With Steering Patents (Class 280/263)
  • Publication number: 20080191446
    Abstract: A transformable baby rider which can be transformed from baby rider to a toy mower in order to help a child to learn walking. As a child reaches 1 year of age, he or she can start to learn walking by the baby rider mode. When the child grows up, the rider mode can be transformed into the toy mower mode. In doing so, the child can hold the handlebar and begin to learn independent walking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Nelson Man Chow
  • Publication number: 20080116656
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the optional guiding of at least one self-steering wheel of a trolley. According to the invention, the wheel is of the type that is mounted on a support that pivots around a vertical axis. The device comprises: a push bar which forms a dual-articulated steering member that can be accessed by the user; means for rotating a first clutch part about the vertical axis in response to steering member movements; and means which can be used at will to couple and uncouple the first clutch part in relation to a second clutch part which is solidly connected to the aforementioned support of the wheel, in response to other steering member movements. In addition, a coin-operated locking device for preventing the movement of the trolley is built into a casing which houses a transmission element of the guiding device and which is fixed to the push bar of the trolley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Fernando Esteban Araya Moreno, Carles Riba Romeva
  • Patent number: 7226081
    Abstract: A steering knuckle structure is incorporated with an upright pipe and a shaft wherein the upright pipe is able to twist. The steering knuckle structure comprises a fastener, a sleeve and a pair of lids. A connector is provided at the bottom of the upright pipe. The sleeve has its two ends covered by the lids. The shaft is pivotally connected to the lids. The sleeve comprises a connecting seat transversely secured at the center portion thereon. The connecting seat comprises a pair of protruding plates at respective ends. Each protruding plate has a hole at the center. The connector is placed in the connecting seat between the two protruding plates. The two holes of the protruding plates are aligned with the connector, and the fastener is inserted into the holes to secure the upright pipe to the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Far Great Plastics Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ting-Hsing Chen
  • Patent number: 7226062
    Abstract: An amusement-type vehicle is provided particularly for doing so-called wheelies having a short wheel base upon a platform-type base with at least two side by side wheels forwardly and one wheel rearwardly upon which wheelies are performed and having a central handle by which the vehicle may be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Inventor: Nick Stefano
  • Patent number: 7159882
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a steering mechanism for a children's toy vehicle comprises a non-circular wheel piece connectable to a wheel turning mechanism of a toy vehicle. An arcuate front portion extends along the front periphery of the wheel piece. Preferably, the steering mechanism further comprises a curved rear portion along the rear periphery of the wheel piece. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the steering mechanism includes a rear portion which is nested between two end portions of the front portion and the front portion and the rear portion form a tulip shape. In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the steering mechanism and wheel piece is combined with a front wheel frame which is connected to the wheel piece, a front tricycle wheel mounted to the front wheel frame, and a rear wheel frame which is pivotably coupled the front wheel frame. Two rear tricycle wheels are mounted to the rear wheel frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Angeles Group, LLC
    Inventor: Gary R. Buhrman
  • Patent number: 7055841
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a steering mechanism for a children's toy vehicle comprises a non-circular wheel piece connectable to a wheel turning mechanism of a toy vehicle. An arcuate front portion extends along the front periphery of the wheel piece. Preferably, the steering mechanism further comprises a curved rear portion along the rear periphery of the wheel piece. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the steering mechanism includes a rear portion which is nested between two end portions of the front portion and the front portion and the rear portion form a tulip shape. In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the steering mechanism and wheel piece is combined with a front wheel frame which is connected to the wheel piece, a front tricycle wheel mounted to the front wheel frame, and a rear wheel frame which is pivotably coupled the front wheel frame. Two rear tricycle wheels are mounted to the rear wheel frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Angeles Group, LLC
    Inventor: Gary R. Buhrman
  • Patent number: 7025362
    Abstract: A manual large game carrying device of the type having an substantially elongated upper receiving bar (30) that accommodates and secures large game at points of securement (32). The manual large game carrying device can be turned by a handlebar configuration (22) which engages a front fork axle assembly (20) at the frame/front fork/handlebar junction (44). This front fork axle assembly (20) is connected to the front rotatable wheel (10A) by the releasable front axle (12). In addition, the manual large game carrying device's speed is controlled by braking mechanism levers (26). The braking mechanism levers (26) engage the braking mechanism linkages (28) which engage the braking mechanisms (42) attached to the front brake rotor (16) and rear brake rotor (18). In addition to steering and stopping the manual large game carrying device, the handlebar configuration (22) has handle grips (24) conveniently placed for efficient transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Inventor: Matthew Leroy Gomez
  • Publication number: 20040245742
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a steering mechanism for a children's toy vehicle comprises a non-circular wheel piece connectable to a wheel turning mechanism of a toy vehicle. An arcuate front portion extends along the front periphery of the wheel piece. Preferably, the steering mechanism further comprises a curved rear portion along the rear periphery of the wheel piece. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the steering mechanism includes a rear portion which is nested between two end portions of the front portion and the front portion and the rear portion form a tulip shape. In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the steering mechanism and wheel piece is combined with a front wheel frame which is connected to the wheel piece, a front tricycle wheel mounted to the front wheel frame, and a rear wheel frame which is pivotably coupled the front wheel frame. Two rear tricycle wheels are mounted to the rear wheel frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Gary R. Buhrman
  • Patent number: 6808188
    Abstract: A steerable scooter is provided. The steerable scooter includes a single front wheel as well as two rear wheels that provides for leaning and directional control, with the front wheel and rear wheels arranged in a three-point, constant triangular formation that enables exceptional scooter stability and handling. Further, assisting wheels are installed on two sides at the bottom end of a rearwardly inclined front stem that are disposed marginally higher than and simultaneously articulated with the front wheel. Since the assisting wheels and front wheel form a triangular formation that is wide at the interior and narrow at the posterior, when the handlebar is turned for a larger angle, the arrangement is capable of effectively preventing slide out due to loss of lateral traction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventor: Jeeng-Neng Fan
  • Publication number: 20040041364
    Abstract: A vehicle such as a bicycle or tricycle having a front steering assembly and a remote, rear steering assembly. The front steering assembly has a steering sleeve with a rotatable front shaft within the sleeve that is connected to the front wheel. The rear steering assembly has a rear shaft rotatably mounted in a steering sleeve and both of the shafts has a steering device such as handlebars accessible to users. The shafts are coupled together to rotate in tandem by means of a substantially flexible coupling, such as a chain operatively connected between sprockets mounted to each of the shafts. Turning either of the handlebars thus turns the front wheel to steer the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventor: Sylvester Yen
  • Patent number: 6619683
    Abstract: A telescoping bicycle handlebar assembly is disclosed wherein a crossbar adapted to provide support for a rider's hands during a bicycle ride is attached to a downbar extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom. A hollow tube adjacent to the front wheel of the bicycle and displaced from the bicycle's centerline is adapted to receive various lengths of the downbar depending on the height at which the handlebars are to be placed. A securing device is attached to the hollow tube and adapted to selectively secure the downbar in place inside the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventors: Jung-Te Lin, Ruey Shong Nelson Lin
  • Patent number: 6616165
    Abstract: A combined storage box and vehicle condition display for a small vehicle such as a scooter. The display is mounted in the handlebar cover and the mounting is done in a way so that the display can be mounted from above and still provides a neat appearance for the finished product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Moric
    Inventor: Misturu Tsuji
  • Publication number: 20030141693
    Abstract: A vehicle for children comprises a frame, a driving member rotatably mounted to a rear end of the frame, a rear steering rod, a driven member, and a belt. The frame comprises a head tube on a front end thereof. A handlebar stem extends through the head tube and is pivotable relative to the head tube. A handlebar is attached to an upper end of the handlebar stem to turn therewith. The rear steering rod includes a lower end attached to the driving member to turn therewith and an upper end for manual operation. The driven member is securely attached to the handlebar stem to turn therewith. The belt is mounted around the driving member and the driven member such that the driven member is turned when the driving member is turned as a result of turning of the rear steering bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Jung-Jyh Wu
  • Publication number: 20030132596
    Abstract: A children's tricycle is formed of a front frame, a rear frame, and a bridging frame connecting the front frame and the rear frame. The bridging frame is fastened with the front frame in conjunction with a connection seat which is provided with a stop projection for confining the rotation of the front frame, thereby preventing the front wheel of the tricycle from being jammed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventor: Hsing Li
  • Patent number: 6571160
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rear-wheel steering angle control device which is capable of drastically reducing the man-hours required for setting a gain of a target rear-wheel steering angle relative to a front-wheel steering angle. The rear-wheel steering angle control device includes a target rear-wheel steering angle calculating device which has a variable coefficient inputting device. A specific parameter (such as steady &bgr; gain) of a theoretical transfer function of physical quantity (such as vehicle-body slip angle &bgr;) relative to a front-wheel steering angle is multiplied with variable coefficients (such as K&bgr;) to a transfer function as a target transfer function (target &bgr; transfer function 5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tokihiko Akita
  • Patent number: 6561401
    Abstract: A scooter is provided with an article storage device which is formed of a base and a box body disposed slidably in the base. The base is disposed in a receiving space of the footboard of the scooter. The box body is provided in the top and in the underside with an article holding space to facilitate the storage of an article, such as a hand tool, an emergency medical aid, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Inventor: Shui-Te Tsai
  • Publication number: 20030084655
    Abstract: A speed control system and method of assembling such a system for a power equipment vehicle such as a lawn mower. The speed control system comprises a speed control bail that pivots with respect to the vehicle handle bar, a pivot rod, and a cover. In order to increase the speed of the vehicle the operator pushes the speed control bail in the forward direction and in order to decrease the speed of the vehicle the operator pulls the bail in the backward direction. Assembly of the system on to the vehicle handle bar does not require the use of hand held or power tools thereby reducing manufacturing time and ultimately reducing production costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: MTD Products Inc:
    Inventors: Bob Rush, Jeffery R. Kucera, Dennis Fowler
  • Publication number: 20030052470
    Abstract: A holder for a handlebar of a bicycle in accordance with the present invention includes a connecting bar having a first end secured on a stem of a bicycle and a second end having a loop attached the connecting bar. The loop is provided to receive a handlebar of a bicycle and having an axis inclined relative to and forming an acute angle with that of the stem of a bicycle. A quick release device extends through the connecting bar and is mounted on the connecting bar to selectively hold the handlebar of a bicycle in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Tu-Kun Lee
  • Publication number: 20030042701
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rear-wheel steering structure of light bicycle. The rear-wheel steering structure comprises a transmission link, a steering link, a rotation axis, and a hub base. One end of the transmission link is pivotally joined with the steering link. The other end of the steering link is pivotally joined with one end of the rotation axis. The upper end of the hub base is pivotally joined with one end of the rotation axis. The other end of the hub base is pivotally joined on a small wheel. Through the action of the transmission link, the steering link is led to turn about, and the rotation axis and the hub base are simultaneously driven to double the turned angle of said small wheel, hence shrinking the space of return, enhancing the flexibility of steering angle, and achieve convenience in ride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Tseng Hsien Chen, Tsuan Hung Chen
  • Patent number: 6494470
    Abstract: A front wheel assembly for a scooter. The scooter has a head tube provided at a front end thereof, a stem extending through the head tube, and a handlebar provided on a top of the stem. The front wheel assembly has a seat mounted at a lower end of the stem. A longitudinal bar is pivotally mounted in the seat. A first wheel is provided at a front end of the longitudinal bar. An axle is pivotally provided at a rear end of the longitudinal bar. A pair of second wheels, one of the pair of wheels mounted at each end of the axle. Whereby, when a user turns the handlebar, the scooter can follow a twisting path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Tai E. International
    Inventor: Wen-Hwan Chang
  • Publication number: 20020093166
    Abstract: A two-wheel scooter-like vehicle is adapted for use by acrobatic adults by using not only the wheels, but a snag-free, omni-directional sliding surface, under a large standing area, which may be maneuvered by a rider into engagement with the ground and ground-supported objects to perform a variety of tricks and displays of acrobatic skill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: Robert D. Fruechtenicht
  • Publication number: 20020067020
    Abstract: A waist-twisting leisure bike includes a front body frame, a rear body frame, and a lateral frame. The front body frame has a handle, a support rod, a front fork tube, a front fork base, a front fork and a front wheel. The rear body frame has a driving device, a seat and a rear wheel. The lateral frame consists of a first and a second lateral frame respectively connected to the front body frame and the rear body frame. The first and the second lateral frame are pivotally connected to each other. Then a rider can twist the waist for changing swaying angle of the first and the second lateral frame so as to change the moving direction of the bike. So the bike in the invention can move by pedaling but also be used for waist-twisting exercise as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventor: Ping Tien Wang
  • Patent number: 6398246
    Abstract: An active high back system is provided for automatically adjusting the snowboard boot between a walking position and a riding position. The snowboard boot is provided with an active highback support that is adjustably mounted to a snowboard boot. During walking, the active highback support does not constrain the flexibility of the snowboard boot making it possible for the snowboard rider to walk easily. When the rider steps into the bindings of the snowboard, the active highback support engages a part of the snowboard or binding that causes the snowboard boot to lean forward. In other words, the highback support is positioned to engage the back leg portion of a snowboard boot to provide a rigid surface that holds the boot in a forward leaning position. The active highback support is provided with an adjustment mechanism that allows the rider to adjust the amount of forward lean when the snowboard boot is engaged within the bindings of the snow board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Shinpei Okajima
  • Publication number: 20010048212
    Abstract: An improved type of storage compartment and display location for a small vehicle such as a motor scooter. The handlebar cover is formed with a recess which forms at the front thereof a storage compartment where small articles can be stored and at the rear thereof an area where the display can be mounted. This permits mounting of the display from above and places it closer to the rider so that it can be more easily viewed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Mitsuru Tsuji
  • Patent number: 6302421
    Abstract: A vehicle with a caster (12) has a disconnectable steering system so the vehicle can be quickly and easily converted back and forth between rider-steerable and externally steerable configurations. The vehicle includes a frame (body) (20), the caster, and a steering mechanism (22, 24, 34) mounted on the frame. A disconnecting device (32) is mounted between the steering mechanism and the caster. When the disconnecting device connects the steering mechanism to the caster, the vehicle can be steered by the occupant since the steering mechanism and caster rotate as one unit. When the disconnecting device disconnects the steering mechanism from the caster, the caster is allowed to swivel freely (360°) about its vertical axis so that the vehicle can be pushed or pulled in any direction by an external operator. The vehicle may be a stroller, a toy vehicle, a scooter, a wheelchair, a cart, a dolly, etc., and it can have more than one caster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventor: Aaron Lee
  • Patent number: 6279929
    Abstract: A two-wheel scooter-like vehicle is adapted for use by acrobatic adults by using not only the wheels, but a snag-free, omni-directional sliding surface, under a large standing area, which may be maneuvered by a rider into engagement with the ground and ground-supported objects to perform a variety of tricks and displays of acrobatic skill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Robert D. Fruechtenicht
  • Patent number: 6168175
