WO2016065374A2

WO2016065374A2 - A stand-on scooter

Info

Publication number: WO2016065374A2
Application number: PCT/ZA2015/050015
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carolus Johannes Christiaan VAN DER WATH
Original assignee: Brentt Instruments Cc
Priority date: 2014-10-23
Filing date: 2015-10-22
Publication date: 2016-04-28
Also published as: WO2016065374A3

Abstract

A stand-on scooter 10 which includes a support structure 12; a front wheel 30 and rear wheel 32 which are in line with each other and which are supportively mounted to a leading portion; 13 and a trailing portion 15 of the support structure 12, respectively; two steering mechanisms 50, 60 (a first/front steering mechanism 50 and second/rear steering mechanism 60) for steering the scooter 10; and a drive arrangement 70 for propelling the scooter 10.

Description

A STAND-ON SCOOTER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a stand-on scooter.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The inventor is aware of conventional stand-on scooters which include a platform for standing on, a front wheel and rear wheel which are arranged in line with each other, and which are mounted to an underside of the platform, a steering column which extends upwardly from the front wheel and a handle which is mounted to a top end of the steering column in order to steer the scooter.

The inventor however wishes to provide a scooter which is able to provide a user with a unique sense of motion, when compared to conventional scooters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the invention there is provided a stand-on scooter which includes: a support structure which includes a platform on which a user can stand during use (hereinafter referred to as the "standing platform"); at least one front wheel which is supportively mounted to a leading portion of the support structure and at least one rear wheel which is supportively mounted to a trailing portion of the support structure, for allowing the scooter to travel over a and along a ground surface; a first steering mechanism which is steeringly connected to the front wheel, and which includes a steering handle (hereinafter referred to as the "first steering handle"); and l a second steering mechanism which is also steeringly connected to the front wheel, and which includes a steering handle (hereinafter referred to as the "second steering handle"), wherein the first steering handle is located on a leading side of the platform, and the second steering handle is located on a trailing side of the platform, such that when a user stands on the platform, steering handles are provided on opposite ends of the platform.

A user can thus use this one hand to operate the first steering mechanism at the front and his other hand to operate the second steering mechanism at the rear. In order to do so, a user will typically stand sideways on the platform, with his one side facing the front and other side facing the rear. A user therefore assumes a generally surf-like or skateboard-like stance on the platform. The platform may be elongate and oriented to extend longitudinally from the rear towards the front.

The front and rear wheels may be arranged in line with each other. The first steering mechanism may include: an elongate tube/sleeve which is connected to, and extends upwardly from, the leading portion; and a steering column (hereinafter referred to as the "first steering column") which is steeringly connected to, and extends operatively upwardly from the front wheel, and which is received in the tube/sleeve in a rotatable/swivelable fashion. The first steering handle may be connected to an operatively upper part/end of the first steering column. The first steering handle may therefore be used to rotate/swivel the first steering column relative to the tube/sleeve in order to steer the front wheel. An operatively lower part of the first steering column may include a fork which connects the column to the front wheel

The second steering mechanism may include: a steering column (hereinafter referred to as the "second steering column") which is rotatably/swivelably mounted to the trailing portion; and a steering link arrangement which link/interconnects the second steering column with the first steering column, or directly to the front wheel, thereby to allow the front wheels to be steered through rotation of the second steering column relative to the support structure.

The second steering handle may be connected to an operatively upper part end of the second steering column. The second steering handle may therefore be used to rotate/swivel the second steering column relative to the support structure in order to steer the front wheel.

The steering link arrangement may include at least one rod which, at one end, is connected to the second steering column and, at an opposite end, is connected to the first steering column.

The support structure may define a channel through which the rod extends between the first and second steering columns. More specifically, the arrangement may include a pair of rods, each of which extends between, and is connected to, the first and second steering columns. The support structure may define a pair of channels through which the rods extend, respectively, between the first and second steering columns. The, or each, channel may be defined by an elongate, tubular member that forms part of the support structure.

The rod(s) may connect the first steering handle directly or indirectly to the front-fork. The rod(s) may be connected to the front-fork by a connecting means. The connecting means may be in the form of a bracket. It is to be appreciated that the connecting means may permit both steering handles to move simultaneously.

