Folding bicycle

Abstract

A foldable bicycle includes a central portion of the frame, which defines the bicycle's geometry, that is substantially rigid. That is, the down tube, seat tube, top tube and bearing tube are substantially fixed relative to each other. Another feature of the foldable bicycle is that the front wheel can be folded into a position between the down tube, which is comprised of two tubes. Yet another feature is a tandem bicycle configuration that does not extend the length of the frame or the wheelbase.

1 . A folding bicycle that is foldable between a riding configuration and a folded configuration, comprising: 
 a frame including a head tube coupled to a first end of a downtube, and a seat tube coupled to a second end of the downtube;    a folding rear wheel assembly including a seat stay, a chain stay and a rear wheel, wherein a first end of the seat stay is releasably coupled to the frame, a first end of the chain stay is rotatably coupled to the frame, the rear wheel is rotatably coupled to a second end of the chain stay, and the second end of the seat stay is fixedly coupled to the second end of the chain stay; and    a folding front wheel assembly including a front fork, a swing arm and a front wheel, wherein a first end of the fork is rotatably coupled to the head tube, a second end of the fork is pivotally coupled to the swing arm, and the front wheel is rotatably coupled to the swing arm;    wherein when the folding bicycle is in the folded configuration the first end of the seat stay is uncoupled from the frame and rotated relative to the frame such that the rear wheel is disposed adjacent and rearward of the seat tube.    
   
   
       2 . The folding bicycle of  claim 1 , wherein when the folding bicycle is in the riding configuration the fork extends in a forward direction.  
   
   
       3 . The folding bicycle of  claim 1 , wherein the seat stay comprises an upper seat stay and a lower seat stay, wherein the upper seat stay is fixedly coupled to the frame and the lower seat stay is releasably coupled to the upper seat stay when the folding bicycle is in the riding configuration and the lower seat stay is uncoupled from the upper seat stay when the folding bicycle is in the folded configuration.  
   
   
       4 . The folding bicycle of  claim 1 , wherein the chain stay comprises a forward chain stay and a rearward chain stay, wherein the forward chain stay is fixedly coupled to the frame and the rearward chain stay is rotatably coupled to the forward chain stay, and wherein the forward chain stay and rearward chain stay are generally collinear when the folding bicycle is in the riding configuration.  
   
   
       5 . The folding bicycle of  claim 1 , wherein when the folding bicycle is in the folded configuration, the front wheel is disposed in a location that is rearward and upward from the location of the front wheel when the bicycle is in the riding configuration.  
   
   
       6 . The folding bicycle of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a seat coupled to a first end of the seat tube;    a bottom bracket coupled to the second end of the seat tube; and    a pedal assembly rotatably coupled to the bottom bracket along a first axis of rotation;    wherein the rear wheel is rotatably coupled to the chain stay along a second axis of rotation, and    wherein when the folding bicycle is in the folded configuration the distance between the second axis of rotation and the first end of the seat tube is less than the distance between the first axis of rotation and the first end of the seat tube.    
   
   
       7 . The folding bicycle of  claim 1 , further comprising a folding handlebar assembly comprising a mounting member rotatably coupled to the head tube, and a plurality of handlebars pivotally mounted to the mounting member.  
   
   
       8 . The folding bicycle of  claim 7 , wherein when the folding bicycle is in the folded configuration, at least a portion of each of the handlebars is disposed laterally adjacent the frame.  
   
   
       9 . The folding bicycle of  claim 7 , further comprising a latching mechanism that releasably fixes the plurality of handlebars in an upright orientation when the folding bicycle is in the riding configuration.  
   
   
       10 . A folding bicycle that is foldable between a riding configuration and a folded configuration, comprising: 
 a central frame assembly including a head tube coupled to a first end of a downtube, a seat tube coupled to a second end of the downtube, and a top tube extending between the head tube and the seat tube, wherein the central frame assembly defines a central frame area;    a folding rear wheel assembly including a seat stay, a chain stay and a rear wheel, wherein a first end of the seat stay is releasably coupled to the frame assembly, a first end of the chain stay is rotatably coupled to the frame assembly, and the rear wheel is rotatably coupled to a second end of the chain stay; and    a folding front wheel assembly including a front fork, a swing arm and a front wheel, wherein a first end of the fork is rotatably coupled to the head tube, a second end of the fork is pivotally coupled to the swing arm, and the front wheel is rotatably coupled to the swing arm;    wherein when the folding bicycle is in the riding configuration the fork extends in a forward direction, and    wherein when the folding bicycle is in the folded configuration the first end of the seat stay is uncoupled from the frame assembly and rotated relative to the frame assembly such that the rear wheel is disposed adjacent and rearward of the seat tube, and a portion of the front wheel is disposed laterally adjacent the central frame area.    
   
   
       11 . The folding bicycle of  claim 10 , wherein the seat stay comprises an upper seat stay and a lower seat stay, wherein the upper seat stay is fixedly coupled to the frame assembly and the lower seat stay is releasably coupled to the upper seat stay when the folding bicycle is in the riding configuration and the lower seat stay is uncoupled from the upper seat stay when the folding bicycle is in the folded configuration.  
   
   
       12 . The folding bicycle of  claim 10 , wherein the chain stay comprises a forward chain stay and a rearward chain stay, wherein the forward chain stay is fixedly coupled to the frame assembly and the rearward chain stay is rotatably coupled to the forward chain stay, and wherein the forward chain stay and rearward chain stay are generally collinear when the folding bicycle is in the riding configuration.  
   
   
       13 . The folding bicycle of  claim 10 , wherein the front wheel is disposed rearward and upward from the riding position when the bicycle is in the folded configuration.  
   
   
       14 . The folding bicycle of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a seat coupled to a first end of the seat tube;    a bottom bracket coupled to the second end of the seat tube; and    a pedal assembly rotatably coupled to the bottom bracket along a first axis of rotation;    wherein the rear wheel is rotatably coupled to the chain stay along a second axis of rotation, and    wherein when the folding bicycle is in the folded configuration the distance between the second axis of rotation and the first end of the seat tube is less than the distance between the first axis of rotation and the first end of the seat tube.    
   
   
       15 . The folding bicycle of  claim 10 , further comprising a folding handlebar assembly comprising a mounting member rotatably coupled to the head tube, and a plurality of handlebars pivotally mounted to the mounting member.  
   
   
       16 . The folding bicycle of  claim 15 , wherein when the folding bicycle is in the folded configuration, at least a portion of each of the handlebars is disposed laterally adjacent the frame assembly.  
   
   
       17 . The folding bicycle of  claim 16 , wherein when the folding bicycle is in the folded configuration, at least a portion of each of the handlebars is disposed within the central frame area.  
   
   
       18 . The folding bicycle of  claim 15 , further comprising a latching mechanism that releasably fixes the plurality of handlebars in an upright position when the folding bicycle is in the riding configuration.  
   
   
       19 . A folding bicycle that is foldable between a riding configuration and a folded configuration, comprising: 
 a central frame assembly including a head tube coupled to a first end of a downtube, a seat tube coupled to a second end of the downtube, and a top tube extending between the head tube and the seat tube, wherein the frame assembly defines a central frame area;    a folding rear wheel assembly including a seat stay, a chain stay and a rear wheel, wherein a first end of the seat stay is releasably coupled to the frame assembly, a first end of the chain stay is rotatably coupled to the frame assembly, and the rear wheel is rotatably coupled to a second end of the chain stay; and    a folding handlebar assembly comprising a mounting member rotatably coupled to the head tube, and a plurality of handlebars pivotally mounted to the mounting member;    wherein when the folding bicycle is in the folded configuration the first end of the seat stay is uncoupled from the frame assembly and rotated relative to the frame assembly such that the rear wheel is disposed adjacent and rearward of the seat tube, and at least a portion of each of the handlebars is disposed within the central frame area.    
   
   
       20 . The folding bicycle of  claim 19 , further comprising a folding front wheel assembly.