    Abstract: A kick scooter combination frame structure is constructed to include a handlebar and front fork assembly holding a front wheel, a head frame, the head frame having a vertical tube coupled to the handlebar and front fork assembly and two parallel lugs extended from the periphery of the vertical tube, and a footplate pivoted to the head frame and supported on a rear wheel, the footplate having a front opening, which receives the lugs of the head frame, and two longitudinal mounting rails perpendicularly raised from a bottom side wall thereof and reinforced with reinforcing ribs, the mounting rails each having a plurality of mounting holes respectively fastened to respective mounting holes on the lugs of the head frame by screw bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Mey-Chu Lan
  • Patent number: 6071063
    Abstract: A wheeled transporter for air cargo includes a load carrying platform having rollers, connected at one edge to a power console incorporating a prime mover, and supported at the other edge with unpowered castoring wheels. The transporter is driven by two steerable wheels located beneath the console adjacent opposite ends. Each steerable wheel is driven by a reversible motor, and is steerable so that when one wheel is turned in one direction the other is turned in an opposite direction. The transporter can thus be driven in either direction along path (X), and turned or rotated on (Z). By turning the wheels through 90 degrees to the longitudinal direction, the transporter can be driven along a path (Y) in either direction, and steered by varying the differential speed of the wheels. A container carried on the deck can be moved and rotated in directions X', Y' and Z'.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: McGrath Industries Limited
    Inventors: Vincent James McGrath, Christopher John McGrath
  • Patent number: 6062581
    Abstract: A human-powered recumbent tricycle with an articulated frame that permits leaning of the single-wheeled front sub-frame (10) during turns. While the seat (20) and pedal crank (18) move the driver's body with the leaning front sub-frame (10), the two-wheeled rear sub-frame (71) carries the handlebar (90) for optimum driver control of vehicular orientation. Steering of the front wheel (16) is accomplished by two cables (60L, 60R) within housings (61L, 61R) that provide immunity from distortions caused by articulation (100) rotations during leaning. Front wheel (16) drive utilizes a universal joint hub (30) for continuous power drive and no chain (40, 50) twist throughout the full turning radius. High seat (20) height and narrow wheelspan of the two rear wheels (80L, 80R) provide for improved visibility and traffic penetration on congested urban streets. A low cargo rack (75) is provided such that carrying cargo lowers the overall center of gravity and increases vehicular stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: William J. Stites
  • Patent number: 6042134
    Abstract: Each end of the axle of the front wheel of a bicycle is connected with a pivot to a support arm. These two support arms are substantially parallel to each other and substantially extend from the front wheel axle area to a distance behind the front wheel. Behind the front wheel, a cross bar connects the support arms together utilizing pivots in the connections. Behind the first cross bar, a second cross bar connects the support arms together utilizing pivots in the connections. The center of both of these cross bars is connected to the frame of the bicycle through a pivot. The two cross bars and the axle of the front wheel are substantially parallel to each other. The axial axis of the pivots are all substantially parallel to each other, with the axial axis of the pivots being reclined nominally 20 degrees in the rearward direction from vertical. The pivots used in the connections permit the angle to vary between a support arm and the axle of the front wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: Michael Alan Rector
  • Patent number: 5536029
    Abstract: A rowing powered cycle is provided with a pair of rowing arms movable through a fore-aft reciprocal stroke motion and coupled to a drive mechanism for driving the cycle. The rowing arms are additionally coupled to a steering linkage for steering the cycle in response to left or right tilting movement of the rowing arms. Cycle steering may be performed simultaneously with reciprocal stroking motion of the rowing arms to drive the cycle, or during coasting movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Inventor: Jurgen Gramckow
  • Patent number: 5485893
    Abstract: A single track vehicle includes at least one front drive wheel and one rear steered wheel. A steering mechanism causes the front and rear wheels to substantially track each other during a turn and also causes the center of gravity of the vehicle to be raised during a turn. The steering mechanism further allows simultaneous variance of both the camber angle and turn angle of the rear wheel for even more exact tracking of the front and rear wheels. The steering mechanism further provides for a more linear relationship between the rate of change in the angle of rotation of the steering head of the vehicle and the rate in change of the turn radius of the vehicle. In other aspects, a steering mechanism is provided which allows the operator to maintain a constant width between his hands while turning a vehicle incorporating the steering mechanism. Preferred embodiments of the vehicle are shown in the form of a bicycle and a motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas W. Summers
