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A suitcase with large (baby stroller size) retractable wheels that fold out from the outside of a suitcase. These are driven by some sort of cranking mechanism. There is also means provided for steering (also retractable). Top of the suitcase is nicely shaped for comfort.
Retractable parts (steering
crank and wheels) made from carbon fibre - main body of suitcase made from suitable materials
This could be an invention in its own right or as an adaption to existing suitcases.
(??) Ta-Daa A Bicycle in a Suitcase
http://home.hetnet....ieman99/future.html
Its about half way down the page. Stop timing me yamahito [[ sctld ], Jun 05 2002]
(??) Also here, in motion
http://www.baykomm....l?page=c_sps_koffer
Another picture of the suitcase-bike [[ sctld ], Jun 05 2002]
Backpack Scooter
http://slida.orcon....ics/gallery1_07.jpg
The scooter fits over the backpack. [Pellepeloton, Sep 23 2006]
China: suitcase bike, about $399
http://ridethisbike...o-photos-price.html
Shown at Canton Fair, China (thanks, Larry!) [jutta, Apr 26 2007]
[link]
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Baked. I once saw a suitcase bike on an invention show. I will find a link. |
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we're timing you, scuttled.... |
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re: blissmiss' airport fantasies. When I was a youngster my family traveled through the Copenhagen airport a couple of times. My siblings and I dearly loved that airport because they had these free scooters (not motor-scooters; the kind you have to push with one foot) scattered all over the airport. Presumably they were for people rushing to make a tight connection. But we were glad we had a layover. |
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This has not been baked - the links are for a bike in a suitcase not a suitcase (that you can keep clothes in etc) that can also be used as a bike. There is a difference. |
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I feel they are fundementally the same. Besides, you wouldn't be able to have enough space for clothes because the suitcase will be filled with ridgid frame pieces, so you will have no more space in there than you would have with the device in the links provided. |
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Honda did this once with a motorcycle. It was in an old Popular Science. |
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See, double baked. Nice a crispy, like Sunday roasters. |
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They are not fundementally the same idea. And another thing if you reinforce your suitcase with composites (e.g. carbon fibre) and use correct shape sections you will have far from 'no more space in there' - in fact according to my calculations you could fit [ sctld ] in there with relative comfort + all his junk and ride around Heathrow airport at speeds approaching 15mph. |
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Carbon fibre in large sheets is quite wobbly. You'd need to have them in the frame shape, and that would need to be on the outside to provide sufficient space. Also, the crank would take up quite a bit of real estate, as would the pedals and the steering mechanism. You would end up with a not-a-suitcase bike. The rectractable wheels instantly dedicate one corner of the case to the wheels, because the space left would be negligable. |
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And with [ sctld ] being over six feet tall i find it difficult to believe that i could be driven round Heathrow in a suitcase and still remain relatively comfortable, as you suggest. |
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Actually carbon fibre (in any form) is the stiffest material available (youngs modulus) for a given density (after diamond). So I would like to see
[ sctld ] produce a 'wobbly' sheet of this? Anyhow I didn't suggest using a sheets of it I said use the correct shape factor - i.e. tube, rod etc. |
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[Osborn]
Actually, Osmium (Bulk Modulus = 462 GPa) is currently the stiffest material, diamonds (443GPa) are second. |
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Dag - you are right - But I said 'stiffest material for a given density'. |
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Ah, yes, thanks. Missed that. |
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Bliss: My legs aren't lanky, I play rugby to make sure of that. |
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Osborn: Can you provide a link to your calculations or any drawings of this device? |
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Hm. I've taken a closer look at this and, based on my assumptions of course, the device will be impractical as a suitcase. |
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Assumptions:Dimensional
Wheels, 3: 12 inch diameter, 1 inch total depth (Smaller than standard pram wheels
Pedals, 2 (Retractable): 3.5 inch depth, 2 inch width, half inch height
Steering mechanism, 1 (Retractable): 25 inch height, 12 inch width (wheel must turn), 10 inch depth.
Cranks, 2 (Rectractable): half inch depth, making a 10 inch diameter circle when turned.
Gubbins: 10 inch height, max 15 inch width, 10 inch depth.
Carbon Tube: 1 inch diameter, keep it simple.
Large Suitcase (actually designed for carrying a bike): 30 inch width, 25 inch height, 10 inch depth
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Assumptions:Design
3 Wheels. Two at back, one at middle front.
Pedals and cranks situated in centre of suitcase.
Carbon tubes cross bracong from corner to corner on large face sides.
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Results
Widths: Section A, between wheels and gubbins, 6 inches. Section B, between gubbins and top, 18 inches. |
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Heights: Section A, 7.5 inches. Section B, 7.5 inches. |
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Depths: Section A, 10 inches. Section B, 10 inches. |
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Over all volume = 1'800 cubic inches from total volume of 7'500 (24% volume of original suitcase). |
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Not enough space for a person or their 'junk' it would seem. |
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A great blue heron could not fit in this. Thats even using one of the largest suitcases on the market. |
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Nope. It might fit cut in half, though. |
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Or run through a blender. |
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What's a 'gubbins' and how did it get on the bike? |
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'gubbins' is just all your gear mechanisms, chains, and misc. items that are in the 'working' part of the bike. Would you have prefered it if i used the word 'Clanjamfrie'? |
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Es nihilo sanctum est ne? |
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A standard upright bike isn't a great shape to keep stuff in, but another human-powered-vehicle shape might adapt well to being luggage. Recumbent bike, w/backpack/carryon turning into the backrest? four-wheeled recumbent? Boneshaker (no pedals/chains/gearing: something to sit astride, wheels to push along)? Whatever those human-pumped railroad cars are? |
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Certainly there's many a stack of luggage that is as large as a small vehicle, and is already being pushed around on its little wheels. Making it easy to sit on the luggage and push along would be an improvement. Making it fast would be great. |
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When I was smaller, I had music lessons in a marble-floored building, and after the lesson took many a flying leap onto my trumpet-case and went sliding towards the stairs. It didn't even have wheels. |
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Have a look of the link I supplied. Human powered 4 wheeled kick scooter and carries 30 kg luggage easily. |
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The bike in [jutta]'s link is even better - it
appears to be fully autonomous. |
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