Scooter steering lock

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025050956-A1
Application number	US-202418809877-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 20, 2024
Priority date	Sep 28, 2018
Publication date	Feb 13, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

An improved locking mechanism for securing a scooter or other vehicle. The locking mechanism can secure a wheel of the scooter in a left or right steering position. The locking mechanism can be manually actuated by the user, such as by a foot or hand of the user. Once the wheel is secured in place, the scooter may be difficult to ride without unlocking. The locking mechanism can be unlocked through a wireless connection with a remote control (e.g. a phone).

First claim

1 . A theft-deterring scooter comprising:
a scooter body comprising a deck; a steering assembly coupled with the scooter body, the steering assembly comprising a steering column and a handlebar; a first wheel coupled to the steering assembly; a second wheel coupled to the scooter body; a steering lock configured to be engaged by a user operating a mechanical actuator, the steering lock further configured to be disengaged in response to receiving a wireless signal from a remote control; wherein, when the steering lock is engaged, the steering assembly is secured in one of a left position and a right position in which the first wheel is positioned at an angle that is offset from a center position in which the first wheel is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the scooter body.

2 . The theft-deterring scooter of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical actuator comprises a lock actuator, and wherein the mechanical actuator is configured to be operated by the lock actuator being depressed.

3 . The theft-deterring scooter of claim 2 , wherein the lock actuator is configured to be depressed in a direction generally parallel to the steering column.

4 . The theft-deterring scooter of claim 2 , wherein when the lock actuator is depressed an engagement member of the lock actuator translates downward to block rotation of the steering column.

5 . The theft-deterring scooter of claim 4 , wherein the lock actuator comprises a lower shaft and the engagement member comprises a projection that extends outwardly from the lower shaft.

6 . The theft-deterring scooter of claim 2 , wherein the lock actuator comprises a button.

7 . The theft-deterring scooter of claim 2 , wherein the lock actuator comprises a curved portion that corresponds generally to an outer curvature of a header tube attached to the scooter body.

8 . The theft-deterring scooter of claim 2 , further comprising an outer housing over the steering lock, wherein the lock actuator protrudes from an upper end of the outer housing.

9 . The theft-deterring scooter of claim 2 , wherein the lock actuator is configured to be depressed by the user's foot.

10 . The theft-deterring scooter of claim 1 , further comprising a header tube fixedly attached to the scooter body, the steering lock mounted on the header tube, the steering column turnable relative to the steering lock.

11 . A method of operating a scooter, the method comprising:
unlocking the scooter, wherein unlocking the scooter comprises:
receiving, with an antenna, a wireless signal from a remote device;
controlling, with an electronic controller and in response to receipt of the wireless signal, operation of an electric motor;
releasing, with the electric motor, a latch; and
automatically moving a lock actuator of the scooter into an unlocked position, the lock actuator positioned on a header tube of the scooter; and
locking the scooter, wherein locking the scooter comprises:
manually moving the lock actuator into a locked position;
translating an engagement member of the lock actuator; and
blocking, with a physical interference from the engagement member, rotation of a steering column of the scooter such that a front wheel of the scooter is held in a turned position relative to a longitudinal axis of the scooter.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein manually moving the lock actuator into a locked position comprises depressing the lock actuator generally vertically downward.

13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein:
automatically moving the lock actuator into the unlocked position comprises moving the lock actuator with a spring; and manually moving the lock actuator into the locked position comprises moving the lock actuator against a bias of the spring.

14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein manually moving the lock actuator into the locked position comprises depressing the lock actuator into an outer housing positioned on a header tube of the scooter.

15 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising turning the steering column relative to the lock actuator with the scooter unlocked.

Assignees

• Razor Usa Llc

Inventors

• Huang Joey Chih-Wei
• Chen Robert

Classifications

• B62H5/04

  acting on the handlebars or equivalent · CPC title

• B62H5/20

  indicating unauthorised use, e.g. acting on signalling devices {(alarm locks in general E05B45/00, e.g. alarm cable or chain lock E05B45/005)} · CPC title

• B62K3/002 Primary

  without a seat, i.e. the rider operating the vehicle in a standing position, e.g. non-motorized scooters; non-motorized scooters with skis or runners · CPC title

• B62H5/06 Primary

  acting on the front wheel fork or steering head tube · CPC title

• B62H5/00

  Appliances preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of cycles; Locks integral with cycles (fittings for preventing or indicating use or theft of vehicles in general B60R; general features of locks E05B) · CPC title