The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 31, 1985
Filed:
Apr. 05, 1984
King L Klopfenstein, Prospect Heights, IL (US);
Other;
Abstract
An operator-responsive drive system is capable of rotating a drive wheel in either a velocipede, such as a bicycle, or a stationary exerciser. In a first mode of operation, drive linkage connects a pair of coupled pedals and a seat pivotally coupled to a frame to a drive sprocket which is rotationally mounted to the frame. Downward displacement of the seat such as in response to the weight of the operator positioned thereupon causes both pedals to be displaced upward in imparting rotation to the drive sprocket which, in turn, rotates a drive wheel coupled thereto. Transfer of the operator's weight to the pedals resulting in the downward displacement of the pedals causes further rotation of the sprocket in the same direction and upward displacement of the seat. The operator may thus propel the vehicle by alternately shifting his weight between the seat and the pedals in effecting reciprocating displacement thereof. In a second mode of operation, the seat is fixedly mounted to the frame and linkage connecting each of the decoupled pedals to the drive sprocket permits the pedals to be alternately displaced downward in a reciprocating, generally linear manner in rotationally displacing the drive sprocket in one direction. The drive system is easily converted from one mode of operation to the other and provides a highly efficient arrangement for converting operator movement to drive wheel rotation.