Land vehicles – Wheeled – Occupant propelled type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-22
2001-11-06
Olszewski, Robert P. (Department: 2167)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Occupant propelled type
C280S204000, C280S231000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06312001
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to motive vehicles that are propelled by human force through a pedaling motion. More specifically, the present invention relates to a three wheel single person vehicle. This invention allows a user to turn the vehicle on a zero turn radius and to easily detach the wheels and seat. A number of secondary units can be attached to the three wheel vehicle to allow more than one person to be transported.
B. Problems in the Art
Motive vehicles that are powered by humans, through the use of pedals, are well known in the art. Both single person three-wheel vehicles and multiple user vehicles are old. However, these prior art motive vehicles suffered from a variety of defects. Some of these vehicles were hard to maneuver, making turns around tight corners very difficult. Other vehicles had wheels that were hard to remove. When these vehicles would blow a tire or need to be transported in a car, an operator would have to spend a long time taking the wheels off. Other prior art vehicles had uncomfortable seats that were difficult or impossible to remove. This also made storing the vehicle in a tight space a difficult task. Still other vehicles suffered from faulty or unreliable braking systems.
Therefore, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a motive vehicle that improves upon or solves problems and deficiencies in the art.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a motive vehicle with a zero turn radius.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a motive vehicle that has wheels that are easily detachable.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a motive vehicle that has a braking system that is easy to use and reliable.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a motive vehicle that has a detachable seat.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a two-person motive vehicle that is easy to use.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a motive vehicle that is durable, efficient in operation, easy to use, and economical.
These and other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art through reference to the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A motive vehicle according to the present invention comprises a central frame, rear wheels attached to the central frame, and a seat attached to the central frame. Both the seat and rear wheels may be detachable. A pedal device and a fork are operatively attached to the central frame. A handle and a front wheel are connected to the fork. The front wheel, fork, and handle allow for steering of the motive vehicle. A differential is operatively coupled to the central frame. A front gear is coupled to the pedal device and a rear gear is connected to the differential. A chain is operatively coupled to both the front and rear sprockets. Force applied to the pedal device propels the vehicle in a forward motion.
The differential communicates with the rear wheels. The differential allows the wheel on the side to which the operator is turning to quit rotating. This gives the motive vehicle a zero turn radius.
Preferably, another gear and a one-way clutch are coupled to the central frame, along with brake cams. Backwards pedaling will cause the brake cams to frictionally engage the rear wheels, helping them to slow down.
In an alternative embodiment, a front motive vehicle having three wheels is connected to a rear vehicle which has two wheels. The front vehicle is of the type just described. The rear vehicle will also have a seat and a pedal device similar to that on the front vehicle. Two people can operate this tandem vehicle.
REFERENCES:
Bike Along, 7334 Hollister Avenue, Goleta, CA 39117 (Complete data base of bike products which includes 1997 and 1998 models, printout on Jul. 27, 1998.
Bike Along, 7334 Hollister Avenue, Goleta, CA 39117 (Complete data base of bike products) CD Catalog available at least from Oct. 2000, printout from pp. 10-19.
Fischer Andrew J.
Olszewski Robert P.
Zarley McKee Thomte Voorhees & Sease
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