WO2004039658A1

WO2004039658A1 - Protective dome for small road vehicles

Info

Publication number: WO2004039658A1
Application number: PCT/HR2003/000054
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tomislav Zic
Original assignee: Tomislav Zic
Priority date: 2002-10-31
Filing date: 2003-10-29
Publication date: 2004-05-13
Also published as: HRP20020862A2

Abstract

The invention is proposed for use in the construction of small road vehicles that are designed primarily for urban areas and small distances. All vehicles are equipped with a windshield dome made out of a tough and transparent material that enables excellent visibility and offers complete protection of the passengers in the event of an accident. The cage hood is used to protect passengers in the event of an accident when a vehicle is used as a coupe. The rotational wipers as well as the 2-piece and 3-piece internal rear view mirrors that eliminate the so-called 'blind spots' contribute to the excellent visibility. These rear view mirrors can be mounted in classic automobiles as well.

Description

PROTECTIVE DOME FOR SMALL ROAD VEHICLES

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention falls under the category of accessories for bicycles, motorcycles and parts thereof, namely in the area of protective elements, frames, or aerodynamically designed elements.

According to the International Patent Classification (IPC) this invention is classified as B62J 17/00.

TECHNICAL PROBLEMS

This invention solves four technical problems:

1. It completely protects the driver and the passengers in the event of an accident (crashes, rollovers, falls).

2. It protects the driver and the passengers from bad weather conditions (rain, wind).

3. It saves space on roads and parking lots, particularly in urban areas.

4. It ensures high visibility from the vehicle. TECHNICAL STATUS OF THE INVENTION

The author of this invention is not acquainted with any other same or similar publicly known solutions for two-wheeled vehicles (bicycle).

For two-wheeled vehicles (scooter) the author of this invention is acquainted with two products:

1. BMW's solution - a scooter with a protective roof, protective seatbelts and a windshield wiper. On the market known as C1.

2. Benelli's scooter solution - consists of a protective mountable roof and side bumpers that resemble the so-called "flying doors". Commercial name: ADIVA.

According to the inventor's opinion, not one of the existing solutions sufficiently satisfies the three basic elements: complete body protection from injuries in case of falls; complete body protection from bad weather conditions and providing excellent visibility for the driver.

For two- and three-wheeled vehicles, one passenger, the author of this invention knows of no similar or same publicly known solutions.

For three- or four-wheeled vehicles, two passengers - seated next to each other, the author of this invention is acquainted with partially similar vehicles (e.g., SMART). For three- to four-wheeled vehicles, two passengers seated one behind the other, no similar or same publicly known solutions are known to the author of this invention.

For four-wheeled vehicles, four passengers, the author of this invention emphasizes the originality of the concept of this vehicle as well as its short length that saves space on roads and parking lots. There is no similar vehicle on the market.

Applicable to all mentioned vehicles:

The ingenuity of the protective dome is its shape as well as the safety it offers to passengers (sturdiness, high visibility). It is unique on the market.

The ingenious solution of the dome wiper and the interior rear view mirror, not known on the market, contributes to the excellent visibility of the driver.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention solves the above mentioned technical problems primarily through its original shape and structure adaptable for various types of vehicles as well as through the specifically designed accessories. All of this contributes to the production of small three- and four-wheeled dimensioned vehicles that save space on roads and parking lots.

The construction solution of this invention is shown in the enclosed drawings:

Figure 1. shows the exterior shape of the protective dome for bicycles, the relationship of the more important components and units as well as the manner in which to move the dome in order to "enter or exit" the vehicle. The protective dome is formed of a left-handed (1) and right-handed (2) hemisphere and hoods: a windshield hood with a wiper (3) and a cage hood (4).

The above mentioned elements are joined together by components (c) and (d) shown in Figures 5 and 8. The entire protective dome rests against the bicycle in points of attachment (b) and (e), which structure is shown in Figures 5 and 8.

Figure 2. shows the exterior shape of the protective dome for scooters, the relationship of the more important components and units as well as the manner in which to move the dome in order to "enter or exit" the vehicle.

The protective dome for scooters consists of a left-handed (1) and right-handed (2) hemisphere and hoods: a windshield hood (3) with a wiper and a cage hood (4).

The above mentioned elements are joined to each other by components (c) and (d) shown in Figures 6 and 7. The protective dome rests against the scooter in points of attachment (b) and (e), which structure is shown in Figures 5 and 8. Figure 3. shows the shape and structure of a windshield hood (3). It is a thin shell of specific shape that along its outer edge has a plurality of snap engaging fasteners (f) that ciampingly engage against the (1) and (2) hemispheres. The distinctiveness of this structure is that the lengths of the A-A and B-B cross sections must be identical.

This is valid for all cross-sections of similar characteristics.

Figure 4. shows the shape and structure of the cage hood (4). It is of the same shape and size as the windshield hood shown in Figure 3, except that its structure is made out of a steel net (6), which is welded to a steel strip (5) located along the edge of the hood. The attachment of the hood to the (1) and (2) hemispheres is accomplished by a plurality of snap engaging fasteners (f) attached along the edge of the steel strip. The rule that the length of the A-A and B-B cross sections must be identical does not apply for the cage hood.

Figure 5. shows the structure of the rotating unit (6). Positions (7) to (13) belong to the vehicle (bicycle) to which they are securely bound. A portion of pipe (8) is attached to the bearing bar (7). Two bearings (12), an axis safety lock (13) and an axis release lock/latch (11) are connected to the pipe (8) by means of ribs (9) and screws (10). Positions (14) to (18) belong to the protective dome assembly. Left and right hemispheres' (1) and (2) supporters connect them to the protective dome assembly.

The axis (14) is interposed between bearings (1) and (2). Two torsion springs are coupled to the supporters (1) and (2) on the one side and to the sliding rings (16) on the other.

A bearing bar (17) connects the sliding rings (16) by means of screws (18).

Rotating unit assembly: the elements that are connected to the protective dome

[points (7) to (13)] are inserted, through slots formed in the bearings (12) and the axis safety lock (13), into the bearings (12), which serve as one of the supporting points of the vehicle's dome.

Figure 6. shows unit (c) - the longitudinal seam. Hemispheres (1) and (2) are longitudinally fastened with a flexible element (19) that is glued along the edge of the hemispheres.

From the inside of the dome, the seam is fastened with a tape (20).

Figure 7. shows unit (d) - transversal joint The windshield hood (3) or the cage hood (4) are fastened to the body of the dome, i.e. hemispheres (1) and (2), by a plurality of snap engaging fasteners (21) attached along the edge of the hood, namely snap receiver fasteners along the rim of the hemispheres.

A rubber gasket (22) makes the seal watertight.

Figure 8. shows the structure of unit (e) - safety lock in the closed mode position

The safety lock consists of a body (23) that is attached to the vehicle with screws

(24).

The bore of the left-handed hemisphere (1) engages the conical spike (25) that is welded to the body of the vehicle when the safety lock is in the "closed" mode position.

The metal rod (26) is used for releasing the safety lock. It is linked to the dashboard from where it is operated.

The lock (27) keeps the entire unit intact.

The installation manual describes the manner in which the protective dome for bicycles and scooters is mounted and dismounted. It also explains how to place the safety lock into the "open'V'close" mode position as well as how to replace the windshield hood with the cage hood.

Prior to mounting the protective dome, it is necessary to place the components of the rotating unit into the "open" mode position; i.e. the axis safety lock (13) slots must be aligned with the axis bearing (12) slots.

The protective dome is mounted on the vehicle manually by inserting the vehicle's rotating unit elements (14 to 18) into the vehicle's rotating unit elements (7 to 13). In this manner, the dome's bearing area is secured.

By manually lifting and rotating the dome for a 100 degrees about its axis, the axis's safety lock (13) closes, the torsion springs (15) are placed into the starting position and the axis release lock/latch (11) is secured, thus enabling the smooth operation of the torsion springs (15).

The torsion springs are used to control the force momentum and the load momentum of the entire dome in the position perpendicularly to the axis of rotation

(b); namely, they are used to keep the balance of the structure.

The rotating unit enables the operation of the dome in the following manner: • for lowering the dome, i.e. placing it into the "closed" mode position - pull the dome manually in order to place the safety lock device into the "closed" mode position (e);

• for raising the dome, i.e. placing it into the "open" mode position - pull the rod to release the safety lock (26). The torsion springs lift the dome into the "open" mode position;

• for dismounting the dome from the vehicle - release the torsion springs (15) by pulling the axis release lock/latch (11) and place the dome into a position that enables the dome to be disengaged from the rotating unit (6).

The protective dome foresees the use of two types of protective hoods: windshield

(3) and cage (4). While one hood is in place the other one is in the reserve position, namely at the rear end of the dome.

Figure 9. shows a three-wheeled one-seater vehicle, the position and relationship of the major components and parts, as well as how to operate the protective dome windshield.

It can also be applied to four-wheeled vehicles.

The protective dome for this vehicle consists of a windshield hood which surface has a changeable angle of inclination (28), that can be rotated about the rotating unit

(30), as well as a cage protective dome (29) that is securely fastened to the vehicle.

The windshield dome is formed of a single piece of transparent material. It has a rotational wiper with a spring (31) shown in Figure 14, and an internal two-piece rear view mirror (32) shown in Figure 16.

Figure 9 also shows two characteristic semi-cross sections of the cage windshield protective hood (extending along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and the transversal axis), as well as a protective element (33).

Figure 10. shows a three-wheeled two-seater vehicle, the position and relationship of the major components and parts, as well as how to operate the protective dome windshield.

It can also be applied to four-wheeled vehicles.

The protective dome for this vehicle consists of a windshield hood, which surface has a fixed angle of inclination (34), a rotating unit (30), and a cage protective dome

(35) that is securely fastened to the vehicle. The windshield dome (34) is formed of a single piece of transparent material. It is equipped with a rotational wiper (36) shown in Figure 13, and an internal three-piece rear view mirror (37) shown in Figure 15. Figure 10 also shows a protective element (38).

Figure 11. shows a three-wheeled vehicle that can accommodate two passengers seated one behind the other, the position and relationship of the major components and parts, as well as how to operate the protective dome windshield. It can also be applied to four-wheeled vehicles.

The protective dome for this vehicle consists of a transparent windshield formed of a single piece (39). The dome's surface is particular in that: the front section of the dome (39.1) is adapted to receive the rotational wiper with a spring (31), while the rear section (39.2.) is adapted to the body of the vehicle.

The protective dome (39) is also equipped with a protective panel (40), a device for raising/lowering the dome onto three points of attachment (41), as well as an internal two-piece rear view mirror (32.). The Figure also shows the characteristic cross- sections of the protective dome's front section (39.1.).

Figure 12. shows a four seater vehicle, the position and relationship of the major components and parts, as well as how to operate the protective dome windshield. The transparent windshield dome (42) consists of a front section (48.1.) that is adapted to receive the rotational wiper with a spring (31), while the rear section (42.2.) is adapted to the body of the vehicle.

The protective dome is also equipped with a three-piece rear view mirror (37.). The Figure also shows the position of the device for raising/lowering the dome (43). Figure 13. shows the structure of the rotational wiper (36).

The rotational wiper consists of elements (44) to (58). The major components of the rotational wiper are:

• housing (44) attached to the windshield dome

• stator (53)

• outer rotor (55)

• wiper arm bearing (56)

• wiper arm with a blade (58)

Figure 14. shows the structure of the rotational wiper with a spring (31). The major components of this wiper are: housing (44), attached to the windshield dome stator (53) electric energy supply (54) outer rotor (55) spring housing (59) spring (60) rotating wiper arm bearing (61) wiper arm with a blade (58) Figure 15. shows two versions of the three-piece rear view mirror (37) structure: a) the supplementary component of the main mirror (62) is composed of a left- handed (63) and a right-handed (64) auxiliary mirror that is fastened to the main mirror with a screw (65), a bushing (66), a sphere (67) and a two-piece bearing (68) and (69). b) the housings of the main mirror (62) have installed bearings with an axis (70) to which additional mirrors (63) are mounted.

Figure 16. shows two versions a) and b) of the two-piece rear view mirror (32). The structure of the two-piece rear view mirror is identical to the three-piece rear view mirror (37), except that it has only one adjustable mirror (63) or (64).

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A protective dome for bicycles and scooters, formed of a left-handed (1) and a right-handed (2) hemisphere and hoods in two versions: a windshield hood with a wiper (3) and a cage hood (4), which elements are joined together by components (c) and (d), and where the entire protective dome rests against the bicycle in points of attachment (b) and (e).

2. The protective dome of claim 1 , wherein the windshield hood (3) is a thin shell of specific shape that along its edge has a plurality of snap engaging fasteners (f) that ciampingly engage against hemispheres (1) and (2), wherein the distinctiveness of this structure is that the lengths of the A-A and B-B cross sections must be identical, wherein the cage hood (4) is of the same shape and size as the windshield hood (3) except that its structure is made of a steel net (6) that is welded to a steel strip (5), and the attachment of the hood to the (1) and (2) hemispheres is accomplished by a plurality of snap engaging fasteners (f) attached along the edge of the steel strip.

3. The protective dome of claims 1 and 2, wherein the structure of unit (b) - the rotating unit delimits that positions (7) to (13) belong to the vehicle (bicycle) to which they are securely bound and that a portion of the pipe (8) is welded to the pipe bearing (7), wherein two bearings (12), an axis safety lock (13) and an axis release lock/latch (11) are attached to the pipe (8) by means of ribs (9) and screws (10), wherein positions (14) to (18) belong to the protective dome assembly to which they are attached by means of bearings located on the left and right hemispheres - positions (1) and (2), wherein an axis (14) is interposed between the bearings (1) and (2) and where two torsion springs are coupled to the bearings (1) and (2) on the one hand and on the other hand to the sliding rings (16), which are joined together to the bearing (17) by means of screws (19).

4. The protective dome of claims 1-3, wherein hemispheres (1) and (2) are longitudinally attached with a flexible element (19) that sticks along the edge of the hemispheres, while from the inside of the dome, the seam is fastened with a tape (20).

5. The protective dome of claims 1-4, wherein the windshield hood (3) or the cage hood (4) are fastened to the body of the dome, i.e. hemispheres (1) and (2), by a plurality of snap engaging fasteners (21) attached along the edge of the hood, namely snap receiver fasteners attached along the opening edge of the hemispheres, while a rubber gasket (22) makes the seal watertight.

6. The protective dome of claims 1-5, wherein the safety lock device consists of a body (23), which is attached to the vehicle with screws (24), while the left- handed hemisphere's (1) bore engages the conical spike (25) that is welded to the body of the vehicle when the safety lock device is in the "closed" mode position, wherein the metal rod (26) is used for releasing the safety lock and is linked to the dashboard from where it is operated and the lock (27) secures and keeps the entire unit intact.

7. The protective dome of claims 1-6, wherein prior to mounting the protective dome, it is necessary to place the components of the rotating unit into the "open" mode position, i.e. the slots on the axis safety lock (13) must be aligned with the axis bearing slots (12), wherein the protective dome is mounted on the vehicle manually by inserting the vehicle's rotating unit elements (14 to 18) into the vehicle's rotating unit elements (7 to 13), wherein by manually lifting and rotating the dome for a 100 degrees about its axis, the axis's safety lock (13) closes, the torsion springs (15) are placed into the starting position and the axis release lock/latch (11) is secured, thus enabling the smooth operation of the torsion springs (15).

8. The protective dome of claims 1-7, wherein it is a small road vehicle for one passenger with a protective dome, wherein the upper part of the passenger cabin is an extension of the metal frame of the vehicle, and is in the shape of a windshield dome (28) and a cage dome (29), which are not interconnected and they can be used simultaneously or independently, wherein the windshield dome is equipped with a rotating wiper with a spring (31), a two-piece rear view mirror (32) and a protective element (33).

9. The protective dome of claims 1-8, wherein it is a small road vehicle for two passengers, seated next to each other, with a protective dome, wherein the upper part of the passenger cabin is an extension of the vehicle's metal frame and is in the shape of a windshield dome, which surface has a fixed angle of inclination (34), as well as a cage dome (35), wherein the windshield and cage domes are not connected to each other and can be used simultaneously or independently, wherein the windshield dome is equipped with a rotating wiper (36), a three-piece rear view mirror (37) and a protective element (38).

10. The protective dome of claims 1-9, wherein it is a small road vehicle for two passengers seated one behind the other, with a protective dome, wherein the upper portion of the passenger cabin is an extension of the vehicle's metal frame, wherein the passenger cabin has the shape of a windshield dome, which surface has a changeable angle of inclination (39), and rests against the metal portion of the vehicle by means of a protective panel (40) and the dome's raising and lowering device (41), wherein the passengers cabin is equipped with a rotating wiper with a spring (31) and a two-piece rear view mirror (32).

11. The protective dome of claims 1-10, wherein it is a small four-seater road vehicle with a protective dome, wherein the upper portion of the passenger cabin is an extension of the vehicle's metal frame has the shape of a windshield dome, which surface has a changeable angle of inclination (42), and rests against the metal portion of the vehicle by means of the dome raising and lowering device (43), wherein the passenger cabin is equipped with a rotating wiper with a spring (31) and a three-piece rear view mirror (37).

12. The protective dome of claims 1-11, wherein the windshield protective dome's surface has a fixed angle of inclination, wherein the windshield dome (34) is a symmetrical hood created by rotating a portion of the circular arc about the central axis of symmetry; wherein the windshield dome is a thin, transparent shell made out of a strong material, wherein the rotating unit (30) is used for placing the dome into the "open" mode position.

13. The protective dome of claims 1-12, wherein the windshield protective dome's surface has a changeable angle of inclination, wherein the dome (28), (39) or (42) is an irregularly shaped hood, wherein the hood is a thin, transparent shell made out of a strong material, wherein the rotating unit (30) and the raising/lowering elements (41) and (43) are used for placing the dome into the "open" mode position.

14. The protective dome of claims 1-13, wherein the rotating wiper is tightly fastened to the windshield dome (34) by means of a panel (44), wherein the wiper arm with a blade (58) is attached to the outer rotor housing at three points of attachment.

15. The protective dome of claims 1-14, wherein the rotating wiper with a spring is tightly fastened to the windshield dome (28) or (39) or (42), by means of a panel (44), wherein the spring (60) follows the changes of the angle of inclination on the surface of the dome and transfers these changes to the wiper arm with a blade (58).

16. The protective dome of claims 1-15, wherein the three-piece internal rear view mirror consists of the main mirror (62) to which an auxiliary left-handed (63) or right-handed mirror (64) can be attached by means of a sphere (67) and a screw (65) or by means of an axis unit (70).

17. The protective dome of claims 1-16, wherein the two-piece internal rear view mirror consists of the main mirror (62) to which an auxiliary mirror (63) or (64) can be attached by means of a sphere (67) and a screw (65) or by means of an axis unit (70).