FOLDING MOPED WITH A COLLAPSIBLE SUPPORT FOR THE SADDLE

Abstract: A folding moped has a collapsible support (9) for the saddle (l0) constituted by two parallel pillars (ll) with lower jointed end portions (l2) which are inserted within two hollow parts (l4) fixed to the frame (2) for sliding between an inserted position in which the pillars are held in an erect condition and a withdrawn position in which the joints (l3) project above the respective hollow parts to allow the pillars to be collapsed forwardly.

Description: The present invention relates to folding mopeds in general. More particularly, the invention relates to a folding moped of the type including a frame, handlebars with foldable arms carried by a rearwardly-collapsible steering column, and a saddle support constituted by two spaced-apart pillars articulated to the frame so as to be pivotable between an erect condition of use and a collapsed rest condition in which these pillars extend substantially horizontally and forwardly. The object of the present invention is to provide a moped of the type defined above, in which the pivoting of the saddle support between the erect condition and the rest condition and vice versa can be achieved by simple, strong and cheap means so as to render this operation easier, more convenient and practical for the user. In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a folding moped of the type defined at the beginning, characterised in that each pillar includes a lower hollow part rigidly fixed to the frame in a position corresponding to the erect condition of the support, and an upper part which is movable relative to the lower hollow part and has a jointed end portion inserted in the lower hollow part for sliding between an inserted position, in which the joint is inserted in the lower hollow part and the upper part of the pillar is held erect, and a withdrawn position in which the joint projects above the lower hollow part to allow the upper part of the pillar pivotally to collapse. Preferably, each pillar has an associated disengageable stop for retaining the respective jointed end portion within the corresponding lower hollow part in its inserted position. This stop is conveniently constituted by an appendage carried by a pivotable foot- rest which can be inserted, under the action of a thrust spring, through corresponding lateral holes formed in the lower hollow part and in the jointed end portion. The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the appended drawings, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, in which: Figure l is a diagrammatic perspective view of a folding moped according to the invention, illustrated in its condition of use, Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure l with the moped folded, Figure 3 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale, taken on the arrow III of Figure l, and Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, taken on the arrow IV of Figure 2. With reference initially to Figures l and 2, a folding moped is generally indicated l and includes a frame, generally indicated 2, supporting a front steering wheel 3 and a rear driven wheel 4. The steering of the front wheel 3 is controlled through handlebars 5 formed by a pair of collapsible arms 6 supported at the top of a steering column 7 connected to the frame 2 by a lockable hinge 8. The steering column 7 can be collapsed rearwardly into the position shown in Figure 2, after the folding of the arms 6 and the unlocking of the hinge 8. A support, generally indicated 9, which is also collapsible, carries a saddle l0 at its top. The support 9 is constituted by two spaced-apart pillars ll each of which has a lower end portion l2 (Figures 2 and 4) jointed about a transverse articulated pin l3. The two end portions l3 are slidably inserted in respective hollow members l4 fixed to the opposite sides of the frame 2. The structure described above enables the support 9 to pivot between the erect condition of use illustrated in Figures l and 3 and the collapsed rest condition illustrated in Figures 2 and 4. In its erect condition, the end portions l2 with the joints l3 are inserted within the respective hollow members l4 whereby the two pillars ll are held in a raised position. As illustrated in greater detail in Figure 4, a transverse stop l5 is inserted in the lower region of each hollow member l4 and supports the corresponding jointed portion l2 in the erect condition of the pillars ll. Furthermore, in order to ensure firm and secure locking of the support 9 in this position, each pillar ll has an associated disengageable locking appendage l6 for passing through a lateral hole l7 in the hollow member l4 and a corresponding lateral hole l8 (Figure 4) in the portion l2, in the erect condition. The two locking appendages l6 are conveniently carried by two foot-rests l9 rotatably supported on respective extensions 20 of the stop pins 15 so as to be pivotable between a raised inoperative position (Figure 4) and a lowered position of use (Figure 3). In the lowered position of use, the locking appendages l6 engage the holes l7 and l8 under the action of respective thrust springs 2l surrounding the appendages 20 of the stop pins l5. In order to ensure easy, automatic insertion of the locking appendages l6 by snap-coupling, the bases of the jointed portions l2 conveniently have respective recesses 22 arranged to engage the stops l5 with form-coupling during the positioning of the support 9 in the erect position. In order to change from the erect condition of the support 9 to the collapsed condition, it suffices to draw the pillars ll upwardly by means of the saddle l0 until the joints l3 are withdrawn from the hollow members l4 to allow the collapse of the pillars ll relative to the portions l2. Clearly, stop members (not shown in the drawings) are provided for preventing the complete withdrawal of the portions l2 from the hollow members l4. It will be clear from the above that the lowering and raising of the support 9 can be carried out extremely conveniently and easily with a minimum of physical effort, and the structure described above, which is arranged to allow these operations, is particularly simple, compact and strong.

Claims: 1. Folding moped including a frame, handlebars with folding arms carried by a steering column which can be collapsed rearwardly, and a saddle support constituted by two spaced-apart pillars articulated to the frame so as to be pivotable between an erect condition of use and a collapsed rest condition in which these pillars extend substantially horizontally and forwardly, characterised in that each pillar of the support (9) includes a lower hollow part (l4) rigidly fixed to the frame (2) in a position corresponding to the erect condition of the support (9), and an upper part (ll) which is movable relative to the lower hollow part (l4) and has a jointed end portion (l2) inserted in the lower hollow part (l4) for sliding between an inserted position, in which the joint (l3) is inserted in the lower hollow part (l4) and the upper part of the pillar (ll) is held erect, and a withdrawn position in which the joint (l3) projects above the lower hollow part (l4) to allow the upper part of the pillar (ll) pivotally to collapse. 2. Moped according to Claim l, characterised in that each pillar (ll, l2) has an associated disengageable stop (l6) for retaining the respective jointed end portion (l2) within the corresponding lower hollow part (l4) in the inserted position. 3. Moped according to Claim 2, characterised in that the stops are formed by appendages (l6) which can be inserted, under the action of respective thrust springs (2l), through corresponding lateral holes (l7,l8) formed in the lower hollow parts (l4) and in the jointed end portions (l2) of the two pillars. 4. Moped according to Claim 3, characterised in that the stop appendages (l6) are carried by two foot-­ rests (l9) supported by the frame (2) so as to be pivotable between a lowered position of use and a raised rest position about respective pins (l5) which pass transversely through the lower hollow parts (l4) and act as lower stops for the jointed end portions (l2) of the two pillars. 5. Moped according to Claim 4, characterised in that the jointed end portions (l2) of the two pillars have respective lower centering recesses (22) for engaging the pins (l5) in the inserted position.

Inventors: GRATTAPAGLIA, RENZO
Applicants: ALGAT S.P.A.
Application year: 1986
Main classification: B62K15
IPC codes: B62K15, B62K11