Land vehicles – Wheeled – Coasters
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-08
2002-12-31
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Coasters
C280S087042, C280S124110, C280S124111
Reexamination Certificate
active
06499751
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to small, three wheeled, operator propelled vehicles, and more specifically to the class of vehicle known as “cambering vehicles,” in which forward motion is provided by the alternating shifting of weight from side to side as the vehicle travels a sinusoidal path, due to the conservation of angular momentum. One embodiment of the present cambered vehicle includes a novel yoke linkage between the two trailing arms for the rear wheels, which links the two trailing arms together for alternating motion. The easily removable yoke also provides for ease of folding of the vehicle for storage. In another embodiment, a transverse, rocking link is provided in lieu of the yoke, with the link incorporating elastomeric end bushings to provide for relative movement between the arms and the ends of the link. The link is not conveniently removable, but the arms include folding means for compact storage of the vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
A type of operator propelled three wheeled vehicle known as al “cambering vehicle” has a single steerable front wheel and a pair of laterally spaced rear wheels on trailing arms which are articulated to the front column from which the front wheel extends. As the vehicle travels a sinusoidal path, the operator shifts his or her weight to the inside of each turning arc, thus shifting the center of mass to the inside of each arc. This results in a series of accelerations due to the conservation of momentum of the vehicle and operator. In this manner, forward motion is attained.
The above principle of propulsion is well known, as described in at least one of the issued patents discussed further below. Such vehicles utilize various mechanisms (cables and pulleys, gears, bellcranks, etc.) to link the two trailing arms together, with such mechanisms being cited in the related art discussed further below. However, the present cambered vehicle differs from those of the prior art in that it utilizes a novel yoke mechanism to link the motion of the two trailing arms together, with the yoke also providing for ease of folding of the present vehicle by means of the removal of a single fitting. Another embodiment comprises a transverse link, with elastomeric bushings at each end for arm attachment. The bushings provide the resilience required for relative motion between the ends of the link and the arms.
A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,048 issued on Aug. 30, 1977 to Clarence C. Irwin, titled “Trailing Arm Cambering Vehicle With Stabilizer Linkage Having Locking Means For Parking And Stowage,” describes a cambering vehicle in which the trailing arms are linked to a bellcrank which is pivotally attached to the front column well above the attachment point of the arms to the front column. The two arms are linked to the bellcrank by pushrods. A locking plate having an arcuate slot therein with a threaded locking pin extending therethrough, permits a threaded knob to be tightened to lock the mechanism in a stationary position for upright storage of the vehicle. The folding mechanism is relatively complex in comparison to the present vehicle, in that Irwin requires both of the bellcrank connecting links to be removed. Moreover, Irwin does not disclose any form of elastomeric connection between any of the fittings or mechanisms of his cambering vehicle, as provided in one embodiment of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,047,732 issued on Sep. 13, 1977 to Jerry K. Williams et al., titled “Cambering Vehicle With Hydraulic Stabilizer And Equalizer,” describes a vehicle similar to that of the Irwin '048 U.S. Patent discussed immediately above, but having interconnected hydraulic cylinders linking the two trailing arms, rather than a mechanical linkage. The system functions similarly to that of the Irwin '048 U.S. Patent, with the extension of one cylinder causing the retraction of the opposite cylinder. A valve is used to shut off the flow of hydraulic fluid between the two struts to lock the position of the vehicle as desired. The valve may also be adjusted to allow fluid to flow from one end to the other of the two cylinders, thereby allowing both cylinders to collapse simultaneously for folding the vehicle. The present vehicle avoids fluids and hydraulics, utilizing a yoke member for connecting the two trailing arms, and moreover does not require any form of intermediate links between the trailing arms and the yoke. Williams et al. do not disclose any form of elastomeric fittings or connectors attaching any of the cambering components together, as provided in an embodiment of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,050,711 issued on Sep. 27, 1977 to Richard E. Denzer, titled “Cambering Device For Cambering Vehicle,” describes a trailing arm interconnect mechanism having two opposed arms disposed about a single pivot. The arms may be locked together to form a bellcrank to provide opposite action of the two trailing arms, or may be folded to allow the front column to be folded to the trailing arms for storage of the device. As in the other cambering vehicles discussed above, the Denzer vehicle links the trailing arms to the actuating mechanism by connecting rods, rather than using a direct yoke or transverse link mechanism as in the present vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,050,712 issued on Sep. 27, 1977 to Richard E. Denzer et al., titled “Cambering Device For Cambering Vehicle,” describes a mechanism very similar to that of the '711 U.S. Patent to the same first inventor, discussed immediately above. The device of the '712 Patent differs in that the central mechanism comprises a pair of meshed sector gears which may be locked together to provide the alternating action of the two trailing arms and their links to the mechanism. Unlocking the gears allows the forward structure to be folded adjacent to the two trailing arms. The device differs from the present cambering vehicle mechanism, with its single yoke or transverse link configuration.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,050,713 issued on Sep. 27, 1977 to Jerry K. Williams, titled “Cambering Device For Cambering Vehicle,” describes a mechanism similar to that of the '048 U.S. Patent to Irwin, discussed further above. The device of the '713 Patent comprises a pair of arcuate bellcranks which may be locked together to provide the opposite lifting and descending action of the two trailing arms, with the locking means allowing the two bellcranks to be arcuately folded together for folding the forward structure adjacent the trailing arms for storage.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,054,300 issued on Oct. 18, 1977 to Frank J. Winchell, titled “Cambering Vehicle With Trailing Arms Interconnected By Geared Stabilizer And Equalizer Mechanism,” describes a mechanism comprising a pair of opposed sector bevel gears disposed upon each pivot shaft of the trailing arms, with a central spur gear linking the two sector gears to provide equal and opposite arcuate movement of the trailing arms. The mechanism includes locking means for parking the vehicle, and means for releasing the gears to allow for folding the front structure adjacent the trailing arms. No yoke or transverse link mechanism is provided. The Winchell vehicle differs further in that it includes an engine driving the front wheel, which teaches away from the conservation of angular momentum principle of operation of unpowered cambering vehicles, including the present vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,065,146 issued on Dec. 27, 1977 to Richard E. Denzer, titled “Cambering Device For Cambering Vehicle,” describes a mechanism similar to that described in the '713 U.S. Patent discussed further above. A pair of bellcranks works between opposite links to the two trailing arms, to cause the trailing arms to work opposite one another, as is known in the cambering vehicle art. The two bellcranks may be adjusted relative to one another to allow the vehicle to
Johnson Brian L.
Litman Richard C.
Shriver J. Allen
LandOfFree
Cambering vehicle and mechanism does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Cambering vehicle and mechanism, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Cambering vehicle and mechanism will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2942265