Folding Fender

Abstract

The invention relates to a foldable bicycle (10) with a first part of the frame (1) that carries a first wheel (11) and a crank-drive and a second part of a frame (2) that carries a crank-drive driven second wheel (12), wherein the first part of the frame (1) and the second part (2) are connected to each other by a swivel connection (4) through which the second wheel (12) that is fastened to the second part of the frame (2) is swiveled by a swivel movement in the direction of the first wheel (11) in the same direction as the pedal axle (A), including the fender (3) belonging to the second wheel (12). In order to also be able to roll the bicycle in a folded state, the fender (3) consists of a first fender part (3a) and a second fender part (3b), wherein the first fender part (3a) is attached to the second part of the frame (2) and the second fender part (3b) is movably mounted relative to the first fender part (3a).

Claims

1. A foldable bicycle with a first part of the frame, that comprises a first wheel and a crank-drive, and a second part of the frame that comprises a crank-drive driven second wheel, wherein the first part of the frame and the second part of the frame are connectable to one another by means of a swivel connection through which the second wheel attached to the second part of the frame can be swiveled in the direction of the first wheel by means of a swivel movement at the pedal axle (A), and with the fender belonging to the second wheel, characterized by the fender consisting of a first fender part and a second fender part, wherein the first fender part is fastened to the second part of the frame and the second part of the fender is hinge mounted to the first part of the fender.

2. The bicycle of claim 1, wherein the second fender part is hinge mounted to the first part of the frame on a first mounting part as well as to a second mounting part hinge mounted to the second part of the frame.

3. The bicycle of claim 2, wherein the first mounting part is hinge mounted to the second fender part in the area of the facing end pieces hinge mounted on the first fender part.

4. The bicycle of claim 2 wherein the first part of the frame and the second part can be connected to each other at a coupling point, functioning by way of a swivel connection, wherein the first mounting part is hinge mounted to the first part of the frame at the coupling point.

5. The bicycle of claim 4 wherein the coupling point is a magnetic coupling.

6. The bicycle to of claim 1, wherein when the bicycle is in its unfolded state, the end pieces of the fender parts that face each other overlap loosely together.

7. The bicycle of claim 3 wherein the first part of the frame and the second part can be connected to each other at a coupling point, functioning by way of a swivel connection, wherein the first mounting part is hinge mounted to the first part of the frame at the coupling point.

8. The bicycle of claim 2, wherein when the bicycle is in its unfolded state, the end pieces of the fender parts that face each other overlap loosely together.

9. The bicycle of claim 3, wherein when the bicycle is in its unfolded state, the end pieces of the fender parts that face each other overlap loosely together.

Description

[0014] The present invention will become apparent from the following preferable versions with the help of detailed drawings:

[0015] FIG. 1 the bicycle, in accordance to the invention, in its unfolded and ready to be ridden state

[0016] FIGS. 2 to 4 the bicycle from FIG. 1 showing various positions during the folding process

[0017] FIG. 5 the bicycle from FIG. 1 in it completely folded position, and.

[0018] FIG. 6 the bicycle in a perspective view shortly after beginning the folding process

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a foldable bicycle 10 with the first part of the frame 1 that holds a first wheel 11 and a crank-drive 9, and a second part of the frame 2 that holds a crank-drive 9 in the conventional manner over a second wheel 12 powered by a chain drive 8. The first wheel 11 is the front wheel and the second wheel 12 is the back wheel of bicycle 10.

[0020] The first (front) part of the frame I and the second (back) part of the frame 2 are joined by a swivel connection 4 through which the second part of the frame 2, which holds the second wheel 12 on the lower part of bicycle 10, can be swiveled to first wheel 11. The position of the swivel axle of the swivel connection 4 can collapse with pedal spindle A, however in the shown model, it is slightly offset to pedal spindle A. In both cases however the second wheel 12, which is connected to the second part of frame 2, can be swiveled with a swivel motion at the stationary pedal spindle A in the direction of the first wheel 11. The swivel axis of the swivel connection 4 can thereby be placed parallel to pedal axis A or even slightly, at the most 15°, inclined toward pedal axis A. Such an inclined version guarantees that when bicycle 10 is folded, the second wheel 12 is situated at least partially at the side of the first wheel 11, as is shown in FIG. 5. FIGS. 2 to 4 each show the various swivel positions of the second part of the frame 2 during the folding process. FIG. 6 shows a perspective representation of the swivel position pursuant to FIG. 2.

[0021] In the ready-to ride state of bicycle 10 pursuant to FIG. 1, the first part of the frame 1 and the second part of the frame 2 can be connected to each other by a coupling point 13 and brought into position by swivel connection 4. Coupling point 13 creates, on the one hand, a point of contact for the second part of frame 2, thereby preventing unfolding, and on the other hand, it produces a detachable but strong connection between the first part of frame 1 and second part of frame 2. The coupling point 13 is preferably established by a magnetic coupling.

[0022] The bicycle 10 further consists of a handlebar post with handlebars and a seat post with a saddle. Each of them is fastened to the first part of frame 1 through a detachable locking mechanism. By loosening the locking mechanism 5a, the seat post can be adjusted telescopically into the first part of the frame 1 and by means of loosening the locking mechanism 5b, the handle post can be adjusted telescopically into the first part of the frame 1.

[0023] The second bicycle 12 demonstrates tender 3, which consists of first fender part 3a and second fender part 3b.

[0024] In the unfolded and ready-to-ride state of bicycle 10 pursuant to FIG. 1, the first part of the fender 3a is at least partially facing the first wheel 11 thereby making it closer than the second part of the fender 3h. The first part of the fender 3a is located on the second part of the frame 2 and is attached in a fixed position relative to the second part of the frame. The second fender part 3b, in its unfolded and ready-to-ride state of bicycle 10 pursuant to FIG. 1, is placed over the second wheel 12 and is movable relative to the first part of the fender 3a. Thereby the second part of the fender 3b is hinge mounted with the first part of the frame 1 by a first mounting part 6. On the one hand, the first mounting part 6 is hinge mounted to the second part of the fender 3b facing the end parts at the first part of tender part 3a, while on the other, also hinge mounted on the first part of the frame 1 at the coupling point 13. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the first mounting part 6 can consist of two essentially parallel support rods, which encompass a section of the first part of the frame 1 and/or a section of the second frame part 2.

[0025] The second fender part 3b is furthermore attached to the second part of frame 2. This connection is achieved over a second mounting part 7, which is hinge mounted to the second part of the fender 3b and the second part of frame 2 (see FIG. 4). As can be seen in FIG. 6, the second mounting part 7 consists of two support rods running essentially parallel to each other, that encompass the second wheel 12. The first part of the frame 1 and the second part of the frame 2 create, together with the first mounting part 6 and the second mounting part 7, a four-corner linkage system for the second fender part 3b. The axes of the four-corner linkage are essentially parallel to one another.

[0026] In the unfolded state of bicycle 10, the end pieces of the fender parts 3a and 3b facing each other overlap loosely together (FIG. 1). By releasing the coupling point 13 the second part of the frame 2 can be swiveled relative to the first part of the frame 1 (FIG. As can be seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the movement of the second part of the fender 3b relative to the first part of the fender 3a subsequently coupled to the folding process of bicycle 10.

[0027] In the completely folded state of bicycle 10, as represented in FIG. 5, the second part of the fender 3b is brought into a position that prevents it from hampering the rolling of the second wheel 12. As seen in FIG. 5, bicycle 10 can be easily rolled and transported in its folded and not ready-to-ride state. The invention thereby presents a foldable bicycle that can be easily transported also in its folded state.