Abstract:
An improvement to a hover board provides additional support and balance to an operator of the hover board. The improvement converts a two wheeled hover board, having no structure for an operator to hold onto with the operator&#39;s hands, into a three wheeled vehicle with a handle to which an operator may hold onto. A platform member couples to the hover board, while still allowing the hover board controls to function. A handle member extends upwardly from the platform member as a handle. A third wheel depends from the underside of the platform member, where the third wheel provides additional stability.

Description:
U.S. Application No. 62/272,614 for this invention was filed on Dec. 29, 2015, for which application these inventors claims domestic priority, and which application is incorporated in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to powered vehicles in which the operator is standing upon the vehicle and the vehicle is controlled by a user&#39;s feet. The present invention more particularly relates to providing a powered vehicle which is controlled by a user&#39;s feet but which, in contrast to self-balancing vehicles having only two wheels, embodiments of the present invention have an additional wheel for providing support and assisting a user in balancing the vehicle. The present invention further relates to modifying a self-balancing two-wheeled vehicle to provide additional support and facilitate an operator to operate such vehicle with reduced practice time and with reduction of the risk of falling off the device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,738,278 teaches a two-wheeled, self-balancing vehicle having two platform sections which are independently moveable with respect to one another and which provides independent control and/or drive of the wheel associated with a given platform section. The boards are operated by leaning forward to go forward, leaning backward to reverse, pointing left toes downward to turn right and to point right toes downward to turn left. There is a variety of these devices available to the consumer which have a number of different names, such as Powerboard, hover board, self-balancing scooter, gyro board, etc. These devices are hereinafter collectively referred to a “hover boards.” Unlike a previous two-wheeled platform-type vehicle—the Segway—the hover board is sufficiently compact that the devices can be packed into a locker or duffle bag. The devices are capable of propelling the operator along at a speed of up to ten miles per hour. The devices are frequently seen at airports, shopping malls, and elsewhere. 
     There is growing demand for hover boards because the devices are fun and provide an easily portable and relatively inexpensive mode of transportation. However, there are drawbacks to the devices. Riding the board successfully requires the operator to balance, which requires a relatively significant amount of core abdominal strength. If someone has a weak core or weak set of abdominal muscles, there is an increased risk of falling forward or backward, which can cause elbow fractures, ankle injuries, wrist fractures and potential impacts to the head and face. The boards can also present a collision hazard for pedestrians. A need exists to facilitate an operator to learn to ride a hover board in a safe manner. In addition, because some operators may never develop sufficient core strength to safely ride a hover board, an apparatus which facilitates the riding of a hover board should retain the same features which make the hover board appealing, specifically the portability of the device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention, when used in combination with hoverboards, provide a solution to the above-identified need. Embodiments of the present invention comprise a hover board where the hover board has a first foot placement section and a second foot placement section. The first foot placement section and the second foot placement section are coupled to one another and are independently movable with respect to one another. A first wheel is associated with the first foot placement section and a second wheel is associated with the second foot placement section. The first and second wheels are spaced apart and substantially parallel to one another. The hover board has a first position sensor and a first drive motor configured to drive the first wheel. Similarly, the hover board has a second position sensor and a second drive motor configured to drive the second wheel. 
     In addition to the hover board, embodiments of the invention have a platform member which has a first end which attaches to the approximate middle of a hover board and a second end which cantilevers forward from the hover board. The second end of the platform member has a bottom side from which depends a ground engaging wheel or roller. The second end of the platform member has a top side from which extends a handle member which extends upwardly a sufficient length to be grasped by a person standing upon the hover board. 
     The platform member may be coupled to the hover board by a front u-block which is attached to a rear u-block, the front u-block and the rear u-block attached in opposite-facing relation, wherein an opening is defined between the attached u-blocks and a portion of the hover board is disposed within the opening and sandwiched between the u-blocks. 
