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 Title: |
US4279429:
Vehicle with adjustable steering axis angle control
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Hopkins, Grant; Walla Walla, WA 99362
Cantrell, Mark; Walla Walla, WA 99362
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| Assignee: |
None
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| Published / Filed: |
1981-07-21
/ 1980-01-15
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| Application Number: |
US1980000112338
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
B62K 5/02;
B62K 5/04;
B62K 5/08;
IPC-7:
B62K 5/08;
B62K 21/00;
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| ECLA Code: |
B62K3/00C; B62K5/02; B62K5/08; B62K5/10;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
280/267;
280/093.504;
280/266;
280/282;
280/288.1;
Original:
280/267;
280/266;
280/281.LP;
280/282;
280/097;
280/109;
280/111;
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| Field of Search: |
280/263,266 X,267,268,282,281 W,281 LP,87.04 B,97,109,111
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| Priority Number: |
| 1980-01-15 |
US1980000112338 |
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| Abstract: |
A vehicle powered to move about on a front drive wheel and rearward supports, preferably a pair of wheels. The rear wheels are mounted to the frame by a steering control mechanism that facilitates pivotal steering movement of the rear wheels about two axes - a steering axis and a steering control axis. The steering control axis is coaxial with the rear wheels and is perpendicular to the steering axis. The angle of the steering axis may be varied about the steering control axis. Steering is accomplished by the rider shifting his weight from one side of the vehicle to the other. He may shift the steering axis to a position substantially parallel with the ground surface so the frame may be tilted like a bicycle in wide, sweeping high speed curves. The rear wheels then track behind the front wheels as the frame tilts about the steering axis. If the rider shifts the steering axis to a position nearly perpendicular to the ground, he may negotiate short radius, low speed turns. In this situation, the rear wheels turn about the steering axis and the frame tilts only slightly in response to leaning by the rider. Shifting of the steering axis is accomplished by lifting or lowering handles affixed to the axle.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Wells, St. John & Roberts ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Mitchell, David M.; McGiehan, Donn
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
Show legal status actions
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| Family: |
None
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First Claim:
Show all 13 claims |
What we claim is:
1. A vehicle, comprising:
- an elongated frame having a forward end and rearward end;
- seat means at the rearward frame end for receiving and supporting a rider;
- a drive wheel mounted to the forward frame for rotation about a drive wheel axis;
- means for transmitting driving power to the drive wheel while the vehicle is in use;
- support means on the frame at the rearward end for movably engaging a supporting surface;
- first gimbal means adapted to mount said support means for pivotal movement about a steering axis;
- second gimbal means mounting the first gimbal means to the frame for pivotal movement thereon about a steering control axis that is perpendicular to and intersects the steering axis; and
- rider control means connected to the second gimbal means for permitting the rider to adjust the angle of the steering axis about the steering control axis relative to the frame while the vehicle is in use.
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| Background / Summary: |
Show background / summary
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
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| Forward References: |
Show 21 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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