Abstract: A therapeutic wheeled vehicle particularly suited for strengthening the hip extensor muscles of a user is described. The vehicle combines the therapeutic benefits of conditioning the hip extensor muscles with the enjoyable activity of propelling oneself on a wheeled vehicle. A frame is provided following the general pattern of a tricycle with one steerable wheel and a pair of driving wheels. A seat, a back rest, and at least one strap for holding the user in position on the seat and the back rest are also provided. These user support structures securely hold the user in the proper operating position, even when the user has less than normal muscular control and strength, such as with children with cerebral palsy. Structures are included for receiving at least a portion of the user's leg between the user's knee and the user's hip and for transmitting the extension motion of the user's hips into the rotational movement of the pair of driving wheels.

Abstract: A vehicle for converting oscillating human motion into linear vehicular translation. The inventive device includes a frame having first and second pairs of driving wheels rotatably mounted thereto. A pair of center wheels projects from the frame between the pairs of driving wheels to support the frame in conjunction with only one of the pairs of driving wheels. A propulsion and steering assembly mounted to the frame converts a manual pivoting movement of a lever arm about a horizontal axis into rotational torque applied to the driving wheels and further converts a manual pivoting of the lever arm about a vertical axis into steering of the center wheels to control the vehicle.

Abstract: A four wheel velocipede includes a single front to rear frame member connected to front and rear axle assemblies. The steering mechanism is coupled to the front axle assembly by a pipe braced to the frame member. In one embodiment, the frame member is bent over to one side and contains a drive linkage driven by a pedal operated crank assembly connected to a central cantilevered pipe for driving a rear wheel. In a second embodiment, a front wheel drive includes universal joints connecting the front axles to a pedal driven crank for permitting the front wheels to be driven while simultaneously steered. A horizontally extending cross member crank pivots about a vertical axis on the frame member for driving the pedal driven crank via a pair of reach arms connected to the cross member crank.

Abstract: A human powered vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a frame with the capability for supporting an operator one the frame. The vehicle further includes a drive wheel mounted for rotation to the frame, and a mechanism powered by the drive wheel to propel the vehicle. A device is also provided for rotating the drive wheel to operate the power mechanism. A pedal lever arm is mounted to the frame for reciprocating movement between first and second positions, and a cam member is operatively secured to the frame and said pedal lever arm for pivotal oscillating movement in response to reciprocal movement of the lever arm. Finally, a linkage couples the cam member with the drive wheel rotating device and is mounted for longitudinal reciprocating movement relative to the length of the frame in response to the oscillating movement of the cam member to operate the drive wheel rotating device.

Abstract: A toy vehicle for a child includes a track and roller drive train for propelling the vehicle. Each of a pair of pedal arms is pivotally mounted at its forward end and has a split track mounted at the rear end thereof which rides on a roller mounted on either side of the axle. As the pedal arms are reciprocated by a rider, the tracks drive the rollers and axle with the gap between ramps of the track allowing the track to straddle the axle at the bottom of each stroke. The track may be generally curvilinear, or compound angled to balance the torque generated by each stroke in either the forward or rearward direction, and to also provide a smoother driving action through substantially 180.degree. of axle rotation with each stroke.

Abstract: A drive mechanism and a bicycle having a drive mechanism is disclosed, the drive mechanism increasing the torque resulting from a force applied to the pedals and providing for more efficient transmission of such force to propel the bicycle or other vehicles or device. The drive mechanism includes a drive sprocket rotatably mounted to the bicycle frame, a pair of opposing pedal cranks, a pair of lever arms, each lever arm being rotatably secured to one of the opposing cranks such that there is a distance between the point of connection and the pedal, a pair of guide members, each of which are pivotally connected to the respective lever arms remote from the respective pedals and being pivotally connected to the bicycle frame such that the guide members can limit movement of the respective lever arms, and thereby provide a more efficient path of movement for the pedals.

