Sam C Patterson

US Patent:

7874955, Jan 25, 2011

Filed:

Nov 8, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/983311

Inventors:

Sam Harwell Patterson - Fort Lauderdale FL, US

Assignee:

Patterson Bicycle Transmission, LLC - DeLeon Springs FL

International Classification:

F16H 3/74
F16H 3/44

US Classification:

475259, 475312, 475270

Abstract:

An enclosed bicycle drivetrain is provided that produces a range of drive ratios suitable for any riding purpose. The enclosure of substantially the entire drivetrain is made practical by the synergistic cooperation of a planetary drive system using a single chain ring and a streamlined rear derailleur system that separates the tensioning and chain guiding functions of a conventional rear derailleur, allowing the rear derailleur components to remain substantially within the shadow of the outer perimeter of the bicycle frame. The planetary drive system is provided with a unique compound pawl that may be easily disengaged from a planetary ratchet member under full riding loads by the application of a small force to destabilize the pawl. A unique shift buffer mechanism cooperates with the rear derailleur system to buffer and store up to the full range of available shift commands.

US Patent:

20080073869, Mar 27, 2008

Filed:

Sep 26, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/904097

Inventors:

Sam Harwell Patterson - Fort Lauderdale FL, US

International Classification:

B62M 3/00
B62M 1/14

US Classification:

280244

Abstract:

The present invention provides a human powered vehicle drive system that includes a vehicle frame, a power system including a pivotable drive lever and a one-way clutch, a neutral shifting system, and a braking system. The drive lever may be coupled to a tension member that is associated with the drive lever and a drive spool, so that power is transmitted from the drive lever to the drive spool via the tension member, and from the drive spool to a driven wheel via the one-way clutch. A drive-ratio shifting control allows a user to vary a drive ratio by translating the attachment point of the tension member to the drive lever up or down the drive lever. A neutral shifting control allows the user to engage and disengage the one-way clutch. The braking system includes a flexible brake linkage routed along the drive lever. The drive-ratio shifting, neutral shifting, and braking controls may all be situated proximate to a drive lever handle adjustably coupled to the drive lever. Additionally, the drive lever is biased in the forward direction by power-stroke assisting springs, which store energy applied in recovery strokes applied to the drive levers, then releasing the energy to assist in forward power strokes. An assembly including the power system, neutral shifting system and brake system integrated with each driven wheel may be released from the chair by a quick release mechanism.