Improvements to pedal and / or motor assisted kart

Abstract

A reconfigurable kart assembly 2 comprises a frame 4, a plurality of wheels, a first seat set (18,20,fig.1e) including at least one seat located on the frame, and a seat module comprising a second sea

Description

The invention to which this application relates is to improvements to a form of pedal and / or motor^powered vehicle which is typically known as a kart which typically includes four wheels mounted on a frame and on which there are provided typically two or four seats, a steering wheel to allow the steering of at least two of the wheels, a braking system and safety restraints for the persons sitting on the seats. The kart is typically pedal powered with at least one set and more typically two sets of pedals being provided to be driven and rotated so as to exert a driving force on at least two of the wheels and most typically the rear wheels. The power which is provided by the pedalling action, may be complimented by additional power received from one or more electrically powered drive means but, most typically, the kart will be provided with at least the pedal powered system. The karts are typically provided for recreational use and the type to which the invention is particularly related is that which is sufficiently robust to be capable of relatively intensive use and which therefore makes it attractive to be used for public hire at, for example, leisure sites where for example a couple or families may hire the kart for a period of time and drive around a road network within a particular area. This form of kart provides an alternative to persons having to drive around the leisure site in a powered vehicle which is more hazardous and noisier and the kart also allows young adults, families and the like to use the karts together. However, there are problems with the conventionally available karts. Firstly, it is found that the karts are typically relatively heavy and can be difficult to move especially uphill, whilst, at the same time, they are required to be relatively robust to withstand damage, whether accidentally or intentionally caused. A further problem is that the adaptation of the conventional kart to meet specific use requirements at a particular time is not possible at all or at least at the site of use. In particular, it is found that the karts which are commonly available, are provided either in a four person form or a two person form. This therefore means that the operator of the kart, in order to have the best configuration of available karts to suit particular user requirements, is typically required to have in stock and on site, a quantity of two seated karts and a quantity of four seated karts. For obvious reasons, this can therefore mean that at any given time, a number of karts, while available, may not be hired out if, for example, only parties of four who wish to be sat on the same kart are present and there are a number of two seater karts available. While in certain circumstances, it may be possible for the four people to split into twos and use two, two seated karts, this is not always a possibility if, for example, in the party of four there are two or three young children who are unable to operate and have sufficient power to drive the movement of the kart. Furthermore, if there are only two people who wish to use the kart at a given time, they may not wish to use a more bulky and heavier four seated kart and therefore again this can lead to a number of four seated karts which hare available for use, not been used. A further problem which is experienced is the ability to safely adapt the location of seats on the frame and in particular, the seats used by those persons who are to undertake the pedalling of the kart as it is important that they are sat comfortably so as to be able to reach and operate the pedals to provide the required power to move the kart. Also, typically, the persons pedalling are also the persons who are steering the kart and therefore again they are required to be sat in the suitable position in order to be able to pedal and steer the kart and also operate a braking system. Conventionally, while it is known to be able to move the position of the seat linearly along a frame member, it is found this typically requires the use of a number of separate components and if the components are lost this prevents the change in position of the seats from being achieved until a replacement component is obtained. A yet further known problem is the lack of an appropriate braking system to the kart in motion. Typically, the braking systems of the known karts includes a brake pad being applied directly to a wheel by an actuating means operated by the driver. For the sake of simplicity in designing the kart, the braking force is typically applied to the rear wheel on the drivers side only, which results in a braking force applied to one side of the kart and not the other. This can reduce the control the driver has in the direction in which the kart is travelling. Furthermore the application of the braking force directly to the wheel increases wear on the wheel, damaging the same and reducing the longevity of the component. A yet further known problem is that the seats of the kart are typically formed of a singular piece, typically’ hard plastic. These seats are typically formed in an L-shape with a base and a back to support the user, however the bend in the singular component is a point of weakness and the seat may fail is a user leans back into the seat or is suddenly’ forced backwards if a sudden force is imparted on the kart. In this case, the seat may snap, potentially injuring the person sat in the same. A yet further known problem is that the drivetrain of the kart, typically including a chain connected to the pedals to transfer power to a wheel axle of the kart, mayr lose tension over time. This can be due to the wear of components, or manufacturing tolerances when assembling the kart. The loss of tension in the drivetrain may result in reduced power being supplied wheels by the pedalling power of the user, resulting in a less efficient system. An aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a