Patent Description:
The object of the present invention relates to a bicycle of the type comprising a loading surface in its front part, with the axle of the front steering wheel being moved forward to leave space for this purpose and incorporating an indirect steering system, which bicycle is furthermore foldable such that it allows the size thereof to be reduced without needing tools and has a support which supports it in the folded position. In that sense, the bicycle comprises at least one folding system for folding its front wheel onto the main frame by means of swiveling the front wheel around a shaft such that it is superimposed on the frame and the loading surface is arranged therebelow acting as a support for the bicycle in the folded position. Optionally, it also comprises a folding system for folding the rear wheel onto the main frame by means of swiveling same in a second shaft such that it is also superimposed on the main frame.

The field of application of the present invention is comprised within the sector of the industry dedicated to the manufacture of bicycles, and more specifically within the types of load-bearing bicycles and folding bicycles.

There are a variety of load-bearing bicycles in which the load is located in the front part, but they are rigid bicycles of large dimensions, and this is a determining factor in popularizing this type of vehicle with living space in big cities becoming increasingly smaller and community parking lots not being the best place to store bicycles as they are highly exposed to theft.

Moreover, folding bicycles are very popular due to their advantages of being foldable; they are small, agile, and maneuverable bicycles that take up relatively little space and can be stored comfortably inside homes, in addition to facilitating the combined use thereof with other public transport. However, they are very limited in terms of load-bearing factor, not being useful in many of the everyday situations of daily lives such as doing weekly shopping or picking up more than one child from school.

The solution is to create a new type of bicycle, i.e., a folding load-bearing bicycle, adopting technical solutions of both types to enhance the best of each type and thereby achieve the best utility bicycle on the market.

<CIT> discloses the preamble of independent claim <NUM>.

The folding front-loading bicycle proposed by the invention is configured as the ideal solution to the aforementioned objective, the characterizing details that make it possible and that distinguish it being conveniently included in the final claims that accompany this description.

Specifically, as set forth above, the invention proposes a bicycle comprising a loading surface in its front part, with the axle of the front steering wheel being moved forward to that end and with an indirect steering system, which bicycle being a bicycle that can be folded without needing tools and the loading surface is converted to a support for the bicycle in the folded position.

To that end, the bicycle comprises at least one folding system for folding its front wheel onto the main frame by means of a secondary front swinging frame in which said front wheel is incorporated around a front rotating shaft which allows both frames to be articulated such that the wheel is superimposed on the main frame and the loading surface is located below said frame acting as a support surface on which the entire bicycle rests in its folded position.

Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bicycle also comprises a folding system for folding the rear wheel onto the main frame by means of a secondary rear swinging frame in a second rotating shaft which allows a second articulation with the main frame such that said rear wheel is also superimposed on the main frame.

It should be noted that either the front wheel or the rear wheel, and more specifically the secondary front or rear swingarm with which the wheels swivel with respect to main frame, swivels around a shaft which is not perpendicular to said main frame such that, in a folded position, the front wheel or the rear wheel which rotates about said non-perpendicular shaft is located offset with respect to the vertical of the main frame.

Furthermore, preferably, the mentioned shaft not perpendicular to the main frame around which the front swingarm of the front wheel or the rear swingarm of the rear wheel rotates is inclined with respect to the horizontal such that, in a folded position, the verticality of the main frame with respect to the front loading surface is improved.

In any case, according to a feature of the invention, an accessory, such as a wider loading platform, a crate, a container, a child safety seat, can be fixed on the front loading surface of the bicycle. Furthermore, when it consists of a flat platform, it can be folded with the folding system for folding the front wheel and arranged below the loading surface acting as a support for the bicycle in the folded position.

In a preferred embodiment option, the front loading surface or a flat loading platform incorporated on said surface incorporates roller wheels intended for facilitating the transport of the bicycle in the folded position.

Optionally, the loading platform can be fixed to the loading surface such that it can pivot with respect to the front wheel to thereby optimize the folding of the bicycle and the support base it provides.

Moreover, preferably, the handlebar tube can be moved vertically with respect to the main frame and fitted into the front swingarm in its folded position such that the front swingarm is mechanically locked by said handlebar tube, preventing the bicycle from returning to its unfolded position without the handlebar tube having first been moved to its extended position. Furthermore, similarly, when the bicycle has the rear folding system, the saddle tube can also be moved vertically with respect to the main frame and fitted into the rear swingarm in its folded position such that it is mechanically locked by said tube, preventing the bicycle from returning to its unfolded position.

In that sense, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bicycle is made up of a rigid main frame, without ball joints, hinges, or moving attachments, i.e., it is structurally integral by means of the relevant welds, thereby preventing the main weak point of any folding bicycle and sparing the weight of the robust hinges required to ensure its structural safety and durability. Said main frame will have two shafts, one transverse shaft comprised in a horizontal plane and another shaft which is oblique thereto, which may or may not be comprised in a horizontal plane, where the rear swinging frame and the front swinging frame, respectively, will be attached by means of respective bolts.

