U.S. patent application number 17/648043 was filed with the patent office on 2022-05-05 for dual linkage front fork with steering lock for scooter.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sunluxe Enterprises Limited. Invention is credited to Carey Vincent HOPKINS.
Application Number | 20220135170 17/648043 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-05-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220135170 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HOPKINS; Carey Vincent |
May 5, 2022 |
Dual Linkage Front Fork with Steering Lock for Scooter
Abstract
A vehicle includes a dual linkage assembly coupled to two front
wheels and a fork. The dual linkage assembly includes arms coupled
at pivot points. Each arm rotates independently at the pivot points
and responds to force applied by the rider, such that both front
wheels maintain contact with the ground. The vehicle further
includes a lock assembly including a lever and a lock block coupled
to the front fork, a first piece with a first notch coupled to one
or more of the arms, and a second piece with a second notch coupled
to a head tube. When locked, the lock block engages the first
notch, preventing the dual linkage assembly from rotating, and
engages the second notch, preventing the fork from rotating. The
vehicle is then capable of standing upright without assistance from
a rider or stand.
Inventors: |
HOPKINS; Carey Vincent;
(Sandy, OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sunluxe Enterprises Limited |
Hong Kong |
|
CN |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/648043 |
Filed: |
January 14, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16392627 |
Apr 24, 2019 |
11254387 |
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17648043 |
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International
Class: |
B62K 5/10 20060101
B62K005/10; B62K 5/05 20060101 B62K005/05; B62K 5/08 20060101
B62K005/08 |
Claims
1. A vehicle comprising at least three wheels, comprising; a first
front wheel; a second front wheel; a front fork; and a dual linkage
assembly, comprising: a first upper arm and a second upper arm; a
first lower arm and a second lower arm; a first upright and a
second upright; a first end of the first upright coupled to the
first front wheel; a second end of the first upright coupled to a
first end of the first upper arm at a first upper outer pivot
point; the second end of the first upright coupled to a first end
of the first lower arm at a first lower outer pivot point; a first
end of the second upright coupled to the second front wheel; a
second end of the second upright coupled to a first end of the
second upper arm at a second upper outer pivot point; the second
end of the second upright coupled to a first end of the second
lower arm at a second lower outer pivot point; a second end of the
first upper arm coupled to a second end of the second upper arm and
the front fork at an upper center point; a second end of the first
lower arm coupled to a second end of the second lower arm and the
front fork at a lower center point, wherein the first upper arm,
the second upper arm, the first lower arm, and the second lower arm
each rotate independently at the corresponding first upper outer
pivot point, the second upper outer pivot point, the first lower
outer pivot point, and the second lower outer pivot point.
2. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: a first upper
coupling mechanism coupling the first end of the first upper arm
and the second end of the first upright at the first upper outer
pivot point; a first lower coupling mechanism coupling the first
end of the first lower arm and the second end of the first upright
at the first lower outer pivot point and at a first position closer
to the first front wheel than the first upper arm; a second upper
coupling mechanism coupling the first end of the second upper arm
and the second end of the second upright at the second upper outer
pivot point; a second lower coupling mechanism coupling the first
end of the second lower arm and the second end of the second
upright at the second lower output pivot point and at a second
position closer to the second front wheel than the second upper
arm; an upper center coupling mechanism coupling the second end of
the first upper arm and the second end of the second upper arm at
the upper center point; and a lower center coupling mechanism
coupling the second end of the first lower arm and the second end
of the second lower arm at the lower center point.
3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the upper center coupling
mechanism and the lower center coupling mechanism directly couples
the dual linkage assembly to the front fork.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Conventional three-wheeled scooters have either two wheels
in the front or back. When a rider makes a turn with the scooter,
the rider typically leans the scooter, which can cause one of the
two wheels to lift off the ground or otherwise lose some contact
with the ground. This results in instability.
[0002] Further, when not being ridden, conventional three-wheeled
scooters are unable to stay upright without the assistance of an
integrated or separate stand. This makes the scooter difficult to
store.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Disclosed herein is a vehicle comprising at least three
wheels as specified in the independent claims. Embodiments of the
present invention are given in the dependent claims. Embodiments of
the present invention can be freely combined with each other if
they are not mutually exclusive.
