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US 2013/0075996 A1Published application
Tricycle
OwnerMatthew F. ARMBRUSTERinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Adult-sized tricycles may include a large front wheel, a downward-sloping frame, and a riding position in which the lower legs of a rider approximate a head tube angle.
Claims28
A three-wheeled, human-powered vehicle comprising
- a frame including a frame tube having a first end and a second end, a head tube attached to the frame tube at the first end, and an axle tube attached to the frame tube at the second end;
- a fork pivotably attached to the head tube;
- a front wheel having a hub rotatably attached to the fork;
- a pair of crank shafts attached to the hub of the front wheel, each crank shaft including a foot pedal;
- first and second rear wheels rotatably connected proximate opposite ends of the axle tube;
- a seat attached to the frame tube proximate the second end of the frame tube;
- and
- a head tube angle defined as an acute angle formed by a longitudinal axis of the head tube with respect to a substantially planar support surface when the front wheel and rear wheels are in contact with the support surface;
- wherein lower legs of a rider supported by the seat and having a foot disposed on each of a respective one of the two foot pedals will form a lower leg angle with respect to the support surface, and the lower leg angle approximates the head tube angle.
6 more elements
A three-wheeled human-powered vehicle comprising
- a frame including a frame tube having a first end and a second end, a head tube having a first longitudinal axis and connected to the first end of the frame tube, and an axle tube operatively connected to the second end of the frame tube;
- a fork assembly rotatably connected to the head tube;
- a front wheel rotatably connected to the fork assembly;
- a first rear wheel and a second rear wheel, the first and second rear wheels rotatably connected to the axle tube on respective opposite sides of a midpoint of the axle tube;
- a seat adjustably connected to a substantially linear inclined portion of the frame tube proximate the second end of the frame tube, the substantially linear inclined portion of the frame tube having a second longitudinal axis;
- and
- a downward-opening obtuse angle being formed between a first line including the first longitudinal axis and a second line including the second longitudinal axis;
- wherein the obtuse angle is greater than about 120 degrees.
5 more elements
A three-wheeled human-powered vehicle comprising
- a frame including a frame tube having a first end and a second end, a head tube connected to the first end of the frame tube, and an axle tube operatively connected to the second end of the frame tube;
- a fork assembly connected to the head tube such that the fork assembly is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the head tube;
- a front wheel rotatably connected to the fork assembly;
- a first rear wheel and a second rear wheel, the first and second rear wheels rotatably connected to the axle tube on respective opposite sides of a midpoint of the axle tube;
- a seat adjustably connected to a substantially linear portion of the frame tube proximate the second end of the frame tube, the substantially linear portion of the frame tube having a longitudinal axis;
- a head tube angle defined as an acute angle formed by the longitudinal axis of the head tube with respect to a substantially planar support surface when the front wheel and rear wheels are in contact with the support surface
- a seat support angle being formed between the substantially planar support surface and the longitudinal axis of the substantially linear portion of the frame tube;
- wherein the head tube angle is less than about 45 degrees and the seat support angle is less than about 20 degrees.
5 more elements
A three-wheeled human-powered vehicle comprising
- a frame including a frame tube having a first end and a second end, a head tube connected to the first end of the frame tube, and an axle tube operatively connected to the second end of the frame tube;
- a fork assembly connected to the head tube such that the fork assembly is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the head tube, the fork assembly being angled from the first end of the frame tube away from the second end of the frame tube;
- a front wheel rotatably connected to the fork assembly;
- a first and a second crank arm for imparting rotational motion to the front wheel, the first and second crank arms operatively connected to respective opposite sides of a hub of the front wheel;
- a handlebar operatively connected to the fork assembly for rotating the fork assembly about the longitudinal axis of the head tube;
- and
- a first rear wheel and a second rear wheel, the first and second rear wheels rotatably connected to the axle tube on respective opposite sides of a midpoint of the axle tube;
- wherein rotating the fork assembly when the front and rear wheels are supported on a support surface causes the front wheel simultaneously to tilt about an axis substantially parallel to the support surface and to rotate about an axis substantially perpendicular to the support surface.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.