Patent Abstract:
Improvements in a bicycle with four wheel drive. The front wheel drive uses arm and forearm powered system for a steerable bicycle that allows bikers to also exercise arm and forearm muscles. The drive incorporates lever fulcra located forward of the main handle bar. The main lever serves as handle grip at one end. The lever arm&#39;s length extends to the fulcrum. The rear wheel drive uses a sectorial pedal arc motion and reduces the number of leg muscles to propel the bicycle. The lever arms extend from the pedal foot pads at one end, to the fulcra located at the rear and lower (3rd) quadrant at the back of the rear wheel. The pedals rest higher above the road surface and allows a biker to negotiate over highly irregular or rough, uneven terrain with reduced possibility of pedals or rider&#39;s feet hitting ground objects.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of applicant&#39;s co-pending application Ser. No. 62/090,720 filed Dec. 11, 2014 the entire contents of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0005]    This invention relates to improvements in a bicycle drive system. More particularly, the present bicycle drive system is for a bicycle with front and rear drives with repositioned cranks, extended pedal levers and drive. 
         [0006]    Description of Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98. 
         [0007]    Bicycles are used in most parts of the world for transportation. The present bicycle has had only minor changes over the last half-century. While there have been variations for recumbent bicycles, the basic power transmission using a rotating pair of pedals that are connected with an endless chain with sprockets on the crank and on the driven wheel. 
         [0008]    A number of patents and or publications have been made to address these issues. Exemplary examples of patents and or publication that try to address this/these problem(s) are identified and discussed below. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 326,247 issued on Sep. 15, 1885 to J. B. Root discloses an Exercising Machine. The exercising machine allows a person to pump the arms with feet and or legs. While this patent discloses a pumping exercise machine the machine does not translate the exercise into forward motion. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,147,370 issued on Apr. 3, 1979 to Ben Lindsey, Jr discloses a Front Wheel Drive for a Bicycle. The drive system is a single stroke arm for turning the front wheel of the bicycle. While it converts a pumping motion to turn the front wheel, both arms must operate with the same forward and backward motion, it does not allow for alternate pumping of the arms of a user. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,421,334 issued on Dec. 20, 1983 to Boris Efros discloses a High Speed Cycle and U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,861 issued on Jun. 17, 2003 to Jun-Shin Park discloses a Reciprocating Type Driven Mechanism. Both of these allow for a pumping motion of the feet to provide propulsion of the bicycle. While they allow pumping to propel the bicycle they do not provide separate propulsion for the front and the back wheels. 
         [0012]    What is needed is a bicycle design with economy of motion. Since it only requires virtual up and down motion of the pedals. It also delivers added vertical length to the rider&#39;s overall pedal motion. The design disclosed in this document is for a bicycle with more pedal structural and motion stability. Since it is attached at both ends of the drive lever system. The side sway problem with long levers can be stabilized with this design. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    It is an object of the bicycle drive system to deliver greater propulsion advantage than ordinary rear wheel driven bicycle. Traction on the front wheel minimizes skids over wet or muddy surfaces. Since the generated force is pulling instead of pushing, it delivers a higher degree of efficiency in propulsion and maneuverability overall. 
         [0014]    It is an object of the bicycle drive system for economy of motion. The cyclist pedals only in up and down motion to propel the bicycle. Less muscles are involved in the process hence less tiresome. This action translates to farther distances and more hours logged between rests. Cramps or fatigue is greatly diminished. 
         [0015]    It is an object of the bicycle drive system to utilize longer lever arms, it generates more power than what present day cyclist could deliver. This is because this type of design with extended cranks produces a force multiplier effect. A total output force of three times or more over the initial input force is therefore attainable. Meaning speed or load pulling capacities can be much higher than present day bicycle capabilities. With pedals resting higher above road surface, it allows biker to negotiate over highly irregular or rough, uneven terrain with reduced possibility of pedals or rider&#39;s feet hitting ground objects that may cause injuries. Riding through streams or water logged areas within reasonable depth allowances, and over adequate surface load bearing capacities, can be possible. 
         [0016]    It is an object of the bicycle drive system to generate more efficient utilization of mechanical forces properly applied for the riders&#39; comfort and benefit. This results in generating more speed and power over the existing bicycle designs with its long crank lever force multiplier design. 
         [0000]    Claim  1  It is an object of the bicycle drive system to be a safer ride with crank pedals and feet higher above surface grade. Therefore the chance of hitting surface objects resulting in injuries is reduced.
 
Claim  2  It is an object of the bicycle drive system for the bicycle to allow physically weaker person to ride since it requires lesser physical effort to propel it.
 
Claim  3  It is another object of the bicycle drive system to reduce accidents or injuries resulting from skids or unstable ride characteristics such as wobbles resulting from wet or muddy road conditions. This front drive attains to some degree added stability on areas that ordinary bicycles may not be capable of performing.
 
Claim  4  It is still another object of the bicycle drive system for the drive system to be installed with a battery that can be fitted with led headlamps, brake lights, hazard lights and turning lights. Thus enhancing more safety factors for the biker and the public as well. With the bicycles added force output a small alternator can be attached to the rear wheel to charge the battery installed on the bike. Thus reducing dependence on household current and contributing to renewable green energy solutions.
 
         [0017]    Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  shows a bicycle front drive parts and mechanism design. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2A-2C  shows drawings of models with front manual drives. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  shows series a—isometric and side view drawings respectively. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  shows series a—rear drive parts and mechanism design drawings respectively. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  shows series b—isometric and side view drawings respectively. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  shows series b—bicycle rear drive parts and mechanism design drawings respectively. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  shows series c—isometric and side view drawings respectively. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  shows series c—rear drive parts and mechanism design drawings respectively. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  shows a front wheel and all wheel pedal drive side view drawings respectively. 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  shows a front drive pedal bicycle side view drawing. 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  shows a frame and mechanical front drive pedal bicycle side view. 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  shows a front drive pedal bicycle frame and mechanical—exploded view. 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  shows a front drive pedal bicycle 3-bar linkage mechanism drawing. 
           [0031]      FIG. 14  shows an all-wheel drive pedal bicycle side view drawing. 
           [0032]      FIG. 15  shows an all-wheel drive frame and mechanical parts arrangement exploded view. 
           [0033]      FIG. 16A-16D  shows a force multiplier design schematic of a force multiplier design drawing. 
           [0034]      FIG. 17  shows a complementary motion force multiplier exploded view of a force multiplier design. 
           [0035]      FIG. 18  shows a sprocket and ratchet crank assembly with slack compensator drawing for the force multiplier design. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0036]      FIG. 1  shows a bicycle  21  front drive parts and mechanism design. This figure shows the pivot bar  01  with arms  09  having hand grips  10 . At the other end of the arms are joints  12  that connect with linkage arms  11 . The linkage arms  11  are connected to pivots  06  on crank  05  with supporting fastener  08  where the chain  13  or other flexible transmission medium is connected. The crank  05  is supported with members  02  from the frame that extend from the forks of the bicycle. Fore post  04  provides front support and support for steering the front wheel. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2A-2C  shows drawings of models with front manual drives.  FIG. 2A  shows a Series a embodiment bicycle with front manual drive, with rear pedal drive. This Class  1  lever type bicycle has a medium length rear drive lever with rear and front sprockets, with vertical path pedal strokes. It provides a stable and smooth pedal motion and optionally can have a force multiplier. 
         [0038]      FIG. 2B  is a Series b embodiment bicycle with front manual drive, with rear pedal drive. This Class  2  lever type bicycle has a long rear drive lever with rear and front sprockets, with vertical path pedal strokes. It provides a stable and smooth pedal motion and optionally can have a force multiplier. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2C  is a Series c embodiment bicycle with manual front manual drive, with rear pedal drive. This Class  1  long length rear drive lever with rear and front sprockets, with vertical path pedal strokes. It provides a stable and smooth pedal motion and optionally can have a force multiplier. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  shows series a—isometric and side view drawings respectively and  FIGS. 4A and 4B  shows series a—rear drive parts and mechanism design drawings respectively. These figures show the Series a embodiment bicycle from  FIG. 2A  with front manual drive, with rear pedal drive. This Class  1  lever type bicycle has a medium length rear drive lever with rear and front sprockets, with vertical path pedal strokes. It provides a stable and smooth pedal motion and optionally can have a force multiplier. 
         [0041]    Front Drive 
         [0042]    The new arm and forearm-powered front drive on this steerable, stable bicycle, creates the opportunity for bikers to add arm and forearm muscles to develop physical fitness, in addition to the bicycle&#39;s usual common uses. It generates more power output to the total bicycle propulsion with the added power generated by both arms. This is made possible by a set of levers whose fulcra are located at points forward of the main handle bar. The main lever serves as handle grip at one end. This lever arm&#39;s length extends to the fulcrum. 
         [0043]    Attached to the main lever arm at about the fulcrum is the angled leg or extension of the main lever whose fixed length and angle is determined by the length of the linkage bar that is attached to the bicycle crank arm, also located with bar supports forward of main handle bar. The usual standard chain crank and sprockets drive, fork frame and wheel make up the rest of the front drive. an optional hood over and foil under the front crank with spoilers on the sides of the lever arms could at certain speeds reduce drag resistance created by the rider&#39;s upper body and arms. 
         [0044]    In  FIG. 4B  the traditional foot type pedal  57  is connected through pivots  56  to a crank arm  55 . This crank arm  55  is connected through pivot pin  54  to arm  53 . The arm  53  is connected through pivot  52  to the frame  21  of the bicycle. The pivots  56  are also connected with joiner  58  to lever arm  49 . The lever arm  49  connects through the wheel axle  60  and then to pivot  61  that connects to arm  62  and pivot  63 . The other side of arm  62  connects to crank  66  on sprocket  65  of the turning axle  67 . The sprocket  65  is supported on frame member  48 . 
         [0045]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  shows series b—isometric and side view drawings respectively and  FIGS. 6A and 6B  shows series b—bicycle rear drive parts and mechanism design drawings respectively. These figures show the Series B embodiment bicycle from  FIG. 2B . This Class  2  lever type bicycle has a long rear drive lever with rear and front sprockets, with vertical path pedal strokes. It provides a stable and smooth pedal motion and optionally can have a force multiplier. 
         [0046]    In  FIG. 6B , the traditional foot type pedal  57  is connected through pivots  56  to a crank arm  55 . This crank arm  55  is connected through pivot pin  54  to arm  53 . The arm  53  is connected through pivot  52  to the frame  21  of the bicycle. The pivots  56  are also connected with joiner  58  to lever arm  59 . The lever arm  59  connects through the wheel axle  60  and then to pivot  61  that connects to arm  62  and pivot  63 . The other side of arm  62  connects to sprocket  65  of the turning axle  67 . The sprocket  65  is supported on a frame member  66  and extends beyond the turning axis of the rear wheel with support  64 . 
         [0047]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  shows series c—isometric and side view drawings respectively and  FIGS. 8A and 8B  shows series c—rear drive parts and mechanism design drawings respectively. These figures show the Series c embodiment bicycle from  FIG. 2C . This Class  1  long length rear drive lever with rear and front sprockets, with vertical path pedal strokes. It provides a stable and smooth pedal motion and optionally can have a force multiplier. 
         [0048]    In  FIG. 8B , the traditional foot type pedal  57  is connected through pivots  56  to a crank arm  55 . This crank arm  55  is connected through pivot pin  54  to arm  53 . The arm  53  is connected through pivot  52  to the frame  21  of the bicycle. The pivots  56  are also connected with joiner  58  to lever arm  59 . The lever arm  59  connects through the wheel axle  60  and then to pivot  61  that connects to arm  62  and pivot  63 . The other side of arm  62  connects to sprocket  65  of the turning axle. The sprocket  65  is supported on a frame member  66  and extends beyond the turning axis of the rear wheel with support  64 . 
         [0049]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  shows a front wheel and all wheel pedal drive side view drawings respectively and  FIG. 10  shows a front drive pedal bicycle side view drawing. These front wheel drive pedal bicycles have a body shell cover that provides for safer operation of the power transmission elements by protecting them from a person&#39;s clothing. 
         [0050]      FIG. 11  shows a frame and mechanical front drive pedal bicycle side view. The frame  21  has a pulley support frame  70 . The pulley support frame  70  supports a pedal  71  with a pedal arm  72  and a wire cable  75  that runs to a small diameter pulley. There is a wider diameter pulley  74  and a smaller diameter pulley  73 . A wire cable  76  to a wider diameter pulley  76  operates on an arm swing arc  77  on the front drive arm assembly  78 . The front drive arm  78  operates on a fixed angle  79 . In the front of the bicycle is a 3 bar linkage mechanism  80  connected to a sprocket and crank assembly  81 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 12  shows a front drive pedal bicycle frame and mechanical—exploded view. In this view the bicycle is shown with a front wheel  101  and a rear wheel  100 . Pedal  90  is connected to pedal arm  91  through a front drive arm  92 . The front drive arm  92  connects with a wire cable to connect to a wider pulley to the front drive arm  97 . The front drive has a wider diameter inner pulley  96  and a smaller diameter outer pulley  95 . A wire cable  94  connects the smaller pulley to the pedal arm  91 . The front steering handle bar post  93  is shown in this figure. The pulleys use roller clutches, sprag clutches or other one-way clutches to provide rotational power in one direction of rotation and free rotation in the opposite direction of rotation. 
         [0052]      FIG. 13  shows a front drive pedal bicycle 3-bar linkage mechanism drawing. This figure shows the handle bar post  110  with the drive bar arm connected to the bicycle frame. Through a fulcrum anchor  119 . There are two swivel links  117  and  118  that connect with connecting rod  115  through a bearing link  116  to provide a swivel link  114  with limited range of pivoting motion. There are 3 degrees of freedom in this link  113 . The sprocket and crank  112  is shown with sprocket and crank supports  111 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 14  shows an all-wheel drive pedal bicycle side view drawing and  FIG. 15  shows an all-wheel drive frame and mechanical parts arrangement exploded view with the front wheel  101  and the rear wheel  100  connected to the drive mechanism(s). The rear wheel shows the pedal  71  connected to pedal arm  72 . A connecting rod  120  connects between crank arm on the rear sprocket and crank assembly  121  and a wire cable  75  to connect a smaller pulley to the pedal arm  72 . There is a wider diameter inner pulley  122  connected to a smaller diameter outer pulley  123 . A wire cable  130  connects the wider pulley to the front drive arm. A wire cable  124  connects to the smaller diameter outer pulley  123 . The handle bar post  125  is shown connected to steer the front wheel. A front drive arm  128  has a connecting rod  127  on one end and a pedal  125  connected at the other end. Cables (not shown) on opposite sides of the bicycle frame enters on opposite side of the pulleys  122  and  123 . 
         [0054]      FIGS. 16  A- 16 C shows a force multiplier design schematic of a force multiplier design drawing. The force multiplier design has a start  203  and an end  205  position. The force multiplier uses a cable  200  is attached to pulley arms. The cable  200  connects to pulleys  199  with steel cable  201 . A crank arm  202  rotates  204  between the start  203  and the end  205  rotation positions. A connecting rod connects to a sprocket and crank assembly  209 . The result and synchronous rotational motion  207  is imparted onto the connecting rod on the opposite side  208  of the bicycle sprocket  209 . This motion moves the swing arm  211  from a start position  210  to an end position  213  through a sectorial swing arc motion  212 . This motion results on a continuous rotational motion  214 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 16A  is the initial swing position,  FIG. 16B  is the middle forward swing position,  FIG. 16C  is the middle backswing position and  FIG. 16D  is the terminal swing position. Two counter swinging arms result into two complementing rotational motion components. The initial input force resulting to about twice the resultant rotational force delivered to the bicycle sprocket and crank assembly. 
         [0056]    Rear Drive 
         [0057]    The new vertical, sectorial pedal arc motion reduces the number of leg muscles involved to propel this bicycle as compared to the conventional rotational crank motion of present bicycle mechanism. It is made possible by long lever arms that extend from the pedal foot pads at one end, to the fulcra located at the rear and lower (3rd) quadrant at the back of the rear wheel. The unique design of this longer lever takes into consideration the bending and torsional stresses along its vertical and horizontal planes. At some point (ref. Series b,c) along the lever a linkage bar connecting the rear drive crank to the lever is attached, to transmit force exerted on the forward pedal to the drive crank. 
         [0058]    With (ref. Series b) the lever arm that drives the crank is positioned at about the same level with the fulcrum. The connecting rod linking the sprocket and lever arm is almost at vertical position located between the fulcrum and the pedals. This connecting rod is also attached to the crank arm with bearings at both points of connection to allow the cyclic motion of the crank arm and sprocket. 
         [0059]    A pair of bar supports the rear drive crank located above the rear wheel. The crank drives the chain to the rear wheel sprockets to complete the force-motion drive cycle. With the increased leverage the added force generated, it could translate to increased power and speed. The rider can also maintain moderate speeds at greatly reduced effort as compared to required effort for present ordinary bicycles at comparable speeds. 
         [0060]      FIG. 17  shows a complementary motion force multiplier exploded view of a force multiplier design. In this figure the right side pedal arm  220  connects to a clevis  222  with a pin  221 . A right side steel wire cable  223  connects to the clevis  222 . The steel wire cable  223  wraps over the right side pulley  225 . The right side steel wire cable  223  also connects to a right pulley arm  228 . 
         [0061]    The left side pedal arm  240  connects to a clevis  241  with a pin  242 . A left side steel wire cable  227  connects to the clevis  241 . The left steel wire cable  227  wraps over the left side pulley  226 . The left side steel wire cable  227  also connects to a left pulley arm  231 . The right pulley arm  228  and the left pulley arm  231  operate on a center rod to supports  232 . 
         [0062]    A right connecting arm  239  is shown connecting to a right ratchet crank  238 . A complimentary left connecting rod  233  and a complimentary left ratchet crank  235  is located on the opposite. A crank and sprocket  234  connect the left and right ratchet cranks to drive a chain to the wheels  237 . The area  236  is a sprocket and crank assembly with a slack compensator. 
         [0063]      FIG. 18  shows a sprocket and ratchet crank assembly with slack compensator drawing for the force multiplier design. A left connecting rod  250  connects to a left connecting stud  251 . The connecting stud  251  is secured to a left ratchet crank  253 . A hole  252  retains a connecting rod  256  connected to a compensator arm  257 . Connecting pins  255  and  258  allow compensator arm  257  and compensator arm  259 . King pin  254  is connected to the main shaft  268 . On the opposite side of the bicycle a complementary right connecting rod  267  connects to a right connecting stud  261  connects to connecting rod  260  through hole  262 . Right ratchet crank  266  and left ratchet crank  253  are joined to the sprocket  264 . A slotted arc hole  263  provides clearance as the cranks rotate from a start to an end position. A sprocket chain  265  connects to other drive components to drive the bicycle wheel(s). 
         [0064]    Thus, specific embodiments of a bicycle with front and rear drives with repositioned cranks, extended pedal levers drive have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1