The present invention relates to a mechanical element, and more particularly, to a
crank connected to a bicycle pedal or a
handle for rotating a rotary body and to a bicycle using the same. The present invention uses a cylindrical
cam, an end
cam, or a
swash plate
cam, and the shafts of these cams and a shaft of a pedal or a
handle for applying force are equipped with a miter gear (a
bevel gear the number of teeth of which is 1:1 and the shaft angle of which is 90 degrees), such that the
crank retracts / extends one time per one rotation of the pedal or the
handle. The retractable / extendable
crank of the present invention is advantageous in that the length of the crank is elongated to generate a large amount of rotating force in a force-applying section, and shortened in a section where no force is applied to reduce the actuating space occupied by the crank and apply a large amount of torque to the rotary body from the same force, without deviating from the normal
motion range of the arms or legs during rotation. The retractable / extendable crank of the present invention has a significantly
rigid structure and provides reliable operation, and thus is suitable as a driving crank to beconnected to a pedal of a bicycle. As compared with conventional bicycles, the bicycle using the crank of the present invention is supplied with a larger amount of rotating force in proportion to theelongation of the crank from the same force, thus enabling the bicycle of the present invention to travel quickly with less force and
climb a steep upward slope in an easy manner.