Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
215~729
_
llUMAN rOWl~RED TI~CK-nEl,T VEIIICI,E, KIT FOR TI~ANSI~OI~MING
I~ICYCLI~ lNTO SI~ID VEIIICI,E /~NI) TR~CI~ ELT USAnLE TO EMI~ODY
SAID VEIIICI,F, AND KIT
li'll~LD Ol~ TIIF, II~VI~NTION
The invention relates to a kit to convert a bicycle into a human powered track-belt
vehicle and to the vehicle itself. l he inven~ion rurther relates to a track-belt for s-;ch a vehicle.
I~CI~Gl~OUND OF T~ INVI~NTION
It is well known that human powered wheeled vehicles, like bicycles, are very climcult
to use on A loose ground as, for example, snow covered ground. Indeed, on SUCIl grOUlldS, the
driving wheel tends to skid and then to considerably slow the cyclist and/or to destabilising the
cyc!ist thus provoking falls.
It is known in the art to prc)vide bicycles with studded tires. ~owever, whell used in
deep snow or on icy surfaces such devices are inemcient. There also exists devices for
providing motor driven ~I~cel~ vehicle witll a track-belt device. However such devicec are not
suitable for human powered track driven vehicles or tlleir installation are dimcult and time
consuming.
Tl1e device of Canadian patent N'' 1278327 relates to a conversion Ullit for a two driven
rear wheel molol~;y~lc. Such a device is unsuitable for hulllan powered vehicles. Moreover tlle
device acco~ ,g to the invention is directly moullte(l on the rim of the driven wheel an(l not on
the tire.
The prior art does not address the problem to a kit suila.ble to transrorm easily, quickly
and Witllout special tools, a large variety of bicycles into a hulllall powered track-belt vehicle.
Fu~ll,e~,\ore, it is po~ le to easily and quickly remove said kit at once to retum Ihe vehicle to
an usual bicycle and tllis also without special tools.
SUMM~I~Y OF TIIE INVENTION
3n It is therefore an object of the invention to provi(led a kit for tl-e transrormalioll Or a
bicycle into a human powered track-belt vehicle as illustra~ed in }~igures I and 2.
More part.icularly, the bicycle may be of tlle type comprisillg in combination
21S472~
1. A fi-ame having a rear part and a front part.
2. Steering means mounted on the front part the rrame.
3 . At least one driving wheel pivotally mounted to the rear par~ of the fi ame said
driving wheel pivoting about a first shaft.
4. ~t least a pair of pedals mounted in a pivoting manner to the frame.
5. Means cooperathlg witll the pnir of pedals to drive the driving wheel.
1 he kit that makes an object of the hlvention is advantageously of the type at least
comprislng:
A) An idler wheel havillg a rim provide(l with a circular groove and a sllalt about
which it can rotate.
B) A track-belt provi(led Witll ~n outer race definhlg ~ tread and all inner face
provided on all its lenglh with guidhlg means adapted to fit with the circular groove of
the rim of the idler wheel and the circular groove of the rim of the driving wheel.
C) At least one arm adapted to be connected to the frame and on which the shaft
of the idler wheel is to be fastene(l. This arm is fi~rther adapted to align the idler wheel
with respect to the drivhlg wheel.
D) Means adapted to put the track-belt under tension on the idler wheel and on the
driving wheel.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the kit further
comprises suspension means adap~ed to limit the molion of the arm(s) around the shaft of the
20 driving wheel. This contributes to improve the emciency of the traction of tl1e track against the
ground.
Advantageously the kit may further comprise mealls to set the lower pOillt oF the idler
wlleel slightly higher than the lower pOillt of Ihe drivitlg wheel with respect to the horizontal.
Pl~rel~bly these means may be mounted on the suspellsion means. l he sligllt raise of the idler
wheel allows to make easier the steering of the vehicle.
Advnlllage~Jusly the kit may further C~mlJI ;~e ~ set of three scrapers. I~RCI1 scraper may
be mounted on a support adapled to be rastened to the anns. The sc~ ~pel s are inlended to clean
at least a psrt of the guiding means of the track-belt the circular groove of the tim of the idler
wheel and the circular groove of the rhn of t:lle driver wheel. l his allows to prevent gathering
30 of SllOW and/or ice on the inner face and/or the gui(lin~ means of the track-belt and/or tlle
circular grooves of the rims.
Advantageously the kit may fulther comprise means adapted to block the wheel a ski
215~72~
adapted to be mounted on the wheel ofthe steerh1g means and meal1s adapled to fasten said ski
to said wheel. This ski may be prererably provided witll roller meatls l he presellce of a ski
allows to make easier the use of the vehicle hl snow.
The invention also relates to a hllman pnwered track-belt vellicle mo(lified with a kit as
defined hereinberore.
The invention also relates to a lrack-belt usable to embody the above mentiol1ecl kit ancl
vehicle.
Other and filrther objects and advanlages will appeal heleinaf~er.
IEF l)F,SCRIPTION Ol; TIIF I)nAWlNGS
FIGURE I is a side elevational view of a first embodill1ellt of the invention;
FIGUI~E 2 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of the invention;
I~IGURE 3 is a pe~ e-ilive view of a portion of a track-belt sllowtl on l;igures 1 and 2;
FIGURE 4 is a partial pe~ e~;live exploded view of an artn adapted to receive tlle idler
, wl1eel;
~IGURE 5 is a partial explocled view of a scrapping device shown on Figures I and 2;
FIGURE 6 is a partial longitudh1al cross-sectional view of a suspension device shown
on ~igure l;
FIGURE 7 is a petspective exploded view of a fiastenit1g for the suspension device of
Figure 6;
FIGUI~E 8 is a partial perspect:ive exploded view of meat1s used to mount anns on the
shafl of the driving wheel, as illustrated hl Figure 1.
FIGURE 9 is a cross sectional view Or ll1e fastening of a driving wheel to a frame as
illustrated in Figure l;
FIGURES 10 and 11 are partial pe~slJe~;live exploded views of suspension means as
illustrated in Figure 2;
I;IGURE 12 is a pe,~l)e.;live exploded view of a ski illustrated in Figures 1 and 2; and
FlGURE 13 is a cross sectional view of a device illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 fior
blocking the front wheel of a bicycle.
DlETAlLED DESCI~IPTION OF TIIEI rREFF,l~l~EI) EMnODlMENTS
In the following description and in the drawings, the same reference number will refer
to the same parts.
~ 21~29
As illustrated in Eiigures 1 and 2, there is lep~e3ente(1 a lluman powered track-belt vehicle
t comprising a kit according to lhe invenlion. This kit is especially adapted to modiry an
existing bicycle hlto said vehicle 1.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the bicycle that is modified willl a kit according to the
invention, coml~lises a frame 3 having a rear part 7 and a front part 5; steering means 9 moun~ed
Otl the rront part 5 ofthe frame 3; one driving wheel 19 pivot811y mounte(l to the rear part 7 of
the fra.me 3; one pair of pedals 27 and means cooperatillg with the pair of pedals 27 to drive the
drivingwlleel 19.
Advantageously, the frame 3, as illustrated in l~igures I and 2, is a conventional tubular
bicycle frame 3. Thel erol e, it is not nece.~ . y to provide any detaile(l description of constitutive
parts of said frame 3.
Advantageously, tlle steering means 9 al-e of the type cul-rently used with bicycles.
Preferably, said means are of the type comprising a head tube 1 1 firmly attached to the frame
3, a stem 13 mounted in a pivoting manner hl the hea(l tube 11, handlebars 15 firmly attached
to an. end of the stem 13, a fork 17 firmly attached to the other en(l of the stem 13 and a wheel
23 mounted in a pivoting mnnner to the rork 17.
~dvantageously, the driving wheel 19 is also of the type currently used with bicycles.
More particularly, this driving wheel 19 11AS a "U"-shaped rim 33 secured on a hub with spokes
22 -only leplesellled in part on Figure 1-, and a tire mounted on the "U"-shaped rim 33. rO
embody the invention, we have to remove Ihe tire rrom Ihe rhll 33 of said driving wheel 19.
Ad~"lageuusly~ the pedals 27 are also of Ihe type c~lrrently used witll a bicycle power
train. Such pedals 27 are standard and do not necessitate any detailed description.
~\dvantageously, the means cooperating will- the pair of pedals 27 to drive the drivillg
wheel 19 comprise at least one sprocket wheel 20 firmly attaclle(l to the drivin~, wheel 19 al
least one ~,"I~.,k~t wheel 29 firmly attaclle(l lo tlle pair of pedals 27 alld a cllain 28 mounted on
tlle sprocket wheels 20, 29. More particularly, it is lo be noted that within the field nf the
invelltioll, the pedals 27 and mealls coope~ g witll said pedals 27 defnle a conventiollal bicycle
power train. This power train does not necessitate any mo(lificalioll. Any kind of pnwer ttain
existing on a bicycle is usable as such. This power ~rahl does is only schematically represented
in the dl ~ ings for clarification purposes.
According to the invention, a kit ror the transformation of a bicycle as described
hereinbefore may comprises:
- an idler wheel 31 having a ritn 35 provided Witll a circular groove and a sh~ 37 al~out
215 1~2~
wl1icl1 it can rotate;
- a track-belt 39 provided witll an o1lter face definh1g a treacl 43 and an h1ner face 41
provided on all its length with guicdil1g means aclapled to fit witl1 the circular groove of
the rim 35 of the idler wheel 31 and the circular groove of the tim 33 of tlle driving
wheel 19;
- at least one ann 53 adapted to be connecte(l to the fiame 3 and on WhiC11 tlle shafl 37
of the idler wheel 31 is to be rastened said arm 53 being filrlher adapled lo align lhe
idler wheel 31 witl1 respect to the driving wheel 19; and
- means adapted to put the track-belt 39 under tension on the idler wlleel 31 and the
drivingwheel 19.
10Advantageously the idler wheel 31 has a "U"-shaped rim 35 secured on a llub witl
spokes. The "U"-shaped rim 35 is of the type normally h1tended for receiving a tire. Of course
no tire is mounted on said rim. The hub of said idler wheel 31 is pivotally mounted on a shaft
37. P,erel~ly the idler wlleel 31 has a diameter smaller than the one of the driving wheel 19.
Advantageously the track-bell 39 is made of polymeric material and is plovided with
an outer face defining a tread 43 and an inner face 41 provided with guiding means on all its
length. This track-belt 39 fits with the circular groove of the rim 35 of the idler wheel 31 and
the circular groove of the rim 33 of the drivh1g wheel 19. Preferably with reference to the
Figure 3, the guiding means of the inner face 41 comprises an elongated strip 45 of trapezoidal
cross section. This cross section is selected to fit h1 the circular groove of the riln 33 of t.he
20driving wheel 19 and in the circular groove of the rim 35 of the idler wheel 31. Of course the
strip 45 is designed so as to fit with "U"-sllaped groove of standard rims.
Optionally to lighten the track-belt 39 cavities 50 are provided as illustrated in t~igure
3. These cavities 50 will also contribute to improve the nexibility of the resulting track-belt 39.
Optionally the tread 43 of the track belt 39 may be provided with sculptules 49 to
improve the grip of the track-belt 39 on the ground.
Optionally as illustrated in Figure 3, tlle track-belt 39 hlcorporate a layer 51 of
reinforcing material such as at least one strip of Nylon (trademark). This layer S l is usefill to
reduce the .tl ~tching of the track-belt 39 and to thereby reduce the risk of disengagement of the
track-belt 39 from the circular grooves of rims 33,35.
30Of course the track-belt 39 Inay be manufactured accorcling to any techl1ics well known
in the art. A preferred way to mal1ufactured it is vulcanization.
~eferring to Figures t 2 4 8 9 10 and 1 1 an arm 5~ is provided on either sides of the
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idler wheel 31 and the driving wheel 19 As better shown hl l~igure 4, eacll arm 53 may consist
of an elongated tube 70 having opposite ends, one end being provided witll a pivot hole 72 while
the opposite end is provided with means for receiving the sllall.37 of the idler wheel 31
rvenlllally, Ille lube 7n may be l~r~lvided witll an ell~ow 7~1 ne~r Ille en(l l~r~vide(l .~itll tlle l~iv(7t
llole 72. 'I'his ell ow 74 allows to set tlle aml 53 closer tlle idler wheel 31 At tlle opposite end
of the arm 53 may be provkled means ror tighlellillg Ihe track-belt 39
More particularly, referring to ~igure ~"neans for tiglltenillg the track-belt 39 on tl1e
circular groove of the rim 33 of the driving wheel 19 and the circular groove of the l iltl 3 5 of
the idler wheel 31 may coml,l ;se for each arm 53
- a slot 76 provicled near the end c-f tlle arm 53 opposite the one provided witll a pivot
hole 72 and adapted to receive the shart 37 of tlle idler wlleel 31;
- means adapted to engage Ille shall 37 of tlle idler wheel 31 and move it along the slot
76 in a direction opposite the driving wheel 19 to thus tighten the track-belt 39.
Preferably! said means comprise a closed eye bolt 78 positioned in the tube 70 to have
its eye 79 aligned with the slot 76 and engaged hy tlle shaft 37 of the idler wheel 31.
