Frictionless bicycle stopping device

Abstract

A bicycle braking device includes a second drive assembly between the crank shaft and the rear axle of the bicycle. The second drive assembly includes a chain drive and pair of engaged gears for reversing the direction of rotation of the crank shaft with respect to the rear axle when the second drive is engaged. The device further includes a clutch for selectively engaging or disengaging the assembly. When the bicycle is moving forward and the second drive is engaged, the pedals will rotate in reverse of the direction of rotation required to propel the bicycle forward. A bicycle rider can apply force through his feet and legs against the rotating pedals to thereby slow and stop a moving bicycle.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . In a bicycle having a frame, an axle mounted on said frame, a rear wheel mounted on said axle, a crank shaft on said frame, said crank shaft having a pair of pedals whereby said crank shaft can be rotated by the movement of the rider's legs and feet, a chain drive between said crank shaft and said axle, and a one-way clutch whereby said crank shaft is drivingly engaged to said axle for rotation in only one direction, the improvement comprising 
 a second drive between said axle and said crank shaft,    said second drive having reversing means for reversing the direction of rotation of said crank shaft with respect to the direction of rotation of said axle, and    a clutch for selectively engaging and disengaging said second drive.    
     
     
         2 . The improvement of  claim 1  wherein said reversing means further comprises a pair of gears in engagement with each other.  
     
     
         3 . The improvement of  claim 1  wherein said second drive further comprising an idler shaft, a second chain and first and second sprockets on said idler shaft and on said rear axle respectively.  
     
     
         4 . The improvement of  claim 3  wherein said second chain drive is positioned on the opposite side of the said frame from said chain drive.  
     
     
         5 . The improvement of  claim 4  wherein said reversing means is a pair of gears in engagement with each other.  
     
     
         6 . The improvement of  claim 5  wherein said clutch engages and disengages said pair of gears.  
     
     
         7 . A bicycle comprising 
 a frame,    a crank shaft on said frame,    a pair of pedals mounted on ends of said crank shaft,    a first chain drive for drivingly engaging said crank shaft with said axle,    one way clutch means on said first chain drive for applying rotational force to said axle in one direction only,    a second chain drive between said crank shaft and said axle,    said second chain drive including reversing means for reversing the direction of rotation of said crank with respect to said axle, and    clutch means for selectively engaging and disengaging said second chain drive.    
     
     
         8 . In a bicycle having a frame, a crank shaft on said frame, said crank shaft having a pair of pedals whereby said crank shaft can be rotated by the movement of the rider's legs and feet, a rear axle, a chain drive between said crank shaft and said rear axle, said rear axle having an inner axle with a first end drivingly connected to said chain driver and a second end, a tubular outer axle concentric with said first axle, and a one-way clutch between said inner axle and said outer axle whereby said chain drive is drivingly engaged to said outer axle for rotation in only one direction, the improvement comprising 
 a clutch between said inner axle and said outer axle,    means for a urging said clutch out of engagement wherein said inner axle is engaged with said outer axle only through said one way clutch, and    means for urging said clutch into engagement wherein said chain drive is engaged with said outer axle for rotation in both directions.