Single-track vehicle

Abstract

The present invention is a single-track vehicle having a frame extending longitudinally in the traveling direction. The frame includes a support having a vertical surface made of a rigid material, and the support is disposed in the region of the steering column or above the footrest between the steering column and the footrest. A front fork holder for the front wheel fork is provided at the lower edge of the support, and a steering column holder for the steering column is provided at the upper edge of the support. The footrest is connected to the rear lower region of the support and extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a single-track vehicle that can carry a person in a standing state.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a frame for a single-track vehicle, such as a scooter, that can transport both people and luggage. The luggage can be of various sizes and is fixed in the length direction with respect to the traveling direction.

[0003] The present invention aims to create a general-purpose luggage holder for such a single-track vehicle, integrated with a front-wheel holder and a steering column holder within a common frame connected to a footboard and a rear-wheel holder, so that it can be as stable and lightweight as possible. As a result, the resulting forces are absorbed as effectively as possible, and the structural costs and weight are also optimized.

[0004]

Background Art

[0005] In recent years, both manual scooters and electric e-rollers or e-scooters (hereinafter simply referred to as "scooters") have become more popular, especially in urban areas and large metropolitan areas.

[0006] These vehicles are often used as auxiliary means of transportation for "first mile" and / or "last mile", and are parked somewhere or picked up and taken into another means of transportation before and after use.

[0007] In this case, in auxiliary means of transportation used (e.g., trains, cars), or in general public parking spaces such as within a residence, the available space is insufficient. For example, when carrying a scooter up the stairs into a building, or loading the scooter onto an auxiliary means of transportation and unloading it, the scooter is required to have compact dimensions and be lightweight.

[0008] When a scooter is used as a means of transportation rather than as a sports or leisure device, the ability to carry luggage or loads is required.

[0009] The following four solutions to this problem have been proposed so far.

[0010] 1. A non-exchangeable luggage article having attachments aligned longitudinally (e.g., US 9033350 B2 / EP2540604B1, EP1138590A1, JP2009006107A, US 2016 / 0144708 A1, US 2004 / 0094919 A1, WO 01 / 72164 A1, CN108791621A), or transversely with respect to the direction of travel (e.g., CN 201240476Y, DE 10026184 C2, EP 3 516 982 A1, US6460866, US9090274, US20130062377A1). In this case, the luggage (usually an upright suitcase) includes the accessories necessary to convert it into a scooter. These are extended or folded for riding and contracted or folded for transportation. Thus, the luggage itself is a scooter.

[0011] 2. A trolley having a scooter attachment (such as a footboard) and a luggage holder transverse to the direction of travel (e.g., US2015 / 0122566 A1, trolley with a removable suitcase: US2010 / 0213680 A1). The same applies to the attachment as in 1.

[0012] 3. A normal scooter having a luggage container on the front wheels transverse to the direction of travel (e.g., DE000010204478A1, DE202019103766U1, US20140061267A1, WO001995008466A1, EP000001704901A1, DE202008006764U1, US20130062377A1, DE102006042119A1), or having a square base (DE202004003741U1, DE102011106561A1).

[0013] 4. A normal scooter having a luggage container on the front wheels with an open top (e.g., DE3138095A1 / DE000008128047U1, US20160297459A1, US8534405, DE9403583U1, combination of 3 and 4, DE000029610975U1, DE102012007780B3, DE102006049770A1) US9108695 describes a vehicle in which a vertical square frame serves as a luggage holder and as a central part for holding the steering, front wheels and seat (instead of the feet), in which case the luggage is not fixed to the surface but instead slides within the frame.

[0014] Solutions involving fixed luggage and solutions involving luggage holders are less flexible in transportation. In the case of rental scooters, travelers bring their own luggage.

[0015] Solutions with a luggage holder having a base that is transverse to the direction of travel or square are disadvantageous in terms of space requirements for larger luggage. In general, hand luggage does not have a square bottom, i.e., no long sides. This is because it has to be transported forwards for reasons of tipping stability and transversely to the direction of travel for reasons of stationary stability. Depending on the size of the luggage, this can be disadvantageous as the vehicle has a rather elongated base, for example when driving through a pedestrian zone.

[0016] The prior art, which further develops a known type of scooter so as to form a stable and compact structure for a scooter having a general-purpose luggage rack that can hold various passenger articles such as suitcases and shopping bags while having a minimum possible dead weight, is disclosed in WO 02 / 12057 A1. This document already shows a single-track vehicle that can be carried while a person is standing. However, the frame acts more as a cover and only increases the stability of the vehicle when folded, not when driving in the deployed state. In this cited document, the front-wheel fork is also designed to be foldable and is not directly and rigidly connected to the frame. For example, in a corresponding folding structure as shown in FIG. 8 of the cited document, it is not possible to transmit sufficient force to act on the entire structure during driving. As a result, the steering column of this cited document is not sufficiently firmly connected to the frame. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention aims to further develop a known type of scooter so as to form a stable and compact structure for a scooter that has a universal luggage rack capable of holding various passenger articles such as suitcases and shopping bags, and at the same time has an inherent weight as small as possible. More specifically, the object of the present invention is to further develop and improve a single-track vehicle so that the stability during driving is significantly improved, and as a result, the vehicle can be used without worry even by users who are tall and heavy.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0018] This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0019] Using somewhat different terms. The present invention is a single-track vehicle that is carried in a standing state by a person, comprising a steered front wheel having a holder in the form of a front-wheel fork, a handle portion by which a person can steer the vehicle, at least one rear wheel having a rear-wheel holder, a steering column, a footrest disposed between the front wheel and the rear wheel, and a frame in which the steering column connects the front-wheel fork and the handle portion, and the handle portion is firmly connected to the steering column. The frame extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and in the longitudinal direction, it comprises a vertical surface made of a rigid material disposed between the steering column and the footrest above the footrest. The front-wheel fork is rotatably attached to the lower edge thereof, and the steering column is rotatably attached to the upper edge thereof. The footrest is connected to the rear lower region of the surface, providing a single-track vehicle. To limit the length of the vehicle, move the center of gravity backward, and for reasons of stability, to maximize the distance between the footrest attachment points on the frame, the frame preferably covers the footrest such that the driver's feet are also located below the frame.

[0020] The surface is geometrically dense and impermeable, and the surface structure on this surface is stable so that the luggage is fixed without falling horizontally.

[0021] Also, it is preferable that the fixed options are arranged at at least two places on the surface, whereby the luggage can be fixed.

[0022] When carrying larger or heavier luggage, the surface is preferably closed at its lower end by a floor platform extending horizontally towards the sides.

[0023] The stand is preferably attached to the lower rear corner of the surface.

[0024] To further reduce the space requirements of the vehicle according to the present invention during transportation or storage, the footrest is preferably designed to be removable together with the rear wheels, and fastening means for attaching the footrest vertically parallel to the lower edge of the surface with the rear wheels facing downwards are preferably provided on the surface.

[0025] To further facilitate the transportation of the vehicle according to the present invention, a horizontally aligned holding device, a stable handle, or a holding strap is preferably attached to the upper edge of the surface.

[0026] To further improve the stability of the vehicle according to the present invention, a cross member is preferably arranged between the outer corners of the floor platform and the upper ends of the front and rear edges of the surface.

[0027] Holders for mobile phones, maps, or bottles can preferably be attached to the upper edge of the surface.

[0028] A lockable compartment can also be provided on the surface for the convenience of the user.

[0029] When the vehicle has an electric drive unit, the battery can be fixed to the surface.

[0030] Furthermore, advertising images and / or advertising inscriptions can be applied to one or both side surfaces of the surface, and since they are displayed in any place where the vehicle according to the present invention travels, they are particularly prominent and eye-catching.

[0031]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032] The present invention will be described in more detail below using exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0033]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0034] The present invention creates a scooter for transporting people and luggage, for example, in the form of a scooter (pedal scooter) powered by physical force or an electrically powered scooter (e-scooter).

[0035] The present invention is basically related to two problems. First, the scooter should have a general-purpose luggage holder for fixing various passenger items such as a suitcase or a shopping bag that are difficult or almost impossible to carry on the passenger's back like a backpack.

[0036] On the other hand, a structure that is as lightweight, stable, and compact as possible should be formed. This structure also enables the scooter itself to be carried as easily as possible and further enables the scooter to withstand the dynamic driving force that increases particularly along the traveling direction.

[0037] This is solved by an elongated space frame 1 that absorbs the forces of the footrest 2, the front wheel 3, and the steering column 12 and integrates the luggage holder, when viewed in the traveling direction.

[0038] FIG. 1 schematically shows a conventional pedal scooter or electric scooter without a luggage holder or container. The dashed lines indicate the components according to the present invention projected onto FIG. 1. FIGS. 2 ff show only the scooter designed according to the present invention.

[0039] The scooter shown in FIG. 1 according to the prior art comprises the following components.

[0040] The front wheel fork 6 is rotatably supported on the frame 1 together with the front steering column 12 by a tube 3a arranged substantially vertically. The frame 1 extends in the traveling direction and supports the footrest 2 and the rear wheel 9 in a front-to-back relationship with each other.

[0041] The front-wheel fork 6, which supports the front wheel vertically below and is closed by a guide tube above, is supported from below by a vertically aligned tube 3a as a sleeve-shaped guide bearing that surrounds the outside in the case of a conventional scooter, and this tube 3a is similarly connected to the steering column 12 above.

[0042] This guide bearing is usually connected to the footrest 2 via a cross member 5, and the connection part 7a of the cross member 5 to the front wheel and the steering column holder 3a and the footrest 2 is generally curved or angled and welded.

[0043] In the case of a scooter powered by muscle strength, the cross member 5 is often interrupted by a pivot bearing between points 7a and 7b, causing the steering column 12 with the front-wheel fork 6 and the footrest 2 with the rear wheel 9 to pivot towards each other, making it easier to transport and store the scooter in a folded state. In the driving state and the folded state, in order to fix the turning angles generated from the end points 8 and 9, movable parts such as lock bolts with a corresponding amount of play are used. This play is particularly perceptible to the driver due to the relatively long lever of the steering column.

[0044] This is due to the driver's upright posture, which also requires that the footrest and / or the wheelbase have a length sufficient to ensure roll stability around an axis transverse to the driving direction.

[0045] When pulling or pushing the steering column 12 for acceleration and braking due to the driver's weight (the vertical arrow indicates the main direction of the force) (the horizontal arrow in Figure 1 indicates the main direction of the force), especially in the case of tall and heavy people, relatively large forces are generated at points 7b and 7a and between them.

[0046] These lever forces are dynamically amplified by the uneven ground and act on the material as buckling and shear forces, and the material must have a high material thickness and a robust joint (weld) with complex manufacturing. Also, the pivot bearing with the fixing bolt and its socket must have a robust structure. All of these increase the cost and weight of the scooter.

[0047] In the frame 1 according to the present invention, the region of the plane stretched by the points 8, 6, 9 between the force absorption points 4, 10b is supported by a completely filled planar structure also called the support 13, on which thrust and tensile forces (diagonal arrows) mostly act.

[0048] Furthermore, the lever length is shortened, and accordingly the lever force is reduced. Therefore, for the steering column holder 4 according to the present invention, the forces acting horizontally along and against the traveling direction via the steering column 12 act only on the lever path 8-4. In contrast, in the prior art, the same forces act on the lever path 8-11. The vertical force component acts on the cross-section 10b-9 according to the present invention and acts on the cross-section 7b-9 according to the prior art.

[0049] Furthermore, the counter lever reacting to the lever force is extended. According to the prior art, this is limited to the width of the cross member 5 at the points 7a and 7b.

[0050] According to the present invention, the counter lever (horizontal force) acting on the steering column 12 is the part 3b-4, and the counter lever (vertical force) acting on the footrest 2 and the rear wheel 9 is the part 10a-10b.

[0051] Both the shortening of the lever length and the extension of the counter lever reduce the load on the holder and the frame parts, and therefore the holder and the frame parts can be made lighter.

[0052] DE 11 2016 006 507 T5 and CN108791621A also propose to fill an angle with a hollow body, but the driver's feet are located on the side of the hollow body and not behind it. This means that it may not be possible or advantageous to arrange a luggage rack on the hollow body.

