GB2462491A

GB2462491A - Mobility scooter universal mounting bracket

Info

Publication number: GB2462491A
Application number: GB0814848A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Oliver Askaroff
Original assignee: SIMPLANTEX Ltd
Current assignee: SIMPLANTEX Ltd
Priority date: 2008-08-14
Filing date: 2008-08-14
Publication date: 2010-02-17
Also published as: GB0814848D0

Abstract

A universal mounting bracket for mounting an accessory 10 such as a shopping trolley, protective scooter canopy, carrying basket, security box, crutch attachment etc. to a mobility scooter. The universal bracket has a female mounting bracket 30 for attachment to the accessory or scooter and a male pin 32 for attachment to the other accessory or scooter. The engagement between the male and female members is such that the accessory is releasably mounted to the mobility scooter.

Description

Mobility Scooter Universal Mounting Bracket The present invention is concerned with a mobility scooter universal mounting bracket, particularly a mobility scooter universal mounting bracket for mounting accessories such as a shopping trolley to a mobility scooter in order to assist elderly or less able bodied persons.

Throughout the following specification the term "mobility scooter" should be taken to include any wheeled apparatus capable of assisting an individual to move from one location to another and includes, for example, electric powered four wheeled scooters, wheelchairs, personal electric vehicles etc. Many users of mobility scooters also benefit from a variety of personal accessories to assist them in everyday life. Examples of such accessories include, but are not limited to, shopping trolleys, protective canopies for the scooter, carrying baskets, lockable security boxes and crutches I walking sticks.

A problem with such accessories is that when the user wishes to use the mobility scooter there is generally no-where to store the accessory whilst the user is on-board the mobility scooter. Although some mobility scooters may have limited storage for e.g. groceries this is normally ill-suited to transportation of accessories on-board the mobility scooter.

According to the present invention, there is provided a mobility scooter universal mounting bracket comprising:-a female mounting bracket for attachment to one of an accessory or a mobility scooter; and a male mounting pin for attachment to the other of the accessory or mobility scooter, wherein the female mounting bracket and the male mounting pin are engageable with one another such that the accessory may be releasably mounted to the mobility scooter.

The female mounting bracket is preferably shaped to correspond with the cross sectional shape of the male mounting pin such that the male mounting pin may be inserted into the female mounting bracket when it is desired to mount the accessory to the mobility scooter.

The female mounting bracket may comprise a box shaped chamber defined by a rear plate fixed to the accessory frame, opposing side faces projecting from the rear plate and front faces folded over from the side faces. End faces are also preferably provided to at least partially close over the top of the female mounting bracket.

A backing plate corresponding to the rear plate of the female mounting bracket may be provided such that a portion of the accessory may be sandwiched between the backing plate and the rear plate of the female mounting bracket to provide attachment thereto when the backing plate and rear plate are fastened to one another using suitable securing means, such as locating screws or rivets.

The male mounting pin may comprise an L-shaped bar having a cross section corresponding to the box shaped chamber of the female mounting bracket. Alternatively, the male mounting pin may comprise a straight bar having a cross section corresponding to the box shaped chamber of the female mounting bracket. A plurality of bolt holes are preferably provided on the male mounting pin to allow adjustable connection of the male mounting pin to the mobility scooter using suitably located bolts.

The male mounting pin and female mounting bracket are preferably of similar cross sectional dimensions in order to provide a loose interference fit therebetween, thereby allowing telescopic movement relative to one another. Detents in the form of sprung ball bearings may be provided along the length of the male mounting pin and corresponding ball bearing receiving holes in the female mounting bracket in order to secure the male mounting pin and female mounting bracket relative to one another following telescopic adjustment thereof.

A strengthening block is optionally provided inside the male mounting pin in order to resist bending and or compression of the male mounting pin cross section when subjected to load.

The accessory may comprise a shopping trolley. The shopping trolley may comprise a handle member secured to the shopping trolley by at least a pivot joint which allows the handle member to fold from an upright, in use, configuration to a folded storage configuration. A clasp may be provided on the handle member to retain the handle member in the upright and or folded configuration. An engagement portion such as a cross bar may be provided on the handle member for selective engagement with the clasp.

The shopping trolley typically has a goods receiving portion defined by a lattice frame comprising vertical, horizontal, and looped wire frame members. The wire frame members may be shaped so as to form additional features of the shopping trolley; for example, handles, padlock receiving hoops etc. The accessory may alternatively comprise a protective scooter canopy arrangement. Where the accessory comprises a protective scooter canopy arrangement, the female mounting bracket is attached to the mobility scooter and the male mounting pin is attached to the canopy arrangement. The male mounting pin of the canopy arrangement is preferably telescopically secured within the female mounting bracket of the mobility scooter in order to allow the height of the canopy to be adjusted.

The scooter canopy arrangement preferably comprises a series of arms pivotally mounted to a cross frame, wherein the arms are attached to a sheet of protective material.

A strengthening block may be provided in the female mounting bracket in order to strengthen the female mounting bracket's resistance to bending I collapse.

The accessory may alternatively comprise a carrying basket. The carrying basket preferably comprises a wire lattice which form a goods receiving basket and a lid. The wire lattice is preferably arranged such that it may be folded when desired.

The accessory may alternatively comprise a security box. The security box preferably comprises a rigid goods receiving box and a lid.

The accessory may alternatively comprise a crutch attachment. The crutch attachment may comprise an upright with a cross bar at one end and a pair of support cups at the other end.

The accessory may alternatively comprise a multi attachment. The multi attachment may comprise an upright member, a T-bar member, support arms and a support tray member.

The T-bar is preferably adjustably mounted in the upright such that its height may be altered. The arms are preferably adjustably mounted on the T-bar such that their lateral position may be altered Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompany drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 is a rear perspective view of the mobility scooter universal mounting bracket according to the present invention provided on a shopping trolley and where the male mounting pin of the mobility scooter is shown disconnected from the mobility scooter; Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a rear view of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a side view of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a more detailed view of the male mounting pin inserted into the female mounting bracket according to the invention; Fig. 7 is a more detailed view of the handle shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a rear view of the female mounting bracket of the invention without the male mounting pin present; Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are perspective, side and plan views of the mounting bracket of Fig. 8 respectively; Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the mobility scooter universal mounting bracket according to the present invention provided on a protective canopy arrangement where the canopy arrangement is shown in a folded configuration; Fig. 13 is a view of the canopy arrangement of Fig. 12 where the canopy arrangement is shown in its opened configuration; Fig. 14 is a detailed view of the canopy pivot point where the canopy arms are in their folded configuration; Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the canopy arms in their opened configuration; Fig. 16 is a side view of the arms and pivot point of Fig. 16; Fig. 17 is an exploded view of the arms and pivot points showing the location of washers between each canopy arm; Figs. 18, 19, 20, 21 are perspective, front, side and plan views of the mobility scooter universal mounting bracket respectively according to the present invention provided on a carrying basket; Fig. 22 is a more detailed view of the bracket on the basket of Figs. 18 to 21; Figs. 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 are side, rear perspective, front, and front perspective views of the mobility scooter universal mounting bracket respectively according to the present invention provided on a security box; Figs. 28, 29, 30 and 31 are front perspective, front, side and rear views of the mobility scooter universal mounting bracket respectively according to the present invention provided on a crutch attachment; Fig. 32 is a perspective view of the mobility scooter universal mounting bracket according to the present invention provided on a multi attachment arrangement; and Fig. 33 is an exploded perspective view of the multi attachment arrangement of Fig. 32.

Although the mobility scooter universal mounting bracket may be provided on a variety of accessories (detailed subsequently) the mobility scooter universal mounting bracket will first be described as supplied on a shopping trolley accessory 10. The shopping trolley 10 has a lattice frame comprised of vertical frame bars 12, horizontal frame loops 14 and base frame coil 16 which combine to form a goods receiving basket. These constituent frame parts 12, 14, 16 are manipulated during manufacture of the shopping trolley 10 in order to provide a frame structure which is robust enough to withstand any forces likely to be subjected to it during transportation of goods in the shopping trolley 10. The constituent frame parts 12, 14, 16 can also be manipulated during manufacture to provide various additional desirable functions (for example they can be lengthened I bent out from the plane of the frame sides to provide handles I pad lock attachment loops etc.). A hinged lid 18 (which may have a padded upper surface) is provided on top of the frame and a pair of wheels 20, connected to one another via an axle, are provided on the bottom of the shopping trolley 10.

A handle member 22, which may be in the form of a D-loop handle, extends from the top rear edge of the trolley 10 to allow a user to lift the trolley from the ground and to manoeuvre it back and forth on its wheels 20. With particular reference to Fig. 7, the handle 22 is attached to the trolley 10 at pivot points 24. The handle 22 may be coated with a gripping surface such as rubber. A cross bar 26 is also provided between opposite arms of the D-loop on the handle 22. A pivoting clasp arm 28 is attached to the rear of the trolley 10 such that it will be adjacent the location of the cross bar 26 of the handle 22 when the handle 22 is in an upright position.

Operation of these components will be described subsequently.

In this embodiment, mounting means is provided by way of a female mounting bracket 30 mounted on the rear of the trolley 10 and a male mounting pin 32 which, in use, is normally mounted directly to the mobility scooter (not shown).

The male mounting pin 32 comprises a bar having a square cross section which has been bent through approximately 90 degrees into an L-shape.

Bolt holes 34 are provided at one end of the bar which allow the male mounting pin 32 to be semi-permanently bolted to the sub-frame of the mobility scooter. The bolt holes 34 may be provided at different longitudinal positions along the male mounting pin 32 to allow adjustable connection of the male mounting pin 32 to the mobility scooter. When the male mounting pin 32 is not required on the mobility scooter it may be unbolted and removed.

Referring to Figs. 8 to 11, the female mounting bracket 30 of the present invention has opposing side faces 36, front faces 38 and end faces 40.

The faces 36, 38 and 40 are bent over to form a box shaped chamber corresponding to the square cross section of the male pin 32. The rear of the female mounting bracket 32 is provided with a planar rear attachment plate 42 having locating holes 44. A correspondingly shaped backing plate 46 is also provided to allow attachment means such as locating screws or rivets, to attach the attachment plate 42 to the backing plate 46.

As the backing plate 46 is attached to the attachment plate 42 the installer ensures that the horizontal frame loops 14 are sandwiched therebetween in order to secure the female bracket 30 to the shopping trolley 10.

In use, when the user wishes to mount the shopping trolley 10 to a mobility scooter they may simply lift the shopping trolley 10 until the bottom opening of the female mounting bracket 30 is aligned with the top end of the male mounting pin 32. Once these are aligned, the user then lowers the trolley 10 such that the male mounting pin 32 slides into the female mounting bracket 30. The female mounting bracket 30 will continue to slide onto the male mounting pin 32 until the very end of the male mounting pin 32 abuts against the inner surfaces of the end faces 40 at which point it can travel no further and the weight of the trolley 10 will be held by the engagement between the female mounting bracket 30 and the male mounting pin 32.

Whilst mounted to the mobility scooter, the shopping trolley 10 will be securely transported anywhere the user travels on the mobility scooter.

This is advantageous because the goods placed in the shopping trolley 10 may be transported whilst using the mobility scooter without requiring the effort of handling the goods themselves. It also allows storage of the shopping trolley neatly in combination with the mobility scooter when they are not being used.

Whilst the trolley 10 is not mounted on the mobility scooter, the user will normally wish to have the handle 22 in its upright configuration in order to easily manoeuvre the trolley 10 on its wheels 20. In this configuration, the handle 22 remains secured in its upright position, and hence provides good control of the trolley 10, by the engagement between the pivoting clasp arm 28 and the cross bar 26. The user may wish to fold down the handle 22 from its upright position to the folded configuration in order to temporarily store the trolley 10 or to mount it more neatly on the mobility scooter. The user can do this by lifting up the pivoting clasp arm 28 until it disengages with the cross bar 26. The handle member 22 is now no longer restrained from folding movement and can be folded down around its pivot points 24 until it is flush with the back of the trolley 10, thereby neatly stowing away the handle 22.

Referring to Figs. 12 to 17, the invention will now be described as provided on a protective canopy arrangement.

The protective canopy arrangement 100 has a female mounting bracket 130 which has attachment holes 135 that allow the female mounting bracket 130 to be attached to a mobility scooter. A male mounting pin 132 is provided on the canopy arrangement 100 and is telescopically held in the upper, otherwise open, end of the female mounting bracket 130. A series of arms 105 are pivotally mounted at pivot point 107 to a cross frame 103. Pivot point 107 comprises a series of pivoting discs 109 (as shown in Fig. 17) which each connect to an arm 105 and are each separated from one another by friction reducing washers 111. Although not shown, each of the series of arms 105 are attached to a sheet of protective material such as canvas which is of suitable dimensions to cover the mobility scooter when the canopy is opened.

Attachment of the female mounting bracket 130 to the mobility scooter may be provided by e.g. bolts passed through attachment holes 141. Due to the weight of the protective canopy arrangement 100 there could be a tendency for the cross section of the female mounting bracket 130 to bend I collapse due to the load placed across it by the combined weight of the protective canopy arrangement. A strengthening block having a much greater resistance to bending I collapse than the female mounting bracket itself may be inserted into the bore of the female mounting bracket 130 in order to prevent this.

In use, the protective canopy arrangement 100 can be attached to the back of a mobility scooter and can be moved with the mobility scooter.

