Uni Frame Bike

Abstract

The present invention relates to bicycles, and is particularly concerned with bicycles having a ridged mounted seat and step through frame that is designed around the seat. The present invention is a uniframe bicycle with a step through design and a rigid mounted banana style seat pedal forward design.

Claims

1. An uni frame bike for increasing comfort, fit and safety for a variety of human sizes without adjustment, comprising: means for providing a rigid frame to mount other portions of the complete bicycle to, such as the wheels, front fork, seat, peddles and operating hardware; means for allowing the rider easy access on and off the bicycle, permits a rider to place their feet on the ground to stabilize when necessary, rigidly connected to said means for providing a rigid frame to mount other portions of the complete bicycle to, such as the wheels, front fork, seat, peddles and operating hardware; means for supporting the rider as they sit on the bicycle, so structured that it permits a range of human sizes and genders to find a correct position for best comfort without mechanical adjustment by moving forward or backward on the seat; means for mounting the bicycle seat in such a manner that it cannot be adjusted and therefore cannot slip; and means for an option to add a motor to power the bicycle without human power or in combination with human power by means of electrical or another source energy.

2. The uni frame bike in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for providing a rigid frame to mount other portions of the complete bicycle to, such as the wheels, front fork, seat, peddles and operating hardware comprises a step through, light, strong, rigid, peddle forward of seat mount uni frame bike.

3. The uni frame bike in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for allowing the rider easy access on and off the bicycle, permits a rider to place their feet on the ground to stabilize when necessary comprises an open step through area.

4. The uni frame bike in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for supporting the rider as they sit on the bicycle, so structured that it permits a range of human sizes and genders to find a correct position for best comfort without mechanical adjustment by moving forward or backward on the seat comprises a firm, cushioned, water resistant, generally banana shaped, non-adjustable, long slender shape seat.

5. The uni frame bike in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for mounting the bicycle seat in such a manner that it cannot be adjusted and therefore cannot slip comprises a rigid, strong, non-adjustable, non-slipping seat structure.

6. The uni frame bike in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for an option to add a motor to power the bicycle without human power or in combination with human power by means of electrical or other source energy comprises a power providing motor.

7. An uni frame bike for increasing comfort, fit and safety for a variety of human sizes without adjustment, comprising: a step through, light, strong, rigid, peddle forward of seat mount uni frame bike, for providing a rigid frame to mount other portions of the complete bicycle to, such as the wheels, front fork, seat, peddles and operating hardware; an open step through area, for allowing the rider easy access on and off the bicycle, permits a rider to place their feet on the ground to stabilize when necessary, rigidly connected to said uni frame bike; a firm, cushioned, water resistant, generally banana shaped, nonadjustable, long slender shape seat, for supporting the rider as they sit on the bicycle, so structured that it permits a range of human sizes and genders to find a correct position for best comfort without mechanical adjustment by moving forward or backward on the seat; a rigid, strong, non-adjustable, non-slipping seat structure, for mounting the bicycle seat in such a manner that it cannot be adjusted and therefore cannot slip; and a power providing motor, for an option to add a motor to power the bicycle without human power or in combination with human power by means of electrical or another source energy.

8. An uni frame bike for increasing comfort, fit and safety for a variety of human sizes without adjustment, comprising: a step through, light, strong, rigid, peddle forward of seat mount uni frame bike, for providing a rigid frame to mount other portions of the complete bicycle to, such as the wheels, front fork, seat, peddles and operating hardware; an open step through area, for allowing the rider easy access on and off the bicycle, permits a rider to place their feet on the ground to stabilize when necessary, rigidly connected to said uni frame bike; a firm, cushioned, water resistant, generally banana shaped, nonadjustable, long slender shape seat, for supporting the rider as they sit on the bicycle, so structured that it permits a range of human sizes and genders to find a correct position for best comfort without mechanical adjustment by moving forward or backward on the seat; a rigid, strong, non-adjustable, non-slipping seat structure, for mounting the bicycle seat in such a manner that it cannot be adjusted and therefore cannot slip; and a power providing motor, for an option to add a motor to power the bicycle without human power or in combination with human power by means of electrical or another source energy.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

[0025] FIG. 7 is a top detail view of a chain stay. the chain stay provides the mounting location for the rear wheel, drop outs, cable guides and kick stand mount;

[0026] FIG. 2 is a rear detail view of a seat stay with cable routing;

[0027] FIG. 3 is a top detail view of a mid frame structure that provides strength and mounting platforms;

[0028] FIG. 4 is a top detail view of a seat structure. this is an integral part of the frame providing for the seat mounting and adds structure strength to the bicycle;

[0029] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the assembled uni frame bike frame. showing the seat mounting position. placement of the pedal mounting and step through design;

[0030] FIG. 5 is an end sectional view of a seat structure end view showing the elevation profile; and

[0031] FIG. 6 is a front partial view of an of the seat structure and its mid frame mounting point.

[0032] For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0033] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the entire universal frame bike 8.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a rear detail view of a seat stay 82 with cable routing.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a top detail view of a mid frame structure 50 that provides strength and mounting platforms.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a top detail view of a seat structure 70 an integral part of the frame providing for the seat 68 mounting and adding structure strength to the bicycle.

[0037] FIG. 5 is an end sectional of a seat structure 70.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a front partial view of the seat structure 70 and its mid frame mounting point.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a top detail view of the chain stay 18.

[0040] Detailed description of FIG. 1; in a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is a universal frame bike 8 (universal meaning that with two different sized frames all sizes of riders can be fit) with a step through area 9 consisting of a down tube 10 head tube 12 cable guide 16 chain stay intersection point 22-disc brake mount 30 mid frame structure 50 battery/bag mount 54 (this design can accommodate a motor 114 to propel the bike with a battery or engine as the power source, not shown. seat 68 top tube 56 seat structure 70 bottom bracket plate 78 seat stay 82 mid frame intersections point 86 bottom bracket shell 88 internal cable guide 96 drop out 104 derailleur hanger 106 kickstand plate 14 disc brake mount 30 and brake mounting hole 42. The universal frame bike 8 consists of rigid tubing in its most preferred embodiment, aluminum or composite tubing would be two examples of preferred materials but any rigid material suitable for the application would be acceptable. The step through area 9 is further formed by means of a generally tubular mid frame structure 50 forming a generally U-shaped opening consisting of a head tube 12 portion on the front side weldably connected to a top tube 56 and a seat structure 70 forming the rear of the generally U-shaped opening and weldably attached to the mid frame structure 50 at the mid frame attachment point 110. This step through area 9 permits the rider to easily place themselves on or off the bike by stepping through the opening and straddling the bike. It further permits a rider to leave the seat 68 and stand with both feet flat on the ground stabilizing the bike and preventing a tipping situation.

[0041] The head tube 12 serves as a joining place for the down tube 10 and top tube 56 to be weldably attached and the hollow internal portion of the head tube 12 permits a steering mechanism to be mounted (not shown) in the head tube 12 in a generally vertical position permitting the rotation of the front steering wheel (not shown). A seat structure 70 rises vertically from the mid frame structure 50 and then bends in a generally inverted L shape toward the rear of the frame permanently attached at both ends to the mid frame structure 50 serving as the seat structure 70 permitting the removable mounting of the seat 68 by means of one or more fasteners (not shown). The seat 68 is long and slender allowing the ride to choose a comfortable position on the seat 68 by moving the body rear ward or forward. This permits a at least a 12 difference in heights between riders without the need for a seat 68 adjustment. A bottom bracket plate 78 weldably attached to the down tube 10 and the top tube 56 adds strength to the entire frame unit providing a mounting place by means of the bottom bracket shell 88 for the peddle mechanism (not shown). A seat 68 is mounted to the seat structure 70 by means of removable fasteners (not shown) and provides a location for the rider to sit if the rider chooses to sit while riding the bike. This location of the seat 68 is to the rear of the bottom bracket shell 88 where the peddles (not shown) are mounted creating an in-front of the seat 68 peddling position as opposed to a directly below peddle position.

[0042] A plurality of cable guide 16 bracket (s) are weldably attached to both the mid frame structure 50 and the down tube 10 providing a place where control cables (not shown) for brake and gear shifting applications can be removeably attached. Control handles (not shown) mounted on the steering bars (not shown) permit the rider to activate brakes (not shown) on one or more wheels (not shown) with their hands or to shift speed gears (not shown) as the bikes speed increases or decreases changing the power dynamics needed for a human to power the bike in a forward motion.

[0043] The chain stay 18 runs parallel to the chain (not shown) and consists of two parallel horizontal tubes connecting the down tube 10 to the drop out 104 (s). A rear derailleur cable (not shown) is routed along the down tube 10, then along the chain stay 18 to the derailleur hanger 106. The bottom bracket plate 78 weldably connects the chain stay 18 at its intersection with the down tube 10 to the top tube 56 while providing a location for the bottom bracket shell 88 that will house the peddle mechanism (not shown).

[0044] Detailed description of FIG. 2 which is a rear view of the seat stay 82. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a seat stay structure 81 consisting of two parallel seat rails 112 weldably connected perpendicularly by a seat stay bridge 40 form a generally rectangular shaped support brace traveling from the drop out 104 at the bottom of each of the two seat rails 112 in a generally vertical direction terminating at and weldably attached to the mid frame structure 50 at the mid frame attachment point 110. The purpose of the seat stay 82 is to provide additional strength to the universal frame bike 8, especially supporting the rear portion of the mid frame structure where most of the force exerted by the rider on the seat 68 is applied.

[0045] FIG. 3; In a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a mid frame structure 50. The mid frame structure 50 is designed to be wide enough to support the seat structure 70 evenly and mate up to the seat 68 width well. The mid frame structure 50 is also made so that the seat 68 stays are welded to it and provide enough tire clearance for the tires. It consists of two tubes weldably connected in a generally rectangular shape with generally rounded ends. At least one mid frame cross brace 52 is placed interiorly to strengthen the mid frame structure 50 and provide for a battery/bag mount. In a second preferred embodiment the universal bike frame could be fitted with a battery and a motor 114 to power the bike (not shown) eliminating the need for human power through peddling. The forward end of the mid frame structure 50 is weldably attached to the down tube 10.

[0046] FIG. 4; shows a seat structure 70 in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The seat structure 70 consists of two seat rails 112 running generally parallel to each other and held in shape by at least one seat mount cross brace 64. The seat mount cross brace 64 is fitted with at least one seat mount bolt hole 66 for removeably attaching the seat 68 to the seat structure 70.

[0047] FIG. 5; is an end view of a seat structure 70 showing the seat rails 112 and seat mount cross brace 64 with at least one seat mount bolt hole 66 for seat 68 mounting bolt (s) (not shown).

[0048] FIG. 6; is a front partial view of the seat structure 70 and its mid frame attachment point. Showing a partial view of the seat rails 112.

[0049] FIG. 7; in a preferred embodiment of the chain stay 18. The chain stay 18 consists of a generally U-shaped tube weldably attached to the down tube 10 which then weldably attaches to the head tube 12 at the other end. The U-shaped tube is the mounting surface for the kickstand plate 14, at least one cable guide 16, disc brake mount 30 and drop out 104 (s). It is also the chain stay intersection point 22. The chain stay 18 provides the bike with a location to mount the rear wheel providing enough clearance for it to fit and operate unencumbered.

[0050] While the description describes preferred embodiments, it is understood that other modification could be made and still remain in the scope of the present invention.

[0051] Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

[0052] Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.