The treated portion of the closed eye bolt 78 is partly projecting beyond Ihe end of the
tube 70. A washer 80 is slidably mounted on the treated portion of tlle bolt 78 ancl
contacts the end of tlle tube 70. A nut 82 cooperates with the tread nr the bolt 78 to
move the eye 79 along the slot 76 ancl lllereby the sllaf~ 37 of the idler wheel 31
In order to use means for tightening tlle track-belt 39, one only has to introduce the shaf~
37 in the slot 76, the eye 79, a washer 84 alld to engage ~ nut 86 on the sha~ 37 to firmly attacll
the shaft 37 wilh the arm 53. Of course before tighlelling the nut 86, the nut 82 is screwe(l on
the tteated portion of the closed eye bolt 78 to move the idler wheel 31 away from the drivillg
and thus tighten the track-belt 39 against the rims 33 and 3~ rO loose the track belt 39 nne
only has to reverse the above mentioned procedure
Refetting to l~igures 1,2 and 5, the kit may filrther com~,. ises a set of three scl ~pel ~ 90,
92,94. Each of said s~ pel~ 90, 92,94 is to be mounted on supports 96 firmly fastened to the
arms 53. The first sctaper 90 is adapted to be oriented and sized lo scrap~ the circular groove
of the rim 33 of the driving wheel 19. Tlle second scraper 92 is oriented and sized to scrape the
circular groove of the rim 3 5 of the idler wheel 31 Tlle third scraper 94 is oriented and sized
to scrape ~he guiding means the track-belt 39. Jf desired, the free end of the scraper 94 may be
shaped to scrape at once the guiding means and the inller face 41.
More patticularly, the scrapers 90,92,94 are all mounted on a pair of supports 96 tllat
215472~
are re~pe~ vely firmly fastened (especially welde(1) to a cotresponding arm 53. Each of said
supports 96 are bent and twisted to properly orient each of said scl ~pe, s 90 92 94 loward the
surface it is intended to scrape. Furtl)ermore these supports 96 and the sc~pels 90 92 94 are
provided with elongated holes 91 93 95. Nut-bolt assenllJlies 97 are used to faslen the scrapers
90 92 94 to the supports 96. ~dvantageously for each nut-bolt assembly a lock washer may
be fiurtl1er provided to rurther pervent loosening of the scrapers. rhese scrapers 90 92 94 and
the supports 96 may be moved one witl1 respect to the other thank to said elongaled holes
berore being tightened together for adjustn1ent purposes. Indee(l once tlle idler wlleel 31 and
the driving wheel 19 are respectively set to have the track-belt tight in circular groove of rims
33 35 the s~ pels 90 92 g4 may then be set in a proper a.lignment and distance to scrape
respectively the circular groove of the rhn 35 of the idler wheel 31 (scraper 92) the circular
groove of the rim 33 of the driving wheel 19 (scraper 90) and the strip defining the guiding
means(scraper94). Inuse sva npel~ 90 92 94willæcrapethecirculargrooveofrims33 35and the guiding means (especially the strip 45) when the wheels 19 31 and the track-~elt 39 are
in motion. Scrapers 90 92 94 may be made of any appropriate material and especially of plastic
material. Of course even thougll supports 9G and the nut-l olt assemblies 97 may be made of
any appropriate material they are preferably made of metal especially of steel or alutt1inum
Accord;l1g to a particularly preferred embodiment of the inventiol1 the kit may rurther
comprises suspension mea.ns adapted to be attached to the arm 53 and to the fi-ame 3. I hese
suspension means allow to mainlain the idler wheel 31 againsl the groln1d and prererably sligl1tly
above the ground (this last option contribules to make easier the steerh1g of the vellicle).
More particularly suspension means may he mollnle(l unclell1eatll eacl1 of tlle anns 5
(first type of suspension means) or above each ant1s 53 (second type of suspellsion means).
Referring to ~igures 2 10 and 11 there is lep~esenled a suspel1siol1 meal1s ofthe firsl:
type. More palticularly this suspel1sion means comprises a suspension member 100 provided
with opposite ends and a bore 102 adapted to be engaged by the shafl 21 of the driving wheel
19; means for firmly fastening the suspension member 100 to the fiame 3; a stopper 104 firmly
attaclled to the su;~,ell~ nIIJeI 100; an extension spring 106 I1Rving opposite ends one end
being connected to the suspension n enlbel 100 while Ille opposite end is connected to the ar
53.
Advantageously the suspension member 100 as illustraled in Figures 10 and I 1 may
consist of a sheet of metal rolded and welded to define a central portion 108 provided Witll a
bore 102 adapted to receive the shaft 21 oftlle driving wl1eel 19 a first arm 110 and a secon(l
21~4729
arm 1 12, said arms 1 10, 1 12 being opposite to each other, a first platform 1 14 projecting fi-om
the seconcl arm 1 12 and provided Willl means for receiving a stopper 104, and a second platform
118 plu,e~,ling from the second arm 1 12 and provided Witll means for connection Witll one end
of an ~lell;,;ol1 spring 106. ~his extension spring 10G has opposite ends having hooked portions
124,125. Preferably, the arm 1 10 may be coated with a protecting material SUCIl as a mbber
strip. This slrip may by merely faslened to the arm 110 by gluing. Advantageollsly~ the rubber
strip is associated with a layer of adhesive mflterial ready to be applied against the arm 1 10.
Pl~;r~l~ly, the central portion 108 is firmly attached (especially by welding) to a lleaded
sleeve pivot 109 whicl1 is provided witl1 a grnove 111, said groove 111 being for receiving a
~ta;llln8 ring 63. The pivot hole 72 of a corresponding arm 53 is to be pivotally mounted over
tl1e headed sleeve pivot 109 between the head of the headed sleeve pivot al1d the retainil1g ring
G3. Preferably, the pivot hole 72 is provided wilh R bllsl1ing 61 (especially made of plastic
material) and positioned between a pair of washer 59 (especially made of plastic material) to
prevent wear that may results from metal-n1etal contacts.
Advantageously, the stopper 104 is made of el~stomeric material and works like acoml"~;,;,;on spring. This stopper 104, as illustrated in Figure 10, l1aS a head portion 120 a t~il
portion 122, means for conlleclil1g it on the f rst platform 1 14 whicl1 comprises a bnre 1 15 and
means for ancllu, in8 the tail portion 122 in said bore 1 15 wl1ile maintaining its head portion 120
above the surface of the platform 1 14. Those anchoring means may be of any kind, especially
a radial groove in the tail portion where the platform surroundil1g the bore 115 can be housed.
As illustrated, the free end of the tail porlion may be tapered to make easier its introduction in
the bore 1 15.
Adv~nlageuusly, each arm 53 is provided with means fol- connection witl1 the end of the
extension spring 106 that is not connected to the second platrorm 1 18. Preferably, one end of
tl1e extension spring 106 is provided with a l1ooked portion 124 and tl1e arm 53 is provided witl
a hole 126 for receiving the l1ooke(1 portion 124 of tl1e extension spring 106.
Ad~,anl~eously~ tlle first arm 110 may be fastel1ed to the frame 3 thanks to a tigh~ening
collar 128. Such a collar 128is advantageously of tl1e type very well knowl1 rO,- the fastening
of a hose over a sleeve. Thel~rol ~ said tightening collar does not need any detailed description.
Preferably, the first arm 110 is provided Willl stoppers 107 to prevent any possible slil)ph1g of
the collar 128 beyond the arm 110 as a result of an accklel1tal loosening ofthe collar 128.
Advantageously, means for connection of the extension spring 106 witl1 the second
platform 1 18 comprise:
21S~729
-
- a bore 130 provided in the second platrorm 1 18;
- a closed eye bolt 13211avitlg a threaded portion passe(l Illlougll the bore 130 of tl1e
platfonn 1 18;
- ~ w~sher 134 and a wing nut 136 ~pe~;lively slid an(l engaged on Il1e threa(led portion
of the closed eye l~olt 132,
- a hooked portion 125 for ~he extension Splillg 106 WhiCIl portion 125 engages the eye
ofthe closed eye 133 bolt 132.
Adv~ lage~usly tl1e threaded portion of Il1e closed eye bolt 132 is fin-tller provided will
a nut 1 ~5. This nut 135 is positioned on the oppocile face of tlle second platroll11 1 18 and
allows together with tlle wil1g nut 136 to firmly posilion the closed eye bolt 132 in tl1e bore 1 3n.
Of course upon screwing or unscrewing of llle wing mlt 136 and eventllally Il1e nut 135,
it may be possible to adjllst the predelern1ine tension in the exlension spring 106.
A nut 131 conl~e~ils lhe shaf~ 21 to Ihus pOSitiOI1 Ihe arm 53 and the rrame 5 with respect
to said shaf~ 21 (see ~igure I 1).
