Patent Publication Number: US-10787221-B2

Title: Electric scooter

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,125 filed on Dec. 17, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/917,892, filed Dec. 18, 2013, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     The invention disclosed herein relates generally to scooter assemblies, including electric scooter assemblies. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Many types of scooters exist, including electric scooters having a deck for supporting a user in a standing position and a handlebar for allowing the user to control and steer the scooter. Providing powered movement for a vehicle, such as scooters and other vehicles powered by an electric motor, can also be used to improve the user experience. A need exists for improved electric scooters or at least new designs to provide the consumer with a useful choice. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an embodiment, a scooter can generally comprise a front wheel, a rear wheel, a rear foot brake, a deck, a frame, and a steering assembly that includes a handlebar and a steering tube. Preferably, the deck is configured to support the weight of at least a child. In other embodiments, the deck can be configured to support the weight of an adolescent or adult. The front wheel can be coupled to the steering assembly to assist in steering. The rear foot brake can be configured to engage braking of at least one or both of the rear wheel and front wheel. 
     Preferably, the frame is configured to support at least the deck. In an embodiment, the frame can include multi-planar elements. For example, the frame can include a plurality of frame members that comprise a visible exoskeleton. 
     The scooter can further include a battery and an electric motor. A throttle cable can be coupled between the handlebar and the electric motor. The throttle cable can be at least partially hidden within an interior of the steering tube. 
     In some configurations, a scooter comprises a front wheel and a rear wheel. A steering assembly includes a steering tube and a handlebar. A rear foot brake is configured to apply a braking force to at least one of the front wheel and the rear wheel. A deck is configured to support the weight of a person. A frame is configured to support the deck. The frame comprises a plurality of frame members arranged to form at least two or more vertical planes on one lateral side of the scooter. 
     In some configurations, the scooter further comprises an electric motor, a battery, and a throttle cable coupled to the handlebar and the electric motor. The throttle cable is at least partially hidden within an interior of the steering tube. 
     In some configurations, the scooter further comprises a transparent chain guard. 
     In some configurations, the scooter further comprises a speedometer. 
     In some configurations, the rear foot brake is configured to actuate a front brake of the front wheel and apply the braking force to the rear wheel simultaneously. 
     In some configurations, the frame comprises a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the front portion defines a pair of vertical planes that diverge in a forward to rearward direction. 
     In some configurations, the rear portion defines a pair of vertical planes that converge in a forward to rearward direction. 
     In some configurations, a forward end of the deck is positioned forward of a junction between the front portion and the rear portion of the frame. 
     In some configurations, at least one plate extends in a lateral direction from one side of the frame to the other side of the frame. The at least one plate is coupled to each side of the frame. 
     In some configurations, the at least one plate comprises an upper plate on an upper side of the frame and a lower plate on a lower side of the frame. 
     In some configurations, each portion of the frame that defines a plane comprises a first member, a second member, a third member and a fourth member. 
     In some configurations, a method of controlling braking of a scooter includes providing a rear foot brake that can be actuated by a user, wherein the rear foot brake applies a braking force to a rear wheel of the scooter. A front brake is provided that applies a braking force to a front wheel of the scooter. The front brake is linked to the rear foot brake such that actuation of the rear foot brake actuates the front brake. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a scooter assembly. 
         FIG. 2  is a right side view of the scooter assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a left side view of the scooter assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of the scooter assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the scooter assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the scooter assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the scooter assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of systems, components and methods of assembly and manufacture will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals refer to like or similar elements throughout. Although several embodiments, examples and illustrations are disclosed below, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the inventions described herein extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments, examples and illustrations, and can include other uses of the inventions and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner simply because it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the inventions. In addition, embodiments of the inventions can comprise several novel features and no single feature is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or is essential to practicing the inventions herein described. 
