Stand for inline scooter having multiple attachment points

Abstract

A support stand for releasably engaging an inline scooter in a plurality of locations, wherein the stand can be engaged with a wheel to maintain the scooter in an upright position, as well as engaging a spaced portion of the scooter such as the upright post to allow unobstructed operation of the scooter. The support stand includes a clip sized to engage the spaced locations of the scooter including the wheel, wherein a base connected to the clip is sized to maintain the scooter in the upright position upon engaging the clip and a wheel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A "SEQUENCE LISTING"

[0003] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] 1. Field of the Invention

[0005] The present invention relates to inline scooters, and more particularly, to a support stand for an inline scooter, wherein the support stand can be releasably attached to the scooter in a plurality of configurations including a scooter supporting position and a scooter operating position.

[0006] 2. Background Art

[0007] Inline scooters have become very popular with both children and adults. However, the scooters are sold with no kick stand or parking mechanism to support the scooter when not in use. Thus, scooters are stored by either being dropped to the ground or leaned against a wall (which typically eventually results in the scooter being dropped to the ground). This treatment usually results in damage to the wall and/or the scooter.

[0008] As the typical inline scooter has 100 mm diameter wheels and a low foot board, traditional bicycle and kick stands can not be employed.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,364,269 discloses a rigid rectangular base having longitudinally extending grooves defining a tapered slot, wherein the grooves of the tapered slot are selected to releasably engage the wheel of an inline scooter.

[0010] The need exists for an inline scooter stand that does not need to be carried by an operator. The need also exists for an inline scooter stand that can selectively support the scooter in an upright position as well as be connected to the scooter in a stored configuration during use of the scooter.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention provides a support stand for supporting an inline scooter in an upright position, wherein the stand is configured to releasably engage the scooter in a first location for maintaining the scooter in the upright position, and a second location for allowing unobstructed operation of the scooter.

[0012] Generally, the stand includes a base and a resilient spring clip connected to the base, the clip sized to be alternatively cooperatively engage a wheel of the scooter and a portion of the scooter, so as to preclude unintended separation during use.

[0013] Thus, the present support stand cooperatively engages a portion of the inline scooter, such as the steering post to allow unobstructed use of the scooter. The support stand can be readily uncoupled from the steering post once engaged to one of the front or rear wheel to maintain the scooter in an upright position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0014] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a typical inline scooter for use in connection with the present support stand.

[0015] FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the support stand.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the support stand.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the clip.

[0018] FIG. 5 is an end view of the clip.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the clip.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the base.

[0021] FIG. 8 is an end elevational view of the base.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of an alternative configuration of the base.

[0023] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the alternative configuration of the base connected to a clip.

[0024] FIG. 11 is a side elevational view taken along lines 11-11 of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The support stand 30 is constructed for use with an inline scooter 10 as shown in FIG. 1. Typically, the scooter 10 includes an elongate, generally extendable steering post 12 having handles 14 at an upper end. A lower end of the steering post includes a front wheel 16. A footplate 18 is connected to the steering post 12 of a pivotal connection. A rear wheel 20 is rotatably mounted to the footplate 18. Although the present support stand 30 is shown in cooperative engagement with such an inline scooter 10, it is understood the particular vehicle supported by the present support stand does not limit the invention. Thus, the support stand 30 can be employed with any of a variety of wheeled vehicles between a scooter supporting position and a scooter operating position. As seen in FIG. 1, for purposes of illustration two support stands 30 are shown attached to the scooter 10, one in the scooter supporting position and the remaining stand in the scooter operating position. It is understood that only one support stand 30 is required, and can be located in either the scooter supporting position (engaging the wheel) or the scooter operating position (engaging post 12).

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the support stand 30 includes a base 40 for selectively contacting the ground and a clip 50 for releasably engaging the scooter 10. That is, the stand 30 is connectable to the scooter in a scooter supporting position and a scooter operating position. In the scooter supporting position, the stand 30 cooperatively engages a wheel of the scooter 10, and the scooter operating position, the stand releasably engages the scooter body such as the steering post 12.

[0027] As seen in FIGS. 2, 3, 7, and 8, the base 40 includes a top side 43 and a bottom side 44.

[0028] Although the base 40 is shown as a generally planar construction, it is understood the base can have a contoured top or bottom. In addition, the base 40 is shown as having a generally oval periphery wherein a major dimension of the oval is parallel to a longitudinal dimension of the scooter 10, the minor dimension of the oval is transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the scooter. In certain configurations, the major dimension of the base 40 is approximately seven inches and the minor dimension is between approximately four inches and approximately five inches, with a preferred minor dimension of approximately five inches. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the minor dimension of the base 40 is shown as approximately four inches. As shown in FIGS. 9-11, the minor dimension of the base 40 is approximately five inches.

[0029] Preferably, the base 40 is sized to preclude tipping of the scooter 10. That is, the base 40 maintains the scooter 10 in an upright position upon engaging a wheel 16,20. Further, it has been found that sizing the minor dimension of the base 40 to approximately five inches allows the support stand 30 to maintain the scooter 10 in an upright scooter supporting position, independent of orientation of the major dimension of the base with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the scooter. That is, the front wheel 16 can be turned from an in-line orientation relative to the rear wheel 20, wherein the support stand 30 maintains the scooter 10 in an upright position.

[0030] The base 40 includes a peripheral ground engaging flange 46 projecting from the bottom side 44. The flange 46 thus defines a recessed land area 45 sized to receive decal stickers or other user selected indicia. The user selected indicia can include a label or sticker sized to be received within the recessed land area 45. It is understood alternative attachments can be employed between the recessed land area 45 and the indicia, such as, but not limited to hook and loop fasteners, detents, tabs or fingers. Thus, an individual can customize the support stand 30 in accordance with their favorite team, group or association. The user selected indicia in the recessed land area 45 is displayed upon engagement of the support stand 30 in the scooter operating position, as seen in FIG. 1. In addition, the flange 46 is sized to at least partially protect the recessed land area 45 such that upon bottom surface contacting the ground, the indicia disposed within the recessed land area is not directly contacting the ground.

[0031] It is further understood the periphery of the base 40 could be any of a variety of geometric shapes including curvilinear, multifaceted, circular, rectangular, square or triangular. It is also contemplated the base 40 could be a generally tripod configuration having a plurality of legs. However, to minimize the overall footprint of the scooter 10 upon operable engagement with the stand 30 in the scooter supporting position, an oval periphery has been found satisfactory.

[0032] Further, the base 40 includes a pair of through apertures 41, wherein the through apertures are counter sunk adjacent the bottom side 44 of the base 40. A material that has been found satisfactory for the base 40 is high density polyethylene.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 2-6, the clip 50 is a generally U shaped configuration having a closed end. The closed end includes a pair of spaced apertures, corresponding to the through apertures 41 of the base 40. The closed end of the clip 50 is affixed to the top surface of the base 40. The clip 50 is affixed to the base 40 by fasteners in the through apertures 41 in the base and the corresponding holes in the closed end of the clip. The fasteners can include any of a variety of known fasteners including screws, threaded shafts, and bolts. It is understood, rivets can be used.

[0034] The clip 50 is a resilient spring material, which can be formed of a variety of materials including thermoplastic, hardened thermosets as well as spring steel.

[0035] Although not required, the clip 50 is formed of a pair of legs, which are mirror images about the longitudinal axis of the clip. Thus, the legs of the clip 50 define a converging guide ramp 52, a throat 54, a bulbous (curvilinear) post engaging section 56 and a parallel wall section 58.

[0036] The throat 54 and post engaging sections 56 are sized to allow the clip 50 (and hence stand 10) to be snap fit to the post 12 of the scooter 10. Thus, the stand 30 can be releasably engaged with the scooter 10 in an unobstructing, scooter operating position. Although the clip is shown as sized to engage the post 12, it is understood the clip can be configured to cooperatively engage alternative portions of the scooter 10. Upon engagement of the support stand 10 in the scooter operating position, the recessed land area 45 is exposed to display the indicia on the recessed land area.

[0037] The clip 50 is also sized to releasably engage a wheel 16, 20 of the scooter 10. The wheel is disposed within the clip 50 such that the clip engages the wheel at radially spaced locations, and preferably across two chords of the wheel. The typical wheel includes a hub area having a reduced dimension along the axis of rotation. The clip 50 can be sized to have the throat 54 engage the hub area of the wheel to provide the contact between the clip and the wheel. In this configuration, the parallel wall section 58 may contact the sides of the engaged wheel as the wheel moves relative to the clip, but the parallel wall section 58 does not clamp against the wheel.

[0038] The clip 50 is thus selected to sufficiently engage the wheel 16 to preclude unintended separation from the wheel.

[0039] Further, although the clip 50 and base 40 are shown as separate elements, it is understood they can be formed in a single piece configuration. That is, the support stand 30 can be formed of a single piece of material, wherein the legs of the clip are cut and folded from the base. Typically, in this integral configuration, the base 40 (and the clip 50) are formed of metal. However, it is understood in the integral configuration, the base 40 and the clip 50 can be formed of a polymeric material, such as thermoplastic having a sufficient to durometer on the Shore D scale.

[0040] It has been found that a height (or engaging height) of the clip 50 with the wheel relative to the width and length of the base 40 defines operable parameters for the stand functioning in the scooter supporting position. Specifically, an oval base 40 having a major axis of approximately 7 inches and a minor axis of approximately 4 inches has been found satisfactory upon the clip 50 engaging the wheel at between approximately 20% to 45% of a 100 mm wheel height (diameter). As the foot plate 18 has a typical width of at least 4 inches, the support stand 30 does increase the effective width of scooter 10. Although the clip 50 is shown as affixed concentric to the base 40, it is understood the clip could be attached to the base along the major axis of the base to locate a greater portion of the base within the existing footprint of the scooter.

Operation

[0041] In operation, one wheel of the scooter 10 is engaged with the clip 50 such that the clip engages the wheel, such as in a pair of radially spaced locations as well as along a pair of chords. The base 40 is then set on the ground and the peripheral ground engaging flange 46 contacts the ground and protects the indicia of the recessed land area 45. The support stand 30 thus retains the scooter 10 in an upright position. Further, depending upon the sizing of the base 40, the support stand 30 can retain the scooter 10 in the upright position, independent of the orientation of the steering post 12 and front wheel 16 relative to the longitudinal axis of the scooter.

[0042] To operate the scooter, the stand 30 is pulled from the wheel such that the clip 50 disengages the wheel. The guide ramp 52 of the clip 50 is then forced against the post 12 of the scooter 10. Upon sufficient bias, the clip 50 is flexed to engage the post 12 of the scooter 10. The clip 50 can then be slid vertically along the length of the post. The clip 50 sufficiently engages the post 12 to preclude unintended separation during operation of the scooter. Thus, the scooter 10 can be operated without interference from the base 40.

[0043] While the invention has been described in connection with a presently preferred embodiment thereof, those skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications and changes made be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, which accordingly is intended to be defined solely by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A stand for supporting an inline scooter in an upright position, the scooter having an upright post and at least one wheel, the stand comprising: (a) a base having a lower around contacting surface and an upper surface; (b) a resilient clip connected to the base upper surface, the clip having spaced apart mirror image legs extending upward from the upper surface of the base, the spaced legs providing in sequence, i) a first portion defining the entrance to the space therebetween, ii) a second narrowed throat portion sized to engage the legs against the hub of the scooter wheel in the scooter supporting position, iii) a third bulbous portion below the throat sized to accommodate the reception of the upright post between the legs in the scooter operating position, and iv) a fourth wall portion extending to the base, the length of the legs from the base to the throat being substantially equal to the radius of the scooter wheel; (c) the throat and wall portions together comprising a scooter wheel engaging portion sized to releaseably engage the wheel in a scooter supporting position and the bulbous portion sized to releasable engage the post and attach the base to the post in a scooter operating position; and (d) the base selected to maintain the scooter in an upright position upon the clip releasably engaging the wheel in the scooter supporting position.

2. (canceled)

3. The stand of claim 1, wherein the base has a depending peripheral flange to define a recessed land area.

4. The stand of claim 3, further comprising a user selected indicia in the recessed land area, the indicia being protected from ground contact by the peripheral flange when the clip is attached to the wheel in the scooter supporting position and the indicia being visible and on display when the clip is attached to the post in the scooter operating position.

5. The stand of claim 3, wherein the depending peripheral ground engaging flange has a closed periphery.

6. The stand of claim 1, wherein the base has an oval periphery defined by a major axis and a transverse minor axis, and the minor axis is parallel to an axis of rotation of the wheel in the scooter supporting position.

7. (canceled)

8. The stand for supporting an inline scooter of claim 15, wherein the raised ground contacting surface is a depending peripheral ground engaging flange on the base lower surface that defines the recessed land area and the user selected indicia positioned in the land area is displayed when the spring clip is in the display position and the indicia is protected from ground contact when the clip is in the scooter supporting position.

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

11. A support stand for an inline scooter having a front wheel, a rear wheel and an upright steering post, the stand comprising: (a) a base having a lower surface including a raised peripheral portion, the raised peripheral portions defining a recessed land area therebetween; (b) a resilient spring clip connected to the base, the clip sized to alternately and cooperatively engage one of the front wheel and rear wheel, and the upright steering post to preclude unintended separation; (c) a user selected indicia in the recessed land area; (d) the base defining a sufficient footprint to maintain the inline scooter in an upright position upon the clip engaging one of the front and rear wheel with the raised projections preventing ground contact of the indicia; and (e) the base positioning the indicia in a display position upon the clip engaging the steering post.

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. A support stand for supporting an inline scooter in an upright position, the scooter having a wheel including a wheel hub and an upright steering post and the stand comprising: a) a base having a lower surface; b) a resilient spring clip connected to the base for alternately and selectively positioning the stand in one of i) a wheel engaging scooter supporting position wherein at least a portion of the base lower surface is in a ground contact position and ii) a steering post engaging position wherein the base lower surface is in a displayed position, c) the clip having spaced apart legs extending upright from the base, the legs formed and together defining i) a wheel receiving portion adjacent the base, ii) a narrowed throat spaced from the base and iii) a bulbous steering post receiving portion intermediate the wheel receiving portion and the throat portion; d) the spring clip in the scooter supporting position receiving the wheel into the receiving portion defined between the spaced apart legs with the narrowed throat engaging the wheel hub and the base lower surface in around contact; and e) the spring clip in the display position receiving the steering post into the bulbous steering post receiving portion between the legs with the base lower ground contacting surface displayed.

15. A stand as in claim 14 comprising a) the base lower surface having a raised ground contacting portion defining a recessed land area; b) a user selected indicia releaseably retained in the recessed land area; and c) the spring clip connected to the base being releaseably attachable to one of the steering post and wheel, i) the attachment to the steering post allowing operation of the scooter and positioning the base ground contacting surface in an indicia displayed position and ii) the attachment to the wheel positioning the around contacting portion of the base in around contact in a scooter supporting position with the indicia in the recessed land area being protected from ground contact by the raised around contacting surface.