U.S. patent application number 10/638786 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-23 for cambering vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to Unique Forces Company Limited. Invention is credited to Chuang, Jin Chen.
Application Number | 20040256824 10/638786 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33424174 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040256824 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chuang, Jin Chen |
December 23, 2004 |
Cambering vehicle
Abstract
A cambering vehicle includes a front column, left and a right
trailing arms each having a front portion pivotally attached to
either the front column or a bracket attached thereto by a pivot
axle which is preferably inclined relative to the bracket or the
front column. A detachable latching device may be used to
detachably latch the bracket, if so provided, and thus the trailing
arms to the front column at the working position. The bracket and
thus the trailing arm may be rotated relative to the front column
to the folding position when the detachably latching device
releases the bracket relative to the front column. The cambering
vehicle may also include a link connect the trailing arms
independent of the front column, and a braking mechanism to inhibit
forward movement of the cambering vehicle.
Inventors: |
Chuang, Jin Chen; (Taichung,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LERNER, DAVID, LITTENBERG,
KRUMHOLZ & MENTLIK
600 SOUTH AVENUE WEST
WESTFIELD
NJ
07090
US
|
Assignee: |
Unique Forces Company
Limited
Tortola
VG
|
Family ID: |
33424174 |
Appl. No.: |
10/638786 |
Filed: |
August 11, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10638786 |
Aug 11, 2003 |
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10608399 |
Jun 23, 2003 |
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10638786 |
Aug 11, 2003 |
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10608398 |
Jun 23, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/87.041 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62K 3/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/087.041 |
International
Class: |
B62M 001/00 |
Claims
1. A cambering vehicle for human propelled transport comprising: an
elongate front column; first and second pivot axles at said front
column; a first trailing arm pivotally attached to said first pivot
axle; a second trailing arm pivotally attached to said second pivot
axle; first and second rear wheels associated with said first and
second trailing arms; and, a link, spaced from, and not connected
to, said front column, said link spanning said first and second
trailing arms.
2. The cambering vehicle of claim 1, wherein each of said trailing
arms further comprises a pair of ears, said link being attached to
said trailing arms between each pair of ears.
3. The cambering vehicle of claim 2, wherein each pair of ears
further comprises an aperture there through and said link further
comprises orifices at each of its ends in registration with said
apertures, said cambering vehicle further comprising a pair of
connection devices connecting said link to said ears through said
orifices and said apertures at respective ends of said link.
4. The cambering vehicle of claim 3, wherein at least one of said
connection devices is a removable pin.
5. The cambering vehicle of claim 4, further comprising a cover
assembly engaged with said link and adapted to protect said first
pin from being decoupled from said link when in a first
position.
6. The cambering vehicle of claim 5, wherein said cover assembly is
rotatably engaged to said link.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present continuation-in-part application relates to U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/168,399, filed Jun. 23, 2003 and U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/168,398, filed Jun. 23, 2003, the
disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a cambering vehicle of the
type having a single front wheel extending from a vertical steering
stem's lower extremity and two rear wheels, each attached to one of
a pair of horizontal trailing arms pivotally attached to the
steering stem. Typically, handlebars attach to the steering stem's
upper extremity to permit manipulation of the single wheel. Above
the rear wheels on each of the trailing arms are platforms for the
user to stand on while operating the vehicle. More particularly,
the cambering vehicle of the present invention also includes a
novel structure which may be readily folded for storage or
transport, for example. Another embodiment of the cambering vehicle
of the present invention includes a novel crossbar member spanning
the two trailing arms.
[0003] Various conventional cambering vehicles have been developed.
Such conventional vehicles are generally operator propelled three
wheeled vehicles comprising a front column having a steering shaft
rotatably attached thereto, a front wheel attached to the bottom of
the steering shaft, and a pair of laterally spaced rear wheels on
trailing arms which are articulated to the front column. More
complex vehicles also include additional elements, including
brakes.
[0004] To move the vehicle, the operator stands upon platforms
provided on each trailing arm. By alternately leaning left and
right, the vehicle will camber left and right. This cambering
induces a force between the rear wheels and a surface upon which
the vehicle is placed. The force produces work driving the vehicle
forward along a sinusoidal path, the frequency of which is related
to the user's input of alternate leans and the amplitude of which
is related to the speed of the vehicle.
[0005] More recent of the conventional cambering vehicles are
designed to be folded into a compact configuration for storage or
transport, for example. Several of the prior art cambering vehicles
fold at the connection of the steering stem and the trailing arms.
Other vehicles have trailing arms with intermediate folding
mechanisms. Such vehicles often suffer from the application of
unwanted flexing within the trailing arm. Also, such folding
mechanisms typically include quick-release type features, which may
cause folding of the device at inadvertent times, or which may be
difficult to operate.
[0006] The trailing arms of conventional vehicles have their front
ends rotatably or pivotally secured to the front column by
utilizing an attachment fitting or shaft that is perpendicular to
the front column. When the vehicle is cambered toward one side,
such as the right side, the left trailing arm and thus the left
rear wheel may be forced or caused to be moved upwardly away from
the ground, or may not be suitably contacted with the ground.
[0007] Conversely, when the vehicle is cambered toward the other
side, for example the left side, the right trailing arm and thus
the right rear wheel may also be forced or caused to be moved
upwardly away from the ground, or may not be suitably contacted
with the ground, such that the vehicle may not be stable as it
travels along the sinusoidal path.
[0008] Aspects of the present invention mitigate and/or obviate the
aforementioned disadvantages of the conventional cambering
vehicles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, there is
disclosed a cambering vehicle for human propelled transport
comprising an elongate front column; first and second pivot axles
at the front column; a first trailing arm pivotally attached to the
first pivot axle; a second trailing arm pivotally attached to the
second pivot axle; first and second rear wheels associated with the
first and second trailing arms; and a link, spaced from, and not
connected to, the front column, wherein the link spans the first
and second trailing arms.
[0010] In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention,
there is disclosed a cambering vehicle for human propelled
transport where each of the trailing arms further comprise a pair
of ears, where the link is attached to the trailing arms between
each pair of ears.
[0011] In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention,
there is disclosed a cambering vehicle where each pair of ears
further comprises an aperture therethrough and the link further
comprises orifices at each of its ends in registration with the
apertures, the cambering vehicle further comprising a pair of
connection devices connecting the link to the ears through the
orifices and the apertures at respective ends of the link. At least
one of the connection devices may be a removable pin.
[0012] A cover assembly may engage with the link. The cover
assembly may be adapted to protect the first pin from being
decoupled from the link when in a first position. The cover
assembly may be rotatably engaged to the link.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly
pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the
specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and
method of operation, together with features, objects, and
advantages thereof may best be understood by reference to the
following detailed description when read with the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cambering vehicle
constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the cambering vehicle of FIG.
1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial exploded view of the cambering
vehicle of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a side view of the cambering vehicle of FIG.
1;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a top view of the cambering vehicle of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a front view of the cambering vehicle of FIG.
1;
[0020] FIGS. 7 and 8 are enlarged partial side views illustrating
the folding operation of the cambering vehicle of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a front view of a bracket which forms a part of
the cambering vehicle of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIGS. 10 and 11 are enlarged partial side views similar to
FIGS. 7 and 8 respectively, illustrating the folding operation of
the cambering vehicle of FIG. 1; and
[0023] FIG. 12 is a front view of the bracket forming a part of the
cambering vehicle of the present invention, similar to FIG. 9,
illustrating a second embodiment of the cambering vehicle;
[0024] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a cambering vehicle in
accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the cambering vehicle of
FIG. 13;
[0026] FIG. 15 is a side view of the cambering vehicle of FIG.
13;
[0027] FIG. 16 is a top view of the cambering vehicle of FIG.
13;
[0028] FIG. 17 is a front view of the cambering vehicle of FIG.
13;
[0029] FIG. 18 is a schematic view illustrating the operation of
the cambering vehicle in accordance with the present invention;
and
[0030] FIG. 19 is a partial exploded view illustrating a fourth
embodiment of the cambering vehicle of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1-6, a
cambering vehicle 1 in accordance with the first embodiment of the
present invention comprises a front column 2 including a front tube
20, a steering shaft 30, a portion of which is rotatably engaged or
disposed concentrically within the front tube 20, a front fork 31
attached to a bottom end of the steering shaft 30 to support a
front wheel 32, and a handle 34 supported on a top end of the
steering shaft 30.
