US5279181A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tricycle steering assembly
Assignee: Hedstrom Corp
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Filing: 1993-04-20
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Granted: 1994-01-18
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Expires: 2013-04-20
Abstract
Abstract An improved steering assembly for a tricycle comprises a front fork whose tubular stem is received in a head tube and has a flat area which is engaged by an internal projection extending from the wall of the head tube toward the head tube axis so as to limit the angular excursions of the fork about that axis and thereby prevent the tricycle from tipping over due to oversteering.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J. Boudreau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:09
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62K; B62K21/00; B62K21/18; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32254; Y10T403/32426; Y10T403/70; Y10T403/7041; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20732; Y10T74/2078
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A velocipede steering assembly comprising a head tube having an axis; a front fork having a tubular stem rotatably received coaxially in the head tube with its upper end projecting from a top of the head tube; handlebars having a post slidably received coaxially in the fork stem; means for securing the handlebar post to the fork stem and for fixing the axial position of the fork stem in the head tube; means defining an exterior flat area in an exterior wall of the fork stem, and an interior projection extending from an interior wall of the head tube toward the head tube axis which is engaged by said flat area when the fork is turned about said axis by more than a selected amount in either direction so as to limit the angular excursions of said fork about said axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A velocipede steering assembly comprising a head tube having an axis; a front fork having a tubular stem rotatably received coaxially in the head tube with its upper end projecting from a top of the head tube; handlebars having a post slidably received coaxially in the fork stem; means for securing the handlebar post to the fork stem and for fixing the axial position of the fork stem in the head tube; means defining an exterior flat area in an exterior wall of the fork stem, and an interior projection extending from an interior wall of the head tube toward the head tube axis which is engaged by said flat area when the fork is turned about said axis by more than a selected amount in either direction so as to limit the angular excursions of said fork about said axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said projection comprises inclined walls of a vertical V-shaped exterior groove struck in the head tube wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The assembly defined in claim 2 wherein said angular excursion is 90° or less.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The assembly defined in claim 2 wherein said flat area and said inclined walls are oriented so that when said flat area engages either of said inclined walls, the flat area and engaged inclined wall are substantially parallel. X
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1997-01-17 | 1997-07-19 | 1998-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-17 | 2001-07-19 | 2002-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-17 | 2005-07-19 | 2006-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |