Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
  • B62K15/00—Collapsible or foldable cycles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
  • B60B27/00—Hubs
  • B60B27/02—Hubs adapted to be rotatably arranged on axle
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
  • B60B33/00—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors
  • B60B33/0028—Construction of wheels; methods of assembling on axle
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
  • B60B2900/00—Purpose of invention
  • B60B2900/30—Increase in
  • B60B2900/311—Rigidity or stiffness
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
  • B60B37/00—Wheel-axle combinations, e.g. wheel sets
  • B60B37/10—Wheel-axle combinations, e.g. wheel sets the wheels being individually rotatable around the axles

Definitions

• the present invention relates to improvements in push scooters and more particularly relates to a scooter having improvements which enhance utility and durability.
• the invention further relates to an improved mechanism which allows the scooter handle bars to be folded against the rider platform in a more efficient maimer and which eliminates unwanted play in the folding mechanism when the handle bars are unfolded.
• the invention further provides a scooter having hub less wheels one of wlijcli includes a braking assembly which engages a surface of the wheel when braking is required.
• a scooter in the present context is a personal two wheel transport device which has a generally L-shaped structure including a vertical or substantial vertical handle bar assembly and a rider platform connected to a lower end of the handle bar assembly.
• scooter types which are available some without a capacity for folding the handle bars and others which are adapted for convenient portability, handling and storage due to the capacity for folding the handle bar assembly against the riding platform.
• a slot is provided and two recesses in each of the frames communicate with the slot and retain a pin which is able to communicate with one of the two notches.
• a folding device For ease of storage and carriage a folding device is provided to connect the handle bar and the platform such that when folded the handle bars lie adjacent the rider platform.
• the prior art teaches a variety of folding mechanisms.
• One such known mechanism employs a plug and a socket to selectively fix the connection between the handle bar and the platform.
• a quick release device can quickly lock or release the connection between the handle bar and the platform.
• the quick release device is expensive which adds to the cost of the scooters.
• a puller was provided to pull the plug and disengage it from the socket. The puller was laterally or upwardly mounted onto the folding device for ease of operation.
• the problem with that mechanism was that the puller could become inadvertently hooked to another object or when the plug is suddenly disengaged from the socket this had the potential to cause accident to a user during riding.
• the plug usually laterally extended through the folding device.
• the user's hand is situated near the folding route of the handle bar such that the user's hand may be hurt due i the handle bar suddenly moves toward the platfor when the plug is disengaged from the socket.
• An alternative known Folding mechanism comprised a pair of side plates securely connected to a lower portion of a handle bar of the scooter. Each side plate had an upper edge divided into a curved section and a linear section near the handle bar.
• the platform of the scooter was pivotally connected to the folding device by a pin that laterally extended through the folding device and to a front of the platform.
• a seat was secured between the pair of side plates and had an outline relative to that of each of the pair of plates.
• An engaging unit was mounted onto an underside of the platform.
• the engaging unit included a channel secured on the underside of the platform along an axis of the platform to define a closed channel for slidably receiving a plug that is reciprocally moved relative to a channel beam.
• This patent discloses a scooter with a ratchet mechanism for driving the rear wheel of the scooter, a stepping lever for transferring the stepping force of the rider to the ratchet mechanism and a retrieving means for raising the stepping lever as the stepping force is released.
• the scooter can be propelled by the intermittent stepping force of the rider to advance forwardly.
• a scooter should be stable, easy to turn, human or electric powered, remain stable at higher speeds and allow the rider to keep both feet on the device if required.
• the present invention provides alternative features to those found in the prior art scooters including an improved folding mechanism, a hub less wheel and an improved braking assembly each intended to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantages o f the conventional folding scooters.
• the invention provides a mechanism, which allows the scooter handle bars to be folded against the platform in a more efficient manner and which eliminates unwanted play in the folding mechanism.
• the invention further provides a hub less wheelwhich eliminates a traditional axle and hub arrangement and also provides an improved foot actuated braking assembly.
• the present invention comprises: a personal ride on scooter for carrying a passenger, the scooter comprising a handle bar assembly pivotally connected to a scooter platform and capable of folding relative to the platform,
• a locking mechanism comprising opposing latching pawls each mounted on respective pivots which allow the pawls to contra rotate thereabout,
• a locking shaft fixed to the plates and co operating with the latching pawls to allow the handle bars assembly to move between a locked condition and an unlocked condition when the handle bar assembly rotated to a position of alignment with the base.
• the locking shaft is fixed and engages a surface of the pawl.
• the pawls are spring biased. An operator displaces at least one of the pawls to enable movement of the handle bar assembly relative the fixed shaft.
• the present invention comprises: a lockable folding assembly for a ride on scooter of the type comprising two wheels, a rider's platform therebetween, a handle bar assembly;
• the lockable folding assembly connected to the scooter platform allowing the handle bar assembly to move pivotally relative to the platform;
• a locking mechanis comprising opposing latching pawls each mounted on respective pivots which allow the, pawls to contra rotate thereabout,
• a locking shaft fixed to the plates and co operating with the latching pawls to the handle bar assembly to move between a locked position in which the handle bar is in an upright position and an unlocked position in which he handle bar assembly is rotated to a position adjacent the riding platform.
• the locking shaft is prevented from movement by said pawls.
• One of the pawls is displaced suificient to clear the locking shaft enabling folding of the handle bar.
• the pawls are spring biased to the locked position in which the handle bar is upright ready for use.
• the handle bar is rotatable to a folded position by actuation of the pawls against the bias.
• the spring used is preferably a leaf spring
• Tn another broad form the present invention comprises:
• the scooter comprising a handle bar assembly pivotally connected to a scooter platform and capable of folding relative to the platform,
• the locking mechanism comprising opposing latching pawls each mounted on respective pivots which allow the pawls to contra rotate thereabout,
• a locking shaft fixed to the plates and co operating with the latching pawls to allow the handle bar assembly to move between a locked position in which the handle bar is in an upright position and an unlocked position in which he handle bar assembly is rotated to a position adjacent the riding platform.
• the present invention comprises: a personal ride on scooter for carrying a passenger, the scooter comprising a handle bar assembly pivotaily connected to a scooter platform and capable of folding relative to the platform,
• a locking mechanism comprising opposing latching pawls each mounted on respective pivots which allow the pawls to contra rotate thereabout, a braking mechanism which is connected to an anchor mounted on the platform and which is urged into engagement with the rear wheel to induce braking by friction between a braking arm. and the wheel.
• a bearing is placed between the inner fixed rim and the outer -wheel.
• the rim on each wheel assembly is connected by a bracket to the scooter platform or handle bar assembly.
• the inner rim assembly in the case of the front wheel is attached to the handle bar and in the case of the back wheel the rim, is connected to the scooter platform.
• At least one bearing is located between the fixed inner rim and the said rotatable outer wheel.
• Figure 1 shows a perspective side view of a scooter according to a preferred embodiment.
• Figure 2 shows a side elevation view of the scooter of figure 1 in a folded configuration.
• Figure 3 shows with corresponding numbering an enlarged perspective view of the folding mechanism.
• Figure 4a-f show a cross sectional elevation detail of the folding assembly in various stages of operation between a locked mode and unlocked mode.
• Figure 5 shows an. enlarged view of the rear wheel and brake assembly according to one embodiment.
• Figure 6 shows an exploded view of a front wheel bub assembly according to a preferred embodiment.
• Figure 7 shows an. enlarged assembled view of the front wheel assembly of figure 6.
• Figure 8 shows an exploded view of the wheel hub and brake assembly.
• Figure 9 shows a partially assembled vi ew of the rear wheel hub and brake assembly.
• Figure 10 shows a partially assembled view of the rear wheel hub and brake assembly.
• Figure 11 shows a partially assembled view of the rear wheel hub and brake assembly.
• Figure 12 shows a side long sectional assembled view of the brake and wheel hub assembly with the brake arm disengaged from a wheel in the brake off position.
• Figure 13 shows a side long sectional view of the brake and wheel hub assembly with the brake arm engaged with a wheel in the brake on position
• a scooter 1 comprises a handle bar assembly 2 which is pivotaliy connected via a folding assembly 3 to a rider platform 4.
• Handle bar 2 comprises a T bar section 5 which telescopically engages strut
• Wheel assembly S is mounted to bracket 7 via peripheral hub 9 which retains wheel 10.
• Plates 11 and 12 connect at respective ends 13 and 14 to platform 4. Plates 1 1 and 12 engage via ends 15 and 16 to pivot 1 7.
• Handle bar assembly 2 is capable of pivoting about pivot 17 to facilitate folding back against platform 4 and unfolding. Plate 11 is secured via fasteners 1 8, 19 and 20. Plate 12 is secured via like fasteners on the side of platform 4 opposite to plate 1 1.
• Wheel 10 when in use rotates independently of peripheral hub 9 which provides bearing support and a rotational axis for the rotating wheel 10. Wheel 10 also rotates relative to bracket 7. Wheel assembly 8 as shown has a centraj opening 66 ( see figure 3) rather than a conventional centra] axle which has been eliminated to provide an alternative structure to the wheel assembly 8 in comparison, to the known when assemblies which rely on a central axis. Scoote 1 further comprising a rear wheel assembly 70 which includes hub assembly 71 about which rotates wheel 72. Hub assembly 71 is of generally the same construction as hub assembly 9 but each said assemblies are arranged to accommodate attachment to the scooter body. Mounted on rider platform 4 is a braking assembly 80 which in use effects braking to wheel 72. Hub assembly 71 and braking assembly 80 are both described in more detail below.
• Hub assembly 9 is assembled by fastening like elements with a variety of peripheral fasteners 61, 62, 63, 64 and 65. Use of the fasteners reinforces the structure of the rim which takes approximately half the load created by self weight and the weight of a user. Traditionally loads are transmitted via a wheel axle but in this case the loads from the platform and self weight are transmitted via bracket 7 to rim 9. Between hub 9 and wheel 1.0 are bearings which allow wheel 10 to rotate about hub 9 and also transmit load to the wheel 10. Bracket 7 therefore adopts the dual role of transmitted load to wheel 10 and also retaining pivot 17 about which the handle bar assembly 2 rotates. Bracket 7 also retains a mechanism 20 which allows selective folding and unfolding of the scooter.
• Mechanism 20 comprising a pair of co operating latch pawls 21 and 22 which are mounted on bracket 7 via respective pivot pins 23 and 23a. Latching pawls 21 and 22 are biased to the disposition shown in figure 5a under the action of pawl spring 27.
• Mechanism 20 further comprises a locking bar 24 which engages pawl 22 and locks the mechanism when the handle bar assembly 2 is unfolded. This engagement between pawl 22 and locking bar 24 and the engagement between plates 1 ) and 12 with pivot 17 provides a rigid anchorage of handle bar assembly 2 to platfonn 4 eliminating relative play between handle bar assembly 2 and platfonn 4.
• Figure 3 shows with corresponding numbering an enlarged perspective view of the folding mechanism. 20 of the scooter 1 of figure 1 .
• paw] spring 27 terminates in ends 28 and 29 which respectively co operate with arms 30 and 31.
• pawls 21 and 22 are urged in the direction of arrows 32 and 33 as shown in figure 4c.
• pawl 21 rotates in a first direction
• pawl 22 rotates in a second opposite direction.
• pawl 21 rotates about pin 23
• arm 30 against end 28 of spring 27 in the direction of rotation of pawl 21 .
• This induces a bias in pawl 21 back to the locked position as shown in figure 5a.
• pawl 22 its rotation urges ann 31 against end 29 of spring 27 also creating a bias back to the locked position.
• the user rotates handle bar assembly 2 away from, the platform 4.
• the user can unfold by rotating the handle bar forcing shaft 24 to depress pawl 21 by engagement with surface 41 or it may be necessary to manually depress pawl 21. away from shaft 24 in the direction of arrow 30 (see figure 4c) to clear the way for shaft 24 to travel back to its original position in recess 42 as shown in figure 5b.
• shaft 24 locates back in recess 42, this restores locking of handle bar assembly 2 by reen.gagem.ent between shaft 24 and surface 25 of pawl 21.
• the mechanism described above has a number of advantages over the known folding mechanisms and particularly over the pin and plate systems which suffer from play in the fitting.
• the locking mechanism described above has a tight fit when locked and is simple to unlock.
• Figure 5 shows an enlarged vjew of the rear wheel and brake assembly 80 of scooter 1 of figure 1.
• wheel. 72 rotates independently of peripheral hub 7.1, which provides bearing support and a rotational, axis for the rotating wheel 72.
• Hub 71 and wheel 72 are mounted on bracket 78 which is mounted on platform. 4.
• Hub 71 is assembled by fastening like elements with, a variety of fasteners 73, 74, 75, 76 and 77. An alternative number of fasteners may be used as required. Use of the fasteners reinforces the structure of the hub 71 which takes approximately half the load created by self weight and the weight of a user. Wheel load is transmitted via the platform and via bracket 78 to hub 71. Between hub 71 and wheel 72 are bearings which allow wheel 72 to rotate about hub 71 and also transmit load to the wheel 72. Bracket 78 therefore transmits load from platform 4 to wheel 72, Extending from anchor bracket 78 is brake arm 81 which is manufactured from, a durable plastics material or aluminium.
• Anchor bracket 78 In use when a rider wishes to apply braking, a force is applied in the direction of arrow 82 to brake arm 81.
• Anchor bracket 78 has a first end 83 mountable on the rider platform 4 and a second end 84 which receives and retains a brake actuating arm 85 capable of movement between a first position in which the arm 85 is free of a scooter wheel surface 86 and a second position in which the arm 85 is moved towards the wheel surface 86 to effect braking of the wheel 72.
• Brake arm 81 includes a contact 87 including ribs 88 which contribute to dissipation of heat energy generated by braking. Contact 87 can be manufactured in any durable material suitable for the purpose but aluminium is preferred. Durable plastics can also be used.
• FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of a front wheel hub assembly 90 according to a preferred embodiment.
• Wheel hub assembly 90 comprises a first part 91 comprising an annular body 92 and a second part 93 comprising an annular body 94 and opposing the first part 91.
• An annular rim 95 is insertable in an internal space 96 defined by a wheel 97.
• Rim 95 has an internal space 98 which receives and retains therein a wheel bearing 99.
• Annular body 92 of the first part 91 and annular body 94 of the second part 93 mutually engage in opposing relationship via an opening 00 in the bearing 99.
• the annular body 92 of the first part 91 further comprises an inwardly projecting annular flange 101 .
• the annular body 94 of the second part 93 further comprises an in wardly projecting annular flange 102.
• the inwardly projecting flanges mutually co operate to allow engagement of the first and second parts.
• First part 91 and second part 93 further comprise respective transverse openings ] 03 and 104 which align when the first and second parts engage.
• wheel 97 rotates independently of the bub assembly 90.
• Each of parts 91 and 93 contain aligned openings which receive threaded sleeves 105, 106. 107, 108 and 1 9.
• Each sleeve has at both ends a threaded region which each receive and retains fasteners. One end of each sleeve is engaged by respective fasteners 1 10, 1 1 1, 112, 113, 1 14.
• the first and second parts 91 and 93 each include formations 121 and 123 which co operate to form a mounting bracket 124 ( see figure 7) when the first and second parts are mutually engaged.
• FIG 7 shows an enlarged assembled view of the front wheel assembly 90 of figure 6 with hub parts 91 and 93 fastened via fastening bridges 126, 127, 128, 129 and 130.
• Mounting bracket 124 receives and retains therein a handle bar support post ( as shown in the embodiment of figure 1 ).
• Hub assembly 90 is characterised in that it has a clear unobstructed opening 1 06 through a centre region of the hub. According to a preferred embodiment the diameter of the opening 106 is within the range of 30% ⁇ 60% of the outer diameter of the wheel 97.
• the annular bearing is placed inside the annular rim which is then placed inside the wheel 97. The rim and bearing lie in a plane which bisects the whed.
• the first and second parts are coupled upon passing through and inserting each inside an opening in the bearing thereby mutually engaging via inwardly extending flanges.
• the first and second parts are coupled by inserting threaded sleeves inside openings in the respective first and second parts and screwing the first and second parts together ia the fasteners.
• FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of the wheel hub and brake assembly for a rear wheel of a scooter.
• Wheel hub assembly 130 comprises first part 1 1 and second part 1 2.
• First part .1 31 comprises a hub body 133 and a formation 134 which forms part of a bracket for mounting a rear wheel to a scooter platform.
• Second part 132 comprises a hub body 136 and a formation 135 which forms a co operating part of the bracket for mounting Che rear wheel to the scooter platform.
