U.S. patent application number 09/797156 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-05 for scooter with adjustable seat assembly.
Invention is credited to Nall, Claude E. III.
Application Number | 20020121754 09/797156 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25170066 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020121754 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nall, Claude E. III |
September 5, 2002 |
SCOOTER WITH ADJUSTABLE SEAT ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A steerable scooter including a standing platform supported on a
rollable rear support wheel, a steerable front support wheel, and
adjustable seat assembly. The scooter includes a support platform
positioned below the top surface of the support wheels. In
addition, the scooter includes an adjustable seat that has a top
surface positionable two or more inches below the top surface of
the support wheels.
Inventors: |
Nall, Claude E. III;
(Walker, LA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Joseph N. Breaux
Suite A
10630 N. Oak Hills Pkwy.
Baton Rouge
LA
70810
US
|
Family ID: |
25170066 |
Appl. No.: |
09/797156 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/87.021 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62K 3/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/87.021 |
International
Class: |
B62M 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A scooter with an adjustable seat assembly comprising: a scooter
frame assembly; a front support wheel; a rear support wheel; a
steering assembly; a user standing platform; and an adjustable
height seat assembly; the scooter frame assembly including a stand
support portion having a forward support portion end rigidly
connected to a head tube attachment structure and a rear support
portion end rigidly connected to a rear wheel attachment frame
portion; the rear wheel attachment frame portion including a pair
of spaced-apart, V-shaped wheel support stay members each having a
rear wheel connection structure at an apex portion thereof and two
stay members extending from the apex portion and terminating in
rigid connection with a seat tube portion of the scooter frame
assembly that extends outwardly from the stand support portion; the
user standing platform being secured to the stand support portion
and having a substantially planar user stand area; the steering
assembly including a handle bar member, a front wheel fork, a head
tube, and a steering rod; the head tube being rigidly connected to
the head tube attachment structure of the scooter frame assembly at
a rake angle with respect to a line oriented perpendicularly to the
substantially planar user stand area of the user standing platform
of between zero and thirty degrees; the steering rod having a
center rod portion rotatably entrapped within the head tube, a top
rod portion in adjustable connection with the handle bar member and
a bottom rod portion rigidly connected to a top fork portion of the
front wheel fork; the front wheel fork having a pair of spaced fork
members each provided with a front wheel connecting structure; the
front wheel connecting structures and the rear wheel connection
structures being positioned with respect to each other such that,
when the rear support wheel is rotatably attached to the rear wheel
attachment frame portion and the front support wheel is rotatably
attached to the front wheel fork of the steering assembly, the
stand support portion of the scooter frame assembly is supported
above a line drawn between a bottom rear support wheel surface and
a bottom front support wheel surface a distance greater than two
inches; the adjustable height seat assembly including a seat post,
a seat member and a seat post locking clamp; the seat post having a
first post end portion positioned within the seat tube portion of
the scooter frame assembly and a second post end portion supporting
the seat member; the seat member having a top user support seat
surface; the seat post locking clamp being in connection with a top
end of the seat tube portion of the scooter frame assembly in a
manner to allow a user to secure the first post end portion in a
variety of positions with respect to the seat tube portion of the
scooter frame assembly and in a manner such that the top user
support seat surface of the seat member is positionable between a
lowermost seat position wherein the top user support seat surface
of the seat member is positioned below a line drawn between a top
rear support wheel surface and a top front support wheel surface a
distance of at least two inches and an uppermost seat position
wherein the top user support seat surface of the seat member is
positioned above a line drawn between a top rear support wheel
surface and a top front support wheel surface a distance of at
least three inches; the user standing platform having a standing
surface positioned a minimum distance of three inches below a line
drawn between the rear wheel connection structure and the front
wheel connecting structure.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to scooters having a standing
platform supported by a scooter frame having rollable wheels and a
steering assembly in connection with one of the rollable wheels and
having a handle assembly moveable by a scooter driver for orienting
the connected rollable wheel in a manner to select the direction of
travel of the scooter and more particularly to a scooter with an
adjustable seat assembly that includes a scooter frame assembly, a
front support wheel, a rear support wheel, a steering assembly, a
user standing platform, and an adjustable height seat assembly; the
scooter frame assembly including a stand support portion having a
forward support portion end rigidly connected to a head tube
attachment structure and a rear support portion end rigidly
connected to a rear wheel attachment frame portion; the rear wheel
attachment frame portion including a pair of spaced-apart, V-shaped
wheel support stay members each having a rear wheel connection
structure at an apex portion thereof and two stay members extending
from the apex portion and terminating in rigid connection with a
seat tube portion of the scooter frame assembly that extends
outwardly from the stand support portion; the user standing
platform being secured to the stand support portion and having a
substantially planar user stand area; the steering assembly
including a handle bar member, a front wheel fork, a head tube, and
a steering rod; the head tube being rigidly connected to the head
tube attachment structure of the scooter frame assembly at a rake
angle "R" with respect to a line oriented perpendicularly to the
substantially planar user stand area of the user standing platform
of between zero and thirty degrees; the steering rod having a
center rod portion rotatably entrapped within the head tube, a top
rod portion in adjustable connection with the handle bar member and
a bottom rod portion rigidly connected to a top fork portion of the
front wheel fork; the front wheel fork having a pair of spaced fork
members each provided with a front wheel connecting structure; the
front wheel connecting structures and the rear wheel connection
structures being positioned with respect to each other such that,
when the rear support wheel is rotatably attached to the rear wheel
attachment frame portion and the front support wheel is rotatably
attached to the front wheel fork of the steering assembly, the
stand support portion of the scooter frame assembly is supported
above a line drawn between a bottom rear support wheel surface and
a bottom front support wheel surface a distance "A" greater than
two inches; the adjustable height seat assembly including a seat
post, a seat member and a seat post locking clamp; the seat post
having a first post end portion positioned within the seat tube
portion of the scooter frame assembly and a second post end portion
supporting the seat member; the seat member having a top user
support seat surface; the seat post locking clamp being in
connection with a top end of the seat tube portion of the scooter
frame assembly in a manner to allow a user to secure the first post
end portion in a variety of positions with respect to the seat tube
portion of the scooter frame assembly and in a manner such that the
top user support seat surface of the seat member is positionable
between a lowermost seat position wherein the top user support seat
surface of the seat member is positioned below a line drawn between
a top rear support wheel surface and a top front support wheel
surface a distance "B.sub.1" of at least two inches and an
uppermost seat position wherein the top user support seat surface
of the seat member is positioned above a line drawn between a top
rear support wheel surface and a top front support wheel surface a
distance "B.sub.2" of at least three inches; the user standing
platform having a standing surface positioned a minimum distance
"C" of three inches below a line drawn between the rear wheel
connection structure and the front wheel connecting structure.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Steerable scooters typically include a standing platform
supported on a rollable rear support wheel and a steerable front
support wheels. In many such scooters, the support wheels are
simply skate wheels that have been attached to the standing
platform. These types of scooters can be dangerous because even
small rocks can prevent the support wheels from rolling, causing
the scooter to come to an abrupt halt and, oftentimes, throwing the
scooter rider from the scooter onto the ground. In addition, the
small wheels make steering difficult and the scooter unstable
because the center of gravity of the combination of the scooter and
the rider is well above the top surfaces of the support wheels. It
would be a benefit, therefore, to have a scooter that included
large support wheels and a support platform positioned below the
top surface of the support wheels. In addition, because scooters
can be used to travel long distances, it would be a further benefit
to have a scooter that included a seat that could be used by the
rider if desired. To enhance the stability of the scooter, it would
be a further benefit to have a scooter that included a seat having
a top surface positioned two or more inches below the top surface
of the support wheels.
GENERAL SUMMARY DISCUSSION OF INVENTION
[0003] It is thus an object of the invention to provide a scooter
with an adjustable seat assembly that includes a scooter frame
assembly, a front support wheel, a rear support wheel, a steering
assembly, a user standing platform, and an adjustable height seat
assembly; the scooter frame assembly including a stand support
portion having a forward support portion end rigidly connected to a
head tube attachment structure and a rear support portion end
rigidly connected to a rear wheel attachment frame portion; the
rear wheel attachment frame portion including a pair of
spaced-apart, V-shaped wheel support stay members each having a
rear wheel connection structure at an apex portion thereof and two
stay members extending from the apex portion and terminating in
rigid connection with a seat tube portion of the scooter frame
assembly that extends outwardly from the stand support portion; the
user standing platform being secured to the stand support portion
and having a substantially planar user stand area; the steering
assembly including a handle bar member, a front wheel fork, a head
tube, and a steering rod; the head tube being rigidly connected to
the head tube attachment structure of the scooter frame assembly at
a rake angle "R" with respect to a line oriented perpendicularly to
the substantially planar user stand area of the user standing
platform of between zero and thirty degrees; the steering rod
having a center rod portion rotatably entrapped within the head
tube, a top rod portion in adjustable connection with the handle
bar member and a bottom rod portion rigidly connected to a top fork
portion of the front wheel fork; the front wheel fork having a pair
of spaced fork members each provided with a front wheel connecting
structure; the front wheel connecting structures and the rear wheel
connection structures being positioned with respect to each other
such that, when the rear support wheel is rotatably attached to the
rear wheel attachment frame portion and the front support wheel is
rotatably attached to the front wheel fork of the steering
assembly, the stand support portion of the scooter frame assembly
is supported above a line drawn between a bottom rear support wheel
surface and a bottom front support wheel surface a distance "A"
greater than two inches; the adjustable height seat assembly
including a seat post, a seat member and a seat post locking clamp;
the seat post having a first post end portion positioned within the
seat tube portion of the scooter frame assembly and a second post
end portion supporting the seat member; the seat member having a
top user support seat surface; the seat post locking clamp being in
connection with a top end of the seat tube portion of the scooter
frame assembly in a manner to allow a user to secure the first post
end portion in a variety of positions with respect to the seat tube
portion of the scooter frame assembly and in a manner such that the
top user support seat surface of the seat member is positionable
between a lowermost seat position wherein the top user support seat
surface of the seat member is positioned below a line drawn between
a top rear support wheel surface and a top front support wheel
surface a distance "B.sub.1" of at least two inches and an
uppermost seat position wherein the top user support seat surface
of the seat member is positioned above a line drawn between a top
rear support wheel surface and a top front support wheel surface a
distance "B.sub.2" of at least three inches; the user standing
platform having a standing surface positioned a minimum distance
"C" of three inches below a line drawn between the rear wheel
connection structure and the front wheel connecting structure. As
used herein the phrase "substantially planar" encompasses
substantially flat surfaces having a number of mounds or other
projections extending therefrom for providing an anti-slip standing
surface area.
[0004] Accordingly, a scooter with an adjustable seat assembly is
provided. The scooter with an adjustable seat assembly includes a
scooter frame assembly, a front support wheel, a rear support
wheel, a steering assembly, a user standing platform, and an
adjustable height seat assembly; the scooter frame assembly
including a stand support portion having a forward support portion
end rigidly connected to a head tube attachment structure and a
rear support portion end rigidly connected to a rear wheel
attachment frame portion; the rear wheel attachment frame portion
including a pair of spaced-apart, V-shaped wheel support stay
members each having a rear wheel connection structure at an apex
portion thereof and two stay members extending from the apex
portion and terminating in rigid connection with a seat tube
portion of the scooter frame assembly that extends outwardly from
the stand support portion; the user standing platform being secured
to the stand support portion and having a substantially planar user
stand area; the steering assembly including a handle bar member, a
front wheel fork, a head tube, and a steering rod; the head tube
being rigidly connected to the head tube attachment structure of
the scooter frame assembly at a rake angle "R" with respect to a
line oriented perpendicularly to the substantially planar user
stand area of the user standing platform of between zero and thirty
degrees; the steering rod having a center rod portion rotatably
entrapped within the head tube, a top rod portion in adjustable
connection with the handle bar member and a bottom rod portion
rigidly connected to a top fork portion of the front wheel fork;
the front wheel fork having a pair of spaced fork members each
provided with a front wheel connecting structure; the front wheel
connecting structures and the rear wheel connection structures
being positioned with respect to each other such that, when the
rear support wheel is rotatably attached to the rear wheel
attachment frame portion and the front support wheel is rotatably
attached to the front wheel fork of the steering assembly, the
stand support portion of the scooter frame assembly is supported
above a line drawn between a bottom rear support wheel surface and
a bottom front support wheel surface a distance "A" greater than
two inches; the adjustable height seat assembly including a seat
post, a seat member and a seat post locking clamp; the seat post
having a first post end portion positioned within the seat tube
portion of the scooter frame assembly and a second post end portion
supporting the seat member; the seat member having a top user
support seat surface; the seat post locking clamp being in
connection with a top end of the seat tube portion of the scooter
frame assembly in a manner to allow a user to secure the first post
end portion in a variety of positions with respect to the seat tube
portion of the scooter frame assembly and in a manner such that the
top user support seat surface of the seat member is positionable
between a lowermost seat position wherein the top user support seat
surface of the seat member is positioned below a line drawn between
a top rear support wheel surface and a top front support wheel
surface a distance "B.sub.1" of at least two inches and an
uppermost seat position wherein the top user support seat surface
of the seat member is positioned above a line drawn between a top
rear support wheel surface and a top front support wheel surface a
distance "B.sub.2" of at least three inches; the user standing
platform having a standing surface positioned a minimum distance
"C" of three inches below a line drawn between the rear wheel
connection structure and the front wheel connecting structure. The
rake angle "R" is preferable between 5 and 25 degrees and more
preferable between 10 and 20 degrees.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0005] For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the
present invention, reference should be made to the following
detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which like elements are given the same or analogous
reference numbers and wherein:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
the scooter with adjustable seat assembly of the present invention
with the user standing platform removed to show the stand support
portion of the scooter frame assembly and the seat of the
adjustable seat assembly positioned at its lowest most position
with the top seat surface positioned below the top of the front and
rear pneumatic support wheels.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the exemplary scooter
with adjustable seat assembly of FIG. 1 with the user standing
platform attached to the stand support portion of the scooter frame
assembly and the seat of the adjustable seat assembly positioned at
its highest position with the top seat surface positioned above the
top of the front and rear pneumatic support wheels.
