AU2016100159A4 - A Scooter with Walkable Wheels and Method of Operation - Google Patents

Abstract

A manual scooter-like equipment with two additional large and wide side wheels which are used to climb upon and roll forward with feet so as to produce forward motion for the rider, is disclosed. This equipment creates a sport for its rider, requiring skill to balance and operate the equipment. In the preferred embodiment, no handle bar or steering mechanism are provided. Additional embodiments and embellishments are also disclosed. - 1/1 I| Figure 1 ,2 Frgure 2

Description

1 A SCOOTER WITH WALKABLE WHEELS AND METHOD OF OPERATION TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of manual scooters, skates and skateboard equipment. BACKGROUND [0002] Many types of manual scooters, skates and skateboards have been developed over the years for the use of children as well as some adults. These have provided activities and challenges for their users resulting in both sport and entertainment. [0003] These have in the main, especially in the case of scooters, required the rider to use one foot to push against the ground to achieve forward motion. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0004] The present invention offers the rider a new riding experience where the motion is achieved by the rider standing on the two side wheels provided, and alternately pushing and rotating them forward with feet. This is somewhat similar to learning to ride a bicycle in that the rider needs to balance carefully on the two side wheels and turn them forward by adjusting the weight applied by the feet. By alternately manipulating the two wheels this way, the rider appears to walk forward on the wheels. [0005] A range of manoeuvres can further be performed, for example to achieve turning action by the rider shifting weight from wheel to wheel, bouncing one wheel slightly. Skill is required to achieve such manoeuvres without stepping off the equipment. [0006] The invention is best suited for operation on flat surfaces such as compacted sand during low tide on a beach, or in suitable parks or backyard lawns without obstacles. Use of helmets is recommended, especially during the initial phase of learning to balance and operate the equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0007] Figure 1 is a perspective schematic of one embodiment of the present invention. It shows a deck or platform (1) which is primarily used to step on with one foot, small front wheel (2), and two larger and wider wheels (3) with flat rims on which the rider carefully positions themselves. The small rear wheel (2) and the axle fasteners (4) are obscured in this view.

2 [0008] Figure 2 is the bottom view of the same equipment, showing an example of fasteners (4) used to attach the axle (with side wheels) to the underside of the deck or platform, but allowing the axle to rotate freely. The side wheels are rigidly attached to the axle. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0009] Referring to Figure 1, which is the preferred embodiment of the invention, a deck or platform (1) is provided to make it easier for the rider to step on and off the larger side wheels (3). For this reason, the platform may be shorter in length than in other types of scooters or skateboards. Also, no handle bar with steering mechanism is provided in this preferred embodiment. The smaller front and rear wheels (2) are about 40mm to 50mm in diameter and are attached under the platform using suitable fasteners. After the rider climbs on to the side wheels, the platform and the smaller wheels do not take the rider's weight, and only assist in the overall stability, the smaller wheels lightly rolling on the surface being operated upon. [0010] The two side wheels are designed to take the weight of the rider, and are about 150mm in diameter, about 100mm wide, so that the rider can comfortably position their feet on the flat rims of these wheels, the wheels being about 220mm to 250mm apart, centre to centre. Referring to Figure 2, these side wheels are on an axle, which is attached to the underside of the platform using prior art fasteners (4) which allow the axle to roll under the platform. The two side wheels are rigidly attached to the axle using prior art fasteners so that one wheel does not roll back when the other is rolling forward. OTHER EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION [0011] A few other embodiments of the above invention are disclosed below: (a) Some suitable features usually found in other scooters may be added to the platform, e.g. a handle bar to provide additional stability for the rider, which may also assist somewhat in steering of the equipment with suitable attachment to the front wheel. (b) Four small wheels under the platform, instead of two, could provide extra stability for the platform. These could be similar to those in some skateboards for example. (c) The axle with the side wheels could be made easily detachable from the platform, making the two parts usable independently. A proficient rider could ride on the axle assembly alone this way. (d) The side wheels could be made of any suitable material, such as wood, metal, rubber or plastic. [0012] While a preferred embodiment and a few other embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed above, such disclosure is only for purposes of understanding the invention, and not by way of limitation of the invention. Many changes in form and detail may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set out in the following claims.

Claims (5)

1. A manual scooter-like equipment with front and rear wheels, without handle bar, with two additional side wheels (3) rigidly attached to an axle, the said axle being attached with fasteners (4) to the underside of the deck or platform of the scooter but free to rotate, the said wheels being sufficiently large and wide so as to be used to climb upon and roll forward with feet to produce forward motion for the rider.

2. The scooter-like equipment of claim 1 wherein the side wheels and axle are attached to the platform using other known types of fasteners.

3. The scooter-like equipment of claims 1 and 2, with a handle bar attached to the platform for additional support to the rider, the said handle bar optionally connected to the front wheel to provide some steering capability.

4. The scooter-like equipment of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fasteners used with the axle and side wheels are such that the axle section with the wheels is easily detachable from the platform section.

5. A scooter-like equipment which is substantially as disclosed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.