After parking the mobility scooter, the user can adjust the height of the protective canopy by telescopic adjustment of the male mounting pin 132 in the female mounting bracket 130, and can then lift the arms 105 thereby rotating the arms 105 around pivot point 107 in the direction indicated by arrow A in Fig. 12. until the arms reach the position indicated in Fig. 13. At this point the material provided over the arms 105 will become taught and will prevent further rotation of the arms 105 in the direction A. The friction reducing washers 111 of the pivot joint 107 minimise the force which the user is required to exert on the arms 105 in order to manoeuvre the canopy between the open and closed configurations. In the open configuration, the material attached to the arms 105 covers the mobility scooter thereby protecting it from the elements.

This therefore provides a mobile protective canopy for the mobility scooter which requires minimum storage space on the scooter when not in use.

Referring to Figs. 18 to 22, the invention will now be described as installed on a carrying basket.

Carrying basket 201 comprises a wire lattice which form a goods receiving basket 202 and a lid 203. The wire lattice is designed to fold flat when desired. Female mounting bracket 230 is attached to the rear of the basket 202 and mates with male mounting pin 232 which allows connection to a mobility scooter as previously described.

Referring to Figs. 23 to 27, the invention will now be described as installed on a security box.

Security box 301 comprises a rigid goods receiving box 302 and a lid 303.

Female mounting bracket 330 is attached to the rear of the box 302 and mates with male mounting pin 332 which allows connection to a mobility scooter as previously described. The opposing side faces of the female mounting bracket 330 can also be provided with holes which correspond with similarly arranged holes on the male mounting pin 332 when the security box is mounted thereon. A bolt or other similar securing means may then be passed through these holes in order to secure the security box to, and prevent it from simply being lifted off, the male mounting pin 332.

The lids 203 of basket 201 and lid 303 of box 301 are provided with locks which allow them to be locked closed in order to prevent access to the contents thereof. The engagement between the female mounting bracket and the male mounting pin of each embodiment allows the accessory to be easily installed to and removed from the mobility scooter when desired.

With such an arrangement the user is able to take any valuables with them in the basket I security box when they park the scooter.

Referring to Figs. 28 to 31, the invention will now be described as installed on a crutch attachment.

Crutch attachment 401 comprises an upright 402 with a cross bar 403 at one end and a pair of support cups 404 at the other end. A pair of hook and loop attachment straps 405 are attached to the cross bar 403.

Female mounting bracket attachment 430 is attached to the rear of upright 402.

In use, the female mounting bracket 430 of the crutch attachment may be attached to and detached from a corresponding male mounting pin (not shown) which in turn is attached to a mobility scooter. When attached to the mobility scooter the user may place the lower end of e.g. a pair of crutches or a walking stick into the support cups 404 and secure the upper end to cross bar 403 by wrapping the hook and ioop straps 405 there around.

This therefore provides a compact and secure way of transporting e.g. crutches or walking sticks on a mobility scooter.

Referring to Figs. 32 and 33, the invention will now be described as installed on a multi attachment arrangement.

Multi attachment 501 comprises an upright 502, T-bar 503, support arms 504 and a support tray 505. Female mounting bracket 530 is attached to the rear of the upright 502 and mates with male mounting pin 532 which allows connection to a mobility scooter as previously described.

The T-bar 503 slots into the upper end of upright 502 as shown in Fig. 33 and its height can be adjusted within the upright 502. The bottom of upright 502 is bent out at a right angle to provide support for tray 505 which is attached thereto. Arms 504 are each provided with an attachment block 506 at one end which allows them to slide onto each end of the I bar 503 and be laterally adjusted as desired. Material straps 507 are also provided on the upright 502.

In use, the female mounting bracket 530 of the multi attachment 501 may be attached to and detached from a mobility scooter (not shown). When attached to the mobility scooter the user may place a variety of items on the tray and I or arms 504 and may secure the items thereto by tightening the straps 507 there around.

The invention has the advantage of allowing a variety of accessories to be quickly attached to and detached from a mobility scooter by simply engaging and disengaging the male and female members. Since the brackets of each embodiment are similarly designed, the accessories are interchangeable with one another without having to modify the mobility scooter. Furthermore, this means that all that is required to enable the user to gain the benefits of the invention on a different (not previously described) accessory would be for the female bracket to be installed on that accessory.

Another significant advantage is that the features of the invention are such that it may be retrofitted onto an existing trolley I mobility scooter with ease.

Modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A mobility scooter universal mounting bracket comprising:-a female mounting bracket for attachment to one of an accessory or a mobility scooter; and a male mounting pin for attachment to the other of the accessory or mobility scooter, wherein the female mounting bracket and the male mounting pin are engageable with one another such that the accessory may be releasably mounted to the mobility scooter.
2. A mobility scooter universal mounting bracket according to claim 1, wherein the female mounting bracket is shaped to correspond with the 0) cross sectional shape of the male mounting pin such that the male mounting pin may be inserted into the female mounting bracket when it is desired to mount the accessory to the mobility scooter.
3. A mobility scooter universal mounting bracket according to claim 2, wherein the female mounting bracket comprises a box shaped chamber defined by a rear plate fixed to the accessory frame, opposing side faces projecting from the rear plate and front faces folded over from the side faces and end faces to at least partially close over the top of the female mounting bracket.
4. A mobility scooter universal mounting bracket according to claim 3, wherein a backing plate corresponding to the rear plate of the female mounting bracket is provided such that a portion of the accessory may be sandwiched between the backing plate and the rear plate of the female mounting bracket to provide attachment thereto when the backing plate and rear plate are fastened to one another using suitable securing means.
5. A mobility scooter universal mounting bracket according to either of claims 3 or 4, wherein the male mounting pin comprises an L-shaped bar having a cross section corresponding to the box shaped chamber of the female mounting bracket.
6. A mobility scooter universal mounting bracket according to either of claims 3 or 4, wherein the male mounting pin comprises a straight bar having a cross section corresponding to the box shaped chamber of the female mounting bracket.
7. A mobility scooter universal mounting bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of bolt holes are provided on the male 0) mounting pin to allow adjustable connection of the male mounting pin to the mobility scooter using suitably located bolts.
8. A mobility scooter universal mounting bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the male mounting pin and female mounting bracket are of similar cross sectional dimensions in order to provide a loose interference fit there between, thereby allowing telescopic movement relative to one another.
9. A mobility scooter universal mounting bracket according to claim 8, wherein detents in the form of sprung ball bearings are provided along the length of the male mounting pin and corresponding ball bearing receiving holes in the female mounting bracket in order to secure the male mounting pin and female mounting bracket relative to one another following telescopic adjustment thereof.
10. A mobility scooter universal mounting bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein a strengthening block is provided inside the male mounting pin in order to resist bending and or compression of the male mounting pin cross section when subjected to load.
11. A mobility scooter universal mounting bracket according to any preceding claim, wherein the accessory comprises a shopping trolley having a handle member secured to the shopping trolley by at least a pivot joint which allows the handle member to fold from an, in use, upright configuration to a folded, storage configuration.
12. A mobility scooter universal mounting bracket according to claim 11, wherein a clasp is provided on the handle member to retain the handle member in the upright and or folded configuration and an engagement 0) cross bar is provided on the handle member for selective engagement with the clasp.
13. A mobility scooter universal mounting bracket according to either of claims 11 or 12, wherein the shopping trolley typically has a goods receiving portion defined by a lattice frame comprising vertical, horizontal, and looped wire frame members and wherein the wire frame members are shaped so as to form additional features of the shopping trolley.
14. A mobility scooter universal mounting bracket according to any if claims ito 10, wherein the accessory comprises a protective scooter canopy arrangement and the female mounting bracket is attached to the mobility scooter and the male mounting pin is attached to the canopy arrangement.
15. A mobility scooter universal mounting bracket according to claim 14, wherein the male mounting pin of the canopy arrangement is telescopically secured within the female mounting bracket of the mobility scooter in order to allow the height of the canopy to be adjusted.
16. A mobility scooter universal mounting bracket according to either of claims 14 or 15, wherein the scooter canopy arrangement comprises a series of arms pivotally mounted to a cross frame, wherein the arms are attached to a sheet of protective material.
17. A mobility scooter universal mounting bracket according to claim 16, wherein a strengthening block is provided in the female mounting bracket in order to strengthen the female mounting bracket's resistance to bending I collapse. a)
18. A mobility scooter universal mounting bracket according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the accessory comprises a carrying basket comprising a wire lattice which form a goods receiving basket and a lid and wherein the wire lattice is arranged such that it may be folded when desired.
19. A mobility scooter universal mounting bracket according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the accessory comprises a security box comprising a rigid goods receiving box and a lid.
20. A mobility scooter universal mounting bracket according to any of claims ito 10, wherein the accessory comprises a crutch attachment having an upright with a cross bar at one end and a pair of support cups at the other end.
21. A mobility scooter universal mounting bracket according to any of claims ito 10, wherein the accessory comprises a multi attachment having an upright member, a T-bar member, support arms and a support tray member.
22. A mobility scooter universal mounting bracket according to claim 21, wherein the T-bar is adjustably mounted in the upright such that its height may be altered and wherein the arms are adjustably mounted on the T-bar such that their lateral position may be altered. a) 0)