DE102021122958A1 - Scooter with a footboard and a locking device - Google Patents

Abstract

A scooter (1) is provided with a running board (3) with a contact area (4) for a user and at least one front wheel (5) with a front wheel axle (6) and at least one rear wheel (7) with a rear wheel axle (8) and with a steering column (2) on which a handle device (9) for the user is arranged, the steering column (2) having two steering column bars (12) on an end region (11) opposite the handle device (9), which have a receiving space ( 13) for accommodating a front wheel fork (14) which has a longitudinal center plane (15) and on which the front wheel (5) is accommodated, and on the steering column (2) an actuating device (16) for releasing a locking device (17) by means of an unlocking device ( 18), wherein the scooter (1) can be locked by means of the locking device (17) in a first locking position for driving with the scooter (1) and in a second locking position t, wherein in the first locking position the steering column (2) is pivoted at a distance from the running board (3) and in the second locking position the steering column (3) is arranged pivoted adjacent to the running board (3) and the steering column (2) on a pivot axis (19) between the first and second locking position relative to the footboard (3) is arranged pivotably, characterized in that the steering column (2) on the front wheel axle (6) as

Description

The present invention relates to a scooter with a running board with a contact surface for a user and at least one front wheel with a front wheel axle and at least one rear wheel with a rear wheel axle and with a steering column on which a handle device for the user is arranged, the steering column on one of the The end region opposite the handle device has two steering column bars, which between them form a receiving space for receiving a front wheel fork that has a longitudinal center plane and on which the front wheel is received, and an actuating device for releasing a locking device by means of an unlocking device is arranged on the steering column, with the scooter being locked by means of the locking device can be locked in a first locking position for driving the scooter and in a second locking position, wherein in the first locking position the steering column is at a distance from the footboard t is pivoted and in the second locking position the steering column is pivoted adjacent to the running board and the steering column is arranged pivotable on a pivot axis between the first and second locking position relative to the running board, according to the preamble of claim 1.

The scooter can be a scooter driven by an electric motor, which also has an energy store in the form of a rechargeable battery, for example, to supply energy to the electric motor. Such a scooter is characterized, among other things, by the fact that it can be folded up, in which case it assumes the second locking position in the folded state, in which the locking device is engaged in a transport position of the scooter or scooter and the scooter can be used by the user, for example stored or stowed or carried in a trunk of a vehicle.

In the first locking position of the locking device, the scooter is in a driving position in which the user can stand on the running board and move around with the scooter.

In a scooter of this type, it has been found to be of great importance for driving comfort for the user and also for the user's sense of security when driving the scooter that the steering column is perceived as dimensionally stable and torsion-resistant relative to the further structure of the scooter. When riding the scooter, the user holds onto the handle device and supports himself on it, for example when the scooter is braked via a brake device provided on the front wheel. The user perceives a scooter as unstable when braking, for example, if the handle device moves in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle or in the direction of travel.

The supporting force with which the user supports himself on the handle device exerts a bending moment on the steering column, which is in the locking device of the scooter, which can be, for example, a bolt provided on the steering column, which can be inserted into a hole on the Running board can grab adjacent structure of the scooter, exerts a counter-force that leads to a high surface pressure within the bore.

If the surface pressure becomes too great, the surface of the bore that is acted upon by the bolt will be damaged and the bore can tear out.

If the scooter is brought into the stowed position corresponding to the second locking position, the pack size of the scooter is of great importance, especially with regard to the height of the scooter when folded, measured in the vertical axis of the scooter when both of its wheels are on the road surface .

The further above the wheel contact point of the front wheel of the scooter the pivot axis for folding the scooter is, the greater the height of the scooter when folded, the greater the pack size of the scooter. A scooter with a high or large pack size is unwieldy for the user as it takes up a lot of storage space.

Based on EP 3 652 052 B1 a scooter has become known which has a movement device whose activation automatically leads the footboard of the scooter to the handlebars in such a way that the rear axle is moved together with the footboard about an axis of rotation towards the steering column, the axis of rotation being adjacent to the front wheel axis of the front wheel of the scooter but is at a distance from it. The well-known scooter also has a locking device, which is not explained in detail.

Proceeding from this, the present invention is based on the object of developing the known scooter in such a way that its pack size is reduced and the user of the scooter feels safe to drive and the scooter can also be braked with high rigidity with only one characterized by a small change in position of the handle.

To solve this problem, the invention has the features specified in claim 1, advantageous developments of which are described in the further claims.

The invention creates a scooter with a running board with a contact area for a user and at least one front wheel with a front wheel axle and at least one rear wheel with a rear wheel axle and with a steering column on which a handle device for the user is arranged, the steering column on one of the handle devices has two steering column bars in the opposite end area, which between them form a receiving space for receiving a front wheel fork that has a longitudinal center plane, on which the front wheel is received and on the steering column there is an actuating device for releasing a locking device by means of an unlocking device, with the scooter being locked in a first locking position for driving the scooter and in a second locking position can be locked, wherein in the first locking position the steering column is pivoted at a distance from the running board is arranged and in the second locking position the steering column is arranged pivoted adjacent to the running board and the steering column is arranged pivotable on a pivot axis between the first and second locking position relative to the running board, and the scooter is characterized in that the steering column on the front wheel axle as a relative pivot axis can be pivoted to the running board and the locking device has two locking devices which are designed to be automatically locking independently of one another and which each have a locking recess and a locking element which interacts therewith.

The scooter according to the invention can be a scooter or kick scooter, which is therefore driven by the user with muscle power, or a scooter driven by an electric motor. This has a footboard with a footprint on which the user can stand when riding the scooter. The scooter has at least one front wheel with a front wheel axle and also has at least one rear wheel with a rear wheel axle and a steering column on which a handle means for the user is arranged.

An actuating device for a service brake of the scooter can also be provided on the handle device in the form of a handlebar, for example, ie a brake lever, via which a front wheel brake of the scooter is actuated, for example by means of a cable pull.

The steering column can have two steering column bars opposite the handle device, which are aligned parallel to one another and between them form a receiving space in which a front wheel fork is arranged, on which at least one front wheel is arranged rotatably on the front wheel axle. The front wheel fork can have a longitudinal center plane, relative to which the halves or partial areas of the front wheel fork arranged on both sides of the longitudinal center plane are embodied symmetrically. The longitudinal center plane thus extends in the direction of the vertical axis of the scooter according to the invention and is perpendicular to the front axle of the scooter.

An actuating device can be provided on the steering column, which is designed to release a locking device, with an unlocking device being provided for releasing or unlocking the locking device.

The scooter according to the invention can be fixed in a first locking position by means of the locking device, ie assume a locking position which is provided for driving the scooter and the scooter can also be locked in a second locking position which corresponds, for example, to a stowed position of the scooter.

In the first locking position, the steering column is pivoted at a distance from the footboard, so that the steering column releases the footboard for use by the user, and in the second locking position, the steering column is pivoted adjacent to the footboard, i.e. it is, for example, arranged parallel to the footboard, whereby this corresponds to the stowed position of the scooter, i.e. a position in which the scooter can be stowed or stored and in which it is not in the driving position.

In the scooter according to the invention, the pivot axis on which the steering column is arranged so that it can pivot between the first and second locking position relative to the running board is the front wheel axis of the front wheel, i.e. the pivot axis coincides with the front wheel axis or is congruent.

This configuration ensures that, in contrast to the configuration of the known scooter, the steering column is not pivoted on a pivot axis which is located above the front wheel axle in the vertical axis direction of the scooter arranged on a roadway or surface, but viewed in the vertical axis direction of the scooter The pivot axis of the steering column and the front wheel axle are at the same height.

A longitudinal center axis of the pivot axis and a longitudinal center axis of the front wheel axle are therefore congruent. This configuration ensures that the scooter according to the invention has the smallest possible packing size in the second locking position viewed in the vertical axis direction of the scooter and the steering column runs parallel or at least largely parallel to the running board and not at an angle to it. Such an arrangement of the steering column at an angle to the running board would increase the pack size of the scooter, especially in the area of the front end of the scooter, i.e. the area of the structure of the scooter in the area of the front wheel, i.e. increase the storage space required in the area of the front end of the collapsed or folded scooter .

The scooter according to the invention is further characterized in that the locking device has two locks which are designed to lock automatically independently of one another and which each have a latching recess and a latching element which interacts therewith.

The fact that the locking device has two locks that are designed independently of one another creates a redundant configuration such that even if one of the two locks fails or is damaged when the scooter is in the driving position, there is still a second functioning and operational lock that ensures that the steering column does not fold forward in the direction of travel when the user applies pressure, for example when braking the scooter, but is kept stable and torsionally rigid or rigid in the driving position.

Because the two locks are designed to lock automatically, it is also ensured that the scooter always assumes this first locking position automatically, i.e. the respective Latching element of the respective locking automatically engages in the recess and positively engages there and this occurs automatically when the steering column is placed in the driving position of the scooter or pivoted or folded.

The two locks that work independently of one another also ensure that the pressure force already mentioned above, which the user exerts on the handle device when the scooter is braking and the pressure force leads to a torque or bending moment around the locking recesses of the two locks, which is caused by the bending moment compressive stresses exerted as a result on the locking recesses and the locking elements can be divided equally, i.e. compared to just one locking mechanism with otherwise constant force absorption surfaces of only one locking mechanism or the two locking mechanisms provided according to the invention, the compressive stresses or surface pressures in the mating surface between the locking groove and the locking element be halved.

This ensures that the latching recess and the latching element are less heavily loaded and therefore the risk of damage to the locking mechanism is also reduced. If, in comparison, only one locking device is provided in a known scooter, then this one locking device is loaded with the full surface pressure resulting from the compressive force load by the user in the form-fit pairing of the locking element and the locking recess.

The configuration according to the invention with two independent locks ensures that the surface pressure originating from the compressive force load - or during the acceleration process of the scooter from the tensile force load - is divided in half in the form-fit pairing consisting of the locking recess and the locking element.

According to a development of the invention, it is also provided that the locking recess is formed on the front wheel fork and the locking element is designed to be displaceable relative to the locking recess and to be brought into a releasable engagement with the locking recess.

This configuration ensures that the latching element can engage in the latching recess and assumes an automatically centering position there between the side flanks of the latching recess and the user of the scooter does not have to intervene further for this purpose, since this automatically centering position of the latching element in the latching recess is brought about automatically as soon as the steering column has been pivoted on the pivot axis relative to the running board into the first locking position. If the user wants to bring the scooter into the stowed position, the engagement position between the locking element and the locking recess is released by means of the above-mentioned actuating device and the scooter can be brought into the stowed position by the user pivoting the steering column on the pivot axis in the direction of the running board and the second locking position is brought about.

According to a development of the invention, it is also provided that the latching recess has a V-shaped configuration in a plan view and has side flanks extending in the direction of the longitudinal center plane of the front wheel fork, which relative to an outer side surface of the front wheel fork facing the steering column member in one of a right Angle deviating angles are formed inclined.

When looking at the locking recess at right angles to the longitudinal center plane of the front wheel fork extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the locking recess shows a V-shaped configuration with a configuration that narrows in the vertical axis direction of the vehicle or scooter in the direction of the road surface, i.e. the locking recess is in the vertical axis direction of the vehicle wider above than below. The latching recess has side flanks on both sides of a plane of symmetry that encloses the base of the “V” and the side flanks are designed to be inclined relative to an outer side surface of the front wheel fork facing the steering column member. If the user looks in the direction of the V-shaped locking recess, the user recognizes that the locking recess has a tapering or narrowing or widening configuration, starting from the outer side surface of the front wheel fork in the direction of the longitudinal center plane. Viewed outwardly from the median longitudinal plane, the tapering configuration is a flared configuration and the flared configuration is a tapered configuration.

The configuration, which tapers or narrows from the viewer's line of sight in the direction of the longitudinal center plane, ensures that the detent recess in the area of the outer side surface of the front wheel fork is wider than on the base surface adjacent to the longitudinal center plane, and the widening configuration ensures that the detent recess in the area the outer side surface has a smaller width, ie is narrower, than viewed in the direction of the longitudinal center plane of the recess.

If the side flanks were parallel to each other, they would be at right angles to the outside surface of the front fork. In the first-mentioned case, the configuration that tapers from the viewer's line of sight in the direction of the outer side surface of the front wheel fork in the direction of the longitudinal center plane of the front wheel fork, the side flanks of the locking recess are inclined relative to the outer side surface of the front wheel fork that an angle greater than 90 degrees is formed between the outer side surface and the side flanks Degree sets and in the second case of the expanding configuration, the side flanks of the recess are inclined relative to the outer side surface of the front fork that adjusts an angle of less than 90 degrees between the outer side surface and the side flanks.

In the configuration provided according to a development of the invention, namely that the latching recess has a configuration that widens or narrows from the longitudinal center plane of the front wheel fork in the direction of the outer side surface, a force component is exerted on the latching element lying against the side flanks due to the angled arrangement of the side flanks which, viewed from the longitudinal center plane, applies a compressive force in an outward direction to the latching element in an expanding configuration, while the configuration of the latching recess that narrows in the outward direction, viewed from the longitudinal center plane, ensures that the latching element is pressed with a tensile force in Inward direction, that is, viewed toward the longitudinal center plane, is acted upon.

As a result of the V-shaped configuration of the locking recess, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, there is a self-centering effect in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between the locking element and the locking recess, and the angled configuration of the side flanks of the locking recess relative to the outer side surface of the front wheel fork also produces a self-centering effect transversely to the Vehicle longitudinal direction between the latching element and the latching recess, which as a result means that the user of the scooter or scooter experiences an extremely stable driving sensation or driving experience due to the freedom of play that occurs in the fit between the latching recess and the latching element, since the freedom from play ensures that that the handle device at the upper end of the steering column in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle does not move due to play in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and in particular with an alternating load in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, ie by the user on the handle FF device exerted tensile force-compressive force-force change compared to the known configuration caused by the force change displacements of the handle device in the vehicle longitudinal direction occur.

According to a development of the invention, it is also provided that the latching recess and the latching element are designed to complement one another in terms of shape and area. This configuration ensures the above-mentioned freedom from play in the pairing of latching element and latching recess, ie the form-fit pairing of latching element and latching recess.

According to a development of the invention, it is provided that the locking element has a base area with side surfaces extending away from the base area at least along a partial area of the circumferential extension of the locking element at an angle to the base area.

The latching element can therefore have a base and side surfaces extend away from the base. These side surfaces are arranged at an angle to the base surface at least along a partial region of the circumferential extent of the latching element, so that when viewed in the direction of the side surfaces they are designed to be inclined in the direction of the base surface. The inclined side surfaces of the latching element come to rest on the inclined side flanks of the latching recess and this configuration of the latching element and latching recess, which is complementary in shape and surface area, ensures that the aforementioned compressive force component or tensile force component relative to the latching recess is applied to the latching element relative to the longitudinal center plane of the Front fork is exerted, the locking element is pressed relative to the front fork so in the outward direction or is pulled inward, whereby the automatic centering effect of the locking element is brought about relative to the recess in the vehicle transverse direction. The V-shaped configuration of the latching recess and the complementary V-shaped configuration of the latching element bring about the automatic effect on the latching element relative to the latching recess in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Both automatic centering ensure that the user experiences the above-mentioned stable and safe driving experience when using the scooter according to the invention.

According to a development of the invention, it is provided that the base surface of the locking element has a rectangular or V-shaped configuration in a plan view and is designed with at least one receptacle for releasably fixing a fastening means. With the fastening means, the latching element can be releasably fixed to the unlocking device already mentioned above and can be displaced relative to the latching recess by actuating the unlocking device, i.e. displaced towards the base of the V-shaped latching recess or displaced away from it.

According to a development of the invention, it is provided that the unlocking device has an unlocking rod assigned to the respective lock, which is arranged displaceably in an inner recess of the respective steering column member and is acted upon by a spring device to bring about an automatic locking such that the locking element and the locking recess assume a form-fitting engagement position.

This configuration ensures that the spring device, which can be a compression spring or a helical compression spring, for example, acts on the unlocking rod from above and leads to a displacement movement of the unlocking rod, which moves the locking element in the direction of the base of the V-shaped locking recess relocated so that locking element presses deeper into the recess.

Since the compression spring acts on the latching element in the direction of the latching recess, the latching element is automatically locked in the latching recess. If the user wants to cancel this first locking position of the scooter, the user must actuate the unlocking rod against the action of the compression spring, i.e. pull it upwards, for example, which causes the locking element to be displaced out of the locking recess and the steering column to the Pivot axis can be pivoted in the direction of the running board in order to assume the second locking position there.

According to a development of the invention, it is provided that the steering column member is designed as a hollow chamber profile at least along a partial area of its longitudinal extent and is designed to accommodate the unlocking rod. This configuration ensures that the unlocking bar is accommodated and guided in the hollow chamber profile and is protected from damage by external intervention.

According to a development of the invention, it is also provided that the latching element is arranged on the unlocking rod - for example by means of the aforementioned fastening element is arranged releasably - and a displacement movement of the latching element in the longitudinal direction of the steering column member relative to the latching recess largely results in a displacement movement of the latching element and the unlocking rod transverse to the longitudinal displacement movement.

As already mentioned above, the displacement movement of the latching element relative to the latching recess results in the latching element being subjected to a tensile force or a compressive force in relation to the longitudinal center plane of the front wheel fork. Since the latching element and the latching recess are designed to complement each other in terms of shape and area, this application of force to the latching element also leads to a corresponding pressure application of force to the recess as a counterforce. The latching element is arranged on the unlocking rod, and therefore an application of force to the latching element also leads to a corresponding application of compressive force to the unlocking rod. The unlocking rod is arranged in the steering column member in an axially displaceable manner with play relative to the inner peripheral surface of the steering column member. Applying force to the unlocking rod therefore leads to a displacement movement of the unlocking rod transverse to the longitudinal direction of the steering column member until the unlocking rod comes into contact with an area or partial area of the outer area of the unlocking rod on the inner peripheral surface of the steering column member.

If the unlocking rod is then in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the steering column member in at least one partial area, this leads to a clamping effect of the unlocking rod relative to the steering column member. Since the latching element in the latching recess has also taken up a latched or clamped position or latched position, the clamping action or clamped position or clamped position of the unlocking rod relative to the steering column bar leads to further stabilization and increased rigidity of the front end of the scooter according to the invention.

According to a development of the invention, it is therefore provided that the unlocking rod in the first locking position comes into contact with an inner wall or inner peripheral wall or inner peripheral surface of the steering column member and is subjected to a tensile force in the direction of the front wheel fork or a compressive force in the direction away from the front wheel fork . This application of force to the unlocking rod relative to the steering column bar leads to the above-mentioned clamping effect of the unlocking rod relative to the steering column bar and to the further stabilization and increase in the rigidity of the front end of the scooter according to the invention, as explained.

According to a development of the invention, it is also provided that the scooter is provided with a ramp which, when the steering column pivots from the second locking position to the first locking position, acts on the unlocking device against a spring device and releases the unlocking device to bring about the first locking position. The spring device can be, for example, the compression spring already mentioned above for loading the unlocking rod.

If the scooter is released from the second locking position, for example by the user actuating the above-mentioned actuating device, and the user then folds or pivots the steering column from the position parallel or at least largely parallel to the footboard in an upward direction, the ramp ensures that into which an element of the steering column comes into engagement, for the unlocking device being displaced against the action of the spring device, i.e. the latching element being displaced into a region above the V-shaped recess, and then when the element of the steering column disengages from the engagement with the When the ramp is released, the compressive force of the spring device ensures that the unlocking rod is subjected to compressive force, which leads to a displacement movement of the unlocking rod relative to the steering column and also causes the locking element to be pushed or pressed into the locking recess and the locking position between the locking ement and the recess adjusts with the result that the automatic centering effect between the locking element and the recess adjusts both in the vehicle longitudinal direction and in the vehicle transverse direction.

According to a development of the invention, it is also provided that the steering column member is provided with a recess through which the user can access the unlocking device and the unlocking device is provided with a marking which, at least in the first locking position, indicates the intended locking of the steering column member relative to the Front fork indicates. With this marking, the user has a visual check option available, with which it can be determined that the latching position between the latching element and the latching recess has been taken and the user can thus start driving the scooter.

According to a development of the invention, it is also provided that the scooter has a locking element on the unlocking device, preferably on the unlocking rod, which can be brought into releasable engagement with a locking recess provided on the scooter in the second locking position.

This configuration ensures that the latching means, which can be a sleeve-shaped roller rotatably arranged on the unlocking rod, for example, moves the roller into the area of the latching recess when the user pivots the steering column to bring about the second locking position relative to the running board in the direction of the running board arrives, which is provided with a contact surface or contact surface on which the roller rolls and this rolling movement leads to an axial displacement of the unlocking rod against the action of the compression spring and a further pivoting movement of the steering column relative to the Footboard then causes the role in the recess snaps or engages and second locking position is successfully brought about.

According to a development of the invention, it is also provided that the scooter has a braking device acting on the front wheel, which can be actuated by means of an actuating device arranged on the handle device - for example in the form of a brake lever - and a force transmission device between the actuating device and the braking device at the Pivoting movement of the steering column is pivoted relative to the footboard together with the steering column. In the simplest case, the power transmission device can be a cable pull, via which the braking device can be activated by means of the actuating device, ie the braking process can be carried out. Since the force transmission device is pivoted together with the steering column during the pivoting movement of the steering column relative to the running board, the tension of the force transmission device does not change during the pivoting movement and no device for bringing about any length compensation of the cable pull has to be provided.

• 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Rollers gemäß einer Ausführungsform nach der vorliegenden Erfindung in der zum Fahren mit dem Roller vorgesehenen ersten Verriegelungsstellung der Lenksäule;
• 2 eine Darstellung ähnlich derjenigen nach 1 mit der aus der ersten Verriegelungsstellung gelösten Lenksäule in einer Zwischenstellung, die die Lenksäule auf ihrem Weg zur zweiten Verriegelungsstellung einnimmt;
• 3 eine Darstellung ähnlich derjenigen nach 2 der Zeichnung, welche den Roller in der zweiten Verriegelungsstellung zeigt;
• 4 eine vergrößerte Darstellung der Einzelheit „A“ nach 1 der Zeichnung;
• 5 eine Seitenansicht des in 1 der Zeichnung dargestellten Rollers;
• 6 eine Darstellung der Einzelheit „B“ nach 5 der Zeichnung in einer Ansicht von vorne;
• 7 eine Schnittdarstellung entlang eines Teilbereichs des Vorbaus des erfindungsgemäßen Rollers, welcher die Lenksäule und die Vorderradgabel zeigt;
• 8 eine Darstellung ähnlich derjenigen nach 7, welche die Lenksäule im geklappten oder verschwenkten Zustand zeigt;
• 9 eine perspektivische Darstellung der Vorderradgabel;
• 10 eine teilweise geschnittene Teilseitenansicht des Vorbaus des Rollers;
• 11 eine vergrößerte Darstellung der Einzelheit „C“ nach 10;
• 12 eine Schnittansicht gemäß der Schnittlinie „A-A“ nach 11;
• 13 eine Schnittansicht zur Erläuterung der ersten Verriegelungsstellung unter Einsatz der Rastausnehmung und des Rastelements nach der ersten Ausführungsform;
• 14 vier Darstellungen zur Erläuterung des Rastelements nach einer ersten Ausführungsform;
• 15 zwei Darstellungen zur Erläuterung der Rastausnehmung nach einer ersten Ausführungsform;
• 16 eine teilweise geschnittene Teilansicht des Vorbaus des Rollers mit einer Rastausnehmung und einem Rastmittel gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform;
• 17 eine vergrößerte Darstellung der Einzelheit „D“ nach 16;
• 18 eine Schnittansicht gemäß der Schnittlinie „A-A“ nach 17;
• 19 eine Schnittansicht zur Erläuterung der ersten Verriegelungsstellung unter Einsatz der Rastausnehmung und des Rastelements nach der zweiten Ausführungsform;
• 20 fünf Darstellungen zur Erläuterung des Rastelements nach der zweiten Ausführungsform;
• 21 zwei Darstellungen zur Erläuterung der Rastausnehmung nach der zweiten Ausführungsform;
• 22 eine perspektivische Darstellung zur Erläuterung einer Rampe; und
• 23 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Teilbereichs des Rollers zur Erläuterung eines Rastmittels für die zweite Verriegelungsstellung.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. This shows in:

• 1 a perspective view of a scooter according to an embodiment of the present invention in the first locking position of the steering column provided for driving with the scooter;
• 2 a representation similar to that shown below 1 with the steering column released from the first locked position in an intermediate position occupied by the steering column on its way to the second locked position;
• 3 a representation similar to that shown below 2 the drawing showing the scooter in the second locking position;
• 4 an enlarged view of detail "A". 1 the drawing;
• 5 a side view of the in 1 the scooter shown in the drawing;
• 6 a representation of the detail "B" after 5 the drawing in a front view;
• 7 a sectional view along a portion of the stem of the scooter according to the invention, showing the steering column and the front fork;
• 8th a representation similar to that shown below 7 , which shows the steering column in the folded or pivoted state;
• 9 a perspective view of the front fork;
• 10 a partially sectioned partial side view of the stem of the scooter;
• 11 an enlarged view of detail "C". 10 ;
• 12 a sectional view according to section line "AA". 11 ;
• 13 a sectional view to explain the first locking position using the locking recess and the locking element according to the first embodiment;
• 14 four illustrations to explain the locking element according to a first embodiment;
• 15 two illustrations to explain the locking recess according to a first embodiment;
• 16 a partially sectioned partial view of the stem of the scooter with a locking recess and a locking means according to a second embodiment;
• 17 an enlarged view of detail "D". 16 ;
• 18 a sectional view according to section line "AA". 17 ;
• 19 a sectional view to explain the first locking position using the locking recess and the locking element according to the second embodiment;
• 20 five illustrations to explain the locking element according to the second embodiment;
• 21 two illustrations to explain the locking recess according to the second embodiment;
• 22 a perspective view to explain a ramp; and
• 23 a perspective view of a portion of the scooter to explain a latching means for the second locking position.

1 The drawing shows a perspective representation of a scooter 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention in the first locked position of the steering column 2 provided for driving with the scooter 1.

The scooter 1 has a footboard 3 with a contact area 4 for a user of the scooter 1 . In addition, the scooter 1 also has a front wheel 5 with a front wheel axle 6 and a rear wheel 7 with a rear wheel axle 8.

A handle device 9 in the form of a handlebar 10 is provided on the steering column 2 and the user can hold onto this when driving the scooter 1 . The steering column 2 has, on an end region 11 opposite the handle device 9, two steering column bars 12 which form a receiving space 13 between them, in which the front wheel 5 is received. A front wheel fork 14 is also accommodated in the accommodation space 13, as illustrated in FIG 3 the drawing can be seen and the front fork 14 has a virtual longitudinal center plane 15, which is based on 7 can be seen in the drawing.

On the steering column 2 is a closer reference to 4 and 6 apparent actuating device 16 arranged, which is provided for releasing a locking device 17, which will be explained later in detail and for example with reference to 5 can be seen in the drawing.

The locking device 17 can be released via an unlocking device 18, for example from the first locking position, which will be explained later. In the first locked position, which is provided for driving with the scooter 1, the steering column 2 is arranged pivoted at a distance from the running board 3, as is the case, for example, with reference to FIG 1 and 5 the drawing can be seen and in the second locking position, the steering column is pivoted adjacent to the footboard 3, as is the case, for example, with reference to FIG 3 can be seen in the drawing.

2 the drawing shows a representation similar to that after 1 with the steering column 2 released from the first locking position in an intermediate position, which the steering column 2 assumes on its way to the second locking position.

How it based on 2 As can be seen, the pivoting movement of the steering column 1 relative to the footboard 3 takes place on the pivot axis 19 in such a way that the steering column 2 on the pivot axis 19 moves into the in 3 shown stowed position of the scooter 1 can be pivoted and again from this stowed position in 1 driving position or operating position shown in the drawing can be pivoted.

The scooter 1 is characterized, among other things, by the fact that the front wheel axle 6 acts as a pivot axis 19, so that the basis of 3 the drawing apparent smallest possible pack size of the scooter 1 can be achieved in the stowed position.

The locking device 17 has two locks 20 which are designed to lock automatically independently of one another and which are explained in greater detail on the basis of FIG 9 until 21 can be seen in the drawing.

The locks 20 each have a latching recess 21 and a latching element 22, the latching recess and the latching element interacting with one another, as will be explained in more detail below.

The recess 21 is formed in each case on an outer side surface 23 of the front fork 14, as is the case, for example, with reference to FIG 7 the drawing can be seen, so that the locking recesses 21 are mirror-symmetrical to the longitudinal center plane 15 on the front wheel fork 14 .

Each of the two locking recesses 21 is assigned a locking element 22, as is the case, for example, with reference to FIG 7 The drawing can be seen and the two latching elements 22 automatically engage in a locking manner in the latching recesses 21 in such a way that a form-fitting engagement position is established between the respective latching element 22 and the latching recess 21, as is the case, for example, with reference to FIG 11 and 12 as well as from 13 and 17 , 18 and 19 can be seen in the drawing.

As it is based on 9 As can be seen from the drawing, the locking recess 21 has a V-shaped configuration and has side flanks 24 which extend in the direction of the longitudinal center plane 15 of the front wheel fork 14 and which are inclined relative to the outer side surface 23 of the front wheel fork 14, i.e. in one of a right Angle deviating angles are formed inclined.

This configuration is based on example 12 and 13 as well as from 18 and 19 visible in the drawing. The invention provides two different embodiments of the recess 21, the first embodiment based on 13 is clearly visible in the drawing. This shows the locking recess 21 in a sectional view according to the section line AA 11 of the drawing and makes it clear that the latching recess 21 has, starting from the base 25 of the latching recess 21, a configuration which widens in the direction of the outer side surface 23 of the front wheel fork. In contrast to this, the locking recess 21 shows 19 the drawing has a configuration that tapers or narrows or becomes narrower starting from the base 25 of the locking recess 21 in the direction of the outer side surface 22 of the front wheel fork 14 .

In both cases, the respective latching element 22 is designed to complement the latching recess 21 in terms of shape and area, as can be seen from the illustrations in accordance with FIG 11 , 12 , 13 , 17 , 18 and 19 can be seen in the drawing.

A latching element 22, which is designed to be complementary to the latching recess 21 that widens in the direction of the outer side surface 22, is illustrated in accordance with the illustrations 14 visible in the drawing. As is readily apparent, the latching element 21 in this embodiment has a rectangular base surface 27 with side surfaces 30 extending away at an angle 29 to the base surface 28, at least along a partial region of the circumferential extension 28 of the latching element 22. These side surfaces 30 are inclined at an angle 29 , Which allows recording in the V-shaped groove or recess 21, as is based on 11 , 12 and 13 the drawing is readily apparent.

The latching recess 21 accommodates the latching element 22 within the side flanks 24 so that the latching element 22 is supported with the side surfaces 30 on the side flanks 24 in such a way that the latching element 22 is received in the latching recess 21 in a form-fitting manner.

20 The drawing shows a locking element 22 according to a second embodiment with side surfaces 30, which are again formed inclined at an angle 29 to the base surface 27, as can be seen from the representations of FIG 20 can be seen in the drawing.

19 The drawing shows that the latching element 22 is again supported with the side surfaces 30 on the side flanks 24 of the latching recess 21 and in this way a configuration of the latching element 22 and the latching recess 21 which is complementary in terms of shape and surface area is also selected in this second embodiment of the locking mechanism 20.

The unlocking device 18 already mentioned above has an unlocking rod 31 associated with the respective lock 20, as is shown, for example, with reference to FIG 5 and 6 can be seen in the drawing. The unlocking rod 31 is arranged in the interior 32 of the steering column member 12 designed as a hollow chamber profile 33 in such a way that the unlocking rod 31 is accommodated in the interior 32 in the longitudinal direction of the steering column member 12 so that it can be displaced.

How it based on 6 As can be seen from the drawing, the unlocking rod 31 is subjected to a compressive force at the upper end region by a spring device 34 in such a way that the spring force of the spring device 34 in the form of a helical compression spring 35 or the like acts on the latching element 22 in the direction of the latching recess 21 and in this way a automatically locking configuration with the recess 21 forms. The latching element 22 is thus pressed into the V-shaped latching recess as soon as the unlocking rod 31 is released or can shift in the direction of the latching recess due to the action of the spring device 34 .

If the user wants to release the first locking position, the user can use the 4 Reach through the recess 36 shown in the drawing with a finger into the finger recess 37 and push the unlocking rod 31 upwards against the action of the spring device 34, which means that the latching element 22 is displaced out of the latching recess 21 and thus the positive locking position is canceled between the locking element and the locking recess. To release the locking position, the user must pull both unlocking rods 31 in both steering column bars 12 in an upward direction in order to release both automatic locking locks 20 .

How it based on 11 and 17 As can be seen from the drawing, the respective locking element 22 is detachably fixed to the respective unlocking rod 31 by means of screws 39, which can be inserted into recesses 38 of the respective locking element 22 and thus the respective locking element 22 can be fixed to the respective unlocking rod 31. An axial displacement of the unlocking rod 31 in the interior 32 of the steering column member 12 also leads to an axial displacement of the latching element 22 relative to the latching recess 21 and thus to the latching element 22 assuming an automatically locking position with the latching recess 21 and from this position again by a longitudinal displacement of the Unlocking bar 31 can be solved, as has already been explained above.

How it based on 13 As can be seen from the drawing, the unlocking rod 31 is designed as a profile with two hollow chambers 40 and, in the selected embodiment, has a configuration similar to a butterfly and has supports 41 on the outer circumference, by means of which the unlocking rod can be supported on the inner circumferential wall 42 of the steering column beam 12.

If how this based on 13 the drawing can be seen, the locking element 22 enters the locking recess 21 and in the direction of the base 43 ( 11 ) The V-shaped recess 21 is relocated, which leads to the basis of 9 and 11 the drawing apparent configuration of the recess 21 with a sloping toward the base 43 training such that the locking element 22 in the direction of arrow 44 after 12 the drawing to the outside, i.e. from the outer side surface 23 of the front wheel fork 14 is shifted away to the fact that the supports 41 of the unlocking rod 31 are supported on the inner peripheral wall 42 of the steering column beam 12 and thus one indicated by the arrows 45 13 counterforce shown is built up, which leads to an automatic centering of the locking element 22 in the locking recess 21.

The configuration of the recess 21 such that the side flanks 24 are arranged at an angle relative to the outer side surface 23 of the front wheel fork 14 and that in the direction of the double arrow 46 after 12 If the measured depth of the locking recess 21 decreases in the direction of the base 43 of the locking recess, an axial displacement of the locking element 22 relative to the locking recess 21 results in the locking element 22 being displaced outwards in the direction of the arrow 44 with progressive displacement movement in the direction of the base 43 of the locking recess 21 becomes. The closer the latching element 22 is to the base 43 of the latching recess 21, the greater the force component in the direction of the arrow 44 and accordingly also in the direction of the arrows 45. There is therefore an automatic clamping effect between the latching element 22 and the latching recess 21 as well the inner peripheral wall 42 of the steering column member 12. So there is an automatic centering both in the longitudinal direction of the V-shaped recess 21 and in the transverse direction to this instead, as is based on 12 can be seen in the drawing.

In the embodiment of the latch 20 according to 16 until 21 a reciprocal or inverse configuration to the first embodiment just described is chosen, which is shown in the illustrations according to FIG 21 visible locking recess 21 tapers in turn towards the base 47 of the locking recess 21 and in the direction of the double arrow 48 after 18 The depth of the recess 21 measured in the drawing decreases in the direction of the base 47 . This configuration therefore leads to an axial displacement of the unlocking rod 31 in the direction of the arrow 49 17 the locking element 22 towards the surface 50 ( 18 ) the V-shaped inner recess 21 is applied towards.

How it based on 19 As can be seen from the drawing, the unlocking rod 31 in the second embodiment has a roof-shaped or V-shaped configuration in cross section and is supported via side surfaces 51 on complementary side flanks 52 of the steering column beam 12 . An axial displacement of the latching element 22 by means of a displacement movement of the unlocking rod 31 in the direction of the arrow 49 thus results in the latching element 22 being displaced in the direction of the base 50 of the V-shaped latching recess 21, specifically via the configuration of the configuration that tapers in the direction of the base 47 Side edges 24 of the recess 21 and in the direction of the double arrow 48 after 18 decreasing depth of the locking recess 21.

It means this in other words that due to the double taper of the locking recess 21 in the configuration according to 10 until 15 Selected embodiment of the locking recess 21 and the locking element 22, the locking element 22 is pressed in the outward direction, while in the configuration of the lock according to 16 until 21 the latching element 22 is pulled deeper into the latching recess 21 in the direction, ie in the direction of the surface 50 of the latching recess 21 . As already explained above, also in the second embodiment of the lock 20 according to the 16 until 21 automatic centering of the latching element 22 relative to the latching recess 21 and the unlocking rod 31 is supported via the side surfaces 51 on the side flanks 52 of the steering column member 12 .

This configuration of the locks therefore leads to the unlocking rod 31 in the first locking position coming into contact with the inner peripheral wall 42 or inner wall of the steering column member 12 and being subjected to a tensile force in the direction of the front wheel fork 14 or a compressive force in the direction away from the front wheel fork 14 .

In both cases, there is an automatically centering clamping effect between the latching element 22 and the latching recess 21 and thus a configuration designed by the user of the scooter to be extremely stable and free from undesirable deformations and thus a stable driving experience.

How it based on 23 As can be seen from the drawing, the scooter 1 has a latching means 53 on both unlocking rods 31, which can be designed, for example, as a rotatably arranged sleeve which, during a displacement movement from the first locking position to 1 to the second locking position 3 comes to rest in a respective locking recess 54 and is brought into a releasable engagement there, which corresponds to the second locking position of the scooter 1 in the stowed position or stowed position.

When the user removes scooter 1 from the in 3 shown stowage position back into the in 1 driving position shown, the user reaches into the finger recesses 37 again and thus pulls the latching means 53 out of the respective latching recess 54 and can pull the steering column 2, as is shown in 2 shown in the drawing, fold or pivot upwards in such a way that the user can release his fingers from the finger recess 37 during the pivoting movement of the steering column 2, since the locking means 53 when the steering column 2 is almost in its in 1 has reached the position shown to assume the first locking position, with the 22 The ramp 55 shown in the drawing engages, the ramp surfaces 56 ensuring that the engagement rods 31 are displaced in the upward direction against the action of the compression spring 34 . When the latching means 53 has become detached from the ramp surfaces 56, the respective compression spring 34 ensures that the respective unlocking rod 31 in the steering column member 12 is displaced downwards and the respective latching means 22 enters the respective latching recess 21 and brings about the first locking position there is namely automatically locking and thus a play-free mounting of the steering column 2 on the scooter 1 is brought about in the first locking position provided for driving the scooter.

How it based on 1 As can be seen from the drawing, an actuating device 57 in the form of a brake lever is provided on the handle device 9, with which the in 8th the drawing shown service brake 58 on the front wheel 5 of the scooter 1 can be actuated. 8th The drawing also shows the pivot axis 19 on which the two steering column bars 12 and thus the steering column 2 can be pivoted relative to the running board 3 . 8th shows the position of the steering column 2 relative to the running board 3 in the second locked position, i.e. the stowed position or position of the scooter 1.

The fact that the pivot axis 19 coincides with the front wheel axle 6 of the scooter, the scooter 1 has in the stowed position on the basis of 3 with the arrow H designated low height, the pack size of the scooter 1 is minimized. 8th The drawing also shows a receptacle 63 of the service brake 58, on which a brake cable (not shown) of the scooter 1 can be hung, which can be pulled via the actuating device 57 in the form of the brake lever to activate the service brake of the scooter 1. During the pivoting movement or folding movement of the scooter 1, the receptacle 63 pivots between the first locking position and the second locking position together with the steering column 2, which means that the brake cable does not experience any change in length during the pivoting movement and thus also the need for length change compensation for the brake cable omitted.

7 the drawing shows the mounting of the front wheel fork 14 relative to the structural component 59 ( 1 ) of the scooter. As is readily apparent, the front wheel fork 14 is pivotably guided on a steering head bearing 60, with the recesses 61 ( 9 ) the front wheel fork 14 corresponding bearings can be used.

4 Finally, the drawing shows a marking 62 arranged on the engagement rod 31 , which serves to visualize the secure latching of the latching element 22 in the latching recess 21 . If the intended latching position of the latching element 22 in the latching recess 21 has been assumed, then the user can see the marking 62 at the upper edge of the recess 36, specifically adjacent to the upper edge. If this is not the case, this is an indication for the user that the intended latching position or latching between the latching element 22 and the latching recess 21 has not been assumed. How it based on 9 As can be seen from the drawing, the locking recess 21 is formed in the area of the upper end area of the front wheel fork 14 in the longitudinal direction of the front wheel fork 14 . This configuration ensures that in the event of a compressive or tensile load in the direction of arrow F 5 a moment which is built up by the lever arm between the steering rod 10 and the pivot axis 19 leads to low surface pressures between the locking element 22 and the locking recess 21 . In other words, this means that the lever arm between the force-absorbing surfaces of the locking recess 21, i.e. the side flanks 24 of the locking recesses 21 and the pivot axis 19, is selected to be as large as possible, since the locking recess 21 is located at the greatest possible distance from the pivot axis 19. This configuration according to the invention ensures that the surface pressure between the latching element 22 and the side flanks 24 of the latching recess 21 is minimized at a given moment about the pivot axis 19 and thus the surface pressure pairing of latching element and latching recess is under little stress.

With regard to features of the invention not explained in detail above, reference is expressly made to the patent claims and the drawing.

Reference List

1

scooter

2

steering column

3

running board

4

footprint

5

front wheel

6

front axle

7

rear wheel

8th

rear axle

9

handle device

10

handlebar

11

end area

12

steering column spar

13

recording room

14

front fork

15

longitudinal median plane

16

actuating device

17

locking device

18

unlocking device

19

pivot axis

20

locking

21

recess

22

locking element

23

outside surface

24

side flanks

25

Reason for the recess

26

Ground

27

Ground

28

circumferential extent

29

angle

30

side face

31

unlocking bar

32

inner space

33

hollow chamber profile

34

spring device

35

helical compression spring

36

recess

37

finger recess

38

recess

39

screw

40

hollow chamber

41

support

42

inner peripheral wall

43

Ground

44

Arrow

45

Arrow

46

Arrow

47

Ground

48

Arrow

49

Arrow

50

Surface

51

side face

52

side flanks

53

locking means

54

recess

55

ramp

56

ramp surfaces

57

actuating device

58

braking device

59

structural component

60

steering head bearings

61

recess

62

mark

63

Recording

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• EP 3652052 B1 [0009]

Claims (15)

Scooter (1) with a running board (3) with a contact area (4) for a user and at least one front wheel (5) with a front wheel axle (6) and at least one rear wheel (7) with a rear wheel axle (8) and with a steering column ( 2), on which a handle device (9) for the user is arranged, with the steering column (2) having two steering column bars (12) on an end region (11) opposite the handle device (9), which have a receiving space (13) between them for forming a seat for a front wheel fork (14) which has a longitudinal center plane (15) and on which the front wheel (5) is seated, and an actuating device (16) for releasing a locking device (17) by means of an unlocking device (18) is arranged on the steering column (2). is, wherein the scooter (1) by means of the locking device (17) in a first locking position for driving with the scooter (1) and in a second locking position can be locked, wherein in the ers th locking position the steering column (2) is pivoted at a distance from the running board (3) and in the second locking position the steering column (3) is arranged pivoted adjacent to the running board (3) and the steering column (2) on a pivot axis (19) between the first and second locking position is pivotable relative to the running board (3), characterized in that the steering column (2) on the front wheel axle (6) as a pivot axis (19) is pivotable relative to the running board (3) and the locking device (19) has two independent locking devices (20) which are designed to lock automatically from one another and which each have a latching recess (21) and a latching element (22) which interacts therewith. Roller (1) after claim 1 , characterized in that the locking recess (21) is formed on the front wheel fork (14) and the locking element (22) is designed to be displaceable relative to the locking recess (21) and can be brought into a releasable engagement with the locking recess (21). Roller (1) after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the locking recess (21) has a V-shaped configuration in a plan view and side flanks (24) extending in the direction of the longitudinal center plane (15) of the front wheel fork (14) which facing outer side surface (24) of the front wheel fork (14) are formed inclined at an angle deviating from a right angle. Roller (1) after claim 3 , characterized in that the locking recess (21) viewed from the longitudinal center plane (15) of the front wheel fork (14) in the direction of the outer side surface (24) of the front wheel fork (14) has a widening or narrowing configuration. Roller (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching recess (21) and the latching element (22) are designed to complement one another in terms of shape and area. Roller (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching element (22) has a base (26) extending from the base (26) at least along a partial region of the circumferential extent (28) of the latching element (22) at an angle to the Base (26) having side surfaces (30) extending away. Roller (1) after claim 6 , characterized in that the base (26) of the locking element (22) in a top view has a rectangular or V-shaped configuration and is formed with at least one receptacle (38) for releasably fixing a fastening means (39). Scooter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the unlocking device (18) has an unlocking rod (31) assigned to the respective lock (20) and which is displaceably arranged in an inner recess (32) of the respective steering column arm (12) and is acted upon by a spring device (34) to bring about an automatic locking in such a way that the locking element (22) and the locking recess (21) assume a form-fitting engagement position. Scooter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the steering column arm (12) is designed as a hollow chamber profile (33) at least along part of its longitudinal extension and is designed to accommodate the unlocking rod (31). Scooter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching element (21) is arranged on the unlocking rod (31) and a displacement movement of the latching element (22) in the longitudinal direction of the steering column arm (12) relative to the latching recess (21) to a Displacement movement of the locking element (22) and the unlocking rod (31) largely transverse to the longitudinal displacement movement. Roller (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the unlocking rod (31) in the first Verriege development position relative to an inner wall (42) of the steering column arm (12) and is acted upon in the direction of the front wheel fork (14) with a tensile force or in the direction of the front wheel fork (14) away with a compressive force. Scooter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the scooter (12) is provided with a ramp (54) which, during a pivoting movement of the steering column (2) from the second locking position to the first locking position, counteracts the unlocking device (31). a spring device (34) is acted upon and releases the unlocking device (31) to bring about the first locking position. Scooter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the steering column arm (12) is provided with a recess (36) through which the user has access to the unlocking device (31) and the unlocking device (31) with a marking ( 62) which, at least in the first locking position, indicates the intended locking of the steering column (2) relative to the front wheel fork (14). Roller (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by locking means (53) provided on the unlocking device 18), preferably the unlocking rod (31), which in the second locking position can be releasably connected to a locking recess (54) provided on the roller (1). intervention can be brought. Scooter (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a braking device (58) acting on the front wheel (5), which can be actuated by means of an actuating device (57) arranged on the handle device (9) and a force transmission device between the actuating device (57) and the braking device (58) is pivoted together with the steering column (2) during the pivoting movement of the steering column (2) relative to the running board (3).

Images