     Certain terminology may be used in the following description for the purpose of reference only, and thus are not intended to be limiting. For example, terms such as “above” and “below” refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Terms such as “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “rear,” and “side” describe the orientation and/or location of portions of the components or elements within a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to the text and the associated drawings describing the components or elements under discussion. Moreover, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” and so on may be used to describe separate components. Such terminology may include the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. 
       FIGS. 1-7  illustrate an embodiment of a scooter  100 . The scooter  100  can generally comprise a deck  110 , a neck portion  120 , a rear wheel  130 , a foot brake  140 , and a steering assembly  200 . The deck  110  is a component of the scooter  100  on which a rider can stand during use. For example, the deck  110  can be configured to support the weight of at least a child. In other embodiments, the deck can be configured to support the weight of an adolescent or adult. In some embodiments, the scooter  100  can include an electric motor and a transmission. 
     The neck portion  120  can be joined to the deck  110  at or near a front end of the deck  110 . The neck portion  120  can serve to couple the deck  110  and the steering assembly  200 . In some embodiments, the neck portion  120  can be integrally formed with the deck  110 . 
     The steering assembly  200  generally can comprise a handlebar  210 , steering tube  220 , head tube  230 , and a front wheel  240 . The steering tube  220  can be supported for rotation relative to and extend through the head tube  230 . The deck  110 , neck portion  120 , and steering assembly  200  can be formed from various materials, including any combination of metals, plastic, carbon fiber, and/or other materials that impart sufficient structural strength to support the weight of a child, adolescent, or adult. At or near a top portion of the steering tube  220 , a handlebar  210  can be attached. The handlebar  210  can comprise a left handle  212  and a right handle  214  for the rider to grip and steer the scooter  100 . Turning the handlebar  210  can cause the steering tube  220  to turn the front wheel  240 . 
     In some embodiments, the steering assembly  200  also can comprise a display  160 , which can be or include a speedometer, mounted to an upper portion of the steering assembly  200 . For example, the speedometer  160  can be configured to display a speed of the scooter  100  to a user. The speedometer  160  can include a digital or analog output. In other embodiments, the speedometer  160  can be configured to display additional information to a user. For example, the speedometer  160  could be configured to also display a status of battery charge level to a user. The speedometer  160  can be mounted to an upper portion of the steering assembly  200  with an upward-facing angle so that the speedometer  160  would be approximately facing a user looking down from a normal standing orientation on the scooter  100  for ease of viewing. The speedometer  160  could also be attached to the left handle  212  or the right handle  214 . 
     In addition, the handlebar  210  can comprise a power switch, accelerator or other user control (not shown). In some embodiments, a user can turn on or actuate an electric motor by rotating grips of the left handle  212  and/or right handle  214 , such as a rotating grip throttle arrangement. In addition, a user can exercise variable control of a speed output of the electric motor using rotation of the left handle  212  and/or right handle  214 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , a throttle cable  252  can electrically couple electrical components in the handlebar  210  (e.g., the throttle grip) and the electric motor. In some embodiments, a portion or an entirety of the throttle cable  252  can be hidden from view. For example, as indicated in  FIG. 1 , the throttle cable  252  can be placed within an interior portion of the steering tube  220  so that the throttle cable  252  generally is not externally visible along a substantial entirety of the length of the steering tube  220 . In some arrangements, a substantial entirety of the length is seventy-five percent or more of the length. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the throttle cable  252  is located within an interior portion of the steering tube  220 . At a lower portion of the steering tube  220 , the throttle cable  252  can visibly exit the steering tube  220  and enter the neck portion  120 . Alternatively, at a lower portion of the steering tube  220 , the throttle cable  252  can transition from the steering tube  220  to the neck portion  120  without being externally visible, such as by passing through an opening in the head tube  230 , for example. 
