Self-Propelled Vehicle Propelled by an Elliptical Drive Train With Crank Bearing

1 . An apparatus, comprising:

a frame with a pivot axis defined thereupon, a crank arm bearing at the pivot axis;

a first and a second crank arm coupled to the crank arm bearing;

a front wheel and a rear wheel coupled to the frame, the rear wheel including a rear wheel axle;

a first and a second foot link, operably coupled to drive wheel to transfer power to said drive wheel so as to propel the apparatus, each foot link including a foot receiving portion for receiving a user's foot, a first end coupled to the frame, and a second end coupled to a respective one of the first and the second crank arms, wherein the crank arm bearing is located rearward of and above the rear wheel axle.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the crank arm bearing is located between a nine o'clock and a twelve o'clock position relative to the rear wheel axle when the apparatus is oriented so that in a side elevational view of the apparatus the front wheel is a right wheel and the rear wheel is a left wheel.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the foot receiving portion is located between the first and second ends of the respective foot link.

4 . An apparatus, comprising:

a frame having a front wheel and rear wheel rotatably supported thereupon, the rear wheel including a rear wheel axle;

a first pivot axis defined upon the frame, to the rear and above the rear wheel axle;

a bearing at the pivot axis;

a first and a second foot link, each having a first end, a second end, and a foot receiving portion defined thereupon;

a coupler assembly which is in mechanical communication with said bearing at said pivot axis and with a first end of each of said first and second foot links, said coupler assembly being operative to direct said first ends of said foot links in an arcuate path of travel;

a foot link guide supported by said frame, said guide being operable to engage a second end of each of said foot links, and to direct said second ends along a reciprocating path of travel;

a power transfer linkage in mechanical communication with said coupler assembly and with said drive wheel; whereby when the first end of one of said foot links travels in said arcuate path and the second end of that foot link travels in said reciprocal path, an operator's foot supported thereupon travels in a generally elliptical path of travel, and said power transfer linkage transfers power from said coupler assembly to said drive wheel, so as to supply propulsive power thereto.

5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the first pivot axis is located between a nine o'clock and a twelve o'clock position relative to the rear wheel axle when the apparatus is oriented so that in a side elevational view of the apparatus the front wheel is a right wheel and the rear wheel is a left wheel.

6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the foot receiving portion is located between the first and second ends of its respective foot link.

7 . An apparatus, comprising:

a frame having a front wheel and rear wheel rotatably supported thereupon, the rear wheel including a rear wheel axle;

a first pivot axis defined upon the frame, to the rear and above the rear wheel axle;

a bearing at the pivot axis;

a first and a second. foot link, each having a first end, a second end, and a foot receiving portion defined thereupon;

a coupler assembly which is in mechanical communication with said bearing at said pivot axis and with a first end of each of said first and second foot links, said coupler assembly being operative to direct said first ends of said foot links in an arcuate path of travel;

a foot link guide track supported by said frame, said foot link guide track being operable to engage a second end of each of said foot links, and to direct said second ends along a reciprocating path of travel;

a power transfer linkage in mechanical communication with said coupler assembly and with said drive wheel; whereby when the first end of one of said foot links travels in said arcuate path and the second end of that foot link travels in said reciprocal path, an operator's foot supported thereupon travels in a generally elliptical path of travel, and said power transfer linkage transfers power from said coupler assembly to said drive wheel, so as to supply propulsive power thereto.

8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the first pivot axis is located between a nine o'clock and a twelve o'clock position relative to the rear wheel axle when the apparatus is oriented so that in a side elevational view of the apparatus the front wheel is a right wheel and the rear wheel is a left wheel.

9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the foot receiving portion is located between the first and second ends of its respective foot link.