Transport Cycle

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport cycle (2) comprising a frame and at least three wheels (4) of which at least two wheels (4) are designed as side wheels (6) spaced at a certain distance from one another in a direction extending transversely to a direction of travel of the transport cycle (2), wherein said transport cycle (2) has a storage area. The transport cycle (2) has two lateral supports (5) which are spaced at a certain distance from one another transversely to the direction of travel, laterally delimit, as the storage area, a storage space (10) having an access opening (11), and form therebetween the storage space (10) having an access opening (11) for inserting a transport box. The invention also relates to a transport system comprising the transport cycle and a transport box which can be inserted into the storage space.

Claims

1-17. (canceled)

18. A transport cycle (2) comprising: a frame (8); two lateral supports (5) connected to the frame (8) and spaced at a distance from one another transversely to a direction of travel of the transport cycle (2); three or more wheels (4, 6), wherein at least two of the wheels are side wheels (6) connected to the two lateral supports (5) and spaced at a distance from one another transversely to the direction of travel of the transport cycle (2); wherein the two lateral supports (5) laterally bound and form a cargo space (10) with an access opening (11), wherein the cargo space (10) is configured to accommodate a transport box (28) therein; a rider area (18) arranged in front of the cargo space (10) in the direction of travel.

19. The transport cycle (2) as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a lifting device (24) configured to lift a transport box (28) from a waiting position to a transport position in which the transport box (28) is arranged within the cargo space (10).

20. The transport cycle (2) as claimed in claim 19, wherein the lifting device (24) comprises a receiving element (26) configured to move in a direction perpendicular to a standing plane of the transport cycle (2).

21. The transport cycle (2) as claimed in claim 20, wherein the lifting device (24) is mechanically powered; electrically powered; or mechanically and electrically powered.

22. The transport cycle (2) as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a fixation device (14) comprising at least one fixation element (12) movable into the cargo space (10) and configured to secure a transport box (28), when placed into the cargo space (27) in a transport position on the transport cycle (2).

23. The transport cycle (2) as claimed in claim 22, wherein the fixation device (14) comprises an activating element (30) configured to act on the fixation element (12) to move the fixation element (12).

24. The transport cycle (2) as claimed in claim 23, wherein the activating element (30) is a treadle.

25. The transport cycle (2) as claimed in claim 18, further comprising an electric propulsion device configured to at least assist in propelling the transport cycle (2).

26. The transport cycle (2) as claimed in claim 25, wherein the electric propulsion device is at least a starting assist.

27. The transport cycle (2) as claimed in claim 25, wherein the electric propulsion device comprises at least one wheel hub motor (16).

28. The transport cycle (2) as claimed in claim 18, wherein the frame (8) comprises a supporting strut assembly (20) bounding the rider area (18) laterally on one side.

29. The transport cycle (2) as claimed in claim 18, wherein the frame (8) has a passageway arranged in the rider area (18) substantially at a height of a bottom bracket (22) of the transport cycle (2).

30. A vehicle system for transporting goods, the vehicle system comprising: a transport cycle (2) as claimed in claim 18; a transport box (28) configured to be placed into the cargo space (10) of the transport cycle (2).

31. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the transport box (28) comprises rollers (32) arranged on a bottom side of the transport box (28), wherein the transport box (28) can roll on the rollers (32).

32. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 31, wherein at least one of the rollers (32) is configured to turn about an axis of rotation that is substantially perpendicular to the bottom side of the transport box (28).

33. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the transport cycle (2) comprises a lifting device (24) configured to lift the transport box (28) from a waiting position to a transport position in which the transport box (28) is arranged within the cargo space (10), wherein the transport box (28) comprises lifting device mating pieces configured to interact with the lifting device (24) of the transport cycle (2).

34. The vehicle system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the transport box (28) has a maximum length of 1.2 m and a maximum width of 0.8 m.

Description

[0024] There are shown:

[0025] FIG. 1 an exemplary embodiment of a transport cycle according to the invention in an isometric view,

[0026] FIG. 2 the transport cycle of FIG. 1 in a side view,

[0027] FIG. 3 the transport cycle of FIG. 1 in a view of the bottom side,

[0028] FIG. 4 the transport cycle of FIG. 1 in a view from the rear,

[0029] FIG. 5 a bottom view of the transport cycle of FIG. 1, fixation elements of the fixation device being introduced into the cargo space,

[0030] FIG. 6 an isometric view of the transport cycle of FIG. 1 with the receiving elements of the lifting device in a lowered position,

[0031] FIG. 7 an exemplary embodiment of a transport system according to the invention, consisting of a transport cycle and a transport box with the transport box received in the cargo space of the transport cycle in the transport position,

[0032] FIG. 8 the transport system of FIG. 7 in a bottom view,

[0033] FIG. 9 the transport box.

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a transport cycle 2 with three wheels 4, two of which are fashioned as side wheels 6. Each side wheel 6 is arranged on a lateral support 5 of the transport cycle 2. A lateral support 5 is substantially a strut assembly extending backward from a frame 8 of the transport cycle 2. The two lateral supports 5 run in parallel with each other and bound a cargo space 10 comprising an access opening 11. In the present exemplary embodiment, the cargo space 10 is clear of further elements. This holds at least in the condition represented in FIG. 3, in which the fixation elements 12 of the fixation device 14 have been moved out from the cargo space. The side wheels 6 each have a wheel hub motor 16. The wheel hub motors 16 are supplied with current in each case by energy accumulators arranged on the corresponding lateral support 5 in the form of storage batteries.

[0035] FIG. 4 shows the division of the transport cycle 2 into a rider area 18 and the cargo space 10. In the present example, the rider area 18 is arranged in front of the cargo space 10 in the direction of travel. The frame 8 comprises a supporting strut assembly 20, which extends from an area behind the rider area 18 to a head tube. In the present exemplary embodiment of a transport cycle 2 intended for righthand traffic, the supporting strut assembly 20 extends on the left side of the rider area 18.

[0036] Furthermore, a bottom tube extends in the rider area 18, on which the bottom bracket 22 is arranged. Due to the use of a supporting strut assembly 20, a top tube is unnecessary. This enables an easier mounting of the rider in the rider area.

[0037] The transport cycle 2 furthermore comprises a lifting device 24. The lifting device 24 comprises a receiving element 26. In the present case, the lifting device 24 is formed by two vertically arranged profiles, in which the receiving elements 26 are movably arranged. The profiles furthermore have a cross bracing. In FIG. 2, the receiving element 26 of the lifting device 24 is represented in a position moved entirely toward the top. A transport box 28 being received in the transport cycle 2 is shown in FIG. 4. The lifting device 24 in the present exemplary embodiment is mechanically activated by a hand crank. However, it is also conceivable to provide the lifting device 24 with an electric motor for raising a transport box 28 being received.

[0038] FIG. 5 shows the fixation device 14 in a condition in which the fixation elements 12 are shown introduced into the cargo space 10. The in the present example there are four fixation elements 12, represented as being swiveled by an activating element 30, designed as a treadle, into the cargo space 10. A transport box 28 could now be set down on the fixation elements 12 in a transport position. In this way, the lifting device 24 and the receiving element 26 are relieved of the load of a transport box 28.

[0039] In the present exemplary embodiment, the rider area 18 has a canopy. Furthermore, the canopy has a transparent wind and rain protection.

[0040] FIG. 7 shows a transport system according to the invention, comprising the transport cycle 2 as well as the transport box 28, which is accommodated in the cargo space 10 of the transport cycle 2 in a transport position.

[0041] FIG. 8 shows the transport system with the transport cycle 2 and the transport box 28 in a bottom view. The fixation elements 12 of the fixation device 14 have been swiveled underneath the transport box 28, raised by the lifting device 24, and secure it. The fixation device comprises a pushrod gear, by which a movement of an activating element 30 designed as a treadle is converted into a swivel movement of the fixation elements 12.

[0042] FIG. 9 shows a transport box 28 of the transport system. On a bottom side of the transport box 28 there are arranged rollers 32. The transport box 28 can thus be easily moved on the rollers 32 even in a position detached from the transport cycle 2. The transport box 28 is designed as a closed boxlike element, which is accessible through a two-piece closable hinged door.