Vehicle with variable speed transmission

Abstract

A vehicle adapted to move along a supporting surface comprising a frame, a wheel having a centrally located hub mounted on the frame for rotational movement about a first rotational axis relative to the frame, and an inner rotatable member at least partially within the hub. The inner rotatable member is mounted for rotational movement about a second rotational axis. The inner rotatable member and the hub are movable relative to each other along a path having a radial component to permit adjustment in the relative radial position of the first and second rotational axes. The hub and the inner rotatable member are drivingly interconnected by a mechanism which includes a one-way clutch. The operator of the vehicle can adjust the relative radial position of the rotational axes to thereby adjust the drive ratio between the hub and the inner rotatable member.

I claim: 
     
       1. A vehicle adapted to a move along a supporting surface comprising: a frame;   at least one wheel, said wheel having a centrally located hub;   first means cooperable with the hub for mounting the wheel on the frame for rotational movement relative to the frame about a first rotational axis, said wheel being adapted to roll along the supporting surface;   an inner rotatable member at least partially within said hub;   second means for mounting said inner rotatable member for rotational movement about a second rotational axis, said inner rotatable member and said hub being relatively movable along a path having a radial component to permit adjustment in the relative radial position of the first and second rotational axes;   drive means including at least one one-way clutch and at least one drive element for drivingly coupling said inner rotatable member to said hub, said one-way clutch and said drive element being within said hub, said drive element being drivable along a path which circumscribes the inner rotatable member;   .Iadd.means including a drive member outside said hub .Iaddend.for imparting input motion to .[.at least one of said hub and.]. said inner rotatable member; and   means operable by the operator of the vehicle for .[.adjusting.]. .Iadd.moving said inner rotatable member and said drive member to adjust .Iaddend.the relative radial position of said rotational axes whereby the drive ratio between said hub and said inner rotatable member can be varied by the operator.   
     
     
       2. A vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein said one one-way clutch is a first one-way clutch, said drive means including a second one-way clutch, said first and second one-way clutches being mounted on said inner rotatable member. 
     
     
       3. A vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein said second means includes a mounting arm lying at least substantially outside of said hub, said inner rotatable member being rotatably mounted on said mounting arm for rotational movement about said second rotational axis, said mounting arm being movable to change the relative radial position of said first and second rotatable axes, said imparting means driving said inner rotatable member. 
     
     
       4. A vehicle as defined in claim 3 including means for pivotally mounting said mounting arm. 
     
     
       5. A vehicle as defined in claim 3 wherein said mounting arm rotatably supports the inner rotatable member at least at first and second spaced locations along the inner rotatable member, said imparting means includes a member mounted on said inner rotatable member between said first and second locations. 
     
     
       6. A vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein said hub has an end wall with an opening therein, said inner rotatable member projects through said opening and is movable along said path, said opening being sufficiently large to accommodate the movement of said inner rotatable member along said path, and flexible seal means between the inner rotatable member and the hub for sealing said opening and for accommodating the movement of said inner rotatable member along said path. 
     
     
       7. A vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein said imparting means includes a lever mounted for oscillatory movement about a pivot axis and having means to cooperate with the foot of the operator to permit the lever to be pivoted about such pivotal axis, third means for varying the drive ratio between said lever and said one of said inner rotatable member and said hub as a function of the angular position of said lever about said pivot axis, and means for drivingly interconnecting said third means and said one of said inner rotatable member and said hub whereby said third means can drive said one of said inner rotatable member and said hub. 
     
     
       8. A vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein said second means mounts said inner rotatable member for movement along said path, said adjusting means includes a fixed member, an elongated member drivingly coupled to said inner rotatable member and extending through said fixed member, and at least one locking element adapted to be wedged between at least portions of said members whereby said elongated member and said inner rotatable member can be held in a selected position, and means for permitting the operator to selectively release the locking element to allow movement of said elongated member to adjust the radial position of the inner rotatable member relative to the hub. 
     
     
       9. A vehicle adapted to move along a supporting surface comprising: a frame;   at least one wheel, said wheel having a centrally located hub;   first means cooperable with the hub for mounting the wheel on the frame for rotational movement relative to the frame about a first rotational axis, said wheel being adapted to roll along the supporting surface;   said hub having an end wall with an opening therein;   an inner rotatable member extending through said opening and into said hub;   means for mounting said inner rotatable member for rotational movement about a second rotational axis and for movement along a path to permit adjustment in the relative radial position of the rotational axes;   drive means for drivingly coupling the inner rotatable member to the hub;   said opening in the end wall of said hub being sufficiently large to accommodate the movement of the inner rotatable member along said path;   flexible seal means between the inner rotatable member and the hub for sealing said opening and for accommodating the movement of said inner rotatable member along said path;   means for driving the inner rotatable member; and   means operable by the operator of the vehicle for moving the inner rotatable member along said path whereby the drive ratio between the hub and the inner member can be varied.   
     
     
       10. A wheeled vehicle adapted to be propelled by a rider comprising: a frame;   a front wheel rotatably mounted on said frame;   a rear wheel rotatably mounted on said frame;   a first lever mounted on said frame for oscillatory movement about a first pivotal axis;   a second lever mounted on said frame for oscillatory movement about a second pivotal axis;   each of said levers having means adapted to cooperate with a foot of the rider to pivot such lever about its pivotal axis;   transmission means for drivingly coupling said levers to one of said wheels whereby the oscillatory motion of the levers drives said one wheel;   said transmission means including first means driven by said first lever for varying the drive ratio between the first lever and said one wheel as a function of the angular position of said first lever about said first pivotal axis; and   said transmission means including second means driven by said first means for varying the drive ratio between the second means and said one wheel and control means operable by the rider for controlling said second means whereby the rider can selectively adjust the drive ratio.   
     
     
       11. A wheeled vehicle as defined in claim 10 wherein said one wheel includes a centrally located hub, at least a substantial portion of said second means being housed by said hub. 
     
     
       12. A wheeled vehicle as defined in claim 10 wherein said first means includes a cam, a shaft rotatably mounted on said frame, and means including a one-way clutch for rotatably mounting said cam on said shaft, and said transmission means includes means for drivingly coupling said shaft to said second means. 
     
     
       13. A vehicle adapted to move along a supporting surface comprising: a frame;   at least one wheel;   means for mounting the wheel on the frame for rotational movement relative to said frame about a first rotational axis, said wheel being adapted to roll along the supporting surface;   an input member;   means for mounting the input member on the frame for movement relative to the frame;   transmission means for drivingly interconnecting the input member and said wheel so that movement of the input member drives said wheel;   said transmission means including means for varying the drive ratio between said input member and said wheel;   control means operable by the operator of the vehicle for adjusting said transmission means to thereby adjust said drive ratio;   said control means including an elongated member drivingly coupled to the transmission means and extending to a location accessible to the operator, a substantially fixed member mounted on said frame, and a locking element adapted to be wedged between at least portions of said members to thereby hold the elongated member in position to maintain the drive ratio established by the transmission means substantially constant; and   said control means including means operable by the operator for releasing the locking element from wedging engagement with said members to thereby permit the operator to adjust the drive ratio established by the transmission means.   
     
     
       14. A vehicle as defined in claim 13 wherein said releasing means includes at least a portion of the elongated member between the fixed member and said location. 
     
     
       15. A vehicle as defined in claim 13 wherein said fixed member includes a housing member, said elongated member extending through said housing member, at least one of said housing member and elongated member having a ramp surface thereon, and means for driving said locking element up said ramp surface to thereby lock the elongated member to the fixed member. 
     
     
       16. A vehicle as defined in claim 13 wherein said wheel includes a centrally located hub and at least a substantial portion of said transmission means is housed in said hub. 
     
     
       17. A vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein said inner rotatable member includes a shaft extending into said hub, said imparting means includes a drive member mounted on and drivingly coupled to said shaft, and said adjusting means adjusts the radial position of said shaft. 
     
     
       18. A vehicle as defined in claim 17 wherein said hub has opposite ends, said first means includes third means for rotatably mounting one end of said hub on said frame and fourth means for mounting the other end of said hub on said frame, said fourth means including a nonrotatable member outside of said shaft. 
     
     
       19. A vehicle as defined in claim 18 wherein said nonrotatable member at least partially houses said second means. 
     
     
       20. A vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein said one-way clutch is mounted on the inner rotatable member and said drive element drivingly couples the one-way clutch to the hub. 
     
     
       21. A vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein said hub has a peripheral wall and said drive means extends generally radially outwardly from said inner rotatable member to said peripheral wall. 
     
