Patent US3376226A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3871465A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3871465A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle with vertically movable power wheels
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-11-10
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Granted: 1975-03-18
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Expires: 1992-11-10
Abstract
Abstract An electric powered vehicle having support wheels for supporting the vehicle on a roadway and having power wheels for driving the vehicle over the roadway. Means is included to variably force the power wheels into frictional engagement with the roadway whereby the weight of the vehicle can be partially transferred from the support wheels to the power wheels for increasing the traction between the power wheels and the roadway.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank R Nichols
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:35
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D61/00; B62D61/12; B60; B60K; B60K1/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
266 words
A vehicle for travel over a roadway, said vehicle comprising: a chassis, support wheels rotatably mounted on said chassis for supporting said vehicle on the roadway, at least a pair of power wheels adjustably mounted from said chassis for substantially vertical movement relative to said chassis to allow variable frictional engagement with the roadway, a motor means mounted on said chassis, coupling means between said motor means and said power wheel for transmitting power from said motor means to said power wheels, and means for variably forcing said power wheels into frictional engagement with the roadway to provide the needed traction to move said vehicle while said vehicle is substantially supported by said support wheels thereby reducing the power needed to move said vehicle to a minimum; said coupling means comprising a universal joint attached to the output shaft of said motor means for allowing relative movement between said motor means and said pair of power wheels, a drive shaft attached to said universal joint opposite the output shaft of said motor means, differential means attached to said drive shaft opposite said universal joint, and axle means attached to said differential means and to said pair of power wheels; said means for variably forcing said pair of power wheels into frictional engagement with the roadway comprising arm means pivotally attached to said chassis and to said axle means, means for applying a force against said arm means, and means for activating said means for applying a force against said arm means; said means for applying a force against said arm means comprising a fluid piston means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
266 words
A vehicle for travel over a roadway, said vehicle comprising: a chassis, support wheels rotatably mounted on said chassis for supporting said vehicle on the roadway, at least a pair of power wheels adjustably mounted from said chassis for substantially vertical movement relative to said chassis to allow variable frictional engagement with the roadway, a motor means mounted on said chassis, coupling means between said motor means and said power wheel for transmitting power from said motor means to said power wheels, and means for variably forcing said power wheels into frictional engagement with the roadway to provide the needed traction to move said vehicle while said vehicle is substantially supported by said support wheels thereby reducing the power needed to move said vehicle to a minimum; said coupling means comprising a universal joint attached to the output shaft of said motor means for allowing relative movement between said motor means and said pair of power wheels, a drive shaft attached to said universal joint opposite the output shaft of said motor means, differential means attached to said drive shaft opposite said universal joint, and axle means attached to said differential means and to said pair of power wheels; said means for variably forcing said pair of power wheels into frictional engagement with the roadway comprising arm means pivotally attached to said chassis and to said axle means, means for applying a force against said arm means, and means for activating said means for applying a force against said arm means; said means for applying a force against said arm means comprising a fluid piston means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
259 words
An electric powered vehicle for travel over a roadway, said vehicle comprising: a chassis, support wheels rotatably mounted on said chassis for supporting said vehicle on the roadway; a pair of power wheels adjustably mounted from said chassis for substantially vertical movement relative to said chassis to allow variable frictional engagement with the roadway; an electric motor mounted on said chassis; battery means for supplying electrical energy to said electric motor; coupling means between said electric motor and said pair of power wheels for transmitting power from said motor means to said pair of power wheels, said coupling means including a universal joint attached to the output shaft of said electric motor for allowing relative movement between said electric motor and said pair of power wheels, a drive shaft attached to said universal joint opposite the output shaft of said electric motor, differential means attached to said drive shaft opposite said universal joint, and axle means attached to said differential means and to said pair of power wheels; and means for variably forcing said pair of power wheels into frictional engagement with the roadway to provide the needed traction to move said vehicle while said vehicle is substantially supported by said support wheels thereby reducing the power needed to move said vehicle to a minimum, said means for variably forcing said pair of power wheels to engage the roadway including arm means pivotally attached to said chassis and said axle, fluid piston means for applying a force against said arm means, and means for activating said fluid piston means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
259 words
An electric powered vehicle for travel over a roadway, said vehicle comprising: a chassis, support wheels rotatably mounted on said chassis for supporting said vehicle on the roadway; a pair of power wheels adjustably mounted from said chassis for substantially vertical movement relative to said chassis to allow variable frictional engagement with the roadway; an electric motor mounted on said chassis; battery means for supplying electrical energy to said electric motor; coupling means between said electric motor and said pair of power wheels for transmitting power from said motor means to said pair of power wheels, said coupling means including a universal joint attached to the output shaft of said electric motor for allowing relative movement between said electric motor and said pair of power wheels, a drive shaft attached to said universal joint opposite the output shaft of said electric motor, differential means attached to said drive shaft opposite said universal joint, and axle means attached to said differential means and to said pair of power wheels; and means for variably forcing said pair of power wheels into frictional engagement with the roadway to provide the needed traction to move said vehicle while said vehicle is substantially supported by said support wheels thereby reducing the power needed to move said vehicle to a minimum, said means for variably forcing said pair of power wheels to engage the roadway including arm means pivotally attached to said chassis and said axle, fluid piston means for applying a force against said arm means, and means for activating said fluid piston means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
256 words
An electric powered vehicle for travel over a roadway, said vehicle comprising: a chassis, support wheels rotatably mounted on said chassis for supporting said vehicle on the roadway; a pair of power wheels adjustably mounted from said chassis for substantially vertical movement relative to said chassis to allow variable frictional engagement with the roadway; an electric motor mounted on said chassis; battery means for supplying electrical energy to said eLectric motor; coupling means between said electric motor and said pair of power wheels for transmitting power from said motor to said pair of power wheels, said coupling means including a universal joint attached to the output shaft of said electric motor for allowing relative movement between said electric motor and said pair of power wheels, a drive shaft attached to said universal joint opposite the output shaft of said electric motor, differential means attached to said drive shaft opposite said universal joint, and axle means attached to said differential means and to said pair of power wheels; and means for variably forcing said pair of power wheels into frictional engagement with the roadway to provide the needed traction to move said vehicle while said vehicle is substantially supported by said support wheels thereby reducing the power needed to move said vehicle to a minimum, said means for variably forcing said pair of power wheels to engage the roadway including arm means pivotally attached to said chassis and said axle, motor means for applying a force against said arm means, and means for activating said motor means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
256 words
An electric powered vehicle for travel over a roadway, said vehicle comprising: a chassis, support wheels rotatably mounted on said chassis for supporting said vehicle on the roadway; a pair of power wheels adjustably mounted from said chassis for substantially vertical movement relative to said chassis to allow variable frictional engagement with the roadway; an electric motor mounted on said chassis; battery means for supplying electrical energy to said eLectric motor; coupling means between said electric motor and said pair of power wheels for transmitting power from said motor to said pair of power wheels, said coupling means including a universal joint attached to the output shaft of said electric motor for allowing relative movement between said electric motor and said pair of power wheels, a drive shaft attached to said universal joint opposite the output shaft of said electric motor, differential means attached to said drive shaft opposite said universal joint, and axle means attached to said differential means and to said pair of power wheels; and means for variably forcing said pair of power wheels into frictional engagement with the roadway to provide the needed traction to move said vehicle while said vehicle is substantially supported by said support wheels thereby reducing the power needed to move said vehicle to a minimum, said means for variably forcing said pair of power wheels to engage the roadway including arm means pivotally attached to said chassis and said axle, motor means for applying a force against said arm means, and means for activating said motor means.
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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) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-09-16 | 1979-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-17 | 1982-09-16 | 1983-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-17 | 1986-09-16 | 1987-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |