Patent US3794131A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3794131A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
All terrain motor scooter
Assignee: Freedman Seating Co
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Filing: 1971-05-20
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Granted: 1974-02-26
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Expires: 1991-05-20
Abstract
Abstract A track chassis supports the center of gravity of the entire vehicle. Pivotally mounted near the back or trailing end of the track chassis is a forwardly extending frame which carries a fork assembly including a pair of either skies or wheels steered by handle bars, which may be quickly replaced by another and similar unit in order to switch between the skis and wheels or oversize low pressure balloon tires. A variable resilient coupling interconnects the front or leading end of the track chassis and the forwardly extending frame. By suitably changing the resilience of the coupling, the front wheels or skis may be made to lift slightly so as not to dig into mud or loose sand, or to bear down and bite into snow.
Inventors
- 👤 G Freedman
- 👤 R Wahls
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:59
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62M; B62M27/00; B62M27/02; B62M2027/021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A miniature tracked vehicle comprising track chassis means for supporting the weight of the vehicle, means comprising a forwardly extending frame member pivotally mounted near the trailing end of the track chassis, fork means comprising a pair of skis or wheels steered by handle bars, adjustable resilience coupling means for interconnecting the leading end of the track chassis and the forwardly extending frame, whereby suitably changing the resilience of the coupling causes the front wheels or skis to lift slightly so as not to dig into soft surfaces such as mud or loose sand or to bear down and bite into other surfaces such as snow, means for removably attaching said fork means to the front of said frame whereby said vehicle may be adapted to use on all terrains by replacing said fork means by another and similar unit in order to switch between skis, wheels, or oversize balloon tires, and means for supporting a motor on said track chassis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A miniature tracked vehicle comprising track chassis means for supporting the weight of the vehicle, means comprising a forwardly extending frame member pivotally mounted near the trailing end of the track chassis, fork means comprising a pair of skis or wheels steered by handle bars, adjustable resilience coupling means for interconnecting the leading end of the track chassis and the forwardly extending frame, whereby suitably changing the resilience of the coupling causes the front wheels or skis to lift slightly so as not to dig into soft surfaces such as mud or loose sand or to bear down and bite into other surfaces such as snow, means for removably attaching said fork means to the front of said frame whereby said vehicle may be adapted to use on all terrains by replacing said fork means by another and similar unit in order to switch between skis, wheels, or oversize balloon tires, and means for supporting a motor on said track chassis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The vehicle of claim 1 and automatic torque converter means associated with said motor for applying a variable speed and variable torque to drive a track on said track chassis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
The vehicle of claim 2 wherein said torque converter comprises a pulley formed of a pair of somewhat conical shaped halves pressed together by a predetermined resilient force, and drive belt means trained over the pulley formed between said conical halves, whereby said belt in effect travels over a pulley having a variable circumference which is set by the tension in said drive belt as compared to said predetermined resilient force.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said adjustable resilience coupling means comprises a bracket having at least two vertically oriented positions, and spring means positioned between said frame and bracket, whereby said spring means is prestressed to diffeRent degrees depending upon the vertical position of said bracket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The vehicle of claim 4 wherein said bracket comprises a first member having a plurality of vertically aligned apertures and a second member which may be bolted into any of said apertures, and means associated with upper and lower ends of said bracket members for limiting the vertical travel of said frame on said chassis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The vehicle of claim 1 wherein at least one of said fork means comprises a pair of skis mounted on the opposite sides of said vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The vehicle of claim 1 wherein at least one of said fork means comprises a pair of wheels mounted on opposite sides of said vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The vehicle of claim 7 wherein said wheel mounting means comprises at least two knuckles each having a generally L-shaped angular wheel support associated therewith, said support comprising a vertical kingpin and a horizontal axle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
155 words
A miniature tracked vehicle comprising a track chassis support and drive means, said drive means including motor means supported on said track chassis, steering means comprising a forwardly extending frame member pivotally mounted near the trailing end of the track chassis, adjustable resilience coupling means comprising spring means with the variable compliance for interconnecting the leading end of the track chassis and the forwardly extending frame member whereby suitably changing the resilience of the coupling causes the front wheels or skis to lift slightly so as not to dig into soft surfaces such as mud or loose sand or to bear down and bite into other surfaces such as snow, said adjustable resilient coupling means comprises a bracket having at least two vertically oriented positions, and said spring means being positioned between said frame and said bracket so that said spring means is prestressed to different degrees depending upon the vertical position of said bracket.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
155 words
A miniature tracked vehicle comprising a track chassis support and drive means, said drive means including motor means supported on said track chassis, steering means comprising a forwardly extending frame member pivotally mounted near the trailing end of the track chassis, adjustable resilience coupling means comprising spring means with the variable compliance for interconnecting the leading end of the track chassis and the forwardly extending frame member whereby suitably changing the resilience of the coupling causes the front wheels or skis to lift slightly so as not to dig into soft surfaces such as mud or loose sand or to bear down and bite into other surfaces such as snow, said adjustable resilient coupling means comprises a bracket having at least two vertically oriented positions, and said spring means being positioned between said frame and said bracket so that said spring means is prestressed to different degrees depending upon the vertical position of said bracket.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-25 | 1977-08-27 | 1978-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-25 | 1981-08-27 | 1982-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-25 | 1985-08-27 | 1986-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |