Patent GB-568040-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to pedal propelled vehicles for children
IPC: B62M1/24
Filed: 1943-04-08
Abstract: 568,040. Children's vehicles ; pedal driving-mechanism. COLE & CO., Ltd., W. H., and HOLDER, E. T. April 8, 1943, No. 5614. [Classes 136 (ii) and 136 (iii)] [Also in Group XXXII] In a pedal-propelled child's vehicle having steering mechanism for the front wheels, and a clutch for connecting a driven axle to the driving mechanism, a handle for hand propulsion by a person on foot is provided adapted to control means for engaging the clutch when the handle is moved into the inoperative position and for disengaging the clutch when the handle is moved into the operative position. Means are also provided by which the steering mechanism is locked and unlocked when the handle is moved respectively into its operative and inoperative positions and further means for holding the locking means inoperative irrespective of the position of the handle. As shown, the ends 11 of a U-shaped handle 10 are pivoted at 1 on vertical bars 12, Fig. 4, riveted to the sheetmetal body 3 and to a chassis angle member 2 which extends around the vehicle and rests on angle members on the front and rear axles. A lever 13 is also pivoted on each bar 12, the longer arm 13a of the lever being secured to the angle member 2 while the shorter arm 13b has a projection 14 constituting a stop for the handle when in operative position. By the connection of the levers 13 to the member 2, any stresses arising from tilting of the vehicle by the handle 10 are transmitted by the bars 12 and levers 13 to the member 2, instead of to the body 3. In the inoperative position, the cross-bar 17 of the handle fits in slots 18, Fig. 2, in the side walls of the bonnet 15 covered by the hinged lid 16 of the bonnet. The vehicle is driven by pedal mechanism 19, Figs. 2, 3, coupled by rods 21 to the rear axle 20 on which the rear wheels are loosely mounted. One of the wheels carries one part 22a, Fig. 5, of a dog clutch, the other part 22b of which is slidably mounted on and driven by the axle 20, and engaged by the forked end 25 of a lever pivoted at 5 on a bar 12, the upper arm 25a of the lever being acted on by a spring 24 tending to maintain the clutch parts out of. engagement. When the handle 10 is moved to. its inoperative position, it engages the lever arm 25a and moves the clutch part 22b into engagement with the part 22a against the action of the spring 24. In a modification, the spring 24 is dispensed with and the clutch lever is positively operated in both directions by movement of the handle 10. The front wheels 30, Fig. 3, are mounted on stub axles 29 connected by levers 7 to the ends of a transverse bar 28 adapted to be moved laterally for steering by an arm 27 at the lower end of the steering column 26. In order to centre and lock the steering mechanism when the vehicle is not being driven by the occupant, a transverse plate 31, Fig. 7, having a V-shaped slot 32 in its upper edge is provided below the arm 27 so that when the plate is raised, the arm 27 enters the slot and is thereby centred and locked. Arms 33 on the plate 31, connected by a cross-bar 36, are slidable in guides 34 and are retained in the raised position by springs 35 but are moved downwardly, to move the slot 32 away from the arm 27, by the handle 10 depressing the cross-bar as the handle is moved into its inoperative position. The handle is retained in its inoperative position by a spring catch comprising a locking strip 37, Fig. 8, slidable on a stud 38 and on a bolt 40, depression of the handle past the shaped end 39 of the strip forcing the strip over the bolt 40 against spring action, the end 39 snapping back, when the handle is further depressed, to engage over it. To allow the occupant to continue steering when the vehicle is being propelled by the handle 10, an additional catch is provided comprising a second bolt 41 slidably mounted in a guide 42 and movable into an aperture 43 below the cross-bar 36 in order to hold down the plate 31 when the handle 10 is in operative position. The radiator cap 45, Fig. 2, may secure the bonnet lid 16 in the closed position and a boot 46 may be provided for parcels, &c. A collapsable hood 47 is fitted at the rear of the vehicle.