WO2014053753A1

WO2014053753A1 - Scooter with a steerable rear wheel

Info

Publication number: WO2014053753A1
Application number: PCT/FR2013/052314
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stéphane SAIDANI
Original assignee: One Mile (Societe A Responsabilite Limitee)
Priority date: 2012-10-02
Filing date: 2013-09-30
Publication date: 2014-04-10
Also published as: FR2996206A1; FR2996206B1

Abstract

The present invention concerns a scooter-type vehicle with a steerable rear wheel comprising an elongate support assembly (1, ') on which the user can stand, at least one front wheel (2), at least one rear wheel (3) and handlebars (4) controlling the direction of the vehicle by means of a steering mechanism (5) to which they are linked via a steering column. The or each rear wheel (3) is steerably mounted and the steering mechanism (5) is designed to enable the or each rear wheel (3) to pivot, under the control of the handlebars. The or each front wheel (2) is non-steerably mounted such that only the or each rear wheel steers the trajectory of the vehicle depending on the degree of pivoting of said wheels relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle.

Description

DIRECTIONAL REAR WHEEL TROTTINETTE

Scooter type vehicle with directional rear wheel

The present invention relates to the field of vehicles of the scooter type and relates to a scooter type vehicle with directional rear wheel.

It is known that a scooter type vehicle, traditionally called a scooter, is generally composed of an elongated support assembly constituted by a board, or plate, possibly supported by a frame, and on which the board can rest the user, a front wheel and a rear wheel on which said support assembly.

Such a vehicle, which differentiates it from a simple skateboard, further comprises a handlebar for controlling the direction of the vehicle by means of a steering mechanism to which it is connected via a steering column s extending substantially perpendicular to the plane of the board. For this purpose, the front wheel, said directional front wheel, is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said wheel and the direction of travel of the vehicle. The steering mechanism then ensures, under the control of the handlebar, the pivoting of the directional front wheel about its pivot axis resulting in a change of direction of the vehicle running.

Vehicles of this type are also known comprising several front wheels and / or several rear wheels and more generally either two front wheels and a rear wheel in the manner of a tricycle, or two rear wheels and a front wheel.

By front or rear wheel is meant a wheel or caster associated with its support, generally having the shape of a fork traversed transversely by the axis of rotation of said wheel. The support is fixed on the support assembly, that is to say generally on the frame or directly to one end of the board, and allows the rotation of the wheel about its axis. On the other hand, in the case of a directional front wheel, the support is pivotally mounted about the pivot axis of the wheel.

Furthermore, it will be noted that a wheel of such a vehicle may consist of a plurality of wheels or rollers mounted in the same support and axes of rotation merged with a common transverse axis. Scooters are also known which are equipped with a motorization ensuring the driving of at least one of the wheels of the vehicle around their axis of rotation and to reduce the efforts of the user especially over great distances.

However, although these scooter-type vehicles have good maneuverability, they can be difficult to control and steer and do not provide a reduced turning radius and new cornering driving sensations that enhance user enjoyment.

The documents FR 2 915 728 and EP 2 371 691 overcome these disadvantages by each proposing a new type of scooter comprising one or two front wheels and a rear wheel mounted freely pivoting about a pivot axis substantially parallel to the pivoting axis of the or each front wheel or slightly inclined towards the front of the vehicle, and recalled centrally by an elastic element.

However, if these scooters which are the subject of both documents FR 2 915 728 and EP 2 371 691 make it possible to facilitate turns or to improve the users' sensations during turns, in particular by allowing free wheeling of the rear wheel , the realization of oversteer, they require, to rotate the rear wheel, a sporty and physical conduct imposing the driver to lean in the direction he wants to go while exerting torsions at the knees to generate forces on the pivoting the rear wheel, which can not be achieved easily by all users.

In addition, all current scooters, with or without a freely pivoting rear wheel, do not make it possible to meet a growing demand for an urban vehicle or that can be used on a commercial or industrial site, which is small in size, and that allows the transport of loads. safely while providing driving pleasure and allowing the smallest turning radius possible, even the achievement of oversteer.

The present invention aims to overcome at least one of these disadvantages by providing a scooter or scooter type vehicle to further improve the driving pleasure compared to current scooters and reducing the efforts to provide for making turns, while by allowing reduced turning radius and offering great safety to the driver especially in case of oversteer. For this purpose, the scooter type vehicle, according to the present invention, with a directional rear wheel, said vehicle comprising an elongated support assembly on which the user can rest, at least one front wheel, at least one rear wheel and one rear wheel. handlebar for controlling the direction of the vehicle by means of a steering mechanism to which it is connected via a steering column, is essentially characterized in that the or each rear wheel is mounted in a directional manner around a pivot axis extending substantially perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of said wheel and the direction of travel of the vehicle and the steering mechanism is adapted to ensure, under the control of the handlebar, the pivoting of the or each rear wheel around its pivot axis and in that the or each front wheel is non-directionally mounted so that only the rear wheel or wheels, depending on their degree, pivoting relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle, the orientation of the trajectory of the latter.

The invention will be better understood, thanks to the following description, which relates to a preferred embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, and explained with reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a vehicle according to the present invention comprising a load carrier resting on a non-directional front wheel and a support plate resting on a directional rear wheel,

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view, from below, of the vehicle represented in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a bottom plan view of a vehicle according to the present invention as represented in FIG. 1, in a variant comprising two non-directional front wheels,

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the vehicle represented in FIG. 3,

FIG. 5a shows a three-quarter profile view, rear side, of the vehicle represented in FIG. 3 in the disassembled state of the steering rod,

FIG. 5b shows a detailed view of the second connection system between the rod and the rear wheel, as represented in FIG. 5a,

FIG. 5c shows a detailed view of the first connection system between the rod and the steering axis, as represented in FIG. 5a; FIG. 6a shows the vehicle represented in FIG. 3 in the assembled state of the steering rod,

FIG. 6b shows a detail view of the second connection system as represented in FIG. 6a,

FIG. 6c shows a detailed view of the first connection system as represented in FIG. 6a,

FIG. 7a shows a three-quarter perspective view, front side, of the vehicle shown in FIG. 5a, in the mounted state of the steering rod,

FIG. 7b shows a detailed view of the first connection system as represented in FIG. 7a,

FIG. 8a shows the vehicle represented in FIG. 7a in the disassembled state of the steering rod,

FIG. 8b shows a detailed view of the first connection system as represented in FIG. 8a,

- Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the steering rod and a portion of the connecting ball joints for connecting respectively to the pivot axis of the rear wheel and the steering column.

The figures show a scooter type vehicle, according to the present invention, which comprises an elongated support assembly 1 on which the user can rest, at least one front wheel 2, at least one rear wheel 3 and a handlebar 4 allowing controlling the direction of the vehicle by means of a steering mechanism 5 to which it is connected via a steering column 6.

Such a support assembly 1, may comprise a plate or a support plate 1 and / or a frame for supporting said plate or said plate and the other elements such as for example the steering column and / or the or front wheels 2 and / or the rear wheel or wheels 3. It will be understood that such a support assembly 1, 1 'can comprise only a plate 1 or a board adapted to support also, for example, the column of direction 6 and the wheel or wheels respectively before 2 and / or rear 3.

According to the present invention, the or each rear wheel 3 is mounted directionally about a pivot axis 9 extending substantially perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of said wheel and the direction of travel of the vehicle and the mechanism 5 is adapted to ensure, under the control of the handlebar 4, the pivoting of the or each rear wheel 3 about its pivot axis 9. In addition, the or each front wheel 2 is mounted non-directionally so that only (the) or the rear wheels provide, under the control of the handlebar 4, via the steering mechanism 5, according to their degree of pivot relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle, the orientation of the trajectory of the latter.

It will be understood that the or each non-directional front wheel is fixedly mounted while being permanently oriented in the axis of the vehicle and can not be oriented or pivoted, under the handlebar control, or by a force generated by the user, so as to change the orientation of the vehicle trajectory and thus take turns. It will also be understood that only the or each rear wheel 3 is secured, for its pivoting or change of angular orientation relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, to the handlebar 4 by means of the steering mechanism 5.

The pivoting of the rear wheel, controlled by the handlebar 4 allows for many short turns, that is to say with a small turning radius, while providing pleasure and increased sensations to the user with great driving safety.

Preferably, such a vehicle may comprise a directional rear wheel 3 and a non-directional front wheel 2, each substantially aligned along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (FIGS. 1 and 2). In a variant, said vehicle may comprise a directional rear wheel 3 and two non-directional front wheels 2 situated on either side of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle in the manner of a tricycle (FIGS. 3, 4, 5a, 6a). , 7a, 8a).

In a particular embodiment of the vehicle for carrying the load, it may further comprise a load carrier frame 7 fixed to the front of the vehicle, preferably on its front part, resting on the front wheel or wheels. 2 non-directional. The load-bearing frame 7 can thus extend in front of the steering column 6, preferably at its lower part, so that the load-bearing frame 7 and the support assembly 1 can extend each , substantially along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, on either side of the steering column 6 (Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5a, 6a, 7a, 8a). In the case where the vehicle comprises such a load carrier frame 7, it may preferably comprise two front wheels 2 in order to provide the vehicle with greater stability and better load resistance (FIGS. 3, 4, 5a, 6a). , 7a, 8a).

Such a load-bearing frame may comprise a support surface 8, such as for example a tray (FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 7a, 8a), making it possible to place the load to be transported on said support surface. It may also comprise, in a variant, a receptacle, not shown, such as for example a basket, for receiving the load to be transported.

In a preferred embodiment of the load-bearing frame 7, it may comprise a bent or folded tube 8 'fixedly surrounding the support surface 8, where appropriate the tray, or fixedly supporting the receptacle, not shown, for receiving load.

In a preferred embodiment, the tube 8 'can be bent or folded so as to have generally the shape of an isosceles triangle and can be preferably fixed, by its main apex, to the front part of the vehicle, preferably on the 1 and at the lower part of the steering column 6. In this case the vehicle may comprise either a non-directional front wheel 2 preferably located substantially in the center of the base of the isosceles triangle (FIG. and 2), or two non-directional front wheels each preferably located substantially at one of the two corners of the base of said triangle (Figures 3, 4, 5a, 6a, 7a, and 8a).

Preferably such a vehicle, in the case where it is equipped with a load door 7 and so as to provide the vehicle with greater stability and better load resistance, may comprise two front wheels in the manner of a tricycle.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the steering mechanism 5 may extend substantially under the support assembly 1, more particularly under the support plate 1, between the lower end of the support column 1. direction 6 and the or 3 directional rear wheels.

Preferably the vehicle according to the present invention may comprise a single pivoting rear wheel 3 pivotally mounted and the steering mechanism 5 may comprise essentially a steering rod or connecting rod 10, one of whose ends said first end is connected by via a first link system 1 1, at the lower end of the steering column 6 and the other end of said second end rod is connected, via a second link system 12, to the pivot axis 9 of the rear wheel 3 ( in particular FIGS. 2, 3, 5a, 6a).

In a preferred embodiment of the first connecting system 1 1, it may comprise a first link 13 and a first articulation 14, one end of which said first link 13 can rigidly connect the steering column 6 and the other end can articulately connect, via the first hinge 14, the first end of the steering rod 6 (Figures 1, 3, 4, 5a, 6a, 6c, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b) .

In a preferred embodiment of the second connecting system 12, it may comprise a second link 15 and a second link 16, one of the ends of which said second link 15 can rigidly connect the pivot axis 9 of the wheel directional rear 3 and whose other end can articulately connect, via the second hinge 16, the second end of the steering rod 6 (Figures 2, 3, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b).

Preferably, the first articulation 14 and / or the second articulation 16 may consist of a ball joint (see in particular FIGS. 5b, 5c, 6b, 6c, 7b, 8b).

In a preferred embodiment of the steering rod 10, the latter, as can be seen more particularly in FIG. 9, may generally have an L shape, one of whose branches may end with a return that can be extend substantially in right angle with the plane of the L, this so as to allow the connection between the lower part of the steering column 6 and the pivot axis 9 through the first and second connecting systems 1 1 and 12, while allowing an extension of an essential part of the rod under the support assembly 1, (see also more particularly Figures 2 and 6a). Thus, one of the branches of greater length of the L may extend under the support assembly 1, and the other leg of the L may extend, at one of the lateral portions located at the rear of said assembly, going back to the second connecting system 12 connected to the pivot axis 9.

By front or rear wheel respectively 2 or 3 will be understood according to the present invention a wheel associated with its support which can have the shape of a fork or screed. It will be understood that the support of the or each rear wheel 3 can be pivotally mounted about the pivot axis 9. Preferably the support of the or each rear wheel 3 or front 2 can have the shape of a fork 2 ' or 3 '(Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5a, 6a, 7a, 8a).

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications are possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1) Directional rear wheel type scooter vehicle comprising an elongate support assembly (1,) on which the user can rest, at least one front wheel (2), at least one rear wheel (3) and a handlebar ( 4) controlling the direction of the vehicle by means of a steering mechanism (5) to which it is connected via a steering column (6), characterized in that the or each rear wheel (3) is mounted directionally about a pivot axis (9) extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said wheel and the direction of travel of the vehicle and the steering mechanism (5) is adapted to ensure, under the handlebar control, the pivoting of the or each rear wheel (3) about its pivot axis (9) and that the or each front wheel (2) is non-directionally mounted so that only (s) the the rear wheels ensure, according to their degree of pivoting with respect to the direction of advance of the vehicle, the orientation of the trajectory of the latter.

2) A vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a rear wheel (3) directional and is a front wheel (2) non-directional each aligned substantially along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, or two front wheels (2 ) non-directional located on either side of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle in the manner of a tricycle.

3) A vehicle according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises a load carrier frame (7) fixed to the front of the vehicle resting on the wheel or wheels (2) non-directional and in that the load-bearing frame (7) comprises a support surface (8) for placing the load to be carried on said support surface and / or a receptacle for receiving the load to be transported.

4) Vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that the load carrier frame (7) comprises a bent or folded tube securely surrounding the support surface (8) or fixedly supporting the receptacle.

5) Vehicle, according to claim 4, characterized in that the tube is bent or folded so as to have generally the shape of an isosceles triangle and is fixed, by its main apex, to the front part of the vehicle and in that it comprises either a non-directional front wheel (2) located substantially in the center of the base of the triangle, two non-directional front wheels (2) each located substantially at one of the two corners of the base of said triangle.

6) Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the steering mechanism (5) extends substantially under the support assembly (1,) between the lower end of the column of direction (6) and the one or more rear wheels (3) directional.

7) Vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a rear wheel (3) pivotally mounted and in that the steering mechanism (5) essentially comprises a steering rod (10), one of which of its ends said first end is connected, via a first connecting system (1 1), to the lower end of the steering shaft (6) and the other end of said second end rod is connected, via a second linkage system (12), to the pivot axis (9) of the rear wheel (3).

8) Vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that the first connecting system (1 1) comprises a first rod (13) and a first articulation (14), one end of said first link (13) connects rigidly the steering column (6) and the other end articulately connects, via the first articulation (14), the first end of the steering rod (6) and in that the second steering system link (12) comprises a second connecting rod (15) and a second articulation (16), one end of which said second link (15) rigidly connects the pivoting axis (9) of the directional rear wheel (3) and whose other end articulately connects, through the second hinge (16), the second end of the steering rod (6).

9) A vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that the first articulation (14) and / or the second articulation (16) consist of a ball joint.

10) Vehicle according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the steering rod (10) has a generally L-shaped one of whose branches ends with a return extending substantially at an angle of right with the plane of L.