Automatic locking/unlocking system for traction systems, actuated by pedal levers

Abstract

A locking/unlocking system for traction systems actuated by pedal levers, which includes: a blocking element (1); a receiving element (10); an automatic activation means (3) for coupling and uncoupling the blocking element (1) of the receiving element (10); at least, a control means (16) for controlling the automatic activation means (3); at least, a switch (15a, 15b) for turning the control means on and/or off (16); and at least, a power source (17). A pedal lever (9) for traction systems actuated by pedal levers, which includes: a locking/unlocking system, in accordance with this invention. A traction system actuated by pedal levers, which in turn includes: a pedal lever (9) in accordance with this invention on each of the two ends of the central axis (8), which is introduced and fastened to the adapter (7) of the freewheel (6), or directly onto the freewheel (6) of the lever (9).

Claims

1. A bicycle crank assembly, comprising: a spindle having an axial axis; a receiving element disposed on the spindle, the receiving element comprising a locking bore; a crank arm operatively coupled to the spindle, the crank arm comprising: a cavity, an actuator disposed within the cavity; a locking pin including an axial axis; wherein the actuator is configured to extend the locking pin along a first direction parallel to the axial axis of the spindle and engage the locking bore of the receiving element, the engagement of the locking pin with the locking bore operatively coupling the crank arm, receiving element, and spindle; wherein the actuator is configured to retract the locking pin from the locking bore along a second direction parallel to the axial axis of the spindle and disengage the locking pin from the locking bore, the disengagement of the locking pin from the locking bore operatively decoupling the crank arm from the receiving element.

2. The bicycle crank assembly according to claim 1, wherein: the locking pin comprises a coupling section and a retraction section; the coupling section has a larger diameter than the retraction section.

3. The bicycle crank assembly according to claim 2, further comprising a spring disposed around the retraction section.

4. The bicycle crank assembly according to claim 2, further comprising a stop disposed on a free end of the retraction section.

5. The bicycle crank assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a cam and a lever operatively connecting the actuator to the locking pin.

6. The bicycle crank assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a shaft extending from the actuator; a gear disposed on the shaft; teeth formed on the locking pin, and the gear is configured to engage the teeth in order to operatively connect the actuator to the locking pin.

7. The bicycle crank assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a controller disposed within the cavity and configured to control operation of the actuator.

8. The bicycle crank assembly according to claim 7, further comprising a power source for powering the actuator and the controller, the power source disposed within the cavity.

9. The bicycle crank assembly according to claim 8, wherein the actuator is an electric motor.

10. The bicycle crank assembly according to claim 7, further comprising a switch for activating the controller.

11. The bicycle crank assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a cover covering the cavity.

12. The bicycle crank assembly according to claim 1, wherein the crank arm has a first end and a second end.

13. The bicycle crank assembly according claim 12, wherein the first end of the crank arm comprises a first bore and a pedal is attached to the first bore.

14. The bicycle crank assembly according to claim 13, wherein the second end of the crank arm comprises a second bore and a third bore.

15. The bicycle crank assembly according to claim 14, wherein the locking pin is configured to extend and retract through the third bore.

16. The bicycle crank assembly according to claim 14, further comprising a free wheel disposed within the second bore.

17. The bicycle crank assembly according to claim 16, further comprising a free wheel adapter disposed between the free wheel and the spindle.

18. The bicycle crank assembly according to claim 1, further comprising bearings disposed between the spindle and a bike shell.

19. The bicycle crank assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a sprocket disposed on the spindle.

20. The bicycle crank assembly according to claim 19, wherein the receiving element is attached to the sprocket.

Description

(1) Therefore, in order to counteract the above-mentioned inconveniences, a locking/unlocking system and a pedal lever were developed for traction systems actuated by pedal levers. The characterizing details of the said locking/unlocking system, pedal lever and traction system, are clearly shown in the description of some of their embodiments, which are supported with some examples and figures presented by way of illustration and not limitation, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a view from a conventional perspective of a traction system with its pedal levers, in accordance with the present invention, which illustrates the pedal levers coupled at a position of 180° between them, so as to produce a circular pedaling motion.

(3) FIG. 2 is a sectioned view A-A′ of FIG. 1, in which the components of the traction system can be observed in its coupled state.

(4) FIG. 3 is an exploded view of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 4 is a view from a conventional perspective of the traction system of the present invention which illustrates the uncoupled pedal levers, resulting in an independent pedaling for each pedal.

(6) FIG. 5 is a view from a conventional perspective of the previous figure, which illustrates some switches.

(7) FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section B-B′ of FIG. 4, in which the placement of the components of the traction system can be observed.

(8) FIG. 7 is a view from a conventional perspective of a blocking element which is part of the locking/unlocking system of the present invention.

(9) FIG. 8 is a view from a conventional perspective of a section of the locking/unlocking system, in which a mode can be observed of the means that activate the blocking element in a blocking state.

(10) FIG. 9 is the view of the same figure as above, but in an unblocking state.

(11) FIG. 10 is a view from a conventional perspective of a section of the locking/unlocking system, in which another mode can be observed of the means that activate the blocking element in a blocking condition.

(12) FIG. 11 is the same view of the previous figure, but in an unblocked state.

(13) FIG. 12 is a view from a conventional perspective of a section of the locking/unlocking system, in which a mode can be observed of the blocking element and the means that activate it, in a blocking condition.

(14) FIG. 13 is the same view of the previous figure, but in an unblocking condition.

(15) FIG. 14 is a view from a conventional perspective of a section of the locking/unlocking system, in which another mode can be observed of the blocking element and of the means that activate it, in a blocking condition.

(16) FIG. 15 is the same view of the previous figure, but in an unblocking condition.

(17) FIG. 16 is a view from a conventional perspective of a section of the locking/unlocking system, in which another embodiment can be observed of the means that activate the blocking element, in a blocking condition.

(18) FIG. 17 is the same view of the previous figure, but in an unblocking condition.

(19) FIG. 18 is a block diagram of the locking/unlocking system of the present invention.

(20) FIG. 19 is a block diagram of the locking/unlocking system of the present invention which illustrates the inclusion of a switch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(21) The locking/unlocking system for traction systems actuated by pedal levers proposed by this invention is composed of:

(22) A blocking element (1) which has a coupling section (1a) and a push and retraction section (1b), which is configured to interact with some element that pushes and/or pulls the blocking element (1). For example, the said configuration of the push and retraction section (1b) can be: a zipper (20); a non-skid area; a thread; a perforation; a tongue-and-groove section; a magnetic section; or a section that is thinner or thicker than the coupling section (1a), to which a spring is added externally (2) and/or directly through the use of an automatic activation device (3).

(23) A mode of the system in question is when the blocking element (1) includes a fastening element (21) located on the free end of the push and retraction section (1b) when the said blocking element (1) is directly connected to the automatic activating device (3). The fastening element (21) can be a block, a pin, a ring, a thickening, a fold, a boss, a protuberance, a combination of some of the above, etc.

(24) An embodiment of the system in accordance with the present invention is when the blocking element (1) is: a bolt, a screw, a piston, an axle, a bar, among others.

(25) The said locking/unlocking system for traction systems actuated by pedal levers, must also include a receiving element (10) which has at least a coupling means (10a) for coupling to the coupling section (1a) of the blocking element (1), in which the said receiving element (10) is concentrically fixed to the rotating axis (8) of a traction system actuated by pedal levers. The receiving element (10) may be: a disc, a polygon, a preferably flat piece with an irregular perimeter, or a star, and its coupling means can be: a perforation (10a), a groove, a cleft and/or a boss, to mention some examples.

(26) A mode of the blocking/unblocking system, in accordance with this invention, is that it also includes a conduction element (11) which can be a star with its chain; a pulley with its belt, cable, rope or band; or a cogwheel with its cog.

(27) Therefore, the locking/unlocking system has an automatic activating means (3) that moves the blocking element (1) through its pull and retraction section (1b), in order to couple it and decouple it through the coupling means (10a) of the receiving element (10). The preferable embodiment of which is when the automatic activating device (3) is an actuator; and the actuator is in turn selected from the following group: electronic actuators, hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, electric actuators, piezoelectric actuators, electromechanical actuators and electromagnetic actuators.

(28) A preferable embodiment of the locking/unlocking system is when the electronic actuator is a motor, servomotor or stepper motor.

(29) Another preferable mode of the locking/unlocking system is when the electromagnetic actuator is a solenoid.

(30) The locking/unlocking system in question also includes at least a control means (16) for controlling the automatic activating device (3); in which the control means (16) is selected from the following group: electric and/or electronic circuits; integrated circuits; position limiting means, and/or sensors.

(31) The locking/unlocking system also has at least one switch (15a, 15b) for turning on or off at least one control means (16); the said switch (15a, 15b) can be either wired or wireless and is located at a place that is easily accessed and manipulated by the user.

(32) Finally, the said locking/unlocking system includes at least a power source (17) for powering at least the control means (16) and/or the automatic activation device (3). The power source (17) is selected from the following group: batteries, power units, solar cells, energy generators and/or a combination of the above.

(33) An additional mode of the locking/unlocking system, in accordance with the present invention, is when it also includes connecting means that connect the blocking element (1) to the automatic activation device (3); in which the said connecting means make direct contact with the push and/or retraction section (1b) of the blocking element (1) and may be: clogs (19), a lever (5) fastened to the end of the push and/or retraction section (1b) of the blocking element (1); or a combination of the said lever (5) with a cam (4) fixed to the end of the axis of the automatic activation device (3), so as to push and/or retract the lever (5) which in turn pushes and/or retracts the blocking element (1).

(34) A further embodiment of the locking/unlocking system in question is that it can optionally include, at least: a sound, light and/or vibration emitter; an inclination measuring device; and/or a means of transmitting information, either wired or wireless, in order to warn the user of certain conditions of the locking/unlocking system, for example: if the blocking element (1) is in a blocking or unblocking position; when the traction system actuated by pedal levers has a certain angle of inclination and/or when the pedal levers (9) have a certain angle of inclination.

(35) The present invention also contemplates a pedal lever (9), for traction systems actuated by pedal levers, which includes: a locking/unlocking system, as proposed by the present invention. Therefore, the said pedal lever (9) has a cavity (9a) which houses the locking/unlocking system, except for the receiving element (10) and the conductor element (11); a first perforation (22) through which the coupling section (1a) exits from the blocking element (1), so as to couple with the coupling means (10a) of the receiving element (10); a second perforation (24) placed on the end where the first perforation is located (22), so as to connect to a traction system actuated by pedal levers; a third perforation (23) on the opposite end of the second perforation (24), which connects to a pedal (14).

(36) Optionally, the pedal lever can include a fastening means (14a) located on its pedal (14), so as to fasten the pedal (14) to the foot of the user, and the fastening means (14a) can be: staples, magnets, hoops, loops, girdles, Velcro and clasps.

(37) A mode of the pedal lever (9) is when it also includes a freewheel (6) equipped with ball and/or plain bearings, concentrically placed within the second perforation (24).

(38) Another mode of the said pedal lever (9) is when it includes a freewheel adapter (7), concentrically placed within the freewheel (6).

(39) An additional embodiment of the lever (9) in question, is when it includes at least one cap (18) that covers, at least, the cavity (9a), once the part of the locking/unlocking system that has to be on the interior is effectively inside.

(40) Therefore, another object of the present invention is a traction system actuated by pedal levers, which has a central axis (8) mounted on two wheels or bearings (13), that in turn are located inside a tubular shell (12); in which the said traction system includes: a pedal lever (9) like the one described in the present invention, on each of the two ends of the central axis (8), which is introduced and fastened to the freewheel adapter (7), or directly to the freewheel (6), of the said pedal lever (9); a receiving element (10) mounted concentrically on each of the ends of the central axis (8), between the pedal lever (9) and the tubular shell (12), in which the coupling means (10a) of each receiving element (10) are aligned at 180° between them; and a conductor element (11) located on one of the ends of the central axis (8).

(41) A variation of the traction system actuated by pedal levers, of the present invention, is when only one of the switches, either wired or wireless, of the two blocking/unblocking systems of the said traction system, turns the two means of control (16) on and/or off. It is therefore possible to have a mode in which one of the two blocking/unblocking systems lacks a switch, either wired or wireless; or in case one of the switches, either wired or wireless, should fail, the automatic functioning of the locking/unlocking system would not be affected.

(42) Another mode of the traction system actuated by pedal levers, of the present invention, is when only one of the means of control (16), of the two blocking/unblocking systems of the said traction system, controls the two automatic activation means (3). There is therefore the possibility of a mode in which one of the blocking/unblocking systems lacks a means of control (16); or in case one of the means of control (16) should fail, the automatic functioning of the locking/unlocking system would not be affected.

(43) Therefore, a mode of the traction system in question is when the conductor element (11) is united to one of the receiving elements (10). A preferable embodiment of the said traction system is when the receiving element (10) and the conductor element (11) are part of a single piece.

(44) Another additional mode of the traction system of the present invention, is when the switch (15a, 15b), of the locking/unlocking system, is on the exterior lateral face, and/or the upper and/or lower face of the pedal lever (9); and/or mounted on a handle (not illustrated) of the traction system actuated by pedal levers. In this case the handle can be extensible and/or retractable, with the purpose of enhancing the posture of the user, when both blocking/unblocking systems are in an unblocking position.

(45) In this way a traction system actuated by pedal levers (9) has been obtained as proposed in the present invention, whose functioning is explained through the example of the traction system of a bicycle: after the switch (15a or 15b) is activated, it in turn activates the means of control (16) located on the interior of each pedal lever (9), which allows the power source (14) to supply energy to the automatic activation means (3), thus succeeding in making the cam (4) that is connected to the end of the axis of the said activating means (3), to rotate until a first specific position and push the lever (5) which, being connected to the blocking element (1), shifts the latter toward the interior of the pedal lever (9), thus bringing about the uncoupling of the locking/unlocking system from its receiving element (10).

(46) In the same way, the switch is activated (15a or 15b) in order to rotate the cam once again (4) until a second specific position, which prevents the said cam (4) from continuing to push the lever (5), and through the spring (2) pushes the blocking element (1) outside the pedal lever (9), coupling in this way the locking/unlocking system once again to its respective receiving element (10), thus blocking the axis (8).

(47) When each locking/unlocking system is uncoupled from its respective receiving element (10), the force exerted on a pedal (14) located on one of the ends of the pedal lever (9), is directly transmitted to the freewheel (6) located axially on the interior of the said pedal lever (9), in which the said force is in turn transmitted to the adapter (7) of the freewheel (6) which permits the force to be transmitted from the freewheel (6) to the central axis (8), which is a common axis between both pedal levers (9) and rotates axially mounted on at least 2 wheels or bearings (13) located on the interior of a tubular shell (12) of the bicycle; in which the said tubular shell (12) is part of what is known as the “bicycle frame”; in which the central axis (8) is in turn assembled together with the receiving element (10) of each pedal lever (9), considering also that preferably only one of the receiving elements (10) is assembled together with the conductor element (11) such as a cogwheel, a pulley, a cog, etc.; succeeding in this way that only when each pedal lever (9) moves in a specific direction of rotation, through the freewheels (6) the force is transmitted to the conductor element (11), and when the said pedal levers (9) rotate in the opposite direction, they may rotate freely and without transmitting force.

(48) When each locking/unlocking system is coupled with its respective receiving element (10), it means that the blocking element (1) is out of the pedal lever (9) and coupled with its respective receiving element (10) by way of a coupling means (10a), such as a perforation located on the said receiving element (10), considering that the coupling means (10a) of a receiving element (10) must be located preferably at 180° in relation to the coupling means (10a) of the other receiving element (10), thus ensuring that when the locking/unlocking system of each pedal lever (9) is coupled, each pedal lever (9) is positioned at 180° from each other; so that the force exerted on the pedal (14) is transmitted through the pedal lever (9) until the blocking element (1), which in turn transmits the force to the receiving element (10), and it in turns transmits the force to the central axis (8), at the same time that the receiving element (10) which is assembled together with the conductor element (11) also transmits that force to the said conductor element (11).

(49) Some of the advantages of the locking/unlocking system of the present invention consists in the fact that it is provided with, at least: a switch, either wired or wireless, a power source (17), a means of control (16) and an automatic activating means (3) for activating the automatic blocking and unblocking of each pedal lever (9), without the user having to make a physical effort for bringing about the blocking and unblocking.

(50) It is worth mentioning that traction systems actuated by pedal levers can be the traction systems for the following machines or devices: common bicycles, mountain bicycles, racing bicycles, spinning bicycles, tricycles, quadricycles, pedalos or paddle boats, to mention a few examples.

(51) It is worth mentioning that the blocking means (1), of the locking/unlocking system, can also be mechanically moved with the hand and/or foot of the user, which is important in case of failure of the automatic system.