Abstract:
A knee scooter includes a substantially V-shaped chassis formed by a pair of extensions joined together at a vertex. At the vertex, the extensions form an angle of about sixty degrees. Further, the extensions establish a foot-space in the interior of the angle and define a chassis centerline that bisects the angle. An adjustment tube is selectively engageable with the first extension of the chassis to orient the adjustment tube substantially perpendicular to the plane of the chassis. Further, engagement with the first extension off-sets the adjustment tube from the centerline of the chassis. In use, a user rests one knee on the seat while propelling the knee scooter with his/her other leg in the foot-space.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains generally to devices and methods used to facilitate movement by injured or disabled persons. More particularly, the present invention pertains to devices and methods that use a wheeled vehicle to support a person with one injured foot or lower leg during self-propelled movement. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful for mobilizing such an injured or disabled person in an upright ambulatory position. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Often during rehabilitation of a foot or leg injury, a person cannot put weight on his/her injured limb. Typically, the person may use crutches which shift weight-bearing responsibilities to the person&#39;s upper body. Alternatively, the person may remain in a seated position for movement in a wheel chair. Another option is the use of a knee walker or knee scooter. Such a vehicle provides a support for the user&#39;s knee. Further, the support is typically mounted on wheels and is pulled or pushed by the user in response to propulsion by the user&#39;s other leg. 
     While the currently available knee walkers provide some mobility to injured and disabled persons, they also can place the user in a dangerous position. Specifically, current knee walkers are placed entirely to the side of a user. Therefore, the user must position the knee of his injured leg on the knee walker while pushing with his non-injured foot off of ground lateral to the knee walker. As a result, the user is unbalanced and there is a risk of falling. Also, the balance limitations of current knee walkers restrict their maneuverability. 
     In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a knee scooter which provides improved balance and support for a user. Another object of the present invention is to provide a knee scooter having a first configuration for supporting a standing user, and a second configuration for supporting a seated user. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a knee scooter that is movable to a compact configuration for easy storage or transport. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a knee scooter capable of turning beyond 90 degrees, thereby allowing the knee scooter to turn around in its own length. Another object of the present invention is to provide a knee scooter that is easy to use, simple to manufacture and comparatively cost effective. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a vehicle is provided to transport a person with an injured foot or leg. For this purpose, the vehicle includes a seat on which the user can sit, or that may support a single leg in a kneeling position. With this structure, the vehicle may be considered to be a knee scooter. The knee scooter includes a substantially V-shaped, or tricycle, chassis that defines a plane. Structurally, the chassis includes a first extension joined to a second extension at a vertex to form an angle of about sixty degrees. Accordingly, the chassis defines a centerline that bisects the angle. Also, the extensions bound a foot-space in the interior of the angle. 
     For the present invention, the knee scooter includes an adjustment tube that is selectively engageable between the seat and the first extension of the chassis. When engaging the first extension, the adjustment tube is oriented substantially perpendicular to the chassis plane. Further, during engagement between the adjustment tube and the first extension, the adjustment tube is positioned at a distance “k” from the vertex to off-set the adjustment tube from the centerline of the chassis. In this manner, a user may rest a knee on the seat while propelling the knee scooter with the other leg in the foot-space. Also, the knee scooter is provided with a foot rest attached to the second extension to support the user&#39;s propelling leg to allow the user to relax his propelling leg while coasting or being pushed. Further, the foot rest allows the user to center his weight over the chassis centerline to increase stability of the knee scooter. When resting his propelling leg on the foot rest, the user may make sharp turns safely by shifting his weight by adjusting his torso and/or legs. 
     For control of the knee scooter, it is provided with a steering mechanism including an elongated front fork assembly. Structurally, the fork assembly includes a rod with a first end and a second end. Also, the steering mechanism includes a steering tube assembly formed with a hollow tube member to receive the rod of the front fork assembly. Importantly, the steering mechanism is lightweight. Coupled with the knee scooter design, the user may stand on his propelling leg on the chassis centerline and lift the front end of the knee scooter to pivot around in extremely tight quarters if necessary. 
     In order to provide for easy storage and transport of the knee scooter, the steering tube assembly is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the steering tube assembly is engaged at the vertex of the chassis to extend substantially perpendicular to the plane of the chassis. In the second position, the steering tube assembly lies substantially in the plane of the chassis. 
     In order to hold the steering tube assembly in the first position, the knee scooter is provided with a latch mechanism connected to the steering tube assembly and a release knob connected to the chassis. Specifically, the latch mechanism includes a strap that protrudes from the steering tube assembly to engage the release knob. During engagement between the release knob and the latch mechanism, the steering tube assembly is held in the first position. When the release knob is disengaged from the latch mechanism, the steering tube assembly may be moved to the second position. 
     At the first end of the rod of the front fork assembly, a front wheel is rotatably mounted. Further, a handle bar is engaged with the second end of the rod for rotating the front wheel to steer the knee scooter. Also, a hand brake activator is mounted on the handle bar. In order to stop the knee scooter, the hand brake activator is connected to a lever with a brake pad rotatably mounted on the front fork assembly. With this construction, the hand brake activator may be used to operate the lever to establish contact between the brake pad and the front wheel. In addition to the front wheel, the knee scooter includes a pair of rear wheels. Structurally, each rear wheel is engaged with a respective extension of the chassis at a distance from the vertex. 
     In order to support a user in a sitting position, the knee scooter further includes a cross bar that is selectively engageable with the chassis. Specifically, a first end of the cross bar is attached to the first extension at a distance “s” from the vertex. Likewise, a second end of the cross bar is attached at the second extension at the distance “s” from the vertex. For such an embodiment, the adjustment tube is engaged with the cross bar to position the seat substantially over the centerline of the chassis. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the knee scooter shown in a configuration for supporting a user&#39;s knee, with a cross bar stored on the chassis, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of the trailing end of the chassis of the knee scooter in  FIG. 1 , showing the foot rest for use by the user&#39;s propelling foot; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the knee scooter of  FIG. 1  shown in a configuration for supporting a sitting user in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the lever and brake pad taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2  to illustrate the details of the hand brake; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the latch mechanism and release knob taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 2  to illustrate the details of the connection therebetween; and 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the knee scooter of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , shown with the steering tube assembly in its second position for storage or transporting of the knee scooter, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a knee scooter, generally designated  10 , is shown in position for supporting the knee  12  of a user  14 , in accordance with the present invention. Structurally, the knee scooter  10  includes a substantially V-shaped chassis  16  formed from an extension  18  and an extension  20  to define a plane  21 . Each extension  18 ,  20  includes a respective leading end  22 ,  24  and trailing end  26 ,  28 . As shown, the leading end  22  of extension  18  joins the leading end  24  of extension  20  at a vertex  30  to form an angle  32  (preferably sixty degrees). Further, the extensions  18  and  20  define a foot-space  34  for receiving the user&#39;s other leg  33  and foot  35 . For the invention, the angle  32  and foot-space  34  are bisected by a chassis centerline  36 . As shown, the centerline  36  passes through a midpoint  37  between the trailing ends  26 ,  28 . 
     In  FIG. 2 , the chassis  16  includes a forward pair of mounts  38  and  40  and a rear pair of mounts  42  and  44 . As shown, each of the forward mounts  38 ,  40  is positioned a distance “k” from the vertex  30  of the chassis  16 . Also, each of the rear mounts  42 ,  44  are positioned a distance “s” from the vertex  30 . For purposes of the present invention, the knee scooter  10  includes an adjustment tube  46  having a top end  48  and a bottom end  50 . The adjustment tube  46  is selectively engageable with the mounts  38  and  40 . When the bottom end  50  engages a mount  38 ,  40 , the adjustment tube  46  is oriented substantially perpendicular to the chassis plane  21 . In  FIG. 1 , the adjustment tube  46  is fixed to the forward mount  38  on the extension  18  at the distance “k” (see  FIG. 2 ) from the vertex  30 . As a result, the adjustment tube  46  is off-set from the chassis centerline  36 . As further shown, the knee scooter  10  includes a seat  52  that is mounted to the top end  48  of the adjustment tube  46 . As shown, the seat  52  has an end  54  and an end  56  with a midpoint  58 . For purposes of the present invention, the adjustment tube  46  connects to the seat  52  between the end  54  and the midpoint  58 . Also, the adjustment tube  46  includes a clamp  60  for telescopically adjusting the distance between the top end  48  and the bottom end  50 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the knee scooter  10  further includes a cross bar  62  having an end  64  and an end  66  which are selectively engageable with the chassis  16 . For example, in  FIG. 1 , the cross bar  62  is shown in a stored configuration  68 , with its end  64  fixed to the rear mount  42  on the extension  18  and its end  66  fixed to the forward mount  40  on the extension  20 . However, the cross bar  62  may also be connected to the chassis  16  in a seated configuration  70 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . In  FIG. 2 , the cross bar ends  64 ,  66  are fixed to a respective rear mount  42 ,  44 . Further, in  FIG. 2 , the cross bar  62  includes an offset mount  72 . As shown, the bottom end  50  of the adjustment tube  46  is fixed to the offset mount  72  so that the seat midpoint  58  is positioned above the chassis centerline  36 . With this seated configuration  70 , the seat  52  may support a seated user  14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the knee scooter  10  includes a pair of rear wheels  74   a  and  74   b  connected at the respective trailing ends  28 ,  26  of the extensions  20 , 18  by a respective axle  89 . As shown in  FIG. 1A , a foot rest  91  is attached to the trailing end  28  adjacent the wheel  74   a  on the axle  89 . Preferably, the foot rest  91  provides for a tongue-and-groove attachment with the axle  89 . As a result, the foot rest  91  may be easily connected to either trailing end  26 , 28 , or removed altogether without the use of tools. Cross-referencing  FIGS. 1 and 1A , it can be seen that the foot rest  91  extends into the foot-space  34 , thereby allowing the user  14  to remain balanced while resting his propelling leg on the foot rest  91 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the knee scooter  10  has a steering mechanism  76  connected to the chassis  16  at the chassis vertex  30 . Structurally, the steering mechanism  76  includes an elongated front fork assembly  78  having a rod  80  with an end  82  and an end  84 . Further, the steering mechanism  76  includes a steering tube assembly  86  formed with a hollow tube member  88 . As shown in the exploded view in  FIG. 2 , the hollow tube member  88  receives the rod  80  of the front fork assembly  78 . 
     In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the knee scooter  10  is shown to include a front wheel  90  that is engaged with the end  84  of the rod  80  of the front fork assembly  78 . In order to steer the front wheel  90 , the knee scooter  10  includes a handle bar  92  that is engaged with the end  82  of the rod  80  of the front fork assembly  78 . With this structure, the front wheel  90  may be turned over ninety degrees in either direction to allow the knee scooter  10  to turn completely around in its own length. Also, the knee scooter  10  includes a hand brake  94  (see  FIG. 2 ) that includes a lever  96  that supports a brake pad  98  (see  FIG. 3 ). Structurally, the lever  96  is rotatably mounted on the front fork assembly  78  by a pin  100 . Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the hand brake  94  is equipped with an activator  102  that is mounted on the handle bar  92 . Further, the activator  102  is connected to the lever  96  by a tension line  104 . As a result, the activator  102  may be depressed to pull the tension line  104  and cause rotation of the lever  96  about the pin  100  to force the brake pad  98  into contact with the front wheel  90  to slow and stop motion of the knee scooter  10 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , it is seen that the steering tube assembly  86  is pivotably engaged at the vertex  30  of the chassis  16 . In  FIG. 1 , the chassis  16  includes a pair of tabs  106  that define a gap  108 . In  FIG. 2 , it can be seen that the steering tube assembly  86  includes a projection  110  adjacent the end  84  of the rod  80 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the projection  110  is received within the gap  108  and is connected to the tabs  106  by a fastener  112 . 
     In  FIG. 4 , the connection between the projection  110  of the steering tube assembly  86  and the tabs  106  of the chassis  16  is illustrated to include a latch mechanism  113 . As shown by cross-referencing  FIG. 2  with  FIG. 4 , the chassis  16  includes a cross member  114  that bounds the gap  108 . Further, the projection  110  has a trailing end  116  with a cut-out portion  118  that is received within the gap  108 . As shown, the cross member  114  abuts the trailing end  116  to prevent rotation of the steering tube assembly  86  about the fastener  112  in a counterclockwise direction as shown in  FIG. 4 . As further shown in  FIG. 4 , each tab  106  defines a slot  120 . Further, a shaft  122  extends between the tabs  106  and is positioned in the slot  120 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the shaft  122  is biased to its first location  124  by a biasing mechanism  126  such as an extension spring. In order to move the shaft  122  from its first location  124 , a knob  127  is mounted to the cross bar  114  and is connected to the shaft  122  by a rod  128 . As a result, the knob  127  may be pulled to move the shaft  122  to a second location  130 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , when at the first location  124 , the shaft  122  abuts the cut-out portion  118  of the projection  110  and prevents rotation of the steering tube assembly  86  about the fastener  112  in a clockwise direction as shown in  FIG. 4  (in the direction of arrow  132 ). As a result, the knee scooter  10  is kept in its first position  10 ′ in which the steering tube assembly  86  extends substantially perpendicular to the plane  21  of the chassis  16  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). When the knob  127  is pulled to move the shaft  122  to its second location  130 , the shaft  122  is disconnected from the cut-out portion  118  of the projection  110  of the steering tube assembly  86 . As a result, the steering tube assembly  86  may be rotated about the fastener  112  in the direction of arrow  132  to position the knee scooter  10  in its second position  10 ″ as shown in  FIG. 5 . When in the second position  10 ″, the steering tube assembly  86  lies substantially in the plane  21  of the chassis  16 . Further, the seat  52  and adjustment tube  46  may be removed from the chassis  16  as shown. As a result, the knee scooter  10  may be easily stored or transported when not in use. 
     While the particular Knee Scooter as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.