Abstract:
A motorized vehicle, such as a trike motorcycle, includes a frame having a front end connected to at least one front wheel and having a rear end, first and second spaced swing arm assemblies mounted at the rear end, first and second rear wheel assemblies supported by the first and second swing arm assemblies and defining a space therebetween, and at least one support extending from the frame into the space. The arrangement allows a modular structure such as a wheelchair to be connected to the at least one support.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/907,797 to Dean Bowles, et al., filed Apr. 18, 2007, in the United States Patent &amp; Trademark Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention is directed to a motorized vehicle configured to removably support a modular structure such as a wheelchair, and more specifically, toward a motorized vehicle such as a motorized tricycle having spaced rear swing arms creating a space between the rear wheels of the vehicle and including at least one support between the rear wheels on which a modular structure such as a wheelchair can be mounted. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    It is often difficult for a handicapped person, especially a person confined to a wheelchair, to ride a motorcycle or motorized tricycle as a driver or passenger. Previous attempts to modify motorcycles for handicap access in some cases required a handicapped individual to lift himself out of his wheelchair into a sidecar or onto a platform next to the motorcycle. Other motorcycles had platforms for supporting a wheelchair but required someone in addition to the wheelchair user to help to roll or lift the wheelchair onto the platform. After the individual was seated on another seat or in the sidecar, the wheelchair had to be separately stowed or otherwise attached to the motorcycle. This could prove uncomfortable for the handicapped rider who could not fully enjoy a true rider experience. It would therefore be desirable to provide a motorized vehicle that can be ridden by a person in a wheelchair. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    These and other problems are addressed by embodiments of the present invention, a first aspect of which comprises a motorized vehicle that includes a frame having a front end connected to at least one front wheel and having a rear end. The vehicle also includes first and second spaced swing arm assemblies mounted at the rear end and first and second rear wheel assemblies supported by the first and second swing arm assemblies and defining a space therebetween. At least one support extends from the frame into the space. 
         [0007]    Another aspect of the invention comprises a three-wheeled motorcycle that includes a frame having a front end and a rear end and first and second spaced swing arms at the rear end. First and second rear wheel assemblies are mounted on the first and second swing arms and at least one support extends from the frame into a space between the first and second rear wheel assemblies. A wheelchair is releasably mounted on the at least one support. 
         [0008]    Yet another aspect of the invention comprises a frame for a wheeled vehicle that includes a front end having a portion adapted to connect to at least one front wheel, a rear end, first and second spaced swing arm assemblies mounted at the rear end defining a space therebetween and adapted to support first and second wheel assemblies, and at least one support extending from the frame into the space. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    These and other aspects of embodiments of the invention will be better understood after a reading of the detailed description taken in connection with the attached drawings wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a three-wheeled vehicle and a wheelchair in accordance with embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the vehicle and wheelchair of  FIG. 1  with the vehicle wheels removed for illustration purposes. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is perspective view of the frame of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the wheelchair of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a swing arm assembly of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the swing arm assembly and drive assembly of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view part of the bottom of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a three-wheeled vehicle having a frame with an integral lift assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9A  is a rear perspective view of the lift assembly of  FIG. 8  in a raised position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9B  is a front perspective view of lift assembly of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of the lift assembly of  FIG. 8  in a lowered position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a bottom perspective view of the vehicle. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a top view of a three-wheeled vehicle carrying a storage container. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a top view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  with the wheelchair installed thereon. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0024]    Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of the invention may not be described in detail or may have been omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. 
         [0025]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0026]    While a three-wheeled vehicle design is shown in many of the depicted embodiments, many features of the present application may be applied to a traditional two-wheeled motorcycle, or a four-wheeled vehicle (“a quad”) as well. 
         [0027]    A feature present in one or more of the embodiments of the present invention is directed at a vehicle design that appears, e.g., has the look and feel for both the observer and the rider, of a similar vehicle which does not integrate handicap features. Alternatively or in addition to being configured to carry a wheelchair, the vehicle may also integrate other modular structures, such as a wheeled cargo or luggage rack which may optionally include a seat, such as for a primary or secondary driver of the vehicle. 
         [0028]    As described hereafter, while the wheels of the wheelchair may be visible from the rear side of the vehicle, the vehicle may be designed to integrate a wheelchair that is not visible from the left and right sides of the vehicle by an observer, e.g., the main rear wheels of the vehicle obstruct any view of the wheelchair wheels, and/or a tailgate (not shown) may also obstruct the rear wheels of the wheelchair from the back of the vehicle. The system for raising and lowering the swing arm frame assembly may include, in one example, a pneumatic system, e.g., with one or more pistons and one or more air compressors and associated tubing and controls. Other pressurized fluid systems such as hydraulic and/or electromechanical systems for raising and lowering the frame for connection to an integral wheelchair and/or a cargo carrying module are also contemplated herein. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 13 , there is shown a combination  100  comprising a wheeled vehicle  200  (hereafter described in the examples as a “trike  200 ”) and a modular structure (hereafter “wheelchair  300 ”).  FIG. 1  illustrates an uncoupled relationship and  FIG. 13  shows the trike  200  and wheelchair  300  connected to each other to form combination  100 . 
         [0030]    Trike  200  includes a front wheel  205  connected to a frame body  210  via fork  207 . For purposes of clarity so as to not obscure the relevant details of the invention, the engine, gas tank, transmission with accompanying chains and seat have been omitted. A swing arm assembly  220  is provided near the rear end of frame  210 . The swing arm assembly  220  comprises a pair of swing arms  225  connected by a central brace  222  to a dual piston system  230 . As will be described hereafter, the adjustable dual piston system  230  works with the swing arm assembly  220  to lower the rear of frame  210  to make it easier for wheelchair  300  to connect to the frame. Each swing arm  225  is connected at a distal end to a corresponding wheel axle  246 . 
         [0031]    The rear of frame  210  includes first and second mounting arms  215 . As will be described in further detail, the arms  215  are received within openings in the wheelchair  300  to connect wheelchair  300  to the frame  210 .  FIG. 13  additionally illustrates a transverse shaft  240  that powers a chain drive  250  (the wheel chains have been removed between the shaft sprocket  245  and wheel sprocket  255  for clarity). The orientation of the transverse shaft  240  and chain drive  250 , which provide for a reverse differential, coupled with the swing arm assembly  220  enables the trike  200  to have an open rear end, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 13 . As is well known in the motorcycle arts, suitable drive belts could be used in place of drive chains where desired. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the vehicle frame, dual piston system, swing arm assembly and mounting assembly of the vehicle for mounting the wheelchair, in accordance with the example embodiments. In  FIG. 2 , the shaft drive  240  is removed so as to more clearly see connections between the dual piston system  230  and swing arm assembly. 
         [0033]    The rear of frame  210  can be raised and lowered via the adjustable dual piston system  230 . The adjustable dual piston system  230  is attached to the swing arm assembly  220 . Specifically the piston pistons  232  are connected to a pair of bracket arms  224  that in turn are connected to the central brace  222  of the swing arm assembly  220 . In one example, the pistons in the dual piston system  230  may be air (pneumatic) pistons driven by an onboard air compressor. Alternatively, the dual piston system  230  can be driven by a hydraulic fluid or pressurized fluid system. 
         [0034]    By extending the pistons  232  of the piston system  230 , central brace  222  rotates and pivots the swing arm assembly  220  upward, which cants the frame  210  toward the ground so that the arms  215  are lowered to the level of wheelchair mounting rails  315 . The rider then wheels the wheelchair  300  forward along the arms  215  until the wheelchair can not move further. Suitable locking means (not shown) such as a locking pin, cotter pin or fastener may be used to lock the arms  215  and mounting rails  315  together. This secures the wheelchair  300  in place on frame  210 . By retracting the pistons  232  after the rider is secured thereon, the frame  210  is lifted to a normal riding level and the wheelchair is lifted off the ground. 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is perspective view of the vehicle frame to illustrate constituent components in greater detail. Frame  210  is of one-piece construction, and may be formed of a suitable metal material such as steel tubing. In an example, a plurality of steel tubing pieces can be connected together by welding, for example, to form frame  210 . Frame  210  includes an upper frame end  211  for connection to the front wheel fork  207 . A top frame rail  212  and a pair of spaced, bottom frame rails  214  extend back from the upper frame end  211  for supporting an engine and transmission (not shown). 
         [0036]    The top frame rail  212  extends back to a junction where it splits into a pair of upper rail legs  213 ; these rail legs  213  at the junction provide the support for the driver seat and driver. The rail legs  213  extend outward as shown in  FIG. 3  and then are oriented so as to be parallel to each other in the same plane. A vertical center bar  218 , a series of cross bars  216  between the bottom frame rails  214 , and a cross bar  217  between the upper rail legs  213  provide structural strength for frame  210 . The spaced bottom frame rails  214  terminate beneath and in contact with ends of the upper rail legs  213  so as to form the arms  215  that extend rearward to accommodate a modular structure such as wheelchair  300 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the wheelchair to illustrate constituent components in greater detail. Wheelchair  300  includes a frame  310  supporting a seat  312 . A pair of mounting rails  315  is disposed beneath a seating surface of seat  312 . The wheelchair  300  includes a pair of small front wheels  305  and larger rear wheels  309 , as well as foot rests  307  which are attached to frame  310 . Wheelchair  300  is specifically configured to lock onto the vehicle frame  210  and is fully functional when not locked to frame  210 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the swing arm assembly, and  FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of the swing arm assembly. Combined with the dual adjustable air pistons driven by an onboard air compressor (not shown), the swing arms  225  provide independent suspension and allow the motorcycle  200  to be lowered to the ground for coupling with the wheelchair  300 , as described above. Unlike traditional double-sided swing arms which bracket both sides of the rear wheel  209 , the swing arms  225  are single-sided and turned in the direction opposite than that of the traditional swing arm to provide the opening at the trike  200  rear end. Accordingly, the swing arm orientation provides an open rear end so that trike  200  can accommodate a modular structure such as wheelchair  300 . 
         [0039]    As shown, each swing arm  225  is connected to a central brace  222  at one end and terminates in a collar  226  which encircles rear wheel axle  246 . A pair of bracket arms  224  extend downward from the central brace  222  and are connected to the pistons  242  so that the rear of frame  210  can be raised and lowered as previously described. 
         [0040]      FIG. 6  also shows part of the shaft drive  240  that is combined with chain drive  250  via the wheel chain (not shown). The shaft drive  240  includes a shaft  242  having a connector  244  at an end thereof for connection the upstream transmission system of trike  200 .  FIG. 6  further illustrates an independent brake system  260  that is attached to the chain drive  250 ; each rear wheel  209  has a brake system  260 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 7  is a partial bottom view of the swing arm assembly, vehicle frame, shaft drive and dual piston system to show interconnected components in further detail.  FIG. 7  more clearly shows the connection of the dual piston system  230  to cross bar  216  between bottom frame rails  214  and also illustrates the connection of the pistons  232  to bracket arms  224  of the swing arm assembly  200 .  FIG. 7  further shows the shaft drive  240  relation to the swing arm assembly  225  (absent shaft drive sprockets  245 ). 
         [0042]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a three-wheeled vehicle having a frame with an integral lift assembly in accordance with another example embodiment. Trike  200  in  FIG. 8  is the same as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 13 , with the exception of a modified frame  210  rear end to include a lift assembly  270  having the pair of arms  215  attached thereto. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate components of the integral lift assembly in its raised position in more detail, and  FIG. 10  is a partial rear perspective view of the frame to show features of the integral lift assembly in its lowered position in more detail. Referring to  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B and  10 , the lift assembly  270  comprises a plate  271  adapted to move up and down vertically via a screw drive  272 . Plate  271  includes a pair of collars  276  which keep it in mating relationship with a plate frame  273  that forms part of vehicle frame  210 . To facilitate alignment of the plate  271  with plate frame  273 , each outer vertical arm  275  of plate  271  has a alignment rib (obscured) which rides in a keyway or channel  279  of the plate frame  273 . 
         [0044]    For loading the wheelchair  300  on arms  215 , a locking pin  274  through aligned holes  278 ,  279  is removed, and the screw drive  272  is actuated to lower the rear end of the frame  210  so that the arms  215  align with the mounting rails of the wheelchair  300 . The rider then wheels the wheelchair  300  forward along the arms  215  until it can no long move forward, and then suitable locking means such as a locking pin, cotter pin or fastener may be used to lock the arms  215  and mounting rails  315  together. The trike driver or the wheelchair rider then actuates the screw drive to raise the frame  210  (and hence plate  271 ) such that holes  278  and  279  are aligned, and then the locking pin  274  is inserted; the rider is now in the riding position on trike  200 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 11  is a partial bottom view of the vehicle with components removed to illustrates the drivetrain with reverse differential and combined shaft drive and chain drive, in accordance with the example embodiments. In addition to incorporating dual, independent swings arms  225  to facilitate opening up the rear end of trike  200 , the trike  200  has a drivetrain in which the transmission is connected via a shaft  242  to a combined shaft drive  240  and chain drive  250 . Further, instead of having the conventional single solid axle between the rear wheels, each rear wheel  209  has its independent axle  246  that terminates at the chain drive  250 . The chain drive  250  and shaft drive  240  are connected via wheel chains (not shown) between the shaft sprocket  245  and wheel sprocket  255 . Thus, the combination of drives  240 ,  250  form a reverse differential. Each rear wheel  209  can thus be independently powered and have its own dedicated reverse differential. 
         [0046]    The custom drivetrain, by combining the shaft drive and chain drive to employ a reverse differential, thus allows for open space behind the driver seat where the rider and wheelchair  300  are located, as opposed to traditional rear ends found in trikes. The integrated wheelchair  300  is specifically configured to lock onto the vehicle frame  210  as previously noted and is fully functional. 
         [0047]      FIG. 12  is a top view of a three-wheeled vehicle carrying an integral modular structure in accordance with another example embodiment.  FIG. 12  illustrates trike  200  supported a cargo container  400  behind its open rear end. The cargo carrier  400  may be configured with rails similar to mounting rails  315 . The frame  210  may be configured with a lifting system comprised of the dual piston system  230  as shown in  FIG. 7  for example, or the lifting assembly  270  as shown in  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B and  10 . Alternatively or in addition to being configured to carry a cargo container  400 , the trike  200  may also integrate other modular structures, such as luggage rack which may optionally include a seat, a standalone secondary seat, side car or other modular structure. 
         [0048]    The example embodiments may allow a person that is in a wheelchair an opportunity to ride in style and comfort. The rider will not have to get out of the wheelchair and onto the bike seat. The rider will not have to worry about having someone transport their wheelchair because they cannot carry it on the bike. The rider will not require any assistance to mount, operate, or dismount the bike. The rider thus gains independence and is free to go where and when they want without help. 
         [0049]    The example embodiments being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the embodiments of the present invention. All such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the following claims.