Abstract:
A mobility scooter device comprising an electrically powered wheeled vehicle provided with a lifting unit for lifting or lowering the vehicle. The lifting unit comprises an extendable lifting arm having two end portions a first end portion that is connected to the vehicle and a second end portion coupled to a support base provided with wheels. The lifting unit can be wheeled to bring the lifted vehicle over a transportation platform for mounting the vehicle body on the platform.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to transportation. More particularly the present invention relates to a device and method of self-lifting and self-lowering of a scooter from and to a transporting platform. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Personal scooters are a motorized means to enable mobility-limited persons the freedom of getting to places and locations they would not have been able to walk to. To enhance their usefulness scooters are transported beyond walking distances in cars, vans or trucks. Transporting is done by placing the scooter inside or on top of the vehicle or by attaching it to the side of the vehicle. Transporting by common privately owned sedan cars is limited by the bulk and weight of scooters. To enable transporting in a compact state, some scooters are designed to be easily disassembled into several components or folded into a more compact size. Disassembly and reassembly may be complicated and requires the manual handling of heavy components. 
         [0003]    Prior art for the transporting of wheelchairs and scooters include several devices and methods. Typically, U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,424 (Jones et al.), incorporated herein by reference, describes a rack for mounting on the rear of a car for carrying a wheelchair. The wheelchair has a seat-supporting framework that includes two parallel horizontal frame members close to the ground. The rack includes a pair of chair support members for engaging the two horizontal frame members with the chair on the ground and powered lift members for raising the chair to a traveling position above the ground and for lowering the chair downwardly to the ground for removing the chair from the rack thereby eliminating any need for anyone to lift the chair. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,361 (Peterson), incorporated herein by reference, discloses a motor vehicle attachable carrier for scooters. The carrier has a mast with a power lift which moves a foldable platform between a lowered and a raised position. A weight-sensitive pedal on the platform responds to the presence of a load and defeats the platform fold-up mechanism. In the absence of a load, the platform will assume a folded position against the mast when raised. A fold-down lever with an attached foot pivots to engage the scooter when the platform is raised in a horizontal position with a load thereon. 
         [0005]    US Patent Application 2006/0093,462 (Pradnas), incorporated herein by reference, describes a scooter lifting mechanism in which worm gear on the scooter itself is used to lift the scooter into position to be carried on, attached to the rear of a standard automobile vehicle. The self-lifting scooter uses its own battery power to operate the lifting mechanism. The bracket that carries the scooter can be removed and stored in the vehicle when not in use. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,111 (Meyer), incorporated herein by reference, discloses a wheelchair and lifting apparatus and method for loading a wheelchair and its occupant into a desired position in a vehicle, such as the driver&#39;s position, by attaching the wheelchair to an open door of the vehicle, utilizing the seat-height adjustment mechanism of the wheelchair that varies the height of the seat of the wheelchair relative to its wheels to lift the wheelchair off the ground and closing the vehicle door so as to position the wheelchair inside the vehicle in an unassisted manner by the occupant, and reversing this sequence of operation for unloading the wheelchair and its occupant from the vehicle. 
         [0007]    Prior art disclosures require that vehicles transporting scooters be equipped with designated instruments and machinery to facilitate loading, downloading and carrying-on (externally attached or carried-in) of the scooters. To accommodate transportation of scooters large and relatively strong vehicles are required. 
         [0008]    It is an object of the present invention to eliminate the dependency on auxiliary-devices for lifting and lowering scooters for the purpose of easy transporting of scooters. 
         [0009]    Another object of the present invention is to introduce a scooter with self-lifting and loading capabilities. 
         [0010]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a scooter with self-lifting and loading capabilities, which is automatically or semi-automatically operated. 
         [0011]    More objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after reading the present specification and considering the accompanying figures. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    There is thus provided, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a mobility scooter device comprising: 
         [0013]    an electrically powered wheeled vehicle provided with a lifting unit for lifting or lowering the vehicle, the lifting unit comprising an extendable lifting arm having two end portions a first end portion that is connected to the vehicle and a second end portion coupled to a support base provided with wheels which can be moved to bring the lifted vehicle over a transportation platform for mounting the vehicle body on the platform. 
         [0014]    Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the extendable lifting arm comprises telescopically extendable bars. 
         [0015]    Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the extendable lifting arm is electrically operated. 
         [0016]    Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the extendable lifting arm is tiltable between a substantially horizontal position when not in use and a substantially vertical position when in use. 
         [0017]    Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the scooter comprises foldable parts. 
         [0018]    Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the lifting unit is automatically operated. 
         [0019]    Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the lifting unit is semi-automatic. 
         [0020]    Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the lifting unit is further provided with a remote control for remotely activating the lifting unit. 
         [0021]    Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the lifting unit is detachably connected to the electrically powered wheeled vehicle. 
         [0022]    Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the lifting unit is fixedly connected to the electrically powered wheeled vehicle. 
         [0023]    Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the lifting unit is an integral part of the electrically powered wheeled vehicle. 
         [0024]    Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method for loading and downloading a mobility scooter onto and from a transportation platform, the method comprising: 
         [0025]    providing a lifting unit for lifting or lowering the scooter, the lifting unit comprising an extendable lifting arm having two end portions a first end portion that is connected to the scooter and a second end portion coupled to a support base provided with wheels; 
         [0026]    actuating the extendable lifting arm to lift the scooter; and 
         [0027]    wheeling the lifting unit with the lifter scooter to bring the lifted scooter over a transportation platform and mounting the scooter on the platform. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    In order to better understand the present invention, and appreciate its practical applications, the following Figures are provided and referenced hereafter. It should be noted that the Figures are given as examples only and in no way limit the scope of the invention. Like components are denoted by like reference numerals. 
           [0029]    The term “integrated” used in the text from herein after refers to a connection between a lifting and lowering unit and a scooter. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention the connection is a-fixed-to-scooter connection. In another embodiment of the present invention, the connection is detachable. The lifting and lowering unit, in both connection-configurations, will be referred from herein after in the text as the “lifting unit”. 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  illustrates a scooter with an integrated lifting unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, positioned at the rear of a car prior to being folded and loaded into a rear trunk of a car. 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  illustrates the scooter shown in  FIG. 1 , folded and compacted so as to fit into a rear trunk of the car. 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  illustrates the scooter shown in  FIG. 1  with a lifting unit deployed and the scooter lifted and positioned to be loaded into the trunk of the car. 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  illustrates the scooter shown in  FIG. 1  lifted by the lifting unit ready to be lowered into the trunk of the car. 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  illustrates the scooter shown in  FIG. 1  placed in the trunk of the car with the lifting unit connected to the scooter in the process of folding. 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  illustrates the scooter shown in  FIG. 1 , placed in the closed trunk of the car following the use of the lifting unit. 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  is a flow-chart describing the sequence of activities in folding, lifting and loading a scooter with a fixed-to-scooter lifting unit into a car, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  is a flow-chart describing the sequence of activities in downloading a scooter with a fixed-to-scooter lifting unit from a car and unfolding it, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 9  illustrates a scooter constructed with a detachably-connected lifting unit positioned on the ground in a ready-to-travel state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the Figure the detachably-connected lifting unit is disconnected from the scooter and not shown. 
           [0039]      FIG. 10A  illustrates a detachably-connected lifting unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, in an elevated state after disconnecting from a lifted scooter or prior to connecting to a scooter for lowering. 
           [0040]      FIG. 10B  illustrates the detachably-connected lifting unit illustrated in  FIG. 10A  in a compressed state, after disconnecting from a lowered scooter or prior to connecting to a scooter for lifting. 
           [0041]      FIG. 11  illustrates the scooter shown in  FIG. 9 , placed in the closed trunk of a car together with the detachably-connected lifting unit. The lifting unit is shown disconnected from the scooter, disassembled and stored in the trunk of the car, beside the scooter. 
           [0042]      FIG. 12  is a flow-chart describing the sequence of activities in lowering a scooter with a detachably-connected lifting unit from a car, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0043]      FIG. 13  is a flow-chart describing the sequence of activities in loading a scooter with a detachably-connected lifting unit into a car, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0044]    The self-lifting scooter in accordance with embodiments of the present invention relates to a scooter with regular driving specifications that enables the user to be autonomous of auxiliary devices when loading, transporting and lowering the scooter to, in and from the trunk of a commonly available vehicle. 
         [0045]    An integrated lifting unit in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, that includes automatic and/or semi-automatic movements and actuators, is provided, allowing “self-lifting” the scooter onto or into the trunk of a car whenever and wherever needed with no prior preparation required. 
         [0046]    In an embodiment of the present invention the lifting unit is fixed-to-scooter structure of the scooter. In another embodiment of the present invention the lifting unit is detachably-connected to the structure of the scooter and is in a connected state only when the scooter is in the process of being loaded on a vehicle for transporting or in the process of being lowered to the ground for use. Each of the embodiments has advantages and disadvantages: A detachably-connected lifting unit reduces the weight the energy source of the scooter has to cope with in maneuvering. On the other hand a detachably-connected lifting unit can, at times, cause difficulties in the necessity to position the scooter so as to have the lifting unit exactly aligned with the scooter in order to connect and operate. 
         [0047]    Given in the Figures and in the text that follows are embodiments, in accordance with the present invention, detailing the structure and operating mode of a self lifting unit for the lifting and lowering of a scooter The first six Figures presented should be viewed in a sequence. The sequence of  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 6  illustrates the loading of a scooter into a trunk of sedan car. In reverse,  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 1 , illustrate the un-loading of a scooter from the trunk of the car to the ground, ready for independent motion. It is noted that while the Figures illustrate a sedan-type trunk the self lifting scooter according to embodiments of the present invention can be used in conjunction with other types of vehicles, with or without trunks. 
         [0048]    A scooter coupled with a detachably-connected lifting unit looks substantially like a scooter coupled with a fixed-to-scooter, lifting unit. While  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4  relate to scooters that have either one of the two embodiments of the lifting units,  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  relate only to a scooter with a fixed-to-scooter lifting unit.. 
         [0049]      FIG. 1  illustrates a scooter  10 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, positioned at the rear of a car  90  prior to being folded and loaded into the trunk  92  of the car. Scooter  10  comprises: an electric motor  11  operated by batteries  13  (typically rechargeable), a collapsible seat component  12 , a foldable tiller  14 , a compactable assembly-frame  16  and front and back wheel-pairs,  42  and  44 , respectively. Lifting unit  18  is illustrated in a folded state and connected to the scooter. 
         [0050]    Collapsible seat component  12  comprise: seat-support-bar  30  inserted into tube-bar  28 , seat cushion  26 , a back support  32  and a connection bar  36  with a folding hinge  37 , linking the seat cushion  26  with the back support  32 . Armrest padded bars  34  are pivotally connected  35  on both sides to the lower portion of the rim of the back support  32 . 
         [0051]    Compactable assembly-frame  16  comprises two telescopic pipes or slides,  43  and  45 , capable of sliding one over the other, thus presenting a platform that can be compacted or stretched at will. Actuator  61  mechanically drives the sliding of telescopic pipes  43  and  45 . 
         [0052]    Motor  11  and batteries  13  are positioned under seat component  12 , on the rear section of the assembly-frame  16 , above wheel-pair  44 . Tiller  14  is connected to the frontal edge of assembly-frame  16  with the angle of the upper section of the handlebar with respect to assembly-frame, adjustable by a pivot  15 . Tube-bar  28  connects collapsible seat component  12  to assembly-frame  16 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 2  illustrates scooter  10  (same scooter seen in  FIG. 1 ) folded and in preparation to be placed into trunk  92  of car  90 . Seat component  12  is lowered towards assembly-frame  16  by fully inserting seat-support-bar  30  into tube-bar  28 . Back support  32  is folded horizontally over seat cushion  26  by folding hinge  37  in connection bar  36 . Armrest padded bars  34  are folded horizontally under back support  32  by pivots  35 . Assembly-frame  16  is compacted by sliding two telescopic pipes or slides  43  and  45  over each other, thus substantially decreasing the distance between front and back wheel-pairs  42  and  44 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 3  illustrates a folded and compacted scooter  10  with lifting-unit  18  deployed and the scooter lifted and positioned to be loaded to trunk  92  of car  90 . The sequence of activities for lifting the scooter follows: With the power of an actuator  62  lifting unit  18  is extended from the scooter  10 . Lifting unit  18  is pivoted and raised from a horizontal to a vertical position by an actuator  64 . With the aid of an actuator  63  a support base trolley wagon  20  is extended from the lower end of a lifting-arm  22  which comprises stretchable telescopic elements. For deployment of lifting unit  18  support base (“trolly wagon”)  20  is pushed under assembly-frame  16 . With the aid of an actuator  47  the telescopic components of arm  22  are stretched so as to raise scooter  10  from the floor. Plate  38  covers the motor and batteries ( 11  and  13 , respectively) of scooter  10  and connects to the upper end portion of lifting-arm  22 . Bar  40  connects and extends in an angular slope from arm  22  to plate  38  and thus supports plate  38  in carry the weight of scooter  10 . Bar  40  has a pivot  41  at its center enabling it to fold. Scooter  10  is lifted and adjusted to a height that enables entry to trunk  92  of car  90 . In some embodiments of the present invention the height can be pre-determined or monitored by the user (for example using a remote controller which can start and stop the lifting process at the user&#39;s will). 
         [0055]      FIG. 4  illustrates scooter  10 , lifted with the aid of lifting unit  18  and positioned in trunk  92  of car  90  ready to be lowered into the vehicle. Extended trolley wagon  20  is rolled manually (or alternatively, electrically) under car  90  and in doing so lifting-arm  22  delivers the scooter all the way past the threshold of trunk  92 . By contracting the telescopic components of lifting-arm  22  scooter  10  is slowly and gently placed on the floor of trunk  92 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 5  illustrates scooter  10  placed into trunk  92  of car  90  with lifting unit  18  in the process of folding. Following the placement of scooter  10  on the floor of trunk  92 , trolley  20  is contracted to the base of lifting-arm  22  and the telescopic components of lifting-arm  22  are contracted to their minimum state. Bar  40  is folded and lifting-arm  22  is gradually pivoted, lifted and folded from a vertical to a horizontal position. 
         [0057]      FIG. 6  illustrates scooter  10  folded and placed into closed trunk  92  of car  90  ready to be transported. 
         [0058]    The sequence of activities of folding and loading scooter  10  to car  90 , given in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 6 , is itemized in  FIG. 7  in a flow-chart. The flow-chart also itemizes the manual and automatic activities. 
         [0059]    The sequence of activities of downloading scooter  10  from a car  90  and unfolding it, (the reverse activities of folding and loading of the scooter), given in  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 1 , is itemized in  FIG. 8  in the form of a flow-chart. The flow-chart also indicates manual and automatic activities. 
         [0060]      FIG. 7  is a flow-chart describing the sequence of activities in folding, lifting and loading a scooter into a car, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The sequence of activities, as numbered in the figure starts with the manual folding of the seat, activity designated:  100 , followed by an actuator automatic folding of the assembly frame, designated:  102 . The tiller is manually folded, designated:  104  actuators automatically open the lifting unit, designated  106 . The lifting unit lifts the scooter automatically to the height of the car with the aid of actuators, designated:  108 . Next, the lifting unit folds automatically with the aid of actuators, activity designated:  110  and the scooter is loaded into the car ready to be transported, designated:  112 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 8  is a flow-chart describing the sequence of activities in downloading the scooter from a car and unfolding it, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The sequence of activities, as numbered in the figure, is a reverse sequence of activities described in  FIG. 7  and starts with the automatic opening of the lifting unit with the aid of actuators, activity designated:  114 . Next, the lifting unit lowers the scooter automatically to the ground with the aid of actuators, designated:  116 . The lifting unit folds automatically with the aid of actuators, designated:  118 . Next, the tiller is opened manually, activity designated:  120  and the assembly frame is automatically opened with the aid of an actuator, designated:  122 . The seat is unfolded manually, designated:  124  and the scooter is ready to drive, designated:  126 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 9  illustrates a scooter  10  constructed with a detachably-connected lifting unit. The scooter is illustrated with the detachably-connected lifting unit  18  disconnected from the vehicle (and not shown in the Fig.) and positioned on the ground in a ready-to-travel state. 
         [0063]    Reference is now made to a detailed (and separated) description of lifting unit  18 . While the fixed-to-scooter lifting unit  18 , illustrated in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , remains as a an assembled unit in both deployed and folded states, the detachably-connected lifting unit  18  may be disassembled when folded, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 10A  illustrates scooter&#39;s  10  detachably-connected lifting unit  18  in an elevated state after disconnecting from scooter  10  (illustrated in  FIG. 9 ) after lifting or prior to connecting to scooter for lowering. 
         [0065]      FIG. 10B  illustrates detachably-connected lifting unit  18  in a compressed state, after disconnecting from a lowered scooter  10  or prior to connecting scooter  10  for lifting. 
         [0066]    Lifting unit  18  is constructed of a support base with wheels (“trolley wagon”)  20  extended from the base of lifting-arm  22 . Lifting-arm  22  is composed of telescopic components that can be stretched or compressed ( FIG. 10A  and  FIG. 10B , respectively) at will. The mechanism of operating lifting unit  18  is controlled by actuators  63  and  47 . Connector-unit  144  is rigidly fixed to the upper portion of lifting-arm  22  of lifting unit  18  and reversibly connects to the back side of scooter  10  (scooter without lifting unit  18  is illustrated in  FIG. 9 ). When coupled to a detachably-connected lift unit  18  ( FIG. 10A  and  FIG. 10B ) scooter  10  can be raised and lowered at will from and to a trunk of a car, as illustrated in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4 . For efficient and convenient storage when not in use, detachably-connected lift unit  10  can be disassembled by disengaging trolley wagon  20  from lifting-arm  22  (as shown in  FIG. 11 ). 
         [0067]      FIG. 11  illustrates scooter  10  shown in  FIG. 9 , folded and placed in closed trunk  92  of car  90 . Trunk  92  also contains detachably-connected lifting unit  18 , stored in a disassembled state in which trolley wagon  20  is disengaged from lifting-arm  22 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 12  is a flow-chart describing the sequence of activities in lowering scooter  10  with the aid of a detachably-connected lifting unit  18  from a car  90 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0069]    The sequence of activities, as numbered in the figure, starts with the unloading of detachably-connected lifting unit  18  (constructed of trolley wagon  20  and lifting-arm  22 ) from the trunk of the car, activity designated:  150 . Lifting unit  18  is assembled and opened on the floor, designated:  114 . Next, lifting unit  18  is adjusted and attached to the back of folded scooter  10  standing in the trunk of the car, activity designated:  116 . The scooter is raised, manually pulled from the car and lowered to the floor. Detachably-connected lifting unit  18  is disconnected from the scooter when the scooter is positioned on the floor, activity designated:  154 . Detachably-connected lifting unit  18  is folded and disassembled for storage, activity designated:  158 . It is possible to carry detachably-connected lifting unit  18  with the scooter or to store the device in the car or elsewhere. Next, the tiller of the scooter is opened manually, activity designated:  120  and the assembly frame is automatically opened with the aid of an actuator, designated  122 . The seat is manually unfolded, designated  124  and the scooter is ready to drive, activity designated:  126 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 13  is a flow-chart describing the sequence of activities in loading scooter  10  with the aid of a detachably-connected lifting unit to a car  90 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0071]    The sequence of activities, as numbered in the figure, starts with the positioning of scooter  10  near car  90 , activity designated  126  in the Fig. The scooter is made ready for transport by manually folding the seat, designated:  100  and with the aid of actuators, folding of the assembly-frame, designated:  102 . The tiller is manually folded, activity designated:  104 . Next the detachably-connected lifting unit  18  (constructed of trolley wagon  20  and lifting-arm  22 ) is assembled and unfolded manually or with actuators, designated:  158 . With both lifting unit  18  and scooter  10  on the floor, the lifting unit is connected to the back of the scooter, activity designated:  154 . Detachably-connected lifting unit  18  raises scooter  10  from the floor and the lifted scooter is manually pushed towards the car, activity designated:  160 . The scooter is lowered into the car and detached from the lifting unit, designated:  162 . Detachably-connected-lift  142  is manually or with actuators disassembled and folded for storage, activity designated  164 . 
         [0072]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the division between the manual activities and the motorized activities in folding and maneuvering with the folded scooter are different than those listed in the embodiment above. For example: the telescopic extendable bars of the frame-assembly,  43  and  45 , are mechanically operated (instead of being driven by an actuator) and opening of the lifting unit  18  is partly or fully done manually (instead of being powered by actuators). 
         [0073]    The self-lifting and self-loading feature is very advantageous in mobility scooters (also known as “mobilizers”), which is primarily designed for elderly persons or persons with locomotion disabilities and other related handicaps. It offers the user a good solution for loading and unloading, freeing the user from the strenuous task of lifting a heavy load and placing it in the trunk of his car, or unloading it. 
         [0074]    It should be clear that the description of the embodiments and attached Figures set forth in this specification serves only for a better understanding of the invention, without limiting its scope. 
         [0075]    It should also be clear that a person skilled in the art, after reading the present specification could make adjustments or amendments to the attached Figures and above described embodiments that would still be covered by the present invention.