Electric bicycle

Abstract

A bicycle includes a frame, a motor, a battery, and a key interface. The frame includes a head tube, a down tube coupled to the head tube, a central hub coupled to an end of the down tube opposite the head tube and defining an internal cavity, and a mount positioned at least partially directly underneath the internal cavity. The motor is coupled to the mount such that the motor is positioned at least partially underneath the internal cavity. The battery extends at least partially into the internal cavity of the central hub and positioned at least partially directly above the motor. The battery is configured to power the motor. The key interface is supported by the mount. Engaging the key interface releases the battery to facilitate removing the battery from the frame.

1 . A bicycle comprising:
 a frame including:
 a head tube; 
 a down tube coupled to the head tube; 
 a central hub coupled to an end of the down tube opposite the head tube, the central hub defining an internal cavity; and 
 a mount positioned at least partially directly underneath the internal cavity; 
   a motor coupled to the mount such that the motor is positioned at least partially underneath the internal cavity;   a battery extending at least partially into the internal cavity of the central hub and positioned at least partially directly above the motor, the battery configured to power the motor; and   a key interface supported by the mount, wherein engaging the key interface releases the battery to facilitate removing the battery from the frame.   
     
     
         2 . The bicycle of  claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of the down tube and the central hub defines an opening providing access to the internal cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The bicycle of  claim 2 , further comprising a cover extending over the opening to at least partially enclose the internal cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The bicycle of  claim 3 , wherein the cover is a portion of the battery. 
     
     
         5 . The bicycle of  claim 3 , wherein the cover has an exterior surface with a first curved profile having a first portion extending along the down tube and a second portion extending along the central hub such that the first portion is angled relative to the second portion and substantially matches a second curved profile of a transition along the upper surface between the down tube and the central hub. 
     
     
         6 . The bicycle of  claim 3 , wherein the cover has an exterior surface with a straight profile that does not match a curved profile of a transition along the upper surface between the down tube and the central hub. 
     
     
         7 . The bicycle of  claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a pair of chain stays extending rearward of the central hub, and wherein the pair of chain stays include (i) a right chain stay terminating with a right dropout defining a right recess and (ii) a left chain stay terminating with a left dropout defining a left recess, further comprising a right taillight disposed within the right recess and a left taillight disposed within the left recess. 
     
     
         8 . The bicycle of  claim 7 , wherein each of the right taillight and the left taillight extends along a rear surface and a side surface of the right dropout and the left dropout, respectively. 
     
     
         9 . The bicycle of  claim 1 , further comprising a conspicuity lamp disposed along the head tube, wherein a direction of illumination of the conspicuity lamp is fixed. 
     
     
         10 . The bicycle of  claim 9 , further comprising a headlight, wherein at least one of (a) a direction of illumination of the headlight is variable relative to the conspicuity lamp or (b) the headlight provides more illumination than the conspicuity lamp. 
     
     
         11 . The bicycle of  claim 10 , wherein the direction of illumination of the headlight is variable relative to the conspicuity lamp, and wherein the headlight provides more illumination than the conspicuity lamp. 
     
     
         12 . The bicycle of  claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of the down tube defines an opening, further comprising a door extending across the opening. 
     
     
         13 . The bicycle of  claim 12 , further comprising a receptacle disposed within the down tube and positioned beneath the opening. 
     
     
         14 . The bicycle of  claim 13 , wherein the receptacle is longer than the opening such that the receptacle extends within the down tube beyond the opening. 
     
     
         15 . The bicycle of  claim 12 , wherein the key interface is a first key interface, further comprising a second key interface positioned along the frame proximate the opening, wherein engaging the second key interface releases at least a portion of the door from the down tube. 
     
     
         16 . A bicycle comprising:
 a frame including:
 a head tube; 
 a down tube coupled to the head tube; and 
 a central hub coupled to an end of the down tube opposite the head tube, the central hub defining an internal cavity; 
 wherein an upper surface of the down tube and the central hub defines an opening providing access to the internal cavity; and 
   a cover extending over the opening to at least partially enclose the internal cavity.   
     
     
         17 . The bicycle of  claim 16 , wherein the cover has an exterior surface with a first curved profile having a first portion extending along the down tube and a second portion extending along the central hub such that the first portion is angled relative to the second portion and substantially matches a second curved profile of a transition along the upper surface between the down tube and the central hub. 
     
     
         18 . The bicycle of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a mount positioned at least partially underneath the internal cavity;   a motor coupled to the mount; and   a battery extending at least partially into the internal cavity of the central hub and positioned above the motor, the battery configured to power the motor.   
     
     
         19 . A bicycle comprising:
 a frame;   a conspicuity lamp coupled to the frame;   a headlight coupled to the frame; and   taillights coupled to the frame;   wherein a direction of illumination of the headlight is variable relative to the conspicuity lamp.   
     
     
         20 . The bicycle of  claim 19 , wherein the frame includes a down tube, wherein an upper surface of the down tube defines an opening, further comprising:
 a door extending across the opening; and   a receptacle disposed within the down tube and positioned beneath the opening.