# US 9,751,584 B2 · Vehicle system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,751,584 B2 - Document ID: US9751584B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/996,898 - Filed: 2016-01-15 - Published: 2016-07-21 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2015-01-19 - Assignees: Ice Bikes of Buffalo LLC - Applicants: Ice Bikes of Buffalo LLC - Inventors: Lisa Florczak; Peter Florczak; Charles Roberts - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751584B2 ## CPC - B62K 17/00: Cycles not otherwise provided for - B62B 13/08: with steering devices - B62B 19/04: replacing wheels - B62H 1/14: using runners for riding on ice or snow (runners for carrying wheeled vehicles to facilitate travel on ice or snow B62B19/00) - B62K 21/00: Steering devices - B62M 27/00: Propulsion devices for sledges or the like (pushed or pulled by persons or animals B62B, B62C; wind propulsion B62B15/00) - B62M 29/00: Ground engaging propulsion devices for cycles, sledges, or rider-propelled wheeled vehicles, not otherwise provided for {(non-motorized scooters with skis or runners B62K3/002)} - B62K: CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDECARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE - B62B: HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES (characterised by animal propulsion B62C; propulsion of sledges by driver or engine B62M) - 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 - 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 The system can include a vehicle having a vehicle frame and a traction apparatus connected to the vehicle frame for providing traction on a planar surface to move the vehicle relative to the planar surface, the vehicle frame having a seat for supporting a user. The system can also include a support structure including a plurality of runners for contacting the planar surface, the plurality of runners including one or more of the following: skates and skis, and a weight compensation system connecting the vehicle frame to the support structure about a pivot. The weight compensation system is configured to adjust the position of the traction apparatus relative to the support structure in response to weight of a user. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle system comprising: a vehicle having a vehicle frame, a traction apparatus connected to the vehicle frame for providing traction on a planar surface, and a steering apparatus rotatably connected to the vehicle frame, the steering apparatus configured to steer the vehicle during relative movement along the planar surface, to move the vehicle relative to the planar surface, the vehicle frame having a seat for supporting a user; a support structure including a plurality of runners for contacting the planar surface, the plurality of runners including one or more of the following: skates and skis; a weight compensation system connecting the vehicle frame to the support structure about a pivot, the pivot being located between the steering apparatus and the traction apparatus; wherein the weight compensation system is configured to adjust the position of the traction apparatus relative to the support structure in response to weight of a user. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a bicycle and the traction apparatus includes one of the following: a tire and a tread. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the support structure includes a perimeter frame surrounding the vehicle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The vehicle system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of runners are arranged around the periphery of the perimeter frame. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the support structure further comprises a step for assisting the user in mounting the vehicle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The vehicle system of claim 5, wherein the step further comprises a plurality of apertures to prevent build-up of snow or ice. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the steering apparatus further comprises a runner configured to contact the planar surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle frame rotates relative to the support structure about the pivot to adjust the position of the traction apparatus relative to the support structure in response to the relative weight of the user. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the weight compensation system includes a slideable frame having an inner frame and an outer frame, the inner frame being translatable relative to the outer frame, the inner frame being attached to the traction apparatus and the outer frame being fixed relative to the support structure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The vehicle system of claim 9, wherein the inner frame and the outer frame move between a rest position and a maximum position, wherein the rest position corresponds to no user weight being placed on the vehicle, and the maximum position corresponds to a maximum displacement between the inner frame and the outer frame from the rest position caused by the weight of the user on the vehicle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The vehicle system of claim 10, wherein the weight compensation system includes a spring bias configured to bias the traction apparatus away from the maximum position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The vehicle system of claim 10, wherein the inner frame and/or the outer frame include stops to prevent displacement between the inner frame and the outer frame beyond the rest position and the maximum position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the pivot is connected to a vertical member extending from the support structure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The vehicle system of claim 13, wherein the pivot is adjustable in height relative to the support structure. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The vehicle system of claim 13, where the step further comprises a plurality of apertures to prevent build-up of snow or ice. ### Claim 16 A method of compensating for weight on a vehicle system, comprising: providing: a vehicle frame for supporting a user and a traction apparatus connected to the vehicle frame for providing traction on a planar surface to move the vehicle relative to the planar surface, and a steering apparatus rotatably connected to the vehicle frame, the steering apparatus configured to steer the vehicle during relative movement along the planar surface; a support structure including a plurality of runners in contact with the planar surface, the plurality of runners including one or more of the following: skates and skis; wherein the support structure includes a perimeter frame surrounding the vehicle; and a weight compensation system connecting the vehicle frame to the support structure about a pivot, the pivot being located between the steering apparatus and the traction apparatus; moving the traction apparatus relative to the support structure in response to the weight of the user such that the vehicle frame rotates about the pivot. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of compensating for a weight of claim 16, wherein moving the traction apparatus relative to the support structure includes rotating the traction apparatus about the pivot of the weight compensation system. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of compensating for a weight of claim 17, wherein the weight compensation system includes a slideable frame having an inner frame and an outer frame, the inner frame being translatable relative to the outer frame, the inner frame being attached to the traction apparatus and the outer frame being fixed relative to the support structure. ### Claim 19 A vehicle system comprising: a bicycle having a bicycle frame and a wheel connected to the bicycle frame for providing traction on an ice surface to move the bicycle relative to the ice surface, and a steering apparatus rotatably connected to the vehicle frame, the steering apparatus configured to steer the vehicle during relative movement along the planar surface, the bicycle frame having a seat for supporting a user; a support structure including a plurality of skates for contacting the ice surface; a weight compensation system connecting the bicycle frame to the support structure about a pivot, the pivot being located between the steering apparatus and the traction apparatus; wherein the weight compensation system is configured to adjust the position of the traction apparatus relative to the support structure in response to weight of a user; wherein the vehicle frame rotates relative to the support structure about the pivot to adjust the position of the traction apparatus relative to the support structure in response to the relative weight of the user; wherein the weight compensation system includes a slideable frame having an inner frame and an outer frame, the inner frame being translatable relative to the outer frame, the inner frame being attached to the wheel and the outer frame being fixed relative to the support structure.