Abstract:
A motorized bicycle, uses a bicycle-type frame, having a front wheel and rear wheel rotatably attached thereto. A horizontal shaft internal combustion engine is supported in the frame and linked to a drive train with a pedal actuated or automatic clutch, for selectively allowing the engine to be engaged to drive the rear wheel. The drive train may include a number of pulleys and belts or sprockets and chains. A throttle is provided for controlling the engine, and brakes are provided for slowing the wheels of the bicycle.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application relates to subject matter contained in provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/130,393, filed in the United States Patent Office on Apr. 19, 1999, and is a continuation-in-part of pending application Ser. No. 09/552,015, filed Apr. 19, 2000. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The invention relates generally to a motorized vehicle and particularly, to a bicycle-type vehicle which utilizes a horizontal shaft lawn-mower-type engine to drive a rear wheel of the vehicle. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Bicycling is an activity preferred by many people for several reasons. First, bicycling is an enjoyable pastime. The thrill of moving along in the open air attracts numerous people to bicycle riding. Second, bicycling is a great exercise. The degree of exercise is determined by the distance traveled, and the type of terrain traversed. Third, bicycling is environmentally friendly transportation. Bicycling causes no toxic by-products, other than the carbon dioxide expelled from the bicyclist&#39;s lungs. 
     However, bicycling is limited by the ability and/or stamina of the rider. Some people cannot pedal a bicycle, while others become tired, making cycling an unpleasant task. Further, a rider is often deterred from attempting to ride in hilly terrain, for fear that he might become tired and be forced to either end the ride or complete the ride beyond the point of exhaustion. Additionally, many persons, because of age, infirmities, or the like, cannot pedal a bicycle. 
     Several variations on the basic bicycle concept have been developed over the years, in an effort to retain some of the benefits of bicycle riding, while eliminating the drawbacks. In particular, motorcycles, mopeds, and motor scooters have been developed. 
     Motorcycles give the rider the thrill of outdoor riding, while eliminating the necessity to pedal. Thus, the rider can tackle hilly terrain, and travel along highways, keeping up with traffic. When compared with cars, motorcycles produce considerably less pollution. However, motorcycles require a large engine in order to be capable of maintaining highway speeds, and can be hard to handle because of their size and weight. 
     Mopeds were developed as an attempt to marry the concept of a bicycle and a motorcycle. Mopeds provide pedals for riding like a normal bicycle, and a relatively small motor for riding like a motorcycle. However, mopeds are still constructed largely like a motorcycle, making them expensive, and difficult to pedal. 
     Motor scooters were developed as a further attempt at providing inexpensive motorized transportation. Motor scooters are limited, in that they are only suitable for short ranges, and are not acceptable to all persons. 
     While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, or for general use, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the motorized vehicle of the present invention, as disclosed hereafter. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to produce a motorized vehicle utilizing a modified bicycle frame that allows the bicycle to be driven under power, without use of pedals. 
     It is another object of the invention to produce a motorized bicycle that is simplistic in design, so as to be economical to manufacture. Accordingly, the motorized bicycle employs a horizontal shaft lawnmower engine, which is linked to the rear wheel by an interchangeable belt or chain drive system. Additionally, the motorized bicycle of the present invention contains no sprocket and pedals to power the same. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a motorized bicycle that is easy to operate. Accordingly, a hand-operated throttle is provided to rev the engine, and an automatic or foot pedal operated clutch is provided to engage the engine with the interchangeable belt or chain drive system and the rear wheel. 
     The invention is a motorized vehicle, using a modified or standard bicycle frame, having a front wheel and rear wheel attached thereto, but which does not include pedals and an associated sprocket. An internal combustion engine is mounted to the frame and linked to the drive train with an automatic or foot pedal operated clutch, for selectively allowing the engine to be engaged to drive the rear wheel. A throttle is provided for controlling the engine, and brakes are provided for slowing the wheels of the frame. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the invention may be embodied in the forms illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a first embodiment motorized bicycle of the instant invention having a motor mounted on one side of the frame of the bicycle; 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a tensioned belt which transmits power from the motor of the instant invention to an extension of a rim which is integral with a rim of a rear wheel of the bicycle of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a second embodiment of a motorized bicycle of the instant invention having an automatic clutch and a belt drive to a rear wheel; and 
     FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a third embodiment of a motorized bicycle of the instant invention having an automatic clutch and a chain drive to a rear wheel. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principals of the present invention have been defined herein, specifically to provide for a novel and improved motorized vehicle, utilizing a modified or standard bicycle frame, with the pedals and associated drive sprocket removed. 
     Turning now to FIG. 1, there illustrated is a first embodiment of a motorized bicycle  10  of the present invention. The motorized bicycle  10  comprises a bicycle-type frame assembly  12 , which may be modified or of standard construction, having a front wheel  14  and rear wheel  16  rotatably secured thereto as is well known to those skilled in the art. 
     In accordance with the present invention, as seen clearly in FIG. 1, a horizontal shaft internal combustion engine  18 , such as those commonly employed in lawnmowers and low powered devices of similar type, is secured at one side of a central region of the bicycle-type frame assembly  12  where the pedals and sprocket of a standard bicycle would normally be held. A motor pulley  20  extends from one side of the internal combustion engine  18 . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an extension  22  is affixed to or formed concentrically to a rim  23  of the rear wheel  16  of the motorized bicycle  10 . This extension extends from the same side of the rim  23  as that from which the motor pulley  20  extends from the side mounted engine  18 . 
     A drive belt  24  forms a continuous loop from the motor pulley  20  to the rear wheel rim extension  22 , transmitting power from the internal combustion engine  18  to the rear wheel  16 , when a clutch pedal  28  is engaged (see below), causing rotation of the rear wheel and propelling the motorized bicycle  10  laterally. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the belt and pulley drive train can be interchangeded with a chain drive train. A footrest may be added to the frame  12  or engine  18  to allow a person riding the bicycle  10  to rest the foot not operating the clutch pedal  28 . 
     A throttle mechanism  23 , preferably located at a hand grip  26  such as that shown in FIG. 1 allows the user to increase the speed of the internal combustion engine  18  and hence the speed of the motorized bicycle  10 . It should be understood, however, that the throttle mechanism  23  may be located at any location upon the bicycle-type frame assembly  12  or related components thereof. In addition, brake levers may be provided at one or both of the handgrips  26 , and may be used to control brakes located at the front and/or rear wheels. 
     The clutch pedal  28 , is preferably connected to a spindle wheel that is in communication with the drive belt  24  when the pedal is engaged. The clutch pedal  28  and spindle wheel allow the user to selectively engage the drive belt  24  to propel the bicycle  10 . A user may actuate the clutch pedal in order to engage the motor pulley  20  and cause the internal combustion engine  18  to propel the bicycle  10 , or may disengage the clutch pedal in order to disengage the motor pulley  20  and stop the engine  18  from propelling the motorized bicycle  10 . It should be noted that the engine  18  replaces the normal sprocket and pedals of a standard bicycle. That is, there are no pedals for manually propelling the motorized bicycle  10 , therefore making it easier for almost anyone to enjoy riding the motorized vehicle of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 3 and 4 show further embodiments of the motorized bicycle  10 ′,  10 ″ of the present invention. In these embodiments, frames  12 ′,  12 ″ have been formed or modified to remove a central support  19  and incorporate a centrally mounted engine  18 ′,  18 ″ having an automatic clutch. Motor pulleys  20 ′,  20 ″ extend from one side of the engines  18 ′ or  18 ″, mounted centrally in frames  12 ′,  12 ″, and include a further drive pulley  21  or sprocket secured thereto. 
     A first drive means, such as a belt  25  (FIG. 3) or a chain  28  (FIG. 4) forms a continuous loop from the drive pulley  21  or sprocket to a driven pulley  27  or driven sprocket  29 . 
     As shown in FIG. 3, driven pulley  27  is connected by a jackshaft  30  to a further pulley  32 . The pulley  32  is connected to belt  24  to transmit power from the engine  18 ′ through the belt  25  to the jackshaft  30  and then to the rear wheel extension  22 , to rotate rear wheel  16 . FIG. 3 also illustrates that a brake cable  31  may be used to actuate a hub brake  32  in rear wheel  16 , as by means of one or more hand brakes mounted to the frame  12 ′. 
     Turning now to FIG. 4, there shown is a further embodiment having a driven sprocket  29  is connected by jackshaft  30  to a further sprocket  34 . The sprocket  34  is connected to a second chain  36  to transmit power to a sprocket  38  secured to a rim  40  centrally thereof and to one side, to selectively rotate rear wheel  16 . 
     Neither of the frames  12 ′,  12 ″ contain pedals or an associated sprocket for pedaling the motorized bicycles  10 ′,  10 ″. A cover  41  may be placed over the first chain  28  or belt  25 . Footrests  42  are secured to the frames  12 ′,  12 ″ or to the engines  18 ′,  18 ″, in any desired location. 
     It therefore can be seen that there have been presented a number of motorized bicycles, which are lightweight and easy to handle, and which provide the convenience of motorized power, without allowing or requiring pedalling. Numerous variations of the present invention are possible while adhering to the principles of the invention. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention.