Foldable tricycle with seat actuation
View Patent ↗A foldable tricycle includes a first frame, a second frame movably coupled to the first frame, and a seat for supporting a rider, wherein the seat operates as an actuator for moving the first and second frames relative to each other. Additionally, a method of handling a foldable tricycle movable between a first position and a second position includes applying a force to the seat of the tricycle, wherein the applied force on the seat causes the tricycle to move from the first position to the second position.
1. A foldable tricycle, comprising:
a first frame having a steering assembly with a front wheel and a handlebar;
a second frame having a longitudinal axis, opposite ends and a pair of rear wheels on one of the ends of the second frame;
a seat assembly having a seat and a mount fixedly secured to the seat;
a first pivot pin defining a first pivot axis and providing pivotal movement of the first and second frames relative to one another between an extended position and a folded position, the first pivot pin located between the ends of the second frame; and
a second pivot pin defining a second pivot axis and providing pivotal movement of the first frame and the seat assembly relative to one another,
wherein when the first and second frames are in the folded position, downward force applied on the seat assembly causes pivotal movement of the seat assembly relative to the first frame and causes the seat assembly to contact the other one of the ends of the second frame at a contact point and force pivotal movement of the second frame relative to the first frame thus moving the first and second frames from the folded position to the extended position,
wherein a distance from the second pivot axis to the contact point is less than a distance from the second pivot axis to the first pivot axis,
wherein an axis passing through the first and second pivot axes forms an angle with the longitudinal axis of the second frame when the first and second frames are in the folded position, and
wherein an axis passing through the contact point and the first pivot axis is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second frame when the first and second frames are in the folded position.
2. The foldable tricycle according to claim 1 , wherein rotation of the seat assembly relative to the first frame in a first rotational direction causes rotation of the second frame relative to the first frame in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction.
3. The foldable tricycle according to claim 1 , wherein when the first and second frames are in the folded position, the seat is angled forward to discourage a rider from sitting in the seat.
4. The foldable tricycle according to claim 1 , further comprising a lock mechanism to fix an orientation of the first frame relative to the second frame when the first and second frames are in the extended position.
5. The foldable tricycle according to claim 1 , wherein the second frame engages the seat assembly through abutting contact.