[0004] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
vehicle includes a first and second front wheel, a front fork, and
a dual linkage assembly. The dual linkage assembly includes: a
first upper arm and a second upper arm, a first lower arm and a
second lower arm; and a first upright and a second upright. A first
end of the first upright is coupled to the first front wheel, and a
second end of the first upright is coupled to a first end of the
first upper arm at a first upper outer pivot point. The second end
of the first upright is also coupled to a first end of the first
lower arm at a first lower outer pivot point. A first end of the
second upright is coupled to the second front wheel, and a second
end of the second upright is coupled to a first end of the second
upper arm at a second upper outer pivot point. The second end of
the second upright is also coupled to a first end of the second
lower arm at a second lower outer pivot point. A second end of the
first upper arm is coupled to a second end of the second upper arm
and the front fork at an upper center point. A second end of the
first lower arm coupled to a second end of the second lower arm and
the front fork at a lower center point. The first upper arm, the
second upper arm, the first lower arm, and the second lower arm
each rotate independently at the corresponding first upper outer
pivot point, the second upper outer pivot point, the first lower
outer pivot point, and the second lower outer pivot point.
[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, the vehicle further
includes a lock assembly. The lock assembly includes: a first lock
engagement piece rigidly coupled to the first upper arm and the
second upper arm, where the first lock engagement piece includes a
first notch; a lock block coupled to the front fork at a first lock
pivot point; and a lever coupled to the front fork at a second lock
pivot point and to the lock block.
[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, when in a locked
position, a front portion of the lock block engages the first
notch, where the first upper arm and the second upper arm are
prevented from rotating.
[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, when in an unlocked
position, the front portion of the lock block is disengaged from
the first notch.
[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, the lock block
further includes a protrusion at a back end, and the lock assembly
further includes a second lock engagement piece coupled to a head
tube, where the second lock engagement piece includes a second
notch. When in a locked position, the protrusion engages the second
notch, where the front fork is prevented from rotating. When in an
unlocked position, the protrusion is disengaged from the second
notch.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE FIGURES
[0009] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a perspective view, top view, front
view, and side view, respectively, of a scooter with a dual linkage
assembly in a locked position according to some embodiments.
[0010] FIGS. 5-8 illustrates a perspective view, top view, front
view, and side view, respectively, of a scooter with a dual linkage
assembly in an unlocked position according to some embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 9A illustrates an isolated perspective view of the dual
linkage assembly, according to some embodiments.
[0012] FIG. 9B illustrates a corresponding exploded view of the
dual linkage assembly, according to some embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 10 illustrates a close-up perspective view of the lock
assembly, according to some embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 11A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the lock
assembly in a locked state, according to some embodiments.
[0015] FIG. 11B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the lock
assembly in a moving-over-center state, according to some
embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 11C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the lock
assembly in an unlocking-over-center state, according to some
embodiments.
[0017] FIG. 11D illustrate cross-sectional views of the lock
assembly in a locked state, according to some embodiments.
[0018] FIG. 11E illustrates the lock assembly indicating a portion
for which detailed views are provided in FIGS. 11A-11D.
[0019] FIG. 12A illustrates a close-up view of the lock block
protrusion and the second lock engagement piece in a locked
position, according to some embodiments.
[0020] FIG. 12B illustrates a close-up view of the lock block
protrusion and the second lock engagement piece in an unlocked
position, according to some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The following description is presented to enable one of
ordinary skill in the art to make and use the present invention and
is provided in the context of a patent application and its
requirements. Various modifications to the embodiment will be
readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic
principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the
present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment
shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the
principles and features described herein.
[0022] Reference in this specification to "one embodiment", "an
embodiment", "an exemplary embodiment", or "a preferred embodiment"
means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic
described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least
one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase "in
one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not
necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate
or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments.
Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by
some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements
are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but
not other embodiments. In general, features described in one
embodiment might be suitable for use in other embodiments as would
be apparent to those skilled in the art.
[0023] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements,
components, and/or groups thereof.
[0024] The following reference numbers are used herein: [0025] 100
dual linkage assembly [0026] 101 frame [0027] 102 head tube [0028]
103 front fork [0029] 104 fork tube [0030] 105 crowns [0031] 106
handle bars [0032] 107A first front wheel [0033] 107B second front
wheel [0034] 107C back wheel [0035] 108A first upper arm [0036]
108B second upper arm [0037] 109A first lower arm [0038] 109B
second lower arm [0039] 110 upper center pivot point [0040] 111
lower center pivot point [0041] 112A first upright [0042] 112B
second upright [0043] 113 middle bar [0044] 114A first upper
coupling mechanism [0045] 114B first lower coupling mechanism
[0046] 114C second upper coupling mechanism [0047] 114D second
lower coupling mechanism [0048] 114E upper center coupling
mechanism [0049] 114F lower center coupling mechanism [0050] 115A
first upper outer pivot point [0051] 115B first lower outer pivot
point [0052] 116A second upper outer pivot point [0053] 116B second
lower outer pivot point [0054] 120 lock assembly [0055] 121 first
lock engagement piece [0056] 122 first notch (in first lock
engagement piece 121) [0057] 123 lock block [0058] 124 short arm
[0059] 125 lever [0060] 126 front arm (of lever 125) [0061] 127
handle (of lever 125) [0062] 128 first lock pivot point [0063] 129
second lock pivot point [0064] 130 third lock pivot point [0065]
131 fourth lock pivot point [0066] 132 second lock engagement piece
[0067] 133 second notch (in second lock engagement piece 132)
[0068] 134 protrusion (of lock block 123)
[0069] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a perspective view, top view, front
view, and side view, respectively, of a scooter with a dual linkage
assembly 100 in a locked position according to some embodiments.
The scooter includes a frame 101, a front fork 103, a first front
wheel 107A, a second front wheel 107B, and a back wheel 107C.
Coupled to the front fork 103 are a set of handle bars 106 for
steering the scooter. The scooter further includes a dual linkage
assembly 100 coupled to the front fork 103. The dual linkage
assembly 100 includes a first upright 112A and a second upright
112B. The first upright 112A has a first end and a second end,
where the first end is coupled to the first front wheel 107A. The
second upright 112B has a first end and a second end, where the
first end is coupled to the second front wheel 107B. The dual
linkage assembly 100 further includes a first upper arm 108A, a
second upper arm 108B, a first lower arm 109A, and a second lower
arm 109B. Each of the arms 108A-108B and 109A-109B has a first end
and a second end. The second end of the first upright 112A is
coupled to a first end of the first upper arm 108A at a first upper
outer pivot point 115A and coupled to a first end of the first
lower arm 109A at a first lower outer pivot point 115B. The second
end of the second upright 112B is coupled to a first end of the
second upper arm 108B at a second upper outer pivot point 116A and
coupled to a first end of the second lower arm 109B at a second
lower outer pivot point 116B. The second ends of the first and
second upper arms 108A-108B are coupled at an upper center pivot
point 110, and the second ends of the first and second lower arms
109A-109B are coupled at a lower center pivot point 111.
Optionally, a middle bar 113 can be coupled to the upper and lower
center pivot points 110-111 to add stiffness. In some embodiments,
the arms 108A-108B are positioned approximately parallel to the
arms 109A-109B, with arms 109A-109B positioned closer to the front
wheels 107A-107B than the arms 108A-108B. A first lock engagement
piece 121 of a lock assembly 120 is rigidly coupled to the first
and second upper arms 108A-108B, as described further below with
reference to FIGS. 10-12B.
[0070] FIGS. 5-8 illustrates a perspective view, top view, front
view, and side view, respectively, of a scooter with a dual linkage
assembly 100 in an unlocked position according to some embodiments.
When a rider turns the scooter, the rider typically leans to one
side of the scooter, toward the turn. In response, the arms
108A-108B and 109A-109B each rotate independently along the six
pivot points 110, 111, 115A, 115B, 116A, and 116B, and the front
fork 103 is free to rotate to turn the scooter. The rotations at
the six pivot points 110, 111, 115A, 1151B, 116A, and 116B responds
to the force applied to the scooter by the rider, such that both
front wheels 107A-107B maintain contact with the ground during the
turn, increasing the stability of the scooter.
[0071] FIG. 9A illustrates an isolated perspective view of the dual
linkage assembly 120, and FIG. 9B illustrates a corresponding
exploded view of the dual linkage assembly 120, according to some
embodiments. In addition to the components as described above, the
dual linkage assembly 100 includes a first upper coupling mechanism
114A that couples the first ends of first upper arm 108A to the
second end of the first upright 112A, providing the first upper
outer pivot point 115A. A first lower coupling mechanism 114B
couples the first ends of the first lower arm 109A to the second
end of the first upright 112A at a position closer to the first
front wheel 107A, providing the first lower outer pivot point 115B.
A second upper coupling mechanism 114C couples the first end of the
second upper arm 108B to the second end of the second upright 112B,
providing the second upper outer pivot point 116A. A second lower
coupling mechanism 114D couples the first end of the second lower
arm 109B to the second end of the second upright 112B at a position
closer to the second front wheel 107B, providing the second lower
outer pivot point 116B. An upper center coupling mechanism 114E
couples the second ends of the first and second upper arms
108A-108B to the front fork 103, providing the upper center pivot
point 110. A lower center coupling mechanism 114F couples the
second ends of the first and second lower arms 109A-109B to the
front fork 103, providing the lower center pivot point 111. In the
illustrated embodiments, the dual linkage assembly 100 is directly
coupled to the front fork 103 via the upper and lower center
coupling mechanisms 114E-114F and not the other coupling mechanisms
114A-114D. In some embodiments, the coupling mechanisms 114A-114F
include a combination of bolts traversing corresponding openings in
the ends of the arms 108A-108B, 109A-109B and the ends of uprights
112A-112B, around which they may rotate.
[0072] The front fork 103 is further coupled to a head tube 102 of
the frame 101 via a fork tube 104 inserted through the head tube
102. A set of crowns 105 couples the front fork 103 to the fork
tube 104 and allows the fork tube 104 to rotate within the head
tube 102 as the front fork 103 is rotated.
[0073] FIGS. 10, 11A-11E, and 12A-12B illustrate the lock assembly
120 of the scooter according to some embodiments. FIG. 10
illustrates a close-up perspective view of the lock assembly 120.
The lock assembly includes a first lock engagement piece 121
rigidly coupled to the first and second upper arms 108A-108B. The
first lock engagement piece 121 includes a first notch 122. The
lock assembly 120 further includes a lock block 123 and a lever 125
coupled to the fork 103, as described further below. A short arm
124 couples the lock block 123 to the lever 125.
[0074] FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate cross-sectional views of the lock
assembly 120 in a locked, moving-over-center,
unlocking-over-center, and locked states, respectively, according
to some embodiments. FIGS. 11A-11D provide a detailed view of the
lock assembly 120 as indicated by FIG. 11E. The lock block 123 is
coupled to the fork 103 at a first lock pivot point 128, around
which the lock block 123 may rotate. The lever 125 is coupled to
the fork 103 at a second lock pivot point 129, around which the
lever 125 may rotate. The lock block 123 is coupled to a first end
of the short arm 124 at a third lock pivot point 130, round which
the lock block 123 and the short arm 124 may rotate. A second end
of the short arm 124 is coupled to the lever 125 at a fourth lock
pivot point 131, around which the short arm 124 and the lever 125
may rotate. Coupling mechanisms (not shown), such as bolts or
screws, are used at the lock pivot points 128-131, around which the
lock block 123, the short arm 124, and the lever 125 may rotate.
The lever 125 includes a front arm 126 and handle 127. The front
arm 126 is the portion of the lever 125 from the fourth lock pivot
point 131 to the 2.sup.nd lock pivot point 129. The handle 127 is
the portion of the lever 125 from the second lock pivot point 129
to the end of the lever 125. A rider interfaces with the lock
assembly 120 by pulling up on the handle 127 to disengage the lock
assembly 120 or by pushing down on the handle 127 to engage the
lock assembly 120.
[0075] As illustrated in FIG. 11A, when in the locked position, a
front portion of the lock block 123 engages the first notch 122,
where the front end of the lock block 123 rests inside the first
notch 122 (see also FIGS. 1-3 and 10). This prevents the first and
second upper arms 108A-108B from rotating around the first and
second upper outer pivot points 115A and 116A, which in turn
prevents rotation in the other pivot points 115B, 116B, 110, and
111. The lock block 123 includes a protrusion 134 at the back end
(see also FIG. 10). Corresponding to the protrusion 134 is a second
lock engagement piece 132 coupled to the head tube 102. As
illustrated in FIG. 12A, the second lock engagement piece 132
includes a second notch 133. When in the locked position, the
protrusion 134 engages the second notch 133, where the protrusion
134 rests within the second notch 133. This prevents the fork 103
from articulating or rotating within the head tube 102. In this
locked position, the scooter is capable of standing upright, with
both front wheels 107A-107B contacting the ground, without
assistance from a rider or an integrated or separate stand, making
the scooter easier to store.
[0076] As illustrated in FIG. 11B, when a rider pulls up on the
handle 127, the lever 125 rotates around the second lock pivot
point 129 and the short arm 124 rotates around the third and fourth
lock pivot points 130-131. At a point in the rotation, the short
arm 124 and the front arm 126 of the lever 125 align, i.e.,
positioned end to end, placing the lock assembly 120 in the
moving-over-center state. In this position, the combination of the
aligned length of the short arm 124 and the front arm 126 is longer
than the straight-line length from the second lock pivot point 129
to the third lock pivot point 130. Due to this fact, there is
resistance to further rotation of the lever 125 and short arm 124.
Further in the moving-over-center state, the lock block 123 has not
rotated at the first lock pivot point 128, and the front end of the
lock block 123 remains engaged with the first notch 122. In order
to overcome the resistance, additional pull force on the handle 127
must be applied. This prevents accidental unlocking of the lock
assembly 120, which would otherwise lead to unsafe conditions.
[0077] As illustrated in FIG. 11C, when additional pull force is
applied to the handle 127 to overcome the resistance, the short arm
124 continues to rotate around the third and fourth lock pivot
points 130-131, and the lever 125 continues to rotate around the
second lock pivot point 129, placing the lock assembly 120 in the
unlocked-over-center state. In this state, the lock block 123
begins to rotate around the first lock pivot point 128, which
begins to lift the front end of the lock block 123 out of the first
notch 122 and begins to rotate the protrusion 134 out of the second
notch 133.
[0078] As illustrated in FIG. 11D, when the lever 125 is fully
rotated, the lock assembly 120 is placed in the unlocked position.
In the unlocked position, the lock block 123 is fully disengaged
from the first notch 122, allowing the arms 108A-108B and 109A-109B
to articulate or rotate, as described above with FIGS. 5-8. As
illustrated in FIG. 12B, the protrusion 134 of the lock block 123
is also fully disengaged from the second notch 133, allowing the
fork 103 to rotate within the head tube 102.
[0079] From the unlocked position illustrated in FIG. 11D, when a
push force is applied to the handle 127, the lever 125 rotates at
the second lock pivot point 129, causing the short arm 124 to
rotate at the third and fourth lock pivot points 130-131, which in
turn causes the lock block 123 to rotate at the first and fourth
lock pivot points 128, 130. The lock block 123 rotates toward the
first notch 122. With continued force applied to the handle 127,
the lever 125 eventually becomes fully rotated, and the lock block
123 engages the first notch 122, placing the lock assembly in the
locked position illustrated in FIG. 11A.
[0080] Although the present invention is described above in the
context of a scooter, embodiments of the present invention may be
applied to other types of vehicles with at least three wheels
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0081] Although the dual linkage lock assembly is described above
with the six pivot points, additional pivot points may also be used
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0082] Although the present invention has been described in
accordance with the embodiments shown, one of ordinary skill in the
art will readily recognize that there could be variations to the
embodiments and those variations would be within the spirit and
scope of the present invention. Accordingly, many modifications may
be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from
the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *