A VEHICLE DRIVABLE IN USE BY A PERSON WALKING OR RUNNING WHILST SEATED AND THE USE OF SUCH VEHICLE

• US 20160137258A1
• Filed: 05/30/2014
• Published: 05/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Velofeet Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Velofeet Ltd.
• Inventors: ALVAREZ-ICAZA, Manuel, VARGAS, Veronica
• Granted Patent: US 9,932,087 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 1/00 Saddles or other seats for cycles; Arrangement thereof; Component parts
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 1/08 Frames for saddles; Connections between saddle frames and seat pillars; Seat pillars attaching seat pillars to cycle frames B62K19/36
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 1/28 Other additional equipment, e.g. back-rests for children
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 1/00 Unicycles
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 17/00 Cycles not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 21/00 Steering devices steering devices specially adapted for one particular kind of cycle specified in groups B62K1/00 - B62K17/00, see the relevant group
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 3/00 Bicycles
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 3/02 Frames tandem frames B62K3/14
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 3/16 specially adapted for disabled riders invalid multi-track cycles A61G5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62L 3/00 Brake-actuating mechanisms for back-pedalling brakes B62L5/00; Arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 1/00 Rider propulsion of wheeled vehicles rider propulsion with additional source of power B62M6/00; propulsion by ground-engaging rods B62M29/02
• CPC Class Codes: 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

Abstract

The invention provides a vehicle drivable in use by a person walking or running whilst seated comprising: a frame; a large diameter front wheel non-steerable with respect to the frame, a seat for supporting a user'"'"'s weight whilst walking or running, the frame configured to carry the seat suspended on the front wheel, a small diameter, steerable rear wheel journalled to the frame at a steering pivot axis, the seat being rotatable forwardly with respect to the front wheel and comprising a seat base for supporting a user and further comprising a backrest for engaging the user'"'"'s back in use. The large front wheel may be of approximate diameter of a user'"'"'s leg (typically an adult human), thus the large front wheel may be of similar size to a bicycle wheel for the user.

Claims

1. A vehicle for aiding a person to walk or run and drivable in use by a person walking or running whilst seated comprising:

a frame;

a large diameter front wheel, non-steerable with respect to the frame;

a seat for supporting a user'"'"'s weight whilst walking or running;

the frame being configured to carry the seat suspended on the front wheel axel above the front wheel and to carry most of a user'"'"'s weight on the front wheel, so that a user'"'"'s legs when seated are arranged either side of the front wheel and a user'"'"'s feet can engage the ground either side of the front wheel when seated so as to allow walking and/or running;

a small diameter, steerable rear wheel journalled to the frame at a rear wheel steering pivot axis;

the seat being rotatable from its position above the front wheel forwardly in use with respect to the front wheel;

the seat comprising a seat base for supporting a user;

the seat further comprising a backrest for engaging a user'"'"'s back in use, so as to prevent the seat rotating forwardly from its position above the front wheel during use.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1 comprising a first tilting mechanism configured to enable a user to tilt rearwardly with respect to the frame to assist in braking the vehicle in use by action of a user'"'"'s feet on the ground and/or by leaning of a user'"'"'s body rearwardly to counter forward momentum.

5. A vehicle according to claim 2 in which the first tilting mechanism comprises the frame and rear wheel configured so as to be tiltable with respect to one another under load to enable a user to tilt rearwardly with respect to the frame, and in which the first tilting mechanism is tiltable so as to increase the angle between the vertical and a first line of action of a user'"'"'s weight acting on the seat base from the seat base to the front wheel axle and/or between a first line of action of a user'"'"'s weight acting on the seat base from the seat base to the front wheel axle and a second line of action of a user'"'"'s weight acting on the seat base from the seat base to the rear wheel axle.

6. A vehicle according to claim 2 in which the first tilting mechanism comprises the seat back and/or seat base being tiltable rearwardly with respect to the frame.

8. A vehicle according to claim 1 in which the frame is arranged to carry the seat on the front wheel so that a line of action of a user'"'"'s weight acting on the seat base from the seat base to the front wheel axle is at an angle selected from the group of:

≦

15°

, ≦

10°

, ≦

5°

, 0.5°

to 15°

, 0.5°

to 10°

, 0.5°

to 5°

, 1°

to 15°

, 1°

to 10°

, 1°

to 5°

, 3°

to 12°

, 5°

to 10°

to the vertical during use.

9. A vehicle according to claim 1 in which the frame is arranged to distribute the weight of a user on the seat between the front and rear wheels in a ratio selected from the group of:

greater than or equal to 65%;

35%, greater than or equal to 70%;

30%, greater than or equal to 75%;

25%, greater than or equal to 80%;

20%, greater than or equal to 85%;

15%, greater than or equal to 90%;

10%, greater than or equal to 95%;

5%.

10. A vehicle according to claim 1 in which the vehicle comprises a steering mechanism to steer the vehicle into a turn.

12. A vehicle according to claim 10 in which the steering mechanism comprises the rear wheel contacting the ground at a contact patch and a rear assembly comprising the rear wheel having a mass distribution so that the centre of mass of the rear wheel assembly is rearward of the rear wheel contact patch with the ground.

13. A vehicle according to claim 12 in which the rear wheel assembly comprises an additional mass located rearward of the rear wheel contact patch with the ground.

15. A vehicle according claim 10 in which the steering mechanism comprises a rear wheel steering pivot axis inclined rearwardly so that an upper portion of the pivot axis lies rearward of a lower portion of the pivot axis when the vehicle is viewed from the side.

18. A vehicle according to claim 10 in which the steering mechanism comprises a tiltable rear wheel steering pivot axis for the rear wheel and the tiltable rear wheel steering pivot axis is tiltable from a first initial position to a second position in which it is inclined rearwardly so that an upper portion of the pivot axis lies rearward of a lower portion of the pivot axis when the vehicle is viewed from the side.

19. A vehicle according to claim 18 in which the tiltable rear wheel steering pivot axis is vertical or substantially vertical in its first initial position, or in which the tiltable rear wheel steering pivot axis is inclined rearwardly in its first initial position and is inclined further rearwardly when tilted in its second position.

21. A vehicle according to claim 15 in which the projection of the rear wheel steering pivot axis on the ground falls within the contact patch of the rear wheel when the tiltable rear wheel steering pivot axis is in a first initial position and/or in which the projection of the steering pivot axis on the ground falls forwardly of the contact patch of the rear wheel when the tiltable rear wheel steering pivot axis is in a second position.

22. A vehicle according to claim 18 in which the tiltable rear wheel steering pivot axis of the rear wheel is tiltable from a first untilted position to a second tilted position when a load is applied by a user placing his weight on the seat base.

25. A vehicle according to any of claims 22 in which the tiltable rear wheel steering pivot axis is provided with an offset with respect to the rear wheel axis, and the rear wheel steering pivot axis, rear wheel and offset are configured such that when tiltable rear wheel pivot axis is tilted rearwardly to its tilted second position, an upper portion of the rearwardly inclined rear wheel steering pivot axis is substantially vertically above the rear wheel axle and the contact patch of the rear wheel with the ground.

26. A vehicle according to claim 10 in which the steering mechanism is configured to provide an increase in mechanical trail of the rear wheel at higher speeds and/or when tilted and/or when under load.

27. A vehicle according to claim 1 comprising a braking mechanism operable to brake the vehicle upon tilting of a user'"'"'s back with respect to the frame.

30. A vehicle according to claim 1 having two or more laterally spaced rear wheels with a common horizontal wheel axle, or a rear wheel having a lateral wheel width and associated rear wheel axle width greater than corresponding widths of the front wheel and/or front wheel axle.

34. A vehicle according to claim 1, having a backrest of height above a seat base of the seat higher than an intended user'"'"'s centre of mass.

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41. A method for using a vehicle where the vehicle comprises:

a frame;

a large diameter front wheel, non-steerable with respect to the frame;

a seat for supporting a user'"'"'s weight whilst walking or running;

the frame being configured to carry the seat suspended on the front wheel axel above the front wheel and to carry most of a user'"'"'s weight on the front wheel, so that a user'"'"'s legs when seated are arranged either side of the front wheel and a user'"'"'s feet can engage the ground either side of the front wheel when seated so as to allow walking and/or running;

a small diameter, steerable rear wheel journalled to the frame at a rear wheel steering pivot axis;

the seat being rotatable from its position above the front wheel forwardly in use with respect to the front wheel;

the seat comprising a seat base for supporting a user;

the seat further comprising a backrest for engaging a user'"'"'s back in use, so as to prevent the seat rotating forwardly from its position above the front wheel during use, and

wherein said method comprises;

sitting on the seat; and

driving the vehicle by walking or running.