BANKABLE TRICYCLE TYPE VEHICLE

• US 3,572,456 A
• Filed: 01/09/1969
• Issued: 03/30/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Arthur D. Healy
• Original Assignee: Arthur D. Healy
• Inventors: Healy, Arthur D.
• Application Number:
  US04/790,027
• Time in Patent Office: 810 Days
• US Class Current: 180/217
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 61/08 with single front wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/027 Motorcycles with three wheels specially adapted for disabled riders B62K5/023
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/10 with means for inwardly inclining the vehicle body on bends

Abstract

The tricycle type vehicle has a steerable wheel and two outboard wheels which are rotatably mounted on subframes. A parallelogram linkage is connected between the main frame and the subframes so that the entire vehicle is bankable, including the main frame, the subframes and all three wheels. The linkage keeps the outboard wheels parallel to each other and to the main frame. The outboard wheels are movable parallel to the main frame by corresponding amounts but in opposite directions. Resilient means are preferably provided, tending to maintain a rectangular relationship between the elements of the parallelogram linkage. The outboard wheels may be driven in such a manner as to avoid any interference with the action of the parallelogram linkage. Spring mounting means may be provided between each outboard wheel and the corresponding subframe.

Claims

1. A tricycle type vehicle, comprising:

a generally upright main frame;

a front wheel fork pivotally mounted on said main frame;

a single front wheel rotatably mounted on said fork;

steering means on said fork for turning said fork to steer said front wheel;

a pair of rear subframes disposed on opposite sides of said mean frame and sa spaced laterally therefrom;

a pair of rear wheels rotatably mounted on said respective subframes;

a parallelogram linkage between said main frame and said subframes for keeping said rear wheels generally parallel to each other and to said main frame while providing for banking of said main frame;

said linkage comprising upper and lower generally parallel and horizontal levers having corresponding upper and lower pivotal connections to said main frame;

said subframes having corresponding upper and lower levers;

said levers being rockable relative to said main frame to provide for banking of said main frame;

engine mounted on said main frame; and

driving means operable by said engine for driving said rear wheels without interfering with the banking action of said main frame relative to said subframes and said rear wheels.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1, including a pair of tension springs connected between said main frame and opposite end portions of at least one of said levers for resiliently urging said main frame toward an upright position.

3. A vehicle according to claim 1, including a pair of tension springs stretched between said main frame and opposite end portions of said upper lever for resiliently urging said main frame toward an upright position.

4. A vehicle according to claim 1;

including resilient means connected between said main frame and said parallelogram linkage for urging said main frame toward an upright position.

5. A vehicle according to claim 1, including a pair of springs connected between said main frame and at least one of said levers for urging said main frame toward an upright position.

6. A vehicle according to claim 1, including resilient suspension means between each of said rear wheels and the core corresponding subframe.

7. A vehicle according to claim 1:

in which said drive means comprise a pair of hydraulic motors mounted on said subframes and connected to said rear wheels for driving said rear wheels;

a hydraulic pump on said main frame and operable by said engine; and

means for supplying hydraulic fluid from said pump to said motors to operate said motors.