Abstract:
An improved scooter incorporates a novel or novelty illumination or lighting effect. Scooters have undergone an upsurge in popularity in recent years, e.g. because of innovation such as folding scooters and micro-scooters. There is provided a scooter or other self or foot propelled vehicle or the like having a platform for supporting a user, the platform having an upper surface having illumination. The platform comprises a foot-plate, and is at least part transparent or translucent. The platform comprises a first portion extruded from metal and a second portion, which is at least part transparent or translucent, and preferably made from a plastics material.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to United Kingdom patent application no. 05 01 600.1 filed Jan. 26, 2005, and the entire contents of this application are expressly incorporated herein by reference thereto. This application also is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/122,529 filed May 5, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,712,937, which claims priority to United Kingdom patent application no. 04 09 974.3 filed May 5, 2004. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an improved scooter or similar type of self/foot propelled transport means. The invention particularly, but not exclusively, relates to a scooter or the like incorporating a novel or novelty illumination or lighting effect. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Scooters have undergone an upsurge in popularity in recent years, e.g. because of innovations such as folding scooters or “micro-scooters.” 
     There exists a need for an improved scooter incorporating a novel or novelty lighting effect. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a scooter or other self or foot propelled vehicle or the like having a platform for supporting a user, the platform having an upper surface having illumination means. 
     The illumination means may comprise or incorporate a novelty lighting effect. 
     The platform may comprise a foot-plate. 
     Provision of an illumination means or novelty lighting effect on the upper surface of a scooter may, when illuminated, make the scooter more visible to onlookers and/or passers-by and/or to a user. Making a scooter more visible can assist in avoiding and/or reducing accidents involving scooters, and/or can provide an additional visual effect such as a novelty visual effect, e.g. when the rider is performing stunts or manoeuvres. 
     Preferably, the platform is at least part transparent or translucent. 
     According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a scooter or other self or foot propelled vehicle or the like having a platform for supporting a user, the platform being at least part transparent or translucent. 
     Provision of an at least part transparent or translucent platform permits effects, such as novelty lighting effects, to be incorporated within or adjacent to the platform whilst still being visible. 
     Preferably, the platform has an upper surface having illumination means. 
     The platform may comprise a foot-plate. 
     Concerning either the first or second aspects, preferably, the scooter or self-propelled vehicle is a scooter. 
     Most preferably, the scooter is a so-called “micro-scooter.” 
     Preferably, the scooter or micro-scooter is collapsible. 
     Alternatively, the scooter or self-propelled vehicle may be a skateboard, e.g. a training skateboard provided with a handle, which handle may be collapsible. 
     Preferably, at least part of the platform is extruded from metal. 
     Advantageously, alternatively or additionally, at least part of the platform comprises a polymeric or plastics material. Where a part portion of the platform comprises a polymeric or plastics material preferably, the plastics material may be a thermoplastic such as ABS. A thermoplastic platform, such as ABS, is suitable for high volume moulding processes such as injection moulding. 
     Using injection moulding to manufacture a polymeric or plastics platform or extrusion to manufacture a metal platform allows part of the platform to be manufactured as a unitary component, thereby potentially increasing the strength of the platform and reducing the cost of manufacture of a platform. Where metal is used the metal may be substantially aluminium or an alloy thereof. 
     Most preferably, the platform comprises a first portion, e.g. extruded from metal, and a second portion, e.g. which is at least part transparent or translucent, and preferably made from a plastics material. 
     The platform may further include end caps. The end caps may be used to secure the first and second portions together. 
     Preferably, the illumination means are provided below, adjacent or within the platform. In use, light passes through the transparent or translucent part of the platform and/or passes through and/or reflects off inner surfaces, e.g. sidewalls thereof. The illumination means may therefore provide a pseudo “disco” floor effect. 
     Preferably, the transparent or translucent part of the platform permits light from the illumination means to pass through at least part of a top surface of the platform. 
     The transparent or translucent part of the platform may be translucent. Alternatively, the transparent or translucent part of the platform may be transparent. Where the transparent or translucent part of the platform is translucent, this may give rise to a “milky” effect. A “milky” effect diffuses the light effect created by the illumination means. 
     Preferably, the illumination means is provided by at least one and preferably a plurality of light sources, e.g. light emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs are preferred as LEDs use relatively low levels of power whilst providing a desired visual effect. 
     The illumination means may be provided in a plurality of different colours. Preferably, the illumination means are selected from one or more of the following colours: red, blue, green, yellow, white, purple, pink, gold, turquoise, orange. 
     Most preferably, the LEDs are surface mounted display LEDs. Where surface mounted display LEDs are used, preferably, such are mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). 
     Preferably, the PCB is located between the first and second portions of the platform. 
     Alternatively, the PCB is located on at least part of an upper surface of the platform. 
     Preferably, the PCB is secured to the platform of the scooter or self-propelled vehicle. The PCB may be secured to the platform of the scooter or self-propelled vehicle by securing means such as glue, rivets, screws or any other suitable securing means. 
     The PCB may be covered in a coating such as epoxy, e.g. an epoxy resin. Epoxy may be provided to protect the PCB; however, such may be arranged such that the LEDs are still visible. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the PCB may be covered by opaque or translucent means, paper or card and arranged such that the light from the illumination means passes through the opaque or translucent means, paper or card or is visible through apertures in the opaque or translucent means, paper or card. 
     Preferably, the transparent or translucent part of the platform covers the LEDs. 
     Preferably, the transparent or translucent part of the platform is a polymeric material. 
     The transparent or translucent part of the platform may wrap around one or more of the edges of the first portion of the platform. 
     The illumination means may be provided/further provided along at least first and second regions of the platform. Preferably, the first and second regions of the platform are adjacent first and second sides of the platform. Preferably in use, a user may place his or her foot between said first and second regions. 
     The illumination means may define a closed shape upon a portion of the platform, e.g. defining where a user should place a foot, in use. Providing guidance for a user as to where to place a foot on the platform can assist the user in selecting optimum placement of their foot to ride upon the scooter or vehicle and/or execute a manoeuvre. 
     Preferably, the scooter or other self-propelled vehicle includes control means for the user to select a desired operation mode of the illumination means. 
     It is preferred that alternative visual effects can be selected and controlled by the control means. 
     Preferably, the control means comprises switch means. The control means may be programmed to operate in a number of modes such as off and on and optionally continuous, flashing, strobing, chaser, etc. 
     Preferably, the illumination means is powered by one or more batteries. Alternatively, the scooter includes a power generator such as a dynamo for powering the illumination means. 
     The control means may further include a vibration operated switch. A vibration operated switch may react to vibrations passing through the scooter, for example, as the scooter passes over a rough surface, or when the scooter receives an impact such as a user&#39;s foot landing on the platform, or when the scooter is struck e.g. off a surface, e.g. the ground, so as to activate the illumination means. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the control means includes a weight sensor. A weight sensor may react to a user standing on the scooter to activate the illumination means. 
     Once activated the illumination means may illuminate for a fixed period of time, for example, 5 seconds. The illumination means may therefore continue to operate until shortly after movement ceases. 
     Preferably, at least part of the circuitry of the PCB is located at one end of the PCB. Where the scooter is a collapsible scooter or micro-scooter, preferably, part of the circuitry of the PCB is located adjacent the hinge of the scooter. The hinge provides useful additional protection for the circuitry. 
     Preferably, where the scooter or other self-propelled vehicle is a scooter, such is a two-wheeled scooter. Alternatively, the scooter has three wheels, e.g. a single front wheel and two rear wheels. The rear wheels may be co-axial with one another. 
     There may be provided means for spacing the first portion from the second portion. 
     The spacing means may comprise a plurality of pillars extending from the second portion and beneficially integrally formed therewith. 
