WO2016051173A1

WO2016051173A1 - Vehicle with side screen

Info

Publication number: WO2016051173A1
Application number: PCT/GB2015/052859
Authority: WO
Original assignee: BEVAN, Philip Gerald
Priority date: 2014-09-30
Filing date: 2015-09-30
Publication date: 2016-04-07
Also published as: GB201417276D0; GB2532709B; GB2532709A

Abstract

Improved Vehicle A braked vehicle (10), of the kind (known per se) comprising a cycle incorporating bodywork in the form of a canopy (11) which, in operation of the cycle, extends above the head of a rider of the cycle to provide a measure of protection to the rider from inclement weather; characterised by the feature that one at least - and preferably each - of the opposite side regions of the vehicle incorporates a screen (18,19) which, in use, acts to shield the rider's side region(s) at least partially from the weather.

Description

VEHICLE WITH SIDE SCREEN

The invention relates to vehicles, and is specifically concerned with s braked vehicle, of the kind (known perse) comprising a cycle incorporating bodywork in the form of a canopy which, in operation of the cycle, extends above the head of a rider of the cycle to provide a measure of protection to the rider from Inclement weather.

Vehicles of the kind defined above are known and, in one specific known form, are embodied in self-propelled motor cycles designed primarily for inner city journeys of short duration. The best example currently known to the present applicant, is the BMW CI scooter in which a canopy extends over the rider's head and, as outlined above, provides in use a measure of protection for the rider against the weather,

This BMW scooter, however, whilst providing the closest prior art known to the Applicant; has disadvantages in use. The major ones of these will now be listed.

First it provides at best only partial protection against inclement conditions. Whilst its canopy extends over the driver's head, It has no side screens. If, as is so often the case, the weather encountered by the rider is not only raining, but also windy, rain will be thrown at the driver's head and upper body form the sides quite irrespective of the presence of the top-extending canopy.

Second, the scooter is not stabilised. Like 8 conventional non-canopied pedal cycle, motor cycle or scooter, it has to he balanced by the rider if It is to stay upright. On losing balance, for example if the machine begins to lean in travel beyond a controllable degree from the vertical, it and its rider will end up on the ground. The machine, the ider; or both will be damaged even if only temporarily. When this has occurred, the rider has to lever the machine upright if he o she wants to continue the journey. Here a serious disadvantage becomes apparent in that the weight, bulk and general awkwardness of the canopy and its supporting frame make it a distinct (and in many cases distinctly uneven) .struggle between man and machine. At best, even if the rider has the strength and agility to right the machine, the typical city office worker for whom these machines are designed and intended will almos certainly get his or her clothing wet, dirty, or both. This is not an enjoyable experience.

These and other disadvantages experienced in use make it essential for the design of the BMW CI to be improved. The invention takes this particular machine and the need to improve it as its starting point.

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a) one at least - and preferably each - of the opposite side regions of the vehicle incorporates a screen which, in use, acts to shield the rider's side region(s) at least partially c) when features a) and b) above are present, one at least of the longitudinal edge regions of at least one - and preferably several, more preferably all - of the fan segments is channelled in a way which Is intended to lead rain, impacting the segment(s) in use, to run down and/or off the segment; and/or

d) when either or both of features b) and c) above are present, the apex of the fan occupies a position around the ground-adjacent (in use) region of the vehicle; god/or

e) the canopy extends from front to back of the vehicle and ends, at the back region, in a screen which acts at least partially as a weather shield; and/or

f) the vehicle Incorporates at least one - and preferably two - stabilising wheels which automatically operate(s) as the vehicle, in use, comes to a halt and/or leans beyond a predetermined angle from the vertical; gnd/or

g) the vehicle is a self-propelled vehicle whose propulsive means comprises a battery powered electric motor; and/or

h) where feature g) immediately above is present, the or each battery Is readily removable from the vehicle and is so located within the vehicle as to be accessed and removed via the vehicle's interior; and/or

i) where feature g) and/or feature h) above is present the or each battery occupies a position (in use) around the ground - adjacent (in use) region of the vehicle; and/or j) at least the major portion of the vehicle's bodywork comprises two co-operating halves which come together generally along rather than across the vehicle; and/or

k) the bodywork includes portions additional to the canopy; and/or

I) where feature k) immediately above is present, the bodywork includes an apron portion, occupying a region generally immediately below the rider's line of forward vision, which masks at least part of the join between the main bodywork halves; iod se

m) the vehicle is braked by drum brakes; indoor.

n) at least the major portion of the vehicle's bodywork is formed from plastics material but is carried on a separately defined load-bearing chassis; ¾nd/sr

o) where feature n) immediately above is present, at least the major portion of the chassis is comprised of non-plastics material; and/or turbine connected to the battery which, in use, is actuated by air which fbws into the channel

The invention includes within its scope a cycle substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

Whilst the invention in one embodiment will now be described with reference to a self- propelled two-wheeled motor scooter, it will, be appreciated from the summary above that in its broadest aspect the invention can be applied to all practically realisable forms of cycle which can embody any or all of its inventive features; that is to say, pedal cycles, motor cycles, motor scooters, quad bikes, and tricycles whether self-propelled or not.

The accompanying drawings show one motor scooter embodying the Invention. This is shown and will now be described by way of example only. It is currently the best way- known to the applicant of putting the invention into practice.

!n the drawings:

Figure 1 shows the scooter in rear three-quarter view;

Figure 2 shows the same scooter viewed front three-quarter; and

Figure 3 shows the scooter of Figures Ί and 2 viewed front on.

Referring in more detail to the drawings, in which similar reference numerals identify the front and top of the canopy 11 to provide a rider with a large forward field of view. Side regions 13 and 14 also extend to the rear of the vehicle 10, accommodating a rear screen 16. The canopy 11 entirely contains a rider when in operation. The vehicle 10 also comprises a front, steerable wheel 27 and a rear, powered wheel 28 which is powered by the battery-powered electric motor. In an alternative embodiment, both the front 2? and rear 28 wheels are powered. The interior of the vehicle 10 is also provided with a seat 32. interio floor 33 and controls 34 for controlling the vehicle 10. Further features, which are typically present on a road-going vehicle, such as forward and rear lights, indicators and wing-mirrors, are also provided. in use, the canopy 1 1 - which in this embodiment Is a rigid canopy throughout its entire length - extends above the head of a rider of the vehicle 10 in order to provide a measure of protection to the entire body of the rider from Inclement weather. The provision of the canopy 11 also allows the rider to use the road without a helmet A seatbelt (not shown) is provided to keep the rider in the seat 32 during use.

In at least one, but preferably both side regions 13, 14 an opening 17 and 24 is provided to allow movement of the rider in and out of the vehicle 10. Openings are preferably present on both sides of the cycle 13 and 14 to ensure that the rider can exi the vehicle 0 in the event that the vehicle 10 topples or that one of the openings becomes obstructed. Shown in Figure 2, each opening preferably has; a bottom, forwardly extending edge 22; a rear, upwardly extending edge 23; and a curved edge 26 which extends between edges 22 and 23, To provide increased protection to the rider, at least one, but preferably both of the side regions 13 and 14 of the vehicle 10 incorporate screens 18 and 19 which, in use, act to shield the rider's side regions at least partially from the weather. In a preferred

embodiment, the screens 18 and 19 are in the general form of a fan whose successive segments concertina - whether by folding flat against one another, or (in another 18 and 19 extend from either the bottom edge 22 or rear edge 23 of the openings 17 and 24, and rotate around axis 25.

The screen segments are translucent and some, at least, are transparent.

The configuration of the segments, 20 and 21, is also such that each segment forms a channel with its adjacent segments) so that rain, Impacting the segment(s) in use, can run down and/or off the segments. This configuration, in addition to drainage channels (not shown) present on the body, improves the rider's view from the side of the vehicle 10 whilst draining water from the vehicle 10 quickly and effectively. Preferably, the segmented screens 18 and 19 are comprised of acrylic, which is lightweight and shatter resistant so as to reduce the risk of injury to a rider in the event of a collision. The succession of segments is also self-cleaning as they are opened and closed.

The segments, whilst relatively lightweight are tough enough to resist impact in normal use.

In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle 10 further comprises at least one, but preferably two, stabilising wheels (not shown) in additional to the front 27 and rear 28 wheels, which extend from Individual compartments In the chassis 12 positioned substantially adjacent to the rear wheel 28, The stabilising wheels, which are coaxial to the front 27 and rear 28 wheels, are configured to automatically operate, by either extending or retracting from their respective compartments (not shown) as the vehicle 10, in use, comes to a halt and/or leans beyond a predetermined angle from the vertical For instance, as a rider comes towards a corner and consequently leans the vehicle 10 into the bend, one or both of the stabilising wheels will be actuated to extend in order to facilitate the. movement of the vehicle 10 around the corner and to prevent the vehicle 10 from toppling. To facilitate automatic operation of the stabilising wheels, the vehicle further comprises a speed sensor (not shown) and an angular position sensor (not shown) which constantly measure the speed and angular position of the vehicle during use in orde to determine the extent, to whsrh th*» S†ahM5¾inO h&Aic shni tiH h« anirwtarl Droferahiw *h_ anmilar ΙΝΛ^ΪΉΛΙ·» facilitate the levering movement. The second stabilising wheel can subsequently be deployed when the vehicle is close to vertical, to prevent the vehicle 10 from toppling to the opposite side.

The stabilising wheels are preferably not powered or steerahle, but comprise a braking system, such as an anti-lock braking system (ABS), to aid in the deceleration of the vehicle 10 as it comes to a halt, This configuration reduces the braking distance of the vehicle 10 in the event of, for instance, an emergency stop.

Generally, the width of the vehicle is substantially reduced compared to a car, end has a similar width to a conventional scooter. Further, when the stabilising wheels are deployed, they preferably do no extend beyond the width of the vehicle body. This allows the vehicle 10 to by-pass traffic in a similar manner to conventional scooters and motorbikes whilst providing the advantages already discussed. The height of the vehicle 10 is approximately two meters, although can be any suitable height to house a rider.

The vehicle 10 is a self-propelled vehicle whose propulsive means comprise a battery powered electric motor (not shown}, In a preferred embodiment, the battery is removable from the vehicle 10 so that a rider can charge the battery without requiring a road -side power source. Instead, the battery can be taken to a separate power source (e.g. an electrical supply in a house) to be charged before reinserting it into the vehicle 10. Even more preferably, the battery is accessible via the vehicle's interior. This reduces the risk of injury to the rider from another road user as the rider removes and inserts the battery, The motor is preferably a 28 Kilowatt electric motor, although it may be driven by any type of battery or combination of batteries suitable for powering the vehicle. Preferably, the battery is of a type capable of powering the vehicle 10 for approximately 100 miles at 75 mph (or further distance if travelling at a slower speed). However, for journeys of a longer duration or distance, appropriate alternatives can be used.

Thp 1 Ω ivpfiarahiv rnmnriwc a rnritini Mtt ick/ vfar!a hf is fr\rr\ Ί^»<-.·. The brakes of the vehicle 10 preferably comprise hydraulic drum brakes (not shown) to effectively reduce the speed of the vehicle 10 when required and to allow the

straightforward incorporation of a parking brake (not shown). Preferably, an anti-lock braking system (ABS) is also provided in at least one of the front 27 and rear 28 wheels. In a further preferred embodiment the battery and other components of the electric motor occupy a position, in use, around the ground adjacent region of the vehicle 10. This configuration provides the vehicle 10 with a low centre of gravity to improve the stability of the vehicle 10 and therefore reduce the risk of the vehicle 10 being toppled in use, As shown in Figure 3, at least a major portion of the body of the vehicle 0 comprises two co-operating halves 29 and 30 which come together generally along the vehicle 10.

Preferably, the joint, between the two halves extends centrally along the vehicle 10, however in alternative embodiments, one of the halves may be smaller in size and the joint will therefore be located to the side of centre. A further apron portion 3 , shown in figure 3 as a downwardly pointing generally triangular cover, locks and masks the joint between the two halves 29 and 30. The apron portion 31 preferably comprises a number of forward facing lights 37, The apron portion 3 is removable in order to access inner components of the vehicle 10 or to take the vehicle 10 apart, for instance, if one of the halves needs to be replaced. Preferably, the body is formed from plasti s material and the chassis 12 is comprised of non-plastics material, for example steel or a steel alloy.

In a further preferred embodiment, the rear side of the body comprises a hatch (not shown), which may at least partially include the rear screen 16, which can be opened In order for the rider to store belongings in a boot space (not shown).