[0032] The steering shaft 30 may preferably be provided with a stem
33 retractably received therein and extendible outwardly therefrom,
or adjustably secured to the steering shaft 30 with a device such
as a quick release clamp 39. The handle 34 is secured on top of the
steering shaft 30 or on top of the stem 33 of the steering shaft
30, if so provided. One or more, and preferably two, brake hand
grips 35 are attached to the handle 34 for braking purposes, and
are coupled to cables 36 respectively.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the front column 2 may include an
extension 21 attached to or extended from the front tube 20, such
as attached to the upper portion 22 of the front tube 20. The
extension 21 comprises an aperture 21a for receiving a
spring-biased latch device 23. The spring-biased latch device 23 is
attached to the extension 21 of the front tube 20, and includes a
latch pin 24 extendible through the aperture 21a of extension 21,
downwardly toward the lower portion 25 of the front tube 20.
[0034] A bracket 7 is rotatably or pivotally attached to the front
tube 20 of the front column 2 with a pivot shaft 71. For example,
as shown in FIGS. 7-8 and 10-11, the bracket 7 includes a lower
portion 70 rotatably or pivotally attached to the lower portion 25
of the front tube with the pivot shaft 71, to allow the bracket 7
to be rotated relative to the front tube 20 about pivot shaft
71.
[0035] The bracket 7 includes an upper panel 72 having an orifice
73 formed therein in registration with aperture 21a of extension 21
for receiving the latch pin 24 of the latch device 23 which may
detachably or openly secure the upper panel 72 of the bracket 7 to
the front tube 20. For example, the bracket 7 may be rotated to or
away from the front tube 20 when the latch pin 24 of the latch
device 23 is disengaged from the upper panel 72 of the bracket 7,
as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11.
[0036] The latch device 23 comprises a circular cap 24a with a
threaded shaft 24b extending therefrom. The orifice 73 of upper
panel 72 may be tapped to matingly engage with the threaded shaft
24b, such that twisting of the circular cap 24a in a first
direction will engage the threaded shaft within the orifice. Such
engagement may be utilized to lock the bracket 7, to place the
cambering vehicle 1 in the assembled condition shown in FIGS. 7 and
10. It will be appreciated that twisting of the circular cap 24a in
a second direction, opposite that of the first direction, will
disengage the threaded shaft 24b from the orifice 73 to unlock the
bracket 7, such that the cambering vehicle 1 may be placed in the
folded condition shown in FIGS. 8 and 11.
[0037] Alternatively, the latch device 23 may be provided with an
internal spring (not shown) mounted between the circular cap 24a
and the threaded shaft 246, such that the threaded shaft 24b is
centered concentric with the spring. The spring may serve the
purpose of causing the latch pin 24 to be released from the
aperture 21a and orifice 73 upon upward force exerted on the
circular cap 24a, but be retained therein absent an external force.
Preferably, the threaded shaft 24b will remain within the aperture
21a at all times during this alternate operation, even when the
latch pin 24 is pulled from within the aperture 21a and orifice 73.
Of course, the spring rate should be sufficiently low to permit a
user to easily compress the spring to withdraw the latch pin 24
from the aperture 21a and orifice 73, but sufficiently high to
retain the latch device 23 in a secure manner.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10 when the latch pin 24 of the
latch device 23 is engaged into the orifice 73 of the upper panel
72 of the bracket 7, the bracket 7 may be solidly secured to the
front tube 20 with the spring-biased latch device 23. The
spring-biased latch device 23 may thus be used as a latching means
or device to detachably secure the bracket 7 to the front tube
20.
[0039] The bracket 7 includes two socket openings 74 formed therein
and defined by two frames 75 respectively. Each socket opening 74
has a longitudinal axis or pivotal axis 76 inclined relative to the
longitudinal axis 77 of the bracket 7 (FIG. 9) that is generally
parallel to the front tube 20, such that the socket openings 74
and/or the frames 75 may also be arranged and inclined relative to
the front tube 20 when the bracket 7 is secured to the front tube
20 (FIGS. 1, 4, 6, 7).
[0040] As shown in FIG. 9, the pivotal axes 76 of the socket
openings 74 and/or the frames 75 are illustrated to be extended
inclinedly and downwardly relative to the bracket 7. However, the
pivotal axes 76 of the socket openings 74 and/or the frames 75 may
also be arranged in different inclination relative to the bracket
7. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the pivotal axes 76 of the
socket openings 74 and/or the frames 75 may also be arranged to be
extended inclinedly and upwardly relative to the bracket 7.
[0041] A left trailing arm and a right trailing arm 40 each include
a front portion rotatably or pivotally attached to the bracket 7
with pivot axles 78 respectively. For example, each of the trailing
arms 40 includes a bushing 41 attached or provided on the front
portion thereof, and rotatably attached onto the pivot axles 78
that are secured to the frames 75 of the bracket respectively, for
rotatably or pivotally coupling the trailing arms 40 to the front
tube 20 with the bracket 7.
[0042] The front portions or the bushings 41 of the trailing arms
40 may be rotatably attached to the pivot axles 78 respectively
with washers, gaskets, bearings 43 or the like, for allowing the
front portions or the bushings 41 of the trailing arms 40 to be
rotatably coupled to the front tube 20. Each of the trailing arms
40 includes a downwardly dependent rear wheel 45 rotatably attached
to its rear end. Each trailing arm 40 also includes a foot pedal 46
disposed thereon, to support users.
[0043] The front portions or the bushings 41 of the trailing arms
40 merge the pivotal axes 76 of the socket openings 74 and/or the
frames 75 respectively, such that the front portions or the
bushings 41 of the trailing arms 40 also arranged to be inclined
relative to the longitudinal axis 77 of the bracket 7 that is
parallel to the front tube 20.
[0044] The cambering vehicle 1 may further include two brake
devices 47 attached to the rear portions of the trailing arms 40
respectively, for braking the rear wheels 45 respectively. The
brake hand grips 35 are coupled to the brake devices 47 with the
cables 36 respectively, in order to actuate the brake devices 47 to
brake the rear wheels 45. Upon actuation of the brake hand grips
35, the brake device 47 is rotated by a cable 36 such that the
brake device contacts the rear wheel 45 causing friction
therebetween. It will be appreciated that the components may be
sized such that sufficient friction will build up to safely and
quickly stop the vehicle 1 from the brake speed for which it is
designed.
[0045] Each of the trailing arms 40 may include one or more ears 48
secured thereto or extended therefrom. The ears 48 of the trailing
arms 40 typically face toward each other. A cable or a link 50
includes two ends 51 pivotally or rotatably secured to the ears 48
of the trailing arms 40 with gaskets, bearings, rubber bushings 53
or the like. One end 51 of the link 50 may be rotatably attached to
the ears 48 of one of the trailing arms with a pivot pin 49, and
the other end 51 of the link 50 may be rotatably and detachably
coupled to the ears 48 of the other trailing arm 40 with a
fastener, a latch pin 55 or the like, for quick removal. The
fastener 55 may be covered by a shield (not shown) to prevent
accidental removal of the fastener. The shield may be rotatably or
slidably engaged to the link 50, such that it may easily be removed
to permit a user to remove the fastener 55 from the link. A chain,
string or similar device may be utilized to secure the fastener 55
to the shield, or other component of the vehicle 1, so it will not
be lost upon removal.
[0046] In operation, the operator alternates the shifting of his or
her weight to the inside of each turning arc, to shift the center
of mass to the inside of each arc. This shifting causes the front
column 2 to be tilted relative to the ground, to result a series of
accelerations pushing the vehicle forward in a sinusoidal path to
attain a forward motion.
[0047] The inclination of the pivot axles 78 relative to the
bracket 7 or the front tube 20 respectively may cause or generate a
different moving stroke of the vehicle as compared with the moving
strokes of the conventional cambering vehicles, which typically
include a pair of trailing arms having front ends rotatably secured
to the front column with an attachment fitting or shaft that is
perpendicular to the front column.
[0048] The inclination of the pivot axles 78 relative to the front
tube 20 of the front column 2 respectively may also be changed or
selected to cause different moving stroke of the vehicle, and thus
to change the accelerations of the vehicle. It is preferable, but
not necessary, that the pivot axles 78 are arranged symmetric
relative to the front column 2 or relative to the bracket 7.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 8, when the latch pin 24 of the spring
biased latch device 23 is disengaged from the upper panel 72 of the
bracket 7, the bracket 7 and thus the trailing arms 40 may be
rotated relative to or toward the front tube 20 or the front column
2 to a compact folding or storing position.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 7, when the latch pin 24 of the
spring-biased latch device 23 is engaged into the orifice 73 of the
upper panel 72 of the bracket 7, the trailing arms 40 may be
solidly secured to the front tube 20 at a working position or
assembled condition, and to retain the vehicle in a tricycle-shaped
cambering vehicle.
[0051] It is to be noted that, due to the inclination of the pivot
axles 78 relative to the bracket 7 or the front tube 20, the
trailing arms 40 may be rotated or spaced away from each other when
the link 50 is disengaged from the trailing arms 40 to place the
vehicle 1 in the folded or storing position. The foldable structure
of the trailing arms 40 toward or relative to the front column 2
allows the cambering vehicle to be folded to a compact folding or
storing position.
[0052] Accordingly, the cambering vehicle includes a left and a
right trailing arm rotatably or pivotally attached to a front
column with inclined axles, to allow the trailing arms and the rear
wheels to be moved without being moved upwardly away from the
ground, and to change the moving stroke of the vehicle. The
trailing arms may also be folded relative to the front column
between folding or storing positions and working positions.
[0053] Referring to FIGS. 13-17, a cambering vehicle 101 in
accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention
comprises a front column 102 including a front tube 120, a steering
shaft 130 rotatably engaged or disposed concentrically within the
front tube 120, a front fork 131 attached to bottom of the steering
shaft 130 to support a front wheel 132, and a handle 134 supported
on top of the steering shaft 130.
[0054] The steering shaft 130 may further include a stem 133
retractably received therein and extendible outwardly therefrom, or
adjustably secured to the steering shaft 130 with various
mechanisms, such as a quick release clamp 139. The handle 134 is
secured on top of the steering shaft 130 or on top of the stem 133
of the steering shaft 130. One or more, for example two, brake hand
grips 135 may be attached to the handle 134 for braking purposes,
and are coupled to cables 136 respectively. As will be discussed,
the cables 136 are routed to braking element 147, respectively.
[0055] The front column 102 includes two pivot axles 121 and 122
extended from the front tube 120, and inclined from the horizontal
relative to the front tube 120. For example, as shown in FIG. 1,
the pivot axles 121 and 122 and illustrated to be extended inclined
downward relative to the front tube 120. However, alternatively, as
shown in FIG. 19, the pivot axles 121 and 122 may also be extended
inclinedly upward relative to the front tube 120.
[0056] A left trailing arm and a right trailing arm 140 each
include a front portion rotatably or pivotally attached to the
front tube 120 of the front column 102 with the pivot axles 121 and
122 respectively. For example, each of the trailing arms 140
includes a bushing 141 attached or provided on the front portion
thereof, and rotatably attached onto the pivot axles 121 and 122
respectively, for rotatably or pivotally coupling the trailing arms
140 to the front tube 120 of the front column 102.
[0057] The front portions or the bushings 141 of the trailing arms
140 may be rotatably attached to the pivot axles 121 and 122
respectively with bearings 142, washers 143, gaskets or the like,
and secured to the pivot axles 121 and 122 with fasteners 144
respectively, in order to solidly or stably couple the trailing
arms 140 to the front tube 120 of the front column 102. Each of the
trailing arms 140 includes a rear wheel 145 rotatably attached to
the rear end, a foot pedal 146 disposed thereon to support
users.
[0058] The cambering vehicle 101 may further include two brake
devices 147 attached to the rear portions of the trailing arms 140
respectively, for braking the rear wheels 145 respectively. The
brake hand grips 135 are coupled to the brake devices 147 with the
cables 136 respectively in order to actuate the brake devices 147
to brake the rear wheels 145.
[0059] It is to be noted that the pivot axles 121 and 122 are
illustrated or shown to be secured to or extended from the front
tube 120 of the front column 102 respectively. However, the pivot
axles 121 and 122 may also be provided on the front portions of the
trailing arms 140, and rotatably or pivotally attached to the front
tube 120 of the front column 102 respectively with such as bushings
(not shown) or the like that may be secured or extended inclinedly
from the front tube 120 of the front column 102.
[0060] Each of the trailing arms 140 may include one or more ears
148 secured thereto or extended therefrom, where the ears 148 of
the trailing arms 140 are facing toward each other. A cable or a
line 150 includes two ends 151 to be pivotally or rotatably secured
to the ears 148 of the trailing arms 140 with gaskets or bearings
153 or the like. One end 151 of the link 150 may be rotatably
attached to the ears 148 of one of the trailing arms 140 with a
pivot pin 149, and the other end 151 of the link 150 may be
rotatably and detachably coupled to the ears 148 of the other
trailing arm 140 with a fastener (not shown), a latch pin 155 or
the like.
[0061] In operation, the cambering vehicle 101 operates in
virtually the same manner as the cambering vehicle 1, previously
described. However, in order to fold the cambering vehicle 101, one
merely needs to disconnect the fastener, such as latch pin 155,
connecting the ear 148 to the trailing arm 140.
[0062] Although this invention has been described with a certain
degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present
disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous
changes in the detailed construction and the combination and
arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the
spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
* * * * *