Improvements to a quadricycle chassis

Abstract

A chassis for a quadracycle movable from a first user configuration to a second shipping configuration, comprises a main structure 20 having a cargo platform 30 and a structural back bone 40; a steering frame 50, including a first steering frame mount 54; a seat frame 60 including a first seat frame mount 64; the main structure 20 further including a second steering frame mount 21, a second seat frame mount 22; wherein in the first user position the seat frame 60 and steering frame 50 are attached to the main structure 20 and extend vertically from the main structure 20; and in the second shipping configuration the seat frame 60 and / or steering frame 50 are orientated horizontally.

Description

Field The present invention relates to quadricycle chassis. More particularly, the present invention relates to a quadricycle chassis construction for an electrically assisted quadracycle for carrying cargo. Background To address environmental concerns over air-pollution and greenhouse gas emissions there is a demand for alternatives to conventional motorised combustion vehicles which can meet the needs of the supply chain. In urban centres in particular, cargo delivery needs are increasingly met by human powered cycles, with and without electrical assistance to augment the pedal power of the rider. The addition of electrical power increases the range and speed of such cycles whilst retaining their benefits; namely their lack of contribution to air pollution and potential to ease traffic congestion due to their small size relative to other road vehicles. The cargo capacity of a conventional electrically assisted bicycle, or e-bike, is limited however, due to the bicycle’s decreased handleability at higher loads. Electrically assisted quadracycles provide a solution to this problem, the stability provided by their four-wheel configuration allowing higher cargo loads to be carried safely. In a typical vehicle of this type, such as the ones disclosed in GB2584919B and EP3380393B1, the rider is positioned at the front of the vehicle between the two front wheels and cargo is loaded behind the rider between the two rear wheels. With electric assistance it is possible for a quadracycle to carry a substantial load. This can be as much as 350kg or more giving an all up mass of 550kg for a heavy quadracycle for carrying goods. Quadracycles for carrying cargo are still often partially powered by pedals. In many jurisdictions by regulation an electric assisted quadricycle must only be electrically assisted meaning that the rider must be inputting a torque in order for the electrical assistance to function. As mentioned above the benefits to the environment and the load carrying capacity of a quadricycle over a bicycle are both advantageous. However, whilst light weight, to allow sufficient cargo capacity, a quadricycle, and even just a quadricycle chassis occupies a substantial volume. A cargo carrying quadricycle chassis includes a steering mechanism, controls associated there with, a seat for the user, a support structure for each and a cargo platform for carrying cargo. All these items need to be rigidly connected in order for the user to feel confident in the machine and for it to function correctly. Therefore, a quadricycle chassis can be extremely bulky given its weight. This is advantageous for carrying cargo but when moving the chassis’ from the point of manufacture to the point of sale or from the point of sale to the customer the volume occupied by the chassis makes shipping prohibitively expensive. Cargo bikes can be shipped in component form to make them more compact but the chassis is still occupies a large volume alone as this is traditionally a unitary welded component. Local re-assembly can lead to quality issues and is time consuming in particular installation and testing of braking and other safety systems is preferably completed by the manufacture. A quadricycle will have to be assembled to a stage that it can be tested before leaving the factory In order to maintain quality. It is inefficient if this must then be disassembled for shipping and reassembled on arrival at the destination. A quadricycle, when used as a commercial cargo carrier must be both strong in order to provide long life and be reliable and light weight in order to increase the load that can be carried within the prevailing regulations and maximise the range provided by the battery and / or human providing the power. Quadricycles often include pedals and an accompanying drive train which must be accommodated in the design of the chassis limiting the volume available between the front wheels and the rear wheels. To accommodate this requirement quadracycles often follow bicycle based construction methods being based on a tubular chassis passing between the users legs with multiple tubes in order to provide sufficient stiffness and load carrying capability. This can limit the strength of the quadricycle leading to reliability issues and limited load carrying capacity. Tubular construction can also lead to reduced rigidity which can harm handling characteristics of the vehicle. Such vehicles are often used in a multi drop delivery capacity or for maintenance tasks such as litter collection or street cleaning which require the user to enter and exit the vehicle regularly. Additional tubes may be added outboard of the centre line of the quadricycle in order to increase strength but are undesirable as they impede access for the user. Electrically assisted quadricycles also have additional control connections which run from the front to the rear of the vehicle. Traditional tubular construction often leaves these exposed as they must be mounted on the outside of one of the tubes, or force a compromise in the strength of the tube by requiring an aperture in the tube through which the control connections are passed to run internally. Quadracycles can be referred to as quadricycles and the terms are interchangeable. Summary of Invention Aspects and / or embodiments seek to provide a strong lightweight chassis using novel construction methods that is optimised for partial disassembly and subsequent reassembly in order to allow shipping of multiple chassis in the volume that would normally be occupied by a single chassis. According to a first aspect, there is provided a chassis for a quadricycle movable from a first user configuration to a second shipping configuration. The chassis comprises a main structure having a height H, a front end, and a rear end, and a longitudinal central plane P extending from the front end to the rear end, a cargo platform at one of the front end or the rear end and a structural back bone extending in the direction of plane P from the cargo platform to the other of the front end or rear end. The chassis also comprises a steering frame for supporting steering controls, including a first steering frame mount for connecting the steering frame to the main structure, and a seat frame for supporting a seat and including a first seat frame mount for connecting the seat frame to the main structure. The main structure of the chassis further includes a second steering frame mount for reversibly connecting the first steering frame mount and a second seat frame mount for reversibly connecting the first seat frame mount thereto. In the first user position the seat frame and steering frame are attached to the main structure and extend vertically from the main structure for supporting steering controls and the seat; and in the second shipping configuration the seat frame and / or steering frame are orientated horizontally. Advantageously providing a chassis that provides a functional ridged riding position and control interface with strong load carrying capability and allowing multiple chassis to be shipped in the same volume as a single chassis. Optionally, whilst the chassis is in the second shipping configuration, the seat frame and steering frame are orientated horizontally and accommodatable within 110% of the height H of the main structure and preferably within the height H of the main structure. Advantageously, further optimising the space occupied by the chassis in the second shipping configuration. Optionally, the second steering frame mount is not the highest point of the main structure. Optionally, the second seat frame mount is not the highest point of the main structure. Thereby ensuring that the main structure and thus H is maintained as small as possible thereby minimising the volume occupied by a chassis in the second shipping configuration. Optionally, the steering frame and / or the seat frame includes an auxiliary mounting point, orientated perpendicular to the first steering frame mount and / or first seat frame mount, wherein in the second shipping configuration the steering frame and / or the seat frame is secured to the main structure by the respective auxiliary mounting point. Providing a dual purpose mount that functions in the first user position to hold a component and secures the steering frame or seat frame in position in the second shipping configuration weight is saved through not needing separate mounts for the two purposes reducing weight and complexity of manufacture whilst allowing the frame in question to be secured. Optionally, the first steering frame mount includes a forward mount and a rear mount and the steering frame includes a front portion connected to a rear portion; the front portion extending to the forward mount and a rear portion extending to the rear mount. Advantageously, increasing forward and rearward rigidity of the steering frame and supporting the steering controls whilst maintaining a thin profile allowing the steering frame to be accommodated in the second shipping configuration. Optionally, the auxiliary mount extends between the front portion and the rear portion of the steering frame. Advantageously, further increasing the rigidity of the steering frame and the auxiliary mount. Optionally, the auxiliary mount is a battery mount, in the user configuration. Optionally, the auxiliary mount of the seat frame is for connecting to a cargo box mounted on the cargo platform, in the user configuration. Advantageously increasing the stiffness of the cargo box location and the seat frame. Optionally, the chassis is a rolling chassis further including a front axle assembly including one or more front hubs for rotatably mounting wheels thereto and front brakes and a rear axle assembly including one or more rear hubs for rotatably mounting wheels thereto and rear brakes. Further, the main structure of the rolling chassis may include one or more front axle mounts and one or more rear axle mounts for connecting the front and rear axel assemblies thereto. The front axel and the rear axel have a height <H and are located such that in the second shipping configuration the front axle assembly and the rear axle assembly are accommodated within the height H of the main structure. Thereby, not increasing the height occupied by the rolling chassis when compared to the rolling chassis. Optionally, the back bone includes a first end distal the cargo platform and a second end connected to the cargo platform, a top and a bottom; wherein the back bone tapers from a depth D2 between the top and the bottom at the second end to a depth D1 between the top and the bottom at the first end, wherein D1 is substantially less than D2, and preferably D1 is less than half D2. Advantageously, reducing weight by reducing the material in the component whilst maintaining the required strength. In addition the tapered backbone reduces the step over height of the back bone easing entry and egress of a rider which is advantageous as such vehicles are often used for multi drop applications requiring frequent entry and exit from the vehicle. Optionally, the cargo platform is connected to the second end of the back bone at the top and the main structure includes one or more rear axle mounts are at the bottom of the second end and the main structure further includes one or more cargo platform stays extending from a point on the cargo platform outboard of the back bone to the one or more axel mounts. Advantageously increasing rigidity of the cargo platform and providing a direct load path from the cargo platform into the suspension. Optionally, the steering frame includes steering controls such as handlebars, brake levers and / or one or more means for providing control inputs to a drive motor. Further, the chassis may include brake lines operatively connected to the brake lever and the brakes and / or control lines operatively connected between the means for providing control inputs and the drive motor for passing inputs therebetween; and the brake lines and / or the control lines are secured to the steering frame and to the main structure and are arranged such that the steering frame may be moved from the user configuration to the shipping configuration without disconnecting from the brakes or electric motor or detaching from the back bone or steering frame. Optionally, at least the back bone is fabricated from one or more pieces of folded or pressed sheet metal and comprises a first inverted U section extending from the top to the bottom of the back bone and a second inverted U section nested within the first inverted U section forming a channel at the bottom of the back bone for receiving and protecting brake lines and / or control lines. Advantageously creating a highly ridged back bone for the chassis that can vary substantially in profile through its length in a manner that an extruded profile such as a tube or box section cannot, whilst, also providing ease of manufacture through provision of flanges that may be bonded or spot welded. Optionally, the brake lines and or the control lines are secured within the channel. Advantageously providing additional protection compared to a traditional external mounting position. Optionally, the first U section and the second U section are joined at the extending ends of the U by bonding, welding, spot welding or other suitable joining technique. Optionally, the first seat frame mount of the seat frame includes a seat height adjustment mechanism optionally comprising two coaxial tubes and a clamp. Optionally, the first steering frame mount and the first seat frame mount comprise one or more mounting plates, optionally having apertures for receiving fixings. Optionally, the first steering frame mount, the first seat frame mount, the second steering frame mount and / or the second seat frame mount include a quick release fixing such as a latch, a clamp or a quarter turn fixing. Wherein the chassis is fabricated from steel or aluminium sheet material. According to a second aspect there is provided a quadricycle including the chassis as described above. Optionally, the quadricycle may include an electric assist drive train. Brief Description of Drawings Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings having like-reference numerals, in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a chassis according to the current invention in the user configuration; Figure 2 shows a side view of the chassis of figure 1 in the second shipping configuration; Figure 3 shows a top view of the chassis of figure 1; Figure 4 shows a top view of the chassis of figure 2; Figure 5 shows cross section A-A of the backbone of a chassis according to the current invention; and Figure 6 shows a quadricycle including a chassis according to the current invention. Specific Description Referring to Figures 1 to 4 a preferred embodiment will now be described. Figures 1 and 3 shows the chassis 10 in a first user configuration 11 as the chassis would be used when in service. Figures 2 and 4 show the chassis in a second shipping configuration 12 where the occupied volume is minimised. The chassis 10 has a front end 13 and a rear end 14, is movable between the first user configuration 11 and the second shipping configuration 12, and includes a main structure 20 having a height H, a steering frame 50 and a seat frame 60. The steering frame 50 and the seat frame 60 are mounted to the main structure 20 and extend vertically therefrom in the first user configuration 11. In the second shipping configuration 12 the steering frame 50 and the seat frame 60 are orientated horizontally and accommodated with in the height H of the main structure 20. The chassis 10 may be a rolling chassis as shown in figures 1 to 4 further including a front axle assembly 70 and a rear axle assembly 80. The front axle assembly 70 includes one or more hubs 72 for rotatably fixing wheels thereto, brakes 74 attached to said one or more hubs and preferably a suspension system 75 for connecting the hubs 73 to the one or more front axle mounts 24 of the main structure 20. The rear axle assembly 80 includes one or more rear hubs 82 for rotatably fixing wheels thereto, brakes 84 attached to said one or more hubs 82 and preferably some form of suspension system 85 for connecting the one or more rear hubs 82 to the rear axle mounts 26 of the main structure 20. The front axel assembly 70 and the rear axel assembly 80 each have a height less than H. Thus allowing, the front axle assembly 70 to be located within the height H of the main structure 20. The rear axle assembly 80 is also located within the height H of the main structure 20. The rear brakes The main structure 20 includes a cargo platform 30 and a structural back bone 40. The height H extends from the lowest point on the back bone 40 to the cargo platform 30 when the cargo platform 30 is level. The cargo platform 30 is the lowest surface on which cargo may be carried or a cargo carrier 32 such as a cargo box 32 may mount. The cargo platform 30 is shown at the rear end 14 of the chassis 10 and the back bone 40 attached to and extending from the cargo platform 30 to the front end 13. It will be understood that these locations could be reversed if the quadricycle 1 was to be piloted from the rear. The main structure 20 further includes a second steering frame mount 21 for connecting to a first steering frame mount 54, a second seat frame mount 22 for connecting to a first seat frame mount 64, a front axle mount 24 and a rear axle mount 26. The back bone 40 has a first end 41 and a second end 42, a top 43 and a bottom 44. The first end 41 is distal the cargo platform 30 and the second end is attached to the cargo platform 30. The back bone 40 has a height D1 between the top 43 and the bottom 44 at the first end 41 and a height D2 between the top 43 and the bottom 44 at the second end D2. The back bone 40 tapers from the second end 42 to the first end 41 such that D1 is less than D2 and preferably substantially less. In a preferred embodiment D1 less than half D2 and preferably less than a quarter of D2 if the load capacity of the quadricycle allows. Thereby, reducing weight of the main structure 20 whilst also maintaining sufficient strength where required to support the load that may be carried on the cargo platform 30. A secondary benefit of the taper is to allow easier entry and exit for a rider by reducing step over height. Preferably the width of the back bone is the same and only the height reduces. The back bone 40 includes the one or more font axel mounts 24 and the one or more rear axle mount 26. The cargo platform 30 is connected to the back bone 40 at the top 43 of the second end 42. Preferably the cargo platform 30 is permanently fixed to the back bone 40 such that the main structure 10 is a single unitary structure. The one or more rear axle mounts 26 are connected to the bottom 44 of the second end 42 of the back bone 40. The main structure 10 may further include one or more supporting members 32 extending from a point on the cargo platform 30 outboard of the back bone 40 to the one or more rear axel mounts 26. Preferably there are two rear axel mounts 26 one either side of the backbone 40 and at least one supporting member 32 extending between the cargo platform 30 and each rear axle mount 26. The backbone 40 is preferably fabricated from folded or pressed sheet metal. A cross section view of. The backbone 40 includes a first inverted U section 46 extending from the top 43 to the bottom 44 and a second inverted U section 48 nested within and fixed to the first inverted U section 46 and preferably permanently fixed thereto. The second inverted U section 48 only extends within the first inverted II section a part of the way to the top 43 from the bottom 44 to form a channel 45. The end of the U of each inverted U section 46, 48 are preferably in alignment to form the bottom edge 44a. The first II 46 and the second II 46 are permanently fixed to each other at the adjacent upright portions 49 of the U sections 49. The first inverted II section 46 and the second inverted U section 48 are preferably joined by welding and are particularly suited to joining by spot welding, bonding for example with structural adhesive or by another suitable permanent joining means. The channel 45 is for locating and protecting brake lines 78, 88 and control lines 94 that run to the axel assemblies 70, 80 and motor 90 or motor controller 91 which may be mounted on the chassis. The first inverted U section 46 may be fabricated its self from a plurality of overlapping folded panels 46a. In a preferred embodiment two folded panels 46a are used and overlap to form the top 43 of the back bone 40. This advantageously increases resistance to buckling of the top 43 of the back bone 40 which is loaded in compression. The steering frame 50 is for supporting steering controls 52 and other means for providing control inputs 92 such as brake levers 96 and / or a power control switch 98 and includes a first steering frame mount 54. In figure 1 the steering frame 50 includes steering controls 52 and other means for providing control inputs 92 such as brake levers 96 or a power control switch 98. The steering frame mount 54 includes a forward mount 54f and a rear mount 54r offset longitudinally from the front mount 54f and the steering frame 50 includes a front portion 57 connected to a rear portion 58 distal the steering frame mount 54 and the front portion 57 extending to the forward mount 54f and the rear portion extending to the rear mount 54r. The steering controls 52 include handlebars 53 and a steering column 55 attached to the steering frame 50. Preferably, the steering column 55 runs within the steering frame 50 as shown in figure 1. The second steering frame mount 21 of the main structure 20 may include corresponding forward mount 21 f and rear mount 22r offset longitudinally from the forward mount 21 f for mating with the forward mount 54f and rear mount 54r of the first steering frame mount 54. In the first user position 11 the first steering frame mount 54 is connected to the second steering frame mount 21. The steering frame 50 includes an auxiliary mount 56 for mounting additional components such as a battery 91 when in the first in use configuration 11. The auxiliary mount 56 is orientated perpendicular to the first steering frame mount 54 for attaching the steering frame 50 to the main structure 20 when in the second shipping configuration 12. Preferably, the auxiliary mount 56 extends between the front position 57 and the rear portion 58 for providing additional rigidity. The auxiliary mount 56 attaches to the second steering frame mount 21 in the second shipping configuration to secure the steering frame 50 within the height H of the main structure. The seat frame 60 is for supporting a seat 62 and a seat height adjustment mechanism 63 and includes a first seat frame mount 64 for mounting the seat frame to the main structure 20 in the first user position 11. The first seat frame mount 64 is preferably separate and in addition to the seat height adjustment mechanism. In the figures the seat frame 60 includes the seat 62 and the seat height adjustment mechanism 63. In the first user position 11 the first seat frame mount 64 is connected to the second seat frame mount 22.The seat frame 60 may also include an auxiliary mount 66 perpendicular to the first seat mount 64 having a purpose in both the first user position 11 and for attaching the seat frame to the main structure 20 in the second shipping position 12. The auxiliary mount 66 may be for connecting to a cargo box 32 mounted on the cargo platform 30 for providing support thereto. The first and second steering frame mounts 21,54 and the first and second seat frame mounts 22, 64 may include a mounting face or mounting plate optionally including studs or apertures for accepting fixings or may comprise coaxial nested tubes and a clamp, ideally with an over centre clamp. The mounts 21, 22, 54, 64 may includes quick release fixings in the event that the chassis 10 is to be moved frequently between the first user position 11 and the second shipping position 12. Quick release fixings (not shown in the figures) may include quarter turn fixings, latches, clamps or other suitable quick release fixings. The means for providing control inputs 92 including brake levers 96 and / or a power control switch 98 are connected to the components that they control in order to operate them. The brake levers are connected to the front brakes 74 and the rear brakes 84 by brake lines 76, 86. The power control switch 98 is connected to control lines 94 which run from the power control switch 98 to the drive motor 90, the battery 91 and or drive motor controller 93. The brake lines 76, 86 and control lines 94 are routed from the handle bars 93 along or down the steering frame 50 and along the channel 45 of the back bone 40 and are configured such that they do not need to be disconnected and preferably do not need to be detached in order to move the steering frame 50 from the first user position 11 to the second shipping position 12. The control lines 94 and brake lines 76, 86 thus include free length in order to allow this without re-routing the cables. This is contrary to the aims of the skilled person which would normally be directed to minimising material usage and vehicle weight. Figure 7 shows a quadricycle according to the current invention having a chassis as described above. Permanently fixed may be by welding, spot welding, structural adhesive or other permanent attachment method or means. Inboard herein means closer to the central plane P and outboard means further from the central plane P. 5 Any system feature as described herein may also be provided as a method feature, and vice versa. As used herein, means plus function features may be expressed alternatively in terms of their corresponding structure. Any feature in one aspect may be applied to other aspects, in any appropriate combination. In 10 particular, method aspects may be applied to system aspects, and vice versa. Furthermore, any, some and / or all features in one aspect can be applied to any, some and / or all features in any other aspect, in any appropriate combination. It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described is and defined in any aspects can be implemented and / or supplied and / or used independently.

Claims

1. A chassis (10) for a quadricycle (1) movable from a first user configuration (11) to a second shipping configuration (12) comprising:a main structure (20) having a height H a front end (13) and a rear end (14) and a longitudinal central plane P extending from the front end (13) to the rear end (14), a cargo platform (30) at one of the front end (12) or the rear end (14) and a structural back bone (40) extending in the direction of plane P from the cargo platform (30) to the other of the front end (12) or rear end (14);a steering frame (50) for supporting steering controls (52), including a first steering frame mount (54) for connecting the steering frame (50) to the main structure (20);a seat frame (60) for supporting a seat (62) and including a first seat frame mount (64) for connecting the seat frame (60) to the main structure (20);the main structure (20) further including a second steering frame mount (21) for reversibly connecting the first steering frame mount (54), a second seat frame mount (22) for reversibly connecting the first seat frame mount (62) thereto;wherein in the first user position (11) the seat frame (60) and steering frame (50) are attached to the main structure (20) and extend vertically from the main structure (20) for supporting steering controls (52) and the seat (62); andin the second shipping configuration (12) the seat frame (60) and / or steering frame (50) are orientated horizontally.

2. A chassis (10) according to claim 1 wherein in the second shipping configuration (12) the seat frame (60) and steering frame (50) are orientated horizontally and accommodatable within 110% of the height H of the main structure (20) and preferably within the height H of the main structure.

3. A chassis (10) according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the second steering frame mount (21) and / or the second seat frame mount (22) are not the highest point of the main structure (20).

4. A chassis (10) according to any preceding claim where in the steering frame (50) and / or the seat frame (60) includes an auxiliary mounting point (56, 66) orientated perpendicular to the first steering frame mount (54) and / or first seat frame mount (64), wherein in the second shipping configuration (12) the steering frame (50) and / or the seat frame (60) is secured to the main structure by the respective auxiliary mounting point (56, 66).

5. A chassis (10) according to any preceding claim wherein the first steering frame mount (54) includes a forward mount (54f) and a rear mount (54r) and the steering frame (50) includes a front portion (57) connected to a rear portion (58); the front portion (57) extending to and including the forward mount (54f) and a rear portion (58) extending to and including the rear mount (54r).

6. A chassis (10) according to claim 4 wherein the auxiliary mount (56) extends between the front portion (57) and the rear portion (58) of the steering frame (50).

7. A chassis (10) according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the auxiliary mount (56, 66) is a battery mount (56b, 66b) in the user configuration (11).

