Patent ID: 8047320

Claim:
A powered cycle vehicle, the vehicle comprising: a frame comprising a seat tube and a down tube, a mounting bracket supported by the frame and fixed to a rear portion of the frame; the mounting bracket having a first surface and defining a first thickness extending from the first surface, the first surface having a first opening extending completely through the first thickness of the mounting bracket, the first opening having a length direction and having one end that extends through an edge of the mounting bracket, the first opening being sized to receive a wheel axle and allow horizontal adjustment of the wheel axle; the mounting bracket having a second surface and defining a second thickness extending from the second surface, the second surface defining an elongate slot, the elongate slot passing completely through the second thickness; wherein the first opening and the elongate slot are defined by a unitary portion of the mounting bracket; a rear cycle wheel, the rear cycle wheel having a central hub and a wheel axle that rotatably supports the hub, the wheel axle defining a first axis, and the rear cycle wheel affixable to the cycle vehicle by securing the wheel axle at a selected location within the first opening; a power unit, the power unit having a drive source configured to rotationally power a drive wheel about a second axis, the second axis being positioned above the first axis, the power unit being slidably positionable in relation to the bracket and lockable to the mounting bracket in a first position and in a different second position within the elongate slot, the second axis being substantially parallel to the first axis when the power unit is positioned on the second surface, the power unit being positioned outside of the frame and adjacent the rear portion of the frame; a driven wheel, the driven wheel operably connected to the rear cycle wheel, the drive wheel operably connectable to the driven wheel such that power can be transferred from the drive wheel to the driven wheel; a gear reducer supported by the mounting bracket and operatively coupled to the power unit and the drive wheel; and a pedal drive system, the pedal drive system comprising a pedal crank rotatable about a pedal crank axis, which carries a chainring, and a driven sprocket, the pedal crank being operably connected to the driven sprocket, and the driven sprocket being operably connected to the rear cycle wheel so as to transfer force applied to the pedal crank to the cycle wheel; wherein the seat tube is coupled to the down tube at a location forward of the pedal crank axis to provide space for a power kit comprising a battery that is received between the rear cycle wheel and the seat tube; wherein movement of the power unit between a first and a second position permits adjustment of the distance between the drive wheel and the driven wheel, and the adjustment of the wheel axle permits adjustment of the distance between the chainring and the driven sprocket.