GB2502072A

GB2502072A - Wheel obstacle guide

Info

Publication number: GB2502072A
Application number: GB1208423.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gordon Keith Beesley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-05-15
Filing date: 2012-05-15
Publication date: 2013-11-20
Also published as: GB201208423D0

Abstract

A series of rollers or small wheels 2, to form an elongated rollered surface 1, is attached to a vehicle through a hinge 3 and shock absorbing brackets 4,5,6, positioned in front and in-line with a vehicle's wheel(s) leading to the wheel's ground contact area to lift the vehicles wheel(s) through contact between the elongated rollered surface and an obstacle to reduce the abrupt angle the vehicles wheel(s) have to climb to manoeuvre over the obstacle and provide a smooth surface on which to launch, jump and slide over obstacles.

Description

Wheel obstacle guide This invention relates to a device to assist wheels moving over obstacles on the ground.

The wheel(s) of a vehicle (being a skateboard, pram, bicycle, motor bike, car, truck or other) can encounter obstacles in their path which are difficult for the vehicle's wheel(s) to climb, due to the abrupt steep angle the wheel(s) are required to climb.

This can occur in everyday situations such as trying to ride a bicycle up a pavement curb, or pushing a pram up steps. It can also occur in sports such as mountain biking, BMX, skateboarding, motorcycle motor-cross and other sports where manoeuvring a vehicle over a variety of obstacles is encouraged as part of the activity.

In these instances it is possible that due to the obstacle, and the sudden abrupt angle the vehicles wheel(s) are required to climb, contact between the vehicles wheel(s) and the obstacle causes an impact to the vehicle and a subsequent loss of forward momentum, forcing the vehicle to stop, re-approach or find another route.

Additionally if a vehicle is intending to jump over an obstacle a risk ensues of not fully clearing the obstacle and landing on the obstacle with part of the vehicle that decreases the vehicles forward momentum and prohibits it from manoeuvring over the obstacle.

To overcome these problems the present invention proposes a series of rollers or small wheels to form an elongated rollered surface attached to the frame of the vehicle and positioned (for forward travel) in front and in-line with the vehicle's wheel(s) leading to the wheel's ground contact area, to lift the vehicle's wheel(s) (through contact between the elongated rollered surface and the obstacle) over an obstacle and reduce the abrupt angle the wheel is required to climb and provide a smooth surface on which to launch, land and slide over obstacles.

The elongated rollered surface attached to the vehicle could be positioned so its lowest point is higher than the ground when moving over flat and even terrain, in effect causing the device to not be used when not needed. The size, width, and length of the device may depend on the type of vehicle. Additionally the devices position, including its height and angle may also be adjustable by how the device is attached to the vehicle to suit the rider, driver or user's style and/or the likely obstacles that may be encountered.

Impact absorption to the vehicle from contact with obstacles through the device may come from shock absorbing material and/or shock absorbing systems and/or springs being incorporated in how the device is attached to the vehicle. The rollers or small wheels themselves may be made of a material that would absorb shock. The rollers or small wheels being attached to the device via a suspension mechanism may also assist impact absorption and manoeuvrability over obstacles.

Using a hinge at one end of the elongated rollered surface in conjunction with a shock absorbing or spring device at the other end attaching it to the frame, may allow for the angle of the elongated rollered surface to vary upon impact with obstacles and assist with the absorption of impact and help the elongated rollered surface manoeuvre the vehicle over obstacles.

Additionally a rollered catcher moving along an elongated surface may be used as a variation instead of an elongated rollered surface. This would allow the catcher to make contact with an obstacle, and move down the elongated surface with rollers or small wheels attached to the catcher and through the use of springs or other methods, move back into position in preparation for another obstacle.

The invention will now be described solely by way of examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a wheel obstacle guide attached to a bicycle to assist the rear wheel manoeuvring over obstacles.

Figure 2 shows a wheel obstacle guide unattached to a vehicle.

Figure 3 shows how the wheel obstacle guide variation with rollered catcher device may Figure 4 shows the wheel obstacle guide attached to a bicycle to assist the rear wheel manoeuvring over obstacles.

Figure 5 shows the wheel obstacle guide attached to a skateboard to assist the rear wheels manoeuvring over obstacles.

Figure 6 shows the wheel obstacle guide attached to a pram to assist the front wheels manoeuvring over obstacles.

Figure 7 shows the wheel obstacle guide attached to a bicycle.

In figure 1 the wheel obstacle guide is attached to a bicycle to assist the rear wheel maneuver over obstacles, with elongated rollered surface 1, made up of individual rollers or small wheels 2, and is attached to the bicycle by means of a hinge 3, held to the bicycle through rear brackets (either side) 4, 5. The front bracket 6, shows how the front of the device is attached to the bicycle, in this example with a shock absorbing spring unit 7, being used.

In figure 2 a wheel obstacle guide is shown, with elongated rollered surface 1, with rollers or small wheels 2, arranged in staggered positions, fixed rear frame mounting brackets 3, and multiple front bracket mounting points 4. Adjustment to the angle of the elongated rollered surface could be achieved via the different mounting points In figure 3 a side view shows how the device that incorporates a rollered catcher could work.

A wheel is shown 1, upon the ground 2, and an obstacle 3. Instead of an elongated rollered surface, a rail 4, and catcher' 6, with integral rollers 5, that slide up and down the rail are used to perform the same function as the elongated rollered surface. The rollered catcher 6, catches an obstacle and runs down the rail 4, with its integral rollers 5, and is returned to the original position through a spring or springs that may be attached between the end of the rail and the catcher.

In figuie 4 the wheel obstacle guide is shown attached to a bicycle to assist the iear wheel climb a step. 1 shows the front wheel having climbed the step, 2 shows the device making contact with the step to lift the rear wheel, 3 shows the bicycle's rear wheel being lifted over the step.

In figure 5 the wheel obstacle guide is shown attached to a skateboard to assist the rear wheels of a skateboard jumping an obstacle. 1, shows the skateboard being ridden with the front wheels raised in the air. 2, shows the wheel obstacle guide making contact with the obstacle and lifting the skateboard over the obstacle. 3, shows the rear wheels of the skateboard lifted over the obstacle.

In figure 6 the wheel obstacle guide is being shown attached to a pram to assist the front wheels maneuvering over obstacles. 1 shows the pram approaching a step. 2, shows the wheel obstacle guide making contact with the step and raising the prams front wheels. 3 shows the front wheels lifted clear of the step.

In figure 7, the wheel obstacle guide attached to a bicycle is being used to slide down a raised obstacle, through contact between the obstacle and the smooth surface of the rollers or small wheels of the device.

The device may be attached to a vehicle to assist the front wheel(s), rear wheel(s) or all wheel(s) of a vehicle maneuvering over obstacles, depending on the vehicle type, driver, rider or user preference, likely obstacles to be encountered or terrain.

The device may be used as an aid to assist riders, drivers or users maneuver as safely as possible over obstacles, or may be used by riders, drivers or users to perform stunts or tricks and assist in sporting activities.

Claims

Claims 1. A wheel obstacle guide comprising of a series of rollers or small wheels to form an elongated rollered surface attached to a vehicle and positioned in front and in-line with a vehicle's wheel(s), leading to the wheel's ground contact area.
2. A wheel obstacle guide according to claim 1, in which the attachment to the vehicle is hinged to allow the angle of the elongated rollered surface to change.
3. A wheel obstacle guide according to claim 1, in which impact to the vehicle is cushioned or absorbed through the shock absorbing material of the rollers or small wheels, or springs, shock absorbing units, rubber bushes or other means between the attachment of the rollers or small wheels to the device and or the attachment of the device to the vehicle.
4. A wheel obstacle guide according to claim 1 in which a rollered catcher variation is used to catch an obstacle and move it underneath the vehicle via rollers attached to the catcher running against a rail.