WO2004005048A1 - Vehicule tout-terrain - Google Patents

Vehicule tout-terrain Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004005048A1
WO2004005048A1 PCT/AU2003/000869 AU0300869W WO2004005048A1 WO 2004005048 A1 WO2004005048 A1 WO 2004005048A1 AU 0300869 W AU0300869 W AU 0300869W WO 2004005048 A1 WO2004005048 A1 WO 2004005048A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
wheel
vehicle
tyre
arrangement
support surface
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2003/000869
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
John Maltzahn
Stephen Macgowan
Original Assignee
John Maltzahn
Stephen Macgowan
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2002950105A external-priority patent/AU2002950105A0/en
Priority claimed from AU2002953270A external-priority patent/AU2002953270A0/en
Application filed by John Maltzahn, Stephen Macgowan filed Critical John Maltzahn
Priority to AU2003245106A priority Critical patent/AU2003245106A1/en
Publication of WO2004005048A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004005048A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B11/00—Units comprising multiple wheels arranged side by side; Wheels having more than one rim or capable of carrying more than one tyre
    • B60B11/02—Units of separate wheels mounted for independent or coupled rotation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B15/00—Wheels or wheel attachments designed for increasing traction
    • B60B15/26—Auxiliary wheels or rings with traction-increasing surface attachable to the main wheel body
    • B60B15/266—Traction increasing surface being located radially outside tire circumferential surface

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an all-terrain vehicle.
  • this invention relates to an all-terrain hand-drawn or pushed vehicle.
  • hand-drawn vehicles on the market which are adapted to assist a person in carrying loads by foot. Examples include prams, typically including wheels with airless rubber tyres or narrow inflated tyres, similar to those of a bicycle, supermarket trolleys, and wheelbarrows generally supported by a single front wheel and rear stand.
  • prams typically including wheels with airless rubber tyres or narrow inflated tyres, similar to those of a bicycle, supermarket trolleys, and wheelbarrows generally supported by a single front wheel and rear stand.
  • hand-drawn vehicles are generally unsuited for travel over difficult terrain such as soft sand and attempts to do so typically end in frustration and varying degrees of damage to the vehicle.
  • Other hand-drawn vehicles include wheels having a wide surface contact area. For an example, see US 4,538,657 OTuggle) which describes a thin-walled tyre with a torus of elastomeric material having an inner hub of certain axial length. Whilst such a ty
  • the invention provides a dual wheel arrangement for an all-terrain vehicle suitable for use as a foot-drawn carraige for transport of recreational to a destination such as the beach and adapted to travel over bother hard surfaces and sand, the dual wheel arrangement including: a wheel with a low pressure tyre which is flexible and readily deforms elastically at low pressure and is adapted to substantially flatten to form a relatively large surface contact area with a support surface such as the ground when under load; and adjacent to the first wheel, a second wheel with a diameter which is substantially consistent whether or not the second wheel is under load and a substanlially constant width substantially smaller than the width of the low pressure tyre.
  • a dual wheel arrangement for an all-terrain vehicle said dual wheel arrangement including a first wheel having a first hub and a first low pressure tyre with a first diameter and first width when not under load, wherein: a) the first tyre is flexible and readily deforms elastically at low pressure; b) the first tyre is adapted to substantially flatten to form a relatively large surface contact area with the support surface such as the ground, floor or other transport surface when under load, whereby the diameter of the first wheel decreases significantly under load, the dual wheel arrangement further including a second wheel adjacent to the first wheel, the second wheel having: c) a second diameter which is substantially consistent whether or not the second wheel is under load; and d) a second substantially constant width substantially smaller than the first width.
  • a dual wheel arrangement for an all-terrain vehicle said dual wheel arrangement including a first wheel of a first diameter when not under load, the first wheel including a first hub and a first low pressure tyre wherein: a) the first tyre is flexible and readily deforms elastically at low pressure; b) the first tyre is adapted to substantially flatten to form a relatively large surface contact area with the support surface such as the ground, floor or other transport surface when under load, the dual wheel arrangement further including a second wheel coaxial and adjacent to the first wheel and having: • c) a second diameter which is greater than the first diameter, the second diameter being substantially consistent whether or not the second wheel is under load; and d) a second width substantially smaller than the first width.
  • a dual wheel arrangement for an all-terrain vehicle said dual wheel arrangement including a first wheel of a first diameter when not under load, the first wheel including a first hub and a first low pressure tyre wherein: a) the first tyre is flexible and readily deforms elastically at low pressure; b) the first tyre is adapted to substantially flatten to form a first contact surface with a relatively large surface contact area with the support surface such as the ground, floor or other transport surface when under load, the dual wheel arrangement further including a second wheel adjacent to the first wheel, the second wheel having: c) a second diameter which is substantially consistent whether or not the second wheel is under load; and d) a second width substantially smaller than the first width, whereby the first wheel is height adjustable such that, in a hard surface position, the respective contact surfaces of the first and second wheels substantially lie in the same general plane parallel to the support surface or the lowermost portion of the first wheel lies in a plane parallel to and above the general plane of the support
  • the second wheel may include a hard ground contacting surface such as a hard-wearing metal or plastic material.
  • the second wheel may be integrally formed from such hard-wearing material.
  • the material may be steel, preferably stainless steel, or a polymer or copolymer material such as polypropylene, high density polyethylene, high molecular weight polyethylene or polycarbonate.
  • the second wheel may include a second hub and a second tyre.
  • the hub may be made from materials such as those described above, namely preferably stainless steel, or a polymer or copolymer material such as polypropylene, high density polyethylene, high molecular weight polyethylene or polycarbonate.
  • the second tyre may be an airless tyre made of a rubber, natural or synthetic, polymer or copolymer material such as polypropylene, high density polyethylene, high molecular weight polyethylene or polycarbonate.
  • the second tyre may be inflated in a manner similar to inflated wheelchair or bicycle tyres.
  • the second wheel may be used to support the all-terrain vehicle on a hard transport surface through which the second wheel is adapted not to penetrate.
  • the first wheel is adapted to support the all-terrain vehicle on a soft transport surface through which the second wheel is adapted to penetrate, but which the first wheel is adapted to travel across with niinimal penetration.
  • the second tyre may be relatively hard but resilient whereby to travel efficiently over a hard transport surface such as asphalt, bitumen, pavement, rock, hard clay or unmade roads and to elevate the first wheel above the ground and out of contact therewith, but to permit the operation of a brake means operable by virtue of the resilience of the second tyre. That is, the first wheel is preferably suspended above a hard ground surface and does not support the vehicle.
  • the first tyre preferably is an air-inflated tubed or tubeless rubber or rubber-like tyre, or an air-less rubber or rubber-like tyre.
  • the first tyre may be made from natural rubber formed from blow moulding or any other suitable process.
  • the second tyre is of a narrow gauge.
  • the difference between the first and second diameters when not under load is preferably niinimal.
  • the second wheel causes minimal drag through soft transport surfaces such as sand, mud, fine dust, snow, water and the like.
  • the second wheel may be located on either side of the first wheel.
  • the first wheel may be centrally located and a pair of second wheels located coaxially adjacent the first wheel on either side thereof.
  • the first wheel may be on the inside or the outside of the second wheel where the dual wheel arrangement includes a pair of first and second wheels.
  • the dual wheel arrangement includes a pair of first and second wheels in coaxial alignment.
  • the first and second wheels are not coaxial. They may be mounted for rotation about axes adjacent and parallel to one another.
  • the first wheel may be located forward or rearward of the second wheel.
  • the vehicle may be supported for travel over a hard surface by a pair of spaced and coaxial second wheels mounted for rotation towards the rear of the vehicle.
  • the first wheel may be mounted forward of the pair of second wheels, for example at or near the centre of balance.
  • the first wheel may be retractable whereby to be height adjustable. Accordingly, where the support surface is solid or hard, the first wheel may be retracted so that its lower most portion lies in a horizontal plane above and clear of the support surface. Where the support surface is soft, the first wheel may be lowered to engage the soft ground and to lift the second wheel out of contact with the ground.
  • the height adjustment means may be a mechanical device and a range of arrangements will immediately occur to the skilled person, such as that used for adjusting the height of motor mower bodies, collapsible pram wheels and jockey wheels on trailers, and may include powered means such as a small pneumatic, hydraulic or solenoid arrangement.
  • the first tyre may include a first tube.
  • the first tube may be made of a first thin layer of material having the properties of unremforced rubber including being flexible and readily deformable elastically at low pressure;
  • the cross-sectional shape of the first tube taken through a section of the first tyre parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel is generally substantially circular when not under load due to minimal reinforcement.
  • the first tube may be used without reinforcement or strengthening and still achieve satisfactory performance.
  • the first tube includes a second outer predominantly ground contacting layer of material to improve durability and optionally provide tread, and therefore terrain, differentiation.
  • the first and second layers may be made from a wide variety of materials, depending on the intended application. For example, very different materials will be suitable for a wheel for use in freezing conditions such as on snow. Such conditions require materials which maintain flexibility and are brittle resistant in close to (water) freezing or sub-zero temperatures. Compare this to hot climates where the first wheel may come into contact with hot surfaces such as asphalt, pavements, sand, dust, dirt, stone, rock or other ground material. The material required for such hot surfaces must have a relatively high melting point to avoid permanent distortion .or deformation in such an environment Where the first wheel includes the second layer, it is preferred that the first and second layers be made from materials sharing similar thermal expansion coefficient properties to avoid tearing or other damage to the structure.
  • the second layer preferably includes reinforcement to improve durability.
  • the reinforcement is in the form of fabric reinforcement embedded in or otherwise associated with a rubber material.
  • the fabric strands preferably are aligned circumferentially around the tyres outer surface.
  • reinforcement parallel or diagonally traverse to the first wheel axis or radially aligned reinforcing may also be advantageous.
  • the tyre is adapted to perform when inflated to a low pressure and is preferably adapted to perform at pressures of between 1 and 10 psi.
  • the tyre is adapted to perform optimally at about 1 to 3 psi and most preferably at 2 psi, it being understood that, in use, ambient and ground surface temperatures may affect the operating tyre pressure.
  • the hub may include a shallow circumferential recess to receive the inner tyre surface.
  • the hub includes rounded rims to reduce the incidence of damage. Such damage may include punctures or structural weakening in the inner and outer side walls of the tyre immediately adapted to bear on the respective inner and outer rims.
  • the hub may be bisymmetrical relative to a plane transverse to the axis of the hub and extending through the centre thereof.
  • the hub is formed from two parts adapted to be clamped, bolted or otherwise engaged whereby to secure the hub parts together.
  • the first tyre may be formed by blow moulding or any other suitable process.
  • the tyre may be formed from a rubber or composite rubber material.
  • an all-terrain vehicle including step transversing means whereby the all-terrain vehicle includes: a) a front wheel means at or located towards a front end of the all-terrain vehicle, the front wheel means being adapted to engage a support surface such as a ground, floor or other transport surface; b) a rear wheel means at or located towards a rear end of the all-terrain vehicle; c) a step traversing means angled tangentially from the lower ground engaging area of the rear wheel means extending up towards the rear end, said step traversing means inclined relative to the horizontal.
  • the step traversing means may be in the form of a skid means and may consist of a ⁇ lower panel of a luggage carrying tub mounted on the first and/or second wheel means and the vehicle may comprise a corresponding monocoque construction.
  • the skid means may include one or more skis, slides or skids.
  • the skid means includes two parallel skids located either side of the all-terrain vehicle.
  • the step traversing means preferably includes a movable contact surface.
  • the movable contact surface may comprise an endless belt extending between at least two spaced guide wheels.
  • the endless belt is mounted under tension to ensure the belt position intermediate the wheels is able to support the load of the vehicle against the stairs or steps.
  • Stairs or steps typically incline at an angle of no more than 30 degrees and, accordingly, the step traversing means is preferably inclined to the horizontal at an angle of about 30 degrees, preferably in the range of 20 to 40 degrees.
  • the all-terrain vehicle may include handle means to enable an operator to tow or push the vehicle.
  • the handle means may have an inverted "U" shape in a manner similar to handles commonly found on motor mowers.
  • the handle means may be T-bar or L-shaped.
  • the handle means may be collapsible or removable when not in use and for compact storage or transport of the vehicle.
  • the handle means may be retractably receivable within storage means such as a sleeve, track or channel.
  • the handle means may slide linearly within the storage means.
  • the storage means may be pivotable and or lockable in position.
  • the handle means is retractable or collapsible by the operation of a lockable rotational joint such as may typically be found on beach umbrellas or motor mowers-
  • the handle means may be located or engageable at either or both ends of the vehicle.
  • the handle means is located or engageable at the rear end of the vehicle.
  • the handle means may be located at ihe end of the vehicle with the largest diameter ground-contacting wheels where the front and rear wheel sets vary, comparatively, in size.
  • the all-terrain vehicle may include various accessories depending on the particular application.
  • the all-terrain vehicle may include table means for picnics or as a mobile work or food preparation bench.
  • the table means may include functional recesses or other mouldings or features to secure crockery, utensils and the like.
  • the all-terrain vehicle may include an umbrella holder, for example in the form of a substantially vertically aligned tube or sleeve or a ring or U-shaped feature for receiving the umbrella.
  • the all-terrain vehicle may include a child's seat or other support such as a baby capsule or toddler seat for carrying a child safely on the all-terrain vehicle.
  • the vehicle may include a carriage or carrying means for supporting or containing the items to be transported.
  • the all-terrain vehicle preferably includes a tray for carrying a large array of items. For example, an ice fridge or esky, surf boards, a picnic basket, picnic or beach rug, camping or fishing equipment or any items required to be transported by the all-teirain vehicle across terrain or to locations which are not easily crossable or accessible using other hand drawn vehicles such as prams.
  • the tray may be in the form of a tub, such as a suitably dimensioned plastic container.
  • the tray may be collapsible or may include a collapsible component.
  • the tray may include a collapsible frame.
  • the tray may include flexible material extending between and attached to the frame to define the internal tray volume or part thereof.
  • the material may be rubber or rubber like material, plastic or cloth.
  • the cloth material may comprise woven material with a weave set at a 45 degree angle mounted on the frame to resist stretching and maximise strength in two or more dimensions or directions.
  • the cloth material is canvas or nylon fabric.
  • the cloth material may be attached to the frame by two or more stays or struts. The stays may be located intermediate the lengths of the frame components and/or at the corners.
  • the stays preferably are located at at least three anchor points on the tray.
  • the stays may be located on the sides and the rear of the tray.
  • the stays may include any device capable of generating a compressive force, such as a buckle or jack.
  • the buckle may be adjustable in length and/or orientation to accommodate variations in manufacturing tolerances and changes in componentry shape through wear, tear and the passage of time.
  • the buckle may be an axially adjustable tumbuckle or other tensioning or compressive device.
  • the upper frame is in the form of circular (cross-sectional) tubing which is fed through a corresponding shaped seam in an edge of the fabric designed to receive the uipper frame.
  • the lower edge of the fabric to be attached to the upper rim of the tray has a similar seam defining a conduit through which a flat U-shaped frame member is fed.
  • the flat frame member is then bolted or riveted to the rim of the tray.
  • the frame may be made of any suitable material according to the application.
  • the frame may be made of substantially rigid plastic or metal material.
  • the frame is lightweight, and may be made of aluminium.
  • the hand-drawn all-terrain vehicle may be powered by a small motor to facilitate its travel.
  • the motor may be an electric motor powered by batteries and/or by solar power such as by the use of battery power charged by solar cells.
  • the motor may be a combustion or electric hybrid engine.
  • the motor may be driven, for example, by a small petrol or other fossil fuel powered engine.
  • the motor may be operable to drive a pair of first and second wheels and/or the step climbing means.
  • the vehicle may include brake means.
  • the brake means may be adapted to bear on the second wheel.
  • the second wheel has some resilience operable to enable the brake to toggle from a first non-braking position to a second braking position.
  • the brake means may include a cam mechanism.
  • the brake means preferably includes an overcentre mechanism.
  • the overcentre mechanism may include a purality of linkages including fixed and floating articulated joins relative to the tray.
  • the brake means preferably is adapted to take advantage of the resiliency of the second wheel to move between the first and second positions.
  • the brake means may include a tyre engaging member adapted to indent the resilient tyre in moving to the second position.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic side view of an all-terrain vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a rear end view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 4A is a side view of an all-terrain vehicle according to another embodiment of the invention;
  • Figure 4B is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in Figure 4A;
  • Figure 4C is an end view of the embodiment shown in Figure 4A
  • Figure 4D is a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 4 A collapsed for storage or u-ansport;
  • Figure 5 A is a side elevation of a step climber according to another embodiment
  • Figure 5B is a top plan view of the step climber shown in Figure 5 A;
  • Figure 5C is an end view of the step climber shown in Figure 5 A;
  • Figure 5D is a schematic sectional view of part of the step climber shown in Figure
  • Figure 5E is a schematic side view of part of the step climber shown in Figure 5A;
  • Figure 5F is a partial end sectional view of a step climber according to another embodiment
  • Figure 5G is a partial side sectional view of the step climber shown in Figure 5F;
  • Figure 5H is a partial end sectional view of a step climber according to another embodiment
  • Figure 6 is a side plan view of an all-terrain vehicle according to another embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 7 is a front elevation of the embodiment shown in Figure 6;
  • Figure 8 is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in Figure 6;
  • Figure 9 is a side elevation of the all-terrain vehicle according to another embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 10 is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in Figure 9; and Figure 11 is a rear elevation of the embodiment shown in Figure 9.
  • an all-terrain cart 10 including a receptacle or tub 20 for carrying items to be transported.
  • the tub 20 is supported on a frame 30, in turn mounted on a set of rear wheels 40.
  • a pair of retractable front wheels 50 are pivotably mounted on the frame 30.
  • the front jockey wheels 50 are mounted on a pivotable jockey frame 51 which may be releasably locked in either a ground contacting position or in a retracted position as shown in Figure 1.
  • the front jockey wheels 50 are releasably locked by the operation of a clamp 52 comprising a pair of engageable concentric disks with inte ⁇ neshable teeth, such as may be found commonly in articulated beach umbrella stands.
  • an articulated handle 31 which permits an operator to draw or push the vehicle 10 as required.
  • the handle 31 is articulated about a rotatable joint 32 which is releasably lockable over a range of angles of inclination suited to a particular operator and enables the handle 31 to be collapsed against the top rim 21 of the tub 20 for transport in the boot or trunk, for example, of a car or automobile.
  • the handle may have an inverted "U" shape as shown in Figure 3, or the handle 31 may be of a T-bar or L-bar construction in which the primary shaft alone connects a handgrip 34 to the joint 32.
  • the cart 10 When the jockey wheels 50 are in the retracted position, the cart 10 is adapted for transport up and down steps or stairways by the operator by the combined operation and support of the rear wheels 40 and a pair of skids 33 upwardly and forwardiy inclining tangentially from the lowermost portion of the rear wheels 40.
  • the pair of skids 33 enable the cart 10 to be moved up and down steps by the sliding action of the skids across the apices of each step whilst the rear wheels 40 ride over each apices of each step, of course, by rotation thereover.
  • this is a preferred arrangement compared to furniture removal trolley arrangements comprising triple pivotal axles due to the undesirable loud noise created by such furniture trolleys and the high impact nature upon each step occasioning undesirable wear and tear and possible damage to the stair surface and structure. Accordingly, it is within the scope of this invention that this aspect of the invention be considered in its own right as applicable to hand manoeuvred trolleys or barrows useful for wide ranging applications, including furniture removal where such trolleys and barrows are required to traverse stairs or steps.
  • the cart 10 may be in the form of a frameless tray in which the wheels are mounted directly to the tub 20 in a monocoque construction, whereby the skids 33 are substituted by a front inclined panel or wall of the tub 20 which is adapted to directly bear upon the apices of each step.
  • the front set of wheels 50 includes a pair of jockey wheels
  • the rear set of wheels 40 includes a first pair of low pressure wide wheels 41 and a second pair of narrow, substantially non-defomiable wheels 42 on the outside of each corresponding low pressure wheel 41.
  • the low pressure and narrow wheels 41, 42 are coaxially mounted ona single axle 43.
  • the narrow wheels 42 are slightly larger in diameter than the low pressure wheels 1 whereby, on hard ground surfaces, the narrow wheels 42 alone engage the ground surface.
  • the low pressure wheels 41 are suspended above the ground and thereby do not create any significant drag as the cart 1 traverses the hard ground surface.
  • the diameter of the narrow wheels 42 is 300 mm, whereas the diameter of the low pressure wheels 41 when not under load is preferably 295 mm.
  • the larger diameter narrow gauge wheels 42 of course penetrate the soft surface and the cart 10 sinks into the soft surface to a level whereby the low pressure wheels 41 support the cart 10 in ground engaging contact. Because the low pressure wheels 41 have no capacity to penetrate the soft surface to a significant degree, the low pressure wheels travel efficiently over the soft surface with minimal drag. Although the narrow wheels 42 penetrate the soft ground surface, their narrow width minimises drag. Accordingly, in trials conducted by the inventors, it has been found that a pair of narrow wheels 42 in the form of soft spoked pram wheels have only a 5% impact on rolling resistance.
  • the rear wheel arrangement 40 may include a number of different arrangements which would satisfactorily achieve the desired result.
  • the narrow wheels 42 could equally be located on the inside of the low pressure wheels 41 with little impact on performance.
  • the placement of the narrow wheels on the outside of the rear set of wheels 40 is desirable predominantly from an aesthetic view point because their larger diameter obscures the view of the inner low pressure wheels 41.
  • the rear wheel arrangement 40 performs satisfactorily with a single centrally positioned low pressure wheel 41.
  • a dual wheel type arrangement with a single low pressure rear wheel 41 still requires a pair of outside narrow wheels 42.
  • the tub floor 22 may be provided with reinforcing ribs to resist sagging.
  • the floor 22 may also extend lower than the axle 43 and be configured to provide a recess or slot through which the axle 43 extends to further enhance the volume capacity of the tub 20. Care, however, must be taken to ensure there is sufficient clearance between the floor 22 and a soft ground surface.
  • the wheels 41, 2 are located within the plan foot print of the tub 20, at least the low pressure wheels 41 are located within recesses 23 formed in the manufactiire of the tub 20, mcluding the moulding or working of the tub 20 during manufacture.
  • the outside narrow wheels 42 are also located within the plan footprint of the mb 20 extended by the provision of a reinforcing lip or collar 24 which extends around the periphery of the top edge of the tub 20.
  • the low pressure wheel 41 shown in Figure 1 includes a thin non-reinforced wall tube about 2mm thick.
  • the tube is mounted about a hub.
  • the tube is made from rubber or a material comprising rubber like properties and is adapted to be flexible and resiliently deformable.
  • the tube is preferentially inflated to a very low pressure of about 2 psi whereby to ensure minimal penetration of the wheels 41 on soft ground surfaces.
  • the external ground engaging surface of the tube is adapted to flatten to present a large ground engaging surface area relative to the overall volume occupied by the toroidal portion of the wheel 41.
  • the tube assumes a relatively circular cross-sectional shape. However, when under load, the tube easily compresses and flattens out.
  • this flat configuration providing the first tyre with a wide contact surface area combined with the low inflation pressure considerably enhances the minimal drag performance of the low pressure wheel 41 over soft ground surfaces.
  • the external surface is fitted with a second extra layer of fabric reinforced rubber having cords running circumferentially. This permits different treads to be applied to the tube as determined by the intended application of the cart 10 as well as strengmening and improving the durability of the tube.
  • the second reinforcing rubber layer does not extend fully around the torus of the tube, it does not interfere with the deformability of the side walls thereof and correspondingly does not significantly reduce the large surface ground contact area assumed by the flattened tube under load.
  • the first and second wheels 120, 130 are not coaxial. They are mounted for rotation about axes adjacent and parallel to one another.
  • the first wheel is located forward of the second wheel.
  • the vehicle is supported for travel over a hard surface by a pair of spaced and coaxial second wheels mounted for rotation towards me rear of the vehicle.
  • the first wheel is mounted forward of the pair of second wheels at or near the centre of balance of the vehicle.
  • the first wheel is retractable whereby to be height adjustable. Accordingly, where the support surface is solid or hard, the first wheel is retracted so that its lower mbst portion lies in a horizontal plane above and clear of the support surface. Where the support surface is soft, the first wheel is lowered by an operator to engage the soft ground and to lift the second wheel out of contact with the ground.
  • the height adjustment means is a threaded mechanical device that used for adjusting the height of a jockey wheels on a trailer.
  • a track 122 shown in Fig.4E is shown in greater detail and explained with reference to Figs. 5A to 5H.
  • the vehicle 60 includes a dual rear wheel arrangement 61 and a front single wheel 62 rotatably mounted on a frame 63, Also mounted on the frame is a step climber 64 and brake 65. Extending upwardly from the frame 63 is a handle 66 including a convenience pocket 61 extending laterally between spaced bars 68 of the handle 66.
  • the handle 66 extends over a tray 70 and is articulated about a lockable hinge 69, whereby to lock the handle 66 in a range of different inclinations and positions, including a fold down horizontal position.
  • the tray 70 is a moulded plastic tub of strong abrasion resistent plastic material such as polypropylene or high density polyethylene which is of sufficient thickness to withstand extended use and may have a wall thickness of 2 to 5 mm, with wall join areas being thicker to give the tray 70 added rigidity.
  • the internal volume and carrying capacity of the tray 70 is extended by a collapsible upper wail 71 comprising a flexible woven material attached to an upper floating frame 72.
  • the upper frame 72 is supported above the tray 70 by spacing means in the form of turn buckles 73 which are axially adjustable to ensure that the extension wall 71 is held under tension.
  • the turn buckes 73 may be engaged at their upper and lower ends to the upper frame 72 and tray 70 by simple angled ends inserted in complementary bores 74 in the upper frame 72 and tray 70, respectively.
  • the upper and lower ends of the turn buckle 73 may be disengaged from the bore 74 so that the upper frame 72 spaced to fit inside the tray 70 when collapsed, rests snuggly within the tray 70.
  • the vehicle 60 should include at least 3 turn buckes 73 located on each side of the tray towards the front 75 and a single turn buckle 73 located centrally at the rear of the tray 70 to give the upper frame 72 adequate stability and support.
  • the strength, rigidity and stability of the material wall 71 it has surprisingly been found that if the cloth 71 is mounted so that its weave extends at an angle 45° to the horizontal these positive properties are maximised.
  • the inventor has found that the wall 71 is surprisingly less rigid when the weave is oriented along vertical and horizontal lines relative to the frame members.
  • a lid 76 may be provided on the upper frame 72 and may extend partially across the top of the upper frame 72 as shown in Figure 4A or may extend fully across the opening defined by the upper frame 72.
  • the dual wheel arrangement 61 includes first wide wheels 61 having a large ground contacting surface area adapted to travel across the top of soft surfaces such as sand and mud without penetrating the ground surface.
  • the wide wheels 61a are located on the inside of a pair of outer narrow wheels 61b.
  • the wide wheels 61a and narrow wheels 61n are all mounted on the same axle 61c extending laterally underneath the lower frame 63 and mounted thereto by (as is standard in the art).
  • the diameter of the wide wheels 1a when not under load is marginally smaller than the diameter of the narrow wheels 6lb so that on hard surfaces, such as pavement, the vehicle 60 rests on the narrow wheels 61b.
  • the narrow wheels 61b include a hard rubber tyre 61 d mounted on a hub and rim 61e of correspondingly narrow width.
  • the hub 6le includes radiating spokes in the form of blades extending between the hub and the rim.
  • the hub and rim 61 e is adapted to cut through the soft ground material to minimise fiictional resistance as the wide wheels 61a support the vehicle 60 for travel over the soft ground.
  • the operator may lean downwardly on the handle 66 to lever the vehicle 60 so that the front end 75 rocks upwardly about the axle 6lc to take the weight off the front wheel 62 to ensure that the front wheel 62 does not retard the progress of the vehicle 60.
  • FIG 4C the dual wheel arrangement is shown in transverse section through a vertical plane parallel to the axle 61c.
  • the wide and narrow wheels 61a, 61b are mounted for rotation on the axle 61 c and secured in place by easy to remove wingnuts 61 e threadably engaged with a corresponding threaded end of the axle 61c on either end.
  • the wingnuts 61e could be replaced by quick release cam locks as commonly used to releasably secure front wheels of bicycles to the bicycles front hub.
  • step traversers 61 f On the inside of each of the wide wheels 61 c are step traversers 61 f.
  • FIG 4D the collapsible nature of the vehicle 60 is shown in which the handle 66 is folded so that it rests predominantly within the tray 70.
  • a brake means 65 including a brake bearing member 65a adapted to indent the narrow tyre 61d when the brake means 65 is activated.
  • the brake means 65 includes a pair of fixed linkage points 65b, 65c and a pair of movable articulated joins 65d, 65e.
  • the movable join 65d operates as the indenting brake member and the movable join 65e operates as the over centre mechanism movable between a braking and non-braking position and held in place in either position by the resilience of the tyre 61 d.
  • the brake is operated by simple foot pedal 65f.
  • the brake means 65 is fixed directly to a formed recess in the underside of the tray 70 and may be bolted or riveted to the lower frame .
  • the step climber 64 includes a pair of spaced, parallel and opposed identical plates, preferably made of metal such as uminium or stainless steel for corrosion resistance and strength.
  • the step climber 64a includes a track section 64b and a mounting bracket section 64c,
  • the opposing plates are rigidly secured together in spaced relationship by anyone of a variety of standard means, such as bolt means with intemal spaces, rivets or other similar fasteners and preferably located at the points marked "X" opposed plates 64b.
  • Interposed between the opposed plates is the track section 64g, having first and second ends 64d, 64e.
  • the track section 64g Mounted on the track section 64g is a linked chain 64f adapted to travel in a channel extending about the periphery of the track section 64G.
  • the track section 64G defines a track having a shallow channel through which the chain is adapted to travel.
  • the pitch of the chain 64f is sufficiently high whereby the links of the chain 64f extend proud beyond the 5 profile of the track section 64g and the opposed plates 64b, whereby the links make direct contact with the surface of steps in use.
  • the low friction coefficient of the track section 64g ensures that the chain 64f travels easily across its surface and minimal deterioration of performance is noticeable where sand and other debris enter the channel of the insert 64g.
  • the step climber 64a is mounted at an angle of inclination of 30° to correspond to
  • top end 64h is mounted to the lower frame 63 at the rear end of the vehicle 60 and the mounting bracket 64c is secured to the axle 61c through a bore 64i.
  • the insert may alternatively made from stainless steel, Teflon, or ultra high molecular weight polyethylene and a substitute for the link chain
  • 15 64f may be a rubber or woven belt 64j for making surface contact with the stair to be climbed.
  • Interposed between the rubber belt 64j and the insert 64g may be a plurality of discrete bearing tabs 64k having a low friction coefficient.
  • the tabs 64k may be made from stainless steel, Teflon or ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, preferably stainless steel.
  • the insert 64g may define a channel through which the tabs 64k travel as
  • tabs 64k may themselves define channels which straddle the insert 64g. Where the tabs 64k are stainless steel, they may be vulcanised to the rubber belt 64j for strong adhesion.
  • step climber 64 an alternative arrangement of the step climber 64 is shown in which the pair of opposed plates cover only the mounting bracket section 64c.
  • FIG. 6 there is shown another embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention comprising a trolley 80 having a frame 81 on which are mounted rear support wheels 82 and front retractable castor wheels 83.
  • the portion of the frame 81 extending from the rear support wheels 82 to the front retractable castors 83 is set at an angle of inclination of about 30° which is the typical maximum angle of inclination of sets of stairs.
  • this angle of inclination of the skids of frame 81 may be varied depending on the specific intended applications.
  • the handle 84 is articulated around a beach umbrella/lawn mower style handle joint 85 and that the handle may be rotated around the joint 85 through various angles including a fold down position 86 suitable for storage. ⁇
  • the trolley 80 may be configured in a step climbing mode in which the retractable castor wheels 83 are swivelled upwardly to a non-ground engaging position 87 in which the retractable castors 83 will not interfere with the step climbing operation.
  • the larger diameter narrow wheels 42 may be located on the inside of the low pressure wheels 41, (like reference numerals being used to refer to like components shown in Figures 1 to 3).
  • FIG. 9 shows a vehicle 100 according to a third embodiment of the invention.
  • the vehicle includes a tray 101 mounted on a chassis or frame 102 and supporting a collapsible carrier extension 103.
  • a single central wheel 104 having a relatively small diameter.
  • Towards the rear of the vehicle is mounted a pair of opposed spaced sets of wheels 105 substantially as described in relation to wheels 41, 42 in Figure 2.
  • Extending from between each of the sets of wheels 105 at an inclined and upward angle of about 30 degrees towards the rear of the vehicle is a step traversing cate ⁇ illar 106.
  • Caterpillar 106 comprises a pair of spaced lower and upper guide wheels 107, 108 which are adapted to hold a continuous belt 109 under tension to support the load of the vehicle when traversing stairs or irregular terrain, such as rocky pathways.
  • an adjustable handle 110 is also mounted to the frame 102 . Also mounted to the frame 102 is an adjustable handle 110 similar to handle 31 described in relation to Figure 1.
  • carrier 103 comprises an upper frame made of aluminium tubing (25 x 1.6 mm) which extends around the upper periphery of the vehicle and has a footprint substantially identical to or at least similar to that of the tray 101.
  • An upper frame portion 111 defines the upper peripheral edge of the carriage 103.
  • Adjustably and selectively collapsibly supporting the upper frame portion 111 are inclined frame supports 112.
  • the frame supports may be made from a variety of lighter weight materials, such as 6 mm spring wire. In its erect position, the frame 111 holds the nylon fabric 113 under tension whereby to define a carrier area having an extended volume carrying capacity.
  • the cloth walls 113 fold down conveniently to facilitate transport of the vehicle 100, for example, in the boot of a car or automobile.
  • the handle 110 is advantageously folded down on top of the collapsed carrier 103.
  • the cloth walls 113 are made from a woven fabric which may be nylon.
  • the nylon fabric is advantageously oriented in the erect state of the carriage 103 so that the weave extends at about 45 degrees to the horizontal. This weave orientation is effective to minimise the extent of stretching as a result of the wear and tear which the fabric walls 113 are subjected to during extended use.
  • the caterpillar belt 109 is preferably made from a plastic materials or rubber composite or rubber like materials similar to those used to form the wheels 105.
  • the guide wheels 108 are similarly made from hard plastic or light weight metal materials such as polypropylene or aluminium.
  • the vehicle, cart or trolley may be used to carry goods and accessories to and from places of leisure.
  • the cart may include accessories such as a table forming a lid to the tub tray, or carrier (hereinafter “the tub") , and an umbrella holder, fishing rod holder, baby capsule and/or toddler seat.
  • the tub may be used to carry small eskies, beach umbrellas/igloos, beach rugs, one or more boogie boards, towcls/togs wetsuits, bags, picnic baskets, rubbish bags, reading material, surfboards and may be adapted to carry marine equipment such as surf skis.
  • the cart 80 is easy to push/pull over paved areas, including kerbs, soft sand, grass, mud, snow, rough steep bush tracks, and regular or irregular steps.
  • the cart may be fitted to create a facility for use at the beach, fishing, picnic spot by providing a stable, elevated food/drink preparation table with drink, plate, utensil holders, fixtures for securing umbrellas, rubbish storage or fishing rod holders and many other accessories as may be apparent to the person skilled in the art.
  • the cart be a maximum of 15 kilograms in weight, dimensioned to fit through a standard doorway (780-800 mm) and easily stowed in a car boot, such storage being facilitated by detachable and/or collapsible tub, frame, wheels, accessories and handles.
  • the cart may be suitable for use by people wishing to visit the beach and other recreational locations by car thereby requiring a collapsible easliy stored and transportable luggage cart, by families living within close proximity to beaches and other recreational areas, by fishermen, by people who have on-site vans, holiday homes, or those who frequent camping grounds for extended holiday periods and have a requirement to carry items to and from their place of leisure.
  • the frame 30, 81 , 111 , 112 may be made from suitable strong and corrosion resistant materials such as reinforced polymeric material (e.g. polypropylene), aluminium or steel.
  • the hub of the rear low pressure wheels 40, 82, 105 and the axle 43, 143 may be made from similar materials.
  • the tub or tray may be made from si ilar materials, but preferably is made from a mouldable, abrasion resistant polymeric material such as high density polyethylene.
  • the preferred vehicle or cart may provide the following features and advantages: 1. A hand propelled vehicle which makes picnicking more pleasant 2. A hand cart which reduces the effort required to transport picnic gear over paved surfaces, soft sand and steps.
  • a hand cart which creates increased amenity at the picnic spot in the form of a food preparation table, rubbish receptacle and umbrella support. 4. Travel over various terrain, surfaces by means of two pairs of dual wheels, conventional 30 psi pneumatic and adjacent 2 psi low pressure tyres slightly smaller in ⁇ ameter (low pressure tyres not in contact with hard surface).
  • a high tension woven structure adapted to maximise strength and tension of the structure in two or more directions or dimensions, the structure including: a frame defining two or more boundaries of a woven material held under tension, the weave including interwoven fibres extending at right angles relative to one another wherein the weave or fibres of the material is oriented at an angle of 45° to at least one of the boundaries.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Handcart (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention a trait à un agencement à deux roues pour un véhicule tout-terrain adapté à rouler sur des surfaces dures ainsi que sur des surfaces sableuses, comportant une roue avec un pneumatique à basse pression (41) qui est flexible et aisément déformable élastiquement à basse pression et est adapté à s'aplatir sensiblement pour former une grande surface de contact avec le sol sous une charge ; et adjacente à la première roue (41), une deuxième roue (42) avec un diamètre qui est sensiblement constant que la deuxième roue soit sous charge ou non et une largeur sensiblement constante inférieure à la largeur du pneumatique à basse pression (41).
PCT/AU2003/000869 2002-07-08 2003-07-07 Vehicule tout-terrain WO2004005048A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2003245106A AU2003245106A1 (en) 2002-07-08 2003-07-07 All-terrain vehicle

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2002950105 2002-07-08
AU2002950105A AU2002950105A0 (en) 2002-07-08 2002-07-08 All-terrain vehicle and wheel therefor
AU2002953270A AU2002953270A0 (en) 2002-12-12 2002-12-12 All-terrain vehicle and wheel therefor
AU2002953270 2002-12-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2004005048A1 true WO2004005048A1 (fr) 2004-01-15

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Family Applications (1)

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PCT/AU2003/000869 WO2004005048A1 (fr) 2002-07-08 2003-07-07 Vehicule tout-terrain

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WO (1) WO2004005048A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2018109054A1 (fr) 2016-12-16 2018-06-21 Recaro Child Safety Gmbh & Co. Kg Chariot utilitaire multifonctionnel
CN108621682A (zh) * 2018-07-08 2018-10-09 胡俊 一种可在沙地行驶的轻质小车
WO2022021978A1 (fr) * 2020-07-29 2022-02-03 西南交通大学 Paire de roues motrices composites, train, système de rail pour roues et procédé de commande de train

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB244342A (en) * 1925-04-02 1925-12-17 Budd Wheel Co Improvements in or relating to vehicle wheels
FR1066702A (fr) * 1954-06-09
US3328088A (en) * 1965-09-08 1967-06-27 Glenn M Olson Dual attachment
US3750778A (en) * 1971-01-18 1973-08-07 Knott Watson T Watts Traction devices
US3890010A (en) * 1973-04-12 1975-06-17 Flotation Trailer Trac Inc Flotation/tire/assembly
JPS6035608A (ja) * 1983-08-06 1985-02-23 Toyo Tire & Rubber Co Ltd 凍結雪路応急用スパイクタイヤを備えた自動車の複輪機構
GB2177663A (en) * 1983-02-28 1987-01-28 Texas Industries Inc Motor vehicles such as tractors
GB2317372A (en) * 1996-08-14 1998-03-25 Gary Michael Day Auxiliary wheels
WO1998016399A1 (fr) * 1996-10-17 1998-04-23 Brien John M O Dispositif d'adherence pour roues de vehicule
FR2754768A1 (fr) * 1996-10-22 1998-04-24 Denier Paul Dispositif et procede anti-derapage et anti-patinage des autos sur neige, pluie et verglas, constitue par des roues additionnelles cloutees, rainurees et dentees, enclenchables et escamotables par commande du tableau de bord

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1066702A (fr) * 1954-06-09
GB244342A (en) * 1925-04-02 1925-12-17 Budd Wheel Co Improvements in or relating to vehicle wheels
US3328088A (en) * 1965-09-08 1967-06-27 Glenn M Olson Dual attachment
US3750778A (en) * 1971-01-18 1973-08-07 Knott Watson T Watts Traction devices
US3890010A (en) * 1973-04-12 1975-06-17 Flotation Trailer Trac Inc Flotation/tire/assembly
GB2177663A (en) * 1983-02-28 1987-01-28 Texas Industries Inc Motor vehicles such as tractors
JPS6035608A (ja) * 1983-08-06 1985-02-23 Toyo Tire & Rubber Co Ltd 凍結雪路応急用スパイクタイヤを備えた自動車の複輪機構
GB2317372A (en) * 1996-08-14 1998-03-25 Gary Michael Day Auxiliary wheels
WO1998016399A1 (fr) * 1996-10-17 1998-04-23 Brien John M O Dispositif d'adherence pour roues de vehicule
FR2754768A1 (fr) * 1996-10-22 1998-04-24 Denier Paul Dispositif et procede anti-derapage et anti-patinage des autos sur neige, pluie et verglas, constitue par des roues additionnelles cloutees, rainurees et dentees, enclenchables et escamotables par commande du tableau de bord

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2018109054A1 (fr) 2016-12-16 2018-06-21 Recaro Child Safety Gmbh & Co. Kg Chariot utilitaire multifonctionnel
CN108621682A (zh) * 2018-07-08 2018-10-09 胡俊 一种可在沙地行驶的轻质小车
CN108621682B (zh) * 2018-07-08 2022-07-08 胡俊 一种可在沙地行驶的轻质小车
WO2022021978A1 (fr) * 2020-07-29 2022-02-03 西南交通大学 Paire de roues motrices composites, train, système de rail pour roues et procédé de commande de train

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