GB2475708A

GB2475708A - A collapsible scooter

Info

Publication number: GB2475708A
Application number: GB0920761A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yong Siang Lin
Original assignee: Sunpex Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Sunpex Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2009-11-27
Filing date: 2009-11-27
Publication date: 2011-06-01
Also published as: GB0920761D0

Abstract

A scooter comprising front 11 and rear 12 frame sections which are connected by a rod 111 and a corresponding sleeve 121, a seat 22 is supported sides on the rear frame on each of its sides by collapsible, pivotally connected crossed links 211 and 212, the two ends of the cross links located at the rear of the rear frame are respectively pivotally connected to the rear of the seat 22 and the rear of the rear frame and the ends of the cross links located at the front of the rear frame have connecting links between the ends at each side which are mounted in retaining slots 213 and 214. The rod 111 and sleeve 121 which connect the two frame portions and the retaining slots 214 and links may utilise holes and locking pins 122 and 225 to secure them. A retractable auxiliary wheel may be deployed at the rear of the rear frame and include an elastic biasing means. A motor may be connected to a rear axle.

Description

SCOOTER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Fields of the invention

The present invention relates to a scooter, especially to a scooter that includes a plurality of folding members disposed on a vehicle frame, a chair, an auxiliary wheel member etc in order to facilitate storage and transportation. Moreover, a single-wheel-drive power member is used in order to reduce the volume occupied and increase a space for loading electrical equipment.

2. Descriptions of Related Art

The scooters available on the market now are generally an integrated design and unable to be folded for storage. Thus the scooter occupies a certain space while not in use and this causes inconvenience during storage and transportation.

Moreover, as to the disposition of a power member, the power member is always connected with two rear wheels. Thus such assembly occupies quite a lot space and the amount of batteries being loaded is restricted. Therefore, the use time and efficiency of the scooter are short and poor.

There is a space for improving scooters available now in order to overcome above shortcomings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a scooter in which a vehicle frame, a chair, and an auxiliary wheel member are foldable so as to reduce volume occupied by a power member and increase space for loading electrical equipment. Thus the movement efficiency of the scooter is increased.

In order to achieve above object, a scooter of the present invention includes a vehicle frame, a chair and an auxiliary wheel member, all disposed with a folding member so as to reduce the total volume of the scooter and facilitate storage and transportation of the scooter.

Furthermore, a single-wheel-drive power member is used so that the volume occupied by the power member is reduced and the space for loading electrical equipment is increased. Therefore, the movement of the scooter is improved more efficiently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure and the technical means adopted by the present invention to achieve the above and other objects can be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a front view of an embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a partial enlarged view of a vehicle frame of an embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 4 is a partial enlarged view of a chair of an embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 5 is a bottom view of an embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 6 is a rear side view of an auxiliary wheel member of an embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 7 is a front cross sectional view of an auxiliary wheel member of an embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a power member of an embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 9 is a bottom side view of a power member of an embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 10 is a partial view showing a vehicle frame in a folded state according to the present invention;; Fig. ii is a schematic drawing showing folding of a char according to the present invention; Fig. 12 is another schematic drawing showing folding of a char according to the present invention; Fig. 13 is a further schematic drawing showing folding of a char according to the present invention; Fig. 14 is a front view after an embodiment being folded completely according to the present invention; Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the folded embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing an auxiliary wheel member in a folded state according to the present invention; Fig. 17 is a rear side view of an auxiliary wheel member in a folded state according to the present invention; Fig. 18 is a front cross sectional view of an auxiliary wheel member in a folded state according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 5 and Fig. 8, a scooter of the present invention mainly includes a vehicle frame 1, a chair 2, an auxiliary wheel member 3 and a power member 4.

Referring to Fig. 3, the vehicle frame 1 consists of a front frame ii and a rear frame 12. A front wheel 110 is disposed on each of two sides of the front frame 1 and a main rod 111 extending backwards and having a plurality of insertion holes 112 is arranged at a middle part of the front frame 11. A guiding rod 113 is extended from and connected with each of two sides of the main rod iii.

As to the rear frame 12, a sleeve 121 corresponding to and inserted by the main rod 111 of the front frame 11 is disposed on a middle part of the rear frame 12. The sleeve 121 is disposed with at least one insertion hole and a moveable insertion pin 122 is inserted into the insertion hole of the rear frame 12 as well as the insertion hole 112 of the main rod iii.

A guiding slot 123 set on each of two sides of the rear frame 12 corresponds to and is assembled with the guiding rod 113. A rear wheel is assembled on each of two sides of the rear frame 12.

The chair 2 is formed by support rods 21 and a seat 22. Referring to Fig. 4, the support rod 21 is arranged on each of two sides of the seat 22 and is formed by a first linkage 211 and a second linkage 212 that are crossed and pivoted with each other at an intersection. One end of the first linkage 211 and one end of the second linkage 212 located on a rear side of the seat 22 are respectively pivoted with a rear edge of the rear frame 12 and a rear edge of a seat panel 221 of the seat 22. The other end of the first linkage 211 and the other end of the second linkage 212 on a front side of the seat 22 are connected to a first linkage 211 and a second linkage 212 on the other side of the seat 22 correspondingly by a third linkage 213 and a fourth linkage 214. The third linkage 213 is mounted into a locking slot 124 disposed on a front edge of the rear frame 12, as shown in Fig. 13. As to the fourth linkage 214, it is mounted into a retaining groove 223 on a front edge of the bottom of the seat panel 221 of the seat 22. The retaining groove 223 and the fourth linkage 214 respectively are disposed with an insertion hole 224, 2141, corresponding to each other. An insertion pin 225 is set on the insertion hole 224 of the retaining groove 223 and is inserted into the insertion holes 224, 2141 of the retaining groove 223 and of the fourth linkage 214.

The seat 22 consists of a seat panel 221 and a seat back 222. The seat back 222 and the seat panel 221 are pivoted with each other, and a locking slot 226 disposed on the seat back 222 is locked with a locking block 227 arranged at the seat panel 221 correspondingly for positioning the reclining seat back 222.

Referring to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the auxiliary wheel member 3 is arranged at a middle part, a left end or a right end of the rear side of the rear frame 12. The auxiliary wheel member 3 includes a fixing piece 31, a press rod 32 and an elastic member 33. The fixing piece 31 with a horizontal guiding hole 311 is disposed under the rear frame 12 and is fixed on, connected with the press rod 32. A top end of the press rod 32 extends out of the rear frame 12 and the elastic member 33 is disposed around the press rod 32, between a top head 321 of the press rod 32 and the rear frame 12.

Referring to Fig. 7, an assembly seat 34 is arranged at the side of the fixing piece 31. A follower part 353 of a shaft 35 is pivoted to the assembly seat 34. A crank part 352 extends vertically and bends from the follower part 353 of the shaft 35. The crank part 352 further bends to form a driver part 351 parallel to the follower part 353. The driver part 351 inserts through the guiding hole 311 of the fixing piece 31 while the follower part 353 of the shaft 35 is connected and fixed with a swing block 36. An auxiliary wheel 37 is pivoted to the swing block 36.

Referrirg to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, the power member 4 includes a motor 41 arranged on the bottom of the vehicle frame 1, a reducer 42 and at least one storage battery (rechargeable battery) 43. The motor 41 is connected and assembled with the reducer 42 while the reducer 42 is connected with an axle 126 of a rear wheel 125. The storage bfflery (rechargeable battery) 43 is arranged beside the mo:or 41 and is connected with the motor 41.

Thus, for convenience of storage and transportation, the scooter can be folded to reduce the volume. Referring to Fig. 10, the main rod 111 inserted between the front frame ii and the rear frame 12 is removed and the insertion pin 122 is released from the insertion hole 112 of the sleeve 121.

Then the front and the rear frames ii, 12 are folded. By the sleeve 121 and the main rod iii sleeved with each other, as well as the guiding rod 113 in the guiding slot 123 of the rear frame 12, the front and the rear frames ii, 12 are moved and folded with each other smoothly and steadily. After the front and the rear frame ii, 12 folded in position, the insertion pin 122 is inserted into the insertion holes 112 of the main rod iii and of the sleeve 121 so as to keep the folded front and rear frames ii, 12 in a folded sate.

