Patent Description:
It is known to propose electric scooters, otherwise referred to as kick scooters, stand up scooters or just scooters, which comprise an elongated platform mounted on two wheels, and a steering handlebar, an electric motor and a battery. A user may stand on the elongated platform and actuate a control device to drive the electric motor in order to speed up.

These scooters (whether electric or not) are very popular and offer a practical and versatile means of travel, but on the other hand, this means of travel may have risks of falling or colliding with obstacles (other vehicles, in particular cars). The user may then be injured, sometimes seriously. Injuries become more serious with increased speed, in particular with electric scooters. Document <CIT>, which shows the preamble of claim <NUM>, relates to a toy for children, in particular to a scooter for children with an airbag.

One aim of the present invention is to respond to the above-mentioned disadvantages of the kick-scooters of the prior art, and in particular, first and foremost, to propose a scooter which can be used safely, in particular in the event of falling or impact with an obstacle.

To that end, a first aspect of the invention relates to a kick-scooter, for example an electric kick-scooter, comprising:.

The inflatable cushion of the above implementation may be deployed in case of an impact (sudden deceleration) to protect the user of the kick-scooter or even another person (a pedestrian), affording the ability to absorb shocks and/or dissipate energy. The impact applied to the user or the other person is thus less brutal.

Typically, the inflatable cushion may be arranged to be deployed at high speed, to insert itself between the obstacle and the user. It is possible to conceive of deploying the inflatable cushion in less than <NUM>, preferably in less than <NUM>, and even more preferentially in less than <NUM>. This means that the inflatable cushion occupies at least <NUM>% of the final deployed surface area in less than the times mentioned.

Typically, the kick-scooter does not have a seat.

Typically, the platform has a width of less than <NUM>, <NUM> or even <NUM>; the width being measured transversely to the distance between the two wheels.

According to one embodiment, the safety device, before deployment, can form a safety module comprising a housing containing the inflatable cushion and arranged on the handlebar, or between the handlebar and:.

In other words, the safety device can be a module attached at the front part of the kick-scooter, in particular on or under the handlebar, for example in the top part of the steering column. The handlebar is typically formed of a transverse bar attached at the top of the steering column, optionally by a bracket.

According to one embodiment, the inflatable cushion may be arranged to be deployed at least on a side of the handlebar opposite to the platform and/or to the wheels. In other words, the inflatable cushion is arranged to be deployed upwardly, that is to be inserted between an obstacle and the torso and/or the head and/or the arms and/or the hands of the user.

According to one embodiment, the inflatable cushion deployed may be at least half arranged, preferentially at least <NUM>%, more preferentially at least <NUM>%, on the side of the handlebar opposite to the platform and/or to the wheels.

According to one embodiment, the kick-scooter may comprise an electronic control unit, arranged to control the deployment of the inflatable cushion.

According to one embodiment, the electronic control unit may comprise an embedded acceleration measuring unit, such as an accelerometer, attached to the frame of the kick-scooter, for example at a front wheel or a front mudguard, or at a housing of the safety device containing the inflatable cushion. When the acceleration measuring unit is attached to the housing, this facilitates the assembly of the safety device on the kick-scooter.

It is also possible to conceive of using gyroscopes in addition to, or instead of, accelerometers.

According to one embodiment, the kick-scooter may comprise a battery for motorizing the kick-scooter.

According to one embodiment, the battery may be arranged to power the electronic control unit. This avoids having to provide a separate power supply.

According to one embodiment, before deployment, the inflatable cushion may be folded in on itself so as to be deployed from or toward the side of the handlebar which is opposite to the platform and/or to the wheels.

According to one embodiment, the folding of the inflatable cushion may comprise rolling of the inflatable cushion in on itself in a clockwise direction, when the roll is viewed from the left, with the handlebar oriented toward the front. Such an implementation enables the inflatable cushion to "unroll onto the obstacle" during deployment. Indeed, the applicant observed that unrolling in the other direction could cause blockages during deployment.

In other words, before deployment, the inflatable cushion may be folded in on itself so as to be deployed from or toward the side of the handlebar which is opposite to the platform and/or to the wheels, and the inflatable cushion may be shaped or configured with rolling of the inflatable cushion in on itself in a clockwise direction, when the roll is viewed from the left, with the handlebar oriented toward the front.

According to one embodiment, the folding of the inflatable cushion may comprise folding of the roll of the inflatable cushion so as to have a U shape, the arms of the U being able to be arranged substantially parallel to a steering column of the kick-scooter, and the arms of the U preferably being able to have edges folded back on themselves, preferably with the arms of the U oriented upward. Such a U-shaped folding makes it possible to obtain quick upward deployment, that is deployment above the handlebar.

According to one embodiment, the folding of the inflatable cushion may comprise an accordion-style fold arranged at an end of the inflatable cushion attached to the kick-scooter. Such an accordion-style fold makes it possible to limit the forces on the inflatable cushion at the start of deployment, and to enable rapid displacement out of the housing which typically surrounds the inflatable cushion before deployment.

According to one embodiment, the kick-scooter may comprise a bearing surface for the inflatable cushion inclined relative to the vertical, so as to cause deployment of the inflatable cushion toward the front of the kick-scooter and from, or toward, the side of the handlebar which is opposite to the platform and/or to the wheels. Such a bearing surface ensures the final orientation of the inflatable cushion upward and toward the front of the kick-scooter.

According to one embodiment, when the two wheels of the kick-scooter are resting on a reference plane, the bearing surface may be inclined relative to a normal of the reference plane by an angle within a range extending from <NUM>° to <NUM>°, preferably from <NUM>° to <NUM>°, in a trigonometric sense, when the kick-scooter is viewed form the left.

According to one embodiment, the inflatable cushion may comprise seams and/or straps and/or strips of fabric arranged to ensure, after or during deployment, a thickness less than a width and/or a length of the deployed inflatable cushion, and/or a thickness of less than <NUM> and preferably less than <NUM>.

According to one embodiment, the inflatable cushion, after deployment, may have a volume of between <NUM> I and <NUM> I and advantageously between <NUM> I and <NUM> I.

According to one embodiment, the inflatable cushion may have, after or during deployment, a width greater than or equal to <NUM>% of a size of the handlebar, at least at the handlebar. Thus, the user's hands are also protected by the inflatable cushion.

According to one embodiment, the inflatable cushion may have, after or during deployment, a length greater than or equal to <NUM>. Typically, the inflatable cushion has an end portion which can be inserted between the obstacle and the user's head.

According to one embodiment, after or during deployment, the inflatable cushion seen from the front, may have:.

The first, narrow, portion is arranged below the handlebar after deployment: this limits the volume to be inflated in this area where there is no need to protect the user, and this makes it possible not to interfere with the housing wherein the inflatable cushion is folded.

According to one embodiment, the safety device may comprise a gas generator, preferably with an electro-pyrotechnic initiator.

According to one embodiment, the gas generator may be arranged on or in a steering column. This limits the overall bulk of the safety device.

According to one embodiment, the gas generator may be arranged on or in the handlebar. This makes it possible to limit the dimensions of the inflatable cushion.

According to one embodiment, the inflatable cushion may be attached to the handlebar. This makes it possible to limit the dimensions of the inflatable cushion.

According to one embodiment, the gas generator may have an elongated shape with a gas diffuser at one end, and the gas generator may be mounted in the steering column with the gas diffuser on the steering wheel side. This makes it possible to limit the dimensions of the safety device, with the diffuser of the gas generator as close as possible to the inflatable cushion.

According to one embodiment, the safety device may form a safety module, comprising at least one intermediate tube forming a part of the steering column. Thus, the safety device is easy to install while limiting the overall bulk: a part of the steering column forms part of the safety device, which provides good integration, in particular mechanical.

According to one embodiment, the gas generator may be arranged in the intermediate tube. This limits the external bulk and provides good compactness.

According to the invention, the inflatable cushion, after or during deployment, has a frontward and upward deployed direction when the kick-scooter is resting on horizontal ground.

According to the invention, the deployed direction isinclined toward the front relative to a vertical by an angle of between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, and preferably between <NUM>° and <NUM>°.

According to one embodiment, the kick-scooter may comprise steering stops limiting an angle of rotation of the handlebar to ±<NUM>°, and preferably to ± <NUM>°, relative to a longitudinal direction of the elongated platform. This makes it possible to ensure that the inflatable cushion is not deployed toward the rear of the kick-scooter, which improves the user's safety.

According to one embodiment, the kick-scooter may comprise an inhibition unit such as a speed sensor and/or contactors, arranged to prevent deployment of the inflatable cushion if a speed of the kick-scooter is less than <NUM>/h, and/or if the handlebar is pivoted beyond an angle of rotation of the handlebar at ±<NUM>°, and preferably at ± <NUM>°, relative to a longitudinal direction of the elongated platform. Such an implementation makes it possible to avoid inopportune deployments (at low speed and/or in scenarios in which the handlebar is oriented toward the user.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be seen more clearly from the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention provided by way of a non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings, wherein:.

<FIG> depicts a kick-scooter comprising, in particular, a front wheel <NUM>, a rear wheel <NUM>, an elongated platform <NUM>, a handlebar <NUM> connected to the front wheel <NUM> by a steering column <NUM>.

A safety device is also provided on the kick-scooter, and comprises in particular:.

In <FIG>, before deployment, the inflatable cushion <NUM> is stowed/hidden/shaped/folded in the housing <NUM> and connected to the gas generator <NUM> to be able to be inflated when required. To this end, a gas conduit (not shown) may be provided between the gas generator <NUM> and the inflatable cushion <NUM>.

Moreover, it is possible to advantageously provide for using a gas generator <NUM> of tubular shape, to insert it into the tube <NUM>, in order to supply good compactness. It is also possible to provide in particular a gas generator <NUM> which has a diffusion area at a single end, and to provide this end at the area of coupling of the inflatable cushion <NUM>, as depicted.

The gas generator <NUM> may be of entirely pyrotechnic type, or of the pressurized gas (cold gas) type, or may use pyrotechnical material and pressurized gases (hybrid generator) to inflate the inflatable cushion. A tubular gas generator may be provided, with a diameter of less than <NUM>, preferably less than <NUM>, and even more preferentially less than <NUM>. The length of the gas generator may be less than <NUM>, and preferably less than <NUM>. Interchangeable gas cartridges may be provided, to "recharge" the gas generator <NUM>.

The housing assembly <NUM>, inflatable cushion <NUM>, bearing plate, tube <NUM>, gas generator <NUM>, may be provided to form a module to be directly integrated on the kick-scooter, at attachments <NUM> and <NUM>.

The gas generator <NUM> typically comprises an electro-pyrotechnic initiator and may be ignited by an electric current. To this end, the electronic control unit may generate this ignition current.

An acceleration measuring unit <NUM> is provided at the front fender, but may also be provided in the electronic control unit or at another location on the kick-scooter, in order to detect sudden deceleration which corresponds to an impact with an obstacle. In case of sudden deceleration, the acceleration measuring unit <NUM> of the electronic control unit generates a particular signal and sends it to the electronic control unit which in turn generates the ignition signal.

The kick-scooter depicted may be an electric kick-scooter with an on-board battery (housed in the platform <NUM> and/or the steering column <NUM> and/or in the handlebar <NUM>) to power the electric drive motor, and it is advantageously possible for the electronic control unit to be powered by this battery.

<FIG> depicts a user on the kick-scooter, and an obstacle <NUM> (in this case a motor vehicle) hit by the front wheel <NUM>. Consequently, strong deceleration is detected and the electronic control unit has generated an ignition signal which has triggered the gas generator <NUM>.

Consequently, the inflatable cushion <NUM> has been deployed so as to be positioned between the user and the obstacle <NUM>. In detail, the inflatable cushion <NUM> has been deployed upwardly, on the side of the handlebar <NUM> opposite the platform <NUM>, leaving the housing <NUM> (one cover of which has opened by breaking or unclipping, for example).

Once deployed, the inflatable cushion, in side view as in <FIG>, has an inclined toward the front direction forming an angle β with a vertical of between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, and preferably between <NUM>° and <NUM>°. The bearing surface <NUM> makes it possible to facilitate this inclination, and the bearing surface <NUM> forming an angle α with a vertical within a range extending from <NUM>° to <NUM>°, preferably from <NUM>° to <NUM>°. It will be noted that the vertical mentioned here is a normal to the ground on which the wheels are resting.

In order to supply rapid and reproducible deployment, it is proposed to shape or fold the inflatable cushion <NUM> in a particular way, as depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>. Firstly, <FIG> shows a detail from <FIG>, and in particular a diagram of the folding of the inflatable cushion <NUM>. Firstly, an accordion-style fold <NUM> is provided at the bearing surface <NUM>, which provides rapid egress from the housing <NUM>. Moreover, rolling <NUM> of the inflatable cushion <NUM> in on itself is provided, in order to enable reliable deployment, in particular if part of the obstacle <NUM> is present in the trajectory: with rolling <NUM> in the clockwise direction (viewed from the left, with the handlebar facing the front), then the inflatable cushion unrolls while bearing against the obstacle <NUM>.

Moreover, <FIG> depicts a front view of the kick-scooter from <FIG>, to show in particular the folding of the inflatable cushion <NUM>. Indeed, in this view, it is noted that the inflatable cushion <NUM> before deployment is folded to have a U shape, with the arms of the U being folded on themselves. Such folding is compact and also provides rapid deployment toward the top of <FIG>.

In <FIG>, it is noted that the deployed inflatable cushion <NUM> is arranged between the obstacle <NUM> and the user, and <FIG> shows the geometry of the inflatable cushion from the front. At the housing <NUM>, the inflatable cushion <NUM> has a small width, so as not to interfere with the housing <NUM>. At the handlebar <NUM>, the inflatable cushion <NUM> has virtually the same width as the handlebar <NUM>, such that the user's hands are also protected. Finally, at the upper part, the latter has a rounded shape or an inverted V shape, in order to best protect the user's head.

Claim 1:
A kick-scooter, for example an electric kick-scooter, comprising:
- two wheels (<NUM>, <NUM>),
- an elongated platform (<NUM>) mounted on the two wheels (<NUM>, <NUM>) and arranged to receive at least one foot of a user,
- a steering handlebar (<NUM>) articulated relative to the platform and connected to one of the wheels (<NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the kick-scooter comprises a safety device with an inflatable cushion (<NUM>) arranged to be deployed in case of sudden deceleration of the kick-scooter,
characterized in that the inflatable cushion (<NUM>) has, after or during deployment, a frontward and upward deployed direction when the kick-scooter is resting on horizontal ground,
and in that the deployed direction is inclined toward the front relative to a vertical by an angle of between <NUM>° and <NUM>°, and preferably between <NUM>° and <NUM>°.