The present invention relates to a recumbent vehicle (10), more particularly, it relates to a recreational electrically (38, 40, 42) and/or pedal-powered recumbent vehicle (10), specifically suited for use as a golf cart (100). The recumbent vehicle (10) includes a chassis (12), two front wheels (14A, 14B), a rear wheel (16), a reclined seat (18), a footrest (20) located forwardly of the rotary axis of the front wheel and an unobstructed load bay (22) between the chassis (12), the rear wheel (16) and a backrest of the reclined seat (18).

A vehicle propellable by a human comprising a front assembly having a front wheel and a pair of hand pedals connect thereto; a rear assembly having a first rear wheel and a second rear wheel rotatably connected thereto; a chest rest located between the front assembly and the rear assembly, the chest rest configured to support the chest of a rider lying forward on the vehicle; and a first foot support structure operatively coupled to rotate the first rear wheel, and a second foot support operatively coupled to rotate the second rear wheel wherein the first rear wheel and second rear wheel are independently rotated by opposite feet of a rider when said feet are within said first and second foot support, respectively.

The invention allows a rider to operate a bicycle in a recumbent position, and steer the bicycle using a direct underseat steering system. The recumbent position, compared to the typical upright riding position, greatly reduces air resistance and required effort. The direct underseat steering system is mechanically simple, which makes is less costly to manufacture, and the direct steering system is also less likely than linkage-based systems to be damaged in a crash. The frame geometry allows the manufacturer to use inexpensive materials and techniques, while still providing the rider adequate stiffness and durability.

A device for converting reciprocating rectilinear motion into unidirectional circular motion is provided, which is capable of converting a man-powered rectilinear motion into a unidirectional circular motion by a combination of a rack and a gear, or a combination of a chain and a chain wheel, or a combination of a belt and a belt wheel, and under the conversion of a plurality of gear sets and unidirectional bearings. Each of the gear sets comprises a large gear, a medium gear and a small gear, thus transformation of output torque and a rotating speed can be achieved by transverse sliding meshing of the gear sets, and this speed regulation is quite convenient. In addition, the gear sets in a main body are randomly arranged according to actual needs, such as rectilinear arrangement, triangular arrangement and the like. In addition, a transportation vehicle using the device is also provided.

A rack-driven seated handcycle is a semi-recumbent style two, three, or four wheeled human powered cycle that uses a linearly designed toothed rack with teeth located on the topside and bottom side of the rack, and a gear that meshes with the top teeth and a gear that meshes with the bottom teeth, at least one ratchet mechanism, and a chain coupling the upper and lower gears with the drive wheel which may be located in front or back of the rider. The rider pushes and pulls the handlebars forward and rearward to pull the rack back and forth in relation to the pinions above and below the toothed rack to drive chain(s) to propel the cycle forward. Each forward and each rearward stroke may constitute a power stroke to propel the cycle. A plurality of gear speeds is able to independently select a lever ratio for each of the forward and the rearward strokes.

A pedal cycle drivetrain (1) comprising: an epicyclic gear train (3) comprising: a sun gear (11) rotatable around a main axis; a planet carrier (13) rotatable around the main axis and carrying one or more planet gears (15) meshed with the sun gear (11); and an annulus (17) rotatable around the main axis and meshed with the one or more planet gears (15). The sun gear (11), the planet carrier (13), and the annulus (17) are each exclusively in direct drive with one of: an input (5) including one or more pedals; an output (7) including a wheel hub (8) rotatable around the main axis; and a first electric motor (19). Varying angular velocity of the first electric motor (19) corresponds to a varying effective transmission ratio between the input (5) and the output (7). An example application for the pedal cycle drivetrain (1) is use as a transmission in a human powered vehicle (100, 200, 400) such as a unicycle, a recumbent bicycle, or a tricycle.

A railway vehicle includes two axles with wheels at ends thereof, and a frame rotatably supporting the axles. A seat is carried on the frame adjacent to pedals which are coupled to at least one of the wheels, typically through one of the axles. A battery and electric motor are configured to also supply power. The electric motor is adjustable to deliver controllable amounts of electric power to drive the wheels, separate from or in addition to pedal power delivered to the wheels. A trailer accessory can be towed on the rails by the vehicle. A turntable is provided with rail segments thereon, rotatable relative to a base, and with ramps on at least one end of each rail segment alignable with left and right rails of the railway. Vehicles can roll up the ramps onto the rail segments and then pivot 180? for operation in a reverse direction.

A recumbent bicycle for recumbent riding includes a frame that is tubular and elongated. A handlebar, which is ape hanger-styled, is rotationally coupled to a front of the frame. A first wheel and a second wheel are rotationally coupled to a rear of the frame and the handlebar, respectively. A seat is coupled to a top of the frame. A sprocket, which is coupled to the frame proximate to the front, is operationally coupled to the first wheel. A pair of pedals is coupled to and extends from the sprocket. Each pedal is configured to position a respective foot of the user so that the user is positioned to compel rotation of the sprocket concurrent with the pedals. The sprocket is positioned to compel rotation of the first wheel to locomote the frame and the user. The pedals also are configured to be reversibly rotated to brake the first wheel.

A novel cycle device including a transmission assembly (or assemblies) that significantly reduces torque interference with steering operations is provided. Such an assembly is provided in one or more of a modular, fixed or movable configuration according reduced complexity of implementation, improved efficiency of operation, and useful assembly modularity for manufacture and repair. Such a device may further include an improved means for selecting between direct and overdrive functions of a fixed transmission assembly. Additionally, a removable front transmission assembly comprising a steering fork with handlebars is also encompassed herein.

A novel cycle device including a transmission assembly (or assemblies) that significantly reduces torque interference with steering operations is provided. Such an assembly is provided in one or more of a modular, fixed or movable configuration according reduced complexity of implementation, improved efficiency of operation, and useful assembly modularity for manufacture and repair. Such a device may further include an improved means for selecting between direct and overdrive functions of a fixed transmission assembly. Additionally, a removable front transmission assembly comprising a steering fork with handlebars is also encompassed herein.