WO2019236004A1

WO2019236004A1 - An apparatus for transporting a transportation device

Info

Publication number: WO2019236004A1
Application number: PCT/SG2018/050275
Authority: WO
Inventors: Teck Chye TOH; Liang Kiat TAN
Original assignee: Vision Quest Design Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2018-06-04
Filing date: 2018-06-04
Publication date: 2019-12-12

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus for transporting a transportation device. The apparatus is collapsible and can be easily stored in a boot of a car. Furthermore, the apparatus can be easily mounted to a tow bar secured to a vehicle, and can be easily dismounted from the tow bar as well. It should be appreciated that transportation device refers to personal mobility devices (PMDs) and bicycles.

Description

AN APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTING A TRANSPORTATION DEVICE

FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of vehicle mounted transportation apparatus.

BACKGROUND The use of personal mobility devices (PMDs) is becoming widespread, particularly in developed countries where ageing populations are prevalent. Typically, the PMDs are used by elderly/handicapped persons to facilitate their mobility over distances which are walk-able by able-bodied persons. However, issues arise when the elderly/handicapped persons wish to traverse over longer distances. Typically, the PMDs are not collapsible in a manner which allows the PMDs to fit within a boot of a car. This has led to frequent occurrences of PMD users being stranded due to difficulties in hailing taxis or using other ride hailing services.

Moreover, even though there are apparatus which are mounted to vehicles which can be used to transport PMDs, such apparatus typically require specialist expertise/tools to enable the mounting and removal of the apparatus to the vehicle, and thus are usually mounted for extended durations. The long term mounting of such apparatus invariably limits functionality, compromises aerodynamics and is adverse to fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

It is evident that there are issues pertaining to transportation of users who require use of PMDs . SUMMARY

There is provided an apparatus for transporting a transportation device, comprising:

a base plate;

a mount on the base plate;

a frame coupled to the base plate; and

a damping device secured to the mount at a first end, and secured to the frame at the second end.

It is advantageous that the frame is configured to be used in a primary mode and a secondary mode of the apparatus.

It will be appreciated that the broad forms of the invention and their respective features can be used in conjunction, interchangeably and/or independently, and reference to separate broad forms is not intended to be limiting.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES A non-limiting example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG 1 is a perspective view of a first example apparatus for transporting a transportation device in a storage mode;

FIG 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG 1 in a primary mode;

FIG 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG 1 in a secondary mode;

FIG 4 is a perspective view of a second example apparatus for transporting a transportation device in a storage mode;

FIG 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG 4 in a primary mode;

FIG 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG 4 in a secondary mode;

FIG 7 is an exploded view of the apparatus of FIGs 1 and 4 around a base plate region; and

FIG 8 is a perspective view of an example personal mobility device referred to in the present description. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide users with an apparatus for transporting a transportation device. The apparatus is collapsible and can be easily stored in a boot of a car. Furthermore, the apparatus can be easily mounted to a tow bar secured to a vehicle, and can be easily dismounted from the tow bar as well. It should be appreciated that transportation device in this specification refers to personal mobility devices (PMDs) and bicycles.

In all subsequent portions of the description, PMD refers to devices which are able to transport users, either seated or standing, over a distance constrained by a power source capacity, the power source being integral with the PMD. The PMD can have at least three wheels, and a weighs at least thirty kilograms. The PMD is also typically not readily dis-assembled. An example of a PMD which is being referred to in the following description is shown in FIG 8.

Referring to FIGs 1 to 3, there is shown various views of a first example of an apparatus for transporting a transportation device. Similarly, FIGs 4 to 6 show various views of a second example of an apparatus for transporting a transportation device. Both examples have substantial similarities which will be evident from the following description. FIG 7 shows components which are identical to the first and second example apparatus around a base plate region.

Referring to FIGs 1 to 3 and 7, there is shown the first example of the apparatus 100 for transporting a transportation device. The apparatus 100 includes a base plate 105. The base plate 105 includes an aperture 160 with a diameter substantially similar to a tow bar diameter, which allows hooking up to a tow bar. A circumference of the aperture 160 is reinforced to ensure longevity of the aperture 160. The base plate 105 also includes a mount 1 15, the mount 1 15 being configured to secure a first end 150 of a damping device 125. The base plate 105 is made from, for example, steel, an aluminium alloy, a composite material and so forth. The damping device 125 is a hydraulic cylinder, and is configured to support a load of both the apparatus 100, and the transportation device being carried by the apparatus 100.

