Multi-wheeled vehicle

• US 7,798,510 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2007
• Issued: 09/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Universal Branding & Media, LLC
• Original Assignee: Comstock Studios Inc.
• Inventors: Comstock, Kurt Joseph, Comstock, Scott Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris; Lesley D
• Assistant Examiner(s): ADAMS, TASHIANA R
• Application Number:
  US11/905,610
• Publication Number:
  US 20080197599A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• Field of Search: 280/266, 280/263, 280/235, 280/282, 280/270, 280/240
• US Class Current: 280/266
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/02 Tricycles children's tricycles B62K9/02

Abstract

A vehicle including: a front wheel; two rear wheels; a seat configured to allow a rider to lean forward when the vehicle travels; and a frame that includes a front frame section and a rear frame section, the front frame section extending from the seat to at least an axis of rotation of the front wheel and connecting the seat to the front wheel, the rear frame section extending from the first frame section rearward and connecting the rear wheels to the first frame section, the frame sections being pivotably connected at a pivot point between the main wheel and the seat.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a front wheel;

two rear wheels;

a seat configured to allow a rider to lean forward when the vehicle travels; and

a frame that includes a front frame section and a rear frame section, the front frame section extending from the seat to at least an axis of rotation of the front wheel and connecting the seat to the front wheel, the rear frame section extending from the front frame section rearward and connecting the rear wheels to the front frame section, the frame sections being pivotably connected at a pivot point between the front wheel and the seat.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the rear frame section includes:

a pair of connection members respectively connecting a rear wheel to the front frame section;

or

a curved connection member extending rearwardly from the front frame section and a pair of auxiliary extension members connected to an end of the curved connection member distal from the front frame section, the rear wheels being respectively attached to ends of the auxiliary extension members.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein a weight applied to the seat is unevenly distributed between the wheels with more weight applied to the front wheel.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein frame sections pivot in a range of motion of 360 degrees with respect to each other.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the pivotable connection is above and aft the axis of rotation of the front wheel when the vehicle moves in a forward direction.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the seat is above the wheels and partially over the front wheel and a cylinder defined by circumferences of the two rear wheels, in a plan view relative to the seat.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the front wheel is in front of the vehicle when the vehicle travels in a forward direction, and wherein the pivotable connection is above the front wheel and between the axis of rotation of the front wheel and a longitudinal position of a center of gravity of the vehicle.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the pivotable connection is forward of a longitudinal center of gravity of the vehicle when the vehicle is traveling in a forward direction and aft of the center of gravity when the vehicle is traveling in a backward direction.

9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the position of the pivotable connection is fixed relative to the location of the center of gravity of the vehicle.

10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein, when the vehicle travels in a forward or a rearward direction and a rider seated on the seat pivots to a direction, the front wheel turns toward that direction relative to the rear frame and the vehicle turns toward that direction

11. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the front wheel is in front of the vehicle when the vehicle travels in a forward direction, and

wherein the pivotable connection is always above the front wheel and aft of the axis of rotation of the front wheel when the vehicle travels in a forward direction.

12. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the front wheel is in front of the vehicle when the vehicle travels in a forward direction, and

wherein a location of the pivotable connection relative to a lateral location of the center of gravity is fixed and above the front wheel.

13. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the front frame section is tilted rearwardly at a range of between 15 and 30 degrees from vertical.

19. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal location of the pivot point is fixed relative to the front wheel.

14. A vehicle comprising:

a frame including a connection point to which a steering assembly is rotatably connectable, a first frame section extending away from the connection point, and a second frame section connected to the first frame section at an end opposite the connection point and to which a pair of wheels are connected; and

a steering assembly rotatably connected to the frame at the connection point and including

a seat configured to allow a rider to lean forward when the vehicle travels, and

a fork connected to a drive wheel and in a fixed relationship with the seat, the connection point being between the drive wheel and the seat,

wherein, when a rider seated on the seat drives the drive wheel the vehicle travels in a forward direction or a backward direction, and

wherein, when a torque is applied to the seat, the seat and drive wheel turn.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the seat is connected to the stem in a cantilevered manner.

16. A vehicle comprising:

a seat permitting a rider to lean forward when the vehicle travels and which is rotatable about an axis in response to an applied torque;

a fork section having a fork accommodating a main wheel and a stem extending from fork to the seat; and

a frame section having an articulation section movably connected to the stem at an end, a connection member extending from the articulation section away from the main wheel, and a shaft rigidly connected to the connection member at another end of the frame section, respective ones of a pair of auxiliary wheels being connected to opposing ends of the shaft,

wherein, when the seat is rotated, the main wheel rotates about the axis.

17. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the articulation of the articulation section tilts into a direction of a turn.

18. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein, when the main wheel rotates about the axis, the vehicle automatically causes the rider to lean into the direction of the turn, which helps the rider maintain balance through the turn.