Patent ID: 7360780
Filing Date: 2008-04-22
Classification: B62K,B62M

Abstract:
1. Steering and propulsion means for a hand propelled vehicle having one steerable front wheel and at least one rear wheel, comprising: vehicle framework means comprising steering column journal means; steering column means rotatably suspended by said steering column journal means; fork means forming a downward extension of said steering column means and rotatably securing said front wheel of said vehicle; said front wheel having a one-way clutch assembly comprising pulley means, mounted upon its hub, the operation of said clutch assembly such that said pulley means rotates freely in a backward direction, and when rotated in a forward direction causes said one-way clutch assembly and said front wheel to rotate in said forward direction; drive/steering lever support mast joined to the upper end of said fork means and from there extending upwardly and forwardly; drive/steering lever joined by journal means to the upper/forward end of said drive/steering lever support mast in a manner that causes said drive/steering lever to hinge within a plane parallel to the plane of said front wheel; handlebars joined rigidly to the rearward end of said drive/steering lever; idler pulley mast forming an upward extension of said steering column means and having idler pulley means rotatably mounted at its upper portion in an at least almost vertical, and approximately front-to-back, plane; a tensional flexible drive member in the form of a closed loop, mounted upon said idler pulley means at its upper end, and upon said pulley means of said one-way clutch assembly at its lower end; a point upon said tensional flexible drive member attached to said drive/steering lever, the location along said tensional flexible drive member of said point such that the downward portion of an up-and-down stroke cycle of said handlebars and said drive/steering lever results in rotation in said forward direction of said pulley means of said one-way clutch assembly, and rotation in said forward direction of said one-way clutch assembly and said front wheel; and the following upward portion of said up-and-down stroke cycle of said handlebars and said drive/steering lever results in free rotation in said backward direction of said pulley means of said one-way clutch assembly, along with possible continued forward rotation of said one-way clutch assembly and said front wheel.