# US 8,465,037 B2 · Dual steerable vehicle

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- Number: US 8,465,037 B2
- Document ID: US8465037B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/569,582
- Filed: 2012-08-08
- Published: 2013-02-14
- Granted: 2013-06-18
- Earliest claimed: 2011-08-12
- Assignees: Smart Trike Mnf Pte Ltd
- Applicants: Yoram Baron
- Inventors: Yoram Baron
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8465037B2

## CPC

- B62B 1/12: involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable, or convertible
- B62B 5/067: {Stowable or retractable handle bars}
- B62B 7/12: convertible, e.g. into children's furniture or toy (children's chairs convertible to pushchairs A47D1/06)
- B62B 9/20: Handle bars; Handles
- B62D 1/12: Hand levers
- B62H 7/00: Devices for learning to ride cycles, not otherwise provided for, e.g. assisting balance
- B62J 1/00: Saddles or other seats for cycles; Arrangement thereof; Component parts
- B62J 15/00: Mud-guards for wheels
- B62K 5/02: Tricycles (children's tricycles B62K9/02)
- B62K 5/06: Frames for tricycles
- B62K 9/02: Tricycles
- B62K 13/00: Cycles convertible to, or transformable into, other types of cycles or land vehicle (cycle supports or stands equipped with additional wheels for ride stabilisation B62H1/12)
- B62K 13/08: Frames
- B62K 21/00: Steering devices
- B62K 21/02: Front wheel forks or equivalent, e.g. single tine
- B62K 21/08: Steering dampers (dampers in general F16F)
- B62K 21/18: Connections between forks and handlebars or handlebar stems
- B62K 21/24: readily releasable
- B62M 1/38: for directly driving the wheel axle
- B62M 6/00: Rider propulsion of wheeled vehicles with additional source of power, e.g. combustion engine or electric motor
- B62B 5/0079: {Towing by connecting to another vehicle}
- B62B 7/126: {into a trailer, e.g. bicycle trailer}
- B62B 2202/26: Handbags, e.g. shopping bags
- B62B 2206/006: Convertible hand-propelled vehicles or sledges
- B62B: HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES (characterised by animal propulsion B62C; propulsion of sledges by driver or engine B62M)
- 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)
- B62H: CYCLE STANDS; SUPPORTS OR HOLDERS FOR PARKING OR STORING CYCLES; APPLIANCES PREVENTING OR INDICATING UNAUTHORIZED USE OR THEFT OF CYCLES; LOCKS INTEGRAL WITH CYCLES; DEVICES FOR LEARNING TO RIDE CYCLES
- B62J: CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
- B62K: CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDECARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
- B62M: RIDER PROPULSION OF WHEELED VEHICLES OR SLEDGES; POWERED PROPULSION OF SLEDGES OR {SINGLE-TRACK} CYCLES; TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SUCH VEHICLES (arrangements or mounting of transmissions in vehicles in general B60K; transmission elements per se F16)

## Abstract

A tricycle may be operable between a first mode of operation steerable by a tricycle rider, and a second mode of operation steerable by an individual pushing the tricycle. In both such first and second modes, the frame of the tricycle is configured to rotatably support the rear wheels and configured to support the head tube at a distance from the rear wheels such that a distance between the head tube and rear wheels need not necessarily be changed even when the front wheel axis location is changed from one mode to another.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A tricycle operable between a first mode of operation steerable by a tricycle rider, and a second mode of operation steerable by an individual pushing the tricycle, the tricycle comprising:
a pair of rear wheels;
a front wheel having opposing sides and a front wheel axis;
a head tube;
a frame configured to rotatably support the rear wheels and configured to support the head tube at a fixed, non-adjustable distance from the rear wheels;
a pair of pedals, each pedal configured for connection about the front wheel axis to rotate the front wheel;
a fork having at least one blade configured to support the front wheel in a manner permitting the front wheel to rotate about the front wheel axis;
a stem configured to extend from the head tube in a manner permitting the stem to rotate, the stem including a metal rod having a minimum diameter that is at least three times smaller than a width of the front wheel;
a rider handle, configured to turn the fork about a stem axis extending transverse to the front wheel axis, the rider handle in the first mode being configured to be rotationally coupled with the stem in a manner permitting a tricycle rider to exert forces on the rider handle and thereby turn the fork, and the rider handle in the second mode, where the stem axis leads the front wheel axis, being configured to be rotationally uncoupled from the stem, preventing forces on the rider handle from turning the fork and permitting the individual pushing the tricycle to turn the fork via pushing force; and
wherein the stem extends from the fork at an angle of between about 165 degrees and 179 degrees and wherein an offset distance between the stem axis and the front wheel axis is between 15 mm and 40 mm.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The tricycle of claim 1, wherein the fork includes two blades configured to rotatably support the front wheel therebetween.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The tricycle of claim 1, wherein the rider handle is configured to be uncoupled from the stem via a manually activatable release mechanism.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The tricycle of claim 3, wherein the rider handle is configured to be coupled to the stem via a snap-in-place mechanism.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The tricycle of claim 1, further comprising a coupling mechanism associated with the stem, for permitting an operator to selectively couple and uncouple a rotational connection between the rider handle and the stem.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The tricycle of claim 5, wherein the coupling mechanism is configured such that in the second mode, the rider handle is freely rotatable independent of the stem, and in the first mode the rider handle is locked to the stem for rotation with the stem.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The tricycle of claim 1, wherein the metal rod that has a minimum diameter that is at least four times smaller than the width of the front wheel.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The tricycle of claim 1, further including a parental handle extending from a rear portion of the tricycle and permitting the tricycle to be pushed and steered from behind.

### Claim 9

A tricycle operable between a first mode of operation steerable by a tricycle rider, and a second mode of operation steerable by an individual pushing the tricycle, the tricycle comprising:
a pair of rear wheels;
a front wheel having opposing sides and a front wheel axis;
a head tube;
a seat;
a frame configured to support the seat, to rotatably support the rear wheels and to support the head tube at a fixed, non-adjustable distance from the rear wheels;
a pair of pedals, each pedal configured for connection about the front wheel axis to rotate the front wheel;
a fork having at least one blade configured to support the front wheel in a manner permitting the front wheel to rotate about the front wheel axis;
a stem configured to rotatably extend from the head tube;
a rider handle, configured to turn the fork about a stem axis transverse to the front wheel axis, the rider handle, in the first mode, being configured to be rotationally coupled with the stem in a manner permitting a tricycle rider to exert forces on the rider handle and thereby turn the fork, and the rider handle in the second mode, where the stem axis leads the front wheel axis, being configured to be rotationally uncoupled from the stem, preventing forces on the rider handle from turning the fork and permitting the individual pushing the tricycle to turn the fork via pushing force; and
wherein the stem extends from the fork at an angle chosen so that when the stem axis trails the front wheel axis the pedals are oriented for pedaling by a rider without a need to alter a distance between the seat and the head tube.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The tricycle of claim 9, wherein the stem extends from the fork at an angle of between about 165 degrees and 179 degrees.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The tricycle of claim 9, wherein an offset distance between the stem axis and the front wheel axis is between 15 mm and 40 mm.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The tricycle of claim 9, wherein the stem has a minimum diameter that is at least three times smaller than the width of the front wheel.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The tricycle of claim 9, wherein the stem has a minimum diameter that is at least four times smaller than the width of the front wheel.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The tricycle of claim 9, wherein the handle is configured to be uncoupled from the stem via a manually activatable release mechanism.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The tricycle of claim 14, wherein the handle is configured to be coupled to the stem via a snap-in-place mechanism.

### Claim 16

A tricycle operable between a first mode of operation steerable by a tricycle rider, and a second mode of operation steerable by an individual pushing the tricycle, the tricycle comprising:
a pair of rear wheels;
a front wheel having opposing sides and a front wheel axis;
a head tube;
a frame configured to rotatably support the rear wheels and configured to support the head tube;
a pair of pedals, each pedal configured for connection about the front wheel axis to rotate the front wheel;
a fork having at least one blade configured to support the front wheel in a manner permitting the front wheel to rotate about the front wheel axis;
a stem configured to extend from the head tube in a manner permitting the stem to rotate, the stem including a rod having a minimum diameter that is at least three times smaller than a width of the front wheel;
a rider handle, configured to turn the fork about a stem axis extending transverse to the front wheel axis, the rider handle in the first mode being configured to be rotationally coupled with the stem in a manner permitting a tricycle rider to exert forces on the rider handle and thereby turn the fork, and the rider handle in the second mode, where the stem axis leads the front wheel axis, being configured to be rotationally uncoupled from the stem, preventing forces on the rider handle from turning the fork and permitting the individual pushing the tricycle to turn the fork via pushing force; and
wherein the stem extends from the fork at an angle of between about 165 degrees and 179 degrees and wherein an offset distance between the stem axis and the front wheel axis is between 15 mm and 40 mm.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The tricycle of claim 16, wherein the handle is configured to be uncoupled from the stem via a manually activatable release mechanism.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The tricycle of claim 16, further comprising a coupling mechanism associated with the stem, for permitting an operator to selectively couple and uncouple a rotational connection between the handle and the stem.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The tricycle of claim 18, wherein the coupling mechanism is configured such that in the second mode, the rider handle is freely rotatable independent of the stem, and in the first mode the rider handle is locked to the stem for rotation with the stem.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The tricycle of claim 1, wherein the metal rod that has a minimum diameter that is at least four times smaller than the width of the front wheel.

### Claim 21 (depends on 1)

The tricycle of claim 1, wherein the pedals are configured for selective rotational engagement and rotational disengagement from the front wheel, thereby allowing rotation of the front wheel.

### Claim 22

A tricycle operable between a first mode of operation steerable by a tricycle rider, and a second mode of operation steerable by an individual pushing the tricycle, the tricycle comprising:
a pair of rear wheels;
a front wheel having opposing sides and a front wheel axis;
a head tube;
a seat;
a frame configured to support the seat, to rotatably support the rear wheels and to support the head tube at a fixed, non-adjustable distance from the rear wheels;
a pair of pedals, each pedal configured for connection about the front wheel axis to rotate the front wheel;
a fork having at least one blade configured to support the front wheel in a manner permitting the front wheel to rotate about the front wheel axis;
a stem configured to rotatably extend from the head tube;
a rider handle, configured to turn the fork about a stem axis transverse to the front wheel axis, the rider handle, in the first mode, being configured to be rotationally coupled with the stem in a manner permitting a tricycle rider to exert forces on the rider handle and thereby turn the fork, and the rider handle in the second mode, where the stem axis leads the front wheel axis, being configured to be rotationally uncoupled from the stem, preventing forces on the rider handle from turning the fork and permitting the individual pushing the tricycle to turn the fork via pushing force; and
wherein the stem is oriented with respect to the fork at an angle chosen so that when the stem axis trails the front wheel axis the pedals are oriented for pedaling by a rider without a need to alter a distance between the seat and the head tube.