GB2114942A

GB2114942A - Pedal-driven vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2114942A
Application number: GB08205521A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence David Bull
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-02-25
Filing date: 1982-02-25
Publication date: 1983-09-01
Also published as: GB2114942B

Abstract

A pedal driven vehicle (2) has a pair of front wheels (10), and a pedal arrangement (12) connected to rear wheels (14). Steering shafts (22) extend upwardly above the front wheels (10) to a level above the driver's knees and the steering arrangement (8) is connected to the shafts (22) at substantially that level to provide a lorry-like cab unit. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFltCAtll:)N Pedai-drivén vehicle Field of Invention The invention relates to pedal-driven vehicles for use in particular as toys by children.

Backgmund of Invention Known pedal-cars for children place the child in a reclined position with steering passing over the childs légs to a position in front of the pedals.

Such a pedal car may in the form of a go-kart or vehicle having a bonnet-like extension at the front.

It is the object of the invention to provide a pedal car of a compact construction with a cablike structure close to steerable front wheels.

Summary of Invention The invention provides a pedal-driven vehicle having a steering arrangement for a pair of front wheels and a pedal arrangement drivingly connected to a pair of rear wheels in which shafts for steering the front wheels extend upwardly to a level above the driver's knees and the steering arrangement is connected to shafts at substantially that level.

This configuration provides space for a child's leg to work pedals, yet the steering arrangement can be accommodated within a short wheel base arrangement. The vehicle can be made in the shape of a lorry tug unit having a cab above steerable front wheels.

Suitably the vehicle is a tug unit with a seat between the front and rear wheels and having a means for coupling a trailer onto the vehicle. A particularly simple construction can be made by providing that the shafts are bent through an angle to rotatably support the front wheels. To simulate the low gearing of steering wheels on heavy lorries, conveniently the shafts each have an operating arm for linking to a rack and pinion type steering arrangement. Strength can be provided by supporting the shafts at upper and lower levels in a chassis or frame. Suitably then the chassis has upright supports parallel to the shafts, said supports mounting the steering arrangement in a position substantially vertical above the pedalling arrangement.

Drawings Figure 1 shows a side view of a pedal-driven vehicle of the invention with part of an attached trailer; Figure 2 shows a chassis for the vehicle of Figure 1: and Figure 3 shows a section through a quadrant steering arrangement for the vehicle of Figure 1.

Specific Description With reference to the Figures, a pedal-driven vehicle 2 is in the form of a lorry tug unit 4 capable of mounting a trailer 6. A steering arrangement at 8 operates a pair of front wheels 10 directly below. A pedal arrangement 12 is mounted between the front wheels and drives rear wheels 14 through sprockets 1 6 and chain 18. A chassis 20 mounts shafts 22 rotatably mounted in projecting ends 24 of an upper cross-bar 26 and sideways extensions 28 fixed to longitudinal chassis members 30.A seat 32 is provided between the front and rear wheels 10 and 1 4. The shafts 22 have a long verticai upper part and a short transverse lower part 36 supporting the front wheels 1 0. The shafts 22 mount operating arms 38 connected by links 40 to a quadrant 42 pivoted in a bracket 44 secured to the cross-bar 26 (see Figure 3). The quadrant 42 is operated by a pinion 46 on a steering wheel shaft 48. A guide roller 50 and plate 52 on the quadrant 42 ensure proper pinion/quadrant engagement.

The chassis 20 is of welded, largely tubular construction having uprights 54 supporting the cross-bar 26 and lying parallel to the shafts 22. A cranked pedal shaft 56 is mounted between the chassis members 30. At the rear there is a pivotable pick up 58 for the trailer operable by a lever 60 to provide an upright aperture for receiving a trailer pivot pin 62; or for being operated to assume a horizontal position for picking up or releasing the trailer 6.

The trailer 6 may have slopes 68 for ensuring that the trailer is lifted clear and disengages the lever pick up 58, if the trailer is pivoted excessively with respect to the tug unit 4.

As to body 64 of the vehicle, this may be of any suitable material preferably plastic material. The body 64 may mount a detachable transparent screen 66 or other detachable optional item such as petrol tank, lights, exhaust pipes etc.

Figure 1 shows how the steering wheels and pedals can be arranged in transverse alignment well spaced below the steering arrangement. An upright driving position can be provided whilst leaving sufficient interior room for operation of the pedals and providing good weight distribution.

1. A pedal-driven vehicle having a steering arrangement for a pair of front wheels and a pedal arrangement drivingly connected to a pair of rear wheels, in which shafts for steering the front wheels extend upwardly to a level above the driver's knees and the steering arrangement is connected to shafts at substantially that level.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1 in which the vehicle is a tug unit with a seat between the front and rear wheels and having a means for coupling a trailer onto the vehicle.

3. A vehicle according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the shafts are bent through an angle to rotatably support the front wheels.

4. A vehicle according to any of the preceding claims in which the shafts each have an operating arm for linking to a rack and pinion type steering arrangement.

5. A vehicle according to any of the preceding claims in which the shafts are rotatably supported at an upper and lower level by sideways extending parts of a chassis.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFltCAtll:)N Pedai-drivén vehicle Field of Invention The invention relates to pedal-driven vehicles for use in particular as toys by children. Backgmund of Invention Known pedal-cars for children place the child in a reclined position with steering passing over the childs légs to a position in front of the pedals. Such a pedal car may in the form of a go-kart or vehicle having a bonnet-like extension at the front. It is the object of the invention to provide a pedal car of a compact construction with a cablike structure close to steerable front wheels. Summary of Invention The invention provides a pedal-driven vehicle having a steering arrangement for a pair of front wheels and a pedal arrangement drivingly connected to a pair of rear wheels in which shafts for steering the front wheels extend upwardly to a level above the driver's knees and the steering arrangement is connected to shafts at substantially that level. This configuration provides space for a child's leg to work pedals, yet the steering arrangement can be accommodated within a short wheel base arrangement. The vehicle can be made in the shape of a lorry tug unit having a cab above steerable front wheels. Suitably the vehicle is a tug unit with a seat between the front and rear wheels and having a means for coupling a trailer onto the vehicle. A particularly simple construction can be made by providing that the shafts are bent through an angle to rotatably support the front wheels. To simulate the low gearing of steering wheels on heavy lorries, conveniently the shafts each have an operating arm for linking to a rack and pinion type steering arrangement. Strength can be provided by supporting the shafts at upper and lower levels in a chassis or frame. Suitably then the chassis has upright supports parallel to the shafts, said supports mounting the steering arrangement in a position substantially vertical above the pedalling arrangement. Drawings Figure 1 shows a side view of a pedal-driven vehicle of the invention with part of an attached trailer; Figure 2 shows a chassis for the vehicle of Figure 1: and Figure 3 shows a section through a quadrant steering arrangement for the vehicle of Figure 1. Specific Description With reference to the Figures, a pedal-driven vehicle 2 is in the form of a lorry tug unit 4 capable of mounting a trailer 6. A steering arrangement at 8 operates a pair of front wheels 10 directly below. A pedal arrangement 12 is mounted between the front wheels and drives rear wheels 14 through sprockets 1 6 and chain 18. A chassis 20 mounts shafts 22 rotatably mounted in projecting ends 24 of an upper cross-bar 26 and sideways extensions 28 fixed to longitudinal chassis members 30.A seat 32 is provided between the front and rear wheels 10 and 1 4. The shafts 22 have a long verticai upper part and a short transverse lower part 36 supporting the front wheels 1 0. The shafts 22 mount operating arms 38 connected by links 40 to a quadrant 42 pivoted in a bracket 44 secured to the cross-bar 26 (see Figure 3). The quadrant 42 is operated by a pinion 46 on a steering wheel shaft 48. A guide roller 50 and plate 52 on the quadrant 42 ensure proper pinion/quadrant engagement. The chassis 20 is of welded, largely tubular construction having uprights 54 supporting the cross-bar 26 and lying parallel to the shafts 22. A cranked pedal shaft 56 is mounted between the chassis members 30. At the rear there is a pivotable pick up 58 for the trailer operable by a lever 60 to provide an upright aperture for receiving a trailer pivot pin 62; or for being operated to assume a horizontal position for picking up or releasing the trailer 6. The trailer 6 may have slopes 68 for ensuring that the trailer is lifted clear and disengages the lever pick up 58, if the trailer is pivoted excessively with respect to the tug unit 4. As to body 64 of the vehicle, this may be of any suitable material preferably plastic material. The body 64 may mount a detachable transparent screen 66 or other detachable optional item such as petrol tank, lights, exhaust pipes etc. Figure 1 shows how the steering wheels and pedals can be arranged in transverse alignment well spaced below the steering arrangement. An upright driving position can be provided whilst leaving sufficient interior room for operation of the pedals and providing good weight distribution. CLAIMS

6. A vehicle according to claim 5 in which the chassis has upright supports parallel to the shafts, said supports mounting the steering arrangement in a position substantially vertically above the pedalling arrangement.

7. A pedal driven vehicle substantially as described with reference to and as shown in the drawings.