In use the s~ Jellv on means of lhe first lype works as rollows in order to allow pivoting
ofthe arms 53 around the shaft 21 orthe dl-iving wheel 19 between lwo exlreme posilions. A
first of said e ~llenle position is de~ined when the arl11 53 is maintail1ed by the extension spring
106 against the stopper 104, to tlms set with respect to the horizontal the lower point Or the
idler wheel 31 advantageously sligl1lly raised wilh respect to the lower point of the driving wlleel
19 (see Figure 2, reference number ~-1 ). A second of said extreme pOSitiOI1 is define(l whell a
20 pressure is exerted against the idler wl1eel 31 moves it upwardly until Il1e pressure be counter
balanced by the extension spring 106. Whel1 the pressule exerted on the idler wlleel 31 is
removed then the extension spring will contribute to move tl1e arm 53 downwardly until said
arm rest on the stopper 104. These suspension means allows lo prevent the idler wheel 31 to
be raised against lhe back of the user on one hand and conlribllte to maximize the contact of
the tread 43 against the ground on the other hand.
Referring to Figures I 6 and 7 there is 1 ~pl esented suspensiol1 means of the second type.
More particularly this su~l~en~ Jn means comprises ror eacll arm 53 a pair of nl~,nl)e, ~; having
opposite ends and sliding one into the other and elastic means having opposite ends one end
of said elastic means being connected to one of said members while the opposite end of said
30 elastic means is connected to the other of said members one of said melnbe ~ being adapted to
be connected to the frame 3 while the other of sai(l members is adapted to be connected to a
corresponding arm 53.
21~4 ~29
Pler~l~ly as illustrated in Fi~lre 6 the pair orlnellll,el~ having opposite ends comprise
a. first member 138 having opposite ends and a second member 140 having opposite ends.
~dvantageously as illustrated in ~;igure 6, the first nlenlbel 138 may consist of a rotl 142
having a determined length and provided with a firsl slopper 144 and a second stopper 146
along its length. This first member 138 is fi~rther provided with elastic means slidably mounte(l
thereon a third stopper 148 and a fourth stopper 150 slidably on said rod 142. The thild
stopper 148 and the fourth stopper 150 (WhiCIl may be opposite faces of a same disk member
152 ) are flrmly f~xed to the second member 140. Between the first stopper 144 and the tllird
stopper 148, at least one sleeve 154 made of elastic ma~erial is slidably mounted on tlle rod 142.
Between the second stopper 146 and tlle rourtll stopper 1~0 at least one sleeve 156 ma(le of
elastic material is sliclably mounte(l on the rod 142.
Preferably each sleeve 154,156 may be associated with a washer 158 provided withstoppers 160 limiting tlle degree of compl ~ss;on of saicl sleeve 154,156, and in the case wllere
there is a stack of two or more sleeves 154,156 to distribute lhe load on each sleeve of a same
stack. lhe washers 158 are slidably mollnted on the rod 142. Said washers 158 and ~.heir
stoppers 160 are preferably made Or non elastic material sucll as steel.
With l~r~lellce to l;igure 6, the rod 142 may be thl-eaded at its opposite ends. The first
stopper 144 pl ere, nbly COllSiStS of two nul:s 162,164 engage(l on the threaded portion of one
end of the rod 142 and then counter screwed one against the ol:her to lock them. The sleeve 1 54
and the washer 158 are freely mollllted on the por~ion of ~he rod 142 positioned between the
first stopper t44 and the third stopper 148. Ihe second stopper 146 preferably consists of a
{langed nut 166 and a nut 168 engaged on llle otller threaded porlion of the rod 142 and then
counler screwed one against the otller to lock ~llem.
/\dvantageously between the nange of the tlange(l nut l 66 and a sleeve l 56 of elastic
material positioned between the second stopper 146 and the fo-lrtll stopper 150. thel-e is
positioned a socket 170 (preferably made of plastic material). This socket 170 llas opposite
ends and is slidably mounted Otl the rod 142.
The flanged nut 166 is engaged on the threaded portion of a closed eye bol~ l72.Optionally bel~eell the threa(led portion of the closed eye bolt 172 and tlle llanged nut 166,
may be positioned an extension socket 174 having a ~hrea(led bore l76. One cide of the
threaded bore 176 may be engaged by the thleaded portioll of a closed eye bolt l 72 while the
opposite side of the threaded bore 176 and tlle opposite side of the nanged nut 166 are engaged
on a full thread stud 178.
215 4 ~ 2 9
.
The second member 140 consists of a tube having opposite ends. One of said ends is
firmly fastened (especially by welding) to a socket 180 hRving a threaded longi~udinal bore 182.
The treated portion of a closed eye bolt 184 on whicl1 a nut 186 is already engaged is then
screwecl in said longitudinal bore 182 until a desired distal1ce of the eye 185 with respect to the
end of tl1e second ~"t;n~bel 140 i5 reached, and then the nut 186 is tightelled against the
cor~ o~nlin~ end ofthe socket 180 to lock it. OIJliollally, the second n~emlJe~ 140 may be bent
as illustrated in Figures 1 to 6..
The first n~t;",be~ 138 is introduced in tlle second member 140 and then the disk 152 is
fastened to the secoml l~enll~el 140 by any applopliAte means (e.g. screws 153, etc.).
The eye 173 of the closed eye bolt 172 located at the end of the first member 138 is
aligned with a bore 188 provided in a Illenll)el 190 firmly attached to each arm 53, and then a
nut-bolt &3~ "~I,ly 192 is used to connect lhem. r~ erel ~bly, as illustrRted in ~igure 4, Ille nut-bolt
assembly may further comprise plastic washers. Preferably, in the eye 173 of each closed eye
bolt 172 is positioned a sleeve of plastic material and on either side of the eye 173 of the closed
eye bolt 172, plastic washers are provided to thus prevent wear resulting from metal-metal
contact b~l~heell the nut-bolt assembly 142 with the members 190 and the closed eye bolt 172.
The eye 185 of the closed eye bolt 184 located at the end of the second menll)er 140 is
aligned with a pair of bores 198 provided in a collar 200 intended to be mounted on the seat
tube 202 Of the frRme 3. A full thread stud 204 is passed across the bores t 98 of the collar 200
and aft.er having sclewed m1ts 206 tllereon to tightell the collar 200 on the seat tube 202, the
remaining portions of the shld 204 are passed across a corresponding eye 185 of 8
corresponding closed eye bolts 184 and then Witll two wing nuts 208 tlle closed eye bolt 184
are pressed against the nut 206 contacting the collar 200 to thlls rastened each second member
140 to the frame 3.
Preferably, across the eye 185 of the closed eye bolt 184 a plastic head l~uslling 210 is
positioned and between the eye 185 of the closed eye bolt 184 and the wing nut 20% is
positioned a plastic washer 212, in order to avoid wear tl1at may results from metal-metal
contacts.
In use, the suspension means of Ihe second ~ype works as follows in order to allow
pivoting of the nrms 53 around tl1e sllan 21 of the driving wlleel 19 belweell two extreme
positions. ~ first of said pOSitiOI1 is defh1ed when the fourtl1 stopper 150 is maintRined against
the sleeve 154, to thlls set witll respect to the horizolltal the lower pOil1t of lhe idler wheel 31
advantageously slightly raised with respect to tlle lower point of tlle driving wheel 19 (see
21~47~
12
Figure 1, l~crel ence number "1-1"). A second of said e~treme posilion is def ned when a pl essure
is exene(l against the idler wheel 31 to move it upwardly until the pressl1re be coullter balanced
by the resulting force of con~ ssion of slecves I SG. When tlle pressure exerted on tlle idlel-
wheel 31 is removed, tl1en the sleeves 156 will contril~ute to move the arm 53 downwar(lly until
the fourtl1 stopper 150 said arm test on the sleeve 154. l hese suspension me~ns allows to
prevent tl1e idler wheel to be raised against t:he back Or tlle user, on one hand, and conlribute lo
maximize the contact of the tread against the ground, on the other hand.
According to another embodiment of the inventiol1, as illuslrated in Figures 8 and 9, a
quick release pin 214 may be used to removably raslen a wheel assembly to the fiame ~. These
kind of pins are well known in the field of bicycle and do not necessitate any delailecl
description. They usually comprise an elongatecl pin 216 whose one end is threade(l nnd
provided with a cap 218 screwed on tl1e threaded portiol1, while the opposite end i9 provicled
witl1 a cam device 220 comprising a handle 222. With lerelel1ce to the embodiment of the
invention using conventional nut and shaft for mounling ~ wheel assembly to the frame 3 it is
to ncite that the mounting is identical, for botl1 sides of the driving wheel, to the one illustrate(l
in Figure 11 except for the suspension member 100 WhiCIl iS omitted. IIowever, whel1 a quick
release pin 214 is used, the shaft 21 is hollowe(l (as illustrated in t~igure 9) an(l the head sleeve
pivot 109 is replaced by a head sleeve pivot 58 WhiCIl differs from the head sleeve pivot 109
only by the fact that it is shorter, that the end of the arm 54 provided with the pivot hole 72 is
thinner and that the groove 111 and Il1e retaining ring 63 are replaced by a ring 64 having bores
66 and fastened to the head sleeve pivot 58 with screws 68. The lell)aining parts of the
a9s~ l)ly of Figure 8 nnd 9 that correspond to those illustrated in ~igures 10 and 1 1 have kept
the same reference numbers. The unlocked position of the quick rele~se pin is illustrated in
Figute 9 with full lines, while the locked position is illustrAted witl1 dotted lines.
