PEDAL MECHANISM FOR CYCLE AND EXERCISE EQUIPMENT

摘要

A pedal mechanism for a bicycle to permit a forward force to be applied to the drive wheel (10) by backward rotation of the pedals (2, 3) in addition to permitting a forward force to be applied to the drive wheel by a forward rotation of the pedals (2, 3). A preferred embodiment allows one of the pedals (2, 3) to be rotated in one direction while the other pedal (2, 3) rotates in the opposite direction. A free-wheeling clutch (17) is positioned between the pedal shaft (6) and the bevel gear (16). When the pedal shaft (6) is rotated in the forward direction, the free-wheeling clutch (17) engages and causes bevel gear (16) to impart a forward force to the drive wheel (10). When the pedals are rotated in the reverse direction, the free-wheeling clutch (18) engages causing bevel gear (19) to rotate with the pedal shaft which permits a forward force to be applied to the drive wheel (10) by reversing gear (20). Free-wheeling clutches (17, 18) engage the pedal shaft (6) to provide unidirectional movement of the drive wheel (10) when the pedals are rotated in either the forward direction or the reverse direction.