Next referring to Fig. ii, the insertion pin 225 set on the retaining groove 223 on the bottom of the seat panel 221 is released from the insertion hole 2141 of the fourth linkage 214 50 that the seat 22 is lifted and the fourth linkage 214 mounted in the retaining groove 223 of the seat panel 221 is released from the retaining groove 223, as shown in Fig. 12.

Referring to Fig. 13 and Fig. 14, after the fourth linkage 214 moves freely, the locked state of the support rod 21 is also released. No the third linkage 213 connected with the bottom of the first linkage 211 is pulled out of the locking slot 124 of the rear frame 12. Later the crossed and pivoted first linkage 211 and the second linkage 212 are folded so that the seat 22 goes down to a position above the folded front and rear frames ii, 12. Simultaneously the seat back 222 is folded down toward the seat panel 221. Thus the folding of the vehicle frame 1 and the chair 2 is completed, as shown in Fig. 15. Therefore, the volume of the whole scooter is minimized significantly so as to facilitate storage and transportation.

Referring to Fig. 16 and Fig. 17, along with the downward movement of the seat 22 of the chair 2 to attach the rear frame 12, the seat 22 presses against the top of the press rod 32. The elastic member 33 around the press rod 32 is also compressed.

Referring to Fig. 18, the fixing piece 31 fixed on the bottom of the press rod 32 also moves downward to force the driver part 351 of the shaft 35 in the guiding hole 311 of the fixing piece 31 going downward.

At the same time, the guiding hole 3 ii of the fixing piece 3 1 also forces the driver part 351 of the shaft 35 moving horizontally toward an end on the outer side of the guiding hole 3 ii.

Now the follower part 353 of the shaft 35 pivoted to the assembly seat 34 changes reciprocating motion into circular motion by the crank part 352 so as to drive the connected swing block 36 rotating inward.

Then the auxiliary wheel 37 pivoted to the swing block 36 also moves along with the swing block 36 to be folded inward into an inner side of the rear frame 12 for reducing the volume of the scooter.

In addition, referring back to Fig. 2, when a user intends to ride the scooter, the procedures are performed in reverse order. The seat 22 is pulled upward. The first linkage 211 and the second linkage 212 of the support rod 21 pivoted and assembled on the bottom of the seat 22 are extended simultaneously, becoming a crossed state. Then the third linkage 213 connected with the bottom of the first linkage 211 is locked and mounted into the locking slot 124 on the front edge of the rear frame 12 sO as to position the first linkage 211 as well as the third linkage 213.

Referring to Fig. ii, the fourth linkage 214 connected with the top end of the second linkage 212 is mounted into the retaining groove 223 on the bottom of the seat panel 221. The insertion pin 225 set on the retaining groove 223 is released in advance. While the fourth linkage 214 is being mounted into the retaining groove 223 on the bottom of the seat panel 221, the insertion pin 25 is inserted into the insertion holes 224, 2141 of the retaining groove 223 and of the fourth linkage 214 correspondingly so as to fix the fourth linkage 214 in the retaining groove 223 on the bottom of the seat panel 221. Thus the support of the seat 22 by the support rod 21 is assured.

Also referring to Fig. 3, the insertion pin 122 assembled with the sleeve 121 of the rear frame 12 is released from the insertion hole 112 of the main rod iii and the hole of the sleeve 121. Thus the main rod iii of the front frame ii is pulled out of the sleeve 121. Then under the guiding of the guiding rod 113 in the guiding slot 123 of the rear frame 12, the front frame ii is extended from the rear frame 12 smoothly and steadily. The insertion pin 122 inserts into the insertion hole 112 of the main rod iii and the insertion hole of the sleeve 12 1 SO as to maintain the front frame ii and the rear frame 12 in an extended state. Thus the scooter is extended steadily to be ridden by the user safely.

