The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 10, 1995
Filed:
Feb. 02, 1994
Richard B Thorpe, Costa Mesa, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A tilt steering mechanism facilitating a large degree of rider position adjustment is provided for use in connection with a short wheel base recumbent bicycle. Bicycle comprises a front steerable wheel, and a foot pedal driving mechanism rotatably mounted to a frame such that the axis of the foot pedal driving mechanism is located forward of the rear most point of the front steerable wheel. A tilt steering mechanism rotatably mounted to a frame and located rearward of the axis of a foot pedal driving mechanism. Tilt steering mechanism comprising a fore aft tilt body, a steering lever body, rotational antifriction bearings, and a ball and socket joint or similar joint mechanism. The fore aft tilt body is rotatably connected to a bicycle frame whereby the fore aft tilt body may pivot about a pivot axis parallel to the axis of the foot pedal driving mechanism. The steering lever body is rotatably connected to the stem of the fore aft tilt body by rotational antifriction bearings whereby the steering lever body may pivot about a pivot axis substantially orthogonal to the axis of the rotational antifriction bearings. A ball and socket joint or similar joint mechanism is mounted on the steering lever body such that with the steering lever body in a substantially neutral steering position, the approximate rotational center of the ball and socket joint lies substantially on the pivoting axis of the rotatably frame mounted fore aft tilt body whereby fore aft adjustment of the steering mechanism will not affect movement of the front steerable wheel.