U.S. patent application number 10/279667 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-29 for motorized scooter.
Invention is credited to Laver, Erik, laver, Penny.
Application Number | 20040079571 10/279667 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32106777 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040079571 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Laver, Erik ; et
al. |
April 29, 2004 |
Motorized scooter
Abstract
The present invention is a suspensioned motor powered scooter
with a front steered wheel, a rear driven wheel, a chassis, a
motor, and a shock absorber. The front and rear wheels are wide
enough to allow the scooter to remain independently upright upon a
rider's dismount. A swing arm assembly maintains a fixed
relationship between the motor and the rear wheel. In addition, the
motor bears only a pivotal relationship with the chassis such that
any shock resulting from operation of the scooter over rough
terrain is absorbed by the swing arm assembly and shock absorber
rather than by the chassis.
Inventors: |
Laver, Erik; (Salt Lake
City, UT) ; laver, Penny; (Salt Lake City,
UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael F. Krieger
Kirton & McConkie
1800 Eagle Gate Tower
60 East South Temple
Salt Lake City
UT
84111
US
|
Family ID: |
32106777 |
Appl. No.: |
10/279667 |
Filed: |
October 24, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
180/180 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62M 6/60 20130101; B62K
3/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
180/180 |
International
Class: |
A63C 005/08 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electric motor powered scooter comprising: a front steered
wheel; a rear driven wheel, wherein both said rear driven wheel and
said front steered wheel are wide enough to allow said scooter to
remain independently erect upon dismount of a rider; a chassis
having a fender mounted to a rear end thereof; a motor coupled to
said chassis in a location lateral to and in substantially the same
plane as the rear wheel, and operationally connected to said rear
wheel, the motor and rear wheel being maintained at a constant
distance from each other; and shock absorbing means mounted to said
fender at a location between said fender and said chassis.
2. The motor powered scooter of claim 1, wherein said shock
absorbing means comprises an inflatable rubber cylinder.
3. The motor powered scooter of claim 1, wherein said rear driven
wheel is coupled to a disc brake.
4. The motor powered scooter of claim 1, further comprising means
for maintaining a fixed distance between said motor and said rear
driven wheel.
5. The motor powered scooter of claim 1, wherein said shock
absorber is inflatable.
6. The motor powered scooter of claim 1, further comprising means
for maintaining a fixed distance between said motor and said rear
driven wheel.
7. A motorized two wheeled golf cart comprising: a front steered
wheel wide enough to not damage turf when traveling thereon; a rear
driven wheel coupled to a disc brake, wherein both said rear driven
wheel and said front steered wheel are wide enough to allow said
scooter to remain independently erect upon dismount of a rider; a
chassis having a head tube mounted to a forward end thereof and a
fender mounted to a rear end thereof; a motor pivotally coupled to
said chassis and operationally connected to said rear driven wheel;
and a shock absorber coupled to said fender.
8. A motor powered scooter comprising: a front steered wheel; a
rear driven wheel coupled to a disc brake, wherein both said rear
driven wheel and said front steered wheel are wide enough to allow
said scooter to remain independently erect upon dismount of a
rider; a chassis having a head tube mounted to a forward end
thereof and a fender mounted to a rear end thereof; a fork
rotatably mounted in said head tube and supporting said front
steered wheel; a platform mounted to a top surface of said chassis
for supporting said rider thereon; a motor mounted in substantially
the same horizontal plane as the rear wheel and coupled to and
residing within said chassis, wherein said motor is operationally
connected to said rear driven wheel; means for maintaining a fixed
distance between said motor and said rear driven wheel; and an
inflatable shock absorber coupled to said fender at a location
between said fender and said chassis.
9. The motor powered scooter of claim 8, wherein the means for
maintaining a fixed distance between said motor and said rear
driven wheel comprises a swing arm assembly mounted to said motor
and to said rear driven wheel.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of electric
powered scooters and, more particularly, to construction of a
suspensioned motor powered scooter in which the rear wheel is
operationally connected to the motor at a fixed distance to
maintain adequate tension in the chain during operation over rough
terrain.
[0003] 2. Background and Related Art
[0004] Motor powered scooters are well known in the art and have
long been used as an inexpensive means of transportation. Typical
motor powered scooters are built with a steerable front wheel, an
electric motor supplying power to a rear wheel, and a platform
mounted to a central chassis for accommodating a rider.
[0005] Examples of motor powered scooters are found in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 4,821,832, and 6,012,539 to Patmont. Such scooters are
exceedingly useful and popular, although certain limitations
inherent in their construction impede their broader use and greater
success.
[0006] One problem with presently known motor powered scooters is
that current methods of scooter construction and manufacture fail
to facilitate smooth operation over uneven surfaces and rugged
terrain. Indeed, most presently known scooters fail to implement
any type of suspension system whatsoever. Moreover, the few
presently known scooter suspension systems are inadequate for
operation over rough terrain as they fail to prevent disengagement
of the chain from its associated gear. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
6,012,539 teaches an all terrain scooter with pneumatic tires to
absorb shock created by surface irregularities. The shock absorbing
capacity of such tires, however, is insufficient to adequately
absorb shock resulting from operation over uneven, rugged
terrain.
[0007] Another problem with prior art motor powered scooters is
their inherent instability. Traditional scooters require a
kickstand or similar mechanism to retain the scooter in an upright
position when not in use. Such kickstands are inherently unreliable
as they depend on principles of counterbalance taken to an extreme.
Indeed, a kickstand applied to the wheel base of a scooter must be
fairly short, while the scooter itself is relatively tall. The
great disparity in dimension between the kickstand and the scooter
makes it difficult for the scooter to obtain a proper independent
balance. In addition, the dimensional disparity between kickstand
and scooter reduces the scooter's ability to maintain a proper
independent balance for extended periods of time. Indeed, even a
small breeze or slight brush against the scooter may cause the
scooter to topple, potentially resulting in both external and
internal damage to the scooter.
[0008] Further, some presently known scooters employ a side-mounted
motor, which also contributes to scooter instability. For example,
U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,302 to Patmont discloses a motor mounted to a
rear wheel mount located on one side of a rear wheel. The added
weight and bulk of a motor so mounted necessarily increases the
scooter's stationary instability.
[0009] Tires on most scooters are narrow to reduce the rolling
resistance. While this increases the speed and distance a scooter
can travel, narrow tires cause ruts to be formed in the turf
surfaces and sink into sand and soft soil.
[0010] What is needed is a scooter that is reliable, simple in
construction, and having a chain which is capable of maintaining
adequate tension over terrain, and which is capable of traveling on
softer surfaces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention is a suspensioned motor powered
scooter with a front steered wheel, a rear driven wheel, a chassis,
a motor, and a shock absorber. The front and rear wheels are wide
and the weight of the motor is positioned low in the chassis to
allow the scooter to remain independently upright upon a rider's
dismount. A swing arm assembly maintains a fixed relationship
between the motor and the rear wheel. In addition, the swing arm is
isolated from chassis movement by an adjustable air bag
suspension.
[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide a
suspensioned scooter capable of smooth operation over rugged
terrain.
[0013] Another object of the present invention to provide a scooter
wherein the chain maintains adequate tension and engagement with
its associated spindle and gear over any surface.
[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
scooter that is capable of traveling on turf and soft soil.
[0015] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
scooter that is independently stable, properly balanced, and
capable of remaining independently erect upon the dismount of a
rider, when the scooter is on level ground.
[0016] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in
the description that follows and in the appended claims. The
features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of
the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the
appended claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the
invention may be learned by the practice of the invention or will
be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] In order that the manner in which the above recited and
other features and advantages of the present invention are
obtained, a more particular description of the invention will be
rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are
illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that the
drawings depict only typical embodiments of the present invention
and are not, therefore, to be considered as limiting the scope of
the invention, the present invention will be described and
explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of
the accompanying drawings in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the motor powered
scooter;
[0019] FIG. 2 is an exploded side view of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view thereof;
[0021] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the handlebars of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 5 is an exploded side view of the rear tire showing the
disc brake system;
[0023] FIG. 6 is an opposite side view of the rear tire depicting
the suspension system of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the chassis and its internal
components including the motor; and
[0025] FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in
all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of
the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims
rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be
embraced within their scope.
[0027] As used in this specification and claims, the term scooter
refers to an electric powered scooter wherein the motor receives DC
power from its associated batteries.
[0028] As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the motor powered scooter of the
present invention includes handlebars 28, a steering column 26, a
front wheel 4, a rear wheel 6, a chassis 2, a rider's platform 42,
and a fender 8.
[0029] The chassis 2 comprises the main structural element of the
scooter. As such, the chassis 2 may be made of any material which
lends structure to the scooter and is capable of withstanding the
weight of an average person. The chassis 2 extends along a
substantially horizontal plane, wherein the top surface of the
chassis 2 provides a platform 42 for the feet of the rider. The
platform 42 may be textured so as to create a non-skid surface for
the feet of the rider. The chassis also functions to house a power
source for the scooter--specifically, a motor 20 and its associated
batteries 22. This chassis function will be discussed in more
detail below with reference to FIG. 7.
[0030] A steering column 26 is mounted to the front end of the
chassis 2. The lower portion of the steering column 26 houses a
fork coupled to the front wheel 4, such that rotation of the
steering column 26 causes a corresponding rotation of the front
wheel 4. Such rotational movement is facilitated by handlebars 28
attached to the uppermost portion of the steering column 26. The
steering column 26 may optionally include a telescopic joint so as
to enable a rider to adjust the height of the steering column 26 as
desired. Steering column 26 may also be collapsible. In one
embodiment, the column is hinged and a sleeve may be slid over the
hinge to prevent movement of the column or lifted to allow the
column to be inclined parallel to and contiguous with the chassis.
