US 2026/0249944 A1Published application

Vehicle

OwnerRodney Ian Rawlinsoninventor

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Abstract

This invention relates to a type of vehicle. More specifically, the invention relates to a personal mobility three or four-wheeled vehicle incorporating a rider platform pivot-mounted to side frames for enabling the rider, when standing or sitting and without the need to place their feet onto the road surface, to physically balance and control the vehicle at all speeds and to keep it upright when stopping or when reversing. By straddling the rider platform, and through manipulation of the vehicle's handle bar, a rider is capable of tilting the vehicle wheels to the left or right of vertical as required. The vehicle includes a platform for supporting a rider, a pair of primary assemblies pivotally connected to a first connecting end of the platform; at least one secondary wheel assembly pivotally connected to a second connecting end of the platform, at least one transverse connector pivotally connected to the primary wheel assemblies so as to constrain the primary wheel assemblies to a synchronous lateral tilting movement relative to the platform, and at least one longitudinal connector rigidly connecting the secondary wheel assembly in a manner to constrain it to a lateral tilting movement synchronous with the primary wheel assemblies. The first and second connecting ends of the platform delimit a longitudinal platform span, longitudinally outside of which the wheel assemblies lie such that at least an upper support surface of lateral sides of the platform are clear from obstruction to enable lateral step-on entry onto the platform by the rider from either lateral side thereof.

Claims30

Dependent claims

A vehicle including:

a platform having opposing first and second connecting ends, opposing lateral sides and an upper support surface for supporting a rider;
a pair of primary wheel assemblies pivotally connected to the first connecting end of the platform such that the primary wheel assemblies are laterally spaced and pivotal relative to the platform about respective primary wheel assembly pivot axes passing longitudinally through the opposing connecting ends of the platform;
at least one secondary wheel assembly pivotally connected to the second connecting end of the platform such that the at least one secondary wheel assembly is pivotal relative to the platform about a secondary wheel assembly pivot axis passing longitudinally through the opposing ends of the platform, the secondary wheel assembly pivot axis being parallel with the primary wheel assembly pivot axes;
at least one transverse connector pivotally connected to the primary wheel assemblies such that the primary wheel assemblies are pivotal relative to the transverse connector about respective co-planar transverse connector axes, being parallel with and spaced from the primary wheel assembly pivot axes, wherein the transverse connector lies transversely relative to the primary pivot axes and constrains the primary wheel assemblies to a synchronous lateral tilting movement relative to the platform;
and
at least one longitudinal connector rigidly connecting the at least one secondary wheel assembly to:
(i) at least one of the primary wheel assemblies;
or (ii) a post connector pivotally connected to the first connecting end of the platform and to the transverse connector;
such that the secondary wheel assembly is constrained by the longitudinal connector to a lateral tilting movement synchronous with the primary wheel assemblies;
characterised in that first and second connecting ends of the platform delimit a longitudinal platform span, longitudinally outside of which the wheel assemblies lie such that at least the upper support surface of the lateral sides of the platform are clear from obstruction to enable lateral step-on entry onto the platform by the rider from either lateral side thereof.

7 more elements

A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein configured as a three-wheeler, the vehicle comprises:

the opposing first and second connecting ends of the platform as respective rear and front connecting ends thereof;
the primary wheel assemblies as rear wheel assemblies thereof, wherein at least one of the primary wheel assemblies has the electric motor mounted thereon thereby enabling the electric motor to tilt synchronously with the primary wheel assemblies, and further wherein the post connector is located centrally between the primary support posts of the primary wheel assemblies, with the at least one transverse connector pivotally connected between the post connector and the primary support posts of the primary wheel assemblies;
and
the secondary wheel assembly as a front wheel assembly thereof, wherein the longitudinal connector rigidly connects the post connector to the secondary support post of the secondary wheel assembly, and further wherein the secondary wheel assembly is steerable via a steering column pivotally supported on the secondary support post via a steering mount thereby enabling the steering column to tilt synchronously with the secondary support post, the steering column supporting a handle bar at or near an upper end thereof and the secondary fork, through axle and wheel at or near a lower end thereof, such that the secondary wheel is steerable left-and-right about a steering axis passing through the steering column and substantially diametrically through the secondary wheel.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/872,787Filed 6 Jun 2023
Priority: ZA 2022/062376 Jun 2022
Published: 27 Aug 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification24 codes

B62D 61/08
With only three wheels: with single front wheel
B62K 13/04
Cycles convertible to, or transformable into, other types of cycles or land vehicle: to a tricycle
B62D 9/02
Steering deflectable wheels not otherwise provided for: combined with means for inwardly inclining vehicle body on bends
B62J 1/08
Saddles or other seats for cycles; Arrangement thereof; Component parts: frames for saddles; Connections between saddle frames and seat pillars;…