IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,187,148

Granted Patent B2

US 9,187,148 · App. 14/261,099 · Granted Nov 17, 2015

Drive system for a pedaled vehicle

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 9,187,148
App. No.: 14/261,099
Filed: Apr 24, 2014
Granted: Nov 17, 2015
Kind: B2
Examiner: HURLEY, KEVIN
Art Unit: 3611
USPC: 280/261

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Abstract

A pedaled vehicle includes a frame having a crank for receiving a power input from a rider, a wheel rotatably coupled to the frame, and a drive system. The drive system includes a first sprocket operatively coupled to the crank, a second sprocket operatively coupled to the wheel, and a power transmitting element operatively coupled to the first and second sprockets for transmitting the power input from the rider at the crank to the wheel for moving the pedaled vehicle. The power transmitting element forms a closed-loop configuration and is arranged relative to the frame such that the power transmitting element is configured to be assembled to the vehicle or replaced on the vehicle without having to break the closed-loop configuration of the power transmitting element.

Claims (50)

1. A pedaled vehicle, comprising:

a frame having a crank for receiving a power input from a rider;

a wheel rotatably coupled to the frame; and

a drive system, comprising:

a first sprocket operatively coupled to the crank on the outside of the frame;

a second sprocket operatively coupled to the wheel on the inside of the frame;

a power transmitting element operatively coupled to the first and second sprockets for transmitting the power input from the rider at the crank to the wheel for moving the pedaled vehicle, the power transmitting element defining a power transmitting element path including an upper element path and a lower element path, the upper and lower element paths crossing from outside the frame to inside the frame on the same side relative to a selected portion of the frame; and

first and second idler wheels coupled to the frame and configured to engage the power transmitting element, the first idler wheel being adjacent the first sprocket, and the second idler wheel being adjacent the second sprocket and having a rotational center generally below a rotational center of the second sprocket,

wherein the power transmitting element forms a closed-loop configuration and is arranged relative to the frame such that the power transmitting element is configured to be assembled to the pedaled vehicle or replaced on the pedaled vehicle without having to break the closed-loop configuration of the power transmitting element.

2. The pedaled vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the power transmitting element is coupled to the pedaled vehicle such that no portion of the frame is positioned on the inside of the closed-loop power transmitting element.

3. The pedaled vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second idler wheels engage the power transmitting element along the lower element path.

4. The pedaled vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the first idler wheel has a rotational center generally above a rotational center of the first sprocket.

5. The pedaled vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the first idler wheel is positioned within the first 20% of the distance between the first and second sprockets.

6. The pedaled vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the first idler wheel is adjustable relative to the frame.

7. The pedaled vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the second idler wheel is positioned within the last 20% of the distance between the first and second sprockets.

8. The pedaled vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the second idler wheel is adjustable relative to the frame.

9. The pedaled vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the power transmitting element extending between the first and second idler wheels defines a first element path portion on one of the upper or lower element paths, wherein the first element path portion is generally parallel to a second element path portion on the other of the upper or lower element paths.

10. The pedaled vehicle according to claim 9 , wherein the generally parallel first and second element path portions extend for greater than about 50% of the distance between first and second sprockets.

11. The pedaled vehicle according to claim 9 , wherein the generally parallel first and second element path portions are oriented substantially horizontally.

12. The pedaled vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the first idler wheel is positioned such that the power transmitting element engages the first sprocket over an angle greater than about 180°.

13. The pedaled vehicle according to claim 12 , wherein the power transmitting element engages the first sprocket over an angle between about 185° and about 270°.

14. The pedaled vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the second idler wheel is positioned such that the power transmitting element engages the second sprocket over an angle greater than about 180°.

15. The pedaled vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the selected portion of the frame is a chain stay and the upper and lower element paths cross from outside the frame to inside the frame generally above the chain stay.

16. The pedaled vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the pedaled vehicle is configured as a bicycle.

17. The pedaled vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the power transmitting element includes a chain or a belt.

18. The pedaled vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of the power transmitting element extending between the first and second idler wheels is above the selected portion of the frame.

19. A method of positioning a power transmitting element on a pedaled vehicle having a frame with a first sprocket operatively coupled to a crank on the outside of the frame and a second sprocket operatively coupled to a wheel of the pedaled vehicle on the inside of the frame, the method comprising:

providing the power transmitting element in a closed-loop configuration;

positioning the closed-loop power transmitting element about the first sprocket of the pedaled vehicle without breaking the closed-loop configuration of the power transmitting element; and

positioning the closed-loop power transmitting element about the second sprocket of the pedaled vehicle without breaking the closed-loop configuration of the power transmitting element,

positioning the closed-loop power transmitting element about a second idler wheel adjacent the second sprocket of the pedaled vehicle without breaking the closed-loop configuration of the power transmitting element, the second idler wheel having a rotational center generally below a rotational center of the second sprocket,

wherein the power transmitting element defines a power transmitting element path including an upper element path and a lower element path, the upper and lower element paths crossing from outside the frame to inside the frame on the same side relative to a selected portion of the frame, so as to operatively couple the power transmitting element to the pedaled vehicle without breaking the closed-loop configuration of the power transmitting element.

20. The method according to claim 19 , further comprising coupling the wheel to the pedaled vehicle after positioning the closed-loop power transmitting element about the second sprocket.

21. The method according to claim 19 , wherein the first and second idler wheels engage the power transmitting element along the lower element path.

22. The method according to claim 19 , wherein the frame has a pair of rear drop outs, the method further comprises:

previously disengaging a rear wheel from the pair of rear drop outs.

23. The method according to claim 19 , wherein positioning the closed-loop power transmitting element about a first idler wheel adjacent the first sprocket of the pedaled vehicle without breaking the closed-loop configuration of the power transmitting element, further comprises:

positioning the closed-loop power transmitting element about a first idler wheel adjacent the first sprocket of the pedaled vehicle without breaking the closed-loop configuration of the power transmitting element, the first idler wheel having a rotational center generally above a rotational center of the first sprocket.

24. The method according to claim 19 , wherein positioning the closed-loop power transmitting element about a first idler wheel adjacent the first sprocket of the pedaled vehicle without breaking the closed-loop configuration of the power transmitting element, further comprises:

positioning the closed-loop power transmitting element about a first idler wheel that is within the first 20% of the distance between the first and second sprocket and adjacent the first sprocket of the pedaled vehicle without breaking the closed-loop configuration of the power transmitting element.

25. The method according to claim 19 , wherein positioning the closed-loop power transmitting element about a second idler wheel adjacent the second sprocket of the pedaled vehicle without breaking the closed-loop configuration of the power transmitting element, the second idler wheel having a rotational center generally below a rotational center of the second sprocket, further comprises:

positioning the closed-loop power transmitting element about a second idler wheel that is within the last 20% of the distance between the first and second sprocket and adjacent the second sprocket of the pedaled vehicle without breaking the closed-loop configuration of the power transmitting element, the second idler wheel having a rotational center generally below a rotational center of the second sprocket.

26. The method according to claim 19 , wherein positioning the closed-loop power transmitting element about a second idler wheel adjacent the second sprocket of the pedaled vehicle without breaking the closed-loop configuration of the power transmitting element, the second idler wheel having a rotational center generally below a rotational center of the second sprocket, further comprises:

27. The method according to claim 19 , wherein the power transmitting element extending between the first and second idler wheels defines a first element path portion on one of the upper or lower element paths, wherein the first element path portion is generally parallel to a second element path portion on the other of the upper or lower element paths.

28. The method according to claim 27 , wherein the generally parallel first and second element path portions extend for greater than about 50% of the distance between first and second sprockets.

29. The method according to claim 27 , wherein the generally parallel first and second element path portions are oriented substantially horizontally.

30. The method according to claim 19 , wherein positioning the closed-loop power transmitting element about a first idler wheel adjacent the first sprocket of the pedaled vehicle without breaking the closed-loop configuration of the power transmitting element, further comprises:

positioning the closed-loop power transmitting element about a first idler wheel adjacent the first sprocket of the pedaled vehicle without breaking the closed-loop configuration of the power transmitting element, such that the first idler wheel allows the power transmitting element to engage the first sprocket over an angle greater than about 180°.