WO2001021470A1

WO2001021470A1 - Skateboard with handlebar

Info

Publication number: WO2001021470A1
Application number: PCT/IT1999/000296
Authority: WO
Inventors: Livio Giovanni Di Malta
Original assignee: Livio Giovanni Di Malta
Priority date: 1999-09-21
Filing date: 1999-09-21
Publication date: 2001-03-29

Abstract

A sports apparatus of new conception, that realizes in one single functional compact the possibilities of movement, the possibility of determining the direction and the way of driving a board with wheels called skate-board, and of a scooter, consisting of: a plane corresponding to the one of a skate-board provided, with respect to the latter one, with four oversize wheels (1) with a large tyre tread and with oversize protected and lubricated ball bearings; a handle-bar (3) with handlebar grips (M) on a direction column (2) which mainly has the task of assuring the user a safe grasp in any circumstance and also allowing him, by laterally shifting his weight - like in the skate-board - to determine the direction and the control of the means.

Description

SKATEBOARD WITHHANDLEBAR

The present invention concerns a sports apparatus of new conception, that realizes in one single functional compact the possibilities of movement, the possibility of determining the direction and the way of driving typical of a board with wheels, called skate-board, and of a scooter.

It is the aim of the present invention to realize a totally ecological transport means that may be used as a sports apparatus as well as a light transport means in town, being quicker than a pedestrian and handy and quick as a bicycle with a moderate touristic going.

The aim set forth is reached by means of the apparatus according to the present invention, maily consisting of:

- a plane corresponding to the one of a skate-board provided, with respect to the latter one, with four oversize wheels with a large tyre tread, which assure the means a flowability and a running comfort never achieved before; furthermore, the presence of oversize protected and lubricated ball bearings even more increase said features;

- a handle-bar which, contrary to the scooter, has not the function of determining the direction of the front wheels but mainly serves to assure to the user a safe grasp in any circum- stance and also allowing him, by laterally shifting his weight - like in the skate-board - to determine the direction and the control of the means; furthermore it allows, with a simple manoeuvre easy to learn and with the possible help of a foot, that pushes the means, the safety control of the means as well as any other emergency manoeuvre, like the immediate stop or a quick change of direction.

The advancing of the means takes place, like in the scooter, with one foot on the plane and the other one on the ground impressing the push.

The handle-bar is pliable over 90° on the plane, as the direction column is provided with a hinge, like in a folding bicycle, that allows to arrange the apparatus even in the boot of a small car. As an alternative, a hinge may be provided that allows to turn over the direction column also in a sense opposite to the one described, thus allowing to transform said apparatus into a trolley for transporting goods and /or food-stuffs, pulling it by the handle-bar.

The apparatus according to the present invention does not need a brake, as it is allowed to run on the pavement and /or on cycle tracks; it also does not need a number-plate nor lights, insurance, tax stamp or helmet for the user. The present invention will be described more in detail hereinbelow relating to the enclosed drawings in which one embodiment is shown.

Figures 1 and 2 show a sports apparatus with a combined structure of a scooter and a board with wheels, according to the present invention.

Figure 3 shows in detail a plate fixed in front to the lower surface of the apparatus' plane.

The enclosed figures show a sports apparatus with a combined structure of a scooter and a board with wheels, comprising:

- four wheels 1, oversize with respect to those of a skate-board, with synthetic rubber tread and provided with oversize ball bearings;

- a direction column 2 out of an aluminium pipe, and at the upper end whereof a handlebar 3 out of an aluminium pipe is welded in a "T"-shape, and its two ends two comfortable rubber handlebar grips M are applied;

- a hinge 4, out of aluminium, with a screw bolt, a threaded nut, an eccentric steel pin fixed respectively at the base of said column 2 and at the top of a column 5 below, for allowing the folding of said column 2 at more than 90° onto the plane for transporting the apparatus in the boot of a car; - a plane 6, like those of a skate -board, out of marine plywood, fibreglass and kevlar or aluminium, shaped and provided with discharges 7 for the four wheels;

- a plate 8, welded to the base of said column 5, shaped, pierced and fixed in front of said plane 6 with a plurality of pasing- through screws with hexagonal head which hold said plate, said plane and a lower plate 10 to which a front trolley 12 for the wheels is hooked;

- four reinforcing brackets 9, fixed to said plate 8 at 90° one from the other, which support said column 5 below said hinge 4.

The plate 10 described in figure 3 has two discharges 11 in correspondence of the passage of the wheels 1, for avoiding the contact of said wheels with the plane during steering, and onto which the wheel-supporting trolley 12 is fixed. Furthermore, said plate has the task of reinforcing, in a whole of greatest compactness, strength and resistance, said plate 8 that in turn supports said column 5 and therefore the whole structure which is more subject to stress.

The apparatus forms a vehicle of great handiness, easy to manage also in critical situations, light and also prudently fast.

The propulsion of the means is obtained, like in a scooter, with one foot on the plane 6 and with the other one on the ground that impresses the push. The direction of the means is determined, during the run, by shifting the weight of one's bo- dy to the right or to the left, also with the help of the handle-bar 3 provided with said handlebar grips 3, linked to the direction column 2.

In case of emergency manoevres - like sudden stops or steerings - the apparatus according to the present invention allows, due to the help of said direction column 2, to reach the aim set forth i complete safeness by means of a manoeuvre easy to learn.

Finally, the use of the four oversize wheels assures the means a high silence and comfort while running together with a great stability, never obtained before by any similar means.

Claims

1. A sports apparatus with the combined structures of a scooter and a board with wheels, of the propelled kind like in a scooter, with one foot on the plane and the other one on the ground impressing the push, while the determination of the direction is obtained, during the run, by shifting the weight of the body to the right or to the left, also with the help of a handle-bar of a column linked to the plane, comprising four wheels (1), oversize with respect to those of a skate-board, with synthetic rubber tread and provided with oversize ball bearings, characterized in

- a direction column (2) out of an aluminium pipe, and at the upper end whereof another aluminium pipe is welded in a "T"-shaρe having the function of a handlebar (3), and at its two ends two comfortable rubber handlebar grips (M) are applied;

- a hinge (4), out of aluminium, with a screw bolt, a threaded nut, an eccentric steel pin welded to the base of said column (2) and at the top of a column (5) below, for allowing the folding of said column (2) at more than 90° onto a plane (6) for transporting the apparatus in the boot of a car.

2. A sports apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in a hinge alternative to hinge (4), which allows to turn over said column (2) also in a sense opposed to the one described, so as to obtain a trolley for carrying goods and /or food-stuffs, being pulled by said handle-bar (3).

3. A sports apparatus according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said plane (6) is of the kind of a skate -board out of marine plywood, fibreglass and kevlar or aluminium, shaped and provided with discharges (7) for said four wheels.

4. A sports apparatus according to all preceding claims, characterized in that a plate (8), welded to the base of a column (5), is shaped, pierced and fixed in front of said plane (6) by means of a plurality of passing-through screws with hexagonal head which hold said plate, said plane and a further lower plate (10) to which a front trolley carrying the wheels is fixed.

5. A sports apparatus according to claims 1 and 4, characterized in four reinforcing brackets (9) fixed to said plate (8) at a distance of 90° one from the other and which support said column (5) below said hinge (4).

6. A sports apparatus according to claims 1 and 4, characterized in that said plate (10), fixed in front to the lower surface of said plane (6), has two discharges (11) in correspondence of the passage of said wheels (1) for avoiding the contact of the same with the plane during steering, and to which the wheel- supporting trolley (12) is fixed. A sports apparatus according to all preceding claims, characterized in that said plate (10) reinforces said plate (8) which in turn supports said column (5) and, therefore, the whole structure where it is subject to the greatest stress.