Powered vehicle for on and off-road use
OwnerStephen R. Corayinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A powered vehicle and method of operating is described for on and off-road use. The powered vehicle comprises a chassis and a first and second axle coupled to the chassis having at least one wheel coupled to the first axle and at least two wheels coupled to the second axle. The powered vehicle further comprises a movable seat configured to support a rider sitting down on the seat, and configured to move relative to the chassis in order to provide a steering mechanism for the powered vehicle. For example, the movable seat provides a mechanism for the rider to shift his or her weight relative to the chassis to cause the steering mechanism for the powered vehicle.
Claims20
A powered vehicle configured to support a rider comprising:
- a chassis comprising a first axle coupled to a first end of said chassis and a second axle coupled to a second end of said chassis opposite said first end, wherein said first axle is coupled to at least one wheel and said second axle is coupled to at least two wheels;
- a drive system coupled to said first axle or said second axle, and configured to propel said vehicle by transmitting power to said at least one wheel coupled to said first axle or said at least two wheels coupled to said second axle;
- and
- a movable seat movably coupled to said chassis and configured to support said rider sitting down on said movable seat, wherein movement of said movable seat relative to said chassis provides a steering mechanism for said powered vehicle, and
- wherein said movement of said movable seat facilitates rotational motion about a horizontal axis that is substantially perpendicular with said first axle or said second axle or both, and wherein said rotational motion about said horizontal axis causes said powered vehicle to steer in a direction substantially the same as a shift in a center of gravity of said rider.
A powered vehicle configured to support a rider, comprising:
- a chassis comprising a first axle coupled to a first end of said chassis and a second axle coupled to a second end of said chassis opposite said first end, wherein said first axle is coupled to at least one wheel and said second axle is coupled to at least two wheels;
- a drive system coupled to said first axle or said second axle, and configured to propel said vehicle by transmitting power to said at least one wheel coupled to said first axle or said at least two wheels coupled to said second axle;
- and
- a movable seat movably coupled to said chassis and configured to support said rider sitting down on said movable seat, wherein movement of said movable seat relative to said chassis provides a steering mechanism for said powered vehicle,
- wherein said chassis comprises an inclined portion at said second end, said inclined portion of said chassis is inclined with respect to a ground surface, and wherein said second axle comprises a truck axle that is coupled to said inclined portion, whereby said rider moving on said movable seat causes a shift in weight of said rider relative to said chassis and a turning of said second axle relative to said chassis.
A powered vehicle configured to support a rider, comprising:
- a chassis comprising a first axle coupled to a first end of said chassis and a second axle coupled to a second end of said chassis opposite said first end, wherein said first axle is coupled to at least one wheel and said second axle is coupled to at least two wheels;
- a drive system coupled to said first axle or said second axle, and configured to propel said vehicle by transmitting power to said at least one wheel coupled to said first axle or said at least two wheels coupled to said second axle;
- and
- a movable seat movably coupled to said chassis and configured to support said rider sitting down on said movable seat, wherein movement of said movable seat relative to said chassis provides a steering mechanism for said powered vehicle,
- wherein said movable seat is coupled to a steering assembly, said steering assembly is movably coupled to said chassis and is fixedly coupled via a steering flange to a first tie rod that extends to a first spindle assembly coupling one wheel of said at least two wheels to said second axle and a second tie rod that extends to a second spindle assembly coupling another wheel of said at least two wheels to said second axle, and wherein movement of said movable seat by said rider causes a rotation of said steering assembly and a turning of said at least two wheels in the same direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.