US 20110133427A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2011/0133427 A1 Bashan et al. (43) Pub. Date: Jun. 9, 2011

(54) RECYCLABLE CARDBOARD Publication Classi?cation (51) Int. Cl. (76) Inventors: Tsafrir Bashan, Modiin (IL); Izhar 362K 3/00 (200601) Gafni, KibbutZ Hamaapil (IL) 362M 1/00 (201001) (52) US. Cl...... 280/210; 280/87.05 (57) ABSTRACT (21) Appl. No.: 12/631,831 A human powered land Vehicle suf?ciently rigid so as to transport a human rider constructed only from pulpably recy (22) Filed: Dec. 6, 2009 clable and shreddably recyclable materials. Patent Application Publication Jun. 9, 2011 Sheet 1 0f 9 US 2011/0133427 A1

FIG.1 Patent Application Publication Jun. 9, 2011 Sheet 2 0f 9 US 2011/0133427 Al

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FIG.3 Patent Application Publication Jun. 9, 2011 Sheet 4 0f 9 US 2011/0133427 A1

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4BFIG. Patent Application Publication Jun. 9, 2011 Sheet 6 0f 9 US 2011/0133427 A1

H6.5 Patent Application Publication Jun. 9, 2011 Sheet 7 0f 9 US 2011/0133427 A1

FIG.6 Patent Application Publication Jun. 9, 2011 Sheet 8 0f 9 US 2011/0133427 A1

FIG.7 H Patent Application Publication Jun. 9, 2011 Sheet 9 0f 9 US 2011/0133427 A1

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FIG.8 7d US 2011/0133427 A1 Jun. 9, 2011

RECYCLABLE CARDBOARD BICYCLE cally designated as honeycomb cardboard, is a general refer ence to one or more of the cardboard-like materials namely, FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE cardboard, paperboard, ?berboard, honeycomb cardboard, INVENTION corrugated cardboard, corrugated ?berboard, corrugated paperboard and corrugated honeycomb cardboard, and/ or a [0001] The present invention relates to a recyclable veloci combination thereof. pede and, more particularly, to a bicycle made from honey [0011] Scooter comb cardboard or corrugated honeycomb cardboard, With [0012] The term ‘scooter’ is de?ned for the purposes of this various polyethylene terephthalate (PET) components. application as a pedal-less vehicle propelled by the user’s legs [0002] Typically, and children’s vehicles (tri pushing off against a surface, usually the ground, unless cycles, ‘scooters’, etc.) are constructed from durable, light speci?cally denoted as being motoriZed. Weight materials Which are not easily recycled. Steel, plastic, rubber and numerous other materials are combined together to provide a comfortable, utilitarian vehicle for recreational SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION use. The ?nal products range from the moderately priced to the very expensive. Typically, such vehicles are purchased [0013] According to the teachings of the present invention and kept until they become unusable, either due to damage or there is provided a human poWered land vehicle Wherein the no longer being age appropriate. At this point the vehicle is vehicle includes (a) a frame and (b) at least one pulpably usually discarded, destined to take its place in some unnamed recyclable Wheel and shreddably recyclable hub arrangement land?ll. coupled to the frame Wherein the frame is propelled by a user [0003] The current invention provides a lightWeight, of the vehicle by effecting the rotation of the at least one durable and fully recyclable bicycle. The embodiments Wheel and hub arrangement depicted here-beloW have an approximate Weight of seven [0014] According to further features in preferred embodi Kilograms, can bear the Weight of at least tWo hundred Kilo ments of the invention described beloW the pulpably recy grams and is made of components Which are 100% recyclable clable Wheel includes cardboard and/or paperboard and/or using standard recycling methods. ?berboard and/or honeycomb cardboard and/or corrugated cardboard and/or corrugated paperboard and/or corrugated DEFINITIONS ?berboard and/or corrugated honeycomb cardboard and the [0004] Recycling shreddably recyclable hub includes PET and/or one or more [0005] Strictly speaking, almost any material can be thermoplastic material and/or one or more recycled plastic recycled. Therefore, for the purposes of this application, the material. terms ‘recycle’, ‘recyclable’, ‘recycling’, ‘pulpably recy [0015] According to still further features in the described clable’ and the like are de?ned as referring to the process of preferred embodiments the vehicle is a . reducing a material from a substantially solid form into a [0016] According to still further features in the described slurry, by adding Water, and subsequently drying the slurry to preferred embodiments the vehicle is a bicycle. produce a material substantially identical to the original [0017] According to still further features in the described material. In addition, the terms ‘recycle’, ‘recyclable’, ‘recy preferred embodiments the vehicle is a . cling’ and ‘shreddably recyclable’ are understood to also [0018] According to still further features in the described relate to the recycling process of a material such as PET, Wherein the material is ground into ?ake form and cleaned preferred embodiments the vehicle is a scooter. thereby rendering it reusable in a variety of useful products [0019] According to another aspect of the present invention such as carpet ?ber, strapping, molding compounds, and non there is provided a vehicle including (a) a pulpably recyclable food containers. fork and (b) at least one pulpably recyclable Wheel and [0006] Honeycomb Cardboard shreddably recyclable hub arrangement coupled to the pulpa [0007] The current invention is constructed from honey bly recyclable fork. comb cardboard or corrugated honeycomb cardboard and [0020] According to further features in preferred embodi includes PET and/ or cardboard components. The terms ‘cor ments of the invention described beloW the pulpably recy rugated honeycomb cardboard’ and ‘honeycomb cardboard’ clable fork and Wheel includes cardboard and/or paperboard are de?ned herein as referring to material made up of at least and/or ?berboard and/or honeycomb cardboard and/or corru tWo linerboards and honeycomb ?lling made from paper gated cardboard and/ or corrugated paperboard and/or corru board, ?berboard or cardboard. Honeycomb cardboard is gated ?berboard and/ or corrugated honeycomb cardboard. Well knoWn in the art and its uses are Well documented, for [0021] According to still further features in preferred example in US Patent Application 2006/ 0207481 to McCar embodiments, the shreddably recyclable hub includes PET thy Which is incorporated by reference for all purposes as if and/or one or more thermoplastic material and/or one or more fully set forth herein. recycled plastic material. [0008] The preferred honeycomb cardboard for the embodiments described here beloW is knoWn as Fini 440 due [0022] According to another aspect of the present invention to the Weight per square meter being 440 g p/ sq. meter. Pref there is provided a vehicle including a recyclable drivetrain erably the depth of the honeycomb cardboard ?ller is in a Wherein the recyclable drivetrain includes pulpably recy range betWeen 15 mm and 70 mm. More preferably the range clable or shreddably recyclable material. Preferably the pul is betWeen 20 mm and 50 mm. Most preferably the range is pably recyclable material includes cardboard and/or paper betWeen 30 mm and 40 mm. board and/ or ?berboard and/or honeycomb cardboard and/or [0009] Cardboard corrugated cardboard and/or corrugated paperboard and/or [0010] In addition to the materials speci?cally mentioned, corrugated ?berboard and/or corrugated honeycomb card the current invention may alternatively and/ or additionally be board and the shreddably recyclable material includes PET comprised of cardboard and similar materials such as paper and/or one or more thermoplastic material and/or one or more board and ?berboard. The term ‘cardboard’ When not speci? recycled plastic material. US 2011/0133427 A1 Jun. 9, 2011

