Tracked bicycle

Abstract

A tracked vehicle, or a kit for converting a standard bicycle into a tracked cycle, includes a track assembly with a bogie assembly for riding on snow, mud, sand, etc. The track assembly includes a continuous track movably disposed about a drive wheel coupled to a frame of the vehicle or bike, and a bogie wheel disposed rearward of the drive wheel. The bogie assembly includes a pair of arms coupling the bogie wheel to the frame of the vehicle or bike in a cantilever fashion.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A kit for converting a standard bicycle into a tracked cycle, the kit comprising: 
 a) a drive wheel configured to be coupled to a frame of the standard bicycle, and configured to be operatively coupled to a drive of the standard bicycle;    b) a pair of arms each having a first end configured to be coupled to the frame of the standard bicycle, and a second end configured to extend rearward from the frame;    c) a bogie wheel, coupled to the second end of the arm and located rearward of the drive wheel; and    d) a continuous track, movably disposed around the drive and bogie wheels; and    e) the arms attaching the bogie wheel to the frame in a cantilever configuration.    
     
     
         2 . A kit in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein each arm has a bend so that the arm extends inwardly to allow the arm to bend vertically.  
     
     
         3 . A kit in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the bogie wheel pivots with respect to the frame, and the arms are bendable as the bogie wheel pivots.  
     
     
         4 . A kit in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the track includes a v-shaped cross-sectional shape receivable in the drive wheel and the bogie wheel.  
     
     
         5 . A kit in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising an intermediate track support, disposed between the drive wheel and the bogie wheel, and engaging a portion of the track extending between the drive wheel and the bogie wheel.  
     
     
         6 . A kit in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising an intermediate arm support, interconnecting the pair of arms at a position between the drive wheel and the bogie wheel.  
     
     
         7 . A kit in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein each arm further includes: 
 a) a forward and upper tab, extending inwardly from a forward and higher position; and    b) a rearward and lower tab, extending inwardly from a rearward and lower position; and    c) the tabs being configured to receive at least a portion of the frame therebetween with the forward and upper tab engaging a top of the frame at a more forward position and the rearward and lower tab engaging a bottom of the frame at a more rearward position.    
     
     
         8 . A kit in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the arms are sized to engage a substantial portion of a rear fork of the standard bicycle, including both upper and lower members of the rear fork.  
     
     
         9 . A kit in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a) a ski configured to be coupled to a front fork of the standard bicycle.    
     
     
         10 . A human powered vehicle apparatus having both wheeled and tracked configurations, comprising: 
 a) a frame having a seat and a rear fork;    b) a front fork and a handle bar, attached to one another and pivotally coupled to the frame;    c) a drive assembly, coupled to the frame, including: 
 i) a peddle gear, rotatably coupled to the frame, having peddles to turn the peddle gear; and  
 ii) a drive chain, movably disposed around the peddle gear;  
   d) a rear wheel, removably attachable to the rear fork of the frame, and operatively attachable to the drive chain;    e) a front wheel, removably attachable to the front fork of the frame;    f) a track assembly, removably attachable to the frame, including: 
 i) a bogie wheel, located rearward of, and spaced apart from, the drive wheel and movably attachable to the frame;  
 ii) a continuous track, movably disposed around the rear and bogie wheels; and  
 iii) a pair of arms, coupled to and between the frame and the bogie wheel on opposite sides thereof; and  
   g) a ski, removably attachable to the front fork; and    h) the apparatus having at least two configurations, including: 
 i) a wheeled configuration in which the track assembly is uncoupled from the frame; and  
 ii) a tracked configuration in which the track assembly is coupled to the frame.  
   
     
     
         11 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein each arm has a bend so that the arm extends inwardly to allow the arm to bend vertically.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the bogie wheel pivots with respect to the frame, and the arms are bendable as the bogie wheel pivots.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the track includes a v-shaped cross-sectional shape receivable in the drive wheel and the bogie wheel.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 10 , further comprising an intermediate track support, disposed between the drive wheel and the bogie wheel, and engaging a portion of the track extending between the drive wheel and the bogie wheel.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 10 , further comprising an intermediate arm support, interconnecting the pair of arms at a position between the drive wheel and the bogie wheel.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein each arm further includes: 
 a) a forward and upper tab, extending inwardly from a forward and higher position; and    b) a rearward and lower tab, extending inwardly from a rearward and lower position; and    c) the tabs being configured to receive at least a portion of the frame therebetween with the forward and upper tab engaging a top of the frame at a more forward position and the rearward and lower tab engaging a bottom of the frame at a more rearward position.    
     
     
         17 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the arms are sized to engage a substantial portion of a rear fork of the standard bicycle, including both upper and lower members of the rear fork.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein: 
 a) the wheeled configuration further includes the front wheel coupled to the front fork and the ski uncoupled from the front fork; and    b) the tracked configuration further includes the ski coupled to the front fork and the front wheel uncoupled from the front fork.    
     
     
         19 . A method for converting a standard bicycle into a tracked cycle, comprising: 
 a) removing a standard rear wheel from a rear fork of the standard bicycle;    b) removing a tire and a tube from the standard rear wheel to create a drive wheel;    c) looping a track around the drive wheel;    d) disposing the drive wheel on the rear fork; and    e) securing a pair of arms to both sides of the rear fork, the arms extending rearward to a bogie wheel with the track looped around the bogie wheel.    
     
     
         20 . A method in accordance with  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 a) removing a standard front wheel from a front fork of the standard bicycle; and    b) coupling a ski to the front fork.