  • Patent number: 5409263
    Abstract: An articulated toy vehicle operable by a child includes a cab and a trailer pivotally connected to the cab. A pair of non-steerable front wheels are mounted to the cab to be driven by pedals. A pair of back wheels are mounted to the trailer. A steering mechanism is provided which pivots the trailer relative to the cab to turn the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Handi-Pac, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald R. Klawitter
  • Patent number: 5380025
    Abstract: A tilt steering mechanism facilitating a large degree of rider position adjustment is provided for use in connection with a short wheel base recumbent bicycle. Bicycle comprises a front steerable wheel, and a foot pedal driving mechanism rotatably mounted to a frame such that the axis of the foot pedal driving mechanism is located forward of the rear most point of the front steerable wheel. A tilt steering mechanism rotatably mounted to a frame and located rearward of the axis of a foot pedal driving mechanism. Tilt steering mechanism comprising a fore aft tilt body, a steering lever body, rotational antifriction bearings, and a ball and socket joint or similar joint mechanism. The fore aft tilt body is rotatably connected to a bicycle frame whereby the fore aft tilt body may pivot about a pivot axis parallel to the axis of the foot pedal driving mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Inventor: Richard B. Thorpe
  • Patent number: 5263732
    Abstract: A short wheel base, three wheel recumbent vehicle comprising a main frame including a plurality of tubular members assembled in truss like fashion. A single rear drive wheel driven by a multi-speed chain drive pedal crank assembly mounted on extended front frame to provide clearance for riders feet. Two front steerable wheels positioned with foreshortened wheel base are rotably mounted to the main frame and actuated by tie rods from a center pivot plate connected to a steering bar to provide short turning radius vehicle with improved steering for reduced rolling friction. Adjustable mounting location for steering push rod provides steering sensitivity adjustability. A seat mounted to the frame in front of rear drive wheel midway between the wheel base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Inventor: Jerome E. Harmeyer
  • Patent number: 5238082
    Abstract: A personal mobility vehicles includes front and rear frames which are connected together in use. The rear frame supports the rear axle and drive wheels, as well as the electric motor/brake system. The front frame supports a front wheel spindle to which one or more front wheels are attached. A tiller is mounted to the front spindle, the tiller being collapsible for storage of the vehicle. A seat post is mounted to the front frame for supporting a removable seat, and a floor pan is mounted to the front frame to support the vehicular batteries, as well provide a foot rest for the rider.The front and rear frames are preferably connected together with a plate having a depending J-hook arranged to engage a plate having a depending lip. A latch and latch receiver serve to lock the connection together with the plates bearing against each other in compression to support the vehicle and rider.The tiller is preferably positionable in a plurality of lock positions, including one collapsed position for compact storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Ranger All Season Corp.
    Inventors: Aaron H. Stegeman, Ronald F. Bechler
  • Patent number: 5150762
    Abstract: Personal mobility vehicles includes front and rear frames which are connected together in use. The rear frame supports the rear axle and drive wheels, as well as the electric motor/brake system. The front frame supports a front wheel spindle to which one or more front wheels are attached. A tiller is mounted to the front spindle, the tiller being collapsible for storage of the vehicle. A seat post is mounted to the front frame for supporting a removable seat, and a floor pan is mounted to the front frame to support the vehicular batteries, as well provide a foot rest for the rider.The front and rear frames are preferably connected together with a plate having a depending J-hook arranged to engage a plate having a depending lip. A latch and latch receiver serve to lock the connection together with the plates bearing against each other in compression to support the vehicle and rider.The tiller is preferably positionable in a plurality of lock positions, including one collapsed position for compact storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignee: Ranger All Season Corp.
    Inventors: Aaron H. Stegeman, Ronald F. Bechler
  • Patent number: 5022671
    Abstract: A hand propelled tricycle has a hand-operated crank assembly mounted to an upper end of a front fork stem coupled to a front wheel supported by the fork. The fork is straight without caster and a set of springs attached between the fork and a tricycle frame provides centering of the front wheel. A pair of spaced-apart wheels is mounted to an axle at the rear of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Inventor: Allan B. Jones, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4925202
    Abstract: A pedal-propelled tricycle includes two front wheels, a rear wheel, a pedal drive and a handle bar. The pedal drive serves to rotate the axle of one front wheel by way of a chain while a brake on the axle of the other front wheel is adapted to be operated from an actuator on the handle bar. The handle bar serves to steer the rear wheel and carries a second actuator for operating a brake on the rear wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Inventor: Fred E. Barker
  • Patent number: 4826190
    Abstract: A pedal powered recumbent tricycle with a fully enclosed drive features an extruded aluminum frame within which the brake cables, steering linkage, and a seventeen speed planetary transmission are housed. Power from a pedal crank assembly is delivered to the transmission by a conventional drive chain and pair of sprockets inside a sealed cover on the right side of the frame. Power is delivered from the transmission to the rear axles by a second drive chain and pair of sprockets inside a sealed cover on the left side of the frame. A one way clutch on the inboard end of each axle provides for differential rear wheel speeds on turns, along with positive dual wheel traction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Inventor: Dirck T. Hartmann
  • Patent number: 4787647
    Abstract: A four wheel cycle has a seat on a pipe-formed body, two non-steerable front wheels with a foot pedal crank driving mechanism directly therebetween, and two steerable rear wheels with steering mechanism. The steering mechanism has a steering wheel on one end of a steering shaft a, steering arm across the other end of the steering shaft and a pair of steering connecting rods cross connecting the steering arm to the steerable rear wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Inventor: Myoun-Keon Oh
  • Patent number: 4773663
    Abstract: A recumbent bicycle is powered by the driving of a crank spindle that rotates on an axis generally coincident with that of the front wheel. The crank spindle is disposed within a spindle housing supported from the front of the bicycle frame, and the spindle housing supports the front wheel through a steerably turnable intermediate hub. Steering of the handlebars causes the front wheel to turn to steer the bicycle, while the crank spindle remains in a fixed orientation to the frame so that the bicycle can be continuously driven with pedals connected to the crank spindle, which in turn is connected to the rear wheel through a sprocket and drive chain assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Inventors: Kevin A. Sawyer, Raymond A. Brindos
  • Patent number: 4708356
    Abstract: A human powered vehicle comprises a chassis supported on a pair of front wheels and a rear wheel; a front seat for supporting a front occupant in a supine position at the front end of the chassis facing the front wheels; a rear seat for supporting a rear occupant in a supine position behind the front seat and also facing the front wheels; and a drive for propelling the vehicle, the drive including foot pedals operated by the front occupant, foot pedals operated by the rear occupant, and hand levers operated by the rear occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Inventor: Shmuel Levavi
  • Patent number: 4685694
    Abstract: In a vehicle, such as a motor cycle, motor scooter, etc., including a driver seat located backward of a headpipe, a handle supporting portion is projected backward from the headpipe, a handle is pivotably mounted on a rear end portion of this handle supporting portion. And, this handle is connected to a steering stem penetrating the headpipe through an angle increasing mechanism. According to the present invention, since a comparatively large space formed between the headpipe and the driver seat is available, a driver can drive the vehicle in a comfortable sit-in style. A fairing member which fully covers the front portion of the vehicle from its front surface to its side surfaces can be mounted without interfering with the handle. Also, the fairing member can be arranged so as to be small in wind pressure resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mikihiro Kouyama
  • Patent number: 4659098
    Abstract: A semi-recumbent bicycle having a conventional wheelbase. The frame of the bicycle has a unique geometric configuration in that the main tube of the frame is straight such that its axis forms an acute angle with the line of the ground so that the main tube is higher at its rear end than at its front end. This novel arrangement permits the semi-recumbent bicycle to be more easily manufactured and assembled because all of the major components of the bicycle are aligned directly off of the main tube and there is no need, with the exception of the rear triangle which supports the rear wheel, to align and fit together the component parts of the bicycle. Moreover, the semi-recumbent bicycle may be operated by riders of many different sizes because the bicycle seat is adjustable along the main tube toward and away from the foot pedals. The unique geometric configuration also enhances the range of adjustability of the seat and makes it possible to provide a luggage rack which is connected to the back of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Inventor: Stephen A. Jacobson
  • Patent number: 4586723
    Abstract: A wheelchair having a hand operated steering mechanism that can be easily mounted and/or dismounted from the chair. The mechanism involves a steering rod having a center section cojoined to an upper section and a lower section by means of a pair of universal joints. The lower section of the shaft is slidably secured to the fork of one of the chair casters and the top section is rotatably mounted in a bearing block which is, in turn, secured to the front column of one of the chair arms. A crank arm is slidably received in the top section of the steering rod to provide sufficient leverage by which the chair occupant can turn the caster. An adjustable locking mechanism is also operably associated with the shaft for holding the caster at a desired position to prevent the chair from moving in an uncontrollable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Inventor: Herman G. Nabinger
  • Patent number: 4580802
    Abstract: A three wheeled vehicle with an elongated body and independent front and rear steering is provided. The vehicle is preferably a pedal driven three wheeled vehicle. The rear wheels are mounted on a rear wheel assembly which is pivotably mounted on the body and displaced by a control lever mounted on one side of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: Herman and Rosner Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Harvey Herman, Charles Rosner
  • Patent number: 4540189
    Abstract: A steering system for a motorized cycle including a vehicle frame, a front suspension steerably supported by the frame, and a single front wheel integrally steerably suspended by the front suspension. The steering system comprises a handlebar, a steering stem formed to be integrally rotatable with the handlebar, another steering stem formed to be integrally rotatable with the front suspension, and a connection mechanism for operatively interconnecting the steering stems with each other.A handlebar is permitted to be selectively set with respect to the mounting position and angle, thus being likewise also capable of being set with respect to the steering position and angle and, moreover, the structure is relatively simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Norio Tanaka
  • Patent number: 4502705
    Abstract: Separate pedal cranks are provided for the front and rear riders of a tandem bicycle having a front wheel of substantially smaller diameter than the rear wheel. Such front wheel is carried by a front fork journaled in a steering head directly below the front seat. The front pedal crank is carried at the end of a support arm extending generally horizontally forward from the steering head so that the front rider pedals in a sitting position with his or her legs extending forward. The front fork is connected to a steering shaft journaled in an upright steering post located behind the front seat. A rear seat substantially higher than the front seat is supported on an upright saddle post spaced rearward from the steering post but sufficiently close thereto for steering control of the bicycle by the rear rider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Inventor: James B. Weaver
  • Patent number: 4432561
    Abstract: An amusement tricycle wherein the operator is transported in an inclining position on a hammock cradle. the cradle is carried by a front wheel which does not pivot relative to the cradle. The cradle and wheel rotate about a downwardly sloping axis to turn. The cradle is supported to the rear by a two wheel buggy. The cradle is mounted on the buggy by a pivot. The pivot rotates about the axis. The buggy in turn, is stabilized by pivotal attachment to the cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Inventors: Roger H. Feikema, Harry J. Bakker