Kick scooter

Abstract

To provide a kick scooter that enables baggage to be stored as necessary while maintaining usability of the kick scooter.SOLUTION: A kick scooter 100 includes a deck 7 on which a rider steps foot. The deck 7 is provided thereon with a baggage storge part 101 switchable between a first state in which an upper plate 104 used as a seating surface on which the rider sits is in contact with or located close to the deck 7 and a second state in which the upper plate 104 is separated from the deck 7 in the vertical direction to form a lower space of the upper plate 104 as a baggage storage space 115.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1B

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a kick scooter. [Background technology]

[0002] Kick scooters, which have become popular in recent years, are vehicles that the rider places their feet on the deck and kicks the ground to move. Electric kick scooters, which do not require the rider to kick the ground and can run using electricity stored in a battery, are also becoming popular. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-122240 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Kick scooters (including electric kick scooters) do not have a storage space for luggage. If a user rides with luggage hanging from the handlebars, they may lose balance and have a negative impact on safe riding. Hanging luggage from the handlebars is not recommended. Therefore, there is a need for a kick scooter that can store luggage when needed while maintaining the ease of use of a kick scooter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention provides a kick scooter that includes a deck on which a passenger places his / her feet, and a luggage storage section that is provided on the deck and has an upper plate used as a seating surface for the passenger to sit on, and that can be switched between a first state in which the upper plate is in contact with or close to the deck, and a second state in which the upper plate is vertically separated from the deck and the space below the upper plate is used as luggage storage space. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the kick scooter of the present invention, it is possible to store luggage as needed while maintaining the ease of use of the kick scooter. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a side view showing the kick scooter according to the first embodiment in a first state. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a side view showing the kick scooter according to the first embodiment in a second state. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a power supply unit provided in the kick scooter according to each embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of the kick scooter according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1B and FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged view showing the state of the upper plate when the kick scooter according to the first embodiment is in the second state. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a side view showing a state in which a rider is standing and driving the kick scooter according to the first embodiment when the kick scooter is in the first state. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a side view showing a state in which the kick scooter according to the first embodiment is in the second state and a rider is driving the kick scooter while sitting on the seat. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is a side view showing the kick scooter according to the second embodiment in the first state. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a side view showing the kick scooter according to the second embodiment in the second state. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the operation of the luggage storage section of the kick scooter according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9A] FIG. 9A is a side view showing the kick scooter according to the third embodiment in the first state. [Figure 9B]FIG. 9B is a side view showing the kick scooter according to the third embodiment in the second state. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10A is a plan view showing a state in which the upper panel of a luggage storage section of a kick scooter according to a third embodiment is closest to the lower panel. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10B is a plan view showing a state in which the upper plate of the luggage storage section of the kick scooter according to the third embodiment is farthest from the lower plate. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side view showing a locking mechanism and an unlocking mechanism of the luggage storage section of the kick scooter according to the third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a side view showing another locking mechanism and release mechanism of the luggage storage section that may be provided on the kick scooter according to the third embodiment. [Figure 13A] FIG. 13A is a partial perspective view showing a kick scooter according to a fourth embodiment in a first state. [Figure 13B] FIG. 13B is a partial perspective view showing the kick scooter according to the fourth embodiment in the second state. [Figure 14A] FIG. 14A is a plan view showing a state in which the trunk of the luggage storage section of the kick scooter according to the fourth embodiment is retracted. [Figure 14B] FIG. 14B is a plan view showing a state in which the trunk portion of the luggage storage section of the kick scooter according to the fourth embodiment is extended. [Figure 14C] FIG. 14C is a plan view showing a state in which the luggage storage section of the kick scooter according to the fourth embodiment extends the body section and locks it so that the body section does not shrink. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, kick scooters according to each embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The kick scooter according to each embodiment is an electric kick scooter. The kick scooter according to each embodiment may be a non-electric kick scooter that moves by the rider kicking the ground with their feet.

[0009] First Embodiment Figures 1A and 1B show a kick scooter 100 according to a first embodiment. In Figures 1A and 1B, left and right handlebars 2 to be gripped by the left and right hands of a rider 20 (shown in Figures 6A and 6B) are attached to the left and right ends of a handlebar 1 extending in the left-right direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the paper surface. An accelerator 3 is attached to the handlebar 1 near the handlebar 2 on the rider 20 side, for example, on the right side. Left and right brake levers 4 are attached to the handlebar 1 at positions corresponding to the left and right handlebars 2.

[0010] A frame bar 5 extending vertically is attached to the handlebar 1. A front wheel 6 is attached to the lower end of the frame bar 5. The frame bar 5 is inclined slightly backward from the front wheel 6 to the handlebar 1. A deck 7 on which a rider 20 places his / her left and right feet is connected to the frame bar 5. A rear wheel 8 is attached to the rear end of the deck 7. The upper part of the rear wheel 8 is covered with a tire cover 9.

[0011] The deck 7 houses a power supply unit 10 including a battery 11 and a controller 12 shown in Fig. 2. When the occupant 20 operates the accelerator 3, the controller 12 supplies power from the battery 11 to the motor 8M according to the operation of the accelerator 3. The motor 8M rotates the rear wheel 8 with the supplied power. The kick scooter 100 may further include a motor that rotates the front wheel 6. In this case, the controller 12 supplies power from the battery 11 to both the motor that rotates the front wheel 6 and the motor 8M that rotates the rear wheel 8.

[0012] The kick scooter 100 is provided with a luggage storage section 101 above the deck 7 that can be switched between a non-use state (first state) and a use state (second state). A pair of support posts 103 that can rotate around an axis 102 provided at a predetermined position are attached near the left and right sides of the deck 7. An upper plate 104 used as a seat is attached to the tip of the pair of support posts 103. The support posts 103 are, for example, cylindrical, but may also be rectangular. The support posts 103 may be hollow.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1A, when the pair of support columns 103 are placed along the side surfaces of the deck 7, the upper plate 104 is in contact with the deck 7 with its back surface 104b facing upward. When the pair of support columns 103 are rotated rearward about the shaft 102, as shown in Fig. 1B, the pair of support columns 103 come into contact with left and right stoppers 105 attached in front of the rear wheels 8 at the rear of the deck 7, and the position of the pair of support columns 103 in the rearward rotation direction is restricted.

[0014] As shown in the partially enlarged views of Figs. 1A, 1B, and 3, the stopper 105 has a protrusion 106. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of Figs. 1B and 3. As shown in Fig. 4, a hole 103h is formed in the support 103. An engagement pin 107 to which a force is applied in the outward direction (towards the support 103) by a spring 108 is housed in the protrusion 106. A protrusion 109 is formed on the engagement pin 107 to prevent it from coming off. The protrusion 109 comes into contact with a regulating wall 110, so that the engagement pin 107 does not come off the protrusion 106.

[0015] When the support pillar 103 rotates towards the stopper 105 and comes into contact with the stopper 105, the tip of the engagement pin 107 enters the hole 103h. This positions the support pillar 103 in contact with the stopper 105. If the occupant 20 applies force to rotate the support pillar 103 forward, the engagement pin 107 is pushed and the spring 108 is compressed, making it possible to easily return the support pillar 103 to the state shown in FIG. 1A.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 5, upper plate 104 can be rotated around shaft 111 provided at the tip of support column 103. With support column 103 in contact with stopper 105, upper plate 104 can be rotated upward and supported by support rod 112 to reach the state shown in Fig. 1B. In the states of Fig. 1B and Fig. 5, upper plate 104 is in a state in which front surface 104a faces upward.

[0017] 1B, when the support pillar 103 is rotated rearward to position the upper plate 104 in an upward position, a space 115 (luggage storage space) of a predetermined size is formed below the upper plate 104. The occupant 20 can store luggage in the space 115 below the upper plate 104. At the rear of the space 115, there is a tire cover 9 that protrudes upward and covers the rear wheel 8, and there are stoppers 105 on the left and right sides, so that luggage can be retained within the space 115.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 6A, when the support pole 103 is rotated forward and the upper plate 104 is in contact with the deck 7, the rider 20 can drive the kick scooter 100 while standing with both feet on the deck 7, similar to a typical kick scooter. At this time, the rider 20 places, for example, the right foot on the upper plate 104. As shown in Fig. 6B, when the support pole 103 is rotated backward and the upper plate 104 is positioned upward, the rider 20 can drive the kick scooter 100 while sitting on the upper plate 104.

[0019] In this way, the kick scooter 100 allows luggage to be stored as needed while maintaining the ease of use of a typical kick scooter, that is, driving the kick scooter 100 while standing with both feet on the deck 7. The kick scooter 100 allows the user to drive the kick scooter 100 while sitting on the upper board 104 in a state in which luggage can be stored.

[0020] In Fig. 6A, the right foot comes into contact with the underside 104b of the upper board 104, and in Fig. 6B, the buttocks of the occupant 20 come into contact with the front side 104a of the upper board 104. Therefore, even if the occupant 20 places his / her feet on the upper board 104 in Fig. 6A, the buttocks of the occupant 20 will not get dirty when he / she sits on the upper board 104.

[0021] <Second embodiment> Figures 7A and 7B show a kick scooter 200 according to a second embodiment. In Figures 7A and 7B, the same parts as those in Figures 1A and 1B are labeled with the same parts, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0022] The kick scooter 200 is provided with a foldable luggage storage section 201 at the rear of the deck 7. As shown in FIG. 8, the luggage storage section 201 has a lower plate 202, an upper plate 203 used as a seat, and a bendable side plate 204. The side plate 204 is an example of a connecting mechanism that connects the lower plate 202 and the upper plate 203. The lower plate 202 is fixed to the deck 7. The function of the lower plate 202 may be provided on the deck 7, and the lower plate 202 may be formed integrally with the deck 7. FIG. 7A shows a state in which the side plate 204 is completely folded and the upper plate 203 is closest to the lower plate 202. When the passenger 20 lifts the upper plate 203, the side plate 204 gradually spreads out as shown in FIG. 8, and when it becomes a vertical straight line, it becomes the state shown in FIG. 7B.

[0023] 7B, a space 215 for storing luggage (luggage storage space) is formed below the upper plate 203. The occupant 20 can store luggage in the space 215. A tire cover 9 is present behind the space 215, and side plates 204 exist on the left and right sides, so that the luggage can be kept inside the space 215.

[0024] In the state shown in Fig. 7A, the passenger 20 can drive the kick scooter 200 while standing with both feet on the deck 7, similar to a general kick scooter. At this time, the passenger 20 may, for example, place his / her left foot on the upper board 203. In the state shown in Fig. 7B, the passenger 20 can drive the kick scooter 200 while sitting on the luggage storage section 201 (upper board 203).

[0025] <Third embodiment> Figures 9A and 9B show a kick scooter 300 according to a third embodiment. In Figures 9A and 9B, the same parts as those in Figures 1A and 1B are labeled with the same parts, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0026] Kick scooter 300 is provided with a foldable luggage storage section 301 at the rear of deck 7. Luggage storage section 301 has lower plate 302, upper plate 303 used as a seat, and X-shaped link mechanisms 304 provided on the left and right sides that connect lower plate 302 and upper plate 303. Link mechanism 304 is another example of a connecting mechanism that connects lower plate 302 and upper plate 303. Lower plate 302 is fixed to deck 7.

[0027] 10A and 10B, lower plate 302 and upper plate 303 are formed with two grooves 302g and 303g, respectively, and protrusions 305 provided at the tips of two links constituting link mechanism 304 engage with grooves 302g and 303g. The two links are connected by a spring 306.

[0028] Fig. 10A shows a state in which the protrusion 305 is located at the outermost position of the grooves 302g and 303g and the upper plate 303 is closest to the lower plate 302. Fig. 9A shows the luggage storage section 301 in the state shown in Fig. 10A. Fig. 10B shows a state in which the protrusion 305 is located at the innermost position of the grooves 302g and 303g and the upper plate 303 is farthest from the lower plate 302. Fig. 9B shows the luggage storage section 301 in the state shown in Fig. 10B. For simplification, detailed configuration of the spring 305 and the like is omitted in Figs. 9A and 9B.

[0029] The spring 305 always acts to pull the two links toward each other, and the force of the spring 305 causes the luggage storage section 301 to assume the state shown in Fig. 10B. The passenger 20 can press the upper plate 303 against the lower plate 302 to assume the state shown in Fig. 10A. The kick scooter 300 is equipped with a locking mechanism and a releasing mechanism for maintaining or releasing the state shown in Fig. 10A.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 11, the kick scooter 300 has a pressing piece 311 provided, for example, on the side of the luggage storage section 301, which presses down the luggage storage section 301 in the state shown in Fig. 10A. The pressing piece 311 rotates in a direction pressing down the luggage storage section 301 by the force of, for example, a torsion spring (not shown), thereby pressing down the luggage storage section 301. An operating unit 312 that presses down and releases the luggage storage section 301 by the pressing piece 311 is attached to a position on the handlebar 1. The operating unit 312 and the pressing piece 311 are connected by a wire 313.

[0031] When passenger 20 operates the lever of operating unit 312 while pressing piece 311 is pressing down on luggage storage unit 301, wire 313 pulls pressing piece 311, releasing pressing piece 311 from pressing down on luggage storage unit 301. Pressing piece 311 constitutes a locking mechanism for luggage storage unit 301, and operating unit 312 and wire 313 constitute a release mechanism.

[0032] As an alternative to the locking mechanism and release mechanism shown in FIG. 11, a configuration as shown in FIG. 12, which is operated by hand or foot, may be used. As shown in FIG. 12, the kick scooter 300 has pressing pieces 321 provided, for example, on the front and rear sides of the luggage storage section 301, which press the luggage storage section 301 in the state shown in FIG. 10A. The pressing pieces 321 have protrusions 322 for rotating the pressing pieces 321 with a hand or foot. By operating the protrusions 322 with a hand or foot, the occupant 20 can select between a state in which the pressing pieces 311 shown by solid lines press the luggage storage section 301 and a state in which the pressing of the luggage storage section 301 by the pressing pieces 311 shown by two-dot chain lines is released.

[0033] 9B, a space 315 for storing luggage (luggage storage space) is formed below the upper plate 303. The occupant 20 can store luggage in the space 315. A tire cover 9 is present behind the space 315, and link mechanisms 304 are present on the left and right sides, so that the luggage can be kept within the space 315.

[0034] In the state shown in Fig. 9A, the passenger 20 can drive the kick scooter 300 while standing with both feet on the deck 7, similar to a general kick scooter. At this time, the passenger 20 may, for example, place his / her left foot on the upper board 303. In the state shown in Fig. 9B, the passenger 20 can drive the kick scooter 300 while sitting on the luggage storage section 301 (upper board 303).

[0035] <Fourth embodiment> Figures 13A and 13B partially show a kick scooter 400 according to a fourth embodiment. In Figures 13A and 13B, the same parts as those in Figures 1A and 1B are labeled with the same parts, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0036] The kick scooter 400 is provided with a vertically extendable luggage storage section 401 at the rear of the deck 7. The luggage storage section 401 has a trunk section 402 that is extendable and has an open top, and an upper plate 403 that is a lid for the trunk section 402 and is used as a seat on which the occupant 20 sits. The lower end of the trunk section 402 is fixed to the deck 7.

[0037] Fig. 14A shows the state in which the upper plate 403 has been removed and the body 402 has been contracted. As shown in Fig. 14B, the body 402 has cylindrical sections 412, 422, 432, 442 from the bottom to the top. Protruding pins 413, 423, 433 are formed on the outer circumferential surfaces of the cylindrical sections 412, 422, 432, respectively. L-shaped grooves 424, 434, 444 are formed on the inner circumferential surfaces of the cylindrical sections 422, 432, 442. The protruding pins 413, 423, 433 are engaged with the grooves 424, 434, 444, respectively.

[0038] In the state shown in Fig. 14A, the cylindrical portions 412, 422, 432, and 442 overlap with each other with the protruding pins 413, 423, and 433 positioned at the upper ends of the grooves 424, 434, and 444, respectively. When the body portion 402 is extended upward, the protruding pins 413, 423, and 433 move to the lower ends of the grooves 424, 434, and 444, respectively, as shown in Fig. 14B. When the cylindrical portions 422, 432, and 442 are rotated, the protruding pins 413, 423, and 433 can be positioned at the horizontal ends of the grooves 424, 434, and 444, as shown in Fig. 14C, and the body portion 402 can be locked so as not to shrink.

[0039] 13B, a space 415 for storing luggage (luggage storage space) is formed in the torso 402 below the upper plate 403. The occupant 20 can remove the upper plate 403 and store luggage in the space 415. Since the space 415 is located inside the torso 402, the luggage can be kept inside the space 415.

[0040] In the state shown in Fig. 13A, the passenger 20 can drive the kick scooter 400 while standing with both feet on the deck 7, similar to a general kick scooter. At this time, the passenger 20 may, for example, place his / her left foot on the upper board 403. In the state shown in Fig. 13B, the passenger 20 can drive the kick scooter 400 while sitting on the luggage storage section 401 (upper board 403) with the torso section 402 extended.

[0041] The present invention is not limited to the first to fourth embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1 Handlebar 2 Handle 3. Accel 4 Brake lever 5 Frame Bar 6 Front wheel 7 Deck 8 Rear Wheel 8M motor 9. Tire Covers 10 Power supply section 11 Battery 12 Controller 20 Crew 100,200,300,400 Kick scooter 101, 201, 301, 401 Luggage storage area 102 Axis 103 Post 104,203,303,403 Upper plate 115, 215, 315, 415 Space (luggage storage space) 202,302 Lower plate 204 Side plate (connection mechanism) 304 Link mechanism (connection mechanism) 311, 321 Pressing piece (locking mechanism) 312 Operation section

Claims

1. A deck where the crew rest their feet, a luggage storage section that is provided on the deck and can be switched between a first state in which an upper plate used as a seating surface on which the occupant sits is in contact with or close to the deck and a second state in which the upper plate is vertically separated from the deck and a space below the upper plate is used as a luggage storage space; A kick scooter equipped with the above.

2. The luggage storage section has a pair of support columns attached to the deck near both sides thereof and rotatably about shafts provided at predetermined positions, the upper plate is attached to the pair of columns at a position spaced apart from the axis of the pair of columns so as to be rotatable relative to the pair of columns, In the first state, the pair of support columns are inclined such that the tip ends of the pair of support columns are positioned forward of the deck relative to the shaft so that the upper plate is in contact with or close to the deck, In the second state, the pair of support columns are configured to rotate until the tip portions are positioned rearward of the shaft so that the upper plate is vertically spaced from the deck and positioned rearward of the deck. The kick scooter according to claim 1.

3. The luggage storage section further includes a lower plate located closer to the deck than the upper plate, and a connecting mechanism connecting the upper plate and the lower plate, The connecting mechanism brings the upper plate and the lower plate closer to each other to achieve the first state, and moves the upper plate away from the lower plate to achieve the second state. The kick scooter according to claim 1.

4. The kick scooter described in claim 3, further comprising a locking mechanism that locks the upper plate and the lower plate in close proximity to each other to maintain the first state when the connecting mechanism brings the upper plate and the lower plate in close proximity to each other to maintain the first state.

5. A handlebar to which a handle is attached that is gripped by the rider with the left and right hands; an operating part attached to the handlebar and configured to release the locking of the upper plate and the lower plate by the locking mechanism; The kick scooter of claim 4 further comprising:

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