Patent ID: 7303202

Claim:
An apparatus for the transfer of linear human power to a rotating member, said human power applied by the hands of the operator to handlebar means in a reciprocating downward and then upward stroke cycle, said power transferred during the downward stroke of said stroke cycle, said apparatus comprising: floorboard means arranged to accommodate an operator, framework means extending vertically from the forward portion of said floorboard means; power output member rotatably supported by said framework means, one-way clutch assembly comprising a reciprocating component and a non-reciprocating component, said non-reciprocating component attached to and revolving with said power output member, pulley means attached to and revolving with said reciprocating component of said one-way clutch means; said power output member, said one-way clutch assembly, and said pulley means arranged coaxially; drive lever means hingeably attached within its interior portion to the upper portion of said framework means in a front-to-back and approximately horizontal direction, the location of the forward end of said drive lever means such that it is at least approximately directly above said pulley means; said drive lever means joined rigidly at its rear end to said handlebar means, and at its front end operatively engaging the upper portion of an elongated, flexible tensional member, said elongated flexible tensional member at its lower portion operatively engaging said pulley means; the arrangement of said one-way clutch assembly such that said power output member is forcibly rotated in a first direction in response to downward movement of said handlebar means; during subsequent upward movement of said handlebar means said power output member is able to free-wheel and continue to rotate in said first direction, while said reciprocating component of said one-way clutch assembly, and its attached said pulley means, is rotated in the reverse direction in response to a force exerted by biasing means, said biasing means operatively engaging said pulley means, at least indirectly, at its one end and said framework means at its second end.