     
       22. A vehicle adapted to move along a supporting surface comprising: a frame;   at least one wheel, said wheel having a centrally located hub;   first means cooperable with the hub for mounting the wheel on the frame for rotational movement relative to the frame about a first rotational axis, said wheel being adapted to roll along the supporting surface;   a shaft at least partially within said hub, said shaft having a central axis;   second means for mounting said shaft for rotational movement about a second rotational axis, said second rotational axis and said central axis being substantially coincident, said shaft and said hub being relatively movable along a path having a radial component to permit adjustment in the relative radial position of said first and second rotational axes;   drive means including at least one one-way clutch for drivingly coupling said .[.inner rotatable member.]. .Iadd.shaft .Iaddend.to said hub;   a drive member mounted on the shaft .Iadd.outside said hub .Iaddend.for driving said shaft; and   means for adjusting the radial position of said shaft to adjust the drive ratio between said hub and said shaft. .Iadd. 23. A vehicle as defined in claim 22 wherein said drive member includes a first sprocket outside said hub and wherein said vehicle includes a second sprocket rotatably mounted on said frame and a chain drivingly engaging said first and second sprockets whereby the second sprocket can drive said first sprocket. .Iaddend..Iadd. 24. A vehicle as defined in claim 22 wherein said second mounting means mounts said shaft in cantilever fashion whereby a length of said shaft from said second mounting means through a first end of said shaft is unsupported, said length of said shaft projects into said hub and has said one-way clutch mounted thereon. .Iaddend..Iadd. 25. A vehicle as defined in claim 22 wherein said hub has opposite ends with an opening at least at one of said ends, said shaft projects through said opening so that a first portion of said shaft lies outside of said hub and a second portion of said shaft lies inside said hub, said second mounting means including a mounting member, bearing means for mounting said mounting member on said hub adjacent said one end of said hub, a mounting arm, means for mounting said mounting arm on said mounting member for pivotal movement about a third axis radially displaced from said second rotational axis, and means for mounting said inner rotatable member on said mounting arm for rotational movement about said second rotational axis. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 26. A vehicle adapted to move along a supporting surface comprising:   a frame;   at least one wheel, said wheel having a centrally located hub;   said hub having an end wall;   first means cooperable with the hub for mounting the wheel on the frame for rotational movement relative to the frame about a first rotational axis, said wheel being adapted to roll along the supporting surface;   an inner rotatable member at least partially within said hub;   second means for mounting said inner rotatable member for rotational movement about a second rotational axis, said inner rotatable member and said hub being relatively movable along a path having a radial component to permit adjustment in the relative radial position of the first and second rotational axes;   said inner rotatable member extending toward said end wall, said inner rotatable member and said second mounting means terminating short of said end wall;   drive means including at least one one-way clutch and at least one drive element for drivingly coupling said inner rotatable member to said hub, said one-way clutch and said drive element being within said hub, said drive element being drivable along a path which circumscribes the inner rotatable member;   means for imparting input motion to at least one of said hub and said inner rotatable member; and   means operable by the operator of the vehicle for adjusting the relative radial position of said rotational axes whereby the drive ratio between said hub and said inner rotatable member can be varied by the operator.   
     
     
        .Iaddend..Iadd. 27.  A vehicle as defined in claim 26 wherein said imparting means imparts input motion to said inner rotatable member. .Iaddend..Iadd. 28. A vehicle as defined in claim 26 wherein said imparting means includes a drive member outside said hub for imparting input motion to said inner rotatable member and said adjusting means moves the inner rotatable member and said drive member to adjust the relative radial position of said rotational axes. .Iaddend..Iadd. 29. A vehicle as defined in claim 28 wherein said second mounting means supports the inner rotatable member on one side of said one-way clutch means and said inner rotatable member is unsupported on the other side of said one-way clutch means and radially inwardly of said one-way clutch means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 30. A vehicle as defined in claim 26 wherein said hub has an end opposite said end wall and said second means mounts the inner rotatable member on said end of said hub whereby said inner rotatable member is unsupported by said end wall of said hub. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 31. A vehicle adapted to move along a supporting surface comprising: a frame;   at least one wheel, said wheel having a centrally located hub;   first means cooperable with the hub for mounting the wheel on the frame for rotational movement relative to the frame about a first rotational axis, said wheel being adapted to roll along the supporting surface;   an inner rotatable member at least partially within said hub;   second means for mounting said inner rotatable member for rotational movement about a second rotational axis, said inner rotatable member and said hub being relatively movable along a path having a radial component to permit adjustment in the relative radial position of the first and second rotational axes;   drive means including at least one one-way clutch and at least one drive element for drivingly coupling said inner rotatable member to said hub, said one-way clutch and said drive element being within said hub, said drive element being drivable along a path which circumscribes the inner rotatable member;   said second mounting means supporting said inner rotatable member on one side of said at least one one-way clutch whereby the inner rotatable member is unsupported radially inwardly of said one-way clutch and on the other side of said one-way clutch;   means for imparting input motion to at least one of said hub and said inner rotatable member; and   means operable by the operator of the vehicle for adjusting the relative radial position of said rotational axes whereby the drive ratio between said hub and said inner rotatable member can be varied by the operator.   
     
     
        .Iaddend..Iadd. 32.  A vehicle adapted to move along a supporting surface comprising: a frame;   at least one wheel, said wheel having a centrally located hub;   first means cooperable with the hub for mounting the wheel on the frame for rotational movement relative to the frame about a first rotational axis, said wheel being adapted to roll along the supporting surface;   an inner rotatable member at least partially within said hub;   second means for mounting said inner rotatable member in cantilever fashion whereby a length of the first rotatable member is unsupported from said second mounting means through a first end of the first rotatable member, said second means mounting the inner rotatable member for rotational movement about a second rotational axis and for movement along a path having a radial component to permit adjustment in the relative radial position of the first and second rotational axes;   at least a portion of said length of said first rotatable member being within said hub;   drive means including at least one one-way clutch and at least one drive element for drivingly coupling said length of said inner rotatable member to said hub, said one-way clutch and said drive element being within said hub, said drive element being drivable along a path which circumscribes said length of the inner rotatable member;   means for imparting input motion to said hub; and   means operable by the operator of the vehicle for moving the inner rotatable member to adjust the relative radial position of said rotational axes whereby the drive ratio between said hub and said inner rotatable member can be varied by the operator. .Iaddend.