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Self-propelled balancing three-wheeled vehicle

  • US 4,998,596 A
  • Filed: 05/03/1989
  • Issued: 03/12/1991
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1989
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A self-propelled three-wheeled vehicle comprising:

  • a front frame assembly carrying a single ground-engaging front wheel;

    a rear frame assembly;

    means pivotally connecting the front and rear frame assemblies to each other for relative swinging movement and said front wheel being fixed to swing with said front frame assembly so as to permit steering of the vehicle with said front wheel;

    two transversely-spaced-apart, ground-engaging rear wheels;

    a transversely extending parallelogram-type balancing linkage having opposite ends to which said rear wheels are rotatably mounted, said linkage being pivotally attached to said rear frame assembly and so constructed as to allow said frame assemblies and a rider on said rear frame assembly to lean into turns during forward movement of the vehicle and also to remain upright when the vehicle traverses or is parked on laterally inclined terrain;

    a power plant assembly carried on said rear frame assembly, said power plant assembly including an internal combustion engine drivingly connected to a hydraulic pump;

    a hydraulic motor fixed to said front frame assembly and having a shaft coaxial with and drivingly connected to said front wheel;

    a hydraulic fluid distribution terminal fixed to said front frame assembly so as to swing with the latter during steering of the vehicle;

    a first set of hydraulic lines for transmitting hydraulic fluid, each line having a first end connected to said pump and a second end connected to said distribution terminal via a universally swivelling fitting located at said terminal; and

    a second set of hydraulic lines for transmitting hydraulic fluid, each line having a first end connected to said motor and a second end connected to said distribution terminal and connected via an internal passage in said terminal with the second end of a single corresponding hydraulic line of said first set.

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