Referring to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, along with the upward movement of the seat 22 of the scooter chair, the elastic member 33 originally compressed by the pressing of the folded seat 22 gradually bounces back to the original shape and pushes the press rod 32 upward, going back to the original position. When the press rod 32 moves upward, the fixing piece 31 fixed on the bottom of the press rod 32 also pulls the driver part 351 of the shaft 35 in the guiding hole 3 11 to move horizontally toward an end on the inner side of the guiding hole 3 11.

Now the follower part 353 of the shaft 35 pivoted to the assembly seat 34 changes reciprocating motion into circular motion by the crank part 352 so as to drive the swing block 36 connected with follower part 353 to rotate outward. At the same time, the auxiliary wheel 37 pivoted to the swing block 36 also moves along with the swing block 36 to be extended outward to an outer side of the rear frame 12 of the scooter.

Thereby when the scooter moves, referring to Fig. 9, it is driven by the power member 4 connected with the axle 126 of the rear wheel 125.

When scooters pass over a rough and bumpy road, the front wheels pass obstacles so that the rear side of the scooter is lifted up. The center of gravity on a rear half of the scooter is supported by the auxiliary wheel 37 on the rear side thereof so that the scooter will not have roll-over caused by the backward reclining.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, and representative devices shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A scooter comprising: a vehicle frame having a front frame and a rear frame, and a chair having support rods and a seat; wherein the front frame includes a main rod extending backwards and the rear frame is disposed with a sleeve being inserted by the main rod correspondingly; the support rod is arranged on each of two sides of the seat and is formed by a first linkage and a second linkage that are crossed and pivoted with each other at an intersection; one end of the first linkage and one end of the second linkage located on a rear side of the seat are respectively pivoted with a rear edge of the rear frame and a rear edge of a seat panel of the seat while the other end of the first linkage and the other end of the second linkage on a front side of the seat are respectively connected to a first linkage and a second linkage on the other side of the seat correspondingly by a third linkage and a fourth linkage; the third linkage is mounted into a locking slot disposed on a front edge of the rear frame; the fourth linkage is mounted into a retaining groove on a front edge of the bottom of the seat panel of the seat; the seat includes the seat panel and a seat back assembled with the seat panel.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main rod of the vehicle frame is disposed with a plurality of insertion holes and the sleeve of the rear frame is arranged with insertion holes while an insertion pin is set on one of the insertion holes of the sleeve so as to insert into the insertion hole of the sleeve and the insertion hole of the main rod correspondingly.
3. The device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the front frame further includes a guiding rod extended from and connected with each of two sides of the main rod, and a guiding slot is set on each of two sides of the sleeve of the rear frame to be assembled with and inserted by the guiding rod.
4. The device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the retaining groove on the front edge of the seat panel and the fourth linkage respectively are disposed with an insertion hole and an insertion pin set on the retaining groove inserts into the corresponding insertion holes of the retaining groove and of the fourth linkage.
5. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the seat panel and the seat back of the seat are pivoted with each other; a locking slot is mounted on the seat back and a locking block is formed on the seat panel while the locking slot is locked with the locking block correspondingly.
6. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the scooter further includes an auxiliary wheel member having a fixing piece, a press rod and an elastic member; the fixing piece having a horizontal guiding hole is disposed under the rear frame, fixed on and connected with the press rod; a top end of the press rod extends out of the rear frame and the elastic member is disposed between a top head of the press rod and the rear frame; an assembly seat is arranged beside the fixing piece, a follower part of a shaft is pivoted to the assembly seat and a crank part extends vertically and bends from the follower part of the shaft; the crank part further bends to form a driver part parallel to the follower part and the driver part inserts through the guiding hole of the fixing piece while the follower part of the shaft is connected and fixed with a swing block; an auxiliary wheel is pivoted to the swing block.
7. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the auxiliary wheel member is disposed on a middle part of the rear side of the rear frame.
8. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the auxiliary wheel member is arranged at both ends of the rear side of the rear frame.
9. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the scooter further includes a power member arranged at the bottom of the vehicle frame and connected with an axle of a rear wheel.
10. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the power member includes a motor, a reducer connected with the motor and an axle of a rear wheel.
ii. The device as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the power member includes at least one storage battery connected with the motor.