초록 ▼

A movable vehicle includes a first frame member, a second frame member, and a biasing mechanism. The first frame member includes a front wheel and a handlebar configured to turn the front wheel in various directions. The second frame member has at least one rear wheel and is coupled to the first fra

A movable vehicle includes a first frame member, a second frame member, and a biasing mechanism. The first frame member includes a front wheel and a handlebar configured to turn the front wheel in various directions. The second frame member has at least one rear wheel and is coupled to the first frame member such that the first frame member can rotate with respect to the second frame member. The biasing mechanism is operatively coupled to the first and second frame members and biases the front wheel in a preferred direction, such as a straight direction. The biasing mechanism may include a resilient gasket and a cavity having at least partially corresponding polygonal cross sections.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A movable vehicle, comprising: a first frame member having a handlebar, a front wheel, and a saddle coupled thereto;a second frame member having a rear wheel coupled thereto; anda pivot joint coupling the first and second frame members so as to be rotatable relative to each other, the pivot joint

1. A movable vehicle, comprising: a first frame member having a handlebar, a front wheel, and a saddle coupled thereto;a second frame member having a rear wheel coupled thereto; anda pivot joint coupling the first and second frame members so as to be rotatable relative to each other, the pivot joint comprising: a first tubular member coupled to the first frame member and having a first end, a second end, and a side wall extending therebetween that defines a passage through the first tubular member;a second elongate member coupled to the second frame member and disposed through the passage of the first tubular member so as to be rotatable relative to the first tubular member; anda locking mechanism for fixing the relative rotational positions of the first and second frame members, the locking mechanism including at least one projection coupled to one of the first tubular member or second elongate member and at least one aperture formed in the other of the first tubular member or second elongate member, wherein when the at least one projection engages the at least one aperture, the relative rotational positions of the first and second frame members are fixed. 2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the at least one projection includes a spring-biased push button. 3. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: a pair of bushings coupled to the ends of the first tubular member and configured to limit the relative movement of the first and second frame members to substantially only relative rotation. 4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the pivot joint permits the vehicle to convert between multiple operating configurations, including a high rider configuration, a low rider configuration, and a storage configuration. 5. A movable vehicle, comprising: a first frame member having a front wheel operatively coupled thereto and including a handlebar for turning the front wheel in various directions;a second frame member having at least one rear wheel coupled thereto and coupled to the first frame member so that the first frame member is capable of rotating relative to the second frame member; anda biasing mechanism operatively coupled to the first and second frame members for biasing the front wheel in a preferred direction. 6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the preferred direction is the straight direction. 7. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the biasing member further comprises: a resilient gasket having an exterior shape and coupled to the first frame member so as to move therewith; anda cavity having an interior shape corresponding at least partially to the exterior shape of the resilient gasket and coupled to the second frame member,wherein the gasket is configured to be received within the cavity such that as the handlebar is turned, the gasket is compressed against the cavity to generate a biasing force in a direction opposite to the direction in which the handlebar is being turned. 8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the second frame member includes a head tube having a lower head tube spacer, the lower tube spacer defining the cavity in which the resilient gasket is disposed. 9. A movable vehicle, comprising: a first frame member having a first stem portion operatively coupled to a handlebar and a second stem portion operatively coupled to a front wheel, the first and second stem portions being coupled to permit the handlebar to turn the front wheel in various directions;a second frame member having a saddle receiver post and at least one rear wheel coupled thereto, the second frame member being coupled to the first frame member so that the first frame member is capable of rotating relative to the second frame member;a saddle having a base post configured to be coupled to the saddle receiver post, wherein the base post and the saddle receiver post have corresponding polygonal cross-sectional shapes, thereby permitting only telescoping relative movement of the base post and the saddle receiver post, anda foot rest assembly coupled to the saddle receiver post, the foot rest assembly including a tubular coupling body having a polygonal cross sectional shape corresponding to the saddle receiver post. 10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the foot rest assembly further comprises a pair of legs coupled to the tubular coupling body and a pair of opposing footrest pegs coupled to the pair of legs, the footrest pegs configured to receive and support the feet of a rider. 11. A movable vehicle, comprising: a first frame member having a first stem portion operatively coupled to a handlebar and a second stem portion operatively coupled to a front wheel, the first and second stem portions being coupled to permit the handlebar to turn the front wheel in various directions;a second frame member having a saddle receiver post and at least one rear wheel coupled thereto, the second frame member being coupled to the first frame member so that the first frame member is capable of rotating relative to the second frame member;a saddle having a base post configured to be coupled to the saddle receiver post, wherein the base post and the saddle receiver post have corresponding polygonal cross-sectional shapes, thereby permitting only telescoping relative movement of the base post and the saddle receiver post, anda push handle assembly coupled to the saddle receiver post, the push handle assembly including a tubular coupling body having a polygonal cross sectional shape corresponding to the saddle receiver post. 12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the push handle assembly further comprises: a first body portion including the tubular coupling body;a second body portion including a pair of handles; anda pivot joint coupling the first and second body portions so as to be rotatable relative to each other, thereby permitting adjustment of the pair of handles to accommodate persons of various sizes pushing the vehicle. 13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the pivot joint comprises: a first tubular member coupled to the first body portion and having a first end, a second end, and a side wall extending therebetween that defines a passage through the first tubular member;a second elongate member coupled to the second body portion and disposed through the passage of the first tubular member so as to be rotatable relative to the first tubular member; anda locking mechanism for fixing the relative rotational positions of the first and second body portions, the locking mechanism including at least one projection coupled to one of the first tubular member or second elongate member and at least one aperture formed in the other of the first tubular member or second elongate member, wherein when the at least one projection engages the at least one aperture, the relative rotational positions of the first and second frame members are fixed. 14. The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising: a biasing mechanism operatively coupled to the first and second frame members for biasing the front wheel in a preferred direction. 15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the biasing member further comprises: a resilient gasket having an exterior shape and coupled to the first frame member so as to move therewith; anda cavity having an interior shape corresponding at least partially to the exterior shape of the resilient gasket and coupled to the second frame member,wherein the gasket is configured to be received within the cavity such that as the handlebar is turned, the gasket is compressed against the cavity to generate a biasing force in a direction opposite to the direction in which the handlebar is being turned. 16. The vehicle of claim 9, further comprising: a locking mechanism for locking the relative positions of the base post and the saddle receiver post, wherein the locking mechanism includes at least one movable projection coupled to one of the base post and the saddle receiver post and at least one aperture formed in the other of the base post and the saddle receiver post, wherein when the at least one movable projection engages the at least one aperture, the relative positions of the base post and the saddle receiver post are fixed.