US4529055A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Motor vehicles
Assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1984-02-06
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Granted: 1985-07-16
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Expires: 2004-02-06
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle having a pair of transversely spaced apart wheels, and a driving unit disposed between such wheels; at least the heat generating parts of the driving unit, such as an engine cylinder, being confined within an area defined by and between the contour of such wheels in profile. With such arrangement, protection of the driving unit, compact construction thereof, and effective utilization of the dead space in the vehicle can be attained.
Inventors
- 👤 Isamu Gotoh
- 👤 Masaki Watanabe
- 👤 Goroei Wakatsuki
- 👤 Hiroshi Shimoyama
- 👤 Masakazu Matsuzawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:13
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62M; B62M7/00; B62M7/08; B62K; B62K5/00; B62K5/02; B62K5/027; B62K5/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
255 words
A three-wheeled motor vehicle, comprising: a front body having one front wheel; a floor portion defined by a part of said front body; a saddle seat supported by said front body; a rear subframe connected to and rollable relative to said front body about a longitudinal axis of the vehicle; a rear body swingably supported by said rear subframe about a transverse axis of the vehicle; resilient means located between said rear subframe and said rear body for resiliently biasing any vertical swinging movement of said rear body with respect to said rear subframe; a pair of rear wheels supported on said rear frame, the track between said rear wheels being substantially equal to the width of said saddle seat; said floor portion having a width which is substantially equal to said track between said rear wheels; a driving unit disposed between said rear wheels, said driving unit being provided with heat generating parts including an engine, cylinder, a suction device including a carburetor and an exhaust system including a muffler; said driving unit being confined in its entirety within an area defined by the contour of said rear wheels in profile; said track between said rear wheels being substantially equal to, or less than, the diameter of said rear wheels; said rear body including a rear fender comprising a pair of spaced apart fender portions extending over said rear wheels, and a cover portion disposed between said pair of fender portions and integrally connected therewith; and said cover portion extending over said driving unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
255 words
A three-wheeled motor vehicle, comprising: a front body having one front wheel; a floor portion defined by a part of said front body; a saddle seat supported by said front body; a rear subframe connected to and rollable relative to said front body about a longitudinal axis of the vehicle; a rear body swingably supported by said rear subframe about a transverse axis of the vehicle; resilient means located between said rear subframe and said rear body for resiliently biasing any vertical swinging movement of said rear body with respect to said rear subframe; a pair of rear wheels supported on said rear frame, the track between said rear wheels being substantially equal to the width of said saddle seat; said floor portion having a width which is substantially equal to said track between said rear wheels; a driving unit disposed between said rear wheels, said driving unit being provided with heat generating parts including an engine, cylinder, a suction device including a carburetor and an exhaust system including a muffler; said driving unit being confined in its entirety within an area defined by the contour of said rear wheels in profile; said track between said rear wheels being substantially equal to, or less than, the diameter of said rear wheels; said rear body including a rear fender comprising a pair of spaced apart fender portions extending over said rear wheels, and a cover portion disposed between said pair of fender portions and integrally connected therewith; and said cover portion extending over said driving unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
108 words
A motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: said driving unit comprises: a casing housing therein at least a crankshaft and transmission; said engine cylinder extending upwardly and rearwardly from said casing; and said exhaust system being disposed downwardly and rearwardly of said cylinder; and said driving unit is arranged about and in close proximity to an axle of said rear wheels, such that said driving unit is confined in its entirety within said area defined by the contour of said rear wheels in profile, with said casing, said cylinder and said exhaust system being respectively arranged substantially in front of, above, and behind said rear wheel axle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: said rear fender is disposed in its entirety a substantial distance below the level of said saddle seat.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: said floor portion is provided at its rear end with a wall which prevents rearward displacement of the driver's feet resting on said floor portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: said floor portion is provided at its rear end with laterally or downwardly extending bank sensor means adapted to contact the road surface when said front body rolls to its rolling limit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
241 words
A three-wheeled motor vehicle, comprising: a front body having one front wheel; a floor portion defined by a part of said front body; a saddle seat supported by said front body; a rear subframe connected to and rollable relative to said front body about a longitudinal axis of the vehicle; a rear body swingably supported by said rear subframe about a transverse axis of the vehicle; resilient means located between said rear subframe and said rear body for resiliently biasing any vertical swinging movement of said rear subframe; a pair of rear wheels supported on said rear frame, the track between said rear wheels being substantially equal to the width of said saddle seat; said floor portion having a width which is substantially equal to said track between said rear wheels; a driving unit disposed between said rear wheels, said driving unit being provided with heat generating parts including an engine, cylinder, a suction device including a carburetor and an exhaust system including a muffler; said driving unit being confined in its entirety within an area defined by the contour of said rear wheels in profile; said track between said rear wheels being substantially equal to, or less than, the diameter of said rear wheels; said rear body, said rear subframe, said rear wheels and said driving unit together defining a rear vehicle portion which has the uppermost part thereof disposed a substantial distance below the level of said saddle seat.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
241 words
A three-wheeled motor vehicle, comprising: a front body having one front wheel; a floor portion defined by a part of said front body; a saddle seat supported by said front body; a rear subframe connected to and rollable relative to said front body about a longitudinal axis of the vehicle; a rear body swingably supported by said rear subframe about a transverse axis of the vehicle; resilient means located between said rear subframe and said rear body for resiliently biasing any vertical swinging movement of said rear subframe; a pair of rear wheels supported on said rear frame, the track between said rear wheels being substantially equal to the width of said saddle seat; said floor portion having a width which is substantially equal to said track between said rear wheels; a driving unit disposed between said rear wheels, said driving unit being provided with heat generating parts including an engine, cylinder, a suction device including a carburetor and an exhaust system including a muffler; said driving unit being confined in its entirety within an area defined by the contour of said rear wheels in profile; said track between said rear wheels being substantially equal to, or less than, the diameter of said rear wheels; said rear body, said rear subframe, said rear wheels and said driving unit together defining a rear vehicle portion which has the uppermost part thereof disposed a substantial distance below the level of said saddle seat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A motor vehicle according to claim 6, wherein: the axle of said rear wheels is arranged at a level substantially at or near the level of said floor portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR548679A
Cited
GB532921A
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US3504934A
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US3605929A
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US3776353A
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Cited
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Cited
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Cited
USD255111S
Cited
USD264953S
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-07-15 | 1989-01-14 | 1989-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-07-15 | 1993-01-14 | 1993-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-07-15 | 1997-01-14 | 1997-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |