Patent Document

[0001]    This invention relates to a multi-purpose passenger vehicle which can be used for example on snow, on flat ground and on water using the same base frame structure. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Many vehicles have been designed for single passenger travel as a sled to travel over snow and ice or as a cart to travel over the ground. Other water craft are available. 
         [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,167 (Strouth) issued Sep. 6, 1994 shows a conventional sled with two runners with a tubular frame supporting a seat mounted on the runners. However this provides no steering and no ability to convert to different modes of transport. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. 6,736,414 (Farralay-Plourde) issued May 18, 2004 shows a snow scooter arrangement on which is placed a bicycle type seat and handle bars with front and rear skis allowing steering of the front ski by the handle bars. However this arrangement provides no ability to convert to different modes of transport. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a passenger vehicle. 
         [0006]    According to the invention there is provided an apparatus for transporting a passenger comprising: 
         [0007]    a generally rectangular frame defining two side rails a front cross member and a rear cross member; 
         [0008]    a seat on the frame for at least one passenger; 
         [0009]    a generally horizontal front axle connected to the front cross member; 
         [0010]    a generally horizontal rear axle connected to the rear cross member; 
         [0011]    two transversely spaced front support members attached to the front axle for movement therewith and for supporting the front axle for movement across the a support surface; 
         [0012]    two transversely spaced rear support members attached to the front axle for movement therewith and for supporting the front axle for movement across the support surface; 
         [0013]    a swivel coupling for steering movement of the front support members relative to the frame about an upstanding steering axis; 
         [0014]    a swivel coupling between the rear axle and frame for steering movement of the rear support members relative to the frame about an upstanding steering axis; 
         [0015]    a pair of steering levers each on a respective side of the frame for operation by the passenger in forward and rearward movement of the steering lever, each lever having a steering link extending from the lever to the front axle for causing steering movement of the front axle relative to the frame; 
         [0016]    and a first diagonally extending flexible connecting link extending from a right hand end of the front axle to a left hand end of the rear axle and a second diagonally extending flexible connecting link extending from a left hand end of the front axle to a right hand end of the rear axle so that operation of the levers causes the front support members to turn in one direction while the rear support members turn in the opposite direction. 
         [0017]    Preferably the front axle includes a first single coupling allowing steering movement of the front axle relative to the frame in a wagon steering mode and includes two second couplings allowing individual steering movements of the support members relative to the front axle in a vehicle steering mode, wherein the rear axle includes a first single coupling allowing steering movement of the rear axle relative to the frame in a wagon steering mode and includes two second couplings allowing individual steering movements of the support members relative to the rear axle in a vehicle steering mode, and wherein there is provided an arrangement for selecting either the first single coupling or the two second couplings to change the steering modes. 
         [0018]    Preferably each of the support members of the front axle is mounted on a support link which is connected to the front axle by one of the second couplings and wherein the steering link extends from the lever to the support link. 
         [0019]    Preferably the selection of the wagon steering mode is obtained by inserting a locking pin at the support link and removing a locking pin at the axle and wherein the selection of the vehicle steering mode is obtained by removing a locking pin at the support link and inserting a locking pin at the axle. 
         [0020]    Preferably the levers are mounted at respective sides of the frame and pivotal at the frame about an axis parallel to the axles. 
         [0021]    Preferably rein the support members comprise skis. 
         [0022]    Preferably each of the skis includes a longitudinally extending blade therein. 
         [0023]    Preferably the support members are replaceable so that a selection can be made between wheels, skis and a float assembly. 
         [0024]    Preferably each float assembly includes an annular float member arranged horizontally under the respective axle. 
         [0025]    Preferably each of the float assemblies includes a guide fin longitudinally of the respective float assembly for guiding movement over water longitudinally. 
         [0026]    Preferably each of the support members includes a pair of outwardly extending paddle members each arranged to paddle rearwardly on the surface when moved rearwardly such that side to side steering movements of the support members cause alternate paddling actions of the paddle members to propel the frame forwardly over the surface. 
         [0027]    Preferably the paddle members are arranged to paddle against the surface in the rearward direction and to side over the surface a forward direction. 
         [0028]    Preferably the frame includes a front platform providing a downwardly facing surface against which the front axle slides and a rear platform providing a downwardly facing surface against which the rear axle slides. 
         [0029]    Preferably the seat assembly is formed by fabric panels. 
         [0030]    In one mode of operation there is provided a swivel bearing between the rear platform and the horizontal rear support for steering movement of the rear support relative to the rear platform about an upstanding steering axis and the rear support can be locked against steering movement. 
         [0031]    In another mode of operation there is provided a swivel bearing between the rear platform and the horizontal rear support for steering movement of the rear support relative to the rear platform about an upstanding steering axis and there is provided a pair of links extending diagonally between the front support and the rear support for communicating the steering movement of the front support to the rear support. 
         [0032]    In another preferred arrangement which allows the same vehicle to operate on water, the front and rear supports are arranged to be removable from the front and rear platforms and there is provided a front float assembly for attachment to the front platform and a rear float assembly for attachment to the rear platform. 
         [0033]    Preferably each float assembly includes an annular float member arranged horizontally under the respective platform. 
         [0034]    In some cases each of the float assemblies includes a guide fin longitudinally of the respective float assembly for guiding movement over water longitudinally. This is particularly provided where the vehicle is intended for towing behind a powered craft. 
         [0035]    In another arrangement there is provided a swivel bearing between the rear platform and the rear float assembly for steering movement of the rear float assembly relative to the rear platform about an upstanding steering axis and there is provided a pair of links extending diagonally between the front float assembly and the rear float assembly for communicating said steering movement of the front float assembly to the rear float assembly. This can be used in an arrangement for self-propelled operation where the front float assembly includes a pair of outwardly extending paddle members each arranged to paddle rearwardly on the water when moved rearwardly such that side to side steering movements of the front float assembly causes alternate paddling actions of the paddle members to propel the vehicle forwardly over the water. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0036]    One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0037]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a vehicle according to the present invention arranged for travel over snow and/or ice as a sled. 
           [0038]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the axle and steering arrangement separated from the vehicle of  FIG. 1  and showing the two axle automobile steering. 
           [0040]      FIG. 3A  is a front elevational view of the components of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 3C  is an exploded view of the components of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 3D  is front elevational view of the ski of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0043]      FIG. 3E  is side elevational view of the ski of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 3F  is a top plan view of the axle and steering arrangement similar to that of  FIG. 3  and showing the two axle wagon steering. 
           [0045]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  showing two axle wagon steering. 
           [0046]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the vehicle of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0047]      FIG. 4A  is a top plan view of the vehicle of  FIG. 4  showing the addition of a propulsion system. 
           [0048]      FIG. 5A  is a side elevational view of the vehicle of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0049]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  showing two axle automobile steering. 
           [0050]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of the vehicle of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0051]      FIG. 6A  is a top plan view of the vehicle of  FIG. 6  showing the addition of a propulsion system. 
           [0052]      FIG. 7A  is a side elevational view of the vehicle of  FIG. 6A . 
           [0053]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the vehicle according to the present invention as shown in  FIG. 1  showing the vehicle adapted for movement over water. 
           [0054]      FIG. 8A  is a bottom view of the vehicle of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0055]      FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of the vehicle of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0056]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the vehicle according to the present invention as shown in  FIG. 1  showing the vehicle adapted with rear drive wheels. 
           [0057]      FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of the vehicle of  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
       [0058]    In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0059]    The apparatus for transporting a passenger shown in the figures includes a generally rectangular frame  10  defining two side rails  101 ,  102 , a front cross member  103  and a rear cross member  104 . The frame includes a rear back rest  105  against which the seated rider reclines. 
         [0060]    A seat  11  formed for example of fabric sheets applied over the frame tubes is provided on the frame  10  for at least one passenger; 
         [0061]    A generally horizontal front axle  12  is connected to the front cross member by a platform  121  fastened to the front rail  103  by a mounting  122  and fixed against side to side and front to rear tilting. The front axle includes a pivot coupling  123  for rotation of the axle relative to the platform  121  about a vertical steering axis. 
         [0062]    Generally symmetrically there is provided a horizontal rear axle  13  which is connected to the rear cross member  104  by a platform  131  fastened to the rear rail  104  by mounting brackets  105  and fixed against side to side and front to rear tilting. The rear axle includes a pivot coupling  133  for rotation of the axle relative to the platform  131  about a vertical steering axis. The platforms provide a downwardly facing surface against which the axle slides as it rotates. 
         [0063]    Two transversely spaced front support members in the form of skis  15 ,  16  are attached to the axles  12 ,  13  for movement therewith and for supporting the axles for movement across a support surface such as the ground, snow, ice or water. 
         [0064]    The axles  12  and  13  provide steering movement of the skis  15 ,  16  operated by a pair of steering levers  17 ,  18  each on a respective side of the frame for operation by the passenger in forward and rearward movement of the steering lever. Each lever has a steering link  171 ,  181  extending from the lever to the front axle for causing steering movement of the front axle relative to the frame. The levers are mounted at respective sides of the frame and pivotal at the frame about an axis  182  parallel to the axles. 
         [0065]    A first diagonally extending flexible connecting link or brace  19  extends from a right hand end  125  of the front axle to a left hand end  135  of the rear axle and a second diagonally extending flexible connecting link  20  extends from a left hand end  126  of the front axle to a right hand end  136  of the rear axle so that operation of the levers causes the front skis to turn in one direction while the rear skisturn in the opposite direction. 
         [0066]    The front axle includes a first single coupling  123  allowing steering movement of the front axle  12  relative to the frame in a wagon steering mode as shown in  FIG. 9  and includes two second couplings  127 ,  128  allowing individual steering movements of the support members relative to the front axle in a vehicle steering mode as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0067]    Symmetrically the rear axle includes a first single coupling  133  allowing steering movement of the rear axle relative to the frame in a wagon steering mode and includes two second couplings  137 ,  138  allowing individual steering movements of the support members relative to the rear axle in a vehicle steering mode. 
         [0068]    Each of the skis of the front axle is mounted on a support link  30 ,  31  which is connected to the front axle  12  by one of the second couplings and the steering link  171  extends from the lever  17  to the support link  30  and symmetrically the steering link  181  extends from the lever  18  to the support link  31 . 
         [0069]    There is provided an arrangement for selecting either the first single coupling or the two second couplings to change the steering modes. This comprises inserting a locking pin  21 ,  22  at the support link  30  and removing a locking pin at the axle  12  and wherein the selection of the vehicle steering mode is obtained by removing a locking pin at the support link  30  and inserting a locking pin  25  at the axle. The rear axle operates symmetrically with pins  26 ,  27 ,  28 . 
         [0070]    When skis are used as shown in  FIGS. 3D and 3E , each of the skis includes a longitudinally extending blade  151 ,  16  therein extending along a central line of a concave under surface  152  of the ski. 
         [0071]    The skis are replaceable so that a selection can be made between wheels and a float assembly ( FIGS. 8, 9 ). In  FIG. 8 , each float assembly comprises a tube  50  arranged horizontally under the respective axle with a guide fin  51  longitudinally of the respective float assembly for guiding movement over water longitudinally. Each of the float assemblies  50  includes outwardly extending paddle members  52  each arranged to paddle rearwardly on the surface when moved rearwardly such that rotational steering movements of the floats  50  cause alternate paddling actions of the paddle members to propel the frame forwardly over the surface. That is the paddle members  52  are arranged to paddle against the surface in the rearward direction and to side over the surface a forward direction as shown at  53 . 
         [0072]    As shown in  FIG. 3C , the link  30  is generally L-shaped with a leg  301  to which the ski is attached and a leg  302  to which the steering link  171  is attached. In addition a connecting link  303  extends across between the link  30  and the link  31  on the opposite side for maintaining a common steering angle between the skis. 
         [0073]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3, 3A, 3B and 3C , the operation of the device is as follows: 
         [0074]    Attach plate mechanism by number. 
         [0075]    I-2 main plates II-1 Front plate 
         [0076]    III-1 Rear Plate IV-4 steering arms 
         [0077]    V-2 Control Steering rods 
         [0078]    These two plates (front and rear) attach to a snap on sled frame as shown on  FIGS. 2 and 4 . Once the plates are attached to the sled frame the front plate will pivot sideways to give the sled a smooth ride and the rear plate is rigid, this will stabilize the sled. The skis, pontoon type skis and the tube attach to piece number IV-6. These attachments will enable the devices to move up and down to further give the sled a smoother ride. 
         [0079]    By simply moving one bolt (2 or 3) in each plate you have two types of steering. 
         [0080]    Two axle automobile type steering see  FIGS. 1 and 2   
         [0081]    Two axle wagon type steering is shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . One can add on propulsion adaptor adaptors systems to this steering design as shown in  FIG. 4A and 5A  whereupon the propulsion system is activated by just pumping the steering handles. 
         [0082]    To get only front steering just remove the two cables. To stabilize the rear plate holes  1 ,  2  and  3  must have bolt in them. 
         [0083]    A brake  60  is provided and comprises a blade  61  for engaging the ground or snow cover in the centre between the skis and a handle  62  operable by the seated passenger at one side or both sides of the frame and pulled into a retracted position by a spring  63 . The length of the arm carrying the blade is extendible to allow the operator to select a required length in respect of the surface over which the vehicle is travelling. 
         [0084]    The rear platform  131  includes a rear panel  13 R extending behind the rear axle between the rear skis for a second passenger to stand on. 
         [0085]    Due to the sled&#39;s unique steering and propulsion mechanism system, when the rider moves the handle the other handle moves simultaneously in the other direction setting off a chain of events that makes the sled turn in a circular motion. 
         [0086]    The front control board  121  is connected to the front axle  12 . They pivot each other because they are connected to the bolt and nut  123 . The pivoting axle  12  is connected to the pivoting arm which is connected to the frame  10 . The pivoting arm enables the platform  121  to pivot two different ways sideways and up and down. The rear platform  131  is connected to the rear pivoting board and pivots relative to each other by means of the (A) bolt and nut. 
         [0087]    The rear platform pivots up and down unless otherwise locked when connected to the frame  10 . The steering handles  17 ,  18  are connected to the frame and connection pipe which is connected to the steering arm  171  which is connected to the unit control pipe  303  and the criss-cross control cables  19 ,  20 . 
         [0088]    All five sled snap-on adapters function on the same operating principles to steer and propel the sled. To propel the sled forward, one must pump the handles by pushing them forward and backward. This handle pumping action will enable paddles  60  shown in  FIGS. 4A and 6A  to push the sled forward, while simultaneously moving the other paddles in the forward motion and they in turn will move the sled forward. The paddles hinge at the top  61  so that when pushed rearwardly by the steering handles they are fixed with the steering and the rear movement pushes the vehicle forwards. On the return stroke the paddles pivot rearwardly and therefore feather relative to the surface on which the vehicle is carried so as to provide no rear propulsion. The paddles  60  are blades when used in water or snow and can be spiked when used on ground or ice. 
         [0089]    Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from the scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Technology Category: b