kart which can be based on a frame which is common to both two and four seated versions of the kart and which allows the adaptation of the kart between the two and four seated configurations to be achieved on site and without significant technical operations to be performed to allow the adaptation. A further aim of the invention is to allow the adjustment of the location of at least some of the seats with respect to the frame to be repeatedly possible on site and to allow the adjustment mechanism to be effectively fail safe in operation. In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a kart assembly including a frame, a plurality of wheels and at least one seat located on the frame as a first seat set wherein said assembly includes a seat module including at least one seat as a second seat set and said seat module is selectively locatable with the frame by locating means to change the seating configuration of the kart assembly. In one embodiment the kart frame includes two seats provided as the first seat set. In one embodiment the said seating module includes two seats as the second seat set. Typically the seats of the first seat set are in a side by side relationship and the seats of the second seat set are in a side by side relationship and the selective location of the seating module with the frame allows the kart to be adapted between a two seat and a four seat configuration. Typically the kart assembly includes said wheels at spaced apart locations on the frame so as to allow the propulsion of the kart along a surface with which the wheels are in contact. Typically, the seat module is provided to be selectively located intermediate the first set of seats and the front of the kart. In one embodiment the kart assembly includes at least one pedal power system for use by a person when seated on the kart to propel the kart along the surface. In one embodiment, the kart assembly includes steering means usable by a person when sitting on a seat of the kart. Typically, the steering means and pedal power system is usable by a person when sitting on a seat of the said first set. Typically, when the said module with the second set of seats provided thereon, is removed, the kart is usable in a two seat configuration as the steering wheel, braking system and pedal power system are located so as to be usable by persons sitting on the first set of seats. In one embodiment when the said module with the second set of seats is removed from the frame, a replacement module is selectively positioned on the frame so as to provide additional safety and / or improved visual appearance of the two seat configuration of kart. In one embodiment, when the said replacement module is in location, the space which is made available as a result of the removal of the seat module, is masked so as to restrict the ability for the said space to be used for the unsafe carrying of further persons on the kart. In one embodiment the replacement module includes a nose frame positioned at the front of the kart. Thus, the kart may be provided in a further, third, mode, wherein the nose frame is locatable with the base frame in place of the seating frame. This provides the advantage that the user of the assembly may select the configuration of the same in use between multiple seats or reduced seats. In one embodiment the base includes two seats arranged side-by-side, and the seat module includes two seats arranged side-by-side, such that the assembly is configurable between a four-seat configuration and a two-seat configuration. In one embodiment the replacement module includes at least one element to prevent or discourage a person from sitting on the same. Thus, there is no accessible location of the replacement module on which a user may be seated in use which prevents the kart seating more passengers than intended. Typically the element is a tubular element that is shaped to act as a bumper for the assembly. Typically the locating means includes at least one tubular element slidingly locatable with a complimentary protrusion. In one embodiment the locating means includes an engagement means, such that the seat module is selectively retainable against the base frame by the engagement means. Typically the engagement means includes a threaded connection and a bolting member. In one embodiment the at least one seat of the first set of seats base frame is selectively movable with respect to a guide means of the base frame by a releasable and lockable movement means. Typically the movement means includes a bracket mounted to the seat and slidingly located with the guide means when the movement means is released. In one embodiment the movement means includes an engagement means, such that the selected position of the seat with respect to a range of possible positions with respect to the guide means is lockable. Typically the engagement means includes a pin member mounted by a biasing means to the movement means, and biased towards the guide means. Preferably the guide means includes a series of apertures or grooves in which the pin member is located when the engagement means is engaged. Typically, a reinforcing member is provided with the engagement means. This could be, for example, in the form of support plates that are provided with the seats around locking bolts to reinforce the same and prevent the ingress of dirt or the like. In one embodiment the braking means includes a disk member mounted on an axle on which the at least one wheel to which a braking force is to be applied is located; and at least one blade member selectively locatable against the disk member by an actuating means. In one embodiment the actuating means includes a handle part pivotably mounted to the base frame and positioned so as to be movable by at least one of the persons when sitting on a seat of the first seat set. In another embodiment the actuating means includes a hand pump in fluid communication with the blade member. In one embodiment at least one of the seats are comprised of a bottom part and a back part located to the other by a connecting means. In one embodiment the pedal power system includes at least one drive chain in communication with at least one of the wheels to drive the same via a drive shaft. Typically the drive shaft is the rear shaft and is driven so as to rotate the rear wheels of the kart. In one embodiment the chain is located around first and second sprockets to allow the transfer of drive from the rotation of the pedals to the shaft and tensioning means are provided intermediate the sprockets. Typically the tensioning means includes a pulley wheel which engages with the chain to provide the tensioning force on the same. In one embodiment, the at least one seat and / or the seat module includes a support frame arranged to prevent bending of the seat when force is applied to the at least one pedal power system by an occupant of the seat. The support frame may be in the form or a bracket located at the rear of the seat. In another embodiment the movement means includes a motor in communication with the said drive shaft, typically to provide an additional motive force if required. In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a movable seat assembly for use with a kart comprising: at least one seat slidingly located with a guide means via a movement means; and an engagement means; wherein the location of the seat with respect to the guide means is selectable within a range of possible positions and retained in the selected position by the locking of the engagement means. In one embodiment the engagement means includes a pin member located with the movement means by a biasing means, and wherein the biasing means biases the pin member towards the guide means. Thus, a user is able to apply a retracting force to the pin away from the guide means, slidingly locate the seat to the desired location with respect to the guide means, release the pin such that the same is brought into contact with the guide means to lock and retain the location of the seat. In one embodiment the guide means includes a series of grooves or apertures spaced along the length of the same, wherein the grooves or apertures are substantially complimentary with the pin member such that the pin member may be located within the grooves or apertures by the biasing means. Typically the pin includes a handle part operatable by a user. Typically the guide means includes at least one stop element, such that the travel of the movement means with respect to the guide means is limited. Typically the guide means includes an angled bracket, such that the seat travel is between a lower and raised height. Thus, there is provided a seat that is selectively locatable along a guide means by a user with respect to a kart. The location of the seat may then be selectively retained by engagement means. This enables a user to select a required distance between the seat and a pedal system and / or steering wheel and / or footwell of the kart to accommodate the length of the user’s legs. The angled bracket of the guide rail allows for the seat to be in a lower or raised position, allowing for a user with longer legs to be at a raised height with respect to the kart and vice-versa for a user with shorter legs. In one embodiment a braking system for the kart comprises a brake disk mounted on an axle for a wheel of the said kart; and a blade member locatable against the brake disk by an actuating means such that the blade member may provide a resistant force to the rotating brake disk in use. In one embodiment the actuating means is a handle part pivotably movable with respect to a hinge point, wherein the blade member is linked to the handle part and wherein the blade member is located on the opposing side of the hinge point from the handle part. In one embodiment the handle part is substantially longer than the blade member, such that a greater resistance force may be applied to the brake disk for a reduced pivoting force applied to the handle by a user of the system. In another embodiment the actuating means includes a pump in fluid connection with a ram acting on the blade. Typically the pump is activated by compression of a handle separate from the blade member. Typically the disk member is formed of a suitably durable and stiff rubber material. Thus, there is provided a means to apply a braking force to the axle of the wheel of a kart, rather than the wheel itself, reducing wear on the same and increasing the longevity of the components. In one embodiment the seat comprises a base member and a back member connected by a connecting means. In one embodiment the base member and / or back member are formed of a semi-rigid material. Typically the member material includes a plastic material. In one embodiment the connecting means includes a bolted connection. Thus there is provided a modular seat assembly, wherein the seat may be configured in a first condition wherein there is no back member attached, and a second condition with a back member attached. There is further provided the benefit that the back member and base member are connected by the connecting means which provides a stronger joint between the same than would otherwise be provided by the material strength of the plastic material. In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a movement system for a kart comprising an elongate member acted upon by an actuating means, said elongate member in mechanical communication with an axle on which at least one wheel is mounted; wherein the elongate member is selectively tensioned by a tensioning means. In one embodiment the tensioning means includes a pulley. In one embodiment the tensioning means is adjustable by an adjusting means, such that the tension within the elongate member is selectively variable. Typically the adjusting means includes a slider on which the tensioning means is mounted, such that the position of the tensioning means with respect to the elongate member is selectively variable. Typically the elongate member is a chain. Thus, there is provided a means for tensioning an elongate member within the movement system of a kart. This provides the advantage that the power delivered along the drivetrain of the kart to the wheels is able to be maintained at a consistent level, and that the adjustment of the tensioning means allows for the tension to be maintained throughout the life of the kart as components wear. It will be appreciated that any or all combinations of the aspects of the invention may be combined in line with the teachings of the invention. Specific embodiments of the invention are herein described with the following figures, where: Figures la-e illustrate a first side perspective view, right side view, plan view, front view and second side perspective view respectively of a kart in a two seat configuration with a replacement module attached in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2a illustrates the replacement module for the kart of o I Figures la e: Figure 2b illustrates the frame of the replacement module of the kart as in Figure 2a; Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a kart in accordance with a four seat embodiment of the invention; Figure 4a illustrates a side view of an adjustable seat assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 4b illustrates a front section view of the movement and guide means of the adjustable seat assembly of Figure 4a; Figure 5a-b illustrate a detailed view of view A of Figure 4b of an engagement means in a retracted and engaged position respectively; Figures 6a^b illustrate a front perspective view and rear perspective view respectively of the components of a seat in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figures 7a-b illustrate a perspective and side view respectively of an assembled seat assembly of the seat in Figures 6a-b; Figures 8a^b illustrate a side view and rear view respectively of a braking system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and Figure 9 illustrates a movement means tensioning means m accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Referring firstly to Figures la-e, there is illustrated a first embodiment of a kart 2 to be driven by a user along a surface in use. The kart includes a base frame 4 on which a set of four wheels 6, 8, 10, 12 and in this embodiment including mudguards, are located by a front and rear wheel axle 14, 16 of the frame 4. The base frame 4 further includes a first seat set 18, 20 mounted thereon. A steering mechanism 22 in the form of a steering wheel is located in front of one of the seats 18 and enables the steering of the kart by variability of the orientation of the front axle 14 by a pair of linked members 24, 26. This, in turn, allows the changing of direction of the front two wheels 6, 8 and as such the direction of travel of the kart 2 in motion. The motive power is supplied to the rear wheels 10, 12 through a first and second drivetrain 28, 30. The drivetrains each include a pair of pedals 32, 34 movable by users sat in at least one of the seats of the first seat set 18, 20. A braking mechanism 36 is located between the seats 18, 20 and can be moved for selective location against a brake disc 38 mounted on the rear axle 16. The base frame 4 further includes a chassis 40 surrounding the sides and rear of the seats 18, 20 to provide protection to the users of the seats. The frame further includes a handlebar 42 to provide support to a passenger in the seat 20 not in front of the steering mechanism 22. The kart 2 is configured in this embodiment with only two seats and in the space in front of the seats 18,20 there is provided a replacement module including a nose frame 44, as seen more clearly in Figures 2a-b. The nose frame 44 is comprised of a lower and upper frame 46, 48 connected by a grille 50. The lower frame 46 is connected with locating portions 52 of the front axle 14 by an easily removable connecting means to allow the replacement module to be fitted to and removable from the base frame. It should also be noted that in another mode the kart can still be two seated but the replacement module is not fitted to the base frame. Typically, the connecting means is a bolted connection of the lower frame 56 being secured by a wing nut to the lower frame. The upper frame 48 is then located against the base frame 4 by a pair of snap fit connections 54. Mud guards 56, 58 may then be snap fit to the nose frame 44 to prevent splashing of dirt or terrain towards the passengers of the kart 2. The replacement module is therefore arranged in such a way that when fitted to the base frame the front axle 14 is inaccessible to a person that would otherwise attempt to sit on the same by the upper frame 48, which could be hazardous in the case of a crash. The lower frame 46 and grille 50 act as a bumper for the kart, reducing damage to the front axle 14 and / or wheels 6, 8 in case of a collision. There is therefore provided the advantage that the replacement module is easily removable by an operator of the kart 2 by simply removing the connecting means from the locating portions 52 of the front axle 14 and the snap fit connections 54 from the base frame 4. The operator is therefore able to configure the kart between the two seat mode as in Figures la-e, and a four seat mode as illustrated in Figure 3. Figure 3 illustrates a different configuration of the kart which is a four seat kart 2 in which a seat module 60 is mounted to the base frame 4 instead of the replacement module. In this embodiment, the seat module 60 includes two tubular elements 62 that are located around complimentary elements of the base frame 4 and retained against the same by a retaining means, such as a bolted connection. The seating frame 60 includes the second seat set in the form of seats 64, 66 which are provided as integral parts of the seat module 60. The seat module 60 further includes a footwell 68, a bumper member 70, and a guard rail 72. The seat module 60 is therefore suitable for a further two passengers to be located thereon when attached to the frame. The operator may choose to configure the kart 2 with the seat module 60 for a larger group of passengers, or the replacement module for reduced weight and increased mobility. The additional frames may be relatively simply located or removed, allowing the configuration of the kart to be done by the operator in situ, and not requiring the karts to be sent away to a manufacturer or other location. This increases the flexibility that the product provides. The kart 2 further includes an adjustable seat mechanism 74 for the seats 18,20, as seen in Figures 4a^b. The mechanism 74 includes a seat 18 mounted on a movement means 76, in this case a carriage, slidingly movable along a guide means 78, in this case a rail. The travel of the carriage 76 with respect to the guide rail 78 is limited by a pair of stops 80, preventing the seat 18 inadvertently being removed from the rail in use. The guide rail 78 includes a series of apertures 82 along its length, in which an engagement means 84 is selectively located to retain the seat 18 in position. The carriage 76 includes a lip 86 in which to be located within a groove 88 of the rail 78 to locate the carriage against the rail. The rail 78 is mounted on an angled bracket 90 mounted on the base frame 4, such that when the seat 18 is moved to a position closer to the steering mechanism 22, the user is at a lowered height, and when the seat is moved away from the steering mechanism 22, the user is at a raised height. This is beneficial to different users of varying leg lengths to operate the pedals comfortably. The engagement means 84 is illustrated in more detail in Figures 5a-b. The engagement means 84 includes a pin 90 partially located within the carriage 76 and biased towards the rail 78 by a biasing means 92. In this embodiment, the biasing means 92 is a spring connected at one end to the carriage 76 and at another end to a notch 94 of the pin 90. In Figure 5a, the pin 90 is in a retracted position, caused by a user gripping a handle 96 and overcoming the biasing force of the spring 92 to pull the pin away from the rail 78. This allows the user to slide the carriage 76 with respect to the rail 78 freely. In Figure 5b, the handle 96 is released, and the pin is pulled towards the carriage 78 by the spring 92. When the pin 90 is located over an aperture 82 of the rail, it is located within the same and the carriage 76, and therefore the seat 18, is retained in place with respect to the rail 78. This provides the advantage that the engagement components are retained with the adjustable seat mechanism 74, and the pin 90 or any other component is unlikely to be lost. The seat 18 itself may, in one embodiment, be formed of two parts, as illustrated in Figures 6ab. The seat 18 is formed of a base part 98 and a separate back part 100. The parts are joined by a connecting means 102, in this instance a bolted connection. This provides the advantage that the corner of the plastic seat 18 is reinforced by the bolted connection. It also provides the advantage that the seat may be installed in a modular fashion. That is, only the base portion may be mounted to the kart 2 to save weight and manufacturing costs. Figures 7a-b illustrate the formed assembly. The braking mechanism 36 is shown in greater detail in Figures 8a b. The mechanism 36 includes a brake disk 104 mounted on the rear axle 16 on which the wheels 10,12 are mounted. A handle bar 106 extends between the two seats 18, 20 to be operated by a user. The handle bar 106 pivots about a hinge pin 108 mounted by a bracket 110 to bring a blade 112 into contact with the brake disk 104. The handle bar 106 includes a stop 116 that is brought into contact with the bracket 110 to limit the downwards travel of the same. The short distance between the blade 112 to the hinge pin 108, relative to the long distance of the handle 114 to the hinge pin 108 means that a greater force may be applied to the brake disc 112 for a reduced upwards force applied to the handle 114. The drivetrain 28 is shown in greater detail in Figure 9. The drivetrain 28 includes a gear 118 of the rear axle 16 mechanically linked with the pedal assembly 32 by a chain 120. The tension of the chain 120 is maintained by a tensioning means 122 which includes a pulley 124 slidingly movable in a slot 126. The selection of the pulley 124 within the slot 126 allows for tension in the chain 120 to be increased, by raising the pulley 124, or decreased by lowering the same. The drivetrain 28 is protected by a mudguard 128. Thus, there is provided a kart with various beneficial features. The modularity of the front frame allows for the kart to be provided in a 4-seated configuration, a 2-seated configuration with a nose frame for safety, or a 2-seated configuration without the nose frame for weight reduction. It will be appreciated that any additional frame may be readily mounted to the kart, such as a wheelchair accessible frame or a standing frame. The modularity of the kart allows for greater flexibility in the function that the kart serves, which can be readily adapted by an operator of the kart on site to suit the needs of the customers. Furthermore, the sliding seat arrangement further increases the adaptability of the kart to suit users of different heights, medical needs, or the like. The seat may be lowered and brought towards the pedals, or be raised and receded from the same. Beneficially, the pin arrangement ensures that the parts of the engagement means are retained with the kart itself, and are not readily lost by a user when the kart is taken away for use. Further yet, the modular seat arrangement provides further adaptability by allowing the back to be removed such that only the base remains, allowing for a user to have a greater range of motion, and for weight saving and ease of repairing of the seat units. Furthermore, the bolted connection between the base of the seat and the seat back strengthens the corner joint of the same. Further yet, the braking mechanism is easily accessible to the driver of the kart, and imparts a centralised braking force on the axle of the kart, rather than directly onto one or more of the wheels. This reduces the wear on the wheels, and increases the stability of the kart when a sudden braking force is applied in motion. Further yet, the tensioning mechanism of the drivetrain allows for the tension to be maintained in the elongate member throughout the lifetime of the kart. This reduces the need for the elongate member to be replaced due to wear, as loss of tension reduces the efficiency of the drivetrain.

