A rack driven human powered vehicle utilizes a rack and pinion system to provide a more efficient method of propulsion. The rack and pinion system may take the linear momentum of at least one driving rack and may transfer it to rotational momentum for at least one freewheel sprocket which may turn the wheel providing momentum for the vehicle.

Disclosed is a recumbent bicycle configuration, structure and methods which allow effective hand power input using only components otherwise required to pedal and steer. Force and work based hand power methods are used. The effect is comparable to standing and pedaling a conventional bicycle. The configuration has front wheel drive and steering. The crankset is fork mounted on or near the steering axis. The fork has a double triangulated torque tube structure which is rigid from the hand grips to the crankshaft endpoints to torsional hand and foot forces in opposition. Pedal forces on steering are controlled by a hand over foot leverage ratio, and by use of trail, which is increasingly effective with speed. A fork mounted fairing can be used. For stability, the fairing aerodynamic center of presented area is ahead of the steering axis. Hand, foot and selective braking inputs are used for enhanced control.

The apparatus comprises a rotary to variable linear converter which functions to steer a pivotable rotatable directional wheel of a vehicle. The converter comprises a driven rotatable cylinder and a rotatable pivotable friction wheel pressed against the surface of the cylinder so that they rotate together. The friction wheel is slidably mounted on guide rods extending parallel to the cylinder surface so that the friction wheel can advance helically along the cylinder if angled relative to the cylinder axis. The friction wheel generates a lateral force which is used to apply torque to the directional wheel to turn it. The orientation of the friction wheel is varied and controlled by a digit-operated control lever operated by a rider of the vehicle.

Adjustable speed effort-saving bicycle, comprising a front wheel assembly, a rear wheel assembly, and a frame, the front wheel assembly and the rear wheel assembly mounted on either front or rear end of the frame, also comprising quad-connecting rod mechanism, a chain wheel, chain A, and a transmission mechanism converting rider weight into a rocking force. The quad-connecting rod mechanism is mounted on the frame. The chain wheel is on the frame and meshes with middle part of chain A. The chain wheel is connected to the rear wheel assembly via transmission apparatus. One end of chain A is connected to an output frame-connecting rod of the quad-connecting rod mechanism. A bent part extends from where the output frame-connecting rod joins the frame. Another end of chain A is connected to the bent part. A tensioner for tensioning chain A is between the bent part and the output frame-connecting rod.

A foot and hand pedaled bicycle assembly that facilitates a full body working during riding includes a bicycle that has a front wheel, a rear wheel and a frame. The frame has a top member and a lower member that each pivotally extends between a seat post and a handlebar fork. The handlebar fork is urgeable toward or away from the seat post. A pair of pedals is provided and each of the pedals is rotatably coupled to the frame for rotating the rear wheel. A pair of hand cranks is provided and each of the hand cranks is coupled to the handlebar fork for steering the bicycle. Moreover, each of the hand cranks is in mechanical communication with the front wheel for rotating the front wheel when the hand cranks are cranked.

A foot and hand pedaled bicycle assembly that facilitates a full body working during riding includes a bicycle that has a front wheel, a rear wheel and a frame. The frame has a top member and a lower member that each pivotally extends between a seat post and a handlebar fork. The handlebar fork is urgeable toward or away from the seat post. A pair of pedals is provided and each of the pedals is rotatably coupled to the frame for rotating the rear wheel. A pair of hand cranks is provided and each of the hand cranks is coupled to the handlebar fork for steering the bicycle. Moreover, each of the hand cranks is in mechanical communication with the front wheel for rotating the front wheel when the hand cranks are cranked.

The function of this invention is to provide exercisers with a safe and easy way to convert a legs-only exercising device, such as a stationary trainer or bicycle, with the capacity to exercise their upper and lower body muscle groups simultaneously or separately. This invention is portable and can be moved easily from one legs-only exercising device to another. Once they are mounted onto the handlebar or attachment bar of the legs-only device, it is now a full-body trainer. Exercisers mount the trainer, place their feet on the cycling pedals, place their elbows onto the elbow holders, grasp the hand grips, and now start their full body exercising activity. The degree of difficulty of their exercise trek is easily accommodated by allowing the rider to adjust the resistance for moving the forearm bars up and down for an upright bike, or back and forth for a recumbent trainer.

The function of this invention is to provide exercisers with a safe and easy way to convert a legs-only exercising device, such as a stationary trainer or bicycle, with the capacity to exercise their upper and lower body muscle groups simultaneously or separately. This invention is portable and can be moved easily from one legs-only exercising device to another. Once they are mounted onto the handlebar or attachment bar of the legs-only device, it is now a full-body trainer. Exercisers mount the trainer, place their feet on the cycling pedals, place their elbows onto the elbow holders, grasp the hand grips, and now start their full body exercising activity. The degree of difficulty of their exercise trek is easily accommodated by allowing the rider to adjust the resistance for moving the forearm bars up and down for an upright bike, or back and forth for a recumbent trainer.

Tri-Power Exercising device allows a rider to simultaneously, or on demand, exercise virtually all muscle groups in his lower and upper body. The device includes a bicycle frame, pedals, forearm bars, sliding seat, computer and electronic display recommending energy modulation amounts from various muscle groups to optimize physical performance on any given trek. Because riders can exercise virtually all muscle groups at once, they reduce their exercising time, continuously builds muscle tissue throughout their whole body, and exercises their cardiovascular and respiratory systems completely. Riders operate the device by rotating legs on the pedals, rotationally oscillating the forearm bars up and down with their arms and shoulders, and then use core muscles to pull and push the seat back and forth on the slider. Inverted racks, pinion gears, and one-way bearings turn this linear power from the oscillating forearm bars and sliding seat into torque that rotates the crank axle.

Tri-Power Exercising device allows a rider to simultaneously, or on demand, exercise virtually all muscle groups in his lower and upper body. The device includes a bicycle frame, pedals, forearm bars, sliding seat, computer and electronic display recommending energy modulation amounts from various muscle groups to optimize physical performance on any given trek. Because riders can exercise virtually all muscle groups at once, they reduce their exercising time, continuously builds muscle tissue throughout their whole body, and exercises their cardiovascular and respiratory systems completely. Riders operate the device by rotating legs on the pedals, rotationally oscillating the forearm bars up and down with their arms and shoulders, and then use core muscles to pull and push the seat back and forth on the slider. Inverted racks, pinion gears, and one-way bearings turn this linear power from the oscillating forearm bars and sliding seat into torque that rotates the crank axle.