UnitedO States Patent [19] [11] Patent Number: 4,893,523 Lennon > [45] Date of Patent: Jan. 16, 1990

[54] BICYCLEAND PEDAL SYSTEM 2492427 4/1980 France ...... 2 36/131

_ 2577767 8/1986 France ...... 36/ 131 [76] Invento? g8; Lennon, BOX 11711911169’, Id- 2579555 10/1986 France ...... 74/5946 OTHER PUBLICATIONS [21] App1.No.: 142,049 _ _ _ . Ultrasport Magazine, Mar. 1986, inside cover and page [22] F?ed: Jan‘ 7’ 1988 immediately following thereof. [51] Int. Cl.4 ...... G05G 1/14 Guide, Sen/Oct, 1986, p- 53 [52] U5. Cl...... 74/5945; 280/259 Pedal Advertisement, p- 48, (publication and pub [58] Field of Search ...... 280/289 R, 291, 294, lication date unknown). 280/210, 11.3, 11.31, 259; 74/560, 566, 594.1, _ . 594.4, 594.5, 594.6; 36/131, 132 PM“? hammer-‘Charles A- Mann" _ Assistant Examiner—Michael Mar [561 References Clted _ Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Jenner & Block U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS [57] ABSTRACT A bicycle pedal system consisting of a ?anged stud 2998:2130 8/1961 Meyer 280/113 mountable to a bicycle rider’s shoe, and a pedal, consist 4,298,210 11/1981 Lotteau ...... 74/5945 ing of a shaft and a platform mounted thereto. The 4,538,480 9/ 1935 Trindle - - - - ~ - - - .- 74/594-6 platform contains one or more slots for engaging the 4,640,151 2/1937 Him?“ - ~ - - ~ - - - ' -- 74/594-6 ?anged stud, and a free zone which allows the rider to 4,735,107 4/1988 Winkle ...... 74/594.6 desengage the stud while still operating the pedal sys FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS tem. In another embodiment, a bicycle which contains the pedal system described above. 3315282 10/1984 Fed. Rep. of Germany 74/594.6 2279607 2/1976 France . 2403757 5/ 1979 France ...... 280/289 R 45 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets US. Patent Jan. 16, 1990 Sheet 1 of3 4,893,523 US. Patent Jan. 16, 1990 Sheet 2 of3 4,893,523 US. Patent Jan. 16,1990 Sheet 3 of3 4,893,523

FIGS 4,893,523 1 2 structure of the pedal system that contacts the sole of BICYCLE AND PEDAL SYSTEM the rider’s shoe is substantially ?at so that the pedal system can be used without coupling the rider’s foot to FIELD OF THE INVENTION the pedal, thereby allowing use with normal shoes as This invention relates to and pedal systems with a conventional pedal. The pedal system desirably therefor that are adapted to improve the performance includes a plurality of upwardly extending teeth located and stamina of the rider. along the perimeter of the platform structure for im proving traction between the pedal and the rider’s shoe. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The slot may comprise a semicircular or half-circle The design of racing bicycles, or other special-pur slot for engaging the ?anged stud. The ?ange may be pose bicycles, is especially complex. Structural changes cylindrical or of any suitable desired shape and either which may at ?rst seem minor to the unskilled can larger in diameter than the diameter of the semicircular provide signi?cant improvement in bicycle perfor slot or smaller in diameter than the semicircular slot, as mance. This improved performance can provide recog hereinafter described in detail. nizable advantage to the bicycle rider. 15 Preferably, when the pedal is mounted on a bicycle, The bicycle pedal is an important part of the bicycle, the slot extends inwardly toward the bicycle. Thus, the since it links the power of the rider to the bicycle. For system can be engaged at any time, even during pedal effective performance, the rider’s power must be effi ing by inward lateral movement or by exerting inward ciently transmitted to the bicycle while minimizing pressure. The stud is disengageable by outward lateral fatigue and strain of the rider and the anatomy of his 20 movement or outward pressure applied by the rider body that is most closely associated with the transfer of which also can be done at any time, such as during power from the rider to the bicycle. pedaling or coasting, for example. To perform well in bicycle race competition, where Preferably, the ?ange and stud are cylindrical and the fast mounting and dismounting is important or in com stud is rotatable relative to the slot when engaged petition where effective power transfer and long-term 25 therein. Thus, the foot, ankle and leg are allowed to endurance and comfort are important, an effective swivel or rotate during pedaling, thereby reducing pedal system linking the rider to the bicycle is needed. strain on the ankle and knee. To effectively link the rider to the bicycle, it is desir In accordance with another embodiment of the in able for the rider to transfer power to the bicycle during vention, the platform includes structure by which only the entire pedal cycle or stroke. Thus, the rider should a front portion of the ?ange is engageable, thereby be able to transfer as much force as desired while push allowing faster dismounting and over a wider direction ing down as well as while pulling up. Accordingly, a need exists for a bicycle, and a bicycle pedal and system of movement. that is able to provide this performance. A need also The ?anged stud can be temporarily or permanently exists for such a bicycle, pedal and system that: (l) is mounted to a shoe. For example, the ?anged stud can be easy to use; (2) can be efficiently engaged with mini rigidly mounted to a plate which is mountable to the mum effort by the rider, even while pedaling at a high outer sole of a bicycle rider’s shoe. rate of speed; (3) is fast and simple to disconnect, even In accordance with the invention, the bicycle pedal while pedaling, for efficiency and safety; (4) can be may be provided with or without the ?anged stud. effectively used as a standard type pedal if desired (such 40 In accordance with another embodiment of the in as if a rider chooses to use standard shoes without modi vention, a bicycle is provided that includes a frame, a ?cation, for example); (5) can provide various levels or rear wheel rotatably mounted to the frame, a steering degrees of attachment of the rider’s foot to the pedal; post journaled to the frame, a front fork attached to the and (6) allow foot, ankle and leg swivel during the pedal steering post, a front wheel rotatably mounted to the stroke to reduce the strain on the ankle and knee. 45 fork, handlebars connected to the steering post, a saddle affixed to the frame at a predetermined position above SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION the frame, a drive to supply power via a chain In accordance with the present invention, novel bicy connected to one of the wheels, two cranks mounted to cle and pedal systems are provided that improve the the drive sprocket and a pedal mounted to each crank, performance and the endurance of the rider. The inven wherein each pedal comprises a shaft with one end tion allows a rapid, efficient and safe coupling of the rotatably mounted to one of the cranks and platform rider’s feet to the pedals, allowing the rider to transfer structure secured to each shaft for supporting a bicycle maximum power during the entire pedal stroke, includ rider, the platform structure including a slot for engag ing the upstroke. The invention provides many other ing a ?anged stud mountable to a bicycle rider’s shoe. advantages including: easy coupling and decoupling 55 In accordance with another embodiment of the in even during hard pedaling; different levels of coupling; vention, a bicycle is provided as previously described the pedal is usable as a normal pedal; even during full with a pair of ?anged studs, each mountable or mounted coupling, the rider’s shoe, foot, ankle and leg can swivel to a bicycle rider’s shoe. or rotate, thereby reducing strain on the knee and ankle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In accordance with the invention, a bicycle pedal 60 system is provided that includes a flanged stud mount FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bicycle pedal in able to a bicycle rider’s shoe and a pedal that comprises accordance with the invention; a shaft mountable to- a bicycle and a platform structure FIG. 2 is a plan view of the pedal of FIG. 1; that is secured to the shaft for supporting the bicycle FIG. 3 is a plan view of the ?anged stud portion of a rider. The platform structure includes a slot for engag 65 bicycle pedal system in accordance with the invention; ing the ?anged stud to lock the rider’s foot to the pedal FIG. 4 is a plan view of a bicycle pedal system of the so that during the entire pedal stroke the rider can con invention with the ?anged stud engaged with the pedal tinue to transmit force to the bicycle. The platform in the full power position; 4,893,523 3 4 FIG. 5 is a plan view of a bicycle pedal system of the As more clearly illustrated in FIG. 13, ?anged stud invention with the ?anged stud engaged with the pedal 34 includes a cylindrical ?ange 38 located at the end of in the half engaged position; shank 40 of ?anged stud 34. As shown in FIG. 13, shank FIG. 6 is a plan view of a bicycle pedal system of the 40, which is preferably circular in cross-section, is dis invention with the ?anged stud in the free zone or disen posed within slot 22 with cylindrical flange 38 being gaged position; located below the portion of platform 18 that de?nes FIG. 7 is a plan view of a bicycle pedal system of the slot 22. This positioning allows a rider to exert a full invention with the ?anged stud in the forward zone; upward force during the pedal cycle while at the same FIG. 8 is a plan view of another embodiment of the time allowing rotation of ?anged stud 34, thereby al ?anged stud of FIG. 3; 10 lowing rotation of the rider’s foot, ankle and leg during FIG. 9 is a partial plan view of another embodiment the pedaling cycle. The length of shank 40 is greater of a pedal in accordance with the invention; than the thickness of slot 22 and platform 18 adjacent FIG. 10 illustrates a bicycle in accordance with the the locations where ?ange 38 couples or engages with invention with a rider thereon; pedal 10. FIG. 11 is an elevation view of a bicycle shoe having Cylindrical ?ange 38 has a larger diameter (>d as a ?anged stud in accordance with the invention; shown in FIG. 3) than the diameter of circular slot 22 FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the shoe of FIG. 10; and and shank 40 has a smaller diameter or width than the FIG. 13 is a partial sectional view illustrating a cou diameter of slot 22 allowing it to be fully inserted pling position of the pedal system of the invention along therein. lines 13—13 of FIG. 4. FIGS. 4-7 illustrate various riding positions of the bicycle pedal system comprising bicycle pedal 10 and DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE shoe member 30 during use. INVENTION In FIG. 4, ?anged stud 34 is fully engaged within slot Referring to the drawings generally and in particular 22, which is the fully engaged or coupled position. In to FIG. 1, there is illustrated in perspective view a 25 the fully coupled position, the rider can transmit the bicycle pedal 10 in accordance with the invention most power to the bicycle. The rider can push, pull, which, in conjunction with shoe plate 30 of FIG. 3 stand up, sit down, and pedal as hard as possible with comprise the pedal system. Bicycle pedal 10 includes a full power, during the entire pedal stroke. The rider can shaft 12 having a threaded member 14 rotatably change positions or decouple by moving ?anged stud to mounted on shaft 12 for securing bicycle pedal 10 to a 30 the forward coupled position (FIG. 5), the free zone bicycle. Shaft 12 has mounted thereto a plurality of (FIG. 6) or forward of the pedal 10 (FIG. 7). 16, which may be integral to shaft 12, that facili In FIG. 5, ?anged stud 34 is-frontally engaged within tate mounting platform 18 to shaft 12. Platform 18 is secondary slot 24. This allows the rider to pull up by mounted to spokes 16 with suitable nut and bolt assem lifting his toes in a manner similar to a half-clip, no-strap blies 19. 35 toe clip. This partial engagement or coupling is particu Platform 18 includes a perimeter portion 18a that larly useful when riding on terrain where falling off the forms the outer vertical wall edges of platform 18. Pe bike is likely. The rider still has good pedal power yet rimeter or cage portion 180 has a plurality of dished can easily make a backward exit off the bike. Free zone teeth 20 located on the outer top and bottom perimeter 26 at the back of pedal 10 ensures that there is no restric of platform 18. Dished teeth 20 provide traction and tion or hang-up upon exit. shoe to pedal contact and feel. In FIG. 6, ?anged stud 34 is in the uncoupled or free Platform 18 de?nes a primary slot 22 that is utilized to zone position. When ?anged stud 34 is in the free zone couple or engage a rider’s foot to bicycle pedal 10 as 26, the rider is not engaged to the pedals and is only able hereinafter described. Primary slot 22 is substantially a to push down to transmit motive force to the bicycle. half-circle slot of diameter “d”, as shown in FIG. 2. 45 The rider cannot pull up during the pedal cycle. Primary slot 22 extends from the outer portion of In FIG. 7, ?anged stud 34 is positioned forward of bicycle pedal 10 towards threaded member 14 or when bicycle pedal 10. By placing ?anged stud 34 ahead of mounted on a bicycle, towards the bicycle. bicycle pedal 10, the rider pedals primarily with the Platform 18 also de?nes a secondary slot 24 that is arch of the foot, since ?anged stud 34 is preferably also useful in engaging a rider’s shoe to bicycle pedal 10 located under the ball of the rider’s foot, as shown in as hereinafter described. FIG. 12. In this forward position, there is no chance of Platform 18 de?nes a free zone 26. Free zone 26 is an the rider engaging or coupling ?anged stud 34 to bicy area that, allows bicycle pedal 10 to be utilized without cle pedal 10, which in very technical (unridable) or very any locking engagement of a rider’s foot to bicycle exposed trail sections is the best position to use. pedal 10 when the system is being utilized. 55 In FIG. 8, an alternate embodiment of shoe plate 30 is Bicycle pedal 10 as shown in FIG. 1, and more partic illustrated as shoe plate 42. Shoe plate 42 includes a ularly, as shown in FIG. 2, has symmetrical top and mounting plate 44 that is similar to mounting plate 32 bottom shoe contact portions 28 and 28, respectively, so previously described. Shoe plate 42 includes a ?anged that either side can be utilized for contact with the stud 46 that comprises a cylindrical ?ange 48 and a rider’s shoe. shank 50. Cylindrical ?ange 48 is dimensioned so that its FIG. 3 illustrates the remainder of the bicycle pedal diameter (

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