Abstract: An amplified steering system for a bicycle having a canted steering wheel is provided wherein the handlebar steering column which has a crank arm mounted thereon, is axially off set from the front wheel steering column, which has a smaller crank arm mounted thereon, the two crank arms being connected by a pivotably mounted crank shaft such that a turn of the handlebars is amplified to a greater turn of the steering column and wheel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel propulsion means and first and second speed change means for a bicycle. The propulsion means comprises lever means adapted to be pumped up and down by the operator for driving the rear wheel of a bicycle through the speed change means, a propulsion wheel, and sprocket means.

Abstract: Discloses an electromechanical device for changing the gear ratio of a variable speed gear mounted to the hub of the rear wheel of a bicycle. The device consists of a changeover switch section to be mounted to the steering handle of the bicycle and an essential section to be coupled with the variable speed gear so as to operate the gear, said essential section includes a motor, gear means to be operated by said motor, and an electric circuit for connecting said motor to a power source. The electric circuit controls the motor according to the operation of the change-over switch and also controls the operation of the variable speed gear so that the gear ratio may be changed.

Abstract: In bicycles having multi-speed gear arrangements, the automatic shifting of gears in response to foot pedal pressures is effected by fluid or electrical connections from the pedals to the gear-changing mechanism thereby to impart full foot control to shifting with resultant improved pedaling cadence and bicycling comfort.

Abstract: A foot propelled two-wheel-in-line vehicle having a two-wheel friction drive including a front drive epicyclic contra-rotating element, pedalled driving wheels, a pedal actuated rear wheel brake, and an automatic variable-speed transmission comprising a centrally disposed rotor in friction-tight contact with a plurality of pulley wheels normal thereto and radially traversing thereon, said wheels flexibly connected with mating wheels and with said epicyclic element in such manner as to impart torque to the perimeter of the cycle wheels.

Abstract: A chainless drive mechanism for a bicycle using a rotatable drive shaft for transferring the pedal actuated driving force from the pedal crankshaft to the rear wheel including shift mechanisms to provide different drive ratios. A pair of discs, each formed with a plurality of concentric series of openings, are mounted on the pedal crankshaft and rear wheel, respectively. A pair of spaced sprocket gears is rotatably mounted on each end of the drive shaft and engaged with a respective series of disc openings. A pair of axially movable ratchet slip gears is fixed against rotation on each end of the drive shaft adjacent a similar ratchet surface formed on each of the sprocket gears. A pair of operator controlled individual shift brackets is movably mounted on the drive shaft, each being operatively engageable with a respective pair of ratchet slip gears.

Abstract: The interrelation of a vehicle and transmission and brake means therefor which are cooperatively dependent structurally and functionally, wherein a variable speed "stiff-hub" drive adapted particularly to bicycles and comprised of a constant mesh infinitely variable gearing with an input crank shaft and a wheel drive, and a control means which operates in conjunction with a single lever which also comprises the braking force actuator for simultaneous gear ratio and brake control.

Abstract: A speed-change operating mechanism which actuates a push rod at a speed transmission hub for a bicycle by means of a control wire so as to change the bicycle speed. The mechanism comprises a first operating member for actuating the rod, a second operating member oscillated with the control wire and an adjustor for adjusting the relative position between both the first and second members, through which adjustor the first operating member becomes cooperable with the second operating member, thereby easily and precisely adjusting the travel of the push rod with respect to the control wire.

Abstract: This disclosure teaches a foldable bicycle divided into a front frame part and a rear frame part. The front frame part and the rear frame part are hingedly connected together. A front fork and steering assembly is hingedly connected to the front frame part. A saddle supporting assembly is hingedly connected to the rear frame part. Locking means are provided in operative association with each of the hinged connections.

Abstract: A derailleur for a bicycle, which comprises four members, including a fitting member, two linkage members and a movable member, all movable with respect to each other. Between two of the members there is a device for positioning cages having chain-guide pulleys mounted on the movable member, whereby the derailleur enables the cages to be properly positioned and kept in the position at each speed-change stage of the bicycle so that an accurate and light speed-change operation may be performed.

Abstract: A control mechanism adapted for incrementally and positively controlling the displacement of a biassed member or the like associated with a bicycle gear-change transmission between a plurality of predetermined positions for effectuating changes in gear ratios of such transmission in response to unidirectional movement of an operator control lever of the control mechanism. In addition, the control mechanism is also, preferably, provided with an "overshift" arrangement which effectively and effortlessly enables an operator to shift the bicycle sprocket chain from one sprocket to another sprocket of larger diameter. In an alternate embodiment, the control mechanism is directly mounted on and connected to a derailleur type bicycle change-gear mechanism.

Abstract: An automatically variable speed ratio transmission for a pedal driven vehicle such as a bicycle with a chain and sprockets. A pedal operated chain driving sprocket is capable of having its diameter infinitely variable through a predetermined range. The driving sprocket consists of a plurality of small sprockets journally mounted on bell-crank arms having planar offsets for rotation of the small sprockets in one direction only. The bell-crank arms are pivotally mounted on a disc in a uniform circular pattern therearound. The arms and their small sprockets are arranged and constructed to define the vehicle's driving sprocket. The plurality of bell-crank arms are interconnected with each other and are arranged to be uniformly spring biased in one direction.

Abstract: A ten-speed bicycle gear shift includes front and rear derailleurs actuated by a single continuous cable. Movement of the cable through a discrete given distance in one direction increases the gear ratio and movement of the cable through the same discrete given distance in an opposite direction decreases the gear ratio. A rotatable dial is mounted on the handlebar of the bicycle for easy manual turning and includes a cable drum such that turning the dial in one direction through a given circumferential distance moves the cable through the referred to given distance in one direction and turning of the dial in an opposite direction through the same given circumferential distance moves the cable through the given distance in an opposite direction. Gear numbers and a viewing window are included in the dial structure so that the particular gear position can be visually observed.

Abstract: A multiratio drive which comprises a drive plate mounted for rotation upon an axis and means for drivingly coupling the drive plate to a source of motive power. A plurality of driven elements are mounted to the drive plate for sliding movement therewith in a direction radially of the axis. Cam means operatively engage the driven elements, the cam means also being mounted for rotation about the axis, the cam means positioning the driven elements at selected ones of a plurality of radially spaced-apart positions in response to relative rotational movement between the cam means and the driven elements. Detent means restrain the driven elements and cam means from relative rotation and shift means are provided for forcing selected relative rotational movement between the driven elements and the cam means to thereby alter the relative rotational positions thereof and correspondingly to alter the radial position of the driven elements and the effective diameter of the drive device.

Abstract: A transmission for a pedal-propelled vehicle has a drive shaft rotated by a crankset and disposed radially with respect to the driving wheel of the vehicle. A friction wheel is slidably connected to the shaft by a one-way clutch and is in engagement with a friction member connected to the driving wheel to rotate therewith. The friction wheel includes a tubular shaft through which the drive shaft extends. A shifting unit is connected to the friction wheel by means of the tubular shaft to slide along the drive shaft therewith but is held against turning. The shifting unit includes a gear train having a pinion in mesh with a fixed rack parallel to the drive shaft. First and second normally inoperative connections between the tubular shaft and the gear train are provided, the first to drive the gear train to rotate the pinion to shift the unit and the friction wheel towards the axis of the friction member and the second to drive the gear train to shift the unit and friction wheel towards the periphery thereof.