Foldable bicycle and storage system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2019031270-A1
Application number	US-201616073383-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 27, 2016
Priority date	Jan 27, 2016
Publication date	Jan 31, 2019
Grant date	—

Abstract

A bicycle includes a frame having a first segment and a second segment each elongated along a longitudinal axis. A hinge includes a first face on the first segment and a second face on the second segment. The first face and the second face are rotatable relative to each other about a rotational axis. The rotational axis extends at a non-right angle relative to the longitudinal axis.

First claim

1 . A bicycle comprising:
a frame having a first segment and a second segment each elongated along a longitudinal axis; and a hinge including a first face on the first segment and a second face on the second segment; the first face and the second face abutting each other in the plane and being rotatable relative to each other in the plane, the plane extending at a non-right angle relative to the longitudinal axis.

2 . The bicycle as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a third segment and a second hinge connecting the second segment and the third segment.

3 . The bicycle as set forth in claim 2 wherein the second hinge is rotatable about a rotational axis that extends at a non-right angle relative to the longitudinal axis.

4 . The bicycle as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a lock releasably engageable with the first hinge and releasably engageable with the second hinge.

5 . The bicycle as set forth in claim 4 wherein the lock includes a first latch at the first hinge, a second latch at the second hinge, a cord connected to the first latch and the second latch, and a switch connected to the cord.

6 . The bicycle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the hinge includes a stop positioned to prevent relative rotation of the first segment and the second segment at a folded position as the first segment and the second segment move from an unfolded position to the folded position.

7 . The bicycle as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of the first segment and the second segment includes a curved segment curving relative to the longitudinal axis.

8 . The bicycle as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a front wheel connected to the first segment, and a rear wheel connected to the third segment.

9 . The bicycle as set forth in claim 8 further comprising a motor supported by the third segment.

10 . The bicycle as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a lock releasably engageable with the hinge.

11 . A bicycle comprising:
a frame having a first segment and a second segment each elongated along a longitudinal axis; and a hinge including a first face on the first segment and a second face on the second segment, the first face and the second face being rotatable relative to each other about a rotational axis; the rotational axis extending at a non-right angle relative to the longitudinal axis.

12 . The bicycle as set forth in claim 11 further comprising a third segment and a second hinge connecting the second segment and the third segment.

13 . The bicycle as set forth in claim 12 wherein the second hinge is rotatable about a second rotational axis extending at a non-right angle relative to the rotational axis of the hinge.

14 . The bicycle as set forth in claim 12 further comprising a lock releasably engageable with the hinge and releasably engageable with the second hinge.

15 . The bicycle as set forth in claim 14 wherein the lock includes a first latch at the hinge, a second latch at the second hinge, a cord connected to the first latch and the second latch, and a switch connected to the cord.

16 . The bicycle as set forth in claim 12 further comprising a front wheel connected to the first segment, and a rear wheel connected to the third segment.

17 . The bicycle as set forth in claim 12 further comprising a motor supported by the third segment.

18 . The bicycle as set forth in claim 12 wherein at least one of the first segment and the second segment includes a curved segment curving relative to the longitudinal axis.

19 . The bicycle as set forth in claim 11 wherein the hinge includes a stop positioned to prevent relative rotation of the first segment and the second segment at a folded position as the first segment and the second segment move from an unfolded position to the folded position.

20 . The bicycle as set forth in claim 11 further comprising a lock releasably engageable with the hinge.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Thompson Thomas Robert George

Classifications

• B62J7/04

  arranged above or behind the rear wheel · CPC title

• B62B1/12

  involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable, or convertible · CPC title

• B62M6/40 Primary

  Rider propelled cycles with auxiliary electric motor · CPC title

• B62K15/008 Primary

  foldable about 2 or more axes · CPC title

• B62K13/08

  Frames · CPC title