SINGLE FOLDING SCOOTER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a foldable, stand-alone scooter. Foldable scooters, whether two- or three-wheeled, are increasingly viewed as an important component of the mobility revolution. Most scooters feature a folding mechanism that simplifies transport and storage.

[0002] The prior art uses simple folding mechanisms that cannot guarantee that the scooter can stand on its own when folded. Thus, conventional foldable scooters must lie on the ground or be leaned against an object when folded. A further disadvantage of conventional folding mechanisms is that when a trolley function is used in the folded state, the rear wheel, including road dirt, is located directly in the area of ​​the handlebars or handle - see, for example, DE102011106561 B4 or EP2174860A1. Other disclosures, such as WO002016176124A1, WO002018008869A1 or FR2821331A1, solve the described problem with a folding mechanism whose essential component is a sliding element. The latter is disadvantageous because sliding elements are more susceptible to dirt than hinged axes and are therefore subject to greater wear.Furthermore, conventional folding mechanisms have the disadvantage that several movements are often required to fully fold the scooter. WO2003 / 55747A1 and CN 108082372 disclose other foldable scooters, but their folding mechanisms are complex.

[0003] DE10204478A1, which can be considered the closest prior art, discloses a multifunctional mobile device that can be used as a scooter, trolley, or caddy thanks to a folding and unfolding mechanism. The scooter has the main assemblies of a front section, rear section, and handlebar unit, which are pivotally connected to one another. The front section consists of two main supports connected by a footboard. The two main supports are further connected to one another via a first axis, which is the pivot point for the handlebar unit, and a second axis, which is the pivot point for the rear section. To move from the scooter state (0° position) to the caddy state (140° position), an unlocking mechanism is actuated, unlocking the front and rear sections. In this state, a spring force acts and rotates the rear section relative to the front section about the second axis.The rotation of the rear section relative to the front section can be assisted by tilting the handlebar unit until the rear section is rotated by approximately 70° relative to the front section. A relative rotation then occurs between the handlebar unit and the front section until a stop is reached. The rear section has then rotated by approximately 140° relative to the front section, thus reaching the caddy position. To convert from the caddy position to the trolley position (180°), the locking device is released. Now, press against the rear section by hand or foot, causing a further rotation until the locking device engages a rear carrier hole.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide an improved foldable scooter that at least partially avoids or at least reduces the aforementioned disadvantages. This object is achieved by the subject matter having the features of claim 1.

[0005] It describes a scooter with at least three wheels, with or without electric assistance, with the special feature of an innovative folding mechanism. As in Fig. 1 As shown, the folding mechanism allows all wheels to maintain constant ground contact, both when unfolded and folded, with the center of gravity of the scooter always between the wheels. This allows the scooter to stand independently in either position and in all intermediate positions. This offers a significant advantage in terms of the scooter's stowability and allows for convenient transport, for example, as a trolley.

[0006] Another special feature of the folding mechanism described here is that it is activated by a single lever, which can be operated with the foot. Operating the lever unlocks a gas spring (12) or a mechanical spring, which drives the folding mechanism and, depending on the spring force, completely folds the scooter. This eliminates the need for the user to bend down or perform multiple movements to fold the scooter.

[0007] The claimed scooter comprises the following components, as in Fig. 2 shown: three wheels (1), a steering column (2) in the front area of ​​the scooter, a footboard (3), a front axle (4) for receiving the front wheels, a rear wheel suspension (5) for receiving the rear wheel, a folding mechanism, the latter consisting of a front axle suspension (6) which provides a device for receiving the steering column (2) and for receiving the front axle (4), an underbody (7) to which the rear wheel suspension (5) is attached, a main floor (8), a synchronization rod (9), an actuating lever (10) for triggering the folding process, and a spring-loaded grid plate (11) for ensuring that the unfolded and / or folded state is maintained.

[0008] The main floor (8) is connected to the front axle suspension (6) by a hinged axle. The underbody (7) is connected to the main floor (8) by a hinged axle, and the synchronization rod (9) is connected at each end to the front axle suspension (6) and the underbody (7) by hinged axles or joint connectors. The synchronization rod (9) ensures that the center of gravity of the scooter always remains between the front and rear wheels during the folding process.

[0009] Additionally, the aforementioned folding mechanism includes one or more gas springs (12) preloaded between the main floor (8) and the front axle suspension (6). Alternatively, the gas spring (12) can also be preloaded between the front axle suspension (6) and the underbody (7). The gas spring (12) serves to drive the folding mechanism. Together with the synchronization rod (9), this allows the scooter to fold independently, without the user having to hold the scooter and without the scooter tipping over.

[0010] The footboard (3) is the surface on which the user stands while riding. In this example, the footboard (3) is firmly connected to the main floor (8), thus forming a single component. An alternative is to connect the footboard (3) only to the underbody (7).

[0011] When unfolded, the main floor (8) and the underbody (7) are locked together by the grid plate (11). The locking mechanism and the hinged connection ensure a secure connection between the main floor (8) and the underbody (7). This is necessary to prevent the folding mechanism from collapsing uncontrollably while driving in the unfolded state, for example, when driving over obstacles or due to uneven road surfaces.

[0012] When the operating lever (10) is pressed, for example with the foot, the locking plate (11) detaches from the main base (8). The gas springs (12) can then fold the folding mechanism by pushing the main base (8) upwards. The synchronization rod (9) pulls the underbody (7) including the rear wheel suspension (5) and rear wheel towards the front axle suspension (6), or alternatively the front axle suspension (6) towards the rear wheel suspension (5). This allows the scooter to move independently from the unfolded to the folded position, with the scooter's center of gravity constantly remaining between the wheels, preventing the scooter from tipping over during folding.

[0013] Furthermore, the spring-loaded locking plate (11) acts as a locking mechanism in both the unfolded and folded states, ensuring that the folding mechanism can only change its state when the user presses the operating lever (10). The locking plate (11) is attached to the base (7) by means of a hinge pin and is spring-loaded, such that pressing the operating lever (10) rotates the locking plate (11). The locking of the folded state is achieved by the spring-loaded engagement of the locking plate (11) in the synchronization rod (9) - see Fig. 3The unfolded state is secured by the spring-loaded engagement of the grid plate (11) with the main base (8). Unlocking from this state is triggered by the actuating lever (10), which rotates the grid plate (11) against its spring loading and thus releases the grid plate (11) from the main base (8) and / or the synchronization rod (9).

[0014] As an example, a scooter with two front wheels and one rear wheel was described here. However, the folding mechanism is not limited to this configuration and can also be applied to scooters and / or vehicles with one front wheel and two rear wheels, or with two front wheels and two rear wheels.

Claims

1. Foldable self-supporting scooter comprising at least three wheels (1), a steering column (2), a footboard (3), a front axle (4) for receiving at least one front wheel, a rear suspension (5) for receiving at least one rear wheel, a folding mechanism, the latter consisting of a front axle suspension (6), which provides a device for receiving the steering column (2) and for receiving the front axle (4), a sub-base (7) to which the rear wheel suspension (5) is attached, a main base (8), a synchronizing rod (9), an actuating lever (10) for initiating the folding operation, a latching plate (11) for securing the maintenance of the unfolded and / or folded state, wherein the main base (8) is connected to the front axle suspension (6) by means of a hinge pin, the sub-base (7) is connected to the main base (8) by means of a hinge pin, the synchronizing rod (9) is connected to the front axle suspension (6) and to the sub-base (7) at respective ends by hinge pins or hinge connectors, wherein the synchronizing rod (9) provides that the center of gravity of the scooter remains between the front and rear wheels at all times during the folding operation, and that the sub-base (7) and / or the main base (8) is connected to the front axle suspension (6) by means of at least one spring, wherein the spring is a gas spring (12) or a mechanical spring and serves to complete the folding of the scooter.

2. Scooter according to claim 1, characterised in that the folding mechanism is unlocked upon actuation of the actuating lever (10) and the folding operation of the scooter is facilitated or completed by the one or more gas springs (12) or mechanical spring or mechanical springs.

3. Scooter according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the footboard (3) is fixedly connected either to the sub-base (7) or to the main base (8), thus forming a unity in the respective embodiment.

4. Scooter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it can be folded without the footboard (3) folding or splitting, the steering column (2) remaining vertical within a 15° cone, a constant contact with the ground of all the wheels (1) being provided, and finally, in the folded state, the wheelbase of the scooter being reduced by more than 50%.

5. Scooter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, after unlocking the folding mechanism, the scooter autonomously passes from the unfolded state to the folded state, without the need for the scooter to be held by the user and without tipping over.

6. Scooter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the main base (8) and the sub-base (7), in addition to the hinge connection, can further be firmly connected to each other by means of a latching mechanism to prevent the scooter from folding in an uncontrolled manner.

7. Scooter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the front wheels are attached to the front axle suspension (6) by means of a rocker axle and / or with a device for steering the wheels.

8. Scooter according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a securing mechanism that retains the folded and / or unfolded state and allows a change of state only when intended by the user.

9. Scooter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one wheel is motorized.

10. Scooter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the latching plate (11) is mounted on the sub-base (7) by means of a hinge pin, is spring-loaded and can be rotated by means of the actuating lever (10) against the spring loading thereof, in such a manner that the latching plate (11) in the folded state engages in the synchronizing rod (9) to secure the maintenance of the folded state and / or in the unfolded state engages in the main base (8) to secure the maintenance of the unfolded state, wherein by pressing the actuating lever (10) each of the secured states can be released.