According to a particularly prerel I ed embodimel1t of the invention, the kit may rurlher
comprises a ski 224 for mounting directly on the tire of Il1e front wheel 226 of tl1e bicycle.
More particularly, as showl1 in Figure 12 Or the drawings, the ski 224 has a "U"-shaped
cross section and comprises in combination:
- a sole 228;
- a pair of longitudinal flanges 230;
- at least two, preferably three challl1els 232.
Prererably, the ski 224 may be provided witl1 small wheels (advantageously four small
` . ` , 21~7~Jg
13
wheels 234) that are each pivotally mounted on a colresponding pivot 236 firmly attached to
the ski 224. Advantageously, each small wheel 224 is mounted on n correspondillg head
bushing 238 (~pe~;hlly a plastic head buslling) WlliCIl iS itself mounted on tlle pivot 236. A nat
washer 240 (especially a plastic nat washer) is positioned between the small wheel 234 and the
correspondillg portion of the longihldinal nange 230. As shown in Figure 12, tlle head bushillg
238 is secured on the pivot 236 with a screw 242. Of course, the pivot 236 is advantsgeously
provided with a threaded bore 244 for receiving tlle screw 242.
The ski 224 is linked and secure(l to the wheel 226 wi~h fastening bands 246, SllCh as
belts, each passing through a corresponding cllallnel 232 and arollnd the rim and the tire of the
wheel 226.
The mounting of a ski 224 on the wheel 226 is achieved by mere positionhlg of tlle tire
of said wheel 226 in the bottom of the "U" of said ski and agaillst said cllannels 232. Tllen
tllrougll eacll of said ~h&nnels 232 a corresponding belt having opposite ends is passed, each belt
furtller encil .;lil~g the rim and the tire of the wheel 226 and said ends of each belt are fastened
together to fix the wheel 226 to the ski 224. Means for fastening both ends of a same belt may
be of any kind, such as a buckle cooperating wilh a tonglle and a punch hole; or two palts
Velcro (trademark) fastener. To dismollnt a ski 224 rrom Ille wheel 226, above mentione(l steps
only llave to be reversed.
When a ski 224 in positioned on the wheel 226 of the bicycle (especially a moulltain
bicycle), it is necessc.,y to lock said wheel 226 to prevent its ro~ation and keep the ski 224
against the ground. To do so, it is advantageous to use the rront brakes 246 of the hicycle. /~t
tllis end, a device 248 may be mounted across brake cable 250 to press and hold the brake pads
against tlle rim of the front wheel 226 of tlle bicycle.
More particularly, witll l~re~ lce to l~igure 12, this device 248 comprise in combillation:
- a full thread hollow stud 252 having opposite ends;
- a socket 254 having opposite ends and provided with an inner challnel 256 divided into
three distinct sections, that is ~ firct section 258 that is threaded for receiving a portion
of the stud, a second section 260 that is for receiving the brake cable 250 and hold in
place the sleeve 262 while nll~ ,g the passage of the cable itself 264 and a third section
266 positioned belwe~n the first section 258 and ~he second section 260 ror the passage
of the cable itself 264 (witllout the sleeve 262);
- a first wing nut 268 and a second wing nut 270 engaged on the stud 252;
215 1729
14
- a pair of washets 272 slidably mounted on the stud 252 and COlltRCtillg one end of tl1e
socket 254 and the first wing nut 268;
- a nut 274 wllicll is screwed agaillst the second whlg nut 270.
Of course, a portion of the sleeve 262 of the brake cable 250 is replaced by the device
248 when in a closed position so as whel1 the length of the device 248 is increase(l the length
of the cable 264 outside the sleeve 262 will be shol-lened to press and hold the brake pads
against the rim of the Front wheel 226 and thus lock it.
The 1~ ~r~- I ed use of small wheels 234 allow to move the ski 224 on rough surrace (e.g.
asphalt, concrete, etc) since said wheels 23~ keep the sole 228 above the ground. ll~se~
also allows on icy surface to keep the vehicle ullder control, each wheel beh1g preferably
10 provided with an acute edge that works like a blade on ice.
The invention also relates to a humall po~ve~ed track-belt vehicle whenever obtained with
the kit defned herein above in con~bil~alion witll a bicycle.
The invention also relates to a track-belt especially designed for use in aforesaid vehicle
and as part of aforesaid kit.
While enll)od;menl of tllis appli.,~tion as been shown and des~,. ilJed, it would be apparent
to those skilled in the art that ma.ny more modifications flre possible without depflrtinK from the
inventive collcepl therein.
