IMPROVED CYCLE PEDAL

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bicycle pedal comprising a pedal body (Cp) including at least one support surface (Sa) dimensioned to receive a shod foot. According to the invention, the support surface (Sa) is defined by two flat support faces, (F1 and F2), which are coplanar with two intersecting planes (A and B), the re-entrant angle (α) formed between the support faces (F1 and F2) being between (130° and 150°). The two support faces F1 and F2 thus form a concave surface in which the metatarsals of the hallux (big toe) and the secundus of the shod foot can rest. Pedaling efficiency is notably improved because this part of the foot is highly rigid. The big toe presses, through the shoe, on the support face F1, which forms the front part of the pedal, while the sole of the foot presses, through the shoe, on the support face F2, which forms the rear part of the pedal. Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: IMPROVED CYCLE PEDAL

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved pedal for a cycle. It is intended to be mounted on each of the two cranks of a crankset which typically equips bicycles, tandems, tricycles, etc.

[0002] A conventional bicycle pedal P generally comprises, with reference to [fig. 1], a platform T for supporting a person's foot, which is transversely traversed by a housing G in which an axle X is mounted. Rolling means, such as ball bearings, are interposed between the axle X and the housing G. The platform T is thus mounted to rotate freely about the axle X.

[0003] The free end of the axle X, which protrudes from the pedal P, should be mounted in each of the cranks of the cycle. The person using the cycle can thus make it move forward by pedaling.

[0004] Knowing this state of the art, the applicant sought to improve the efficiency of a bicycle pedal.

[0005] For this purpose, a cycle pedal is proposed, comprising a pedal body including at least one support surface dimensioned to receive a shod foot of a person; according to the invention, the support surface is defined by two flat support faces Fl and F2 which are coplanar to two intersecting planes A and B, the re-entrant angle a formed between the support faces Fl and F2 being between 130° and 150°.

[0006] The two support faces Fl and F2 thus form a concave surface in which the metatarsals of the hallux (big toe) and the secundus of the shod foot can find support. Pedaling efficiency is significantly improved because this part of the foot is highly rigid.

[0007] The big toe presses, through the shoe, on the Fl support face constituting the front part of the pedal, while the sole of the foot presses, through the shoe, on the F2 support face constituting the rear part of the pedal.

[0008] According to an additional feature of the invention, the pedal body (Cp) comprises:

[0009] - a pedal axle,

[0010] - a front part intended to be oriented towards the direction of advancement of the cycle, in the pedal's operating position,

[0011] - a rear part, the front part and the rear part extending on either side of the axis,

[0012] a median plane Pm being defined by passing through the axis and extending on one side through the midpoint of the front part and on the other side through the midpoint of the rear part, a plane C being defined perpendicular to the median plane Pm and intersecting at the intersection of plane A with plane B, an angle [3] being formed between plane C and plane A, the value of this angle [3] being between 60° and 80°.

[0013] The resulting inclination of the support face Fl is able to absorb with greater efficiency the work of the support force exerted by the cyclist on the pedal.

[0014] The upward inclination of the support surface Fl relative to the median plane can thus reduce the slippage of the shoe on the pedal. The risk of slippage is reduced.

[0015] According to an additional feature of the invention, the line of intersection of plane A with plane B is offset towards the rear of the axis of the pedal considering the horizontal position of said pedal, so that the direction I of ideal pedaling support on the pedal can be secant with the axis.

[0016] The force exerted by the foot then passes through the axis of the pedal, maximizing the transmission of effort and consequently the pedaling efficiency of the cyclist.

[0017] According to an additional feature of the invention, the connection between the two bearing faces Fl and F2 is made of a rounded wall.

[0018] The comfort of using the pedal is improved as well as its aesthetics.

[0019] The features of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will become clearer upon reading the following description of an exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0020] [fig. 1] represents a perspective view of a conventional pedal,

[0021] [fig.2] represents a perspective view of an improved cycle pedal, according the invention,

[0022] [fig.3] represents a front view of an improved oriented cycle pedal in its normal position of use, according to the invention and,

[0023] [fig.4] represents a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a pedal improved for cycling, according to the invention.