The rear swingarm will follow the typical configuration of many other folding bicycles, i.e., it will be formed by a double triangle of tubes that allow securing the rear wheel through its axle without interfering with same, and it will have a rubber block as a shock absorber at a support point where it will be attached to the main frame and swivel about a shaft perpendicular thereto. Said rear swingarm, in the folded position, will be locked by the saddle tube in its lowest position, mechanically fixing it to the main frame.

The folding system is rendered novel by the front swingarm itself, moving the position of the front wheel to a position that is more to the front with respect to its natural position in the typical configuration of any bicycle, this not being in the projection line of the steering pipe, but rather moved forward creating a loading surface. Said configuration is the one maintained by other existing front-loading bicycles, but in a manner integral with the main frame, i.e., they are part of the main structure of the bicycle, not being movable or foldable. This distance between the steering tube of the fork and the steering tube of the handlebar is bridged by means of this front swingarm, which will furthermore support the loading platform on the loading surface and swivel by means of a shaft not perpendicular to the main frame, but rather oblique to same and may or may not be comprised in a horizontal plane, with the suitable angle so that, in the folded position, the front wheel does not interfere with the frame itself or with the rear swingarm in the folded position, but rather arranged on one side. In addition to through the shaft, said front swingarm will also be attached to the main frame at a second point at which another rubber block will be arranged to better absorb terrain irregularities and improve comfort while cycling.

In its operative position, the loading surface itself is furthermore the base where the bicycle will rest in the folded position. Preferably, a loading platform acting as a base for the bicycle in the folded position, which will not be integral with the front swingarm, but consist of a mobile and replaceable substructure, is incorporated on the loading surface.

In the folded position, said swingarm will be locked by the handlebar tube in its lowest position, mechanically fixing it to the main frame, and causing the ability to manipulate the assembly of the folded bicycle without the movement of any of its moving parts.

The two swingarms are secured to the frame by a bolt from which they pivot with respect to said frame in their operative position, and both swingarms have a second support, attachment, or fixing point, through which they connect with the structure of the frame and which acts as a stop, with said attachment being proposed with a silentblock, but may be open to functioning without it. It can be a simple support point but also a firmer connection, either through a piece threaded on both sides or through any other mechanical system, attaching the frame with the swingarms in a completely integral manner, such that the accidental folding thereof will not occur when lifting the bike.

To enable proper system operation technically speaking, the transmission of the rotational movement of the handlebar to the fork, i.e., the steering system, will be made through sheathed metal cables, similar to those of the brake system itself, and through wheels or pulleys fixed to the fork tube and the steering tube, respectively, as incorporated in other load-bearing bicycles, allowing both axles to work in an integral manner.

To achieve a steering tube that is extendable in height and can be arranged practically flush with the main frame in its folded position, there is a need to provide three concentric tubes, i.e., the steering pipe itself which is part of the frame, the steering tube which works with the steering wheel and with the steering bearings themselves, and the handlebar tube which can be arranged freely in height and which, by means of a quick closure, such as that of the seat tube, can be caused to work together with the steering tube itself, and this may or may not have a small groove that acts as a guide so that the position of the handlebar is always perpendicular to that of the wheel, making the system safer.

To complete the description, and for the purpose of helping to make the features of the invention more readily understandable, this description is accompanied by a set of drawings constituting an integral part of the same, which by way of illustration and not limitation represents the following:.

In view of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the adopted numbering, one may observe therein a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the folding front-loading bicycle of the invention, comprising what is described in detail below.

In that sense, as can be seen in said figures, the bicycle of the invention is of the type comprising a loading surface (<NUM>) in its front part, with the axle of the front steering wheel (<NUM>) being moved forward to leave space for said surface and incorporating an indirect steering system, and it is distinguished by comprising at least one folding system for folding its front wheel (<NUM>) onto a main frame (<NUM>) by means of a front swingarm with the loading surface (<NUM>) in which said front wheel (<NUM>) is incorporated around a front rotating shaft (<NUM>) such that, in the folded position, the front wheel (<NUM>) is superimposed on the main frame (<NUM>) and the loading surface (<NUM>) is located below the main frame (<NUM>) acting as a support surface on which the entire bicycle rests in its folded position.

Preferably, the bicycle also comprises a folding system for folding the rear wheel (<NUM>) onto the main frame (<NUM>) by means of a rear swingarm (<NUM>) in a rear rotating shaft (<NUM>) such that, in the folded position, said rear wheel (<NUM>) is superimposed on the main frame (<NUM>).

Preferably, either the front swingarm of the loading surface (<NUM>) with the front wheel (<NUM>) or the rear swingarm (<NUM>) with the rear wheel (<NUM>), rotates with respect to the main frame (<NUM>) around a front shaft (<NUM>) or a rear shaft (<NUM>) which is not perpendicular to said main frame (<NUM>) such that, in a folded position, the front wheel (<NUM>) or the rear wheel (<NUM>) which rotates about said non-perpendicular shaft is located offset with respect to the vertical of the main frame (<NUM>), as shown in <FIG>.

Furthermore, preferably, the mentioned shaft not perpendicular to the main frame around which the front swingarm (<NUM>) of the front wheel (<NUM>) or the rear swingarm (<NUM>) of the rear wheel (<NUM>) rotates is inclined with respect to the horizontal such that, in a folded position, the verticality of the main frame (<NUM>) with respect to the loading surface of the front swingarm (<NUM>) is improved.

In an alternative embodiment, the rear shaft (<NUM>) of the folding system for folding the rear wheel (<NUM>) onto the main frame (<NUM>) is vertical such that, in the folded position, said rear wheel (<NUM>) is superimposed laterally on the main frame (<NUM>).

Preferably, a platform (<NUM>) or another removable loading accessory can be fixed on the loading surface of the front swingarm (<NUM>) of the bicycle. When it consists of a flat platform (<NUM>), it can be folded with the front swingarm (<NUM>) of the front wheel (<NUM>) and arranged below the loading surface acting as a support for the bicycle in the folded position.

Optionally, either the loading surface of the front swingarm (<NUM>) or a loading platform (<NUM>) incorporates roller wheels (<NUM>) intended for facilitating the transport of the bicycle in the folded position.

Optionally, the loading platform (<NUM>) is attached to the loading surface of the front swingarm (<NUM>) by means of a pivoting attachment (<NUM>) such that it can pivot with respect to the front wheel (<NUM>) to thereby optimize the folding of the bicycle and the support base it provides.

Preferably, the handlebar tube (<NUM>) can be moved vertically with respect to the main frame (<NUM>) and fitted into the front swingarm (<NUM>) in its folded position such that said front swingarm (<NUM>) is mechanically locked by said handlebar tube (<NUM>), preventing the bicycle from returning to its unfolded position without the handlebar tube (<NUM>) having first been moved to its extended position.

Preferably, when the bicycle has the folding system for folding the rear wheel (<NUM>) by means of rear swingarm (<NUM>), the saddle tube (<NUM>) can also be moved vertically with respect to the main frame (<NUM>) and fitted into said rear swingarm (<NUM>) in its folded position such that the rear swingarm (<NUM>) is mechanically locked by said saddle tube (<NUM>), preventing the bicycle from returning to its unfolded position without the saddle tube (<NUM>) having first been moved to its extended position.

<FIG> depict a preferred embodiment of the bicycle of the invention, which is made up of a frame or main structure (<NUM>) and two secondary swingarms, one rear swingarm (<NUM>) and another front swingarm (<NUM>).

The main frame (<NUM>), without hinges or moving parts, is a framework having two shafts, i.e., the front shaft (<NUM>) oblique with respect to the frame, which may or may not be comprised in a horizontal plane, and the rear shaft (<NUM>) transverse to the frame and comprised in a horizontal plane.

The rear swingarm (<NUM>) is a substructure which attaches the rear drive wheel (<NUM>), through its axle, to the rear shaft (<NUM>) of the main frame (<NUM>). This rear swingarm (<NUM>) will have a second support point (<NUM>) with the main frame (<NUM>), which may or may not have a rubber block and which can be a simple support or a stronger attachment through any mechanism.

The assembly will be locked in its folded position by the saddle tube (<NUM>) in its lowest position.

The front swingarm (<NUM>) is a substructure that defines a loading surface on which a loading platform (<NUM>) will be fixed and which in turn attaches the front steering wheel (<NUM>), secured by the fork (<NUM>), to the main frame (<NUM>) through the front shaft (<NUM>) itself. This front swingarm (<NUM>) will furthermore have a second support point (<NUM>) with the main frame (<NUM>), which may or may not have a rubber block and which can be a simple support or a stronger attachment through any mechanism.

The assembly will be locked in its folded position by the handlebar tube (<NUM>) in its lowest position, since it can move freely along the steering tube (<NUM>).

A wheel or pulley (<NUM>) which will transmit forces from the steering shaft to the fork shaft through a system of cables will be added the fork (<NUM>). The wheel or pulley of the steering shaft (<NUM>), integral with the steering tube (<NUM>) itself, will be arranged at the other end of the cable.

The loading platform (<NUM>) is secured to the front swingarm (<NUM>) through a shaft from which it pivots (<NUM>) and is fixed in the desired position by means of a screw (<NUM>) which, as can be seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, slides in a guide provided to that end, in order to optimize the dimensions of the assembly in its folded position. Said loading platform (<NUM>) can have four small-sized wheels or roller wheels (<NUM>) to facilitate its transport in said position.

Claim 1:
A folding front-loading bicycle of the type comprising a loading surface in its front part, with the axle of the front steering wheel (<NUM>) being moved forward to leave space for said surface and incorporating an indirect steering system, characterized by comprising at least one folding system for folding its front wheel (<NUM>) onto a main frame (<NUM>) by means of a front swingarm with the loading surface (<NUM>) in which said front wheel (<NUM>) is incorporated around a front rotating shaft (<NUM>) such that, in the folded position, the front wheel (<NUM>) is superimposed on the main frame (<NUM>) and the loading surface (<NUM>) is located below the main frame (<NUM>) acting as a support surface on which the entire bicycle rests in its folded position.