Abstract:
A scooter having a riding platform rotationally engaged to a front steering assembly is provided which significantly increases the ability of riders to perform tricks. The riding platform is rotationally engaged to the steering column which itself may be employed as a riding platform. An optional mechanism may be employed whereby the riding platform is rotated by a spin of the steering column with the handlebars. The scooter may also be equipped with skids to allow employment in the snow or on ice.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/521,689 filed on Jul. 11, 2012, which is a 371 National Stage entry of International Application No. PCT/US11/20897 filed on Jan. 11, 2011, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/293,774 filed on Jan. 11, 2010. The contents of all related applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to scooters. More particularly it relates to a scooter having a rotatable platform for performing extreme maneuvers. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Prior Art 
     Conventionally, a skateboard scooter consists of a board or platform with front and rear wheels, also with a steering column and handlebars mounted on the front wheel assembly. The front wheel assembly with steering column is often made foldable for easy storage and carrying. Many variations and additions have been made to this basic design and are seen widely in prior art. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,095 to Chang teaches a foldable skateboard scooter more commonly known as a RAZOR Scooter. This patent is arguably the most commonly known style of skateboard configured scooter employing a lightweight structure, friction breaks, and adjustable steering column just to name a few. 
     However, one may question the title of a ‘skateboard’ scooter when in fact the patent and many other skateboard scooters in prior art cannot mimic many of the maneuvers of an actual skateboard such as the ‘kickflip’ which is a maneuver requiring a rotation of the board or platform wherein the user rotates the platform, about its longitudinal axis. 
     As such, there is a continuing and unmet need for a skateboard style scooter which is configured to allow for rotation of the platform and includes other components that configure the scooter to be able to attempt to perform the maneuvers commonly achieved on a skateboard as well as perform never before seen stunts. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The device herein disclosed and described provides a skateboard scooter comprised of a riding platform with front and rear ends, front and rear wheel assemblies, and steering assembly. The rear wheel assembly is engaged to the rear end of the riding platform defining as a whole the rear wheel assembly. The steering assembly, including steering bar and wheel, is engaged to the front of the base of the scooter, thereby forming as a whole the front wheel assembly. 
     In a particularly preferred mode the steering assembly consists of a steering column, with top and bottom end with the bottom end engaged to the front wheel assembly and the top end slidably engaged to the bottom end for selective height adjustment. The steering assembly also includes a steering bar or handlebars at the top end. In one disclosed mode of the device herein, the distal ends of the handle bars have a rotatably engaged wheel assembly engaged to the center and distal ends of the handle bars. 
     This provision of handlebar engaged wheel assemblies provides the possibility of new and never before seen maneuvers to be performed. With the new wheel assemblies engaged on the handlebars as described a user can now flip the scooter 90 degrees where the front wheel assembly and handle bar wheel assemblies engaged the ground allowing the user to ride the steering column as a temporary platform. Maneuvers can be performed by like switching back and forth between conventional riding and riding the steering assembly as described, which has never been done before. 
     The front wheel assembly and rear wheel assembly are rotatably engaged by a means of rotatable engagement between the front end of the riding platform and bottom end of the steering assembly. The rear wheel assembly is also rotatably engaged to the riding platform. This rotatable engagement provides the user a means to rotate the rear wheel assembly (riding platform and rear wheel) about its longitudinal axis mimicking the ‘kickflip’ motion of a skateboard. 
     Similarly, the rotatable engagement means of the front wheel assembly and the riding platform also allows the front wheel assembly to rotate freely about a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the riding platform. This front assembly engagement allows a user to simultaneously rotate the front wheel assembly (handlebars, steering column, and front wheel) freely in a 360 degree motion, while rotating the rear wheel assembly (riding platform and rear wheel assembly) freely in a 360 degree fashion and any combination therein. 
     Further, in manner similar to rotating the front wheel assembly about its longitudinal axis as just described, the rear wheel assembly as a whole can be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the front wheel assembly while the front wheel assembly remains stationary. This motion along with the ‘kickflip’ motion achieved creates even more possibilities in extreme maneuvers by allowing the rear wheel assembly to rotate or ‘whip’ around the axis of the front wheel assembly while simultaneously ‘flipping’ about its own longitudinal axis. These motions may also be accomplished mechanically. For example, as the front wheel and steering assembly are spun about in a 360 degree motion, a mechanical means may be actuated and performs the platform rotation simultaneously as described. 
     For stopping the device, the device employs the provision of a friction brake located at the rear of the riding platform. The user simply steps on an extended partition that actuates a friction braking mechanism against the rear wheel. Of course other means for breaking as would occur to those skilled in the art are anticipated and are considered included herein. 
     In another particularly preferred mode of the device, the front and rear wheel assemblies may instead be in the form of a ski, sled, or similar hydroplaning platform rather than employing wheels. This mode, replacing a rotating riding component with a sliding component, allows the device to be ridden in the snow or when towed behind a water vessel. 
     With respect to the above description, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the herein disclosed invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention herein described is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosed device. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a scooter with a rotating riding platform. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a skateboard style kick scooter that allows for a myriad of new and never before seen maneuvers. 
     It is still an object of the current invention to provide a means to mimic skateboard style stunts through the provision of a rotatable riding platform. 
     A further object of the invention is the provision of handlebar mounted wheel assemblies providing a means to ride the steering column as a riding platform. 
     A still further object of the invention is the provision of a means to mechanically flip the riding platform as the handlebars are simultaneously spun around in a 360 degree manner. 
     Yet another object of the invention is the provision of skis or similar hydroplaning sled at the wheel assemblies for use in snow or water. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a particularly preferred mode of the device. 
         FIG. 2  is a side detailed view of the rotational engagement means of the riding platform to the front wheel assembly. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a particularly preferred mode of the top end of the steering assembly detailing two wheel assemblies engaged on the distal ends of the handlebars. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of another particularly preferred mode of the front wheel assembly depicting two wheels engaged by a common axle with the bottom end of the steering assembly extending down to it. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a particularly preferred mode of the rear wheel assembly depicting two wheels engaged by a common axle extending from the rear end of the riding platform. 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view of the device showing the clearance given on the tiding platform by the rear wheel assembly allowing a user to ride on with surface of the riding platform. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the rear portion of the device from line  7 - 7  from  FIG. 1  depicting the optional breaking mechanism. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another particularly preferred mode of the device with skis or similar hydroplaning sleds on the front and rear wheel assemblies. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Now referring to drawings in  FIGS. 1-8 , wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in  FIG. 1  a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the device  10 . As shown, the device  10  generally includes a rear wheel assembly  12  and front wheel assembly  18  both being respectively engaged to the platform  16  with the front wheel assembly  18  being engaged to the platform by a rotational engagement means  30 . All components of the device are generally light weight material such as aluminum or alloy composing the former so as to minimize the weight and maximize potential performance for tricks and riding. 
     The rear wheel assembly  12  includes an in-line rear wheel  14  and a riding platform  16 . The front wheel assembly  18  includes an in-line front wheel  20 , bottom end of the steering column  22 , and top end of the steering column  24 . The top end  24  is defined by the handlebars  26  and optionally centrally engaged additional wheel  28  for the device  10  with the most trick and riding ability. The additional wheel  28  allows a user riding the device in a as-used position, to flip the device  10  to place the riding platform  16  perpendicular to the riding surface, and to ride the steering column  22 ,  24  as temporary riding platform as desired for performing stunts and extreme maneuvers never before seen in conventional skateboard scooters. A small platform similar to the riding platform  16  may be engaged to the steering column  22  for easier balance thereon. Furthermore, the bottom end of the steering column  22  opposite the top end  24  are slidably engaged to each other as a telescopic means to selectively position the handlebars  26  at the desired height. 
     In use, the rotational engagement means  30  such as conventional bearing riding inside of a race, or an axle engaged to a rotating center of a bearing, permits the rear wheel assembly  12  to rotate about its&#39; longitudinal axis A-A and concurrently allows the front wheel assembly  18  to rotate about the perpendicular axis B-B. A plurality of stunts and extreme maneuvers by a rider standing on the device  10  in an as-used position, can be performed given the multitude of combinations of rotation of the various components made possible by the device  10 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a detailed side profile view of one rotational engagement means  30  of the riding platform  16 . Any conventional means for rotational engagement as would occur to those skilled in the art is however anticipated. A shaft  32  extending from the front end of the riding platform  16  engages coaxially with the collar  34  of the rotational engagement means  30 . 
     Employed on the distal front end of the shaft  32  is an optional platform rotating mechanism  23 . If provided, the rotating mechanism  23  provides a means to rotate the riding platform  16  by rotating the front wheel  20  using the handlebars thereby allowing user to rotate the front wheel and as the front wheel  20  rotates, it passes by and impacts the mechanism  23  thereby causing it to deflect and rotate. The rotation of the mechanism  23  in turn causes the shaft  32  to rotate which is engaged to the riding platform  16  which will rotate as well. Thus the rotating mechanism  23  provides the user a means to rotate the riding platform  16  by rotating the handlebars. Continuous rotations of the riding platform  16  are accomplished by continuous rotation of the front wheel assembly  18  by either rotating the steering column  22  about line BB or ‘whipping’ the rear wheel assembly  12  as described previously. 
     The collar  34  may also employ ball bearings (not shown) to ensure smooth rotation of the shaft  32  therein. Gusset  36  provides the final means to engage the rear and front assemblies. Also shown are clearance holes  38  through both collar  34  and shaft  32  that, when desired, may receive a locking pin (not shown) sized for a slidable engagement therein to lock the rear wheel assembly  12  in a rigid manner that does not permit rotation about axis AA for when conventional riding is desired. 
     Seen in  FIG. 3  is a particularly preferred mode of the top end  40  of the front wheel assembly  18 . This mode shows wheels  44  rotationally engaged at both distal ends of the handlebars  42 . This mode may be particularly desirable for greater stability when a user is stunt riding the device  10  as described earlier with the steering column  22  providing a temporary riding platform for the user&#39;s feet while the platform  16  is perpendicular to the ground. 
     It must be noted however that this mode of the device  10  in  FIG. 3 , may also be used in combination with the wheel  28  depicted in the preferred embodiment of the top end  24  shown in  FIG. 1 , where instead three wheels  28  and  44 , will be engaged to the handlebar assembly. A single wheel  28  as described in  FIG. 1  could be employed for this maneuver of riding on the steering column  22  as a platform, but is only preferred due to simplicity while all embodiment described herein achieve the same goal of allowing a user to employ the steering column  22  as a temporary platform for their feet while the riding platform  16  is not parallel with the ground or riding surface. 
       FIG. 4  shows another particularly preferred mode of the front wheel assembly where now two wheels  50  are engaged by a common axle  52 . As before, the bottom end of the steering column  22  extends downward to the front wheel assembly of wheels  50  rotationally engaged to the axle  52 . 
     Similarly,  FIG. 5  shows another particularly preferred mode of the device  10 , having a rear wheel assembly  12  in which again two wheels  60  are engaged by a common axle  62  as opposed to a single inline wheel  14  as described previously in  FIG. 1 . This mode of the device  10  if so configured, aids in providing added stability and support for the rider when in use while still permitting the same maneuvers and stunts to be performed as previously described. It must be noted however that any combination of single in-line wheel and two wheel configuration may be employed on the device but have been shown separately merely for simply descriptive purposes. For example, the rear wheel assembly may employ a two wheel configuration while the front wheel assembly employs a single in-line wheel or vis versa. 
       FIG. 6  shows a rear view of the device showing the relative clearance given on both the top and bottom surface of the riding platform  16  by the diameter of a rear wheel  14 . This aspect is of great importance to the scope of employment of the device  10  as it allows a user to ride either side of the riding platform  16  and aids in the performance of extreme stunt maneuvers. Such clearance must also be considered for the two wheel configuration described in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a cross sectional view of the rear wheel assembly  12  of the device as seen through line  7 - 7  from  FIG. 1 . The brake actuating portion  15  remains protruding from above the top surface of the riding platform  16 . As a user applies pressure in direction “C” the direction and force is transferred to friction mechanism  17  that frictionally engages with the rear wheel  14  along direction “D”. This provides a user with a means to brake the device  10  when going too fast or for tricks. 
     A further particularly preferred mode of the device can be seen in  FIG. 8 . In this mode the front and rear wheels on the support assemblies are replaced by ski-like skids  70 , or other similar hydroplaning or sliding platforms. This mode allows the device  10 , along with many of the extreme performance maneuvers, to be performed on snow, ice, or water as when accompanied by a towing water vessel. 
     While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.