US3698502A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stabilized three-wheel vehicle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-08-07
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Granted: 1972-10-17
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Expires: 1990-08-07
Abstract
Abstract This invention is concerned with a stabilized three-wheel vehicle having a steering wheel at the front and two driving wheels at the back, wherein the vehicle comprises a chassis carrying the front steering wheel mounted on a fork with positive play, a rear framework having two driving wheels, and a member which will pivot around the substantially horizontal axis and is disposed between the chassis and the rear framework, a device sensitive to resultant of weight and centrifugal force being provited to enable the pivotal member to be locked.
Inventors
- 👤 Pierre C Patin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:28
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D37/00; B62D37/04; B62K; B62K5/00; B62K5/02; B62K5/027; B62K5/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A stabilized three-wheel vehicle having a steering wheel at the front and two driving wheels at the back, comprising a chassis carrying the front steering wheel mounted on a fork with positive play, a rear framework mounting said two driving wheels and a member pivotally connecting said chassis and said framework for rotation about a substantially longitudinal horizontal axis between the chassis and the framework, a locking device for said pivotal member comprising a part moving freely in a housing, said housing being integral with the chassis, said part being normally positioned in the central plane of the chassis and moving in response to the effect of centrifugal force, whereby said part locks said pivotal member when centrifugal force causes said part to move outside the central plane of the chassis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A stabilized three-wheel vehicle having a steering wheel at the front and two driving wheels at the back, comprising a chassis carrying the front steering wheel mounted on a fork with positive play, a rear framework mounting said two driving wheels and a member pivotally connecting said chassis and said framework for rotation about a substantially longitudinal horizontal axis between the chassis and the framework, a locking device for said pivotal member comprising a part moving freely in a housing, said housing being integral with the chassis, said part being normally positioned in the central plane of the chassis and moving in response to the effect of centrifugal force, whereby said part locks said pivotal member when centrifugal force causes said part to move outside the central plane of the chassis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
A vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said device for locking said pivotal member includes a brake drum integral with said rear framework, brake shoes mounted on a member integral with said chassis, said part being a cam between said brake-shoes, mounted on said chassis and actuated by a pendulum-governor tightening said brake when said pendulum-governor diverges from said central plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
117 words
A vehicle as set forth in claim 1, said device for locking said pivotal member including a cylindrical member integral with the chassis rotating inside a cylindrical pan integral with the rear framework, said part being a pendulum-governor articulated to the cylindrical member and having a Length greater than the internal radius of the pan, the axis of articulation of the pendulum-governor being in the central plane of the chassis and parallel with the pivotal axis of the chassis on the rear framework, the end of the pendulum-governor skimming the inner surface of the pan when the central plane of the chassis is vertical, and means for locking the pendulum-governor in the central plane of the chassis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A vehicle as set forth in claim 3, said locking means for the pendulum-governor being an electro-magnet in the central plane of the chassis and a core for said magnet spaced from the pendulum-governor, the electro-magnet being energized by a current from a tachometer generator driven at a speed proportional to that of the vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
129 words
A vehicle as set forth in claim 1, said device for locking the pivotal member includes a circular plate integral with the chassis and rotating in a cylindrical pan integral with the rear framework, the plate having hollow radial tracks forming double helical ramps on its face towards the inside of the pan, the surface facing the end of the pan being formed with radial recesses, rollers in said recesses in the same number and at the same angular distance as the plate tracks, said part being a circular coaxial member having an unbalance facing said plate in said pan whereby, in its equilibrium position, each roller is opposite a track in the plate when the central plane of the chassis coincides with the direction of the centrifugal force.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
128 words
A vehicle as set forth in claim 1, said device for locking the pivotal member includes a plate integral with the chassis and articulated to the rear framework, a finger integral with the rear framework, two resilient chambers mounted on the plate and symmetrically in contact with the finger, pipes interconnecting the two chambers to an accumulator for pressurized fluid and to a gravity-operated ball distributor, said part being the ball of said distributor opening all the pipes for communication when the central plane of the chassis coincides with the direction of the centrifugal force and closing by gravity the piping of the chamber under negative pressure when the chassis is inclined to the vertical, and means in the distributor to immobilize the ball in a neutral position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
A vehicle as set forth in claim 6, the ball of the distributor being steel and said means for immobilizing the ball in the neutral position being an electromagnet integral with the distributor at the neutral point of the movement of the ball and supplied by a current produced by a tachometer generator driven at a speed proportional to the speed of the vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
A vehicle as described in claim 1, said device for locking said pivotal member including a cylindrical drum secured to said rear framework and centered on said substantially horizontal axis and said locking device being connected to and rotating with said chassis frictionally engaging said drum and said part being a pendulum actuating said locking device on movement on either side of the medial plane of said chassis by gravity and centrifugal force.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
73 words
A vehicle as described in claim 1, said device for locking said pivotal member including a friction drum connected to said rear framework, two friction shoes mounted on said chassis, said part being a cam mounted on said chassis engaging between said shoes and a pendulum secured to said cam rotating said cam against said shoes and moving said shoes into engagement with said drum when said pendulum moves from an equilibrium position.
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) | 1975-10-17 | 1976-04-17 | 1976-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-17 | 1980-04-17 | 1980-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-17 | 1984-04-17 | 1984-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |