Abstract: A pedaled vehicle includes a frame, a wheel rotatably coupled to the frame, a crank assembly operatively coupled to the wheel and having a bore, a pedal received in the bore, and a spring clip for securing the pedal to the crank assembly. The spring clip includes at least one flexible tab or leg capable of flexing between a first configuration, where the spring clip allows a shaft of the pedal to pass through the bore, and a second configuration, where the pedal shaft is prevented from being removed from the bore. A method for coupling a pedal to a vehicle in a tool-less manner is also disclosed.

Abstract: A movable vehicle includes a first frame member, a second frame member, and a biasing mechanism. The first frame member includes a front wheel and a handlebar configured to turn the front wheel in various directions. The second frame member has at least one rear wheel and is coupled to the first frame member such that the first frame member can rotate with respect to the second frame member. The biasing mechanism is operatively coupled to the first and second frame members and biases the front wheel in a preferred direction, such as a straight direction. The biasing mechanism may include a resilient gasket and a cavity having at least partially corresponding polygonal cross sections.

Abstract: A pedaled vehicle includes a frame, a wheel rotatably coupled to the frame, a crank assembly operatively coupled to the wheel and having a bore, a pedal received in the bore, and a spring clip for securing the pedal to the crank assembly. The spring clip includes at least one flexible tab or leg capable of flexing between a first configuration, where the spring clip allows a shaft of the pedal to pass through the bore, and a second configuration, where the pedal shaft is prevented from being removed from the bore. A method for coupling a pedal to a vehicle in a tool-less manner is also disclosed.

Abstract: A movable vehicle includes a first frame member, a second frame member, and a biasing mechanism. The first frame member includes a front wheel and a handlebar configured to turn the front wheel in various directions. The second frame member has at least one rear wheel and is coupled to the first frame member such that the first frame member can rotate with respect to the second frame member. The biasing mechanism is operatively coupled to the first and second frame members and biases the front wheel in a preferred direction, such as a straight direction. The biasing mechanism may include a resilient gasket and a cavity having at least partially corresponding polygonal cross sections.

Abstract: A control lever mounting system includes first and second boss members, each shaped to receive a control lever thereon and having a bore shaped to be positioned in registry with a transverse hole in a bicycle frame tube, and a connector pin for joining the first and second boss members together. The pin is shaped to extend through the tube hole and includes opposing end segments shaped to protrude outwardly from the hole and into the bores of the boss members, forming an interference fit, such that the pin holds the boss members against opposite sides of the frame tube. The boss members each include a recess formed on an inner face thereof shaped to receive adhesive for attaching the boss member to the outer surface of the tube, thereby providing an attachment in addition to the press fit engagement between the boss members and connector pin.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a bicycle frame of the type in which the head tube, bottom bracket and seat post bracket include stubs for receiving connecting tubes in a press fit. The apparatus includes a base, a clamp for receiving the bottom bracket, a carriage for receiving the head tube, and a swing arm which pivots about the axis of the bottom bracket clamp and receives the seat post bracket and seat mast of the bicycle frame. Double-acting cylinder motors are mounted on the base for displacing the carriage toward the bottom bracket clamp and for pivoting the swing arm toward the carriage. Other cylinder motors are mounted on the carriage and are actuated to secure the head tube, and a cylinder motor is mounted on the swing arm to urge the seat bracket toward the bottom bracket.

Abstract: A tricycle which is capable of being converted either to a traditional high position in which a rider is seated relatively high on the frame, or to a low slung position in which the frame is inverted so that a rider is seated relatively low on the frame. To invert the frame, the a front fork and handlebar are removable from the head tube of the tricycle and invertible relative to the frame and the seat is adjustable between a high and low position corresponding to the high and low slung tricycle positions. A rear deck is attached to a rear portion of the main tube and is tubular in shape so that it fully and protects encloses the rear axle of the tricycle in both the high and the low frame positions. A seat is mounted on the frame and is capable of forward and rearward adjustment as well as upward and downward adjustment.

Abstract: A frame joint for bicycles and the like includes a stub insert consisting of a base, a stub protruding from the base, and an annular shoulder at the junction between the base and the stub; a connecting member having a tubular end with an annular end face telescoping over the stub in a press fit; adhesive bonding the tubular end to the stub; and an annular collet positioned on the stub between the end face and the shoulder. The collet includes an inner end having a first lip portion which extends about and overlaps a periphery of the base adjacent to the shoulder and an outer end having a second lip portion which is beveled in a concave fashion to overlap and receive the end face of the connecting member. The first and second lip portions are joined by a continuous outer wall having a diameter greater than that of the tube end and the base, and an interior wall extending between the first and second lip portions having a diameter less than that of the tube end and base.

Abstract: A bicycle frame of the type having a head tube, a seat bracket and a bottom bracket, each having hollow lugs extending therefrom and joined together by cylindrical tubes extending over and attached to the lugs, having an internal cable system in which the top lugs of the head tube and seat bracket each have a cable outlet, and a cable, such as a brake cable, is threaded through the cable outlets and along the tube joining the head tube and seat bracket. The cable outlet of the head tube is positioned immediately adjacent to the open, tubular segment of the head tube. Positioning the outlets on the lugs preserves the structural integrity of the top tube and facilitates replacement of the cable. Replacement is effected by pushing the cable through the cable outlet of the seat bracket, along the tube to the head tube, then out through the head tube cable outlet.

Abstract: A bicycle comprising a plurality of lugged members, each having a plurality of substantially cylindrical stub inserts extending outwardly therefrom, and a plurality of hollow, substantially cylindrical tubes which receive the stub inserts in their ends and join the lugged members together to form the frame. Each of the stub inserts includes an inner portion having a first outside diameter and an outer, pilot portion having a second, smaller outside diameter. The tubes are sized such that their inside diameters form a slip-fit with the pilot portions and a press fit with the inner portions of the inserts. An appropriate metal adhesive is applied to the pilot portions to form a bond between the pilot portions and the tubes so that the frame components are held together by the adhesive bond as well as the press fit engagement between the inserts and tubes. The press fit engagement is such that the frame is capable of storage and handling prior to the setting up of the adhesive bond.

Abstract: A bicycle kickstand which is adapted to attach to the cross brace of the chain stays of a bicycle frame. The kickstand is of the type having a housing with a transverse flange at an upper end which extends beneath the chain stays and a leg pivotally attached to the housing. The kickstand attaches to the cross brace by a lower jaw which is attached to the midportion of the flange, an upper jaw and a bolt which adjustably attaches the upper jaw to the lower jaw so that the jaws may be clamped against the cross brace. In a preferred embodiment, each of the jaws includes a concave clamping surface shaped to matingly engage the cross brace and provide a relatively large area of contact, thereby reducing the clamping force required to attach the kickstand to the frame securely.

Abstract: A tricycle which is capable of being converted either to a traditional high position in which a rider is seated relatively high on the frame, or to a low slung position in which the frame is inverted so that a rider is seated relatively low on the frame. To invert the frame, a front fork and handlebar are removable from the head tube of the tricycle and invertible relative to the frame and the seat is adjustable between a high and low position corresponding to the high and low slung tricycle positions. A rear deck is attached to a rear portion of the main tube and is tubular in shape so that it fully protects and encloses the rear axle of the tricycle in both the high and the low frame positions. A seat is mounted on the frame and is capable of forward and rearward adjustment as well as upward and downward adjustment.