WO2003057550A1

WO2003057550A1 - Scooter with drivable footstool

Info

Publication number: WO2003057550A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/000024
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kil-Yong Song
Original assignee: Dream Sportec Co. Ltd
Priority date: 2002-01-09
Filing date: 2003-01-08
Publication date: 2003-07-17
Also published as: KR200271715Y1; AU2003201929A1

Abstract

This present invention relates to a scooter to be propelled by footstools using weight of a user. The scooter with drivable footstools has two separate footstools between a front wheel and a rear wheel. The forward ends of the footstools are resiliently hinged using springs and the backward ends are moved up and down. Therefore, the rear wheel is rotated with movement of the backward ends of the footstools by means of connection links, which connect the backward ends of the footstools to the rear wheel. The scooter of the present invention can be moved forward by the rotation of the rear wheel according to the up-and-down movements of the footstools. Therefore, by using two feet of a user, the scooter is effective in well-balanced growth of infants and children, and the user has no feeling of fatigue although he uses it for a long time. Moreover, the scooter is effective in training lower body, increasing pliability of knees of children, enhancing cardiopulmonary functions, and keeping a good figure. In addition, it does not make a loud noise and needs no special maintenance.

Description

SCOOTER WITH DRIVABLE FOOTSTOOL

Technical Field

This present invention relates to a scooter with drivable footstools, and more particularly, to a scooter having two separate footstools between a front wheel and a rear wheel. The forward ends of the footstools are resiliently hinged using springs and the backward ends are moved up and down. Therefore, the rear wheel is rotated with movement of the backward ends of footstools by means of connection links, which connect the backward ends of the footstools with the rear wheel.

This present invention provides a scooter, which can be moved forward by the rotation of the rear wheel according to the up-and-down movements of the footstools, thereby having the following advantages:

(a) by using two feet of a user, it is effective in well-balanced growth of infants and children, and the user has no feeling of fatigue although he uses it for a long time;

(b) it does not make a loud noise and needs no special maintenance; and

(c) it is effective in training lower body, increasing pliability of knees of children, enhancing cardiopulmonary functions, and keeping a good figure.

Background Art

A scooter is a vehicle for adults and juveniles as well as children, to stand generally on by one foot and to propel it by the other foot thrusting against the ground. The conventional scooter is popular because it is easy to carry with and to store up and everyone is able to use it easily. Moreover, there is an electric- powered scooter, which is equipped with separate electric-powered devices that can provide power for a rear wheel.

Examples of such a conventional scooter are disclosed in Korean Utility Patent Nos. 0249725, 0225595 and 0222768. However, the conventional scooter has several problems in comparison with the present invention. For one thing, because the conventional scooter is pushed forward only by one foot thrusting against the ground, it can cause bad-balanced growth for infants and children that is growing up, and a user cannot enjoy it for a long time due to a feeling of fatigue in one leg. In addition, it is very expensive and makes loud noise. Finally, it is dangerous and burdensome for children to use because of a relatively' high speed, possibility of breakdown or difficulty of keeping.

In terms of construction, the scooter according to the present invention has two footstools but a conventional scooter has one narrow board. Moreover, the: present invention has separate two footstools, each of which is fixed by spring inserted into a supporting member protruded from each of frames, while the supporting member of a conventional scooter is formed at the forward end of a board. In addition, each of the footstools of the present invention is hinged resiliently using a spring so that the footstools can move up and down continuously, while the board of a conventional scooter is fixed so as not to move. Finally, in the scooter according to the present invention, the up-and-down movement of the footstools causes the rear wheel to be rotated by connecting the footstools with the rear wheel using a first link, a second link, a unidirectional bearing, a transmitting gear, multiple accelerating gears, and a driving gear, 'but a conventional scooter has no such devices. I Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a scooter with drivable footstools that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a scooter, which can be propelled forward by the rotation of rear wheel by means of the continuous up- and-down movement of footstools, thereby having the following advantages:

(a) by using two feet of user, it is effective in harmonious growth of infants and children;

(b) a user has no feeling of fatigue although he uses it for a long time;

(c) it does not make a loud noise and needs no special maintenance; and

(d) it is effective in training lower body of children, increasing pliability of knees of children, enhancing cardiopulmonary functions,' and keeping a good figure.

The scooter according to the present invention includes a front wheel steerably attached to a handling axis in front of frames and a rear wheel rotatably attached to a shaft in the rear of frames. Two footstools are separately formed on the left and right sides of the frames. Each forward end of the footstools is resiliently hinged to a supporting member protruded from each of the frames using a spring and each backward end is connected to the shaft by a first link and a second link. The shaft is coupled to the second link by a unidirectional bearing, thereby causing the rear wheel to be rotated through a driving gear, whi h is connected to the rear wheel via a transmitting gear and multiple accelerating gears. In detail, the driving gear, multiple accelerating gears, and transmitting gear are positioned between two frames and transmit rotatory power from the shaft to the rear wheel.

