Three wheel vehicle
First Claim
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1. A three wheel vehicle comprising:
- a frame;
a pair of front wheel and axle assemblies rotatably mounted on either side near the front of said frame;
means on said frame for driving at least one of said front wheels;
a strut member having its proximal end pivotably mounted in a generally horizontal plane at the rear center of said frame with its distal end extending behind said frame;
a rear wheel fork rotatably mounted at the distal end of said strut member so as to be rotatable about a generally vertical axis;
a rear wheel and axle assembly rotatably mounted in said fork; and
steering means including means for rotating said fork about a generally vertical axis to turn said vehicle and means for simultaneously pivoting said strut member in a generally horizontal plane to displace said fork laterally with respect to the vehicle in a direction opposite the direction of turning the vehicle.
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Abstract
A three wheel vehicle is provided with improved drive and handling characteristics, especially when turning. The three wheel vehicle includes a frame with a pair of front wheel and axle assemblies rotatably mounted on either side near the front of the frame. A rear fork, wheel and axle assembly is mounted at the rear center of the frame which is rotatable and laterally pivotable for turning the vehicle. Steering means are provided for rotating the fork and pivoting the fork laterally in a direction opposite the direction of turning the vehicle. Preferred drive means provide two wheel positive forward drive and pedal actuated independent dual braking.
42 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A three wheel vehicle comprising:
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a frame; a pair of front wheel and axle assemblies rotatably mounted on either side near the front of said frame; means on said frame for driving at least one of said front wheels; a strut member having its proximal end pivotably mounted in a generally horizontal plane at the rear center of said frame with its distal end extending behind said frame; a rear wheel fork rotatably mounted at the distal end of said strut member so as to be rotatable about a generally vertical axis; a rear wheel and axle assembly rotatably mounted in said fork; and steering means including means for rotating said fork about a generally vertical axis to turn said vehicle and means for simultaneously pivoting said strut member in a generally horizontal plane to displace said fork laterally with respect to the vehicle in a direction opposite the direction of turning the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification