Folding electrically powered vehicle

Abstract

A folding electrically powered vehicle includes a handlebar unit mounted at an upper end of a stem; a front wheel; an inverted U-shaped front suspension assembly including an intermediate joint pivotably mounted on a lower portion of the stem, a rearward curved frame member, and two foot rests; a front frame having two ends of a front portion pivotably secured to the two ends of the suspension assembly, the front frame including two rearward extending bars; a rear frame including two side bars pivotably secured to the rearward extending bars, two rear wheels, and a stop tube across front portions of the side bars; a seat assembly including two bottom tubes pivotably secured to two ends of the rearward extending bars respectively, and a pivotal seat back; and two shock absorbers each pivotably secured to the seat assembly and the rear frame.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention[0001]The invention relates to electric vehicles and more particularly to a folding electrically powered vehicle such as personal mobility vehicle (PMV) which can be carried by a small car after being folded.2. Description of Related Art[0002]The popularity of personal mobility vehicles (PMVs) has dramatically increased over the last several decades. Although conventional PMVs provide the desired mobility to an operator, they suffered from several disadvantages. Firstly, they were difficult to store during nonuse. In short, they are bulky to be stored in a small room. Secondly, they were difficult to transport in a car also due to bulkiness.[0003]Prior art have attempted to solve the problems of the transportation and storage of a PMV by collapsing or folding same. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,465 to Kruse discloses a personal mobility vehicle comprising a frame supported above the ground by two closely spaced side-by-side rear...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The design allows for efficient folding and storage of the PMV, enhancing its portability by enabling it to be carried in a small car, while maintaining structural integrity and ease of use.

Problems solved by technology

Firstly, they were difficult to store during nonuse.

In short, they are bulky to be stored in a small room.

Secondly, they were difficult to transport in a car also due to bulkiness.

However, the '995 patent has disadvantages including the seat rack being not structurally strong, no connection between the chassis plates and the upper rods (or the lower rods), and the folding process being difficult.

Images