US3799283A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Go-cart and frame therefor
Assignee: Marquette Tool and Die Co
•
Filing: 1972-07-03
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Granted: 1974-03-26
•
Expires: 1992-07-03
Abstract
Abstract A go-cart has a frame provided with longitudinal frame rails, a rear cross member extended across the rear ends of the longitudinal rails and resiliently connected thereto, and suspension arms positioned to the sides of the longitudinal rails and extended between the side rails and the rear cross member. The suspension arms at their forward ends are pivotally connected to the side rails about axes extending longitudinally of the frame and at their rear ends are pivotally connected to the rear cross member about axes extending transversely of the frame, all to provide the frame with a relatively high degree of flexibility. A rear drive axle, having wheels at its ends, extends through and is journaled in the suspension arms, but not the longitudinal rails. The suspension arms further carry the motors which power the drive axle. Since the frame is quite flexible, the wheels of the car tend to remain in contact with the ground even where the track has extensive surface irregularities. Also, the longitudinal rails bow upwardly over the rear axle with sufficient clearance to permit axle mounted components such as centrifugal clutches to be shifted along the axle to afford access thereto, thus permitting servicing without disassembling the entire rear end of the go-cart.
Inventors
- 👤 E Freber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 05:59
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G9/00; B62; B62D; B62D21/00; B62D21/18; B62D21/183; B60G2300/00; B60G2300/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A frame for a go-cart, said frame comprising: longitudinal frame rails extending lengthwise of the cart; means connected with the longitudinal frame rails for mounting front wheels; a rear cross member connected to and extending between the longitudinal frame rails at the rear ends thereof; and elongated suspension arms extended longitudinally of the frame and connected between the longitudinal frame rails and the rear cross member for mounting a rear drive axle to which rear wheels are secured; the suspension arms being substantially rigid and further being pivotally connected to the frame rails for limited pivoting movement about axes fixed in position with respect to the frame rails and extending lengthwise of the frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A frame for a go-cart, said frame comprising: longitudinal frame rails extending lengthwise of the cart; means connected with the longitudinal frame rails for mounting front wheels; a rear cross member connected to and extending between the longitudinal frame rails at the rear ends thereof; and elongated suspension arms extended longitudinally of the frame and connected between the longitudinal frame rails and the rear cross member for mounting a rear drive axle to which rear wheels are secured; the suspension arms being substantially rigid and further being pivotally connected to the frame rails for limited pivoting movement about axes fixed in position with respect to the frame rails and extending lengthwise of the frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A frame according to claim 1 wherein the suspension arms are pivotally connected to the rear cross member for limited pivotal movement about an axis fixed in position with respect to the rear cross member and extending transversely of the frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A frame according to claim 2 wherein the suspension arms are located generally outwardly from the frame rails and are pivotally connected to the rear cross member outwardly from the connections joining the longitudinal frame rails to the rear cross member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A frame according to claim 3 wherein the suspension arms are pivotally connected to frame rails and to the rear cross member by means of elastomeric bushings to reduce the transmission of vibrations from the suspension arms to the longitudinal frame rails.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A frame according to claim 3 wherein the longitudinal frame members are resiliently connected to the rear cross member to permit the longitudinal frame members to flex a limited amount relative to the rear cross members and suspension arms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
A frame according to claim 5 wherein elastomeric elements are interposed between the longitudinal frame raiLs and the rear cross member to permit the longitudinal frame rails to flex a limited amount relative to the rear cross member and the suspension arms; and wherein the longitudinal frame rails are provided with pins which project through the elastomeric elements and into the rear cross member to prevent the rear cross member from shifting transversely with respect to the frame rails.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A frame according to claim 3 wherein the longitudinal frame rails extend above and are detached from the rear axle so that axle-mounted components may be shifted along the rear axle to ease servicing of such components.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A frame according to claim 1 wherein the rear cross member is at the extreme rear end of the frame and serves as a bumper for the go-cart.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A frame according to claim 1 and further characterized by a motor mount on at least one of the suspension arms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A frame according to claim 1 wherein elastomeric elements are interposed between the longitudinal frame rails and the rear cross member to permit the longitudinal frame rails to flex a limited amount relative to the rear cross member and suspension arms.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
176 words
A go-cart comprising: a frame having a pair of longitudinal frame rails, a rear cross member connected to and extending between the longitudinal frame rails, and suspension arms connected to and extending between the rear cross member and the frame rails, the suspension arms being substantially rigid and being capable of pivoting with respect to the longitudinal frame rails about axes fixed with respect to the frame rails and extending generally lengthwise of the frame; aligned bearings on the suspension arms; a rear axle received in the bearings of the suspension arms and rotatable relative to the suspension arms, the axle being detached from the longitudinal frame rails; wheels on the rear axle; a motor mounted on at least one of the suspension arms and connected with the rear axle for rotating the rear axle and the rear wheels; a seat carried by the frame; front wheels mounted on the frame for pivoting movement about a generally upright axis; and steering means for pivoting the front wheels about the generally upright axis to steer the go-cart.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
176 words
A go-cart comprising: a frame having a pair of longitudinal frame rails, a rear cross member connected to and extending between the longitudinal frame rails, and suspension arms connected to and extending between the rear cross member and the frame rails, the suspension arms being substantially rigid and being capable of pivoting with respect to the longitudinal frame rails about axes fixed with respect to the frame rails and extending generally lengthwise of the frame; aligned bearings on the suspension arms; a rear axle received in the bearings of the suspension arms and rotatable relative to the suspension arms, the axle being detached from the longitudinal frame rails; wheels on the rear axle; a motor mounted on at least one of the suspension arms and connected with the rear axle for rotating the rear axle and the rear wheels; a seat carried by the frame; front wheels mounted on the frame for pivoting movement about a generally upright axis; and steering means for pivoting the front wheels about the generally upright axis to steer the go-cart.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A go-cart according to claim 11 wherein the suspension arms are located generally outwardly from the longitudinal frame rails.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A go-cart according to claim 12 wherein the suspension arms are pivotally connected to the rear cross member for pivoting movement about an axis extending generally transversely of the frame.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
A go-cart according to claim 13 wherein the suspension arms are pivotally connected to the longitudinal rails and to the rear cross member through elastomeric bushings to reduce the transmission of vibrations from the motor to the longitudinal frame rails.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
A go-cart according to claim 13 wherein an elastomeric element is interposed between the ends of the longitudinal frame rails and the rear cross member at the connection between the longitudinal rails to move relative to the rear cross member and suspension arms.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A go-cart according to claim 12 wherein the longitudinal frame rails are connected to the rear cross member inwardly from the connection between the rear cross member and the suspension arms.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
A go-cart according to claim 11 wherein the longitudinal frame rails bow upwardly near the rear end of the frame and extend over the rear axle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
68 words
A go-cart according to claim 17 wherein the motor drives the rear axle through a clutch having a drum mounted on the axle; and wherein the curvature of the longitudinal frame rails at the rear of the frame is such that sufficient clearance exists around the rear axle to enable the clutch drum to be shifted along the axle and underneath at least one of the frame rails.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3022846A
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US3177962A
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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) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-09-24 | 1978-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-25 | 1981-09-24 | 1982-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-25 | 1985-09-24 | 1986-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |