Frame for a human-powered vehicle

摘要

The preferred embodiments provide a frame for a one person three-wheeled human powered vehicle, the rear portion of which resembles an upright bicycle frame capable of supporting a fixed rear drive wheel substantially in alignment with the frame centerline. The frame has a left-side lateral extension and a right-side lateral extension, each of which includes a head tube at or near its outer end where front forks or steering posts can be secured. Each front fork or steering post can then hold one of two front steerable wheels. The frame is compatible with shock-absorbing suspension technology, which can be employed if desired.

主权项

1. An upright human-powered vehicle comprising:
a frame having a frame centerline; a left front wheel rotatably coupled with the frame; a right front wheel rotatably coupled with the frame, the left front wheel and the right front wheel on opposite sides of the frame centerline; a rear drive wheel rotatably coupled with the frame and configured to drive the vehicle; a left-side handlebar operably coupled with the left front wheel, the left-side handlebar configured to pivot about a left-side pivot axis to turn the left front wheel, the left-side handlebar having a proximal portion near the left-side pivot axis and a distal end extending inwardly towards the frame centerline; and a right-side handlebar operably coupled with the right front wheel, the right-side handlebar configured to pivot about a right-side pivot axis to turn the right front wheel, the right-side handlebar having a proximal portion near the right-side pivot axis and a distal end extending inwardly towards the frame centerline, wherein the left-side pivot axis is different from the right-side pivot axis, wherein the frame comprises a left-side head tube through which the left-side pivot axis passes, a right-side head tube through which the right-side pivot axis passes, a left-side lateral extension member extending from the centerline of the frame to the left-side head tube, and a right-side lateral extension member extending from the centerline to the right-side head tube.