초록 ▼

The provision of power by the human body to bicycles, tricycles, exercise equipment, wheeled chairs or the like is effected using a hand-operated lever (35) and/or a pair of pendulums (23). The hand-operated lever is pivoted about an axle (33) on a frame (12) of the cycle or other equipment. Rotatio

The provision of power by the human body to bicycles, tricycles, exercise equipment, wheeled chairs or the like is effected using a hand-operated lever (35) and/or a pair of pendulums (23). The hand-operated lever is pivoted about an axle (33) on a frame (12) of the cycle or other equipment. Rotation of the lever about that axle in either direction causes a respective sprocket wheel (38) to rotate about an associated axis, with consequential rotation of a rotatable member (14) which drives the cycle or other equipment. A tensioning or recoil mechanism (40,42) returns the sprocket wheel or drum to its original position when the lever is rotated in the opposite direction about the axle. Similarly, forward movement of a pendulum about the axle (22) from which it depends causes an associated different sprocket wheel (28) or drum to rotate about the axis to cause the rotatable member to move and drive the cycle or other equipment. If the invention is applied to a cycle that can be propelled, a steering mechanism for the cycle is also provided, operated via handlebars (31) attached to the top of the lever (35).

대표청구항 ▼

An arm operated driving mechanism for a first rotatable member (14) which is fixedly mounted on a first axle (30) which is supported for rotation on a frame (12), said driving mechanism comprising: a) a pair of second rotatable members (38) mounted coaxially with said first rotatable member and conn

An arm operated driving mechanism for a first rotatable member (14) which is fixedly mounted on a first axle (30) which is supported for rotation on a frame (12), said driving mechanism comprising: a) a pair of second rotatable members (38) mounted coaxially with said first rotatable member and connected to said first axle by an arrangement which permits rotation with said first axle in one direction of rotation but free movement about said first axle in the opposite direction of rotation; b) a hand-moveable lever (35) having an upper end and a lower end, said lever being mounted on a second axle (33) supported on said frame remote from said first axle, said lever being rotatable about said second axle in a substantially vertical plane between a first position in which said upper end is in a forward position and a second position in which said upper end is in a rearward position; said lever having first and second connection points (37, 36) thereon; c) a connection means (39, 41), each said connection means passing at least partly around said second rotatable member and being connected thereto, one end of each said connection means being connected to a respective one of said connection points, whereby movement of said lever from said first position to said second position causes one of said connection means to be pulled around, and thereby rotate, its respective second rotatable member, to rotate said first axle and hence said first rotatable member, and movement of said lever from said second position to said first position causes the other of said means to be pulled around, and thereby rotate, its respective second rotatable member, to rotate said first axle and hence said first rotatable member; d) biasing means (40, 42) associated with each said connection means, for biasing its associated connection means in the opposite direction to the direction of movement thereof which causes rotation of said first axle.