GB2361682A

GB2361682A - Steering structure for a portable scooter

Info

Publication number: GB2361682A
Application number: GB0024100A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Su-Man Liang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-04-24
Filing date: 2000-10-03
Publication date: 2001-10-31
Also published as: TW458110U; GB0024100D0

Abstract

A steering structure includes a support frame (10), a head tube pivotally mounted on a first end of the support frame, a pivot plate (110) secured on the head tube, two first linking rods (61) each pivotally mounted on the pivot plate, two opposite adjusting nuts (65) each movably mounted on the first linking rod, two second linking rods (60) each movably mounted in the adjusting nut, two opposite linking blocks (40) each rotatably mounted on a second end of the support frame, two wheel support brackets (50) each having a first end pivotally mounted on the second linking rod and a second end pivotally mounted on the linking block, and two wheels (70) each mounted on the wheel support bracket.

Description

2361682 STEERING STRUCTURE FOR ROAD RUNNER The present invention relates

to a steering strUcture, and rnore partiCUlarly to a steering structure for a road runner.

A conventional road runner in accordance with the prior art has a light weigght so that it is convenient for a user to carry the road runner. In addition, the conventional road runner takes little space, thereby saving space. However, when the conventional road runner is turned to chanae its direction of travel. a centrifugal force is generated so that the conventional road runner easily fall down due to the small sized wheel of the conventional road runner, thereby easily causing danger to the user.

In addition, the conventional road runner only has a ftont wheel and a rear wheel, and the size of the front wheel and the rear wheel Is much smaller than that of the bicycle so that the road runner is not easily controlled by the User. thereby (-)--reatly decreasing the rigidity and safety of the conventional road rLinner and thereby easily limiting the versatility of the conventional road 1 1 1:7 runner.

The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the 4:7 disadvantaae of the conventional road runner.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a steering structure for a road runner coinprising: a support frame havinor a first end and a second end, a head tube pivotally MOLinted on the first end of the support fi-ame.a pivot plate secured on the head tube to pivot therewith, two opposite first linking rods each pivotally mounted on the pivot plate, two opposite ad.justing nuts each nio,.'ablv rnOLinted on a respective one of the two first linking rods- two oppos) te second linking rods each movably Mounted 'In a respective one of the two adjusting nuts, two OPPOSI. te linking blocks each rotatably MOLinted on the second end of the Support fraine, two opposite wheel support brackets each having a first end pivotally mounted on a respective one of the two second Z: I linking rods and a second end pivotally MOUnted on a respective one of the two linking blocks, and two opposite wheels each rotatably mounted on a respective one of the two wheel support brackets.

In such a manner, the wheel support bracket, the first linking, rod, the second linking rod, and the pivot plate are adapted to form a f0tirlinkage mechanism so as to achieve the purpose of a directional change of the road runner.

In addition, the two wheels are respectively mounted on the two sides of the Support frame, thereby forming a three-point support structure so as to provide a better support for the support frarne of the road runner, thereby efficiently increasing the rigidity and safety of the road runner so that the user can steer and manipulate the road runner more conveniently.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying dra-vvings.

In the drawings:

Fig. I is an exploded view of a steerinLT structure for a road runner in accordance with the present invention, Fig. 2 is a side plan cross-sectional assembly view of the steerincy structure as shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a top plan cross-sectional assembly view of the steerina strLiCtUre as shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is an operational view of the steering structure as shown in Fig.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1-33, a steering t) 11:1 117) structure for a road runner in accordance with the present invention comprises a support frame 10 having a first end and a second end, a head tube 100 pivotally mo unted on the first end of the support frame 10, a pivot plate I 10 secured on the head tube 100 to pivot therewith, two opposite first linking, rods 61 each pivotally mounted on the pivot plate 110, two opposite adjusting nuts 65 each movably mounted on a respective one of the two first linking rods 6 1, two opposite second linking rods 60 each movably mounted in a respective one of the two adjusting nuts 65, two opposite linking blocks 40 each rotatably mounted on the second end of the support frame 10, two opposite wheel support brackets 50 each having a first end pivotally mounted on a respective one of the two second linking, rods 60 and a second end pivotally mounted on a respective one of the two linking blocks 40, and two opposite wheels 70 each rotatably mounted on a respective one of the two wheel support brackets 50.

The first end of the Support frarne 10 defines a pivot hole I I for receivina the head tube 100 therein. The steering structure further comprises a steering rod 120 secured on the head tube 100 to be held by a Liser for rotating the head tUbe 100 to change the steering direction of the road rtinner.

