WO1992022455A1

WO1992022455A1 - User driven vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO1992022455A1
Application number: PCT/CS1992/000017
Authority: WO
Inventors: Miroslav Sir; Miroslav Sir, Jr.
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-06-11
Filing date: 1992-06-02
Publication date: 1992-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 1993-12-11

Abstract

User driven vehicle using the forces caused by a conscious motion of the user's body relative to the movable user foot-board whose motion is mechanically transmitted to rolling at least one driven wheel on a road surface. Vehicle comprises at least one foot-board (1) mounted movably in the vertical longitudinal plane and at least two axles, at least one of them is driving with at least one travelling wheel (12) on it, while the others (17) are non-driving and a driving mechanism of a driving axle. Principal unit of the driving mechanism can be either a planet differential (18) or a gearbox of the standard or special type.

Description

User driven vehicle

Technical field:

The present invention relates to a vehicle driven by human force intended for operation on road surfaces.

Background:

There are many categories of vehicle driven by human force, for example bicycles, tricycles, scooters, rollerskates, rollerskies, ska- teboards etc. But only three modes of drive are used. The first mode is a pedal-operated drive used by bicycles and tricycles. The second mode is characterised by the interaction of a part of the user's body directly with road surface. This principle is used for example by scooters. The third mode uses the forces caused by an interrupted rou- ting of a vehicle in an oblique direction relative to the main direc¬ tion of travel. This mode is used by rollerskates, rollerskies and skateboards when running on a flat surface. Also some attempts have been made to use a movable user foot-board. But all of them have been unsuccessful due disregard of the laws of physics.

Technical problem:

The principal idea of the present invention is to drive a vehicle using the forces caused by a conscious motion of the user's body rela¬ tive to the movable user foot-board whose motion is mechanically transmitted to rolling at least one driven wheel on road surface.

The solution:

With the user driven vehicle in accordance with the present in¬ vention, at least one user foot-board is mounted movably in the verti- cal longitudinal plane relative to the other parts of the vehicle and is the input member of a driving, speed-increasing mechanism acting on at least one travelling wheel mounted on at least one driving axle of the vehicle. The main unit of the driving mechanism is a gear mechani¬ sm realized either as a planet differential or as a gearbox. The planet differential can be constructed in two principal modes either the one of dual-planet type or the one of single-planet type. It can be equipped with auxiliary elements e.g. changing internal gear ratio or temporarily disconnecting the gear mesh. (By "internal gear ratio" is meant a gear ratio of differential between the primary and secondary input shafts by stopped carrier of planet-wheels.)

The single-planet differential has two input members: a planet- wheel carrier and the planet-wheel itself. The output member is a sun- wheel connected as a rule directly with a travelling wheel of the ve¬ hicle. Motion of the output member is determined by motion of both input members relative to the user foot-board. The simplest arrange¬ ment of the vehicle of this type is characterised in that the motion of both input members is rotational and that of the planet-wheel may be stopped or released by a clutch to switch the drive on or off. The principal driving motion is the rotation of the planet-wheel carrier, in the form of a crankshaft, about its crank pins, rotationally mount¬ ed on the user foot-board. There are other possibilities of how to control the motions of both input members. Some of these require con- necting the members by general kinematic couplings. (By a "general ki¬ nematic coupling" is meant a connection of two bodies in such a way as to enable simultaneous translation and rotation)

The two input members of the dual-planet differential are two central shafts called the "primary" and "secondary" shafts. As a rule, the primary shaft transfers the principal driving motion and the se¬ condary shaft is used to take up the reacting moment of the gear me¬ chanism. The output member of a dual-planet differential is a planet- wheels carrier usually connected directly to the disk of a travelling wheel of the vehicle. Most variants of this vehicle type have the pri- mary shaft fitted with two cranks which are set in rotational motion by motion of the user foot-board provided by the user. Connection of parts of the driving mechanism can be combined in many ways so that the resulting system has only one degree of freedom. Rotational joints and general kinematic couplings are used. Take-up of the reacting ao- ment is solved by connecting of the secondary shaft with an other mem¬ ber of the mechanism. It can be also done in many ways by combining different kinds of joints including the joint by means of a clutch for switching off the drive.

Another way of driving the vehicle by means of the dual-planet differential is to use the fact that the output member (planet-wheel carrier) always rotates in the same sense of rotation when the input shafts periodically alternate in action in such a way that in the first halfperiod the first shaft rotates in one sense the second shaft being stopped and in the second halfperiod the second shaft rotates in the opposite sense and the first shaft is stopped. Opposite senses of rotation of both shafts are realized by a pitchably mounted user foot¬ board which is joined alternately to both shafts by means of free- wheel clutches. The stopping of both shafts alternately against the frame is achieved by free-wheel clutches mounted in opposite senses of engagement.

Instead of the planet differential a gearbox of some known type can be used as the main unit of the driving mechanism. In such a case the input shaft to the gearbox mostly fitted with cranks is driven by the user foot-board. The crank pins are connected to the user foot¬ board by eiter a rotational joint or a general kinematic coupling. In the first case the user foot-board must be connected to the gearbox casing by a general kinematic coupling usually by means of the vehicle frame. In the second case the user foot-board must be rotationally connected to the gearbox casing usually by means of the vehicle frame. The gearbox itself can be provided with some auxiliary elements e.g. a clutch fto temporarily switching off the drive or a mechanism changing the gear ratio operated automatically or by a user. A special gearbox type is represented by a mechanism which is comprised of two pairs geared segments being in mesh with gear wheels mounted by means of free-wheel clutches on a shaft of the driving axle. Both segments are mounted on the user foot-board in the form of a cradle which is rocked by a user standing on it. If one pair of the gear elements meshes directly and the other pair meshes indirectly by means of an idle gear wheel and the free-wheel clutches are mounted in the sa_..- sense of engagement, the shaft of the driving axle rotates always in the same sense of rotation.

Advantages:

The invention provides quite a new type of portable user driven vehicle fully steerable and easy to operate. It can be used not only for sport or leisure time but also as an excellent simulator for out- of-season training of related sports for example surfing, skiing and snowboarding. Brief description of drawings:

Fig. 1 and fig. 2 show schematicaly the side view and the ground plan of the embodiment of the invention with a planet differential of the dual-planet type. Its primary crankshaft is rotationally connected to the user foot-board and its secondary shaft fitted with a crank is connected to the user foot-board by a general kinematic coupling.

Fig. 3 and fig. 4 show schematicaly the side view and in a secti¬ on the front view of a planet differential of the dual-planet type which is built into the hollow of a travelling wheel of the driving axle.

Fig. 5 and fig. 6 illustrate schematicaly the side view and the ground plan of the invention type with primary and secondary shafts of the planet differential rotationally fixed onto a vehicle frame. The primary shaft is formed as a crankshaft and its crank pins are joined by a general kinematic coupling to the user foot-board which is rota¬ tionally connected to the vehicle frame. The secondary shaft is con¬ nected to the vehicle frame by a clutch.

Fig. 7 and fig. 8 show schematicaly the side view and the ground plan of the invention model with a secondary shaft of the planet dif- ferential fixed to the vehicle frame. The cranked primary shaft of the planet differential is rotationally joined to the frame and its crank pins are rotationally connected to the user foot-board, which is joined by a general kinematic coupling to the frame.

Fig. 9 and fig. 10 show schematicaly the side view and the ground plan of the frameless embodiment of the vehicle with a cranked primary shaft of the planet differential which is rotationally connected by the crank pins to the user foot-board. Secondary shaft of e planet differential is fitted with an auxiliary sun-wheel being in mesh with an auxiliary planet-wheel by a flexible member. The auxiliary planet- wheel is joined to the user foot-board by a clutch.

Fig. 11 and fig. 12 show schematicaly the side view and the ground plan of the vehicle with two user foot-boards rotationaly connected to the alternated cranks of the primary shaft with a secon¬ dary shaft fixed to the frame. Fig. 13 and fig. 14 show schematicaly the side view and the ground plan of the frameless vehicle with a planet differential of the single-planet type. The planet-wheel is connected by a clutch to the user foot-board, the planet-wheel carrier formed as a crankshaft is rotationally connected by the crank pins to the user foot-board, too, and the sun-wheel is fixed to the travelling wheel of an driving axle.

Fig. 15 and fig. 16 show schematicaly the side view and the ground plan of the invention variant with a user foot-board formed as a rocker arm which is connected by means of free-wheels to the primary and secondary shafts of the planet differential built into the hollow of the travelling wheel.

Fig. 17 and fig.18 show schematicaly the side view and the ground plan of the vehicle with a frame and with a couple of gearboxes. Fig. 19 and fig.20 show schematicaly the side view and the ground plan of the frameless vehicle with a gearbox connected rotationally to the user foot-board.

Fig. 21 and fig. 22 show schematicaly the side view and the ground plan of the vehicle variant with a user foot-board formed as a cradle connected with two toothed segments being in mesh with two gear wheels on the shaft of the driving axle. A travelling wheel is connec¬ ted with the shaft by means of an elastic member.

Best modes of carrying out the invention: In the embodiment of the vehicle according to fig. 1 and fig. 2 the user foot-board 1 is rotationally joined with the crank pins 2 , 3 of the cranks 4, 5 fixed on the primary shaft 6 of the planet diffe¬ rential 18, which is of dual-planet type. To take up the reacting force of a transmission is the secondary shaft 10 of the planet dif- ferential 18 fitted with a crank 13, which is connected by a general kinematic coupling to the user foot-board 1. The general kinematic coupling shown in the scaled up ύ- ail is realized by a rotational joint of the crank 13 with a trolley 14 provided by rollers rolling on runways 1 > 1__ arranged on the foot-board 1. A non-driving axle 17 is connected to the foot-board 1 and the travelling wheel 12 with a built in planet differential 18 constitutes the driving axle. The non-dri¬ ving axle 17 can be steerable, for example by inclination of the user foot-board to the side.

In the planet differential of the dual-planet type according to fig. 3 and fig. 4 the primary shaft 6 is firmly connected to the pri¬ mary sun-wheel 1_ which is in mesh with the first rim of the dual pla¬ net-wheel 8. The second rim of the planet-wheel 8 meshes with the se¬ condary sun-wheel 9_ firmly connected to the secondary shaft 10. The planet-wheel carrier 11 as a output member of the planet differential 18 is firmly connected to the disk of travelling wheel _L2 of the dri¬ ving axle. The best mode of covering of the gear is to place whole planet differential 18 into a hollow formed inside the travelling wheel 12. To be all radial forces balanced, there are used three pla¬ net-wheels.

The vehicle type according to fig. 5 and fig. 7 has the foot¬ board 1 rotationally connected by the bearing .23 to the vehicle frame 24. The primary shaft 6 of the planet differential 18 is also rotatio- nally mounted onto the vehicle frame. The primary shaft j3 is formed as a crankshaft with cranks 4., 5. and crank pins 2_, 3_ which are joined to the foot-board 1 by a general kinematic couplings. The general kinema¬ tic coupling shown in the scaled up detail is realized by the rollers 19. 20 rotationally mounted on the crank pins 2., 3 and rolling on run- ways 21, 22 arranged on the foot-board 1. The secondary shaft 10 of the planet differential 18 is connected to the vehicle frame 24 by means of a clutch 25. This clutch can be automatically operated, for example as a free-wheel, or oparated by the user. Switching off the clutch disables the driving mechanism allowing the vehicle to run by momentum or downhill motion. A non-driving axle 17 is connected to the foot-board 1 and the travelling wheel 12. with a built in planet diffe¬ rential 18 constitutes the driving axle.

The great advantage of this variant is the fact that energy can be forced into the driving system by both downward and upward strokes of the foot-board when the user alternately loads the both parts of the foot-board on the opposite sides of the bearing .23 in accord with the movement of the cranks 3., 4. of the primary crankshaft 6 down or up.

The same advantage presents also the embodiment of the vehicle according to fig. 7 and fig. 8. There are the crank pins 2 , 3 of the cranks 4, 5. of the primary crankshaft ϋ joined to the foot-board 1 by the rotational joints and the connecting between the foot-board 1 and the vehicle frame 30 is solved by a general kinematic coupling reali¬ zed by the rollers 26, 27 rotationally mounted on the foot-board 1 and rolling on the runways 28, 2£ arranged on the vehicle frame 30 which carries a non-driving axle 17 and primary 6 and secondary 10 shafts of the planet differential 18 built into the disk of the travelling wheel 12 of the driving axle. Fig. 9 and fig. 10 show an other way how to take up the reacting force of a transmission in frameless model of the vehicle. The secon¬ dary shaft 10 of the planet differential 18 is firmly connected with an auxiliary sun-wheel 31 being in mesh with an auxiliary planet-wheel 322 by means of a flexible member 33 which is preferably a chain but can be also a belt etc. The auxiliary planet-wheel is firmly connected with a coaxial crank pin 35 which is rotable relative to the crank 34 of the primary cranked shaft 6 of the planet differential 18. The joint of the auxiliary planet-wheel 32 to the user foot-board 1 is re- alized by a clutch 36 which is acting between the crank pin 5 and the foot-board 1. This clutch can be automatically operated, e.g. as a free-wheel, or oparated by the user. Switching off the clutch disables the driving mechanism allowing the vehicle to run by momentum or down¬ hill motion. Arrangement of a vehicle equipped with two foot-boards 41, 42 loaded alternately each by one foot of a user is shown in fig. 11 and fig. 12. There are the cranks 37, 8 of the cranked primary shaft 6 of the planet differential 18 oriented to the opposite sides of the shaft 6 and are rotationally conected to the foot-boards 41, 42 by means of the crank pins 39, 40. The primary shaft 6 is rotationally joined to the vehicle frame 4_3. The secondary shaft 10 is firmly connected to the vehicle frame 43. to take up the reacting moment of the transmis¬ sion. Next, to the vehicle frame 13 is rotationally connected by means of a bearing 44 central part of an auxiliary crankshaft 45. Its cranks rotationally connected by the crank pins 46, 47 with the foot-boards 41. 42 realize a general kinematic coupling of the foot-boards to the vehicle firame 4.3. A non-driving axle 17 is mounted onto ti,- vehicle frame 43 and a driving axle is formed by the planet differential 18 built into the hollow of the travelling wheel 12. Use of a planet differential 48 of the single-planet type is shown in fig. 13 and fig. 14. There is a planet-wheel carrier formed as a crankshaft 49 whose crank pins 50, 51 are rotationally connected to the user foot-board 1. The crankshaft 4_9 and the planet-wheel 52 rotationally mounted on the crank pin jϋ are two input members of the planet differential 48 and the output member is the sun-wheel JL3 being in mesh with the planet-wheel ]52 by internal teeth. The sun-wheel 53 is firmly joined to the travelling wheel 54 of the driving axle. The joint of the planet-wheel J52 to the user foot-board 1 is realized by a clutch 55- This clutch can either be automatically operated, e.g.as a free-wheel, or oparated by the user. Switching off the clutch disab¬ les the driving mechanism allowing the vehicle to run by momentum or downhill motion. A non-driving axle 7 is mounted onto the foot-board 1. Use of a fender 56 of the travelling wheel 54 schematically illust¬ rates fig. 13.

The vehicle type according to fig. 15 and fig. 16 has again the planet differential 18. of the dual-planet type. Its primary 6 and se¬ condary 10. shafts are rotationally mounted on the vehicle frame 60 co- axially with a user foot-board j57 in the form of a double-armed roc¬ ker fitted with two pedals 58., 59., on which the user stands. Transmis¬ sion of the driving moment from the foot-board £7 on the shafts 6. and 10 is done by means of free-wheel clutchs 63., (54 mounted in mutually opposite senses of action. The reacting moment of the transmission is taken up to the frame 60 by means of free-wheel clutchs 65, fi_-_* Onto the vehicle frame 613 two non-driving axles 61, J32. are mounted by means of leaf springs .67., ____• These axles can be steerable, for example by inclination of the vehicle frame ⁽JCL to the side. There are two immo¬ vable auxiliary foot-boards 69, 70. mounted on the non-driving axles. By the active (driven) run of the vehicle a user stands on the pedals 58, 59_. and by alternate loading of both feet sets the foot¬ board .57. in the pitching motion relatively to the vehicle frame 60. According to the sense of the foot-board rotation relative to the frame engages only one of the free-wheels 63., 64 with a corresponding input shaft of the planet differential 18. By transfer of driving mo¬ ment on the travelling wheel 12 appears on the second input shaft of the planet differential IB a reacti-"^ moment which is taken up by one of the free-wheels 65., 6£ mounted on the vehicle frame 60. In the course of the first half-period of the foot-board motion engage simul- taneously the free-wheels 6 and 66 and in the course of the second half-period engage simultaneously the free-wheels 64 and 65. The sense of the rotation of the travelling wheel _L2 connected with a planet-ca¬ rrier of the planet differential 18 stays in both half-periods the same. By the passive (nondriven) run of the vehicle by momentum or downhill motion some three or all four free-wheels idle, the foot¬ board does not move and user can stand on the two un ovable auxiliary foot-boards 69, 70. In the embodiment of the invention according to fig. 17 and fig. 18 the user foot-board 86 is rotationally joined with the crank pins lii 1_*5 of the crankshaft 7_3 which is the common input shaft of the couple of identical double-staged gearboxes H, 72 arranged symerical- ly to the plane perpendicular to the axis of the crankshaft 73. Cas¬ ings 78, 19 of the gearboxes are mounted on the vehicle frame 80_* Both output shafts 16, .77 of the gearboxes are firmly connected with a disk of the travelling wheel 85 of the driving axle. A non-driving axle 17 is fixed on the vehicle frame 80_* Joint between the user foot-board 86 and the vehicle frame 80 is done by a general kinematic coupling realized by a couple of rollers H, 82 rotationally connected to the foot-board 86 and rolling on the runways 83, 84 arranged on the frame.

The reason for use of a couple of gearboxes is to achive symetry of the vehicle relative to its longitudinal axis and to distribute the load of the driving mechanism on the larger number of the gear wheels. In such a construction can be gear wheels made from hard plastics.

The frameless vehicle type according to fig. 19 and fig. 20 has the casing .92 of the double-staged gearbox 87 rotationally joined with the user foot-board 86- The crank pins 89, 90 of the crankshaft 88 are connected with the foot-board 86 by a general kinematic coupling shown in the scaled up detail. There are the rollers 93, 94 rotatio¬ nally mounted on the crank pins 9, 90 and rolling on a runways 95., 96 arranged on the foot-board 86. The crankshaft 88 is a input shaft of the gearbox 7 whose output shaft 91 is fixed to the disk of the tra- veiling wheel 85 of the driving axle.

Fig. 21 and fig. 22 show an arrangement of a vehicle provided with an otl *-^•■* type of gear. Orr- the vehicle frame 98 is rotationally fixed an driving axle comprising a shaft 99 and a travelling wheel 100 rotationally mounted on it. Transfer of driving moment from the shaft 99 on the travelling wheel 100 is done by an elastic member 101 drawn as a bended coil spring. By the free-wheeling clutchs 102. 103 mounted in the same sense of engagement are on the shaft 99 of the driving axle fitted two gear wheels 104_> 1Q_>« The first gear wheel 104 is in mesh direct with the toothed segment 106 and the second gear wheel 105 meshes the second toothed segment 108 indirectly by means of a idle dual-wheel 107 rotationally mounted on the vehicle frame 98. The toot¬ hed segments 106, 108 are fixed relative to the user foot-board 109 in the form of a cradle with two guide elements HO, HI in the shape of circular segments. User stands on pedals 112. 113 connected with the foot-board 109. Relative to the vehicle frame 91 the user foot¬ board 109 does rotational pitching motion realized by fitting of the guide elements 110, 111 on the rollers 114 to 117 rotationally mount- ed on the frame 91. Onto the vehicle frame 91 two non-driving axles 61, 62 steerable for example by inclination of the vehicle frame 9 to the side are mounted by means of leaf springs 67., 61. There are two unmovable auxiliary foot-boards 69., 70 mounted on the non-driving axles. By the active (driven) run of the vehicle a user stands on the pedals 112, 113 and by alternate loading of both feet sets the foot¬ board 109 in the pitching motion relatively to the vehicle frame 98. Both toothed segments 106. 108 move together with the foot-board 109 setting the wheels 104, 105 in rotations in mutually opposite senses due to action of a idle wheel 107. In such a way the free-wheels 102. 103 engage alternately each in one half-period of the foot-board mo¬ tion and the shaft 99 together with the travelling wheel 100 rotate always in the same sense. Dead travel of the driving mechanism in a neighbourhood of the dead centers of the foot-board is eliminated by an elastic member 101. Leaf springs 67., 61 provide the proper contact of non-driving axles 61, 6 with road surface.

By the passive (non-driven) run of the vehicle by momentum or downhill motion both free-wheels 102. 103 idle, the foot-board does not move and user can stand on the two unmovable auxiliary foot-boards 69. 70.

Claims

Patent claims:

1. User driven vehicle consisting of at least one user foot-board and of at least two axles, at least one of them is driving with at least one travelling wheel on it, while the others are non-driving and of a driving mechanism of at least one driving axle, c h a r a c t e¬ r i s e d i n that at least one user foot-board (1,41,42,57,86, 109) is mounted movably in the vertical longitudinal plane relative to the other parts of the vehicle and is an input member of a driving me¬ chanism of at least one travelling wheel (12,54,85,100) of at least one driving axle of the vehicle.

2. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 1, c h a r a c t e¬ r i s e d i n that the next part of the driving mechanism of the driving axle is at least one planet differential (18,48).

3. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 2, c h a r a c t e- r i s e d i n that the planet differential (18) consists of a primary shaft (6) which is the first input to the planet differential (18) and of at least one secondary shaft (10) which is the second input to the planet differential (18) and of a primary sun-wheel (7) and of at least one secondary sun-wheel (9) and of at least one pla- net-wheel (8) with at least two rims in mesh with corresponding sun- wheels and of a planet-wheel carrier (11) which is the output member of the driving mechanism and carries at least one rotationally mounted planet-wheel (8).

4. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 3, c h a r a c t e- r i s e d i n that all connections in the planet differential

(18) between the shafts (6,10) and the corresponding sun-wheels (7,9) and between the rims of the planet-whe-.⁷= (8) are rigid.

5. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 3, c h a r a c t e¬ r i s e d i n that at least one connection in the planet differen- tial between the shafts and the corresponding sun-wheels and between the rims of the planet-wheels is realized by an elastic member with possibly a damper of oscillations.

6. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 4 or 5, c h a r a¬ c t e r i s e d i n that the planet differential (18) has the con- stant internal gear ratio.

7. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 4 or 5, c h a r a¬ c t e r i s e d i n that the planet differential has either a step by step or a continuously variable internal gear ratio.

8. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 7, c h a r a c t e¬ r i s e d i n that the changing of the internal gear ratio is operated automatically, for example by a control signal derived from the transmitted moment or from the current number of revolutions of the planet-wheel carrier.

9. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 7, c h a r a c t e¬ r i s e d i n that the changing of the internal gear ratio is operated by the user.

10. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 6 or 8 or 9, c h a- r a c t e r i s e d i n that all connections in the planet diffe¬ rential (18) between the shafts (6,10) and the corresponding sun- wheels (7,9) and between the rims of the planet-wheels (8) are perma¬ nent.

11. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 6 or 8 or 9, c h a- r a c t e r i s e d i n that the planet differential mesh can be disconnected by switching off the clutch which is inserted into the mechanism of the planet differential.

12. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 11, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the clutch is operated automatically, for example by a control signal derived from the sense of the transmitted moment.

13. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 11, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the clutch is operated by the user.

14. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 10 or 12 or 13, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the primary input shaft (6) of the planet differential (18) is fitted with at least one crank (4,5, 34,37,38).

15. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 14, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the crank pin (2,3,35) of at least one crank (4,5,34) of the primary shaft (6) of the planet differential (18) is rotationally connected to the user foot-board (1).

16. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 14, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the primary shaft (6) fitted with the two alternated cranks (37,38) with the crank pins (39,40) rotationally connected to the two user foot-boards (41,42) is rotationally mounted onto the vehicle frame (43), to which are the foot-boards (41,42) con¬ nected by means of a general kinematic coupling realized for example by the rotational connection of the user foot-boards (41,42) to the crank pins (46,47) of the auxiliary crankshaft (45) which is rotation¬ ally fixed to the vehicle frame (43) by the bearing (44).

17. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 14, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the crank pin (2,3) of at least one crank (4,5) of the primary shaft (6) of the planet differential (18) is con¬ nected to the user foot-board (1) by a general kinematic coupling.

18. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 17, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the general kinematic coupling between the crank pin (2,3) and the user foot-board (1) is realized by a roller (19,20) rotationally fixed on the crank pin (2,3) and rolling on a runway (21,22) arranged on the user foot-board (1).

19. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 17, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the general kinematic coupling between the crank pin of the crank of the primary shaft of the planet differential and the user foot-board is realized by a rotational joint of the crank pin to an inserted member which is translationally movable along the guide connected to the user foot-board, while the primary shaft of the planet differential and the user foot-board are rotationally suported on the vehicle frame and the secondary shaft of the planet differen- tial is firmly joined to the concentric auxiliary sun-wheel which is in mesh with an auxiliary planet-wheel mounted rotationally with res¬ pect to the crank pin.

20. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 15, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the primary shaft (6) is rotationally fixed to the vehicle frame (30) onto which the user foot-board (1) is joined by a general kinematic coupling realized for example at least by one ro»Ller (26,27) rotationally mounted on the user foot-b "•H (1) and rolling on a runway (28,29) arranged on the vehicle frame (30).

21. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 15, c h a r a c- t e r i s e d i n that the secondary shaft (10) of the planet differential (18) is fitted with a crank (13) which is joined to the user foot-board (1) by means of a general kinematic coupling realized for example by a trolley (14) with at least one roller, where the trolley is rotationally joined to the crank (13) and rolls on a runway (15,16) arranged on the user foot-board (1).

22. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 15, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the secondary shaft of the planet diffe¬ rential is joined to lever which is held in user's hand.

23. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 15 or 16 or 20, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the secondary shaft (10) of the planet differential (18) is firmly joined to the concentric auxiliary sun-wheel (31) which is in mesh with the auxiliary planet-wheel (32) mounted concentrically with respect to the crank pin (35) of the crank (34) of the primary shaft (6) onto the user foot-board (1).

24. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 17 or 18, c h a- r a c t e r i s e d i n that the primary shaft (6) is rotationally mounted on the vehicle frame (24) onto which the user foot-board (1) is also mounted by a rotational connection (23).

25. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 16 or 20 or 24, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the secondary shaft (10) of the planet differential (18) is firmly joined to the vehicle frame (30, 43).

26. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 16 or 20 or 24, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the secondary shaft (10) of planet differential (18) is joined to the vehicle frame (24) by means of other members such as for example a clutch (25) or an elastic member possibly with a damper of oscillations or a combination of these.

27. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 26, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the clutch (25) is operated automatically for example by a control signal derived from the sense of the trans¬ mitted moment.

28. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 26, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the the clutch (25) is operated by the user.

29. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 17 or 18, c h a- r a c t e r i s e d i n that the primary and the secondary shafts of the planet differential are joined to the user foot-board by a ge¬ neral kinematic coupling realized for example by mounting of the shafts to guides joined to the user foot-board either direct or pos¬ sibly by means of inserted translational members.

30. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 29, c h a r a c- t e r i s e d i n that the secondary shaft of the planet diffe¬ rential is firmly joined to the inserted translational member.

31. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 29, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the secondary shaft of the planet diffe- rential is joined to the inserted translational member by means of other members such as for example a clutch or an elastic member pos¬ sibly with a damper of oscillations or a combination of these.

32. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 31, c h a r a c- t e r i s e d i n that the clutch is operated automatically for example by a control signal derived from the sense of the transmitted moment.

33. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 31, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the clutch is operated by the user.

34. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 29, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the secondary shaft of the planet diffe¬ rential is fitted with a crank whose crank pin is joined to the user foot-board by a general kinematic coupling realized for example by a roller rotationally fixed onto the crank pin and rolling on a runway arranged on the user foot-board.

35. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 34, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the crank of the secondary shaft of the planet differential is as long as the crank of the one-side primary crankshaft of the planet differential.

36. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 2, c h a r a c t e¬ r i s e d i n that the first input member of the planet differen¬ tial (48) is a planet-wheel carrier formed as a crankshaft (49), the second input member of the planet differential (48) is a planet-wheel (52) mounted concentrically with respect to a crank pin (51) of the crankshaft (49) and the output member of the planet-differential (48) is a sun-w_jeel (53) which is in mesh, with the planet-wheel (52).

37. User drivt -> vehicle according to patent claim 36, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that at least one crank pin (50,51) of the crankshaft (49) is rotationally joined to the user foot-board (1).

38. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 37, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the central part of the crankshaft is ro¬ tationally joined to the vehicle frame onto which is also joined the user foot-board by means of a general kinematic coupling.

39. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 36, c h a r a c- t e r i s e d i n that the central part of the crankshaft and the user foot-board are rotationally supported on the vehicle frame and the crank pin of the crankshaft is joined to the user foot-board by a general kinematic coupling realized for example by a rotational con- nection of the crank pin with the inserted member which is translatio- nally movable in a guide fixed to the user foot-board.

40. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 19 or 39, c h a- r a c t e r i s e d i n that the planet-wheel or the auxiliary planet-wheel is a integrated part of the inserted member.

41. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 19 or 39, c h a- r a c t e r i s e d i n that the planet-wheel or the auxiliary planet-wheel is firmly joined to the inserted member.

42. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 19 or 39, c h a- r a c t e r i s e d i n that the planet-wheel or the auxiliary planet-wheel is joined to the inserted member by means of other mem¬ bers such as for example a clutch or an elastic member possibly with a damper of oscillations or a combination of these.

43. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 42, c h a r a c- t e r i s e d i n that the clutch is operated automatically for example by a control signal derived from the sense of the transmitted moment.

44. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 42, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the clutch is operated by the user.

45. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 23 or 37 or 38, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the planet-wheel or the auxili¬ ary planet-wheel is firmly joined to the user foot-board.

46. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 23 or 37 or 38, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the planet-wheel (52) or the auxiliary planet-wheel (33) is joined to the user foot-board (1) by means of other members such as for example a clutch (36,55) or an ela¬ stic member possibly with a damper of oscillations or a combina. ^'in of these.

47. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 46, c h a r a c- t e r i s e d i n that the clutch (36,55) is operated automatica¬ lly for example by a control signal derived from the sense of the transmitted moment.

48. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 46, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the clutch (36,55) is operated by the user.

49. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 21 or 22 or 25 or 27 or 28 or 30 or 32 or 33 or 34 or 35 or 40 or 41 or 43 or 44 or 45 or 47 or 48, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that at least one non- driving axle (17) is fixed to the user foot-board (17) or to the ve¬ hicle frame (24,43).

50. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 10 or 12 or 13, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the primary (6) and the secon- dary (10) shafts of the planet differential (18) and the user foot¬ board (57) fitted at least with one fixed or movable pedal (58,59) are rotationally mounted on the vehicle frame (60) carrying at least two non-driving axles (61,62), where the primary (6) and the secondary (10) shafts of the planet differential (18) are connected to the user foot-board (57) by means of free-wheels (63,64) mounted in such a way that these would transmit moment in relatively opposite senses of ro¬ tation and to the vehicle frame (60) by means of free-wheels (65,66) mounted in such a way that these would transmit moment in senses op¬ posite to those ones of the free-wheels (63,64) by which are the pri- mary (6) and the secondary (10) shafts of the planet differenial (18) connected to the user foot-board (57).

51. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 50, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that at least one non-driving axle (61,62) is connected to the vehicle frame (60) by means of a spring, for example the leaf spring (67,68).

52. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 50 or 51, c h a- r a c t e r i s e d i n that at least one auxiliary foot-board (69,70) is joined to the vehicle frame (60) or to the springs (67,68) or to the non-driving axles (61,62).

53. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 1, c h a r a c t e¬ r i s e d i n that the next part of the driving mechanism of the driving axle is at least one gearbox (71 72,87) whose input shaft (73, 88) is formed as a crankshaft and whose output shaft (76,77,91) is the output member of the driving mechanism of the driving .axle.

54. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 53, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that all connections in the gearbox (71,72,87) between the shafts (73,76,77,88,91) and the corresponding gear-wheels are rigid.

55. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 53, c h a r a c- t e r i s e d i n that at least one connection in the gearbox between the shafts and the corresponding gear-wheels is realized by an elastic member with possibly a damper of oscillations.

56. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 54 or 55, c h a- r a c t e r i s e d i n that the gearbox (71,72,87) has the con¬ stant gear ratio.

57. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 54 or 55, c h a- r a c t e r i s e d i n that the gearbox has either a step by step or a continuously variable gear ratio.

58. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 57, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the changing of the gear ratio is operated automatically for example by a control signal derived from the trans¬ mitted moment or from the current number of revolutions.

59. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 57, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the changing of the gear ratio is operated by the user.

60. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 56 or 58 or 59, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that all connections in the gearbox (71,72,87) between the shafts (73,76,77,88,91) and the corresponding gear-wheels are permanent.

61. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 56 or 58 or 59, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the gearbox mesh can be discon¬ nected by switching off the clutch which is inserted into the mecha- nism of the gearbox.

62. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 61, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the clutch is operated automatically for example by a control signal derived from the sense of the transmitted moment.

63. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 61, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the clutch, is operated by the user.

64. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 60 or 62 or 63, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that at least one crank pin (74,75) of the crankshaft (73) is rotationally connected to the user foot- board (86).

65. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 64, c h r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the casing of the gearbox is connected to the user foot-board by a general kinematic coupling.

66. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 64, c h a r a c- t e r i s e d i n that the casing (78,79) of the gearbox (71,72) is mounted on the vehicle frame (80) to which the user foot-board (86) is connected by a general kinematic coupling realized for example at least by one roller (81,82) rotationally mounted on the user foot- board (86) and rolling on the runway (83,84) arranged on the vehicle frame (80).

67. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 60 or 62 or 63, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that at least one crank pin (89,90) of the crankshaft (88) is joined to the user foot-board (86) by a ge¬ neral kinematic coupling realized for example by the roller (93,94) rotationally mounted on the crank pin (89,90) and rolling on the run¬ way (95,96) arranged on the user foot-board (86).

68. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 67, c h a r a c- t e r i s e d i n that the casing (92) of the gearbox (87) is connected to the user foot-board (86) by a rotational connection (97).

69. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 67, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the gearbox is fixed to the frame to which is the user foot-board connected by a rotational connection.

70. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 60 or 62 or 63, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the crankshaft is fitted with two alternated cranks with the crank pins rotationally connected to the two user foot-boards which are connected with the vehicle frame by means of a general kinematic coupling realized for example by the rotational connection of the user foot-boards with the crank pins of the auxiliary crankshaft which is rotationally fixed to the vehicle frame onto which is also mounted the gearbox casing.

71. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 65 or 66 or 68 or 69 or 70, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that at least one non- driving axle (17) is fixed either to the user foot-board (86) or to the vehicle frame (80).

72. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 49 or 50 or ^""* or 52 or 71, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the output member (11,53,76,77,91) of the driving mechanism is an integrated part of at least one travelling wheel (12,54,85) of the driving axle.

73. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 49 or 50 or 51 or 52 or 71, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the output member (11,53,76,77,91) of the driving mechanism is firmly joined to at least one travelling wheel (12,54,85) of the driving axle.

74. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 49 or 50 or 51 or 52 or 71, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the output member of the driving mechanism is connected to at least one travelling wheel of the driving axle by means of other members such as for example an in- serted gear or a clutch operated automatically or by a user or an ela¬ stic member possibly with a damper of oscillations or a combination of these.

75. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 72 or 73 or 74, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that at least one pair (31,32) of the transmission wheels is in mesh by means of an flexible member (33).

76. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 75, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the flexible member (33) is a chain.

77. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 75, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the flexible member (33) is a flat belt or a V-belt or a toothed belt.

78. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 1, c h a r a c t e¬ r i s e d i n that the user foot-board (109) fitted at least with one fixed or movable pedal (112,113) is mounted relatively rotational¬ ly to the vehicle frame (98) carrying at least two non-driving axles (61,62) by a rotational connection realized by the forming of the user foot-board (109) as a cradle whose guide elements (110,111) formed as a circular segments are guided by the rollers (114,115,116,117) rota- tionally mounted on the vehicle frame (98).

79. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 78, c h r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that at least one non-driving axle (61,62) is connected to the vehicle frame (98) by means of a spring, for example the leaf spring (67,68).

80. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 78 or 79, c h a- r a c t e r i s e d i n that at least one auxiliary foot-board (69,70) is joined to the vehicle frame .°8. or to the springr (67,68) or to the non-driving axles (61,62).

81. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 78 or 79 or 80, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the driving mechanism comprises two gear segments (106,108) connected to the user foot-board (109) and two gear wheels (104,105) rotationally mounted on the shaft (99) of the driving axle, where the first gear segment (106) meshes the co- responding first gear wheel (104) directly and the second gear segment (108) meshes the coresponding second gear wheel (105) indirectly by means of at least one inserted gear wheel (107), where the transmis¬ sion of the driving moment between the gear wheels (104,105) and the shaft (99) of the driving axle is done by means of free-wheels (102, 103) in only one sense of rotation the gear wheels (104,105) relative to the vehicle frame (98).

82. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 81, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the shaft of the driving axle is an integ- rated part of at least one travelling wheel of the driving axle.

83. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 81, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the shaft of the driving axle is firmly joined to at least one travelling wheel of the driving axle.

84. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 81, c h a r a c- t e r i s e d i n that the shaft (99) of the driving axle is con¬ nected to at least one travelling wheel (100) of the driving axle by means of other members such as for example an inserted gear or a clutch operated automatically or by a user or an elastic member (101) possibly with a damper of oscillations or a combination of these.

85. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 76 or 77 or 82 or 83 or 84, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that at least one pair of the transmission elements is a pair of friction wheels.

86. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 76 or 77 or 82 or 83 or 84, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that at least one pair of the transmission elements (7,8,9,52,53,104,105,106,107,108) is a pair of toothed transmission elements.

87. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 85 or 86, c h a- r a c t e r i s e d i n that at least one non-driving axle (1, 61,62) is steerable for example by the inclination of- the user foot- board to the side relative to road surface.

88. User driven vehicle according to patent claim 87, c h a r a c¬ t e r i s e d i n that the vehicle is provided by the further equipment such as for example a brake of the non-driving or driving axle or a fender (56) or a handlebar connected to the user foot-board or to the vehicle frame for an easier control of the vehicle or a lighting.