Removable powerpack and seat for a bicycle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9676443-B2
Application number	US-201514635432-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 2, 2015
Priority date	Mar 2, 2015
Publication date	Jun 13, 2017
Grant date	Jun 13, 2017

Abstract

A bicycle may include a detachable seat assembly configured to disconnect from a bicycle frame, the detachable seat assembly including a housing, a post extending from the housing and a seat supported by the post, the seat having two flaps extending from and foldable at a joint and configured to fold around the post.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A bicycle comprising:
a detachable seat assembly configured to disconnect from a bicycle frame including a housing, a post extending from the housing, and a seat supported by the post, the seat having two flaps extending from a joint, an underside of each flap including a recess, the flaps configured to fold at the joint and encapsulate at least a portion of the post within the recesses.

2. The bicycle of claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured to receive at least a portion of the post.

3. The bicycle of claim 1 , wherein the flaps are configured to abut a top portion of the housing when placed in a folded state.

4. The bicycle of claim 3 , further comprising a locking mechanism configured to maintain the seat in the folded state at the top portion of the housing.

5. The bicycle of claim 1 , wherein the housing defines at least one handle.

6. The bicycle of claim 1 , wherein the post includes a releasable lock configured to permit rotation of the seat when released.

7. The bicycle of claim 1 , wherein the seat includes a releasable pitch lock configured to permit adjustments to an angular offset of the seat.

8. The bicycle of claim 1 , wherein the joint includes a releasable seat hinge to permit axial movement of the flaps at the joint.

9. A bicycle comprising:
a bicycle frame having a seat stay;
a detachable assembly including a housing and a seat post selectively extendable from the housing, the housing configured to removably engage the seat stay; and
a seat securable to the seat post and foldable around the seat post, wherein the seat includes a releasable pitch-lock configured to permit adjustments to the angular offset of the seat.

10. The bicycle of claim 9 , wherein the housing is configured to receive at least one battery, a charging cable, and a controller.

11. The bicycle of claim 9 , wherein the seat comprises foldable flaps configured to abut a top portion of the housing in a folded state.

12. The bicycle of claim 9 , wherein the housing defines at least one handle.

13. The bicycle of claim 9 , wherein the seat post includes a releasable post-hinge configured to permit selective rotation of the seat when in a released position.

14. The bicycle of claim 9 , wherein the seat comprises a releasable seat-hinge to permit folding of the seat around the seat post.

15. The bicycle of claim 9 , wherein the seat comprises two foldable flaps, an underside of each of the foldable flaps including a recess configured to encapsulate at least a portion of the seat post.

16. A method for disengaging a portable seat portion of a bicycle, comprising:
releasing a post-lock at the post supporting a seat assembly;
rotating the seat assembly about the post;
folding two flaps of the seat assembly at a joint to encompass the post;
locking the folded flaps against a top portion of a housing, the housing configured to house a power supply for the bicycle; and
releasing the housing from a frame of the bicycle.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the folding of the two flaps of the seat includes:
releasing a pitch-lock at the seat assembly;
adjusting the angular offset of the seat assembly;
releasing a seat-hinge at the joint of the seat assembly; and
folding the flaps about the joint to encapsulate at least a portion of the post.

18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising pulling the housing from the frame of the bicycle via a handle defined in the housing.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Perkins William Paul
• Cummins Jason Ashley

Classifications

• B62J1/005

  Saddles having a seating area with multiple separate weight bearing surfaces · CPC title

• B62M6/90 Primary

  Batteries · CPC title

• B62J1/08 Primary

  Frames for saddles; Connections between saddle frames and seat pillars; Seat pillars (attaching seat pillars to cycle frames B62K19/36) · CPC title

• B62K19/36

  for attaching saddle pillars, e.g. adjustable during ride · CPC title

• B62J1/00 Primary

  Saddles or other seats for cycles; Arrangement thereof; Component parts · CPC title