Each of the linking blocks 40 is rotatably MOUnted on the second end of the SLIpport frame 10 in a vertical manner, and mclUdes an car 43 extending 3 outward therefrom and pivotally received in the second end of the respective wlicel support bracket 50.

Each of the two wheel support brackets 50 is pivotally rnounted on the respective linking block 40 in a lionzontal manner, and defines a receiving recess 5 1 for receiving the ear 43) of the respective linking block 40 and the respecti've second linking rod 60 therein. Each of the wheel support brackets 50 also InClUdes an support axle 52 extending outward therefrom and received in the respective wheel 70.

In such a manner, the wheel support bracket 50, the first linking rod 6 1, the second linking rod 60, and the pivot plate 110 are adapted to form a four-linkae,e mechanism so as to achieve the pUrpose of a directional change of the road runner, thereby facilitating steering the steering rod 120 of the road runner.

In operation, referring to Figs. -3) and 4 with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, by means of the four-linkaze rnechanisrn of the stecrin.( structure of the present 1 1 g direction of the road invent on, when the Liser wishes to change the steer'n,--, runner, the steering rod 120 is turned toward the desired direction as shown in Fig. 4 so as to rotate the head tube 100. The pivot plate 110 is then pivoted with the head tube 100 frorn the position as shown in Fig. ') to the position as shown in Fig. 4. The first linking rods 61 and the second linking rods 60 are rnoved with the pivot plate 110 so as to pivot the wheel support bracket 50 relative to the linking blocks 40 so that the, v[icels 70 are turned to inate with the desired direction of the steering rod 120 so that the direction of travel of the two wlieels 70 is in correspondence to the steering direction of the steering rod 120, 4 thereby efficiently achieving the purpose of changing the steering direction of the road runner.

Each of the first linking rods 6 1 is provided with a first outer thread 610, and each of the two linking rods 60 is provided with a second Outer thread 600 having a direction of screw different from that of the first outer thread 6 10 of the respective first linking rod 6 1. In such a manner, the adjusting nut 65 can be rotated on the first linking rod 61 and the second linking rod 60 so as to slightly adjust the length of the first linking rod 61 and the second linking rod I In and to slightly adjust the relative distance between the first linking rod 61 and the second linking rod 60, thereby finely the direction of travel of the two wheels 70.

In addition, the two wheels 70 are mounted on the two sides of the Support ftame 10 so as to provide a better support for the support frame 10 of the road runner, thereby efficiently increasing the rigidity and safety of the road runner so that the user can steer and manipulate the road runner more conveniently.

It should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

I. A steering structure For a road runner comprising: a support frarne havim; a first end and a second enda head tube pivotally mounted on said first end of said support frame, a pivot plate secured on said head tube to pivot therewith, two opposite first linking rods each pivotally Mounted on said pivot plate'. two opposite adjusting nuts each movably mounted on a respective one of said two first linking rods; two opposite second linking rods each movably mounted in a respective one of said two adjusting nuts; two opposite linking blocks each rotatably mounted on said second end of said support frame, two opposite wheel support brackets each having a first end pivotally mounted on a respective one of said two second linking rods and a second end pivotally mounted on a respective one of said two linking blocks, and two opposite wheels each rotatably mounted on a respective one of said two wheel Support brackets.

2. The steering StI-LICtUre in accordance with clairn 1, wherein said first end of said support fi-arne defines a pivot hole for receiving said head tube therein.

6 3, The steering struCtUre in accordance with clairn 1, further comprising a steering rod secured on said head tube for rotat'ng said head tUbe.

1 1 1 C_ 1 4. The steerino, structure in accordance with clairn 1, wherein each of t two wheel support brackets InCILides an support axle extendi g sai ino, outward therefroin and received in said respective wheel.

5. The steering struCtUre in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of id linking blocks includes an car extending outward therefrom and pivotally sai 1 1 - W received in said second end of said respective wheel support bracket.

6. The steering structure in accordance with claim 5, wherein each of 'd wheel support brackets defines a receiving recess for receiving said car of sai 1 1 c said respective linking block and said respective second linking rod therein.

T The steering structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of said first linking rods is provided with a first outer thread, and each of said two linking rods is provided with a second outer thread having a direction of screw different fTom that of said first outer thread of said respective first linking rod.

v & A steering structure for a road runner substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

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