In 1891 a Daniel I. Lybe filed a patent application on a vehicle powered by a wound up spring. The spring of the vechicle was given an initial winding, then would recoup winding on the downhill runs, and expend the spring energy on the level and uphill. Both arm and foot power assisted the winding, and 30 mph was claimed. The inventor believed his machine would "afford a mild and pleasing form of exercise, in addition to its speed advantages." The Lybe vehicle was entered in the first motor race in the U.S., held in 1895, but it is not known if it finished.
I think that this idea, with a little refinement, would work quite well in conjunction with pedal power on personal travel vehicles and could probably give a range comparable to the typical 'assist' type electric motors on bikes.
Posted by: olmon | November 19, 2007 at 01:27 PM
are there any images of the spring mechanism up close? I've been trying to do some research on spring power and it seems to be in short supply if you have any good websites I would greatly appreciate it
Posted by: Kaelson | December 16, 2007 at 09:13 AM