Abstract:
A personal mobility vehicle includes a first vehicle unit and a second vehicle unit. A connection assembly, for electrically coupling a first electrical plug-in unit fixedly mounted to the first vehicle unit and a second electrical plug-in unit fixedly mounted to the second vehicle unit, includes a guide disposed on the second vehicle unit intermediate the first electrical plug-in unit and the second electrical plug-in unit. The first electrical plug-in unit has a first plurality of electrical wires and has an outer configuration. The second electrical plug-in unit has a second plurality of electrical wires. The guide has an aperture sized to accept the outer configuration of the first electrical plug-in unit.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from, and hereby incorporates by reference, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/926,057, filed Apr. 23, 2007, entitled “Electrical connection guide assembly for break-apart personal mobility vehicle.” 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Personal mobility vehicles that are separable into discreet components for transportation and storage are known. One example of such a vehicle is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,082, incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0003]    In a break-apart personal mobility vehicle, electrical connections often must be made between components that separate. For example, electrical motors or other features (e.g., lights) are mounted on a rear section of the vehicle, while controls therefore may be mounted on a front section of the vehicle. In addition, power supply components (e.g., battery packs) typically are separable from the vehicle. Traditionally, wires between such electrical components and their associated separable plugs had to be manually assembled when putting the vehicle together and manually disassembled when breaking the vehicle apart. This manual manipulation of separable plug components required additional time and steps in assembly and disassembly, and also required a certain degree of dexterity and strength. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In one aspect, a connection assembly is disclosed for electrically coupling a first electrical plug-in unit and a second electrical plug-in unit of a personal mobility vehicle (comprising a first vehicle unit and a second vehicle unit). The connection assembly comprises the first electrical plug-in unit, which is fixedly mounted to the first vehicle unit, comprises a first plurality of electrical wires, and comprises an outer configuration, and the second electrical plug-in unit, which is fixedly mounted to the second vehicle unit and comprises a second plurality of electrical wires. The connection assembly also comprises a guide disposed on a second vehicle unit and intermediate the first electrical plug-in unit and the second electrical plug-in unit, with the guide comprising an aperture sized to accept the outer configuration of the first electrical plug-in unit. 
         [0005]    In another aspect, a method is disclosed of electrically coupling a first electrical plug-in and a second electrical plug-in unit of a personal mobility vehicle (comprises a first vehicle unit and a second vehicle unit). The first electrical plug-in unit is fixedly mounted to the first vehicle unit, comprises a first plurality of electrical wires, and comprises an outer configuration, and the second electrical plug-in unit is fixedly mounted to the second vehicle unit and comprises a second plurality of electrical wires. The method comprises guiding an outer configuration of the first electrical plug-in unit through an aperture disposed on the second vehicle unit while connecting the first vehicle unit and the second vehicle unit. 
         [0006]    In another aspect, a connection assembly is disclosed for electrically coupling a front electrical plug-in unit and a rear electrical plug-in unit of a personal mobility vehicle (comprising a first vehicle unit and a rear vehicle unit). The connection assembly comprises the front electrical plug-in unit, which is fixedly mounted to the front vehicle unit, comprises a first plurality of electrical wires, and comprises a generally rectangular outer configuration, and the rear electrical plug-in unit, which is fixedly mounted to the rear vehicle unit and comprises a second plurality of electrical wires. The connection assembly further comprises a guide comprising a panel disposed on the rear vehicle unit and intermediate the front electrical plug-in unit and the rear electrical plug-in unit, the guide comprising a rectangular aperture sized to accept the outer configuration of the first electrical plug-in unit, wherein the panel contacts the first vehicle unit and the first vehicle unit and the second vehicle unit are connected, and wherein the first vehicle unit comprises a latch that holds the panel in contact with the first vehicle unit. 
         [0007]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the claimed subject matter, and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Many other novel advantages, features, and relationships will become apparent as this description proceeds. The figures and the description that follow more particularly exemplify illustrative embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The disclosed subject matter will be further explained with reference to the attached figures, wherein like structure or system elements are referred to by like reference numerals throughout the several views. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a personal mobility vehicle incorporating an electrical connection guide assembly (with a portion of its seat assembly removed for clarity of illustration). 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a further enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the personal mobility vehicle of  FIG. 1 , showing partial separation of a front unit and rear unit thereof. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged isometric view of the personal mobility vehicle of  FIG. 1 , showing partial separation of the front unit from the rear unit. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the front unit, fully separated from the rear unit. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of an exemplary seat post latch for connecting the front and rear units and a front plug-in assembly. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view of the rear unit, as viewed from a front, top and side orientation thereof. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view of the rear unit, as taken from a rear, top and side orientation thereof. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is an isometric view showing the front and rear units of one embodiment of the personal mobility vehicle, fully separated. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a partial isometric view illustrating partial separation of a battery pack of the front unit. 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a partial isometric view of the plug-in assembly between the front unit and rear unit, in an assembled configuration. 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a partial isometric view of the plug-in assembly of  FIG. 13 , in a partially disassembled configuration. 
       
    
    
       [0023]    While the above-identified figures set forth one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the disclosure. In all cases, this disclosure presents the disclosed subject matter by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of this disclosure. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]      FIGS. 1-14  illustrate a personal mobility vehicle  10  similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,082. The vehicle  10  includes a front unit  12  and a rear unit  14 . Where applicable, reference numerals from U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,082 will be used in referring to like components in  FIGS. 1-14 . In an exemplary embodiment, the front unit has a frame  16 , a floor pan  20 , a forward wheel enclosure  22  (for a forward wheel  47 , shown in  FIG. 4 ) and a pair of battery supports  26  for supporting removable batteries  27 . A seat extension  28  is rigidly fastened to the frame  16  of the front unit  12  to extend above the batteries  27 . A seat support plate  28   a  is mounted on top of the seat extension  28  to support a seat  30  (see  FIG. 2 ). In  FIGS. 1 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7  and  11 , the seat has been removed for clarity of illustration. The rear unit  14  of the vehicle  10  includes a pair of tires  100  that are operably connected to a reversible motor  116  mounted on the rear unit  14 . A cover for portions of the rear unit  14  has been removed in  FIGS. 1-5  and  9 - 10 , for clarity of illustration. The cover is seen in  FIG. 11 , however. While the illustrated vehicle  10  is a scooter of the type having three wheels, it is it is contemplated that the connection assembly disclosed herein is applicable to four wheel scooters, powered wheelchairs and other break-apart personal mobility vehicles. 
         [0025]    The vehicle  10  includes a connection assembly  125  for securing the front and rear units  12  and  14  together, as well as for guiding opposed electrical plug-in components on those units together and affirmatively electrically coupling those plug-in units. In  FIG. 2 , a portion of the removable seat  30  is seen, as mounted on the seat extension  28 .  FIGS. 2 and 3  also further illustrate the connection assembly  125 , which in part includes a bracket  32  rigidly mounted to the seat extension  28  and including a latch  34  having a beveled edge  36 . The latch  34  is biased to its extended position by a compression spring within the bracket  32  (see e.g., FIG. 4 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,082). An extension rod  38  connects the latch  34  to T-handle  40  for manual retraction of the latch  34  relative to the bracket  32 . 
         [0026]    The connection assembly  125  further includes a panel  127  mounted to the rear unit  14  to extend upwardly therefrom. The panel  127  has an upper edge  129  and a rear surface  131  which are adapted, when the front and rear units  12  and  14  are assembled (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 ), to be engaged by the latch  34 . The panel  127  is thus retained by and retained against an opposed rear facing surface  133  on the front unit  12 . Upon assembly, the beveled edge  36  of the latch  34  allows the spring-loaded latch  34  to withdraw out of the way as the panel  127  is moved into place against the surface  133 . 
         [0027]      FIGS. 1-3  illustrate the components of the connection assembly  125  in an assembled configuration, thereby securing the front unit  12  to the rear unit  14 . 
         [0028]      FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate the vehicle  10  in a partially disassembled configuration. In an exemplary embodiment, front unit  12  and rear unit  14  are tilted or pivoted apart relative to one another to facilitate such disassembly. The handle  40  is grasped and pulled upwardly relative to the bracket  32 , thereby withdrawing the latch  34  into the bracket  32  and allowing the panel  127  and its upper edge  129  to move away from the rear facing surface  133  on the front unit  12 . 
         [0029]      FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8  illustrate portions of the connection assembly  125  of the front unit  12 . The connection assembly  125  further includes a front electrical plug-in unit  140  which is fixedly mounted on a U-shaped bracket  142 , which in turn is fixedly mounted to the frame  16  of the front unit  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket  142  extends rearwardly from the surface  133  of the front unit  12 . The front plug-in unit  140  thus is fixed in position relative to the surface  133  and projects outwardly therefrom and outwardly from the U-shaped bracket  142 .  FIG. 8  shows the sub-assembly of the seat extension  28 , bracket  32 , latch  34 , surface  133 , U-shaped bracket  142  and front plug-in unit  140 , prior to its mounting upon the front unit  12 . 
         [0030]      FIGS. 6 and 7  also illustrate a bar  144  that is affixed to the frame  16  of the front unit  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the bar  144  projects rearwardly from the front unit  12 . The bar  144  has a generally planar and vertically disposed face  145 , with a lower lip portion  146  thereon. The bar  144  is disposed below the support  144  and its associated front plug-in unit  140 . 
         [0031]      FIGS. 9-10  illustrate portions of an exemplary embodiment of the connection assembly  125  of the rear unit  14 , in a completely separated state from the front unit  12 . Panel  127  is planar on a front surface  151  thereof. The panel  127  is mounted to the rear unit  14  via rearwardly extending support gussets  153  and  155 . The panel  127  has an aperture  157  therethrough. In an exemplary embodiment, the aperture  157  is shaped to closely conform to the outer shape of the U-shaped bracket  142  on the front unit  12 . A rear plug-in unit  159  is fixedly mounted to the frame  102  of the rear unit  14  by a mounting bracket  161 . The rear plug-in unit  159  is spaced rearwardly from the opening  157 . The rear unit  14  also includes a bar  163  with a J-hook  104  formed at a lower edge thereof, with the J-hook  104  and extending forwardly therefrom, below the panel  127  and rear plug-in unit  159 . The bar  163  has a planar vertical surface  165  extending upwardly from the J-hook  104 . 
         [0032]    Upon assembly of the front unit  12  and rear unit  14 , the surfaces  133  and  151  abut, the faces  145  and  165  abut, and the plug-in units  140  and  159  are affirmatively joined together and coupled for electrical continuity between the units. When those features are aligned as mentioned above, the bracket  142  projects rearwardly through the aperture  157 , to facilitate the coupling of the plug-in units  140  and  159 . This assembled configuration is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 . With the front and rear units assembled, the face  145  of the bar  144  engages and confronts against the face  165  of the bar  163  (i.e., against the broad leg of the J-hook  104 ). As a result, any downward force, such as the weight of the vehicle  10  or a rider, is supported at the connection by compression force of bar  144  against the J-hook  104 . In the illustrated embodiment, the opposed surfaces  133  and  151  are shown as generally planar, and the opposed faces  145  and  165  are shown as generally planar. These surfaces and faces need not necessarily be planar, but are complementary in an exemplary embodiment so that affirmative and consistent coupling is achieved between the vehicle units, while allowing for a rugged connection between the units. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate the U-shaped bracket  142  just as it is aligned for entry (or removal) relative to the aperture  157 . While the aperture  157  is shown in the figures as a polygon shape (e.g., rectangular), to mate with the outer configuration of the U-shaped bracket, it is contemplated that other shapes will suffice. For instance, one plug-in unit may be mounted on a cone-shaped structure, while the other is mounted relative to a circular aperture on another structure that is shaped to mate with the cone-shaped structure. Likewise, one plug-in unit may be mounted on a pyramidal shaped feature, while the other plug-in unit is mounted relative to an aperture shaped to mate with a portion of the pyramidal feature. Any combination of cooperating plug-in support and aperture shapes will suffice, so long as the function of guiding the two opposed electrical plug-ins together for affirmative electrical and/or mechanical coupling thereof is achieved, thereby electrically coupling the front unit  12  and the rear unit  14  without the need for separate manual assembly of cable plug-ins (or upon disassembly, the need for manual separation of cable plug-ins). The electrical couplings between the front unit  12  and rear unit  14  are thus automatically made when the two units are assembled. 
         [0034]    The present disclosure illustrates a break-apart scooter design that has fixed electrical receptacles that connect and disconnect as the components of the scooter are put together and taken apart. The mounting brackets that fasten the electrical receptacles together cooperate to ensure the alignment of the electrical connection. One bracket fits snugly through a hole of essentially the same size in a mating opposed bracket, with each bracket being mounted on alternate sections of the scooter. This assures the alignment of the electrical connectors as the two halves of the scooter are put together. For clarity of illustration, the electrical cables connected to the plug-in units  140  and  159  are not shown in the drawings, except for in  FIGS. 13 and 14  (e.g., as electrical cables  240  and  259 , respectively). 
         [0035]      FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate partial tipping of one half of the scooter relative to the other half. In these illustrations, the J-hook  104  on the rear unit  14  is still in communication and receives the bottom edge  146  of the bar  144  on the front unit  12 . However, the plug-in units  140  and  159  have been separated, and the front surface  151  of the panel  127  has been separated from the rear facing surface  133  on the front unit  12 . When fully assembled, the rear surface  133  and the front surface  151  are in opposed abutting alignment. The relationship between the bar  144  and the bar  163  is best seen in  FIG. 5 , where the front unit  12  and the rear unit  14  are partially tipped apart relative to one another. The bar  144  still rests on the J-hook  104 , but the opposed faces  145  and  165  of the bar  144  and panel  163 , respectively, have been tilted apart. When fully assembled, those faces are in abutting relationship. Complete separation of the front unit  12  and rear unit  14  is achieved by simply lifting the bar  144  out of engagement with the J-hook  104 , once the units have sufficiently been tipped apart (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,082). 
         [0036]      FIG. 11  illustrates the front unit  12  and the rear unit  14  completely separated and sitting side by side. As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , each battery is also separable from the front unit  12  and has an associated automatic plug-in feature for its electrical connection thereto. A battery plug  160  is affixed to each battery  27 , and is received electrically (and mechanically) within a receiver  162  affixed to the first unit  12 .  FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate one of the batteries (labeled as battery  27   a ) separated and spaced above the front unit  12 . The battery connector  160  is affixed to the battery  27   a  and is aligned directly above the receiver  162 .  FIG. 12  illustrates removal of one of the batteries  27 , and the ease of separation of the connector  160  and receiver  162  associated therewith. A cover for the batteries on the vehicle is not shown in the drawings, for clarity of illustration. 
         [0037]    The present disclosure presents a break-apart scooter or personal mobility vehicle (e.g., powered wheelchair) which has electrical connectors which can be electrically and/or mechanically coupled between the front and rear sections of the scooter. The coupling is facilitated by mechanical guiding of the electrical connectors together by an associated connector mounting post and framing structures, such as the illustrated U-shaped bracket  142  and the aperture  157  in the panel  127 . Alternative configurations for components to achieve this end are contemplated, so long as once the front and rear units of the scooter are assembled, the electrical couplings are urged together to electrically couple the scooter sections together and are coupled in a way that makes dislodgment of that coupling highly unlikely because of the affirmative mechanical connections and the structures surrounding those couplings. Thus, a more positive coupling arrangement is achieved, while simplifying the act of assembling or disassembling the scooter sections. 
         [0038]    In all cases, this disclosure presents the connection assembly by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of this disclosed subject matter.