ROAD VEHICLE FOR TRANSPORTING PEOPLE AND GOODS, WITH VARIABLE WEIGHTS DISPLACEMENT

Title:

ROAD VEHICLE FOR TRANSPORTING PEOPLE AND GOODS, WITH VARIABLE WEIGHTS DISPLACEMENT

Document Type and Number:

WIPO Patent Application WO/1999/048745

Kind Code:

A1

Abstract:

In the traditional vehicles, the driver's position is fixed on one of the 2 sides; this involves an unbalancing of the weights in the order of 6/7 %. In a small vehicle a fixed position of the driver could cause weight's unbalance above 25 %. This fact can decrease the vehicle stability on the bends. This industrial invention allows the side shifting of the driver's position in the vehicle, thus always allowing the establishment of the weights balance. Therefore it provides the best road holding to the vehicle. Moreover, the system facilitates the use of such vehicle by handicapped people.

Inventors:

VIGANO' GIORGIO (IT)

Application Number:

PCT/IT1999/000067

Publication Date:

September 30, 1999

Filing Date:

March 23, 1999

Export Citation:

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Assignee:

VIGANO GIORGIO (IT)

International Classes:

B62D1/18; B62D1/181; (IPC1-7): B62D1/18

Foreign References:

EP0050929A1	1982-05-05
DE2113770A1	1972-10-12
DE19624686A1	1997-01-02

Other References:

None

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Claims:

C L A I M S

1.

1) Road vehicle for transporting people and goods, in which it is possible to change the steering wheel position in such a way to allow the sidewards shifting of the driver's position, by means of a steering wheel support, which is angled so as to have the steering wheel at its one end laterally displaced from its pivoting axis at its other end; thus balancing weights according to transported people and goods.

2.	Road vehicle as per Claim 1) above, where it is possible to rotate the pedals, in order to center them on the driver, as already said for the steering wheel, in any position where he might be seated.

3.

Road vehicle as per Claim 1) above, where the rotation of the steering wheel support and column allows handicapped people to enter backwards into the vehicle, while sitting on their wheelchair and drive away without help. AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 09 September 1999 (09.09.99); original claims 13 replaced by new claims 18 (2 pages)] CLAIM 1): Very small road vchicte, about 2 meters long, for transporting pcopic and goods, in which it is possible to change the steering whee) position in such a way to allow the sidewards shifting of the driver's position, by means of a steering whcc ! support, which ; s angted so as to have the stccring whecl at its one hand, laterally displaced from its pivoting axis at its other end; thus halancing weights ac. cording to transported people and goods. The Vchicle has been conceived: neither for adaptation to right or lefthand driving Countries : nor, for improving sight or visibility while manoeuvering. CLAIM 2): Very small vehicle as per Claim 1) above, where the steeringwheel mechanism can be casily turned, up to more than 90° degrees ; thus totally freeing the entrance from the frc1nt.Th i s allows: handicapped people to enter into the vehicle going backwards, whiie sitting on their whcc)chair, cse the vchicte and dr, ive away, without any help; the easy entrance of 2/3 persons with their luggage. CLAIM 3): Very small vehicte as per proceeding Ctaitns, where the empty weight is about 300 Kgs. and that can carry 2/3 per sons with luggagc for additionat 250 K9s.lt is because of the Variahtc Weights Distribution that the vehic ! c has a high roadholding in spite of the very low ratio, empty weght: tran sported weight. Cl. A I M 4): Very æma I I veh i c I e as per above ctaims, that, due to the Variable Weights Distribution can run above 80 Kms/h and turn at a high speed. CLAIM S): Very small vehicle as per Claims 1 to 5 above, that has normatjy c) bench seat that a) tows easier ptacement for better balance of people and luggage. CLAIM 6): Very small vehicle as per above claims, where the _ steeringwhell pivoting support can be easily and simply re leased/locked where desired, by means of about two screws or @@@@ntrics or other simlest devices. CLAIM 7): Very small road Vehicle as per above Claims, where it is possible to rotate the pedals, in order to center them on the driver, as already said for the steeringwheel, in any position where be might be scated, from the center to the side; In t:<]s<oucott)continuousvr'iotortrnsrnistor),that requires only two pedals break and accelerator this teutt'MfnbeHktppcd,th<?vchtutccoutdbedrivenwfh one only foot that, according to the position of the driver, eou)dbthrihtorthe!<L')'tone. CLAIM 8): Very small vehicle where the old, traditional and dangerous in accidents, steeringcolumn has been eliminated i n favourof.1!<jtcr.'))steerjnwbctsupportthntprotects tive: driver by absorbing the shocks through the sfcevesor e) se c :) utchinu the steering wheel support at i ts basc.

4.	In addition, it can betaken OLIT of the way, as per Oaim.

5.

above. STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19 F n MFW0RS Amendements to original Claims, are dueto: toonucx:intcxp!anot)onofmnovttons,uiveninorioinritPCTrequest; the sptit of innovations proposed on onc only vehicle, over: PCT/IT98/00359 PCT/IT99/00006 PCT/IT99/0067, while they are strictly interdependent. C 0 M M E N1S As regards the international search report: 1) n) Scope of EP050929A is to have a unique vehicle for right or lefthand drive vehicles' weight balance, is totally disregarded. My vehicle's principal scope, reported in title, description, abstract and Claims, is to enable the weights balancing in a ve ry small vehicle the right or lefthand drive issue is out of question. b) Structure and movement of [P050929A are totally different from th ones mentioned in my PCT/tT99/00067 that, due also to the driver's shifting limitation within only half of the vehicle's width is simpler to operate and manufacture, Icss cxpcnsivc and has longer life. c) EP050929A reduces drastically the functionality of a vehicle, as: excludes the entrance into the vehicle from the front, specifi cally for handicapped people sitting on their wheelchair ; even a short vchic) c/ nbout two meters tontj as mine, cannot park perpendicularly to the pavement, without having large late ru spilces to step out, Tu resume, my invent ion improves stabi ! ity and funct iona ! ity of very small vehicles, not being a way to make vehicles suitable for right or left drive, nor to improve visibility. 2) a) D [2113770A has the scope of offering always the best view to dri v<.'rnoft'nomy\.'ch!c!es,nMtntyfo!'t)L)ricu)t,urfd<)!m.str!cdus.. Also for this patent are valid my comments at 1) a), b) & c) above. h)tndc)it.)un,thtL'ut)mp!<*xmccttrxMttt/ffktnnt'uvrcsdiscr'ibedinDE2ii.77CA cannot be applied to a very small passenger vehicle, about 2 meters long, as per drawings FIG. 4), 8), 10), 11), 13), because there is not the space required to rotate the steeringwhell/scats complex, not even for a few degrees. not even for a few degrees. 3) a) Comments on DF19624686A are the s@me as 1) a), b) & c) above, b) In addition the above patent seems referring to a monoseater vehicle unsuitable for a very small vehicle capable of transporting 2/3 persons as mine. GENERAL: the similarities amongst. EP050929A, DE2113770A, ond DF 19624686A (the first one dates back to 1971) are evident; while my invention is different in scope, funtionality, simplicity, cost structure and fnnHthi) ity on veh i c I c. R E Q U E S T I ask that: 1) my invention be recognised as innovative agains background art; 2) I be advised on procedures and ways to unify my PCT/I T 98/00359 PCT/ ! T 99/03006PCT/tT 99/00067 us, in f'oct, thMy. ire regard inc, the same new vehicle and are interdependent to the point that without anyone of them: the vehicle will decrease its high functionality and safety; it would be difficult even to understand how the vehicle could work.

6.	In case of refusal, I ask to be admitted to an oral proceeding.

Description:

D E S C R I P T I 0 N Title:"ROAD VEHICLE FOR TRANSPORTING PEOPLE AND GOODS, WITH WARIABLE WEIGHTS DISPLACEMENT" In order to better explain the essence of this Invention, I make reference to two precedent PCT on the same vehicle, whose drawings are reported on the attachement 2/2.

FIG. 8), 9) & 10) refer to PCT/IT 98/00359 filed 11.12.98; FIG. 11), 12), 13) & 14) refer to PCT/IT 99/00006 filed 19.1. 99.

BACKGROUND ART Usually, in the traditional vehicles, the steering wheel has a fixed loca tion on one side of the vehicle.-Therefore, also the driver's position is fixed on the left side or on the right side (England).-So, when the driver is alone, a weights balance originates in the vehicle.

The vehicles manufacturers partially obviate to this balance, by pla- cing, on the opposite side, some heavy component, such as: the battery, the reservoir, the differential, pumps, alternators, ect.-it happens that, when the passenger is much more heavy than the driver, the weight unbalance is emphasized.

However, in a medium-size traditional vehicle that weights about 1.300 Kgs., the side position of the driver induces an balance of ab.6/7%, tha is considerable only in extreme driving conditions.

But, in a small vehicle that weighs about 300 Kgs., if the driver is alone, he can induce an balance above 25%.-If in these conditions, the vehicle turns right with a sharp angle and a considerable speed, the inside wheels could rise.

DJSCLOSURE OF) NVENT) ON The innovations that are the object of this Industrial Invention, have the scope of eliminating the weights balance in a small vehicle, through the possibility of shifting the steering wheel and the driver's position, in order to reach a perfect balance, considering also the weights of passengers and goods.

For example, the driver can seat in the center, if he is alone; seat nor mally on the left, if he is accompanied, and, in any case, situate his position in the right place to balance the actual weiths of passengers and luggage.-For the right-hand-drive vehiclesoeverything is reverse.

The above is obtained by moving the support of the steering wheel, in order to place it right in front of the driver, wherever he could choose to sit, shifting sideway in the vehicle.

This is possible because, in a small vehicle where, in any case, the distance of the pedals from the seat must be anatomical, such distance is relatively long; therefore it allows that the lateral moves of the driver's position, induce a minimum displacement of the steering wheel as regards the pedals, that could be mesured in about 10° (degrees).

This limited displacement, that allows the balancing of weights, is prac tically irrelevant and more contained than in many vehicles circulating to day.-This displacement is felt even less, when the vehicle has a ccntinuoustyvaridbte transmission that, reducing pedats onty to break and acce- lerator, allows to drive with one foot only.

Although unnecessary, it could be adopted a mechanism that turns pedals in correspondence with the moves of the steering set-up.

THE POSSIBILITY OF LATERAL SHIFTING OF THE DRIVER, THAT IS ACHIEVED THROUGH A SUITABLE CHANGE OF THE ANGLES OF THE STEERING WHEEL PLANE & SUP- PORT IS THE PRINCIPAL ASPECT OF THIS INDUSTRIAL INVENTION, INDEPENDEN- TLY FROM THE MECHANISM ADOPTED.- The mechanisms shown below as examples, are anyhow part of the Invention.

The move of the steering wheel can be obtained in different ways, amongst them: 1) If the steering wheel column is set laterally as in FIG. 1) & 4) of the attached Drawings table,-important part of this invention-its rota tion for a few angle degrees, can achieve the centering of the steering wheel in front of the driver, in any point he may seat, comprised be- tween the center and the lateral end of the vehicle. (left for Italy).

FIG. 1) shows, with a projection from above, a lateral steering column pivoting on (4) that, at the end of an horizontal arm (2), bears the steering wheel.

When the driver seats centrally on the bench seat, the steering column, pivoting on (4) moves the horizontal arm and the steering wheel, rispec- tively to the positions (2a) & (3a), putting the steering wheel in a cor rect position in front of the driver.

FIG. 4) shows the same steering system as in FIG. 1), but seen from the front of the vebicle.-N° (4) & (5) of FIG. 4) show 2 possible positions that the driver can take.-The steering column (2) of FIG. 4) can turn clock-wise and viceversa, and can be locked/unlocked in (1) in order to correctly fix the steering wheel in front of the driver.

This structure allows the rotation of the steering wheel and column, by an angle wider than 90° (ninety degrees); therefore, it is possible to totally free. the access to the bench-seat, by shifting to the left side the whole steering set-up.-A)soahandicappedman can then enter (backwards) the vehicle, while sitting on his wheel-chair, without help.

The rotation and locking of the lateral steering column, can take place in several ways.-We describe herebelow some of them: ° FIG. 2) shows 2 discs (3) & (5) separated by a suitable material (cork or else),-Theese discs are pressed by eccentric members (6), screws or else, suitable to lock/unlock the rotation of the steering column.

FIG. 2° shows the discs separately, for better understanding.

° Or, more simply, adopting, as in FIG. 3) a sleeve (1) clutched around the steering column (2) by means of flaps (3) tightened by screws (4), eccentrics, or else.

2) FIG. 5) shows an alternative mechanism that, through the adjustment of: a) the steering column support 5), turning as per (14); b) the rotation of the steering column (2) with the steering wheel (1), vertically in respect of the axel (13); c) the horizontal angle of the steering column (2), with the steering wheel (1); allows to achieve the best possible position of the steering wheel in front of the driver, in any place he would seat, on the left half of the bench-seat.

The steering column (2) is connected to the steering axel (13), by means of an universal joint (3), that also allows the movements described at points b) and c) above.

The knob (9) turns an axel that screws in the nut (11), thus tightening 2 crown wheels (10) positioned at both ends of the perforated bar (15).

This allows to fix the two gides (6) at an angle that give the best ver- tical position to the steering column/wheel assembly, as regards the driver.

The bearing (4) can be fixed in the wanted position by the knob (12) that, screwing in the inside of the bearing (4), bites the 2 gides (6), holding the ball bearing in the wanted position.-The ball joint (8) al- lows the steering wheel (1) to achieve the correct position.

The bands (7) are conceived to reinforce the conjunction of the whole mechanism to the steering support (5).

This kind of mechanism, as shown in FIG. 5), allows, besides the possibi lity of giving to the steering wheel an infinite number of micrometric regulations, also the possibility of freeing easily and completely, the access to the bench seat, by rotating the steering column support (5) by more than 90° (degrees).

This is useful also for letting in handicapped People sitting on their wheel-chair, otoarse, aftlw having removed part of the standard bench-seat.

3) Adopting a more traditional steering column FIG. 6), integral part of this Invention, it can be actuated the side shifting of the steering wheel and, consequently, of the driver, also through a floor cardan joint (3).

Also through this mechanism, it is possible to achieve the weight balance; but it can be not equally functional for an use by handicapped People.

In FIG. 6), the steering wheel (1) and relevant column (2) are facing the drivcr who seats on the left side, and transmits rotation to an axel si- tuated at the floor level, through a cardan joint (3), or other type of flexible joint.-The steering column (2) is connected to the column (5) by a sliding ball joint.-When the driver, in order to establish the weights balance, has to shift laterally towards the center of the vehi- cle, the steering wheel, sliding along the column (5), as in FIG. 6), to the positions (la), (2a) & (4a), will place itself in the ideal posi- tion for the driver.

Also in this case, by fixing the column (5) with one of the mechanism in dicated in FIG. 2) & 3), and by fixing the ball-joint (4) along column (5) it is possible to choose practically endless angles and inclinations sui table to the driver and to the weghts balance.

In the inferior part, the cardan joint (3) ends with ssleeve (7) that has on top a larger metal ring.-Said sleeve is engaged upon a vertical axel (8) suitably shaped, from which the rotation of the steering wheel is transmitted, through traditional mechanisms, to the steered wheels.

A sliding yoke (9) is inserted over the metal ring (11). fthe sleeve (7), preventing the cardan joint (3) to sleep off from the axel (8).

The floor (10), through the hole (11), will make possible to slip off the cardan joint (3) from the axel (8), when the yoke (9) is moved back, as per drawings.-FIG. 7) shows an enlargement of FIG. 6) including the car- dan joint and its way of angaging/disengaging from the lower axel (8).

The disinsertion of the column (2) from axel (8), together with the rota tion of more than 90° (degrees) of the column (5), makes it possible to 'otally clear the access from the front, to the inside of the vehicle, with the exception of the two diving pedals.

This can be done, because the column (5), the steering wheel (1) and the column (2), through a rotation as per (6) can be set aside on the left (for the left-hand-drive vehicles) in such a position to occupy spaces not required for entering.

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