US20200078661A1

US20200078661A1 - Suspension System for Small Vehicles

Info

Publication number: US20200078661A1
Application number: US16/565,028
Authority: US
Inventors: Manuel Saez
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-09-09
Filing date: 2019-09-09
Publication date: 2020-03-12

Abstract

A suspension system for a small vehicle is described that includes a shock absorbing spring, a chassis integration assembly, and an adjustment mechanism, wherein the adjustment mechanism is adapted to be able to adjust a travel range of the shock absorbing spring to adjust a range of compression of the shock absorbing spring relative to a force-bearing capacity range of the small vehicle. The chassis integration assembly may include two attachment supports that are connected by a rod-and-piston in a cylinder that connects to each attachment support using a hinge. The rod traverses the spring, and the spring creates suspension between the two attachment supports. The suspension system may be configured to be controlled by gas or any other means of dampening by extension or compression.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/728,805 (“the '805 application”), titled “Suspension System for Small Vehicles,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.
This application also is related to and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/728,804 (“the '804 application”), titled “Small Vehicle Control User Interface,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system and method for suspension systems for small vehicles. The invention relates to systems, methods and apparatus of chassis suspension assemblies for small vehicles, and in a particular embodiment, to a shock absorbing springs, such as for use with a skateboard or scooter.

Description of Related Art

The related art includes, for instance, scooters with upright handlebars, skateboards without handlebars, and joystick controllers of small vehicles, such as remotely-controlled vehicles, including drones and toy cars. Distinctions between skateboards and scooters include that a scooter typically has a handle, has two inline wheels, and cannot stand upright on its own, whereas a skateboard typically has no handle, has three or four wheels, and can stand upright on its own. There is a need for a rider or user to be able to control the small vehicles that are increasingly popular in today's transportation industry. Being able to control the suspension of a small vehicle allows a rider or user to control their movement more accurately and allows for a more enjoyable experience. There is a need for an improved solution for creating suspension system for small vehicles that a user can control. As described below, embodiments of the present invention include a suspension system for small vehicles, using systems and methods different from those of the prior art systems and methods.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to systems, methods and apparatus involving suspension systems for small vehicles, including skateboards and scooters, and, in particular, to a shock absorbing spring integrated with a chassis assembly of a scooter.
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a suspension system for a small vehicle is disclosed that comprises: a shock absorbing spring, a chassis integration assembly, and an optional adjustment mechanism, wherein the adjustment mechanism is adapted to be able to adjust a travel range of the shock absorbing spring to adjust a range of compression of the shock absorbing spring relative to a force-bearing capacity range of the small vehicle. In some embodiments, the suspension system includes a shock absorbing spring having two spring ends, with each spring end abutting a spring actuator that acts on the spring to compress the spring when force is applied downward on the small vehicle; and a chassis integration assembly having a first portion and a second portion that include at least one attachment support, at least one support hinge connected to the attachment support, and at least one travel assembly spanning the first portion and the second portion; wherein the support hinge connects the first portion and the second portion, forms a fixed pivot axis between the first portion and the second portion, and allows the first portion and the second portion to pivot relative to each other; wherein the travel assembly traverses the spring and connects to the spring actuators that engage the spring ends; and wherein the travel assembly has a first side and a second side that are adapted to travel relative to each other to allow the travel assembly to shorten and lengthen as the first portion and the second portion pivot relative to each other.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a method for suspending a small vehicle is disclosed, the method comprising: (1) providing a suspension system for the small vehicle including a shock absorbing spring, a chassis integration assembly, and an adjustment mechanism, wherein the adjustment mechanism is adapted to be able to adjust a travel range of the shock absorbing spring to adjust a range of compression of the shock absorbing spring relative to a force-bearing capacity range of the small vehicle; (2) adjusting the suspension system by adjusting the travel range of the shock absorbing spring to adjust the range of compression of the shock absorbing spring relative to the force-bearing capacity range of the small vehicle; and (3) applying force to the suspension system, wherein the applied force is within the force-bearing capacity range. The steps may further include: (4) using a control pad to control functioning of the suspension system. In some embodiments, the step (4) may further include: (5) providing a small vehicle control user interface system including at least one sensor, at least one processor, at least one control input device, a power source, and a communication device; wherein the processor is adapted to control the small vehicle; wherein the small vehicle control user interface is located in a control pad of a handle of the small vehicle, is coupled to the suspension system of the small vehicle, and is adapted to control the suspension system; and wherein the control pad is adapted be sensitive to touch, and the processor is adapted interpret a user's motion and pressure to control the small vehicle and functioning of the suspension system; (6) sensing levels of the user's motion and pressure for determining the control of the vehicle and functioning of the suspension system; and (7) using the control pad and the sensed levels of the user's motion and pressure to determine the control of the vehicle and functioning of the suspension system.
In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, a small vehicle having a suspension system is disclosed that comprises: a handle including a control pad and a handle stem, the control pad having a hand grip; a foot deck connected to and supporting a lower end of the handle; a chassis connected to and supporting the foot deck, the chassis including a plurality of axles, at least one motor, a plurality of wheels, a suspension system, and a braking system; wherein the suspension system includes a shock absorbing spring, a chassis integration assembly, and an optional adjustment mechanism, wherein the adjustment mechanism is adapted to be able to adjust a travel range of the shock absorbing spring to adjust a range of compression of the shock absorbing spring relative to a force-bearing capacity range of the small vehicle. In some embodiments, the small vehicle comprises: a handle including a control pad and a handle stem, the control pad having a hand grip; a foot deck connected to and supporting a lower end of the handle; a chassis connected to and supporting the foot deck, the chassis including a plurality of axles, at least one motor, a plurality of wheels, a suspension system, and a braking system; and a small vehicle control user interface system located in the handle, coupled to the motor and the braking system, and adapted to control the motor and the braking system; wherein the suspension system comprises: a shock absorbing spring having two spring ends, with each spring end abutting a spring actuator that acts on the spring to compress the spring when force is applied downward on the small vehicle; and a chassis integration assembly having a first portion and a second portion that include at least one attachment support, at least one support hinge connected to the attachment support, and at least one travel assembly spanning the first portion and the second portion; wherein the support hinge connects the first portion and the second portion, forms a fixed pivot axis between the first portion and the second portion, and allows the first portion and the second portion to pivot relative to each other; wherein the travel assembly traverses the spring and connects to the spring actuators that engage the spring ends; and wherein the travel assembly has a first side and a second side that are adapted to travel relative to each other to allow the travel assembly to shorten and lengthen as the first portion and the second portion pivot relative to each other.
Further aspects of the invention are set forth herein. The details of exemplary embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

By reference to the appended drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of this invention, the detailed description provided below explains in detail various features, advantages and aspects of this invention. As such, features of this invention can be more clearly understood from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote the same, similar or comparable elements throughout. The exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily to scale or to shape and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments having differing combinations of features, as set forth in the accompanying claims.

FIG. 1 shows a front side elevation perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention depicting a small vehicle having a suspension system, according to aspects of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a partial-top plan, front first side elevation perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention depicting the suspension system of FIG. 1 for a small vehicle, according to aspects of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a top plan perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the suspension system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a second side elevation perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the suspension system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a rear first side perspective view of the small vehicle having the suspension system of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows a rear second side perspective view of the small vehicle of FIG. 4 having the suspension system of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

LISTING OF DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS

Below are reference numerals denoting the same, similar or comparable elements throughout the drawings and detailed description of the invention:

- 10000—a small vehicle—such as a hybrid scooter skateboard
  - 11000—a handle—
    - 11100—a control pad—
      - 11110—a handle sensor—
      - 11120—a control input device—
      - 11130—a hand grip—such as a ring-shaped grip
    - 11200—a handle stem—
      - 11210—a power source—
      - 11220—a sensor—
      - 11230—a processor—
      - 11240—a wireless transceiver—
  - 12000—a foot deck—
  - 13000—a chassis—
    - 13100—an axle—
      - 13110—a motor—
    - 13200—a wheel—
    - 13300—a suspension system—
      - 13310—a shock-absorbing spring—
      - 13312—a spring end—
      - 13314—a spring actuator—
      - 13320—a chassis integration assembly—
      - 13320 i—a first portion—
      - 13320 ii—a second portion—
      - 13322—an attachment support—
      - 13322 a—a foot deck attachment support—
      - 13322 b—a truck attachment support—
      - 13324—a support hinge—
      - 13326—a travel assembly—
      - 13326 i—a first side—
      - 13326 ii—a second side—
      - 13326 a—a rod-and-piston—
      - 13326 b—a cylinder—
      - 13326 c—a travel hinge—
      - 13330—an adjustment mechanism—
    - 13400—a braking system—
    - 13500—a truck assembly—

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to systems, methods and apparatus involving suspension systems for small vehicles, such as skateboards and scooters.
Reference will now be made in detail to the description of the present subject matter, one or more examples of which are shown in figures. Each example is provided to explain the subject matter and not a limitation. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and contemplation of the invention.
When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. Similarly, the adjective “another,” when used to introduce an element, is intended to mean one or more elements. The terms “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive such that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
FIGS. 1-6 show the various components of the invention comprising a suspension system for a small vehicle. The present invention of the suspension system is comprised of a shock absorbing spring, a chassis integration assembly, and an adjustment mechanism, wherein the adjustment mechanism is adapted to be able to adjust a travel range of the shock absorbing spring to adjust a range of compression of the shock absorbing spring relative to a force-bearing capacity range of the small vehicle. The chassis integration assembly may include two attachment supports that are connected by a rod-piston-cylinder travel assembly that connects to each attachment support using a hinge. The travel assembly traverses the spring, and the spring creates suspension between the two attachment supports. The spring may be configured to be facilitated, attenuated, or moderated by gas or any other means of dampening by extension or compression.
The two attachment support elements may be independent and not integrated into other parts of the vehicle such as the axle, boards, wheels, steering bars, or support brackets. In another embodiment of the invention, the attachment support elements may integral or connected to other parts of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, for example on a skateboard, one of the attachment support elements of the suspension system may be connected or attached to the board of the skateboard and the other attachment support element may be connected to the wheels or truck of the skateboard. See FIGS. 5 and 6. In another embodiment, the board and the truck of the skateboard may act as the two attachment support elements connected to the spring of the suspension system of the small vehicle. The torque, tension, compression, or lift of the suspension may be adjusted, for example, by adjusting the tension or compression of the spring or by changing the anchor points of the spring.
The suspension system may also be used on a pair of wheels or each individual wheel of the small vehicle may be configured with its own suspension system. For example, a first instance of the suspension system may be located on a first instance of a truck assembly of the small vehicle for use with a first pair of wheels supported by the first instance of a truck assembly; and a second instance of the suspension system may be located on a second instance of a truck assembly of the small vehicle for use with a second pair of wheels supported by the second instance of a truck assembly. In another embodiment, each individual wheel of the small vehicle includes an individual instance of the suspension system. In another preferred embodiment, the control pad user interface of the small vehicle or similar electrical system may control the individual components of the suspension system and the functioning of the suspension system.
The control pad is comprised of various sensors, including but not limited to sensors that measure pressure, temperature, speed (accelerometer) and rotation (gyroscope). Some sensors may be positioned elsewhere on the small vehicle, such as on a handle stem, to the extent that the position of the sensor does not impact the sensing of the criterion being sensed. The control pad is part of a larger system that comprises a processor, the sensors, and wired and/or wireless capabilities, through a communication device, such as communication chips (e.g., USB port), and/or a wireless transceiver, enabling, for instance, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Near-Field Communication (NFC), and/or Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE). The control pad is powered through a power source, such as a battery, solar cells, or induction. The power source may include a rechargeable battery (e.g., lithium ion battery), and likewise may include a charging circuit to recharge the battery. The processor may be adapted to handle or be interoperable with common operating systems, including iOS, Android, Microsoft Windows, etc., and be adapted to be interoperable with a related app running on such an operating system, such as a smartphone app.
The physical control, with which a user interfaces, comprises a control pad with control input devices, such as switches, buttons, sliders and digital or touch-sensitive pad, or touch-sensitive screen. The disclosed invention allows a user to connect the small vehicle to other wireless or plugged-in devices, thus allowing a user to have control and access to all the user's connected small vehicle devices.
The control pad is a means for a rider to control a small vehicle using his/her hands or other body parts. The control pad may have a hand grip having the shape of a donut, a ring, a bar/rod, a handlebar for one or two hands, a sphere or a surface. The control pad may be sensitive to touch and may interpret a user's motion to receive the desired action request. For example, to move the small vehicle forward, a user may press, push, or pull the control pad forward. Levels of user interaction may determine the control of the vehicle; for example, the harder the pressure exerted by the user on the control pad, the faster the small vehicle moves. Pulling the control pad back from a forward position may cause the small vehicle to stop. The harder the pressure applied to move the control pad back from a forward position, the harder or faster the small vehicle stops. To reverse the small vehicle, a user may continue to pull the control pad with pressure, thereby instructing the small vehicle to go backwards, i.e., in reverse. Similarly, pressing, pulling, or exerting pressure on the control pad to the left instructs the processor to instruct the small vehicle to move to the left. Similarly, pressing, pulling, or exerting pressure on the control pad to the right instructs the processor to instruct the small vehicle to move to the right.
The control pad may also be comprised to understand and process haptic feedback from and to the user or rider on the small vehicle, such as through a haptic input sensor and/or a haptic output device, such as a vibration generator. The control pad may be a self-standing system or it may connect to other systems in the vehicle such as temperature control or any other electrical or mechanical systems in the small vehicle. FIG. 1 shows the control pad being used on a small vehicle such as a hybrid scooter-skateboard, but the control pad can be used on mini cars, driverless cars, electric bikes and scooters and any similar type of vehicle.

Exemplary Embodiments of the Invention

Referring to the Figures, a small vehicle 10000 may include a handle 11000, a foot deck 12000, and a chassis 13000.
Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 shows a front side elevation perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention depicting a small vehicle 10000 having an integrated control pad, according to aspects of the invention. As depicted, the small vehicle 10000 comprises a hybrid scooter skateboard having a handle 11000, a foot deck 12000, and a chassis 13000.
The handle 11000 may include a control pad 11100 and a handle stem 11200. The control pad 11100 may include and/or contain one or more handle sensors 11110, one or more control input devices 11120, and a hand grip 11130, such as a ring-shaped grip. The control pad 11100 may comprise a metal, wood, plastic, or composite structure, such as the depicted ring-shaped hand grip 11130, that may be hollow, may contain hidden from view the handle sensors 11110, and may have the control input devices 11120 on the surface of the control pad 11100. The handle stem 11200 may include and contain, for instance, a power source 11210, one or more sensors 11220, one or more processors 11230, and one or more wireless transceivers 11240. In some embodiments, the control pad 11100 itself may include the power source 11210, the other sensors 11220, the processors 11230, and the wireless transceivers 11240. In some embodiments, both the control pad 11100 and the handle stem 11200 include some combination of the power source 11210, the other sensors 11220, the processors 11230, and the wireless transceivers 11240. The handle stem 11200 may comprise a metal, wood, plastic, or composite support bar, such as an elongated cone or tapered cylinder, that may be hollow and contain hidden from view the power source 11210, the sensors 11220, the processors 11230, and the wireless transceivers 11240.
The foot deck 12000 may comprise a metal, wood, plastic, or composite elongated substrate adapted to hold the weight of a user riding the small vehicle 10000. The foot deck 12000 is connected to and supporting a lower end of the handle 11000. The foot deck 12000 also may be adapted to stably support the handle 11000 as pressure is applied by the user to the handle 11000 during riding. The foot deck 12000 similarly may be adapted to stably support the chassis 13000 as weight is applied by the user during riding and the weight is transferred to the chassis 13000.
The chassis 13000 is connected to and supporting the foot deck 12000. The chassis 13000 may include a plurality of axles 13100, possibly one or more motors 13110 integrated in the chassis 13000, a plurality of wheels 13200, a suspension system 13300 that may include, for instance, a plurality of shock-absorbing springs 13310, possibly a braking system 13400 that may include, for instance, disc brakes, or capacitive brakes that have an electric motor 13110 work in reverse to slow the vehicle 10000 by recharging the power source 11210, and at least one truck assembly 13500 that supports the axles 13100 and suspension system 13300.
In some embodiments, the power source 11210 is adapted to provide electrical power to the handle sensors 11110, the control input devices 11120, the sensors 11220, the processors 11230, the wireless transceivers 11240, the motors 13110, and the braking system 13400. In some embodiments, the processors 11230 are electronically coupled to and adapted to electronically interact with the handle sensors 11110, the control input devices 11120, the power source 11210, the sensors 11220, the wireless transceivers 11240, the motors 13110, and the braking system 13400.
Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 shows a partial-top plan, front first side elevation perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention depicting the suspension system 13300 of FIG. 1 for a small vehicle 10000, according to aspects of the invention. The suspension system 13300 may include a shock absorbing spring 13310, a chassis integration assembly 13320, and an adjustment mechanism 13330. The shock-absorbing spring 13310 has two spring ends 13312, and each spring end 13312 abuts against a spring actuator 13314 that acts on the spring 13310 to compress the spring 13310 when force is applied downward on the small vehicle 10000, such as when a user is standing on the foot deck 12000. The chassis integration assembly 13320 may include at least one attachment support 13322, at least one support hinge 13324, and at least one travel assembly 13326.
The chassis integration assembly 13320 is depicted to include an attachment support 13322 on each side of the suspension system 13300, with which to integrate the suspension system 13300 in chassis 13000 of the small vehicle 10000. The two sides of the chassis integration assembly 13320 form two portions, a first portion 13320 i and a second portion 13320 ii, that may pivot relative to each other. For instance, the first portion 13320 i may include a foot deck attachment support 13322 a that may attach the suspension system 13300 to the foot deck 12000, and the second portion 13320 ii may include a truck attachment support 13322 b that may attach the suspension system 13300 to the truck assembly 13500. As depicted, the support hinge 13324 acts as a fixed pivot axis between the foot deck 12000 and the chassis 13000, allowing the first portion 13320 i and the second portion 13320 ii to pivot relative to each other. The travel assembly 13326 acts to limit the pivoting about the fixed pivot axis by providing resistance to the pivot motion and limiting the range of pivot motion. The travel assembly 13326 has a first side 13326 i and a second side 13326 ii that are adapted to travel relative to each other to allow the travel assembly 13326 to shorten and lengthen. The travel assembly 13326 may include a rod-and-piston 13326 a on a first side 13326 i, a cylinder 13326 b on a second side 13326 ii, and at least one travel hinge 13326 c. The rod-and-piston 13326 a travel within the cylinder 13326 b as the first or second side pivots at the travel hinge 13326 c. The spring 13310 spans the rod-and-piston 13326 a, on the first side 13326 i, and the cylinder 13326 b, on a second side 13326 ii, with a spring end 13312 at each side. The rod-and-piston 13326 a and the cylinder 13326 b may each have a spring actuator 13314 that abuts the proximate spring end 13312. The rod-and-piston 13326 a and the cylinder 13326 b may traverse the spring 13310 through its open spiral center.
