Patent ID: 6302421
Filing Date: 2001-10-16
Classification: A61G,B62B,B62H,B62K

Abstract:
A vehicle which can be rider-steered or externally steered, comprising:a vehicle frame or body for carrying an occupant thereon, said vehicle frame or body having a front, a rear, and a mid-portion extending between said front and said rear, said midportion having left and right sides,at least one wheel mounted on said vehicle for enabling said vehicle to be rolled over a surface, said wheel being parallel to said left and right sides of said vehicle frame or body,at least one swivelable caster containing a rotatable wheel and mounted on said vehicle for enabling said caster to swivel so that said vehicle can be rolled in any direction, said caster being positioned at a midpoint between said left and right sides,a steering control on said vehicle, said steering control positioned so that it can be operated by said occupant carried on said vehicle, anda disconnect for selectively connecting or disconnecting said steering control from said caster so that (1) when said disconnect connects said steering control to said caster, said occupant carried thereon will be able to turn said steering control and thereby swivel said caster and steer said vehicle, and (2) when said disconnect disconnects said steering control from said caster, said caster will be able to swivel freely so as to enable said vehicle to be externally steered in any direction,whereby said vehicle can be quickly and easily converted back and forth between externally steered and steered by said occupant thereof, yet said vehicle will have directional stability, can be used on rough surfaces, and can be rapidly propelled.