Patent ID: 8870192

Claim:
A wheeled personal transportation device, comprising: a frame member having a front end and a rear end, the frame member having a first pivot axle rigidly attached to the rear end thereof; a plurality of ground-engaging wheels attached to the frame member, including a front wheel mounted at the front end of the frame member, a rear wheel mounted at the rear end of the frame member, and at least one intermediate wheel mounted between the front end and the rear end; a foot platform disposed above the frame member, the foot platform being adapted for supporting a user's foot, the foot platform having a front end and a rear end, the foot platform having a second pivot axle fixed to the rear end thereof; a scissors linkage connecting the frame member and the foot platform, the scissors linkage having: a first pair of parallel scissors arms having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotally mounted on the first pivot axle and the second end being slidably and pivotally attached to the front end of the foot platform; a second pair of parallel scissors arms having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotally mounted on the second pivot axle and the second end being slidably and pivotally attached to the front end of the frame member; and a pivot pin extending through a central portion of the first pair of scissors arms and the second pair of scissors arms between the first and second ends of the scissors arms, the scissors linkage being pivotal between a lowered position and a raised position when the foot platform is raised and lowered by the user; and means for converting energy expended when lowering the foot platform into powered rotation of the front wheel; wherein the means for converting energy including a flexible air cushion extending between the foot platform and the frame; a pneumatic motor mounted on the frame, the pneumatic motor having a shaft, the front wheel being mounted on the pneumatic motor shaft; and a tube extending from the air cushion to the pneumatic motor; wherein the air cushion is inflated when the foot platform is raised above the frame, the air being compressed when the foot platform is lowered to the frame, the compressed air being transmitted to the pneumatic motor through the tube to rotate the pneumatic motor shaft and the front wheel.