Patent ID: 6631777
Filing Date: 2003-10-14
Classification: B62M

Abstract:
A vehicle for transporting people comprising of; a motor coupled to a drive wheel connected through a frame to a pivoting body pad fitted with a torso clamp,whereas, said drive wheel acts as a traction means transmitting the rotational motion from the motor to the ground and causing said vehicle to move forward, whereas, said frame acts as a connecting means joining said motor and said drive wheel to said pivoting body pad with a pin, said pin to act as a connecting means and a center point of the pivoting axis, whereas, said pivoting body pad is attached to the frame of said vehicle via said pin, said pin acting as a pivot axis to allow the operator to cause the pivoting body pad to pivot independently of said frame, said pivot means acting to improve the control and operation of the said vehicle, whereas, said pivoting body pad is ergonomically shaped for operator comfort and for the efficient communication of movement between the operator and said vehicle, said pivoting body pad being adjustable along a vertical axis as a means of accommodating operators of differing heights, said pivoting body pad being constructed of a compressible material which will absorb impact and cushion the operator from the stress of rapid deceleration, whereas, said pivoting body pad is fitted with shoulder supports acting as a means of distributing the weight of the vehicle, which is not supported by said drive wheel, to the operators shoulders, said shoulder supports are padded for comfort, said shoulder supports being adjustable along a vertical axis independent of said pivoting body pad as a means of accommodating operators of differing body heights, whereas, said shoulder supports also act as a means of transmitting a portion of forward motion from said vehicle to the operator's upper body, whereas, said shoulder supports also act as a means of maintaining the operator in close communication with said pivoting body pad, whereas, said frame is fitted with a folding stand for resting the weight of the vehicle when not in use, said folding stand to have a spring assist to maintain said folding stand against said frame when not in use, whereas, said frame is also fitted with crumple zones and compression springs as a means to absorb impact, whereas, said frame is fitted with arm supports to support the weight of the operators arms, said arm supports are padded for the comfort of the operator and adjustable along a vertical axis to accommodate operators of different heights, whereas, said drive wheel is a traction means fitted with a braking means, said braking means allowing the operator to slow said vehicle as well as bringing said vehicle to a controlled stop, whereas, said frame is fitted with handgrips, said handgrips affording a gripping surface for the operators hands, said handgrips to encompass throttle and brake actuators for accelerating and braking, said handgrips and said throttle and brake actuators are to be fitted with a crash guard extending outboard as a deflection means for objects that may come in contact with said vehicle, said handgrip crash guard to be formed as a part of said handgrips and said throttle and brake actuators and to act as a means of protection for the operators hands, said handgrips, said throttle and brake actuators, and said handgrip crash guards are adjustable fore and aft along the frame insomuch as they can slide along said frame to a suitable position and be locked in place to accommodate different arm lengths of operators, said handgrips, said throttle and brake actuators, and said handgrip crash guards are adjustable in relation to the angle that they form relative to the longitudinal axis of said frame insomuch as they can be rotated in relation to said frame to a suitable position and locked in place to accommodate the comfort of the operator, whereas, said torso clamp is attached to said pivoting body pad and is padded for comfort and closes around the operator's torso and acts as a means of transmitting the forward motion from said vehicle to the operator while also acting as a means of maintaining the operator in close communication with said pivoting body pad, said torso clamp is spring-loaded and said spring loads are fully adjustable, said torso clamp to release at a preset level to automatically free the operator from said pivoting body pad in the event of a stress placed on the torso clamp which is greater than that which it has been adjusted for, whereas, the operator will guide the vehicle with a combination of rotating said pivoting body pad, as a means of changing direction, and shifting his/her body weight and leaning into the direction of the desired travel.