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US4657272A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Wheeled vehicle

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-09-11
•
Granted: 1987-04-14
•
Expires: 2005-09-11
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Abstract

Abstract A new and unique wheeled vehicle comprising a unicycle-like device. The device employs the same general elements as a unicycle including a single large drive wheel, a pair of pedals, a seat, and a pair of forks to support the seat. Attached to the rear of the device is an additional set of support wheels. The support wheels are attached through a support frame which extends generally rearwardly and downwardly from the center of the drive wheel. The support wheels are attached to one another by an axle, which is in turn attached to the support frame in such a manner that the support wheels pronate and track through turns as the drive wheel is turned to the right or left. Under normal conditions the support wheels remain on the ground at all times. This device provides the rider with additional longitudinal stability without adding a significant increment of lateral stability.

Inventors

  • 👤 James M. Davenport

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 07:33
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62K; B62K5/00; B62K5/02; B62H; B62H1/00; B62H1/10; B62H1/12; B62K1/00; B62K15/00; B62K2015/005

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim 148 words
A wheeled vehicle comprising: a drive wheel having a drive axle; a first frame member attached to the drive wheel for supporting a rider, said first frame member extending generally upwardly from the drive axle such that the center of gravity of the rider is substantially positioned over the drive axle; drive means for causing the drive wheel to rotate; at least two support wheels; a second frame member for fixedly positioning the support wheels in relation to the drive wheel such that the support wheels are positioned rearward of the drive wheel, said second frame member extending generally rearwardly and outwardly from the drive axle and attached to the support wheels; and means for allowing sufficient vertical and horizontal rotation of the support wheels to allow the support wheels to pronate as the wheeled vehicle turns such that the support wheels track rearward of the drive wheel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 148 words
A wheeled vehicle comprising: a drive wheel having a drive axle; a first frame member attached to the drive wheel for supporting a rider, said first frame member extending generally upwardly from the drive axle such that the center of gravity of the rider is substantially positioned over the drive axle; drive means for causing the drive wheel to rotate; at least two support wheels; a second frame member for fixedly positioning the support wheels in relation to the drive wheel such that the support wheels are positioned rearward of the drive wheel, said second frame member extending generally rearwardly and outwardly from the drive axle and attached to the support wheels; and means for allowing sufficient vertical and horizontal rotation of the support wheels to allow the support wheels to pronate as the wheeled vehicle turns such that the support wheels track rearward of the drive wheel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 26 words
A wheeled vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein the support wheels are no greater in radius than one-half of the radius of the drive wheel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 24 words
A wheeled vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein said second frame member is no longer than twice the radius of the drive wheel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 22 words
A wheeled vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein the support wheels are secured one to another by means of an axle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
A wheeled vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein the support wheels are positioned in substantially the same vertical plane as the drive wheel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 33 words
A wheeled vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein said drive means is configured such that said drive means allows said drive wheel to be rotated selectively in the forward and reverse directions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 34 words
A wheeled vehicle as defined in claim 4 wherein the means for allowing sufficient vertical and horizontal rotation of the support wheels comprises a frustoconical piece disposed within a ring formed in the axle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 46 words
A wheeled vehicle as defined in claim 7 wherein the means for allowing sufficient vertical and horizontal rotation of the support wheels further comprises a bracket onto which the axle is attached and a forward projection disposed on the axle and pivotably attached to the bracket.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 26 words
A wheeled vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein the drive means for causing the drive wheel to rotate comprises pedals attached to the drive wheel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 22 words
A wheeled vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein the first frame member comprises forks extending generally upwardly from the drive wheel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 27 words
A wheeled vehicle as defined in claim 10 wherein the first frame member further comprises a seat disposed on the forks extending upwardly from the drive wheel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 21 words
A wheeled vehicle as defined in claim 10 wherein said forks and the second frame member form a single continuous frame.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 164 words
A recreational vehicle comprising: a drive wheel having a drive axle; a first frame member attached to the drive wheel for supporting a rider, said first frame member extending generally upwardly from the drive axle such that the center of gravity of the rider is substantially positioned over the drive axle; pedals attached to the drive axle for propelling the drive wheel selectively in the forward and reverse directions; a plurality of support wheels; a second frame member for attaching the support wheels to the drive wheel such that the support wheels are positioned rearward of the drive wheel and in substantially the same plane as the drive wheel, said second frame member extending generally rearwardly and outwardly from the drive axle; an axle securing the support wheels to one another; means for allowing sufficient vertical and horizontal rotation of the axle to allow the support wheels to pronate as the wheeled vehicle turns such that the support wheels track behind the drive wheel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 164 words
A recreational vehicle comprising: a drive wheel having a drive axle; a first frame member attached to the drive wheel for supporting a rider, said first frame member extending generally upwardly from the drive axle such that the center of gravity of the rider is substantially positioned over the drive axle; pedals attached to the drive axle for propelling the drive wheel selectively in the forward and reverse directions; a plurality of support wheels; a second frame member for attaching the support wheels to the drive wheel such that the support wheels are positioned rearward of the drive wheel and in substantially the same plane as the drive wheel, said second frame member extending generally rearwardly and outwardly from the drive axle; an axle securing the support wheels to one another; means for allowing sufficient vertical and horizontal rotation of the axle to allow the support wheels to pronate as the wheeled vehicle turns such that the support wheels track behind the drive wheel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 26 words
A recreational vehicle as defined in claim 13 wherein the support wheels are no greater in radius than one-half of the radius of the drive wheel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 24 words
A recreational vehicle as defined in claim 13 wherein the second frame member is no longer than twice the radius of the drive wheel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 33 words
A recreational vehicle as defined in claim 13 wherein the means for allowing sufficient vertical and horizontal rotation of the axle comprises a frustoconical piece disposed within a ring formed in the axle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 45 words
A recreational vehicle as defined in claim 16 wherein the means for allowing sufficient vertical and horizontal rotation of the axle further comprises a bracket onto which the axle is attached and a forward projection disposed on the axle and pivotably attached to the bracket.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 182 words
A wheeled vehicle comprising: a drive wheel having a drive axle disposed through the center of the drive wheel; a first frame member extending generally upwardly from the drive axle such that the center of gravity of the rider is substantially positioned over the drive axle, said first frame member having a seat attached thereto; pedals attached to the drive axle for driving the drive wheel selectively in the forward and reverse directions; a pair of support wheels; a second frame member for attaching the support wheels to the drive wheel, said second frame member extending generally rearwardly and downwardly from the drive axle; an axle securing the support wheels to one another; means for allowing sufficient vertical and horizontal rotation of the axle to allow the support wheels to pronate as the wheeled vehicle turns such that the support wheels track behind the drive wheel, said means comprising a frustoconical piece disposed within a ring formed in the axle, a bracket onto which the axle is attached and a forward projection disposed on the axle and pivotably attached to the bracket.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 182 words
A wheeled vehicle comprising: a drive wheel having a drive axle disposed through the center of the drive wheel; a first frame member extending generally upwardly from the drive axle such that the center of gravity of the rider is substantially positioned over the drive axle, said first frame member having a seat attached thereto; pedals attached to the drive axle for driving the drive wheel selectively in the forward and reverse directions; a pair of support wheels; a second frame member for attaching the support wheels to the drive wheel, said second frame member extending generally rearwardly and downwardly from the drive axle; an axle securing the support wheels to one another; means for allowing sufficient vertical and horizontal rotation of the axle to allow the support wheels to pronate as the wheeled vehicle turns such that the support wheels track behind the drive wheel, said means comprising a frustoconical piece disposed within a ring formed in the axle, a bracket onto which the axle is attached and a forward projection disposed on the axle and pivotably attached to the bracket.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 26 words
A wheeled vehicle as defined in claim 18 wherein the support wheels are no greater in raduis than one-half of the radius of the drive wheel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 31 words
A wheeled vehicle as defined in claim 15 wherein said second frame member comprises support forks wherein said support forks are no longer than twice the radius of the drive wheel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 89 words
A unicycle training device comprising: a unicycle having a drive wheel and a drive axle; a plurality of support wheels; a frame member for attaching the support wheels to the unicycle, said frame member extending generally rearwardly and outwardly from the drive axle and attached to the support wheels; an axle securing the support wheels to one another; means for allowing sufficient vertical and horizontal rotation of the axle to allow the support wheels to pronate as the unicycle turns such that the support wheels track behind the unicycle.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 89 words
A unicycle training device comprising: a unicycle having a drive wheel and a drive axle; a plurality of support wheels; a frame member for attaching the support wheels to the unicycle, said frame member extending generally rearwardly and outwardly from the drive axle and attached to the support wheels; an axle securing the support wheels to one another; means for allowing sufficient vertical and horizontal rotation of the axle to allow the support wheels to pronate as the unicycle turns such that the support wheels track behind the unicycle.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 27 words
A unicycle training device as defined in claim 21 wherein the support wheels are no greater in radius than one-half of the radius of the drive wheel.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 24 words
A unicycle training device as defined in claim 21 wherein said frame member is no longer than twice the radius of the drive wheel.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 34 words
A unicycle training device as defined in claim 23 wherein the means for allowing sufficient vertical and horizontal rotation of the axle comprises a frustoconical piece disposed within a ring formed in the axle.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 46 words
A unicycle training device as defined in claim 24 wherein the means for allowing sufficient vertical and horizontal rotation of the axle further comprises a bracket onto which the axle is attached and a forward projection disposed on the axle and pivotably attached to the bracket.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US360017A Cited
US524019A Cited
US638963A Cited
US2950127A Cited
US3083036A Cited
US3437351A Cited
US4198072A Cited
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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) 1990-04-13 1990-10-13 1991-04-14 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1994-04-13 1994-10-13 1995-04-14 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1998-04-13 1998-10-13 1999-04-14 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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