The steering link arrangement may include front and rear mounting formations or mounting the respective ends of the rod(s) to the first and second steering columns. The rear mounting formation may project radially from the second steering column. The rear end{s) of the rod(s) may be swivelably connected to the rear mounting formation. More specifically, the rear end(s) of the rod(s) may be swivelably connected to a free end of the rear mounting formation. The rear mounting arrangement may include two diametrically opposed elements which project radially away from the second steering column in opposite directions, and the rear ends of the pair of rods may be connected to the two elements, respectively.

The front mounting formation may project radially from the first steering column. The front end{s) of the rod(s) may be swivelably connected to the front mounting formation. More specifically, the front end(s) of the rod(s) may be swivelably connected to a free end of the front mounting formation. The front mounting arrangement may include two diametrically opposed elements which project radially away from the first steering column in opposite directions, and the front ends of the pair of rods may be connected to the two elements, respectively. The steering link arrangement therefore mechanically connects the first and second steering columns such that the front wheel can be steered by using either one of the handles.

In an alternative embodiment, the steering link arrangement may include at least one cable (or rope) which, at one end, is connected to the second steering column and, at an opposite end, is connected to the first steering column. More specifically, the arrangement may include a pair of cables, each of which extends between, and is connected to, the first and second steering columns.

The scooter may include a motor which is drivingly connected to at least one/both of the wheels. Preferably, the motor is drivingly connected to the rear wheel. The motor may be an electric motor. The scooter may therefore also include at least one rechargeable battery which is connected to and powers the motor. More specifically, Z 2015/050015 the scooter may include a rechargeable battery pack. Alternatively, the motor may be gas-operated.

The scooter may also include a braking arrangement which includes: a braking mechanism which is operatively connectable to the front and/or rear wheel in order to brake the wheel and therefore reduce the speed of the scooter during use; and a brake lever which is mounted on/proximate the first second steering handle and which is operatively connected to the braking mechanism in order to operate it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a scooter in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 shows top view of part of the scooter of Fig. 1 , when a front wheel of the scooter is steered left;

Fig. 3 shows a top view of part of the scooter of Fig. 1 , when the front wheel of the scooter is steered right;

Fig. 4 shows a three-dimensional view of the scooter of Fig. 1 , when in use;

and

Fig. 5 shows a three-dimensional view of an alternative embodiment of the scooter of Fig. 1. 2015/050015

DETAILED DESCRPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the drawings reference numeral 10 refers generally to a stand-on scooter in accordance with the invention. The scooter 10 includes a support structure 12; a front wheel 30 and rear wheel 32 which are in line with each other and which are supportively mounted to a leading portion 13 and a trailing portion 15 of the support structure 12, respectively; two steering mechanisms 50, 60 (a first/front steering mechanism 50 and second/rear steering mechanism 60) for steering the scooter 10; and a drive arrangement 70 for propelling the scooter 10.

The support structure 12 includes a support frame 14, a platform 16 which is mounted on the support frame 14, and a securing arrangement 18 for securing a rechargeable battery/battery pack 71 of the driving arrangement 70 to the support structure 12. The leading portion 13 has a bar 20 which extends upwardly and forwardly from the support frame 14 and terminates into a vertically oriented sleeve/tube 22. A vertical steering column 24 (hereinafter referred to as the "front steering column 24") is fitted through the sleeve 22 in a swivelable fashion. An operatively lower part of the front steering column 24 includes a U-shaped fork 26. The fork 26 extends around either side of the front wheel 30 and is mounted thereto by means of a central shaft 34 which extends through a central axis of the wheel 30 and is mounted to respective free ends of the fork 26. A steering handle 36 (hereinafter referred to as the "front handle36") is connected to a top end of the front steering column 24 such that rotation of the handle 36 causes the front steering column 24 to swivel/rotate relative to the sleeve 22 (as well as the platform 16) and therefore rotate the front wheel 30 relative to the support structure 12. The front steering column 24, fork 26, sleeve 22 and front handle 36 together form the front steering mechanism 50. In an embodiment not shown in the Figures, the rod(s) connect the first steering handle directly or indirectly to the front-fork by means of a bracket thereby permitting both steering handles to move simultaneously. The rear steering mechanism 60 includes a U-shaped bracket 113 which extends over the rear wheel 32 and is mounted on respective ends of a shaft 115 on which the rear wheel 32 is mounted and an elongate element 1 7 which projects rearwardly from the top portion of the bracket 1 3. The rear steering mechanism 60 further includes an upright steering column 62 (hereinafter referred to as the "rear steering column 62) which is swivelably mounted to a free end of the element 117. A steering handle 94 (hereinafter referred to as the "rear hand 94") is connected to a top end of the rear steering column 62 such that rotation of the rear handle 94 causes the rear steering column 62 to swivel/rotate relative to the support structure 12. The rear steering mechanism 60 has a steering link arrangement 64 which links/interconnects the front and rear steering column 24, 62. The steering link arrangement 64 has front and rear mounting formations 66, 68 which are connected to, and project radially from, the front and rear steering columns 24, 62, respectively. More specifically, each mounting formation 66, 68 includes a pair of elongate, diametrically opposed elements 80, 82, 84, 86 which extend/project radially away from their corresponding columns 24, 62 in opposite directions.

The steering link arrangement 64 also has a pair of rods 90, 92 which extend between the free ends of the elements 80, 84 and 82, 86. More specifically, one of the rods 90 extends between, and is swivelably connected to, the elements 80 and 84 by means of pins 118, 120, while the other rod 92 extends between, and is swivelably connected to, the elements 82 and 86 by means of pins 122, 124.

Therefore, as the rear handle 94 rotates, the rods 90, 92 force the front steering column 24, and therefore also the front wheel 30, to rotate, thereby allowing there rear handle 94 to steer the scooter 10 (see Figs. 2 and 3).

The support frame 14 includes two elongate, parallel, tubular members 112, 114 which define two parallel channels through which the rods 90, 92 extend. Respective ends of the members 112,114 are mounted to the bracket 113 and the leading portion 13, respectively. The platform 16 is mounted o the tubular members 112, 114. The driving arrangement 70 includes a motor 100, the battery pack 71 for powering the motor 100, a chain-and-sprocket mechanism 102for driving!y connecting the motor 100 to the rear wheel 32 in order to propel the scooter 10, and a throttle mechanism 131 which is secured to the rear handle 94 and which is connected to the motor 100 for allowing a user to operate the driving mechanism 70.

The scooter 10 also includes a braking system which is quite similar to conventional braking systems used for bicycles, and includes a brake lever 104 which is mounted on the front handle 36, a brake calliper which is fitted around the rim of the rear wheel 32 (not specifically shown) and Bowden cables 108 which interconnect the lever 104 with the calliper, for transferring mechanical force from the lever 104 to the calliper in order to brake the scooter 10. Although not specifically shown, the braking system may include another brake lever which is mounted on the rear handle 94.

A user can therefore use his one hand to operate the front handle 36 and brake lever 104 and his rear hand to operate the rear handle 94 and throttle mechanism 131. In order to do so, a user will typically stand sideways on the platform 16 with his one side facing the front and other side facing the rear (see Fig. 4). A user therefore assumes a generally surf-like or skateboard-like stance on the platform 16.

In an alternative embodiment, the rods90, 92 can be replaced by cables 110 which extend between, and are connected to the rear mounting formation 68 and respective legs 31 , 33 of the fork 26 (see Fig. 5).

The inventor believes that by allowing the scooter 10 to be steered with both hands, while in a surf-like stance, a user is able to mimic a surf-like motion, and the scooter 10 therefore creates a sensation similar to surfing, which is totally different from other conventional standing scooters currently on the market which only have steering handles at the front.

Claims

A stand-on scooter including a support structure which includes:- a standing platform on which a user can stand during use; at least one front wheel which is supportively mounted to a leading portion of the support structure and at least one rear wheel which is supportively mounted to a trailing portion of the support structure, for allowing the scooter to travel over and along a ground surface; a first steering mechanism which is steeringly connected to the front wheel, and which includes a first steering handle; and a second steering mechanism which is also steeringly connected to the front wheel, and which includes a second steering handle, wherein the first steering handle is located on a leading side of the platform, and the second steering handle is located on a trailing side of the platform, such that when a user stands on the platform, steering handles are provided on opposite ends of the platform.

2. A stand-on scooter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the platform is elongate and oriented to extend longitudinally from the rear towards the front.

3. A stand-on scooter as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the front and rear wheels are arranged in line with each other.

4. A stand-on scooter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first steering mechanism includes: an elongate sleeve which is connected to, and extends upwardly from, the leading portion; and a first steering column which is steeringly connected to, and extends operatively upwardly from the front wheel, and which is received in the sleeve in a swivelable fashion.

5. A stand-on scooter as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first steering handle is connected to an operatively upper part of the first steering column.

6. A stand-on scooter as claimed in claims 4 or 5, wherein the first steering handle is used to swivel the first steering column relative to the sleeve in order to steer the front wheel.

7. A stand-on scooter as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein an operatively lower part of the first steering column includes a fork which connects the column to the front wheel.

8. A stand-on scooter as claimed in claims 1 to 3, wherein the second steering mechanism includes: a second steering column which is swivelably mounted to the trailing portion; and a steering link arrangement which interconnects the second steering column with the first steering column, or directly to the front wheel, thereby to allow the front wheels to be steered through rotation of the second steering column relative to the support structure.

9. A stand-on scooter as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second steering handle is connected to an operatively upper part of the second steering column.

10. A stand-on scooter as claimed in claims 8 or 9, wherein the second steering handle is used to swivel the second steering column relative to the support structure in order to steer the front wheel.

11. A stand-on scooter as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the steering link arrangement includes at least one rod which, at one end, is connected to the second steering column and, at an opposite end, is connected to the first steering column.

12. A stand-on scooter as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the rod(s) connect the first steering handle directly or indirectly to the front-fork by a connecting means.

13. A stand-on scooter as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the support structure defines a channel through which the rod extends between the first and second steering columns.

14. A stand-on scooter as claimed in claim 13, wherein each channel is defined by an elongate, tubular member that forms part of the support structure.

15. A stand-on scooter as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein the steering link arrangement includes front and rear mounting formations for mounting the respective ends of the rod(s) to the first and second steering columns.

16. A stand-on scooter as claimed in claim 15, wherein the rear mounting formation projects radially from the second steering column.

17. A stand-on scooter as claimed in any one of claim 8 to 16, wherein the rear end(s) of the rod(s) are swivelably connected to the rear mounting formation.

18. A stand-on scooter as claimed in any one of claim 8 to 17, wherein the rear mounting arrangement includes two diametrically opposed elements which project radially away from the second steering column in opposite directions, and the rear ends of the pair of rods may be connected to the two elements, respectively.

19. A stand-on scooter as claimed in any one of claim 8 to 18, wherein the front mounting formation projects radially from the first steering column.

20. A stand-on scooter as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 19, wherein the front end(s) of the rod(s) are swivelably connected to a free end of the front mounting formation.

21. A stand-on scooter as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 20, wherein the front mounting arrangement includes two diametrically opposed elements which project radially away from the first steering column in opposite directions, and the front ends of the pair of rods may be connected to the two elements, respectively.

22. A stand-on scooter as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 21 , wherein the steering link arrangement mechanically connects the first and second steering columns such that the front wheel can be steered by using either one of the handles.

23. A stand-on scooter as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 22, wherein the steering link arrangement includes at least one cable which, at one end, is connected to the second steering column and, at an opposite end, is connected to the first steering column.

24. A stand-on scooter as claimed in any one of claim 8 to 23, wherein the arrangement includes a pair of cables, each of which extends between, and is connected to, the first and second steering columns.

25. A stand-on scooter as claimed in in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a motor is drivingly connected to at least one or both of the wheels.

26. A stand-on scooter as claimed in claim 25, wherein the motor is drivingly connected to the rear wheel.

27. A stand-on scooter as claimed in claim 26, wherein the motor is an electric motor.

28. A stand-on scooter as claimed in claims 26 or 27, wherein at least one rechargeable battery is connected to and powers the motor.

29. A stand-on scooter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which includes: a braking mechanism which is operatively connectable to the front and/or rear wheel in order to brake the wheel and therefore reduce the speed of the scooter during use; and a brake lever which is mounted proximate the first or second steering handle and which is operatively connected to the braking mechanism in order to operate it.

30. A stand-on scooter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, respectively, substantially as herein described and illustrated

31. A stand-on scooter substantially as herein described or exemplified.

32. A stand-on scooter including any new and inventive integer or combination of integers, substantially as herein described.