Abstract:
The combination scooter/backpack is an article carrying device with the capacity to be converted into a wheeled land vehicle, and therefore has two modes of usage. The article carrying device resembles a conventional backpack with two straps positioned to be placed over the user&#39;s shoulders, entitled backpack mode. The wheeled land vehicle functions as a popular collapsible scooter, two wheels mounted upon a board member with propulsion means provided by user&#39;s contact with the ground, entitled scooter mode. A horizontal handlebar is positioned at the top of the combination and serves to steer the front wheel during scooter mode. Conversion between backpack mode and scooter mode is accomplished with the raising and lowering of said handlebar and the manipulation of releasable fasteners and latches. In both backpack and scooter modes, a cover circumferentially surrounds the combination scooter/backpack to secure and protect components that are not in use.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 11/340,504 Jan. 27, 2006 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,431,311 which claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of provisional patent application No. 60/647,346 filed on Jan. 27, 2005 and entitled “Combination Scooter/backpack,” the entire contents of such applications are hereby incorporated by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The presented invention involves an apparatus for article carrying. The apparatus is generally a wheeled article carrier with the capacity to convert into a rider-operated scooter. Additionally, the article carrying function of the apparatus is not lost when the scooter is in use. 
   Presently, students and travelers of all ages employ back or shoulder carried devices to carry their belongings. Supporting these heavy loads, especially over extended periods of time, has been shown to promote muscular and skeletal back injuries. This occurs most commonly while walking long distances, for example, a child&#39;s walk to and from school or a tourist&#39;s path to and from a train station. The present invention allows those distances to be traversed without any stress on the back, therefore saving the child, or user, from injury. Currently this product exists as two separate products, a backpack and a scooter, but they cannot be used together in the beneficial manner this invention proposes. Combining the equipment therefore creates a unique solution to an everyday problem. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   The present invention is an article carrier with several modes of transportation provided in it. The carrier takes the form of a traditional flexible container with a strap positioned on a single face. Opposite said face is attached a rigid two-piece frame which makes contact along the vertical height of the carrier and bends around underneath providing support. Inserted into the frame is a telescoping steering column assembly that runs along the vertical height of the carrier and is positioned in the center of said frame. The steering column assembly attaches to a single pivoting wheel at the bottom of the frame and a handlebar at the top. The handlebar can be raised above and lowered to the top face of the carrier while the wheel remains stationary. Only when in the raised position, the handlebar exerts a torque on the wheel through the steering column providing steering control. Attached opposite the carrier on the frame is a board that pivots around a hinge at the base of the frame. The board is linked to the handlebar in such a way that raising the handlebar rotates the board around this hinge and extends outwardly in a horizontal fashion. Similarly, lowering the handlebar lifts the board back to its vertically oriented position against the face of the plastic frame. A second immovable wheel is embedded into the far end of the board enabling rolling upon two wheels to occur when the board is extended. A braking mechanism makes contact with a portion of this rear wheel. A cover piece is attached along its edge to a horizontal face of the carrier adjacent to either face containing the straps or frame. This cover piece circumferentially surrounds the carrier in either direction and fastens to its opposite face. Once fastened, the cover piece secures the shoulder straps to the carrier or the pivoting board to the frame, creating an aesthetic, safe, and organized appearance. 
   With these features in place, the carrier has two suggested modes of transportation, while others are possible. The first mode is to place the strap around a wearer&#39;s shoulder and place the bag on the back in a traditional backpack position. The handlebar is in the lowered position, adjacent the top of the frame. The board is in the vertical position, parallel to the frame, and the fabric is wrapped around it, securing it to the frame away from the wearer. This provides a source of comfort since the rigid components of the frame assembly are not in contact with the wearer&#39;s back. 
   The second mode is a riding mode. The handlebar is in the raised position and the board is linked mechanically to extend parallel to the ground. The handlebar is connected to the front caster through the steering column and provides steering control. The cover piece is wrapped around the shoulder straps securing them to the carrier. The user stands with one or both feet upon the board and their weight is distributed amongst the two casters. The article carrier is deposed in front of the user on the opposite side of the frame, secured and balanced about the front wheel by the weight of the user. The user can then push the board with a foot upon the ground and roll to the destination while steering with the handlebar. 
   These features function together to provide: a spacious flexible container with a strap, a comfortably distributed load when device is upon wearer&#39;s back, a balanced two-wheeled ride upon a scooter, a weightless and stress-free carrying of personal belongings, a faster than walking means of locomotion, a practical and simple steering mechanism, a selectively separable board and bag that prevents the wearer or rider from misplacing the scooter or bag respectively, convenient and continual access to both said bag and scooter simultaneously, an organized aesthetic appearance during use in either mode, and a unique and expedited bag to scooter conversion process. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention can be further described by the following figures, whereby: 
       FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3  are isometric views of a scooter/backpack according to the present invention. 
       FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  4 C are front views of each steering column member. 
       FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 , and  9  are front views of the steering column assembly with the plastic frame cut away. 
       FIG. 10  is an isometric view showing the periphery of steering column members. 
       FIG. 11  is a rear view of the plastic frame and lower steering column members. 
       FIG. 12  is a rear view as in  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 13  is a cutaway view of the plastic frame and middle steering column member. 
       FIG. 14A  is an isometric view of the frame sections and handlebar. 
       FIG. 14B  is an exploded view of  FIG. 14A . 
       FIG. 15  is a side view of the combination scooter/backpack. 
       FIG. 16  is a side view as in  FIG. 16 . 
       FIGS. 17 ,  18 , and  19  are cutaway views of the plastic frame and hinge 
       FIG. 20  is a front view of the board lock. 
       FIGS. 21 ,  22 , and  23  are isometric views as in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 . 
       FIGS. 24A ,  24 B, and  24 C are cross-sectional views of each steering column member. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The preferred embodiment of the combination scooter/backpack  1  can be seen in  FIG. 1 . The combination scooter/backpack  1  is shown in its backpack mode. The bag  3  has two padded shoulder straps  7  attached in conventional backpack locations. In the preferred embodiment means are provided to adjust length of each strap to accommodate varying sizes of wearer. An edge of flap  2  is sown vertically upon the face of bag  3 , parallel to the L-shaped plastic frame section  4 . It secures to the opposite face of bag  3  through the interaction of male  5  and female  6  clips of the type common to the backpack industry. The flap  2  is capable of wrapping around said scooter/backpack  1  in either direction, thereby securing either the shoulder straps  7  to the bag  3  for scooter mode, or the board  9  to the I-shaped plastic frame section  8  for backpack mode. The flap  2  assists to retain board  9  in a manageable position so as to avoid contact with passers by or the like while creating an organized and aesthetically pleasing appearance. Flap  2  is preferably made of a flexible yet durable material such as nylon fabric, yet other materials may be used. 
   As seen in  FIG. 2 , the male clips  5  have been released from female clips  6  and flap  2  has been uncurled. The L-shaped plastic frame section  4  functions to support the bag  3  and its contents. L-shaped plastic frame section  4  mates along plastic frame seam  10  with the I-shaped plastic frame section  8  through fasteners  16 . Preferably, frame sections  4  and  8  are constructed from medium density plastics for strength and weight considerations. In accordance with the backpack mode of the present invention, board  9  lies vertically against I-shaped plastic frame section  8  while a handlebar  11  is in its lowered position. The front wheel  12  is underneath the plastic frame sections and is connected to the handlebar  11  as part of steering column assembly  14 , not shown. The steering column assembly  14  stands between the plastic frame sections  4  and  8 . Attached to the far end of board  9  is rear wheel  13 . Also shown in  FIG. 2 , are lid  41  and lid fastener  43 . In preferred embodiments of the invention, lid  41  is the portion of bag  3  that is adjacent a closable opening. Lid fastener  43  serves to release lid  41  when access to the contents of bag  3  is desired and close lid  41  to secure belongings for transport or security reasons. Lid fastener  43  could be construed as, but not limited to, such commonly understood fastener types as buttons, zippers, snaps, etc. 
     FIG. 3  shows flap  2  surrounding shoulder straps  7  during scooter mode. Handlebar  11  is raised to its elevated position exposing inner column  20 , which is a portion of steering column assembly  14 . Board  9  is lowered and ready to be stepped upon by the user. Board  9  is connected to the I-shaped plastic frame  8  through hinge assembly  15 . Hinge assembly  15  consists of hinge pin  28 , board plate  29 , and frame plate  39 . Additionally, board  9  is connected to the steering column assembly  14  through linkage arms  17 . This enables the raising and lowering of handlebar  11  to rotate board  9  between stowed and extended positions. This feature relies on the mechanism of steering column assembly  14  as will be seen, and is extremely convenient for the user. Effectively, the user can stow or extend the board  9  without crouching or stooping down to manipulate the board by hand, thereby avoiding any possible back discomfort due to such positions. 
     FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  4 C detail the steering column components of the steering column assembly  14 . The outer column  18 , middle column  19 , and inner column  20  stand concentrically in a telescoping fashion. As seen in  FIG. 24A , outer column  18  has a rectangular outer perimeter and circular inner diameter to accommodate the middle column  19 . Thickness  21  is provided around outer column  18  to limit the vertical travel of said column within the plastic frame sections. Linkage arms  17  are connected to the bottom of the outer column  18  through pivot connections, as will be shown in more detail later. Outer column  18  also contains openings  25  to accept lower button set  24 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 4B and 24B , middle column  19  stands the tallest among the three columns. It has circular outer and inner perimeters, the outer small enough to slide within the outer column  18  and an inner large enough to accommodate the inner column  20 . The front wheel  12  is connected to the bottom of the middle cylinder through front forks  22  in a standard axle configuration. Middle column  19  contains one set of openings  26  and one set of slots  27  to accept upper and lower button sets  23  and  24 . 
   In  FIG. 4C  the inner column member  20  is shown. Inner column member  20  stands inside the middle column member  19  and travels up and down with movement of the handlebar  11 . As seen in  FIG. 24C , the inner and outer perimeters of inner column  20  are circular. To retain certain vertical positions within middle column  19  the inner column member  20  employs upper and lower button sets  23  and  24 . Upper and lower button sets  23  and  24  are generally of rectangular shape and extend outwards engaging the openings  25  and  26  and slots  27  of outer and middle columns  18  and  19 . Button sets  23  and  24  are spring loaded and require depression by the user to sink into the inner column  20  effectively disengaging them from the corresponding openings or slots. While positioned inside middle column  19 , only one button set can extend at a time. As will be shown, lower button set  24  is used to engage both outer column  18  and middle column  19  to the inner column  20 , while upper button set  23  engages openings  26  for transmitting torque from the handlebar  11  to the front wheel  12  during steering. 
   Furthermore, it can be shown that a variety of different shapes, dimensions, quantities of, and placement positions on said steering column assembly  14  for said button sets  23  and  24  and openings  25  and  26  and slot  27  are advantageous over one another for reasons of steering mechanics, varying sizes of riders, ease of manufacturing, load distribution, overall aesthetics, etc. It is therefore not the intention of the proposed invention to limit itself in any one of these configurations, rather to simply establish a means to perform necessary functions of the invention. 
   The following Figures demonstrate the arrangement of column members  18 ,  19 , and  20 . In  FIG. 5 , the steering column assembly  14  is shown in its entirety while in its closed position known as position  1 . The combination scooter/backpack  1  is in the backpack mode of use and is to be converted to scooter mode. The handlebar  11  is in the it&#39;s lowest position against the top of the plastic frame sections. The upper button set  23  of inner column member  20  are depressed and inside the middle column  19  unable to extend. Lower button set  24 , however, is extended completely through slots  27  of the middle column  19  and openings  25  of outer column  18 , thereby linking the impending vertical travel of the outer and inner column members  18  and  20 . Rotational movement of the handlebar is prevented due to the square cross section of outer column  18  constrained inside plastic frame sections  4  and  8 . 
   In  FIG. 6 , the combination scooter/backpack  1  is in Position  2 . The handlebar  11  has been lifted a small distance causing outer column member  18  to travel upwards the same amount. Middle column  19  remains unaffected because lower buttons  24  travel within slots  27 . Preferably, slot  27  is slightly longer than the initial raise of handlebar  11 . As will be shown, lifting outer column  18  will cause board  9  to rotate by means of linkage arms  17 . This prepares the combination scooter/backpack  1  for scooter mode, and allows user access to the lower button set  24 , which was previously covered by board  9 . 
   In  FIG. 7 , the user has depressed lower button set  24  far enough to sink into middle column  19  to allow additional vertical travel of handlebar  11 . 
   In  FIG. 8 , the combination scooter/backpack  1  is in Position  4 . Handlebar  11  has been lifted to the height for steering use in scooter mode. Lower button set  24  is depressed and contained inside middle column  19 . Upper button set  23 , previously depressed and inside middle column  19 , are now aligned with openings  26 . 
   In  FIG. 9 , the combination scooter/backpack  1  is in Position  5 . Upper button set  23  extends under the push of its spring through the openings  26  of middle column  19 . Torque can now be effectively transmitted from handlebar  11  to front wheel  12  during steering. The steering assembly  14  is now configured for scooter mode. 
     FIGS. 5-9  show the conversion process from backpack to scooter modes of the combination scooter/backpack  1 . Performing this process in reverse will successfully convert combination scooter/backpack  1  from scooter mode to backpack. The user would dismount from board  9  and depress upper button set  23  into openings  26  of middle column  19 . Then, lowering handlebar  11  a first distance will allow lower button set  24  to extend through slots  27  and openings  25  and engage middle and outer columns  19  and  20 . A further lowering of handlebar  11  will lower outer column  18  and cause linkage arms to rotate around hinge pin  28 . Through board plate  29 , board  9  rotates upwardly to the vertical position and is prepared for flap  2  to surround and secure it to I-shaped plastic frame  8 . Consequently, the combination scooter/backpack  1  is in backpack mode, and ready to be placed upon the user. 
     FIG. 10  shows the additional mating connection between the middle and inner columns  19  and  20 . In addition to upper button set  23 , inner and middle columns  19  and  20  are conjoined by flange  30  and groove  31 . Flange  30  and groove  31  partially run the distance between upper and lower button sets  23  and  24 , acting to assist the upper button set  23  in transmitting torque during steering and restrain the handlebar during backpack mode as well as other advantages. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 11 , the I-shaped plastic frame section  8  is shown. The frame has a perimeter section  32 . It should be noted that perimeter section  32  can be any thickness, internal or external, necessary to support a variety of rider sizes under a variety of riding connections. Perimeter section  32  defines a rectangular shape for plastic frame sections  4  and  8 . Attached to perimeter section  32  are spokes  33  used to support upper stopper  34  and lower stopper  35 . Upper and lower stoppers  34  and  35  function to limit the vertical travel of outer column  18  by contacting thickness  21 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , the outer column  18  is in its lowest position and the combination scooter/backpack  1  is in backpack mode. Furthermore, it should be noted that features  32 ,  33 ,  34 , and  35  of I-shaped plastic frame section  8  are mirrored in the vertical length of L-shaped plastic frame member  4 , thereby completing the two halves of plastic frame necessary to surround steering column assembly  14 . 
   Continuing to  FIG. 12 , the outer column  18  has been raised a slight amount through its connection to the inner column  20  and handlebar  11 . The thickness  21  contacts the upper stopper  34  thereby preventing further raising of the handlebar, indicating to the user that the board  9  is in the extended position. Additionally, openings  25  and lower button set  24  are exposed to the user, allowing depression of the buttons to advance the conversion process. Once lower button set  24  is depressed beneath middle column  19  the handlebar  11  and inner column  20  can be raised further. It should be noted that middle column  19  and front wheel  12  have remained motionless during the process between  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
     FIG. 13  details the connection between the middle column  19  and perimeter section  32 . The connection is made through a bearing  36 . In the preferred embodiment, two tapered roller bearings of typical industry standard should be mounted in an indirect configuration. The bearings  36  is paramount in its function to transmit the rider&#39;s weight from the board  9 , through plastic frame sections  4  and  8 , and onto the middle column  19  and front wheel  12 . In the preferred embodiment, bearings  36  are placed in the perimeter section  32 . In alternative embodiments, additional bearings  36  may be placed in other locations, such as the upper stopper  34  to aid in the transmission of weight between the plastic frame sections  4  and  8  and middle column  19 . It should be noted that other means for connection between middle column  19  and frame sections  4  and  8  are possible. Roller bearings are only presented as a preferred means. 
     FIGS. 14A and 18B  highlight the connection between the steering column assembly  14  and plastic frame sections  4  and  8 . As can be seen, I-shaped plastic frame section  8  fastens through fasteners  16  to the complementarily shaped L-shaped plastic frame section  4 . Also included on L-shaped plastic frame section  4  are feet  42 . Feet  42  function to provide support for loads carried in bag  3 . In the preferred embodiment they are of rectangular cross-section but any shape may be implemented to achieve desired load-carrying performance. Additionally,  FIG. 14B  shows the connection between middle column  19  of steering column assembly  14  and plastic frame sections  4  and  8 . Bearings  36  surround and secure middle column  19  to the perimeter section  32  and/or upper stopper  34  of plastic frame sections  4  and  8 . This attachment will allow rotation of middle column  19  for steering, yet support against the axial and radial thrust loads that will result from user manipulation of handlebar  11 . It should be noted that features  12 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 , and  35  have been omitted from  FIGS. 14A and 14B  for clarity. 
   As shown in  FIG. 15 , the combination scooter/backpack is in the backpack mode. The board  9  is in the vertical position and the outer column  18  is in the lowest position. Linkage arms  17  are attached to the bottom of outer column  18 . Linkage arms  17  are themselves a pivot joint connection between two arms, upper arms  37  and lower arms  38 . Upper arms  37  are attached to the outer column  18  through a pivot connection and to lower arms  38  through a pivot connection. On their opposite end, lower arms  38  are fixedly connected to hinge pin  28  thereby linking vertical movement of outer column  18  and rotational movement of hinge pin  28 . Upper and lower arms  37  and  38  are shown shaped in rectangular fashion, but other lengths, widths, and curvatures are possible to achieve desired rotational performance of board  9 . 
     FIG. 16  shows linkage arms  17  while the combination scooter backpack is in the scooter mode. The outer column  18  is in the raised position and board  9  is lowered for riding use. The outer column  18  has been raised and upper arms  37  have straightened and pulled on lower arms  38  causing rotation about hinge pin  28 . As demonstrated, linkage arms  17  function to rotate board  9  not only with the raising, but lowering of handlebar  11 . 
     FIG. 17  is shown for purposes of highlighting the interaction between linkage arms  17 , hinge pin  28 , board hinge plate  29 , and frame hinge plate  39 . Sections of plastic frame sections  4  and  8  and outer column  18  have been removed for clarity. Outer column  18  is inside lower stopper  35 . Upper arms  37  are pivotally connected to the bottom of outer column  18 . Studs  40  are provided on outer column  18  to limit the arcuate path of upper arm  37  during the conversion process. Lower arm  38  is pivotally connected to upper arm  37  and fixedly connected to hinge pin  28 . Thereby, lower arm  38  transmits the vertical displacement of upper arm  37  to rotation of hinge pin  28 . Board hinge plate  29  is fixedly connected to hinge pin  28 , thereby linking the angular rotation of hinge pin  28  to the rotation of board hinge plate  29  and board  9 . Frame hinge plate  39  is fixedly attached along its face to the perimeter section  32  and pivotally connected to hinge pin  28 . This allows hinge pin  28  to rotate independent of frame hinge plate  39 . As can be seen in  FIG. 17 , the combination scooter backpack  1  is in backpack mode. Board hinge plate  29  and board  9  lay vertically against I-shaped plastic frame  8 . The steering column assembly  14  is in Position  1 . 
     FIG. 18  shows the previous components in transition between Positions  1  and  2  of steering column assembly  14 . Outer column  18  has been pulled up by its connection to handlebar  11  through lower button set  24 . Lower arm  38  has been pulled up by upper arm  37  causing rotation of hinge pin  28  and board hinge plate  29 . 
     FIG. 19  shows outer column  18  and related hinge components in Position  2 . Outer column  18  has reached its maximum height and board  9  has reached its extended position, reaching outwardly from the plastic frame. 
   While the board  9  is secured to I-shaped plastic frame section  8  through flap  2  in backpack mode, board  9  requires an additional locking mechanism to secure it in the extended position during scooter mode.  FIG. 20  shows a preferred embodiment of the mechanism used to lock board  9  in the extended position during the scooter mode of usage. Board lock  44  consists of two parallel arms  46  connected by a bridging member  47 .  FIGS. 21 ,  22 , and  23  show the preferred embodiment of board lock  44  and its position on board  9 . Board lock  44  is attached to board  9  pivotally at board lock joint  45 .  FIG. 21  shows the combination scooter/backpack  1  in backpack mode. Board lock  44  lies parallel to board  9 , secured against plastic frame  8 . In  FIG. 22 , handlebar  11  has been raised and caused outer column  18  to rotate board  9  to the extended position. Board lock  44  lies against board  9  ready for rotation.  FIG. 23  shows board lock  44  rotated upwardly and around to press against frame section  8 . In this position, board lock  44  resists any torque around hinge pin  28  that may occur from the user pulling on handlebar  11  during scooter mode. In the preferred embodiment, unique feet may be incorporated onto parallel arms  46  to better fit against I-shaped plastic frame  8 . When converting from scooter mode to backpack, the process outlined in  FIGS. 21-23  should be reversed. Board lock  44  should be rotated away and down from plastic frame section  8  and stowed against board  9 , prepared for the rotation of board  9  to the vertical position.