US4325448A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Three-wheeled, motor-powered, pedal-started vehicle
Assignee: AMERICAN MICROCAR Inc
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Filing: 1980-03-25
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Granted: 1982-04-20
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Expires: 2000-03-25
Abstract
Abstract A three-wheeled, motor-driven, pedal-started vehicle which comprises a tubular frame supporting the wheels in triangular relationship. A seat is provided on the frame covering a trunk or receptacle relative to which the seat is pivotable in order to uncover the trunk or receptacle. A motor and pedal arrangement is provided on the frame for driving one of the wheels. A kickstand is provided to elevate this wheel selectively from the ground to facilitate the starting of the vehicle without the need for driving the weight of the same. A demountable canopy is detachably connected to the tubular frame and provides a transparent shield for the driver of the vehicle. The seat is such as to be able to accommodate the driver and at least one passenger in side by side relationship. A steering arrangement is provided having a jog therein to accommodate the offset relationship of the driver to the central axis of the vehicle when a passenger is accommodated. This steering device is also provided with an offset in order to yield to impact forces. The rearmost wheels are mounted for pivotal displacement.
Inventors
- 👤 Stuart Pivar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:53
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60J; B60J5/00; B60J5/04; B60J5/0486; B60J5/0487; B62; B62D; B62D61/00; B62D61/06; B62D61/08; B62K; B62K5/00; B62K5/02; B62K5/023; B62K5/025; B62J; B62J17/00; B62J17/08; B62J17/086
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A vehicle comprising a frame, three wheels, disposed in triangular relationship on and supporting said frame, seating means on said frame, steering means on said frame and coupled to and adapted for steering at least one of said wheels, motor means on said frame for driving at least one of said wheels, and energy source means on said frame coupled to and enabling activation of said motor means, said seating means being of a breadth to support at least two passengers in side-by-side relation, a rotatable yoke mounted on said frame and straddling and coupled to the wheel which is adapted for being steered, said steering means being coupled to said yoke, said steering means including a steering tube which is adapted for yielding under pressure and is connected to said yoke, and handlebars on said steering tube, said steering tube including first, second and third serially interconnected sections, said first section being connected to said yoke to turn the same, said second section being generally horizontal, said third section extending upward at an angle from the second section and forming a junction therewith constituting a yieldable bend.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A vehicle comprising a frame, three wheels, disposed in triangular relationship on and supporting said frame, seating means on said frame, steering means on said frame and coupled to and adapted for steering at least one of said wheels, motor means on said frame for driving at least one of said wheels, and energy source means on said frame coupled to and enabling activation of said motor means, said seating means being of a breadth to support at least two passengers in side-by-side relation, a rotatable yoke mounted on said frame and straddling and coupled to the wheel which is adapted for being steered, said steering means being coupled to said yoke, said steering means including a steering tube which is adapted for yielding under pressure and is connected to said yoke, and handlebars on said steering tube, said steering tube including first, second and third serially interconnected sections, said first section being connected to said yoke to turn the same, said second section being generally horizontal, said third section extending upward at an angle from the second section and forming a junction therewith constituting a yieldable bend.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second section provides a transverse offset between said first and third sections, the offset being transverse relative to said frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 2 wherein said third section is located at a position about one-third across the frame considered in the transverse dimension thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
107 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, said frame including parallel lateral sections each comprising: a bottom horizontal tube aligned longitudinally, a forward tube extending upwardly from said horizontal tube, and a rear tube extending upwardly from said horizontal tube; said frame further including interconnecting means interconnecting the forward tubes of the sections, and wing sections extending outwardly of said lateral sections, said vehicle further comprising a U-shaped tubular frame detachably and telescopically supported in the forward tubes of the frame and having a vertical section in extension of the forward tubes and a horizontal section extending rearwardly of said vertical section and forming a canopy support.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 4 comprising a cover on the horizontal section to constitute a canopy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 4 wherein said vertical section includes parallel generally vertical tubes and a transverse tube extending between the said parallel generally vertical tubes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 6 comprising a shield extending between the vertical tubes of the vertical section below the transverse tube thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 4 comprising a transparent shield supported on the vertical section above the transverse tube thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 6 comprising a further transverse tube connected between said generally vertical tubes at the junction of the vertical and horizontal sections and a transparent shield connected between said transverse tubes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 9 wherein the transparent shield is pivotally connected to said further transverse tube and detachably connected to the other of said transverse tubes whereby the transparent shield can be pivoted to a storage postion under said canopy.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 8 comprising Velcro connectors to detachably connect the transparent shield to said transverse tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 8 comprising Velcro connectors to detachably connect the transparent shield to said horizontal section with said transparent shield in storage position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
85 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, said frame including parallel lateral sections each comprising: a bottom horizontal tube aligned longitudinally, a forward tube extending upwardly from said horizontal tube, and a rear tube extending upwardly from said horizontal tube; said frame further including interconnecting means interconnecting the forward tubes of the sections, and wing sections extending outwardly of said lateral sections, back support means coupled to said rear tubes, wherein said back support means are pivotally connected to the rear tubes of said frame.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 13 comprising a receptacle on said frame below said seating means, said seating means constituting a cover for said receptacle, and means for pivotally mounting said seating means on said frame so that the seating means can be pivoted from said receptacle to open the same.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 14 comprising fenders on opposite sides of the seating means and supported thereby over a respective two of said wheels.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 15 comprising locking means on said seating means and receptacle to lock said cover on the receptacle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said handlebars include handles which point about 45° from a longitudinal axis defined by said frame.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein two of said wheels are rearmost wheels arranged in parallel, comprising levers connecting said rearmost wheels to said frame for pivotal displacement.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
A vehicle as claimed in claim 18 comprising springs yieldably resisting said displacement.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3053550A
Cited
US3117648A
Cited
US3284130A
Cited
US3580348A
Cited
US4183418A
Cited
US4237995A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-04-19 | 1985-10-19 | 1986-04-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-04-19 | 1989-10-19 | 1990-04-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-04-19 | 1993-10-19 | 1994-04-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |