WO2011161335A1 - Foldable bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a foldable bicycle, including: a frame (1) comprising a front arm (1a) and a rear arm (1b) pivotably connected to one another, wherein a rear wheel (9) is mounted on the rear arm, a front portion (20) is pivotably connected to the front arm (1a) and includes a front sleeve (2) which has a lower end provided with a front wheel (8) and an upper end provided with handlebars (4); and a rear portion (21) pivotably connected to the rear arm (1b) and including a rear sleeve (3) having an upper end provided with a seat (5), characterized in that the frame (1) comprises a front connecting rod (10) pivotably connected between the front portion (20) and the rear arm (1b), and a rear connecting rod (11) pivotably connected between the rear portion (21) and the front arm (1a), the connecting rods being arranged so as to hold the front sleeve (2) and the rear sleeve (3) in a vertical position when the bicycle is in a folded state.

Description

 Foldable bicycle

The present invention relates to a foldable bicycle.

 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

 There are many bicycle structures that allow the bicycle to be folded in such a way as to limit the size of the unused bicycle and to facilitate its storage.

 All these bicycles comprise a frame which comprises a front part on which is mounted pivotally a steering rod having a lower end provided with a first wheel and an upper end provided with a handlebar, a rear part on which is mounted a second wheel and a central portion on which are mounted a saddle and pedal 13 connected to a pinion of the rear wheel by a transmission chain.

 In the unfolded state, whatever the structure of the bicycle considered, the saddle, the pedals, the steering rod, the front wheel and the rear wheel are contained in the same plane and the bicycle has a sufficiently large wheelbase for him. provide the stability necessary for its use as a means of transport.

 On the other hand, the arrangement of the constituent elements of the bicycle in the folded state is different according to the bicycle structure considered.

It is known, in particular documents GB2021055 and EP0323964, bicycles whose wheels extend substantially side by side when the bicycle is in its folded state. This configuration is interesting given the small size it has but it requires that the frame has elements connected to each other by joints having non-parallel axes, so that the realization of the structure of these bicycles is relatively complicated. . Moreover, the parallel position of the wheels when the bicycle is in its folded state does not allow the user to ride the bicycle at his side when crossing a pedestrian zone for example.

 There is also known, in particular, a bicycle whose wheels extend one behind the other when the bicycle is in the folded state. However, again, the structure of these bicycles is complex. EP0388540 discloses a bicycle, which when folded, has front and rear wheels not resting on the ground, forcing the user to carry the bicycle. The document FR2818611 describes a bicycle whose two wheels touch the ground once the bicycle folded. However, the described structure requires the presence of a dual-stage transmission system and requires several manipulations to move from the deployed position to the folded position

 OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

 The object of the invention is to provide a foldable bicycle which has a simple structure to solve, at least in part, the above disadvantages.

 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION To this end, the subject of the invention is a foldable bicycle comprising:

 a frame comprising a front arm and a rear arm hinged together, a rear wheel being mounted on the rear arm,

 a front part articulated on the front arm and comprising a front sheath having a lower end provided with a front wheel and an upper end provided with a handlebar,

 a rear portion articulated on the rear arm and comprising a rear sheath having an upper end provided with a saddle,

According to a first embodiment, the frame comprises a front link articulated between the front part and the rear arm and a connecting rod. rear link articulated between the rear part and the front arm or the front link, the links being arranged to maintain the front sheath and the rear sheath in vertical position when the bicycle is in a folded state.

 According to a second embodiment, the bicycle comprises a linkage connecting at least the front portion, the rear arm and the rear sheath so as to maintain the front sheath and the rear sheath in a vertical position when the bicycle is in a folded state.

 In its folded state, the two wheels of the bicycle remain in contact with the ground on which they can roll. The user can move the bicycle by manually maneuvering from the handlebar remained functional.

 According to a particular feature, the frame includes a latch for maintaining the frame in a substantially rectilinear position when the bicycle is in an unfolded state. Advantageously, the lock is located on the articulation between the front and rear arms of the frame.

