Abstract:
A scooter device having a flexible, tiltable frame structure and biased direction rear wheels. The scooter may be of a type that achieves forward propelled by side-to-side movement of a user. The frame structure may include a flexible member or members and/or incorporate other flexible or moveable components to achieve desired performance. The frame structure and steering mechanism may be moveable into a more compact form for storage or transport. A brake arrangement and other features are also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/760,638, filed Jan. 21, 2006, and entitled Side Movement Propelled Wheeled Recreational Device and having the same inventor as above. 
   This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/656897, filed Jan. 22, 2007, entitled Side Movement Propelled Scooter Device Having Expanded Foot Platform and having the same inventor as above, which is hereby incorporated by reference as though included in its entirety. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to scooters and, more specifically, to those having three or more wheels and which may be propelled by sideways movement of the user. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Various self-propelled and motorized scooters are known in the art. These include two wheeled, three wheeled and other multi-wheeled embodiments. 
   Known three wheeled scooter embodiments include those disclosed in: U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,192, issued to Shelton for a Three-Wheeled Scooter-Type Vehicle (&#39;192 patent); U.S. Pat. No. 5,039,121, issued to Holter for a Tri-Skater (&#39;121 patent); U.S. Pat. No. 6,908,090, issued to Chuang for a Cambering Vehicle Having Inclined Pivot Axle (&#39;090 patent); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,976,687 for a Cambering Vehicle and Mechanism (&#39;687 patent). 
   The &#39;192 patent discloses a scooter having two rear wheel frame members, each with a foot placement area, that can be moved between a first adjacent position and a second spaced position. The two rear wheels are each mounted with a spring that biases them in the line of direction of their respective frame members. The biased arrangement also allows movement of the wheels out of this line of direction, while returning them in the absence of a displacement force. This arrangement permits forward movement of the scooter when the user shifts his or her weight from side to side. 
   The &#39;121 patent discloses a similar device but with caster wheels that are coupled to the frame member at a point forward of the axle of the wheel. This arrangement has a similar effect to that of the &#39;192 patent, effectively biasing the wheels in the line of direction of the frame member and permitting forward propulsion of the scooter device in response to side to side movement of the user. 
   The &#39;090 patent discloses a scooter device that does not utilize spring biased or tilted caster wheels. The device of the &#39;090 patent has a movable frame arrangement that permits the steering assembly and wheels to tilt slightly, in parallel, permitting a user to lean the scooter into a turn. In the &#39;090 patent, the rear wheels are fixedly mounted in place and the frame is configured such that there is no independent movement of the position of the rear wheels. 
   The &#39;687 patent discloses a scooter device that, similar to the &#39;090 patent, does not utilize spring biased or tilted caster wheels. The device of the &#39;687 patent uses a yoke and linkage arrangement that permits the steering mechanism and wheels to tilt in parallel, permitting a user to lean the scooter into a turn. In the &#39;687 patent, the rear wheels are fixedly mounted in place and the frame is configured such that there is no independent movement of the position of the rear wheels. 
   The devices of the prior art are disadvantageous because they do not provide one or more of: tilting of the steering mechanism or foot platforms to improve turning or accentuate the riding experience; direction biased rear wheels; independent or lateral movement of the rear wheel support member to accentuate propulsion efforts; and a flexible structural element efficiently integrated into the frame of the scooter device, among other reasons. Prior art devices also lack adequate braking. 
   A need thus exists for a side-to-side movement propelled scooter device that has a frame structure that is flexible to support tilting and enhance the riding experience and/or propulsion effort. A need also exists for a scooter device that combines both tilted caster or otherwise direction biased wheels and a tiltable frame. A further need exists for improved braking in a scooter device. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a side-to-side movement propelled scooter device that overcomes the disadvantageous aspects of the prior art and provides movement of the foot placement areas. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide such a scooter device that combines tilted caster or otherwise direction biased wheels with a tiltable steering mechanism. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a scooter device that has a flexible structural element efficiently incorporated into its frame. 
   It is also an object of the present invention to provide such a scooter device with improved braking. 
   These and related objects of the present invention are achieved by use of a sideways movement propelled scooter device as described herein. 
   In one embodiment, the present invention may include at least a first forward located wheel; at least a second and a third rearward located wheel; a frame structure through which the first wheel is coupled to the second and third wheels; and a steering mechanism that has a vertically ascending control member and is coupled to the first wheel such that turning of the steering mechanism achieves a turning of the first wheel; wherein the frame structure includes a flexible structural member with shape memory that permits movement of the frame structure such that the vertically ascending control member may be moved laterally while the second and third wheels remain on the ground. 
   In another embodiment, the present invention may include at least a first forward located wheel; at least a second and a third rearward located wheel; a frame structure through which the first wheel is coupled to the second and third wheels, wherein the second and third rearward located wheels are mounted in a direction biased arrangement; and a steering mechanism that has a vertically ascending control member and is coupled to the first wheel such that turning of the steering mechanism achieves a turning of the first wheel; wherein said frame structure is configured such that the vertically ascending control member may tilt laterally while the second and third wheels remain on the ground. 
   In yet another embodiment, among others, the present invention may include at least a first forward located wheel; at least a second and a third rearward located wheel; a frame structure through which the first wheel is coupled to the second and third wheels, wherein the second and third rearward located wheels include are mounted in a direction biased arrangement; and a steering mechanism that has a vertically ascending control member and is coupled to the first wheel such that turning of the steering mechanism achieves a turning of the first wheel; wherein said frame structure includes a platform that is at least in part moveable by a user to initiate a braking of at least one of the second and third wheels. 
   The attainment of the foregoing and related advantages and features of the invention should be more readily apparent to those skilled in the art, after review of the following more detailed description of the invention taken together with the drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIGS. 1-2  are a perspective view and a side elevation view of a flexible frame scooter device in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a rear wheel mounted in a forward tilted caster arrangement of the scooter device of  FIGS. 1-2 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the device of  FIG. 1  with the frame arms folded upwardly to form a compacted device position. 
       FIGS. 5-6  are a perspective view and a side elevation view of another embodiment of a flexible frame scooter device in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the device of  FIG. 5  with the steering mechanism folded downwardly to form a compacted device position. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a U-shaped flexible frame member in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of a braking mechanism for a scooter device in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIGS. 10-11  are a side perspective and a rear perspective view of another embodiment of a scooter device in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIGS. 12-13  are a side elevation and a rear perspective view of another embodiment of a scooter device  310  in accordance with the present invention is shown. 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a scooter device having a cross-member in accordance with the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , a perspective view and a side elevation view of a flexible frame scooter device  10  in accordance with the present invention are respectively shown. This scooter device  10  may include a frame structure  20  that is coupled to a steering mechanism  50  and supports at least a front wheel  12  and at least two rear wheels  22 , 32 . Frame structure  20  may include a joint structure  40  from which first and second frame arms  21 , 31  extend. The frame arms may be pivotally coupled (as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ) through pivots  41 , 42  or fixedly coupled or otherwise coupled. 
   Joint structure  40  may also include a cylindrical shell  45  or the like through which shaft  52  of steering mechanism  50  may extend. Steering shaft  52  may couple to wheel  12  on one end and to handlebar  54  at its other end. It may include multiple (telescoping or otherwise configured) sections  55 , 56  and a height adjustment mechanism (not shown but known in the art). 
   Frame arms  21 , 31  may each include a flexible section  23 , 33  and foot placement platforms  25 , 35  that are provided proximate wheels  22 , 32 , respectively. Flexible sections  23 , 33  introduce flexible movement into the device, permitting a user to move (or lean) the steering mechanism relative to the frame structure and also permitting movement of foot platforms  25 , 35  both inwardly and outwardly relative to one another and rotationally along the frame arm. This arrangement provides many benefits including, but not limited to, permitting a user to lean the steering mechanism (advantageous when leaning into a turn), move the frame arms more robustly (enhancing propulsion), and rotate the foot placement platforms (better contact and control when propelling the device and/or negotiating a turn, etc.). 
     FIG. 3  illustrates rear wheel  22  (or  32 ) mounted in a forward tilted caster arrangement. This arrangement achieves a wheel that is capable of turning via rotation about its mounting shaft, yet which self-returns to the line of direction at which it is mounted. The tilted caster arrangement achieves a biased direction because the wheel is biased to align with the direction it is tilted. Such a wheel arrangement is taught in the &#39;121 patent. Other direction biased wheel arrangements include those incorporating a spring or other mechanical or physical direction biased mechanism. A spring based direction biased wheel arrangement is taught by the &#39;192 patent. The &#39;121 patent and the &#39;192 patent are incorporated by reference herein. 
     FIG. 4  illustrates device  10  with frame arms  21 , 31  pivoted upwardly towards handlebar  54 , achieving a more compact arrangement for transport or stowage, etc. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5-6 , a perspective view and a side elevation view of another embodiment of a flexible frame scooter device  110  in accordance with the present invention are respectively shown. Device  110  may include at least a front wheel  112  and two rear wheels  122 , 132  coupled to a frame structure  120 . A steering mechanism  150  is preferably coupled through joint structure  140  at the front end of the device and the frame structure preferably includes frame arms  121 , 131  on which foot placement platforms  125 , 135  are respectively formed. 
   In the device  110  of  FIGS. 5-6 , the frame structure may include a substantially U-shaped or V-shaped flexible mounting member (“U-shaped member”)  160  that is made of a strong, yet -flexible material that is resilient and has self-returning properties (similar to that of device  10  of  FIGS. 1-2 ). 
   U-shaped member  160  may be fixedly or pivotally mounted through joint structure  140 .  FIGS. 6-7  illustrate connection through pivot  141  and actuation by a release or the like  144 . U-shaped member  160  may include frame arm mounting members  162 , 163  into which frame arms  121 , 131  are secured. The mounting members may be formed in a complementary manner to receive frame arms  121 , 131 . The U-shaped member is preferably made of polyurethane, fiberglass or another suitable material. 
     FIGS. 5-7  also illustrates a braking mechanism  170 . Braking mechanism  170  may include the fashioning the foot placement platforms  125 , 135  such that they are movably mounted, pivotally or otherwise, to the frame structure such that the weight of a user leaning back on the platforms causing the bottom of the platforms to descend into contact with its corresponding wheel. A brake pad or wedge  172  can be provided on the underside of the movable platform. This pad is preferably replaceable so that it may be replace in response to wear. 
   In  FIG. 6 , brake  170  of foot platform  135  is shown pivoted downward into contact with wheel  132  (obscured from view by wheel  122 ). 
     FIG. 7  illustrates device  110  with the steering mechanism  150  uncoupled at release  144  and pivoted downwardly at pivot  141  onto frame arms  121 , 131  to form a more compact arrangement. 
     FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a U-shaped frame member in accordance with the present invention. U-shaped frame member is similar to U-shaped frame member  160  of  FIGS. 5-7  yet preferably includes a reinforcing band or section  181  that may extend between the complementary mounting members  182 , 183  (similar to mounting members  162 , 163 ) and be formed integrally with those members and/or U-shaped wall or body  185 . If reinforcing section  181  is not provided a reinforcing crossbar or the like may be provided between the frame arms  121 , 131 . 
     FIG. 9  is a side view of one embodiment of a braking mechanism  170  in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 9  illustrates the end of frame arm  131  (or  21 ,  31 ,  121 , or other) that has a recess  174  shaped complementary to platform  135  formed therein. Frame arm  131  may have a pivot  171  coupled thereto through which platform  135  is coupled to the support arm. When a user leans backwards (or downward on the back end of the platform), brake pad  172  comes into contact with wheel  132  acting to brake or slow rotation of that wheel. Leaning evenly on both platforms ( 21 , 31  or  121 , 131 ) slows the scooter while maintaining substantially a straight line of direction. Leaning more heavily on one platform may achieve a turning of the scooter device. 
     FIGS. 10-11  are a side perspective and a rear perspective view of another embodiment of a scooter device  210  in accordance with the present invention. Scooter device  210  may possess many of the features of device  10  or  110  including a front wheel  212  and a pair of rear wheels  222 , 232 , a steering mechanism  250 , a frame structure  220 , and two foot placement platforms  225 , 235  that may incorporate a brake mechanism  270  (similar to brake mechanism  170 ). 
   Frame structure  220  may include a principal support arm  221  that is coupled to the steering mechanism  250  at a point higher than that of designs  10  and  110 . The frame coupling may be adjustable through an adjustable pivot  241  permitting a user to adjust the distance of the foot platforms from the steering mechanism. 
   Frame structure  220  may also include a parallelogram or like assembly  234 , possessing top and bottom members  236 , 238  and side members  237 , 239 . The top and bottom members move substantially parallel and relative to one another. The platforms may be coupled to the side members  237 , 239 , respectively. The lateral tilting of the steering mechanism  250  to one side causes the top member  236  to move in that direction more than the bottom member  238 , which in turn causes the side members  237 , 239  to tilt in a like direction, causing the platforms  225 , 235  and wheels  222 , 232  to tilt in that direction, and vice versa. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 12-13 , a side elevation view and a rear perspective view of another embodiment of a scooter device  310  in accordance with the present invention is shown. Scooter device  310  may include at least a front wheel  312  and two rear wheels  322 , 332  coupled to a frame structure  320 . The frame structure may include a singular (or otherwise configured) substantially longitudinally disposed support arm  321  that is coupled on one end to a steering mechanism  350  and the other end to a user platform  325 . The coupling to steering mechanism  350  may be through a joint structure  340 . Rear wheels  322 , 332  are preferable direction biased. 
   Support arm  221  may be formed in whole or in part of a rigid yet flexible material (elastic properties), such as fiberglass or flexible metal or polyurethane or the like that permits the steering mechanism to move relative to the platform, for example, permitting a user to lean the steering mechanism into a curve. 
   Alternatively, support arm  321  may be coupled to platform  325  (or to steering mechanism  350 ) through a biased cam  338  or the like that permits movement of the support arm relative to the platform. The biased cam permits movement in response to a displacement force, but returns to an initial position in the absence of the displacement stress. Since the support arm is coupled to the steering mechanism, a biased cam or like arrangement permits the steering mechanism to tilt relative to the user platform, permitting, for example, a user to lean the steering mechanism into a turn, etc. 
   Referring to  FIG. 14 , a perspective view of an embodiment of a scooter device  410  having a cross-member  405  in accordance with the present invention is shown. Cross-member  405  may be mounted to support arms  421 , 431  and is preferably made of a durable material that may be flexible or rigid. 
   As the cross-member is slid backwards, the two support arms are pulled closer to one another causing the platforms  425 , 435  to similarly be pulled closer to one another. In this manner, the platforms may be maintained at a closer distance, perhaps more advantageous to a younger or smaller rider. 
   In addition, cross-member adds support and stability permitting the U-shaped frame member  160  (of  FIG. 8 ) to be made without the reinforcing structure  181 . 
   With respect to materials, the rigid frame members/structures are preferably formed of aluminum, other metals, or alloys thereof, or any other suitable rigid, durable and lightweight material. The flexible frame member(s) may be formed of fiberglass, polyurethane, flexible metals or other suitable material. 
   While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification, and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth, and as fall within the scope of the invention and the limits of the appended claims.