CARGO TRICYCLE

Abstract

A tricycle for transportation of cargoes, comprising a frame on which connecting rods with pedals are mounted, a steering wheel, at least one driving sprocket, which is connected with the front axle by a flexible chain element, a bottom bracket shell, a seat; the front load-carrying platform with the front axle is rigidly fixed to the frame. The front axle of the cargo tricycle connected to the front load-carrying platform by external bearings has two front wheels, which are rigidly fixed onto two half-axles inserted into the external bearings connected by freewheeling clutches, between which a driven sprocket is located. The frame has a connected swivel fork, in which the rear wheel is mounted and which, via a swing rod assembly, is connected to the steering wheel.

In some cases, the tricycle may be equipped with one or two electric motors.

Claims

1. A cargo tricycle, comprising: a frame on which two connecting rods with pedals are mounted, one of which having at least one driving sprocket, a bottom bracket shell, a seat, a rear wheel, a front load-carrying platform with two front wheels, a steering wheel, a swivel block, a driven sprocket connected with the driving sprocket by a flexible chain element, characterized in that the rear wheel is mounted in a swivel fork, which is connected, by the swivel block, to the steering wheel located on the frame, the front load-carrying platform is combined with the frame, the front wheels are fixed rigidly on two half-axles connected by freewheeling clutches with the driven sprocket between them, which are installed into external bearings attached to the front load-carrying platform.

2. A cargo tricycle as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the seat is located above the rear wheel.

3. A cargo tricycle as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the steering wheel is equipped with brake handles with brake rods connected with disc brakes which are installed on the front wheels.

4. A cargo tricycle as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the rear wheel is equipped with an electric motor.

5. A cargo tricycle as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the bottom bracket shell is equipped with an electric motor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The invention is illustrated by the drawings.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a side view of the cargo tricycle.

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the cargo tricycle.

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a general view of the front axle of the cargo tricycle.

[0028] FIG. 4 shows the front axle in sectional view.

[0029] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the cargo tricycle with electric motors.

[0030] Neither the cargo tricycle’s drawings, nor the description of the design or of the use limit in any way the scope of the claims set forth in the patent claim, they only explain the essence of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] The cargo tricycle (FIGS. 1 and 2) consists of a frame (1), on which connecting rods (2) with pedals (3) are mounted, a steering wheel (4), brake handles (5), at least one driving sprocket (6), in some cases, if there are several driving sprockets, the frame is equipped with a speed switch (7), a bottom bracket shell (8), a seat (9) and a front load-carrying platform (10) with a front axle (11) and mounting holes (not marked on FIGS. 1 and 2), rigidly fixed to the frame (1).The frame (1) has a connected swivel fork (12), in which the rear wheel is mounted (13) and which, via a swing rod assembly (14), comprising pull rods and levers, is connected to the steering wheel (4). The driving sprocket (6) is connected to the front axle (11) by a flexible chain element (15), which is equipped with a chain tensioner (16).

[0032] The cargo tricycle’s front axle (11) (FIGS. 3 and 4) has two front wheels (17), which are fixed rigidly on two half-axles (18) connected by freewheeling clutches (19), between which a driven sprocket (20) is located. In some cases, the front wheels (17) may be equipped with discs brakes (21). The front axle (11) is connected to the front load-carrying platform (10) by external bearings (22), in which the half-axles (18) are installed.

[0033] In some cases, the rear wheel (13) may be equipped (FIG. 5) with an electric motor (23), well known from the background of invention as a motorized wheel. In some cases, the bottom bracket shell (8) may be equipped with an electric motor (24), well known from the background of invention as an electric motor with a battery and a microcontroller. In some cases, the tricycle can be made with two electric motors (23 and 24).

[0034] The cargo tricycle should be used as follows.

[0035] To put the cargo tricycle in motion, the driver should sit down on the seat (9) and apply force to the pedals (3), thereby rotating the connecting rods (2), which, in turn, will transmit the force to the rotating driving sprocket (6). The driving sprocket (6) is connected by a flexible chain element (15) to the driven sprocket (20), thus transmitting the torque to the front axle (11). In turn, the driven sprocket (20) transmits the torque to the front wheels (17), which begin to rotate and the tricycle starts moving. In case the rear wheel (13) is equipped with an electric motor (23), the driver can, if needed, simultaneously turn on the electric motor (23) and, thus, make the cargo tricycle all-wheel drive.

[0036] If the cargo tricycle’s bottom bracket shell (8) is equipped with an electric motor (24), it allows the driver to turn on the electric motor (24) if needed and to transport the cargo both with and without the use of the driver’s muscular force.

[0037] To make a turn, the driver should rotate the steering wheel (4), which is connected via a swivel block (14) to the swivel fork (12), and should turn the rear wheel (13) in the direction of movement.

[0038] The described cargo tricycle is characterized by simple design and small size, while ensuring high maneuverability and maximum payload capacity of the front load-carrying platform, which can be connected to a box with a coffee machine, a refrigerator with ice cream, a trailer for transportation of cargoes, a mail van, a trailer for transportation of passengers, which makes it more convenient and safe for both cargo and passengers transportation.

[0039] The possibility of simultaneous use of the chain drive on the front wheels and the electric drive on the rear wheel makes this cargo tricycle all-wheel drive, which further improves the performance of this cargo vehicle, its maneuverability and safety, and the use of the bottom bracket shell with an electric motor can increase the power of the cargo tricycle, and hence its load capacity.