Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02406914 2002-10-22
SPECIFICATION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a gravity driven lean to steer wheeled vehicle for
recreational
riding and racing, most commonly used on hard packed sloped surfaces. Most
particularly,
the invention relates to a durable, stable, easy to maneuver vehicle with an
extruded
aluminum chassis, molded seat and leg rest, with polyurethane front and rear
bumpers, and
two custom axle assemblies with four polyurethane wheels. Also the invention
relates to a
vehicle which is ridden in a seated position with legs cradled on a leg rest,
and which is
steered by leaning to the left for leil turns, and leaning to the right for
right turns. The
invention was designed to allow for simple manufacturing of parts and easy
assembly,
while not jeopardizing the stability, durability, and performance of the
vehicle.
DESCRIPTION OF TILE PRIOR ART
Although there are various patents disclosing embodiments for wheeled vehicles
and
skateboard trucks, the following patents known to the inventor hereof, do not
in any
manner suggest or teach the Gravity Driven Lean to Steer Wheeled Vehicle
disclosed and
claimed by the applicant in the instant application for patent.
Patent Application CA 2238468 to Wav. Walton, and Newton discloses a gravity
driven
steerable wheeled vehicle for recreational use, most particularly on surfaces
such as
pavement, artificial hard-pack turf, mountain slopes, dirt roads, grass and
hard-packed
snow. The vehicle has at least (3) but preferably four (4) wheels which may or
may not be
on independent axles one from the other and which may or may not be each
independently
shock suspended. There is also a steering mechanism for steering the vehicle
and a driver
compartment portion for containing a driver of the vehicle in a prone face-
down and face-
forward position. The vehicle is steerable by the driver from the prone face-
down and
face-forward position. The vehicle may further have a braking system for
slowing or
stopping the vehicle and a harness apparatus for harnessing the driver onto
and into the
vehicle. The gravity driven steerable wheeled vehicle mentioned above is
driven in a prone
face-down and face forward position. In the description of the preferred
embodiments in
the 29 of 30'~ paragraph "the weight is approximately 100 pounds; the length
is about
70 inches; the width is about 40 inches..."
The above vehicle is driven in a dif~'erent position then the instant gravity
driven lean to
steer wheeled vehicle, which is driven, in a seated position with legs on a
forward
positioned leg rest. The above vehicle has a steering mechanism where the
instant gravity
driven lean to steer wheeled vehicle relies simply on a balanced leaning
pressure exerted on
the pivoting axle assemblies to turn the vehicle. The above vehicle is complex
and heavy,
the instant gravity driven lean to steer wheeled vehicle weighs approximately
10 pounds;
the length is about 41'/4 inches; the width is about 17'X2 inches.
CA 02406914 2002-10-22
2
Patent Application CA 1073492 to Kimmell. and Mattel. Issued Mar 1 l, 1980
discloses
a skateboard truck having a cup-shaped housing with the axis thereof
transverse to a
mounting plate member secured adjacent the housing opening, the bottom of the
housing
pivotally secured thereto a trunnion supporting a transversely extending axle
and wheel
assembly. An annular rubber cushion fits within the cup in alignment with the
axis thereof,
the inner surface of the cup and the cushion being matingly configured to
restrain the
cushion from rotating. A member is received within the cushion, the member
having
diametrically opposed outwardly extending flanges received within splits
within the
cushion, the member being secured for rotation with the trunnion whereby the
surfaces
of the flanges apply circumferential compressive forces to the adjacent
surfaces of the
cushion during pivoting of the trunnion. Means are provided far axially
varying the
volume or density of the cushion whereby to vary the circumferential
compressive forces
resulting from pivoting of the trunnian.
The preceding mentioned skateboard truck however very similar in design to the
axle
assembly being used on the instant gravity driven lean to steer wheeled
vehicle; it does not
offer the stability, nor the strength required for the instant gravity driven
lean to steer
wheeled vehicle. Instead of "a member having diametrically opposed outwardly
extending flanges received within splits within the cushion, the member being
secured
for rotation"(see fig 3 / 4 patent application CA1073492), the instant axle
assembly
relies on a design, where a pivot pin which is cast with the axle in an
opposing angle to the
tnunnion mount sits in a pivot bushing securing the axle from rotating (see
fig 4 section A).
The average skateboard truck axle length is between five (5 ) and seven (7)
inches and is
generally light in construction to allow for tricks and maneuvering. The
instant axle length
is ten ( 10) inches and is designed with heavier gussets and a larger shaft
diameter, and is
designed for stability and strength and has no practical use for skateboards.
The patents noted herein provide information regarding the developments that
have
taken place in the field of non motorized vehicle technology and skaxeboard
trucks. Clearly
the Gravity Driven Lean to Steer Wheeled Vehicle provides many advantages over
the
prior art inventions noted above. Ii is a lightweight vehicle, which is simple
in overall
design allowing for inexpensive manufacturing and assembly, giving a durable
product
with a stable and controlled ride.
SAY OF THE INVENTION
The most fundamental objects and advantages of the invention are: 1 ) a
gravity driven
vehicle, 2) that such a vehicle is maneuvered by leaning in the direction you
wish to turn,
3) that such a vehicle has four wheels on two pivoting axles, 4) that such a
vehicle is ridden
in a seated position, 5) that such a vehicle is stable, 6) that such a vehicle
is durable, 7) that
such a vehicle is affordable.
CA 02406914 2002-10-22
3
A primary object of the invention is to provide a stable, durable, and
affordable gravity
driven lean to steer wheeled vehicle for recreational riding and racing.
Comprising of an
extruded aluminum chassis mounted on two custom axle assemblies with
polyurethane
wheels one being positioned at the rear of the chassis and one being
positioned in between
the seat and the front of the chassis. An adjustable molded padded seat with
raised
handgrips is mounted on the chassis at a position determined by the operator,
given a
choice of forward for shorter riders, or back for taller riders. A molded
padded leg rest is
bolted to the front of the chassis to support and cradle the rider's legs. The
vehicle also has
polyurethane front and rear bumpers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. l shows a perspective view of the vehicle itemizing the vehicles basic
components,
illustrating the aluminum chassis, the custom axle assemblies with
polyurethane wheels,
the adjustable molded padded seat with raised handgrips, the molded leg rest,
and the front
and rear bumpers.
Fig. 2 shows a plan, side and front view of the vehicle itemizing the vehicles
components and listing them as: reference no., description, part no., and
quantity. This
figure also shows basic dimensions.
Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the axle assembly itemizing its components.
Fig. 4 shows a plan, front, and sectional side view labeled (Section A)
itemizing the axle
assemblies components and listing them as: reference no., description, part
no., and
quantity. This figure also shows basic dimensions.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The following is a description of the preferred embodiment of the invention.
In order to most simply and clearly characterize the essential features of the
invention
reference is made to drawings Fig 1, Fig 2, Fig 3, and Fig 4.
With reference now to Fig 1, and Fig 2 there is illustrated a gravity driven
lean to steer
wheeled vehicle comprising of an extruded aluminum chassis (O1) mounted on two
custom
axle assemblies (02) with eight screws (04) sixteen washers (OS) and eight
nuts (05). Two
polyurethane wheels (08) are sandwiched between two bearings (07) and are
fastened to the
axles with four nuts (09). The leg rest. ( 10) is mounted integrally with the
front bumper
( 11 ) at the front of the vehicle with twa screws ( 12 ) four washers ( 13 )
and two nuts ( 14).
CA 02406914 2002-10-22
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The seat is mounted in either of two positions at the back of the vehicle with
three screws
( 12) six washers ( 13) and three nuts ( 14). There will be two unused holes
on the side of the
the chassis, which can be plugged by two cap plugs ( 16). The back bumper (
17) is inserted
:in the back of the chassis (01 ) and secured with a screw ( 18). Two
handgrips ( 19) are
slotted and fit over the top edges of the molded seat ( l 5) and are secured
with eight screws
(20).
The driver of the vehicle is held in place by the molded padded seat and
handgrips. The
molded padded leg rest having a curved face helps cradle the driver's legs in
position on
'the Ieg rest. The custom axle assemblies Fig 3 and Fig 4 are ten inches in
width, which
,give needed lateral stability. The chassis is made from 1 '/2 inch x 3 inch x
40 inch long
extruded aluminum tube with .120 inch wall thickness and .120 inch radiused
corners.
The molded seat may be manufactured with aluminum, molded fiberglass, or
plastic.
The seat has closed cell foam laminated to the top surface to provide a
cushion.
The handgrips may be manufactured from plastic, polyurethane; or may even be
molded
as part of the seat.
The molded leg rest may be manufactured with aluminum, molded fiberglass, or
plastic.
The leg rest has closed cell foam laminated to the top surface to provide a
cushion.
With reference now to Fig 3 and Fig 4 the axle assembly is made of two main
components. The base (O1) which is an aluminum casting, and the 5/16 inch
diameter x 10
inch wide steel axle cast in aluminum (OS). The two parts are mated together
as shown in
Fig 4 Section A, with a polyurethane pivot bushing (01 ) inserted in the base.
A 3/8-24 x 2
inch Hex Head Cap Screw (03) inserted through the base {02) with a large
polyurethane
bushing (04) between the base (O1) and the axle (OS) a smaller polyurethane
bushing (06) at
the bottom with a cup washer (07) arid a Nylock Nut (08) holding it together.
The amount
of stability can be regulated simply by tightening the nut (08) limiting the
amount of pivot
and turn giving more stability, or by loosening the nut {08) increasing the
pivot and turn
giving more turning ability.
The preferred size of the vehicle is as follows: the weight is approximately
10 pounds,
the length is about 41 '/. inches; the width is about 17 %Z inches; the wheel
base is about 24
'/< inches; and the height is about 10 5/16 inches.
It is thought that the present gravity driven Lean to steer wheeled vehicle,
used for
recreational riding or racing down hard packed sloped surfaces, and many of
its outlined
advantages is understood from the foregoing description and it will be
apparent that various
changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts
thereof
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing
all of its material
advantages, the form herein described being merely a preferred exemplary
embodiment
thereof.
