Folding vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9440687-B2
Application number	US-201414299604-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 9, 2014
Priority date	Jun 11, 2013
Publication date	Sep 13, 2016
Grant date	Sep 13, 2016

Abstract

A folding vehicle structure includes a frame having a plurality of members. A first member intersects a second member at a first pivot point. A third member, spaced from the first and second members, intersects a fourth member, which is also spaced from the first and second members, at a second pivot point. The frame includes a first cross-member extending between the first and second intersection points. The frame is collapsible.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A folding vehicle structure comprising:
a collapsible frame having a first member, a second member intersecting the first member at a first pivot point, a third member spaced from the first and second members, and a fourth member spaced from the first and second members, wherein the fourth member intersects the third member at a second pivot point, wherein the frame includes a first cross-member extending from the first pivot point to the second pivot point;
a plurality of wheels disposed on the frame; and
a battery configured to power at least one of the wheels,
wherein the collapsible frame includes a second cross-member spaced from and parallel to the first cross-member and perpendicular to the first member, the second member, the third member, and the fourth member, and wherein the battery is disposed in a battery pack attached to a seat disposed on the second cross-member.

2. The folding vehicle structure of claim 1 , further comprising a motor configured to rotate at least one of the wheels, wherein the motor is configured to drive at least one wheel toward at least one other wheel to collapse the frame.

3. The folding vehicle structure of claim 2 , wherein the motor is incorporated into at least one of the wheels.

4. The folding vehicle structure of claim 1 , wherein the battery pack is removable from the seat.

5. The folding vehicle structure of claim 1 , further comprising a floor structure disposed on the frame.

6. The folding vehicle structure of claim 5 , wherein the battery is disposed on the floor structure.

7. The folding vehicle structure of claim 5 , wherein the seat is disposed on the frame and spaced from the frame, wherein the battery is disposed between the floor structure and the seat.

8. The folding vehicle structure of claim 1 , wherein the battery is rechargeable.

9. A folding vehicle structure comprising:
a collapsible frame having a first member, a second member intersecting the first member at a first pivot point, a third member spaced from the first and second members, and a fourth member spaced from the first and second members, wherein the fourth member intersects the third member at a second pivot point, wherein the frame includes:
a first cross-member extending from the first pivot point to the second pivot point, and
a second cross-member spaced from and parallel to the first cross-member and perpendicular to the first member, the second member, the third member, and the fourth member;

a plurality of wheels disposed on the frame;
a seat disposed on the frame between the first and second members and the third and fourth members, wherein the seat is attached to the second cross-member; and
a battery pack having a battery configured to power at least one of the wheels, wherein the battery pack is disposed on the seat attached to the second cross-member.

10. The folding vehicle structure of claim 9 , wherein the battery pack is removable from the seat.

11. The folding vehicle structure of claim 9 , wherein the battery is rechargeable.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc
• Theodore & Ass Llc

Inventors

• Theodore Chris P
• Batty Christopher David
• Daiber Nicholas John
• Hanson Aaron Matthew
• Nagara Keith Albert
• Vandervoord Gregory
• Kangas Daniel John
• Lanyon Jacob Scott

Classifications

• B62K15/006

  the frame being foldable · CPC title

• B62B1/12

  involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable, or convertible · CPC title

• B62D31/006 Primary

  foldable (droppable B60F5/006) · CPC title

• B60K15/00 Primary

  Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines {or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells}; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks · CPC title

• B62K13/06

  to a quadricycle, e.g. by coupling together two bicycles side by side · CPC title