The front wheel 4 is preferably equipped with a large
cross-sectional, small diameter, low pressure pneumatic tire.
[0031] A fender 8 is coupled to the rear end of the chassis and
resides directly over the rear wheel 6. Like the front wheel 4, the
rear wheel 6 is preferably equipped with a large cross-sectional,
small diameter, low pressure pneumatic tire. According to one
aspect of the presently preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the rear wheel 6 has a slightly greater width than the
front wheel 4 to accommodate the fact that more of the rider's
weight may be concentrated primarily over the rear wheel 6, and
power is directed to the rear drive wheel. The fender 8 mirrors the
dimensions of the rear wheel 6 so as to protect the body of the
scooter and the rider from mud and other debris that may be
dislodged and upstrewn by the rotational movement of such wheel.
Additionally, the fender 8 functions to provide a surface on which
to mount shock absorbing means 24 for the suspension system herein
disclosed. Fender 8 also prevents the rider from inadvertently
contacting rear wheel 6 while moving
[0032] According to one aspect of the present invention, the
scooter is equipped with front and rear wheels wide enough to allow
the scooter to remain independently erect upon dismount of a rider.
This improvement allows for quick and easy dismounts. Indeed,
self-supporting wheels and a low center of gravity obviate the need
for additional means of support, such as a kickstand when the
scooter is parked on a level surface. Scooter stationary
instability is a primary cause of scooter damage. When a scooter
inadvertently falls over, the fall is likely to cause injury both
externally to the scooter body, and internally to the structure and
function of the scooter. By having a very low center of gravity and
wide tires, the inventive scooter is very stable and less likely to
fall over.
[0033] FIGS. 4 and 5 depict the disc brake system on the rear wheel
preferred for use in conjunction with the present invention.
Specifically, FIG. 4 illustrates an actuator 30 attached to the
handlebar 28 of the present invention. A brake cable 36 extends
from the actuator 30 down the steering column 26 to communicate
with the caliper 34 of FIG. 5. Upon activation of the actuator 30,
the caliper 34 squeezes brake pads against the rotor 32, which is
attached to the rear wheel 6. Friction between the pads and the
rotor 32 slows wheel 6.
[0034] As seen in FIG. 6, the present invention further espouses a
drive train wherein the rear wheel 6 and the motor 20 are retained
at a fixed distance on the same swing arm assembly 16. Preferably,
a drive gear 18 attached to the motor 20 is operationally connected
to the rear wheel 6 and associated gear by way of a chain 14. The
chain 14 engages both the drive spindle 18 and a gear 12 attached
to the rear wheel hub 10 such that rotation of the drive spindle 18
causes rotation of the chain 14, and hence movement of the rear
wheel 6.
[0035] Traditional chain assemblies, such as that described above,
tend to malfunction upon operation over rough terrain due to
intermittent slack resulting in the chain 14. Prolonged periods of
slack in the chain 14 or an extreme case of slack in the chain 14
may cause the chain 14 to become disengaged altogether. As the
slack in the chain increases upon the encountering of an obstacle,
the driven wheel momentarily slows. As the slack is taken up, the
driven wheel then jerks when the slack is gone. This jerking is
dangerous on a vehicle such as a scooter since the rider is merely
standing on the platform. The suspension system of the present
invention overcomes the problem of the prior art by virtue of the
swing arm assembly 16 herein disclosed. The swing arm assembly 16
secures the motor 20 and the rear wheel 6 against a solid plate at
a constant distance from each other. Thus, the swing arm assembly
16 inherently maintains a constant distance between the drive
spindle 18 and the gear assembly 12 attached to the rear wheel 6.
The chain 14 is thus able to maintain adequate tension with respect
to the spindle 18 and gear assembly 12 even over uneven surfaces or
rugged terrain.
[0036] Another component of the suspension system herein disclosed
are shock absorbing means 24 placed between the fender 8 and the
chassis 2 to cushion any interference between the two. By way of
example and not limitation, the shock absorbing means 24 may
comprise an inflatable rubber bladder mounted to the fender 8, a
spring or rubber grommet.
[0037] FIG. 7 offers an internal view of chassis 2 and its
components. The motor 20 is coupled to chassis 2 by virtue of a
flexible surround 40. Chassis 2 also houses, by way of example and
not limitation, three batteries 22 that provide the motor 20 with
the DC power necessary for scooter operation. As seen in FIG. 8,
the motor 20 and its associated batteries 22 are evenly distributed
within the chassis 2 and are placed low therein, on a plane
parallel to and substantially adjacent the top surface of the rear
wheel 6, to ensure an evenly distributed low center of gravity. A
low center of gravity relative the wheel base is necessary to
facilitate the independent stability of the scooter as well as
proper operational balance, as discussed above with reference to
FIG. 1.
* * * * *