A portion of the interior floor 33 adjacent the front of the vehicle 10 is preferably inclined towards the front of the vehicle 10 to provide a comfortable resting position for the feet of the rider, situated on the interior floor 33 of the vehicle 10, or the controls ma be entirely positioned on the handlebar, in a preferred embodiment, shown in Figure 3, the body of the vehicle comprises a cavity 35 which is located behind the front wheel 27 such that the front wheel can, in use, recess into the cavity 35, for instance, if a head-on collision occurs. Movement of the front wheel 27 into the cavity 35 during such an event simultaneously causes (due to their connection) the handlebars to move towards the windscreen 15, reducing the risk of the rider coming into contact with the handlebars during a collision, thereby reducing risk of injury to the rider. in a further preferred embodiment, a channel (not shown) is provided in the body to the rear of the cavity 35. A turbine (not shown), which is connected to the battery,, is provided within the channel such that, in use, air passes into the channel via the cavity 35 and charges the battery by driving the turbine. Preferably, the opening and closing of the channel is adjustable. For instance, in order to reduce drag when the vehicle 10 is travelling uphill, the channel will be closed. However, to assist in deceleration of the vehicle 10 when it is travelling downhill or decelerating from high speed, opening of the channel will be preferred. The inlet of air Into the channel can also assist in cooling the battery and other engine components. in a preferred embodiment, the roof of the vehicle 10 comprises a solar panel (not shown) for recharging the battery. This can be employed during use or when the vehicle 10 Is idle, in a further preferred embodiment, the vehicle 10 further comprises rear facing lights, such as 36, which are positioned towards the upper region of the body in order for othe road- users to clearly see when the vehicle 10 is braking or indicating... More preferably, these rear facing lights 36 are provided in conjunction with rear facing lights at the standard height nearer the ground.

Claims

Qalm

1. A braked vehicle, of the kind (known perse) comprising a cycle incorporating bodywork in the form of a canopy which, in operation of the cycle, extends above the head of a rider of the cycle to provide a measure of protection to the rider from inclement weather; characterised by the feature that one at. least - and preferably each ···· of the opposite side regions of the vehicle incorporates a screen which, In use, acts to shield the rider's side reglon(s) at least partially from the weather,

2. A vehicle according to claim 1 in which the screen - or at least one of the screens if there are more than one - is in the general form of a fan whose successive segments concertina to allow passage of the rider past the coneertinaed screen to enter or leave the vehicle,

3. A vehicle according to claim 2 and in which one at least of the longitudinal edge regions of at least one - and preferably several, more preferably all - of the fa segments is channelled in a way which is Intended to lead rain, impacting the segrnent(s) in use, to run down and/or off the segment

4. A vehicle according to claim 2 or claim 3 and In which the apex of the fan occupies a position around the ground-adjacent (in use) region of the vehicle.

5. A vehicle according to any preceding claim and in which the canopy extends from front to back of the vehicle and ends, at the back region, In a screen which acts at least partially as a weather shield.

6. A vehicle according to any of the preceding claims and in which the vehicle Incorporates at least one - and preferably two™ stabilising wheels which automatically operate(s) as the vehicle, in nse. r.ome<; to a hsit artd/nr S*»am hmmnH Ά rtroH«»te.rm ί noA α^ηαΐα fmm I t

8, A vehicle according to claim 7 and in which the or each battery is readily removable from the vehicle and is so located within the vehicle as to be accessed and removed via the vehicle's interior.

9, A vehicle according to claim 7 or claim 8 and in which the or each battery occupies a position (in use) around the ground - adjacent (in use) region of the vehicle.

10. A vehicle according to any preceding claim and in which at least the major portion of w the vehicle's bodywork comprises two co-operating halves which come together generally along rather than across the vehicle.

11. A vehicle according to any preceding claim and in which the bodywork includes portions additional to the canopy,

15

12. A vehicle according to claim 11 and in which the bodywork includes an apron portion, occupying a region generally immediately below the rider's line of forward vision, which masks at least part of the join between the main bodywork halves 0 13, A vehicle according to any of the preceding claims and in which the vehicle is braked by drum brakes.

14. A vehicle according to any of the preceding claim and in which at least the major portion of the vehicle's bodywork is formed from plastics material but is carried on a 5 separately defined load-bearing chassis.

IS. A vehicle according to claim 14 and in which at least the major portion of the chassis is comprised of non-plastics material. incorporates a turbine connected to the battery which, in use, Is actuated by air which flows into the channel

18. A vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to and as rustrat d by tf accompanying drawings.