Patent Publication Number: US-2017361892-A1

Title: Scooter with mechanical assemblies

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/090,793 filed Dec. 11, 2014, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to user powered propulsion scooters and assemblies to facilitate scooter reconfiguration. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Propulsion scooters are used for recreation, fitness, and transportation. These scooters typically take advantage of a resultant force that may be gained by a repetitive single user motion in combination with an appropriate mechanical configuration of the scooter. The fitness benefits of the repetitive single user motion, however, may be limited due to a focus on a one particular group of muscles. The repetitive single user motion may also become monotonous which may deteriorate enjoyment of the scooter. Improvements to mechanics of propulsion scooters are desired to provide expanded fitness benefits while also improving efficiency of the scooter mechanical configurations to improve performance and enjoyment for the user. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an embodiment, a scooter includes a front wheel assembly, a pair of connector elements, and a pair of rear wheel caster assemblies. The front wheel assembly has a front wheel. The pair of connector elements is cooperable with the front wheel assembly for lateral movement relative thereto. Each of the pair of rear wheel caster assemblies is secured to a rear portion of one of the connector elements. Each of the pair of rear wheel caster assemblies has a caster defining a caster axis and a rear wheel mounted for rotation to the caster. The front wheel assembly and connector elements are arranged with one another such that adjustment of a height of a front portion of each of the connector elements adjusts an angle of the respective caster axis relative to an underlying surface. The front wheel may be mounted to the front wheel assembly for camber movement between at least a first camber position and a second camber position. The front wheel assembly and connector elements may be arranged with one another such that adjustment of the camber of the front wheel between the first and second camber positions adjusts an angle of the caster axis relative to an underlying surface. A steering column may extend from the front wheel assembly and may be arranged such that application of a lateral force to the steering column adjusts the angle of the caster axis to adjust a torque distribution to the connector elements. The steering column may be arranged with the front wheel assembly such that application of a lateral force to the steering column adjusts a height of at least a portion of the connector elements relative to an underlying surface. The connector elements may be arranged with the front wheel assembly such that the adjustment in height varies an amount of energy generated by a weight of a user thereon to generate swizzle propulsion. Swizzle propulsion may be defined as a propulsion generated by vertical movement of the connector elements relative to the underlying surface while one or more lateral forces are applied to the connector elements. The rear wheel caster assemblies are mounted to the respective connector element such that alternating lateral forces applied to the connector elements by a user propels the scooter in a generally forward direction. Each of the rear wheels may be mounted to the respective rear wheel caster assembly in a fixed orientation for rotation to generate camber propulsion when lateral forces are applied to the connector elements. The front wheel assembly may include a body defining at least two notches. One of the connector elements may include a fastener sized for selective mating with the notches such that the connector element may be secured to the front wheel assembly in at least two positions. 
     According to an embodiment, a scooter includes a front wheel assembly, a rider support assembly, a pair of rear wheel caster assemblies, and an engagement mechanism. The front wheel assembly includes a yoke. The rider support assembly includes a pair of connector elements mounted for pivotal movement to the yoke. Each of the rear wheel caster assemblies is mounted to one of rear portions of the connector elements. The engagement mechanism is cooperable with the yoke and connector elements to secure the connector elements in at least a first position and a second position. The connector elements are arranged with the engagement mechanism to operate in a scissor movement when in the first position and a sway movement in the second position. The engagement mechanism may include a first and second fastener assembly each of which comprises a sleeve member defining a cavity sized to receive a portion of the respective connecter element and a portion of the yoke. The first and second fastener assembly may be mounted to the connector element for translation along a connector axis defined by the connector element such that the sleeve member prevents scissor movement of the respective connector element in the second position. Each of the sleeve members may be mounted to the connector element for rotation about the connector axis and may define a notch sized to receive a hitch extending from the respective connector element or yoke to secure the sleeve member in the first position or second position. The scissor movement may be further defined by movement of the connector elements in directions opposite one another in a scissor-like manner. The scissor movement may be further defined by movement of the connector elements in which an angle defined therebetween changes during the movement. The sway movement may be further defined by movement of the connector elements in a same direction. The sway movement may be further defined by movement of the connector elements in which an angle defined therebetween remains constant during the movement. The connector elements may be arranged with the front wheel assembly such that different muscles of a user drive the scissor movement in comparison to the sway movement. 
     According to an embodiment, a reconfigurable scooter includes a front wheel assembly, a steering column, first and second connector elements, and a lock mechanism. The steering column is operably connected to the front wheel assembly. Each of the first and second connector elements are mounted at a first end to the front wheel assembly for selective pivotal movement. The lock mechanism is operably connected to and arranged with the first and second connector elements to engage and disengage such that the first and second connector elements selectively engage for sway movement and selectively disengage for scissor movement. The lock mechanism may include first and second engagement members each sized for mounting to one of the first connector element and the second connector element and for translation along a connector axis defined by the respective connector element. The engagement members may be sleeve members in which each sleeve member defines a notch sized to receive a hitch extending from the respective connector element. The sleeve members may be mounted to the respective connector element for rotation about the connector axis. The first and second engagement members may be sized to translate along a connector axis defined by the respective connector element between at least a first position for the sway movement and a second position for the scissor movement. 
     According to an embodiment, a scooter includes a front wheel assembly with a front wheel, a pair of connector element assemblies, and a pair of rear wheel. Each of the pair of connector element assemblies are connected for movement to the front wheel assembly such that camber of the front wheel between at least a first camber position and a second camber position relative to the connector elements causes the connector elements to raise and lower relative to an underlying support surface. Each of a pair of subframes extends from one of the pair of connecting elements. Each of the pair of rear wheel caster assemblies are each secured to a rear portion of one of the connector elements with a caster defining a caster axis, and a rear wheel mounted for rotation to the caster. The movement of the connector elements adjusts an angle of the caster axis relative to an underlying surface. 
     According to embodiment, a scooter includes a front wheel assembly with a yoke, a rider support assembly, a pair of rear wheel caster assemblies, and a lock mechanism. The rider support assembly has a pair of connector elements mounted for pivotal movement to the yoke. Each of the pair of rear wheel caster assemblies are each secured to a rear portion of one of the connector elements. The lock mechanism is arranged with the connector elements and yoke such that the lock mechanism prevents pivotal movement of the connector elements in an engaged position and the connector elements pivot freely in a disengaged position. The connector elements permit sway propulsion when the lock mechanism is in the engaged position and scissor propulsion when the lock mechanism is in the disengaged position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example of a scooter. 
         FIG. 2  is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the scooter of  FIG. 1  showing an example of a lock mechanism assembly in a first position. 
         FIG. 3  is a detailed perspective view of the lock mechanism of  FIG. 2  showing the lock mechanism in a second position. 
         FIG. 4  is a detail perspective view of a rear wheel assembly of the scooter of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of the scooter of  FIG. 1  showing examples of lateral forces which may be applied to connector elements of the scooter. 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of the scooter of  FIG. 1  shown in a first configuration. 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view of the scooter of  FIG. 1  shown in a second configuration. 
         FIGS. 8A through 8C  are a front view of an example of a front wheel assembly of the scooter of  FIG. 1  showing three examples of camber positions of the front wheel assembly. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the scooter of  FIG. 1  showing an example of a caster assembly axis oriented at a first angle relative to an underlying surface. 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the scooter of  FIG. 1  showing an example of the caster assembly axis of  FIG. 9  oriented at a second angle relative to the underlying surface. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an example of portions of a front assembly and connector elements of a scooter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments can take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ embodiments of the present disclosure. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures can be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. Various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particular applications or implementations. 
       FIG. 1  shows an example of a scooter assembly, referred to generally as a scooter  10  herein. The scooter  10  may include a front wheel  14  mounted for rotation to a bracket  16 . The bracket  16  may be mounted to a yoke  20 . A steering column  24  may extend through a cavity defined by the yoke  20  and be secured to the bracket  16  such that front wheel  14  and steering column  24  rotate together about a column axis  17 . The column axis  17  may be defined by a central axis of the steering column  24  and a central portion of the front wheel  14 . The column axis  17  may be oriented at various angles relative to an underlying surface to obtain different performance results. It is contemplated that the column axis  17  may be oriented at various angles relative to the underlying surface. A handle bar assembly  28  may be secured to the steering column  24 . A pair of extension members  30  may extend from the yoke  20 . Each of the extension members  30  may be configured for pivotal attachment to a forward end of one of a pair of connector elements  34  such that the connector elements  34  may pivot laterally about a first pivot axis  36 . The first pivot axis  36  may be substantially parallel to the column axis  17 . A lock mechanism assembly, such as a pair of lock mechanism assemblies  38 , may be arranged with the extension members  30  and the corresponding connector element  34  to selectively move between an engaged and disengaged position. For example, in the engaged position, each lock mechanism assembly  38  may prevent pivotal movement of the respective connector elements  34  and in the disengaged position the connector elements  34  may pivot freely. 
     A pair of supporting platforms, such as decks  40 , may be secured to the scooter  10  and configured to support a user. Each of the decks  40  may be secured at a rearward end of the corresponding connector element  34 . It is contemplated that connector elements  34  are also suitable to support a user&#39;s feet. A pair of caster assemblies  44  each may be mounted at the rearward end of one of the connector elements  34 . A pair of rear wheels  46  may be mounted for rotation to the corresponding caster assembly  44  such that the front wheel  14  and the rear wheels  46  support the scooter  10  on the underlying surface. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  show an example of two positions of the lock mechanism assemblies  38 . Multiple fastener assemblies may be used with the lock mechanism assemblies  38  to facilitate engagement and disengagement of the extension members  30  and the connector elements  34 . In one example, each lock mechanism assembly  38  includes a sleeve member  50  defining a cavity sized to receive a portion of the respective extension member  30  and a portion of the respective connector element  34  such that the sleeve member  50  may rotate about and translate along the connector element  34  and between the engaged position (shown in  FIG. 2 ) and the disengaged position ( FIG. 3 ). Each of the sleeve members  50  may define a notch  54  sized to receive a hitch  58  such that the notch  54  and the hitch  58  may be arranged with one another to secure the lock mechanism assembly  38  in the disengaged position. A rear portion of the sleeve member  50  may rest against the hitch  58  in the disengaged position to assist in preventing translation of the sleeve member  50  along the connector element  34 . 
       FIG. 4  shows an example of one of the caster assemblies  44 . Each caster assembly  44  may include a wheel bracket  62  and a swivel caster  64 . The respective rear wheel  46  may be mounted for rotation to the respective wheel bracket  62 . The swivel caster  64  may be mounted to the rear portion of the respective connector element  34  or to an underside of the respective deck  40 . The wheel bracket  62  and the swivel caster  64  may be arranged with one another such that the wheel bracket  62  pivots about a caster axis  68 . The swivel caster assembly  44  is one example of a wheeled support assembly which may be used to generate propulsion for the scooter  10  as further described herein. The swivel casters  64  may be mounted at an acute angle relative to a rear portion of the scooter  10  as shown by the caster axis  68  in  FIG. 4 . 
     For example, the orientation of the swivel casters  64  at the acute angle may be such that the rear wheels  46  turn on the swivel casters  64  and raise the decks  40  when lateral forces are introduced to the decks  40  via energy transferred from legs of a user. In this example, applying first lateral forces (represented by force arrow  42   a  in  FIG. 5 ) in excess of an amount of force required to turn the swivel casters  64  may be converted into motion as the rear wheels  46  react to the first lateral forces and roll. Energy stored from a weight of the user as the decks  40  raise under application of the first lateral forces may be released when second lateral forces (represented by force arrows  42   b  in  FIG. 5 ) are applied in a direction opposite the first lateral forces. Thus, the decks  40  may move up and down with subsequent applications of the lateral forces. The resulting propulsion of the scooter  10  may be referred to as swizzle propulsion herein. The swizzle propulsion may be considered similar to that of a fish as the fish swings a tail from side to side. 
     Sway propulsion and scissor propulsion may be considered two subcategories of swizzle propulsion. The scooter  10  may be reconfigurable between two configurations to facilitate sway propulsion and scissor propulsion. For example, the scooter  10  may be reconfigurable between a sway configuration as shown in  FIG. 6  and a scissor configuration as shown in  FIG. 7 . In the sway configuration, the lock mechanism assemblies  38  may be in the engaged position as described above. The user may move their feet in the same direction and from side to side to exert lateral forces to achieve the sway propulsion. This side to side movement may be facilitated by a user&#39;s glutes and oblique muscles. In the scissor configuration, the lock mechanism assemblies  38  may be in the disengaged position such that the connector elements  34  may pivot as described above. The user may move their feet in opposite directions from side to side such that the feet are either moving toward or away from one another in a scissor motion. This opposing side to side movement may be facilitated by the user&#39;s thigh, abdominal, and hamstring muscles. As such, the user may reconfigure the scooter  10  between the sway configuration and the scissor configuration to provide alternative riding options and fitness routines which exercise multiple muscle groups. 
     With both sway propulsion and scissor propulsion, an amount of energy required by the user to execute the side to side movement of the decks  40  may be directly proportionate to an angle of the caster axis  68  relative to the underlying surface. For example, as the angle of the caster axis  68  moves closer to a ninety degree angle relative to the underlying surface, the side to side movement becomes less strenuous as torque increases and thus less speed is generated. Conversely, as the angle of the caster axis  68  moves closer to a zero degree angle relative to the underlying surface, torque decreases but more speed may be generated. As such, an angle of the caster axis  68  closer to ninety degrees may be more desirable when starting from a rest position due to higher torque, but then a user may encounter speed limitations as a result. 
     Another example of propulsion may be referred to as camber propulsion herein. Scooters utilizing camber propulsion, referred to as camber scooters herein, operate in a similar fashion to scooters utilizing sway propulsion with a few differences. For example, rear wheel brackets of camber scooters may be fixed to corresponding decks instead of mounted via a swivel caster assembly. Further, a yoke of a camber scooter may be elastically attached to connector elements to facilitate a cambering movement of a steering column arranged with the yoke. For example, the cambering movement of the steering column may adjust an angle of a front wheel mounted for rotation thereto such that an angle of the front wheel relative to an underlying surface increases or decreases when a user leans on the steering column, for example, to the left or right. The increase or decrease of the angle of the front wheel may assist in generating propulsion of the camber scooter. 
     For example, the user may camber or tilt the steering column as the user shifts their weight from one side to another. As the front wheel cambers in either direction from a central position, a distance between the connecting elements and the underlying surface is reduced. The weight and a thrust of the user leaning against the steering column may cause this reduction in distance and create angular momentum. The angular momentum may be conserved and redirected when the user cambers the steering column in the opposite direction. Propulsion gained is due to conservation of the angular momentum and may be proportionate to a percentage of the user&#39;s weight committed to the cambering thrust. One example of a drawback to the camber scooter is that a user may need to execute significant or dramatic movements to generate enough force via weight distribution to generate a desirable amount of propulsion. However, combining certain aspects of camber scooters and swizzle scooters into one unit may provide a user with benefits from both. 
     For example, the scooter  10  may include components to facilitate camber propulsion and swizzle propulsion in both the sway configuration and the scissor configuration of the scooter  10 . In this example, the yoke  20  may be elastically attached to the connector elements  34  to facilitate a cambering movement of the steering column  24  and the front wheel  14 .  FIGS. 8A through 8C  show an example of three positions of the front wheel  14  and the steering column  24  in which the column axis  17 , and thus the front wheel  14 , is oriented at different angles relative to the underlying surface. 
