Abstract:
A new and improved stand up type scooter used for traveling across generally flat terrain such as asphalt or concrete. The invention comprises of a three-wheeled scooter manually, gas, or electrically powered. The scooter consists of a frame, floor deck, steering tee handle, pivoting front suspension, two front wheels for added traction, and one rear powered or non-powered wheel. The invention incorporates a center stand for upright storage and a foldable handle for compact transport of the mechanism. Optional quick attach seat system for riding in seated position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of outdoor recreation products. More particularly, the invention relates to electric or gasoline ride on scooters which are used both for recreation and for transportation. The present invention is generally operated on paved or hard surfaces such as asphalt or concrete. The present invention has three wheels that contact the pavement, a platform to stand on which houses the powered drive system, and a foldable and extendible steering handle with controls. 
         [0003]    2. General Background of the Invention 
         [0004]    Children and adults alike often employ commercially available powered and non-powered ride on scooters that enable them to travel from location to location on generally horizontal terrain with very little effort. A popular source for powered ride on scooters is Pep Boys of Philadelphia Pa.
   Web site: www.pepboys.com.
 
Independent motorcycle, ATV, and go kart dealers are also typical points of purchase of this style of product.
   
 
         [0006]    Inherent traction issues are present with any two wheeled ride on products i.e. Scooters, motorcycles, and alike. Obstacles such as gravel, bumps, holes and debris on the surface being traveled on can cause loss of traction allowing the wheels to slip possibly resulting in loss of control which could cause an accident. The front steering and or leading wheel are the most critical for maintaining control because they guide the entire mechanism. Therefore it is favorable to introduce a second wheel to the front or leading member to enhance traction and control. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention provides an elevated rate of stability not found in the common two wheeled vehicles. Introduction of the third wheel and tire assembly, or more specifically two tires and wheel assembles parallel to each other on the front steering, increases the traction abilities of the entire machine. The addition of a spring loaded front suspension allows the scooter to lean and turn much like two wheeled scooters. The front suspension also allows the tires to bounce independently from one another over obstacles present on the surface being traveled. This increases the tire contact on the surface providing a safer environment. 
         [0008]    The present invention employs an electric powered drive system not uncommon to other scooters of similar style. This powered drive system consists of batteries, motor controller, motor, chain, sprockets and rear powered drive wheel. The invention also employs a common brake system which is affixed to the rear wheel assembly. 
         [0009]    The above mentioned drive system and braking system are housed within a frame. Provided within a recessed portion of that frame is a top deck on which the operator stands to operate the scooter. Incorporated on the forward neck of that frame is the control panel consisting of the ON-OFF switch, an electrical breaker and a means of charging the batteries. 
         [0010]    Located at the furthest point forward on the neck of the frame is a generally vertical tube. Located within upper and lower portions of this open tube are ball bearing sets that allow the mounting of the front suspension containing the wheels, springs and pivoting mechanism to the main frame thru the above mentioned tube. The ball bearing sets allow the free rotation of the mounted suspension for steering within the frame as the mechanism is in use. 
         [0011]    The upper most portion of the mounted suspension employs an affixed portion of a pivoting joint for the mounting of the extendible steering handle. This pivoting joint is used as a means of folding the steering handle for transport or storage. A second member of the pivoting joint is rotateabley affixed with a pen to the pivoting member on the mounted suspension. With in that second member is a tube that follows inside the length of the upper most part of the pivot. Along the forward most portion of the tube is a slot. Placed within this tube is a round sliding threaded nut which is used to retain the upper portions of the steering tube and handle. 
         [0012]    The steering tube and handle is placed over the protruding portion of the upper most part of the pivoting member. A tee style thumb bolt is positioned thru the upper most hole of the two holes provided in the side of the steering tube and into the sliding nut located with in the pivot tube. When the steering handle is lifted into the vertical operational position, it is then slid downward over the entire pivoting joint. A second thumb style bolt is placed into the lower hole thru the steering tube and tightened into the lower portion of the upper pivoting member. This forces the inside of the outer tube to bind with the pivoting joint creating a solid joint between the two. The upper thumb bolt is then also tightened with in the sliding nut to increase the strength of the joint. 
         [0013]    An extendible steering tube is provided for easy operator height adjustment. This extendible steering tube and handle are oval shape to prevent rotation within one another during use. A leaver style clamp is provided on the outside of the oval style tubing. When released this clamp allows the outer tube to relax as the inner tube is moved up or down within the outer tube, then the outer tube can be clamped to the inner tube preventing movement during use. A sleeve bushing is provided inside the outer steering tube, and a stop sleeve is provided on the inner tube to allow free up and down movement of the tubes between themselves. This also provides a fixed stop on the tubes to prevent accidental separation of the tubes. 
         [0014]    The upper steering handle incorporates the necessary controls. The twist throttle and the manual brake leaver are on the steering handle. The electronic controller eliminates the possibility of accelerating and braking at the same time, which prevent damage to the entire drive system. 
         [0015]    A center stand provides a means of supporting the scooter when not in use. This stand lowers and supports the rear of the scooter stabilizing it from falling over. This stand automatically retracts when in use. This center stand is electronically interfaced with the controller to prevent free standing revving of the drive system and inadvertent damage to the system by high RPM engagement of the rear tire. 
         [0016]    A quick attachment seat accessory allows the operator to sit while riding the scooter or quickly remove the seat from simple fasteners, if stand up riding only is desired. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantage of the present invention, reference should be given to the following drawings, read in conjunction with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a right side perspective illustration of the invention as positioned in a stored position with center stand down. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a frontal right view illustrating the front suspension engaged in a right turn. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is an operator&#39;s prospective view of front suspension looking downward over tee steering handle and controls. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a front prospective view of the front suspension and rear deck and frame of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the front suspension separate from the chassis. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the front suspension separate from the chassis. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a front left side view of the suspension and folded steering controls. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a front left side view of the suspension and the folded handle, separated from the handle pivot showing a separated view of the position of the sliding nut. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a left side prospective view of the invention with the steering shaft folded for storage or transport. 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is an upper right side prospective view of the scooter with the optional quick attachment seat. It is also depicted with the seat assembly separated. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    To best describe the present invention attention should be given to  FIG. 1 . The overall right side prospective view of the complete invention with steering tubes comprising of  22  Lower Steering tube and  25  Upper tee steering tube in the upright operating steering position. 
         [0029]    Operator (Not Shown) energizes on/off switch of  43  switch panel  FIGS. 7 and 9 . Operator then stands on floor deck  20  of  FIGS. 1 ,  4   7  and  9 . Holding  44  twist throttle assembly and  49  handle grip of  FIG. 3  witch are affixed to  25  upper tee steering tube. The operator manually urges the mechanism in the direction of the  26  two front tire and wheel assemblies of  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  5 ,  7  and  6 . This forward movement urges  47  center stand  FIGS. 1 and 9  to retract into upward horizontal operating position. This retracted operating position of  47  center stand allows an electrical circuit to be completed energizing the  44  twist throttle. The operator twists  44  twist throttle (of common art) to energize the controller (of common art) housed above  23  bottom cover of  FIGS. 1 ,  4 ,  7 ,  8  and  9  and below  20  floor deck. This said controller directs electrical power from the batteries (of common art) housed above  23  bottom cover and below  20  floor deck, to the drive motor  48  of  FIG. 9 . Thru sprockets and roller chain (of common art) the energy is transmitted to  24  rear drive wheel  FIGS. 1 and 9 . The rear drive wheel  24  urges the mechanism forward at speeds of 12 to 15 miles per hour transporting the operator. 
         [0030]    The complete mechanism of  FIGS. 1 and 9  is halted by applying pressure to  45  brake leaver of  FIG. 3 . The  45  brake leaver transmits a pulling force thru  46  brake and throttle cable harness, simultaneously a micro switch molded within the  45  brake leaver breaks a circuit to the controller, stopping the transmit of power to the  48  electric motor. The (common art)  50  brake band assembly of  FIG. 9  is energized at the  24  rear drive wheel by the brake cable thus stopping the rotation of  24  rear drive wheel halting the forward motion of the mechanism and operator. 
         [0031]    Steering of the mechanism is executed by the changing operator balance (or leaning) from the left or right side and the rotation of  25  upper tee steering tube of  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  9  into the desired direction of turn. To better describe the steering tube arrangement, oval shaped upper tee steering tube  25  engages oval shaped larger diameter  22  lower steering tube at a location above  42  steering tube adjusting clamp. On a completed assembly, a bushing is placed inside the lower steering tube near the location of  42  steering tube adjustment clamp. Lower steering tube bushing  51  is an oval shaped bushing with an upper lip to allow proper assembly location.  51  steering bushing is pressed and retained in  22  lower steering tube, by fasteners not shown. Before lower steering bushing  51  is pressed into lower tube  22 , it is placed onto  25  upper tee steering tube along the portion that enters into lower tube  22 . A second plastic sleeve bearing is placed and retained on the far most oval location of the  25  upper tee handle. This said bushing enters  22  lower steering tube and is retained from extraction by retainers affixing  51  lower steering bushing to  22  lower steering tube. This combination of  25  upper steering tube and lower  22  steering tube and bushings produce an adjustable length steering tube that will not separate and can be clamped at the desired height by  42  steering tube adjustable clamp. 
         [0032]    To further explain the steering apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the invention attention should be given to  35  upper steering shaft pivot of  FIGS. 7 and 8  and  28  pivoting steering shaft of  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8  and  52  pivot pen of  FIGS. 8 and 9 . It should be understood that  28  pivoting steering shaft,  35  upper steering shaft pivot and  52  pivot pen are joined together to form a foldable steering pivot joint at pen location  52  on  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
         [0000]    It should be noted that the foldable pivot joint allows the upper steering tube  25  and the lower steering tube  22  to pivot as an assembly in one direction only. This direction is to the rear of the mechanism as depicted on  FIG. 9 .
 
Best depicted on  FIG. 8 , it should be noted that  35  upper steering shaft pivot incorporates a hollow portion extending generally rearward from the pivot pen  52  location. This hollow area employs a slot extending nearly its length of the hollow area.
 
 36  sliding lock nut sleeve is located within the hollow area and positioned so that the threaded position of  37  lock sleeve tee bolt will enter into the threaded portion of the lock sleeve nut when  37  lock sleeve tee nut is positioned thru the upper hole shown in position on  FIG. 7  and tightened into  36  sliding lock nut.
 
         [0033]    To place the steering shaft assembly in operational upright position as depicted on  FIG. 1 , the  25  tee handle and  22  lower steering tube are raised into an upright position simultaneously, pivoting  35  upper steering shaft pivot. After the handle is in the upright position, it is urged downward over the exposed portion of the  28  pivoting steering shaft, as it moves downward  36  sliding lock nut sleeves follows along the slot with in the hollow portion of  35  upper steering shaft pivot until exposing the open threads in  35  upper steering shaft pivot through the lower hole on the forward facing side of  22  lower steering tube.  38  binding tee bolt is then installed thru said lower hole in  22  steering shaft and into a threaded portion of  35  upper steering shaft pivot. Threaded portion of  35  is best described at installation location of  38   FIG. 7 . Installation is best depicted on  FIG. 2 . Tightening of  38  binding tee bolt into  35  upper steering shaft pivot induces a binding effect within the  22  lower steering shaft an the pivot joint producing a very solid structure. The secondary tightening of  37  lock sleeve tee bolt enhances the binding action within the joint. 
         [0034]      27  complete front suspension, best depicted in  FIG. 5 , is mounted within  40  steering bearing assembly (commonly used on bicycles) within  39  outer steering tube best depicted in  FIG. 8 . This allows for the rotation needed for steering the mechanism. Positioned above upper steering bearing  40 , is  41  steering shaft retainer nut.  41  steering shaft retainer nut threads onto an upper portion of  28  pivoting steering shaft after it has been installed thru  39  outer steering tube and  40  steering bearing assembly.  53  bearing retainer collar is affixed to  28  and provides a means of positioning and mounting the lower bearings on the  28  pivoting steering shaft. 
         [0035]    To further describe the front pivot suspension of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, attention should be given to  27  complete front suspension of  FIGS. 2 ,  5  and  6 .  27  complete front suspension employs two  26  front tire and wheel assemblies, which when in operation provides additional needed traction.  26  front tire and wheel assemblies are affixed to  31  front suspension pivot assembly by  30  front axle bolts of  FIG. 6. 29  suspension springs are placed over locators  34  within  31  front suspension pivot assembly  FIG. 6 . Said locators engage the inside of the  29  springs preventing unwanted movement of the springs. Said springs are located on  28  pivoting steering shaft by  33  upper spring attachment brackets.  33  upper spring attachment bracket engage the inside of the upper most portion of  29  suspension springs preventing unwanted movement of the springs.  33  upper spring attachment brackets are affixed to  28  pivoting steering shaft. 
         [0000]      28  pivoting steering shaft employs  54  pivot steering bearing sleeve. Said sleeve is affixed to the lower most portion of  28  pivoting steering shaft providing a permanent location for  32  front suspension pivot bolt to pivot freely within  54  of  28 .
 
When assembled,  32  front suspension bolt passes thru a smooth hole protrusion located on  31  front suspension pivot assembly, then passing thru a thrust washer (not shown) into  54  pivoting steering bearing sleeve, entering a threaded protruded portion on the opposite side of  31  (not shown) which completes  27  front suspension assembly. This provides a flexible, durable front suspension.
 
         [0036]    A quick attachment seat assembly  60  of  FIG. 10  comprising of  58  quick attachment seat post,  57  seat post adjusting clamp,  56  height adjusting seat post and  55  transport seat, can be mounted to the scooter with thread fasteners or other quick attachment style fasteners. This enables the operator to operate the scooter from a seated position. 
         [0037]    The following is a list of parts best suited to construct the present invention: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Part number 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 20 
                 Floor Deck 
               
               
                 21 
                 Main Frame Neck 
               
               
                 22 
                 Lower Steering Tube 
               
               
                 23 
                 Bottom Cover 
               
               
                 24 
                 Rear Driving Wheel 
               
               
                 25 
                 Upper Tee Steering Tube 
               
               
                 26 
                 Front Tire and Wheel Assembly 
               
               
                 27 
                 Complete Front Suspension 
               
               
                 28 
                 Pivoting Steering Shaft 
               
               
                 29 
                 Suspension Springs 
               
               
                 30 
                 Front Axle bolts 
               
               
                 31 
                 Front Suspension Pivot Assembly 
               
               
                 32 
                 Front Suspension Pivot Bolt 
               
               
                 33 
                 Upper Spring Attachment Bracket 
               
               
                 34 
                 Lower Spring Locators 
               
               
                 35 
                 Upper Steering Shaft Pivot 
               
               
                 36 
                 Sliding Lock Nut Sleeve 
               
               
                 37 
                 Lock Sleeve Tee Bolt 
               
               
                 38 
                 Binding Tee Bolt 
               
               
                 39 
                 Outer Steering Tube 
               
               
                 40 
                 Steering Bearing Assembly 
               
               
                 41 
                 Steering Shaft Retainer Nut 
               
               
                 42 
                 Steering Tube Adjusting Clamp 
               
               
                 43 
                 Switch Panel 
               
               
                 44 
                 Twist Throttle Assembly 
               
               
                 45 
                 Brake Leaver Assembly 
               
               
                 46 
                 Brake and Throttle Cable Harness 
               
               
                 47 
                 Center Stand 
               
               
                 48 
                 Electric Motor 
               
               
                 49 
                 Handle Grip 
               
               
                 50 
                 Brake Band Assembly 
               
               
                 51 
                 Lower Steering Bushing 
               
               
                 52 
                 Pivot Pen 
               
               
                 53 
                 Bearing retainer collar 
               
               
                 54 
                 Pivot steering bearing sleeve 
               
               
                 55 
                 Transport seat 
               
               
                 56 
                 Height adjusting seat post 
               
               
                 57 
                 Seat post adjusting clamp 
               
               
                 58 
                 Quick attachment seat post 
               
               
                 59 
                 Quick attachment hardware 
               
               
                 60 
                 Quick attachment seat assembly