US3797597A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Folding motorized vehicle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-12-01
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Granted: 1974-03-19
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Expires: 1992-12-01
Abstract
Abstract A portable motorized or powered vehicle which is compactly folded for translation in a trunk or storage chamber of a conventional motor vehicle. Compactness of the powered vehicle is achieved by pivoting the front wheel supporting legs simultaneously rearwardly, and swinging the front wheel legs on each side inwardly toward the vehicle frame for securement thereto, so that the wheels assume a tucked-in posture closely adjacent the frame and just forwardly of the rear wheels, the vehicle frame being compactly arranged about the power engine which is positioned substantially medially of the framing structure.
Inventors
- 👤 S Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 22:43
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D61/00; B62D31/00; B62D31/003; B62D31/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
In a folding vehicle adapted to be compacted from its normally operative extended posture to reduced perimetric dimensions for more facile translation, the improved combination comprising a framing structure supporting a steering mechanism and housing secured thereto, and means secured to said housing for compacting said vehicle to reduced perimetric dimensions comprising a cross shaft rotatably mounted upon said housing, a pair of wheel supporting legs, means secured to the ends of said cross shaft and to said legs for pivoting said legs in substantially vertical paths forwardly and rearwardly of said housing and for pivoting said legs inwardly toward and outwardly away from said framing structure, and a pair of vehicle supporting front wheels rotatably mounted upon said legs at their distal ends for steering said vehicle in response to operation of said steering mechanism.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
In a folding vehicle adapted to be compacted from its normally operative extended posture to reduced perimetric dimensions for more facile translation, the improved combination comprising a framing structure supporting a steering mechanism and housing secured thereto, and means secured to said housing for compacting said vehicle to reduced perimetric dimensions comprising a cross shaft rotatably mounted upon said housing, a pair of wheel supporting legs, means secured to the ends of said cross shaft and to said legs for pivoting said legs in substantially vertical paths forwardly and rearwardly of said housing and for pivoting said legs inwardly toward and outwardly away from said framing structure, and a pair of vehicle supporting front wheels rotatably mounted upon said legs at their distal ends for steering said vehicle in response to operation of said steering mechanism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The structure defined in claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a body having laterally depending walls, a pair of aligned openings in said walls, said cross shafts being rotatably supported by said walls and extending through said openings and outwardly of said walls at each end thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
The structure defined in claim 2, wherein said means for pivoting said legs comprises a knuckle joint fixedly secured to each end of said cross shaft and having a body, a slot in said body, a key rotatable in said body slot and pivotable about an axis transversely of the axis of said cross shaft, a pivot pin for said key secured to said body and to said legs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The structure defined in claim 3, wherein each said knuckle joint body is provided with a hub portion receiving and secured to an end of said cross shaft, said knuckle joints being rotatable about the axis of said cross shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
The structure defined in claim 2, and wherein said means for compacting said vehicle further comprises shock absorbing means for said front wheels and legs secured to said housing, and detent means fixedly secured to said cross shaft for engagement with said shock absorbing means when said legs are pivoted into extended steering posture and out of engagement with said shock absorbing means when said legs are pivoted into compacted posture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
The structure defined in claim 5, wherein said shock absorbing means comprises a pair of compression springs and cups supporting said springs at their distal ends, said detent means adapted to rotate into bearing contact with said spring cups to limit rotative movement of said cross shaft upon pivoting movement of said legs into extended steering posture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The structure defined in claim 3, wherein each of said legs is fixedly secured to said knuckle joint body by said pivot pin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
The structure defined in claim 7, wherein each of said legs comprises a member bent into a hairpin configuration to form a pair of leg members and an intermediate web portion, said web portion secured to said knuckle joint body in a groove thereabout, said leg members extending in substantially parallel attitude from said knuckle joint.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure defined in claim 7, wherein said legs are simultaneously rotatable with and about the axis of said cross shaft in substantially vertical paths forwardly and rearwardly of said housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The structure of claim 7, wherein said key pivot pin axis is disposed transversely of said cross shaft axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure defined in claim 7, wherein said legs are separately pivotable about said key pivot pins inwardly toward and outwardly away from said framing structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
The structure defined in claim 5, wherein said housing is provided with a steering member secured thereto adjacent said detent means, said steering member having stop means aligned with and adapted to engage said detent means and limit rotative movement of said cross shaft in pivoting movement of said legs into compacted posture.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The structure defined in claim 6, wherein said compression springs are resiliently compressed by the loads and forces applied to said front wheels and legs.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
100 words
The structure defined in claim 1, and wherein said means for compacting said vehicle further comprises a spindle and pivot assembly for each said front wheels secured to said legs at their distal ends and each having a kingpin, spindle means to rotatably support said king pin, a hub fixedly mounted on and secured to said king pin, and a wheel axle fixedly secured to and extending laterally from said hub, said front wheels being rotatably mounted Upon said wheel axles and pivotable with their supporting hubs for steering said vehicle in response to the operation of said steering mechanism.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The structure defined in claim 14, wherein said spindle and pivot assembly further comprises a body having a leg receiving and securing portion, said latter portion having an extension pivotally supporting said kingpin for rotation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The structure defined in claim 15, wherein said spindle means in combination with said extension pivotally support said kingpin for rotation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The structure defined in claim 1, and wherein said means for compacting said vehicle further comprises a retainer for and removably engageable with each of said legs to secure said legs in compacted posture.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
56 words
The structure defined in claim 17, wherein each said retainer is attached to said framing structure substantially in or closely adjacent the path of said leg when pivoted inwardly toward said framing structure, said retainer being manually operable to engage with and disengage from said leg for retention thereof in a posture adjacent said framing structure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The structure defined in claim 17, wherein each said retainer is resilient, extensible and spring loaded to urge said leg retained thereby to a position adjacent said framing structure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The structure defined in claim 1, wherein said framing structure further supports an operator''s seat, a power engine, and a pair of axle mounted drive wheels at its rearward end.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The structure defined in claim 1, wherein said steering mechanism and housing are secured to said framing structure at its forward end.
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) | 1977-03-18 | 1977-09-17 | 1978-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-18 | 1981-09-17 | 1982-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-18 | 1985-09-17 | 1986-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |