Abstract:
A steerable sports scooter including a bi-laterally pivotable independent forward portion, a hand-operable direction controller, and an independent rearward portion in secured communication with the forward portion and having a support surface upon which to stand. Preferably, the forward portion of the scooter is angularly adjustable for selecting approach pitch, while the rearward portion includes a brake member. The brake member may be a manual brake member or a mechanical brake member. The scooter may be a snow scooter. The snow scooter may include a skag. The skag may be detachable and may be connected to the brake member. A preferable direction controller is a stem with a handle bar set for grasping and turning by hand. Most preferably, the stem is in axially pivotally attached communication with the forward portion for selectively moving the stem between a generally vertical and a generally horizontal orientation to thereby permit folding upon the snow scooter for easy carrying and transport. The steerable scooter so defined permits the user thereof to easily ride and maneuver over a snow surface for an enjoyable experience. The snow scooter may include a wheel component(s) or a tread positioned below the rearward portion to facilitate movement of the scooter through snow.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/355,710, filed Feb. 7, 2002, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/912,919, filed Jul. 25, 2001, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/133,100, filed Nov. 22, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. D451,162. 
    
    
     STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
     (Not Applicable) 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is related in general to indoor/outdoor sports equipment, and in particular to a hand steerable scooter having an independent forward portion that is pivotable by choice of a user for steering the scooter as the user stands on the rear portion and travels over a surface. For example, the scooter may be a snow scooter that travels over a groomed and/or non-groomed snow path. 
     Participation in winter sports is a favorite pastime for many people as they experience downhill and cross-country skiing, ice-skating, playing hockey, ice fishing, and other activities. One such activity that continues to gain significant popularity is snowboarding. Specifically, snowboarding usually occurs on groomed ski slopes where skiers and snowboarders compete for downhill space. A present typical snowboard is constructed as a generally flat, relatively light-weight and smooth polymer board with at least one pocket structure mounted on the top of the board for accommodating the front portion of a booted foot of a user. In operation, the user positions the snowboard at the top of a ski trail, stands on the top of the snowboard with the front portion of one foot in the pocket structure, and thereafter propels and travels down the trail while balancing on the snowboard. 
     As is apparent from the above description of a usual snowboard, the user thereof must steer the snowboard by shifting body weight and without ski poles or the like as the snowboard travels, many times at high speed, down the ski trail. This situation can be, or become, very difficult for the user to maintain since the user may not have the expertise and/or the ability to favorably enjoy a downhill ride. In view of this snowboard expertise requirement, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a snow scooter that is hand steerable by the onboard user and more user friendly as an enjoyable sport rider. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand steerable snow scooter that preferably has integral therewith a user-operable brake member. The brake member may be a manual brake member or a mechanical brake member. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hand steerable snow scooter whose steerability preferably is accomplished with a handlebar type of direction controller. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a powered (e.g., battery powered) hand steerable snow scooter. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent throughout the description thereof which now follows. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a steerable sports scooter including a bi-laterally pivotable independent forward portion, a hand-operable direction controller in communication with the forward portion, and an independent rearward portion, said rearward portion in secured communication with the forward portion and having a support surface upon which to stand. 
     Preferably, the forward portion of the scooter is angularly adjustable upwardly and downwardly in relation to a horizontal plane for selecting approach pitch, while the rearward portion includes a brake member for stopping the scooter during travel, for example for stopping the scooter on groomed and/or non-groomed snow, or even travel on a non-snow surface such as upon sand. 
     A preferable direction controller is a stem with a first end thereof attached to the forward portion and a second end thereof bearing a handle bar set for grasping and turning by hand. Most preferably, the first end of the stem is in axially pivotally attached communication with the forward portion for selectively moving the stem between a generally vertical orientation and a generally horizontal orientation to thereby permit folding the stem for easy carrying and transport. 
     The handle bars preferably include a spring biased latch mechanism that allows the handles to be collapsed for travel and storage but which lock into place to prevent inadvertent collapse of the handles during use. 
     Preferably, the steerable scooter is a steerable snow scooter. The steerable scooter so defined permits the user thereof to more easily enjoy over-snow travel and thereby greatly enhance the sporting experience. 
     Preferably, the rearward portion of the snow scooter has a grooved bottom. 
     The snow scooter may have one or more wheel components that facilitate movement. Such wheel components may be motorized. Preferably, the wheel components are retractable. 
     The snow scooter may have a tread to facilitate movement. 
     The brake member may be a manual brake member or a mechanical brake member. The snow scooter may include a skag. The skag may be detachable and may be connected to the brake member. 
     Other embodiments of the sports scooter may include wheels attached to the bottom of the scooter for use on surfaces such as concrete or pavement. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     An illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steerable snow scooter in operational configuration; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the snow scooter of FIG. 1 in collapsed configuration; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one lateral side of adjacent forward and rearward portions of the snow scooter of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lateral side opposite that shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the rearward portion of the snow scooter of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the snow scooter of FIG. 1 on its side; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the rearward portion of the snow scooter of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the rearward portion of the snow scooter of FIG. 1 on its side; 
     FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the rearward portion of the snow scooter shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the bottom of the rearward portion of the snow scooter of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the bottom of the rearward portion of the snow scooter shown in FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the aft area of the bottom of the rearward portion of a snow scooter as shown in FIG. 1 including a brake plate and a skag; 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the brake plate and skag shown in FIG. 12 with the skag detached from the brake plate; 
     FIG. 14 is a side perspective view of the aft area of the rearward portion of a snow scooter as shown in FIG. 1 including a mechanical brake; 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the bottom of the mechanical brake (including a skag) shown in FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the mechanical brake shown in FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention having a mechanical tread below the bottom of the rearward portion of the scooter; 
     FIG. 18 is a rear perspective view of the snow scooter having a mechanical tread as shown in FIG. 17; 
     FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a battery powered snow scooter; 
     FIG. 20 is a top perspective view of the motor of the battery powered snow scooter shown in FIG. 19; 
     FIG. 21 is a side perspective view of the battery powered snow scooter shown in FIG. 19 with the wheels in a deployed position; 
     FIG. 22 is a bottom perspective view of the motor component of the battery powered snow scooter shown in FIG. 19; 
     FIGS. 23-25 illustrate handlebars of a steerable sports scooter having a latch mechanism; and 
     FIGS. 26-27 are perspective views of a scooter with wheels. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A steerable sports scooter is shown and described herein. Exemplary embodiments of the steerable sports scooter include a steerable snow scooter and a steerable rollable scooter. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-25, a hand steerable snow scooter  10  is illustrated. The snow scooter  10  has a bi-laterally pivotable independent forward portion  12  for traveling over snow, and a hand-operable direction controller preferably in the form of a telescopically length-adjustable stem  14  with a first end  16  thereof in attached communication with the forward portion  12  of the snow scooter  10  and a second end  18  thereof bearing a handle bar set  20  for grasping. Such telescopic length adjustability of the stem  14  is accomplished with a standard hand-operable setscrew device  22  whereby the top section  24  of the stem  14  can travel within the lower section  26  of the stem  14  when the setscrew device  22  is loosened and retained in a selected telescopic position upon tightening of the setscrew device  22 . Finally, the snow scooter  10  includes a rearward portion  28  that has a support surface  30  upon which to stand. The rearward portion  28  is secured to the forward portion  12  with a connector joint  32 . 
     In general, the rearward portion  28  is similar to prior art snowboards. The shape and material used for the rearward portion can be the same as any known prior art snowboards. As snowboard technology evolves in the future, new technologies (e.g., modified shapes or materials), the rearward portion  28  of the present invention can be adapted to accommodate new technologies of snowboards. Prior art snowboards may have an edge made out of a material, e.g., metal, which aids in the use of the snowboard. For example, many snowboards have sharp metal edges around the center of the snowboard and dull edges around the front and back of the snowboard. This edging helps the rider control the snowboard as desired. The sharp edges toward the center of the snowboard allow the rider to cut into the snow. Various embodiments of the present invention may have a rearward portion  28  that includes metal edges such as those typically found on many prior art snowboards. 
     Preferably, the rearward portion  28  and forward portion  12  each have a thickness t of about ½ inch. Preferably, the top sides of the rearward portion  28  and forward portion  12  are chamfered as shown in FIG. 7 such that the bottom of the sides edges  120  are substantially perpendicular (i.e., form a 90° angle) from the bottom surface  62 . The side edges  120  angle in at about a 45° angle approximately half-way up the side edge  120 . If the thickness t is ½ inch, there is about ¼ inch of the side edge at 90° from the bottom surface and about ¼ inch at a 45° angle. As shown in the figures, the forward portion  12  preferably has a curved front edge. The back edge of the forward portion  12  may be curved as shown in FIG. 1 or substantially flat as shown in FIG.  17 . 
     The length of the rearward portion  28  preferably is greater than the length of the forward portion  12 . In exemplary embodiments, the length L of the rearward portion  28  is three times the length of the forward portion  12 . As best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, in exemplary embodiments, the rearward portion has a length L of about 36 inches. In exemplary embodiments, the rearward portion  28  has a width at the center d (i.e., about 18 inches from either end) of about 8¼ inches that widens slightly to a width near the ends d of approximately 9 inches. In exemplary embodiments, the width of the forward portion  12  is about the same as the width of the rearward portion  28 . Preferably, the two ends  29  of the rearward portion  28  curve upward as shown in FIG. 9 so that the ends  29  of the rearward portion  28  are raised. In exemplary embodiments, the raised height h is approximately 3½ inches above the middle section of the rearward portion  28 . 
     As shown clearly in FIGS. 1-4, the connector joint  32  has a first element  34  in attached communication to the forward portion  12  through a base  50  and a second element  36  connected to a slotted pivotal joint  38  attached to the rearward portion  28 . A stalk  40  extends from a base  50  into the first element  34  and is secured therein with a pin  42 . A stop member, preferably constructed as a limited-length slot  44  within which the pin  42  passes, functions to limit bi-lateral pivotal movement of the forward portion  12 . The base  50  preferably includes a standard ratchet assembly (not shown) within a housing  52  and with an externally accessible set lever  54  whereby the forward portion  12  is movable either to a folded position or, as would be recognized by a skilled artisan, angularly adjustable upwardly and downwardly in relation to a horizontal plane to thereby select as desired a forward pitch of the forward portion  12 . Finally, as shown in FIG. 2, the pivotal joint  38  accommodates the second element  36  of the connector joint  32  and is provided with an arcuate slot  56  within which a setscrew pin  58  projecting from the second element  36  rides for selectively folding the stem  14  between a generally vertical orientation (FIG. 1) and a generally horizontal orientation (FIG. 2) and thereafter releasably securing the chosen orientation. 
     As shown in FIGS. 6,  10  and  11 , the bottom surface  62  of the rearward portion  28  is preferably grooved. In exemplary embodiments, each of the grooves are about 14 mm wide and about ⅜ inch deep. Preferably, each groove is spaced about 12 mm away from the next groove and the first and last grooves are located about 24 mm from the outer edges of the bottom surface  62  of the rearward portion  28 . Preferably, the grooves extend the entire flat portion of the bottom surface  62 , ending at the point where the rearward portion  28  curves upwardly. The grooved surface aids in proper tracking of the snow scooter  10  and helps the rider of the snow scooter  10  in maneuvering, e.g., turning the snow scooter  10 . The forward portion  12  may also include a grooved surface. 
     As shown in FIGS. 7-10, exemplary embodiments of the present invention may include an increased traction surface on support surface  30 . The traction surface may stop at the portion of the rearward portion  28  that curves upward or the increased traction surface may extend up onto the curved portion at the front and/or back of the rearward portion  28 . The traction surface may be plain as shown in FIG. 7 or may include a design and/or logo as shown in FIG.  8 . The increased traction surface may be a second surface that is affixed to the rearward portion  28  as shown in the figures. The increased traction surface may be manufactured from a variety of materials, such as pliant foam, foam rubber or hard rubber. 
     The preferred snow scooter  10  additionally includes a brake member most preferably in the form of a plate  60  extending downwardly from an aft site of the bottom surface  62  of the rearward portion  28  for travel within snow and stopping the snow scooter  10  by creating resistance within the snow when downward pressure is applied on the support surface  30  above the plate  60 . 
     Preferably, the snow scooter  10  also includes a skag  64  to aid in stability of the snow scooter. The skag  64  is preferably attached to the brake plate  60 . FIG. 12 shows a detachable skag  64  attached to the brake plate  60 . FIG. 13 shows the skag  64  of FIG. 12 detached from the brake plate  60 . The skag  64  may be attached to and detached from the brake plate  60  with one or more fastening devices, such as screws. 
     The brake may be employed in a manual fashion with the rider applying downward pressure on the support surface  30  above the brake plate  60 . For example, the brake plate shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 includes a flat surface portion (that attaches to the bottom of the rearward portion of the snow scooter) and a downward curving portion. The downward curving portion pushes into the snow when downward pressure is applied over the brake plate. 
     In other embodiments, the brake member  60  may be a mechanical brake member  60 , such as the one shown in FIGS. 14-16. For such embodiments, the rearward portion may include a brake aperture  122  formed therethrough located adjacent to the rear end  29  and positioned midway between the side edges  120 . The brake aperture  122  may be generally rectangularly shaped as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The mechanical brake member  60  includes a brake pedal  66  connected to the brake plate  60 . The brake pedal  66  and brake plate  60  are preferably sized complementary to the brake aperture  122  and are configured to be rotated therethrough. Brake pedal  66  is attached to the upper surface  30  of the rearward portion  28  via attachment means  70 , such as springs, that are attached to attachment plate  68 . The rider normally keeps the front portion of his foot (his toes) on attachment plate  68 . When the rider wishes to activate the brake member  60 , the rider simply moves his foot downwardly onto brake pedal  66 . Overcoming the upwardly biasing force of the springs  70  causes the brake pedal  66  and the attached brake plate  60  to rotate in a downward direction through the brake aperture  122  such that the brake plate  60  is pushed into the snow. The brake pedal  66  and brake plate  60  are configured to be rotated through the brake aperture when pressed downwardly such that the brake plate  60  is moved into contact with the surface of the snow when a rider exerts downward pressure on the brake pedal  66 . It will be appreciated that the brake pedal  66  and brake plate  60  as well as the brake aperture  122  may vary in shape and size in various embodiments of the invention. 
     Operation of the snow scooter  10  generally begins as a user orients the stem  14  in a generally vertical configuration and chooses a desired pitch of the forward portion  12 . The user then steps aboard the support surface  30  of the rearward portion  28  and begins travel down a ski trail run. During this travel, the user can determine the direction of the snow scooter  10  by turning the handlebar set  20  which, of course, laterally directs the forward portion  14  and aims the snow scooter  10 . Full speed travel is generally achieved by maintaining foot contact at about the forward two-thirds of the top surface  30  such that pressure is not applied over the top of the brake plate  60 . Conversely, when slowing or stopping the snow scooter  10  is desired, the user places a foot on the top surface  30  at a site above the brake plate  60  and applies downward pressure, thereby forcing the plate  60  into the snow to create resistance and decrease velocity. In this manner, the user is able to enjoy a snowboarding-type sport while simultaneously having an easy-to-ride snow scooter for enjoyment in navigating a ski-trail run. 
     In exemplary embodiments the handle bars  106  are collapsible as shown in FIGS. 23-25. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 23-25, a spring bias latch mechanism, such as a detent, is used to secure the handle bars  106  in the operational configuration shown in FIG.  23 . If the user wishes to collapse the handlebars  106  to the position shown in FIG. 25, the user presses a latch button  100  in order to unlatch and release the handlebars  106 . To prevent inadvertent collapsing of the handlebars  106 , preferred embodiments, such as the one shown, include a security latching feature. For example, in the embodiment shown, one handlebar end  106  includes a threaded end  102  and the other handle bar end  106  includes a receiving means  104  configured to receive the threaded end  102 . Exemplary embodiments also include a connecting device  108 , such as rope or tubing to prevent the handle bars  106  from becoming completely disengaged from the stem  14  of the direction controller when the handle bars are in the collapsed configuration shown in FIG.  25 . 
     FIGS. 17-18 illustrate an embodiment of the snow scooter  10  which includes a tread  84  mounted to the underside of the rearward portion  28  of the snow scooter. In the embodiment shown, there are two rollers  85  attached to the rearward portion  28  of the snow scooter via brackets  86 . The tread  84  allows the rider to use the scooter in difficult terrain, for example, on flat or uphill surfaces. 
     FIGS. 19-22 illustrate another embodiment of the snow scooter  10  which is battery powered. Such an embodiment combines the benefits of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-16 with those of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 17-18. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 19-22 allows the rider to use the battery power, if desired, to help propel the snow scooter  10  through difficult terrain. A motor  94  is located in a housing  90 . In the embodiment illustrated, batteries  92  supply power to the motor  94  which rotates wheels  96 . The wheels  96  in the illustrated embodiment resemble a paddle wheel. It will be appreciated that other wheel  96  designs, such as a deep treaded wheel may be used. In its normal configuration, the wheels  96  are in the housing  90  which is located on the support surface  30  towards the front of the rearward portion  28 . Thus, the wheels  96  are not touching the snow and the snow scooter&#39;s  10  operation is the same as if there were no wheels  96 . However, if the user wanted to use the wheels  96 , he simply presses a foot pedal  95  to lower the wheels  96  into the snow via a pivoting lever  93  upwardly biasing the wheels  96  by a spring  97  affixed to the housing  90  by a clip  99 , as is shown in FIG.  20 . Like the treaded snow scooter  10  shown in FIGS. 17-28, the wheels  96  aid the user in traversing difficult terrain. While the embodiment shown includes one set of motorized wheels  96  in the front of the rearward portion  28  of the snow scooter  10 , it will be appreciated that other configurations are possible. For example, there may be another set of motorized wheels  96  disposed toward the back end  29  of the rearward portion  28  of the snow scooter  10 . 
     FIGS. 26-27 illustrate a rollable embodiment  11  of the steerable sports scooter. The rollable embodiment  11  is similar to the steerable snow scooter  10  described above and additionally includes wheels  110  for traveling over solid surfaces such as concrete or pavement. In the preferred embodiments shown, the steerable rollable scooter includes two wheels  110  attached to the bottom surface of the forward portion  12  and two wheels attached to the bottom surface of the rearward portion  28 . It will be appreciated that other embodiments may have he wheels in a different location such as more towards the center of the rearward portion  28 . Other embodiments may include a different number of wheels, e, .g., an additional set of wheels on the rearward portion or, one ore more centered wheels, like roller blades. 
     The wheels  110  are attached to the forward portion  12  and the rearward portion  28  using trucks  112 . The trucks  112  are known in the art and are used, for example, for attaching wheels to skateboards. The trucks  112  aid in the manoeuverability of the scooter  11 . 
     Preferably, the wheelable scooter  11  also includes a brake (not shown) to aid in the stopping of the scooter  11 . 
     While an illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.