U.S. patent application number 09/928902 was filed with the patent office on 2003-03-06 for transmission and drive-train systems of 2 wheel, 3 wheel and 4 weel exercise scooters incorporating (1) seesaw foot pedal and (2) left & right step foot pedals.
Invention is credited to Tsai, Shu-Hsing.
Application Number | 20030042059 09/928902 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25456974 |
Filed Date | 2003-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030042059 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tsai, Shu-Hsing |
March 6, 2003 |
Transmission and drive-train systems of 2 wheel, 3 wheel and 4 weel
exercise scooters incorporating (1) seesaw foot pedal and (2) left
& right step foot pedals
Abstract
Three types of free-wheel drive-train systems incorporated under
the pedal of skate scooters that enables forward propulsion of the
scooters through repetitive up and down foot motions. The
drive-train systems of 2 wheel, 3 wheel and 4 wheel exercise step
scooters consists of (1) Single Seesaw foot pedal with center
pivot, (2) Rear-stepping, Right and Left foot pedals with Front
pivot, (3) Front-stepping, Right and Left foot pedals with Rear
pivot.
Inventors: |
Tsai, Shu-Hsing; (New York,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHU-HSING TSAI
147-43 38AVE., APT.E03
FLUSHING
NY
11354
US
|
Family ID: |
25456974 |
Appl. No.: |
09/928902 |
Filed: |
August 14, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
180/181 ;
280/87.041 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62K 3/002 20130101;
B62M 1/28 20130101; A63C 17/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
180/181 ;
280/87.041 |
International
Class: |
A63C 017/12 |
Claims
What I claim as my invention is: the 3 types of free-wheel
drive-train systems incorporated under the pedal of skate scooters
that enables forward propulsion of the scooters through repetitive
up and down foot motions:
1. First type--the drive-train mechanism of the Seesaw pedal skate
scooter, in accordance with the attached documents and graphs,
consist of the following unique features: Seesaw pedal is installed
on the skate scooter and the force generated by the repetitive up
and down motion of the pedal is transferred to the rear wheels by
the integral drive-train mechanism
2. Second type--the drive-train mechanism of the Front pivot
rear-stepping skate scooter, in accordance with the attached
documents and graphs, consist of the following unique features: L/H
and R/H foot pedals are installed on the skate scooter and the
force generated by the stepping motion of the pedal is transferred
to the rear wheels by the integral drive-train system.
3. Third type--the drive-train mechanism of the Rear pivot
Front-stepping skate scooter, in accordance with the attached
documents and graphs, consist of the following unique features: L/H
and R/H foot pedals are installed on the skate scooter and the
force generated by the stepping motion of the pedal is transferred
to the rear wheels by the integral drive-train system.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The following invention incorporates a cartridge
transmission system on skate scooters to transfer power to the rear
wheels through a seesawing or stepping pedal motion. This new
product enables a smooth, consistent forward momentum and true
sense speed; thus avoiding the inherent kicking stop and go
deficiencies of current step scooters. This innovative scooter
provides hours of pleasure and exercise value to the entire family
and surpasses the limited utility of the traditional step
scooter.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Sales of the traditional skate scooter has declined
drastically mainly because of the lack of exercise value. Most
users of skate scooters would have one foot on the pedal and the
other kicking the ground to propel it forward thus creating unequal
force exertion on the right and left foot. It is mostly a stop and
go motion and the step braking system is inadequate often requiring
the user to step off the scooter completely. This new product will
overcome the aforementioned weaknesses of the skate scooter. With
the addition of a counter device on the seesaw pedal or step pedal,
the intrinsic exercise value may be measured by the number of step
cycles. The safety factor is on a par with most modern bicycles. We
would like to revitalize the step scooter market with this
invention. I would like to explore the inherent exercise value of
the step scooter by incorporating my innovative invention to
introduce added fun & recreation to the entire family.
[0003] The 1.sup.st drive train system consists of a seesawing
plate on the stepping pedal, a cartridge is installed underneath
the seesaw plate with freewheels built on both ends for a single
rotational direction. A chain, cable or belt drive-train device is
connected to a tension spring and installed under the seesaw pedal.
The upward motion at one end of the seesaw pedal pulls the chain
that rotates the freewheel; the corresponding downward motion at
opposite end of the seesaw pedal pulls the chain back through its
attached tension spring. The seesawing motion activates rear wheel
rotation as the main free-wheel cartridge underneath the seesaw
pedal incorporates a drive sprocket that is chain linked to the
rear wheel's driven sprocket free-wheel.
[0004] The 2.sup.nd drive train system consists of 2 rear stepping
pedals with front pivots that operate in the same principle as the
back pedal of the aforementioned seesawing system. The front pivot
of each stepper consists of a crank arm connected to a chain and a
tension spring. The cartridge is installed between the frame and
the rear fork. Freewheels are installed on both sides of the
cartridge for a single rotational direction Operating on the
principle of a one-sided seesawing motion; once downward force is
applied to the stepper, the crank arm rotates the freewheel through
its chain. As the force is released, the tension spring pulls on
the chain to return the stepper to its original position. The up
and down motion of the steppers rotate the cartridge freewheel, its
attached drive sprocket pulls on the chain drive train to rotate
the rear freewheel gear assembly and thus the rear wheel.
[0005] The 3.sup.rd drive train system consists of 2 front stepping
pedals with rear pivots that operate in the same principle as the
front pedal of the aforementioned seesawing system. Same as the
2.sup.nd system, the up and down motion rotate the cartridge
freewheel and in turn propels the rear wheel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0006] In order to allow for a clearer understanding of the
purpose, key components, construction and unique features of this
invention, the following consists of a brief functional explanation
of the several views of the drawings. The drawing component indices
are also listed in Part B of this section.
[0007] A. Drawings:
[0008] Drawing 1. Complete Top view and Left view of the Seesaw
step scooter
[0009] Drawing 2. Complete Top view and Left view of the Front
pivot Rear-step scooter
[0010] Drawing 3. Complete Top view and Left view of the Rear pivot
Front-step scooter
[0011] Drawing 4. Complete view of the seesawing drive train system
and structure.
[0012] Drawing 5. Complete view of the Front pivot Rear-stepping
drive train system and structure.
[0013] Drawing 6. Complete view of the Rear pivot Front-stepping
drive train system and structure.
[0014] * The .rarw. arrow on drawing 4, 5, 6 indicates the
rotational direction of each component.
[0015] B. Drawing Indices:
1 Drawing 1 and Drawing 4 of the Seesaw step scooter system. (10)
Seesaw Plate (101) FR. Chain Locker (102) RR. Chain Locker (11)
Cartridge Assembly (12) Seesaw Pedal Supporter (13) FR. Chain (14)
RR. Chain (15) Front Chain Spring (16) RR. Chain Spring (17) L/H.
Free Wheel (18) R/H. Free Wheel (19) RR. Mid Sprocket (20) FR. Mid
Sprocket (21) Drive Chain (22) Sub Cartridge Assembly (23) Sub
Drive Sprocket (24) Sub Drive Sprocket (25) Sub Chain (26) RR. Free
Wheel (27) Main Shaft (28) Drive Sprocket (29) Sub Shaft Drawing 2
and Drawing 5 of the Front Pivot Rear-stepping system. (30) L/H
Pedal (301) L/H Crank Arm (31) R/H Pedal (311) R/H Crank Arm (32)
Supporter (33) Pedal Shaft (34) L/H Drive Chain (35) R/H Drive
Chain (36) L/H Chain Spring (37) R/H Chain Spring (38) L/H Drive
Free Wheel (39) R/H Drive Free Wheel (41) Cartridge (42) Sprocket
(43) Sub Chain (44) RR. Free Wheel (45) Main Shaft Drawing 3 and
Drawing 6 of the Rear Pivot Front-stepping system. (50) L/H Pedal
(501) L/H Crank Arm (51) R/H Pedal (511) R/H Crank Arm (52)
Supporter (53) Pedal Shaft (54) L/H Drive Chain (55) R/H Drive
Chain (56) L/H Chain Spring (57) R/H Chain Spring (58) L/H Drive
Free Wheel (59) R/H Drive Free Wheel (60) Sprocket (61) Sub Chain
(62) RR. Free Wheel (63) Cartridge (64) Main Shaft
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The 1.sup.st type--seesaw pedal exercise scooter combines
the typical skate scooter with a seesawing exercise motion that
activates the rear wheel drive-train system. As downward step
pressure is applied on the front seesaw pedal (10), the Front Chain
(13) passes over the Front Mid-Sprocket (20) and R/H Freewheel (18)
(the unidirectional freewheel is not activated and stays in its
original position), and the Front Chain Spring (15) also remains in
its original position and not activated. As the back seesaw pedal
swings up; the Rear Chain (14) via Rear Mid-Sprocket (19) activates
the L/H Freewheel (17) in an anti-clockwise direction and pulls on
the Rear Chain Spring (16). Meanwhile, the L/H Freewheel is
activated together with the Main Shaft (27) and its attached Sub
Shaft (28) also begins to rotate. The rotation enables the Drive
Chain (21) to pull on the Sub Shaft (29) and activates its
associated Sub Drive Sprocket (23). The Sub Drive Sprocket (24) and
Sub Drive Sprocket (23) is attached to the Sub Shaft (29);
therefore enabling the rotation of the Sub Shaft (29) which pulls
on the Sub Chain (25) and rotates the Rear Freewheel (26) to propel
the skate scooter forward. As we step on the back seesaw pedal
creating downward pressure, the Rear Chain (14) and its associated
drive-train subassembly returns to its neutral position, and the
Front Chain (13) and its associated drive-train subassembly
initiates its aforementioned motion. Therefore; the repeated up and
down movement of the pedals composes the genuine skate scooter with
seesaw pedals. The aforementioned drive-train system may
incorporate steel chains, steel tension rods, leather or rubber
belts or other similar devices. Power transmission to the rear
wheels may be chain-driven or gear shaft-driven.
[0017] The 2.sup.nd type--Front pivot rear-stepping exercise
scooter utilizes the stepping motion on the dual step pedals to
activate the drive-train system on the rear wheels. As downward
pressure is exerted on the L/H Pedal (30), its attached L/H Crank
Arm (301) rotates the Pedal Shaft (33) initiating the L/H Drive
Chain (34) to pull on the L/H Drive Freewheel (38) and Main Shaft
(45). The Sprocket (42) on the Main Shaft (45) activates the Sub
Chain (43) and the Rear Freewheel (44) thus enabling rotation of
the rear wheel. In the mean time, the Right Pedal system remains
motionless as the R/H Drive Freewheel (39) restraints its
unidirectional movement. When downward pressure is applied to the
R/H Pedal (31); the aforementioned drive-train operation is
repeated but on the R/H side. As the L/H Pedal (30) is gradually
released; the L/H Chain Spring (36) is pulled back thus activating
the L/H Drive Chain (34) and the L/H Drive Freewheel (38) but the
force is not transmitted due to its unidirectional power
transmission design and the L/H Pedal (30) returns to its original
position. The repeated left and right pedal movement composes the
genuine skate scooter with step pedals.
[0018] The 3.sup.nd type--Rear pivot front-stepping exercise
scooter utilizes the stepping motion on the dual step pedals to
activate the drive-train system on the rear wheels. As downward
pressure is exerted on the L/H Pedal (50), its attached L/H Crank
Arm (501) rotates the Pedal Shaft (53) initiating the L/H Drive
Chain (54) to pull on the L/H Drive Freewheel (58) and Main Shaft
(64). The Sprocket (60) on the Main Shaft (64) activates the Sub
Chain (61) and the Rear Freewheel (62) thus enabling rotation of
the rear wheel. In the mean time, the Right Pedal system remains
motionless as the R/H Drive Freewheel (59) restraints its
unidirectional movement. When downward pressure is applied to the
R/H Pedal (51); the aforementioned drive-train operation is
repeated but on the R/H side. As the L/H Pedal (50) is gradually
released; the L/H Chain Spring (56) is pulled back thus activating
the L/H Drive Chain (54) and the L/H Drive Freewheel (58), but the
force is not transmitted due to its unidirectional power
transmission design and the L/H Pedal (50) returns to its original
position. The repeated left and right pedal movement composes the
genuine skate scooter with step pedals.
[0019] The aforementioned 2.sup.nd and .sub.3.sup.rd drive-train
system may incorporate steel chains, steel tension rods, leather or
rubber belts or other similar devices. Power transmission to the
rear wheels may be chain-driven or gear shaft-driven.
[0020] This invention intends to incorporate the above 3 types of
drive-train systems into improved versions of the step scooter with
2 wheels, 3 wheels and 4 wheels and improving its exercise value
and fun factor.
[0021] As a whole, these 3 types of improved skate scooter
drive-train mechanisms are applicable on any 2, 3 or 4 wheel
scooters. I believe the aforementioned outstanding features and its
innovative & practical design fall within the guidelines of a
new patent application and in accordance, this application is
hereby officially submitted for your review.
* * * * *