Articulated, angle-steering, and tilting three-wheeled toy vehicle

Abstract

An articulated toy vehicle is capable of straight and curved motion on a surface or through water. A front and rear assemblies are supported by wheels and are joined at a steering knuckle capable of positioning the assemblies in a vertical posture when the vehicle is moving along a straight path, and positioning the rear assembly in a non-vertical posture when the vehicle is moving along a curved path. A drive motor is mounted within and engaged with one of the wheels for driving the vehicle. A steering motor is mounted within the vehicle for setting the assemblies on a selected mutual angle to provide curved and straight line motion.

1 . An articulated three-wheeled toy vehicle apparatus comprising:
 a front assembly supported by a pair of front wheels;   a rear assembly supported by a drive wheel rotationally engaged with a fixed rear axle;   the front and rear assemblies joined at a steering knuckle having an upper portion and a lower portion rotationally joined along a rotational axis positioned at an angle between 30 and 60 degrees relative to the horizontal;   a drive motor mounted on the rear axle within the drive wheel;   a pinion gear rotationally engaged with the drive motor;   a ring gear mounted within the rear wheel and engaged with the pinion gear;   whereby, rotation of the drive motor causes the rear wheel to rotate driving the vehicle.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the rear wheel is mounted in a fork secured to a pivot pin enabling the fork and rear wheel to move vertically, and a shock absorber engaged between the steering knuckle and the fork to limit said vertical movement. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a steering motor mounted in the steering knuckle, the steering motor engaged for moving the lower portion of the steering knuckle relative to the upper portion of the steering knuckle. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the rotational axis is positioned at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the horizontal. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the wheels are hollow thereby providing flotation to the vehicle. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the rear wheel provides radially positioned paddle-like vanes thereon, the vanes arcuate shaped. 
   
   
       7 . An articulated three-wheeled toy vehicle apparatus comprising:
 a front and rear assemblies supported for rolling by three wheels, the assemblies oriented vertically when the vehicle is rolling on a straight course;   the front and rear assemblies joined at a steering knuckle having an upper portion and a lower portion rotationally abutting at an interface, the interface positioned at an angle between 30 and 60 degrees relative to the horizontal so that the rear one of the assemblies moves off of the vertical orientation the vehicle is rolling on a non-straight course; and   a drive motor mounted within and engaged with one of the three wheels providing rotation thereto for driving the vehicle on the straight or non-straight course.   
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein a shock absorber is engaged with the apparatus thereby limiting vertical movement of the rear one of the assemblies. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the one of the three wheels is mounted in a fork pivotally engaged with one of the assemblies. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising a steering motor mounted in the steering knuckle, the steering motor engaged for moving one portion of the steering knuckle relative to the other portion of the steering knuckle. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the wheels are hollow thereby providing flotation to the vehicle. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein at least one of the wheels provides radially oriented paddle-like vanes thereon. 
   
   
       13 . An articulated toy vehicle apparatus capable of straight and curved motion on a surface, the apparatus comprising:
 a front and rear assemblies supported by wheels;   the front and rear assemblies joined at a steering knuckle, the steering knuckle positioning the assemblies in a vertical posture when the vehicle is describing straight motion, and further positioning one of the assemblies in a non-vertical posture when the vehicle is describing curved motion; and   a drive motor mounted within and engaged with one of the wheels providing rotation thereto for driving the vehicle in the straight motion and in the curved motion.   
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein a shock absorber is engaged with the apparatus thereby limiting vertical movement between the assemblies. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein one of the wheels is mounted in a fork pivotally engaged with one of the assemblies. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising a steering motor mounted in the steering knuckle, the steering motor engaged for positioning the vehicle for straight and curved motion. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the wheels are hollow thereby providing flotation to the vehicle. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein at least one of the wheels provides radially oriented paddle-like vanes thereon.