     According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a scooter or other self or foot propelled vehicle or the like having at least one illumination means, the illumination means being operable in response to a vibration or impact applied to the scooter or vehicle. 
     A vibration or impact can be a single or repetitive force applied to the scooter or the like, e.g. as the scooter travels over a surface, or it could be a single impact caused by the scooter landing on a surface after a manoeuvre has been performed, or an impact caused by a user mounting or striking the scooter or striking the scooter off a surface or other body. 
     According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a three wheeled collapsible scooter or micro-scooter. 
     According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a scooter, such as a three wheeled scooter, the scooter having at least two rear wheels, and further, including a rear brake. 
     The rear brake may comprise a brake member resiliently biased into a first position away from the rear wheels. Application of a force, e.g. from a foot of a user, may cause first and second portions of the brake member to frictionally engage respective first and second rear wheels. 
     According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a scooter having handlebars, the handlebars incorporating an illumination means such as a novelty lighting effect. 
     Preferably, the illumination means or novelty lighting effect is provided on at least one end, and preferably both ends of the handlebars. 
     Preferably, the illumination means or novelty lighting effect is provided by a self-contained battery operated unit. 
     Preferably, the illumination means comprises at least one LED. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying figures, which are: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view from above and to one side of a scooter according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view from above and to one side of part of the scooter of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded schematic view of part of a platform of the scooter  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an underside of part of the platform of the scooter of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of a printed circuit board of the scooter of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an upper portion of the platform of the scooter of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a close-up view from above of a hinge bracket and part of the printed circuit board of the scooter of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a circuit diagram for the printed circuit board of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a further circuit diagram for the printed circuit board of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a rear view of part of the scooter of  FIG. 1  showing a rear brake; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic view of a printed circuit board having an alternative arrangement of LEDs according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an alternative scooter according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there are shown perspective views of a scooter, generally designated  10 , according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The scooter  10  includes a platform  12  having an upper surface  14 , which in this embodiment is transparent—although such may be partly transparent or translucent. 
     The scooter  10  further includes illumination means  16  which are mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB)  18  housed within the platform  10 . 
     The platform  12  comprises an upper portion  20  injection moulded from transparent plastic material, a lower portion  22  made from aluminium, and a first end cap  24  and a second end cap  26 . 
     In this example, the scooter  10  is a collapsible micro-scooter having a single front wheel  28  and a pair of rear wheels  30 , or in a modification, a single rear wheel. The micro-scooter  10  collapses around a pivot  32 , supported by a bracket  34 . The micro-scooter  10  also includes handlebars  36  (shown on  FIG. 1 ) and a rear brake  38 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown an exploded schematic view of part of the platform  12  of the scooter  10 . The PCB  18  is sandwiched between the upper portion  20  of the platform  12  and the lower portion  22  of the platform  12 . It will also be noted that the upper portion  20  has downwardly depending sides  42 ,  44  which wrap around long sides  46 ,  48  of the PCB  18 . 
     The upper platform portion  20  is secured to the lower platform portion  22  by means of the first end cap  24  and the second end cap (not shown for clarity). 
     The PCB  18  and the upper portion  20  include a cut-outs  50 , 51 , the purpose of which will be explained later. 
     The platform  12  further includes a control box  40  which includes batteries and circuitry (not shown) for controlling the illumination means  16 . The control box  40  is connected to circuitry  52  on the PCB  18  by means of a wire or wires (not shown). The control box  40  is secured in a channel  54  defined by the lower portion  22  of the platform  12  by means of screws  56  which pass through brackets  58  on the control box  40 . The control box  40  includes an on/off switch  41 . 
     The arrangement of an underside of a lower platform portion  22  can be seen in  FIG. 4 , which comprises a perspective view of an underside of part of the platform  12  of the scooter  10  of  FIG. 1 . 
     The control box  40  is shown positioned in the channel  54  defined by the lower portion  22  of the platform  12 . The wire  60  which connects the control box to the PCB  18  can be clearly seen. For clarity, the first end cap  24  is not shown. The lower platform  22  is, in this embodiment, an extruded section of aluminium. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a top view of the PCB  18  of the scooter  10 . The control circuitry  52  of the PCB  18  can be seen adjacent the cut-out  50 . Also included are a series of tracks  62 , of which three are indicated, which transmit signals to the illumination means  16 , of which four are indicated, in the form of surface mounted LEDs  68 , of which three are indicated. The surface mounted LEDs  68 , in this case are red and blue. It will, however, be appreciated that any available colour or colours may be provided. 
     The PCB  18  further includes a series of apertures  64 . The purpose of these apertures  64  is discussed in connection with  FIG. 6 . 
     The control box  40  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) and the circuitry  52  further include a vibration switch (not shown), which causes the illumination means  16  to flash, and/or strobe in response to a vibration being applied to the scooter  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a perspective view of the transparent, or alternatively translucent, upper portion  20  of the platform  12  of the scooter  10  of  FIG. 1 . The upper portion  20  includes pillars  66  which, when the platform  12  is assembled, extend through the apertures  64  in the PCB and engage the lower portion  22 . The purpose of these pillars  66  is to transfer the weight of a user onto the lower portion  22  of the platform  12  without damaging the PCB  18 , which is sandwiched between the upper and lower platform portions  20 ,  22 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a close-up top view of the hinge bracket  34  and part of the PCB  18  of the scooter  10  of  FIG. 1 . The circuitry  52  is located at either side of the cut-out  50  in the upper portion  20  of the platform  12  and the PCB  18 . This cut-out  50  accommodates the hinge bracket  34  which supports the pivot  32 . The hinge bracket  34  is welded to the lower portion  22  of the platform  12 . This arrangement permits the circuitry  52  to be, at least to some degree, protected by the presence of the bracket  34 , as the location of the bracket  34  acts to prevent a user&#39;s foot extending onto this part of the platform  12  and applying weight to the upper portion  20  in the vicinity of the circuitry  52 , which may damage the circuitry  52 . 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  show circuit diagrams for the PCB  18 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a rear view of part of the scooter  10  of  FIG. 1 , and particularly shows the rear brake  38  and the rear wheels  30 . As can be seen, the rear brake  38  is resiliently biased away from the rear wheels  30 . However, in use, a force, may be applied e.g. via a foot of a user, to the brake  38  to cause first and second suitably shaped portions of the brake  38  to frictionally engage the rear wheels  30 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , there is shown an alternative schematic of a printed circuit board  118  showing an alternative arrangement of LEDs  168  (of which two are indicated). This arrangement of LEDs  168  indicates a region  169  in which a user may beneficially choose to place their foot. 
     Finally, referring to  FIG. 12 , there is shown a perspective view of an alternative scooter  210  according to a third embodiment of the present invention. This scooter  210  is a two-wheel scooter having a front wheel  228  and a rear wheel  230  with a rear brake  238 . The scooter  210  may be substantially the same as the scooter  10 , 110  of the first and second embodiments, particularly regarding the provision of illumination means (not shown) and in the construction of the platform. 
     It will be understood that the foregoing embodiments of the present invention are given for illustrative purposes only, and that various modifications and improvements may be made to the scooter described herein without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, although the platform of the first embodiment is in part transparent, it could be in part translucent to defuse the light from the surface mounted LEDs and provide a different visual effect. 
     Similarly, the surface mounted LEDs can be of any colour or a combination of different colours and the vibration switch could alternatively or additionally be a weight sensor. 
     It will be appreciated that the preferred embodiments of the scooters hereinbefore described are advantageously collapsible “micro-scooters.” However, it will be appreciated that the lighting effect described may be provided on other types of scooters, e.g. non-collapsible scooters, or alternatively skateboards or other foot propelled vehicles having a platform or deck and two or more wheels.