Scooter with rotational connection

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10144476-B2
Application number	US-201715586648-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 4, 2017
Priority date	Feb 11, 2015
Publication date	Dec 4, 2018
Grant date	Dec 4, 2018

Abstract

A scooter device that can be propelled by side to side movement of a user is disclosed. The scooter device includes at least a first front wheel, at least a second and a third rearward located wheel, a frame structure through which the first wheel is coupled to the second and third wheels, wherein the second and third rearward located wheels are mounted in a biased direction arrangement and a steering mechanism that has a vertically ascending control member and is coupled to the first wheel such that turning of the steering mechanism achieves a turning of the first wheel, the steering mechanism further coupled to the frame structure such that the steering mechanism may be tilted relative to the frame structure. The frame structure can includes a first foot placement platform extending above the second wheel and a second foot placement platform extending above the third wheel.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A personal mobility vehicle comprising:
a front wheel;
a first rear wheel freely rotatable about a first rotation axis and pivotable about a first pivot axis;
a second rear wheel freely rotatable about a second rotation axis and pivotable about a second pivot axis;
a joint structure comprising a first rotational member and a second rotational member, the first and second rotational members being engaged such that the second rotation member is configured to rotate relative to the first rotation member aligned along an axis of rotation generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle;
a frame structure connected to the first and second rear wheels; and
a steering mechanism connected to the joint structure such that the steering mechanism may be tilted relative to the frame structure, the steering mechanism connected to the front wheel,
wherein the joint structure is positioned rearwardly from the steering mechanism and spaced away from the steering mechanism.

2. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising a power mechanism configured to provide power to the front wheel.

3. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the power mechanism includes an electric motor that drives the front wheel.

4. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 3 , wherein the motor is positioned adjacent the front wheel.

5. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the frame structure further comprises the first leg and the second leg extending longitudinally along a plane, wherein the axis of rotation extends longitudinally along the plane formed by the first leg and the second leg.

6. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 5 , wherein the pair of rear wheels are caster wheels mounted in a tilted arrangement with respect to the first and second legs.

7. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising a steering support member extending between the steering mechanism and the frame structure.

8. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 7 , wherein the steering support member is configured to tilt about a portion of the steering mechanism.

9. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the second rotation member slides within an end of the first rotation member.

10. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the steering mechanism further comprises a handlebar including a handgrip portion.

11. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising a platform coupled with the frame structure, wherein the platform is configured to support a user of the vehicle.

12. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the platform is raised relative to the joint structure such that the platform is configured to support the user at a position above the joint structure.

13. A personal mobility vehicle configured to ride on a riding surface, the personal mobility vehicle comprising:
a front wheel;
a plurality of rear wheels, each of the plurality of wheels being rotatable about a respective rotation axis and pivotable about a respective pivot axis;
a frame comprising a platform configured to support a user, wherein at least a portion of the platform is positioned forward of the plurality of rear wheels;
a first rotation member rotatably connected with the frame;
a steering assembly coupled with the front wheel such that tilting the steering assembly causes the front wheel to tilt, the steering assembly including an upwardly extending portion and a downwardly extending portion; and
a second rotation member fixedly coupled with the downwardly extending portion and rotatably coupled with the first rotation member, the second rotation member configured to rotate relative to the first rotation about a tilting axis that is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle,
wherein, when front wheel is in contact with the riding surface, the first rotation member and the second rotation member are positioned at an elevation below the platform.

14. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the platform is coupled with the frame at a position that is raised relative to the plurality of rear wheels.

15. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 13 , further comprising a power mechanism coupled to the frame, wherein the power mechanism drives the front wheel to propel the vehicle.

16. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 13 , wherein an application of a lateral force on the steering assembly results in tilting of the steering assembly relative to the frame and the steering assembly is biased to return to an initial position when the application of lateral force is removed.

17. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the pivot axis of each of the plurality of rear wheels is inclined with respect to the platform.

18. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 13 , further comprising a brake assembly configured to selectively apply a braking force to the front wheel.

19. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the steering assembly further comprises a handlebar including a handgrip portion.

20. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of rear wheels are caster wheels mounted in a tilted arrangement with respect to the frame.

Assignees

• Razor Usa Llc

Inventors

• Desberg Ian
• Griggs William

Classifications

• B62K5/027

  Motorcycles with three wheels (specially adapted for disabled riders B62K5/023) · CPC title

• B62K2204/00

  Adaptations for driving cycles by electric motor · CPC title

• B62M6/60

  power-driven at axle parts · CPC title

• B62K5/10 Primary

  with means for inwardly inclining the vehicle body on bends · CPC title

• B62K5/06

  Frames for tricycles · CPC title