FR3142743A1 - Scooter with retractable wheel(s) - Google Patents

Abstract

Scooter (1) including: a platform (10) which extends along a longitudinal axis (X) defining a direction of advancement (A) of the scooter and which is arranged so that a user can position at least one foot there to move ;a front axle (20) carrying a first wheel (25) and connected to a front part of the platform;a rear axle (30) carrying a second wheel (32) and connected to a rear part of the platform; at least one of the front axle and the rear axle being slidably mounted on the platform along the longitudinal axis so as to reduce the distance separating the first wheel from the second wheel. ABSTRACT FIGURE: Fig. 3

Description

Scooter with retractable wheel(s)

The present invention relates to the field of wheeled vehicles and more particularly to a foldable scooter with retractable wheel(s).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

• une plateforme sur laquelle peut se positionner un utilisateur pour se déplacer, la plateforme étant suffisamment large pour permettre à l’utilisateur d’y positionner au moins un pied ;
• une colonne de direction montée pivotante dans un fourreau disposé à l’avant de la plateforme pour permettre à l’utilisateur de guider et stabiliser la trottinette, la colonne de direction ayant une extrémité inférieure pourvue d’une première roue et une extrémité supérieure pourvue d’un guidon ; et
• une deuxième roue montée à l’arrière de la plateforme.

A scooter is a wheeled vehicle that falls into the category of EDP (from the acronym “Personal Mobility Device”) and generally includes:

• a platform on which a user can position himself to move, the platform being sufficiently wide to allow the user to position at least one foot there;
• a steering column pivotally mounted in a sheath disposed at the front of the platform to enable the user to guide and stabilize the scooter, the steering column having a lower end provided with a first wheel and an upper end provided with a handlebar; and
• a second wheel mounted at the rear of the platform.

Scooters are known to have a joint between the steering column sheath and the platform so that the steering column can be folded onto the platform. This results in a foldable scooter that is easy to transport and store. In fact, folding the steering column towards the platform reduces the size of the scooter, particularly in terms of height.

However, when folding the steering column onto the platform, the front wheel is brought in front of the front end of the platform so that such an articulation does not reduce the wheelbase of the scooter, on the contrary. As a result, after folding, the size of the scooter remains significant, especially in length.

Therefore, storing such a scooter in a given volume such as a vehicle trunk, a suitcase or a backpack can be complicated if not impossible.

It may also be difficult for the user to use public transport (metro, bus, tram, etc.) with such a folded scooter without disturbing other passengers, particularly during peak times.

In addition, it is generally necessary, after folding, to carry the scooter by hand to move around, which is made difficult by its large size.

SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention therefore aims to propose a scooter which makes it possible to at least partially overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

• une plateforme qui s’étend selon un axe longitudinal définissant une direction d’avancement de la trottinette et qui est agencée pour qu’un utilisateur puisse y positionner au moins un pied pour se déplacer ;
• un train avant portant une première roue et relié à une partie avant de la plateforme ; et
• un train arrière portant une deuxième roue et relié à une partie arrière de la plateforme.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a scooter comprising:

• a platform which extends along a longitudinal axis defining a direction of advancement of the scooter and which is arranged so that a user can position at least one foot there to move;
• a front axle carrying a first wheel and connected to a front part of the platform; and
• a rear axle carrying a second wheel and connected to a rear part of the platform.

According to the invention, at least one of the front axle and the rear axle is slidably mounted on the platform along the longitudinal axis so as to reduce the distance separating the first wheel from the second wheel, and therefore the size of the scooter.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the front axle and the rear axle are slidably mounted on the platform along the longitudinal axis.

According to a particular characteristic, the front axle comprises a steering tube and a fork having an upper end pivotally received in the steering tube and a lower end carrying the first wheel, the steering tube being pivotally mounted on the platform along a transverse axis substantially orthogonal to the direction of travel.

In particular, the scooter includes a steering member removably attached to the upper end of the fork.

In particular, the steering body includes a steering column equipped with two handles.

In a special way, the handles can be folded down along the steering column.

In particular, the steering column is telescopic.

According to a particular characteristic, the scooter includes a device for motorizing the sliding along the longitudinal axis of the front axle and/or the rear axle.

In particular, the motorization device extends inside the platform.

In particular, the motorization device comprises at least one electric micromotor and at least one battery arranged to electrically power the micromotor.

The invention will be better understood in light of the following description, which is purely illustrative and not limiting, and must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings, among which:

there is a side view of a scooter according to a particular embodiment of the invention, in which the scooter is unfolded and its wheels in the deployed position;

there is a view identical to Figure 1A, in which the scooter is folded and its wheels are in the retracted position;

there is a perspective view of the various elements constituting the scooter illustrated in Figures 1 and 2;

there is a schematic view of a device for motorizing the retraction of the wheels of the scooter illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, according to a first embodiment;

there is a schematic view of a device for motorizing the retraction of the wheels of the scooter illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, according to a second embodiment;

there is a schematic view of a device for motorizing the retraction of the wheels of the scooter illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, according to a third embodiment;

there is a side view of a variation of the scooter illustrated in Figures 1-3, in which the scooter is folded and its wheels are in the retracted position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

• une plateforme 10 qui s’étend selon un axe X longitudinal et qui est agencée pour qu’un utilisateur puisse positionner au moins un pied pour se déplacer ;
• un train avant 20 relié à une partie avant de la plateforme ;
• un train arrière 30 relié à une partie arrière de la plateforme 10 ; et
• un organe de direction 40 relié au train avant 20 pour permettre à l’utilisateur de guider et de stabiliser la trottinette 1.

With reference to figures 1 to 3, a scooter generally designated 1 comprises, according to a particular embodiment of the invention:

• a platform 10 which extends along a longitudinal X axis and which is arranged so that a user can position at least one foot to move;
• a front train 20 connected to a front part of the platform;
• a rear axle 30 connected to a rear part of the platform 10; and
• a steering member 40 connected to the front axle 20 to allow the user to guide and stabilize the scooter 1.

The concepts “front” and “rear” are defined, here and in the remainder of the description, in relation to a direction of advancement A of the scooter 1 according to a nominal mode of use in which the longitudinal axis X of the platform 10 is aligned with the direction of advancement A with the steering member 40 at the head.

The platform 10 comprises a main body 11, generally in the form of a parallelepiped box, extending along the X axis. The body 11 comprises a first T-shaped groove 11.1 and a second T-shaped groove 11.2 extending along the X axis and opening respectively onto a front face 11a and a rear face 11b of the body 11, and onto an upper face 11c of the body 11. The body 11 is for example a casting or an assembly of welded sheets, and is preferably made of a strong and lightweight material (stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, etc.).

The rear part of the platform 10 also comprises, in the lower part, a third groove 11.3 extending along the X axis and opening into the second T-shaped groove 11.2 to allow, as will be seen later, a retraction of the rear axle 30 into the platform 10.

The platform 10 also comprises two hinged shutters 12, 12', here substantially identical, arranged to selectively cover a central portion of the upper face 11c of the body 10. Each shutter 12 comprises a panel 13, 13' of parallelepiped shape mounted to rotate on the body 11 along an axis X ₁₄ , X _14' substantially parallel to the axis X via two hinges 14, 14', between an open position in which an inner face 13a, 13a' of the panel 13, 13' and the upper face 11c of the body 11 extend substantially in the same plane, and a folded position in which the inner face 13a, 13a' of the panel 13, 13' bears against said upper face 11c of the body 11 and partially covers the first T-shaped groove 11.1 and the second T-shaped groove 11.2 in T. The axes X ₁₄ , X _14' of rotation of the panels 13, 13' each extend close to a lateral edge of the upper face 11c of the body 11, and the panels 13, 13' comprise an outer face 13b, 13b', opposite the inner face, defining a positioning zone for the user's feet.

• une première platine 21 agencée pour coulisser dans la première rainure en té 11.1 du corps 11 selon l’axe X ;
• un tube de direction 22 relié à la première platine 21 via un bras 23 de liaison ; et
• une fourche 24 ayant une extrémité supérieure reçue à pivotement dans le tube de direction 22, et une extrémité inférieure portant une première roue 25.

The front axle 20 includes:

• a first plate 21 arranged to slide in the first T-groove 11.1 of the body 11 along the X axis;
• a steering tube 22 connected to the first plate 21 via a connecting arm 23; and
• a fork 24 having an upper end pivotally received in the steering tube 22, and a lower end carrying a first wheel 25.

The first plate 21 has a cross-section, along a plane perpendicular to the axis X, substantially in the shape of an I, and comprises an upper plate 21a and a lower plate 21b which extend substantially horizontally and which are connected to each other by a core 21c extending substantially vertically.

The upper plate 21a extends outside the body 11 and partly covers the upper face 11c of the body 10. The lower plate 21b and the core 21c are arranged to cooperate with the first T-groove 11.1 of the body 11 so as to form a sliding connection and allow the first plate 21 to slide along the X axis, between an extended position in which the upper plate 21a is close to the front face 11a of the body 11 ( ), and a retracted position in which said upper plate 21a is spaced from said front face 11a of the body 11 ( ).

Advantageously, the upper plate 21a has an upper surface arranged to extend substantially in the same plane as that in which the outer surfaces 13b, 13b' of the panels 13, 13' extend when said panels 13, 13' are in the folded position, so as to enlarge the positioning area of the user's feet.

First locking means (not shown) make it possible to maintain the first plate 21, and therefore the front axle 20, in the retracted position in which the first wheel 25 is said to be “retracted”, and in the extended position in which said first wheel 25 is said to be “deployed”.

It will be noted that in the folded position, the panels 13, 13' form an obstacle to the sliding of the first plate 21 and substantially prevent said first plate 21 from leaving its extended position to return to its retracted position.

The steering tube 22 comprises a hollow cylinder extending along an axis Z. The arm 23 comprises an upper end connected to an outer surface of the steering tube 22, and a lower end articulated on the upper plate 21a of the mounting plate 21 along an articulation axis Y substantially orthogonal to the axis X and to the axis Z, between a deployed position in which the axis Z forms an angle α slightly less than 90 degrees with the axis X ( ), and a folded position in which the Z axis is substantially parallel to the X axis ( ).

Second locking means (not shown) make it possible to hold the arm 23 in the folded position in which the scooter is said to be “folded”, and in the deployed position in which said scooter is said to be “unfolded”.

The fork 24 extends along the Z axis and comprises, in a manner known per se, a rod 24.1, two sleeves 24.2 and a T-joint 24.3 connecting the rod 24.1 to the two sleeves 24.2. The rod 24.1 is pivotally received in the steering tube 22, for example by means of suitable ball bearings, and has an upper end which projects from said steering tube 22 and which is arranged to be received in the steering member 40. The sleeves 24.2 have a lower end at which the first wheel 25 is mounted to be able to rotate about an axis of rotation Y ₂₅ substantially orthogonal to the Z axis.

The steering tube 22, the arm 23 and the fork 24 extend in the same plane XZ defined by the X axis and the Z axis. The XZ plane is substantially orthogonal to the Y axis.

In a manner known per se, the first wheel 25 is equipped with a mudguard 26 fixed to the fork crown 24.

The rear axle 30 comprises a second plate 31 arranged to slide in the second T-shaped groove 11.2 of the body 11 along the X axis, and carries a second wheel 32 mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation Y ₃₂ substantially orthogonal to the Z axis, between two arms forming a fork fixed to the rear of the second plate 31.

The second plate 31 has a cross-section, along a plane perpendicular to the axis X, substantially in the shape of an I, and comprises an upper plate 31a and a lower plate 31b which extend substantially horizontally and which are connected to each other by a core 31c extending substantially vertically.

The upper plate 31a extends outside the body 11 and partly covers the upper face 11c of the body 10. The lower plate 31b and the core 31c are arranged to cooperate with the second T-groove 11.2 of the body 11 so as to form a sliding connection and allow the second plate 31 to slide along the X axis, between an extended position in which the upper plate 31a is close to the rear face 11b of the body 11 ( ), and a retracted position in which said upper plate 21a is spaced from said rear face 11b of the body 11 ( ).

Advantageously, the upper plate 31a has an upper surface arranged to extend substantially in the same plane as that in which the outer surfaces 13b, 13b' of the panels 13, 13' extend when said panels 13, 13' are in the folded position, so as to enlarge the positioning area of the user's feet.

Third locking means (not shown) make it possible to maintain the second plate 31, and therefore the rear axle 30, in the retracted position in which the second wheel 32 is said to be “retracted”, and in the extended position in which said second wheel 32 is said to be “deployed”.

It will be noted that in the folded position, the panels 13, 13' form an obstacle to the sliding of the second plate 31 and substantially prevent said second plate 31 from leaving its extended position to return to its retracted position.

The second wheel 32 is equipped with a brake comprising, in a manner known per se, a pad 33 intended to be pressed against a rolling surface of said second wheel 32. The pad 33 is extended by a fixing heel 34 which is fixed to the second plate 31. The pad 33 and the heel 34 advantageously form a mudguard for the second wheel 32.

The steering member 40 comprises a removable steering column 41 extending generally along an axis Z _40. The steering column has a lower end arranged to be fitted onto the upper end of the rod 24.1 of the fork 24 which projects from the steering tube 22, and to be rotatably connected to the fork by means, for example, of a compression collar 42 mounted at the lower end of the steering column 41.

The steering member 40 also comprises a handlebar comprising two substantially straight and identical handles 43, 43'. The handles 43, 43' are arranged symmetrically on either side of the steering column 41 and have one end articulated on the steering column 41 along an axis X ₄₃ , X _43' substantially perpendicular to the axis Z ₄₀ , between a deployed position in which the handles 43, 43' extend substantially perpendicular to the steering column 41, and a folded position in which said handles 43, 43' extend substantially parallel to said steering column 41 ( ).

Fourth locking means (not shown) make it possible to maintain the handles 43, 43’ in the deployed and folded position.

• l’encombrement en longueur de la trottinette 1 correspond à son encombrement selon l’axe X ;
• l’encombrement en largeur de la trottinette 1 correspond à son encombrement selon l’axe Y ; et
• l’encombrement en hauteur de la trottinette 1 correspond à son encombrement selon un axe Z orthogonal aux axes X, Y.

In the following description:

• the length of the scooter 1 corresponds to its size along the X axis;
• the width dimension of scooter 1 corresponds to its dimension along the Y axis; and
• the height dimension of the scooter 1 corresponds to its dimension along a Z axis orthogonal to the X, Y axes.

In use, the length of the scooter 1 is defined by the first and second wheels 25, 32 and corresponds to a distance d ₁ separating said front and rear wheels. The distance d ₁ is here between 90 and 100 centimeters.

The folding of the scooter 1 and the retraction of the first and second wheels 25, 32 will now be detailed.

In a first step 101, the steering member 40 formed by the steering column 41 and the handles 43, 43' is disengaged from the upper end of the rod 24.1 of the fork 24 by loosening the compression collar 42, which results in a first reduction in the height of the scooter 1. The handles 43, 43' are then folded down along the steering column 41 so as to reduce the size of the steering member 40.

During a second step 102, the panels 13, 13' are caused to pivot about their axis of rotation X ₁₄ , X _14' to move from the folded position to the open position so as to allow the front axle 20 and the rear axle 30 to slide along the axis X.

During a third step 103, the arm 23 is caused to pivot around its articulation axis Y to move from the deployed position to the folded position, which results in a second reduction in the height of the scooter 1.

During a fourth step 104, the front axle 20 is caused to slide along the X axis to move from the extended position to the retracted position, which results in a first reduction in the length of the scooter 1.

During a fifth step 105, the rear axle 30 is caused to slide along the X axis to move from the extended position to the retracted position, which results in a second reduction in the length of the scooter 1.

