Drive system for a pedaled vehicle

摘要

A pedaled vehicle includes a frame having a crank for receiving a power input from a rider, a wheel rotatably coupled to the frame, and a drive system. The drive system includes a first sprocket operatively coupled to the crank, a second sprocket operatively coupled to the wheel, and a power transmitting element operatively coupled to the first and second sprockets for transmitting the power input from the rider at the crank to the wheel for moving the pedaled vehicle. The power transmitting element forms a closed-loop configuration and is arranged relative to the frame such that the power transmitting element is configured to be assembled to the vehicle or replaced on the vehicle without having to break the closed-loop configuration of the power transmitting element.

主权项

1. A pedaled vehicle, comprising:
a frame having a crank for receiving a power input from a rider; a wheel rotatably coupled to the frame; and a drive system, comprising:
a first sprocket operatively coupled to the crank on the outside of the frame;a second sprocket operatively coupled to the wheel on the inside of the frame;a power transmitting element operatively coupled to the first and second sprockets for transmitting the power input from the rider at the crank to the wheel for moving the pedaled vehicle, the power transmitting element defining a power transmitting element path including an upper element path and a lower element path, the upper and lower element paths crossing from outside the frame to inside the frame on the same side relative to a selected portion of the frame; andfirst and second idler wheels coupled to the frame and configured to engage the power transmitting element, the first idler wheel being adjacent the first sprocket, and the second idler wheel being adjacent the second sprocket and having a rotational center generally below a rotational center of the second sprocket, wherein the power transmitting element forms a closed-loop configuration and is arranged relative to the frame such that the power transmitting element is configured to be assembled to the pedaled vehicle or replaced on the pedaled vehicle without having to break the closed-loop configuration of the power transmitting element.