The present invention relates to an energy transfer system, in particular in the form of an energy efficient wheel for use with a vehicle such as a bicycle, which energy transfer system is operable to convert potential energy in the form of the load applied by the weight of the person on the vehicle into kinetic energy in the form of driving torque applied to the wheel, the system including an inner hub and an outer hub eccentrically coupled to the inner hub, in addition to a rim connected to the outer hub via an array of spokes, wherein an actuator comprising a pair of flanges extends radially outwardly from the inner hub and an array of lever arms are hingedly mounted to the outer hub and engaged by the actuator such as to be hingedly displaceable by the actuator in response to relative movement between the inner and outer hubs, and a spring captured between each lever arm and one of the spokes.

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.

A regenerative braking system includes an epicyclic transmission unit to transfer braking energy through an arrangement of a sun gear and planetary gears to a torque storage module. In addition, the system includes a braking unit that arrests the rotation of planetary gears such that momentum available at the rear wheel hub is transferred to the sun gear. The sun gear is mounted on the outer casing and rotates a first pulley that charges a spring of the torque storage module. The spring discharges and transfers momentum to the rear wheel hub via the first pulley, the sun gear, a one-way cam bearing, and an extended hub on releasing the brake disc.

The device provides an energy return mechanism associated with flexing and straightening of the scooter rider's support leg. The device includes an energy return mechanism having an end connected to the scooter such that resilient force exerted by the mechanism is longitudinally aligned with the scooter to act in a generally rearward/upward direction. A free end of the mechanism cradles the front of the rider's support leg, just below the knee. When the rider flexes the support leg, the resilient mechanism distorts in a longitudinal direction. When the rider straightens the leg, the forces stored in the resilient mechanism supplement the force of the rider's muscles. Thus, the device reduces the amount of energy used by the rider. The mechanism can be configured as an accessory to a conventional scooter or be integrated into a scooter. Certain embodiments are foldable and compatible with the foldable scooters.

A wheeled vehicle incorporating a frame; a drive shaft mounted upon the frame, the drive shaft having rotary power input and output ends; a drive wheel mounted upon the frame; a rotary power output linkage operatively interconnecting the drive shaft's output end and the drive wheel; rotary power pedals mounted upon the frame; a rotary power input linkage operatively interconnecting the drive shaft's input end and the rotary power pedals; a spiral spring having a rotary power input end and a rotary power output end, the spiral spring being mounted over the drive shaft; a clutch and one way bearing combination for anchoring the spiral spring's rotary power input end upon the drive shaft and upon the frame; and a one way bearing and brake combination for alternatively anchoring the spiral spring's rotary power output end upon the drive shaft and upon the frame.

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.

The present invention relates to a bicycle propelling device capable of transferring power to a bicycle wheel by using the gripping force of both hands. The present propelling device uses the gripping force, and thus overcomes the problem of prior art hand and foot bicycles in which balance is easily lost during driving because the prior art hand and foot bicycles require the use of the arms. The propelling device can be used together with a pedaling operation when greater power is required while the user is riding the bicycle as usual, thereby improving the running efficiency of the bicycle. Furthermore, the propelling device is formed by combining simple devices including a string and a freewheel, and thus a bicycle can maintain the original structure thereof as it is, so that it does not cause any disadvantage or difference when the user rides the bicycle by stepping on pedals in a conventional manner.

A bike pedal assembly uses a pawl, a gear and a torque spring to enable a rider to store and release torque energy while pedaling a bike. The pawl and gear are connected to a nut on an axle, which is connected to a crank arm of the bike. Being connected to the gear and a foot pedal, the torque spring stores torsional energy when one end is stationary and the other rotates with the foot pedal during half of the crank arm resolution, while releases torsional energy during the second half to the crank arm. Thus, the pedal assembly, which can be efficiently installed on each of the foot pedals of the bike, allows the rider to store and utilize additional torque energy and provides a more efficient means of storing torque energy than the conventional system.

A bike pedal assembly uses a pawl, a gear and a torque spring to enable a rider to store and release torque energy while pedaling a bike. The pawl and gear are connected to a nut on an axle, which is connected to a crank arm of the bike. Being connected to the gear and a foot pedal, the torque spring stores torsional energy when one end is stationary and the other rotates with the foot pedal during half of the crank arm resolution, while releases torsional energy during the second half to the crank arm. Thus, the pedal assembly, which can be efficiently installed on each of the foot pedals of the bike, allows the rider to store and utilize additional torque energy and provides a more efficient means of storing torque energy than the conventional system.

A rotation transmission mechanism of the invention includes an inner rotating member and an outer rotating member that is rotatably disposed with respect to the inner rotating member. The inner rotating member includes an outer peripheral protruding portion that protrudes toward an outer peripheral side. The outer rotating member includes an annular portion and an inner peripheral protruding portion. The outer peripheral protruding portion has a forward movement surface at a position shifted from a center of the outer peripheral protruding portion in a forward rotational direction in which the rotation transmission mechanism is rotated by forward movement. An elastically deformable portion is disposed between the forward movement surface and the inner peripheral protruding portion. The outer peripheral protruding portion and the annular portion are provided with guide portions that guide the outer peripheral protruding portion so as to slidably move in a rotational direction of the rotation transmission mechanism with respect to the annular portion.