All terrain vehicle

• US 6,976,899 B1
• Filed: 01/25/2002
• Issued: 12/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kypros Tamanas
• Original Assignee: Kypros Tamanas
• Inventors: Tamanas, Kypros
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica
• Assistant Examiner(s): Miller, Bena B.
• Application Number:
  US10/056,518
• Time in Patent Office: 1,425 Days
• Field of Search: 446/236, 446/431, 446/457, 446/458, 446/460, 446/462, 446/178, 446/454, 180/7.4, 180/21, 180/10, 180/7.3, 280205-207, 440/12.5, 440/100, 441/78, 244/2
• US Class Current: 446/178
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 29/02 with seats staying at the bottom of the drum
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 57/04 having other than ground-engaging propulsion means, e.g. having propellers arrangement of jet-propulsion units B60K
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 63/02 Motor vehicles

Abstract

An all terrain vehicle having a casing, a motor assembly, a cradle supporting the propulsion system, and an outer shell. The casing surrounds the propulsion system with three connected rings, each ring capable of independent rotation. The cradle is positioned in the center of the vehicle and is attached to the innermost ring. The outer shell encircles the motor assembly, cradle, and casing, and is constructed from a plurality of vertical and horizontal bars. The vehicle rolls upon the ground while the cradle remains upright. The vehicle may be operated by a remote control or by a person seated within the vehicle.

Claims

1. An all terrain vehicle comprising:

a casing having an outer ring, a middle ring, and an inner ring, each ring having an axis perpendicular to the adjacent rings, the rings being attached to each other at defined connection points, the middle ring having a first pair of connection points, positioned at one hundred eighty (180°

) degree intervals thereon, that are aligned with a pair of connection points on the outer ring, the middle ring also having a second set of connection points, positioned ninety (90°

) degrees apart from the first pair of connection points, that are aligned with connection points on the inner ring;

a cradle positioned in the center of the vehicle, the cradle having an upper portion, a bottom portion, an upper rim extending around the upper portion, and a plurality of semicircle support members attached to the upper rim extending concavely from one side of the rim to the opposite side, said cradle attached to the inner ring at a set of connection points positioned ninety (90°

) degrees apart from the middle ring connection points;

a propulsion system positioned within the cradle for producing a propulsive air force, wherein the weight of the propulsion system maintains the cradle in an upright position during movement of the vehicle; and

an outer shell extending around the casing and connected to the outer ring, the shell comprising a plurality of vertical and horizontal bars creating a protective web around the vehicle which do not significantly impede the propulsive air force.

2. The all terrain vehicle as recited in claim 1, wherein the inner ring has an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the middle ring, and the middle ring has an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the outer ring, this configuration allowing the rings to fit within each other and rotate freely without interference from the other rings.

3. The all terrain vehicle as receipted in claim 2, wherein the rings each have a bore positioned at each connection point, and a fastener inserted through each bore to attach the rings to each other, said fasteners allowing the rings to swivel at the connection points.

4. The all terrain vehicle as recited in claim 3, wherein the propulsion system comprises a motor, motor supports, a plurality of control surfaces, and a propeller mounted on the motor, wherein the propeller induces forward and backward movement, and the control surfaces control more precise movements of the vehicle.

5. The all terrain vehicle as receipted in claim 4, further comprising a battery box secured to the bottom portion of the cradle, the battery box in communication with the propulsion system.

6. The all terrain vehicle as recited in claim 5, wherein the propulsion system further comprises four control surfaces arranged perpendicular to each other.

7. The all terrain vehicle as recited in claim 6, further comprising a seat positioned within the cradle for supporting an operator or passenger of the vehicle.

8. The all terrain vehicle as receipted in claim 7, wherein the vehicle is operated by a remote control device.