US3920263A — Occupant-propelled vehicle

Claim 1

Independent Claim 250 words

In an occupant-propelled vehicle, the combination of a rigid frame comprising an elongated, central, longitudinally extending main frame member, and rigid transverse frame means secured rigidly to one end portion of said main frame member and including end portions equally spaced from said main frame member; two generally flat brackets, each of said brackets being rigidly secured to a different one of said end portions of said transverse frame means, each of said brackets having an axle-accommodating opening and said brackets being rigidly supported by said transverse frame means in locations such that said axle-accommodating openings are coaxially aligned transversely of the frame; first and second antifriction rotary bearings each mounted on a different one of said brackets and having their rotational axis coaxially aligned transversely of the frame; third and fourth antifriction rotary bearings; mounting means rigidly secured to said main frame member in a location adjacent said transverse frame means, said third and fourth antifriction rotary bearings being mounted by said mounted means in coaxial alignment with said first and second bearings; two mutually independent axles, each of said axles having its inner end portion journalled in a different one of said third and fourth bearings, said axles each extending outwardly through tHe corresponding one of said first and second bearings and having its outer end located outboard of the corresponding one of said brackets; two wheels each fixed to the outer end of a different one of said axles; and a body shell secured to said brackets.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 250 words

In an occupant-propelled vehicle, the combination of a rigid frame comprising an elongated, central, longitudinally extending main frame member, and rigid transverse frame means secured rigidly to one end portion of said main frame member and including end portions equally spaced from said main frame member; two generally flat brackets, each of said brackets being rigidly secured to a different one of said end portions of said transverse frame means, each of said brackets having an axle-accommodating opening and said brackets being rigidly supported by said transverse frame means in locations such that said axle-accommodating openings are coaxially aligned transversely of the frame; first and second antifriction rotary bearings each mounted on a different one of said brackets and having their rotational axis coaxially aligned transversely of the frame; third and fourth antifriction rotary bearings; mounting means rigidly secured to said main frame member in a location adjacent said transverse frame means, said third and fourth antifriction rotary bearings being mounted by said mounted means in coaxial alignment with said first and second bearings; two mutually independent axles, each of said axles having its inner end portion journalled in a different one of said third and fourth bearings, said axles each extending outwardly through tHe corresponding one of said first and second bearings and having its outer end located outboard of the corresponding one of said brackets; two wheels each fixed to the outer end of a different one of said axles; and a body shell secured to said brackets.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 79 words

The combination defined in claim 1 and further comprising second rigid transverse frame means secured rigidly to the other end portion of said main frame member; two additional generally flat brackets each rigidly secured to a different end portion of said second transverse frame means and lying in a generally upright plane; and two steerable wheels each mounted on a different end portion of said second transverse frame means; said body also being secured to said two additional brackets.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 75 words

The combination defined in claim 2, wherein said body shell is of self-supporting sheet material and comprises a bottom portion, and a top portion, said bottom portion having a bottom wall, which extends below said frame, and generally upright side walls which include attachment portions located outwardly of and extending across said brackets, the ones of said attachment portions which are located at said first-mentioned brackets being provided with openings through which said axles pass.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 72 words

The combination defined in claim 3, wherein said sheet material is rigid polymeric material, and the combination further includes a plurality of plates each spaced outwardly from and cooperating with a different one of said brackets, said attachment portions of said side walls extending into the space between the corresponding ones of said brackets and plates; and a plurality of fasteners securing said plates rigidly to the respective ones of said brackets.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 77 words

The combination defined in claim 4, wherein each of said fasteners is constructed and arranged to provide direct metal-to-metal engagement from the plate through the fastener to the bracket, each of said fasteners comprising a resilient grommet, said attachment portions of said body portions of the shell having openings through which the respective fasteners extend, said grommets each being located in a different one of said openings and serving to interconnect said attachment portions and said fasteners.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 40 words

The combination defined in claim 5, wherein said bottom and top portions of said body shell have mating edges lying generally in a plane located above said frame, the combination further comprising fastener means releasably securing said mating edges together.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 53 words

The combination defined in claim 1 and further comprising a change speed transmission having opposed upright side walls, said transmission being rigidly mounted on said main frame member adjacent said first-mentioned transverse frame means, said mounting means for said third and fourth bearings comprising portions of the side walls of said transmission housing.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 76 words

The combination defined in claim 7, wherein said first-mentioned transverse frame means comprises an integral tubular member; said main frame member is a tubular member having upright side walls; said tubular member of said first-mentioned transverse frame means extends transversely through said main frame member; said transmission is mounted on the top of said main frame member; and said body shell includes a generally horizontal bottom wall extending beneath and adjacent to said main frame member.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1978-11-17	1979-05-19	1979-11-18	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1982-11-17	1983-05-19	1983-11-18	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1986-11-17	1987-05-19	1987-11-18	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Occupant-propelled vehicle

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