Wheeled vehicle

Abstract

The invention regards a wheeled vehicle having a frame (5) with a steering front road wheel (1) controlled by a handlebar (3) and a rear road wheel (4), a rest (7) for the driver's feet on both sides of the vehicle, and equipped with a drive mechanism (8) with a rocker rod (9), wherein the rocker rod (9) at its free, upper end is provided with an element enclosing the driver's thighs or torso, while the drive mechanism (8) includes a drive wheel (4a) of the rear road wheel (4), a main axle (10) placed in the frame (5), around which the rocker rod (9) rotates, and an axle (14), on which the main wheel (11) is mounted connected by an endless drive linkage (6) to the driven wheel (4a) of the rear road wheel (4), wherein the rocker rod (9) is connected to the main wheel (11) by a set of rotating elements (12, 13, 15, 16). The invention is characterized in that the set of rotating elements (12, 13, 15, 16) comprises: the first rotating element (12) and the second rotating element (13) mounted on the main axis (10) and pivotally coupled to the rocker rod (9), the third rotating element (15) and the fourth rotating element (16), mounted on an axle (14) and pivotally coupled to the main wheel (11), wherein the first rotating element (12) is concurrently coupled to the third rotating element (15) via the first linkage (17), the second rotary element (13) is countercurrently coupled to the fourth rotary element (16) via the second linkage (18), and from among the coupling between the first rotary element (12) and the rocker rod (9) and the coupling between the third rotary element (15) and the main wheel (11), one is unidirectional and the other bi-directional, and from among the coupling between the second rotary element (13) and the rocker rod (9) and the coupling between the fourth rotary element (16) and the main wheel (11), one is unidirectional and the other is bidirectional.

Description

[0001] Wheeled vehicle

[0002] The object of the invention is a wheeled vehicle useful for the locomotion of people, having a frame with a handlebar-controlled front road wheel and a rear road wheel, support for the driver's feet on both sides of the vehicle, and provided with a drive mechanism with a rocker rod, the rocker rod at its free upper end being provided with an element enclosing the driver's thighs or torso, and a drive train comprising a rear-wheel drive wheel, a main axle placed in the frame around which the rocker rod rotates, and an axle on which a main wheel is mounted connected by an endless drive linkage to the rearwheel drive wheel, the rocker rod being connected to the main wheel by a set of pivoting members.

[0003] One of the basic wheeled vehicles for moving people using muscle power is a bicycle. A typical bicycle has a frame with a front and rear road wheel. A handlebar is mounted in the frame, used to turn the front road wheel. The bicycle is powered by the rider's leg muscles using a crank mechanism from which the drive is transmitted via an endless linkage, in particular a chain linkage, to the rear road wheel.

[0004] Many modifications of the design of typical bicycles are known, for example in terms of the number of wheels or the method of propulsion. In particular, another type of drive, such as a rocker rod, is used in addition to or instead of a rotary crank drive. For example, the description CN2652783Y discloses a bicycle with two wheels and a frame to which swinging footrests for the rider's feet are attached. The saddle of the bicycle is placed on a rocker rod, which is connected by a set of bars and linkages to the rear road wheel hub and swinging footrests for the rider's feet. The alternate lifting and squatting of the rider results in the oscillating movement of the saddle rod and the oscillating movement of the footrests, which results in the transmission of power through a set of bars and linkages to the rear road wheel, and consequently the movement of the bike.

[0005] WO2019 / 184644A1 , on the other hand, discloses a bicycle comprising a front road wheel, a rear road wheel, a handlebar, a pedal, a frame, a connecting rod, a rocker rod, saddle and a gear mechanism for transferring the swinging force of the rocker rod to the rear road wheel assembly. The pedal is pivotally mounted at the lower end of the centre of the frame, the rocker rod and pedal are hinged to the two ends of the connecting rod, the saddle is attached to the hinged end of the connecting rod of the rocker rod, and one end of the rocker rod, which is far from the saddle, is hinged to the front end of the frame and connected by gearing to the rear road wheel assembly through a gearing mechanism. The movement of the rider's body weight allows to propel the bike.

