Wheelchair and bicycle combination assembly

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to bicycle devices and more particularly pertains to a new wheelchair and bicycle combination assembly for pushing a wheelchair while riding a bike.

2 Description of the Prior Art

The use of bicycle devices is known in the prior art. More specifically, bicycle devices heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,429,584; 4,402,502; 4,705,284; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 356,530; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,373,740; and 5,273,304.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new wheelchair and bicycle combination assembly. The inventive device includes a bicycle frame. A seat assembly slidably mounts to the bicycle frame. A gear assembly comprises at least a first gear and a second gear. The first gear is rotatably coupled to a front portion of the frame. The second gear is rotatably coupled to a back portion of the frame. A bike chain extends around and is in communication with teeth on the first and second gears. A crank axle extends through the first gear. The crank axle has a pair of ends. Each of a pair of pedals is rotatably coupled to one of the ends of the crank axle. A bike wheel is securely attached to the second gear. A wheelchair includes a seat portion. A back rest is securely coupled to and extends upwardly from a back edge of the seat portion. A pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels are rotatably coupled to the seat portion. An axle extends between the back wheels. Each of a pair of handles is coupled to and extends upwardly away from a top edge of the back rest. A coupling means removably attaches the bicycle frame to the axle of the wheelchair.

In these respects, the wheelchair and bicycle combination assembly according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of pushing a wheelchair while riding a bike.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of bicycle devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new wheelchair and bicycle combination assembly construction wherein the same can be utilized for pushing a wheelchair while riding a bike.

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new wheelchair and bicycle combination assembly apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the bicycle devices mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new wheelchair and bicycle combination assembly which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art bicycle devices, either alone or in any combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a bicycle frame. A seat assembly slidably mounts to the bicycle frame. A gear assembly comprises at least a first gear and a second gear. The first gear is rotatably coupled to a front portion of the frame. The second gear is rotatably coupled to a back portion of the frame. A bike chain extends around and is in communication with teeth on the first and second gears. A crank axle extends through the first gear. The crank axle has a pair of ends. Each of a pair of pedals is rotatably coupled to one of the ends of the crank axle. A bike wheel is securely attached to the second gear. A wheelchair includes a seat portion. A back rest is securely coupled to and extends upwardly from a back edge of the seat portion. A pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels are rotatably coupled to the seat portion. An axle extends between the back wheels. Each of a pair of handles is coupled to and extends upwardly away from a top edge of the back rest. A coupling means removably attaches the bicycle frame to the axle of the wheelchair.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new wheelchair and bicycle combination assembly apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the bicycle devices mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new wheelchair and bicycle combination assembly which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art bicycle devices, either alone or in any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new wheelchair and bicycle combination assembly which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new wheelchair and bicycle combination assembly which is of a durable and reliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new wheelchair and bicycle combination assembly which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such wheelchair and bicycle combination assembly economically available to the buying public.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new wheelchair and bicycle combination assembly which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new wheelchair and bicycle combination assembly for pushing a wheelchair while riding a bike.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new wheelchair and bicycle combination assembly which includes a bicycle frame. A seat assembly slidably mounts to the bicycle frame. A gear assembly comprises at least a first gear and a second gear. The first gear is rotatably coupled to a front portion of the frame. The second gear is rotatably coupled to a back portion of the frame. A bike chain extends around and is in communication with teeth on the first and second gears. A crank axle extends through the first gear. The crank axle has a pair of ends. Each of a pair of pedals is rotatably coupled to one of the ends of the crank axle. A bike wheel is securely attached to the second gear. A wheelchair includes a seat portion. A back rest is securely coupled to and extends upwardly from a back edge of the seat portion. A pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels are rotatably coupled to the seat portion. An axle extends between the back wheels. Each of a pair of handles is coupled to and extends upwardly away from a top edge of the back rest. A coupling means removably attaches the bicycle frame to the axle of the wheelchair.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new wheelchair and bicycle combination assembly that allows a person to easily push a wheelchair with less effort and in a relaxing manner.

Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new wheelchair and bicycle combination assembly that may be retrofitted to existing wheelchairs.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1

is a schematic side view of a new wheelchair and bicycle combination assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 2

is a schematic top view of the present invention.

FIG. 3

is a schematic front view taken along line

3

—

3

of the present invention.

FIG. 4

is a schematic side cross-sectional view taken along line

4

—

4

of the present invention.

FIG. 5

is a schematic side cross-sectional view taken along line

5

—

5

of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to

FIGS. 1 through 5

thereof, a new wheelchair and bicycle combination assembly embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral

10

will be described.

As best illustrated in

FIGS. 1 through 5

, the wheelchair and bicycle combination assembly

10

generally comprises a bicycle frame

12

. The bicycle frame

12

comprises a seat tube

13

. The seat tube

13

has a first end

14

and second end

15

. The second end

14

is open. A tire mounting tube

16

has a first end

17

and a second end

18

. The second end

18

of the tire mounting tube is integrally coupled to the seat tube

13

. The second end

18

of the tire mounting tube

16

is positioned generally adjacent to the second end

15

of the seat tube

13

. A support bar

19

has a first end

20

and a second end

21

. The first end

20

of the support bar

19

is integrally coupled to the first end

14

of the seat tube

13

. The second end

21

of the support bar

19

is integrally coupled to the first end

17

of the tire mounting tube

16

such that the seat tube

13

, the tire mounting tube

16

and the support bar

19

generally define a triangle. The second end

15

of the seat tube

13

is an apex of the triangle. The first end

14

of the seat tube

13

defines a front portion of the frame

12

and the first end

17

of the tire mounting tube

16

defines a back portion of the frame

12

.

A seat assembly comprises a seat member

22

having a top side

23

and a bottom side

24

. The seat member

22

depicted is a bucket-type seat for comfort.

A seat post

25

has a first end

26

and a second end not shown. The first end

26

is securely attached to the bottom side

24

of the seat member

22

. The second end of the seat post

25

is selectively extendable into the second end

15

of the seat tube

13

.

A seat lug

28

selectively secures the seat post

25

with respect to the seat tube

13

. The seat lug

28

is securely coupled to the second end

15

of the seat tube

13

.

A gear assembly comprises a first gear

29

and a second gear

30

. The first gear

29

is rotatably coupled to the frame

12

and positioned at a juncture of the seat tube

13

and the support bar

19

. The second gear

30

is rotatably coupled to the frame

12

and positioned at a juncture of the support bar

19

and the tire mounting tube

16

. Each of the gears has a peripheral edge having a plurality of teeth

31

extending therefrom. A bike chain

32

extends around and is in communication with the teeth

31

on the first

29

and second

30

gears. A crank axle

33

extends through the first gear

29

and is securely attached to the first gear. The crank axle

33

has a pair of ends

34

. Each of a pair of pedals

35

is rotatably coupled to one of the ends

33

of the crank axle

32

. A bike wheel

36

is securely attached to the second gear

30

. The bike wheel

36

is generally co-axial with the second gear

30

. The bicycle frame

12

, gears and wheel generally form a conventional bike having the front steering column and front tire removed. A braking means, not shown, for braking the bike would comprise conventional braking devices.

Additionally, a fender

37

may be placed over the back wheel and basket

38

securely attached to the fender.

The wheelchair

40

comprises a seat portion

41

. The seat portion

40

has a front edge

41

, a back edge

42

, and two side edges

43

. The seat portion

41

has a generally rectangular shape. Each of a pair of arm rests

44

is securely attached to each one of the side edges

43

and each extends upwardly therefrom. A back rest

45

is securely coupled to and extends upwardly from the back edge

45

of the seat portion

41

.

Each of four elongate rods

46

is securely attached to the seat portion

41

and each is positioned generally adjacent to a corner of seat portion. The rods

46

extend downwardly from the seat portion

41

such that there are two front rods

47

and two rear rods

48

. Each of the rods

46

has a free end

49

and each of a pair of front wheels

50

is rotatably coupled to one of the free ends

49

of the front rods

47

. The front wheels

50

are adapted to pivot. An axle

51

is securely coupled to and extends between the free ends

47

of the rear rods

48

. Each of a pair of back wheels

52

is rotatably coupled to an opposite end of the axle

51

.

Each of a pair of handles

53

is coupled to and extending upwardly from a top edge of the back rest

45

. The handles

53

are spaced. The wheelchair

40

is generally a conventional wheelchair.

A coupling means

56

couples the bicycle frame

12

to the wheelchair

40

. The coupling means

56

includes a coupling bar

57

. The coupling bar

57

has a first end

58

and a second end

59

. The first end

58

is integrally coupled to the bicycle frame

12

and positioned at a juncture of the seat tube

13

and the support bar

19

. A peripheral wall

60

of the coupling bar

57

is threaded. The threads are generally adjacent to the second end

59

of the coupling bar

57

. An annular lip

61

is integrally coupled to the peripheral wall

60

. The annular lip

61

is positioned generally adjacent to the threads. The coupling bar

57

is a telescoping bar. The coupling bar comprises a first portion

62

and a second portion

63

. The first portion

62

is slidably extendable in the second portion

63

. The first

62

and second

63

portions each have a plurality of aligned apertures

64

therein. The apertures

64

extend through opposite sides of the portions. A bolt

65

extends through an aperture

64

in the second portion

63

and through an aperture

64

in the first portion

62

to selectively couple the first portion in a fixed extended position with relation to the second portion.

A plate

66

has a front side

67

, a back side

68

, a bottom edge

69

, a top edge

70

and two side edges

71

. The plate

61

has a elongate slot

72

therethrough. The slot

72

is positioned generally between the side edges

71

and orientated generally parallel to the side edges

71

. The second end

59

of the coupling bar

57

is extendable through the slot

72

such that the annular lip

61

abuts the back side

68

of the plate

66

. A nut

73

is removably couplable to the threads such that the second end

59

of the coupling bar

57

may be selectively positioned between the top

70

and bottom

69

edges of the plate

66

. This aids in placement of the bicycle frame

12

with relation to the wheelchair

40

. The plate

61

has a plurality of holes therein

74

. The holes

74

are substantially adjacent to the bottom edge

69

of the plate

66

.

Each of a pair of extension rods

75

has a proximal end

76

and a distal end

77

. Each of the rods

75

has a pair of bends

78

therein. The bends

78

are generally adjacent to one of the ends

76

of the extension rods

75

. The extension rods

75

generally have a U-shape. Each of the rods

75

has an opening, not shown, therein. Each of the openings is between one of the distal ends

77

and a generally adjacent bend

78

. A pair of fastening means

79

fastens the distal ends of the extension rods

75

to the plate

66

. Each of the fastening means

79

is extendable through one of the openings in the extension rods and one of the holes

74

in the plate

66

. The fastening means

79

are preferably bolts and accompanying nuts.

Each of a pair of ring members

80

is securely coupled to the extension rods

75

and positioned between the proximal ends

76

and an adjacent bend

78

in the extension rods. Each of the ring members

80

has a pair of breaks

82

therein such that a first

83

and second

84

section is defined. Each of the sections has a first end

85

and a second end

86

. The first ends

85

of the sections are hingedly coupled together by a hinge

87

. The second ends

86

of the sections have a flange

88

integrally coupled thereto. Each of the flanges

88

has a bore, not shown, therethrough. Each of a pair of securing means

89

removably securing the flanges

88

together and is extendable through the bores in the flanges

88

. The securing means

89

are preferably bolts and wing nuts. The ring members

80

are positionable around the axle

51

of the wheelchair

40

.

In use, a person is placed in the wheelchair

40

. The wheelchair

40

may have a leg support

54

coupled thereto. A second person then rides the bicycle portion like a traditional bike.

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.