Patent US4047729A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4047729A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dirigible vehicle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-05-16
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Granted: 1977-09-13
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Expires: 1995-05-16
Abstract
Abstract A dirigible vehicle which is supported upon at least three ground engaging wheels located about the lower periphery of the device. Two of the three wheels are steerable while the third is fixed in position with its axis perpendicular to a line interconnecting the two steerable wheels. By manipulation of the steerable wheels, the vehicle may be adapted for movement along a linear path or may be made to spin about its own axis. Intermediate positioning of the steerable wheels will cause the vehicle to sweep in large circular arcs. The device may be self-propelled by a foot pedal assembly or by a small motor, with either a single steering wheel or dual independent steering controls. The unique steering capabilities of the vehicle make it ideally suited for recreational purposes or wherever extreme maneuverability is required.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry Tabb Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:48
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62K; B62K5/00; B62K5/08; B62K5/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A vehicle comprising a frame; at least three ground engaging wheels on said frame, vertical axes through the center of each of said wheels being substantially equally spaced from each other whereby said wheels form the corners of an equilateral triangle; one of said wheels having a fixed horizontal axis of rotation with respect to said frame; driving means on said frame connected to said fixed axis wheel and linkage means for steering the others of said wheels about vertical axes of steering rotation through the center of each of said wheels to positions at which the horizontal axes of rotation of all wheels are parallel to each other, and to positions at which the horizontal axes of rotation of all wheels intersect at a common point at the center of said triangle, said dirigible wheels rotating in one direction when all of the wheels are in said parallel axis position and in the opposite direction when said wheels are in said intersecting axis position, and said fixed axis wheel rotating in the same direction in both said axis positions whereby said vehicle traverses straight line, arcuate and circular paths during operation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
A vehicle comprising a frame; at least three ground engaging wheels on said frame, vertical axes through the center of each of said wheels being substantially equally spaced from each other whereby said wheels form the corners of an equilateral triangle; one of said wheels having a fixed horizontal axis of rotation with respect to said frame; driving means on said frame connected to said fixed axis wheel and linkage means for steering the others of said wheels about vertical axes of steering rotation through the center of each of said wheels to positions at which the horizontal axes of rotation of all wheels are parallel to each other, and to positions at which the horizontal axes of rotation of all wheels intersect at a common point at the center of said triangle, said dirigible wheels rotating in one direction when all of the wheels are in said parallel axis position and in the opposite direction when said wheels are in said intersecting axis position, and said fixed axis wheel rotating in the same direction in both said axis positions whereby said vehicle traverses straight line, arcuate and circular paths during operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said steering means comprises a linkage assembly coupled to said steerable wheels for simultaneously steering the same in opposite directions only.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said driving means includes foot pedals for operating by the vehicle rider.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said linkage means comprises first and second steering means independently connected to a respective one of said dirigible wheels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as recited in claim 4 wherein each of said first and second steering means includes means biasing said dirigible wheels to a predetermined position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention as recited in claim 1 further including a seat on said frame; and wherein said steering linkage means includes a steering wheel supported in front of said seat.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as recited in claim 6 wherein said frame and said seat comprise a unitary member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention as recited in claim 7 wherein said unitary member has a frustro-conical lower portion and an axially aligned cylindrical upper portion contiguously joined therewith, said seat being disposed substantially at the intersection of said portions.
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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) | 1980-09-12 | 1981-03-14 | 1981-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-12 | 1985-03-14 | 1985-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-12 | 1989-03-14 | 1989-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |