IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,440,687
Granted Patent B2
US 9,440,687 · App. 14/299,604 · Granted Sep 13, 2016

Folding vehicle

Inventors: Chris P. Theodore (Birmingham, MI); Christopher David Batty (Bexleyheath, GB); Nicholas John Daiber (Highland, IL); Aaron Matthew Hanson (Lansing, MI); Keith Albert Nagara (Commerce, MI); Gregory VanderVoord (Clarkston, MI); Daniel John Kangas (Rock, MI); Jacob Scott Lanyon (Milford, MI)
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
B62D31/006B62K15/006B62B1/12B62K13/06
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,440,687
App. No.
14/299,604
Granted
Sep 13, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A folding vehicle structure includes a frame having a plurality of members. A first member intersects a second member at a first pivot point. A third member, spaced from the first and second members, intersects a fourth member, which is also spaced from the first and second members, at a second pivot point. The frame includes a first cross-member extending between the first and second intersection points. The frame is collapsible.

Claims (21)

1. A folding vehicle structure comprising:

a collapsible frame having a first member, a second member intersecting the first member at a first pivot point, a third member spaced from the first and second members, and a fourth member spaced from the first and second members, wherein the fourth member intersects the third member at a second pivot point, wherein the frame includes a first cross-member extending from the first pivot point to the second pivot point;

a plurality of wheels disposed on the frame; and

a battery configured to power at least one of the wheels,

wherein the collapsible frame includes a second cross-member spaced from and parallel to the first cross-member and perpendicular to the first member, the second member, the third member, and the fourth member, and wherein the battery is disposed in a battery pack attached to a seat disposed on the second cross-member.

2. The folding vehicle structure of claim 1 , further comprising a motor configured to rotate at least one of the wheels, wherein the motor is configured to drive at least one wheel toward at least one other wheel to collapse the frame.

3. The folding vehicle structure of claim 2 , wherein the motor is incorporated into at least one of the wheels.

4. The folding vehicle structure of claim 1 , wherein the battery pack is removable from the seat.

5. The folding vehicle structure of claim 1 , further comprising a floor structure disposed on the frame.

6. The folding vehicle structure of claim 5 , wherein the battery is disposed on the floor structure.

7. The folding vehicle structure of claim 5 , wherein the seat is disposed on the frame and spaced from the frame, wherein the battery is disposed between the floor structure and the seat.

8. The folding vehicle structure of claim 1 , wherein the battery is rechargeable.

9. A folding vehicle structure comprising:

a collapsible frame having a first member, a second member intersecting the first member at a first pivot point, a third member spaced from the first and second members, and a fourth member spaced from the first and second members, wherein the fourth member intersects the third member at a second pivot point, wherein the frame includes:

a first cross-member extending from the first pivot point to the second pivot point, and

a second cross-member spaced from and parallel to the first cross-member and perpendicular to the first member, the second member, the third member, and the fourth member;

a plurality of wheels disposed on the frame;

a seat disposed on the frame between the first and second members and the third and fourth members, wherein the seat is attached to the second cross-member; and

a battery pack having a battery configured to power at least one of the wheels, wherein the battery pack is disposed on the seat attached to the second cross-member.

10. The folding vehicle structure of claim 9 , wherein the battery pack is removable from the seat.

11. The folding vehicle structure of claim 9 , wherein the battery is rechargeable.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 9, 2014
From: THEODORE, CHRIS P.; BATTY, CHRISTOPHER DAVID; DAIBER, NICHOLAS JOHN; HANSON, AARON MATTHEW; KANGAS, DANIEL JOHN; LANYON, JACOB SCOTT; NAGARA, KEITH ALBERT; VANDERVOORD, GREGORY
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; THEODORE & ASSOCIATES LLC
Reel/Frame 033059/0063 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61833554 · Jun 11, 2013
Related Publication 20140360796A1 · Dec 11, 2014