GB2044194A - Oscillating pedal drive mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

An oscillating pedal drive mechanism, e.g. for a bicycle, comprises two pedal cranks d, g connected to respective pulley segments f, h carrying respective bevel gear wheel segments in engagement with a bevel gear wheel so that when one pedal crank is pushed down, the other will rise. On the hub of a rear wheel are two free wheels carrying respective pulleys a, b connected by cables to the pulley segments f, h so that oscillation of the pedal cranks causes uni-directional rotation of the rear wheel. Bevel gearing c causes one pulley to reverse when the other is propelling the wheel. The cables and pulleys may be replaced by chains and sprockets. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Continuous power pedal drive device The present invention relates to pedal powered mechanical drive devices, such as bicycles, which is described here and illustrated by Figures 1,2,3, & 4.

Two free wheel clutches are connected to the hub of a wheel, Figure 1. A pulley "a" is fixed to the outer periphery of one and a pulley "b" is fixed to the outer periphery of the other.

Each pulley "a" and "b" have a bevel gear to engage a bevel pinion "c".

A crank "d" with a pedal is fixed to a shaft "e".

Also fixed to the shaft is a pulley segment "f".

Figures 2 & 3. A crank "g" with a pedal, is connected to a pulley segment "h" which has a bearing to allow it to move on the shaft "e". Each pulley segment has a bevel gear to engage a bevel pinion "j" Figure 2.

A stop "k", Figure 3, is fitted to the frame to limit the pedal and crank movement to that required for maximum leg movement when pedalling. The method of drive illustrated and described for the invention is by cable, but chain drive from chain wheel segments to chain sprockets on free wheel clutches attached to the hub of a wheel can be used, and form part of this invention as an optional drive.

A procedure for connecting cables is as follows.

First the bevel pinion "j", Figure 2, is arranged to engage the pulley segment bevel gears when the cranks are both in the midway position of a stroke.

The crank "d" is now moved to its lowest position, Figure 3. At this position, the pulley segment "h" will rest on the stop "k".

A cable is now fixed to the rear pulley "b" at a point "p", Figure 3 just clear of the cable above. It is now wound round the pulley anti-clockwise, kept taught, by holding the wheel stationary, then passed over the pulley segment "h" and fixed at "I".

The crank "g" is now moved to its lowest position.

Another cable is now fixed to the rear pulley "a" in the same angular position as "p" to just clear the cable above when it is wound round. This cable is now wound round the pulley anti-clockwise, kept taught, and passed over the pulley segment "f" and fixed at "m". Now the cables are connected, any movement of a crank with its pulley segment, will reverse the opposite crank with its pulley segment, and also its rear pulley.

The device now provides a continuous power drive, as one pedal is pressed to drive a wheel, the other is automatically raised and the rear pulley with its free wheel clutch reversed ready for immediate action when the other pedal is depressed.

Figure 4 shows an alternative method of reversing the rear pulleys "a" & "b".

A cable is fixed at "n" in a groove on pulley "a", passed round an idling pulley and back round a groove in the pulley "b" and fixed at "o".

1. A continuous power pedalling drive device that will give an even torque to a driving wheel by a reciprocating movement of the pedals.

2. This is achieved by having a reversing gear for the pedal cranks connected to pulley or chain wheel segments. Two pulleys or chain wheels with a reversing gear fitted to free wheel clutches that are connected to the hub of a wheel. Cables or chains used as a drive from pulley or chain wheel segments to rear pulleys or chain sprockets in the manner described.

3. A gear box can be incorporated in the hub of the wheel to give various gear ratios. The free wheel clutches in this case being connected to gears that engage the hub of the wheel.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Continuous power pedal drive device The present invention relates to pedal powered mechanical drive devices, such as bicycles, which is described here and illustrated by Figures 1,2,3, & 4. Two free wheel clutches are connected to the hub of a wheel, Figure 1. A pulley "a" is fixed to the outer periphery of one and a pulley "b" is fixed to the outer periphery of the other. Each pulley "a" and "b" have a bevel gear to engage a bevel pinion "c". A crank "d" with a pedal is fixed to a shaft "e". Also fixed to the shaft is a pulley segment "f". Figures 2 & 3. A crank "g" with a pedal, is connected to a pulley segment "h" which has a bearing to allow it to move on the shaft "e". Each pulley segment has a bevel gear to engage a bevel pinion "j" Figure 2. A stop "k", Figure 3, is fitted to the frame to limit the pedal and crank movement to that required for maximum leg movement when pedalling. The method of drive illustrated and described for the invention is by cable, but chain drive from chain wheel segments to chain sprockets on free wheel clutches attached to the hub of a wheel can be used, and form part of this invention as an optional drive. A procedure for connecting cables is as follows. First the bevel pinion "j", Figure 2, is arranged to engage the pulley segment bevel gears when the cranks are both in the midway position of a stroke. The crank "d" is now moved to its lowest position, Figure 3. At this position, the pulley segment "h" will rest on the stop "k". A cable is now fixed to the rear pulley "b" at a point "p", Figure 3 just clear of the cable above. It is now wound round the pulley anti-clockwise, kept taught, by holding the wheel stationary, then passed over the pulley segment "h" and fixed at "I". The crank "g" is now moved to its lowest position. Another cable is now fixed to the rear pulley "a" in the same angular position as "p" to just clear the cable above when it is wound round. This cable is now wound round the pulley anti-clockwise, kept taught, and passed over the pulley segment "f" and fixed at "m". Now the cables are connected, any movement of a crank with its pulley segment, will reverse the opposite crank with its pulley segment, and also its rear pulley. The device now provides a continuous power drive, as one pedal is pressed to drive a wheel, the other is automatically raised and the rear pulley with its free wheel clutch reversed ready for immediate action when the other pedal is depressed. Figure 4 shows an alternative method of reversing the rear pulleys "a" & "b". A cable is fixed at "n" in a groove on pulley "a", passed round an idling pulley and back round a groove in the pulley "b" and fixed at "o". CLAIMS

1. A continuous power pedalling drive device that will give an even torque to a driving wheel by a reciprocating movement of the pedals.

2. This is achieved by having a reversing gear for the pedal cranks connected to pulley or chain wheel segments. Two pulleys or chain wheels with a reversing gear fitted to free wheel clutches that are connected to the hub of a wheel. Cables or chains used as a drive from pulley or chain wheel segments to rear pulleys or chain sprockets in the manner described.

3. A gear box can be incorporated in the hub of the wheel to give various gear ratios. The free wheel clutches in this case being connected to gears that engage the hub of the wheel.