A drive train for a tandem bicycle, in which the riders are positioned one behind the other, comprising a transverse intermediate shaft mounted on the bottom tube of a tandem bicycle between the two standard bottom brackets for the respective riders. Chains driven by the respective riders drive separate sprockets, each having an independent free-wheel driving connections to the intermediate shaft and being smaller than the respective chainring which drives it. The intermediate shaft has one or more relatively small chain rings to drive the rear sprockets of the bicycle. The driven rings of the intermediate shaft are smaller than the respective crossover chainrings so that the intermediate shaft is driven at a higher speed than the respective pedal cadences. So that a given gear ratio variation between largest and smallest drive rings may be achieved with a smaller arithmetic gap between the number of teeth on the drive rings. Ground clearance may be greater that of a conventional tandem bicycle due to use of smaller driven and driving chainrings and elevated positioning of the intermediate shaft. The independent freewheeling of the cranksets allow each rider to independently control the rotational position of his or her crankarms for purposes such as clearing obstacles. The present invention also allows the riders to selectively change the relative rotational orientations of the cranksets to allow, for example, pedalling in full synchronization or 90.degree. out of phase to achieve a smoother application of pedalling force.
A unidirectional rotating assembly, a bicycle powering mechanism, and a bicycle using the same are disclosed. The unidirectional rotating assembly allows a chainring to rotate while the crank and axle remains still. The bicycling powering mechanism combines the unidirectional rotating assembly with a powering device. The powering device is coupled to the unidirectional rotating assembly through a drive ring. This allows the powering device to drive the unidirectional assembly, thereby driving the chainring. When the bicycling power mechanism is part of a bike, the chainring is connected to the rear wheel of the bike through a chain and rear sprockets. Because of this, the bicycling powering mechanism can propel the bike while the cranks are stationary. Additionally, a person using a bike having this configuration is still able to shift gears. Thus, the bicycling power mechanism need not be designed with gearing. The unidirectional rotating assembly can also be applied to a multi-passenger bicycle for two or more individuals riding a bicycle together.
An improved bicycle transmission of a type having a housing, a pair of walls, a primary axis, primary gears, a splined shaft, a meshing gear, a primary group, an independent gear, an intermediate axis, intermediate gears, a final axis, shifting apparatus, a gear cover, a shifting arm, a locking apparatus, and a spring. The improvement includes the locking apparatus having a plate that is vertically pivotally attached above, and selectively engages and locks, the shifting arm, and a jaw that is substantially U-shaped, depends concentrically from the plate, and terminates in a plurality of alternating flutes and bumps, with the shifting arm being maintained against unwanted movement by engaging in a respective flute of the plurality of flutes of the jaw and being selectively maintained therein by the biasing of the spring.
The machine comprises a frame (1) to which means are attached that can be actuated by the limbs to overcome a force generated by resistance components by performing one or more exercises. The machine comprises two workstations having similar and similarly arranged actuating means (15, 20, 21A, 21B, 23, 123), all connected to the same resistance component (13; 113), so as to allow said persons, working together, to combine their respective efforts as they exercise.
Bicycle (1), comprising a first frame part (2) connected to a second frame part (13). The second frame part (13) is provided with a drive (14), comprising a crankshaft (16) carrying a driving gear blade (19) and a rear axle (17) carrying a driven gear blade (23). The bicylce (1) has as a particular feature that the drive (14) further comprises a gear hub (18) carrying a first, input gear blade (27) and a second, output gear blade (28), which gear hub (18) is mounted on the second frame part (13) at a distance from the rear axle (17).
A tandem adapter frame that attaches to the back of a single-rider bicycle, transforming the bicycle into a tandem bicycle. The rear wheel of the single-rider bicycle is removed from the bicycle and installed on the back end of the adapter frame. The adapter frame is attached to the single-rider bicycle at the seat post and the rear dropouts, resulting in a rigid 3-point connection. This transforms the single-rider bicycle into a rigid frame, two wheel, tandem bicycle with a rider in front and a rider in back. Both riders have pedals. An adapter axle assembly with sprockets on the lower front of the adapter frame serves two functions. It easily attaches between the rear dropouts of the single-rider bicycle using a standard axle and quick-release, and it transmits drive power to the rear crank without modifying the drive chain of the single-rider bicycle.
