US3763945A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automotive vehicle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-07-15
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Granted: 1973-10-09
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Expires: 1991-07-15
Abstract
Abstract Highly maneuverable and sturdy automotive vehicle with movable wheel drive means that permits selective joint or separate actuation of parallel drive and steering wheels, each rotatably supported on an integral shell and frame structure of great dimensional stability and strength.
Inventors
- 👤 O Danielson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:14
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D61/00; B62D61/12; B60; B60F; B60F5/00; B60F5/003; B60F5/006; B60K; B60K1/00; B62D11/00; B62D11/02; B62D11/06; B62D11/08; B62D31/00; B62D31/003; B62D61/06; B62D65/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
334 words
An automotive operator carrying vehicle apparatus comprising: a. a rigid frame; b. a first ground engaging wheel and second ground engaging wheel, each independently rotatably supported on said frame on supports in fixed position on and firmly attached to said frame, and each such wheel is located within the outline of said frame; holes in said frame for said wheels, said wheels projecting downwardly through said holes and below the bottom of said frame; c. a plurality of upwardly facing horizontally and longitudinally spaced apart horizontally extending bearing surfaces on supports firmly attached at their bottom to said frame; d. a wheel drive frame unit comprising i. a pair of longitudinally extending beam members each extending between and each beam member movably supported on two of said longitudinally spaced apart bearing surfaces; said beam members each longitudinally movable on said two longitudinally spaced apart bearing surfaces, and ii. a plurality of transversely extending contrarotating shaft members rotatably supported in journals fixedly attached to said beam members, and portions of each of said shaft members being movable into and out of operative connection with said wheels; e. steering means comprising a first rigid crank arm pivotally fixed near one end thereof to said frame and comprising a transversely extending arm that pivotally engages one longitudinally extending beam member and a second rigid crank arm pivotally fixed near one end thereof to said frame and comprising a transversely extending arm that pivotally engages another longitudinally extending beam member; and f. mechanical power means operatively connected within the outline of said frame to said transversely extending contrarotating shaft members, and said power means fixedly supported on and attached to said frame; g. said steering means operable to move any one of said transversely extending contrarotating shaft members into and out of operative connection with one of said wheels while said transversely extending shaft members and said power means are operatively connected; h. operator seating means firmly attached to said frame in operative proximity to said steering means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
334 words
An automotive operator carrying vehicle apparatus comprising: a. a rigid frame; b. a first ground engaging wheel and second ground engaging wheel, each independently rotatably supported on said frame on supports in fixed position on and firmly attached to said frame, and each such wheel is located within the outline of said frame; holes in said frame for said wheels, said wheels projecting downwardly through said holes and below the bottom of said frame; c. a plurality of upwardly facing horizontally and longitudinally spaced apart horizontally extending bearing surfaces on supports firmly attached at their bottom to said frame; d. a wheel drive frame unit comprising i. a pair of longitudinally extending beam members each extending between and each beam member movably supported on two of said longitudinally spaced apart bearing surfaces; said beam members each longitudinally movable on said two longitudinally spaced apart bearing surfaces, and ii. a plurality of transversely extending contrarotating shaft members rotatably supported in journals fixedly attached to said beam members, and portions of each of said shaft members being movable into and out of operative connection with said wheels; e. steering means comprising a first rigid crank arm pivotally fixed near one end thereof to said frame and comprising a transversely extending arm that pivotally engages one longitudinally extending beam member and a second rigid crank arm pivotally fixed near one end thereof to said frame and comprising a transversely extending arm that pivotally engages another longitudinally extending beam member; and f. mechanical power means operatively connected within the outline of said frame to said transversely extending contrarotating shaft members, and said power means fixedly supported on and attached to said frame; g. said steering means operable to move any one of said transversely extending contrarotating shaft members into and out of operative connection with one of said wheels while said transversely extending shaft members and said power means are operatively connected; h. operator seating means firmly attached to said frame in operative proximity to said steering means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said shaft members are located on opposite sides of each of said wheels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein each of said steering means crank arms also includes a vertically extending handle means extending above its transversely extending arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the frame comprises central portions and peripheral portions and said central portions and peripheral portions are continuous with each other and boundaries of the peripheral portions are located in rectilinear surfaces at an angle to the plane of the rectilinear surface in which the boundary of the central portion lies.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the frame comprises a pair of joined like rigid shell portions, each of which shell portions is an integral metal sheet shaped in the form of a hollow spherical segment with a circular edge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said ground engaging wheels are rotatably supported on axles firmly and rotatably supported in fixed position on said frame and are each located with an axis of rotation normal to a vertical plane including a diameter of the circular edge of said frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus as in claim 6 wherein a third wheel is rotatably attached for rotation about an axis thereof to an outer surface of one spherical segment of said shell portion and the center of gravity of said vehicle apparatus lies between said axis of rotation of said first and second wheels and the axis of rotation of said third wheel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein firm restraining means, each comprising vertically and horizontally extending arms, are attached to each of said bearing surface supports and the horizontal arm thereof extends above a portion of a longitudinally extending beam member movably supported on said bearing surface and the vertical extending arm thereof is firmly attached to one side of said support.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-08 | 1977-04-09 | 1977-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-08 | 1981-04-09 | 1981-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-08 | 1985-04-09 | 1985-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |