SINGLE-TRACK LAND VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a single-track land vehicle, which is designed, for example, as a bicycle (1), electric bike or electric scooter and has a vehicle frame (2) and a vehicle fork (5), which (5) has a fork steerer tube (4), which fork steerer tube (4) is mounted pivotably in a head tube (3) of the vehicle frame (2), wherein it is possible by means of a pivoting-angle brake or limiter (6) to at least decelerate the pivoting in of the vehicle fork (5) relative to the vehicle frame (2) and/or to define the maximum pivoting-in angle. For the single-track land vehicle according to the invention, it is characteristic that the pivoting-angle brake or limiter (6) has a tension element (7), which (7) is connected to the vehicle frame (2) via a holding element (8) held in the interior of the vehicle frame (2) or held on the vehicle frame, and that a holding counter-element (9) is provided on the tension element (7) at a distance from the holding element (8), which (9) rests or strikes against the vehicle fork (5) or against the fork steerer tube (4) when the pivoting-angle brake or limiter is activated (cf. FIG. 5).

Claims

1. A single-track land vehicle, comprising: a vehicle frame (2); a vehicle fork (5) that includes a fork steerer tube (4), the fork steerer tube (4) is mounted pivotably in a head tube (3) of the vehicle frame (2), and a pivoting-angle brake or limiter (6) configured to at least one of decelerate a pivoting in of the vehicle fork (5) relative to the vehicle frame (2) or define a maximum pivoting-in angle, the pivoting-angle brake or limiter (6) including: a tension element (7) that is connected to the vehicle frame (2) via a holding element (8) held in an interior of the vehicle frame (2), and a holding counter-element (9) on the tension element (7) located at a distance from the holding element (8), the holding counter-element (9) being configured to rest or strike against the vehicle fork (5) when the pivoting-angle brake or limiter (6) is activated.

2. The single-track land vehicle of claim 1, wherein the single-track land vehicle comprises a bicycle (1), an electric bike or an electric scooter.

3. The single-track land vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holding counter-element (9) rests or strikes against the fork steerer tube (4) in a partial region of the fork steerer tube (4) arranged within the head tube (3).

4. The single-track land vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tension element (7) is flexible in shape.

5. The single-track land vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tension element (7) is guided or arranged in the interior of the vehicle frame (2).

6. The single-track land vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holding element (8) is fixed in the interior of the vehicle frame (2) by a quick-release fastener or a locking element (28).

7. The single-track land vehicle as claimed in claim 6, wherein the quick-release fastener has a shank (23) which is integrally connected to the holding element (8) and which carries a flange (22), and the holding element (8) is fastenable in an insertion opening (21) in the vehicle frame (2) by the flange (22).

8. The single-track land vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the flange (22) is formed of magnetic material.

9. The single-track land vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holding counter-element (9) comprises a clamp which is adjustable and fixable on the tension element (7).

10. The single-track land vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tension element (7) comprises a cable.

11. The single-track land vehicle as claimed in claim 10, wherein the tension element (7) comprises a plastic cable formed from PE-UHMW (ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene).

12. The single-track land vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tension element (7) passes through a fastening opening (10) in the fork steerer tube (4), and the holding counter-element (9) engages on a partial region of the tension element (7) which projects into a tube interior of the fork steerer tube (4).

13. The single-track land vehicle as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one damping element (12) in operative connection between the holding element (8) and the holding counter-element (9), and the damping element (12) becomes effective from a defined tensile force acting on the tension element (7).

14. The single-track land vehicle as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one rubber- or spring-elastic damping element (12) at least one of (a) between the holding element (8) and a partial region of the tension element (7) which projects beyond the holding element (8), or (b) between the fork steerer tube (4) and the holding counter-element (9).

15. The single-track land vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein a predetermined breaking point is provided in the operative connection between the holding element (8) and the holding counter-element (9), said breaking point is adapted to be activated when a defined tensile force acting on the tension element (7) is exceeded.

16. A single-track land vehicle comprising: a vehicle frame; a vehicle fork, which has a fork steerer tube that is mounted pivotably in a head tube of the vehicle frame; and a pivoting-angle brake or limiter configured to at least one of decelerate the pivoting in of the vehicle fork relative to the vehicle frame or define a maximum pivoting-in angle, the pivoting-angle brake or limiter including: a tension element connected to the vehicle frame via a holding element held on the vehicle frame, and a holding counter-element on the tension element located at a distance from the holding element, the holding counter-element being configured to rest or strike against the fork steerer tube when the pivoting-angle brake or limiter is activated.

17. The single-track land vehicle of claim 16, wherein the single-track land vehicle comprises a bicycle (1), an electric bike or a electric scooter.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Further developments according to the invention will be found in the following description in conjunction with the claims and the drawing. The invention is described in greater detail below with reference to a preferred exemplary embodiment.

[0027] In the drawings:

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a single-track land vehicle shown in a side view and designed here as a bicycle, in which a vehicle fork is pivotably mounted with its fork steerer tube in a head tube on a bicycle or vehicle frame,

[0029] FIG. 2 shows the land vehicle from FIG. 1, which is shown here in a partial longitudinal section, wherein the head tube of the vehicle frame, which surrounds the fork steerer tube of the vehicle fork, is shown in more detail in a partially sectioned detail illustration,

[0030] FIG. 3 shows the land vehicle from FIGS. 1 and 2 in the form of a bicycle in an exploded representation of its essential components,

[0031] FIG. 4 shows the land vehicle from FIGS. 1 to 3 in a perspective view from below the vehicle frame in the region of the head tube receiving the vehicle fork,

[0032] FIG. 5 shows the land vehicle from FIGS. 1 to 4 in a detail longitudinal section in the region of the head tube and the fork steerer tube, and

[0033] FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a land vehicle compared to the embodiments according to FIGS. 1-5 in a detail cross-section, in which alternative embodiment the tensioning element of the pivoting-angle brake or limiter is connected to the vehicle frame via a holding element held on the vehicle frame, and that a holding counter-element upon activation of the pivoting-angle brake or limiter rests or strikes against the fork steerer tube and in particular strikes the steerer tube section which protrudes outwardly beyond the head tube.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] FIGS. 1 to 5 show a single-track land vehicle, which can be designed as an electric bike or electric scooter, for example, and is designed here as a bicycle 1. The bicycle 1 serving as land vehicle has a vehicle frame 2, which has a head tube 3, in which head tube 3 a fork steerer tube 4 of a vehicle fork 5 is pivotably mounted. Since a front wheel or similar running wheel 20 (shown only in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the bicycle 1 is mounted in the vehicle fork 5 in the usual manner, and since the vehicle fork 5 can be pivoted about the head tube 3 of the vehicle frame 2, the necessary steering movements can be carried out at the vehicle fork 5 by pivoting the vehicle fork 5. The bicycle 1 serving as a land vehicle has a steering stop or similar pivoting-angle limiter 6, shown in a detail longitudinal section in FIG. 5, by means of which the maximum pivoting-in angle of the vehicle fork 5 relative to the vehicle frame 2 can be defined and limited. However, it is also possible for the bicycle 1 serving as land vehicle to have a similarly acting pivoting-angle brake, with the aid of which the pivoting in of the vehicle fork 5 relative to the vehicle frame 2 can at least be decelerated.

[0035] The pivoting-angle brake or limiter 6 of the bicycle 1 illustrated here has a tension element 7, which is here designed to be flexible in shape. The tension element 7 can be designed as a chain or can have at least two subsections which are connected to one another in an articulated manner. However, the embodiment shown here, in which the tension element 7 is designed as a cable and, in particular, as a wire or plastic cable, is preferred. Here, a tension element 7 designed, for example, as a plastic cable can be produced from PE-UHMW (ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene). The tension element is connected to the vehicle frame 2 via a holding element 8, which is held in the interior of the vehicle frame 2, preferably in a fixed manner. A holding counter-element 9 is provided on the tension element 7 at a distance from the holding element 8, which counter-element rests or strikes against the vehicle fork 5 and, in particular, against the fork steerer tube 4 thereof, at least when the maximum pivoting-in angle is reached.

[0036] Since the tension element 7 of the pivoting-angle limiter 6 is here designed to be flexible in shape, the tension element 7 does not further impede the steering movements of the rider at the vehicle fork 5 as long as the pivoting-angle limiter is not activated and the tension element 7 is not tensioned between the holding element 8 and the holding counter-element 9. If the pivoting-angle limiter 6 of the land vehicle 1 reaches the defined maximum pivoting-in angle of the vehicle fork 5 relative to the vehicle frame 2, the tension element 7 is tensioned between the holding element 8 and the holding counter-element 9 in such a way that further pivoting in of the vehicle fork 5 is no longer readily possible. In this case, the holding counter-element 9 engaging on the tension element 7 rests or strikes against the vehicle fork 5 and, in particular, against the fork steerer tube 4 thereof.

[0037] In the detail longitudinal section shown in FIG. 5, it can be seen that the tension element 7 passes through a fastening opening 10 in the fork steerer tube 4, and that the holding counter-element 9 engages on the partial region of the tension element 7 which projects into the tube interior of the fork steerer tube 4. In this case, the holding counter-element 9 is designed as an end piece, which is held firmly and non-releasably on one free end of the tension element 7. However, the holding counter-element 9 can also be designed as a clamp which is adjustable and fixable on the tension element 7. It is also possible for the holding counter-element 9 to be designed as an eye arranged on the fork steerer tube 4.

[0038] The holding element 8 is held in the interior of the vehicle frame 2 and here in the tube interior of a down tube 11 of the vehicle frame 2, preferably in a fixed manner. Since the tension element 7 is guided in the tube interior of the head tube 3 and of the down tube 11, the components of the pivoting-angle limiter 6 can be accommodated virtually invisibly in the interior of the bicycle 1.

[0039] Looking at FIGS. 1 to 5 together, it can be seen that the holding element 8 can be fixed in the interior of the vehicle frame 2 by means of a quick-release fastener. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the quick-release fastener can have an insertion opening 21, in particular a keyhole-shaped insertion opening, in the vehicle frame 2, in which insertion opening 21 a flange 22 can be inserted which is connected to the holding element 8 via a shank 23. In this case, the flange 22 on the holding element 8 which can be introduced into the insertion opening 21 can be produced from magnetic material. A flange 22 produced from magnetic material can be fastened securely and sufficiently firmly in the insertion opening 21 in the vehicle frame 2.

[0040] A holding counter-element 9 is provided on the tension element 7 at a distance from the holding element 8, which counter-element rests or strikes against the vehicle fork 5 and, in particular, against the fork steerer tube 4 thereof, at least when the maximum pivoting-in angle is reached.

[0041] Since the tension element 7 of the pivoting-angle limiter 6 is designed to be flexible in shape, the tension element 7 does not further impede the steering movements of the rider at the vehicle fork 5 as long as the tension element 7 is not tensioned between the holding element 8 and the holding counter-element 9. If the pivoting-angle limiter 6 of the land vehicle 1, which in this case is designed as a bicycle, reaches the defined maximum pivoting-in angle of the vehicle fork 5 relative to the vehicle frame 2, the tension element 7 is tensioned between the holding element 8 and the holding counter-element 9 in such a way that further pivoting in of the vehicle fork 5 is no longer readily possible. In this case, the holding counter-element 9 engaging on the tension element 7 rests or strikes against the vehicle fork 5 and, in particular, against the fork steerer tube 4 thereof.

[0042] In the detail longitudinal section shown in FIG. 5, it can be seen that the tension element 7 passes through a fastening opening 10 in the fork steerer tube 4, and that the holding counter-element 9 engages on the partial region of the tension element 7 which projects into the tube interior of the fork steerer tube 4. In this case, the holding counter-element 9 is designed as an end piece, which is held firmly and non-releasably on one free end of the tension element 7. However, the holding counter-element 9 can also be designed as a clamp which is adjustable and fixable on the tension element 7.

[0043] The holding element 8 is held in the interior of the vehicle frame 2 and here in the tube interior of a down tube 11 of the vehicle frame 2, preferably in a fixed manner. Since the tension element 7 is guided in the interior of the vehicle frame 2 and, in this case, in the tube interior of the head tube 3 and of the down tube 11, the components of the pivoting-angle limiter 6 can be accommodated virtually invisibly in the interior of the bicycle 1 serving as a land vehicle.

[0044] The exemplary embodiment illustrated in more detail in FIG. 5 is also designed as a pivoting-angle brake. For this purpose, at least one damping element 12 is provided in the operative connection between the holding element 8 and the holding counter-element 9, which damping element 12 becomes effective from a defined tensile force acting on the tension element 7. For this purpose, at least one rubber- or spring-elastic damping element 12 is provided in the exemplary embodiment illustrated here. In this case, this damping element 12 is formed by a helical spring 13, which can also cooperate with an oil- or grease-filled damper 24, similar to a cabinet hinge damper. Such a damper 24 can have, for example, a piston 27 which is guided movably in a cylinder and displaces a damper medium consisting of grease and/or oil from a first chamber 25 into a second chamber 26. The grease or oil serving as damping medium flows from the first chamber 25 into the second chamber 26. After a jerky movement, the spring coil 13 presses the piston 27 back and the damping medium flows from the second chamber 26 back into the first chamber 25. The pivoting-angle brake or limiter 6 can have a locking element 28 which, when actuated, locks the pivoting-angle brake or limiter 6 in a maintenance or parking position. In this maintenance or parking position, the pivoting-angle limiter 6 locked by means of the locking element 28 holds the vehicle fork 5 at the defined pivoting angle, when, for example, the stem is dismantled during maintenance work or the land vehicle, in this case designed as a bicycle 1, is parked.

[0045] In FIG. 5, it can be seen that the holding element 8 has a base 14, which is fixedly mounted on the tube interior of the down tube 11. The base 14 carries an anchor element 15, which is of approximately T-shaped design here, on which anchor element 15 a slide 16 is movably guided. The slide 16 is held on the anchor element 15 so as to be movable between two sliding end positions. The end region of the tension element 7 remote from the holding counter-element 9 engages on the slide 16. As a result of the steering movements, a tensile force is exerted on the slide 16 via the tension element 7, which tensile force moves the slide 16 from its one sliding end position into the other sliding end position against the restoring force of the helical spring 13.

[0046] A predetermined breaking point can be provided in the operative connection between the holding element 8 and the holding counter-element 9, which predetermined breaking point is activated when a tensile force acting on the tension element 7 is exceeded. This predetermined breaking point can be provided, for example, in the partial region of the tension element 7 which is arranged between the holding element 8 and the holding counter-element 9. However, it is also possible for the tension element 7 to be released from the holding counter-element 9 or from the holding element 8 and its slide 16 when a defined maximum tensile force is exceeded, the connection point between the tension element 7 and the holding element 8 or the holding counter-element 9 thus forming the predetermined breaking point.

[0047] In the detail longitudinal section in FIG. 5, the bicycle frame 2 can be seen in the region of its head tube 3. It can be clearly seen that a top tube 17 of the vehicle frame 2 engages on the head tube 3 above the down tube 11. In FIG. 5, it can also be seen that the fork steerer tube 4 of the vehicle fork 5 is rotatably mounted in the head tube 3 by means of an upper steering head bearing 18 and a lower steering head bearing 19.

[0048] In the land vehicle illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the tension element 7 of the pivoting-angle brake or limiter 6 is connected to the vehicle frame 2 via a holding element 8 which is held in the interior of the vehicle frame 2, wherein the holding counter-element 9 rests or strikes against the vehicle fork 5 when the pivoting-angle brake or limiter 6 is activated.

[0049] In contrast, an alternative embodiment shown in the partially sectioned detailed view according to FIG. 6 provides that the tension element 7 is connected to the vehicle frame 2 via a holding element 8, which holding element 8 is held on the vehicle frame 2. In this alternative pivoting-angle brake or limiter 6 according to FIG. 6, when the pivoting-angle brake or limiter 6 is activated, the holding counter-element 9 lies or strikes against the fork steerer tube 4 and in particular on its fork steerer tube section protruding outward beyond the head tube 3.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0050] 1 bicycle

[0051] 2 vehicle frame

[0052] 3 head tube

[0053] 4 fork steerer tube

[0054] 5 vehicle fork

[0055] 6 pivoting-angle limiter

[0056] 7 tension

[0057] 8 holding element

[0058] 9 holding counter-element

[0059] 10 fastening opening

[0060] 11 down tube

[0061] 12 damping element

[0062] 13 helical spring

[0063] 14 base

[0064] 15 anchor element

[0065] 16 slide

[0066] 17 top tube

[0067] 18 upper steering head bearing

[0068] 19 lower steering head bearing

[0069] 20 running or front wheel

[0070] 21 insertion opening

[0071] 22 flange

[0072] 23 shank

[0073] 24 damper

[0074] 25 first chamber

[0075] 26 second chamber

[0076] 27 piston

[0077] 28 locking element