Stable powered tricycle with traction steering

• US 6,371,228 B1
• Filed: 09/26/2000
• Issued: 04/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Royce H. Husted
• Original Assignee: Royce H. Husted
• Inventors: Husted, Joel P., Husted, Royce H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, J. J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LUM VANNUCCI, LEE SIN YEE
• Application Number:
  US09/669,544
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 180/6.24, 180/65.1, 180/6.48, 180/907, 180/221, 280/250.1
• US Class Current: 180/65.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/045 Rear wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1018 on the running surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1035 manipulated by wheelchair user
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1054 Large wheels, e.g. higher than the seat portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1089 Anti-tip devices

Abstract

A stable, low speed, powered tricycle with traction steering, includes a pair of freely rotatable traction wheels and corresponding pairs of friction rollers and braking surfaces that are selectively engageable therewith to effect propulsion and steering of the vehicle. A caster wheel supports the front of the vehicle frame. This forms a tricycle rolling system that maintains stability by automatically broadening a turn to obviate tipping.

Claims

1. A low speed, stable, powered vehicle with traction steering comprising:

a frame;

a pair of traction wheels mounted for free rotation near the rear of aid frame;

a caster wheel system supporting said frame near the front center of said frame;

driving system selectively engageable with one or both of said traction wheels;

a braking system selectively engageable with one or both of said traction wheels; and

a left and a right control arm for selectively moving said driving system and said braking system into engagement with one or both of said traction wheels for tractionally propelling, braking and steering said powered vehicle.

2. The powered vehicle of claim 1, wherein said driving system includes:

a motor, situated between and rotatably coupled to, a left friction roller and a right friction roller;

said driving system moving said friction rollers into engagement with said traction wheels responsive to appropriate movements of said control arms; and

said braking system including brake surfaces that are moved into engagement with said traction wheels responsive to appropriate movements of said control arms.

3. The powered vehicle of claim 2, wherein said traction wheels include resilient tires and wherein said friction rollers are forcibly moved by said control arms into engagement with one or both of said resilient tires for propelling and steering said powered vehicle.

4. The powered vehicle of claim 3, wherein said during system further comprises:

a rocker lever pivotally mounted to each side of said frame adjacent a corresponding one of said traction wheels;

said control arms being mechanically linked to said rocker levers for pivoting said rocker levers to force said engagement between said friction rollers and said resilient tires; and

said brake surfaces being situated on said rocker levers and being moved into engagement with said traction wheels responsive to appropriate movements of said control arms.

5. The powered vehicle of claim 4, further including a seat or platform, for supporting a person, mounted on said frame between said traction wheels.

6. The powered vehicle of claim 1, wherein said caster wheel system supports said powered vehicle at a point at the front of said frame for assuring normal continuous loading of each of said traction wheels.

7. A low speed, stable, powered vehicle with traction steering comprising:

a frame;

a pair of traction wheels mounted for free rotation near the rear of said frame;

a caster wheel system supporting said frame near the front center of said frame;

a driving system selectively engageable with one or both of said traction wheels;

a braking system selectively engageable with one or both of said traction wheels;

a left and a right control arm for selectively moving said driving system and said braking system into engagement with one or both of said traction wheels for tractionally propelling, braking and steering said powered vehicle;

said driving system and said braking system including;

a left friction roller and a right friction roller;

a motor situated between and rotatably coupled to said left and said right friction rollers;

said driving system moving said friction rollers into engagement with said traction wheels responsive to appropriate movements of said control arms; and

said braking system including brake surfaces that are moved into engagement with said traction wheels responsive to appropriate movements of said control arms.

8. The powered vehicle of claim 7, further including a seat or platform, for supporting a person, mounted on said frame between said traction wheels.