GB2360984A

GB2360984A - Foldable scooter

Info

Publication number: GB2360984A
Application number: GB0008141A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yi-Ling Wen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-02-10
Filing date: 2000-04-03
Publication date: 2001-10-10
Also published as: GB0008141D0; DE20002370U1

Abstract

The scooter has a board (10) and a handlebar (12) pivotally connected to the board (10) with a pivoting means having a sleeve (30), at least one pivot plate (22) extending up from the board (10), at least one adjusting plate (32) securely mounted on the sleeve (30) and pivotally attached to the or each pivot plate (22), an arcuate slot (34) defined in the or each adjusting plate (32), a positioning hole (342) defined in the or each adjusting plate (32) at the end of the slot (34) and a lock bar (36) extending through the or both pivot plates (22) and slots (34) simultaneously, which has a width in one diametrical direction smaller than the width of the slot (34) and a width in an orthogonal diametrical direction larger than the width of the slot (34). This enables the bar (36) to be oriented to be held in the hole(s) (342) to retain the scooter in its operational condition. Holes (344) at the other end(s) of the slot(s) (34) are provided to retain the bar (36) when the scooter is in its folded condition.

Description

2360984 1 FOLDABLESCOOTER

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a scooter, and more particularly to a foldable scooter with specific folding means to improve the efficiency of folding and enhance safety of using the scooter. 2. Description of Related Art

A conventional scooter in accordance with the prior art, as shown in Fig. 7, comprises a main frame (50), a board (5 1) mounted above the main frame (50), a handlebar (52) mounted on a first end of the main frame (50), a front wheel (54) mounted on the bottom end of the handlebar (52) and a rear wheel (56) mounted on a second end of the main frame-(50). A pivoting means is arranged between the main frame (50) and the handlebar (52), such that the handlebar (52) can rotate relative to the main frame (50) so as to fold the scooter when the scooter is not being used. Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, the conventional pivoting means comprises two pivot plates (70) mounted in parallel on the main frame (50), a sleeve (60) for the handlebar (52) to extend through and two connecting plates (62). Each connecting plate (62) is securely attached to the sleeve (60) and pivotally attached to the corresponding pivot plate (70) with a pivot pin (74). An arcuate slot (72) is defined in each pivot plate (70) with the pivot pin (74) as the central point of the arcuate slot (72). A recess (722) is defined in the bottom inner edge of the slot (72) on each end of the slot (72). A positioning pin (76) extends into one of the recesses (722) and both of the connecting plates (62) simultaneously so as to secure the handlebar (52) in an operational position due to the engagement between the recess (722) and the positioning pin (76). When the user wants to fold the scooter, the user can lift up the pivot pin (76) to 2 separate the positioning pin (76) from the recess (722), and push the handlebar (52) to rotate it relative to the pivot plate (70) along the track of the slot (72). In such a manner, the scooter can be folded into a smaller volume that is convenient for moving or storing the scooter. In addition, a spring (78) is mounted between the pivot pin (74) and the positioning pin (76) to provide a tension on the positioning pin (76) when it is in the recess (722).

However, the conventional pivoting means for a scooter is easily ineffective when the spring (78) loses its elasticity. The useful life of the scooter will be shortened. In addition, if the user wants to fold the scooter, he or she must insert his or her finger(s) into the gap between the two connecting plates (62) to lift up the positioning pin (76) and push the handlebar (52) to rotate it relative to the board (50). Consequently, the folding operation of the conventional scooter is inefficient and difficult. Furthermore, because the conventional board (5 1) is made of wood or plastic, the structural strength of the conventional board (5 1) is inadequate to support the user. Therefore, a metal main frame (50) is needed to enhance the structural strength of the scooter. This will increase the cost of manufacturing the conventional scooter.

To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide an improved foldable scooter to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

The main objective of the invention is to provide an improved foldable scooter having a board, a handlebar pivotally connected to the board with a pivoting means, a front wheel pivotally mounted on the handlebar and a rear wheel. The pivoting means comprises at least one pivot plate on the board, a sleeve for the handlebar to extend through, an adjusting plate securely mounted on the sleeve and pivotally attached to 3 each pivot plate, an arcuate slot defined in each adjusting plate, a recess defined in each adjusting plate and communicating with the slot and a lock bar extending through the pivot plate and slot simultaneously, which has a lateral width smaller than the width of the slot and a longitudinal width larger than said width of the slot. By such an arrangement, the efficiency of folding and safety of using the scooter will be improved.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. IN THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a foldable scooter in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side plan view of the foldable scooter in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial side plan view of the pivoting means of the scooter in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an enlarged operational partial side plan view of the pivoting means of the scooter in Fig. 1 showing the handlebar rotating relative to the board; Fig. 5 is a cross sectional front plan view of the scooter in Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a side view in cross section of another embodiment of the board of the scooter in Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a side plan view of a foldable scooter in accordance with the prior art; and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged partial side plan view of the pivoting means of the scooter in Fig. 7.

4 Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a scooter in accordance with the present invention comprises a board (10), a handlebar (12) pivotally connected to the board (10) with a pivoting means, a front wheel (14) mounted on the bottom end of the handlebar (12) and a rear wheel (16) mounted on the board (10). The pivoting means includes of a base (20), two pivot plates (22) extending up from the base (20) in parallel, a sleeve (30) for the handlebar (12) to extend through and two adjusting plates (32) securely mounted on the sleeve (30). The base (20) is securely mounted on the board (10) by bolts and nuts. A pivot hole (222, 322) is defined in each one of the pivot plates (22) and the adjusting plates (32). A pivot pin extends through the pivot holes (222, 322) on all of the plates (22,32), such that each adjusting plate (32) can be pivotally attached to each corresponding pivot plate (22).

Referring to Figs. 1-3, an arcuate slot (34) is defined in each adjusting plate (32) with the pivot pin as the center of the arc of the slot (34). A positioning hole (342).is defined in each adjusting plate (32) at the first end of the slot (34). A through hole (224) corresponding to the arcuate slot (34) is defined in each pivot plate (22). A lock bar (36) extends through the through hole (224) on each pivot plate (22) and the corresponding positioning hole (342) on each adjusting plate (34). The lock bar (36) has a lateral width smaller than the width of the slot (34) and a longitudinal width larger than the width of the slot (34) and to the same as the diameter of the positioning hole (342).

When the longitudinal width of the lock bar (36) is rotated to be perpendicular to the slot (34), the adjusting plates (32) cannot rotate relative to the pivot plates (22) because the longitudinal width of the lock bar (36) will not fit into the arcuate slot (34). This holds the handlebar (12) in an operational position, as shown by the phantom lines in Fig. 2. Wherein, a lever (362) is fixed on one end of the lock bar (36) to easily rotate the lock bar (36).

With reference to Fig. 4, when the longitudinal width of the lock bar (36) is rotated to align with the slot (34), the lock bar (36) can slide along the slot (34), and each adjusting plate (32) can rotate relative to the pivot plate (22). Consequently, the handlebar ( 12) can be rotated toward the board (10) to fold the scooter. After the handlebar (12) has been fully folded, the lock bar (36) can be rotated in the other positioning hole (344) on the other end of the slot (34) to hold the scooter in the folded status. With this configuration, the operation of folding the scooter is more efficient and easier than the conventional one.

Referring to Fig. 1, a lock member (24) is mounted on the end of the lock bar (36) opposite the lever (362) to securely position the lock bar (36) at the desired angle. The lock member (24) comprises a cam (26), a threaded bar (264) pivotally mounted on the cam (26) and a block (28). The block (28) is mounted on the pivot plate (22) and aligns with the through hole (224) of the pivot plate (22). A concave face (282) is defined on the side of the block (28) facing the cam (26). The threaded bar (264) extends through the block (28) and screws into the end of the lock bar (36). When the cam (26) is rotated to be received in the concave face (282) of the block (28), a locking effect will be provided to the lock bar (36) due to the attachment between the cam (26) and the block (28). In addition, a lever (282) is mounted on the cam (26) to easily rotate the cam (26).

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, the board (10) is a hollow body made of aluminum. Multiple ribs (102) are formed in the board (10) so as to enhance the structural strength of the board (10). Consequently, the board (10) has enough strength to 6 support the user, such that the scooter does not need a main frame like the conventional scooter does. This can decrease the cost of manufacturing the scooter. In addition, a hollow protrusion (104) is formed on each edge of the board (10) to further enhance the structural strength of the board ( 10).

7

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A scooter comprising: a board having a first end and a second end; a handlebar pivotally connected to said first end of said board with a pivoting means; board; a front wheel rotatably mounted on a bottorn end of said handlebar; and a rear wheel rotatably mounted on said second end of said board; wherein said pivoting means comprises at least one pivot plate extending up from said a sleeve mounted on top of said front wheel to allow said handlebar to extend therethrough; an adjusting plate securely mounted on said sleeve and pivotally attached to each pivot plate; an arcuate slot defined in each adjusting plate with a pivot point between said pivot plate and adjusting plate as a center of said slot; a positioning hole defined in each adjusting plate at the first end of said slot; and a lock bar extending through said pivot plate and positioning hole, which has a lateral width smaller than a width of said slot and a longitudinal width]a width of said slot.

rger than said

2. The scooter as claimed in claim 1, wherein a positioning hole is defined in each adjusting plate at a second end of said slot.

3. The scooter as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a lock member mounted on a first end of said lock bar; wherein said lock member comprises a cam; 8 a threaded bar pivotally mounted on said cam and screwed into said first end of said lock bar; and a block mounted on said pivot plate and having a concave face defined thereon for receiving said cam.

4. The scooter as claimed in claim 3, wherein a lever is mounted on a second end of said lock bar.

5. The scooter as claimed in claim 3, wherein a lever is mounted on said cam.

6. The scooter as claimed in claim 1, wherein a base is mounted on said board and said pivot plate extends from said base.

7. The scooter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said board is a hollow body and has multiple ribs formed in said board.

8. The scooter as claimed in claim 7, wherein a hollow protrusion is formed on each edge of said board.