Lean to steer recumbent vehicle

• US 20090224524A1
• Filed: 03/05/2008
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lawrence Rathsack
• Original Assignee: Lawrence Rathsack
• Inventors: Rathsack, Lawrence
• Granted Patent: US 7,976,046 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/778
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/122 Trikes
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/45 Rolling frame vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 3/005 Recumbent-type bicycles
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/05 characterised by a single rear wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/10 with means for inwardly inclining the vehicle body on bends

Abstract

Two versions of recumbent human powered three wheeled vehicles are disclosed. Both are of the tadpole type with two front wheels and one rear drive wheel. Both versions lean into turns causing weight transfer toward the inside of turns to prevent rollover during turns at speed.

Claims

1. ) A multi-wheeled vehicle wherein steering is derived from operator lean comprising:

a) A longitudinal main frame having a seat, and at least one rear wheel;

b) A perpendicular frame;

c) Means for pivotally connecting said longitudinal main frame to said perpendicular frame for providing pivotal motion of said longitudinal main frame through an approximately 90 degree arc about a generally longitudinal axis;

d) A pair of wheel spindles;

e) A pair of steering knuckle assemblies for pivotally attaching said wheel spindles to opposite ends of said perpendicular frame wherein the pivot axis, implemented by said steering knuckle assembly, of said spindles is selected to cause left-right steering of said vehicle when said spindles tilt and each steering knuckle assembly further comprising a tie rod attachment point king pin pivot axis positioned to cause tilt and steer of said spindle via said vertical arm attachment means;

f) A vertical arm having an upper end connected to said longitudinal frame and extending past said perpendicular frame and a lower end;

g) A first tie rod connected to said lower end of said vertical arm and to a second end of said tie rod connected to a first end of a trailing arm, which is part of a steering knuckle weldment the tie rod king pin axis of one steering knuckle assembly;

h) A second tie rod connected to said second end of said vertical arm and to the tie rod king pin axis of the other steering knuckle assembly.

2. ) The multi-wheeled vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a centering mechanism for causing the longitudinal main frame to return to a preset position relative to said perpendicular frame.

3. ) The multi-wheeled vehicle of claim 2 wherein the centering mechanism is a torsion bar.

4. ) The multi-wheeled vehicle of claim 2 wherein the centering mechanism is a coil spring under tension.

5. ) A multi-wheeled vehicle wherein steering is derived from operator using handles comprising:

a) A longitudinal main frame having a seat, and at least one rear wheel;

b) A perpendicular frame;

c) Means for pivotally connecting said perpendicular frame to said perpendicular frame for providing pivotal motion of said longitudinal main frame through approximately 90 degree arc about an inclined axis;

d) A pair of wheel spindles;

e) A first tie rod connected to said perpendicular frame and to said longitudinal main frame to cause said perpendicular frame to pivot about the generally vertical axis when the longitudinal main frame pivots around the generally longitudinal axis thereby steering the vehicle.

6. ) The multi-wheeled vehicle of claim 5 further comprising a centering mechanism for causing the longitudinal main frame to return to a preset position relative to said perpendicular frame.

7. ) The multi-wheeled vehicle of claim 6 wherein the centering mechanism is a coiled spring under tension.

8. ) The multi-wheeled vehicle of claim 7 wherein the centering mechanism is a torsion bar.