WO1989004272A1

WO1989004272A1 - Unicycle

Info

Publication number: WO1989004272A1
Application number: PCT/AU1988/000436
Authority: WO
Inventors: Victor Manuel Pracas
Original assignee: Victor Manuel Pracas
Priority date: 1987-11-13
Filing date: 1988-11-11
Publication date: 1989-05-18
Also published as: JPH03501108A

Abstract

A unicycle (10) comprises a wheel (12) and a frame (14), the frame (14) is provided with a seat (40) for the rider, a handle bar (50) having handles (58) is provided and arranged to be gripped by the rider so as to allow the rider to more easily steer and balance the unicycle (10). Because the handle bar (50), the handle bar-attachment (36), and the frame (14) are rigidly interconnected, manipulations of the handles (58) are transferred to the frame (14) and to the wheel (12) so as to balance and steer the unicycle (10). In use, a rider sits on the seat (40) and propels the unicycle (10) by turning the pedals (20) in the conventional manner. The rider holds on to the handles (58) of the handle bar (50) to control his balance on the unicycle (10). Further, by holding on to the handles (58), the rider is also able to steer the unicycle (10) by pulling one of the handles (58) in the appropriate direction.

Description

TITLE "UNICYCLE" DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a unicycle. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The unicycle of the present invention allows a rider to more readily steer and balance the unicycle by providing handle means for the rider.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a unicycle comprising a wheel and frame means, characterised in that said frame means is provided with seat means for a rider, and handle means are provided and arranged to be gripped by said rider. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a unicycle in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the handle-bar attachment of the unicycle of the present invention; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of one of the portions of the frame of the unicycle of the present invention which is attached to one of the bearing assemblies via a short tube;

Figure 4 is a rear end view of the unicycle shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the portions of the frame of the unicycle of the present invention shown in Figure 3 and the clamp that is used to connect the portion to the short tube; and, Figure 6 is a perspective view of a unicycle in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In Figure 1, there is shown a unicycle 10 comprising a wheel 12 and a frame 14.

The wheel 12 is provided with an axle 16 and a pneumatic tyre 18 of conventional form.

A pair of pedals 20 are connected to the respective ends of the axle 16. A bearing assembly 22 is provided adjacent each pedal 20 on the axle 16. A bearing assembly 22 can be seen in Figure 3. The bearing assemblies 22 contain a bore therethrough containing the axle 16. The bearing assemblies 22 allow the axle 16 to rotate, but do not themselves rotate. An upright portion 24 extends from each bearing assembly

22. A short tube 26 fits over each of the upright portions 24, and is attached thereto by screws 28.

The frame 14 is of substantially tubular form and comprises a pair of straight portions 30a and 30b on respective sides of the wheel 12. A portion 32 extends from the portion 30a forwardly in. an upward manner and also extends toward the longitudinal centre line of the unicycle 10. This can be seen in Figure 4. A portion 34 extends from the portion 30b rearwardly in an upward manner and also extends toward the longitudinal centre line of the unicycle 10. This can be seen in Figure 4. The portion 34 then extends in a straight manner along the longitudinal centre line of the unicycle 10 to meet with the portion 32 which is joined to the underside of the portion 34. The portion 34 then extends upwardly to a handle-bar attachment 36. A plate 38 connects the portion 30a and 30b. A seat 40 is attached to the portion 34 of the frame 14 that extends along the longitudinal centre line of the unicycle 10.

The handle-bar attachment 36 is shown separately in Figure 2. The handle-bar attachment 36 comprises a first portion 42 connected to the portion 34 of the frame 14, and a second portion 44. The first portion 42 is provided with a transversely orientated semi-circular groove 46. The second portion 44 of the handle-bar attachment 36 is of substantially plate form and is provided with a transversely orientated semi-circular circular groove 48. The handle-bar attachment 36 retains a handle-bar 50 in place on the unicycle 10.

A portion 52 of the handle-bar 50 is enclosed in the grooves 46 and 48 of the first and second portions 42 and 44 of the handle-bar attachment 36. The second portion 44 is secured to the first portion 42 by bolts 54 passing through matching apertures 56 in the first and second portions 42 and 44. Nuts (not shown) may then be secured over the free ends of the bolts 54 to secure the bolts 54 in the apertures 56. The handle-bar 50 is rigidly held in the handle-bar attachment 36 and is non-rotatable relative to the frame

10,70.

The handle-bar 50 comprises a pair of handles 58 at respective ends thereof. The handles 58 are transversely spaced with respect to the longitudinal centre line of the unicycle 10. The handle-bar 50 further comprises a cross-bar 60 to provide rigidity thereto. Padding 62 (shown in phantom) may be provided around the cross-bar 60, handle/- bar attachment 36 and the portion 34 of the frame 14 forward of the seat 40.

The straight portions 30a and 30b fit over the respective short tubes 26. The ends of the straight portions 30a and 30b are provided with a longitudinally extending cut-out slot 63, best seen in Figures 3 and 5.

