Free-to-lean three-wheeled passenger vehicle, power plant controller and body therefor
US8662228B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 19, 2011 |
| Grant date | Mar 4, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 8, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62K2204/00
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A three-wheeled leaning passenger vehicle comprises a frame rigidly mounting a passenger seat; a rear wheel rotatably mounted on the frame in a rearward region thereof; a frame-mounted rotary drive cooperatively coupled with the rear wheel for rotation of the rear wheel relative to the frame; and a frame-mounted coast/steer system including two front wheels freely rotatable relative to the frame in a forward region thereof, and a handlebar coupled with the two front wheels for turning the two front wheels in a plane defined by their rotational axes substantially parallel with one another to corner, the vehicle being configured to substantially freely lean left and right in a natural response to a driver thereof in the driver seat steering the vehicle and leaning respectively left and right, and, alternatively or additionally, to have controlled leaning in response to a hydraulically or otherwise provisioned front-wheel suspension subsystem.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.