U.S. patent application number 11/342463 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-02 for chain driven scooter.
Invention is credited to Huann-Jong Tserng.
Application Number | 20070175685 11/342463 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38320918 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070175685 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tserng; Huann-Jong |
August 2, 2007 |
Chain driven scooter
Abstract
The chain driven scooter has a body, a return device, a drive
device, an operating device and a blocking device. The body has a
baseboard and a rear wheel frame. The return device is mounted
under the baseboard and has a jacket, a connector and a chain
spring. The chain spring is attached to the connector. The drive
device is mounted between the rear wheel frame and the connector
and has a guide sprocket, a coaster drive sprocket and a chain. The
chain is reeved around the guide sprocket and the coaster drive
sprocket and connected to the return device. The operating device
is mounted pivotally over the rear wheel and is connected to and
pulls the chain when the operating device is pivoted backward. The
blocking device is mounted over the rear wheel and keeps the
operating device from over-rotating.
Inventors: |
Tserng; Huann-Jong; (Dali
City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
COOPER & DUNHAM, LLP
1185 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK
NY
10036
US
|
Family ID: |
38320918 |
Appl. No.: |
11/342463 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
180/180 ;
180/218 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62M 1/28 20130101; B62K
3/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
180/180 ;
180/218 |
International
Class: |
A63C 5/08 20060101
A63C005/08 |
Claims
1. A chain driven scooter having a body having a baseboard being
flat and having a top; and a bottom; a frame being U-shaped,
attached to the bottom of the baseboard and having a closed front
end; two rear ends; and a rear axle mounted removably between the
two rear ends; a handlebar assembly connected pivotally to the
frame and having a lower end; a handlebar connected pivotally to
the closed front end of the frame; a fork connected to and turned
by the handlebar; and a front wheel mounted rotatably in the fork;
a rear wheel mounted rotatably on the rear axle between the rear
ends of the frame and having a center; and a wheel hub being
hollow, defined transversely through the center of the rear wheel
and mounted rotatably on the axle between the rear ends of the
frame; two guide brackets securely mounted respectively on the rear
ends of the frame, and each guide bracket having an outer edge
formed on the guide bracket opposite to the frame; and a notch
formed in the outer edge of the guide bracket; two bracket caps
attached respectively to the outer edges of the guide brackets, and
each bracket cap having an inner edge; and a notch formed in the
inner edge, corresponding to and communicated with the notch in the
outer edge of a corresponding guide bracket and formed a through
hole in cooperation with the notch in the corresponding guide
bracket; a rear wheel frame being an inverted V-shape, connected to
the frame near the rear ends, connected to the wheel hub of the
rear wheel and having two sides; two return stops attached
respectively to opposite sides of the rear wheel frame near the
wheel hub; and a return device mounted on the bottom of the
baseboard and having a jacket being tubular attached to the bottom
of the baseboard and having a front end; an open rear end; two
sides; a through hole extending transversely through the jacket
near the front end; an anchor mounted in the through hole; and two
through slots longitudinally formed respectively through the sides
of the jacket and aligned with each other; a connector mounted
slidably in the jacket and having a front end; a rear end; and a
spring hole formed transversely through the connector near the
front end; a chain spring mounted slidably in the jacket and having
a front end attached securely to the anchor near the front end of
the jacket; and a rear end attached securely to the spring hole in
the connector; and a drive device mounted between the rear wheel
frame and the connector and having a guide sprocket attached
rotatably to the rear wheel frame and having a central through
hole; and a mounting pin mounted through the central hole in the
guide sprocket; a coaster drive sprocket mounted around the wheel
hub and aligning with the guide sprocket and having a
unidirectional bearing mounted between the wheel hub and the
coaster drive sprocket; and a chain reeved around and engaged the
guide sprocket and the coaster drive sprocket, connected to the
return device and having a front end connected to the connector;
and a rear end; an operating device mounted over the rear wheel and
pivotally on the rear axle, connect to the chain and having a lever
arm being U-shaped, mounted over the rear wheel and pivotally on
the rear axle, connected to the rear end of the chain and having
two lower ends; an upper end; a chain bracket attached to the lever
arm, aligned with the guide sprocket and connected to the rear end
of the chain; and a neck formed at and protruding forward from the
upper end of the lever arm; two lever stops connected respectively
to the lower ends of the lever arm and aligned with and abutting
the return stops when the lever arm are pivoted, and each lever
stop having a pivot hole formed through the lever stop, face the
other pivot hole and mounted rotatably on the rear axle; and a
protruding ear formed on and protruding perpendicular out from the
lever stop; two mounting rings attached respectively to the
protruding ears coaxially with the pivot holes and slidably mounted
respectively through the through holes formed by the notches
respectively in the guide brackets and the bracket caps; two lever
springs mounted respectively around the mounting rings between the
protruding ears and the guide brackets, compressed when the lever
arm is pivoted; a push bar connected transversely to the neck of
the lever arm; and a chain bracket mounted on the lever arm between
the push bar and the lever stops and connected to the rear end of
the chain near the guide sprocket; a blocking device being
U-shaped, mounted on the rear axle to keep the operating device
from over-rotating and having two connecting arms attached to the
rear axle, and each connecting arm having a proximal end attached
to the rear axle; and a distal end; and a positive stop connected
to the distal ends of the connecting arms.
2. The chain driven scooter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body
further comprises a mudguard mounted over the rear wheel and having
a proximal end connected to the rear wheel frame; and a distal end;
and the positive stop of the blocking device aligns with the distal
end of the mudguard.
3. The chain driven scooter as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
baseboard further comprises a kickstand attached pivotally to the
baseboard; the return device further comprises multiple mounting
tabs mounted on and protruding down from the bottom of the
baseboard inside the frame; and the jacket is attached to the
mounting tabs.
4. The chain driven scooter as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
drive device further has a wing mounted on the rear wheel frame
near one of the return stops and having a through hole; the guide
sprocket is rotatably attached to the wing; and the mounting pin is
mounted through the through hole in the wing to hold the guide
sprocket rotatably on the wing.
5. The chain driven scooter as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
connector of the return device further has a chain hole extending
transversely through the connector and aligning with the through
slots; and the return device further has a connecting pin mounted
in the chain hole in the connector and protruding through and
sliding in the through slots.
6. The chain driven scooter as claimed in claim 5, wherein the
operating device further has a horizontal bar being U-shaped and
connected to and protruding from the lever arm between the push bar
and the lever stops.
7. The chain driven scooter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
baseboard further comprises a kickstand attached pivotally to the
baseboard; the return device further comprises multiple mounting
tabs mounted on and protruding down from the bottom of the
baseboard inside the frame; and the jacket is attached to the
mounting tabs.
8. The chain driven scooter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
drive device further has a wing mounted on the rear wheel frame
near one of the return stops and having a through hole; the guide
sprocket is rotatably attached to the wing; and the mounting pin is
mounted through the through hole in the wing to hold the guide
sprocket rotatably on the wing.
9. The chain driven scooter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
connector of the return device further has a chain hole extending
transversely through the connector and aligning with the through
slots; and the return device further has a connecting pin mounted
in the chain hole in the connector and protruding through and
sliding in the through slots.
10. The chain driven scooter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
operating device further has a horizontal bar being U-shaped and
connected to and protruding from the lever arm between the push bar
and the lever stops.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a scooter, and more
particularly to a chain driven scooter that can be operated by
pressing a lever backward to make the chain driven scooter move
forward easily.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Scooters have become a popular mode of adult exercise in
recent years, provide a transport function and can be operated and
stored easily.
[0005] With reference to FIG. 5, a conventional scooter (80) is
propelled by a person standing on the scooter (80) with one foot
and pushing the scooter (80) with the other foot and has a
baseboard (81), a handle assembly (82), a rear wheel frame (84) and
a rear wheel (85).
[0006] The baseboard (81) is a flat board, on which a person stands
and has a front end and a rear end.
[0007] The handle assembly (82) is connected pivotally and
rotatably to the front end of the baseboard (81) and has a shaft, a
handlebar, a fork (821) and a front wheel (83). The shaft is
connected to the front end of the baseboard (81) and has a proximal
end and a distal end. The proximal end of the shaft is attached
pivotally to the baseboard (81). The handlebar is mounted rotatably
in the distal end of the shaft. The fork (821) is mounted rotatably
in the proximal end of the shaft and is connected to the handlebar.
The front wheel (83) is mounted rotatably in the fork (821).
[0008] The rear wheel frame (84) is attached to and protrudes from
the rear end of the baseboard (81).
[0009] The rear wheel (85) is mounted rotatably in the rear wheel
frame (84).
[0010] However, the conventional scooter (80) has the following
shortcomings.
[0011] 1. When a person operates the scooter (80), one foot must
periodically contact the ground to propel the scooter (80).
However, the person's foot pushing the scooter (80) is susceptible
to being injured or getting wet when the riding surface has
obstructions such as curbs or is wet.
[0012] 2. The speed of the scooter (80) is restricted to speed that
can be achieved by pushing the ground with a person's foot.
Consequently, the scooter (80) is not a viable form of
transportation for distances significantly longer than a few
kilometers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The main objective of the present invention is to provide a
chain driven scooter that can be operated by pressing a lever
backward to propel the chain driven scooter forward easily and make
the chain driven scooter a viable form of transportation even in
traffic.
[0014] The chain driven scooter has a body, a return device, a
drive device, an operating device and a blocking device. The body
has a baseboard and a rear wheel frame. The return device is
mounted under the baseboard and has a jacket, a connector and a
chain spring. The chain spring is attached to the connector. The
drive device is mounted between the rear wheel frame and the
connector and has a guide sprocket, a coaster drive sprocket and a
chain. The chain is reeved around the guide sprocket and the
coaster drive sprocket and connected to the return device. The
operating device is mounted pivotally over the rear wheel and is
connected to and pulls the chain when the operating device is
pivoted backward. The blocking device is mounted over the rear
wheel and keeps the operating device from over-rotating.
[0015] Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a side view of a chain driven scooter in
accordance with the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the chain driven
scooter in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of the chain driven scooter
in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 4 is an operational side view of the chain driven
scooter in FIG. 1 with the chain driven scooter being
propelled;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a conventional scooter in
accordance with the prior art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a chain driven scooter (10)
in accordance with the present invention comprises a body (20), a
return device (30), a drive device (40), an operating device (50)
and a blocking device (60).
[0022] The body (20) comprises a baseboard (23), a frame (21), a
handlebar assembly (22), a rear wheel (24), two guide brackets
(25), two bracket caps (26), a rear wheel frame (27), two return
stops (28) and an optional mudguard (29).
[0023] The baseboard (23) is a flat board, on which a person stands
and comprises a top, a bottom and an optional kickstand (231). The
kickstand (231) is attached pivotally to the baseboard (23) to hold
the chain driven scooter (10) upright when the chain driven scooter
(10) is not being used.
[0024] The frame (21) is U-shaped, is attached to the bottom of the
baseboard (23) and has a closed front end, two rear ends and a rear
axle (211). The rear axle (211) is mounted removably between the
two rear ends of the frame (21).
[0025] The handlebar assembly (22) is connected pivotally to the
frame (21) and has a lower end, a handlebar, a fork (221) and a
front wheel (222). The handlebar is connected pivotally to the
closed front end of the frame (21), and the fork (221) is mounted
on the lower end of the handlebar assembly (22) and is connected to
and turned by the handlebar. The front wheel (222) is mounted
rotatably in the fork (221) of the handlebar assembly (22).
[0026] The rear wheel (24) is mounted rotatably on the rear axle
(211) between the rear ends of the frame (21) and has a center and
a wheel hub (241). The wheel hub (241) is hollow, is defined
transversely through the center of the rear wheel (24) and is
mounted rotatably on the axle (211) between the rear ends of the
frame (21).
[0027] The guide brackets (25) are securely mounted respectively on
the rear ends of the frame (21) and, each guide bracket (25) has an
outer edge and a notch (251). The outer edge is formed on the guide
bracket (25) opposite to the frame (21), and the notch (251) is
formed in the outer edge of the guide bracket (25).
[0028] The bracket caps (26) are attached respectively to the outer
edges of the guide brackets (25), and each bracket cap (26) has an
inner edge and a notch (261). The notch (261) is formed in the
inner edge, corresponds to and communicates with the notch (251) in
the outer edge of the guide bracket (25) and forms a through
hole.
[0029] The rear wheel frame (27) is an inverted V-shape, is
connected to the frame (21) near the rear ends is connected
rotatably to the wheel hub (241) of the rear wheel (24) and has two
sides.
[0030] The return stops (28) are attached respectively to the two
sides of the rear wheel frame (27) near the wheel hub (241).
[0031] The mudguard (29) is mounted over the rear wheel (24) and
has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is connected
to the rear wheel frame (27).
[0032] The return device (30) is mounted on the bottom of the
baseboard (23) and has multiple optional mounting tabs (31), a
jacket (32), a connector (33), a chain spring (34) and a connecting
pin (36).
[0033] The mounting tabs (31) are mounted on and protrude down from
the bottom of the baseboard (23) inside the frame (21).
[0034] The jacket (32) is tubular, is attached to the bottom of the
baseboard (23), may be attached to the mounting tabs (31) and has a
front end, an open rear end, two sides, a through hole, an anchor
and two through slots (35). The through hole extends transversely
through the jacket (32) near the front end. The anchor is mounted
in the through hole. The through slots (35) are longitudinally
formed respectively through the sides of the jacket (32) and are
aligned with each other.
[0035] The connector (33) is mounted slidably in the jacket (32)
and has a front end, a rear end, an optional chain hole and a
spring hole. The chain hole extends transversely through the
connector (33) and aligns with the through slots (35). The spring
hole is formed transversely through the connector (33) near the
front end. The chain spring (34) is mounted slidably in the jacket
(32) and has a front end and a rear end. The front end of the chain
spring (34) is attached securely to the anchor near the front end
of the jacket (32). The rear end of the chain spring (34) is
attached securely to the spring hole in the connector (33).
[0036] The connecting pin (36) is mounted in the chain hole in the
connector (33) and protrudes through and slides in the through
slots (35).
[0037] The drive device (40) is mounted between the rear wheel
frame (27) and the connector (33) and has an optional wing (43), a
guide sprocket (41), a coaster drive sprocket (42) and a chain
(44). The wing (43) is mounted on the rear wheel frame (27) near
one of the return stops (28) and has a through hole. The guide
sprocket (41) is attached rotatably to the rear wheel frame (27),
may be attached rotatably to the wing (43) and has a central
through hole and a mounting pin (411). The mounting pin (411) is
mounted through central through hole in the guide sprocket (41) to
hold the guide sprocket (41) rotatably on the rear wheel frame (27)
and may be mounted through the through hole in the wing (43) to
hold the guide sprocket (41) rotatably on the wing (43). The
coaster drive sprocket (42) is mounted around the wheel hub (241)
and is aligned with the guide sprocket (41) and has a
unidirectional bearing (421) mounted between the wheel hub (241)
and the coaster drive sprocket (42) to prevent the coaster drive
sprocket (42) idle running. The chain (44) is reeved around and
engages the guide sprocket (41) and the coaster drive sprocket
(42), is connected to the return device (30) and has a front end
and a rear end. The front end of the chain (44) is connected to the
connector (33).
[0038] The operating device (50) is mounted over the rear wheel
(24) and pivotally on the rear axle (211), is connected to and
pulls the chain (44) and has a lever arm (52), two lever stops
(53), two mounting rings (54), two lever springs (55), a push bar
(56) and an optional horizontal bar (57). With further reference to
FIGS. 3 and 4, the lever arm (52) is U-shaped, is mounted over the
rear wheel (24) and pivotally on the rear axle (211), is connected
to the rear end of the chain (44), pulls the chain (44) that
rotates the coaster drive sprocket (42) and the rear wheel (24)
when the lever arm (52) is pivoted backward and has two lower ends,
an upper end, a chain bracket (58) and a neck. The chain bracket
(58) is attached to the lever arm (52), is aligned with the guide
sprocket (41) and is connected to the rear end of the chain (44).
The neck is formed at and protrudes forward from the upper end of
the lever arm (52). The lever stops (53) are connected respectively
to the lower ends of the lever arm (52) and align with and abut the
return stops (28) when the lever arm (52) pivots forward, and each
lever stop (53) has a pivot hole (531) and a protruding ear (532).
The pivot holes (531) are formed respectively through the lever
stops (53), face each other and are mounted rotatably on the rear
axle (211). The protruding ears (532) are formed respectively on
and protrude perpendicular out from the lever stops (53). The
mounting rings (54) are attached respectively to the protruding
ears (532) coaxially with the pivot holes (531) and are slidably
mounted respectively through the through holes formed by the
notches (251, 261) respectively in the guide brackets (25) and the
bracket caps (26). The lever springs (55) are mounted respectively
around the mounting rings (54) between the protruding ears (532)
and the guide brackets (25), are compressed when the lever arm (52)
is pivoted backward and pivot the lever arm (52) forward when the
lever arm (52) is released. The push bar (56) is connected
transversely to the neck of the lever arm (52). The horizontal bar
(57) is U-shaped, is connect to and protrudes forward from the
lever arm (52) between the push bar (56) and the lever stops (53)
and allows a person riding the chain driven scooter to press the
horizontal bar (57) backward with his or her foot.
[0039] The blocking device (60) is U-shaped, is mounted on the rear
axle (211), keeps the operating device (50) from over-rotating and
has two connecting arms (61) and a positive stop (62). The
connecting arms (61) are attached to the rear axle (211), and each
connecting arm (61) has a proximal end and a distal end. The
proximal ends are attached to the rear axle (211). The positive
stop (62) is connected to the distal ends of the connecting arms
(61), may be aligned with the distal end of the mudguard (29) and
blocks the lever arm (52) when the lever arm (52) is pivoted very
far backward.
[0040] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, when a user puts one foot
onto and pushes the push bar (56), the lever arm (52) will be
pivoted backward relative to the rear axle (21 1). Then, the chain
bracket (58) will pull the chain (44) to move around the guide
sprocket (41) and the coaster drive sprocket (42). Accordingly, the
rear wheel (24) will be driven to rotate with the drive sprocket
(42) to make the chain driven scooter (10) move forward. When the
user removes the force applied onto the push bar (56), the lever
springs (55) and the connector (33) will provide a force to make
the lever arm (52) and the chain (44) go back to the original
position to allow the user to push the push bar (56)
repeatedly.
[0041] The chain driven scooter (10) as described has the following
advantages.
[0042] 1. To operate the chain driven scooter (10), a person only
has to press the push bar (56) to make the chain driven scooter
(10) move forward. Since operation of the chain driven scooter (10)
does not require a person push the chain driven scooter (10) by
pushing the ground with his or her foot, does not have to worry
about hurting a foot or getting wet.
[0043] 2. The chain driven scooter (10) is faster than a
conventional scooter. Consequently, the chain driven scooter (10)
is viable transportation even in traffic.
[0044] Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the
present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description,
together with details of the structure and features of the
invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made
in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and
arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the
full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in
which the appended claims are expressed.
* * * * *