WO2014200500A1

WO2014200500A1 - Personal transportation vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2014200500A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/045759
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kevin L. Smith
Original assignee: Lyric Ptv Global
Priority date: 2013-06-14
Filing date: 2013-06-14
Publication date: 2014-12-18

Abstract

A personal transportation vehicle (100) that includes a foldable frame having handlebars(102), front and rear wheels (114, 122), and a platform (116) for a rider to be positioned while driving the vehicle (100). It also includes an electric motor (120), power source (118), and acceleration mechanism having an acceleration control device. The handlebars (112) of the foldable frame include a foldable stem having a lockable joint (206) for holding the handlebars (112), said lockable joint (206) having a lever (212), at least one tooth (218) for securing the lever (212) in a locked position, a hinge (210), opposing internal surfaces (208) each having a sloping riser to assure contact between the opposing internal surfaces when locked, and a grapnel (214) mechanically coupled to the lockable joint (206).

Description

Personal Transportation Vehicle

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates in general to electric powered vehicles. In particular, the present invention relates to a three-wheeled personal transportation vehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0002] Electric powered vehicles such as recreational all terrain four wheeled vehicles and golf carts are known in the art. Of particular relevance are conventional two wheel electric vehicles such as foldable electric powered bicycles and scooters. And, two or three-wheeled vehicles with folding or fold-up mechanisms.

[0003] These conventional electric powered vehicles include a set of axially aligned wheels. For example, bicycles and scooters each have a set of wheels; one in front and one in back. Although this conventional design has been altered with designs such as an electric segway vehicle, conventional designs have not been discovered to significantly impact foldable electric vehicle portability and utility .

[0004] This lack of innovation in the electric powered scooter technology may be the result of the difficulty involved with designing a foldable yet durable electric scooter. The conventional design of a foldable electric scooter suffers from weight distribution weaknesses at foldable points such as the scooter stem where rider torque is applied with great force while riding the scooter.

[0005] In addition, designers of electric powered scooters appear to have focused on entertainment or ease of manufacturing, rather than ideal performance and/or stability. For example, a set of axially aligned wheels is unstable at low speeds, but designers continue to chose this two wheeled vehicle design at the expense of increased vehicle stability. Or, conversely, perhaps because it is simpler to produce, designers create three-wheeled vehicles with rigid opposing rear wheels, much like a child's tricycle, which are unstable at higher speeds.

[0006] What is needed, therefore, is a personal transportation vehicle that is stable at varying speeds and in varied environments, that is also portable and yet durable.

SUMMARY

[0007] It has been discovered that the aforementioned challenges of at least stability and durability are resolved using the personal transportation vehicle disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the personal transportation vehicle includes a foldable frame having handlebars, front and rear wheels, and a platform where a rider can be located to operate the vehicle .

[0008] The personal transportation vehicle includes an electric motor, power source, and acceleration mechanism having an acceleration control device. The handlebars of the foldable frame include a foldable stem having a lockable joint for holding the handlebars upright to assist in acceleration control by a rider of the personal transportation vehicle.

[0009] Specifically, the personal transportation vehicle includes a frame having a handlebar mechanically coupled to a front pair of wheels or a single wheel. The frame includes a platform that extends from the handlebar to a rear suspension mechanically coupled to a pair of rear wheels or perhaps a single wheel. The handlebar also has a foldable stem that is mechanically coupled to the frame with a lockable joint for locking the foldable stem in an upright position .

[0010] In addition, the acceleration mechanism is included for controlling speed of the personal transportation vehicle. The acceleration mechanism has an electric motor connected to a power source, and the acceleration mechanism is also connected to an acceleration control device. The acceleration control device is placed on the handlebar such that a rider on the personal transportation vehicle can control the speed of the personal transportation vehicle through manual interaction with the acceleration control device.

[0011] The platform has a planar surface so that a rider using the personal transportation vehicle can find stability. This stability is found by the rider firmly gripping the handlebar from either a standing or, if a seat has been made available as part of the platform surface, from a sitting position.

[0012] The lockable joint has a lever that can be held in a locked position with a latch, hook, or teeth that can secure the lever in the locked position. The lockable joint also includes a hinge, opposing internal surfaces, and a lock ring washer.

[0013] The opposing internal surfaces of the lockable joint each have an opposed sloping riser between their respective unlevel surfaces to assure sufficient contact between the opposing unlevel internal surfaces when the lockable joint is locked in place. This contact in the opposing risers also enables less precision in production and assembly as would otherwise be required if the riser was at a right angle .

[0014] The sloping riser of each internal surface is less than perpendicular with its respective internal surface to also assist with obtaining contact between the opposing internal surfaces.

[0015] Finally, a grapnel is used to assist in detecting debris or improper positioning that may exist between the opposing internal surfaces before attempting to secure the lockable joint. More than serving as a heightened mechanical strength in securing the lockable joint, in the present disclosure, the grapnel assures that the lockable joint is in correct position and can properly close before locking.

[0016] Upon viewing the present disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that variations to the above disclosed personal transportation vehicle could be contemplated. For example, the foldable stem could include a telescoping feature to further compact the personal transportation vehicle when not in use. The stem could also be entirely removed from the forks to again enable even more compact results.

[0017] The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity, simplifications, generalizations, and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the present invention, as defined solely by the claims, will become apparent in the non-limiting detailed description set forth below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings .

[0019] Figure 1 is an exploded view diagram showing a general embodiment of different aspects of a personal transportation vehicle that may be constructed according to principles of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 is a perspective view diagram showing an embodiment of a folding stem such as the foldable stem disclosed in Figure 1 ;

[0021] Figure 3 is a detailed front view of an embodiment of a lockable joint such as the lockable joint of the foldable stem disclosed in Figure 2 ;

[0022] Figure 4 is a detailed side view of an embodiment of a lockable joint such as the lockable joint of the foldable stem disclosed in Figure 2 ;

[0023] Figure 5 is a detailed side view of an embodiment of a lockable joint such as the lockable joint of the foldable stem disclosed in Figure 2 ;

[0024] Figures 6 is a detailed side view of an embodiment of a lockable joint such as the still closed lockable joint of the foldable stem disclosed in Figure 2, but the lockable joint having an unlocked lever ;

[0025] Figure 7 is a detailed side view of an embodiment of a lockable joint such as the lockable joint of the foldable stem disclosed in Figure 2, but having an unlocked lever and the lockable joint being open; Figure 8 is a perspective view diagram showing an embodiment of a lockable joint such as the lockable joint of the foldable stem disclosed in Figure 2, but having an unlocked lever and the lockable joint being open wherein opposing faces of the lockable joint are displayed to assist one of ordinary skill the art to appreciate operations of the lockable joint according to principles of the present invention .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The following is intended to provide a detailed description of examples of the invention and should not be taken to be limiting of the invention itself. Rather, any number of variations may fall within the scope of the invention, which is defined in the claims following the description.

[0028] Figure 1 is an exploded view diagram showing a general embodiment of different aspects of a personal transportation vehicle 100 that may be constructed according to principles of the present invention. The different aspects of personal transportation vehicle 100 include a handlebar 102, a foldable stem 104, a front frame portion 106, and a rear frame portion 108.

[0029] Handlebar 102 is designed to be accepted onto the upper end of foldable stem 104, while the lower end of foldable stem 104 attaches to an upper end of a fork portion 110. Before attachment, fork portion 110 is inserted into a headset 109 of front frame portion 106. Headset 109 is designed to accept both the lower end of foldable stem 104 and the upper end of fork portion 110.

[0030] Fork portion 110 includes fork arms 112 which are used to attach a front wheel 114 to personal transportation vehicle 100 such that front wheel 114 rotates when personal transportation vehicle 100 is in motion. [0031] Rear frame portion 108 can attach to front frame portion 106 in various manners. For purposes of the present disclosure, the attaching mechanism is known as a platform 116.

[0032] As illustrated, platform 116 is contemplated as being constructed of two portions, but the currently preferred embodiment is a single piece having different artistic patterns showing on the surface. Also not illustrated, platform 116 could include a myriad of other attachments to be used by a rider such as a seat to allow the rider or a passenger to sit while operating personal transportation vehicle 100.

[0033] Front frame portion 106 is also designed to allow various storage, among which may include the attachment of a power source 118. Power source 118 is typically one or more rechargeable batteries that supply power to one or more electric motors 120 which, in the illustrated embodiment, is located in front wheel 114 hub, but depending on the specific design could be located in either front or rear wheel hubs of personal transportation vehicle 100.

[0034] As illustrated, in the presently disclosed preferred embodiment, electric motor 120 is located near front frame portion 106, but it is contemplated that other locations for electric motor (s) 120 exist that may perform equally or better to accomplish purposes of the present invention.

[0035] Beneath rear frame portion 108 is a suspension mechanism 121 that includes turning, steering, and handling functionality. In the illustrated embodiment, suspension mechanism 121 is shown being affixed to rear frame portion 108, but can be selectably interchanged between providing either a rigid or an articulating structure, each with a pair of wheels 122 rotatable attached.

[0036] This selectable functionality provides for the accommodation of stability demands for riders with exceptional needs such as the elderly or handicapped .

[0037] Pair of wheels 122 and related mechanisms attach to a non-right angle bracket that will turn in opposition to a rider's steering pressure, enabling rear frame portion 108 to participate in the turning process. This participation is accomplished by creating a 'carving' action and sensation, and thus an enhanced turning effectiveness.

[0038] Among other things, suspension mechanism 121 of the illustrated embodiment interacts with rear frame portion 108 such that desired handling, feel, and stability may be found by a rider when they utilize personal transportation vehicle 100.

[0039] Figure 2 is a perspective view diagram showing a detailed embodiment of foldable stem 104 as disclosed in Figure 1. In general, foldable stem 104 includes a telescoping latch 202, an elongate portion 204, and a lockable joint 206.

[0040] As illustrated, lockable joint 206 includes the following: an external view of opposing internal faces 208, a hinge 210, a lever 212, a grapnel 214, a lever hinge 216, a pair of lever locking teeth 218, a lever aperture 220, a lock ring washer 222, and a locking teeth release button 223. Upon viewing Figure 2, it will be appreciated that lever locking teeth 218 could include one or more teeth.

[0041] One of ordinary skill in the art and viewing Figure

2 can also appreciate that, although not visible in Figure 2 because lockable joint 206 is illustrated as being closed and locked in Figure 2, opposing internal faces 208 have unlevel surfaces.

[0042] To better view opposing internal faces 208, lever

212 must be unlocked or unlatched and grapnel 214 released, thereby allowing lockable joint 206 to be opened by means of hinge 210. However, to unlatch lever 212, lever locking teeth 218 must be released from lever aperture 220 so that lever 212 can pivot on lever hinge 216 to unlock locking joint 206.

[0043] Locking teeth release button 223 is one of two opposing buttons that may be pinched to unlock lever locking teeth 218, but it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that lockable joint 206 could include other release means for releasing lever locking teeth 218. In this embodiment, lever 212 may be unlatched to allow lockable joint 206 to be opened.

[0044] Opposite lockable joint 206 near the other end of elongate portion 204 is telescoping latch 202. Telescoping latch 202 includes a telescope secure lever 224 to prevent or to allow telescoping of elongate portion 204. Those of ordinary skill in the art often refer to telescope secure lever 224 as a quick release lever.

[0045] Also included in telescoping latch 202 is a crimper

226, an extension tube 228, and an extension securing tube 230. Extension securing tube 230 includes a movable gap 232 that allows extension securing tube 230 to firmly grasp extension tube 228 when crimper 226 reduces the size of movable gap 232.