     Alternatively, the platform member may be coupled to the hover board by a pair of u-bolts, wherein each u-bolt comprises a pair of threaded arms protruding from a curved base and the threaded arms extend into a downwardly facing vertical plate and the curved base of each u-bolt is disposed about a portion of the hover board. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a front view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a rear view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a right side view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows a left side view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows a top view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows a bottom view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  shows a partial exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  shows a front view of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  shows a rear view of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  shows a right side view of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  shows a left side view of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  shows a top view of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  shows a bottom view of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the figures,  FIGS. 1-8  show a first embodiment of the presently disclosed hover board tricycle  10 . Embodiments of the invention comprise a cantilevering wheel/handle assembly  20  which attaches about the mid-section of a hover board  100 . 
     It is to be understood that the term “hover board” as used herein includes all of the devices which generally comprise a first foot placement section  102  and a second foot placement section  104  which are coupled to one another and are independently movable with respect to one another. The hover board  100  further has a first wheel  106  associated with the first foot placement section  102  and a second wheel  108  associated with the second foot placement section  104 . The first wheel  106  and the second wheel  108  are spaced apart and substantially parallel to one another. The hover board  100  further comprises a first drive motor  110  configured to drive the first wheel  106  and a second drive motor  112  is configured to drive the second wheel  108  as schematically shown in  FIG. 2 . As schematically shown in  FIG. 3 , a first position sensor  114 , which may be a gyroscopic sensor, is mounted on a circuit board and provides measurement of the orientation of first foot placement section  102 . Likewise, second position sensor  116  is mounted on a circuit board and provides measurement of the orientation of the second foot placement section  104 . The terms “forward”, “upward”, “downward”, etc., refer to the direction with respect to the position of the hover board in a riding position. 
     Cantilevering wheel/handle assembly  20  generally comprises a platform member  22 , a ground engaging wheel  32 , and handle member  34 . 
     Platform member  22  has a first end  24  and a second end  26 . Platform member  22 , which may be manufactured from a rectangular piece of steel plate, has a top  28  and a bottom  30 . Platform member  22  cantilevers horizontally forward from hover board  100 , where first end  24  is coupled to the hover board  100 . At the second end  26  of platform member  22 , ground engaging wheel  32  depends from bottom  30  and provides a third contact point with the ground in addition to the two wheels  106 ,  108  of the hover board  100 . This configuration transforms the two wheeled hover board  100  to a three wheeled vehicle or tricycle and provides additional stability. Ground engaging wheel  32  will typically be of the plate-mounted caster type as shown in the figures, with a rubber wheel, although other wheel substances such as polyurethane, pneumatic, or polyolefin wheels may also be used. Ground engaging wheel  32  may also be a roller. The wheel  32  will typically be of the swivel self-turning type. 
     Handle member  34  extends upwardly from the top  28  of the second end  26  of the platform member  22 . The handle member  34  is of a sufficient length to be grasped by a person standing upon the hover board  100 , which means the handle member  34  will typically have a length of at least thirty inches, or the handle member  34  may be of a telescoping type, as shown in  FIG. 1-8  which adjusts to the height of the user, whether child or adult. As shown in the figures, handle member  34  may have a tee grip  36 . Alternatively, the handle member may be a straight vertical post. Handle member  34  may also have optional bag hook  50  to which an operator may hang a purse, handbag, grocery bag, etc. 
     Platform member  22  may be coupled to hover board  100  in a variety of manners so long as the platform member is sufficiently attached to prevent significant pivoting of the platform member about the hover board. However, it is to be appreciated that the coupling of platform member  22  to hover board  100  must allow first foot placement member  102  to be independently movable with respect to second foot placement member  104 . Typically, adapter brackets and fasteners will be utilized. Because of the different dimensions of the various hover boards, it is desirable to have a coupling mechanism which is universal, such as that shown for the embodiments shown in the figures, which allows sufficient independent movement of the first foot placement member  102  with the second foot placement member  104 . 
     For the embodiment of the hover board tricycle  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , the platform member  22  is coupled to the hover board  100  by a front u-block  40  which is attached to a rear u-block  42 . The front u-block  40  and the rear u-block  42  are attached in opposite-facing relation, as best shown in  FIG. 8 . As further shown in  FIG. 8 , an opening is defined between the points of attachment  44 ,  46  of front u-block  40  and rear u-block  42  where fasteners  48  are utilized to attach the front u-block and the rear u-block together. A portion  120  of the hover board  100  is disposed within the opening with the portion of the hover board sandwiched between the u-blocks  40 ,  42  when the u-blocks are attached together with fasteners  48 . 
     Embodiments of the hover board tricycle  10  may have an optional trailer hitch  52  which attaches to a backward facing side of rear u-block  42 . Trailer hitch  52  may be utilized for connecting a small trailer, such as a wheeled child or pet carrier, or a utility trailer for transporting groceries, tools, etc. Embodiments of the hover board tricycle  10  may further have an optional rear wheel  54  which also attaches to a backward facing side of rear u-block  42 . The optional rear wheel  54  provides additional stability and support which assists the operator from falling over backwards. 
     For the embodiment of the hover board tricycle  10 ′ shown in  FIGS. 9-15 , the apparatus comprises a cantilevering wheel/handle assembly  20 ′ which attaches about the mid-section of a hover board  100 , which may be identical to the hover board described for the embodiment  10  discussed above. Cantilevering wheel/handle assembly  20 ′ generally comprises a platform member  22 ′, a ground engaging wheel  32 ′, and handle member  34 ′. 
     Platform member  22 ′ has a first end  24 ′ and a second end  26 ′. Platform member  22 ′, which may be manufactured from a rectangular piece of steel plate, has a top  28 ′ and a bottom  30 ′. Platform member  22 ′ cantilevers horizontally forward from hover board  100 , where first end  24 ′ is coupled to the hover board  100 . At the second end  26 ′ of platform member  22 ′, ground engaging wheel  32 ′ depends from bottom  30 ′ and provides a third contact point with the ground in addition to the two wheels  106 ,  108  of the hover board  100 . Ground engaging wheel  32 ′ will typically be of the plate-mounted caster type as shown in the figures, with a rubber wheel, although other wheel substances such as polyurethane, pneumatic, or polyolefin wheels may also be used. Ground engaging wheel may also be a roller. The wheel  32 ′ will typically be of the swivel self-turning type. 
     Handle member  34 ′ extends upwardly from the top  28 ′ of the second end  26 ′ of the platform member  22 ′. The handle member  34 ′ is of a sufficient length to be grasped by a person standing upon the hover board  100 , which means the handle member  34 ′ will typically have a length of at least thirty inches, or the handle member  34 ′ may be of a telescoping type which adjusts to the height of the user, whether child or adult. As shown in the figures, handle member  34 ′ may have a tee grip  36 .′ Alternatively, the handle member may be a straight vertical post. 
     As with the embodiment described above, platform member  22 ′ may be coupled to hover board  100  in a variety of manners so long as the platform member is sufficiently attached to prevent significant pivoting of the platform member about the hover board. However, it is to be appreciated that the coupling of platform member  22 ′ to hover board  100  must allow first foot placement member  102  to be independently movable with respect to second foot placement member  104 . Typically, adapter brackets and fasteners will be utilized. Because of the different dimensions of the various hover boards, it is desirable to have a coupling mechanism which is universal, such as that shown for the embodiments shown in the figures, which allows sufficient independent movement of the first foot placement member  102  with the second foot placement member  104 . 
     For the embodiment of the hover board tricycle  10 ′ shown in  FIGS. 9-15 , the platform member  22 ′ has a downwardly facing vertical plate  40 ′ at the first end  24 ′. A cushion member  56  may be disposed between the downwardly facing vertical plate  40 ′ and the front edge of the hover board  100  to occupy any space between the platform member  22 ′ and the hover board  100 . U-bolts  48 ′ may be utilized to attach hover board  100  to the platform member  22 ′ as shown for the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9-15 . U-bolts  48 ′ may have a curved base which is disposed about a portion of the hover board  100 , with threaded arms which extend into the downwardly facing vertical plate  40 ′ and held by nuts  58 . U-bolts  48 ′ may have cushioned sleeves  60  which prevent damage to the hover board  100 . The use of cushion member  56  along with the adjustable u-bolts  48 ′ makes the embodiment of the platform member  22 ′ adjustable for fitting many different dimensions and shapes of hover boards. 
     The platform members  22 ,  22 ′ disclosed herein provide a conversion kit for improving a hover board  100  by converting a hover board into a tricycle. 
     While the above is a description of various embodiments of the present invention, further modifications may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus the scope of the invention should not be limited according to these factors, but according to the following appended claims.