[0006] Another similar design is known from DE3001584A1. This description discloses a wheeled vehicle with fixed footrests and a saddle that is movable in the vertical plane. The saddle is supported on a spring-loaded lever, the axis of which is at the level of the driver's knees. The downward movement of the lever drives the rear road wheel by means of a crank mechanism, pinion gear and one-way clutch.

[0007] In addition, from the description of US5042828A, a bicycle is known in which the axle of the rear drive wheel is seated in a yoke at one end of the longitudinal frame and the front steering wheel is mounted at the other end of the frame. A rocker rod is mounted on the frame pivotally around an axis, and this axis is concentric with the drive wheel axis. At the other end of the rocker rod, a saddle is mounted. In addition, the bicycle includes a mechanism that converts the speed of the rocker rod to the speed of the drive wheel, wherein the high-speed element of the concentric speed conversion mechanism is connected to the axle and the low-speed element coupled to it by a transmission is connected to the rocker rod.

[0008] From the description of DE1139402B, the bicycle is known to be propelled by forward and backward movements of the saddle moving on guides located on the horizontal part of the frame. This movable saddle is connected to a rocker rod which, driven by the saddle, makes a rocking motion. The rocking motion of the rocker rod, through a mechanism involving eight sprockets, two of which are partial sprockets, rotates forward another sprocket which, via a chain, drives a sprocket rigidly connected to the rear road wheel of the bicycle and coaxial with the rear road wheel.

[0009] From the description of W02015 / 037860A1 , a bicycle is known in which the saddle is attached to the end of the rocker rod. The other end of the rocker rod is connected to the bicycle frame via a planetary gear-based drive system. The rocker rod is also connected to the bike frame via a pair of spring-loaded shock absorbers. The cyclist propels the bicycle by pedalling and also causing the rocker rod to rock by alternately applying pressure to the saddle with their weight and reducing that pressure.

[0010] Additionally, from the Polish patent description PL221914B1 , a muscle-powered vehicle is known, the user of which takes a standing position and propulsion is realised using arms. The vehicle contains two drive wheels, within which independent mechanisms are fitted to convert the rocking movement of the lever into unidirectional rotary movement of the drive wheel axles, at least one passive wheel, the attachment of which allows rotation about a vertical axis, and a low-suspended platform is attached directly to the housing of the mechanisms. The single drive mechanism comprises a central axle on which two gears, fitted with one-way clutches, are mounted, and a ring moved by a lever, with a pair of gears attached to it, a first outer axle with two gears mounted on it, and a second outer axle with two further gears mounted on it. The whole is interconnected in such a way that, when an inner-toothed wheel mounted on a lever-operated ring drives a first wheel placed on the first outer axis and further, through a second wheel placed on this axis, drives a first wheel placed on the central axis, a second outer-toothed wheel mounted on the same ring drives a first wheel placed on the second outer axis and, respectively, through a second wheel placed on this axis, drives a second wheel placed on the central axis. As a result, the two gears located on the central axis always rotate in opposite directions, with the result that when one of these gears, using the principle of a one-way clutch, transmits the drive from the manually operated lever to the central axis, and onwards, to the drive wheel, the other gear, rotates freely.

[0011] From the Polish application P.443633 (unpublished), there is known a bicycle-like vehicle equipped with a drive mechanism with a rocker rod ending at the top with an element enclosing the rider's thighs or torso. The drive mechanism comprises a rear road wheel drive wheel, a main axle embedded in the vehicle frame around which a rocker rod rotates, and an axle on which the main wheel is mounted, connected by an endless drive linkage to the rear road wheel drive wheel. The rocker rod is connected to the main wheel via a set of five gears.

[0012] The aim of the present invention is to develop a wheeled vehicle design which, while providing the typical advantages of the bicycle as a reasonably fast and healthy means of locomotion, will furthermore enable the rider's muscles other than the leg muscles, in particular the skeletal muscles in the upper body, to be worked and kept in shape. In addition, the drive train of the presented wheeled vehicle is easy to implement, as it only includes components that are standard in bicycles. The aim of the invention is also to reduce the number of wheels in the drive train and to facilitate the maintenance of the drive train.

[0013] The invention relates to a wheeled vehicle having a frame with a steering front road wheel controlled by a handlebar, and a rear road wheel, a rest for the driver's feet on both sides of the vehicle, and equipped with a drive mechanism with a rocker rod. The rocker rod at its free, upper end is provided with an element enclosing the driver's thighs or torso, while the drive mechanism includes a drive wheel of the rear road wheel, a main axle placed in the frame, around which the rocker rod rotates, and an axle, on which the main wheel is mounted connected by an endless drive linkage to the driven wheel of the rear road wheel. The rocker rod is connected to the main wheel by a set of rotating elements. The invention is characterized in that the set of rotating elements comprises: a first rotating element and a second rotating element mounted on the main axis and pivotally coupled to the rocker rod, a third rotating element and a fourth rotating element, mounted on an axle and pivotally coupled to the main wheel, wherein the first rotating element is concurrently coupled to the third rotating element via the first linkage, the second rotary element is counter currently coupled to the fourth rotary element via the second linkage, and from among the coupling between the first rotary element (12) and the rocker rod (9) and the coupling between the third rotary element (15) and the main wheel (11 ), one is unidirectional and the other is bi-directional, and from among the coupling between the second rotary element (13) and the rocker rod (9) and the coupling between the fourth rotary element (16) and the main wheel (11 ), one is unidirectional and the other is bidirectional.

[0014] Preferably, the drive linkage, the first linkage and the second linkage are chains, the drive wheel and the main wheel are gears, and the rotating elements have an arched profile, at a distance from the axis of rotation, with circumferentially placed teeth.

[0015] Preferably, the drive wheel and the main wheel are pulleys and the rotating elements have an arched profile, at a distance from the axis of rotation, with a circumferentially running belt groove. More preferably, the drive linkage, the first linkage and the second linkage are toothed belts. Also more preferably, the drive linkage, the first linkage and the second linkage are V-belts.

[0016] Preferably, the second linkage is provided with means to prevent friction of the linkage. More preferably the means for preventing friction of the linkage is a clip with a clearance to allow the crossing second linkage to pass through it. Also more preferably, the means for preventing friction of the linkage is an elongated C-shaped clip.

[0017] Preferably, the enclosing element is in the form of a driver's seat with an upward- facing rear support and a front support.

[0018] Preferably, at least one of the rotating elements is a wheel.

[0019] Preferably, at least one of the rotating elements a wheel sector. Preferably, at least one of the rotating elements comprises a pair of mounting points to which the linkages are connected.

[0020] Preferably, at least one of the linkages is provided with a tensioner.

[0021] The subject of the invention is explained in the embodiments in the drawings, in which fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of the wheeled vehicle and how it is propelled by the driver's hip movements, fig. 2 shows a wheeled vehicle with marked construction details, fig. 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 show schematic close-ups of part of the vehicle's propulsion system in various embodiments, fig. 6 shows an embodiment of measures to prevent linkage friction.

[0022] Fig. 2 shows a diagram of a wheeled vehicle, which is equipped with a frame 5 with a steering front road wheel 1 , mounted in the front fork 2, and controlled by a handlebar 3, and a rear road wheel 4 mounted in the rear fork 5', and a rest 7 for the driver's feet at both sides of the vehicle. The vehicle is equipped with a drive mechanism 8 with a rocker rod 9. The rocker rod 9 at its free, upper end is fitted with a element enclosing the driver's thighs or torso, while the drive mechanism 8 comprises a drive wheel 4a of the rear road wheel 4, a main axle 10 mounted in the frame 5 around which the rocker rod 9 rotates, and an axle 14 on which the main wheel 11 is mounted, connected by an endless drive linkage 6 to the drive wheel 4a of the read road wheel 4. The rocker rod 9 is connected to the main wheel 11 via a set of rotating elements 12, 13, 15, 16, with details of the drive to be discussed further in the following figures.

[0023] The enclosing element is understood to be an element against which the driver can push with his / her abdomen, lower abdomen or front surface of the thighs and thus cause the rocker rod 9 to rock forwards, and against which he / she may push with his / her back, buttocks or rear surface of the thighs and thus cause the rocker rod 9 to rock backwards. The method of propulsion is shown schematically in fig. 1 .

[0024] In order to move the wheeled vehicle according to the invention, the driver, for example, performs a reciprocating movement with his / her hips while pressing against the handlebar 3 with his / her hands and the foot rests 7 with his / her feet. This movement of the driver results in a rocking movement of the rocker rod 9, which drives the vehicle. As both the forward and backward movement of the hips and other parts of the body translate into propulsion, many of the muscles of the driver's upper body are involved in the movement, particularly the skeletal muscles to keep the driver's spine in good condition.

[0025] The drive mechanism of the vehicle according to the invention can be made almost entirely of components normally used in the construction of bicycles, such as, for example, gears, bicycle chains and supports. Thanks to the design of the drive mechanism, it is possible for the driver to control the speed of the vehicle on an ongoing basis by adjusting the swing range of the rocker rod 9. The design of the enclosing element proposed in the embodiment, comprising a front support 9' for the driver's thighs, lower abdomen or belly, and a rear support 9" for the driver's thighs, buttocks or back, is comfortable and safe as it ensures that the driver can be seated while moving, and furthermore, in the event of an accident, the driver is not tied to the rocker rod 9. The front 9' and rear 9" supports for the driver's thighs and torso can be in the form of the front and rear sections of an ergonomically shaped seat, respectively, and then the oscillating movement of the torso of the driver sitting on the driver's seat will effectively translate into the oscillating movement of the rocker rod 9 and propel the vehicle.

[0026] On fig. 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8, which show details of the drive 8, one can see that the set of rotary elements 12, 13, 15, 16 comprises the first rotary element 12 and the second rotary element 13 mounted on the main axis 10 and pivotally coupled to the rocker rod 9, and the third rotary element 15 and the fourth rotary element 16 mounted on the axle 14 and pivotally coupled to the main wheel 11 .

[0027] The first rotating element 12 is concurrently coupled to the third rotating element 15 via the first linkage 17, and the second rotating element 13 is countercurrently coupled to the fourth rotating element 16 via the second linkage 18.

[0028] In the embodiments shown in fig. 3, 4, 5, 7 the first rotating element 12 and the second rotating element 13 rotate with the rocker rod 9, i.e. rock back and forth depending on the current movement of the rocker rod 9. In turn, the third rotating element 15 and the fourth rotating element 16 rotate forwards with the main wheel 11 and freely rotate in the reverse direction. One-way coupling of the rotating elements 15, 16 can be realised by means of a one-way clutch. Where these rotating elements 15, 16 are wheels, as in the example implementation shown in the figures, the one-way clutch can be either a freewheel or a cassette.

[0029] The first rotating element 12 is coupled to the third rotating element 15 via the first linkage 17, and these elements rotate in the same direction. The second rotating element 13 is coupled to the fourth rotating element 16 via the second linkage 18 in such a way that they rotate in opposite directions. For this purpose, the linkage is connected to the second rotating element 13 and the fourth rotating element 16 in a crossed arrangement (this may be a "figure-eight" arrangement in embodiments such as shown in fig. 3 and 4).

