US 5,904,218 AGranted

Single-track vehicle with independently actuable and limited-pivot-angle caster side wheels

OwnerJonathan Watkinsinventor

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A vehicle having a chassis frame and a single front and single rear wheel aligned on the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and retractable side wheels on opposite sides of the frame. A basic linkage transmits force to the side wheels for extending and retracting them in response to operator activation. The linkage may employ two hanging foot pedal levers and two independently rotatable lateral torque tubes to enable independent actuation of the left and right side wheels. The side wheels further comprise pivotally or caster-mounted side wheels in combination with a mechanism for asymmetrically limiting the range of pivotal side wheel motion, as well as lean compensation springs for controlling caster side wheel position as the lean angle of the vehicle changes. A locking mechanism is further disclosed for locking the caster side wheels in a straight-ahead position.

Claims14

Dependent claims

In a retractable side wheel-equipped single-track vehicle, an apparatus comprising:

first and second tube segments;
means for mounting said first and second tube segments such that each said tube segment is disposed on a respective axis lying transverse to the track of said single-track vehicle and such that each said segment is pivotable about its respective axis independently of the other of said tube segments;
respective first and second hanging foot pedal means fixedly attached to and depending respectively from said first and second tube segments for applying torque for respectively pivoting said first and second tube segments about their respective axes in response to driver foot activation;
respective first and second push-pull tubes;
respective first and second rotatably-mounted longitudinal torque tubes;
first and second upper crank arms having respective first ends rigidly connected to respective first ends of the first and second tube segments, said first and second upper crank arms being pivotally connected at their respective second ends to a first respective end of said first and second push-pull tubes;
first and second lower crank arms, each rigidly connected at first ends thereof to the respective longitudinal torque tubes, and pivotally connected at their respective second ends to a second end of the said respective first and second push-pull tubes;
and
first and second mounting arms, each having a side wheel thereon and being connected to a respective one of the first and second longitudinal torque tubes, whereby movement of the first hanging foot pedal lever means commands movement of the first side wheel and movement of the second hanging foot pedal lever means commands movement of the second side wheel.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/461,110Filed 5 Jun 1995 · continuation in part
Priority: 28 Nov 1990
Granted: 18 May 1999
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification15 codes

B62D 61/02
Motor vehicles or trailers, characterised by the arrangement or number of wheels, not otherwise provided for, e.g. four wheels in diamond pattern:…
B62D 61/04
With two road wheels in tandem on the longitudinal centre line of the vehicle: with two other wheels which are coaxial
B62D 61/12
Motor vehicles or trailers, characterised by the arrangement or number of wheels, not otherwise provided for, e.g. four wheels in diamond pattern:…
B62H 1/12
Involving means providing for a stabilised ride: using additional wheels

Family

Serial619,014Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 28 Nov 1990
Serial105,973Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 11 Aug 1993
US 5,628,379 AParent of this continuation-in-part
US 5,257,671 AParent of this continuation-in-part
US 5,904,218 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.