[0024] The 100 cycle pedal, shown in Figs. 2 and 3, is intended to be mounted on each of the cranks of a crankset that equips cycles, such as bicycles, tandems, tricycles, etc.

[0025] It is preferential to use pedal 100 with a foot wearing a conventional shoe.

[0026] The pedal 100 of the invention does not require any accessories, such as a strap, a toe clip, or a mechanism for attaching it to a specific shoe, to be used. Therefore, it is not an automatic pedal; it is used like a conventional pedal.

[0027] The pedal comprises a pedal body Cp, through which a housing Lg passes transversely. A pedal axle Ax, formed of a rod, is mounted in the housing Lg. Bearing means, such as ball bearings, are interposed between the axle Ax and the housing Lg, allowing free rotation of the pedal body Cp around the axle Ax. The free end of the stem protruding from the pedal body Cp is threaded to allow the pedal to be assembled in a tapped hole made through a corresponding crank.

[0028] In [fig.3], the pedal 100 is formed of a front part Pa facing the direction of forward movement of the cycle and a rear part Pr, which extend on either side of the axis Ax. A median plane Pm passing through the axis Ax extends on one side through the middle of the front part Pa and on the other side through the middle of the rear part Pr.

[0029] The perimeter of the pedal body Cp is defined in front view, by an upper part Ps, a dorsal part Pd, a lower part Pi and a front part Pf, considering the horizontal use position of the pedal 100.

[0030] A support surface Sa is formed on the upper part Ps and / or on the lower part Pi. The support surface Sa is designed so that one of the cyclist's shod feet can take support on said support surface Sa of the pedal 100 to initiate and carry out pedaling, assuming two pedals mounted on the two cranks of the cycle's crankset.

[0031] On this [fig.3], the bearing surface Sa is formed on the upper part Ps as well as on the lower part Pi of the pedal 100. The pedal 100 is thus symmetrical with respect to its median plane Pm passing through the axis of the pedal 100, considering the position of use of the pedal 100.

[0032] In the invention, the bearing surface Sa comprises two flat bearing faces, Fl and F2, which are respectively coplanar with two intersecting planes A and B. The re-entrant angle α formed between the bearing faces Fl and F2 is an obtuse angle. This angle α is between 130° and 150°. A preferred value of this angle is 139°.

[0033] The technical effect is as follows. The two support surfaces Fl and F2 form a concave surface in which the metatarsals of the hallux (big toe) and the second toe of the shod foot can find support. Pedaling efficiency is noticeably improved because this part of the foot is highly rigid.

[0034] The cyclist naturally finds the place of his foot on the pedal.

[0035] The foot remains stabilized on the pedal during pedaling, because the big toe presses, through the shoe, on the support face Fl constituting the front part Pa of the pedal 100, while the sole of the foot presses, through the shoe, on the support face F2 constituting the rear part Pr of the pedal 100.

[0036] The vast majority of shoes are designed to deform at the level of the metatarsals of the foot.

[0037] The two support faces Fl and F2 are preferably parallel to the axis Ax of the pedal 100. This arrangement is favorable to a good ergonomic position of the foot on the pedal.

[0038] The length of the front part Pa is shorter than the length of the rear part Pr. As a result, the center of gravity of the pedal is offset from the axis Ax. When not under load, the pedal extends vertically with its front part Pa positioned at the top and its rear part Pr positioned at the bottom. It is then easy for the cyclist to use the pedals 100 of their bicycle by pressing down with the front part of their shoes on the contact surfaces Fl to initiate pedaling, by tilting the pedals.

[0039] The ideal direction of support of the metatarsus on the pedal 100 is indicated by arrow I. This support force is applied at the intersection of plane A with plane B.

[0040] The angle co of incidence of the direction I practically forms an angle of -16° with respect to a plane C perpendicular to the median plane Pm of the pedal 100 and which is secant at the intersection of the two planes A and B.

[0041] To further improve the efficiency of pedal 100 in operation, the angle [3] formed between plane C and plane A is an acute angle. The value of this angle [3] is advantageously between 60° and 80°. A preferred value of this angle [3] is 67°.

[0042] The steering force I exerted by the foot at the level of the metatarsus thus forms an acute angle of almost 83° with respect to the surface FL. This geometry provides the best performance of the pedal.

[0043] Note: The measured angles respect the conventional trigonometric direction.

[0044] The support surface Fl, which is inclined upwards relative to the median plane Pm, can thus counteract a potential slippage of the shoe on the pedal. The risk of slippage is reduced.

[0045] To further improve the efficiency of the pedal 100, the line of intersection of plane A with plane B is offset rearward from the axis Ax of the pedal 100 so that the direction I of ideal pedaling support on the pedal 100 can intersect with the axis Ax. The value of this offset is indicated by the letter d. The value of this offset is approximately 3 mm. The foot pressure then passes through the axis Ax of the pedal 100, maximizing the transmission of force and consequently the pedaling efficiency of the cyclist.

[0046] This offset also allows the pedaling effort to be distributed between the front part Pa and the rear part Pr of the pedal 100, which is also favorable to the pedaling efficiency of the cyclist.

[0047] The pedal 100 is advantageously made of injection-molded metal or injection-molded plastic.

[0048] The front part Pa and the rear part Pr are internally hollowed out to reduce the mass of the pedal. These recesses G1 and G2 are advantageously used to house a lighting device, such as LED lamps, and their power supply.

[0049] The bearing surfaces Fl and F2 are advantageously covered with a coating Adhesive to increase grip between the shoe and the pedal. This coating is advantageously made of elastomer.

[0050] As required by French regulations, the pedal is equipped with reflective devices. These are fixed to the front part Pf and to the back part Pd.

[0051] The front part Pf and the back part Pd are formed of two facets Cl and C2 intersecting in the median plane Pm and their intersection protrudes outwards from the pedal 100. The reflective devices are fixed on the facets Cl and C2.

[0052] The improved 100 pedal of the invention enhances the cyclist's pedaling efficiency.

[0053] Pedaling stability is increased, compared to a conventional flat pedal.

[0054] In the embodiment of pedal 100 shown in [Fig. 4], the connection between the two support faces Fl and F2 is made of a rounded wall. Similarly, the connection between the support wall Fl and the facet Cl or C2, and the connection between the support wall F2 and the facet Cl or C2, are made of rounded walls. The user comfort of pedal 100 is improved, as is its aesthetics.

Claims

Demands

1. A bicycle pedal (100) comprising a pedal body (Cp) including at least one support surface (Sa) dimensioned to receive a person's shod foot, the support surface (Sa) being defined by two flat support faces, (F1 and F2), which are coplanar with two intersecting planes (A and B), the re-entrant angle (a) formed between the support faces (F1 and F2) being between 130° and 150°, characterized in that the pedal body (Cp) comprises: - a pedal axle (Ax), - a front portion (Pa) intended to be oriented towards the direction of travel of the bicycle, in the pedal's operating position, - a rear portion (Pr), the front portion (Pa) and the rear portion (Pr) extending on either side of the axle (Ax), a median plane (Pm) being defined by passing through the axle (Ax) and extending on one side through the middle of the front part (Pa) and on the other side through the middle of the rear part (Pr),Given a plane (C) defined perpendicular to the median plane (Pm) and intersecting at the intersection of plane (A) with plane (B), an angle (|3) is formed between plane (C) and plane (A), the value of this angle (|3) being between 60° and 80°.

2. Pedal for cycle (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the line of intersection of the plane (A) with the plane (B) is offset towards the rear of the axis (Ax) of the pedal (100) considering the horizontal position of said pedal, so that the direction (I) of ideal pedaling support on the pedal (100) can be secant with the axis (Ax).

3. Cycle pedal (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection between the two bearing faces (F1 and F2) is made of a rounded wall.

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