WO2013117473A1

WO2013117473A1 - Device for increasing the lift of a cycle-type vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2013117473A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/051794
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-François ALLHEILLY
Original assignee: Allheilly Jean-Francois
Priority date: 2012-02-07
Filing date: 2013-01-30
Publication date: 2013-08-15
Also published as: FR2986469A1; FR2986469B1

Abstract

Device (10) for increasing the lift of a cycle-type vehicle comprising at least one wheel (4) mounted rotatably about an axis (D) and having a first running surface (22), the device comprising at least one additional wheel (14) having a second running surface (24), and an assembly (16) for mounting the additional wheel in rotation about the axis (D). The mounting assembly is designed such that the additional wheel is integral in rotation with the wheel. The device additionally comprises: - a tread (18) which is able and intended to connect the first running surface to the second running surface about the axis, the tread, the wheel of the vehicle, the additional wheel and the mounting assembly defining an internal volume of the device, and - an element filling the internal volume. Corresponding cycle-type vehicle.

Description

Device for increasing the lift of a cycle type machine.

The present invention relates to a device for increasing the lift of a cycle-type device comprising at least one wheel rotatably mounted along an axis and having a first rolling surface, the device comprising:

at least one additional wheel having a second running surface, and

- A mounting assembly of the additional wheel rotation along the axis.

By "cycle type device" means a cart-type device, provided with at least one wheel similar to those of a bicycle. This may include wheelchairs for the disabled.

The cycle type machines are well adapted to circulate on firm ground.

On the other hand, when they ride on soft ground, for example sand, they tend to sink into the ground and get bogged down, and all the more so since the ground is loose and the gear cycle type is loaded.

One known way to solve this problem is to add one or more wheels to the cycle type machine. In particular, it is known to double a wheel of the machine by a twin wheel free to rotate relative to the wheel of the machine.

However, this is not always sufficient, especially when the soil is very loose and the relatively busy cycle type machine.

An object of the invention is to provide a device improving the lift of a cycle-type craft, that is to say the ability of the cycle-type machine not to sink into soft ground, the device to easily adapt to the gear type cycle.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a device of the above type, in which the assembly assembly is shaped so that the additional wheel is integral in rotation with the wheel, the device further comprising:

a tread suitable and intended to connect the first tread surface to the second tread surface around the axis, the tread, the wheel of the machine, the additional wheel and the assembly assembly defining a internal volume of the device, and

- A filling member of the internal volume for supporting the tread.

According to particular embodiments, the device may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination: - The tread is intended to be threaded on the wheel and the additional wheel along the axis and to completely cover the first running surface and / or the second tread surface;

the tread comprises an envelope of flexible material intended to trap the wheel and the additional wheel, and at least one tensioning member

(66, 68) of the tread so that the envelope adheres to the wheel of the machine and to the additional wheel;

the tensioning member comprises a circular tensioner intended to surround the axis, or fasteners of the tread to means for fixing the assembly assembly, or to the wheel, or to the additional wheel;

the filling member is inflatable;

the filling member comprises an air chamber;

the assembly assembly is shaped so that the additional wheel is at a distance from the wheel along the axis, the distance being able to take at least two distinct values, preferably a plurality of distinct values;

the assembly assembly comprises a first part intended to be fixed on the wheel, a second part integral with the additional wheel and slidably mounted with respect to the first part, and a locking system for securing the first part and the second part. part in a relative position defining the distance;

- The assembly assembly is adapted to be fixed on the wheel without disassembly of the wheel.

The invention also relates to a cycle type machine comprising at least one wheel, rotatably mounted along an axis and having a first running surface, the machine further comprising a device as described above to increase the lift of the wheel , the tread connecting the first tread surface to the second tread surface about the axis and the tread member supporting the tread.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

1 schematically represents a first cycle type machine according to the invention, with two main wheels, comprising two devices for increasing the lift of the main wheels,

2 schematically represents a second cycle-type machine according to the invention, with two main wheels, comprising two devices for increasing the lift of the main wheels, 3 schematically represents one of the devices for increasing the lift shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2, in side view, partially broken away,

- Figure 4 schematically shows the device shown in Figure 3 in exploded view along an axis.

Referring to Figure 1, there is described a first machine cycle 1 according to the invention. The type of vehicle cycle 1 is a sleigh comprising a frame 2, two wheels 4 and 6, a swivel wheel 8 and two devices 10, 12 to increase the lift of the wheels 4 and 6.

The wheels 4 and 6 are rotatably mounted on the frame 2 along an axis D substantially perpendicular to a direction of movement of the device 1.

The devices 10 and 12 are respectively mounted on the wheels 4 and 6.

Referring to Figure 2, there is described a second cycle-type machine 100 according to the invention, more specifically a wheelchair for a disabled person, comprising an armchair 102, the two wheels 4, 6, the two devices 10, 12 to increase the lift of the wheels 4, 6 and two pivoting wheels 108, 109.

The devices 10, 12 are similar and are derived from each other by a symmetry in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis D or by 180 ° rotation. Also, only the device 10 will be described in detail below, with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

The device 10 comprises an additional wheel 14 rotatably mounted along the axis

D, substantially parallel to the wheel 4, a tread 18 extending around the axis D, a mounting assembly 16 of the additional wheel 14 on the wheel 4, and a filler member 20 extending between the wheel 4 and the additional wheel 14 along the axis D and supporting the tread 18.

The wheel 4 comprises a tread 22 defined as a peripheral surface intended to be in contact with the ground when the wheel 4 rolls on the ground. The tread 22 has a width L1 in projection on the axis D (Figure 3). L1 is for example between 2 cm and 6 cm, advantageously about 4 cm.

The additional wheel 14 comprises a tread 24 of extension L2 projected on the axis D and an axis 26 received in the assembly assembly 16.

L2 is for example between 2 and 6 cm, preferably about 4 cm.

The additional wheel 14 has a diameter Φ comparable, preferably substantially identical to that of the wheel 4. For example, the diameter Φ is between 30 cm and 150 cm, preferably between 50 cm and 70 cm.

According to a particular embodiment, the additional wheel 14 is substantially identical to the wheel 4. The assembly assembly 16 allows easy mounting of the additional wheel 14 on the wheel 4 and rotates the wheel 4 and the additional wheel 14 in rotation along the axis D.

By "easy assembly" is meant that the assembly can be done in less than 5 minutes, preferably by hand without tools.

The assembly assembly 16 forms an axle connecting the wheel 4 and the additional wheel 14 and extending along the axis D. The assembly assembly 16 comprises a first portion 28 fixed on the wheel 4, a second portion 30 fixed on the additional wheel 14 and slidably mounted relative to the first portion 28, and a locking system 32 for securing the first portion 28 and the second portion 30.

The first part 28 comprises a sleeve 34 extending along the axis D between the wheel 4 and the additional wheel 14, a portion 36 extending radially from one end of the sleeve 34 and bearing on the wheel 4 , protuberances 38, or pins, extending from the portion 36 through passages in the wheel 4 along the axis D, and fixing means 40 of the portion 36 on the wheel 4.

The sleeve 34 comprises a tube 42, advantageously cylindrical with a circular base, and a plate 44 extending inside the cylindrical tube 42 in a plane passing through the axis D.

The fastening means 40 comprise, for example, handle screws 40 aimed in the protuberances 38, the handle screws 40 and the portion 36 enclosing the wheel 4.

The second portion 30 comprises a first sub-portion 45 located between the wheel 4 and the additional wheel 14 and fitted into the sleeve 34, a second sub-portion 46 mounted on the first sub-portion 45 and passing through the additional wheel 14, and fastening means 48 of the second sub-portion 46 on the first subpart 45.

The first sub-portion 45 comprises a tube 50 extending along the axis D and fitted into the tube 42, a housing receiving the axis 26 and a portion 52 extending radially from one end of the tube 50 and being bearing on the additional wheel 14.

The tube 50 has two slots 50a, 50b, substantially parallel to the axis D and receiving the plate 44.

The second sub-portion 46 comprises a disk 54 bearing on the additional wheel 14 and situated opposite the portion 52, the protuberances 56 extending from the disk 54 along the axis D through passages arranged in the additional wheel 14.

The fixing means 48 comprise, for example, handle screws passing through the protuberances 56 and screwed into the portion 52. fastening means 48 are advantageously of the same type as the handle screws of the fastening means 40.

The locking system 32 comprises, for example, a handle screw and a bolt, the handle screw passing radially through the sleeve 34 and the tube 50 so as to block the sliding of the tube 50 in the sleeve 34 in a plurality of relative positions corresponding to each at a spacing E between the main wheel 4 and the additional wheel 14 along the axis D.

For example, the gap E may vary in a range of 5 cm to 100 cm, preferably 10 cm to 25 cm.

The tread 18 extends around the axis D and connects the first running surface 22 to the second running surface 24 so as to define a rolling surface of the device 10 having an extension along the axis D equal to the sum of the extensions L1 and L2 and the distance E.

The tread 18 comprises an outer envelope 58 comprising two flaps 60 and 62 each movable between a use position (in solid lines), in which the flaps 60 and 62 extend radially against the wheel 4 and the additional wheel respectively. 14, so that the outer casing 58 traps the wheel 4 and the additional wheel 14 and a rest position (in dashed lines), in which the flaps 60,

62 are in a position spaced respectively from the wheel 4 and the additional wheel 14.

In the position of use, the outer envelope 58 substantially forms a torus open substantially of revolution about the axis D, and of section in the form of "U", the flaps 60, 62 forming the legs of the "U", the opening of the "U" being directed towards the axis D.

The outer casing 58 is for example of flexible fabric or gripp fabric.

According to a particular embodiment, the tread 18 comprises an inner casing 64 with flaps, intended to at least partially surround the filler member 20. Advantageously, the inner casing 64 isolates the filler member 20 from the wheel 4, the additional wheel 14 and the assembly assembly 16.

The inner casing 64 is for example flexible fabric.

The tread 18 further comprises at least one tensioning member of the outer casing 58. For example, the tread 18 comprises a circular tensioner 66 extending along an edge of the flap 60 about the axis D.

Advantageously, the tread 18 comprises a second member for tensioning the outer casing 58. For example, the tread 18 comprises fasteners 68 of adjustable length, each extending between a point of a edge of the flap 62 and the fastening means 48, the fasteners 68 being able to press the flap 62 on the additional wheel 14.

The circular tensioner 66 has a diameter at rest less than the diameter Φ.

The filling member 20 extends in an internal volume defined by the wheel 4, the additional wheel 14, the assembly assembly 16 and the tread 18. The filling member 20 forms a support for the tread. bearing 18 between the first rolling surface 22 and the second rolling surface 24.

The filling member 20 is advantageously inflatable. The filling member 20 comprises for example an air chamber extending around the axis D.

Alternatively, the filling member 20 may comprise a mass of foam in one piece or in several parts occupying for example complementary angular sectors around the axis D.

The operation of the device 1 will now be described with reference to Figures 1, 3 and 4. Since the operation of the device 100 is similar, it will not be described.

In the absence of the devices 10 and 12 shown in Figure 1, the wheels 4 and 6 have a lift corresponding to the extension L1.

To increase the lift of the wheels 4 and 6, the devices 10 and 12 are mounted respectively on the wheels 4 and 6.

Only the mounting and operation of the device 10 will be described, the mounting and operation of the device 12 being similar to those of the device 10.

The first part 28 is first fixed on the wheel 4 by passing the protuberances 38 into the passages in the wheel 4. The handle screws of the fastening means 40 are then screwed into the protuberances 38 and the handles are folded down to blocking the handle screws of the fastening means 40. The wheel 4 is then clamped between the handle screws of the fastening means 40 and the portion 36.

The tube 50 is slid into the sleeve 34, the slots 50a, 50b receiving the plate 44.

The first portion 28 and the first sub-portion 45 are locked axially relative to each other by means of the locking system 32.

The relative position of the first portion 28 and the first subpart 45 determines the gap E.

The twisting forces between the first part 28 and the second part 30 of the assembly assembly 16 are transmitted mainly by the plate 44 and the slots 50a, 50b and apply little on the locking system 32. Advantageously, the plate 44 transmits at least 90% of the twisting forces between the first portion 28 and the second portion 30. The tread 18 and then the filling member 20 are arranged around the first part 28 and the second part 30 assembled.

The additional wheel 14 is mounted by placing the shaft 26 in the housing of the first sub-portion 45 of the second portion 30. Then the second sub-portion 46 is mounted by passing the protuberances 56 in the passages in the wheel additional 14. The handle screws of the fastening means 48 are then screwed into the portion 52 via the protuberances 56 and the handles are folded to lock the handle screws of the fastening means 48. The additional wheel 14 is then clamped between the portion 52 and the disk 54.

