Interconnected Steering Means Patents (Class 280/234)
  • Patent number: 4270766
    Abstract: A drive system for an operator powered vehicle utilizing both arm and leg power. Leg power drives an axle carried sprocket coupled to a torque tube via a roller chain. A hand crank is powered by arm motion and is coupled to a concentric torque tube by a unidirectional clutch. Rotary motion is accordingly imparted to the torque tube by the arms or legs, jointly or individually, which motion is transmitted to a wheel hub via a roller chain and sprocket arrangement. A chain shifter provides a variable speed power transmission between said torque tube and the wheel hub. Brake cable actuating members on the wheel axle and the hand crank permit selective tensioning of brake cables actuating front and rear wheel brakes. A modified form of the invention dispenses with the torque tube. Driving and driven sprockets of a hand crank assembly are fixedly mounted on a hand crank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1981
    Inventor: John C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4189166
    Abstract: A self-propelled vehicle in the form of a scooter. The vehicle includes a main frame having a platform relatively close to the ground upon which a person can stand. Forward and rearward wheels arranged in tandem ground support the vehicle with the front wheel being attached to a handle bar by which the vehicle is steered. The handle bars are journaled to the main frame in such a manner that they can be grasped by the hands and manipulated in a fore and aft direction in order to propel the vehicle along the ground, while at the same time lateral motion of the handle bars provides for the before mentioned steering. The handle bars are connected to the front wheel by a drive mechanism that includes an over-the-center apparatus which moves the handle bars off dead center each extreme reciprocation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1980
    Inventor: Ben Lindsey
  • Patent number: 4152005
    Abstract: A tricycle having both front and rear wheel drives, for hand and foot motion respectively, includes a front wheel drive assembly that is adjustable with respect to the frame of the tricycle to position a hand crank in the optimum position for almost any user. A seat assembly is also adjustable with respect to the frame, and a rear wheel drive assembly is also adjustable with respect to the frame to make the tricycle adaptable to any handicapped child or individual, to give him the maximum use of his limbs; to exercise his limbs in the best therapeutic manner; and to allow for growth and changes and improvements in this muscular coordination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1979
    Inventor: Richard Vanore
  • Patent number: 4147370
    Abstract: A bicycle has a rear wheel assembly which is chain driven by the usual foot cranked sprocket. A front wheel assembly is also chain driven by a drive sprocket supported by the front suspension and steering system. The front drive sprocket is cranked by a reciprocating connecting rod. The handlebars turn the front wheel about a vertical axis to steer the bicycle, while concurrently it can also be pivotally moved forwardly and rearwardly. One end of the connecting rod is journaled to the pivotal handlebars such that pivotal motion thereof imparts reciprocal motion into the connecting rod to crank the drive sprocket which chain drives the front wheel. A biasing means is connected to engage the connecting rod at its extreme limits of travel whereupon the rod and drive sprocket are biased from its dead center position each 180.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1979
    Inventor: Ben Lindsey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4087105
    Abstract: A bicycle that is powered by a hydraulic motor operatively associated with the rear wheel of the vehicle, with the actuation being by fluid under pressure delivered to the motor by a first rotary pump actuated by the feet of the rider, and a second pump that is energized by reciprocal up and down movement of the handle bars of the vehicle. The first and second pumps may be operated either independently or jointly. The bicycle includes a reservoir for hydraulic fluid and an accumulator for hydraulic fluid that is maintained in a pressurized condition therein. A manually operated, multiposition valve mounted on the vehicle permits the rider to control the flow of the hydraulic fluid. When the valve is in a first position and either the first or second pump actuated, hydraulic fluid is drawn from the reservoir, discharged through the motor to rotate the rear wheel of the vehicle, and the fluid thereafter discharged back to the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1978
    Inventor: John G. Amarantos
  • Patent number: 4029332
    Abstract: A foot propelled two-wheel-in-line vehicle having a two-wheel friction drive including a front drive epicyclic contra-rotating element, pedalled driving wheels, a pedal actuated rear wheel brake, and an automatic variable-speed transmission comprising a centrally disposed rotor in friction-tight contact with a plurality of pulley wheels normal thereto and radially traversing thereon, said wheels flexibly connected with mating wheels and with said epicyclic element in such manner as to impart torque to the perimeter of the cycle wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1977
    Inventor: Harry C. Davis