Claims

1. A kart assembly including a frame, a plurality of wheels and at least one seat located on the frame as a first seat set wherein said assembly includes a seat module including at least one seat as a second seat set and said seat module is selectively locatable with the frame by locating means to change the seating configuration of the kart assembly.

2. A kart assembly according to claim 1, wherein the kart frame includes two seats provided as the first seat set.

3. A kart assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the said seating module includes two seats as the second seat set.4 A kart assembly according to claims 2 and 3 wherein the seats of the first seat set are in a side by side relationship and the seats of the second seat set are in a side by side relationship and the selective location of the seating module with the frame allows the kart to be adapted between a two seat and a four seat configuration.

5. A kart assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the seat module is provided to be selectively located intermediate the first seat set and the front of the kart.

6. A kart according to any of the preceding claims wherein when the said module with the second seat set is removed from the frame, a replacement module is selectively locatable with the frame.

7. A kart according to claim 6, wherein the replacement module includes at least one element to prevent or discourage a person from sitting on the same.

8. A kart according to claim 7, wherein the at least one element is a tubular element that is shaped to act as a bumper for the assembly.

9. A kart assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the kart includes at least one pedal power system to propel the kart along the surface.10 A kart assembly according to claim 9, wherein the pedal power system includes at least one drive chain in communication with at least one of the wheels to drive the same via a drive shaft.

11. A kart assembly according to claim 10, wherein the drive shaft is a rear shaft of the kart and is driven so as to rotate the rear wheels of the kart.

12. A kart assembly according to any of claims 10 1 1, wherein the drive chain is located around first and second sprockets to allow the transfer of drive from the rotation of the pedals to the shaft and tensioning means are provided intermediate the sprockets.

13. A kart assembly according to any of the claims 9-12 wherein the said pedal power system is usable by a person when sitting on a seat of the said first seat set.14 A kart assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the kart assembly includes steering means usable by a person when sitting on a seat of the kart.

15. A kart assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the steering means is usable by a person sitting on a seat of the said first seat set.

16. A kart assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the locating means includes at least one tubular element slidingly locatable with a complimentary protrusion.

17. A kart assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the locating means includes an engagement means, such that the seat module is selectively retainable against the frame by the engagement means.

18. A kart assembly according to claim 17, wherein the engagement means includes a threaded connection and a bolting member.

19. A kart assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one seat of the first seat set is selectively movable with respect to a guide means of the frame by a releasable and lockable movement means.

20. A kart assembly according to claim 19, wherein the movement means includes a bracket mounted to the at least one seat and slidingly located with the guide means when the movement means is released.

21. A kart assembly according to claims 19 20, wherein the movement means includes an engagement means, such that the selected position of the seat with respect to a range of possible positions with respect to the guide means is lockable.

22. A kart assembly according to claim 21, wherein the engagement means includes a pin member mounted by a biasingmeans to the movement means, and biased towards the guide means.

23. A kart assembly according to claim 22, wherein the guide means includes a series of apertures or grooves in which the pin member is located when the engagement means is engaged.

24. A kart assembly according to any of claims 21-23, wherein a reinforcing member is provided with the engagement means.

25. A kart assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the seats are comprised of a bottom part and a back part located to the other by a connecting means.

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