A tricycle may be 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. In both such first and second modes, the frame of the tricycle is configured to rotatably support the rear wheels and configured
A tricycle may be 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. In both such first and second modes, the frame of the tricycle is configured to rotatably support the rear wheels and configured to support the head tube at a distance from the rear wheels such that a distance between the head tube and rear wheels need not necessarily be changed even when the front wheel axis location is changed from one mode to another.
대표청구항▼
1. 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 head tube;a frame config
1. 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 head tube;a frame configured to rotatably support the rear wheels and configured to support the head tube at a fixed, non-adjustable distance from the rear wheels;a pair of pedals, each pedal configured for connection about the front wheel axis to rotate the front wheel;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 extend from the head tube in a manner permitting the stem to rotate, the stem including a metal rod having a minimum diameter that is at least three times smaller than a width of the front wheel;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; andwherein the stem extends from the fork at an angle of between about 165 degrees and 179 degrees and wherein an offset distance between the stem axis and the front wheel axis is between 15 mm and 40 mm. 2. The tricycle of claim 1, wherein the fork includes two blades configured to rotatably support the front wheel therebetween. 3. The tricycle of claim 1, wherein the rider handle is configured to be uncoupled from the stem via a manually activatable release mechanism. 4. The tricycle of claim 3, wherein the rider handle is configured to be coupled to the stem via a snap-in-place mechanism. 5. The tricycle of claim 1, further comprising a coupling mechanism associated with the stem, for permitting an operator to selectively couple and uncouple a rotational connection between the rider handle and the stem. 6. The tricycle of claim 5, wherein the coupling mechanism is configured such that in the second mode, the rider handle is freely rotatable independent of the stem, and in the first mode the rider handle is locked to the stem for rotation with the stem. 7. The tricycle of claim 1, wherein the metal rod that has a minimum diameter that is at least four times smaller than the width of the front wheel. 8. The tricycle of claim 1, further including a parental handle extending from a rear portion of the tricycle and permitting the tricycle to be pushed and steered from behind. 9. 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 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 pair of pedals, each pedal configured for connection about the front wheel axis to rotate the front wheel;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;a rider handle, configured to turn the fork about a stem axis 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; andwherein 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. 10. The tricycle of claim 9, wherein the stem extends from the fork at an angle of between about 165 degrees and 179 degrees. 11. The tricycle of claim 9, wherein an offset distance between the stem axis and the front wheel axis is between 15 mm and 40 mm. 12. The tricycle of claim 9, wherein the stem has a minimum diameter that is at least three times smaller than the width of the front wheel. 13. The tricycle of claim 9, wherein the stem has a minimum diameter that is at least four times smaller than the width of the front wheel. 14. The tricycle of claim 9, wherein the handle is configured to be uncoupled from the stem via a manually activatable release mechanism. 15. The tricycle of claim 14, wherein the handle is configured to be coupled to the stem via a snap-in-place mechanism. 16. 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 head tube;a frame configured to rotatably support the rear wheels and configured to support the head tube;a pair of pedals, each pedal configured for connection about the front wheel axis to rotate the front wheel;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 extend from the head tube in a manner permitting the stem to rotate, the stem including a rod having a minimum diameter that is at least three times smaller than a width of the front wheel;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; andwherein the stem extends from the fork at an angle of between about 165 degrees and 179 degrees and wherein an offset distance between the stem axis and the front wheel axis is between 15 mm and 40 mm. 17. The tricycle of claim 16, wherein the handle is configured to be uncoupled from the stem via a manually activatable release mechanism. 18. The tricycle of claim 16, further comprising a coupling mechanism associated with the stem, for permitting an operator to selectively couple and uncouple a rotational connection between the handle and the stem. 19. The tricycle of claim 18, wherein the coupling mechanism is configured such that in the second mode, the rider handle is freely rotatable independent of the stem, and in the first mode the rider handle is locked to the stem for rotation with the stem. 20. The tricycle of claim 1, wherein the metal rod that has a minimum diameter that is at least four times smaller than the width of the front wheel. 21. The tricycle of claim 1, wherein the pedals are configured for selective rotational engagement and rotational disengagement from the front wheel, thereby allowing rotation of the front wheel. 22. 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 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 pair of pedals, each pedal configured for connection about the front wheel axis to rotate the front wheel;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;a rider handle, configured to turn the fork about a stem axis 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; andwherein the stem is oriented with respect to 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.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (27)
Li Hsing,TWX, Auxiliary steering assembly for a tricycle.
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