Then, the outer casing 58 of the tread 18 is stretched by means of the circular tensioner 66 and the fasteners 68. This has the effect of placing the flaps 60, 62 in the position of use. The air chamber of the filling member 20 is inflated. If necessary, the tension of the outer casing 58 is adjusted.

Advantageously, the internal pressure of the air chamber and the tension of the outer casing 58 are adjusted to give a substantially rectilinear shape to the outer casing 58 between the wheel 4 and the additional wheel 14.

The assembly assembly 16, once mounted as described above, provides the rigidity of the device 10 and determines a value of the distance E.

The filling member 20 supports the tread 18 between the wheel 4 and the additional wheel 14.

The device 10 is able to roll on the ground and behaves generally like a wheel having an improved running surface by a factor substantially equal to (L1 + E + L2) / L1 with respect to the wheel 4 considered alone.

Thanks to the additional wheel 14 integral in rotation with the wheel 4, the tread 18 and the filling member 20, a device 10 is obtained which improves the lift of the machine of the cycle 1 or 100 type. have seen, the devices 10 and 12 easily adapt to the machine type 1 or 100 cycle.

The following additional benefits can be achieved through optional additional features.

Due to the fact that the fixing means 40 can be arranged around an axis of the wheel 4, the device 10 can be fixed on the wheel 4 without dismounting the wheel 4, the wheel 4 touching the ground.

Due to the fact that the second part 30 of the mounting assembly 16 is slidably adjustable with respect to the first part 28, the value of the distance E along the axis D can be modified so as to adapt the lift of the cycle type 1 or 100 on the ground on which it is intended to roll.

Claims

1. Device (10, 12) for increasing the lift of a cycle-type machine (1; 100) comprising at least one wheel (4, 6) rotatably mounted along an axis (D) and having a first running surface (22). ), the device (10, 12) comprising:

at least one additional wheel (14) having a second running surface (24), and

a mounting assembly (16) of the additional wheel (14) rotating along the axis

(D),

characterized in that the mounting assembly (16) is shaped so that the additional wheel (14) is rotatably connected to the wheel (4, 6) and in that the device (10, 12) further comprises:

a tread (18) adapted and intended to connect the first tread surface (22) to the second tread surface (24) around the axis (D), the tread (18), the tread (18), the machine (4, 6), the additional wheel (14) and the mounting assembly (16) defining an internal volume of the device (10, 12), and

- a filling member (20) of the internal volume for supporting the tread (18).

2. Device (10, 12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the tread (18) is intended to be threaded on the wheel (4) and on the additional wheel (14) along the axis (D) and completely covering the first tread surface (22) and / or the second tread surface (24).

3. Device (10, 12) according to claim 2, characterized in that the tread (18) comprises a casing (58) of flexible material for trapping the wheel (4) and the additional wheel (14), and at least one tensioning member (66, 68) of the tread (18) for the envelope (58) to adhere to the wheel (4) of the machine and to the additional wheel (14).

Device (10, 12) according to claim 3, characterized in that the tensioning member (66, 68) comprises:

a circular tensioner (66) intended to surround the axis (D), or

fasteners (68) of the tread (18) to fastening means (40,

48) of the mounting assembly (16), or the wheel (4), or the additional wheel (14).

5. Device (10, 12) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the filling member (20) is inflatable.

6. Device (10, 12) according to claim 5, characterized in that the filling member (20) comprises an air chamber.

7. Device (10, 12) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the assembly assembly (16) is shaped so that the additional wheel (14) is at a distance (E) of the wheel (4) along the axis (D), the distance (E) being able to take at least two distinct values, preferably a plurality of distinct values.

8. Device (10, 12) according to claim 7, characterized in that the assembly assembly (16) comprises a first portion (28) intended to be fixed on the wheel (4), a second portion (30) secured to of the additional wheel (14) and slidably mounted relative to the first portion (28), and a locking system (32) for securing the first portion (28) and the second portion (30) in a relative position defining the distance (E).

9. Device (10, 12) any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the assembly assembly (16) is adapted to be fixed on the wheel (4) without disassembly of the wheel (4).

Machine (1; 100) of the cycle type, comprising at least one wheel (4, 6) rotatably mounted along an axis (D) and having a first running surface (22), characterized in that it comprises in addition to a device (10, 12) according to any preceding claim for increasing the lift of the wheel (4), the tread (18) connecting the first tread surface (22) to the second tread surface ( 24) about the axis (D) and the filling member (20) supporting the tread (18).