Abstract: A three-wheeled motor vehicle having a two-part frame construction in which a front frame member includes the front steerable wheel assembly and the supports for the driver's seat, and the rear frame assembly includes support for the engine and a driven pair of rear wheels. The front and rear frames are pivotally joined to allow rotational motion of the front frame assembly relative to the rear frame assembly about a generally longitudinal axis, and an arcuate guide bar and associated slide bearings are used to couple the rearmost seat supports of the front frame to the rear frame providing desired rigidity to the composite frame structure.

Abstract: An improvement in an axle assembly for off-road vehicles 10 having a swing arm 18 carrying left and right rear wheels 20 in which the assembly comprises an elongated shaft 22 centrally journaled in thread-lockable relation on the swing arm and having left and right hand end portions defining wheel mounting hubs 44 outboard of the swing arm in a manner subjecting the shaft portion 50 between the hubs and the swing arm to severe bending moments likely to cause cracking in shaft threaded portions 48, comprising thread-lockable shaft locking apparatus separable from the shaft, the locking apparatus including an internally threaded nut 62, an exteriorly threaded slide 60 nonrotatably keyed to the shaft, and shoulder device 68, 70 opposing the slide in blocking relation responsive to threaded adjustment of the nut on the slide to lock the shaft relative to the swing arm free of cracking-prone threading on the shaft.

Abstract: Several embodiments of improved three wheel vehicles particularly adapted for off the road use. In each embodiment, the rear wheels are suspended by a suspension system that includes a suspension element that has its line of action is disposed at a relatively shallow angle to the horizontal so as to provide a long suspension travel. A trailing arm assembly is provided in each embodiment for suspending the rear wheels. The trailing arm assembly includes a pair of spaced apart arm members that are pivotally supported by a frame at their forward end. The pivot points of the arm members on the frame are transversely spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the width of the vehicle so as to improve stability. In some embodiments, a shaft drive is incorporated that passes through one arm of the arm members. In some embodiments, the suspension element is offset from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle toward the side opposite that on which the shaft drive is located.

Abstract: An off-the-road vehicle having at least two rear wheels mounted on axles which are journaled for rotation within the housing of a torque transfer type differential whereby drive power from the motor is coupled to the slower rotating one of the two rear axles.

Abstract: A rear axle supporting structure in a three-wheeled motor vehicle equipped with a chain drive mechanism. A holder member having an eccentric bore is fitted in a pipe member which is fixed to the rear end of a swing arm, and a rear axle is inserted in the eccentric bore of the holder member. A brake caliper for braking a brake disc is connected to the holder member through a caliper supporting member concentrically rotatably with respect to the eccentric bore of the holder member.Adjustment of the drive chain is effected by turning the holder member, without affecting the positional relation between the vehicle body frame and the swing arm, without any inclination of the rear axle occurring, and while maintaining a constant positional relation between the brake disc and the brake caliper.

Abstract: An articulated tricycle of the swingable type employing a front body and a rear body, the front body having a front wheel and a rear body having two rear wheels mounted on an axle or axles. The rear body includes a first body member and a second body member. The first body member is pivoted about a longitudinal axis to the front body while the second body member is pivotally mounted about a transverse axis to the first body member. The second body member includes mounting for the rear wheels. The second body member may be divided into two links to provide independent rear suspension for the wheels. A gear train extends between an engine, located in the first body member, and the rear axle or axles. This gear train is shown to include a chain or belt drive and may include two such chains or belts when the second body member employs two links.

Abstract: A vehicle having the driver's seat between two large diameter wheels, each having a series of circumferentially spaced cables under tension between a rigid circumferential ring, which carries a tire, and the opposite ends of a central hub. A driver's seat is located between the wheels and batteries and separate electric motors and speed reduction drives for the wheels are below this seat. Control handles on opposite sides of the driver's seat have switches for controlling the speed of each wheel. Each wheel has a caliper-type bicycle brake.

Abstract: An articulated tricycle of the swingable type employing a front body and a rear body, the front body having a front wheel and the rear body having two rear wheels mounted on an axle. The rear body includes a first body member and a second body member. The first body member is pivoted about a transverse axis to the front body while the second body member is pivotally mounted about a longitudinal axis to the first body member. The second body member includes mounting for the rear wheels. A gear train extends between an engine, located in the front body, and the rear axle. This gear train may pass through either the first body member or second body member and includes a chain drive. Either the drive sprocket or the driven sprocket is positioned about a constant velocity universal joint which is in turn positioned about a transverse shaft or the transverse rear axle.

