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US 6,203,043 B1Granted
Four-wheel, human powered cycle
OwnerJames A. Lehmaninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A semi-recumbent, human powered, four wheel cycle has an independent front suspension and wheels that are turned. A conventional bicycle chain drive drives one or both front wheels. The rear wheels are also driven in additional embodiments.
Claims21
A four-wheel, human powered cycle comprising:
- an elongated, straight, central beam extending along an axis of the cycle;
- a front suspension assembly depending from a front portion of the central beam, the front suspension including an independent left front suspension mounted to one side of the central beam, and an independent right front suspension mounted to an opposite second side of the central beam;
- a rear suspension assembly depending from a rear portion of the central beam;
- a set of cranks, each disposed on an opposite side of the central beam from the other crank;
- a drive shaft coupled to at least one of the two front wheels receiving power from the set of cranks;
- a seat disposed on the central beam, rearward of the set of cranks, the seat including a bottom support portion and a back support portion;
- and
- a steering shaft for turning the front wheels, the steering shaft terminating above the bottom support portion and forward of the back support portion of the seat.
5 more elements
A four-wheel, human powered cycle comprising:
- a frame;
- a set of cranks mounted on the frame;
- a seat disposed on the frame, rearward of the set of cranks, the seat including a bottom support portion and a back support portion;
- a steering shaft for turning the two front wheels;
- a front suspension assembly depending from a front portion of the frame, the front suspension including an independent left front suspension and an independent right front suspension, the independent left and right front suspensions each including a steering knuckle to which a wheel is mounted, the steering shaft being coupled to the each of the steering knuckles to turn the wheels;
- a drive shaft coupled to at least one of the two front wheels receiving power from the set of cranks;
- and
- a rear suspension assembly depending from a rear portion of the frame, on which is mounted two rear wheels.
5 more elements
A four-wheel, human powered cycle comprising:
- a frame including an elongated, straight, central beam extending along an axis of the cycle;
- a front suspension assembly depending from a front portion of the central beam, the front suspension including an independent left front suspension mounted to one side of the central beam, and an independent right front suspension mounted to an opposite second side of the central beam, the independent front left and right suspensions each including a steering knuckle to which a front wheel is mounted;
- a rear suspension assembly depending from a rear portion of the central beam;
- a set of cranks, each disposed on an opposite side of the central beam from the other crank;
- a semi-recumbent seat disposed on the central beam, rearward of the set of cranks, the seat including a bottom support portion and a back support portion;
- a steering shaft coupled to each of the steering knuckles for turning the front wheels, the steering shaft terminating above the bottom support portion and forward of the back support portion of the semi-recumbent seat;
- and
- a chain drive mounted to the frame and powered by the set of cranks, the chain drive including a gear cassette and free hub assembly coupled to a first telescoping drive shaft that extends to a first drive axle mounted through the steering knuckle of one of the independent left and right front suspensions.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.