to interchange motors as desired and without the use of tools. 
     Many devices are known in the prior art aimed at motorizing bicycles. U.S. Pat. No. 7,568,714B2 entitled “Bicycle Having a Removable Power Assist Module” provides a bicycle with a removable power assist module. The assembly of the prior art requires a specially-made bicycle and cannot be retro-fitted on already-produced bicycles. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,978,936 entitled “Bicycle Drive Means” provides a motor pivotably mounted on the front fork of a bicycle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 677,830 entitled “Bicycle Frame” provides a motor permanently mounted to the bicycle frame. 
     There are no well-designed, simple devices currently available that easily allow a motor to be added to an existing bicycle. Currently available bicycle motor assemblies are either permanently affixed to bicycles, do not allow for pedaling, or are ill-fitting retrofit additions resulting in bicyclists having to choose between having a motor and not having a motor. Currently, the motor and bicycle are typically bundled together and difficult, if not impossible, to separate. If the battery or power source is interrupted, the rider must also carry the weight of the motor system. Any repairs to the bicycle encompass an attached motor and therefore must be made to the bicycle and motor as a combined system and not solely to the bicycle or the motor portion separately. Thus, there is a need for a quick-release mid-mount motor assembly system that is able to retro-fit already-produced bicycles that allows the bicycle to be either pedaled or motored without any adjustments. 
     It is increasingly critical that answers be found to the challenges arising from inadequate bicycle motor system designs due to the increase in bicycling commuting. Additionally, the need to reduce costs, improve efficiencies and performance, and meet competitive pressures adds an even greater urgency to creating new bicycle motor system products that meet the needs of a diverse community of bicyclists. 
     The present invention provides an apparatus for and method of motorizing a bicycle that are an improvement on bicycle motor systems and devices presently available. The present invention provides for a bicycle motor system that is easily mounted on and removed from any bicycle, can be retro-fitted to existing bicycles, and allows the bicycle to be either pedaled or motored without any adjustments. The present invention overcomes the limitations and difficulties described previously with respect to bicycle motor systems currently available by providing a quick-release mid-mount motor assembly system that is able to retro-fit already-produced bicycles that allows the bicycle to be either pedaled or motored without any adjustments. 
     An advantage of the apparatus of the present invention is that it is fitted to any bicycle at the strongest and most universally similarly sized attachment point which is the bottom bracket and crankset spindle. Another advantage of the present invention is it allows a motor to be easily removed and for battery/fuel and motor weight to be removable, centered, and low. Yet another advantage of the present invention is it allows the bicycle to be either pedaled or motored without any adjustments and for a plurality of motors to be used interchangeably as either power assist or the sole source of power. The resulting device is straightforward, cost-effective, uncomplicated, highly versatile, and effective, and is implemented by adapting known components for ready, efficient, and economical manufacturing, application, and utilization. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the motor can be installed and removed without tools via a semi-permanent docking system connecting the bicycle and mounts that once installed with tools, allows a plurality of motor to become quick-disconnect and then attached or detached without tools. 
     Certain embodiments of the invention have other steps or elements in addition to or in place of those mentioned above. The steps or element will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description when taken with reference to the accompanying figures. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises a bicycle motor assembly system comprising: a bottom bracket; an upper bracket; an engine disposed on upper bracket; and a freewheel system. 
     The present invention also comprises a method of installing a bicycle motor assembly system comprising: providing a bottom bracket; providing an upper bracket; providing an engine disposed on upper bracket; providing a freewheel system; and securably disposing upper bracket in bottom bracket. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the pieces comprising a first embodiment of the mid-mount bicycle engine assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the mid-mount engine mount of the present invention with an engine attached; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the mid-mount bicycle engine assembly of the present invention installed on a bicycle with an engine; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the mid-mount bicycle engine assembly of the present invention installed on a bicycle without an engine; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the pieces comprising an alternate embodiment of the mid-mount bicycle engine assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of the mid-mount bicycle engine assembly of the present invention installed on a bicycle; and 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of the freewheel system of the present invention installed on a bicycle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention will be described herein. The following embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments would be evident based on the present disclosure, and that system, process, or mechanical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     In the following description, numerous specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In order to avoid obscuring the present invention, some well-known system configurations, and process steps are not disclosed in detail. 
     The figures illustrating embodiments of the system are semi-diagrammatic and not to scale and, particularly, some of the dimensions are for the clarity of presentation and are shown exaggerated in the drawing figures. 
     The same numbers are used in all the drawing figures to relate to the same elements. The embodiments have been numbered first embodiment, second embodiment, etc. as a matter of descriptive convenience and are not intended to have any other significance or provide limitations for the present invention. 
     For expository purposes, the term “horizontal” as used herein is defined as a plane parallel to the plane or surface of the bicycle rack system, regardless of its orientation. The term “vertical” refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal as just defined. Terms, such as “above”, “below”, “bottom”, “top”, “side” (as in “sidewall”), “higher”, “lower”, “upper”, “over”, and “under”, are defined with respect to the horizontal plane, as shown in the figures. The term “on” means that there is direct contact among elements. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of engine mount  101 , bicycle racket mount  109 , and pin  108  that comprise a first embodiment of the mid-mount bicycle engine assembly of the present invention. Engine mount  101  comprises engine mount engine connection piece  105  and engine mount bicycle connection piece  104 , connected via a plurality of engine mount connectors  106 . A plurality of engine mount connection points  102  and  102 ′ are disposed on engine mount engine connection piece  105  which are used to connect the engine to the engine mount  101 . A plurality of additional engine connections  107  are disposed on engine mount  101 . 
     Bicycle racket mount  109  comprises bicycle bracket mount pedal holes  110  and  110 ′ and bicycle bracket mount frame hole  112 . Bicycle racket mount  109  connects to engine mount  101  via pin  108  inserted through engine mount holes  103  and  103 ′ and bicycle bracket mount holes  111  and  111 ′. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the engine mount  101  of the present invention with engine  201  attached to engine mount  101 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the mid-mount bicycle engine assembly of the present invention installed on bicycle  301  with engine  201 . Engine mount upper connector  304  secures engine mount bicycle connection piece  104  to bicycle  301 . Engine  201  is secured to engine mount engine connection piece  105 . A bicycle chain (not pictured) attaches freewheel  303  to engine chain connector  302  allowing engine  201  to power bicycle  301 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the mid-mount bicycle engine assembly of the present invention installed on bicycle  301  without an engine. Bicycle racket mount  109  comprises bicycle bracket mount pedal holes  110  and  110 ′. The pedal crankset of bicycle  301  are inserted through bicycle bracket mount pedal holes  110  and  110 ′, securing bicycle racket mount  109  to bicycle  301 . Engine mount upper connector  304  further secures engine mount bicycle connection piece  104  to bicycle  301 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of upper engine mount  502 , upper bicycle bracket mount  503 , and upper pin  509  that comprise an alternate embodiment of the mid-mount bicycle engine assembly of the present invention. Engine  201  is disposed on upper engine mount platform  504 . Upper engine mount bicycle connectors  505  and  505 ′ fit snugly against the bicycle frame once the mid-mount bicycle engine assembly of the present invention is installed. Upper engine mount  502  connects to upper bicycle bracket mount  503  via upper pin  509  inserted through upper engine bracket mount holes  506  and  506 ′ and upper bicycle bracket mount holes  507  and  507 ′. Upper bicycle bracket mount  503  further comprises upper bicycle bracket mount pedal holes  508  and  508 ′. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of the mid-mount bicycle engine assembly of the present invention installed on bicycle  301 . The pedal crankset of bicycle  301  are inserted through upper bicycle bracket mount pedal holes  508  and  508 ′, securing upper bicycle bracket mount  503  to bicycle  301 . Upper engine mount bicycle connectors  505  and  505 ′ fit snugly against the bicycle frame once the mid-mount bicycle engine assembly of the present invention is installed, thus further securing upper engine mount  502  to bicycle  301 . Upper engine mount  502  connects to upper bicycle bracket mount  503  via upper pin  509  inserted through upper engine bracket mount holes  506  and  506 ′ and upper bicycle bracket mount holes  507  and  507 ′. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of the freewheel system of the present invention installed on bicycle  301 . Freewheel  701  allows for a plurality of chains or belts, or other similar equipment, to be attached at once. For example, one to the rear derailleur, which is controlled by the pedal crankset, and one to the motor. These chains operate independently. Once the motor is installed, freewheel  701  allows the bicycle to be either motorized or pedaled at any given time without any switching involved. This also allows for the pedals to be stationary when the motor is being used. Once the motor is installed, a chain or belt is installed on the freewheel system. A rider can also pedal while also utilizing the engine. 
     The method of securing the mid-mount bicycle motor assembly of the present invention to a bicycle comprises the following. Bicycle racket mount  109  or upper bicycle bracket mount  503  is attached to the bicycle frame. Once attached, engine mount  101  or upper engine mount  502 , of which the motor  201  is attached to, is disposed in bicycle racket mount  109  or upper bicycle bracket mount  503  and secured by pin  108  or upper pin  509  or other means. As part of the mid-mount bicycle motor assembly, freewheel  701  may or may not be installed on the bicycle. When installed, freewheel  701  allows for a plurality of chains or belts, or other equipment, to be attached at once: one to the rear derailleur, which is controlled by the pedal crankset, and one to the motor. Once the motor is installed, a chain or belt in installed on the  701  attached to the motor. A second chain or belt attaches freewheel  701  to the rear derailleur. Freewheel  701  allows the bicycle to be either motorized or pedaled at any given time without any switching involved. This also allows for the pedals to be stationary when the motor is being used. 
     In an alternate embodiment, freewheel  701  is not used. Instead, the existing chain on the bicycle is disposed on the motor. 
     The present invention can be used to mount any type of motor, including gas or electric. 
     Another flexible aspect of mid-mount bicycle motor assembly of the present invention is the ability for a motor to easily be taken on and off of a bicycle. Bicycle racket mount  109  or upper bicycle bracket mount  503  are permanently installed on any bicycle and offer a platform for engine mount  101  or upper engine mount  502 , of which the motor  201  is attached to, to easily be attached. 
     While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific best mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the included claims. All matters previously set forth herein or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted in an illustrative and non-limiting sense.