Trike-type go-kart and motorization kit for such a go-kart

Abstract

Trike-type kart, motorization kit for such a kart, and trike-type kart comprising such a motorization kit. The invention relates to a trike-type kart 1, comprising a frame-shaped chassis 2 including two longitudinal members 3, 4 connected by a cross member 5 at their rear end 6, these longitudinal members 3, 4 joining, in the front part 7 of the chassis 2, a steering tube 8 through which passes a fork tube 9, the lower end of which is integral with a fork 10 receiving a steering wheel 11, on the upper end of the fork tube 9 being mounted a handlebar 12, the chassis 2 resting, in its rear part 15, on an axle 17 having end parts 18, 19, extending on either side of this chassis 2.Advantageously, on the chassis 2, parallel to the end portions 18, 19 extending on either side of this chassis 2 from the drive shaft defining the axle 17, are mounted axle sections 25, 26 for the free rotation of a return roller 27. The invention also relates to a motorization kit for such a kart and a trike-type kart comprising such a motorization kit. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Trike-type kart and motorization kit for such a kart

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of three-wheeled karts, of the trike type, also called downhill karts. It also relates to a motorization kit for such a kart.

[0002] Similar to the practice of sledding, the use of downhill karts is known for hurtling down snowy slopes or in the absence of snow.

[0003] These karts are of very simple configuration and comprise a chassis in the form of a frame essentially defined by two tubular side members connected at their rear end by a cross member. In this rear part, this frame rests on a rigid transverse axle whose ends extend on either side of this chassis and on which wheels are mounted. In their front part, the two tubular side members meet at the height of a steering tube crossed by the tube of a fork receiving a steering wheel. Its orientation is ensured by means of a handlebar mounted on the end of the fork tube and equipped with grips as well as brake controls. On the chassis rests a seat for the driver, who also has footrests at the level of the fork.

[0004] As with winter sports, ski lifts are often used to reach the top of the slopes to be descended. Thanks to the rise of emission-free electric motors, motorized karts are also known, in the form of rear axle propulsion or traction through the front wheel equipped with an electric motor hub.

[0005] In the case of rear-wheel drive, the axle takes the form of a drive shaft on which the chassis rests by means of bearings, on this shaft acting the engine by means of suitable drive means.

[0006] If the solution of a traction motor is hardly suitable for progress on snow due to the poor grip provided on this type of terrain by the front wheel alone, a motor on the rear wheels is hardly more efficient for climbing snowy slopes.

[0007] It was within the framework of an inventive approach that it was imagined that on either side of the chassis of the kart, the latter comprises, parallel to the ends of the engine drive shaft, a section of axle for receiving, in a freely rotating manner, a return roller.

[0008] Such a configuration makes it easy to replace the wheels normally mounted on the ends of the drive shaft with sprockets for the drive. of tracks partially winding around, on the one hand, these sprockets and, on the other hand, the return rollers previously mounted on said axle sections.

[0009] Advantageously, these axle sections are defined by the ends of the fixed axle of a kart initially without motorization, the latter being associated with an auxiliary chassis comprising means of fixing on the rear part of the kart and resting through bearings on an axle in the form of a drive shaft whose ends are defined capable of receiving, depending on the case, drive wheels or sprockets, with this drive shaft cooperating with a motor by means of suitable transmission means.

[0010] Thus, the invention relates to a kart, of the trike type, comprising a frame-shaped chassis comprising two side members connected by a cross member at their rear end, these side members joining, in the front part of the chassis, a steering tube crossed by a fork tube whose lower end is integral with a fork receiving a steering wheel, on the upper end of the fork tube being mounted a handlebar, the chassis resting, in its rear part, on an axle comprising end parts, extending on either side of this chassis, characterized in that on the chassis are mounted, parallel to the end parts extending on either side of this chassis of the drive shaft defining the axle, axle sections for receiving, in a freely rotatable manner, a return roller.

[0011] The invention also relates to a motorization kit for a kart, of the trike type, comprising a frame-shaped chassis comprising two side members connected by a cross member at their rear end, these side members joining, in the front part of the chassis, a steering tube crossed by a fork tube whose lower end is secured to a fork receiving a steering wheel, on the upper end of the fork tube being mounted a handlebar, the chassis resting, in its rear part, on a fixed axle, characterized in that the motorization kit comprises an auxiliary chassis provided with means for fixing to the rear part of the kart, on this auxiliary chassis resting by suitable fixing means a motor connected to the drive shaft by transmission means, the auxiliary chassis resting through bearings on an axle in the form of a drive shaft whose ends are designed to receive, as the case may be,wheels or sprockets, the ends of the fixed axle on either side of the chassis defining axle sections capable of receiving return rollers.

[0012] The invention also relates to a kart, of the trike type, equipped with a motorization kit comprising a chassis in the form of a frame comprising two side members connected by a cross member at their rear end, these side members joining, in the front part of the chassis, a steering tube crossed by a fork tube whose lower end is integral with a fork receiving a steering wheel, on the upper end upper part of the fork tube being mounted a handlebar, the chassis resting, in its rear part, on a fixed axle, characterized in that on the ends of the axle in the form of a drive shaft of the motorization kit are mounted wheels or, alternatively, the ends of the axle in the form of a drive shaft of the motorization kit are mounted sprockets, on the axle sections of the ends of the fixed axle on either side of the chassis are mounted return rollers, on each pair, return roller - sprocket, on either side of the chassis, being mounted a track which comes to be partially wound around a return roller and a sprocket.

[0013] The advantages arising from the present invention consist in that a kart, of the trike type, comprising motorized propulsion means on the rear wheels, is capable of being equipped, in place of its rear driving wheel(s), with drive tracks, allowing this kart to move with perfect grip on snow as well as any other type of terrain.

[0014] The motorization kit also allows not only to easily associate an authorization with a trike type kart which did not have one while making this kart modular for use on snow thanks to tracks or on any other type of terrain by substituting wheels for the tracks.

[0015] Other aims and advantages of the present invention will become apparent during the description which follows relating to 1 exemplary embodiment. Understanding of this description will be facilitated by referring to the attached drawing in which:

[0016] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] represents in plan and in a schematic manner a kart, of the trike type, of classic configuration without motorization;

[0017] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a representation similar to [Fig.l] illustrating in plan and in a schematic manner a strike-type kart with a motorization, according to the invention;

[0018] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a representation similar to figures 1 illustrating in plan and in a schematic manner a strike type kart with motorization kit, according to the invention;

[0019] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic, partial and sectional representation illustrating the junction piece connecting a motorization kit to the rear part of the chassis of a kart according to the invention;

[0020] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] represents this junction piece in perspective;

[0021] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] represents in a schematic, partial and side view manner the connection of the motorization kit to the rear part of the kart;

[0022] [Fig.7] is a perspective representation of a kart according to the invention with wheels

[0023] [Fig.8] is a perspective representation of a kart according to the invention with caterpillars.

[0024] [Fig.l] of the attached drawings illustrates, in a schematic manner, a kart 1, of the trike type, of classic configuration without motorization, according to the state of the art.

[0025] This kart 1 comprises a chassis 2 in the form of a frame comprising two side members 3, 4 connected by a cross member 5 at their rear end 6. In the front part 7 of this chassis 2, the side members 3, 4 meet at the height of a steering tube 8. This is crossed by a fork tube 9 whose lower end is integral with a fork 10 receiving a steering wheel 11. The orientation of this steering wheel 11 is ensured by means of a handlebar 12 mounted on the upper end of the fork tube 9, handlebar 12 receiving grips 13 at its ends, as well as control means, in particular brakes 14.

[0026] In its rear part 15, the chassis 2 rests, by means of bearings 16 (visible in [Fig. 6]), on an axle 17 comprising end parts 18, 19, extending on either side of the chassis 2 and on each of which is mounted a wheel 20. To accommodate a passenger, a seat 21 is fixed to this chassis 2, while footrests 22 can be provided on either side of the fork 10, substantially at the height of the axis of the steering wheel 11.

[0027] Such a trike-type Kart 1 comprises braking means (not shown). These are generally associated with at least one of the wheels, which comprises a means carrying a brake disc on which act the jaws of a brake caliper made integral with a fixed part of the chassis 2.

[0028] [Fig. 2] is a representation similar to [Fig. 1] showing a motorized trike type kart 1, in accordance with the invention. Note that an identical reference in the figures designates the same part or identical or similar means.

[0029] Thus, the kart 1 comprises as axle 17, a drive shaft on which acts, by means of suitable transmission means 23, a motor 24, preferably electric, fixed to the rear part 15 of the chassis 2. In a manner not visible in the figures, on this chassis 2 can also be mounted the power supply battery(ies) of such an electric motor 24, just as the user can access, at the level of the handlebars 12, means for controlling this motor 24, in particular acceleration.

[0030] On the chassis 2 of the kart 1, according to the invention, are mounted, parallel to the end parts 18, 19 extending on either side of this chassis 2 of the drive shaft defining the axle 17, axle sections 25, 26 for receiving, in a freely rotating manner, a return roller 27.

[0031] Preferably, these axle sections 25, 26 are mounted, respectively, on either side of the chassis 2 in the same axial alignment. Furthermore, each of them is located in a longitudinal alignment 28 of an end portion, respectively, 18; 19 of the drive shaft corresponding to the axle 17.

[0032] Thanks to this configuration, the wheels 20 initially mounted on the end parts 18, 19 of the drive shaft 17 can be replaced by sprockets. 29 (or drive pulleys), while on the axle section 25, 26 are mounted the return rollers 27, so that on each pair, return roller 27 - sprocket 29, on either side of the chassis 2, a track 30 can be mounted, partially winding around this return roller 27 and this sprocket 29. This track 30 is preferably made of rubber or a synthetic material with similar characteristics.

[0033] In short, thanks to the configuration resulting from the present invention, a wheeled kart 20, preferably motorized, can be transformed, very easily, into a tracked kart for use on snowy slopes, for example.

[0034] Advantageously, in accordance with figures 3 to 8, the axle sections 25, 26 are defined by the ends of the fixed axle 17 of a kart 1 initially without motorization M, the latter comprising an auxiliary chassis 31 provided with fixing means 32 on the rear part 33 of the kart 1. This auxiliary chassis 31 rests through bearings 16A on an axle in the form of a drive shaft 17A, the ends 18A, 19A of which can receive, depending on the case, wheels 20 or sprockets 27.

[0035] According to an advantageous embodiment, the auxiliary chassis 31 comprises two lateral side members 35, a front cross member 35 and, optionally, a rear cross member 36.

[0036] On this auxiliary chassis 31 rests, by means of suitable fixing means (not shown), a motor 37, preferably of the electric type, knowing that the present invention is in no way limited to this type of motor. Transmission means 38 connecting this motor 37 to the drive shaft 17A are designed to ensure the rotational drive of the latter by means of this motor 37.

[0037] On this auxiliary chassis 31 can also be mounted at least one battery supplying a motor 37 of the electric type, as well as a unit for managing the operation of the latter.

[0038] As is clear from the preceding description, the motorization M, according to the invention, is in the form of a kit designed to be attached, using the fixing means 32, to the rear part 33 of a non-motorized kart 1.

[0039] Regarding the fixing means 32, these can take different forms of embodiment. However, in a preferred configuration notably visible in figures 4 and 5, they are defined by at least one connecting piece 39, preferably several, designed to grip, simultaneously, the fixed axle 17 of a non-motorized kart 1, the cross member 5, connecting at their rear end 6 the side members 3 and 4 of the chassis 2 of this kart 1, and the front cross member 35 of the auxiliary chassis 31 of the motorization kit M.

[0040] As visible in [Fig. 5], such a junction piece 39 is composed of two jaws 40, 41 each comprising housings 42, 43, 44 designed to grip, respectively, the fixed axle 17, the cross member 5 and the front cross member 35. These two jaws 40, 41 are capable of being tightened onto each other using clamping means known to those skilled in the art, such as screws or other means, not shown in the figures.

[0041] The fixing means 32 may be supplemented by at least one connecting arm 45 connecting at least one lateral side member 34 of the auxiliary chassis 31 to the chassis 2 of the kart 1. Preferably, two connecting arms 45 connect the auxiliary chassis 31 on either side to the chassis 2 of the kart 1.

[0042] According to 1 advantageous embodiment, near their rear end 6 the side members 4 of the chassis 2 are surmounted by a gusset 46, preferably metallic but which could also be made of synthetic material. These gussets 46 comprise an upper end 47 to which a first end 48 of a connecting arm 45 is made integral, the other end 49 of which is fixed to one of the lateral side members 34 of the auxiliary chassis 31.

[0043] According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting arms 45 are defined by spring shock absorbers 50 which have the advantage of providing improved comfort of use of such a kart 1 equipped with a motorization kit M according to the invention.

[0044] Furthermore, on the rear end 51, opposite the front cross member 35 of the side members 34 of the auxiliary chassis 31, a bumper bar 52 is preferably mounted.

[0045] As visible in Figures 7 and 8, above, depending on the case, wheels 20 or tracks 30 may extend from the mudguards 53, 53A. Note, in this regard, that in the configuration of a kart 1 with wheels 20, the mudguards 53 are likely to be fixed at least in part and in a removable manner on the end parts 18, 19 of the fixed axle 17. In a tracked configuration, these mudguards 53A are preferably fixed on the auxiliary chassis 31 by means of suitable fixing means, not visible in the figures.

[0046] Such a trike-type Kart 1, according to the invention, also comprises braking means (not shown). These may be associated with the drive shaft defining the axle 17A of the motorization kit. Thus, these braking means may comprise a brake disc mounted integral in rotation on this drive shaft 17A and on which act the jaws of a brake caliper made integral with a fixed part of the auxiliary chassis 31. The braking action is then transmitted, depending on the case, to at least one wheel 20 in a configuration of the kart 1 with wheels or to at least one sprocket 29 in a configuration with tracks 30. It is also possible to imagine a different design in either case.Thus, in a tracked configuration, the return roller(s) 27 may comprise a disc hub on which the jaws of a brake caliper act, secured to a fixed part of the chassis 2, while in a wheeled configuration these means of . braking are provided to act on the drive shaft 17A as described above.

[0047] The advantages arising from the present invention consist, essentially, in that a kart 1, of the trike type, motorized, is capable of being adapted, thanks to its modularity, to any type of terrain, snowy or not.

[0048] Thanks to the motorization kit according to the invention, a kartl, of the trike type, initially without a motor, can, at the same time, be easily motorized, while gaining in modularity of use.

Claims

Claims

1. Kart 1, of the trike type, comprising a chassis 2 in the form of a frame comprising two longitudinal members 3, 4 connected by a cross member 5 at their rear end 6, these longitudinal members 3, 4 joining, in the front part 7 of the chassis 2, a steering tube 8 crossed by a fork tube 9 whose lower end is integral with a fork 10 receiving a steering wheel 11, on the upper end of the fork tube 9 being mounted a handlebar 12, the chassis 2 resting, in its rear part 15, on an axle 17 comprising end parts 18, 19, extending on either side of this chassis 2, characterized in that on the chassis 2 are mounted, parallel to the end parts 18, 19 extending on either side of this chassis 2 of the drive shaft defining the axle 17, sections of axis 25, 26 for receiving, in a freely rotating manner, a return roller 27.

2. Kart 1 of the trike type, according to claim 1, characterized in that the axle sections 25, 26 are mounted, respectively, on either side of the chassis 2 in the same axial alignment, each of the axle sections 25, 26 being located in a longitudinal alignment 28 of an end part, respectively, 18; 19 of the axle shaft 17.

3. Kart 1 of the trike type, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that on each of the end parts 18, 19 of the axle 17 extending on either side of this chassis 2 is mounted a wheel 20.

4. Kart 1 of the trike type, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that on each of the end parts 18, 19 of the axle 17 is mounted a sprocket 29 and on each of the axle sections 25, 26 is mounted free to rotate, a return roller 27, on each pair, return roller 27 - sprocket 29, on either side of the chassis 2, a track 30 being mounted by partially winding around a return roller 27 and a sprocket 29.

5. Kart 1 of the trike type according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises as axle 17, a drive shaft on which acts, by means of suitable transmission means 23, a motor 24 fixed to the rear part 15 of the chassis 2.

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