CA3130373A1 - Detachable modular protective shell for a trike - Google Patents

Abstract

Presented is an e-trike that provides ergonomic comforts of a recumbent trike, and includes a protective shell having modular sections that can be easily detached for ease of storage and transportation. The protective shell includes modular sections, a first section, a second section, and a third section. The first section is configured to removably attach to the second section forming a hood for the e-trike. The first section, the second section and the third section are removably mountable on and around a chassis of the e-trike using multiple fixtures and attachments for providing added safety to a rider of the e-trike.
The first section is made preferably using plexiglass, the second section preferably using a plastic, and the third section using an inflatable material including a drop stitched material.
The detachability of the modular sections and material selection helps storage and transportation of the e-trike.

Description

DETACHABLE MODULAR PROTECTIVE SHELL FOR A TRIKE
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to trikes or Quads, more particularly the present invention relates to a pedal assist modular e-trike or an e-trike that provides ergonomic comforts of a recumbent trike, and includes a protective shell having modular sections that can be easily detached for ease of storage and transportation.
BACKGROUND

[0002] Three wheeled vehicles (either conventional or non-conventional) either human powered or electric motor powered both has been in use for years. In human powered vehicles, the weight/desirability to ride vehicle has always been an issue. In recent years, electric motor powered and pedal assisted e-trikes have gained a huge popularity among users due to their commercial or personal uses. Also, children, disabled people and senior citizens choose to ride e-trikes due to their apparent stability versus two wheeled vehicles. However conventional trikes lack proper stability due to which the riders are required to be more careful to avoid tipping trikes over. To mitigate this risk, the three-wheeled vehicles with a motor and driver seat centrally positioned within a frame where the driver sits in a recumbent and straddle position are constructed and designed.
Although such designs provide lower centre of gravity and require less care to be taken by the riders, the riders can still encounter collisions against obstacles during the ride for various reasons and may also need to drive the trike through various environmental conditions (such as rain, storm, uneven terrains etc).

[0003] As a matter of fact, recumbent trikes are wonderful vehicles for getting outdoors leaving the cars parked. Trikes for adults and kids offer much greater stability than the two-wheeled bikes, and with modern technology, are much more fun, and faster than ever before. Recumbent trikes are ideal adaptive bikes and can be customized to meet a variety of special needs of the users. Conventionally, the recumbent trikes either do not include any external body, or include a partial or full body built on top or around the chassis of the trike, however the body covering the chassis are generally fixed all around the chassis and made completely of rigid material preferably of fiber-reinforced plastic.
The big Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-11 disadvantages of having such fixed body structure around the chassis is space requirement for storage of these e-trikes, and transportation or shipping costs of such trikes as such trikes with fixed body structure need to be transported in a fully assembled configuration in a custom-built crate or similar packaging. The parcel size leads to increase in the cost of transportation/shipping. Not only this, the end user need to spend lot of time uncrating the trike before he/she can use it.

[0004] Thus, what is needed is a pedal assist modular e-trike that provides ergonomic comforts of a recumbent trike, and a protective shell having modular sections that can be easily detached for ease of storage and transportation.
SUMMARY

[0005] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a pedal assisted e-trike or a trike in general, configured to provide an ergonomic comfort of a recumbent trike with added safety and portability. The safety is provided in the form of a detachable protective shell. The shell consists of multiple modular sections, each of which is strategically and ergonomically constructed to assemble or disassemble to and from the frame or chassis of the trike with minimal efforts.

[0006] It is another objective of the present invention to provide a detachable modular shell for the trike that can overcome shortcomings associated with fixed body covering that some of the conventional trikes do have. The detachability or modularity of each of the sections of the shell offers ease in storage and shipping or transportation of the trike. The detachability or modularity of each of the sections also allows users to remove or not to use the shell during summer or extreme hot weather.

[0007] According to an embodiment, each of the sections of the shell are made of material such as to be light weight, vibration proof, and provide great amount of safety.

[0008] According to an embodiment, each of the sections of the shell may be transparent vinyl coated or coated with weather-resistant fabrics to make them weather proof.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-11

[0009] According to an embodiment, each of the sections of the shell can be customized in size and shape depending on the trike's shape and size.

[0010] Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] In the drawings:

[0012] FIG.1 shows a pedal assist e-trike with a detachable modular protective shell, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0013] FIGS.2A-2B shows a first section and a second section of the protective shell that form a hood of the modular protective shell of FIG.1;

[0014] FIG.3 shows the pedal assist e-trike of the present invention without the protective shell;

[0015] FIG. 4 shows the pedal assist e-trike with a third section of the protective shell assembled to a chassis and/or frame of the e-trike;

[0016] FIG. 5 shows the hood assembled to the chassis of the e-trike and oriented in a raised up position to allow a user of the e-trike to enter or exit the e-trike;

[0017] FIGS. 6A-6C shows partial sectional views of the e-trike to demonstrate attachment of the third section of the protective shell to the chassis of the e-trike, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 7 shows a partial sectional view of the third section of the modular protective shell with a set of fixtures, and an air valve configured therein.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-11

[0019] FIG.8 shows a support bracket assembly that connects frame or chassis to the third section of the modular protective shell, according to an exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Before describing the present invention in detail, it should be observed that the present invention utilizes a combination of components or processes, which constitute a pedal assist modular e-trike with a detachable modular protective shell configurable thereon. Accordingly, the components or processes have been represented, showing only specific details that are pertinent for an understanding of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific component level details and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention. For example, the terms "a pedal assist e-trike", "e-trike", and "trike" all the synonymously used. As a preferred embodiment, the invention is shown and discussed in the form of a pedal assist e-trike, but it should be understood that the detachable modular shell of the present invention can be used with e-trike, or any trikes in general and even be customized for use with quads.

[0021] References to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "another embodiment", "one example", "another example", and so on, indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation, but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element or limitation. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase "in an embodiment" does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper," "lower,"
"right," "left,"
"rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. For the purpose of this application, the term "an electric drive assembly" refers to a combination of a motor and one or more battery and associated Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-11 components. Likewise, "a pedal assist assembly" refers to a combination of one or more chain wheels, pedals, sprockets etc.

[0022] The pedal assist modular e-trike with a detachable modular protective shell will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, particularly FIGS.1-8.

[0023] Referring to accompanying figures, particularly FIG.3, the recumbent e-trike 100 according to one aspect of the present invention includes a frame or chassis 102, a pair of front wheels 103 and 104, and a rear wheel 105. The e-trike also includes a seat 106 adjustably mounted to the frame 102, and supports a rider/user 200 in a recumbent position.
Recumbent position is a semi-reclined position, with user being able to place legs in front.
As a result, the user's body's weight is distributed over a wider area giving more comfort.
The seat 106 is attached to the chassis 102 and is supported by one or more variable length bars 107 that may help in seat's adjustability or recline adjustment. The seat 106 is also supported at the rear using a back support assembly 120 consisting of a tubular structure as shown in FIG.6C. These tubes may be made of known material. As seen, the back support assembly 120 may consist of a horizontal tube 120a, and a 11' shaped tube 120b. The horizontal tube 120a is coupled to the ends of the 11' shaped tube 120b. The back support assembly 120 is clamped to the frame 102 (using a U clamp or similar kind of clamps) and a rear carrier 122 using another set of clamps 123 according to an embodiment.
In another embodiment, the back support assembly 120 may be directly welded onto the frame 102 and the rear carrier 122.

[0024] As may be understood by those skilled in the art, the frame or chassis 102 may be formed using one or multiple tubes such as tube 102a that would extend under the seat 106 to provide a rigid "backbone" for the frame 102. A chain wheel 108 and pedals 109 of known design may be mounted to the front of the frame 102. In an example as shown, the chain wheel 108 and pedals 109 are mounted on an adjustable crank 102b that's adjustably connected to the frame 102 (particularly slidably adjusts in length within the tube 102a of the frame 102). An elongated drive chain (not seen) would wrap around and operably engage the chain wheel 108 to drive the rear wheel 105 via a sprocket 110 (of a known design) located at rear of the frame 102. If gear changes are desired, for the gear changes to take place at the chain wheel 108 and the sprocket 110, derailleurs of a known design may be used at the location of chain wheel 108 and sprocket 110. The e-trike 100 would also include brakes (not seen) operably connected to the front wheels 103 and 104.
The brakes Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-11 are of a known design (Eg. disc brakes), and are operated by movable brake levers (not seen) mounted to steering arms (not seen). In operation, the chain wheel 108, pedals, sprocket 110 arrangement help is steering the front wheels. The e-trike 100 will also be operated and controlled by using one or more batteries to power a driving motor that would steer the front wheels 103, 104.The steering arms may be integrated with a thumb throttle to give an extra boost to activate the motor proportionally to the twist regardless of pedalling in case a user cannot pedal or need an instant acceleration or uphill push or just need to drive without pedalling. Optionally, the steering arms may be provided with a display that may provide with a variety of functions such as vehicle/mobility system controls and vehicle/mobility system status digitized displays to meet the trip demands. In addition, the display may display trip time, trip speed, trip distance, or the like. The steering arms may be integrated with an accelerator that can be used to accelerate the e-trike. In an exemplary embodiment, the e-trike may include a control system (such as a microcontroller or microprocessor) that may control various electronic and electrical operations associated with the e-trike. The microcontroller or microprocessor may be electrically connected to one or more batteries. A foregoing general description is provided herein with respect to frame structure, electric and mechanical mobility for the pedal assist e-trike. One skilled in the art may find some of the components and their descriptions might be missing or concisely presented herein and thus the same should not be construed as limiting.

[0025] As an essence of this invention, the e-trike 100 includes a protective shell 300 having modular sections, a first section 302, a second section 304, and a third section 306.
The third section 306 forms a pair of side walls for the e-trike 100 and serves to protect the rider 200 from two sides. According to an embodiment, the section 306 is made of inflatable material. In a preferred embodiment, the section 306 is made using a drop-stitched inflatable material. This material provides high strength for small amount of weight and can be deflated for easy storage and transportation. Each of the sections 306 present on either side of the e-trike 100 may be a single piece unit or combination of multi piece units joined together using appropriate adhesive or other attachments. Each of the section 306 may be ergonomically designed in variety of structures to securely cover the e-trike 100 from sides.
The structural configuration chosen for the section 306 would depend on the types or design of the trikes. Due to being inflatable in nature, each of the sections 306 may be provided with one or more air valves 702 (as shown in FIG.7) that may be used to fill in air inside the section 306 while the e-trike is in use, or eject the air out of the section 306 during storage or transportation of the e-trike 100.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-11

[0026] Each of the sections 306 is attached to the frame or chassis 102 using different mechanical or non-mechanical fixtures. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG.6A
and FIG.8, at the front of the e-trike 100, a front support bracket assembly 800 may be mounted onto the crank 102b. The bracket assembly 800 includes two side arms 802 located on two sides of a 'T' bar 804 and a fixing plate 806 for attaching (may be bolted or welded for example) the bracket assembly 800 to the crank 102b of the chassis 102. A fixture, such as fixture 704 (see FIG. 7) attached onto each of the sections 306 helps is attachment of each of the sections 306 to the frame 102 via the two side arms 802 of the bracket assembly 800. The side arms 802 include slots/holes 802a for passage of screw or bolt 704a in order to facilitate attachment of the section 306 to the chassis 102. Fasteners such as nuts (not seen) may be used to connect to the bolt, once the bolt 704a pass through the hole 802a on the side arms 802 to mechanically attach the section 306 to the frame 102.

[0027] As seen in FIG. 6B, a clamp 602 holding onto the chassis 102 and attached to a bar 604 may be used for further connecting each of the section 306 to the chassis or frame 102. In another embodiment, instead of using the clamp 602, one can directly weld the bar to the chassis 102. As seen, the rod 604 may connect to the section 306 using one or more fixtures, such as fixtures 704 using nuts as discussed above. Many different types of fixtures can be used as attachments and the invention should not be considered limited to fixture 704 shown in FIG.7.

[0028] As seen in FIG. 6C, each of the sections 306 may be further attached to the chassis 102 at back. Particularly, suitable fixtures (Eg. straps, Velcro 610 etc.) may be used to attach each of the sections 306 on either side of the e-trike 100 to the the back support assembly 120. Although the present embodiment describes three different attachment points for each of the section 306 to the chassis, it should be understood that one can have even more attachment points or lesser number of attachment points depending upon the desired strength of attachment between the sections 306 and the chassis 102. Although several mechanism or methods may be used for attachment of the sections 306 to the chassis 102, it is desirable the method chosen is easy for the user to self-operate in order to be able to assemble and disassemble the sections 306 quickly.

[0029] Referring to FIGS.1, 5 and 6C, the first section 302 of the protective shell 300 is removably connected to the second section 304 using a tube assembly 140.
The tube Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-11 assembly 140 consists of multiple tubes (made of aluminium or other metal) connected in a way to support the structure of the first section 302 and to connect the first section 302 at front and rear of the second section 304. The first section 302 and second section 304 provides safety to the user from upper and front side against any collisions and weather conditions. The section 304 includes provisions at front (not seen) and provisions 304a at the rear to receive the ends 140a, 140b of the tube assembly 140 and this enables connections between the first section 302 and the second 304 of the modular shell 300 possible. In an embodiment, the first section 302 may preferably be made using but not limited to plexiglass, acrylic sheet. The first section 302 is preferably made transparent so the rider 200 can have clear visibility. In an embodiment, the second section 304 may preferably be made using but not limited to a plastic, carbon fiber material.
In some other embodiment, the first section 302 may be fixedly connected to the second section 304. For the purpose of this application, the first section 302 attached to the second section 304 may collectively be referred to as "hood" (denoted as 500 in FIG.5) of the e-trike 100. As seen in FIG.5, the hood 500 of the e-trike 100 can be raised up to allow the rider 200 of the e-trike 100 to enter or exit the e-trike 100. The hood 500 is attached at rear of the e-trike 100 (particularly to the back support assembly 120) using bushings 190 at two sides. To elaborate and as seen in FIG. 6C, the second section 304 of the shell 300 attaches to the two sides of the back support assembly 120 using bushings 190.The bushings 190 are bolted onto the U' shaped tube 120b at two sides to connect the second section 304 to the chassis 102. These bushings 190 are greased to provide lubrication. These bushings 190 act as a pivot point for the hood 500.

[0030] The detachable hood (the first and second sections 302,304) and the side walls 306, and the fixtures etc. described herein above can be made in different sizes, shapes or structures for implementing the invention in various designs/makes of the trikes, e-trikes or pedal assist e-trikes, or quads.

[0031] Although the invention has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense.
Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments as well as alternative embodiments of the invention will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-11

Claims (8)

CLAIMS:

1. A detachable modular protective shell for a trike, comprising:
a protective shell having a plurality of modular sections, a first section, a second section, and a third section, the first section is removably or fixedly attached to the second section forming a hood for the trike, wherein the third section is made using an inflatable material; and a plurality of fixtures and attachments configured for removably mounting the hood and the third section on and around a chassis of the trike to provided added safety to a rider of the trike.

2. The detachable modular protective shell of claim 1, wherein the first section is made using plexiglass.

3. The detachable modular protective shell of claim 1, wherein the second section is made using plastic.

4. The detachable modular protective shell of claim 1, wherein the inflatable material is a drop stitched material.

5. The detachable modular protective shell of claim 1, wherein the first section, the second section, and the third section is transparent vinyl coated to make them weather proof.
6. A pedal assist recumbent e-trike, comprising:
a chassis;
a recumbent seat adjustably mounted on the chassis;
an electric drive assembly comprising of a motor and one or more battery, and configured to electrically drive the e-trike;
a pedal assist assembly comprising of one or more chain wheels, pedals, sprockets configured to mechanically drive the e-trike a protective shell having a plurality of modular sections, a first section, a second section, and a third section, the first section is removably or fixedly attached to the second section forming a hood for the trike, wherein the third section is made using an inflatable material; and Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-11 multiple fixtures and attachments configured for removably mounting the hood and the third section on and around a chassis of the trike to provided added safety to a rider of the trike.

6. The detachable modular protective shell of claim 1, wherein the first section is made using plexiglass.

7. The detachable modular protective shell of claim 1, wherein the second section is made using plastic.

8. The detachable modular protective shell of claim 1, wherein the inflatable material is a drop stitched material.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-11