As an alternative embodiment, another separate frame is fixed to the rear ends of two frames and another separate shaft is rotatably equipped with the separate frame. Two rear wheels mounted on both ends of the separate shaft are rotated by means of a driving gear formed on the center of the separate shaft. In this manner the scooter is moved forward when the footstools move up and down continuously.

In addition, a rectangular hall is formed on the top of each of the footstools and a stopper is inserted into the hall. The stopper can fix a user's shoe on each of the footstools safely using a conventional fixing means. '

Brief Description of the Drawings

Further objects and advantages of the invention can be more 'fully

understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the

accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plane view including a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a

scooter in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a detailed cross-sectional view of driving members of a scooter in

accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the footstools of a scooter in accordance

with the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a side view of movement of the footstools according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a side view of driving members of a scooter in accordance with

the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a plane view including a fragmentary cross-sectional view of

another preferred embodiment of a scooter in accordance with the present

invention; and

Fig. 7 is a detailed fragmentary cross-sectional view of driving members

of the scooter shown in Fig. 6.

Best mode for Carrying Out the Invention

To achieve the objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a scooter with drivable footstools, comprising: two frames 1 and 1 ' being away from each other; a front wheel 3 steerably attached to a handling axis 2 in front of the frames 1 and V; a rear wheel 5 rotatably attached to a shaft 4 in the rear of the frames 1 and

1'; footstools 6 and 6' formed on the left and right side of the frames 1 and V, respectively, each forward end of the footstools 6 and 6' being hinged resiliently to a supporting member 7 protruded from each of the frames by a spring 8¹, and each backward end being connected to the shaft 4 by means of a first link 9 and a second link 10; a unidirectional bearing 11 connecting the shaft 4 to the second link 10; and a transmitting gear 12, multiple accelerating gears 13 and 13', and a driving gear 14 disposed between two frames 1 and 1'.

Reference will be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a scooter in accordance with the present invention includes two frames 1 and 1', which have a handling axis 2 formed in front thereof. A front wheel 3 is steerably attached to the handling axis 2 in front of the frames 1 and V, and a rear wheel 5, which is pivotally attached to a shaft 4, is rotatably installed in the rear of the frames 1 and 1'. Two footstools 6 and 6' are formed at the left and right sides of the frames 1 and V, respectively and separately. Each forward end of the footstools 6 and 6' is resiliently hinged to a supporting member 7 protruded from each of the frames 1 and 1' using a spring 8. Each backward end of the footstools 6 and 6' is connected to the shaft 4 by means of a first link 9 and a second link 10. The shaft 4 is coupled to the second link 10 by means of a unidirectional bearing 11, thereby being rotated in one direction. The unidirectional rotation of the shaft 4 is transmitted to the rear wheel 5 through a driving gear 14 via a transmitting gear 12 and multiple accelerating gears 13 and 13'. Therefore, the rear wheel 5, which is connected with the driving gear 14, is rotated according to up-and-down movement of the footstools 6 and 6'. The driving gear 14, multiple accelerating gears 13 and 13' and the transmitting gear 12 are positioned between the two frames 1 and 1'. '

As an alternative embodiment, another separate shaft 21 can be installed on another separate frame 20, which is fixed to the rear ends of the frames 1 and 1', by means of multiple bearings 24 and 24'. A driving gear 22 is formed on the center of the separate shaft 21. The rotatory power of the shaft 4 is transmitted to the driving gear 22 via the transmitting gear 12 and the multiple accelerating gears 13 and 13'. The driving gear 22 transmits the rotatory power of the shaft 4 to two rear wheels 23 and 23', which are constituted at both ends of the separate shaft 21, respectively.

In addition, there is formed a rectangular hall 30 on the top of each of the footstools 6 and 6' and a stopper 31 is inserted into the rectangular hall 30. The stopper 30 is able to fix a user' shoe at the correct position safely using a conventional fixing means.

As shown in Fig. 2, when a user moves his feet up and down in turn on the top of the footstools 6 and 6' using his own weight, only the backward ends of the footstools 6 and 6' move up and down because the forward ends of the footstools 6 and 6' are hinged to the supporting members 7 and 7' and the backward ends are movably connected to the shaft 4 by means of links, respectively. '

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the downward movement of the footstools 6 and 6' presses the first link 9, and the second link 10, which is influenced by the downward movement of the first link 9, is rotated relative to the shaft 4. Therefore, the downward movement of the footstools 6 and 6' is converted into rotational motion of the shaft 4 through the first link 9 and the second link 10. If a user gets rid of pressing force for the footstools 6 and 6', the user's foot moves upward and the spring 8, which is compressed in the supporting member 7, is restored to upheave the footstool to the original position. As a result, a scooter can be moved forward by means of pressing the footstools repeatedly. In addition, in the process that the downward movement of the footstools 6 and 6' is transmitted to the shaft 4, because the second link 10 is coupled to the shaft 4 by means of the unidirectional bearing 11, only when the second link 10 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction by the downward movement of the footstool, the shaft 4 is rotated at the same time by the unidirectional bearing 11. If the footstool 6 moves upward and the second link 10 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the shaft 4 is not influenced by the rotation of the second link. Therefore, it is possible to keep the shaft 4 from backlashing. The shaft 4, which is rotated only in one direction due to the unidirectional bearing 11, transmits the turning force to the multiple accelerating gears 13 and 13' through the transmitting gear 12. The accelerating gears, which have acceleration effect in accordance with gear ratio, cause the driving gear 11 connected to the rear wheel 5 to be rotated at a high speed.

Accordingly, rotatory power due to a user's weight is transmitted to the rear wheel 5, and merely the movement of the footstools 6 and 6' causes the rotation of the rear wheel so that a scooter can be moved forward. As a result, it is possible for a user to use both feet evenly.

As shown in Fig. 5, the transmitting gear 12, the accelerating gears 13 and 13', and the driving gear 14 can be contacted directly one another or be connected by means of using belts. > In terms of transmission process of movement of the footstools 6 and 6', the downward movement of the footstools 6 is transmitted to the unidirectional bearing 11 via the first link 9 and the second link 10, and only if the unidirectional bearing 11 rotates in a correct direction, the rotation of bearing 11 is transmitted to the shaft 4. Then, the transmitting gear 12 transmits the rotation of the shaft 4 to the accelerating gears 13 and 13', which increase rotation speed and transmit the increased rotation speed to the driving gear 14. Finally, the driving gear 14 transmits the rotatory power to the rear wheel 5 and causes the rear wheel 5 to be rotated. As a result, a scooter can be propelled and moved forward. Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, as an alternative embodiment, a scooter can be composed of two rear wheels, thereby being more stable. In detail, another separate shaft 21 is equipped with another separate frame 20 which is fixed on the rear ends of the frames 1 and 1', using multiple bearings 24 and 24'. The separate shaft 21 has two rear wheels 23 and 23' at both ends thereof. A driving gear 22, which is formed on the center of the separate shaft 21, causes the shaft 21 to be rotated using the rotatory power from the accelerating gears 13 and' 13'. Accordingly, if a user presses the footstools 6 and 6', the pressing . force is transmitted to the shaft 4 tlirough the unidirectional bearing 11, and the turning force of the shaft 4 is transmitted to the driving gear 22 via the transmitting gear 12 and the accelerating gears 13 and 13'. Therefore, the separate shaft 21 and the rear wheels 23 and 23' are rotated at the same time by the driving gear 22 rotated at a high speed, and a scooter can be moved forward. The scooter with two rear wheels is easy to operate for infants or children having imperfect sense of equilibrium, and can be treated easily because it can stand straight and¹ it is convenient to store up the scooter.

In addition, as shown in Fig. 6, a rectangular hall 30 is formed on the center of each of the footstools 6 and 6', and a stopper 31 is inserted into the rectangular hall 30. The position of the stopper 31 can be adjusted appropriately in the hall by means of conventional fixing or releasing method, and, therefore, a user's shoes can be fixed safely on the top of the footstools 6 and 6'. A method to fix or adjust a position of the stopper 31 may be a conventional method such as assembling bolts and nuts.

Industrial applicability By using two feet of a user, a scooter with drivable footstools in accordance with the present invention is effective in well-balanced growth of infants and children and a user has no feeling of fatigue although he uses it for a long time. Moreover, the scooter is effective in training lower body, increasing pliability of knees of children, enhancing cardiopulmonary functions, and keeping a good figure. In addition, the scooter does not make a loud noise and need no special maintenance. '

Claims

What Is Claimed Is:

1. A scooter with drivable footstools comprising: two frames being away from each other; a front wheel steerably attached to a handling axis in front of said frames; a rear wheel rotatably attached to a shaft in the rear of said frames; two footstools disposed on the left and right sides of said frames, respectively, each forward end of said footstools being resiliently hinged to a supporting member protruded from each of said frames using a spring, and each backward end of said footstools being connected to said shaft by a first link and a second link; a unidirectional bearing to assemble said shaft and said second link, said unidirectional bearing being operable for said shaft to be rotate in one direction ; a transmitting gear operable to transmit the rotation of said shaft to multiple accelerating gears, said transmitting gear being disposed between said two frames; said multiple accelerating gears operable to accelerate the rotation speed and transmit the increased rotation speed to a driving gear, said multiple accelerating gears being disposed between said two frames; and said driving gear operable to cause the rear wheel to be rotated, said driving' gear being disposed between said two frames.

2. The scooter of claim 1, wherein said frames have another separate frame, which is fixed to the rear ends of said frames, comprising: a separate shaft equipped with said separate frame by multiple bearings; two rear wheels mounted on both ends of said separate shaft, respectively; and a driving gear installed on the center of said separate shaft, the driving gear being operable to transmit the rotatory power of the shaft to said separate shaft and said two rear wheels.

3. The scooter of claim 1, wherein each of said footstools comprises: a rectangular hall formed on the top of each of said footstools; and a stopper inserted into the rectangular hall, said stopper being operable to fix a position of a user's shoe safely.