The retraction of the front and rear axles 20, 30 is such that the length of the scooter 1 is now substantially defined by the platform 10 and corresponds to a distance d2 separating the front face 11a and the rear face 11b of the body 11. The distance d2 is here between 50 and 60 centimeters.

During a sixth step 106, the panels 13, 13' are again caused to pivot around their axis of rotation X ₁₄ , X _14' to be pressed against the front axle 20 and thus reduce the width of the scooter 1.

Thus, the folding and retraction of the first and second wheels 25, 32 make it possible to significantly reduce the overall size of the scooter 1, and in particular its length, so that the scooter 1 can be inserted into a shoulder bag, a backpack, a cabin suitcase, etc.

To unfold the scooter 1, simply perform the various steps in reverse order.

If the retraction and deployment of the first and second wheels 25, 32 are carried out manually here, they can also be motorized.

There schematically illustrates a first device 200 for motorizing the retraction and deployment of the first and second wheels 25, 32 of the scooter 1. The first device 200 comprises an electric micromotor 201 and a battery (not shown) arranged to electrically power the micromotor 201. The micromotor 201 and the battery extend inside the body 11 of the platform 10. An output shaft of the micromotor 201 is equipped with a pinion 202 cooperating with a first rack 203.1 and a second rack 203.2. The first rack 203.1 is connected to the front axle 20 and the second rack 203.2 is connected to the rear axle 30, such that a rotation of the pinion 202 causes a simultaneous sliding of the front axle 20 and the rear axle 30, and therefore a simultaneous retraction or deployment of the first wheel 25 and the second wheel 32.

• une rotation de la première vis sans fin 202.1’ entraîne un coulissement du train avant 20 et donc une rétractation ou un déploiement de la première roue 25.
• une rotation de la deuxième vis sans fin 202.2’ entraîne un coulissement du train arrière 30 et donc une rétractation ou un déploiement de la deuxième roue 32.

There schematically illustrates a second device 200' for motorizing the retraction and deployment of the first and second wheels 25, 32 of the scooter 1. The second device 200' comprises a first electric micromotor 201.1', a second micromotor 201.2' and a battery (not shown) arranged to electrically power the first micromotor 201.1' and the second micromotor 201.2'. The first micromotor 201.1', the second micromotor 201.2' and the battery extend inside the body 11 of the platform 10. An output shaft of the first micromotor 201.1' is equipped with a first worm screw 202.1' cooperating with a first rack 203.1'. An output shaft of the second micromotor 202.1' is equipped with a second worm screw 202.2' cooperating with a second rack 203.2'. The first rack 203.1' is connected to the front axle 20 and the second rack 203.2' is connected to the rear axle 30, so that:

• a rotation of the first worm screw 202.1' causes the front axle 20 to slide and therefore a retraction or deployment of the first wheel 25.
• a rotation of the second worm screw 202.2' causes the rear axle 30 to slide and therefore the second wheel 32 to retract or deploy.

There schematically illustrates a third device 200'' for motorizing the retraction and deployment of the first and second wheels 25, 32 of the scooter 1. The third device 200'' comprises an electric micromotor 201'' having a first output shaft equipped with a first pulley 202.1'' for winding a first cable 203.1'', and a second pulley 202.1'' for winding a second cable 203.2''. The third device 200'' also comprises a battery arranged to electrically power the micromotor 201'', a first spring 204.1'' for returning the front axle 20 to the extended position and a second spring 204.2'' for returning the rear axle 30 to the extended position. One end of the first cable 203.1'' is connected to the front axle 20 and one end of the second cable 203.2'' is connected to the rear axle 30, such that a rotation of the output shaft causes a simultaneous sliding of the front axle 20 and the rear axle 30 and therefore a simultaneous retraction or deployment of the first wheel 25 and the second wheel 32.

There represents a scooter 301 which is none other than a variant of the scooter 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. The scooter 301 differs from the scooter 1 in that the lower end of the steering column 41 is connected to the upper end of the fork rod 24.1 via a hinge 50, so that the steering column 41 is no longer removable but foldable.

The hinge 50 is arranged to form an articulation allowing the steering column 41 to be folded onto the rod 24.1 of the fork 24 so that when the front and rear axles 20, 30 are retracted, the length of the scooter 301 is, as for the scooter 1, defined by the platform 10 and corresponds to the distance d2 separating the front face 11a and the rear face 11b of the body 11. If necessary, the steering column 41 can be telescopic.

The hinge is also arranged to be able to be locked when using the scooter 301, thus maintaining the steering column 41 in the axial extension of the rod 24.1 of the fork 24.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described but encompasses any variant falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Here, the term “scooter” means any means of locomotion comprising a platform which is mounted on at least two wheels and which is provided with a steering column, a user being able to stand on the platform.

Here, the term "train" means any support with at least one wheel.

Although the platform 10 here comprises two pivoting panels 13, 13', it can also comprise only one. The single panel will for example be mounted mobile in rotation around the X axis ₁₄ and will have a covering surface equivalent to that of the two panels 13, 13'.

Although the panels 13, 13' are here mounted on the body 11 of the platform to pivot about axes X ₁₄ , X _14' parallel to the X axis, they can also be on the front axle 20 and the rear axle 30 to pivot about axes parallel to the Y axis.

Only the front axle 20 or the rear axle 30 can be slidably mounted on the body 11 of the platform 10. The scooter then only has one of its two which is retractable.

Although the sliding of the front and rear axles 20, 30 is here ensured by the first and second T-shaped grooves 11.1, 11.2, it can be ensured by any structure forming a sliding connection (straight groove, dovetail groove, rails, etc.)

Handles 43, 43’ can be removed.

To reduce the size of the steering member 40, the steering column 41 can be foldable or even telescopic.

Although the opening and closing of panels 13, 13’ and the folding of scooter 1 are manual here, they can be motorized.

The scooter 1 may be motorized and include in particular an electric motor arranged to rotate the first wheel 25 or the second wheel 32, a battery-type electrical energy source arranged to power the motor. The motor will for example be integrated into the first wheel 25 or the second wheel 32, and the battery will for example be fixed on or in the steering column 41 or received in a central cavity formed in the body 11 of the platform 10.

The scooter 1 can be equipped with a front shock absorber (for example integrated into the fork 24) and/or a rear shock absorber.

Claims (10)

Scooter (1) including:

• a platform (10) which extends along a longitudinal axis (X) defining a direction of advance (A) of the scooter and which is arranged so that a user can position at least one foot there to move;
• a front axle (20) carrying a first wheel (25) and connected to a front part of the platform;
• a rear axle (30) carrying a second wheel (32) and connected to a rear part of the platform;

at least one of the front axle and the rear axle being slidably mounted on the platform along the longitudinal axis so as to reduce the distance separating the first wheel from the second wheel. Scooter (1) according to claim 1, in which the front axle (20) and the rear axle (30) are slidably mounted on the platform along the longitudinal axis (X). Scooter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the front axle (20) comprises a steering tube (22) and a fork (24) having an upper end pivotally received in the steering tube and a lower end carrying the first wheel (25), the steering tube being pivotally mounted on the platform along a transverse axis (Y) substantially orthogonal to the direction of advancement (A). Scooter (1) according to claim 3, comprising a steering member (40) removably attached to the upper end of the fork (24). Scooter (1) according to claim 4, in which the steering member (40) comprises a steering column (41) equipped with two handles (43, 43'). Scooter (1) according to claim 5, in which the handles (43, 43') are foldable along the steering column (41). Scooter (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the steering column (41) is telescopic. Scooter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a motorization device (200, 200’, 200’’) for sliding along the longitudinal axis (X) of the front axle (20) and/or the rear axle (30). Scooter (1) according to claim 8, in which the motorization device (200, 200’, 200’’) extends inside the platform (10). Scooter (1) according to claim 8 or 9, in which the motorization device comprises at least one electric micromotor (201, 201.1’, 201.2’, 201’’) and at least one battery arranged to electrically power the micromotor.