Utility vehicle with foot-controlled mobility
First Claim
1. A utility vehicle configured for foot-controlled mobility comprising:
- a frame;
an apparatus for providing motive power mounted to said frame;
at least two independently-operable drive wheels mounted to said frame for ground contact, said drive wheels being in communication with said apparatus for providing motive power for application of motive power through said ground contact for vehicle movement;
at least one ground support member mounted to said frame and spaced from said at least two independently-operable drive wheels for cooperation therewith for ground-support of said utility vehicle;
a control pedal apparatus movably mounted to said frame in operational communication with said at least two independently-operable drive wheels for controlling rotation thereof;
a seat for user-body support mounted to said frame; and
at least one user-body stabilizer mounted to said frame, and intersecting an imaginary horizontal plane disposed intermediate an imaginary horizontal plane through said seat and an imaginary horizontal plane through at least one of said control pedal apparatus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A utility vehicle with foot-controlled mobility is provided that includes a skeletal frame structure supporting a gasoline engine which utilizes a belt drive system to drive hydraulic motors with one hydraulic motor disposed at each rear wheel. The vehicle includes four wheel and tire assemblies, substantially at each corner with the rear wheels being driven and the front wheels being formed as casters for 360° rotation to provide a zero turning radius vehicle. The user sits upright in a manner wherein the user'"'"'s legs are supported on pivotal leg support plates to allow the user to sit upright with legs directed down and away from the waist to allow the user to operate a hand-held implement. Both speed control and directional control are provided using pivotally mounted pedals with one pedal controlling each hydraulic motor. Movement of the pedals allows individual motor control to provide drive steering and speed control.
68 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A utility vehicle configured for foot-controlled mobility comprising:
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a frame;
an apparatus for providing motive power mounted to said frame;
at least two independently-operable drive wheels mounted to said frame for ground contact, said drive wheels being in communication with said apparatus for providing motive power for application of motive power through said ground contact for vehicle movement;
at least one ground support member mounted to said frame and spaced from said at least two independently-operable drive wheels for cooperation therewith for ground-support of said utility vehicle;
a control pedal apparatus movably mounted to said frame in operational communication with said at least two independently-operable drive wheels for controlling rotation thereof;
a seat for user-body support mounted to said frame; and
at least one user-body stabilizer mounted to said frame, and intersecting an imaginary horizontal plane disposed intermediate an imaginary horizontal plane through said seat and an imaginary horizontal plane through at least one of said control pedal apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A utility vehicle configured for foot-controlled mobility comprising:
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a frame;
two independently operable drive wheels mounted to said frame;
an apparatus for providing motive power mounted to said frame including a first hydraulic motor in operational communication with a first of said two independently-operable drive wheels and a second hydraulic motor in operational communication with a second of said two independently-operable drive wheels, and an engine in operational communication with said first hydraulic motor and said second hydraulic motor for pump operation therefor;
two non-driven wheels mounted to said frame for rotation about generally horizontal axes for ground contact rolling movement thereof and for rotation about generally vertical axes for swiveling movement thereof, with said two non-driven wheels being spaced from said drive wheels for cooperation with said at least two independently-operable drive wheels for ground-support of said utility vehicle;
a first control pedal in operational communication with said first of said at least two independently-operable drive wheels with said first control pedal being mounted to said frame for partial rotation about an axis for selectively controlling clockwise and counterclockwise rotational movement of said first independently-operable drive wheel; and
a second control pedal in operational communication with said second of said at least two independently-operable drive wheels with said second control pedal being mounted to said frame for partial rotation about an axis for selectively controlling clockwise and counterclockwise rotational movement of said second independently-operable drive wheel, a seat for user-body support mounted to said frame;
a user-body restraint member mounted to said frame and movable between a first position disposed in facing relation with an imaginary vertical plane extending through said seat and a second position spaced from said first position; and
at least one leg stabilizer member mounted to said frame, and intersecting an imaginary horizontal plane disposed intermediate an imaginary horizontal plane through said seat and an imaginary horizontal plane through at least one of said first control pedal and said second control pedal. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A utility vehicle configured for foot-controlled mobility comprising:
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a frame;
an apparatus for providing motive power mounted to said frame;
at least two independently-operable drive wheels mounted to said frame for ground contact, said drive wheels being in communication with said apparatus for providing motive power for application of motive power through said ground contact for vehicle movement;
at least one ground support member mounted to said frame and spaced from said at least two independently-operable drive wheels for cooperation therewith for ground-support of said utility vehicle;
a seat for user-body support mounted to said frame; and
a control pedal apparatus movably mounted to said frame in operational communication with said at least two independently-operable drive wheels, said control pedal apparatus including a first control pedal in operational communication with a first drive wheel for controlling speed and direction of rotation thereof and a second control pedal in operational communication with a second drive wheel for controlling speed and direction of rotation thereof. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification