Inclinable vehicle

• US 5,040,812 A
• Filed: 01/08/1990
• Issued: 08/20/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pierre Patin
• Original Assignee: Pierre Patin
• Inventors: Patin, Pierre
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mar, Michael
• Application Number:
  US07/462,082
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• Field of Search: 280/220, 280/221, 280/112.2, 280/62, 280/772, 280/6.11, 180/215
• US Class Current: 280/62
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 21/007 means for adjusting the wheel inclination
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/122 Trikes
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 37/04 by means of movable masses
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 9/02 combined with means for inwardly inclining vehicle body on bends
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 1/10 involving means providing for a stabilised ride training appliances or apparatus for cycling sport A63B69/16
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 2005/001 Suspension details for cycles with three or more main road wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/10 with means for inwardly inclining the vehicle body on bends

Abstract

This invention relates to an inclinable vehicle having three or more wheels. The invention provides a stabilizer system for the vehicle so that the stationary vehicle does not fall. The vehicle comprises a primary part including two wheels (1a, 1b) and a distortable suspension structure (2) connecting the wheels, and a structural member (4) mounted on a chassis member to tilt with the suspension structure. The tilting rotates an arm (5) with a multiplication ratio, and a roller on the arm (5) runs on a cross-member (19). The secondary part (6) of the vehicle slides on the structural member (4) and is carried by the cross-member (19) so that rotation of the arm (5) on tilting of the vehicle lifts the secondary part and raises the overall center of gravity of the vehicle. In a variant, the rise of the center of gravity is obtained by rotation of the secondary part of the vehicle. A clutch may be provided to disengage the stabilizer while the vehicle is moving.

Claims

1. An inclinable multi-wheel vehicle comprising:

a vehicle chassis having a longitudinal beam extending along a longitudinal axis;

a primary part comprising (1) a load bearing member having a lower end connected to said longitudinal beam, an intermediate portion, and an upper free end for supporting a vehicle body portion, and (2) a wheel supporting structure having a pair of wheels rotatably supported at opposite ends thereof, said wheel supporting structure being pivotally connected to said load bearing member at said intermediate portion;

a secondary part comprising (1) a cross-member slidably mounted on said load bearing member, and (2) a rotatable are pivotally attached at one end to the free end of said load bearing member, the other end of said rotatable are having means affixed thereto for slidably engaging said cross-member; and

, means located at said intermediate portion and said free end of said load bearing member respectively for interconnecting said primary part with said secondary part such that, pivotal movement of said load bearing member relative to said wheel supporting structure, causes movement of said secondary part with respect to said primary part so as to lift the center of gravity of said secondary part and raise the center of gravity of the whole vehicle.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said means for interconnecting includes a clutch means which acts on said secondary part and includes actuation means for establishing connection between said secondary part and said load bearing member on inclination of the vehicle.

3. A vehicle according to claim 2 wherein said secondary part includes an inclinable driver'"'"'s seat and said means for actuating includes a rocker arm for selectively allowing movement of said cross member and at least one cable for controlling movement of a rocker arm in response to inclination of the driver'"'"'s seat.

4. A vehicle according to claim 3 wherein said means for actuating includes centrifugal means including a cable connecting said centrifugal means with said rocker arm to prevent movement of said cross member.

5. A vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said means for interconnecting includes a servo-mechanism means responsive to variations in the apparent vertical of the inclinable multi-wheel vehicle for modifying the connection between the primary part and the secondary part.