Stabilized three-wheeled vehicle

Claim 2

In combination with a motorcycle-type frame, engine, and rear drive wheel configuration, the improvement comprising: first and second spaced front wheels, each having a wheel mounting support; parallelogram coupling means comprising first and second, spaced one above the other, cross members pivotally interconnected between said wheel mounting supports of said front wheels, and each cross member being centrally and pivotally attached to said frame; a foot resting platform extending rearward from the lower of said cross members on each side of and spaced from the lower portion of said frame; connecting means for pivotally connecting the rear of said platform to said frame; and steering means pivotally supported by said frame, and including means pivotally connected to said wheel mounting supports of said front wheels for rotating said wheel mounting supports and said front wheels in unison about axes perpendicular to the spin axes of the wheels; whereby a rider may apply a stabilizing force between the frame and front wheels for holding the vehicle upright while stopped and while operating at low speeds without contacting the ground, and by leaning and applying a force by one of his feet to a portion of the platform on one side of the vehicle, the rider may effect a banking operation wherein the planes of all three wheels of the vehicle are parallel and said platform remains essentially parallel to the ground at all times.

Claim 3

The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said connecting means includes means for connecting the rear of said platform to said frame about a single longitudinal axis.

Claim 4

The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said frame includes a pair of spaced downwardly extending frame members at the rear of said frame, and wherein said connecting means comprises: a first pliable arm interconnecting said first frame member and said platform, and a second pliable arm interconnecting said second frame member and said platform, said pliable arms being crossed and extending laterally and in parallel planes.

Claim 5

The combination as set forth in claim 1 further comprising locking means selectively connectible between said platform and said frame for holding said frame in an essentially upright locked position with respect to said platform.

Claim 6

The combination as set forth in claim 4 further comprising a passenger enclosure supported by said frame, and including flexible enclosure means interconnecting a lower portion of the enclosure to said platform.

Claim 7

The combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said enclosure includes a stiffened frame region extending upward from said frame and laterally across said enclosure, whereby said enclosure would resist deformation in the event the vehicle should roll during an accident.

Claim 8

The combination as set forth in claim 5 including operating means for commencing operation of said rear driven wheel, and said locking means includes means for preventing operation of said operating means when in a locked position.

Claim 9

The combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said enclosure includes at least one door on one side of said enclosure.

Claim 10

The combination as set forth in claim 5 including means for selectively removing at least a portion of said enclosure.

Claim 11

An assembly for converting a two-wheeled type motorcycle with the front wheel removed to a three-wheeled vehicle, and employing in particular the original frame, engine, and rear driven wheel, said assembly comprising: first and second spaced front wheels, each having a mounting support; parallelogram coupling means comprising first and second spaced, one above the other, cross members pivotally interconnected between said mounting supports of said front wheels, and each cross member being adapted to be centrally and pivotally attached to said frame; a foot resting platform extending rearward from the lower of said cross members and adapted to extend along on each side of and be spaced from said frame; connecting means adapted to pivotally connect the rear of said platform to the frame; and steering means adapted to be pivotally supported by the frame, and including means for pivotally connecting to said mounting supports of said front wheels for rotating said mounting supports and said front wheels in unison about axes perpendicular to the spin axes of the front wheels; whereby a rider of the vehicle may apply a stabilizing force between the frame and front wheels for holding the vehicle upright while stopped and while operating at low speeds without contacting the ground, and by leaning and applying a force by one of his feet to a portion of the platform on one side of the vehicle, the rider may effect a banking operation wherein the planes of all three wheels of the vehicle are parallel and said platform remains essentially parallel to the ground at all times.

Claim 12

An assembly for converting a two-wheeled type motorcycle with the front wheel removed to a three-wheeled vehicle, and employing in particular the original frame, engine, and rear driven wheel, said assembly comprising: first and second spaced front wheels, each having a mounting support; parallelogram coupling means comprising first and second spaced, one above the other, cross members pivotally interconnected between said mounting supports of said front wheels, and each cross member being adapted to be centrally and pivotally attached to said frame; a foot resting platform extending rearward from the lower of said cross members and adapted to extend along on each side of and be spaced from said frame; connecting means adapted to pivotally connect the rear of said platform to the frame; and steering means adapted to be pivotally supported by the frame, and including means for pivotally connecting to said mounting supports of said front wheels for rotating said mounting supports and said front wheels in unison about axes perpendicular to the spin axes of the front wheels; whereby a rider of the vehicle may apply a stabilizing force between the frame and front wheels for holding the vehicle upright while stopped and while operating at low speeds without contacting the ground, and by leaning and applying a force by one of his feet to a portion of the platform on one side of the vehicle, the rider may effect a banking operation wherein the planes of all three wheels of the vehicle are parallel and said platform remains essentially parallel to the ground at all times.