In a bicycle frame adapted for internal control cabling, at least one control cable entrance port is located through the wall of the frame at a position ahead of the steering axis, such a port providing a bend-free cable path into and through the interior of the frame. This path passes laterally between the inner wall of the frame and the outer wall of the steering tube of a front wheel fork. A range of applicable port locations permits multiple internal cables to be installed together without interference. The frame configuration and associated cable guidance elements thereby facilitated provide direct cable paths to actuated devices such as a rear brake, front derailleur and rear derailleur. Because such paths are relatively short, incur minimal cable bending, and do not require outer cable within the frame, control actuation is characterized by particularly low levels of friction and elasticity.

An all-purpose frame 1 is provided which extends at an angle from a rear-wheel fork 5 attachable to the rear axle of a bicycle to swivelable steering connection 6 to a front-wheel 17 of the bicycle. The frame 1 can be a rectangular-tube beam 40, an I beam 42, a channel beam 44, a foam beam, a honeycomb beam or such other form of beam as provides a separation of top girders 2 and bottom girders 3 with a strucutral positioning member 4. Beam material can be ferrous alloy, aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, adhered fibers, and various combinations of foamed, honeycombed or otherwise porous materials in combination with relatively solid girders. Connection of the rear-wheel fork 5 to the frame 1 can be resilient vertically for a cushioning spring effect to decrease frame-weight requirement for absorbing impact and increasing rider comfort. The front-wheel fork 7 can be provided with resilient connection for the same reasons. A bicycle pedal crank 20 can be placed on a higher frame or adjustable vertically upwards to avoid rocks and bushes in mountain riding or downwards for lower obstacles in street riding. Carrying compartments can be provided in or on the frame beam. Multiple-speed chain-drive, variable-height seating, plurality-seating, caliper brakes, various handle bars, spoked alloy wheels and other features are optional.

A wheelchair seat back kit is disclosed, including a seat back defining shell having a generally upright back portion, and two integral sides leading forward therefrom. The outside dimension between the sides is less than the clear distance between the back posts of a wheelchair. Attachment points are provided for securing the shell with respect to the back posts at upper and lower seat back attachment points, with the back of the shell positionable rearward of the plane of the back posts. Preferably, at least the lower portions of the sides of the seat back project forward sufficiently to provide lateral hip support for a user of the wheelchair, and padding is positionable on the inside of the lower portions of the sides to narrow the dimension between the lower portions as required to provide the hip support for any given user. Bracket assemblies may be used to provide different seat back positions and angles. For example, the bracket assemblies may each include a vertical seat back support plate extending rearwardly from each back post, each support plate having several upper and lower attachment points.

A process for building recumbent bicycles to fit their riders. The first step is to build an adjustable recumbent bicycle frame designed for adjustability in the location of all the major elements of the bicycle; including position and angle of seat, position of wheels and pedals or other foot power means, position and caster angle of steering axis and position of handlebars or other steering means. Then individual riders or classes of riders test the adjustable frame model, and work out configurations that fit their body build and style of riding. Finally, lighter weight less adjustable or non-adjustable bicycle frames are built, copying the measurements between the elements of the adjustable frame bicycle, as configured when tested. One unique aspect of the present invention is that the adjustable frame utilized provides for both vertical and longitudinal adjustment between the bicycle seat and the rear wheel. Thus this parameter can be ergonomically optimized. Then the positioning of the front wheel and its steering geometry can be optimized. Finally the position of the foot pedal mechanism and handlebars can be optimized for the rider with respect to the other components.

A human-powered vehicle related to bicycles and rowing machines consisting of three or more wheels attached to a horizontal frame. For the purpose of a better understanding we will use a three-wheeled vehicle. There is no substantial difference between the front part of this invention and the front part of a regular bicycle. The rear wheels are attached to the frame and are driven by chains attached to their one-way sprocket freewheels. The chains are directly attached to a bar on which the pedals are mounted. There is a sliding board located on the front part of the framework which moves freely forwards and backwards on the frame. The board is covered with a soft foam-type material. The operator of this vehicle lies horizontally on the vehicle facing the ground and places the sliding board under his stomach while holding the handlebars and inserting his feet into the pedals. When the operator pushes on the handlebars his body slides backwards with the sliding board. At the same time, he pushes on the pedals with his feet. Notice that the operator does not turn the pedals. Both pedals move simultaneously backwards while pulling the chains with them, thus turning the rear wheels in the direction that moves the vehicle forward. Then, the operator pulls back with his arms and legs and returns to the starting position. When the operator pulls back, the pedals either move the chains freely in the other direction, due to one-way sprocket freewheels to which the chains are attached, or they continue moving the chains in the same direction as the wheels, due to a mechanism which locks the pedals bar to the upper part of the chains instead of the lower part as before, and thus turning them in the same direction. With few or no changes, this invention is convertible into a rowing machine. By sitting upright on the sliding board and by inserting his feet into front pedals the operator can steer the vehicle. By pushing and pulling on the front pedals and the rear handlebars with his hands and feet, he can create a forward motion of the vehicle. A second operator can be seated on an additional sliding board located at the rear of the framework. By pushing on the rear handlebars he can aid the first operator, who would be positioned horizontally, in the propulsion of the vehicle.