A cambering vehicle includes a front column, left and a right trailing arms each having a front portion pivotally attached to either the front column or a bracket attached thereto by a pivot axle which is preferably inclined relative to the bracket or the front column. A detachable latching device may be used to detachably latch the bracket, if so provided, and thus the trailing arms to the front column at the working position. The bracket and thus the trailing arm may be rotated relative to the front column to the folding position when the detachably latching device releases the bracket relative to the front column. The cambering vehicle may also include a link connect the trailing arms independent of the front column, and a braking mechanism to inhibit forward movement of the cambering vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cambering vehicle of the type having a single front wheel extending from a vertical steering stem's lower extremity and two rear wheels, each attached to one of a pair of horizontal trailing arms pivotally attached to the steering stem. Typically, handlebars attach to the steering stem's upper extremity to permit manipulation of the single wheel. Above the rear wheels on each of the trailing arms are platforms for the user to stand on while operating the vehicle. More particularly, the cambering vehicle of the present invention also includes a novel structure which may be readily folded for storage or transport, for example. Another embodiment of the cambering vehicle of the present invention includes a novel crossbar member spanning the two trailing arms.

Various conventional cambering vehicles have been developed. Such conventional vehicles are generally operator propelled three wheeled vehicles comprising a front column having a steering shaft rotatably attached thereto, a front wheel attached to the bottom of the steering shaft, and a pair of laterally spaced rear wheels on trailing arms which are articulated to the front column. More complex vehicles also include additional elements, including brakes.

To move the vehicle, the operator stands upon platforms provided on each trailing arm. By alternately leaning left and right, the vehicle will camber left and right. This cambering induces a force between the rear wheels and a surface upon which the vehicle is placed. The force produces work driving the vehicle forward along a sinusoidal path, the frequency of which is related to the user's input of alternate leans and the amplitude of which is related to the speed of the vehicle.

More recent of the conventional cambering vehicles are designed to be folded into a compact configuration for storage or transport, for example. Several of the prior art cambering vehicles fold at the connection of the steering stem and the trailing arms. Other vehicles have trailing arms with intermediate folding mechanisms. Such vehicles often suffer from the application of unwanted flexing within the trailing arm. Also, such folding mechanisms typically include quick-release type features, which may cause folding of the device at inadvertent times, or which may be difficult to operate.

The trailing arms of conventional vehicles have their front ends rotatably or pivotally secured to the front column by utilizing an attachment fitting or shaft that is perpendicular to the front column. When the vehicle is cambered toward one side, such as the right side, the left trailing arm and thus the left rear wheel may be forced or caused to be moved upwardly away from the ground, or may not be suitably contacted with the ground.

Conversely, when the vehicle is cambered toward the other side, for example the left side, the right trailing arm and thus the right rear wheel may also be forced or caused to be moved upwardly away from the ground, or may not be suitably contacted with the ground, such that the vehicle may not be stable as it travels along the sinusoidal path.

Aspects of the present invention mitigate and/or obviate the aforementioned disadvantages of the conventional cambering vehicles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a cambering vehicle comprising an elongate front column having a longitudinal axis; a bracket assembly attached to the front column by a pivot shaft; a first pivot axle and a second pivot axle adjacent the bracket; a first trailing arm pivotally attached to the first pivot axle; a second trailing arm pivotally attached to the second pivot axle; and first and second rear wheels associated with the first and second trailing arms; wherein the steering column may be rotated away from the bracket about the pivot shaft and toward the first and second trailing arms to place the cambering vehicle in a folded position. The steering column may be rotated about the pivot shaft toward the bracket to place the cambering vehicle in a working position. The cambering vehicle may also include a latching mechanism attached to the bracket to secure the bracket to the column in the working position. The latching mechanism may comprise a spring-loaded latch. The bracket may further comprise an aperture therethrough, where the latching mechanism further comprises a spring-loaded shaft capable of fitting within the aperture to releaseably connect the bracket to the steering column. Finally, the first and second pivot axles may be inclined from an imaginary line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the front column.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, and initially toFIGS. 1-6, a cambering vehicle1in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a front column2including a front tube20, a steering shaft30, a portion of which is rotatably engaged or disposed concentrically within the front tube20, a front fork31attached to a bottom end of the steering shaft30to support a front wheel32, and a handle34supported on a top end of the steering shaft30.

The steering shaft30may preferably be provided with a stem33retractably received therein and extendible outwardly therefrom, or adjustably secured to the steering shaft30with a device such as a quick release clamp39. The handle34is secured on top of the steering shaft30or on top of the stem33of the steering shaft30, if so provided. One or more, and preferably two, brake hand grips35are attached to the handle34for braking purposes, and are coupled to cables36respectively.

As shown inFIG. 3, the front column2may include an extension21attached to or extended from the front tube20, such as attached to the upper portion22of the front tube20. The extension21comprises an aperture21afor receiving a spring-biased latch device23. The spring-biased latch device23is attached to the extension21of the front tube20, and includes a latch pin24extendible through the aperture21aof extension21, downwardly toward the lower portion25of the front tube20.

A bracket7is rotatably or pivotally attached to the front tube20of the front column2with a pivot shaft71. For example, as shown inFIGS. 7-8and10-11, the bracket7includes a lower portion70rotatably or pivotally attached to the lower portion25of the front tube with the pivot shaft71, to allow the bracket7to be rotated relative to the front tube20about pivot shaft71.

The bracket7includes an upper panel72having an orifice73formed therein in registration with aperture21aof extension21for receiving the latch pin24of the latch device23which may detachably or openly secure the upper panel72of the bracket7to the front tube20. For example, the bracket7may be rotated to or away from the front tube20when the latch pin24of the latch device23is disengaged from the upper panel72of the bracket7, as shown inFIGS. 8 and 11.

The latch device23comprises a circular cap24awith a threaded shaft24bextending therefrom. The orifice73of upper panel72may be tapped to matingly engage with the threaded shaft24b, such that twisting of the circular cap24ain a first direction will engage the threaded shaft within the orifice. Such engagement may be utilized to lock the bracket7, to place the cambering vehicle1in the assembled condition shown inFIGS. 7 and 10. It will be appreciated that twisting of the circular cap24ain a second direction, opposite that of the first direction, will disengage the threaded shaft24bfrom the orifice73to unlock the bracket7, such that the cambering vehicle1may be placed in the folded condition shown inFIGS. 8 and 11.

Alternatively, the latch device23may be provided with an internal spring (not shown) mounted between the circular cap24aand the threaded shaft246, such that the threaded shaft24bis centered concentric with the spring. The spring may serve the purpose of causing the latch pin24to be released from the aperture21aand orifice73upon upward force exerted on the circular cap24a, but be retained therein absent an external force. Preferably, the threaded shaft24bwill remain within the aperture21aat all times during this alternate operation, even when the latch pin24is pulled from within the aperture21aand orifice73. Of course, the spring rate should be sufficiently low to permit a user to easily compress the spring to withdraw the latch pin24from the aperture21aand orifice73, but sufficiently high to retain the latch device23in a secure manner.

As shown inFIGS. 7 and 10when the latch pin24of the latch device23is engaged into the orifice73of the upper panel72of the bracket7, the bracket7may be solidly secured to the front tube20with the spring-biased latch device23. The spring-biased latch device23may thus be used as a latching means or device to detachably secure the bracket7to the front tube20.

The bracket7includes two socket openings74formed therein and defined by two frames75respectively. Each socket opening74has a longitudinal axis or pivotal axis76inclined relative to the longitudinal axis77of the bracket7(FIG. 9) that is generally parallel to the front tube20, such that the socket openings74and/or the frames75may also be arranged and inclined relative to the front tube20when the bracket7is secured to the front tube20(FIGS. 1,4,6,7).

As shown inFIG. 9, the pivotal axes76of the socket openings74and/or the frames75are illustrated to be extended inclinedly and downwardly relative to the bracket7. However, the pivotal axes76of the socket openings74and/or the frames75may also be arranged in different inclination relative to the bracket7. For example, as shown inFIG. 12, the pivotal axes76of the socket openings74and/or the frames75may also be arranged to be extended inclinedly and upwardly relative to the bracket7.

A left trailing arm and a right trailing arm40each include a front portion rotatably or pivotally attached to the bracket7with pivot axles78respectively. For example, each of the trailing arms40includes a bushing41attached or provided on the front portion thereof, and rotatably attached onto the pivot axles78that are secured to the frames75of the bracket respectively, for rotatably or pivotally coupling the trailing arms40to the front tube20with the bracket7.

The front portions or the bushings41of the trailing arms40may be rotatably attached to the pivot axles78respectively with washers, gaskets, bearings43or the like, for allowing the front portions or the bushings41of the trailing arms40to be rotatably coupled to the front tube20. Each of the trailing arms40includes a downwardly dependent rear wheel45rotatably attached to its rear end. Each trailing arm40also includes a foot pedal46disposed thereon, to support users.

The front portions or the bushings41of the trailing arms40merge the pivotal axes76of the socket openings74and/or the frames75respectively, such that the front portions or the bushings41of the trailing arms40also arranged to be inclined relative to the longitudinal axis77of the bracket7that is parallel to the front tube20.

The cambering vehicle1may further include two brake devices47attached to the rear portions of the trailing arms40respectively, for braking the rear wheels45respectively. The brake hand grips35are coupled to the brake devices47with the cables36respectively, in order to actuate the brake devices47to brake the rear wheels45. Upon actuation of the brake hand grips35, the brake device47is rotated by a cable36such that the brake device contacts the rear wheel45causing friction therebetween. It will be appreciated that the components may be sized such that sufficient friction will build up to safely and quickly stop the vehicle1from the brake speed for which it is designed.

Each of the trailing arms40may include one or more ears48secured thereto or extended therefrom. The ears48of the trailing arms40typically face toward each other. A cable or a link50includes two ends51pivotally or rotatably secured to the ears48of the trailing arms40with gaskets, bearings, rubber bushings53or the like. One end51of the link50may be rotatably attached to the ears48of one of the trailing arms with a pivot pin49, and the other end51of the link50may be rotatably and detachably coupled to the ears48of the other trailing arm40with a fastener, a latch pin55or the like, for quick removal. The fastener55may be covered by a shield (not shown) to prevent accidental removal of the fastener. The shield may be rotatably or slidably engaged to the link50, such that it may easily be removed to permit a user to remove the fastener55from the link. A chain, string or similar device may be utilized to secure the fastener55to the shield, or other component of the vehicle1, so it will not be lost upon removal.

In operation, the operator alternates the shifting of his or her weight to the inside of each turning arc, to shift the center of mass to the inside of each arc. This shifting causes the front column2to be tilted relative to the ground, to result a series of accelerations pushing the vehicle forward in a sinusoidal path to attain a forward motion.

The inclination of the pivot axles78relative to the bracket7or the front tube20respectively may cause or generate a different moving stroke of the vehicle as compared with the moving strokes of the conventional cambering vehicles, which typically include a pair of trailing arms having front ends rotatably secured to the front column with an attachment fitting or shaft that is perpendicular to the front column.

The inclination of the pivot axles78relative to the front tube20of the front column2respectively may also be changed or selected to cause different moving stroke of the vehicle, and thus to change the accelerations of the vehicle. It is preferable, but not necessary, that the pivot axles78are arranged symmetric relative to the front column2or relative to the bracket7.

As shown inFIG. 8, when the latch pin24of the spring biased latch device23is disengaged from the upper panel72of the bracket7, the bracket7and thus the trailing arms40may be rotated relative to or toward the front tube20or the front column2to a compact folding or storing position.

As shown inFIG. 7, when the latch pin24of the spring-biased latch device23is engaged into the orifice73of the upper panel72of the bracket7, the trailing arms40may be solidly secured to the front tube20at a working position or assembled condition, and to retain the vehicle in a tricycle-shaped cambering vehicle.

It is to be noted that, due to the inclination of the pivot axles78relative to the bracket7or the front tube20, the trailing arms40may be rotated or spaced away from each other when the link50is disengaged from the trailing arms40to place the vehicle1in the folded or storing position. The foldable structure of the trailing arms40toward or relative to the front column2allows the cambering vehicle to be folded to a compact folding or storing position.

Accordingly, the cambering vehicle includes a left and a right trailing arm rotatably or pivotally attached to a front column with inclined axles, to allow the trailing arms and the rear wheels to be moved without being moved upwardly away from the ground, and to change the moving stroke of the vehicle. The trailing arms may also be folded relative to the front column between folding or storing positions and working positions.

Referring toFIGS. 13-17, a cambering vehicle101in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention comprises a front column102including a front tube120, a steering shaft130rotatably engaged or disposed concentrically within the front tube120, a front fork131attached to bottom of the steering shaft130to support a front wheel132, and a handle134supported on top of the steering shaft130.

The steering shaft130may further include a stem133retractably received therein and extendible outwardly therefrom, or adjustably secured to the steering shaft130with various mechanisms, such as a quick release clamp139. The handle134is secured on top of the steering shaft130or on top of the stem133of the steering shaft130. One or more, for example two, brake hand grips135may be attached to the handle134for braking purposes, and are coupled to cables136respectively. As will be discussed, the cables136are routed to braking element147, respectively.

The front column102includes two pivot axles121and122extended from the front tube120, and inclined from the horizontal relative to the front tube120. For example, as shown inFIG. 1, the pivot axles121and122and illustrated to be extended inclinedly downward relative to the front tube120. However, alternatively, as shown inFIG. 19, the pivot axles121and122may also be extended inclinedly upward relative to the front tube120.

A left trailing arm and a right trailing arm140each include a front portion rotatably or pivotally attached to the front tube120of the front column102with the pivot axles121and122respectively. For example, each of the trailing arms140includes a bushing141attached or provided on the front portion thereof, and rotatably attached onto the pivot axles121and122respectively, for rotatably or pivotally coupling the trailing arms140to the front tube120of the front column102.

The front portions or the bushings141of the trailing arms140may be rotatably attached to the pivot axles121and122respectively with bearings142, washers143, gaskets or the like, and secured to the pivot axles121and122with fasteners144respectively, in order to solidly or stably couple the trailing arms140to the front tube120of the front column102. Each of the trailing arms140includes a rear wheel145rotatably attached to the rear end, a foot pedal146disposed thereon to support users.

The cambering vehicle101may further include two brake devices147attached to the rear portions of the trailing arms140respectively, for braking the rear wheels145respectively. The brake hand grips135are coupled to the brake devices147with the cables136respectively in order to actuate the brake devices147to brake the rear wheels145.

It is to be noted that the pivot axles121and122are illustrated or shown to be secured to or extended from the front tube120of the front column102respectively. However, the pivot axles121and122may also be provided on the front portions of the trailing arms140, and rotatably or pivotally attached to the front tube120of the front column102respectively with such as bushings (not shown) or the like that may be secured or extended inclinedly from the front tube120of the front column102.

Each of the trailing arms140may include one or more ears148secured thereto or extended therefrom, where the ears148of the trailing arms140are facing toward each other. A cable or a link150includes two ends151to be pivotally or rotatably secured to the ears148of the trailing arms140with gaskets or bearings153or the like. One end151of the link150may be rotatably attached to the ears148of one of the trailing arms140with a pivot pin149, and the other end151of the link150may be rotatably and detachably coupled to the ears148of the other trailing arm140with a fastener (not shown), a latch pin155or the like.

In operation, the cambering vehicle101operates in virtually the same manner as the cambering vehicle1, previously described. However, in order to fold the cambering vehicle101, one merely needs to disconnect the fastener, such as latch pin155, connecting the ear148to the trailing arm140.