Abstract: A vehicle is configurable between an expanded arrangement and a folded arrangement. A front wheel is rotatably and removably mounted in a front fork at a front axle. A front wheel quick release skewer configured to couple the front wheel to and decouple the front wheel from the front fork. A main frame has a head tube configured to receive the front fork and a seat tube distal therefrom. A rear wheel assembly includes a rear wheel carrier pivotably coupled with the seat tube and selectively coupled with the seat tube by seat stays. A quick release clamp is configured to enable selective pivoting of the handlebar relative to a steering tube about a pivot axis of steering tube hinge. A rear wheel carrier mount is provided to the rear wheel carrier and is configured for removable coupling of the front axle with the front wheel removed from the front fork.

Abstract: A vehicle is configurable between an expanded arrangement and a folded arrangement. A front wheel is rotatably and removably mounted in a front fork at a front axle. A front wheel quick release skewer configured to couple the front wheel to and decouple the front wheel from the front fork. A main frame has a head tube configured to receive the front fork and a seat tube distal therefrom. A rear wheel assembly includes a rear wheel carrier pivotably coupled with the seat tube and selectively coupled with the seat tube by seat stays. A quick release clamp is configured to enable selective pivoting of the handlebar relative to a steering tube about a pivot axis of steering tube hinge. A rear wheel carrier mount is provided to the rear wheel carrier and is configured for removable coupling of the front axle with the front wheel removed from the front fork.

Abstract: A bicycle is configured for conversion between expanded and folded arrangements and includes a main frame assembly comprising a main frame member coupled with the front assembly, rear wheel carriers extending from the main frame member along a first orientation and a bottom bracket protruding from the main frame member along a second orientation. A front assembly of the vehicle includes a quick release, a head tube configured to receive a fork and a seat tube configured to receive a saddle. The main frame assembly further includes elongate seat stays coupled with the rear wheel carrier and each seat stay includes a latch configured for locking with a quick release provided to the front assembly. With seat stays latches released the head tube and seat tube pivot together relative to the main frame member on a single hinge during conversions between the expanded and folded arrangements.

Abstract: A vehicle configured for conversion between expanded and folded arrangements, includes a front frame assembly, a front wheel and a rear wheel assembly having a rear wheel carrier and a rear wheel coupled with the rear wheel carrier. A central frame assembly extends between the front frame assembly and the rear wheel assembly. A forward hinge coupling enables relative pivoting of the front frame assembly and the central frame assembly about a front frame pivot axis extending at an acute angle relative to a rear vertical transverse plane and at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane orthogonal to both a rear vertical longitudinal plane and the rear vertical transverse plane. A rearward hinge coupling enables relative pivoting of the central frame assembly and the rear wheel assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle configured for conversion between expanded and folded arrangements, includes a front frame assembly, a front wheel and a rear wheel assembly having a rear wheel carrier and a rear wheel coupled with the rear wheel carrier. A central frame assembly extends between the front frame assembly and the rear wheel assembly. A forward hinge coupling enables relative pivoting of the front frame assembly and the central frame assembly about a front frame pivot axis extending at an acute angle relative to a rear vertical transverse plane and at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane orthogonal to both a rear vertical longitudinal plane and the rear vertical transverse plane. A rearward hinge coupling enables relative pivoting of the central frame assembly and the rear wheel assembly.

Abstract: A bicycle is configured for conversion between expanded and folded arrangements and includes a main frame assembly comprising a main frame member coupled with the front assembly, rear wheel carriers extending from the main frame member along a first orientation and a bottom bracket protruding from the main frame member along a second orientation. A front assembly of the vehicle includes a quick release, a head tube configured to receive a fork and a seat tube configured to receive a saddle. The main frame assembly further includes elongate seat stays coupled with the rear wheel carrier and each seat stay includes a latch configured for locking with a quick release provided to the front assembly. With seat stays latches released the head tube and seat tube pivot together relative to the main frame member on a single hinge during conversions between the expanded and folded arrangements.

Abstract: A vehicle having a front wheel, a main frame member and a rear wheel assembly including a rear wheel is configured for conversion between expanded and folded arrangements. A hinge coupling enables relative pivoting of forward and rearward portions of the main frame member about a main frame pivot axis extending at an acute angle relative to a rear vertical transverse plane and at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane. A rear wheel assembly hinge is configured to allow the rear wheel assembly to pivot relative to the main frame member within a vertical plane coincident with the rear vertical longitudinal plane. The front vertical longitudinal plane and the rear vertical longitudinal plane are spaced apart and approximately parallel, in the folded arrangement.

Abstract: A vehicle is configured for conversion between an expanded arrangement in which forward and rearward portions of a main frame member are coincident and a folded arrangement in which the forward and rearward portions are non-coincident. A hinge coupling enables relative pivoting of forward and rearward portions about a main frame pivot axis extending at acute angles relative to both a rear vertical transverse plane and a horizontal plane. A method of providing the vehicle in a folded arrangement includes configuring an elongate main frame member such that longitudinal axes of forward and rearward portions of the main frame member are non-coincidental, configuring a steering tube such that a longitudinal axis of a proximal portion of the steering tube lies within a plane parallel to and spaced apart from the front longitudinal plane while a distal portion lies within the vertical longitudinal plane.

Abstract: A vehicle is configured for conversion between an expanded arrangement in which forward and rearward portions of a main frame member are coincident and a folded arrangement in which the forward and rearward portions are non-coincident. A hinge coupling enables relative pivoting of forward and rearward portions about a main frame pivot axis extending at acute angles relative to both a rear vertical transverse plane and a horizontal plane. A method of providing the vehicle in a folded arrangement includes configuring an elongate main frame member such that longitudinal axes of forward and rearward portions of the main frame member are non-coincidental, configuring a steering tube such that a longitudinal axis of a proximal portion of the steering tube lies within a plane parallel to and spaced apart from the front longitudinal plane while a distal portion lies within the vertical longitudinal plane.

Abstract: A system for measuring torque while cycling can be retrofitted to an existing crankset. A sensor member is placed in between a chainring and crank arm, interconnecting the two. At least one strain gage is placed on the sensor, and is connected with known resistors to form a bridge circuit, specifically a Wheatstone bridge. An electronic package including a battery, strain signal amplifier, an analog-to-digital signal converter, a microprocessor, and a wireless transmitter allows the strain of the strain gages to be measured and converted to a torque value. The torque value can then be wirelessly transmitted to a receiver on a display, itself mounted to the bicycle. Different types and arrangements of strain gages can be used to measure tension, compression, and shearing of the sensor member, providing inputs and a more accurate torque reading. The sensor member can be a unitary body or split into individual sensor members.

Abstract: A method for organizing a group buy organizes a group of buyers and a seller through a website. The seller is able to list any number of items in each group buy, providing sale parameters for each of the items. Once the items are listed, buyers may enter the group buy to place bids on any or all of the listed items. The buyers may choose to bid different amounts on each item, as well as a purchase quantity for each item. Periodically a system will review the bids submitted by the buyers, forming groups to determine the highest profit that can be made based on different combinations of bids submitted by the buyers. The system calculates a highest potential profit for each item being offered and then sums said potential profits for a total profit. The group buy ends successfully if the sale parameters have been met.

Abstract: A system for measuring torque while cycling can be retrofitted to an existing crankset. A sensor member is placed in between a chainring and crank arm, interconnecting the two. At least one strain gage is placed on the sensor, and is connected with known resistors to form a bridge circuit, specifically a Wheatstone bridge. An electronic package including a battery, strain signal amplifier, an analog-to-digital signal converter, a microprocessor, and a wireless transmitter allows the strain of the strain gages to be measured and converted to a torque value. The torque value can then be wirelessly transmitted to a receiver on a display, itself mounted to the bicycle. Different types and arrangements of strain gages can be used to measure tension, compression, and shearing of the sensor member, providing inputs and a more accurate torque reading. The sensor member can be a unitary body or split into individual sensor members.

Abstract: The folding bicycle can easily change between a riding position and a folded position for storage and transportation. The folding bicycle comprises a rear wheel assembly, a central frame assembly, a steering assembly, a seat assembly, a plurality of hinge couplings, and a plurality of quick-release clamps. The hinge couplings allow the bike to fold in thirds. The quick-release clamps allow various parts to easily move when desired, such as sliding the seat assembly down or detaching the rear wheel assembly from the central frame assembly. In a riding position the folding bicycle functions as a normal bicycle. The folding bicycle can be converted to the folded position by using the hinge couplings and quick-release clamps to fold the rear wheel assembly and the steering assembly adjacent to the central frame assembly, fold part of the steering assembly down, and sliding the seat assembly down into the central frame assembly.