8. A chassis (10) according to any preceding claim wherein the auxiliary mount (66) of the seat frame (60) is for connecting to a cargo box (32) mounted on the cargo platform (30), in the user configuration (11).

9. A chassis (10) according to any preceding claim wherein the chassis (10) is a rolling chassis (10) further including a front axle assembly (70) including one or more front hubs (72) for rotatably mounting wheels there to and front brakes (74) and a rear axle assembly (80) including one or more rear hubs (82) for rotatably mounting wheels thereto and rear brakes (84); andthe main structure (20) includes one or more front axle mounts (24) and one or more rear axle mounts (26) for connecting the front and rear axel assemblies (70, 80) thereto;wherein in the second shipping configuration the front axle assembly (70) and the rear axle assembly (80) are accommodated within the height H of the main structure (20).

10. A chassis (10) according to any preceding claim wherein the back bone (40) includes a first end (41) distal the cargo platform (30) and a second end (42) connected to the cargo platform (30), a top (43) and a bottom (44); wherein the back bone (40) tapers from a depth (D2) between the top (42) and the bottom (44) at the second end (42) to a depth (D1) between the top (42) and the bottom (44) at the first end (41) wherein D1 is substantially less than D2, preferably D1 is less than half D2.

11. A chassis (10) according to claim 10 wherein the cargo platform (30) is connected to the second end (42) of the back bone (40) at the top (43) and the main structure (20) includes one or more rear axle mounts are at the bottom (44) of the second end (42) and the main structure (20) further includes one or more cargo platform (32) stays extending from a point on the cargo platform (30) outboard of the back bone (40) to the one or more axel mounts (26).

12. A chassis (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein the steering frame (50) includes steering controls (56) such as handlebars (56a), brake levers (56b) and / or one or more means for providing control inputs (92) to a drive motor (90); and the chassis (10) includes brake lines (76, 86) operatively connected to the brake lever (56b) and the brakes (74, 84) and / or control lines (94) operatively connected between the means for providing control inputs and the drive motor for passing inputs therebetween; andwherein, the brake lines (76, 86) and / or the control lines (94) are secured to the steering frame (50) and to the main structure (20) and are arranged such that the steering frame (50) may be moved from the user configuration (11) to the shipping configuration (12) without disconnection (or detaching).

13. A chassis (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 preceding claim wherein at least the back bone (40) is fabricated from one or more pieces of folded or pressed sheet metal and comprises a first inverted II section (46) extending from the top (43) to the bottom (44) of the back bone (40) and a second inverted U section (48) nested within the first inverted U section (46) forming a channel (45) at the bottom (44) of the back bone (40) for receiving and protecting brake lines (76, 86) and / or control lines (94).

14. A chassis (10) according to claim 13 wherein the brake lines (76, 86) and or the control lines (94) are secured within the channel (45).

15. A chassis (10) according to claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the first II section (46) and the second U section (48) are joined at the extending ends of the II (49) by bonding, welding, spot welding or other suitable joining technique.

16. A chassis (10) according to any preceding claim wherein in addition to the first seat frame mount (64) of the seat frame (60) includes a seat height adjustment mechanism (66) optionally comprising two coaxial tubes and a clamp.

17. A chassis (10) according to any preceding claim wherein the first steering frame mount (54) and the first seat frame mount (64) comprise one or more mounting plates optionally having apertures for receiving fixings.

18. A chassis (10) according to any preceding claim wherein the first steering frame mount (54), the first seat frame mount (64), the second steering frame mount (21) and / or the second seat frame mount (22) include a quick release fixing such as a latch, a clamp or a quarter turn fixing.

19. A chassis (10) according to any preceding claim wherein the chassis (10) is fabricated from steel or aluminium sheet material.

20. A quadricycle (1) including the chassis of any one of claims 1 to 17.

21. The quadricycle (1) according to claim 18 including an electric assist drive train (90).16

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