Two-wheeled in-line vehicle with torque generator
OwnerRobert Bryantinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An in-line, two-wheeled vehicle, with a torque generator operably secured thereto is disclosed. The torque generator generates a defined auxiliary torque about the point-of-contact of the steering wheel, and it is sized to balance the naturally occurring torques arising at slow speeds about the point-of-contact of the steering wheel, thereby improving the stability and control of the vehicle. In one disclosed embodiment, the vehicle is a stand-up riding board. In another disclosed embodiment, the vehicle is a cycle, such as a bicycle or the like. Torque generator structures such as using an elastic member, mechanical linkage, and dampening systems are also disclosed.
Claims20
A two-wheeled vehicle for operating on a riding surface, said vehicle having:
- a frame tiltable about a longitudinal center line;
- a first wheel pivotally secured to said frame, said first wheel having a first area of contact with the riding surface;
- a second wheel pivotally secured to said frame, said second wheel having a second area of contact spaced apart from said first area of contact;
- a steering axis extending from said frame and intersecting said riding surface at a point, said point, first area of contact and second area of contact substantially aligned during steady-state straight movement of said vehicle;
- said first wheel pivotable about said steering axis to steer said two-wheeled vehicle by tilting said frame about said longitudinal center line;
- and,
- a torque generator operably engaging said first wheel to apply an auxiliary torque during transient movement of said vehicle.
An in-line two-wheeled vehicle truck system for a riding board comprising:
- a front truck portion having a front wheel mounting portion, a frame portion, and a front wheel pivotally secured to said frame portion. Said wheel pivotal about a steering axis.
- a torque generator engaging said front wheel to apply an auxiliary torque during transient movement of said front wheel;
- a rear truck portion having a rear wheel mounting portion, a rear frame portion, and a rear wheel pivotally secured to said rear frame portion;
- wherein,
- said front truck portion and said rear truck portion are detachably securable to a substantially planar member to define an in-line two wheeled vehicle.
A two-wheeled vehicle for operating on a riding surface, said vehicle having:
- a frame tiltable about a longitudinal center line;
- a first wheel pivotally secured to said frame, said first wheel having a first area of contact with the riding surface;
- a second wheel pivotally secured to said frame, said second wheel having a second area of contact spaced apart from said first area of contact.
- a steering axis extending from said frame and intersecting said riding surface at a point, said point, first area of contact and second area of contact substantially aligned during steady-state straight movement of said vehicle defining a neutral position;
- said first wheel pivotable about said steering axis to steer said two-wheeled vehicle by tilting said frame about said longitudinal center line;
- a dampener operably engaging said first wheel to apply an auxiliary torque to the first wheel by resisting movement of said first wheel about said steering axis
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.