The apparatus 100 also includes a frame 170, the frame 170 having a structural brace 130. The frame 170 is configured to structurally support the transportation device which is placed on the frame 170. Thus, the placement of the transportation device on the frame 170 does not structurally compromise the frame 170. The frame 170 and the structural brace 130 are also made from, for example, steel, an aluminium alloy, a composite material and so forth. When the frame 170 and the structural brace 130 are made from steel, the structural brace 130 can be welded to the frame 170 or forged with the frame 170. When the frame 170 and the structural brace 130 are made from an aluminium alloy, the structural brace 130 can also be welded to the frame 170. When the frame 170 and the structural brace 130 are made from a composite material, adhesives are used to bind them together.

In the first example of the apparatus 100, the structural brace 130 includes a plurality of extensions which enable the following: - securing of a second end 155 of the damping device 125 to the frame 170 using a guard mechanism 145; and

- coupling of the frame 170 to the base plate 105.

The aforementioned enablements are depicted in FIG 7.

FIG 1 shows the frame 170 in a folded configuration. When the frame 170 is in the folded configuration, the apparatus 100 can be readily stored in a boot of a car. This is a storage mode of the apparatus 100.

FIG 2 shows the frame 170 in an open configuration. When the frame 170 is in the open configuration, the apparatus 100 is in a primary mode, ready to receive placement of a PMD on a support structure 110. The support structure 1 10 can be made from, for example, steel, an aluminium alloy, a composite material and so forth. The support structure 1 10 is shown having a plurality of openings, to minimise weight of the support structure 1 10 and to allow passage of water (for example, rain) when the apparatus 100 is used in the primary mode. The frame 170 also includes a pair of protection structures 120, whereby the protection structures 120 provide anchorage structures (for example, using straps or bands) to secure the PMD placed on the support structure 1 10, and also prevents the PMD from falling off the support structure 1 10 by acting as a barrier when the apparatus 100 is mounted to a tow bar of a car. One of the protection structures 120 is collapsible, while the other is affixed in a permanent position.

FIG 3 shows the frame 170 in a folded configuration, but with the apparatus 100 in a secondary mode, ready to receive placement of a bicycle at a bicycle mount 135. When the apparatus 100 is in the secondary mode, the bicycle mount 135 is rotated about a pivot 140, such that when the apparatus 100 is mounted to a tow bar, the apparatus 100 can act as a vehicular mounted bicycle rack. In the first example apparatus 100, the bicycle mount 135 is configured to be secured to a top tube of a bicycle.

When the apparatus 100 is in the primary and secondary modes, particularly when loaded with transportation devices, it should be noted that the damping device 125 allows the apparatus 100 to support the loads of the transportation devices, without causing damage/deformation to the apparatus 100 or damage to the vehicle which the apparatus 100 is mounted to. The damping device 125 is selected based on a load rating for the apparatus 100, and different hydraulic pressure rated damping devices 125 can be used for different load ratings of the apparatus 100.

Referring to FIGs 6 to 7, there is shown the second example of the apparatus 200 for transporting a transportation device. The apparatus 200 includes a base plate 205. The base plate 205 includes an aperture 260 with a diameter substantially similar to a tow bar diameter, which allows hooking up to a tow bar. A circumference of the aperture 260 is reinforced to ensure longevity of the aperture 260. The base plate 205 also includes a mount 215, the mount 215 being configured to secure a first end 250 of a damping device 225. The base plate 205 is made from, for example, steel, an aluminium alloy, a composite material and so forth. The damping device 225 is a hydraulic cylinder, and is configured to support a load of both the apparatus 200, and the transportation device being carried by the apparatus 200.

The apparatus 200 also includes a frame 270, the frame 270 having a structural brace 230. The frame 270 is configured to structurally support the transportation device which is placed on the frame 270. Thus, the placement of the transportation device on the frame 270 does not structurally compromise the frame 270. The frame 270 and the structural brace 230 are also made from, for example, steel, an aluminium alloy, a composite material and so forth. When the frame 270 and the structural brace 230 are made from steel, the structural brace 230 can be welded to the frame 270 or forged with the frame 270. When the frame 270 and the structural brace 230 are made from an aluminium alloy, the structural brace 230 can also be welded to the frame 270. When the frame 270 and the structural brace 230 are made from a composite material, adhesives are used to bind them together.

In the second example of the apparatus 200, the structural brace 230 includes a plurality of extensions which enable the following: - securing of a second end 255 of the damping device 225 to the frame 270 using a guard mechanism 245; and

- coupling of the frame 270 to the base plate 205.

The aforementioned enablements are depicted in FIG 7.

FIG 4 shows the frame 270 in a folded configuration. When the frame 270 is in the folded configuration, the apparatus 200 can be readily stored in a boot of a car. This is a storage mode of the apparatus 200.

FIG 5 shows the frame 270 in an open configuration. When the frame 270 is in the open configuration, the apparatus 200 is in a primary mode, ready to receive placement of a PMD on a support structure 210. The support structure 210 can be made from, for example, steel, an aluminium alloy, a composite material and so forth. The support structure 210 is shown having a plurality of openings, to minimise weight of the support structure 210 and to allow passage of water (for example, rain) when the apparatus 200 is used in the primary mode. The frame 270 also includes a pair of protection structures 220, whereby the protection structures 220 provide anchorage structures (for example, using straps or bands) to secure the PMD placed on the support structure 210, and also prevents the PMD from falling off the support structure 210 by acting as a barrier when the apparatus 200 is mounted to a tow bar of a car. One of the protection structures 220 is collapsible, while the other is affixed in a permanent position.

FIG 6 shows the frame 270 in an open configuration, but with the apparatus 200 in a secondary mode, ready to receive placement of a bicycle at a bicycle mount set 235. When the apparatus 200 is in the secondary mode, the bicycle mount set 235 is positioned in a configuration where a pair of bicycle wheels are able to be secured within the bicycle mount set 235, such that when the apparatus 200 is mounted to a tow bar, the apparatus 200 can act as a vehicular mounted bicycle rack. The bicycle mount set 235 can be flipped about a respective frame axle 240 in order to be positioned in the desired configuration. When the apparatus 200 is in the primary mode, the bicycle mount set 235 do not obstruct the PMD located at the support structure 210. When the apparatus 200 is in the primary and secondary modes, particularly when loaded with transportation devices, it should be noted that the damping device 225 allows the apparatus 200 to support the loads of the transportation devices, without causing damage/deformation to the apparatus 200 or damage to the vehicle which the apparatus 200 is mounted to. The damping device 225 is selected based on a load rating for the apparatus 200, and different hydraulic pressure rated damping devices 225 can be used for different load ratings of the apparatus 200.

The apparatus 100/200 is readily portable and easily deployable for use. In this regard, users of transportation devices are likely to enjoy more transporation choices given that the transportation of their transportation devices can be carried out using the apparatus 100/200. Furthermore, as the apparatus 100/200 can be stored when not in use, a footprint and aerodynamics of the car are not affected when the apparatus 100/200 is not in use.

Throughout this specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous variations and modifications will become apparent. All such variations and modifications which become apparent to persons skilled in the art, should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope that the invention broadly appearing before described.

Claims

1. An apparatus for transporting a transportation device, comprising:

a base plate;

a mount on the base plate;

a frame coupled to the base plate; and

a damping device secured to the mount at a first end, and secured to the frame at the second end;

wherein the frame is configured to be used in a primary mode and a secondary mode of the apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base plate is configured to be mounted to a vehicular tow bar.

3. The apparatus of either claim 1 or 2, wherein the frame is coupled to the base plate via a structural brace of the frame.

4. The apparatus of claims 3, wherein the second end of the damping device is secured to the structural brace.

5. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the damping device is a hydraulic cylinder.

6. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the frame includes:

a support structure;

a plurality of protection structures;

at least one bicycle mount.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one bicycle mount is movable.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the bicycle mount is configured for placement of a bicycle wheel.

9. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the primary mode is configured for placement of a personal mobility device on the apparatus.

10. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the secondary mode is configured for mounting a bicycle to the apparatus.