A clamp 64 fits around the end of each portion 30a and 30b. The clamp 64 can be seen in Figure 5. The clamp 64 is provided with a pair of outwardly turned ends to form lugs 66. The lugs 66 have apertures 68 therethrough. A bolt (not shown) passes through the apertures 68 and a nut (not shown) is tightened over the end of the bolt. This brings the two lugs 66 together closing the clamps 64 around the end of the portions 30a, 30b. Due to the slot 63, the ends of the portions 30a and 30b, tightly close around the short tubes 26 such that the portions 30a and 30b are fixed in place on their respective short tubes 26. Thus, the position of the portions 30a and 30b on the short tubes 26 is adjustable by using the clamps 64. In Figure 6, there is shown a unicycle 70 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The unicycle 70 is similar to the unicycle 10 of the first embodiment and, in the drawings, like reference numerals are used to identif like parts in the two embodiments. The description of the unicycle 70 of the second embodiment will be restricted to the parts thereof that are different from those of the unicycle 10 of the first embodiment.

However, it will be understood that the description of the other parts of the unicycle 70 is the same as that for the unicycle 10.

The unicycle 70 comprises a wheel 12, handle-bar 50 and frame 72.

The frame 72 is of* substantially tubular form and comprises portions 30a and 30b which extend to the rear and meet at a

"U" bend.

A portion 74 of the frame 72 extends from the "U" bend to the handle-bar attachment 36.

A straight portion 76 extends upwardly from each portion 30a and 30b. The straight portions 76 are joined to the underside of the forward end of the portion 74.

The handle-bar 50 is provided with a cross-bar 78 having a bend therein. (The padding has been omitted from the cross-bar 78 for clarity) . A cross-bar 60, as used in the unicycle 10, may alternatively be used in the unicycle 70. Similarly, a cross-bar 78, as used in the unicycle 70, may be used in the unicycle 10.

In the unicycles 10 and 70, the rider may adjust the position of the handle-bar 50 by way of the handle-bar attachment 36. Thus, the position of handle-bar 50 may be adjusted forward or backward such that the handles 58 are at the most convenient distance from the rider.

The position of the portions 30a and 30b on the short tubes 26 can be altered by first loosening the clamps 64. This releases the portions 30a and 30b from their engagement with the short tubes 26. The short tubes 26'- may then be pushed further into the portions 30a and 30b, or they may be retracted further therefrom. When the position is as required, the clamps 64 may then be re-tightened. In this way, a user may adjust the height of the frame 14, 74 above the wheel 12. This, effectively, adjusts the height of the seat 40 above the pedals 20 to suit the user. Further, this height adjustability also allows a wheel of greater or lesser diameter to be used if desired. The unicycle of the present invention enables a user, ie. a rider, to more easily control balance and direction of steer of the unicycle 10, 70. This is because of the handle-bar 50 and handles 58. The handles 58 of the unicycle 10,70 of the present invention are transversely spaced with respect to the longitudinal centre-line of the unicycle 10, 70. This enables the rider to more readily control balance and steer than in the case of a conventional unicycle which does not employ any handles for the rider.

In use, a rider sits on the seat 40 and propels the unicycle 10, 70 by turning the pedals 20 with his/her feet in conventional manner. The rider holds on to the handles 58 of the handle-bar 50 to control his/her balance on the unicycle 10, 70. Additionally, by holding on to the handles 58, the rider is also able to steer the unicycle 10, 70 by pulling one of the handles 58 in the appropriate direction. Since the handle-bar 50 is rigidly connected to the handle-bar attachment 36 (which is connected to the frame 14, 74) manipulations of the handles 58 are transferred to the frame 14, 74 and the wheel 12 to balance and steer the unicycle 10, 70.

Claims

1. A unicycle characterised in that it comprises a wheel and frame means, said frame means provided with seat means for a rider, and handle means are provided and arranged to be gripped by said rider.

2. A unicycle according to claim 1, characterised in that said handle means comprise a pair of handles transversely spaced with respect to the longitudinal centre-line of said unicycle.

3. A unicycle according to claim 1 to 2, characterised in that said frame means comprises a first portion and a second portion extending on respective sides of said wheel, said first and second portions connected to a respective member extending from the axle region of said wheel.

4. A unicycle according to claim 3, characterised in that said first and second portions are substantially tubular and are slidably connected to said respective members extending from the axle region of said wheel and said first and second portions are releasably securable to said respective members by clamp means.

5. A unicycle according to claim 4, characterised in that said first and second portions are slidable over said respective members extending from the axle region of said wheel and are provided with cut-out slots at their ends, said clamp means comprising a clamp fitting around each of said first and second portions to cover said cut-out slots and thereby tighten said first and second portions around said respective members such that said first and second portions are non-slidably retained therearound.

6. A unicycle according to any one of claims 3, 4 or 5, characterised in that said respective members extending from the axle region of said wheel are connected to respective bearing assemblies located on the axle of said wheel.

7. A unicycle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said handle means is rigidly connected to said frame means via handle attachment means.

8. A unicycle according to claim 7, characterised in that said handle attachment means comprises a first portion fixed to said frame means and having a groove therein, and a second portion having a groove therein and arranged to be affixed to said first portion of said handle attachment means with a part of said handle means rigidly retained in said grooves of said first and second portions of said handle attachment means.

9. A unicycle according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterised in that said first portion of said frame means extends rearwardly, upwardly to the longitudinal centre-line of said unicycle and then forwardly of said unicycle, and said second portion of said frame means extends forwardly and upwardly to the longitudinal centre-line of said unicycle and is connected to said first portion of said frame means.

10. A unicycle according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterised in that said first and second portions extend rearwardly of said unicycle and meet at a bend, a third portion extending forwardly from said bend and third and fourth portions extending from respective said first and second portions and extending upwardly and forwardly of said unicycle to said third portion.