[0023] According to further features in preferred embodi [0033] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of the inven ments the recyclable drivetrain includes a recyclable coupling tion; apparatus operationally connecting at least one pulpably [0034] FIG. 2 is a diagram of the frame of an embodiment recyclable pedal to a pulpably recyclable Wheel and of FIG. 1; shreddably recyclable hub arrangement. [0035] FIG. 3 is a diagram of the drivetrain and Wheels of an [0024] More preferably, the recyclable coupling apparatus embodiment of FIG. 1 With one of the pedals deleted; includes a crank arm operationally coupling the at least one [0036] FIG. 4A is a diagram of the rear hub of an embodi pedal to the Wheel and hub arrangement. Also more prefer ment of FIG. 1; ably, the recyclable coupling apparatus includes (a) a forWard [0037] FIG. 4B is a diagram of one Wheel of an embodi pinion operationally coupled to the at least one pedal; (b) an aft pinion operationally coupled to the Wheel and hub ment of FIG. 1; arrangement; and (c) a timing belt operationally coupling the [0038] FIG. 5 is a diagram of the fork of an embodiment of aft pinion to the forWard pinion. Most preferably the timing FIG. 1; belt includes a pulpably or shreddably recyclable material. [0039] FIG. 6 is a diagram ofa coupling PET hinge ofFIG. [0025] According to another aspect of the present invention 1. there is provided a human poWered land vehicle suf?ciently [0040] FIG. 7 is a diagram of second embodiment of the rigid to transport a human rider and constructed only from invention; pulpably recyclable and shreddably recyclable materials. [0041] FIG. 8 is a diagram of the drivetrain of the second Preferably the pulpably recyclable materials include card embodiment of the invention. board and/or paperboard and/or ?berboard and/or honey comb cardboard and/ or corrugated cardboard and/ or corru DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED gated paperboard and/or corrugated ?berboard and/or EMBODIMENTS corrugated honeycomb cardboard, and the shreddably recy clable material includes PET and/or one or more thermoplas [0042] The principles and operation of a recyclable card tic material and/or one or more recycled plastic material. board bicycle according to the present invention may be better [0026] According to still further features in preferred understood With reference to the draWings and the accompa embodiments the vehicle includes recyclable elements such nying description. as a frame and/or a fork and/or at least one Wheel and/or a [0043] Referring noW to the draWings, FIG. 1 illustrates an drivetrain and/ or a sprocketed hub. assembled recyclable bicycle [A] featuring a frame [B] a [0027] In keeping With the ever-improving efforts to cut pedal-crank drivetrain [C], a hub arrangement [D], Wheels doWn on Waste pollution and provide recyclable solutions, the [E], fork [F] and hinge [G] . In addition a cardboard handlebar current invention provides a fully recyclable bicycle that is [1a] is attached to for [F] and a cardboard seat [1b] is detach cheaply constructed and capable of holding a signi?cant ably attached to frame [B]. The bicycle is constructed from Weight. The embodiments described herein are merely exem honeycomb cardboard With cardboard and/or PET compo plary as the invention can be applied to children’s play nents. The bicycle as depicted is capable of supporting the vehicles, such as pedal-less scooters, and the like as Weight of at least 200 Kg. Well as double bicycles and other recreation vehicles. [0044] FIG. 2 illustrates the frame [B]of the embodiment of [0028] The vehicle frame, fork, Wheels and transmission FIG. 1. The frame is formed by bending a linerboard sheet system in the current embodiments are constructed from into a U-shaped construct With side boards [2a] of equal folded and styled honeycomb cardboard With components constructed from cardboard and/or polyethylene terephtha length and ?lled With honeycomb cardboard ?ller. The trans verse U-shaped cross-section is designed to support a signi? late (PET). [0029] In order to achieve a higher resistance of the card cant Weight, equal to or more than the combined Weight of board against external in?uences such as moisture, the card tWo average siZe adult males. The frame features three square board can also be composed of ?utes Which are lined With indentions [2bi, 2bii, 2biii] on its dorsal surface. A seat (not plastic material and/or Wax and/or impregnating agents, or shoWn) features a corresponding square protrusion for the cardboard can subsequently be coated With plastic mate detachably coupling to the frame. The seat can be attached to rial upon production thereof. the frame at any of the indentions according to need. For [0030] The cardboard preferably is treated With either example, a person With long legs Will place the seat at inden organic or inorganic (but preferably organic) sealant for tion [2bii], thereby providing a raised sitting area. A shorter Waterproo?ng. The cardboard also undergoes ?ame resistant person Would remove the seat from indention [2bii], in order treatment. Both of these processes are knoWn in the art. to be closer to the pedals and place it either at indention [2191'] [0031] The current invention not only provides a neW for improved aesthetics or at indention [2biii] for an addi vehicle design but also a paradigm shift in the use [and dis tional rider. carding] of such vehicles. The current invention is a cheaply [0045] On the front of the frame, there is constructed a manufactured, durable and totally recyclable product. In a diamond shaped indention [20]. Here the [B] is ?eld Where even the most simple bicycles are expensive and mechanically coupled to the bicycle fork [F] via a PET hinge not easily disposed of, there has long been a need for a [G]. On each of the parallel side boards [211] there are featured cheaper alternative as Well as one that is fully recyclable in identical parallel cylindrical incisions [2d]. On the bottom left keeping With the needs of a society that is on the one hand an side of the frame is featured a U-shaped indention [2e] Where aggressive consumer and on the other hand becoming more the frame rests on the rear hub [D] of the rear Wheel [E] of the and more ecologically concerned. bicycle. [0046] FIG. 3 depicts the drivetrain [C] of the embodiment BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS of FIG. 1 With one of the pedals deleted. TWo Wheels [E] are [0032] Various embodiments are herein described, by Way also depicted. The pedals [3a] of the drivetrain are coupled of example only, With reference to the accompanying draW together through the parallel apertures [2d] in the side boards ings, Wherein: [211] via a cylindrical connecting element [3b]. The pedals and US 2011/0133427 A1 Jun. 9, 2011

connecting element are held in place by tWo aperture ?tting as recited in the claims that folloW is not limited to the covers [30] Which are each positioned respectively on either embodiments described herein. side of the bicycle betWeen the pedal and frame. Each pedal [3a] is coupled to a crank arm [3d]. Each crank arm [3d] is What is claimed is: 1. A human-poWered land vehicle Wherein said vehicle coupled to the rear hub [D] via offset cylindrical ?anges [3]]. comprises: [0047] FIG. 4A is a diagram of the rear hub of the invention a. a frame; and of FIG. 1. In FIG. 4a cylindrical ?anges [3]] are mounted on b. at least one pulpably recyclable Wheel and shreddably left and right end caps [3j], protruding from the outer surfaces recyclable hub arrangement coupled to said frame; of the end caps [3j] and spaced aWay from the center of the Wherein said frame is propelled by a user of the vehicle by end caps [3j] to alloW suf?cient rotation about the axis of rear effecting a rotation of said at least one Wheel and hub hub [D]. Left and right end caps [3j] are connected via a arrangement. cylindrical connecting element [31']. A sprocket [3 g] is 2. A vehicle of claim 1 Wherein said pulpably recyclable mounted on the cylindrical connecting element [3 i] . Sprocket Wheel includes at least one material selected from the group protrusions [3g] ?t into corresponding indentations [3h] consisting of: (FIG. 4B) on the back and front Wheels [E]. Back and front i. cardboard, Wheels [E] feature grooved rims [3k]. Grooved rims [3k] are ii. paperboard, ?lled With vulcaniZed silicone ?ller to provide solid tires. In iii. ?berboard, the current embodiment, in order to simplify the manufactur iv. honeycomb cardboard, ing process, the front and rear hubs and Wheels are identical in design and can therefore be used interchangeably. When pres v. corrugated cardboard, sure is applied alternately to pedals [3a] the drivetrain rotates vi. corrugated paperboard, along the axes of coupling element [3b] and rear hub [D] vii. corrugated ?berboard, and converting the reciprocating motion of the pedals into rota viii. corrugated honeycomb cardboard; tional motion. and Wherein said shreddably recyclable hub arrangement includes at least one material selected from the group [0048] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a cardboard fork [F] of the consisting of: embodiment of FIG. 1. Pork [F] features a diamond shaped indention [511] on the rear of the fork. Fork [F] is mechanically i. PET, coupled to frame [B] via a connecting PET hinge [G] (FIG. 6). ii. therrnoplastics materials, and Flexible hinge [G] is formed in a diamond shape on either iii. recycled plastic materials. extreme [6a] of the hinge. The ends ?t into the corresponding . A vehicle of claim 1 Wherein said vehicle is a unicycle. indentions on both the fork [F] and frame [B], ?exibly cou . A vehicle of claim 1 Wherein said vehicle is a bicycle. pling them together. The central segment [6b] of ?exible PET . A vehicle of claim 1 Wherein said vehicle is tricycle. hinge [G] having a relatively thin Width of betWeen 50 mm . A human-poWered land vehicle comprising: and 150 mm to provide ?exibility on the one hand and dura . a pulpably recyclable fork; and bility on the other. Cardboard fork [F] has tWo parallel arms . at least one pulpably recyclable Wheel and shreddably With U-shaped endings [5b]. The U-shaped endings [5b] rest recyclable hub arrangement coupled to said pulpably on the cylindrical element [3i] of the forWard hub arrange recyclable fork. ment [D]. Sprocket [3g] is mounted on cylindrical element 7. A vehicle of claim 6 Wherein said pulpably recyclable [3i] Which, in turn, connects end-caps [3j] upon Which are fork and Wheel include at least one material selected from the perpendicularly mounted ?anges [3]]. End caps [3j] secure group consisting of: fork [F] on the cylindrical element [31'] a. cardboard, [0049] Another preferred embodiment is shoWn in FIG. 7. b. paperboard, FIG. 7 is an exploded vieW of bicycle [H], Wherein is depicted c. ?berboard, a belt driven bicycle [H] Where the drivetrain [I] is con d. honeycomb cardboard, structed from forWard and aft pinion mechanisms [7b and 70] e. Corrugated cardboard, With a timing belt, otherWise knoWn as a toothed belt [7e], f. corrugated paperboard, connecting the pedals [7a] to the rear sprocket [7d]. All the components of the drivetrain are constructed from. PET and/ g. corrugated ?berboard, and or cardboard. All the other components of the embodiment of h. corrugated honeycomb cardboard. FIG. 7 are substantially as in the embodiment of FIG. 1. 8. A vehicle of claim 6 Wherein said shreddably recyclable hub arrangement includes at least one material selected from [0050] FIG. 8 is a rear isometric vieW of the drivetrain of the group consisting of: FIG. 7. The forWard pinion [7b] is mounted on a hexagonal connecting piece [7]], via Which the external pedals [7a] are a. PET, coupled together. A timing belt [7e] couples the forWard b. therrnoplastics materials, and pinion [7b] to the aft pinion [7c]. The aft pinion is mounted c. recycled plastic materials. adjacent to the rear sprocket [7d]. The rear sprocket [7d] ?ts 9. A human-poWered land vehicle comprising a recyclable into the corresponding indentations [3h] in the rear Wheel [E]. drivetrain Wherein said recyclable drivetrain includes at least The timing belt drivetrain converts the reciprocating motion one material selected from the group consisting of: of the pedals into rotational motion, rotating the aft Wheel. a. pulpably recyclable material, and [0051] While the invention has been described With respect b. shreddably recyclable material. to a limited number of embodiments, it Will be appreciated 10. A vehicle of claim 9 Wherein said pulpably recyclable that many variations, modi?cations and other applications of material includes at least one material selected from the group the invention may be made. Therefore, the claimed invention consisting of: US 2011/0133427 A1 Jun. 9, 2011

i. cardboard, a. said pulpably recyclable material, and ii. paperboard, b. said shreddably recyclable material. iii. ?berboard, 15. A human poWered land vehicle suf?ciently rigid to iv. honeycomb cardboard, transport a human rider and constructed only from pulpably V. corrugated cardboard, recyclable and shreddably recyclable materials. vi. corrugated paperboard, 16. A vehicle of claim 15 Wherein said pulpably recyclable vii. corrugated ?berboard, and material includes at least one material selected from the group viii. corrugated honeycomb cardboard; consisting of: and Wherein said shreddably recyclable material includes i. cardboard, at least one material selected from the group consisting ii. paperboard, of: iii. ?berboard, i. PET, iv. honeycomb cardboard, ii. thermoplastics materials, and v. corrugated cardboard, iii. recycled plastic materials. vi. corrugated paperboard, 11 . A vehicle of claim 1 0 Wherein said recyclable drivetrain vii. corrugated ?berboard, and includes a recyclable coupling apparatus operationally con viii. corrugated honeycomb cardboard; necting at least one pulpably recyclable pedal to a pulpably and Wherein said shreddably recyclable material includes recyclable Wheel and shreddably recyclable hub arrange at least one material selected from the group consisting ment. of: 12. A vehicle of claim 11 Wherein said recyclable coupling i. PET, apparatus includes a crank arm operationally coupling said at ii. thermoplastics materials, and least one pedal to said Wheel and hub arrangement. iii. recycled plastic materials. 13. A vehicle of claim 11 Wherein said recyclable coupling 17. A vehicle of claim 16 Wherein said vehicle includes apparatus includes recyclable elements selected from the group consisting of: a. A forWard pinion operationally coupled to said at least a. a frame; one pedal; b. a fork; b. an aft pinion operationally coupled to said Wheel and hub c. at least one Wheel; arrangement; and d. a drivetrain; and c. A timing belt operationally coupling said aft pinion to e. a sprocketed hub arrangement. said forWard pinion. 18. A vehicle of claim 1 Wherein said vehicle is a scooter. 14. A vehicle of claim 13 Wherein said timing belt includes at least one material selected from the group of: * * * * *