US3876026A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Directionally driven automobile
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-11-15
•
Granted: 1975-04-08
•
Expires: 1993-11-15
Abstract
Abstract An automobile frame is provided with four independent trailing type caster-camber mounted supporting wheels and a pair of driving wheels pivotally mounted to the frame for arcuate movement to simultaneously drive and enable steering of the vehicle. The driving wheels are within the frame and pivoted at a point ahead of the center of the gravity of the vehicle to exert a force on the frame in a direction corresponding to the orientation of the driving wheels. The driving wheels themselves are mounted on opposite ends of an electric motor rotor shaft, a source of electrical energy being provided in the vehicle for electric motors. The basic design is applicable to automobiles, trucks, buses, and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Stefan Pronasko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 02:27
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D9/00; B62D61/00; B62D61/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A vehicle including in combination: a. a frame; b. front and rear pairs of trailing type caster-camber mounted supporting wheels connected to said frame; c. driving wheel means positioned ahead of the center of gravity of the vehicle between said front and rear pairs of wheels; and, d. means coupling the driving wheel means to the frame for arcuate movement in a generally horizontal plane through and on either side of the longitudinal center axis of the vehicle within the frame, said arcuate movement taking place about a universal pivot point ahead of the driving means lying on said longitudinal center axis forward of the rearward portions of the front pair of wheels so that a driving force is exerted on the frame at the pivot point through the coupling means in the direction of the orientation of the driving wheel means, the trailing type caster-mounted supporting wheels automatically orienting themselves in a direction parallel to the driving wheel means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A vehicle including in combination: a. a frame; b. front and rear pairs of trailing type caster-camber mounted supporting wheels connected to said frame; c. driving wheel means positioned ahead of the center of gravity of the vehicle between said front and rear pairs of wheels; and, d. means coupling the driving wheel means to the frame for arcuate movement in a generally horizontal plane through and on either side of the longitudinal center axis of the vehicle within the frame, said arcuate movement taking place about a universal pivot point ahead of the driving means lying on said longitudinal center axis forward of the rearward portions of the front pair of wheels so that a driving force is exerted on the frame at the pivot point through the coupling means in the direction of the orientation of the driving wheel means, the trailing type caster-mounted supporting wheels automatically orienting themselves in a direction parallel to the driving wheel means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A vehicle according to claim 1, in which said driving wheel means includes an electric d.c. motor having a rotor shaft oriented at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and, first and second driving wheels connected directly to the opposite ends of said rotor shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A vehicle according to claim 2, including a source of electrical energy connected to said electric motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A vehicle according to claim 3, in which said source of electrical energy comprises a driving engine arranged to operate at a constant RPM; and an electric generator connected to said engine to be driven thereby to provide electricity to said electric motor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A vehicle according to claim 1, including biasing means on said frame coupled to said driving wheel means at a point spaced from the pivot point exerting a downward biasing force on the driving wheel means to assure desired traction engagement of the driving wheel means with the ground.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |