Abstract: An O-ring is mounted to the wheel of a manually powered bicycle. A Teflon washer is mounted on the wheel sprocket contacting the O-ring. The friction between the O-ring and the Teflon washer are sufficient to move the crank sprocket away from dead center on a mechanism wherein the crank sprocket is rotated by manually oscillating the handle bars of the bicycle.

Abstract: A two wheeled human powered vehicle, having a frame with seating arrangement resembling a long wheelbase recumbent bicycle. The drive mechanism includes two parallel operating lever arms supporting a steering assembly on their upper end, fulcramed in the middle, and operably connected at their lower end to a linearly reciprocable footrest assembly. The operator forces the footrests forward directly with the legs while assisting with the arms by drawing the handlebar, thereby providing a rowing motion that utilizes arm and leg power independently. Linear motion is converted to rotational motion and power is transferred to the drive wheel via a jackshaft, including an overrunning clutch, along with a sprocket and an endless chain, operably connected to the drive wheel. Steering is accomplished through flexible sleeved cables, controllably connecting the handlebar to the front steering fork.

Abstract: A wheelchair driving mechanism includes a driving disk fastened to either large wheel of a wheelchair by a circular table and a circular casing for moving the wheelchair with the hand, and a ratchet wheel mechanism for permitting the respective large wheel to be rotated by the driving disk in one direction only. A hand lever may be fastened to the driving disk for rotating the respective large wheel with less labor. An adjustable foot plate stand may be extended out of the respective hanger bracket to match with the hand lever in supporting the wheelchair for permitting the wheelchair to be rotated over an obstacle.

Abstract: An improved wheelchair which allows the wheelchair occupant to travel easier and faster over varied terrain, for longer distances and in a more sanitary environment. The invention includes a wheel for providing rolling ability to the wheelchair. A support is connected to the wheel for supporting the occupant of the wheelchair. A drive assembly is included for applying rotational force to the wheel. The drive assembly includes a gearing assembly for varying the ratio of rotational movement of the wheel to the movement of the drive assembly.

Abstract: A wheelchair operable with one hand including operation ring, extension arm and interlocking member. The operation ring is attached to a yoke of universal joint that is axially rotatable and installed between the operation ring and one of the driving wheels of the wheelchair. The extension arm is connected to the yoke at its base end and to the interlocking member, that is linked to one of front casters of the wheelchair, at its front end. The oscillation movement of the extension arm that is made via the operation ring and universal joint is converted into a pivotal movement of the interlocking member that changes the direction of the front caster.

Abstract: A self-propelled vehicle wherein a platform is mounted overlying a trio of support members wherein the platform is provided with a rearwardly and upwardly extending guard overlying a caliper arrangement mounted to a central support column of the trio of columns. Forwardly the columns fixedly are mounted to a support cylinder rotatably mounting a steering column therethrough. An uppermost end of the steering column pivotally mounts a handlebar wherein the handlebar is provided with an outwardly extending handlebar flange that fixedly mounts an uppermost end of a drive link with a lowermost end of the drive link mounted eccentrically to a drive disk secured to a remote end of a axle rotatably mounting the forward wheel of the vehicle. Oscillation of the handlebar relative to the steering column rotatably drives the drive disk and the forward wheel.

Abstract: The vehicle and drive mechanism includes a vehicle frame having at least one steerable wheel carried thereon, an axle mounted on the frame and at least one driven wheel mounted on the axle. First and second ratcheted gears drivingly disposed on the axle to produce rotary motion of the axle when each gear is rotated in a first direction and coast relative to the axle when rotated in a second, opposite direction; an oscillating handle/footrest assembly operable to provide a driving force for the driven wheel and to provide braking action on a wheel.

Abstract: The present invention is a toy vehicle upon which a child may ride and propel the vehicle forwardly by merely oscillating a swingable lever. The toy vehicle incorporates a drive operated by oscillating a swingable lever, and wherein forward propulsion is applied to the drive wheel by swinging the lever in both directions as the lever is being oscillated. The swingable oscillatable lever rotatably oscillates a drive pulley connected to an endless belt. When turned in one direction, the pulley tightens and drives the somewhat slack belt and propels the drive wheel forwardly. When the pulley is turned in the other direction, the pulley again tightens the belt and again propels the drive wheel forwardly.

Abstract: In anti-skid control system for motor vehicles of the type that the drive system of the motor vehicle is switchable to direct-coupled 4WD system, brake pressure reduction starting points in the anti-skid control are set up to come earlier when the drive system of the motor vehicle is switched to the direct-coupled 4WD system than when said drive system is other than the direct-coupled 4WD system.

Abstract: A wheelchair having a propulsion and speed change mechanism, the mechanism has a clutch with a cam clutch (21) and a cylindrical fly wheel (23) installed on a hub (24) of the shaft (25) of the main wheel of the chair. The clutch includes roller bearings (14), plate springs (22) and forward and backward regulating device (15). A matched union gear (20) is formed at the center of the cam clutch (21) and matched with a union gear (19) formed on a propulsion and speed change bar (12) so that the cam clutch (21) and the propulsion and speed change bar move as one body. The cam clutch (21) and the bar (12) are installed with a bearing (17) on the axle of the frame (13) of the wheelchair. A connecting rod (2) has one end connected to one of a plurality of holes (10) on the propulsion and speed change bar (12) with a fixing pin. The other end of the rod is connected to the hole (7) of the propulsion and speed change bar with a moveable pin (6).

Abstract: A bicycle having conventional foot pedals with driving rotating cranks connected to a load is improved with arm pedals. Preferably, each foot pedal forms the point of attachment of a line under tension. The line from each pedal passes upwardly from the pedal to a seat sheave in the vicinity of the seat. Thereafter, the line from the pedal goes forwardly to a forward sheave mounted on the front of the bicycle frame. From the forward sheave the line runs rearward to a second seat sheave and dead ends at a point of attachment on the opposite pedal. Hand pedals are connected to the line from each pedal in that portion of the line between the seat sheave and the forward sheave. Operation of the hand pedals is synchronized with the traditional foot cycling motion of the foot pedals. Upward stroke of the foot pedals is assisted with tension in the connected running rigging from both hand pedals.

Abstract: A wheelchair hand propelled by the occupant. Levers on the sides in juxtaposition with the main wheels of the wheelchair are rotatable in the forward-backward direction about the main wheel axle as a fulcrum. A plurality of concentric ratchet rings affixed to each of the main wheels provides engagement for a discrete one of a plurality of pawls associated with each of the levers. The plurality of pawls is distributed progressively circumferentially about a shaft associated with each of the levers, and means are included to rotate the shaft to bring a discrete one of the pawls into operative relationship with a selected one of the concentric ratchet rings, thereby providing a selectable propulsion ratio. The ratchet teeth are oriented such that the pawls slide over them when the levers are pulled backward, but engage firmly when the levers are thrust forward.

Abstract: An exercise vehicle is provided where foot actuated pedals caused the vehicle to move forward by means of a one-way clutch and hand operated pulling motions may be utilized likewise by means of a one-way clutch to move the vehicle forward, the hand operated mechanism being part of an extensible steering column so that as the operator leans forward and moves back and extends or retracts his arms the steering column will lengthen or shorten as required. Irrespective of the position of the hand operated bar the front wheels may be rotated by rotating the hand operating bar.

Abstract: A wheelchair and drive mechanism powered by reciprocating operation of a drive lever. The drive mechanism provides a continuously variable gear ratio allowing wheelchair operation at varying speeds and on differing inclines; and is readily fitted to a standard wheelchair by a drive-associated bayonet mount. A drive mechanism ratchet wheel includes an upper and lower radial crank secured for rotation thereabout by an axle. Each crank includes a pawl assembly that engages with circumferential ratchet wheel teeth to transfer drive energy supplied to the radial cranks from connecting arms to the ratchet wheel. The connecting arms are coupled to a reciprocating lever arm and operate in concert with the pawls to alternately engage with and transfer energy to the ratchet wheel, or disengage therefrom. While one connecting arm and associated pawl is transferring energy to the ratchet wheel, the other connecting arm is disengaging an associated pawl from the ratchet wheel.

Abstract: A device to aid in the propelling of wheelchairs, the device has a pair of arms which are rotatably supported on an axle supporting a wheel of the chair, mounted on the arms is a caliper assembly operated by a handle so that upon manipulation of the handle by an operator, the caliper assembly will engage the wheel to thereby enable an operator to cause rotation of the wheel.

Abstract: A lever-operating type wheelchair includes a differential link mechanism connected to an operational lever, a pair of forward/backward clutch mechanisms driven to interlock with the link mechanism, and an expansion joint mechanism provided between the link mechanism and one of the clutch mechanisms. The lever-operated type wheelchair of this invention has better operational capability in use for one-handed operation due to a fulcrum and a knob of the operational lever arranged so as to make the operation thereof easier.

Abstract: A propulsion and steering device for a conventional wheelchair or the like which includes a frame and attachment instrumentalities extending from the frame to the wheelchair, propulsion and steering instrumentalities which form a part of the frame and include a steerable wheel, and a folding instrumentality integrally formed with the frame to collapse the frame for storage, in which the folding mechanism is relatively adjustable which changes the steering rake angle to accommodate people of different dimensions, and the propelling area is rotatably adjustable to similarly accommodate people of different dimensions.

Abstract: A wheelchair having a frame capable of supporting the occupant includes a plurality of wheels including two driving wheels. Left and right side levers are mounted on the wheelchair such that the tops of the levers can be moved back and forth reciprocally toward and away from the occupant of the wheelchair. When the levers are in a position towards the occupant of the wheelchair, they are in a neutral position and by pushing away from the occupant from the neutral position to a displaced position, a power stroke is performed. Movement of the levers in the reverse direction back toward the occupant constitutes a return stroke of the same. A power transfer mechanism includes a first and second ratchet operatively associated with each of the driving wheels. The first ratchet allows the driving wheel to free wheel at all times in a forward direction.

Abstract: A wheel chair propulsion device particularly for use by quadriplegics that includes an annular ring smaller in diameter than the large wheel of a conventional wheel chair and having a plurality of spaced apart recesses in a surface thereof. The ring is fastened to the wheel of the wheel chair in co-axial relation therewith and spaced outward therefrom. A lever is pivotally mounted on the wheel chair axle and an opposite end of the lever projects above the conventional arm rest on the wheel chair. A drive mechanism is mounted on the lever arm and positively engageable with the annular ring for rotating the same and disengageable therefrom to allow free rotation of the wheel. The drive mechanism comprises a lug movable into and out of the recesses in the ring in response to movement of the lever in a direction transverse to the plane of the wheel and resilient compressible means which is compressed by movement of the lever in a direction to move the lug into a recess in the ring.

Abstract: A bicycle has a rear wheel assembly which is chain driven by the usual foot cranked sprocket. A front wheel assembly is also chain driven by a drive sprocket supported by the front suspension and steering system. The front drive sprocket is cranked by a reciprocating connecting rod. The handlebars turn the front wheel about a vertical axis to steer the bicycle, while concurrently it can also be pivotally moved forwardly and rearwardly. One end of the connecting rod is journaled to the pivotal handlebars such that pivotal motion thereof imparts reciprocal motion into the connecting rod to crank the drive sprocket which chain drives the front wheel. A biasing means is connected to engage the connecting rod at its extreme limits of travel whereupon the rod and drive sprocket are biased from its dead center position each 180.degree.

Abstract: A vehicle frame is provided and includes opposite side support wheels journalled from the frame. Each of the support wheels has a pair of first and second drive wheels journalled from the frame operatively associated therewith. Each pair of first and second drive wheels is drivingly interconnected by means of an endless drive member trained thereabout and one of the drive wheels of each pair is drivingly connected to the corresponding support wheel of the frame. A pair of elongated levers are provided and the levers are disposed on opposite sides of the frame and extend generally transversely thereof. The outer ends of the levers are anchored to the corresponding endless drive members for orbiting therewith about the corresponding pair of first and second drive wheels and the inner ends of the levers are provided with hand grips for engagement by the hands of a person seated along the longitudinal center line of the vehicle.

Abstract: A propulsion means for wheelchairs includes two drive assemblies, one mounted at each side of a wheelchair. Each drive assembly includes an axle which is rotationally oscillated by pumping a drive lever pivotally mounted on and engaged with said axle. Two overrunning clutches are also mounted on said axle: one clutch disposed to engage when the axle is rotated in a clockwise direction, and the other disposed to engage when the axle is rotated counterclockwise. A chain, connected to a ground wheel, is connected to one clutch and then the other through a reverse bend in said chain, so that the oscillatory motion of said axle is transmitted through said chain to cause unidirectional rotational motion in said ground wheel.