# US 10,500,898 B1 · Side-mounted caster system for steering three-wheeled push chairs

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- Number: US 10,500,898 B1
- Document ID: US10500898B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 15/963,918
- Filed: 2018-04-26
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2017-05-01
- Assignees: Off Road Access, LLC
- Applicants: Off Road Access, LLC
- Inventors: Douglas A. Prins
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10500898B1

## CPC

- B60B 33/0076: {the swivel axis being offset laterally from wheel center plane}
- B60B 3/001: {Lightweight wheels, e.g. for strollers or toys}
- B60B 33/0007: {by screwing}
- B60B 33/0028: {Construction of wheels; methods of assembling on axle}
- B60B 33/0057: {the rolling axle being offset from swivel axis}
- B62B 7/042: {Steering devices}
- B62B 7/044: {three wheeled}
- B60B 33/0039: {Single wheels}
- B60B 2200/43: Carts
- B60Y 2200/83: Perambulators; Buggies; Strollers
- B62B 2301/04: comprising a wheel pivotable about a substantially vertical axis, e.g. swivelling castors
- B60B: VEHICLE WHEELS (making wheels or wheel parts by rolling B21H1/00, by forging, hammering or pressing B21K1/28); CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
- B62B: HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES (characterised by animal propulsion B62C; propulsion of sledges by driver or engine B62M)
- B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY

## Abstract

A three-wheeled all-terrain vehicle or push chair utilizes an innovative front wheel mount, employing a side-mounted caster mechanism, for improving its pushability and steerability. Because of this approach, lifting is not required to steer the chair, and any size or type and width of wheel can be used. As a result, the invention provides a new class of all-terrain product for the disabled adult market and a rugged, truly off-road runner/jogger/hiker stroller for the young child market.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A three-wheeled push chair, comprising:
a frame having a forward end, a rear end, and a width;
two rear wheels attached to the rear end of the frame on opposing sides of the width of the frame;
a handlebar extending from the rear end of the frame;
a half-fork comprising the forward end of the frame;
a single front wheel; and
a caster assembly attaching the half-fork to the single front wheel on only one side of the front wheel, the caster assembly comprising an axle rotatably supporting the front wheel, a pivot pin pivotally joining the axle to the half-fork to permit steering of the front wheel directionally, and an attachment flange extending horizontally from the axle forwardly to a pivot pin receptacle extending from the half-fork, the pivot pin being disposed through an aperture in a forward portion of the attachment flange to pivotally join the attachment flange to the pivot pin receptacle.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The three-wheeled push chair as recited in claim 1, wherein the half-fork and the caster assembly are disposed only on a left side of the front wheel.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The three-wheeled push chair as recited in claim 1, wherein the half-fork and the caster assembly are disposed only on a right side of the front wheel.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The three-wheeled push chair as recited in claim 1, wherein the push chair comprises a stroller.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The three-wheeled push chair as recited in claim 1, wherein the push chair is sized to accommodate adult-sized people.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The three-wheeled push chair as recited in claim 1, and further comprising an axle plane lying along a length of the axle, wherein the pivot pin is disposed forwardly of the axle plane when the front wheel is in a straight orientation.

### Claim 7

A three-wheeled push chair, comprising:
a frame having a forward end, a rear end, and a width;
two rear wheels attached to the rear end of the frame on opposing sides of the width of the frame;
a handlebar extending from the rear end of the frame;
a half-fork comprising the forward end of the frame;
a single front wheel; and
a caster assembly attaching the half-fork to the single front wheel on only one side of the front wheel, the caster assembly comprising:
an axle rotatably supporting the front wheel; and
a pivot pin pivotally joining the axle to the half-fork to permit steering of the front wheel directionally;
wherein the caster assembly further comprises an attachment flange extending horizontally from the axle forwardly to a pivot pin receptacle extending from the half-fork, the pivot pin being disposed through an aperture in a forward portion of the attachment flange to pivotally join the attachment flange to the pivot pin receptacle.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The three-wheeled push chair as recited in claim 7, and further comprising an axle plane lying along a length of the axle, wherein the pivot pin is disposed forwardly of the axle plane when the front wheel is in a straight orientation.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The three-wheeled push chair as recited in claim 7, wherein the half-fork and the caster assembly are disposed only on a left side of the front wheel.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The three-wheeled push chair as recited in claim 7, wherein the half-fork and the caster assembly are disposed only on a right side of the front wheel.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The three-wheeled push chair as recited in claim 7, wherein the push chair comprises a stroller.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The three-wheeled push chair as recited in claim 7, wherein the push chair is sized to accommodate adult-sized people.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The three-wheeled push chair as recited in claim 1, wherein the pivot pin is disposed adjacent to and not above the front wheel.

### Claim 14 (depends on 7)

The three-wheeled push chair as recited in claim 7, wherein the pivot pin is disposed adjacent to and not above the single front wheel.