SIDE BY SIDE BICYCLE

BICYCLETTE JUMELEE

English Abstract

A side by side bicycle has a central frame, a first side frame and a second side frame. The central frame supports a front wheel, a rear wheel and a central coupling adapter. The first side frame and the second side frame both support seats, pedals, handle bars, and a first coupling adapter and a second coupling adapter, respectively. An elongate support connects the central coupling adapter, the first coupling adapter, and the second coupling adapter. The positioning of the first side frame and the second side frame along the elongate support relative to the central frame is selectively adjustable to balance respective weight of riders positioned on the first seat and the second seat, without altering the respective steering and pedalling positions.

French Abstract

Vélo à plusieurs places côte-â-côte comportant un cadre central, un premier cadre latéral et un second cadre latéral. Le cadre central supporte une roue avant, une roue arrière et un adaptateur d'accouplement central. Le premier cadre latéral et le second cadre latéral supportent un siège, des pédales, un cintre ainsi qu'un premier adaptateur d'accouplement et un second adaptateur d'accouplement, respectivement. Un support allongé relie l'adaptateur d'accouplement central, le premier adaptateur d'accouplement et le second adaptateur d'accouplement. La position du premier cadre latéral et du second cadre latéral le long du support allongé par rapport au cadre central est réglable de manière à répartir le poids respectif des cyclistes sur le premier siège et le second siège, sans modification de la position de direction et de la position de pédalage.

Claims

12
THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A side by side bicycle, comprising:
a central frame having a front and a rear, a front wheel
rotatably mounted at the front of the central frame, a rear
wheel rotatably mounted at the rear of the central frame, a
central coupling adapter positioned toward the rear of the
central frame and forward of the rear wheel;
a first side frame having a front and a rear, the first
side frame supporting a first seat, a first set of pedals
mounted on a first crank being rotatably supported at the
front of the first side frame, a first set of handle bars
being mounted to the first side frame, and a first coupling
adapter positioned at the rear of the first side frame;
a second side frame having a front and a rear, the second
side frame supporting a second seat, a second set of pedals
mounted on a second crank rotatably supported at the front of
the second side frame, a second set of handle bars being
mounted to the second side frame, and a second coupling
adapter positioned at the rear of the second side frame; and
an elongate support connecting the central coupling
adapter of the central frame, the first coupling adapter of
the first side frame, and the second coupling adapter of the
second side frame, the positioning of the first side frame and
the second side frame along the elongate support relative to
the central frame being selectively adjustable to balance
respective weight of riders positioned on the first seat and
the second seat without altering their respective steering and
pedalling positions.

2. The side by side bicycle as defined in Claim 1, wherein
each of the central coupling adapter, the first coupling
adapter and the second coupling adapter include a steering


13
coupling, a slave steering linkage including two control arms
extending from the front wheel rearwardly to the steering
coupling of the central frame, a first steering linkage
including two control arms extending from the first set of
handle bars rearwardly to the steering coupling of the first
side frame, such that movement of the first set of handle bars
acts upon the control arms to cause rotational movement of the
steering coupling, a second steering linkage including two
control arms extending from the second set of handle bars
rearwardly to the steering coupling of the second side frame,
such that movement of the second set of handle bars acts upon
the control arms to cause rotational movement of the steering
coupling, a steering shaft extending to the steering coupling
of each of the central frame, the first side frame and the
second side frame, such that rotational movement of the
steering coupling of either of the first side frame or the
second side frame serves to rotate the steering coupling of
the central module, thereby creating a master to slave
relationship between movements of either the first set of
handle bars or the second set of handle bars and the slave
steering linkage.

3. The side by side bicycle as defined in Claim 1, wherein
each of the central coupling adapter, the first coupling
adapter and the second coupling adapter include a drive
coupling, a slave drive linkage including an endless chain
extending from a drive sprocket on the drive coupling of the
central frame to a driven sprocket on the rear wheel; a first
drive linkage including a drive sprocket on the first crank
with an endless chain extending from the drive sprocket
rearwardly to a driven sprocket on the drive coupling of the
first side frame, such that a rotary force imparted to the
first crank is transmitted via the drive sprocket and the
endless chain to the driven sprocket to rotate the drive



14

coupling of the first side frame, a second drive linkage
including a drive sprocket on the second crank with an endless
chain extending from the drive sprocket rearwardly to a driven
sprocket on the drive coupling of the second side frame, such
that a rotary force imparted to the second crank is
transmitted via the drive sprocket and the endless chain to
the driven sprocket to rotate the drive coupling of the second
side frame, a drive shaft extending to the drive couplings of
each of the central frame, the first side frame and the second
side frame, such that rotational movement of the drive
coupling of either of the first side frame or the second side
frame serves to rotate the drive coupling of the central
frame, thereby imparting a rotational force to the slave drive
linkage of the central module.



15

4. The side by side bicycle as defined in Claim 2, wherein
each of the central coupling adapter, the first coupling
adapter and the second coupling adapter include a support
coupling adapted to engage the elongate support.

5. The side by side bicycle as defined in Claim 1, wherein
the first seat is selectively adjustable between a number of
locking positions between the front and the rear of the first
frame and the second seat is selectively adjustable between a
number of locking positions between the front and the rear of
the second frame.

6. A side by side bicycle, comprising:
a central module having a central frame with a front and
a rear, a front wheel rotatably mounted at the front of the
frame, a rear wheel rotatably mounted at the rear of the
frame, a central coupling adapter positioned toward the rear
of the frame and forward of the rear wheel, the coupling
adapter having a support coupling, a steering coupling, and a
drive coupling, a slave steering linkage including two control
arms extending from the front wheel rearwardly to the steering
coupling, a slave drive linkage including an endless chain
extending from a drive sprocket on the drive coupling to a
driven sprocket on the rear wheel;
a first side module having a first frame with a front and
a rear, the frame supporting a first seat, a first set of
pedals mounted on a first crank being rotatably supported at
the front of first frame, a first coupling adapter being
positioned at the rear of the first, the first coupling
adapter having a support coupling, a steering coupling and a
drive coupling, a first set of handle bars being mounted to



16

the first frame, a first steering linkage including two
control arms extending from the first set of handle bars
rearwardly to the steering coupling, such that movement of the
first set of handle bars acts upon the control arms to cause
rotational movement of the steering coupling, a first drive
linkage including a drive sprocket on the first crank with an
endless chain extending from the drive sprocket rearwardly to
a driven sprocket on the drive coupling, such that a rotary
force imparted to the first crank is transmitted via the drive
sprocket and the endless chain to the driven sprocket to
rotate the drive coupling;
a second side module having a second frame with a front
and a rear, the frame supporting a second seat, a second set
of pedals mounted on a second crank rotatably supported by at
the front of the second frame, a second coupling adapter
positioned at the rear of the second frame, the second
coupling adapter having a support coupling, a steering
coupling and a drive coupling, a second set of handle bars
being mounted to the second frame, a second steering linkage
including two control arms extending from the second set of
handle bars rearwardly to the steering coupling, such that
movement of the second set of handle bars acts upon the
control arms to cause rotational movement of the steering
coupling, a second drive linkage including.a drive sprocket on
the second crank with an endless chain extending from the
drive sprocket rearwardly to a driven sprocket on the drive
coupling, such that a rotary force imparted to the second
crank is transmitted via the drive sprocket and the endless
chain to the driven sprocket to rotate the drive coupling;
an elongate support connecting the support couplings of
each of the central module, the first side module and the
second side module to connect the modules together, the
relative positioning of the central module, the first side
module and the second side module along the elongate support



17

being selectively adjustable to balance respective weight of
riders positioned on the first seat and the second seat;
a steering shaft extending to the steering coupling of
each of the central module, the first side module and the
second side module, such that rotational movement of the
steering coupling of either of the first side module or the
second side module serves to rotate the steering coupling of
the central module, thereby creating a master to slave
relationship between movements of either the first set of
handle bars or the second set of handle bars and the slave
steering linkage; and
a drive shaft extending to the drive couplings of each of
the central module, the first side module and the second side
module, such that rotational movement of the drive coupling of
either of the first side module or the second side module
serves to rotate the drive coupling of the central module,
thereby imparting a rotational force to the slave drive
linkage of the central module.



18

7. A side by side bicycle, comprising:
a central module having a central frame with a front and
a rear, a front wheel rotatably mounted at the front of the
frame, a rear wheel rotatably mounted at the rear of the
frame, a central coupling adapter positioned toward the rear
of the frame and forward of the rear wheel, the coupling
adapter having a support sleeve, a steering sleeve and a drive
coupler, a slave steering linkage including two control arms
extending from the front wheel rearwardly to the steering
sleeve, such that rotation of the steering sleeve acts upon
the control arms to cause movement of the slave steering
linkage, a slave drive linkage including an endless chain
extending from a drive sprocket on the drive sleeve to a
driven sprocket on the rear wheel, such that rotation of the
drivecoupler causes the drive sprocket to provide a motive
force via the endless chain to the driven sprocket;
a first side module having a first frame with a front and
a rear, the frame supporting a first seat, a first set of
pedals mounted on a first crank being rotatably supported at
the front of first frame, a first coupling adapter being
positioned at the rear of the first, the first coupling
adapter having a support sleeve, a steering sleeve and a drive
coupler, a first set of handle bars being mounted to the first
frame, a first steering linkage including two control arms
extending from the first set of handle bars rearwardly to the
steering sleeve, such that movement of the first set of handle
bars acts upon the control arms to cause rotational movement
of the steering sleeve, a first drive linkage including a
drive sprocket on the first crank with an endless chain
extending from the drive sprocket rearwardly to a driven
sprocket on the drive coupler, such that a rotary force
imparted to the first crank is transmitted via the drive
sprocket and the endless chain to the driven sprocket to
rotate the drive coupler;



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a second side module having a second frame with a front
and a rear, the frame supporting a second seat, a second set
of pedals mounted on a second crank rotatably supported by at
the front of the second frame, a second coupling adapter
positioned at the rear of the second frame, the second
coupling adapter having a support sleeve, a steering sleeve
and a drive coupler, a second set of handle bars being mounted
to the second frame, a second steering linkage including two
control arms extending from the second set of handle bars
rearwardly to the steering sleeve, such that movement of the
second set of handle bars acts upon the control arms to cause
rotational movement of the steering sleeve, a second drive
linkage including a drive sprocket on the second crank with an
endless chain extending from the drive sprocket rearwardly to
a driven sprocket on the drive coupler, such that a rotary
force imparted to the second crank is transmitted via the
drive sprocket and the endless chain to the driven sprocket to
rotate the drive coupler;
an elongate support extending through the support sleeve
of each of the central module, the first side module and the
second side module to connect the modules together, the
relative positioning of the central module, the first side
module and the second side module along the elongate support
being selectively adjustable to balance respective weight of
riders positioned on the first seat and the second seat;
a steering shaft extending through the steering sleeve of
each of the central module, the first side module and the
second side module, such that rotational movement of the
steering sleeve of either of the first side module or the
second side module serves to rotate the steering sleeve of the
central module, thereby creating a master to slave
relationship between movements of either the first set of
handle bars or the second set of handle bars and the slave
steering linkage; and



20

a drive shaft extending through the drive coupler of each
of the central module, the first side module and the second
side module, such that rotational movement of the drive
coupler of either of the first side module or the second side
module serves to rotate a slave drive sprocket on the central
module, thereby imparting a rotational force to the slave
drive linkage of the central module.



21

8. The side by side bicycle as defined in Claim 2, wherein
the first seat is selectively adjustable between a number of
locking positions between the front and the rear of the first
frame and the second seat is selectively adjustable between a
number of locking positions between the front and the rear of
the second frame.

Description

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1
TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
Side By Side Bicycle
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a bicycle in which two
riders ride in side by side relation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Side by side bicycles have a long history. Early
l0 examples of side by side bicycles include U.S. 543,070
(Weaver et al 1895), U.S. 563,958 (Grilli 1896), U.S. 583,553
(Sholl 1897) and U.S. 615,231 (Williams 1898). The more
sophisticated designs of side by side bicycle include a
steering linkage to co-ordinate steering and a drive linkage
to co-ordinate pedalling. The existence of these features
has, of necessity, made side by side bicycles somewhat
complex. This complexity creates problems when one attempts
to make adjustments to accommodate riders of differing
weight.
SL7~lARY OF THE INVENTION
What is required is a side by side bicycle where the
differential weights of the riders can be more readily
accommodated.
According to the present invention there is provided a
side by side bicycle which has a central frame, a first side
frame and a second side frame. The central frame has a front
and a rear. A front wheel is rotatably mounted at the front
of the central frame. A rear wheel is rotatably mounted at
the rear of the central frame. A central coupling adapter is
positioned toward the rear of the central frame and forward
of the rear wheel. The first side frame has a front and a
rear. The first side frame supports a first seat. A first


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set of pedals are mounted on a first crank rotatably
supported at the front of first side frame. A first set of
handle bars is mounted to the first side frame. A first
coupling adapter is positioned at the rear of the first side
frame. The second side frame has a front and a rear. The
second side frame supports a second seat. A second set of
pedals are mounted on a second crank rotatably supported by
at the front of the second side frame. A second set of
handle bars are mounted to the second side frame. A second
coupling adapter is positioned at the rear of the second
frame. An elongate support connects the central coupling
adapter of the central frame, the first coupling adapter of
the first side frame, and the second coupling adapter of the
second side frame. The positioning of the first side frame
and the second side frame along the elongate support relative
to the central frame is selectively adjustable to balance
respective weight of riders positioned on the first seat and
the second seat, without altering the respective steering and
pedalling positions.
With previous side by side bicycles, the means used to
adjust for riders of differing weights usually involved
shifting of the seats. When this was done, the alignment
between the seats, the handle bars and the pedals changed.
With the present invention riders of dramatically different
weights can ride the bicycle, simply by sliding the first
coupling adapter of first side frame or the second coupling
adapter of the second side frame along the elongate support
until the riders are balanced.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the
use of the side by side bicycle, as described above, even
more beneficial results may be obtained when each of the
central coupling adapter, the first coupling adapter and the


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second coupling adapter include a steering coupling. A slave
steering linkage with two control arms extends from the front
wheel rearwardly to the steering coupling of the central
frame. A first steering linkage is provided with two control
arms extending from the first set of handle bars rearwardly
to the steering coupling of the first side frame, such that
movement of the first set of handle bars acts upon the
control arms to cause rotational movement of the steering
coupling. A second steering linkage is provided with two
control arms extending from the second set of handle bars
rearwardly to the steering coupling of the second side frame,
such that movement of the second set of handle bars acts upon
the control arms to cause rotational movement of the steering
coupling. A steering shaft extends to the steering coupling
of each of the central frame, the first side frame and the
second side frame. Rotational movement of the steering
coupling of either of the first side frame or the second side
frame serves to rotate the steering coupling of the central
module, thereby creating a master to slave relationship
between movements of either the first set of handle bars or
the second set of handle bars and the slave steering linkage.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the
use of the side by side bicycle, as described above, even
more beneficial results may be obtained when each of the
central coupling adapter, the first coupling adapter and the
second coupling adapter include a drive coupling. A slave
drive linkage with an endless chain extends from a drive
sprocket on the drive coupling of the central frame to a
driven sprocket on the rear wheel. A first drive linkage is
provided, with a drive sprocket on the first crank with an
endless chain extending from the drive sprocket rearwardly to
a driven sprocket on the drive coupling of the first side
frame. A rotary force imparted to the first crank is


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transmitted via the drive sprocket and endless chain to the
driven sprocket to rotate the drive coupling of the first
side frame. A second drive linkage is provided including a
drive sprocket on the second crank with an endless chain
extending from the drive sprocket rearwardly to a driven
sprocket on the drive coupling of the second side frame. A
rotary force imparted to the second crank is transmitted via
the drive sprocket and endless chain to the driven sprocket
to rotate the drive coupling of the second side frame. A
drive shaft extends to the drive couplings of each of the
central frame, the first side frame and the second side
frame, such that rotational movement of the drive coupling of
either of the first side frame or the second side frame
serves to rotate the drive coupling of the central frame,
thereby imparting a rotational force to the slave drive
linkage of the central module.
Although beneficial results may be obtained through the
use of the side by side bicycle, as described above, even
more beneficial results may be obtained when the side by side
bicycle is made modular with a central module, a first side
module and a second side module. Each module has an adapter
with a support coupling, a steering coupling and a drive
coupling. These three modules are rapidly assembled and
disassembled by disengaging the elongate support, the
steering shaft and the drive shaft from, respectively, the
support coupling, the steering coupling and drive coupling of
each module. Riders merely made relative adjustments of the
modules and then ride off. All of the drives and controls
remained " hooked up" as the coupling adapters are slid along
the elongate support, and do not need any further attention
at all. The bicycle can be readily made to conform to weight
differentials of various riders without being taken apart or
having major modifications. The movement of the first side


CA 02420059 2003-02-26
module and the second side module in no way alters handle bar
or pedal positioning. This is in marked contrast to the
prior art in which the seats would be moved, but not the
pedals or handle bars.
5
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will become
more apparent from the following description in which
reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are
for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to
in any way limit the scope of the invention to the particular
embodiment or embodiments shown, wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a side by side bicycle
constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention.
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the steering linkage
and steering coupling sleeves for the side by side bicycle
illustrated in FIGURE 1~
FIGURE 3 is a side elevation view, in section, of the
side by side bicycle illustrated in FIGURE 1~
FIGURE 4 is a rear elevation view of the central
coupling adapter, the first coupling adapter and the second
coupling adapter of the side by side bicycle illustrated in
FIGURE 1~
FIGURE 5 is an exploded rear elevation view of the
central coupling adapter, the first coupling adapter and the
second coupling adapter of the side by side bicycle
illustrated in FIGURE 4~
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred embodiment, a side by side bicycle
generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be


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described with reference to gIG~S 1 through 5.
Structure and Relationship of Parts:
Referring to FIGURE 1. side by side bicycle 10 has a
central module 12 having a central frame 14 with a centre
front 16 and a centre rear 18. A front wheel 20 is rotatably
mounted at centre front 16 and a rear wheel 22 is rotatably
mounted at centre rear 18: A central coupling adapter 24 is
positioned toward the rear of central frame 14 and forward of
rear wheel 22. Referring to gIG~ 4, central coupling
adapter 24 has a centre support coupling sleeve 26, a centre
steering coupling sleeve 28 with centre steering sleeve
brackets 30 and a centre drive shaft bracket 32. Referring
to FIGS 1, central module 12 is further adapted with a
slave steering linkage 34 which includes two centre steering
horns 36 attached to a front wheel fork 38 and connected to
two centre control arms 40. Referring to FIGURE 2. centre
control arms 40 extend from centre steering horns 36
rearwardly to centre sleeve brackets 30 such that rotation of
centre steering coupling sleeve 28, acts upon centre control
arms 40 to cause movement of front wheel fork 36. Referring
to FIGURE 3, central module 12 is further adapted with a
slave drive linkage 42. Slave drive linkage 42 has a centre
endless chain 44 which extends from a slave drive sprocket 46
at centre drive shaft bracket 32 as illustrated in FIGS 4~
to a centre driven sprocket 48 at rear wheel 22 as
illustrated in FIGURE 3. Rotation of slave drive sprocket 46
provides a motive force via centre endless chain 44 to centre
driven sprocket 48 and rear wheel 22. Referring to FIGURE 1.
modular side by side bicycle 10 has a first side module 50
and a second side module 90. First side module 50 has a
first frame 52 with a first front 54 and a first rear 56.
First frame 52 supports a first seat 58 (shown in dotted
lines. A first set of pedals 60 mounted on a first crank 62,


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are rotatably supported at first front 54 of first frame 52.
A first coupling adapter 64 is positioned at first rear 56
of first frame 52. Referring to FIGURE 4. first coupling
adapter 64 has a first support coupling sleeve 66, a first
steering coupling sleeve 68 with first steering sleeve
brackets 70 and a first drive shaft bracket 72. Referring to
FIGURE 1. a first set of handle bars 74 are mounted to first
frame 52. First side module 50 is further adapted with a
first steering linkage 76 which includes two first steering
horns 78 attached to first set of handle bars 74 and
connected to two first control arms 80. Referring to FIGURE
2, first control arms 80 extend from first steering horns 78
rearwardly to first steering sleeve brackets 70 such that
movement of first set of handle bars 74 acts upon first
control arms 80 to cause rotational movement of first
steering coupling sleeve 68. Referring to FIGURE 3. first
side module 50 is further adapted with a first drive linkage
82. First drive linkage 82 has a first endless chain 84
which extends from a first drive sprocket 86 attached to
first crank 62, to a first driven sprocket 88 at first rear
56. Rotary force imparted to first crank 62 is transmitted
via first drive sprocket 86 and first endless chain 84 to
first driven sprocket 88.
Referring to FIGURE 1. second side module 90 has a
second frame 92 with a second front 94 and a second rear 96.
Second frame 92 supports a second seat 98 (shown in dotted
lines). A second set of pedals 100 mounted on a second crank
102 are rotatably supported at second front 94 of second
frame 92. A second coupling adapter 104 is positioned at
second rear 96 of second frame 92. Referring to FIGURE 4~
second coupling adapter 104 has a second support coupling
sleeve 106, a second steering coupling sleeve 108 with second
steering sleeve brackets 110 and a second drive shaft bracket


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112. Referring to FIGURE l~ a second set of handle bars 114
are mounted to second frame 92. Second side module 90 is
further adapted with a second steering linkage 116 which
includes two second steering horns 118 attached to second set
of handle bars 114 and connected to two second control arms
120. Referring to FIGS 2, second control arms 120 extend
from second steering horns 118 rearwardly to second steering
sleeve brackets 110 such that movement of second set of
handle bars 114 acts upon second control arms 120 to cause
rotational movement of second steering coupling sleeve 108.
Referring to FIGS 1, second side module 90 is further
adapted with a second drive linkage 122. Second drive linkage
122 has a second endless chain 124 which extends from a
second drive sprocket 126 attached to second crank 102, to a
second driven sprocket cluster 128 at second rear 96. A
rotary force imparted to second crank 102 is transmitted via
second drive sprocket 126 and second endless chain 124 to
second driven sprocket cluster 128. Referring to FIGURES 4
and 5, an elongate support 130 extends through centre support
coupling sleeve 26, first support coupling sleeve 66 and
second support coupling sleeve 106 such that central module
12, first side module 50 and second side module 90 are
connected as illustrated in FIGS 1. Referring to FIGURE 5~
in order to compensate for riders of unequal weight and to
balance modular side by side bicycle 10, the relative
positioning of central module 12, first side module 50 and
second side module 90 is adjustable by choosing the
appropriate one of selectively adjustable locking holes 132
located along elongate support 130. Referring to FIGURES 4
and 5, a steering shaft 134 extends through centre steering
coupling sleeve 28, first steering coupling sleeve 68 and
second steering coupling sleeve 108. Rotational movement of
either first steering coupling sleeve 68 or second steering
coupling sleeve 108 serves to rotate centre steering coupling


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sleeve 28 thereby creating a master to slave relationship
between movements of either first set of handle bars 74 or
second set of handle bars 114 and slave steering linkage 34
as illustrated in FIGURE 1. Referring to FIGURES 4 and 5, a
drive shaft 136 extends through centre drive shaft bracket
32, first drive shaft bracket 72 and second drive shaft
bracket 112. Referring to FIGURE 5. drive shaft 136 is
adapted with interlocking splines 138 allowing it to engage
either first driven sprocket 88 or second driven sprocket 128
and transmit rotational force to slave drive sprocket 46 and
rear wheel 22. Referring to FIGURE 4, each of centre drive
shaft bracket 32 first drive shaft bracket 72 and second
drive shaft bracket 112 is adapted with bearings 140.
Referring to FIGURE 3~ in, order to accommodate different
sizes of rider, each of first frame 52 of first side module
50 (and second frame 92 of second side module 90) are also
adapted with selectively adjustable locking holes 132 for
seat adjustment.
Operation:
The use and operation of side by side bicycle 10 will
now be described with reference to FIGURES 1 through 5.
Referring to F=GA 1, each of the three primary components
of modular side by side bicycle 10: central module 12, first
side module 50 and second side module 90, may be transported
in disengaged form as illustrated in FIGURE 5, and assembled
on site as illustrated in F=GA ~. Once the three
components are aligned along elongate support 130 and
configured as illustrated in FIGURE l, means for locking each
component in place may be used. Typical means are standard
bolts or pins. Drive shaft 136 is installed within bearings
140 of centre drive shaft bracket 32, first drive shaft
bracket 72 and second drive shaft bracket 112 as illustrated
in g=G~ 4. Steering shaft 134 is similarly installed in


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1~
centre steering coupling sleeve 28, first steering coupling
sleeve 68 and second steering coupling sleeve 108 as
illustrated in FIGURE 2- Referring to FIGURE 4. depending on
the weight of the riders, central module 12 may be adjusted
by selecting the appropriate selectively adjustable locking
hole 132. Referring to FIGURE 3. depending upon the size of
the riders, first seat 58 (and second seat 98) may also be
adjusted by selecting the appropriate selectively adjustable
locking hole 132. Referring to FIGS 4, each rider has
independently adjustable gears at either first driven
sprocket 88 or second driven sprocket 128 allowing for
different levels of effort. Pedal force from both riders is
combined at slave drive linkage 42 and transmitted to rear
wheel 22 as illustrated in FIGURE 3~ Referring to FIGURE 1~
each rider can provide steering input from either first set
of handle bars 74 or second set of handle bars 114. Force at
both of first steering linkage 76 and second steering linkage
116 are synchronised at slave steering linkage 34 and
transmitted to front wheel fork 38 as illustrated in g=G~
2,
Advantages:
The above described construction facilitates ease of
transport. It also enables the bicycle to be easily taken
apart and put back together.
The above described construction enables adjustments to
be made to accommodate riders of different weight, without
changing the relative alignment of the seat to the pedals.
All functions are placed in and remain in the ideal position
for each rider.
The above described construction enables either rider to
pedal at whatever speed he or she wishes, independent of the
other.
With the above described construction both riders are


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11
equal participants in directional awareness and control
because both handlebars turn together with the front wheel.
In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used
in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the
word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are
not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite
article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than
one of the element is present, unless the context clearly
requires that there be one and only one, of the elements.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that
modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention
as hereinafter defined in the Claims.

Representative Drawing