Three-wheeled vehicles

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to three-wheeled vehicles. The three-wheeled vehicles disclosed herein are characterized by two front wheels and a single rear wheel, an engine located rearward of the cockpit and a drivetrain configured to power the front wheels. Three-wheeled vehicle configurations in accordance with the present disclosure may enhance various handling characteristics of the vehicle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vehicle comprising:
 two front wheels and a single rear wheel coupled to a frame;   a cockpit supported by the frame, the cockpit configured to accommodate seating for one or more occupants; and   front axle shafts coupled to each of the front wheels, the front axle shafts laterally traversing the cockpit beneath one or more elevated floorboards.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising an engine positioned at least partially rearward of the longitudinal center of gravity of the vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal center of gravity of the vehicle is located a distance rearward from the axis defined by the centerline of the front wheels that is from 37.5% to 38.5% of the vehicle's wheelbase. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal center of gravity of the vehicle is from 34 to 38 inches rearward from the axis defined by the centerline of the front wheels. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the wheelbase of the vehicle is from 84 to 120 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the center of gravity height of the vehicle is from 15 to about 18 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the track width of the vehicle is from 3 to 7 times the vehicle's center of gravity height. 
     
     
         8 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the tipping threshold of the vehicle, as defined by a static stability factor, is at least 1.4 g. 
     
     
         9 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the front axle shafts laterally traverse the cockpit at an elevation above at least one aspect of the surface of said seating; and
 wherein the one or more elevated floorboards provide separation from the front axle shafts for the one or more occupants.   
     
     
         10 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more of the following located at least in part at an elevation above the at least one aspect of the surface of said seating: a gas pedal, a brake pedal, and a clutch pedal. 
     
     
         11 . A vehicle comprising:
 two front wheels and a single rear wheel coupled to a frame;   an engine, and a plurality of drivetrain components configured to supply power from the engine to at least some of the wheels, the drivetrain components comprising at least a drive shaft; and   a cockpit configured to seat a person in an orientation such that: (a) the person's lower legs intersect the longitudinal position of the axis defined by the centerline of the front wheels, and (b) at least a portion of the person's body intersects the elevation of the axis defined by the centerline of the drive shaft.   
     
     
         12 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein when seated in said orientation, the person's upper legs intersect the elevation of the axis defined by the centerline of the front wheels and/or the elevation of the axis defined by the centerline of the drive shaft. 
     
     
         13 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein when seated in said orientation, the longitudinal center of gravity of the vehicle intersects a point on one or more of the person's hips, midline, or torso. 
     
     
         14 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein when seated in said orientation, the center of gravity height of the vehicle is at an elevation above a point on one or more of the person's hips, midline, or torso. 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein when seated in said orientation, at least a portion of the person's lower legs are an at elevation above a point on the person's hips, midline, or torso. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein the cockpit comprises a recumbent seat configurable to situate the person in said orientation. 
     
     
         17 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein the portion of the person's body comprises at least a portion of one or more of: the coccyx, the sacrum, the pelvis, and the femur. 
     
     
         18 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein the engine is positioned at least partially rearward of the longitudinal center of gravity of the vehicle. 
     
     
         19 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein the cockpit comprises one or more elevated floorboards configured to separate the person from at least some drivetrain components located inside the cockpit. 
     
     
         20 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein the cockpit comprises one or more elevated floorboards, and when seated in said orientation, at least a portion of the person's body intersects the elevation of a point on the surface of the one or more elevated floorboards.