US3589745A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collapsible vehicle
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1968-03-20
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Granted: 1971-06-29
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Expires: 1988-03-20
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle collapsible to occupy a smaller volume for storage and transportation purpose which has a front and rear frame held together in sliding relationship so that the vehicle can be reduced in length for storage and extended in length for operation. The vehicle has a seat carried by the rear frame which includes a back support member pivotally movable with respect to the rear frame for folding into an out-of-the-way horizontal position. The rear wheels of the vehicle are carried by a suspension means which holds the wheels in alternative vertically extended and vertically retracted positions. Actuating means is provided for selectively moving the rear wheels to their retracted position by pivoting the back support member to its horizontal position, and for moving the rear wheels to their extended position by pivoting the back support member to its generally upright position. A steering bar is provided, which, when folded, also serves the purpose of retaining all folding parts of the vehicle in their folded positions.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence W Dougherty
- 👤 Terence J Gallagher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 07:41
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D21/00; B62D21/18; B62D21/183; B62D31/00; B62D31/003; B62D31/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
274 words
A vehicle collapsible to occupy a smaller volume for storage purposes, which comprises: a frame; at least one front wheel rotatably attached to said frame; rear wheels carried by at least one axle which is attached to said frame by means of a retractable wheel suspension system which comprises at least one trailing arm for carrYing each of said axles, each of said trailing arms being hinged to said frame at one end of the arm; a lower hinge member pivotally attached at one end to each of said trailing arms; an upper hinge member pivotally attached at one end to each of said lower hinge members and at its other end to said frame to form a hinged joint; and stop means limiting the amplitude of the hinged motion in which said lower and upper hinge members may engage with respect to each other in one direction beyond an end-to-end, parallel relationship, while permitting them to engage in hinged motion freely in the other direction, whereby, as said lower and upper hinge members engage in hinged motion in said other direction to move from said endto-end, parallel relationship with each other to an acute-angle relationship, the free end of each of said trailing arms is retracted towards said upper hinge members, while during hinged motion in the opposite direction back towards said end-to-end parallel relationship of said hinged members, the free end of each trailing arm is extended away from said upper hinge members; and means for controlling the hinged position of said lower and upper hinge members, whereby said rear wheels have a vertically extended, operative position and a vertically retracted position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
274 words
A vehicle collapsible to occupy a smaller volume for storage purposes, which comprises: a frame; at least one front wheel rotatably attached to said frame; rear wheels carried by at least one axle which is attached to said frame by means of a retractable wheel suspension system which comprises at least one trailing arm for carrYing each of said axles, each of said trailing arms being hinged to said frame at one end of the arm; a lower hinge member pivotally attached at one end to each of said trailing arms; an upper hinge member pivotally attached at one end to each of said lower hinge members and at its other end to said frame to form a hinged joint; and stop means limiting the amplitude of the hinged motion in which said lower and upper hinge members may engage with respect to each other in one direction beyond an end-to-end, parallel relationship, while permitting them to engage in hinged motion freely in the other direction, whereby, as said lower and upper hinge members engage in hinged motion in said other direction to move from said endto-end, parallel relationship with each other to an acute-angle relationship, the free end of each of said trailing arms is retracted towards said upper hinge members, while during hinged motion in the opposite direction back towards said end-to-end parallel relationship of said hinged members, the free end of each trailing arm is extended away from said upper hinge members; and means for controlling the hinged position of said lower and upper hinge members, whereby said rear wheels have a vertically extended, operative position and a vertically retracted position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
217 words
A retractible wheel suspension system which comprises: a frame; at least one trailing arm for carrying a wheel axle, each of said trailing arms being hinged to said frame at one end of each arm; a lower hinge member pivotally attached at one end to each of said trailing arms; an upper hinge member pivotally attached to one end to each of said lower hinge members and at its other end to said frame to form a hinged joint; stop means limiting the amplitude of the hinged motion in which said lower and upper hinge members may engage with respect to each other in one direction beyond an end-to-end, parallel relationship while permitting them to engage in hinged motion freely in the other direction, whereby, as said lower and upper hinge members engage in hinged motion in said other direction to move from said end-to-end, parallel relationship with each other to an acute-angle relationship, the free end of each of said trailing arms is retracted toward said upper hinge member, while during hinged motion in the opposite direction back toward said end-to-end, parallel relationship of said hinge members, the free end of each trailing arm is extended away from said upper hinge member; and means for controlling the hinged position of said lower and upper hinge members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
217 words
A retractible wheel suspension system which comprises: a frame; at least one trailing arm for carrying a wheel axle, each of said trailing arms being hinged to said frame at one end of each arm; a lower hinge member pivotally attached at one end to each of said trailing arms; an upper hinge member pivotally attached to one end to each of said lower hinge members and at its other end to said frame to form a hinged joint; stop means limiting the amplitude of the hinged motion in which said lower and upper hinge members may engage with respect to each other in one direction beyond an end-to-end, parallel relationship while permitting them to engage in hinged motion freely in the other direction, whereby, as said lower and upper hinge members engage in hinged motion in said other direction to move from said end-to-end, parallel relationship with each other to an acute-angle relationship, the free end of each of said trailing arms is retracted toward said upper hinge member, while during hinged motion in the opposite direction back toward said end-to-end, parallel relationship of said hinge members, the free end of each trailing arm is extended away from said upper hinge member; and means for controlling the hinged position of said lower and upper hinge members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The collapsible wheel suspension system of claim 2 in which one of said hinge members comprises a compressible coil spring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The collapsible wheel suspension system of claim 2 in which said lower hinge member comprises a compressible and extensible coil spring having a flexible cable extending axially through said spring and secured to each end of the spring to limit axial extension thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
83 words
The collapsible wheel suspension system of claim 2 in which said means for controlling the hinged position of said lower and upper hinge members comprises actuating means pivotally connected at one end to one of said hinge members and pivotally connected at the other end to an actuating lever, said actuating lever in turn being pivotally connected to said frame, whereby movement of said actuating lever causes said lower and upper hinge members to engage in hinged motion with respect to each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
82 words
The collapsible wheel suspension system of claim 2 in which the upper end of said upper hinge member forms a yoke, the arms of said yoke being pivotally attached to said frame, and said stop means is carried by said upper hinge member below said yoke, to permit said hinged motion in one direction no farther than a position slightly beyond the end-to-end, parallel position of said hinge members, but to permit hinged motion of said members freely in the other direction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-28 | 1974-12-28 | 1975-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-28 | 1978-12-28 | 1979-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-28 | 1982-12-28 | 1983-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |