Multi-track vehicle with lock and drive lean control system

• US 5,762,351 A
• Filed: 06/26/1995
• Issued: 06/09/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wayne J. Soohoo
• Original Assignee: Wayne J. Soohoo
• Inventors: SooHoo, Wayne J.
• Primary Examiner(s): BOEHLER, ANNE MARIE M
• Application Number:
  US08/494,913
• Time in Patent Office: 1,079 Days
• Field of Search: 180/210, 280/264, 280/267, 280/268, 280/269, 280/282, 280/283, 280/772
• US Class Current: 280/267
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 21/007 means for adjusting the wheel inclination
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 9/02 combined with means for inwardly inclining vehicle body on bends
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/05 characterised by a single rear wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/06 Frames for tricycles
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/10 with means for inwardly inclining the vehicle body on bends

Abstract

A multi-track vehicle having a lean drive and locking system which is primarily activated when the direction of the vehicle is changed by steering so as to provide increased stability, rideability and efficiency of operation. The leanable multi-track vehicle has a main chassis for carrying an operator which is supported on at least three wheels which are spaced from each other, at least a pair of the wheels are located transversely to each other with respect to said main chassis. A subframe supports the pair of wheels from the main chassis such that the main chassis may lean with respect to the said subframe and the pair of wheels. A drive system is provided for leaning the main chassis with respect to the subframe, and a locking device is provided which locks the position of the main chassis with respect to the frame or prevents the main chassis from leaning in one direction or the other with respect to the subframe.

Claims

1. A leanable multi-track vehicle having a main chassis for supporting an operator which main chassis is supported on at least three wheels which are spaced from each other, at least a pair of said wheels being located transversely to each other with respect to said main chassis, a subframe for supporting said pair of wheels from said main chassis such that said main chassis may lean with respect to said subframe permitting said pair of wheels to follow the terrain in the roll axis, while not transmitting roll input to the main chassis, a locking means having first and second portions, said first portion of said locking means being secured to said main chassis and said second portion of said locking means being secured to said subframe, for locking said main chassis and said subframe and pair of wheels in a predetermined position with respect to each other, control means for actuating said locking means to first and second half lock conditions, when in said first half lock condition said main chassis is prevented from leaning in a first direction, and when in said second half lock condition said main chassis is prevented from leaning in a second direction opposite said first direction with respect to said subframe, whereby said main chassis may be leaned with respect to said subframe and pair of wheels and locked in said leaned position while said vehicle is in motion or at rest.

2. The leanable multi-track vehicle of claim 1 wherein said control means is manually actuatable by the vehicle operator.

3. The leanable multi-track vehicle of claim 1 wherein said control means is a twist grip manually actuatable by the vehicle operator.

4. The leanable multi-track vehicle of claim 1 wherein said control means is automatically actuatable in response to operating conditions of the vehicle.

5. The leanable multi-track vehicle of claim 4 wherein said vehicle has a steering means, said control means being automatically actuatable in response to a force being applied to said steering means by an operator attempting to prevent increased leaning of the vehicle.

6. The leanable multi-track vehicle of claim 1 wherein said control means includes buffer means such that said control means is automatically actuatable in response to greater than a predetermined minimum force being applied to said steering means by an operator attempting to prevent increased leaning of the vehicle.

7. The leanable multi-track vehicle of claim 6 wherein said buffer means comprises spring means.

8. The leanable multi-track vehicle of claim 1 wherein said control means is automatically actuatable in response to operating conditions of the vehicle, and is manually actuatable by the vehicle operator.

9. A leanable multi-track vehicle having a main chassis supported on at least three wheels which are spaced from each other, at least a pair of said wheels being located transversely to each other with respect to said main chassis, a subframe for supporting said pair of wheels from said main chassis such that said main chassis may lean with respect to said subframe and said pair of wheels, said subframe permitting said pair of wheels to follow the terrain in the roll axis, while not transmitting roll input to the main chassis, a lean input means movable by an operator with respect to the main chassis, a drive means supported by said main chassis and linking said lean input means and said subframe, said drive means supported by said main chassis for causing said main chassis to be leaned with respect to said subframe, said drive means being actuated by the operator to cause said main chassis to be leaned with respect to said subframe and pair of wheels while said vehicle is in motion or at rest, a locking means having first and second portions, said first portion of said locking means being secured to said main chassis and said second portion of said locking means being secured to said subframe, for locking said main chassis and said subframe and pair of wheels in a predetermined position with respect to each other, control means for actuating said locking means between first and second half lock conditions, when in said first half lock condition said main chassis is prevented from leaning in a first direction, and when in said second half lock condition said main chassis is prevented from leaning in a second direction opposite said first direction with respect to said subframe, whereby said main chassis may be leaned with respect to said subframe and pair of wheels and locked in said leaned position while said vehicle is in motion or at rest.

10. The leanable multi-track vehicle of claim 9 wherein said control means is manually actuatable by the vehicle operator.

11. The leanable multi-track vehicle of claim 9 wherein said control means is a twist grip manually actuatable by the vehicle operator.

12. The leanable multi-track vehicle of claim 9 wherein said control means is automatically actuatable in response to operating conditions of the vehicle.

13. The leanable multi-track vehicle of claim 9 wherein said vehicle has a steering means which also functions as the lean input means.

14. A leanable multi-track vehicle having a main chassis for supporting an operator which main chassis is supported on at least three wheels which are spaced from each other, at least a pair of said wheels being located transversely to each other with respect to said main chassis, a subframe for supporting said pair of wheels from said main chassis such that said main chassis may lean with respect to said subframe permitting said pair of wheels to follow the terrain in the roll axis, while not transmitting roll input to the main chassis, a lean input means movable by an operator with respect to the main chassis, a drive means supported by said main chassis and linking said lean input means and said subframe for causing said main chassis to be leaned with respect to said subframe when said input means is moved by the operator, said input means and said drive means being independent of steering of said vehicle, said drive means being operable to cause said main chassis to be leaned with respect to said subframe and pair of wheels while said vehicle is in motion or at rest.