Abstract:
A battery powered motor vehicle for transporting a rider in a standing position can be steered by either selective distribution of the riders weight, or alternative by turning a steering console. By attaching a cargo rack, the battery powered motor vehicle can be converted to a hand truck for transporting cargo. In the hand truck mode, the battery powered motor vehicle can either be powered wherein the vehicle moves in reverse, or manually pushed wherein the vehicle is in a neutral state.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the filing benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/497,037, filed Aug. 22, 2003, which is included herein by reference. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention pertains generally to wheeled battery powered motor vehicles for transporting people, and more particularly to a battery powered motor vehicle upon which a person stands, and which may be steered by either shifting the user&#39;s weight or by turning a steering mechanism. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Wheeled battery powered motor vehicles for transporting a standing person are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,294 illustrates a balancing vehicle that supports a rider on a support such as a seat in a such a manner as to allow the position of the center of gravity of the vehicle to be varied by motion of the support. Motion of the support additionally provides for control of a drive that propels the vehicle in a manner responsive to the position of the center of gravity. The vehicle is thus capable of control by leaning of a seated rider. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a battery powered motor vehicle for transporting a rider in a standing position. The rider may steer the vehicle be either (1) leaning his/her weight to one side or the other to effect gradual turns, or (2) turning a steering console to effect sharp turns. In addition to transporting a rider, the vehicle can be converted to either a powered or unpowered hand truck for transporting cargo. 
   In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a battery powered motor vehicle for transporting a rider includes:
         a body having a platform for a rider to stand upon, the platform having a right side and an opposite left side;   a steering column having a top end and an opposite bottom end, the bottom end of the steering column rotatably connected to the body, the steering column rotatable about a first vertical axis;   a steering console is connected to the top end of the steering column;   a right front wheel is connected to the right side of the body, the right front wheel having a right hub electric motor;   a left front wheel connected to the left side of the body, the left front wheel having a left hub electric motor; the right hub electric motor being mechanically and electrically independent from the left hub electric motor;   a right back wheel is rotatable about a second vertical axis;   a left back wheel is rotatable about a third vertical axis, the left back wheel being spaced apart from and parallel to the right back wheel;   the right and left back wheels mechanically linked to the steering column so that when the steering column is rotated to the right about the first vertical axis, the right and left back wheels rotate to the left about the second and third vertical axes respectively, and when the steering column is rotated to the left about the first vertical axis, the right and left back wheels rotate to the right about the second and third vertical axes respectively;   battery powered motor vehicle power movable in either a forward or reverse direction, wherein the right front and left front wheels are powered;   wherein when the battery powered motor vehicle is moving forward, the rider may selectively place a majority of his/her weight upon the right side of the platform, thereby causing an increased mechanical load to be placed on the right hub electric motor and a decreased mechanical load to be placed on the left hub electric motor, thereby causing the right hub electric motor to turn slower than the left hub electric motor to turn faster and the battery powered motor vehicle to turn gradually to the right;   wherein when the battery powered motor vehicle is moving forward, the rider may selectively place a majority of the his/her weight upon the left side of the platform, thereby causing an increased mechanical load to be placed on the left hub electric motor and a decreased mechanical load to be placed on the right hub electric motor, thereby causing the left hub electric motor to turn slower than the right hub electric motor to turn faster and the battery powered motor vehicle to turn gradually to the left;   wherein when the battery powered motor vehicle is moving forward, the rider may selectively turn the steering console to the right about the first vertical axis wherein the steering column rotates to the right causing the right and left back wheels to rotate to the left about the second and third vertical axes respectively, thereby causing the battery powered motor vehicle to turn sharply to the right; and,   wherein when battery powered motor vehicle is moving forward, the rider may selectively turn the steering console to the left about the first vertical axis wherein the steering column rotates to the left causing the right and left back wheels to rotate to the right about the second and third vertical axes respectively, thereby causing the battery powered motor vehicle to turn sharply turn to the left.       