[0046] Crimper 226 reduces the size of moveable gap 232 when telescope secure lever 224 is engaged. Thus, when moveable gap 232 is at a minimum gap width, extension securing tube 230 firmly grasps extension tube 228. On the other hand, when moveable gap 232 is at a greater than minimum gap width, extension securing tube 230 less firmly grasps extension tube 228, and extension tube 228 can be moved into or out of extension securing tube 230.

[0047] The following three figures each illustrate a more detailed view of lockable joint 206. For purposes of understanding, lockable joint 206 is illustrated from three different angles, respectively.

[0048] Figure 3 is a detailed front view of an embodiment of lockable joint 206 wherein lever 212, grapnel 214, and lock ring washer 222 are pointed out. A spring 302 is illustrated to demonstrate to one of ordinary skill in the art how grapnel 214 is held in position while lockable joint 206 is locked and closed . [0049] Figure 4 is a detailed side view of lockable joint 206 wherein lever 212, grapnel 214, lock ring washer 222, and spring 302 are pointed out to assist in understanding construction and operation of lockable joint 206. A grapnel mating 402 is illustrated to demonstrate to one of ordinary skill in the art how grapnel 214 may engage with lockable joint 206.

[0050] Figure 5 is a detailed side view of the other side of lockable joint 206 wherein lever 212, grapnel 214, lock ring washer 222, and spring 302 are again pointed out. However, hinge 210 and the external view of opposing internal faces 208 are also pointed out. A hinge pin 502 is illustrated to demonstrate a better understanding of how lockable joint 206 can pivot between opened and closed positions through implementation of hinge 210.

[0051] Figures 6 is a detailed side view of a still closed lockable joint 206 as it appears in Figure 5, except lockable joint 206 of Figure 6 is illustrated as having an unlocked lever 212 and a released grapnel 214. Thus, lockable joint 206 is free to open.

[0052] Figure 7 is another detailed side view of lockable joint 206 from the same view as it appears in Figure 5, however, lockable joint 206 is illustrated as being open. For purposes of understanding, hinge 210 is illustrated along with unlocked lever 212 and released grapnel 214.

[0053] Figure 8 is a perspective view diagram showing another view of an open lockable joint 206. Lockable joint 206 of Figure 8 illustrates a different view of hinge 210 and grapnel 214, but more significantly, opposing internal faces 208 are visible .

[0054] In Figure 8, it can be appreciated that unlevel opposing internal faces 208 each have a sloping riser 802, 804 on their respective internal faces 208. In a preferred embodiment, these sloping risers 802, 804 each facilitate a heightened level of contact between unlevel opposing internal faces 208 when lockable joint 206 is closed. This contact in sloping risers 802, 804 also enables less precision in production and assembly as would otherwise be required if sloping risers 802, 804 were at a right angle .

[0055] The low precision interaction between opposing and unlevel internal faces 208, when combined with sloping risers 802 and 804, facilitates greater strength and durability in a closed lockable joint 206. This greater strength and durability is facilitated because of the angled surface contact in addition to all the other surface contact. This surface contact design distributes forces across the entire plane of the contacting surface areas and entire joint angles rather than just at the 90 degree right angle that was used in the past. This improved design thereby enables more of the structure and surfaces to share the burden of strength and durability that may be needed during use of personal transportation vehicle 100.

[0056] For purposes of clarification grapnel 214 has arms

806 identified. Although arms 806 are apparent in many of the preceding figures, they are explicitly identified in Figure 8. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other embodiments could capture this functionality.

[0057] Functional descriptive material is information that imparts functionality to a machine. Functional descriptive material includes, but is not limited to, surface area, grapnel, hinge, joint, lever, latch, lock, crimp, and telescope.

[0058] While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, upon viewing the present disclosure, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention and its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is solely defined by the appended claims.

[0059] It will be understood by those with ordinary skill in the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim element is intended, such intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such limitation is present. For a non-limiting example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim elements.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS :

1. A personal transportation vehicle comprising:

a frame having a handlebar mechanically coupled to a front wheel, the frame including a platform that extends from the handlebar to a rear suspension mechanically coupled to a pair of rear wheels, the handlebar also having a foldable stem that is mechanically coupled to the frame with a lockable joint for locking the foldable stem in an upright position; an acceleration mechanism coupled to the frame for controlling speed of the personal transportation vehicle, the acceleration mechanism having an electric motor

electrically coupled to a power source, the acceleration mechanism also being electrically coupled to an

acceleration control device, the acceleration control device being mechanically coupled to the handlebar such that a rider on the personal transportation vehicle can control the speed of the personal transportation vehicle through manual interaction with the acceleration control device; said platform having a planar surface wherein a rider using the personal transportation vehicle can find

stability through firmly gripping the handlebar while positioned upon the platform, thereby maintaining stability while controlling accelerations of the personal

transportation vehicle; said lockable joint having a lever, at least one tooth for securing the lever in a locked position, a hinge, opposing internal surfaces, and a lock ring washer, the opposing internal surfaces each having a sloping riser on the respective surface to assure contact between opposing internal surfaces when locked, the sloping riser of each internal surface being less than perpendicular with its respective internal surface; and a grapnel mechanically coupled to the lockable joint to at least assist in detecting improper positioning between the opposing internal surfaces before securing the lockable joint.

2. The personal transportation vehicle of claim 1 wherein said lever of the lockable joint further comprises an aperture for accepting the at least one tooth.

3. The personal transportation vehicle of claim 1 wherein said foldable stem further comprises a telescoping feature to reduce length of the foldable stem.

4. The personal transportation vehicle of claim 1 wherein said platform planar surface further comprises a seat mechanically coupled to the planar surface.

5. A personal transportation vehicle comprising: a frame having a handlebar mechanically coupled to a front wheel, the frame including a platform that extends from the handlebar to a rear suspension mechanically coupled to a pair of rear wheels, the handlebar also having a foldable stem that is mechanically coupled to the frame with a lockable joint; an acceleration mechanism coupled to the frame for

controlling speed of the personal transportation vehicle, the acceleration mechanism having an electric motor

acceleration control device, the acceleration control device being mechanically coupled to the handlebar such that a rider on the personal transportation vehicle can control the speed of the personal transportation vehicle through manual interaction with the acceleration control device; said platform having a planar surface wherein a rider using the personal transportation vehicle can find stability through firmly gripping the handlebar while positioned upon the platform, thereby maintaining stability while

controlling accelerations of the personal transportation vehicle; said lockable joint having a lever with an aperture for accepting at least one tooth to secure the lever in a locked position, a hinge, and opposing internal surfaces, the opposing internal surfaces each having a sloping riser on the respective surface to assure contact between

opposing internal surfaces when locked; and a grapnel mechanically coupled to the lockable joint.

6. The personal transportation vehicle of claim 5 wherein said lockable joint further comprises a lock ring washer located adjacent a lever hinge to assist with force

distribution in the lockable joint when the lever is in a locked position.

7. The personal transportation vehicle of claim 5 wherein the sloping riser of each opposing internal surface being less than perpendicular with its respective internal surface.

8. The personal transportation vehicle of claim 5 wherein said lockable joint locks the foldable stem in an upright position.

9. The personal transportation vehicle of claim 5 wherein said grapnel at least assists in detecting debris presence between the opposing internal surfaces before securing the lockable joint.

10. The personal transportation vehicle of claim 5 wherein said hinge further comprises a hinge pin.

11. The personal transportation vehicle of claim 5 wherein each opposing internal surface has an unlevel low precision machined surface.

12. The personal transportation vehicle of claim 5 wherein said grapnel further comprises two arms.

13. The personal transportation vehicle of claim 5 wherein said lockable joint further comprises a release mechanism having opposing buttons to unlock the lockable joint.