The foot deck 12000 preferably is adapted to be able to support the weight of the intended user (e.g., child or adult) while in motion, and the small vehicle 10000 as a whole will be able to bear a given capacity range of force when the small vehicle is in motion with a user riding it. When the small vehicle 10000 hits a bump with a user riding on the foot deck 12000, the force applied to the foot deck 12000 will be greater than the user's weight, as the bump will cause increased downward force due to the oscillation of the user's weight on the foot deck 12000. The spring 13310 may be adapted to absorb the increased downward force without fully compressing the spring 13310. The adjustment mechanism 13330 likewise may adjust a range of compression of the shock absorbing spring relative to a force-bearing capacity range of the small vehicle. The adjustment mechanism 13330 may adjust the range of travel of the travel assembly 13326 by increasing or decreasing the ability of the spring 13100 to expand or contract, such as when force is removed or applied to the foot deck 12000. The adjustment mechanism 13330 may adjust the range of travel of the travel assembly 13326 by, for instance, adjusting the starting or ending position of the rod-and-piston 13326 a or of the cylinder 13326 b, thereby adjusting the starting or ending position of the associated spring actuator 13314, or by screwing or unscrewing a spring actuator 13314 along threads on the surface of the rod-and-piston 13326 a or of the cylinder 13326 b. For instance, the adjustment mechanism 13330 may include a threaded knob that engages threads on the first side or the second side of the travel assembly 13326 and that is adapted to move a spring actuator 13314 to increase or decrease a distance between the two spring ends 13312. In some embodiments, the travel assembly 13326 may include a compressed fluid, such as a compressed gas or a compressed liquid, as part of the shock absorbing means. The compressed fluid may reside, for instance, inside the cylinder 13326 b and in front of the rod-and-piston 13326 a. A compressed fluid also may be part of the adjustment mechanism, by which increasing or decreasing a fluid pressure of the compressed fluid adjusts the relative range of travel of the travel assembly 13326.
Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 shows a top plan perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the suspension system 13300 of FIG. 1.
Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 shows a second side elevation perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the suspension system 13300 of FIG. 1.
Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 shows a rear first side perspective view of the small vehicle 10000 having the suspension system 13300 of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.
Referring to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 shows a rear second side perspective view of the small vehicle 10000 of FIG. 5 having the suspension system 13300 of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.
Methods in accordance with aspects of the invention include, for instance, the steps of: (1) providing a suspension system 13300 for the small vehicle 10000 including a shock absorbing spring 13310, a chassis integration assembly 13320, and an adjustment mechanism 13330; (2) adjusting the suspension system 13300 by adjusting a travel range of the shock absorbing spring 13310 to adjust a range of compression of the shock absorbing spring 13310 relative to a force-bearing capacity range of the small vehicle 10000; and (3) applying force to the suspension system 13300, wherein the applied force is within the force-bearing capacity range. The steps may further include: (4) using a control pad 11100 to control functioning of the suspension system 13300. In some embodiments, the step (4) may further include: (5) providing a small vehicle control user interface system including at least one sensor 11110, at least one processor 11230, at least one control input device 11120, a power source 11210, and a communication device 11240; wherein the processor 11230 is adapted to control the small vehicle 10000; wherein the small vehicle control user interface is located in a control pad 11100 of a handle 11000 of the small vehicle 10000, is coupled to the suspension system 13300 of the small vehicle 10000, and is adapted to control the suspension system 13300; and wherein the control pad 11100 is adapted be sensitive to touch, and the processor 11230 is adapted interpret a user's motion and pressure to control the small vehicle 10000 and functioning of the suspension system 13300; (6) sensing levels of the user's motion and pressure for determining the control of the vehicle 10000 and functioning of the suspension system 13300; and (7) using the control pad 11100 and the sensed levels of the user's motion and pressure to determine the control of the vehicle 10000 and functioning of the suspension system 13300.
The foregoing description discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention. While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims. Modifications of the above disclosed apparatus and methods that fall within the scope of the claimed invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, other embodiments may fall within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, as defined by the claims that follow hereafter.
In the description above, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to an artisan of ordinary skill that the invention may be practiced without incorporating all aspects of the specific details described herein. Not all possible embodiments of the invention are set forth verbatim herein. A multitude of combinations of aspects of the invention may be formed to create varying embodiments that fall within the scope of the claims hereafter. In addition, specific details well known to those of ordinary skill in the art have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention. Readers should note that although examples of the invention are set forth herein, the claims, and the full scope of any equivalents, are what define the metes and bounds of the invention protection.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A suspension system for a small vehicle, the system comprising:

a shock absorbing spring having two spring ends, with each spring end abutting a spring actuator that acts on the spring to compress the spring when force is applied downward on the small vehicle; and

a chassis integration assembly having a first portion and a second portion that include at least one attachment support, at least one support hinge connected to the attachment support, and at least one travel assembly spanning the first portion and the second portion;

wherein the support hinge connects the first portion and the second portion, forms a fixed pivot axis between the first portion and the second portion, and allows the first portion and the second portion to pivot relative to each other;

wherein the travel assembly traverses the spring and connects to the spring actuators that engage the spring ends; and

wherein the travel assembly has a first side and a second side that are adapted to travel relative to each other to allow the travel assembly to shorten and lengthen as the first portion and the second portion pivot relative to each other.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an adjustment mechanism;

wherein the adjustment mechanism is adapted to adjust a travel range of the shock absorbing spring to adjust a range of compression of the shock absorbing spring relative to a force-bearing capacity range of the small vehicle.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein:

the adjustment mechanism includes a threaded knob that engages threads on the first side or the second side of the travel assembly and that is adapted to move a spring actuator to increase or decrease a distance between the two spring ends.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein:

the travel assembly includes a rod-and-piston on the first side, a cylinder on the second side, and at least one travel hinge;

wherein the rod-and-piston travel within the cylinder as the first or second side pivots at the travel hinge;

wherein the spring spans the rod-and-piston, on the first side, and the cylinder, on the second side, with a spring end at each side;

wherein the rod-and-piston and the cylinder traverse the spring through an open spiral center; and

wherein each of the rod-and-piston and the cylinder each has the spring actuator that abuts the proximate spring end.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein:

the first portion includes a foot deck attachment support adapted to attach the suspension system to a foot deck of the small vehicle, and the second portion includes a truck attachment support adapted to attach the suspension system to a truck assembly of the small vehicle.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein:

each of the foot deck attachment support and the truck attachment support includes a travel hinge.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein:

the travel assembly includes a compressed fluid adapted to increase or decrease travel of the travel assembly; and

wherein the compressed fluid is located within the cylinder and in front of the rod-and-piston.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein:

each attachment support is integral to another part of the small vehicle;

wherein the support hinge connects a first another part to a second another part; and

wherein the first portion includes the first another part, and the second portion includes the second another part.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein:

the first another part includes a foot deck of the small vehicle, and

the second another part includes a truck assembly of the small vehicle.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein:

a first instance of the suspension system is located on a first instance of a truck assembly of the small vehicle for use with a first pair of wheels supported by the first instance of a truck assembly; and

a second instance of the suspension system is located on a second instance of a truck assembly of the small vehicle for use with a second pair of wheels supported by the second instance of the truck assembly.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein:

each individual wheel of the small vehicle includes an individual instance of the suspension system.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the small vehicle includes a control pad user interface, and the control pad is adapted to control a functioning of the suspension system.

13. A method for suspending a small vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a suspension system for the small vehicle, the suspension system including a shock absorbing spring, a chassis integration assembly, and an adjustment mechanism;

wherein the adjustment mechanism is adapted to be able to adjust a travel range of the shock absorbing spring to adjust a range of compression of the shock absorbing spring relative to a force-bearing capacity range of the small vehicle;

adjusting the suspension system by adjusting the travel range of the shock absorbing spring to adjust the range of compression of the shock absorbing spring relative to the force-bearing capacity range of the small vehicle; and

applying force to the suspension system, wherein the applied force is within the force-bearing capacity range.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

providing a small vehicle control user interface system including at least one sensor, at least one processor, at least one control input device, a power source, and a communication device;

wherein the processor is adapted to control the small vehicle;

wherein the small vehicle control user interface is located in a control pad of a handle of the small vehicle, is coupled to the suspension system of the small vehicle, and is adapted to control the suspension system; and

wherein the control pad is adapted be sensitive to touch, and the processor is adapted interpret a user's motion and pressure to control the small vehicle and a functioning of the suspension system;

sensing levels of the user's motion and pressure for determining the control of the vehicle and the functioning of the suspension system; and

using the control pad and the sensed levels of the user's motion and pressure to determine the control of the vehicle and the functioning of the suspension system.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein:

the shock absorbing spring has two spring ends, with each spring end abutting a spring actuator that acts on the spring to compress the spring when force is applied downward on the small vehicle; and

the chassis integration assembly has a first portion and a second portion that include at least one attachment support, at least one support hinge connected to the attachment support, and at least one travel assembly spanning the first portion and the second portion;

16. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the adjustment mechanism includes a threaded knob that engages threads on the first side or the second side of the travel assembly and that is adapted to move a spring actuator to increase or decrease a distance between the two spring ends; and

wherein adjusting the suspension system by adjusting the travel range of the shock absorbing spring includes moving the threaded knob to move the spring actuator to increase or decrease the distance between the two spring ends.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein:

18. A small vehicle comprising:

a handle including a control pad and a handle stem, the control pad having a hand grip;

a foot deck connected to and supporting a lower end of the handle;

a chassis connected to and supporting the foot deck, the chassis including a plurality of axles, at least one motor, a plurality of wheels, a suspension system, and a braking system; and

a small vehicle control user interface system located in the handle, coupled to the motor and the braking system, and adapted to control the motor and the braking system;

wherein the suspension system comprises:

19. The small vehicle of claim 19, wherein:

the small vehicle control user interface system includes at least one sensor, at least one processor, at least on control input device, a power source, and a communication device; and

the hand grip includes a ring having a shape resembling a donut.

20. The small vehicle of claim 19, wherein:

a first instance of the suspension system is located on a first instance of a truck assembly of the small vehicle for use with a first pair of wheels supported by the first instance of the truck assembly; and