A vehicle provides a frame defining an operator compartment, the operator compartment having a back section and having open sides and an open bottom. A first movable chair is attached to a motorized chair movement device which allows the chair to be moved vertically and horizontally on the back section of the operator compartment within the operator compartment. A pair of rear wheels is connected to the frame, each being driven by an electric motor. The frame has an upper section defining the top of the operator compartment and being constructed and arranged to support a solar panel. The solar panel is electrically connected to at least one battery which is connected to the frame and which provides power to the vehicle. A front caster wheel is rotatable connected to a caster wheel arm which is rotatably connected to the upper frame section. A control computer is connected to the rear wheel motors, motorized chair movement device, caster wheel arm and foot/leg rest. A plurality of operator controls are connected to the first movable chair and operably connected to the control computer for operating the vehicle.

A vehicle provides a frame defining an operator compartment, the operator compartment having a back section and having open sides and an open bottom. A first movable chair is attached to a motorized chair movement device which allows the chair to be moved vertically and horizontally on the back section of the operator compartment within the operator compartment. A pair of rear wheels is connected to the frame, each being driven by an electric motor. The frame has an upper section defining the top of the operator compartment and being constructed and arranged to support a solar panel. The solar panel is electrically connected to at least one battery which is connected to the frame and which provides power to the vehicle. A front caster wheel is rotatable connected to a caster wheel arm which is rotatably connected to the upper frame section. A control computer is connected to the rear wheel motors, motorized chair movement device, caster wheel arm and foot/leg rest. A plurality of operator controls are connected to the first movable chair and operably connected to the control computer for operating the vehicle.

Vehicles are disclosed which have a lower center of gravity than existing all-terrain, amphibious, and unmanned ground vehicles due to the location of propulsion units and other vehicle components inside the wheels of the vehicle. The vehicles can climb over large obstacles yet are also able to corner at high speeds. The vehicles can be configured for direct manual operation or operation by remote control, and can also be configured for a wide variety of missions.

Some implementations can include a zero turn radius utility vehicle that is operated in a standing position by an operator using foot controls provided on the utility vehicle. Accordingly, the operator's hands are free to operate handheld equipment (e.g., a line trimmer, edger, blower, etc.) while the operator controls the utility vehicle via the foot controls. Further, the utility vehicle may have a single third wheel (and no mower deck or other deck or protrusion) extending from the front of the vehicle frame so as to minimize any protrusions to the front of the vehicle, which can permit the operator to work on the ground in front of the utility vehicle using handheld equipment without interference from a mower deck, while remaining in a standing position on the utility vehicle and being able to simultaneously control the utility vehicle (via foot controls) and perform work with handheld equipment.

The present invention is a hybrid crossover between an automobile and a motorcycle that is able to take tight comers almost like a motorcycle but is driven and handled like an automobile by optionally leaning into turns with one wheel in the front and two wheels in the rear of the vehicle and passenger compartment having an accelerator and brake pedals and steered with a steering wheel and gears that can be selected via a toggle switch gear selector located in the vicinity of the steering or by a floor and/or dash mounted unit.

A three-wheeled vehicle includes a chassis, a first wheel rotatably connected to the chassis, the first wheel having a first perimeter, a first diameter and a first geometric center, a second wheel rotatably connected to the chassis, the second wheel having a second perimeter, a second diameter and a second geometric center, a first motor and a second motor, a first drive and a second drive gear, a first plurality of teeth disposed about the first wheel and mechanically engaged with the first drive gear at a location closer to the first perimeter than to the first geometric center, a second plurality of teeth disposed about the second wheel and mechanically engaged with the second drive gear at a location closer to the second perimeter than to the second geometric center, a mount rotatably connected to the chassis and a third wheel rotatably connected to the mount.

A three-wheeled vehicle includes a chassis, a first wheel rotatably connected to the chassis, the first wheel having a first perimeter, a first diameter and a first geometric center, a second wheel rotatably connected to the chassis, the second wheel having a second perimeter, a second diameter and a second geometric center, a first motor and a second motor, a first drive and a second drive gear, a first plurality of teeth disposed about the first wheel and mechanically engaged with the first drive gear at a location closer to the first perimeter than to the first geometric center, a second plurality of teeth disposed about the second wheel and mechanically engaged with the second drive gear at a location closer to the second perimeter than to the second geometric center, a mount rotatably connected to the chassis and a third wheel rotatably connected to the mount.

A front frame is provided with a seat for at least one person and a front wheel mounting for at least one front wheel; and a back frame provided with a rear wheel mounting for at least two back wheels. The front frame is connected via a rotary axis with the back frame, the rotary axis having a component parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A drive arrangement engages on at least one of the wheels; a steering arrangement is arranged for rotating at least one front wheel relative to the front frame, over a rotation axis with a vertical component. The rear wheel mounting comprises rotatable mounting members for mounting the rear wheels, the mounting members rotatable over a rotation axis with a vertical component, wherein one or more rear wheel steering actuators drive the mounting members. A tilt actuator controls the tilt position of the front frame relative to the rear frame, which is independent of the steering actuation of the rear wheel steer actuator.

A front frame is provided with a seat for at least one person and a front wheel mounting for at least one front wheel; and a back frame provided with a rear wheel mounting for at least two back wheels. The front frame is connected via a rotary axis with the back frame, the rotary axis having a component parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A drive arrangement engages on at least one of the wheels; a steering arrangement is arranged for rotating at least one front wheel relative to the front frame, over a rotation axis with a vertical component. The rear wheel mounting comprises rotatable mounting members for mounting the rear wheels, the mounting members rotatable over a rotation axis with a vertical component, wherein one or more rear wheel steering actuators drive the mounting members. A tilt actuator controls the tilt position of the front frame relative to the rear frame, which is independent of the steering actuation of the rear wheel steer actuator.

The vehicle includes: a vehicle body rotatable about a roll axis; one or more front wheels; a front wheel support supporting the one or more front wheels turnably to a turning direction about a turning axis; one or more rear wheels; an operation input unit to be operated to input a turning direction; a lean angle changing unit for changing a lean angle of the vehicle body in a vehicle width direction about a lean axis different from the roll axis; and a lean control unit for controlling the lean angle changing unit.