• First part 131 includes ports 1 36, 137, 138, 139 and 140 which receive fasteners.
• second part 132 includes ports 141 , 142, 143, 144 and 145 which oppose the corresponding ports on part 131 enabling mutual engagement of first and second parts 131 and 132.
• Brake assembly 1 50 is mounted to a scooter platform via a bracket which is shown in two parts 1 51 and 152. Bracket parts 1 51 and 152 are connected to a scooter platform (not shown) via respective tabs 153 and 1 54. Bracket part 1 51 is pivotally connected to end 155 of brake ami 1 56 via bush 157 and bracket part 152 connects to end 155 of brake arm. 156 via bush 158. Shaft 159 engages bracket parts 151 and 152 restrains brake arm 1.56 in position but the engagement between parts 151 and 152 allow brake arm 156 to pivot about an axis 160. Connected to brake arm 1 56 is a brake pad 161 which engages a recess 1 2 in brake arm 156.
• Brake pad 161 includes a contoured underside surface 163 which in use engages a scooter wheel surface to effect braking.
• Contoured underside surface 163 includes an array of ribs 1 5 which defines channels 166 between ribs 1 5 which dissipate friction beat generated during braking engagement between pad 1 1 and a rear wheel of a scooter.
• Contoured underside surface 163 of braking pad 1 1 comprises a generally cubic body having a first side which engages an inner surface of the braking arm and a second side which has a contour which at least partly conforms to a surface on a wheel.
• the braking pad 161 is according to a preferred embodiment manufactured from aluminium or a durable plastics material.
• Braking farm 156 has associated, therewith a releasable leaf spring 1 70 which engages shaft 171 to bias brake arm 156 to a position in which it is free of a rear wheel surface.
• Leaf spring 170 has a first end 174 restrained by shaft 171 and a second, free end 176 which is free to elastically deform in response to braking pressure applied to surface 168.
• Second end 1 76 of the leaf spring 170 locates in a recess 1 78 formed in an underside of the braking arm 156 to provide lateral restraint to the leaf spring.
• FIG. 171 spans between and is retained by bracket parts 151 and 152. Parts 151 and 152 are also retained by connector 188 which allows fasteners (not shown to secure hub parts 151. and 152 together.
• Figure 9-1 show the assembly of figure 8 in various stages of assembly. Figure 9 shows with corresponding numbering a partially assembled view of the rear wheel hub and brake assembly. Figure 10 shows a partially assembled view of the rear wheel, hub and brake assembly. Figure 1.1. shows an assembled view of the rear wheel hub and brake assembly.
• Figure 12 shows fully assembled a side long sectional view of the brake and wheel hub assembly with the brake arnn 156 disengaged from outer surface 180 of wheel 181 , This represents the brake off position.
• Figure 13 shows a side long sectional view of the brake and wheel hub assembly of figure 12 with the brake arm 156 engaged with wheel 181 in the brake on position. In this case contoured underside surface 163 of brake pad 161 frictionally engages outer surface 1 80 of wheel 181.
• Both wheels of the scooter preferably comprise an inner rim in communication with a support bracket and a rotatable outer wheel rotating around the inner rim.
• the wheel assemblies are mounted via brackets integrated with the scooter structure and specifically the front wheel to the handle bar assembly and the rear wheel to the platform.
• the inner rim may be made of composite or steel and the outer ri may be made of composite or steel.
• Various metals, composites, plastics, carbon fibre. Kevlar., boron fibre and glass fibre may also be used in various parts of the present inventio and are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.
• any enhancement device known within the art such as accessories may be utilized; for example, reflectors, brake, handlebars, lights, a speedometer, an odometer may all be added to the vehicle.
• mudguard 183 mounted to wheel hub assembly 184 and extending therefrom is a mudguard 183 via bridge 185.
• Scooter mud guards have traditionally been attached to the scooter body, but as the when hub assembly 184 is stationary, the mud guard 183 can be attached directly via bridge 185, enabling wheel 72 to rotate between the assembly 184 and mudguard 183.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Motorcycle And Bicycle Frame (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=49004860

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (1)

Cited By (3)

Citations (2)

• 2013
  • 2013-02-23 WO PCT/AU2013/000167 patent/WO2013123562A1/fr not_active Ceased

Patent Citations (2)

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