Abstract: A velocipede comprising a rigid frame with front and rear wheels and a crank operably connected to the rear wheels. A first member has its front end portion pivotably connected to the frame front end such that the first member is movable between upper and lower positions above and below a horizontal line passing through the pivot. A second member has a first end pivotably connected to the first member rear end portion and a second end pivotably connected to the crank such that reciprocating movement of the first member rear end portion causes the second member to rotate the crank. A third member includes a pivot disposed at its intermediate portion and has its front and rear ends movable between upper and lower positions. A pair of pedals are pivotably secured to the third member front end and movable therewith between the upper and lower positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for the measurement of the drive torque exerted on a drivable wheel and/or parameters associated therewith in which the measurement parameters are determined in dependence on the relative rotation of two parts disposed in the drive and the relative rotation is mechanically multiplied and increased prior to forming electrical measurement values.

Abstract: The present invention provides a manually operable propulsion unit for the detachable attachment to a wheelchair in which the wheels are arranged to be driven by circular hand rails fixedly attached to, concentric with and laterally spaced outside the wheels of the wheelchair so as to facilitate manual propulsion of the wheelchair by means of the back and forwards motion of hand levers in addition to the wheelchair being propellable directly by the hand rails.

Abstract: A power transmission system particularly useful for a foot-operated bicycle comprises a pair of axle sections coaxially-mounted with respect to each other, each fixed to one of the crank arms and each rotatable independently of the other; and coupling mechanism between the pair of axle sections and the chain wheel effective to cause the angular velocity of one crank arm to decrease relative to the other for a portion of a rotary cycle, and then to increase relative to the other for the remaining portion of a rotary cycle, such that as the one crank arm approaches the lower dead-center position after completing a forceful downward stroke, the other crank arm has passed the upper dead-center position preparatory to starting another forceful downward stroke.

Abstract: A pedal drive for a tricycle having a single driven rear wheel and two steerable front wheels. There are a pair of matched, laterally spaced sprockets mounted on a transverse shaft and a pair of matched, laterally sprockets rotatably mounted forwardly of the sprockets on said shaft. Each of the forward sprockets is aligned in a common plane with a corresponding sprocket on the transverse shaft. An endless chain extends about each pair of corresponding sprockets. Two elongate arm members, each with a foot pedal mounted on its bottom end, are pivotally mounted on a frame member of the tricycle. Two connecting links join the arm members to the endless chains. A third endless chain transmits power via a third sprocket on the transverse shaft to the rear wheel. The preferred tricycle is tiltable in order that it can maneuver corners quickly. Spring means are provided to bias the tricycle towards a desired tilting or non-tilting position.

Abstract: A bicycle having a frame provided with a chain and sprocket assembly. The pedal cranks on the front sprocket of the sprocket assembly are pivotally coupled at their outer ends to a pair of bars near to but spaced from the front ends of the bars, the rear ends of the bars being slotted to shiftably receive a pair of pins secured to the frame. A pedal is on the front end of each bar, respectively, whereby the forward power stroke caused by pedal being driven downwardly by the rider follows a semicircular path; whereas, the pedal follows almost a substantially vertical path as moves from its lower position to its upper position during the return stroke. The frame includes at least one cable which is placed under tension to connect certain components of the frame together while eliminating excess weight to enhance the speed characteristics of the bicycle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a driving mechanism for bicycles and the like devices wherein the conventional frame, seat and chain axle drive is employed, characterized in that an oscillating arcuate body is mounted on a base connected to the bicycle frame, said arcuate body having a foot rest connected through a bracket to said base, a connecting rod is connected from the front tip of said arcuate body to an eccentrically mounted crank shaft, said crank shaft being mounted on a sprocket wheel driving the chain and axle drive of the bicycle and like devices.

Abstract: An amusement and exercising vehicle for physically handicapped persons is driven by a motor. Operational movement of the drive mechanism is translated into reciprocal movement of the foot pedals. The foot pedals are provided with orthopedic braces for supporting the legs of the driver whereby the legs are supported for exercising movement by the motor during movement of the vehicle. In a second embodiment, the vehicle is further provided with a motorized drive mechanism to permit operation of the drive mechanism and the corresponding reciprocal movement of the foot pedals by persons unable to achieve such movement independently. In a third embodiment, the vehicle includes a mechanism for preventing the transmission of power from the motorized drive mechanism to a foot support when reciprocal movement of the foot support is hindered by the leg of the occupant.