Platform oriented transportation vehicle

A vehicle having three ground engaging wheels, comprising;

• a unitary platform having an under surface portion and means for suspending two of said wheels therefrom on a common axis of rotation,
• a control pedestal extending in a generally upward perpendicular direction from an upper surface portion of said platform in a position for manual access by an operator whether the operator is standing or sitting relative to said platform,
• means for selectively locating said pedestal in a first position for use by a standing operator, a second position for use by a sitting operator, and a third position wherein said pedestal extends closely adjacent said upper surface portion of said platform, and
• arm means pivoted relative to said under surface of said platform, said arm means mounting the third vehicle wheel and defining an axis of rotation for said third wheel that is parallel to said common axis of rotation, said arm having a generally horizontal position wherein said arm extends in a direction generally away from said common axis of rotation, and having a pivoted position whereupon said arm pivots relative said platform to a generally vertical position, as said platform concomitantly pivots about said common axis of rotation, to thereby facilitate three wheel storage of said vehicle with said platform extending generally vertically.

A vehicle, comprising;

• a platform having a front portion and a substantially horizontal passenger/cargo supporting floor extending rearward from said front portion,
• motive means including two side-aligned front wheel means and wheel drive means mounted generally at said front portion of said platform,
• arm means having one end pivoted relative the underside of said supporting floor, said arm means mounting rear wheel means at the other end thereof, said arm means having a generally horizontal position wherein said arm extends in a direction generally away the front of the vehicle, and having a generally vertical position wherein said arm is pivoted relative said supporting floor so as to extend in a generally vertical direction, and
• steering means connected to said front wheel means, said steering means including a manual actuator extending generally vertically upward from said supporting floor, said actuator being foldable to a generally horizontal position adjacent said supporting floor,
• the center of gravity of said vehicle, when empty, being located in general proximity to the front of said vehicle, to thereby facilitate parking/storage of the vehicle by manually lifting the rear of said vehicle while said manual actuator is in said folded position, and as all of said wheel means remain in ground engagement, to thereby facilitate wheel means parking/storage of said vehicle with said supporting floor extending generally vertically.