FR3122822A1 - CONNECTION DEVICE BETWEEN A ROLLING DEVICE AND A MOTORIZED SCOOTER - Google Patents

Abstract

This connecting device (1) between on the one hand two structural elements of a rolling device and on the other hand a motorized scooter having a handlebar and a platform (7) mounted on two wheels, said connecting device (1) comprising means for fixing said connecting device (1) to the platform (7), an elbow tube (9) connected on the one hand to the fixing means, and on the other to a T-shaped connecting bar (33) having a central extension (31) towards the elbow tube (9), said central extension (31) being adapted to be removably mounted to the two structural elements, the connecting bar (33) being adapted to be removably mounted to the two structural elements by means of two lateral clamps (39), and the bent tube (9) being mounted free to rotate relative to the fixing means and along a vertical axis perpendicular to the front-rear axis. Figure for the abstract: [Fig 4].

Description

CONNECTION DEVICE BETWEEN A ROLLING DEVICE AND A MOTORIZED SCOOTER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices that can be fitted to a motorized vehicle for towing a rolling device, in particular a wheelchair.

The present invention aims in particular to constitute a wheelchair towed by a scooter, having two operating positions, namely in simple traction mode of the wheelchair or in traction mode with transport of a user riding the scooter.

PRIOR ART

Motorized traction devices are known which make it possible to pull a wheelchair directly, such as that of patent application US20180140486, or else devices for attaching a motorized vehicle, in particular an electric scooter, to a wheelchair, as described for example in application US20180028378.

None of the existing devices allow easy removal or assembly, nor to have the choice of position of the towing vehicle allowing either to have a single user, the wheelchair passenger, driving the towing vehicle, or to have two users. , i.e. one user on the wheelchair and one on the scooter.

The object of the invention is to overcome at least some of the aforementioned drawbacks and to propose a connecting device between a motorized vehicle, in particular an electric scooter, and a non-motorized wheeled vehicle, in particular a wheelchair, the invention being capable of combining advantages of speed, simplicity and reliability for its implementation, and this on a wide variety of scooters and wheelchairs.

This system is designed to carry one to two people, allowing the wheelchair user to either drive the vehicle themselves or have an attendant drive it while towing the passenger device.

The device is also used to transport a scooter even if the latter is unloaded.

In view of the foregoing, the subject of the invention is a connecting device between, on the one hand, two structural elements of a rolling device and, on the other hand, a motorized scooter having a handlebar and a platform mounted on two wheels, the two wheels defining a front-rear axis of said motorized scooter and the handlebar defining the forward direction of said motorized scooter towards which said motorized scooter is configured to advance, the connecting device comprising means for fixing said connecting device to the platform , a bent tube connected on the one hand to the fastening means, and on the other hand to a T-shaped connecting bar having a central extension towards the bent tube, said central extension being adapted to be removably mounted to the two structural elements , the connecting bar being adapted to be removably mounted to the two structural elements by means of two lateral clamps, and the bent tube being mounted freely in rotation p in relation to the fixing means and along a vertical axis perpendicular to the front-rear axis.

Thus, some tubes are bent to form the product. The different parts facilitate adjustment in height, length and width.

Preferably, the bent tube is removably mounted relative to the fixing means.

For example, the fixing means comprise a vertical tubular extension to which the bent tube is fixed.

Advantageously, the vertical tubular extension has an end piece adapted to be fitted into the bent tube and the device comprises a first removable clamping ring allowing the end piece to be held in the bent tube.

According to one embodiment, the connecting bar is fitted into the bent tube.

In one embodiment, the fixing means comprise a fixing plate pierced by a plurality of holes and screws suitable for screwing said plate directly onto the platform through said holes.

Advantageously, the fixing means comprise an upper plate and a lower plate, said lower plate being adapted to be placed under the platform and said upper plate being adapted to be placed on the platform facing said lower plate, said upper plate comprising transverse extensions and horizontal extensions, the horizontal extensions being adapted to project laterally from the platform and being pierced by holes, said lower plate comprising transverse extensions and horizontal extensions, the horizontal extensions being adapted to project laterally from the platform and being pierced by holes, so that the holes of the lower and upper plate face each other, so that bolt screws make it possible to bring said lower and upper plate closer to each other so as to removably enclose the platform .

One or two plates therefore screw onto or around the deck of the scooter, securing the product firmly in place.

The device may further provide that the two lateral clamps are mounted on the connecting bar via two end tubes fitted into the connecting bar and removably fixed thereto via a second removable clamping ring so as to be able to adjust the insertion lengths of the two end tubes in the connecting bar in order to be able to grip the two structural elements with the two lateral clamps regardless of their distance from the connecting bar, said two lateral clamps each having a male tubular part fitted into the connecting bar so that said two lateral clamps are pivotally mounted in order to be able to grip the two structural elements regardless of their inclination with respect to the vertical.

It is possible to provide that which bent tube has an upward opening adapted to receive a saddle having a saddle tube, said saddle tube being fitted into said upward opening so that the saddle tube can slide in the bent tube, and so as to form a saddle for the seat of a user of the motorized scooter in passenger mode.

The invention also relates to a motorized machine comprising a rolling device having two structural elements, a motorized scooter having a handlebar and a platform mounted on two wheels, the two wheels defining a front-rear axis of said motorized scooter and the handlebar defining the forward direction of said motorized scooter towards which said motorized scooter is configured to move, said motorized machine further comprising a device in which the central extension is oriented either towards the front of the motorized scooter or towards the rear of the scooter motorized.

The invention will be better understood on detailed study of a few embodiments taken by way of non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

represents a motorized machine with a connection device according to the invention in driver mode, with simple traction of the wheelchair.

represents the same machine in passenger mode, with a second user driving the scooter.

represents the connecting device of the invention.

represents a second embodiment of the connecting device.

shows a third embodiment of the connecting device, suitable for supporting a saddle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The illustrates a motorized machine comprising a connecting device 1 according to the invention.

The device 1 allows the connection between on the one hand two structural elements 17 of a rolling device 5 and on the other hand a motorized scooter 3.

The two structural elements 17 are vertical in the example shown.

The rolling device 5 is for example a wheelchair 3, but it is possible to envisage other types of rolling device, for example a mini-trailer or a seat on wheels.

This type of device 1 can therefore accommodate a child or other load such as objects at the rear and a person at the front, driving the motorized vehicle.

The represents a motorized machine according to the invention, which is motorized thanks to the motorized scooter 3, and which comprises a connecting device 1 in driver mode, that is to say with simple traction of the wheelchair 5.

The motorized scooter 3 has a handlebar 4 and a platform 7 mounted on two wheels.

The two wheels define a front-rear-Z axis of said motorized scooter 3.

The handlebar 4 defines the forward direction of the motorized scooter 3, the direction in which said motorized scooter 3 is configured to move forward. The front-back-Z axis is notably represented and clearly visible in Figures 1 and 2.

The represents the same motorized machine, which is also motorized thanks to the motorized scooter 3, and which comprises a connecting device 1 in passenger mode, that is to say adapted to have a passenger on the motorized scooter 3, which allows it -even traction of the wheelchair 5, and at the same time the driving of the scooter by another passenger who drives it while climbing on the platform 7.

The motorized machine of Figures 1 and 2 comprises a rolling device 5 having two structural elements 17 which are distributed on either side of the rolling device 5, in particular on either side of the Z axis. motorized further comprises a device 1 in which the central extension 31 is, on the , oriented towards the front of the motorized scooter 3, and which is, on the , oriented towards the rear of the motorized scooter 3, to respectively constitute the driver modes, in which the user on the wheelchair 5 drives the scooter 3, and the passenger mode, in which the user on the wheelchair 5 does not not ride scooter 3 but another user can ride on platform 7 to ride scooter 3.

Device 1 comprises means 11 for fixing said connecting device 1 to platform 7.

The device 1 comprises a bent tube 9 linked on the one hand to the fixing means 11, and on the other to a T-shaped connecting bar 33 having a central extension 31 towards the bent tube 9.

The central extension 31 is adapted to be removably mounted to the elbow tube 9, for example via a third removable clamping ring 29.

The ring or clamp 29 is quick release, and hooks to the elbow tube 9 which is sliding. This makes it possible to adjust the length of the device 1 with precision.

In passenger mode, the central extension 31 is oriented towards the front of the motorized scooter 3, so as to free up space on the platform 7.

In driver mode, the central extension 31 is oriented towards the rear of the motorized scooter 3, so as to free up space on the platform 7.

The connecting bar 33 is adapted to be removably mounted to the two structural elements 17 using two side clamps 39.

The open clamps 39 close around the structural bars 17 of the wheelchair 5.

As illustrated by the , in addition, the bent tube 9 is mounted free to rotate relative to the fixing means 11 and along a vertical axis perpendicular to the front-rear axis Z.

For example, the fixing means 11 comprise a vertical tubular extension 23 to which the bent tube 9 is fixed, said vertical tubular extension 23 extending along said vertical axis perpendicular to the front-rear axis Z.

Preferably, the bent tube 9 is removably mounted relative to the fixing means 11, for example via a first removable clamping ring 27.

Advantageously, the vertical tubular extension 23 has a suitable end piece 25, for example because it comprises a shoulder, to be fitted into the bent tube 9 and the first removable clamping ring 27 allows the end piece 25 to be held in the elbow tube 9.

In the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the connecting bar 33 is fitted into the bent tube 9.

In this first embodiment, the fixing means 11 comprise a fixing plate 12 pierced by a plurality of holes 19 and screws 21 suitable for screwing said plate 11 directly onto platform 7 through said holes 19.

In a second embodiment illustrated in , the fixing means 11 comprise an upper plate 48 and a lower plate 49.

The lower plate 49 is adapted to be placed under the platform 7 and the upper plate 48 is adapted to be placed on the platform 7 facing said lower plate 49.

The upper plate 48 has transverse extensions 41 and horizontal extensions 43.

The horizontal extensions 43 are adapted to protrude laterally from the platform 7 and are pierced by holes 45.

The lower plate 49 has transverse extensions 51 and horizontal extensions 53.

The horizontal extensions 53 are adapted to protrude laterally from the platform 7 and are pierced by holes 55, so that the holes 45.55 of the lower and upper plates 48.49 are opposite, so that bolt screws 47 allow to bring said lower and upper plate 48,49 towards each other so as to removably enclose the platform 7.

The device 1 is thus fixed on the platform 7 without having to drill it but by clamping, which makes it possible to adapt to many platform formats 7.

The device 1 can further provide that the two lateral clamps 39 are mounted on the connecting bar 33 via two end tubes 35 fitted into the connecting bar 33 and removably fixed thereto via a second clamping ring. removable 37, and possibly via a shoulder 34 which may include an anti-rotation groove, so as to be able to adjust the lengths of insertion of the two end tubes 35 in the connecting bar 33.

It is thus possible to grip the two structural elements 17 with the two side clamps 39 whatever their distance from the connecting bar 33.

The two side clamps 39 each have a male tubular part 38 fitted into the connecting bar 33 so that said two side clamps 39 are pivotally mounted to be able to grip the two structural elements 17 regardless of their inclination relative to the vertical.

As illustrated by the , the bent tube 9 may comprise, in a third embodiment, an upward opening.

The upward opening is adapted to receive a 100 saddle.

Saddle 100 can be a standard bicycle saddle. It features a 101 seat tube.

The saddle tube 101 is fitted into said upward opening, so that the saddle tube 101 can slide in the bent tube 9. Means for adjusting the height of said saddle 100 will be provided, in a conventional manner, by inserting more or less important of the saddle tube 101 in the elbow tube 9.

Thus, a saddle is formed for the seat of a user of the motorized scooter 3 in passenger mode.

Claims (11)

Connecting device (1) between on the one hand two structural elements (17) of a rolling device (5) and on the other hand a motorized scooter (3) having a handlebar (4) and a platform (7) mounted on two wheels, the two wheels defining a front-rear axis (Z) of said motorized scooter (3) and the handlebar (4) defining the forward direction of said motorized scooter (3) towards which said motorized scooter (3) is configured to advance, said connecting device (1) comprising means (11) for fixing said connecting device (1) on the platform (7), an elbow tube (9) connected on the one hand to the fixing means (11) , and on the other to a T-shaped connecting bar (33) having a central extension (31) towards the elbow tube (9), said central extension (31) being adapted to be removably mounted to the two structural elements ( 17), said connecting device (1) being characterized in that the connecting bar (33) is adapted to be removably mounted on the x two structural elements (17) thanks to two lateral clamps (39), and in that the bent tube (9) is mounted free to rotate relative to the fixing means (11) and along a vertical axis perpendicular to the front-back axis (Z). Device (1) according to Claim 1, in which the bent tube (9) is removably mounted with respect to the fixing means (11). Device (1) according to Claim 2, in which the fixing means (11) comprise a vertical tubular extension (23) to which the elbow tube (9) is fixed. Device (1) according to Claim 3, in which the vertical tubular extension (23) has an end piece (25) adapted to be fitted into the elbow tube (9) and the device (1) comprises a first removable clamping ring ( 27) allowing the tip (25) to be held in the bent tube (9). Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the connecting bar (33) is fitted into the elbow tube (9). Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the fixing means (11) comprise a fixing plate (12) pierced by a plurality of bores (19) and screws (21) suitable for screwing said plate (11) directly on the platform (7) through said holes (19). Device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, in which the fixing means (11) comprise an upper plate (48) and a lower plate (49), said lower plate (49) being adapted to be arranged under the platform (7) and said upper plate (48) being adapted to be placed on the platform (7) facing said lower plate (49), said upper plate (48) comprising transverse extensions (41) and extensions horizontal (43), the horizontal extensions (43) being adapted to project laterally from the platform (7) and being pierced by holes (45), said lower plate (49) comprising transverse extensions (51) and horizontal extensions ( 53), the horizontal extensions (53) being adapted to protrude laterally from the platform (7) and being pierced by holes (55), so that the holes (45,55) of the lower and upper plates (48,49) face each other, so that screws with bolts (47) make it possible to bring said lower and upper plate (48,49) towards each other so as to removably enclose the platform (7). Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the two lateral clamps (39) are mounted on the connecting bar (33) via two end tubes (35) fitted into the connecting bar (33) and fixed in a removable manner thereto via a second removable clamping ring (37) so as to be able to adjust the lengths of insertion of the two end tubes (35) in the connecting bar (33) in order to be able to grip the two structural elements (17) with the two lateral clamps (39) whatever their distance relative to the connecting bar (33), the said two lateral clamps (39) each having a male tubular part (38) fitted into the connecting bar (33) so that said two side clamps (39) are pivotally mounted to be able to grip the two structural elements (17) regardless of their inclination relative to the vertical. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the elbow tube (9) has an upward opening adapted to receive a saddle (100) having a saddle tube (101), said saddle tube (101 ) being fitted into said opening upwards so that the saddle tube (101) can slide in the elbow tube (9), and so as to form a saddle for the seat of a user of the motorized scooter (3 ) in passenger mode. Motorized machine comprising a rolling device (5) having two structural elements (17), a motorized scooter (3) having a handlebar (4) and a platform (7) mounted on two wheels, the two wheels defining a front-rear axis (Z) of said motorized scooter (3) and the handlebar (4) defining the forward direction of said motorized scooter (3) towards which said motorized scooter (3) is configured to advance, said motorized machine further comprising a device (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the central extension (31) is oriented towards the front of the motorized scooter (3). Motorized machine comprising a rolling device (5) having two structural elements (17), a motorized scooter (3) having a handlebar (4) and a platform (7) mounted on two wheels, the two wheels defining a front-rear axis (Z) of said motorized scooter (3) and the handlebar (4) defining the forward direction of said motorized scooter (3) towards which said motorized scooter (3) is configured to advance, said motorized machine further comprising a device (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the central extension (31) is oriented towards the rear of the motorized scooter (3).