US 7,549,494 B1
Transverse mounted mid-engine three wheel vehicle
Daniel A. Zichek, 3725 S. 17th St., Lincoln, Nebr. 68502 (US); and David A. Zichek, 5141 S. 37th St., Lincoln, Nebr. 68516 (US)
Filed on Mar. 27, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/389,965.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/668180, filed on Apr. 02, 2005.
Int. Cl. B62K 61/06 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 180—210  [180/311; 180/312] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A three-wheeled vehicle comprising:
a frame;
two back wheels and one front wheel;
seating;
first and second fuel tanks;
a storage compartment;
a transversely mounted multiple cylinder engine and transmission;
a transmission control means;
first braking means for applying wheel rotation slowing force simultaneously to said two back wheels; and
second braking means for applying wheel rotation slowing force to said front wheel;
at least one headlight;
at least one taillight;
dual front and back turn signals; and
an instrument panel;
said frame comprising functionally located means for securing non-frame elements of said three-wheeled vehicle thereto;
each of said two back wheels being independently rotatably secured to said frame via pivotally mounted rear axles thereby allowing motion in a vertical direction therearound, said rear axles each being further interconnected to said frame by struts;
said front wheel being rotatably mounted to said frame by way of a pivot means for allowing steering;
said seating being mounted to said frame between said two back wheels and said front wheel;
said at least one headlight and dual front turn signals being attached thereto such that a selection from the group:
when said front wheel is caused to be steered said dual headlights and turn signals are directed in the direction the front wheel is caused to assume;
when said front wheel is caused to be steered said dual headlights and turn signals are not directed in the direction the front wheel is caused to assume;
applies;said instrument panel being affixed in a location such that a user can easily observe them while sitting in said seating;
said transversely mounted multiple cylinder engine and transmission being solidly affixed to said frame via said means for securing non-frame elements of said three-wheeled vehicle thereto, at a mid-location between said seating and said independent rear axles, said transmission control means being mounted to said frame in a location such that a user can easily operate it while sitting in said seating;
each of said rear wheels being functionally interconnected to said transversely mounted engine and transmission by a drive shaft which comprises two constant velocity universal joints;
the first of said fuel tanks being affixed to said frame below said seating, and the second being affixed to said frame between said seating and said means for allowing steering of said front wheel;
said storage compartment being present within said frame at a location between said seating and said front wheel;
said at least one tailight being mounted to said three-wheeled vehicle so as to be visible from in back of the rear wheels; andsaid dual back turn signals being mounted one to the left and one to the right of a centerline of said three-wheeled vehicle as viewed from in back of the rear wheels.