Swing-steering system for three-wheeled vehicles
OwnerTodd Bankinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A three-wheeled vehicle having swing-steering includes a frame having a head tube at a front portion thereof which is disposed at an angle of between 45° and 70°. A fork is rotatably coupled to the head tube and extends downwardly therefrom at an angle of between 45° and 70°. A front wheel is attached to the fork. An elongated steering tube is coupled to the fork at a lower end thereof, and extends upwardly to a handlebar at an upper end thereof. The geometry of the vehicle allows a rider to lean into a turn and maintain the handlebars in front of the rider and the wheels on the ground.
Claims19
A three-wheeled vehicle having swing-steering, the vehicle comprising:
- a frame having a head tube at a front portion thereof, the head tube being disposed at an angle of between 45 degrees and 65 degrees;
- rear wheels rotatably attached to a rear portion of the frame;
- a rider support attached to the frame;
- a fork rotatably coupled to the head tube and extending downwardly therefrom at an angle of between 45 degrees and 70 degrees;
- a front wheel rotatably attached to the fork;
- and
- an elongated steering tube having a lower end thereof coupled to the fork, and extending upwardly to a handlebar;
- wherein the vehicle is steered when a rider leans into a turn and simultaneously turns the handlebar, causing the fork to rotate and the front wheel to lean from vertical;
- and
- wherein the handle bar swings and remains in front of the rider during a turn.
A three-wheeled vehicle having swing-steering, the vehicle comprising:
- a frame having a head tube at a front portion thereof, the head tube being disposed at an angle of between 45 degrees and 70 degrees;
- rear wheels rotatably attached to a rear portion of the frame;
- a rider support platform attached to the frame and configured to support a standing rider;
- a fork rotatably coupled to the head tube and extending downwardly therefrom at an angle of between 45 degrees and 70 degrees;
- a front wheel rotatably attached to a lower end of the fork;
- an elongated steering tube having a lower end thereof coupled to the fork, and extending upwardly to a handlebar;
- a drive unit operably coupled to at least one wheel for powering the vehicle;
- an actuator connected to the drive unit;
- and
- a brake system connected to at least one of the wheels;
- wherein the vehicle is steered when a rider leans into a turn and simultaneously turns the handlebar causing the fork to rotate and the front wheel to lean from vertical;
- and
- wherein the handle bar swings and remains in front of the rider during a turn.
A three-wheeled vehicle having swing-steering, the vehicle comprising:
- a frame having a head tube at a front portion thereof, the head tube being disposed at an angle of between 45 degrees and 70 degrees;
- rear wheels rotatably attached to a rear portion of the frame;
- a rider support platform attached to the frame and configured to support a standing rider;
- a fork rotatably coupled to the head tube and extending downwardly therefrom at an angle of between 45 degrees and 70 degrees;
- a front wheel rotatably attached to a lower end of the fork;
- an elongated steering tube having a lower end thereof coupled to the fork, and extending upwardly to a handlebar;
- an electric motor having a drive shaft operably coupled to a sprocket of the front wheel for powering the vehicle;
- an actuator attached to the handlebar and connected to the electric motor for selectively powering the motor;
- and
- a brake system comprised of a lever connected to the handlebar and having a brake line extending to a brake operably coupled with at least one of the wheels;
- wherein the vehicle is steered when a rider leans into a turn and simultaneously turns the handlebar causing the fork to rotate and the front wheel to lean from vertical;
- and
- wherein the handle bar swings and remains in front of the rider during a turn.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.