Elliptical drive mechanism and a steering mechanism, applicable to velocipedes in general

Abstract

An elliptical drive mechanism and a steering mechanism, applicable to velocipedes in general, is disclosed. Sliding blocks are capable of sliding along guide rods such that the sliding blocks are movable along the guide rods in an elliptical trajectory while the sliding blocks are simultaneously capable of driving cranks to cause a chain to drive a ratchet for driving a rear wheel. A steering mechanism for velocipedes in general is disclosed. The steering mechanism allows leftward or rightward movement of the handlebar to produce rotation of the rear wheel fork and corresponding turning of the rear wheel.

1 . A velocipede with an elliptical drive mechanism that allows sliding blocks to move in an elliptical trajectory, the velocipede comprising:
 a front wheel;   a rear wheel;   a frame including a front handlebar and a fork which is connected between the handlebar and the front wheel;   a center sprocket;   cranks extending from the sprocket;   a ratchet mounted on the rear wheel for driving the rear wheel;   a chain surrounding the sprocket and extending toward a rear portion of the frame in order to drive the ratchet; and   the elliptical drive mechanism comprising:
 the sliding blocks which are pivotably and respectively connected to ends of the cranks; 
 a transverse shaft rigidly connected to the frame in a vicinity of the rear wheel; and 
 guide rods movably and operatively connected to opposite ends of the transverse shaft or locations near the opposite ends of the transverse shaft, wherein the guide rods function as tracks for sliding of the respective blocks, wherein the sliding blocks are capable of sliding along the guide rods such that the sliding blocks are movable along the guide rods in an elliptical trajectory while the sliding blocks are simultaneously capable of driving the cranks to cause the chain to drive the ratchet, and wherein the guide rods are capable of moving relative to the transverse shaft while the sliding blocks move along the guide rods in the elliptical trajectory. 
   
     
     
         2 . The velocipede of  claim 1 , wherein the guide rods do not extend rearwardly of the transverse tube while the sliding blocks move along the guide rods in the elliptical trajectory. 
     
     
         3 . The velocipede of  claim 1 , wherein ends of the guide rods are movably and operatively connected to the opposite ends of the transverse shaft or the locations near the opposite ends of the transverse shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The velocipede of  claim 1 , wherein the sliding blocks are capable of sliding along the guide rods via pulleys. 
     
     
         5 . The velocipede of  claim 4 , wherein each pulley has a cross-section that corresponds to a cross-section of each guide rod. 
     
     
         6 . The velocipede of  claim 1 , wherein the velocipede is selected from the group consisting of a bicycle, a tricycle, and a scooter. 
     
     
         7 . The velocipede of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a central crossmember which comprises a front end having a “C”-shaped branching portion which is connected to the fork at an axle of the front wheel. 
     
     
         8 . The velocipede of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a central crossmember which comprises a rear end having a “C”-shaped branching portion which is connected to an axle of the rear wheel. 
     
     
         9 . The velocipede of  claim 8 , wherein the “C”-shaped branching portion accommodates a “C”-shaped clamp at the axle of the rear wheel, and wherein the transverse shaft is connected to a rear end of the “C”-shaped clamp. 
     
     
         10 . The velocipede of  claim 1 , wherein the guide rods are movably and operatively connected to the opposite ends of the transverse shaft via tubular connections. 
     
     
         11 . The velocipede of  claim 1 , wherein the guide rods have a triangular cross-section and the pulleys have an inverse triangular cross-section that accommodates the triangular cross-section of the guide rods. 
     
     
         12 . The velocipede of  claim 1 , wherein the sliding blocks are connected to the ends of the cranks via a front portion of the sliding blocks. 
     
     
         13 . The velocipede of  claim 1 , wherein the sliding blocks are connected to the ends of the cranks via a bottom surface of the sliding blocks. 
     
     
         14 . The velocipede of  claim 1 , wherein the pulleys are comprised of nylon. 
     
     
         15 . The velocipede of  claim 1 , wherein the guide rods are movably and operatively connected to the opposite ends of the transverse shaft. 
     
     
         16 . The velocipede of  claim 1 , further comprising a steering mechanism comprising:
 a motion transmission assembly installed on the handlebar;   a motion receiving assembly installed on an upper fork portion of a fork of the rear wheel; and   a flexible cable operatively connecting the motion transmission assembly to the motion receiving assembly, wherein the motion transmission assembly is configured to drive the cable which transmits motion to the motion receiving assembly, whereby leftward or rightward movement of the handlebar produces rotation of the rear wheel fork and corresponding turning of the rear wheel via the motion transmission assembly, cable, motion receiving assembly, and upper fork portion of the fork of the rear wheel.   
     
     
         17 . A velocipede comprising:
 a front wheel;   a rear wheel;   a frame including a front handlebar and a fork which is connected between the handlebar and the front wheel; and   a steering mechanism comprising:
 a motion transmission assembly installed on the handlebar; 
 a motion receiving assembly installed on an upper fork portion of a fork of the rear wheel; and 
 a flexible cable operatively connecting the motion transmission assembly to the motion receiving assembly, wherein the motion transmission assembly is configured to drive the cable which transmits motion to the motion receiving assembly, whereby leftward or rightward movement of the handlebar produces rotation of the rear wheel fork and corresponding turning of the rear wheel via the motion transmission assembly, cable, motion receiving assembly, and upper fork portion of the fork of the rear wheel. 
   
     
     
         18 . The velocipede of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a center sprocket;   cranks extending from the sprocket;   a ratchet mounted on the rear wheel for driving the rear wheel; and   a chain surrounding the sprocket and extending toward a rear portion of the frame in order to drive the ratchet.   
     
     
         19 . The velocipede of  claim 17 , wherein the frame comprises a central crossmember which comprises a front end having a “C”-shaped branching portion which is connected to the fork at an axle of the front wheel.