Search

EP-2860092-B1 - A dual steerable vehicle

EP2860092B1EP 2860092 B1EP2860092 B1EP 2860092B1EP-2860092-B1

Inventors

  • BARON, YORAM

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20120808

Claims (8)

  1. A tricycle (800, 810) operable between a first mode of operation steerable by a tricycle rider, and a second mode of operation steerable by an individual pushing the tricycle, the tricycle comprising: a pair of rear wheels (400); a front wheel (100) having opposing sides and a front wheel axis; a pair of pedals (141, 142), each pedal configured for connection about the front wheel axis to rotate the front wheel (100); a head tube (707); a seat (600); a frame (700) configured to support the seat (600), to rotatably support the rear wheels (400) and to support the head tube (707) at a fixed, non-adjustable distance from the rear wheels (400); a fork (133) having at least one blade (130, 131) configured to support the front wheel (100) in a manner permitting the front wheel (100) to rotate about the front wheel axis; a stem (305) configured to rotatably extend from the head tube (707) where the stem (305) extends from the fork (133) at an angle chosen so that when the stem axis trails the front wheel axis, the pedals (141, 142) are oriented for pedaling by a rider without a need to alter a distance between the seat and the head tube (707); a rider handle (200), configured to turn the fork (133) about a stem axis extending transverse to the front wheel axis, the rider handle in the first mode being configured to be rotationally coupled with the stem (305) in a manner permitting a tricycle rider to exert forces on the rider handle (200) and thereby turn the fork (133), and the rider handle (200) in the second mode, where the stem axis leads the front wheel axis, being configured to be rotationally uncoupled from the stem (305), preventing forces on the rider handle (200) from turning the fork (133) and permitting the individual pushing the tricycle to turn the fork (133) via pushing force; and wherein an offset distance between the stem axis and the front wheel axis is between 15 mm and 40 mm.
  2. The tricycle (800, 810) of claim 1, wherein the stem (305) extends from the fork (133) at an angle of between about 165 degrees and 179 degrees.
  3. The tricycle (800, 810) of claim 1, further comprising a coupling mechanism (202) associated with the stem (305), for permitting an operator to selectively couple and uncouple a rotational connection between the handle (200) and the stem (305).
  4. The tricycle (800, 810) of claim 3, wherein the coupling mechanism (202) is configured such that in the second mode, the rider handle (200) is freely rotatable independent of the stem (305), and in the first mode the rider handle (200) is locked to the stem (305) for rotation with the stem (305).
  5. The tricycle (800, 810) of claim 1, wherein the handle (200) is configured to be coupled to the stem (305) via a snap-in-place mechanism (610).
  6. The tricycle (800, 810) of claim 1, wherein the stem includes a rod, the rod has a minimum diameter that is at least three times smaller than the width of the front wheel (100).
  7. The tricycle (800, 810) of claim 1, further including a parental handle (500) extending from a rear portion of the tricycle (800, 810) and permitting the tricycle (800, 810) to be pushed and steered from behind.
  8. The tricycle of claim 1, wherein the pedals (141, 142) are configured for selective rotational engagement and rotational disengagement from the front wheel (100), thereby allowing rotation of the front wheel (100).

Description

Technical Field The invention generally relates to the field of riding vehicles. Background Whether used for transportation or recreation, tricycles may be used for riders of different sizes and capabilities. Some tricycles are configured to be propelled and steered by the rider. In some instances, tricycles are configured to be pushed from behind, by an individual, such as an adult pushing a child. Typically, when the tricycle is propelled by the rider, the rider uses the pedals attached to the front wheel and steers the tricycle using a handle which is typically connected to the front wheel. Tricycles configured to be pushed from behind sometimes include a mechanical steering mechanism to permit an adult walking behind the tricycle to mechanically turn the front wheel. FR 2930929 discloses such a tricycle operable in two modes. In order to allow switching the two modes an extension of the frame supporting the head tube is required. Although the construction suffers from more complexity and weight the mode change is viably obtained. It is an object of the present invention to improve such a known tricycle. Summary The object is achieved by means of a tricycle having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. In one aspect there is provided a tricycle operable between a first mode of operation steerable by a tricycle rider, and a second mode of operation steerable by an individual pushing the tricycle, the tricycle comprising a pair of rear wheels, a front wheel having opposing sides and a front wheel axis, a pair of pedals, each pedal configured for connection about the front wheel axis to rotate the front wheel, a head tube, a seat, a frame configured to support the seat, to rotatably support the rear wheels and to support the head tube at a fixed, non-adjustable distance from the rear wheels, a fork having at least one blade configured to support the front wheel in a manner permitting the front wheel to rotate about the front wheel axis, a stem configured to rotatably extend from the head tube where the stem extends from the fork at an angle chosen so that when the stem axis trails the front wheel axis, the pedals are oriented for pedaling by a rider without a need to alter a distance between the seat and the head tube, a rider handle, configured to turn the fork about a stem axis extending transverse to the front wheel axis, the rider handle in the first mode being configured to be rotationally coupled with the stem in a manner permitting a tricycle rider to exert forces on the rider handle and thereby turn the fork, and the rider handle in the second mode, where the stem axis leads the front wheel axis, being configured to be rotationally uncoupled from the stem, preventing forces on the rider handle from turning the fork and permitting the individual pushing the tricycle to turn the fork via pushing force, and wherein an offset distance between the stem axis and the front wheel axis is between 15 mm and 40 mm. The foregoing is a summary a few exemplary features of a few embodiments, and is not intended to be restrictive of the invention as hereinafter described and claimed. Brief Description of the Drawings In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a side view of a tricycle, without parental handle, and which may be used in a first mode of operation, according to an embodiment of the invention.Fig. 2 is a side view of a tricycle, having a parental handle, which may be used in a second mode of operation, according to an embodiment of the invention.Figure 3 is front view of the tricycle of Fig. 2.Fig. 4a is a side view of a front wheel fork and stem assembly consistent with an embodiment of the invention.Figure 4b is a perspective view of the front wheel assembly of Fig. 4a with mud guard added.Figure 5a is a front view of a handle assembly consistent with an embodiment of the invention.Figure 5b is a cross-sectional front view of a coupling assembly consistent with an embodiment of the invention.Figure 5c is a perspective assembly view of a stem and coupling member consistent with an embodiment of the invention.Fig 6 is a cross sectional side view of a coupling member consistent with an embodiment of the invention.Figure 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a coupling assembly consistent with an embodiment of the invention.Figure 8 is a cross-sectional side view of another coupling assembly consistent with an embodiment of the invention.Figure 9a is a cross-sectional side view of yet another coupling assembly in an uncoupled position, consistent with an embodiment of the invention.Figure 9b is a cross-sectional side view of the coupling assembly of Fig. 9a in a coupled position.Figure 10 is a perspective view of a holding mechanism, according to one embodiment of the invention.Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of a tricycle, having a swivel wheel, according to another embodiment of the invention.Fig. 12 is a partial assembly view of the tricycle of Fig. 11;Fig. 13 is a schematic d