Single track vehicle
US5816354A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 28, 1994 |
| Grant date | Oct 6, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 28, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/20888
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle having a chassis frame and a single front and single rear wheel aligned on the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and retractable side wheels on opposite sides of the frame. A basic linkage transmits force to the side wheels for extending and retracting them in response to operator activation. The linkage is activated by a foot pedal lever which stows behind the driver's legs and a mechanism for locking the foot pedal lever in position behind the driver's legs and releasing it only when the driver depresses the foot pedal lever. The side wheels are further automatically steerable in synchronism with the vehicle front wheel by a mechanism which detects the front wheel position and activates an electrical motor to position the side wheels in accordance with the front wheel position. The steering mechanism is further capable of steering the side wheels to a position perpendicular to the track of the vehicle. Finally, an additional or second pair of side wheels may be provided with both pairs being retractable and extendable and one pair arranged to come into play when the vehicle tips.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.