Land vehicles – Wheeled – Occupant propelled type
Patent
1982-08-16
1985-05-21
Peters, Jr., Joseph F.
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Occupant propelled type
280220, 280221, B62M 118
Patent
active
045181764
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to crank operated vehicles such as a wheeled cart used by children, athletes, disabled persons as well as those requiring locomotion in public places, such as railway terminals and airports.
There are several types of non-motorized vehicles; one such type is generally characterized by the fact that propulsion is effected by the physical strength of the operator, whose power is transmitted directly through an arm with the use of a rod system or chain. The torque thus created ensures the propulsion of the vehicle. Such vehicles are generally known as bicycles or trolleys. Recently another type of sporting and toy-vehicles for children has become known, the chassis of which is formed by flat surface and the wheels are fixed to the axle supporting the chassis eccentrically with the eccentricity of each wheel being in opposition to the other. Propulsion of the vehicle is provided by transferring the center of gravity of the operator's body, the operator standing or sitting on the chassis, while the vehicle performs a rocking motion around the longitudinal axis of the chassis. The eccentric fastening of the wheels actually forms lever arms which are loaded alternately with the power given by transferring the weight of the body. The forces developed by the load create a torque, that keeps the vehicle in motion. The disadvantage of this vehicle, is its unsteerability, e.g. running in a predetermined track or direction is impossible. Thus, it did not gain general acceptance either as a toy, a vehicle or as an exercise device.
The present invention has as its object the improvement of such vehicles as hereinbefore described having a chassis and at least one drivable crank system consisting of a pair of driving wheels fixed with opposite eccentricity to the driving shaft supporting the chassis.
It is a further object to provide a vehicle of the type described in which its steerability is improved and can be driven in a straight line or track.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus the invention provides a vehicle especially for children, athletes, disabled persons and the requiring locomotion anywhere comprising a chassis having a front and rear section as well as at least one crank driving system consisting of a pair of driving wheels attached with opposite eccentricity to a common driving shaft, which shaft supports one of the chassis sections. The essence of the invention lies in the fact that the axis of the driving shaft connecting the wheels intersects a theoretical line passing through the center of the driving wheels at an acute angle and one wheel is fixed non-rotatably to the shaft while the other driving wheel is attached for free rotation relative to the shaft.
In one embodiment of the invention at least one end of the driving shaft is formed having an integral an eccentric arm and is provided with a bearing stub at its end, on which the freely journalled which is coaxially mounted. An oppositely directed eccentric arm may also be formed at the "fixed" end of the driving shaft. If so, the shaft is provided with a fixed a bearing stub to which the non rotatable wheel is coaxially fixed.
In another embodiment, the rotatable wheel comprises a outer peripheral annulus and a central hub. The shaft is eccentrically fixed to the hub which has a greater radius than the extent of eccentricity. The second annulus is journalled about the hub as to allow its free rolling relative thereto around its center.
It is preferable, to form the front section of the chassis as a steerable carriage having a handle and the rear section with at least one-two wheel support and crank assembly connected so as to tilt around the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Added entertainment and exercise for children, athletes and the like can be obtained by having the steerable carriage formed with an additional two wheel support and crank assembly pivotable around a vertical axis.
It is advantages to arrange one of the driving wheels of crank assembly for the steerable section to be journa
REFERENCES:
patent: 1223949 (1917-04-01), Flagg
patent: 1498427 (1924-06-01), Dean
patent: 1759740 (1930-05-01), Foltz
patent: 2555480 (1951-06-01), Fischer
patent: 3173632 (1965-03-01), Woods
"Aranykalasz" Mgtsz
McGiehan Donn
Peters Jr. Joseph F.
Schaffer Murray
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