Two-seater car, basically for town runs

Abstract: Two-seater car, with endothermal, ecological or electrical engine, basically for town runs. It includes a hard platform (1) with a roll-bar (9). The platform, equipped with an auxiliary chassis (1f) for the engine package (7) is supported by four wheels, whose two are front directing wheels (2) and two rear tractor wheels (3). The body is constituted by a pair of transparent semishells (4,5) basically they are hemispherical, articulated at the roll-bar basis. Both semishells are angularly movable and overlappable in order to allow an easy access to the car.

Description: This invention relates to a two-seater vehicle as defined by the features of the preamble of claim 1. Such a two-seater vehicle belongs to the common knowledge in this technical field. To further develop such a generally known two-seater vehicle this invention aims to provide a compact, limited sized two-seater vehicle with luggage-room, ecological engine, easy mechanical structure, limited productive and working cost. Therefore, the invention is defined by the features of claim 1. More specifically, this two-seater vehicle is basically equipped with a non-polluting endothermal engine, such as a GPL fed engine, or an electrical engine with alternator, or equipped with endothermal ecological engine associated to a pneumatic pump for activating one or more hydrostatic engines connected to a pair of rear wheels. Furthermore, the two-seater vehicle includes a hard platform with auxiliary chassis and roll-bar. The body includes a pair of semishells basically hemispherical, articulated at the roll-bar basis and angularly movable around the horizontal and mutual axis in order to offer a comfortable access to the driver's seat, the passenger's seat and to the luggage area. Here below there are clearer features of the car, which refer to schematic drawings, at variable scale, where: Figure 1 is an elevated view on the car side; Figure 2 is an axonometric partial and exploded view; Figure 3 is a perspective view of directional units connected to front wheels; Figure 4 shows positions which can be given to the steering wheel, in compliance with a structural change; Figure 5 is a side view showing a preferable profile of the platform supported by wheels and supporting the body. With reference to Figures 1,2,3,5 the sign 1 represents the hard platform, in a single piece, frontally concave in 1a, where pedal controls and driver's and passenger's lower limbs are lodged; part 1a is followed by a part 1b strengthened in 1c, as a support for a pair of seats 1d, Figure 1. The platform is defined at its rear end by a plain part 1e. As far as the opposite sides of platform 1 are concerned, ends of a roll-bar 9 are integral and, according to a change, as shown in dotted lines of Figure 2, can advantageously take an annular shape and be integral to the platform for its whole width. In respect to the roll-bar 9, close to the platform borders, at point 6, Figure 1, median to the platform length, rear semishell 4 and front semishell 5 in transparent substance have a fulcrum. Opposite pivots with a mutual horizontal axis allow the two shells to assume limit positions shown in integral lines and in dotted lines overlapping shell 5 on shell 4 or vice-versa. In compliance to an understandable change (not shown) the rear semishell 4 is hinged on the top of roll-bar 9. Instead, the front semishell 5 is overlappable to the rear semishell 4 when this latter is closed. The rear semishell 4 is also equipped with a door to have access to the car inside without lifting the whole semishell when luggage has to be loaded. Known closing means are supplied to block semishells, equipped with 4a, 5a integral metal or hard frames. The tyres of the four wheels are low pressured and have a wide cross section. At the front side, the platform 1 is directly supported by a pair of forks of directing wheels 2, equipped with braking device. Forks are linked to the platform through single U-shaped forks 2a with vertical axis. The rotating area of the U-shaped forks 2a for each front wheel 2 is integral to a radial arm 19, Figure 3. Said arms 19 are articulated on the ends of a lever constituted by two tie rods 19a, 19b with faced ends connected to a part 18 through an adjustment joint of virtual cocking of the two tie rods. The part 18 is articulated versus part 8b and is integral to a groove pulley 17. On the groove, in a riding position, there is a cable 20. Said cable is annular and, through return pulleys 15,16,14 with a dual turn, engages a pulley 13 integral to the steering pulley and to the steering wheel 8. In compliance to a change, the steering wheel 8 is supported to an arm 8a that, as shown at Figure 4, jointly to pulley 14, is pivoted as overturning for 180° versus the part 8b fixed to the vehicle body and completing the directional unit. The parts 8a, 8b form an angular arm. The possibility to overturn the steering wheel position, as shown in Figure 4, besides offering the advantage to implement cars with dual directional controls, gets easier the access to driver's seat and passenger's seat. With reference to Figure 2, the platform 1, with a strengthening device 1g against possible side impacts, is associated to an auxiliary chassis 1f supporting the engine 7 with a speed gear-differential device, suspensions and transmission units for the driven rear wheels 3. From the above, eventual structural features of the car can be understood. This car is basically implemented for town traffic, since it has limited sizes, is equipped with simplified mechanics, a magnetic card (optional) for hiring and redelivery park where users coming from outside town can leave their more cumbersome vehicle (and perhaps even more polluting) to take it again after the redelivery of the hired car.

Claims: Two-seater vehicle with limited size, basically used as a vehicle for city traffic, being equipped with: a platform (1), a vehicle body having at least one movable element (4, 5) offering access to the seats and to a luggage space, an ecological engine, and four wheels equipped with pressurised tyres, said wheels are attached to said platform and include a pair of steered front wheels operable by a steering wheel (8) and a pair of rear wheels driven by said engine, characterized in that said platform (1) includes a roll-bar (9), said four tyres are low pressurized tyres and have a wide cross section; each of said front wheels is connected to a U-shaped fork (2a) which is pivotally connected to said platform by a vertically oriented axis fixed to the basis of said fork; said steering wheel (8) is drivingly connected to said front wheels by means of a funicular device and a steering linkage (19,19a and 19, 19b); said rear wheels (3) are connected via a speed gear- differential device to said engine; said engine and speed gear-differential are contained in an auxiliary chassis (1f) fixed to said platform; said movable element is constituted by a pair of semishells (4,5), basically hemispherical, which are transversally articulated at said platform at about half of its length so that one semishell is turnable about 180° overlapping with respect to the other semishell; one of said semishells is turnable to the rear of the vehicle giving access to the seats and the other is turnable to the front of the vehicle giving access to said luggage space. Two-seater vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said steering wheel (8) is applied to one end of an angular arm (8a, 8b) which is fixed to the vehicle body, said angular arm carries transmission elements of said funicular device. Two-seater vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said steering wheel (8) is applied to one end of an arm (8a) which is articulated to an arm (8b) fixed to the vehicle body, said arms carry transmission elements of said funicular device. Two-seater vehicle as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein said funicular device comprises an annular cable (20) drivingly engaging associated pulleys, whereby one pulley (13) is connected to said steering wheel (8) and another pulley (17) is drivingly connected to a part (18) articulated to the arm fixed to the vehicle body; said part (18) is articulated by an adjustment joint to two levers (19a, 19b) of said steering linkage, whereby each lever (19a, 19b) is articulated to an associated radial arm (19), which is integral to the pivotal part of said U-shaped fork (2a) supporting a respective front wheel (2). Two-seater vehicle as claimed in claims 1 to 4, whereby said rear semishell (4) is articulated on the top of said roll-bar (9), and whereby said front semishell (5) is overturnable on the rear semishell.

Inventors: BELLEZZA QUATER GIORGIO, BELLEZZA QUATER PAOLO, BELLEZZA QUATER SILVIA, BELLEZZA QUATER, GIORGIO, BELLEZZA QUATER, PAOLO, BELLEZZA QUATER, SILVIA
Applicants: GPS SPA, G.P.S. S.P.A.
Application year: 1995
Main classification: B62D21
IPC codes: B60J7, B62D1, B60J5, B62D31