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US 5,383,676 AGranted
Centering apparatus for front wheel of three wheeled vehicle
OwnerThomas J. Valentinoinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Three wheel vehicle apparatus includes a pair of rear wheels and a front driving wheel. The front driving wheel is powered through a hand crank system, and the front, driving wheel is urged to a center, straight ahead position, by a tension spring connected between a main vehicle frame and elements of the front wheel.
Claims12
Apparatus for centering the front wheel of a vehicle comprising in combination:
- vehicle frame means including
- a shaft housing, and
- a bore in the shaft housing;
- front wheel assembly means connected to the vehicle frame means, including
- a front wheel pivotable for steering the vehicle,
- front wheel frame means to which the front wheel is secured and pivotally connected to the vehicle frame means, including bracket means securable to the shaft;
- a shaft in the shaft housing;
- means for securing the shaft to the bracket means to secure the front wheel assembly to the vehicle frame means;
- and
- a spring secured to the shaft housing and to the bracket means for providing a bias to urge the front wheel assembly to a centered position relative to the vehicle frame means.
7 more elements
Vehicle apparatus comprising in combination:
- vehicle frame means including
- a shaft housing,
- a bore in the shaft housing,
- at least a single frame member secured to and extending rearwardly from the shaft housing, and
- a post secured to and extending forwardly from the shaft housing;
- front wheel assembly means, including
- a front wheel pivotable from a centered position for turning the vehicle,
- forks to which the front wheel is secured,
- a tube secured to the forks,
- a first bracket secured to the tube and disposed above the shaft housing, and
- a second bracket secured to the tube and spaced apart from the first bracket and disposed beneath the shaft housing;
- shaft means disposed in the bore of the shaft housing;
- means for securing the shaft means to the first and second brackets to secure together the vehicle frame means and the front wheel assembly;
- and
- tension spring means secured to and extending between the post on the shaft housing and the first bracket for providing a bias to urge the front wheel assembly to a centered position relative to the vehicle frame means.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.