PERSONAL MOBILITY DEVICE

Abstract

A personal mobility device comprises a footboard, wheels arranged at opposite ends of the footboard, a bar extending at a proximal end from a first wheel, and a handle located at a distal end of the bar. The footboard includes a footboard hinge situated between a first footboard end and a second footboard end, and a footboard lock functionally connected to the footboard hinge to hold the footboard in an extended position and configured such that releasing the footboard lock allows the footboard to fold around the footboard hinge into a folded position.

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The subject matter of the disclosure relates to personal mobility devices, in particular to the storage and transport of personal mobility devices.

[0002] US 2012 / 0018968 A1 discloses a personal mobility device comprising wheels, a bar, a handle, and a footboard with a footboard hinge. CN 202608994 U discloses another example of a personal mobility device.

[0003] Personal mobility devices, such as scooters, are relatively small, portable devices that can be useful for commuting, running errands, and the like. Often, such devices are used to continue a commute from the location where a vehicle is parked or from another location, such as a train station.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a personal mobility device that is compact and easy to carry or otherwise transport. SUMMARY

[0005] The problem is solved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments emerge from the subclaims.

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, a personal mobility device includes a footboard, wheels disposed at opposite ends of the footboard, a bar extending from a first wheel of the wheels at a proximal end, and a handle located at a distal end of the bar. The footboard includes a footboard hinge located between a first footboard end and a second footboard end, and a footboard latch operatively connected to the footboard hinge to maintain the footboard in an extended position and configured such that release of the footboard latch enables folding of the footboard about the footboard hinge into a folded position.

[0007] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a first wheel mount connects the first wheel to the running board, and a second wheel mount connects a second one of the wheels to the running board. The running board lock is operatively connected to the first wheel mount and the second wheel mount such that release of the running board lock allows rotation of the first wheel mount and the second wheel mount relative to the running board.

[0008] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the running board lock includes a lock body rotatable about a lock body axis, a running board lock arm extending from the lock body and configured for engagement with a complementary running board tab to maintain the running board in the extended position. A first wheel release arm extends from the lock body and is operatively connected to the first wheel support for selectively releasing the first wheel support upon actuation of the running board lock. A second wheel release arm extends from the lock body and is operatively connected to the second wheel support for selectively releasing the second wheel support upon actuation of the running board lock.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the first wheel release arm and the second wheel release arm are operatively connected to the first wheel mount and the second wheel mount via a wire or band.

[0010] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the first wheel is at least partially interleaved with the second wheel when the footboard is in the folded position.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the running board hinge is located midway between the first running board end and the second running board end.

[0012] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the pole includes a lower pole portion operatively connected to the first wheel and an upper pole portion operatively connected to the lower pole portion and the handle. The upper pole portion is configured to be selectively moved within the lower pole portion to shorten the length of the pole.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a rod stop is configured to retain the upper rod portion in an extended position relative to the lower rod portion. The rod stop is selectively releasable to allow movement of the upper rod portion into the lower rod portion.

[0014] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a pole lock is operatively connected to the lower pole portion. The pole lock is configured to maintain the pole in an upright position relative to the footboard and to allow the pole to fold toward the footboard when the pole lock is released.

[0015] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the rod lock is configured to automatically release when the upper rod portion is lowered into the lower rod portion.

[0016] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the handle includes a handle main body connected to the rod and a first handle arm extending from a first side of the handle main body. The first handle arm is pivotable relative to the handle main body about a first arm pivot. A second handle arm extends from a second side of the handle main body opposite the first side and is pivotable relative to the handle main body about a second arm pivot. The first arm pivot is not coaxial with the second arm pivot.

[0017] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, an electric motor is operatively connected to the first wheel to power the personal mobility device.

[0018] In another exemplary embodiment, a personal mobility device includes a footboard, wheels disposed at opposite ends of the footboard, and a pole extending at a proximal end from a first wheel of the wheels. The pole includes a lower pole portion operatively connected to the first wheel and an upper pole portion operatively connected to the lower pole portion and a handle. The upper pole portion is configured to be selectively moved within the lower pole portion to shorten the length of the pole. A pole lock is operatively connected to the lower pole portion. The pole lock is configured to maintain the pole in an upright position relative to the footboard and to enable the pole to be folded toward the footboard when the pole lock is released.The rod lock is configured to release automatically when the upper rod section is lowered into the lower rod section.

[0019] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the rod lock includes a lower hinge portion connected to the first wheel, an upper hinge portion connected to the lower rod portion and connected to the lower hinge portion via a hinge pin, and a connector lock configured to lock the upper hinge portion to the lower hinge portion.

[0020] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a release pin is operatively connected to the connector lock and extends through the lower pole portion. The release pin is configured such that lowering the upper pole portion into the lower pole portion engages the upper pole portion with the release pin, thereby forcing the connector lock to be released and enabling the pole to be folded toward the footboard.

[0021] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a handle is located at the distal end of the rod. The handle includes a handle main body connected to the rod and a first handle arm extending from a first side of the handle main body. The first handle arm is pivotable relative to the handle main body about a first arm pivot. A second handle arm extends from a second side of the handle main body opposite the first side and is pivotable relative to the handle main body about a second arm pivot. The first arm pivot is not coaxial with the second arm pivot.

[0022] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the running board includes a running board hinge positioned between a first running board end and a second running board end, and a running board latch operatively connected to the running board hinge to maintain the running board in an extended position and configured such that release of the running board latch enables folding of the running board about the running board hinge to a collapsed position.

[0023] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a first wheel mount connects the first wheel to the running board, and a second wheel mount connects a second one of the wheels to the running board. The running board lock is operatively connected to the first wheel mount and the second wheel mount such that release of the running board lock allows rotation of the first wheel mount and the second wheel mount relative to the running board.

[0024] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the running board latch includes a latch body rotatable about a latch body axis and a running board latch arm extending from the latch body and configured for engagement with a complementary running board tab to maintain the running board in the extended position. A first wheel release arm extends from the latch body and is operatively connected to the first wheel support for selectively releasing the first wheel support upon actuation of the running board latch. A second wheel release arm extends from the latch body and is operatively connected to the second wheel support for selectively releasing the second wheel support upon actuation of the running board latch.

[0025] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the first wheel release arm and the second wheel release arm are operatively connected to the first wheel mount and the second wheel mount via a wire or band.

[0026] The above features and advantages, as well as other features and advantages of the disclosure, will be readily apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Further features, advantages and details are listed only as examples in the following detailed description, which refers to the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a personal mobility device; Fig. 2 is a bottom view of a footboard of a personal mobility device; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a partially folded personal mobility device; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a folded personal mobility device; Fig. 5 is an illustration of one embodiment of a footboard lock of a personal mobility device; Fig. 6 is an illustration of a pole of a personal mobility device in an extended position; Fig. 7 is an illustration of a pole of a personal mobility device being placed in a folded position; Fig. 8 is an illustration of one embodiment of a bar lock of a personal mobility device; Fig. 9 illustrates the release of a bar lock of an embodiment of a personal mobility device; Fig. 10 illustrates one embodiment of a handle assembly of a personal mobility device in an extended position; and Fig. 11 illustrates one embodiment of a handle assembly of a personal mobility device in a folded position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following description is merely exemplary in nature. It should be understood that corresponding reference numerals throughout the drawings indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

[0029] According to an exemplary embodiment, in Fig. 1, an exemplary personal mobility device 10 is shown. The personal mobility device 10 is in the form of a scooter and includes wheels 12, 14 connected to a footboard 16. A handle 18 is configured to be held by a user while operating the personal mobility device 10. A rod 20 extends at a proximal end from the wheel 12 to a proximal end at the handle 18. The handle 18 is connected via the rod 20 to the footboard 16 and / or one of the wheels 12, 14. Although two wheels 12, 14 are shown and described here, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the personal mobility device 10 may also have a different number of wheels, e.g., three or four wheels. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the wheels are a front wheel 12 at a first footboard end 22 closest to the bar 20, and a rear wheel 14 at a second footboard end 24 remote from the first footboard end 22. In some embodiments, the personal mobility device 10 is powered by an electric motor 26, which may be incorporated into the front wheel 12, as shown, or alternatively, into the footboard 16. A rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) 28, e.g., a battery, is located, e.g., on the front wheel 12 or in the footboard 16 and is connected to the electric motor 26 to power at least one of the wheels 12, 14 and to propel the personal mobility device 10. In such electrically powered embodiments, the handle 18 may include controls such as a throttle and / or a brake lever for controlling the operation of the personal mobility device 10.

[0030] The front wheel 12 is rotatable about a front wheel axle 34 and is connected to the footboard 16 via a front wheel bracket 36 extending from the front wheel 12 to the footboard 16. Similarly, the rear wheel 14 is rotatable about a rear wheel axle 38 and is connected to the footboard 16 via a rear wheel bracket 40 extending from the rear wheel 14 to the footboard 16.

[0031] To enhance the portability of the personal mobility device 10, a number of features are provided that reduce the personal mobility device 10 to a more compact configuration for transportation and / or storage, as described in more detail below.

[0032] In Fig. 2, the footboard 16 is provided with a footboard hinge 42, which is located, for example, in the middle of the footboard length between the front wheel 12 and the rear wheel 14. The footboard hinge 42 enables the footboard 16 to be folded between an extended position, as in Fig. 2, in which the personal mobility device 10 can be driven by a user, and a folded position as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, for storing or carrying the personal mobility device 10 by the user. As shown in Fig. 2, a footboard lock 44 is arranged on the footboard 16 to lock the footboard 16 in the extended position and to release the footboard 16 from the extended position so that the footboard 16 can be folded about the footboard hinge 42.

[0033] In Fig. 5, an exemplary embodiment of a footboard lock 44 is shown. The footboard lock 44 includes a locking body 46 and a locking handle 48 at a first end of the locking body 46, which is configured to allow the user to engage or release the footboard lock 44. In some embodiments, such as in Fig. 1, the locking handle 48 is arranged flush with the footboard 16 for normal operation of the personal mobility device 10. To use the footboard lock 44, the locking handle 48 is rotated upward about a locking handle axis 50 to allow the user to more easily grasp the locking handle 48. The footboard lock 44 also includes a footboard locking arm 52 extending outwardly from the lock body 44 and engaging a complementary footboard tab 54 (in Fig. 2) to lock the running board 16 in the extended position. To actuate the running board lock 44 to release the running board locking arm 52 from the running board tab 54, the locking body 46 is rotated about a locking body axis 56 using the locking handle 48. This rotates the running board locking arm 52 out of engagement with the running board tab 54, allowing the running board 16 to be folded about the running board hinge 42.

[0034] As in Fig. 2, the footboard lock 44 further includes a rear wheel release arm 58 and a front wheel release arm 60, each extending outwardly from the lock body 46. The rear wheel release arm 58 is operatively connected, for example, via a key release wire 64, to a rear wheel key 62. The rear wheel key 62 holds the rear wheel mount 40 and thus the rear wheel 14 in an operative position relative to the footboard 16. Similarly, the front wheel release arm 60 is operatively connected, for example, via a lock release wire 68, to a front wheel lock 66. The front wheel lock 66 holds the front wheel mount 36 and thus the front wheel 12 in an operative position relative to the footboard 16.The rear wheel key 62, key release wire 64, front wheel lock 66, and lock release wire 68, as illustrated, are merely exemplary structures, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that other suitable structures may be used to retain the front wheel 12 and the rear wheel 14. The footboard lock 44 is configured such that when the lock body 46 is rotated via the lock handle 48 to release the footboard lock arm 52 from the footboard tab 54, the key release wire 64 and the lock release wire 68 act to release the rear wheel key 62 from the rear wheel mount 40 and the front wheel lock 66 from the front wheel mount 36, respectively.This allows the rear wheel mount 40 and the front wheel mount 36 to be rotated relative to the footboard 16 such that the rear wheel 14 is at least partially interleaved with the front wheel 12 when the personal mobility device 10 is in the folded position (shown in FIG. Fig. 4).

[0035] The pole 20 of the personal mobility device 10 is configured to be folded into a pole storage position as shown in Fig. 4. This is achieved by features that are described in more detail below. The rod 20 is in Fig. 6 in an extended position. The rod 20 includes an upper rod 70 and a lower rod 72, with the upper rod 70 being slidable within the lower rod 72 in a telescopic arrangement. The rod 20 further includes a rod stop 74 attached to the lower rod 72 and extending through a stop opening 76 in the upper rod 70 to maintain the upper rod 70 in an extended position relative to the lower rod 72. In some embodiments, the rod stop 74 is biased toward the stop opening 76 by a spring element, e.g., a leaf spring 78, connecting the rod stop 74 to the lower rod 72.

[0036] To insert the upper rod 70 into the lower rod 72, the user pulls the rod stop 74 outward to remove the rod stop 74 from the stop opening 76 (see Fig. 7). This allows the user to lower the upper bar 70 into the lower bar 72.

[0037] As in Fig. 6, the rod 20 is connected to the front wheel support 36 via a rod lock 80 which is Fig. 8. The rod lock 80 includes a locking hinge assembly 82 having a lower hinge portion 84 secured to the front wheel mount 36 and an upper hinge portion 86 connected to the lower hinge portion 84 via a hinge pin 88. The upper hinge portion 86 is connected to the lower rod 72 such that when the upper hinge portion 86 is rotated about the hinge pin 88, the rod 20 can be pivoted between an upright position as shown in Fig. 1 and a stowed position as in Fig. 4 is moved. As in Fig. 8, the rod 20 is held in the upright position by a connector lock 90 pivotally connected to the upper hinge portion 86 via a lock pin 92. When the rod 20 is in the upright position, the connector lock 90 engages the lower hinge portion 84 to hold the rod 20 in the upright position. A release pin 94 extends through the lower rod 72 and is biased, for example, by a release spring 96 located between the lower rod 72 and the connector lock 90 to bias the connector lock 90 toward engagement with the lower hinge portion 84.

[0038] In Fig. 9, the connector lock 90 is moved to a released position to allow movement of the rod 20 from the upright position to the stowed position. To accomplish this, the release pin 94 is moved against the bias of the release spring 96 by the lower rod 72. This movement, in turn, moves the connector lock 90 about the locking pin 92 to release the connector lock 90 from engagement with the lower hinge portion 84, thereby allowing movement of the rod 20 to the stowed position. In some embodiments, the release of the connector lock 90 occurs automatically with the insertion of the upper rod 70 into the lower rod 72. In such embodiments, the release pin 94 includes a tapered pin surface 98 extending toward the upper rod 70. The upper rod 70 includes an upper rod pin 100 extending inwardly from an inner rod surface 102.When the upper rod 70 is inserted into the lower rod 72, the upper rod pin 100 moves into engagement with the inclined pin surface 98 of the release pin 94. This engagement forces the release pin 94 against the bias of the release spring 96 by the lower rod 72, thereby releasing the locking of the connector lock 90 from the lower hinge portion 84.

[0039] In the Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, the handle 18 is between an extended position, as in Fig. 10, and a stowed position as shown in Fig. 11, movable. The handle 18 includes a main body 104 at which the handle 18 is connected to the upper bar 70. A first handle arm 106 extends from a first lateral side of the main body 104, and a second handle arm 108 extends from a second lateral side of the main body 104. The first handle arm 106 is pivotally connected to the main body 104 at a first handle pin 110. In some embodiments, the first handle pin 110 is located on the central axis 112 of the main body. Similarly, the second handle arm 108 is pivotally connected to the main body 104 at a second handle pin 114. In some embodiments, the second handle pin 114 is offset and spaced away from the central axis 112 of the main body. The first handle arm 106 and the second handle arm 108 can each be locked in the extended position by a first handle arm lock 116 and a second handle arm lock 118.The first handle arm lock 116 and the second handle arm lock 118 are spring loaded to bias the first handle arm lock 116 and the second handle arm lock 118 toward engagement with the first handle arm 106 and the second handle arm 108, respectively, to maintain the first handle arm 106 and the second handle arm 108 in the extended position.

[0040] The first handle arm 106 can be moved to the stowed position by first releasing the first handle arm lock 116, in some embodiments by moving the first handle arm lock 116 outward against a biasing force of the first handle arm lock 116. The first handle arm 106 can then be rotated about the first handle pin 110. Similarly, the second handle arm 108 can be moved to the stowed position by releasing the second handle arm lock 118 and then rotating the second handle arm 108 about the second handle pivot point 114 toward the first handle arm 106. As shown in Fig.As shown in Figure 11, the stowed first handle arm 106 and the second handle arm 108 are secured in the stowed position, for example, by locking the lock of the first handle arm 116 with the lock of the second handle arm 118. This prevents the first handle arm 106 and the second handle arm 108 from inadvertently moving into their respective extended positions.