[0030] With this design of the drive mechanism 8, the transmission is carried out in such a way that tilting the rocker rod 9 forward results in rotating the first rotating element 12 forward, in the direction of vehicle movement. The third rotating element 15 will then also rotate forwards, and with it the main drive wheel 11. At this time, the second rotating element 13 rotates forwards and with it the fourth rotating element 16 rotates backwards, which, however, has no effect on the rotation of the main wheel 11 due to the unidirectional coupling of the element 16 and the wheel 11. Pivoting rocker rod 9 backwards results in pivot of the second rotating element 13 backwards, which causes pivot of the fourth rotating element 16 forwards, again resulting in rotating the wheel 11 forwards. At the same time, the wheel rotating elements 12 and 15 rotate backwards, which, however, has no effect on the rotation of the wheel 11 due to the unidirectional coupling of element 15 and the wheel 11 .

[0031] In the embodiment shown in fig. 8, instead of a unidirectional coupling between the third rotating element 15 and the main wheel 11 and a bidirectional coupling between the first element 12 and the rocker rod 9, there is a bidirectional coupling between the third rotating element 15 and the main wheel 11 and a unidirectional coupling between the first element 12 and the rocker rod 9. Then, the first linkage 17, instead of rocking, only rotates forwards. When rocker rod 9 tilts forwards, it pulls first rotating element 12 forwards, while when rocker rod 9 tilts backwards, the first linkage 17 and the first 12 and third 15 elements rotate forwards without transmitting drive.

[0032] Similarly, a unidirectional coupling can be used between the second rotating element 13 and the rocker rod 9 and a bidirectional coupling between the fourth rotating element 16 and the main wheel 11. Then, when the rocker rod 9 tilts backwards, the second linkage 18 pulls the second rotating element 13 backwards, which sets in motion the second linkage 18, which in turn pulls the fourth rotating element 16 forwards, and with it the main wheel 11 . When the rocker rod 9 tilts forward, then the second element 13 and the fourth element 16 rotate without transmitting the drive.

[0033] In the embodiments shown in fig. 3, 4 and 8, rotating elements 12,13,15,16 are wheels. Preferably, these are gears or pulleys (not shown), and linkages 17,18 would then also be chains or toothed or V-belts respectively.

[0034] In the embodiment shown in fig. 5, the rotating elements 15, 16 are wheels, while the rotating elements 12, 13 have an arched profile at a distance from the axis of rotation. In other embodiments (not shown), all rotating elements 12, 13, 15, 16 may be a sector of a wheel or generally have only an arched profile (e.g. to save material). Of course, only one of the elements 12,13,15,16 can be in this form - one can freely choose which and how many of the rotating elements 12,13,15,16 are to be in this form.

[0035] Depending on the linkages used (chains, toothed belts, V-belts), the rotating elements 12,13,15,16 should be equipped with a suitable system for their coupling (teeth, groove, etc.). It is also possible to use single linkage mounting points (not shown) if another linkage type is used, e.g. in the form of a cable or pull cord.

[0036] In the embodiment shown in fig. 7, as rotating elements 12,13 a different type of solution was used, with no arch form at all. Instead, they are equipped with mounting points to which linkages are attached, 17,18 respectively. As can be seen, in the various manufacturing examples shown, the rotating elements 12,13,15,16 can be of any shape and form, provided that they are suitable for attaching the linkages and give the linkages sufficient movement to cause the wheel 11 to rotate forward. In this example, additional tensioners 20 are used to make the linkages work more effectively by preventing them from slipping off the wheels 15,16.

[0037] In the embodiments shown in the figures, the second linkage 18 is provided with means 19 to prevent friction of the linkage. In fig. 6, an example of such means 19 is shown - specifically, it is a clip with a clearance to allow the crossing linkage of the second linkage 18 to pass through it. It can also be an elongated 'C shaped clip (not shown). Drive 8 will also work without such a means 19, but it will wear faster, and run noisier, due to the friction of the linkage 18 at the place where it crosses itself - so it is preferable to use this solution.

[0038] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and the features indicated in the claims can be combined in any combination appropriate to the particular application of the solution without departing from the scope of protection.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 23 July 2025 (23.07.2025)1. A wheeled vehicle having a frame (5) with a steering front road wheel (1 ) controlled by a handlebar (3), and a rear road wheel (4), a rest (7) for the driver's feet on both sides of the vehicle, and equipped with a drive mechanism (8) with a rocker rod (9), wherein the rocker rod (9) at its free, upper end is provided with an element enclosing the driver's thighs or torso, wherein the drive mechanism (8) includes a drive wheel (4a) of the rear road wheel (4), a main axle (10) placed in the frame (5), and around which the rocker rod (9) rotates, and a main wheel (11 )connected by an endless drive linkage (6) to the drive wheel (4a) of the rear road wheel (4), wherein the rocker rod (9) is connected to the main wheel (11 ) by a set of rotating elements (12, 13, 15, 16), characterized in that the drive mechanism (8) further includes an axle (14) on which the main wheel (11 ) is mounted, and the set of rotating elements (12, 13, 15, 16) comprises: a first rotating element (12) and a second rotating element (13), both mounted on the main axle (10) and pivotally coupled to the rocker rod (9), a third rotating element (15) and a fourth rotating element (16), both mounted on the axle (14) and pivotally coupled to the main wheel (11 ), wherein the first rotating element (12) is coupled to the third rotating element(15) via a first linkage (17) in such a way that said first and third rotating elements (12, 15) rotate in the same direction, wherein the second rotating element (13) is coupled to the fourth rotary element(16) via a second linkage (18) in such a way that said second and fourth rotating elements (13, 16) rotate in opposite directions, and from among the coupling between the first rotating element (12) and the rocker rod (9) and the coupling between the third rotating element (15) and the main wheel (11 ), one is unidirectional and the other is bidirectional, and from among the coupling between the second rotating element (13) and the rocker rod (9) and the coupling between the fourth rotating element (16) and the main wheel (11 ), one is unidirectional and the other is bidirectional.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1 , characterised in that the drive linkage (6), the first linkage (17) and the second linkage (18) are chains, the drive wheel (4a) and the main wheel (11 ) are gears, and the rotating elements (12,13,15,16) have an arched profile, at a distance from the axis of rotation, with circumferentially placed teeth.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1 , characterised in that the drive wheel (4a) and the main wheel (11 ) are pulleys and the rotating elements (12,13,15,16) have an arched profile, at a distance from the axis of rotation, with a circumferentially running belt groove.

4. The vehicle according to claim 3, characterised in that the drive linkage (6), the first linkage (17) and the second linkage (18) are toothed belts.

5. The vehicle according to claim 3, characterised in that the drive linkage (6), the first linkage (17) and the second linkage (18) are V-belts.

6. The vehicle according to claim 1 , characterised in that the second linkage (18) is provided with means (19) to prevent friction of the linkage.

7. The vehicle according to claim 6, characterised in that the means (19) for preventing friction of the linkage is a clip with a clearance to allow the crossing second linkage (18) to pass through it.

8. The vehicle according to claim 7, characterised in that the means (19) for preventing friction of the linkage is an elongated C-shaped clip.

9. The vehicle according to claim 1 , characterised in that the enclosing element is in the form of a driver's seat with an upward-facing rear support (9') and a front support (9').

10. The vehicle according to claim 1 , characterised in that at least one of the rotating elements (12, 13,14,15) is a wheel.11 . The vehicle according to claim 1 , characterised in that at least one of the rotating elements (12,13,14,15) is a wheel sector.

12. The vehicle according to claim 1 , characterised in that at least one of the rotating elements (12,13,14,15) comprises a pair of mounting points to which the associated first or second linkage (17, 18) is connected.

13. The vehicle according to claim 1 , characterised in that at least one of the first and second linkages (17, 18) is provided with a tensioner (20).

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