Patent ID: 7669869

Claim:
A drive apparatus for converting a substantially linear driving force to a rotary propulsive force, said apparatus comprising: a first and second pedal bracket, wherein each pedal bracket includes a pedal bracket axle attachment region and a link attachment region; a pedal bracket axle for pivotably attaching said first and second pedal brackets at said pedal bracket axle attachment region; a first and second link respectively pivotably attached at one end to said first and second pedal brackets at said link attachment region, and wherein each link includes a power shaft attachment region at the opposite end; a first and second power shaft respectively pivotably attached to said first and second links at said power shaft attachment region, and wherein said first power shaft includes a first drive arm attachment region at one end and a second drive arm attachment region at the opposite end, and wherein said second power shaft includes a second drive arm attachment region at one end and a power sprocket attachment region at the opposite end; a first and second drive arm, wherein said first drive arm is fixably attached to said first power shaft at said first drive arm attachment region at one end and includes a bearing axle attachment region at the opposite end, and wherein said second drive arm is fixably attached to said first power shaft at said second drive arm attachment region at one end and said second power shaft at said second drive arm attachment region at the opposite end; a bearing axle fixably attached to said first drive arm at said bearing axle attachment region; and, a power sprocket fixably attached to said second power shaft at said power sprocket attachment region, and wherein said power sprocket is mounted to a power sprocket axle for rotation of said power sprocket thereon.