# US 7,464,951 B2 · Powered vehicle for on and off-road use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,464,951 B2 - Document ID: US7464951B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/155,867 - Filed: 2005-06-17 - Published: 2005-12-29 - Granted: 2008-12-16 - Earliest claimed: 2004-06-25 - Inventors: Stephen R. Coray - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7464951B2 ## CPC - B62K 5/05: characterised by a single rear wheel - B62D 1/02: vehicle-mounted - B62K 5/027: Motorcycles with three wheels (specially adapted for disabled riders B62K5/023) - B62K: CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDECARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 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. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The powered vehicle of claim 1, wherein said movable seat comprises a swivel joint configured to permit rotation of said movable seat relative to said chassis about an axis substantially perpendicular to said movable seat. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The powered vehicle of claim 3, wherein said swivel joint comprises a rotational bearing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The powered vehicle of claim 1, wherein said movable seat comprises a pivot joint configured to permit rotation of said movable seat relative to said chassis about an axis substantially parallel to said chassis. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The powered vehicle of claim 1, wherein said movable seat comprises a translational joint configured to permit translation of said movable seat relative to said chassis. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The powered vehicle of claim 6, wherein said translational joint comprises a linear bearing. ### Claim 8 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. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The powered vehicle of claim 1, wherein said drive system comprises an internal combustion engine having a drive shaft coupled to said at least one wheel of said first axle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The powered vehicle of claim 9, wherein said drive shaft comprises a wheel coupling member configured to engage said at least one wheel of said first axle at the radial edge of said at least one wheel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The powered vehicle of claim 9, wherein said powered vehicle comprises a clutch mechanism configured to engage said at least one wheel of said first axle to a ground surface and dis-engage said at least one wheel from said ground surface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The powered vehicle of claim 11, wherein said clutch mechanism comprises a pivot hinge coupled to said chassis, a first lever arm coupled to said pivot hinge and having a handle at a distal end of said first lever arm opposite said pivot hinge, and a second lever arm coupled to said pivot hinge and having a ground engagement wheel at a distal end of said second lever arm opposite said pivot hinge, wherein said ground engagement wheel engages said ground surface and said at least one wheel of said first axle dis-engages said ground surface when said first lever arm is in a first position, and said ground engagement wheel dis-engages said ground surface and said at least one wheel of said first axle engages said ground surface when said first lever arm is in a second position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The powered vehicle of claim 9, wherein said drive system comprises a two-stroke engine or a four-stroke engine. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The powered vehicle of claim 1, wherein said drive system comprises an electric motor having a drive shaft coupled to said at least one wheel of said first axle, or said first axle, or said second axle. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The powered vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: a braking system configured to decelerate said vehicle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The powered vehicle of claim 15, wherein said braking system comprises a braking lever coupled to said chassis, and configured to brake said powered vehicle when activated by said rider to drag on a ground surface which said powered vehicle moves. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The powered vehicle of claim 15, wherein said braking system comprises a braking lever coupled to said chassis, and configured to brake said powered vehicle when activated by said rider to apply friction to one or more wheels of said at least one wheel coupled to said first axle or said at least two wheels coupled to said second axle. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The powered vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: a foot rest coupled to said chassis, and configured to support the feet of said rider. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The powered vehicle of claim 18, wherein said foot rest is configured to perform at least one of fold with, or detach from, or retract along said chassis. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The powered vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: a throttle mechanism configured to be operated by said rider to accelerate or decelerate said powered vehicle.