 The position of the lock facilitates its accessibility for the user so that unfolding and folding are easy. Advantageously, the bicycle also comprises:

 a first folded state corresponding to a pedestrian configuration and in which the rear arm is locked on the rear sheath at a first position and the wheels can be aligned substantially in the same plane, and possibly

 a second folded state corresponding to a storage configuration and in which the rear arm is locked on the rear sheath in a second position, the front wheel being shifted with respect to the folding plane.

The user can thus benefit from a configuration of the bicycle allowing easy movement and a second configuration of the bicycle, very compact, in which the storage is easy.

 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

 The invention will be better understood in the light of the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting example, among which:

 Figure 1 is a profile view along a plane P of an unfolded bicycle according to a first particular embodiment of the invention;

 Figure 2 is a profile view along the plane P of the bicycle shown in Figure 1 folded in pedestrian configuration.

 Figure 3 is a profile view along the plane P of the same bicycle folded storage configuration;

 Figure 4 is a profile view along the plane P of a locking system of the bicycle in unfolded state;

 - Figure 5 is a profile view along the plane P of a locking system of the bicycle in folded state.

 Figure 6 is a profile view along a plane P of an unfolded bicycle according to a second embodiment particular to the invention;

 Figure 7 is a profile view along the plane P of the bicycle shown in Figure 6 folded in pedestrian configuration;

 Figure 8 is a profile view along the plane P of the same bicycle folded storage configuration.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a foldable bicycle having an unfolded state and a folded state having two configurations, namely a pedestrian configuration and a storage configuration.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the bicycle according to the invention comprises: a frame 1 comprising a front arm 1a and a rear arm 1b, on which is mounted a rear wheel 9, and articulated between them,

 a front part 20, comprising a front sheath 2, a support 12 fixed on the front sheath 2 and articulated on the front arm 1a, the front sheath 2 being substantially vertical and comprising a lower end provided with a front wheel 8 and a upper end provided with a handlebar 4,

 a rear part 21 articulated on the rear arm 1b and comprising a substantially vertical rear sheath 3 having an upper end provided with a saddle 5,

 a front link 10 articulated between the front portion 20 and the rear arm 1b and a rear link 11 articulated between the rear portion 21 and the front arm 1a, the links 10 and 11 being arranged to hold the front sheath 2 and the rear sheath 3 in a vertical position when the bicycle is in the folded position,

a pedal 13 fixed to the rear arm lb and transmitting the movement of the user to the rear wheel 9 via a chain, and

 * A lock 8 for securing the arms before the rear and lb frame.

 The plane P in which are represented all the figures is a plane of symmetry passing through the front wheels 8 and rear 9 and which contains the frame 1 and the front sleeves 10 and rear 11.

 Referring more specifically to Figure 1 the front and rear arms lb are substantially aligned abutting end-to-end and articulated together by a hinge 6 located between the front sleeves 2 and rear 3. The lock 8 located near the hinge 6 keeps the front and rear arms substantially aligned when the bicycle is in its unfolded state.

A rear link 11 is articulated between the front arm or the rod (10) and the lower end of the rear sheath 3. A front link 10 is articulated between the support 12 fixed to the front sheath 2 and a plate 16 fixed on the rear arm 1b of the frame 1. The front and rear links 10 and 11 are arranged so that the sheaths before 2 and rear 3 remain in a vertical position. All the joints pivot along an axis perpendicular to the view, that is to say perpendicular to the plane P.

 To move from the unfolded state to the folded state in pedestrian configuration, the user grasps the handle 88 and unlocks the latch 8 by pressing a latch 86 and then pulls up on the articulation between the front arms and rear 1.b Frame lb. The front and rear arms lb will then switch to a substantially vertical position, bringing the front wheels 8 and rear 9 closer to each other. The operation of the lock 8 is detailed in the description of Figure 4 which follows.

 Figure 2 illustrates the bicycle after folding in the folded pedestrian state. The front and rear wheels are close, without touching, and in the same plane P. The front and rear sleeves 2 and 3 have remained substantially vertical. The latch 8 is now engaged in a lug 14 placed at the upper end of the sheath 3 in order to secure the rear arm 1b with the rear sheath 3. The lug 14 projects from the rear sheath 3 and is directed towards the front of the bicycle. In this folded state pedestrian configuration, the front wheels 8 and rear 9 are aligned and touch the ground, the front wheel is sufficiently spaced from the rear wheel to be oriented without interfering with the rear wheel. The bicycle can be driven and driven by the user using the handlebars.

Figure 4 illustrates the latch 8 for securing the front and rear arms in substantially aligned position and to lock the bicycle in the folded state. The front and rear arms lb are articulated around a shaft 90 carried by the plate 16 and Under the frame 1. In the unfolded state, the front and rear arms 1b abut against each other in a substantially aligned position. The handle 88 is hinged to the front and rear arms lb and is placed above the pivot shaft 90 and the stop of the front and rear arms. The handle 88 has two stirrups articulated on each of the front arms and rear lb. The lock 8 comprises a pawl 81 hinged by a shaft 87 on the rear arm 1b and a fixed fastener 82 fixed to the front arm substantially in its axis and cooperating with an upstream hook 89 fixed to the end of the pawl 81. When the bicycle is unfolded, the fixed fastener 82 and the upstream hook 89 cooperate together and maintain the arms before the and rear lb abutting against each other. A return spring 84 maintains the locked position of the latch 8 by pressing the pawl 81 on the fixed fastener 82.

 To unlock the lock 8, the user grasps the handle 88 and presses the latch 86 managed on the ratchet while lifting the bicycle, which separates the upstream hook 89 of the fixed fastener. In the same movement and with one hand, the user can thus unlock the latch 8, fold the bicycle and lift it with the handle 88.

The pawl 81 is further designed so that the unfolded lock is as simple as possible. The upstream hook 89 has on the opposite side of the face cooperating with the fixed fastener 82 a slope 91 for lifting the pawl 81 during the folding movement of the bicycle. The pawl 81, held in the normally locked position by the spring 84, is supported on the fixed fastener 82 and is lifted by the sliding of the slope 91 on the fixed fastener 82. The locking is then done through the spring 84 which engages the upstream hook 89 in the fastener 82. Thus the locking of the bicycle in the unfolded state is done without effort of the user thanks to the weight of the frame 1. Figure 5 illustrates the latch 8 when the bicycle is in the folded state. The pawl 81 also comprises at the opposite end of the upstream hook 89 a downstream hook 83.

 In the folded state, the rear arm 1b is close to the rear sheath 3 and the user can engage the downstream hook 83 with a first notch 141 of the tab 14 positioned to allow holding the folded bicycle in its pedestrian configuration. A second notch 142 placed on the tab 14 between the first notch 141 and the rear sheath 3 and positioned to allow holding the folded bicycle in its storage configuration. The position of the rear sheath 3 in this configuration is shown in FIG. 5 in the form of a mixed line. When folding the bicycle, the downstream hook 83 has a slope 92 which cooperates with a bevel 93 formed on the lug 14 to facilitate the engagement of the downstream hook 83 in the notches 141 and 142. The lock in the folded state is in the same movement as the folding and effortless of the user.

 To move from the pedestrian folded state to the stowed storage state, the user raises the pawl 81 and continues the folding movement of the bicycle while turning the front wheel 8. The hook 83 is then placed in the notch 142 , locking the bicycle in the folded storage state.

 Conversely, to move from the pedestrian folded state or storage in the unfolded state, the user raises the pawl 81 and pushes down or lets the weight of the frame cause the unfolding of the bicycle.

Figure 3 illustrates the bent bicycle in its storage configuration. In this position where the front and rear shells 3 are closer than in the pedestrian configuration, the front wheel is tilted and out of the plane P so as not to interfere with the rear wheel 9. The saddle 5 and the handlebar 4 are retracted. in their respective sleeves to minimize their size. The bicycle then occupies a minimum space and can be easily stored.

 The folding bicycle according to the invention is compact and can be moved while traveling in the pedestrian position. The transition from one position to another is simple and does not require any effort on the part of the user.

 In FIGS. 6 to 8, according to a second embodiment of the invention, a linkage comprising a front link (10a) articulated between the front part (1b) and a member (11a) having an end fixed rigidly to the rear sleeve and a free end cooperating by sliding on a cam (10b) carried by the front link so as to maintain the front sheath (2) and the rear sheath (3) in the vertical position when the bicycle is in a folded state.

 A piece (17) rigidly fixed to the rear sheath (3) abuts on a shim (17a) rigidly fixed to the rear frame (1b) and serves as a rigid stop for holding the seat sheath (3) when the bicycle is in the unfolded position

 Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and variants may be envisaged within the scope of the scope defined by the claims.

The frame 1 comprises a system for transmitting the movement of the pedal 13 to the rear wheel 9. Conventionally, this system comprises a primary pinion integral with the pedal 13 and driving a chain connected to a secondary pinion integral with the rear wheel 9. Given the relatively small wheels, it may be advantageous to improve the comfort of use of the bicycle by increasing the efforts of the user by a transmission system offering significant development. For wheels 12 or 16 inches in diameter, it is necessary to have a primary gear of 50 or even 56 teeth. To limit the diameter of the primary gear, the The transmission system may thus comprise a derailleur and a gearshift system or a double-chain and double-chain system.

 The front links 10 and rear 11 are placed under the frame 1 so as not to hinder the user in his movements. But we can consider placing them above the frame 1.

 The saddle 5 and the handlebar 4 are slidably mounted in their respective sleeves and clamped in position in a conventional manner by clamping so as to adapt their height to the user and to be able to retract them when the bicycle is folded. Other sliding and locking systems for the saddle and handlebars can be envisaged.

 The locking of the bicycle in its various positions is by a pawl cooperating with suitable hooks. Other means such as locking by screws or pins can be envisaged.

 Finally, the bicycle can be supplemented by various accessories or improvements such as a telescopic fork, suspension means, shock absorbers to improve the comfort of the user.

Claims

 1. Foldable bicycle comprising:  a frame (1) comprising a front arm (1a) and a rear arm (1b) hinged together, a rear wheel (9) being mounted on the rear arm,  a front part (20) articulated on the front arm (1a) and comprising a front sleeve (2) having a lower end provided with a front wheel (8) and an upper end provided with a handlebar (4), a part rear (21) articulated on the rear arm (1b) and comprising a rear sheath (3) having an upper end provided with a saddle (5), characterized in that it comprises a linkage connecting at least the front part, the rear arm and the rear sheath so as to maintain the front sheath and the rear sheath in a vertical position when the bicycle is in a folded state.  2. foldable bicycle according to claim 1 wherein the frame (1) comprises a front link (10) articulated between the front part (20) and the rear arm (la) and a rear link (11) articulated between the rear part ( 21) and the front arm (la), the rods being arranged to maintain the front sheath (2) and the rear sheath (3) in the vertical position when the bicycle is in a folded state.  Foldable bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the front (20), rear (21) and the frame (1) remain in the same plane (P) when the bicycle moves from an unfolded state to the folded state .  Foldable bicycle according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the frame (1) has a latch (8) for holding the frame (1) in a substantially rectilinear position when the bicycle is in the unfolded state. Foldable bicycle according to claim 4, in which the latch (8) is located on the articulation between the front (1a) and rear (1b) arms of the frame (1) ·  Foldable bicycle according to claim 1, having a first folded state corresponding to a pedestrian configuration and in which the rear arm (1b) is locked on the rear sheath (3) in a first position and the wheels can be aligned substantially in a same plan.  A foldable bicycle according to claim 6, having a second folded state corresponding to a storage configuration and in which the rear arm (1b) is locked on the rear sheath (3) in a second position, the front wheel 8 being shifted by relative to the folding plane (P).  A foldable bicycle according to claim 7, wherein the rear arm (1b) of the frame (1) comprises a crutch for supporting the bicycle and having three positions corresponding to the folded state in a manual rolling configuration, in the state folded into storage configuration and unfolded state.  Foldable bicycle according to claim 1, comprising a motion transmission system (13) carried by the rear arm (1b) of the frame (1).  A foldable bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the linkage comprises a front link (10) articulated between the front portion (20) and the rear arm (1b) and a member having an end rigidly attached to the rear sheath and one end. free cooperating by sliding on a cam carried by the front link so as to maintain the front sheath (2) and the rear sheath (3) in the vertical position when the bicycle is in a folded state.