US 2013 007 6002A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2013/0076002 A1 Gafni (43) Pub. Date: Mar. 28, 2013

(54) RECYCLABLE CARDBOARD Publication Classification (71) Applicant: Izhar Gafni, Hefer (IL) (51) Int. Cl. B62K 9/02 (2006.01) (72) Inventor: Izhar Gafni, Hefer (IL) (52) U.S. Cl. CPC ...... B62K 19/02 (2013.01) (21) Appl. No.: 13/684,733 USPC ...... 280/281.1 Filed: Nov. 26, 2012 (22) (57) ABSTRACT Related U.S. Application Data A human powered land vehicle Sufficiently rigid so as to (63) Continuation of application No. 12/631,831, filed on transport a human rider constructed only from palpably recy Dec. 6, 2009, now abandoned. clable and shreddably recyclable materials.

Patent Application Publication Mar. 28, 2013 Sheet 1 of 9 US 2013/0076002 A1

Patent Application Publication Mar. 28, 2013 Sheet 2 of 9 US 2013/0076002 A1

&

CN

S s

S Patent Application Publication Mar. 28, 2013 Sheet 3 of 9 US 2013/0076002 A1

Patent Application Publication Mar. 28, 2013 Sheet 4 of 9 US 2013/0076002 A1

Patent Application Publication Mar. 28, 2013 Sheet 5 of 9 US 2013/0076002 A1

Patent Application Publication Mar. 28, 2013 Sheet 6 of 9 US 2013/0076002 A1

g Patent Application Publication Mar. 28, 2013 Sheet 7 of 9 US 2013/0076002 A1

g Patent Application Publication Mar. 28, 2013 Sheet 8 of 9 US 2013/0076002 A1

Patent Application Publication Mar. 28, 2013 Sheet 9 of 9 US 2013/0076002 A1

g S / S US 2013/0076002 A1 Mar. 28, 2013

RECYCLABLE CARDBOARD BICYCLE to the weight per square meter being 440 gp/sq. meter. Pref erably the depth of the honeycomb cardboard filler is in a RELATED APPLICATIONS range between 15 mm and 70 mm. More preferably the range is between 20 mm and 50 mm. Most preferably the range is 0001. This application is a continuation of U.S. applica between 30 mm and 40 mm. tion Ser. No. 12/631,831, filed Dec. 6, 2009, entitled “RECY 0010 Cardboard CLABLE CARDBOARD BICYCLE”, which is hereby 0011. In addition to the materials specifically mentioned, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all pur the current invention may alternatively and/or additionally be poses. comprised of cardboard and similar materials such as paper FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE board and fiberboard. The term cardboard when not specifi INVENTION cally designated as honeycomb cardboard, is a general refer ence to one or more of the cardboard-like materials namely, 0002 The present invention relates to a recyclable veloci cardboard, paperboard, fiberboard, honeycomb cardboard, pede and, more particularly, to a bicycle made from honey corrugated cardboard, corrugated fiberboard, corrugated comb cardboard or corrugated honeycomb cardboard, with paperboard and corrugated honeycomb cardboard, and/or a various polyethylene terephthalate (PET) components. combination thereof 0003 Typically, and children's vehicles (tri 0012 Scooter cycles, scooters, etc.) are constructed from durable, light 0013 The term "scooter is defined for the purposes of this weight materials which are not easily recycled. Steel, plastic, application as a pedal-less vehicle propelled by the user's legs rubber and numerous other materials are combined together pushing off against a surface, usually the ground, unless to provide a comfortable, utilitarian vehicle for recreational specifically denoted as being motorized. use. The final products range from the moderately priced to the very expensive. Typically, Such vehicles are purchased SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION and kept until they become unusable, either due to damage or 0014. According to the teachings of the present invention no longer being age appropriate. At this point the vehicle is there is provided a human powered land vehicle wherein the usually discarded, destined to take its place in some unnamed vehicle includes (a) a frame and (b) at least one pulpably landfill. recyclable wheel and shreddably recyclable hub arrangement 0004. The current invention provides a lightweight, coupled to the frame wherein the frame is propelled by a user durable and fully recyclable bicycle. The embodiments of the vehicle by effecting the rotation of the at least one depicted here-below have an approximate weight of seven wheel and hub arrangement Kilograms, can bear the weight of at least two hundred Kilo 0015. According to further features in preferred embodi grams and is made of components which are 100% recyclable ments of the invention described below the pulpably recy using standard recycling methods. clable wheel includes cardboard and/or paperboard and/or fiberboard and/or honeycomb cardboard and/or corrugated DEFINITIONS cardboard and/or corrugated paperboard and/or corrugated 0005 Recycling fiberboard and/or corrugated honeycomb cardboard and the 0006 Strictly speaking, almost any material can be shreddably recyclable hub includes PET and/or one or more recycled. Therefore, for the purposes of this application, the thermoplastic material and/or one or more recycled plastic terms recycle, recyclable’, recycling, palpably recy material. clable and the like are defined as referring to the process of 0016. According to still further features in the described reducing a material from a substantially solid form into a preferred embodiments the vehicle is a . slurry, by adding water, and Subsequently drying the slurry to 0017. According to still further features in the described produce a material Substantially identical to the original preferred embodiments the vehicle is a bicycle. material. In addition, the terms recycle, recyclable, recy 0018. According to still further features in the described cling and shreddably recyclable are understood to also relate preferred embodiments the vehicle is a . to the recycling process of a material such as PET, wherein the 0019. According to still further features in the described material is ground into flake form and cleaned thereby ren preferred embodiments the vehicle is a scooter. dering it reusable in a variety of useful products such as carpet 0020. According to another aspect of the present invention fiber, strapping, molding compounds, and non-food contain there is provided a vehicle including (a) a pulpably recyclable CS. fork and (b) at least one pulpably recyclable wheel and 0007 Honeycomb Cardboard shreddably recyclable hub arrangement coupled to the pulpa 0008. The current invention is constructed from honey bly recyclable fork. comb cardboard or corrugated honeycomb cardboard and 0021. 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 defined herein as referring to material made up of at least and/or fiberboard and/or honeycomb cardboard and/or corru two linerboards and honeycomb filling made from paper gated cardboard and/or corrugated paperboard and/or corru board, fiberboard or cardboard. Honeycomb cardboard is gated fiberboard and/or corrugated honeycomb cardboard. well known in the art and its uses are well documented, for 0022. According to still further features in preferred example in U.S. 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. 0009. The preferred honeycomb cardboard for the 0023. According to another aspect of the present invention embodiments described here below is known as Fini 440 due there is provided a vehicle including a recyclable drivetrain US 2013/0076002 A1 Mar. 28, 2013 wherein the recyclable drivetrain includes pulpably recy manufactured, durable and totally recyclable product. In a clable or shreddably recyclable material. Preferably the pull field where even the most simple bicycles are expensive and pably recyclable material includes cardboard and/or paper not easily disposed of there has long been a need for a board and/or fiberboard and/or honeycomb cardboard and/or cheaper alternative as well as one that is fully recyclable in corrugated cardboard and/or corrugated paperboard and/or keeping with the needs of a Society that is on the one hand an corrugated fiberboard and/or corrugated honeycomb card aggressive consumer and on the other hand becoming more board and the shreddably recyclable material includes PET and more ecologically concerned. and/or one or more thermoplastic material and/or one or more recycled plastic material. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 0024. According to further features in preferred embodi ments the recyclable drivetrain includes a recyclable coupling 0033. Various embodiments are herein described, by way apparatus operationally connecting at least one pulpably of example only, with reference to the accompanying draw recyclable pedal to a pulpably recyclable wheel and ings, wherein: shreddably recyclable hub arrangement. 0034 FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of the inven 0025 More preferably, the recyclable coupling apparatus tion; includes a crank arm operationally coupling the at least one 0035 FIG. 2 is a diagram of the frame of an embodiment pedal to the wheel and hub arrangement. Also more prefer of FIG. 1; ably, the recyclable coupling apparatus includes (a) a forward 0036 FIG.3 is a diagram of the drivetrain and wheels of an pinion operationally coupled to the at least one pedal; (b) an embodiment of FIG. 1 with one of the pedals deleted; aft pinion operationally coupled to the wheel and hub 0037 FIG. 4A is a diagram of the rear hub of an embodi arrangement; and (c) a timing belt operationally coupling the ment of FIG. 1; aft pinion to the forward pinion. Most preferably the timing 0038 FIG. 4B is a diagram of one wheel of an embodi belt includes a pulpably or shreddably recyclable material. ment of FIG. 1; 0026. According to another aspect of the present invention 0039 FIG. 5 is a diagram of the fork of an embodiment of there is provided a human powered land vehicle sufficiently FIG. 1: rigid to transport a human rider and constructed only from 0040 FIG. 6 is a diagram of a coupling PEThinge of FIG. pulpably recyclable and shreddably recyclable materials. 1: Preferably the palpably recyclable materials include card 0041 FIG. 7 is a diagram of second embodiment of the board and/or paperboard and/or fiberboard and/or honey invention; comb cardboard and/or corrugated cardboard and/or corru 0042 FIG. 8 is a diagram of the drivetrain of the second gated paperboard and/or corrugated fiberboard and/or embodiment of the invention. corrugated honeycomb cardboard, and the shreddably recy clable material includes PET and/or one or more thermoplas DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED tic material and/or one or more recycled plastic material. EMBODIMENTS 0027. According to still further features in preferred 0043. The principles and operation of a recyclable card embodiments the vehicle includes recyclable elements such board bicycle according to the present invention may be better as a frame and/or a fork and/or at least one wheel and/or a understood with reference to the drawings and the accompa drivetrain and/or a sprocketed hub. nying description. 0028. In keeping with the ever-improving efforts to cut 0044) Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an down on waste pollution and provide recyclable solutions, the assembled recyclable bicycle A featuring a frame B] a current invention provides a fully recyclable bicycle that is pedal-crank drivetrain C, a hub arrangement D, wheels cheaply constructed and capable of holding a significant E. fork Flandhinge G. In addition a cardboard handlebar weight. The embodiments described herein are merely exem 1a is attached to fork F and a cardboard seat 1b is plary as the invention can be applied to children's play detachably attached to frame B. The bicycle is constructed vehicles, such as pedal-less Scooters, and the like as from honeycomb cardboard with cardboard arid/or PET com well as double bicycles and other recreation vehicles. ponents. The bicycle as depicted is capable of supporting the 0029. The vehicle frame, fork, wheels and transmission weight of at least 200 Kg. system in the current embodiments are constructed from 004.5 FIG. 2 illustrates the frame Bof the embodiment of folded and styled honeycomb cardboard with components FIG. 1. The frame is formed by bending a linerboard sheet constructed from cardboard and/or polyethylene terephtha into a U-shaped construct with side boards 2a of equal late (PET). length and filled with honeycomb cardboard filler. The trans 0030. In order to achieve a higher resistance of the card verse U-shaped cross-section is designed to support a signifi board against external influences such as moisture, the card cant weight, equal to or more than the combined weight of board can also be composed of flutes which are lined with two average size adult males. The frame features three square plastic material and/or wax and/or impregnating agents, or indentions 2bi, 2bii, 2biii on its dorsal surface. A seat (not the cardboard can Subsequently be coated with plastic mate shown) features a corresponding square protrusion for rial upon production thereof. detachably coupling to the frame. The seat can be attached to 0031. The cardboard preferably is treated with either the frame at any of the indentions according to need. For organic or inorganic (but preferably organic) sealant for example, a person with long legs will place the seat at inden waterproofing. The cardboard also undergoes flame resistant tion 2bii, thereby providing a raised sitting area. A shorter treatment. Both of these processes are known in the art. person would remove the seat from indention 2bii, in order 0032. The current invention not only provides a new to be closer to the pedals and place it either at indention 2bi vehicle design but also a paradigm shift in the use and dis for improved aesthetics or at indention 2biii) for an addi carding of such vehicles. The current invention is a cheaply tional rider. US 2013/0076002 A1 Mar. 28, 2013

0046. On the front of the frame, there is constructed a 0051 FIG. 8 is a rear isometric view of the drivetrain of diamond shaped indention 2e). Here the B is FIG. 7. The forward pinion 7b) is mounted on a hexagonal mechanically coupled to the bicycle fork IF via a PEThinge connecting piece 7?), via which the external pedals 7a are IG. On each of the parallel side boards 2a there are featured coupled together. A timing belt 7e couples the forward identical parallel cylindrical incisions 2d. On the bottom left pinion 7b to the aft pinion 7c. The aft pinion is mounted side of the frame is featured a U-shaped indention 2e where adjacent to the rear sprocket 7d. The rear sprocket 7d fits the frame rests on the rear hub D of the rear wheel E of the into the corresponding indentations 3h in the rear wheel E. bicycle. The timing belt drivetrain converts the reciprocating motion 0047 FIG.3 depicts the drivetrain C of the embodiment of the pedals into rotational motion, rotating the aft wheel. of FIG. 1 with one of the pedals deleted. Two wheels E are 0052 While the invention has been described with respect also depicted. The pedals 3a of the drivetrain are coupled to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated together through the parallel apertures 2d in the side boards that many variations, modifications and other applications of 2a via a cylindrical connecting element 3b). The pedals and the invention may be made. Therefore, the claimed invention connecting element are held in place by two aperture fitting as recited in the claims that follow is not limited to the covers 3c which are each positioned respectively on either embodiments described herein. side of the bicycle between the pedal and frame. Each pedal What is claimed is: 3a is coupled to a crank arm 3d. Each crank arm 3d is 1. A human-powered land vehicle wherein said vehicle coupled to the rear hub D via offset cylindrical flanges 3/7. comprises: a. a frame; 0048 FIG. 4A is a diagram of the rear hub of the invention b. at least one wheel; and of FIG. 1. In FIG. 4a cylindrical flanges 3fare mounted on c. a hub arrangement; left and right end caps3f. protruding from the outer Surfaces wherein the vehicle is sufficiently rigid to support at least of the end caps 3i and spaced away from the center of the one human rider, end caps 3i to allow sufficient rotation about the axis of rear wherein the at least one wheel is coupled to the hub hub D. Left and right end caps 3j are connected via a arrangement; cylindrical connecting element 3i. A sprocket 3g is wherein the hub arrangement is coupled to the frame; mounted on the cylindrical connecting element 3i. Sprocket wherein the frame is formed of a pulpably recyclable mate protrusions 3g fit into corresponding indentations 3h rial; (FIG. 4B) on the back and front wheels E. Back and front wherein the at least one wheel is formed of a pulpably wheels E feature grooved rims 3k. Grooved rims 3k are recyclable material; filled with Vulcanized silicone filler to provide solid tires. In wherein the hub arrangement is formed of a shreddably the current embodiment, in order to simplify the manufactur recyclable material; and ing process, the front and rear hubs and wheels are identical in wherein the at least one wheel is adapted to rotate with the design and cantherefore be used interchangeably. When pres hub arrangement to propel the vehicle. sure is applied alternately to pedals 3a the drivetrain rotates 2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein at least one of said along the axes of coupling element 3b and rear hub D pulpably recyclable wheel and said pulpably recyclable converting the reciprocating motion of the pedals into rota frame includes at least one material selected from the group tional motion. consisting of: 0049 FIG. 5 is a diagram of a cardboard fork F of the i. cardboard, embodiment of FIG. 1. Fork IFI features a diamond shaped ii. paperboard, indention5a on the rear of the fork. Fork Fis mechanically iii. fiberboard, coupled to frame B via a connecting PEThinge GI (FIG. 6). iv. honeycomb cardboard, Flexible hinge G is formed in a diamond shape on either V. corrugated cardboard, extreme 6a of the hinge. The ends fit into the corresponding vi. corrugated paperboard, indentions on both the fork IF and frame B), flexibly cou vii. corrugated fiberboard, and viii. pling them together. The central segment 6b offlexible PET corrugated honeycomb cardboard; hinge IGI having a relatively thin width of between 50 mm and wherein said shreddably recyclable hub arrangement and 150 mm to provide flexibility on the one hand and dura includes at least one material selected from the group bility on the other. Cardboard fork IF has two parallel arms consisting of i. PET. ii. thermoplastics materials, and iii. with U-shaped endings 5b. The U-shaped endings 5b rest recycled plastic materials. on the cylindrical element 3i of the forward hub arrange 3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said vehicle is a uni ment D. Sprocket 3g is mounted on cylindrical element cycle. 3i which, in turn, connects end-caps 3i upon which are 4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said vehicle is a bicycle. perpendicularly mounted flanges 3f. End caps 3i secure 5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said vehicle is tricycle. fork IF on the cylindrical element 3i). 6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said vehicle is a scooter. 0050. Another preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 7. 7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein a weight of the at least FIG. 7 is an exploded view of bicycle H, wherein is depicted one human rider is greater than or equal to a combined weight a belt driven bicycle H where the drivetrain II is con of two average size adult males. structed from forward and aft pinion mechanisms 7b and 7c 8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein a weight of the at least with a timing belt, otherwise known as a toothed belt 7e), one human rider is at least 200 kilograms. connecting the pedals 7a to the rear sprocket 7d. All the 9. A human-powered land vehicle comprising: components of the drivetrain are constructed from. PET and/ a. a pulpably recyclable fork; and or cardboard. All the other components of the embodiment of b. at least one pulpably recyclable wheel; and FIG. 7 are substantially as in the embodiment of FIG. 1. c. a shreddably recyclable hub arrangement US 2013/0076002 A1 Mar. 28, 2013

wherein the vehicle is Sufficiently rigid to support a human 11. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein said shreddably recy rider; clable hub arrangement includes at least one material selected wherein the at least one wheel is coupled to the hub from the group consisting of arrangement; a. PET, b. thermoplastics materials, and wherein the hub arrangement is coupled to the fork; and c. recycled plastic materials. wherein the at least one wheel is adapted to rotate with the 12. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein said vehicle is a uni hub arrangement to propel the vehicle. cycle. 10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein said pulpably recy 13. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein said vehicle is a clable fork and wheel include at least one material selected bicycle. from the group consisting of 14. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein said vehicle is tricycle. a. cardboard, 15. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein said vehicle is a b. paperboard, SCOOter. c. fiberboard, 16. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein a weight of the at least d. honeycomb cardboard, one human rider is greater than or equal to a combined weight e. Corrugated cardboard, of two average size adult males. f. corrugated paperboard, 17. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein a weight of the at least g. corrugated fiberboard, and one human rider is at least 200 kilograms. h. corrugated honeycomb cardboard. k k k k k