Abstract:
In a system and method for enabling a person to be transported in a personal transport vehicle, the vehicle includes smoothly operable controls and a safety user-positioning strip. The vehicle further includes a power source rapid disconnection and connection system for recharge and replacement and for secure connection. Also, the vehicle may include a safety speed regulator, and a bi-directional safety braking system. Further, the vehicle includes a preferential drive sharp-turns enabling system. The vehicle further includes an initially-flat indicia-applicable cowling. It may also include a protective security lock, a further or alternative braking system, and a trailer for enabling the carrying of items, and may be readily separable for shipping.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention is generally related to vehicles, and more particularly, to a personal transport vehicle for enabling a person to be effectively transported thereby. 
   2. General Background and State of the Art 
   It is known to enable a person to be transported by a personal motorized vehicle such as a two-wheel motorized scooter or a motorized bicycle. 
   However, it would be desirable to provide a personal transport vehicle which would enable a person to operate the vehicle in an efficient and effective manner. It would further be desirable to require the person to be safely positioned in the vehicle before the vehicle is operable. It would still further be desirable to enable the vehicle to be operable to provide smooth movement and to prevent jerky movement thereof. Moreover, it would be desirable to enable rapid replacement and ensure secure connection of the power source for the vehicle for enabling continuing operation of the vehicle. 
   It would also be desirable to enable safety regulation of the speed of the vehicle in areas of vehicle operation. Still further, it would be desirable to enable safe braking of the vehicle in the forward or reverse direction of movement thereof. Also, it would be desirable to enable making sharp turns with the vehicle when desired or required. Moreover, it would be desirable to enable the application of indicia on the vehicle for specific identifying purposes, and to enable the vehicle to be securely lockable to prevent theft thereof. Furthermore, it would be desirable to enable the vehicle to be manufactured in readily separable sub-assemblies to enable efficient shipping thereof, to provide a different type of braking system for safety purposes, and to enable the person to transport additional items as desired or needed. 
   Therefore, there has been identified a continuing need to provide a personal transport vehicle for enabling a person to be transported in an effective and efficient manner. 
   INVENTION SUMMARY 
   Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention, in a preferred embodiment, by way of example, is directed to a system for enabling a person to be transported, comprising a multiple-wheel motorized personal transport vehicle. The vehicle includes a cab, multiple wheels, on which the cab is mounted, a motor, connected to at least one of the multiple wheels, and a power element, for providing power to the motor. The vehicle also includes a switch for enabling starting of the motor, a steering element for enabling steering of the vehicle, and an accelerator, mounted on the steering element. The vehicle enables a person to stand in the cab, activate the switch, the power element, and the motor, activate the accelerator, steer the steering element, and be transported in the cab on the multiple wheels. 
   In accordance with aspects of the invention, there is provided a personal transport vehicle for enabling a person to effectively and efficiently operate the vehicle, a safety strip for requiring safe positioning of the user before enabling operation thereof, and a smoothly operable throttle and motors to prevent jerky movement. 
   In other aspects of the invention, the vehicle includes a power source rapid locking and releasing system, for enabling rapid disconnection for recharging or replacement, and also to enable secure connection for efficient continuing vehicle operation. The vehicle may also include a speed regulator for enabling safe operation in various areas of operation thereof. It may further include a bi-directional braking system for safe braking in the forward and reverse directions. 
   In yet other aspects of the invention, the vehicle includes a preferential drive for enabling sharp turns to be executed in the operation of the vehicle. It also includes an initially flat cowling conveniently able to have indicia applied thereto and to then be mounted on the vehicle, and it may further include a security lock for preventing theft. The vehicle may be readily disassembled for convenient shipping, may include a further or alternative safety braking system, and may include a system for enabling items to be efficiently transported thereby. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a top rear perspective view of a personal transport vehicle in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of a personal transport vehicle. 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of a personal transport vehicle. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic view of an electrical system in a personal transport vehicle, in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a top schematic view of a hybrid power drive system for a personal transport vehicle. 
       FIG. 6  is an elevational view of a front wheel and a suspension system therefor in a personal transport vehicle in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is an elevational view of a rear side wheel and a suspension system therefor in a personal transport vehicle. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a front wheel and a drive system therefor in a personal transport vehicle. 
       FIG. 9  is a partly-exploded view of a battery compartment with batteries mounted therein and a compartment cover in a personal transport vehicle in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a battery compartment with a user disconnecting the batteries in a personal transport vehicle. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a battery compartment with a user removing a battery in a personal transport vehicle. 
       FIG. 12  is an elevational view of a bi-directional braking system in a personal transport vehicle in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a bi-directional braking system in a personal transport vehicle in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a steering hub assembly for a preferential drive in a personal transport vehicle. 
       FIG. 15  is a top plan view of the front wheel assembly in a personal transport vehicle. 
       FIG. 16  is a front plan view of a cowling for a personal transport vehicle in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 17  is a rear perspective of a lock for a personal transport vehicle in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 18  is a bottom rear perspective of a braking assembly for a personal transport vehicle. 
       FIG. 19  is a top perspective view of a brake pedal for a braking assembly in a personal transport vehicle in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
       FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a trailer for a personal transport vehicle in accordance with the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like or corresponding parts, the system  10  according to the invention comprises a personal transport vehicle which enables a person to be transported thereby. The vehicle  10  may include components which are comprised of a lightweight strong material. The material may comprise steel, aluminum, stainless steel, or titanium. 
     FIGS. 1-3  present a vehicle  10  in accordance with the invention, which includes a cab  12 , multiple wheels  14  on which the cab  12  is mounted, and a steering element  16  for enabling steering of the vehicle  10 . The vehicle  10 , as further seen in the electrical circuit in  FIG. 4 , also includes a motor  18  connected to at least one of the multiple wheels  14 , a power element  20  for providing power to the motor  18 , a switch  22  such as a keyswitch for enabling starting of the motor  18 , and an accelerator  24  mounted on the steering element  16 . The vehicle  10  enables a person to stand in the cab  12 , activate the starter  22 , the power element  20 , and the motor  18 , activate the accelerator  24 , steer the steering element  16 , and be transported in the cab  12  on the multiple wheels  14 . The accelerator  24  may comprise a throttle. 
   The cab  12  of the vehicle  10  includes a floor  26 , and the vehicle  10  further comprises an electrical safety strip  28 , positionable on the floor  26  of the cab  12  at a forward location, which keeps the weight of the person forward in the vehicle  10  for safety, whereby the vehicle  10  does not move unless the person is standing on the strip  28 . The multiple wheels  14  may each include a suspension  30 , as seen in  FIGS. 6-7 , such as a spring-loaded front wheel suspension, and a swing arm rear wheel suspension. The multiple wheels  14  of the vehicle  10  include a pair of wheels, each of which is positioned on a side of the cab  12 , and a third wheel, positioned in front of the cab  12 . Each of the pair of side wheels may include a motor  18  associated therewith. The front third wheel, as depicted in  FIG. 8 , may include a motor  18  associated therewith, which, in a front-wheel drive version, may be the only wheel which includes a motor  18  associated therewith. 
   The steering element  16  comprises handlebars, further including a fork  32 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , able to be secured to and to enable adjustment of the handlebars  16  at a head angle between the handlebars  16  and the fork  32  which may be maintained so as to maintain the adjustment thereof upon removal of the handlebars  16  and the fork  32  for shipping thereof. The fork  32  includes a head tube  34 , and a fork bearing  36 . Upon taking off the handlebars  16 , the fork bearing  36  that holds the fork  32  in the frame maintains the tension and adjustment of the head angle between the head tube  34  and the ground. The relationship between the head angle and a vehicle axle is able to determine the trail, comprising the distance on the ground, for enabling the torque to be fixed. The vehicle  10  is substantially lightweight such that upon an adult rider turning the handlebars  16 , the position of the handlebars  16  causes the adult rider to lean in the direction of such turn. The motors  18  are able to be underpowered, such that upon activating the throttle  24 , the movement of the vehicle  10  is substantially smooth and not jerky. The motor  18  may further include a thermal control to control the heat and prevent burnout. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 9-11 , the power element  20  may comprise a battery, and the vehicle  10  may further include a battery compartment  38 , able to enable the battery  20  to be positioned therein and removed therefrom, and a battery locking and rapidly releasing element  40 , able to enable locking of the battery  20  in the battery compartment  38  and rapid release of the battery  20  to enable rapid recharging or replacement thereof. The vehicle  10  may further include a plurality of battery compartments  38  for a plurality of batteries  20 , such as two twelve volt batteries, able to enable the plurality of batteries  20  to be installed in series, removed individually, and charged in parallel. The battery compartment  38  and the floor  26  of the vehicle  10  enable the battery  20  to be held in place. The power element  20  may alternatively comprise a gas cell, a hybrid combination of gas and electric power as depicted in  FIG. 5 , or a fuel cell. 
   The battery locking and rapidly releasing element  40  comprises a battery compartment lever, able to be pivotally movable between a battery connecting and locking position, upon locking the lever  40  down, and a battery disconnecting and rapidly releasing position, upon lifting the lever  40  up, which also enables lifting the battery  20  out and installing a recharged or new battery  20  therein. The battery compartment  38  includes a portion  42  of the cab floor  26  and a battery tray  44 , and the battery locking and rapidly releasing element  40  extends in through the cab floor portion  42 . The cab floor portion  42  is removable to enable removal of a battery  20 , and is not re-positionable until the battery disconnect lever  40  is in locking position and a battery plug  46  is mated with a plug socket  48  and plugged into a battery  20 . The cab floor portion  42  further includes indentation notches  50 , able to bear against the battery plugs  46  in the battery compartment  38 , and prevent the battery plug  46  from becoming unplugged upon locking of the battery disconnect lever  40  and connection of the battery plug  46  with a battery  20 . The indentation notches  50  are further able to prevent re-positioning of the cab floor portion  42  and operation of the vehicle  10  if the battery plug  46  is unplugged from a battery  20  or not properly mated with the plug sockets  48  since loose contacts may generate heat and melting. 
   The battery compartment  38  includes for each battery  20  the battery plug  46 , connected in the vehicle electrical circuit, and also the plug socket  48  mounted on a plug slide  52 , able to enable slidable movement of the plug socket  48  so as to enable the disconnection of the battery plug  46  from the battery  20 , and to enable connection of the battery plug  46  to the battery  20 . The cab floor portion  42  comes off, and will not go back on until the battery plug  46  is plugged in and the lever  40  is closed. Notches  50  in the floor portion  42  keep the battery plug  46  from becoming unplugged once the floor portion  42  is latched in place, in that if the battery plug  46  is unplugged, the notches  50  prevent the floor portion  42  from going down all the way. 
   In accordance with the invention, the throttle  24  is connected in the electrical circuit to the motor  18  which is connected to the wheel  14 . The electrical circuit may further include a multiple-stage current limit switch for each motor  18 , to delay when the revolutions per minute are below a preset level, so as to divide the acceleration over a period of time. It provides a delayed reaction time period upon applying full throttle to provide substantially smooth movement, which delay is bypassed when the revolutions per minute are above the preset level to provide substantially instantaneous response. The current-limit switch regulates the speed of the vehicle  10  through the motor  18  when the throttle  24  is engaged slowly up to a preset low speed limit point, for providing smooth and quiet movement of the vehicle  10  with little vibration, and upon passing the preset low speed limit point, to enable full throttle to the motor  18 . 
   The vehicle  10  may also include a speed regulator  54 , as for automatically controlling the maximum speed into the motor  18 , which may for example comprise a switch for outdoor versus indoor speed control. The regulator  54  may comprise a smart regulator, able to regulate the vehicle speed dependent upon an external factor. The smart regulator  54  may comprise a smart system, including a microprocessor, for regulating speed dependent upon factors such as the person driving the vehicle  10 , the time the vehicle  10  is being driven, and/or the location where the vehicle  10  is being driven. In the smart system, the user may enter a code in a dashboard keypad or swipe an identification card to activate the smart regulator. The vehicle  10  may further include a speed zone sensor, for sensing a speed zone code for regulating the vehicle speed, which may be able to interact with a speed zone emitter, able to emit a speed zone code to be sensed by the speed zone sensor. The speed zone sensor may comprise a radio sensor, or an optical sensor. The regulator  54  may be operable in conjunction with radio control and/or sensors in the surface on which the vehicle  10  is driven, to limit the maximum speed thereof. 
   There is shown in  FIGS. 12-13  a bi-directional band braking system  56  which may be included in the vehicle  10 , and which includes (not shown) a brake lever, able to be actuated by a vehicle operator, a brake drum, a brake cable, connected to the brake lever, and a brake cable housing able to enclose the brake cable. The bi-directional braking system  56  further includes a band  58 , able to extend about the brake drum, which includes braking-enabling lining material  60  on the inner surface, able to be pulled so as to bear against the brake drum, a first end  62 , and a second opposed end  64 . It further includes a first arm  66  which is secured to an axle  68  to rotate therewith, and which includes a first pin  70  secured to the first arm  66 , and a first pin extension  72  secured to the band  58  proximate the first end  62  thereof. It also includes a second arm  74  which is secured to the axle  64  to rotate therewith, and which includes a second pin  76  secured to the second arm  74 , and a second pin extension  78  secured to the band  58  proximate the second end  64  thereof. 
   A cable  80  is secured to the first pin extension  72  and the second pin extension  78 , and extends therebetween and into a cable housing  82 . The first pin extension  72  and the second pin extension  78 , to which the cable  80  is secured, maintain the spacing of the first arm  66  and the second arm  74 , by being secured to the band  58  at the locations of the first pin  70  secured to the first arm  66  and the second pin  76  secured to the second arm  74 . A pair of stops (not shown, one pair for each wheel to be braked) are mounted on the vehicle chassis in the path of movement of one and the other of the first arm  66  and second arm  74 , depending upon the direction of rotation of the vehicle wheel. For example, upon clockwise rotation of the vehicle wheels, and actuation of the bi-directional braking system  56 , a stop in the path of clockwise movement of the first arm  66  would block movement thereof and brake the wheel, thereby braking the vehicle. Upon counterclockwise rotation of the vehicle wheels in such example, a stop would likewise block second arm  74  and brake the vehicle  10 . 
     FIG. 4  shows a preferential drive  76 , which may be included in the vehicle  10 , and which includes a position sensor  86 . The position sensor  86 , as also seen in  FIGS. 14-15 , may comprise a pair of positionally-activatable switches  86 , such as reed switches, each connected to a motor  18  and mounted on the handlebars  16 , and the preferential drive  84  may further include a magnet  88 , mounted in a dashboard  90 . Upon turning the handlebars  16 , whereby one positionally-activatable switch  86  is proximate the magnet  88 , the motor  18  connected to the positionally-activatable switch  86  is regulated so as to be stalled or the current thereto to be limited, enabling the outside wheel to be powered for a sharp turn. The preferential drive  84  enables the one side wheel  14  to roll differently than the other wheel, such as slower or backwards, while the other side wheel  14  rolls faster or forward, when using the throttle  24 , enabling the making of substantially sharp turns with the vehicle  10 . The preferential drive  84  enables the center of gravity of the vehicle  10  to be low, enables the floor  26  of the cab  12  to be substantially as low as or lower than an axle, and enables the eliminating of a differential hump in the vehicle  10 . It enables sharp cornering, prevents drawing excess current and heating up of the motor inside the turn, prevents the front wheel from pushing during the turn, and assists the center of gravity of the vehicle  10 . 
   As depicted in  FIG. 16 , the vehicle  10  further includes a cowling  92  which is able to be formed flat, enabling screen printing of custom graphics thereon, and which is then wrapped around the vehicle  10  for placement thereon. The cowling  92  may be readily removed and a new cowling  92  installed rapidly as desired. The vehicle  10  may also include a security lock  94 , as illustrated in  FIG. 17 , for locking the vehicle  10 . The lock  94  may comprise a key lock. The vehicle  10  further includes a frame  96 , and the lock  94  may include a cable  98  which extends in the frame  96 , and is extendable from the frame  96  to an external locking-enabling element for enabling locking thereto. The cable  98  may further be retractable for storing thereof. 
   The vehicle  10  may include an alternative or substitute braking system  100 , as seen in  FIGS. 18-19 , which includes a braking bar  102 , and a brake pedal  104 , able to be depressed by the user to cause the bar  100  to engage the wheels  14 . The pedal  104  may be sufficiently depressed to engage the bar  102  with the wheels  14 , and further depressed into a pedal locking position which also locks the bar  102  in position, and may then be tapped to release the pedal  104  from locking position and to release the bar  102  from locking and engaging position. The vehicle  10  is further able to enable the carrying of a payload, as shown in  FIG. 20 , on a frame  106 , which may comprise a trailer having front and rear steering to track with the vehicle  10 , or in a locking trunk on the vehicle  10 . 
   The cab  12 , multiple wheels  14 , steering element  16 , motor  18 , switch  22 , and accelerator  24  are able to be mounted in a plurality of separable frame sub-systems, and the plurality of separable frame sub-systems are able to be separated into a plurality of separate frame sub-systems to enable shipment thereof. The plurality of separable and separate frame sub-systems may comprise two separable and separate frame sub-systems. All vehicle systems including the braking system and the electrical system, may also be disconnected and separable into two separable sub-systems for enabling shipment thereof. The system  10  further includes a medial portion, and the plurality of separable sub-systems are separable at the medial portion. 
   To use the personal transport vehicle  10  of the present invention, the person to be transported is able to stand in the cab  12 , activate the switch  22 , the power element  20 , and the motor  18 , activate the accelerator  24 , steer the steering element  16 , and be transported in the cab  12  on the multiple wheels  14 . It also enables locking of the battery  20  in the battery compartment  38  and rapid release of the battery  20 , by the battery locking and rapidly releasing element  40 . Also, it enables braking by the bi-directional band braking system  56 . It enables stalling of the motor  18  connected to one of the multiple wheels  14  when the handlebars  16  are turned substantially in the direction of one wheel  14 , enabling the one wheel  14  to roll backwards while another wheel  14  rolls forward, by the preferential drive  84 . 
   Transport of a person in the vehicle  10  is further enabled on the multiple suspensions  30  associated with each of the multiple wheels  14 . It also enables the maintaining of the adjustment of the fork bearings  36  upon removal of the handlebars  16  for shipping, by the fork  32 . Further, it enables the torque to be fixed by the head angle between the head tube  34  and the ground. It further enables the plurality of batteries  20  to be installed in series, removed individually, and charged in parallel, by the plurality of battery compartments  38 . It also enables forming the cowling  92  flat, enabling screen printing on the cowling  92 , and enabling the cowling  92  to be wrapped around for placement on the vehicle  10 . Also, it further enables the carrying of a payload on the trailer  106 . 
   The operation of the vehicle  10  further causes the adult rider to lean in the direction of the turn, by turning the handlebars  16  on the substantially lightweight vehicle  10 . It further enables activating the throttle  24 , and provides substantially smooth and non-jerky movement, by the underpowered motors  18 . It further provides substantially smoother movement by the delayed reaction time period upon applying full throttle, in the delay in the electrical circuit when the revolutions per minute are below the preset level. It further provides substantially instantaneous response by bypassing the delay when the revolutions per minute are above the preset level. It further regulates the speed of the vehicle  10 , through the motor  18 , for providing smooth and quiet movement with little vibration, by engaging the throttle  24  slowly up to a preset low speed limit point. It further enables full throttle to the motor  18 , upon passing the preset low speed limit point. 
   The vehicle  10  further enables control of the heat and prevents burnout, by the motor thermal control. It alternatively is able to be powered by a fuel cell, or a hybrid combination of fuel and electric power. The vehicle  10  enables transporting on the pair of side wheels  14  and the front wheel  14 . It further inputs to the motor  18  the maximum vehicle speed limit by the regulator  54 . It further keeps the weight of the person forward in the vehicle  10  for safety, by the electrical safety strip  28 , and prevents movement of the vehicle  10  unless the person is standing on the strip  28 . Also, it provides lightweight strong material vehicle components. The vehicle  10  further enables locking thereof by the lock  94 . The method for use of the vehicle  10  further enables separating of the plurality of separable sub-systems, by the plurality of separable sub-systems. 
   While the particular personal transport vehicle as shown and disclosed in detail herein is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages previously stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design shown herein other than as described in the appended claims.