Folding bicycle

Abstract

In the riding mode, the folding bicycle has the same geometry that defines the riding characteristics and ergonomics in a usual bicycle, and has in the storage or portable mode the dimensions that fit into the trunks of small-sized cars, while allowing folding without the use of tools and in riding mode having no gaps between the detachable parts. The bicycle has the front fork ( 4 ) with the fork blades ( 6 ) bent forward and equipped with two backwards-pointing swing-arms ( 7 ), which hold the front wheel ( 3 ) in such a way that its position remains the same as in a usual bicycle and can be adjusted to riding preferences. The swing-arms ( 7 ), which are attached to the fork blades ( 6 ), rest on the end parts ( 13 ) and are bound by the springs ( 14 ). In the riding mode, the springs ( 14 ) keep the swing-arms ( 7 ) constantly pressed against the end parts. The rear wheel ( 18 ) can be folded by turning it together with I the chain stays ( 17 ) around the pivot ( 19 ) with an attached coaxial shaft ( 22 ), which holds a pair of sprockets ( 23,24 ). The cranks ( 16 ) and the sprocket ( 32 ) on the rear wheel ( 18 ) are connected by two chains ( 25, 31 ).

1 . A folding bicycle comprising: 
 a frame which has a top tube, a head tube, a down tube and a seat tube,    a foldable front-wheel assembly which has a front wheel fork rotatably attached to the frame, and a front wheel mounted to the front wheel fork, and    a rear-wheel assembly which has chainstays ( 26 ) and a rear wheel mounted to the chainstays,    wherein    the down tube is made of two tubes having a gap therebetween, and wherein    the front-wheel assembly is foldable by rotating the front wheel fork by 180 degrees and folding it toward the down tube to thereby partially insert the front wheel into the said gap.    
   
   
       2 . The folding bicycle according to  claim 1 , wherein the rear-wheel assembly is foldable in that the chainstays together with the rear wheel can be folded around a pivot.  
   
   
       3 . The folding bicycle according to  claim 1 , further comprising a handlebar foldable towards the frame.  
   
   
       4 . The folding bicycle of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot has a shaft connected to two coaxial sprockets, wherein front and rear chains are provided connecting a chain ring provided on the frame and a rear sprocket, respectively, with the two coaxial sprockets.  
   
   
       5 . (canceled)  
   
   
       6 . The folding bicycle of  claim 1 , wherein the front wheel fork is equipped with two swing-arms which hold the front wheel, and one end part of which is pivotably coupled to the front wheel fork and the other end part of which is coupled to a stirrup which in turn is connected to the front wheel fork and which encloses a portion of the front wheel.  
   
   
       7 - 12 . (canceled)  
   
   
       13 . The folding bicycle of  claim 1  further comprising a motor.  
   
   
       14 . The folding bicycle of  claim 1  further comprising a second seat support attached to the frame and located behind a first seat attached to the frame.  
   
   
       15 . The folding bicycle of  claim 1  further comprising cranks equipped with folding pedals.  
   
   
       16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . A folding bicycle comprising: 
 a non-foldable, rigid frame composed of a top tube, head tube, down tube, and seat tube,    a front-wheel assembly that rotates and folds such that, when in a folded position, the front wheel may be inserted in a gap between two down tubes, and    a handlebar that can rotate backward and downward toward the frame.    
   
   
       18 . A folding bicycle comprising: 
 a non-foldable, rigid frame composed of a top tube, head tube, down tube, and seat tube, and    a front-wheel assembly that rotates and folds such that, when in a folded position, the front wheel may be inserted in a gap between two down tubes.    
   
   
       19 . A folding bicycle comprising: 
 a non-foldable, rigid frame composed of a top tube, head tube, down tube, and seat tube, and    a front-wheel assembly that rotates and folds.