Abstract: The present invention is directed to a derailleur that can include a base plate disposed between a perimeter of a drive sprocket nest and a pedal sprocket; a chain guide attached to said base plate for moving a chain laterally causing said chain to move from sprocket to sprocket in a sprocket nest; a chain guide surface included in said chain guide for causing said chain to contact over ½ a perimeter of said pedal sprocket decreasing the likelihood of the chain slipping off said sprocket; and, a tension member attached to said base plate for removing slack in a chain as the chain moves from a larger sprocket to a smaller sprocket.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a derailleur that can include a base plate disposed between a perimeter of a drive sprocket nest and a pedal sprocket; a chain guide attached to said base plate for moving a chain laterally causing said chain to move from sprocket to sprocket in a sprocket nest; a chain guide surface included in said chain guide for causing said chain to contact over ½ a perimeter of said pedal sprocket decreasing the likelihood of the chain slipping off said sprocket; and, a tension member attached to said base plate for removing slack in a chain as the chain moves from a larger sprocket to a smaller sprocket.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a derailleur that can include: a base plate disposed between a perimeter of a drive sprocket nest and a pedal sprocket; a chain guide attached to said base plate for moving a chain laterally causing said chain to move from sprocket to sprocket in a sprocket nest; a chain guide surface included in said chain guide for causing said chain to contact over ½ a perimeter of said pedal sprocket decreasing the likelihood of the chain slipping off said sprocket; and, a tension member attached to said base plate for removing slack in a chain as the chain moves from a larger sprocket to a smaller sprocket.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards a scooter comprising a frame, a front wheel carried by the frame, a rear wheel carried by the frame, a pair of reciprocating pedals attached to the frame, a drive assembly for transferring force from the reciprocating pedals to the rear wheel comprising: a pedal cam having a plurality of openings at various distances from the rotational center of the pedal cam; a drive pin extending from one of the reciprocating pedals and is received on one of the openings; and, a gear shifting cable attached to the drive pin causing the drive pin to engage with one of the openings so that the pedal cam is rotated by the movement of the pedal so that based upon the opening engaged, the rotational power output that the pedal cam ultimately exerts on the rear wheel is varied.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a variable speed drive system comprising: a frame having front and rear wheels; reciprocating pedals rotatably attached to the frame for supporting the rider; a pedal cam attached to one of the pedals at a hub where a distance between the hub and a first sprocket of the pedal cam is less than a distance between the hub and a second sprocket of the pedal cam; a coupling cam attached at a front axle and operably connected to the pedal cam so that when the pedal cam rotates when force is exerted downward on the pedal, the coupling cam rotates in an opposite direction from the pedal cam; and a drive sprocket carried by the coupling cam and linked to a wheel sprocket by a drive chain so that when the coupling cam rotates, the drive sprocket rotates causing the rear wheel to rotate.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards a scooter comprising a frame, a front wheel carried by the frame, a rear wheel carried by the frame, a pair of reciprocating pedals attached to the frame, a drive assembly for transferring force from the reciprocating pedals to the rear wheel comprising: a pedal cam having a plurality of openings at various distances from the rotational center of the pedal cam; a drive pin extending from one of the reciprocating pedals and is received on one of the openings; and, a gear shifting cable attached to the drive pin causing the drive pin to engage with one of the openings so that the pedal cam is rotated by the movement of the pedal so that based upon the opening engaged, the rotational power output that the pedal cam ultimately exerts on the rear wheel is varied.

Abstract: The present invention is a derailleur for moving a chain to a different sized sprocket in a drive sprocket nest comprising: a feed arm for directing onto one of multiple sprockets within the drive sprocket nest when the feed arm is rotatably mounted at a pivot end onto a frame of a vehicle; a take up roller attached to the feed arm supporting the chain so that when the take-up roller moves laterally the chain moves from one sprocket to another sprocket in the drive sprocket nets; a roller feel sprocket supporting the chain so that the chain contacts over ½ the perimeter of the sprocket contacting the chain in the drive sprocket nest; an opposite chain guide end attached to the feed arm so that the chain guide end traces a path substantially parallel to a tangent to the outer periphery of the drive sprocket nests.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a personal vehicle comprising: a frame that defines a “U” channel in the bottom of the frame; a slot defined in a rear end of the frame; a rear portion wherein the front side of the rear portion is received into the slot of the frame to attach the rear portion to the frame wherein an angle defined by the long axis of the frame of the rear portion is obtuse; a drive system received in a drive system opening defined in the frame and disposed rearward of a pedal attachment attached to the frame; a pedal attached to the frame; and, a handle attached to a shaft carried by the front portion of the frame and a front wheel carried by the shaft.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a drive system using a metal band having a curved bias perpendicular to its long axis. Openings can be included along the band's long axis for receiving pins disposed on a gear. The gear's pins drive the band allowing the energy from the drive gear to both push and pull the band due to the curve bias of the band.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mechanical fixture which simulates a four bar link drive system for pedal driven scooters and bicycles and the resulting drive system. A four bar drive link system simulator has a frame assembly, a proximal hinge attachment bracket, a bottom bracket simulator, a pair of crank levers, a pair of coupling levers and a pair of pedal levers. The frame assembly has a plurality of guide rails, including at least a proximal hinge adjustment rail, and a frame rail. The proximal hinge attachment bracket is connected to the proximal hinge adjustment rail. The bottom bracket simulator is attached or otherwise connected to the frame simulator rail.

Abstract: A non-motorized scooter comprising a frame carrying a front wheel assembly, a rear wheel assembly, and a handle bar assembly operatively associated with the front wheel assembly; a first lever arm pivotally mounted on the frame; a second lever arm pivotally mounted on the frame adjacent the first lever arm, wherein the first and second lever arms move up and down in a lever action and define a rider platform; a drive unit operatively connected to the first and second lever arms and the rear wheel assembly so that the up and down lever action turns a rear wheel; and, a detent lock releasably securing the first and second lever arms to the frame to resist the up and down lever action of the lever arms until the detent lock is released.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mechanical fixture which simulates a four bar link drive system for pedal driven scooters and bicycles and the resulting drive system. A four bar drive link system simulator has a frame assembly, a proximal hinge attachment bracket, a bottom bracket simulator 0, a pair of crank levers, a pair of coupling levers and a pair of pedal levers. The frame assembly has a plurality of guide rails, including at least a proximal hinge adjustment rail, and a frame rail. The proximal hinge attachment bracket is connected to the proximal hinge adjustment rail. The bottom bracket simulator is attached or otherwise connected to the frame simulator rail.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards a scooter comprising a frame, front wheel carried by the frame, rear wheel carried by the frame, a pair of reciprocating pedals attached to the frame, a drive assembly for transferring force from the reciprocating pedals to the rear wheel comprising: a pedal cam having a plurality of openings can various distances from the rotational center of the drive cam; a drive pin extending from one of the reciprocating pedals and is received on one of the openings; and, a gear shifting cable attached to the drive pin causing the drive pin to engage with one of the opening so that the drive cam is rotated by the movement of the pedal so that based upon the opening engaged, the rotational power output that the drive cam ultimately exerts on the rear wheel is varied.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a personal vehicle comprising: a frame that defines a “U” channel in the bottom of the frame; a slot defined in a rear end of the frame; a rear portion wherein the front side of the rear portion is received into the slot of the frame to attach the rear portion to the frame wherein an angle defined by the long axis of the frame of the rear portion is obtuse; a drive system received in a drive system opening defined in the frame and disposed rearward of a pedal attachment attached to the frame; a pedal attached to the frame; and, a handle attached to a shaft carried by the front portion of the frame and a front wheel carried by the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved drive system for a personal vehicle comprising: a frame with a steerable front wheel and rear wheel connected to a drive axle connected to a crank arm by a drive linkage; a roller rotatably attached to the crank arm; a pedal pivotally attached to the frame having a cavity for receiving the roller; a contoured wear bar carried by the cavity for contacting the perimeter of the roller; a major arch included in the contoured wear bar contacting the roller when the pedal is on a down stroke; a minor arch included in the contoured wear bar for providing additional power when the pedal is near the end of its down stroke; and, a major front slope included in the wear bar for contacting the roller when the pedal is in its upstroke to place the pedal at its highest most position.

Abstract: A lever drive system for a scooter including a crank arm having a first distal end pivotally carried on a frame and operatively associated with a drive sprocket, wherein reciprocating movement of the crank arm causes rotation of the drive sprocket for moving a drive chain operatively associated with a wheel assembly. A footrest is disposed on the crank arm for operating the crank arm. A cam member is pivotally mounted to the frame generally adjacent the crank arm. A cam follower is carried by the crank arm engaging the cam member, wherein movement of the crank arm causes the cam follower to move along a contoured control surface of the cam member for controlling an up and down movement of the crank arm.

Abstract: A dual drive system for a non-motorized vehicle comprising a first drive unit disposed on a vehicle frame, wherein the first drive unit has a rotary action and is operatively associated with a first wheel assembly for turning a wheel; and, a second drive unit disposed on the vehicle frame, wherein the second drive unit has a lever action and is operatively associated with the first wheel assembly for turning the wheel. The first drive unit and the second drive unit are independently operable for turning the wheel.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved drive system for a personal vehicle comprising: a frame with a steerable front wheel and rear wheel connected to a drive axle connected to a crank arm by a drive linkage; a roller rotatably attached to the crank arm; a pedal pivotally attached to the frame having a cavity for receiving the roller; a contoured wear bar carried by the cavity for contacting the perimeter of the roller; a major arch included in the contoured wear bar contacting the roller when the pedal is on a down stroke; a minor arch included in the contoured wear bar for providing additional power when the pedal is near the end of its down stroke; and, a major front slope included in the wear bar for contacting the roller when the pedal is in its upstroke to place the pedal at its highest most position.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a variable speed drive system comprising: a frame having front and rear wheels; reciprocating pedals rotatably attached to the frame for supporting the rider; a pedal cam attached to one of the pedals at a hub where a distance between the hub and a first sprocket of the pedal cam is less than a distance between the hub and a second sprocket of the pedal cam; a coupling cam attached at a front axle and operably connected to the pedal cam so that when the pedal cam rotates when force is exerted downward on the pedal, the coupling cam rotates in an opposite direction from the pedal cam; and a drive sprocket carried by the coupling cam and linked to a wheel sprocket by a drive chain so that when the coupling cam rotates, the drive sprocket rotates causing the rear wheel to rotate.

Abstract: The present invention is a derailleur comprising: a base plate disposed between the perimeter of a drive sprocket nest and a pedal sprocket; a chain guide attached to said base plate for moving a chain laterally causing said chain to move form sprocket to sprocket in a sprocket nest; a chain guide surface included in said chain guide for causing said chain to contact over ½ the perimeter of said pedal sprocket decreasing the likelihood of the chain slipping off said sprocket; and, a tension member attached to said base plate for removing slack in a chain as the chain moves from a larger sprocket to a smaller sprocket.