Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure relate to a bicycle configured to easily and efficiently adapt for riders of different sizes while providing both balance bike and pedal bike functionality. An exemplary bicycle is a children's bicycle designed and developed to grow with a child. An exemplary bicycle is configured to enable utility adjustments to a front assembly, among other components, which creates a setup that comfortably accommodates either smaller riders or larger-sized riders. The bicycle is adjustable with minimal effort and without tools, enabling re-configuration on the fly. Further disclosed is an exemplary training wheel device that is attachable to an exemplary bicycle. An exemplary training wheel device extends functionality of the bicycle and assist with training a young child to ride the bicycle.

Abstract: A ergonomic tandem bicycle suitable for riders with some limited physical capabilities. The ergonomic tandem bicycle includes an elongated frame with an angled steering column attached to the front portion that positions the front wheel substantially in front of the frame, and the handlebars towards the rear. A transmission assembly includes the necessary pedal sprockets, along with idler sprockets that maintain continuous contact between the sprockets and the long drive chain required with this type of design. The seat is positioned in such a manner so as to allow the riders to sit in a near vertical position.

Abstract: An occupant judging apparatus for a vehicle seat includes a load sensor assembled to a seat body, a controller for calculating a detected load value based upon an output load value of the load sensor and for performing an occupant judgment based upon a difference between the detected load value and a predetermined judging threshold value, human body detecting means for detecting a human body approximately in contact with the seat body. The controller controls the occupant judgment based upon the detected load value and the predetermined judging threshold value in response to the detecting status of the human body by the human body detecting means.

Abstract: A system for detecting the weight of a person seated in a vehicle seat includes a pair of load sensor beams. Each load sensor beam has an intermediate section extending between a pair of opposite end sections. The opposite end sections of the load sensor beams are connected to a base frame of the vehicle seat. The load sensor beams are also connected to a seat pan of the vehicle seat that is positioned adjacent the base frame. The end sections of the load sensor beams are connected to opposite sides of the seat pan so that a plurality of loads generated by the weight of a person sitting on a seat cushion carried by the seat pan are transmitted to the intermediate sections of the load sensor beams. At least one sensor is mounted on the intermediate section of each load sensor beam for outputting signals representative of the plurality of loads generated by the weight of the person sitting on the seat cushion.

Abstract: A trailer cycle (10) includes a trailer cycle frame (52) having a main tube (54) which extends toward the lead cycle (12). A hitch mechanism (14) is located between the lead cycle and the trailer cycle. A lead-cycle hitch portion (34) is joined to the lead cycle substantially vertically above the hub of the lead-cycle rear wheel (26). A flexible hitch portion (82) is interposed between the trailer cycle frame and the lead cycle hitch portion and is housed in an orthogonal member (84) which contains an adjustable vertical, or pitch, pivot mechanism and a similarly adjustable yaw pivot mechanism. The orthogonal member is constructed and arranged to prevent motion about the roll axis of the trailer cycle relative to the lead cycle. A lead-cycle-hitch engaging member is located at the lower end of the yaw pivot mechanism and selectively engages and releases the lead-cycle hitch portion. A locking mechanism is provided which secures the trailer cycle to the lead.

Abstract: A close-coupled tandem bicycle is described with a shorter wheelbase than a standard tandem bicycle and with the front and rear riders positioned closer together for easier communication and interaction between them. Two pedal cranks drive the rear wheel through a sprocket-and-chain drive. Both the front and rear passenger can steer the bicycle. A main handlebar with long handgrips extends rearward within easy reach of the rear passenger. A secondary handlebar attaches to the main handlebar and extends in front of it for use by the front passenger. The height and forward extension of the secondary handlebar is adjustable independently of the main handlebar so that both passengers can adjust the seat and the handlebars to their liking. The tiding positions can be adjusted to allow two riders of different sizes, such as a child and an adult, to ride together in comfort.

Abstract: A mount for bicycle handlebars that is fitted with an elastic element to deaden the stresses transmitted by the front wheel and fork to the handlebars and so also to the arms of the cyclist. The mount is divided into two parts connected by an elastic element, the elasticity of which can be constant or regulated.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for converting two single rider bicycles into a tandem tricycle is provided through means of extending the rear axle of the front bicycle of the tandem by rear axle extenders. The rear axle extenders are in line with the rear axle and provide a bearing upon which a modified front fork of the rear bicycle is mounted. The bearing is positioned outboard on the rear axle extenders by a distance sufficient to allow the modified front fork of the rear bicycle to clear all gearing or transmissions provided on the rear axle of the front bicycle. The modified front fork of the rear bicycle is modified to provide a distance of separation between the tines of the fork to allow for this clearance. Front axle extenders are also provided to the front axle of the front wheel of the rear bicycle when the two bicycles are disassembled to allow them to be used once again as single rider bicycles.