   In another preferred embodiment of the invention, battery powered motor vehicle may be converted into either a powered or unpowered hand truck by the addition of a cargo rack. The cargo rack has wire mesh sides to keep the cargo in place. When the cargo rack is connected to battery powered motor vehicle, a user may (1) place the cargo upon platform, (2) tilt the battery powered motor vehicle so that the right and the left back wheels are off of the ground, (3) grasp the steering console and cause the battery powered motor vehicle to move in a reverse direction, and (4) walk behind the battery powered motor vehicle to transport the cargo to a desired location. Alternatively, the user may place the battery powered motor vehicle in a neutral state and manually push the battery powered motor vehicle such as is done with a conventional hand truck. 
   Other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a battery powered motor vehicle in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the battery powered motor vehicle; 
       FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the battery powered motor vehicle; 
       FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view of the battery powered motor vehicle; 
       FIG. 5  is an opposite side elevation view of the battery powered motor vehicle; 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the battery powered motor vehicle; 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged simplified cross sectional view of a hub motor; 
       FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of the battery powered motor vehicle showing the rider&#39;s weight being placed on the right side of the battery powered motor vehicle&#39;s platform; 
       FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the battery powered motor vehicle gradually turning to the right; 
       FIG. 10  is a front elevation view of the battery powered motor vehicle showing the rider&#39;s weight being placed on the left side of the battery powered motor vehicle&#39;s platform; 
       FIG. 11  is a top plan view of the battery powered motor vehicle gradually turning to the left; 
       FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the battery powered motor vehicle&#39;s steering console turned to the right, the back wheels resultantly turned to the left, and the battery powered motor vehicle sharply turning to the right; 
       FIG. 13  is a top plan view of the battery powered motor vehicle&#39;s steering console turned to the left, the back wheels resultantly turned to the right, and the battery powered motor vehicle sharply turning to the left; 
       FIG. 14  is a side elevation view of the battery powered motor vehicle placed in a storage and shipping/storage configuration; 
       FIG. 15  is a top plan view of the battery powered motor vehicle in the storage and shipping/storage configuration; 
       FIG. 16  is a side elevation view of the battery powered motor vehicle with a cargo rack installed and loaded with cargo; 
       FIG. 17  is a rear elevation view of the battery powered motor vehicle with a cargo rack installed and loaded with cargo; 
       FIG. 18  is a side elevation view of the battery powered motor vehicle moving cargo; 
       FIG. 19  is a side elevation view of the battery powered motor vehicle with a seat support showing a seat in a undeployed downward position; 
       FIG. 20  is a side elevation view of the battery powered motor vehicle with the seat support showing the seat in an deployed upward position; and, 
       FIG. 21  is a side elevation view of a rider in a standing position riding the battery powered motor vehicle. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring initially to  FIGS. 1–6 , there are illustrated side elevation, top plan, front elevation, rear elevation, opposite side elevation, and bottom plan views respectively of a battery powered motor vehicle for transporting a rider, generally designated as  20 .  FIG. 21  shows a rider being transported by battery powered motor vehicle  20 . Battery powered motor vehicle  20  includes a body  22  having a platform  24  for a rider to stand upon, platform  24  having a right side  26  and an opposite left side  28 , and being partially covered by a non-slip mat. Battery powered motor vehicle  20  further includes a steering column  30  having a top end  32  and an opposite bottom end  34 , bottom end  34  of steering column  30  is rotatably connected to body  22  wherein steering column  30  rotates about a first vertical axis  36 . A steering console  38  is connected to top end  32  of steering column  30 . 
   A right front wheel  37  is connected to right side  26  of body  22 , right front wheel  37  having a right hub electric motor  39  (refer also to  FIG. 7 ). A left front wheel  40  is connected to left side  28  of body  22 , left front wheel  40  having a left hub electric motor  41 . Right hub electric motor  39  is mechanically and electrically independent from left hub electric motor  41 . That is, right  39  and left  41  hub electrical motors have no common axle and each is independently electrically driven. A right back wheel  42  is rotatable about a second vertical axis  44 , and a left back wheel  46  is rotatable about a third vertical axis  48 . Left back wheel  46  is spaced apart from and parallel to right back wheel  42 . Right  42  and left  46  back wheels are mechanically linked to steering column  30 , so that when steering column  30  is rotated to the right about first vertical axis  36 , right  42  and left  46  back wheels rotate to the left about second  44  and third  46  vertical axes respectively (refer to  FIG. 12 ), and when steering column  30  is rotated to the left about first vertical axis  36 , right  42  and left  46  back wheels rotate to the right about second  44  and third  46  vertical axes respectively (refer to  FIG. 13 ). 
   Battery powered motor vehicle  20  is power movable in either a forward or reverse direction. Power movable means being moved by delivering electrical power to right  37  and left  40 . 
   Now also referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , when battery powered motor vehicle  20  is moving forward, the rider may selectively place a majority of his/her weight upon right side  26  of platform  24  thereby causing an increased mechanical load to be placed on right hub electric motor  39  and a decreased mechanical load to be placed on left hub electric motor  41 , thereby causing battery powered motor vehicle  20  to turn gradually to the right. As defined herein, “to turn gradually” means that it takes battery powered motor vehicle  20  more than two body lengths of forward motion to turn 90°. Now referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , when battery powered motor vehicle  20  is moving forward, the rider may selectively place a preponderance of the his/her weight upon left side  28  of platform  24 , thereby causing an increased mechanical load to be placed on left hub electric motor  41  and a decreased mechanical load to be placed on right hub electric motor  39 , thereby causing battery powered motor vehicle  20  to turn gradually to the left. 
   Now referring to  FIG. 12 , when battery powered motor vehicle  20  is moving forward, the rider may selectively turn steering console  38  to the right wherein steering column  30  rotates to the right about first vertical axis  36  (refer to  FIG. 1 ) causing right  42  and left  46  back wheels to rotate to the left about second  44  and third  48  vertical axes respectively, thereby causing battery powered motor vehicle  20  to turn sharply to the right. As defined herein, “to turn sharply” means that it takes the vehicle no more than two body lengths of forward motion to turn 90°. And when battery powered motor vehicle  20  is moving forward, the rider may selectively turn steering console  38  to the left wherein steering column  30  rotates to the left about first vertical axis  36  (refer to  FIG. 1 ) causing right  42  and left  46  back wheels to rotate to the right, thereby causing battery powered motor vehicle  20  to turn sharply turn to the left. 
     FIG. 7  is an enlarged simplified cross sectional view of right hub motor  39 . Right hub motor  39  includes a stator  50  which is fixedly attached to body  22 , and a rotor  52  which is attached to right front wheel  37  by a spoke  54 . Right hub motor  39  receives power from a rechargeable lithium battery which is controlled by an accelerator control disposed on steering console  38 . 
     FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of battery powered motor vehicle  20  showing the rider&#39;s weight being placed on the right side  26  of the battery powered motor vehicle&#39;s platform  24 . 
     FIG. 9  is a top plan view of battery powered motor vehicle  20  gradually turning to the right. 
     FIG. 10  is a front elevation view of the battery powered motor vehicle  20  showing the rider&#39;s weight being placed on the left side  28  of the battery powered motor vehicle&#39;s platform  24 . 
     FIG. 11  is a top plan view of the battery powered motor vehicle  20  gradually turning to the left. 
     FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the battery powered motor vehicle&#39;s steering console  38  turned to the right, back wheels  42  and  46  resultantly turned to the left, and battery powered motor vehicle  20  sharply turning to the right. 
     FIG. 13  is a top plan view of the battery powered motor vehicle&#39;s steering console  38  turned to the left, back wheels  42  and  46  resultantly turned to the right, and battery powered motor vehicle  20  sharply turning to the left. 
     FIGS. 14 and 15  are side elevation and top plan views respectively of battery powered motor vehicle  20  placed in a storage and shipping configuration. Body  22  has a rear portion  56 . When battery powered motor vehicle  20  is not moving, steering column  30  is selectively positionable with respect to body  22  from a substantially vertical position (refer to  FIG. 1 ) to a substantially horizontal position wherein steering column  38  is directed toward rear portion  56  of body  22 . Steering column  30  is released by removing a threaded pin  58  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) which holds steering column  30  in the horizontal position. 
     FIGS. 16 and 17  are side elevation and rear elevation views respectively of battery powered motor vehicle  20  with a cargo rack  60  installed and loaded with cargo  500 , and  FIG. 18  is a side elevation view of battery powered motor vehicle  20  moving cargo  500 . Cargo rack  60  is selectively connectable to battery powered motor vehicle  20  for converting battery powered motor vehicle  20  into a hand truck. In the shown embodiment cargo rack  60  has wire mesh sides to keep cargo  500  in place. Also in the shown embodiment, cargo rack  60  is attached to steering column  30 . When cargo rack  60  is connected to battery powered motor vehicle  20 , a user may (1) place cargo  500  upon platform  24 , (2) tilt battery powered motor vehicle  20  so that right  42  and left  46  back wheels are off of the ground, (3) grasp steering console  38  and cause battery powered motor vehicle  20  to move in a reverse direction, and (4) walk behind battery powered motor vehicle  20  to transport cargo  500  to a desired location. 
     FIG. 19  is a side elevation view of battery powered motor vehicle  20  with a seat support  62  disposed on rear portion  54  of body  22 , and showing a seat  64  in a undeployed downward position. And,  FIG. 20  is a side elevation view of battery powered motor vehicle  20  with showing seat  64  in an deployed upward position. Seat support  62  extends upward from rear portion  54  of body  22 . A seat column  66  has a first end  68  and an opposite second end  70 , first end  68  pivotally connected to seat support  62 . Seat  64  is pivotally connected to second end  70  of seat column  66 . Seat column  66  may be selectively pivoted from a downward orientation ( FIG. 19 ) to an upward orientation ( FIG. 20 ) wherein a user may sit upon seat  64  while he/she is riding battery powered motor vehicle  20 . Additionally, seat  64  rotates about second end  70  of seat column  66  to accommodate the motion of the rider. 
     FIG. 21  is a side elevation view of a rider in a standing position riding battery powered motor vehicle  20 . 
   In terms of use, a method for steering a battery powered motor vehicle  20  includes:
         (a) providing the battery powered motor vehicle  20  including:
           a body  22  having a platform  24  for a rider to stand upon, platform  24  having a right side  26  and an opposite left side  28 ;   a steering column  30  having a top end  32  and an opposite bottom end  34 , bottom end  34  of steering column  30  rotatably connected to body  22 , and steering column  30  rotatable about a first vertical axis  36 .   a steering console  38  connected to top end  32  of steering column  30 ;   a right front wheel  37  connected to right side  26  of body  22 , right front wheel  37  having a right hub electric motor  39 ;   a left front wheel  40  connected to left side  28  of body  22 , left front wheel  40  having a left hub electric motor  41 ; right hub electric  39  motor mechanically and electrically independent from left hub electric motor  41 ;   a right back wheel  42  rotatable about a second vertical axis  44 ;   a left back wheel  46  rotatable about a third vertical axis  48 , left back wheel  46  spaced apart from and parallel to right back wheel  42 ;   right  42  and left  46  back wheels mechanically linked to steering column  30  so that when steering column  30  is rotated to the right about first vertical axis  36 , right  42  and left back  46  wheels rotate to the left about second  44  and third  48  vertical axes respectively, and when steering column  30  is rotated to the left about first vertical axis  36 , right  42  and left  46  back wheels rotate to the right about second  44  and third  48  vertical axes respectively;   battery powered motor vehicle  20  power movable in either a forward or reverse direction;   
           (b) causing battery powered motor vehicle  20  to move in the forward direction;   (c) the rider performing at least one of the following four maneuvers:
           (1) placing a majority of the riders&#39;s weight W upon right side  26  of platform  24  thereby causing an increased mechanical load to be placed on right hub electric motor  39  and a decreased mechanical load to be placed on left hub electric motor  41 , thereby causing battery powered motor vehicle  20  to turn gradually to the right;   (2) placing a majority of the riders&#39;s weight W upon left side  28  of platform  24 , thereby causing an increased mechanical load to be placed on left hub electric motor  41  and a decreased mechanical load to be placed on right hub electric motor  39 , thereby causing battery powered motor vehicle  20  to turn gradually to the left;   (3) turning steering console  38  to the right wherein steering column  30  rotates to the right causing right  42  and left  46  back wheels to rotate to the left about second  44  and third  48  vertical axes respectively, thereby causing battery powered motor vehicle  20  to turn sharply to the right; and,   (4) turning said steering console  38  to the left wherein steering column  30  rotates to the left causing right  42  and left  46  back wheels to rotate to the right about second  44  and third  48  vertical axes respectively, thereby causing battery powered motor vehicle  20  to turn sharply to the left.   
               

   In another embodiment of the invention, a method for a user to move cargo  500  using a battery powered motor vehicle  20 , includes:
         (a) providing a battery powered motor vehicle  20 , including:
           a body  22  having a platform  24 , platform  24  having a right side  26  and an opposite left side  28 ;   a steering column  30  having a top end  32  and an opposite bottom end  34 , bottom end  34  of steering column  30  rotatably connected to body  22 , steering column  30  rotatable about a first vertical axis  36 ;   a steering console  38  connected to top end  32  of steering column  30 ;   a right front wheel  37  connected to right side  26  of body  22 , right front wheel  37  having a right hub electric motor  39 ;   a left front wheel  40  connected to left side  28  of body  22 , left front wheel  40  having a left hub electric motor  41 ; right hub electric motor  39  mechanically and electrically independent from left hub electric motor  41 ;   battery powered motor vehicle  20  power movable in either a forward or reverse direction;   a right back wheel  42  rotatable about a second vertical axis  44 ;   a left back wheel  46  rotatable about a third vertical axis  44 , left back wheel  46  spaced apart from and parallel to right back wheel  42 ;   a cargo rack  60  selectively connectable to battery powered motor vehicle  20 ;   
           (b) connecting cargo rack  60  to battery powered motor vehicle  20  thereby converting battery powered motor vehicle  20  into a hand truck;   (c) placing cargo  500  upon platform  24 ;   (d) tilting battery powered motor vehicle  20  so that right  42  and left  46  back wheels are off of the ground;   (e) the user grasping steering console  38  and causing battery powered motor vehicle  20  to move in the reverse direction (wheels  37  and  40  rotating in a reverse direction); and,   (e) the user walking behind battery powered motor vehicle  20  to transport cargo  500  to a desired location.       

   In another embodiment of the invention, a method for a user to move cargo using a battery powered motor vehicle in an unpowered state, comprising:
         (a) providing a battery powered motor vehicle  20 , including:
           a body  22  having a platform  24 , platform  24  having a right side  26  and an opposite left side  28 ;   a steering column  30  having a top end  32  and an opposite bottom end  34 , bottom end  34  of steering column  30  rotatably connected to body  22 , steering column  30  rotatable about a first vertical axis  36 ;   a steering console  38  connected to top end  32  of steering column  30 ;   a right front wheel  37  connected to right side  26  of body  22 , right front wheel  37  having a right hub electric motor  39 ;   a left front wheel  40  connected to left side  40  of body  22 , left front wheel  40  having a left hub electric motor  41 ; right hub electric motor  39  mechanically and electrically independent from left hub electric motor  41 ;   battery powered motor vehicle  20  having a neutral state wherein right  39  and left  41  front wheels freely rotate in either a forward or reverse direction;   a right back wheel  42  rotatable about a second vertical axis  44 ;   a left back wheel  46  rotatable about a third vertical axis  48 , left back wheel  46  spaced apart from and parallel to right back wheel  42 ;   a cargo rack  60  selectively connectable to battery powered motor vehicle  20 ;   
           (b) connecting cargo rack  60  to battery powered motor vehicle  20  thereby converting battery powered motor vehicle  20  into a hand truck;   (c) placing cargo  500  upon platform  24 ;   (d) tilting battery powered motor vehicle  20  so that right  42  and left  46  back wheels are off of the ground;   (e) the user grasping steering console  38  and causing battery powered motor vehicle  20  to be in the neutral state; and,   (e) the user and walking behind battery powered motor vehicle  20  and pushing battery powered motor vehicle  20  in a reverse direction to transport cargo  500  to a desired location.       

   The preferred embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations, and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve an equivalent result, all of which are intended to be embraced within the scope of the appended claims.