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:
Apr. 02, 1996
Filed:
Nov. 07, 1994
Thomas E Kruse, Sarasota, FL (US);
Merits Health Products Co., Ltd., Taichung, TW;
Abstract
A self-propelled personal mobility vehicle and frame therefor and method of assembly of the dismantled vehicle. The frame includes a front support for a steerable wheel and a coupling member connected to a rear portion of the frame which is releasibly engagable with a drive assembly operably positioned immediately rearward of the frame. The drive assembly includes a centrally positioned drive gear housing having a transversely extending tubular drive shaft housing and spaced rear support wheels operably connected at each end of the drive shaft housing for supporting and propelling the vehicle. The coupling member is releasibly engaged over the drive shaft housing by first lifting the rear of the frame with the drive assembly resting on the ground. The frame is then moved diagonally rearwardly or toward the drive assembly and downwardly so that, when fully engaged over and upon the drive shaft housing, the coupling member, by frame and vehicle weight alone, prevents further lateral and fore and aft (e.g. all linear movement) between the frame and the drive assembly. The drive assembly may then be rotated about the rear wheels and drive shaft housing from an independent at-rest position into locked, operable position and automatically releasibly secured by a lock and latch arrangement.