EXEMPLARY MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0008] FIGS. 1 and 2 show various aspects of an exemplary
embodiment of the scooter with adjustable seat assembly of the
present invention generally designated 10. Scooter with adjustable
seat assembly 10 includes a scooter frame assembly, generally
designated 12; a front pneumatic, support wheel, generally
designated 14; a rear pneumatic, support wheel, generally
designated 16; a steering assembly, generally designated 18, a user
standing platform, generally designated 20; and an adjustable
height seat assembly, generally designated 22.
[0009] Scooter frame assembly 12 is of metal construction and
includes a stand support portion, generally designated 24, having a
forward support portion end 26 rigidly connected to a head tube
attachment structure, generally designated 28, constructed of three
head tube attachment pipes 30a-c, and a rear support portion end 32
rigidly connected to a rear wheel attachment frame portion,
generally designated 34.
[0010] Rear wheel attachment frame portion 34 includes two,
spaced-apart, V-shaped wheel support stay members, generally
designated 36a,36b, each having a rear wheel connection structure
37a,37b in the form of a wheel axle receiving notch 38 at an apex
portion 40 thereof and two stay members 42,44 extending from apex
portion 40 and terminating in rigid connection with a seat tube
portion 48 of scooter frame assembly 12. Seat tube portion 48
extends outwardly from stand support portion 24 and is braced by
curved supports 50,52. User standing platform 20 is a section of
steel sheeting secured to stand support portion 24 by welding and
has a raised diamond pattern on a substantially planar user stand
area 56 that is provided for a user to stand on while riding
scooter 10 if desired.
[0011] Steering assembly 18 includes a handle bar member 60; a
front wheel fork, generally designated 62; a head tube, generally
designated 64; and a steering rod, generally designated 66. Head
tube 64 is rigidly connected to the three head tube attachment
pipes 30a-c at a rake angle "R", with respect to a line oriented
perpendicularly to the substantially planar user stand area 56 of
user standing platform 20, of fifteen degrees. Steering rod 66 has
a center rod portion 70 (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2) rotatably
entrapped within head tube 64, a top rod portion 72 in adjustable
connection with handle bar member 60 by a handle bar clamping
bracket 74 provided thereon, and a bottom rod portion 76 rigidly
connected to a top fork portion 78 of front wheel fork 62. Front
wheel fork 62 has a pair of spaced fork members 80a,80b that are
each provided with a front wheel connecting structure in the form
of a front axle receiving aperture 84a,84b.
[0012] Stand support portion 24 of scooter frame assembly 12 is
supported above a line drawn between a bottom rear support wheel
surface 86 and a bottom front support wheel surface 88 a distance
"A" of three and one-half inches. Adjustable height seat assembly
22 includes a seat post, generally designated 90; a seat member,
generally designated 92; and a seat post locking clamp, generally
designated 94. Seat post 90 has a first post end portion 96
positioned within seat tube portion 48 of scooter frame assembly 12
and a second post end portion 98 supporting seat member 92. Seat
member 92 has a top user support seat surface 100 for supporting
the buttocks of a user if desired. Seat post locking clamp 94 is in
connection with a top end 102 of seat tube portion 48 in a manner
to allow a user to clamp first post end portion 96 in a variety of
positions with respect to the seat tube portion 48. Top user
support seat surface 100 of seat member 92 is positionable between
a lowermost seat position (shown in FIG. 1) wherein top user
support seat surface 100 is positioned below a line drawn between a
top rear support wheel surface 108 and a top front support wheel
surface 110 a distance "B.sub.1" of three inches and an uppermost
seat position (shown in FIG. 2) wherein top user support seat
surface 100 is positioned above a line drawn between top rear
support wheel surface 108 and top front support wheel surface 110 a
distance "B.sub.2" of five inches.
[0013] In this embodiment, user stand area 56 is positioned a
distance "C" of five inches below a line drawn between the rear
wheel connection structures 37a,37b and the front wheel connecting
structures 84a,84b.
[0014] In use, scooter 10 is used by standing on user stand area 56
or sitting on top user support seat surface 100.
[0015] It can be seen from the preceding description that a scooter
with an adjustable seat assembly has been provided.
[0016] It is noted that the embodiment of the scooter with an
adjustable seat assembly described herein in detail for exemplary
purposes is of course subject to many different variations in
structure, design, application and methodology. Because many
varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of
the inventive concept(s) herein taught, and because many
modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in
accordance
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