Abstract: A vehicle with at least one front wheel and two rear wheels comprises a rear cushion unit for use in damping repelling forces from the ground surface and other vibratory forces developed by chain driving and the like. The upper end of the rear cushion unit is supported at a position axially rearward of a main frame member of a frame structure, while the lower end thereof is supported at a position forward of a rear axle bearing member. On each side of the rear axle bearing member there is mounted either a sprocket wheel or a braking device.

Abstract: Relatively heavy and large auger assemblies often used in present day farming are difficult to move and manoeuver around a farmyard or the like and it is not always convenient to hitch a tractor to such auger assemblies for relatively short distance moving. This invention includes a small electric or gasoline motor or engine which can be operatively connected to a small wheel which is mounted within a frame secured to the auger assembly framework and which engages the ground. Means are provided so that this small wheel can be rotated in either direction. A small castoring wheel assembly supports the rear end of the auger assembly and when the small wheel is operatively connected to the motor, the wheel may be rotated slowly thus enabling the auger assembly to be moved as desired. Directional control is by steering the rear end of the auger assembly manually.

Abstract: An all-terrain motorcycle attachment device for attachment to a two-wheel motorcycle to convert the motorcycle to a three-wheel all-terrain vehicle is disclosed comprising a swingarm frame adapted for detachable connection to the swingarm pivot bolt assembly of a motorcycle, an axle rotatably mounted to the swingarm frame and supporting a pair of wheels, a drive sprocket connected to the axle, a brake assembly adapted for detachable connection to the brake rod of a motorcycle and a mount for detachably connecting the rear shock absorbers of a motorcycle to the swingarm frame.

Abstract: A three-wheeled vehicle is provided to operate from a source of power constituted by two batteries which constitute approximately one-third of the weight of the unloaded vehicle. The batteries are so positioned as to locate the center of gravity of the vehicle relatively low. The vehicle is provided with a superstructure which is relatively light so that the center of the gravity is not greatly affected thereby. The superstructure provides protection for the passenger or passengers who are sheltered thereby. The passengers are seated at a relatively high position relative to the ground traversed so that they obtain a feeling of security and confidence and can readily see because their relatively high position with respect to other vehicles or obstacles in the vicinity. The additional weight of the batteries is accommodated by the provision of a compound braking system consisting of mechanical and electro-magnetic braking elements.

Abstract: A bolt-on kit for converting conventional two-wheel motorcycles to three wheel form. The kit comprises an elongated axle assembly which is adapted to be coupled to the motorcycle and which receives the original equipment drive gear for rotation, a pair of spaced apart mounting plates coupled to the axle, support means for rigidly coupling the mounting plates to the motorcycle frame, a pair of drive hubs for mounting drive wheels at opposite ends of the axle assembly, and unique stabilizer means. The stabilizer includes a vertically, upwardly extending brace which is yieldably, slideably received within appropriate bearing structure to allow vertical suspension displacement while preventing damage to the motorcycle frame from torsional or twisting forces.

Abstract: A three-wheeled, motor-driven, pedal-started vehicle which comprises a tubular frame supporting the wheels in triangular relationship. A seat is provided on the frame covering a trunk or receptacle relative to which the seat is pivotable in order to uncover the trunk or receptacle. A motor and pedal arrangement is provided on the frame for driving one of the wheels. A kickstand is provided to elevate this wheel selectively from the ground to facilitate the starting of the vehicle without the need for driving the weight of the same. A demountable canopy is detachably connected to the tubular frame and provides a transparent shield for the driver of the vehicle. The seat is such as to be able to accommodate the driver and at least one passenger in side by side relationship. A steering arrangement is provided having a jog therein to accommodate the offset relationship of the driver to the central axis of the vehicle when a passenger is accommodated.

Abstract: A vehicle body frame arrangement comprising a pair of left and right side plates interconnected by a laterally extending pipe member receiving a wheel shaft. The side plates are fixedly mounted on the lower side of a longitudinal main pipe to form a vehicle body frame. A chain cover is mounted on the outside of one side plate, and houses a chain sprocket mounted on the wheel shaft and a chain engaged with the sprocket. A brake cover is mounted on the outside of the other plate and houses a brake drum mounted on the wheel shaft and brake shoes engageable with the shaft.