Abstract: A bicycle headset includes a head tube engaged on a steerer tube, a lower bowl engaged in an upper portion of the head tube, a bearing engaged on the lower bowl, a sleeve engaged on the steerer tube, an upper bowl engaged on the bearing and engaged on the sleeve. A ring extends through the sleeve and couples the upper bowl and the steerer tube together such that the upper bowl and the sleeve and the steerer tube rotate in concert. A tapered surface is formed in the sleeve and the upper bowl so that the sleeve is forced radially inward by the upper bowl.

Abstract: A safe, efficient, human powered vehicle for on and off road use. The preferred embodiment has four wheels and seats two operators side by side. The vehicle incorporates several features which drastically reduce the energy required to propel such a vehicle and optimizes the energy produced from the operators. Each operator is provided with an independent foot pedal and drive mechanism. Each independent drive mechanism has multiple speeds which are independently controlled by each operator. The invention allows each operator to provide power to both rear wheels simultaneously. The drive train includes a simple, lightweight, energy efficient freewheel mechanism which acts as a differential and allows each rear wheel to rotate at different speeds when turning corners. This differential mechanism saves energy by eliminating tire skid which occurs when both rear wheels rotate at the same speed during a turn. The suspension system is energy efficient.

Abstract: A generally hollow bicycle frame of resin impregnated fibrous material having a main tubular beam and cross tubular portions as required by single seat and dual seat bicycle frames. At the rearmost end of the main tubular beam is a cross tubular portion providing an upstanding seat support post and a downstanding pedal support post, and having a rearwardly and downwardly extending V-shaped rear wheel support member affixed to the seat support upwardly of the main tubular beam. For the dual seat frame, an additional cross tubular portion is provided intermediate the ends of the main beam, providing an upstanding front seat support and a downstanding front pedal support post. The frame is constructed of an innermost shell of fibrous material impregnated in synthetic resin and an outer layer of similar material. The junctions of the seat and pedal support post with the main tubular beam portion are strengthened by the main beam innermost shell extending continously, unbrokenly, through the junction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bicycle passenger transportation system including an auxiliary seat for mounting on the horizontal bar of the bicycle forwardly of the rider's seat, a passenger footrest and a supporting harness extending between the passenger and the rider.

Abstract: Guidance apparatus for bicycle training allowing supervising adult to control the balance of inexperience bicycle rider, comprising a elongated tubular shaft having a top and bottom end, said bottom end including means to fixedly secured the latter to the rear portion of a bicycle frame with said top end extending substantially behind above the bicycle seat, an elongated handle element mounted on said top end of said shaft so as to be able to adjust the balance of rider on said bicycle by lateral movement of said handle and to provide with safety feature to control the motion of said rider by holding on to said handle or by using standard bicycle hand-brake system connected to said shaft.

Abstract: A belt support system is provided to assist in securing and supporting a passenger on a vehicle seat, immediately in front of a rider sitting on the main vehicle seat. A first belt to be worn by the rider incorporates a pair of coupling members attached to shoulder straps at such locations as to be positioned on the front side of the rider's torso. A second belt to be worn by the passenger incorporates a second pair of coupling members located so as to be accessible on the back side of the passenger's body. With the passenger seated immediately in front of the rider, either on the same seat, or on an auxiliary seat, the two pairs of coupling members are releasably secured together. The passenger, who in most applications will be a child, is thus secured to and held by an adult rider.For bicycle use, an auxiliary seat in the form of an elongated cushion having a slot along its length is removably placed over the horizontal bar in front of the main bicycle seat, with the slot being pushed down over the bar.

Abstract: An auxiliary seat for bicycles of elongated, generally cylindrical shape and having a slot running lengthwise of the seat body. The slot opens at its lower end through the material of the body and has a closed upper end, within the interior of the seat body. The auxiliary seat is mounted on the horizontal bar of a bicycle by simply slipping the slot over the bar until the closed upper end of the slot is brought into firm, embracing engagement with the bicycle bar. No special tools, brackets, or hardware are required for installation or removal of the auxiliary seat. The seat is mounted on the horizontal bar of a bicycle, forwardly of the main seat for secure and safe support of a passenger, such as a child.

Abstract: A single rider bicycle is adapted to be transformable to a two rider bicycle, and comprises a stationary tubular framework structure and an extendible tubular framework structure. The structures are telescopically coupled. The stationary structure includes a stationary saddle and support means for a removable saddle. A permanent pedal crank is disposed upon said stationary structure while the extendible structure includes a pedal crank. Removable coupling means are provided for coupling the permanent and removable pedal cranks when the bicycle is extended to its tandem position. Means are further provided for enabling horizontal and vertical adjustment of the removable saddle.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in men's and ladies' folding and tandem bicycles. The improvement provides commonality of structural and mechanical means and commonality of configuration components between a men's and ladies style bicycle, and tandem bicycles. This invention provides a bicycle with alternative men's and ladies' model structural means. It permits elimination of the top horizontal bar of the folding bicycle frame, allowing construction of a ladies' style folding bicycle, which folds on three axes with exclusive structural support means in the lower member or members fixedly secured to a vertical structural spreader bar in the rear of the bicycle frame. The said vertical bar provides vertical adjustable seat support means for the rider, with the seat remaining in proper forward adjustment during folding and unfolding of the bicycle. The improvement expands the capability of bicycle folding means into ladies' model configuration and tandem rider model configurations.

Abstract: A tandem tricycle is easily constructed from standard bicycles by removing the front wheel and fork of the rear bicycle, placing an adapter on the frame of the rear bicycle, and mounting the adapter to the rear of the leading bicycle. The adapter allows the rear bicycle to tilt, to articulate, and to bend with respect to the leading bicycle. Each function is independently achieved through suitable assemblies, and the combination allows simultaneous tilting, articulating, and bending. Although described with reference to an adapter suitable for converting standard bicycles to a tandem tricycle, the invention also contemplates the manufacture of an integral tandem bicycle or tricycle having an adapter which allows tilting, articulating, and bending of the trailing section of the tandem relative to the leading section. Multisectioned velocipedes are also contemplated.

Abstract: A multipassenger pedal vehicle comprising at least two rear drive assemblies, each having a conventional design and including a triangularly shaped frame, a rear wheel, a seat, and a pedal assembly. The rear drive assemblies are interconnected in a side-by-side, spaced apart, and aligned relationship by a plurality of laterally disposed connectors. A steering assembly, also having a conventional design and including a wheel mounted in a fork-shaped frame with handlebars, is positioned centrally and forwardly of the rear drive assemblies and is connected therewith for steering the vehicle. The handlebars extend outwardly and upwardly from the stationary sleeve member of the steering assembly, to a point respectively adjacent to and interior of each of the corresponding seats, whereby each of the users can, with one of his hands, grasp one of the upstanding handlebars, and singly, or in cooperation with the other user, pilot the vehicle.

Abstract: A four wheel, pedal driven vehicle particularly adapted for two persons seated in tandem, wherein each person alone or together can operate the vehicle by pedaling and steering. The vehicle comprises a unitary frame, a front spindle yoke assembly in combination with front handle bars and with front wheel forks of each front wheel, a steering control system in combination with the yoke assembly and rear handle bar means, a continuous drive chain assembly which is in combination with sprockets and pedals of both operator positions and which is in combination with transmission means and a rear drive assembly, whereby the drive chain can be driven from either tandem position. The vehicle has an associated body shell and cowls as well as conventional brakes, lights, etc.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in folding girl's and tandem bicycles. The improvement expands the capability of bicycle folding means into girl's and tandem model configurations and provides a commonality of construction which can be incorporated into men's model configurations. The improvement disclosed is a detent for retaining the articulated latches securely locked thereby avoiding inadvertant release when the bicycle is ridden. An eccentric adjustment is provided to adjust out the looseness in the folding joints to overcome the problems of manufacturing tolerances and normal wear. Also disclosed is a tandem style which is no larger than the single rider model, except that it has provisions for a tandem seat and a tandem set of pedals.

Abstract: S system for training motorcycle operators. A conventional motorcycle carries a seat capable of accommodating a student in front of an instructor. The student operates the conventional handlebars and an additional set of handlebars is provided between the student and the instructor to be operated by the instructor. A transmission interconnects the two sets of handlebars so that they will be operated identically. Furthermore, while the conventional controls are available to be operated by the student, a set of additional controls are accessible to the instructor so that the instructor also can control the motorcycle.

Abstract: A three-wheeled vehicle or tricycle having an elongated frame mounting an auxiliary tricycle seat behind an operator's seat with handle bars and pedals for the auxiliary seat which are not connected to tricycle wheels for providing an auxiliary simulated tricycle arrangement upon a tricycle for small children.

Abstract: A safety device particularly for motorcycle instructors having a rear seat braking control that can be operated independently of the main foot lever type motorcycle brake. In addition, a motor cut-off switch can be employed to operate simultaneously with the use of the auxiliary motorcycle brake in order to de-activate the motorcycle engine, and assist in the braking of the motorcycle. The auxiliary brake can be mounted on any motorcycle currently being manufactured and sold. The safety device takes a further form in which the instructor can steer, accelerate, and shift the motorcycle as well as braking and de-activating the engine.