     The foot brake  140  can be located at or in proximity to a rear portion of the deck  110 . In some embodiments, the foot brake  140  can comprise plastic. In other embodiments, the foot brake  140  can comprise metals, carbon fiber, or any other suitable material. The foot brake  140  can be configured to pivot about an axis extending in a lateral direction of the scooter  100 . By pivoting downward, the foot brake  140  can provide a direct or indirect braking pressure to the rear wheel  130 . The foot brake  140  can be configured to return to its natural un-pivoted position after a user has finished applying braking pressure, such as by a biasing force provided by a biasing arrangement (e.g., a spring). In the illustrated arrangement, the foot brake  140  is a continuous extension of the deck  110 . That is, the shape of the deck  110  extends continuously and naturally into the foot brake  140 . The upper surface of the deck  110  can have a tapered shape that tapers or reduces in width at a particular rate from forward to rearward ends or front to back. The foot brake  140  can continue from the deck  110  at the same rate of tapering from forward to rearward ends or front to back. Similarly, the foot brake  140  can have side surfaces that continue the shape of the side surfaces of the deck  110 , such as the shape of the side surfaces immediately forward of the foot brake  140 . 
     In some embodiments, the foot brake  140  can be configured to engage braking of at least one or both of the rear wheel  130  and front wheel  240 . For example, the foot brake  140  can be configured to engage braking of only the rear wheel  130 . Alternatively, the foot brake  140  can be configured to engage braking of only the front wheel  240 . In other embodiments, the foot brake  140  can be configured to engage simultaneous braking of both the rear wheel  130  and the front wheel  240 . For example, the front wheel  240  can include a disc brake, as illustrated, and a linkage can be provided to transfer rotational motion of the foot brake  140  into a suitable motion to actuate the front brake. The front brake can be a mechanical disc brake similar to those used in bicycle applications and sold by Avid or Shimano, for example. Such brakes typically have an actuating arm that can be cable actuated. Thus, the linkage between the foot brake  140  and the front brake can comprise a control cable, such as those typically used in bicycle and motorcycle applications, which often includes a movable inner wire within an outer housing or sheath. 
     A frame  150  can be configured to provide structural support to at least the deck  110 . In addition, the frame  150  can provide a structural foundation for coupling the components of the scooter  100  together, from the neck portion  120  to the rear wheel  130 . The frame can have a first half on one lateral side of the scooter  100  and a second half on the other lateral side of the scooter. The first and second halves can be symmetrical and can be coupled at forward and rearward ends by other frame members, such as the head tube  230  and a rear cross member  232  ( FIG. 7 ). 
     In an embodiment, the frame  150  can include multi-planar elements or portions. For example, the frame  150  can include a plurality of frame members that comprise a visible exoskeleton. The frame  150  can comprise a plurality of substantially planar frame members, including first substantially planar frame members  151 , second substantially planar frame members  152 , third substantially planar frame members  153 , and fourth substantially planar frame members  154 . The frame  150  can comprise a plurality of substantially vertical frame members, including first substantially vertical frame members  155 , second substantially vertical frame members  156 , third substantially vertical frame members  157 , fourth substantially vertical frame members  158 , and fifth substantially vertical frame members  159 . For example, planar frame members as described herein are in contrast to tubular frame members often used in scooter frame construction. Thus, the substantially planar frame members are not necessary completely planar, but simply do not define a completely closed loop as does a tubular frame member. However, in some configurations, the scooter frame can include or be constructed entirely from tubular members. 
     In some embodiments, the frame  150  is substantially symmetric between a left and right half of the frame  150 . So, for example, for one substantially planar frame member  151  on the left half of the frame  150 , there is a substantially planar frame member  151  on the right half of the frame  150 . Similarly for each of the substantially planar frame members  152 ,  153 , and  154  and substantially vertical frame members  155 ,  156 ,  157 ,  158 , and  159  on the left half of the frame  150 , there are substantially planar frame members  152 ,  153 , and  154  and substantially vertical frame members  155 ,  156 ,  157 ,  158 , and  159 , respectively, on the right half of the frame  150 . 
     The frame  150  can comprise a frame portion or element having multi-planar folding to provide additional strength to the structure of the frame  150 . That is, in a multi-planar folded arrangement, a single frame member is bent to define portions lying in at least two different planes. Other multi-planar arrangements may not be folded arrangements. In some embodiments, the substantially planar and vertical frame members can combine to form structures that generally can reside in different planes. For example, first substantially planar frame member  151 , second substantially vertical frame member  156 , fourth substantially planar frame  154 , and third substantially vertical frame member  157  can combine to form a first closed loop, which can be a generally rectangular, square or approximately trapezoidal shape that resides in a first plane. In addition, second substantially planar frame member  152 , third substantially vertical frame member  157 , third substantially planar frame  153 , and fourth substantially vertical frame member  158  can combine to form a second closed loop, which can be a generally rectangular, square or approximately trapezoidal shape that resides in a second plane. The first plane of the first approximately trapezoidal shape can be located at an offset angle relative to the second plane of the second approximately trapezoidal shape. 
     In addition, the plane of the approximately trapezoidal shape formed by the first substantially planar frame member  151 , second substantially vertical frame member  156 , fourth substantially planar frame  154 , and third substantially vertical frame member  157  on the left half of the frame  150  can form a different plane (e.g., a plane that is non-parallel) than the plane of the approximately trapezoidal shape formed by the first substantially planar frame member  151 , second substantially vertical frame member  156 , fourth substantially planar frame  154 , and third substantially vertical frame member  157  on the right half of the frame  150 . Similarly, the plane of the approximately trapezoidal shape formed by the second substantially planar frame member  152 , third substantially vertical frame member  157 , third substantially planar frame  153 , and fourth substantially vertical frame member  158  on the left half of the frame  150  can form a different plane (e.g., a plane that is non-parallel) than the plane of the approximately trapezoidal shape formed by the second substantially planar frame member  152 , third substantially vertical frame member  157 , third substantially planar frame  153 , and fourth substantially vertical frame member  158  on the right half of the frame  150 . As illustrated, the frame  150  comprises portions defining at least four different planes. In some configurations, the four different planes are arranged in a generally vertical orientation. The planes can be arranged in two forward planes and two rearward planes, with the forward planes being aligned in a length direction (i.e., beginning and ending at approximately the same locations in a length direction) of the scooter  100 . Similarly, the rearward planes can be aligned in a length direction. The two forward planes can increase in width in a forward to rearward direction and/or the two rearward planes can decrease in width in a forward to rearward direction. Thus, from a top or bottom view, at least a portion of the frame defined by the multi-planar portions can be in the general shape of a diamond or rhombus. In some configurations, a forward end of the deck  110  can be positioned forward of an intersection or junction between the frame portion defining the forward planes and the frame portion defining the rearward planes. 
     The multi-planar elements can increase the structural integrity of the frame  150 . In some embodiments, the frame  150  can comprise any combination of metals (e.g., aluminum or steel), plastic, carbon fiber, and/or other materials that impart sufficient structural strength to support the weight of a child, adolescent, or adult. However, the increased structural integrity provided by the multi-planar folding can facilitate the usage of materials with less structural strength, such as plastic. In addition, the multi-planar folding of the frame  150  can provide a visible exoskeleton. In some configurations, the frame  150  can include frame elements that define open spaces therebetween such that internal portions or components of the scooter  100  are visible through the external frame. In other words, the frame can surround internal portions or components, but can include openings that expose such internal portions or components. Furthermore, the increased structural strength provided by the multi-planar elements can decrease the weight of the scooter  100 , as lighter materials may be used, resulting in increased energy efficiency. 
     In some embodiments, the scooter  100  can comprise a multi-piece frame construction. The frame  150  can be mechanically assembled from parts as part of a scooter  100  that does not include a suspension. For example, frame  150  can be assembled from parts, including substantially planar frame members  151 ,  152 ,  153 , and  154  and substantially vertical frame members  155 ,  156 ,  157 ,  158 , and  159 . In addition, the frame  150  can be mechanically assembled to include additional parts. In other embodiments, certain metal parts of the frame  150  can be welded together. 
     An electric motor can be configured to provide power output to the rear wheel  130  directly or through a suitable drivetrain arrangement, which can include a suitable transmission and final drive. For example, in some embodiments, a belt or chain can transfer mechanical power from the electric motor (via the transmission) to the rear wheel  130 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , a rearwardly-extending wheel mount portion of the frame can include a chain guard  170  that provides protection against unintended contact with the belt or chain. In preferred embodiments, the chain guard  170  is transparent so that movement of the belt or chain is visible. In other embodiments, the chain guard  170  also can be opaque. 
     To protect the undersides of the scooter  100  and components, such as the electric motor (not shown), a bash guard  180  can be provided, as shown in  FIG. 7 . In some embodiments, the bash guard  180  is provided at a location between the rear wheel  130  and the front wheel  240 . In preferred embodiments, the bash guard  180  can comprise a metal. In other embodiments, the bash guard  180  can comprise a hard plastic. The bash guard  180  can comprise a curved molded shape or a substantially flat shape. In some embodiments, the bash guard  180  can comprise a plurality of openings. The openings advantageously serve many functions. For example, the openings can allow for weight reduction of the bash guard. Also, the openings can allow airflow to a battery box, and provide a draining mechanism so that the scooter assembly does not retain water in wet conditions. 
     The neck  120  can include an upper plate member  122  and/or a lower plate member  124 . The plate members  122 ,  124  preferably each extend across in a lateral direction from one half of the frame  150  to the other half of the frame  150  (e.g., between members  153  on each side and/or between members  152  on each side). The plate members  122 ,  124  can be coupled to each side of the frame  150 , such as by fasteners or welding. By being coupled to and extending between each side of the frame  150 , the plates  122 ,  124  add rigidity and resist torsional deflection of the frame  150 . The plate member  122  can also function as a portion of the deck  110  or in a manner similar to the deck  110 . The plate member  124  can also function as a portion of the bash guard  180  or in a manner similar to the bash guard  180 . Thus, the plates  122 ,  124  can protect internal components or portions of the scooter  100 . The plates  122 ,  124  can comprise a plurality of through holes, which can reduce the weight of the plates  122 ,  124 . 
     CONCLUSION 
     It should be emphasized that many variations and modifications may be made to the herein-described embodiments, the elements of which are to be understood as being among other acceptable examples. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims. Moreover, any of the steps described herein can be performed simultaneously or in an order different from the steps as ordered herein. Moreover, as should be apparent, the features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed herein may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. 
     Moreover, the following terminology may have been used herein. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an item includes reference to one or more items. The term “ones” refers to one, two, or more, and generally applies to the selection of some or all of a quantity. The term “plurality” refers to two or more of an item. The term “about” or “approximately” means that quantities, dimensions, sizes, formulations, parameters, shapes and other characteristics need not be exact, but may be approximated and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting acceptable tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like and other factors known to those of skill in the art. The term “substantially” means that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide. 
     Numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also interpreted to include all of the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical range of “about 1 to 5” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but should also be interpreted to also include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2, 3 and 4 and sub-ranges such as “about 1 to about 3,” “about 2 to about 4” and “about 3 to about 5,” “1 to 3,” “2 to 4,” “3 to 5,” etc. This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value (e.g., “greater than about 1”) and should apply regardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristics being described. A plurality of items may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. Furthermore, where the terms “and” and “or” are used in conjunction with a list of items, they are to be interpreted broadly, in that any one or more of the listed items may be used alone or in combination with other listed items. The term “alternatively” refers to selection of one of two or more alternatives, and is not intended to limit the selection to only those listed alternatives or to only one of the listed alternatives at a time, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.