[0041] The features of the personal mobility device 10 disclosed herein enable the personal mobility device 10 to be folded and / or stowed into a compact form, facilitating transport and / or storage of the personal mobility device 10 when not in use.

[0042] The terms "a" and "an" do not imply a limitation of quantity, but denote the presence of at least one of the mentioned items. The term "or" means "and / or" unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Whenever "an aspect" is mentioned throughout the description, this means that a particular element (e.g. a feature, structure, step or property) described in connection with the aspect is included in at least one of the aspects described therein and may or may not be present in other aspects. It is understood that the described elements in the various aspects can be combined in any suitable way.

[0043] Unless otherwise defined, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

Claims

[1] Personal mobility device (10) comprising: a running board (16); Wheels (12, 14) arranged at opposite ends of the footboard (16); a rod (20) extending at a proximal end from a first wheel (12) of the wheels (12, 14); a handle (18) arranged at the distal end of the rod (20); wherein the footboard (16) comprises: a footboard hinge (42) disposed between a first footboard end (22) and a second footboard end (24); and a footboard lock (44) operatively connected to the footboard hinge (42) to hold the footboard (16) in an extended position and configured such that release of the footboard lock (44) enables the footboard (16) to be folded about the footboard hinge (42) toward a folded position, wherein the handle (18) comprises: a handle main body (104) connected to the rod (20); a first handle arm (106) extending from a first side of the handle main body (104), the first handle arm (106) being pivotable about a first arm pin (110) relative to the handle main body (104); and a second handle arm (108) extending from a second side of the handle main body (104) opposite the first side and pivotable about a second arm pin (114) relative to the handle main body (104); wherein the first arm pin (110) is not coaxial with the second arm pin (114). [2] Personal mobility device (10) according to claim 1, further comprising: a first wheel support (36) connecting the first wheel (12) to the footboard (16); and a second wheel mount (40) connecting a second wheel (14) of the wheels (12, 14) to the footboard (16); wherein the running board lock (44) is operatively connected to the first wheel support (36) and the second wheel support (40) such that release of the running board lock (44) enables rotation of the first wheel support (36) and the second wheel support (40) relative to the running board (16). [3] Personal mobility device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the footboard lock (44) comprises: a locking body (46) rotatable about a locking body axis (56); a footboard locking arm (52) extending from the locking body (46) and configured to engage a complementary footboard tab (54) to hold the footboard (16) in the extended position; a first wheel release arm (60) extending from the locking body (46) and operatively connected to the first wheel support (36) for selectively releasing the first wheel support (36) by actuation of the footboard lock (44); and a second wheel release arm (58) extending from the locking body (46) and operatively connected to the second wheel support (40) for selectively releasing the second wheel support (40) by actuation of the running board lock (44). [4] The personal mobility device (10) of claim 3, wherein the first wheel release arm (60) and the second wheel release arm (58) are operatively connected to the first wheel mount (36) and the second wheel mount (40), respectively, via a wire (64, 68) or a band. [5] The personal mobility device (10) of claim 2, wherein the first wheel (12) is at least partially interleaved with the second wheel (14) when the footboard (16) is in the folded position. [6] The personal mobility device (10) of claim 1, wherein the footboard hinge (42) is located midway between the first footboard end (22) and the second footboard end (24). [7] Personal mobility device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the rod (20) comprises: a lower rod portion (72) operatively connected to the first wheel (12); and an upper rod portion (70) operatively connected to the lower rod portion (72) and the handle (18), the upper rod portion (70) being configured to be selectively moved within the lower rod portion (72) to shorten the length of the rod (20). [8] The personal mobility device (10) of claim 7, further comprising a pole stop (74) configured to maintain the upper pole portion (70) in an extended position relative to the lower pole portion (72), the pole stop (74) being selectively releasable to permit movement of the upper pole portion (70) into the lower pole portion (72). [9] The personal mobility device (10) of claim 7, further comprising a pole lock (80) operatively connected to the lower pole portion (72), the pole lock (80) configured to maintain the pole (20) in an upright position relative to the footboard (16) and to enable the pole (20) to fold toward the footboard (16) when the pole lock (80) is released.

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