     In  FIG. 8A , the front wheel  14  is shown in a central position in which the column axis  17  is oriented at an angle  88  of substantially ninety degrees relative to the underlying surface. A distance from the underlying surface to an upper portion of the front wheel  14  is defined as a first distance  90  when no camber is being applied. The first distance  90  may also be referred to as a maximum distance from the underlying surface. 
     In  FIG. 8B , the front wheel  14  is shown in an example of a first cambered position in which the column axis  17  is oriented at an angle  94  relative to the underlying surface. In one example, the angle  94  may be less than ninety degrees and greater than forty five degrees. A distance from the underlying surface to the upper portion of the front wheel  14  is defined as a second distance  96  in which an example of a camber is being applied. 
     In  FIG. 8C , the front wheel  14  is shown in an example of a second cambered position in which the column axis  17  is oriented at an angle  98  relative to the underlying surface. In one example, the angle  98  may be less than ninety degrees and greater than forty five degrees. A distance from the underlying surface to the upper portion of the front wheel  14  is defined as a third distance  100  in which another example of a camber is being applied. Both the second distance  96  and the third distance  100  are less than the first distance  90 . 
     As such, forward portions of the connector elements  34  are closer to the underlying surface when a camber is applied to the front wheel  14  in comparison to the front wheel  14  being in the central position. As the forward portion of the connector elements  34  lower toward the underlying surface, rear portions of the connector elements  34 , and the corresponding caster assembly  44  secured thereto, tilt forward and adjust an angle of the caster axis  68  relative to the underlying surface. 
     For example,  FIGS. 9 and 10  show an example of two connector element  34  positions and an example of two caster axis  68  angles resulting from the orientations of the connector elements  34 . Takeoffs and/or starts of the scooter  10  may be preferred in the scooter  10  configuration shown in  FIG. 9  in which the front wheel  14  is in the central position since the caster axis  68  is more perpendicular to the underlying surface in comparison with the scooter  10  configuration shown in  FIG. 10 . As momentum is gained following the takeoff, a user may implement the camber to the front wheel  14  to adjust the caster axis  68  to a more acute angle shown in  FIG. 10  in comparison with the caster axis  68  as shown in  FIG. 9  to increase a potential amount of speed the caster assemblies  44  may generate. The scooter  10  may thus provide multiple propulsion options which may provide multiple fitness options to exercise various muscles of the user and also provides propulsion options such that the user may improve propulsion efficiency under various conditions such as up/down grades, longer distances, speed, or close quarter riding. For example, with typical swizzle propulsion some energy may be lost when force is exerted by a user&#39;s arms against a steering column and absorbed without any propulsion benefit. With typical camber propulsion some energy may be lost when force is exerted by a user&#39;s legs against rear wheels of the scooter and absorbed without any propulsion benefit. The scooter  10  takes advantage of both swizzle propulsion and camber propulsion to generate a more efficient force to thrust ratio, less muscle fatigue, a more complete fitness regimen, and greater entertainment potential. 
       FIG. 11  shows another example of portions of a front assembly and connector elements for a scooter. A front assembly  140  may include a body  142  defining a plurality of notches  148 . The notches  148  may be defined on both sides of the body  142  though only one side of the body  142  is shown in  FIG. 11 . A pair of connector elements  150  may be secured to the body  142 . For example, a fastener  154  may be mounted to the connector element  150 . The fastener  154  may be sized for selectively mating with the notches  148  such that the connector element  150  may be secured to the front assembly  140  in at least two positions to adjust a height of the connector element  150  relative to an underlying surface. As such, an angle of an axis of a caster assembly (not shown) secured to each of the connector elements  150  may be adjusted relative to the underlying surface. 
     While various embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims. The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, the features of various embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments of the disclosure that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments could have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that one or more features or characteristics can be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. These attributes can include, but are not limited to marketability, appearance, consistency, robustness, customer acceptability, reliability, accuracy, etc. As such, embodiments described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics are not outside the scope of the disclosure and can be desirable for particular applications.