[0053] In DE20018919U1, the steering column is held in a space container, but the sensitive cross member 5 is held.

[0054] Scooter devices assembled around a suitcase (for example, DE000010204478A1, DE202019103766U1, DE000008128047U1) will also clearly benefit from this as a lever-shortened central frame, but are aligned transversely to the direction of travel, and the strongest dynamic driving force acts longitudinally in the direction of travel.

[0055] The frame 1 can be designed in the form of a three-dimensional frame or as a monocoque.

[0056] One possible design is an elongated tubular frame similar to a bicycle frame. The hollow space between the tubes can be covered with a cloth, for example, to transport small items.

[0057] According to the invention, a flat space volume is used as the frame 1, which is preferably further reinforced in the regions of the lower edge and the supports 3b, 10a, 10b, 4 and is closed on at least one side. Drawers or compartments can be provided at the top and bottom for storing valuables or, in the case of an e-scooter, for holding the battery.

[0058] Frame 1 includes a support 13 which has a vertical plane and is generally also referred to as the "surface". It is made of a rigid material and, on at least one side, functions as a vertical luggage area with the most flexible fixing possibilities compared to a tubular frame, for example in the form of fixing hooks 17, eyelets, or recesses for inserting various fixtures.

[0059] As shown in Figure 4, the possibility of loading the vertical luggage area of support 13 onto frame 1 according to the invention corresponds to a truck flatbed with reduced size and rotated 90 degrees.

[0060] Similar to this truck flatbed which becomes a container with the aid of a tarpaulin frame and tarpaulin, in a further embodiment, the invention can be used with various accessories and covers, for example using clampable frame parts and fabric parts, to become a closed container for luggage.

[0061] Luggage, such as suitcases, can also be permanently fixed in the luggage compartment.

[0062] To fix the luggage, fixing elements, such as extension members, clamped to the outer edge of the luggage compartment can be used, or attachments can be hooked into notches provided on the surface, for example to fix a solid piece of luggage, or to fix a cross panel, or to loop a bag or trunk onto hook 17.

[0063] According to the invention, in the lower region of the vertical luggage area of support 13, a horizontal floor platform 14 is provided, preferably having a floorboard or sheet, to fix the luggage downward. Furthermore, the center of gravity of the entire vehicle moves downward when the load is placed thereon. Due to the low center of gravity, it becomes easier to balance during driving, and the stability against lateral tipping increases. Therefore, even with luggage, the scooter can be stably parked upright using the foot stand.

[0064] The horizontal floor platform 14 is preferably firmly integrated with the frame 1.

[0065] In the case of configuring the scooter to be quite narrow or when the size of the luggage varies greatly, in a further modification, the horizontal floor platform 14 can be extended in several steps within the frame 1 or retracted for transportation, or the horizontal floor platform 14 can be deployed and attached to the vertical luggage area of the support 13 for transportation.

[0066] An additional removable or foldable horizontal loading area can be attached parallel to and on the horizontal floor platform 14.

[0067] In order to enhance stability, according to the present invention, the vertical luggage compartment of the support 13 and the horizontal floor platform 14 are connected by cross members 15 that are preferably fixedly attached at least at the outer edges of the front and rear sides.

[0068] However, these can also be designed to be removable, especially in the case of a movable floor platform.

[0069] According to the present invention, on the upper side of the frame 1, a horizontally positioned holding device such as a stable handle or a holding loop 16 is attached so that the scooter can be lifted with one hand, for example, to carry it over steps. By arranging the holding device according to the present invention horizontally as close as possible to the center of gravity of the base, it becomes easier to keep the scooter in as horizontal a position as possible.

[0070] A problem common to scooters, especially e-scooters that cannot be folded, is the space required for parking. In a variant of the present invention (Figure 6), the footrest 2 can be removed from the frame 1 together with the rear wheel 9 and attached to the rear part of the frame 1 with the rear wheel 9 facing downwards.

[0071] As a result, the floor area required for parking is significantly reduced, and dirt on the road surface remains on the ground together with the wheels. Nevertheless, the scooter can still be pushed and moved even in the folded state.

[0072] For this purpose, the support struts 10a, 10b of the footrest 2 on the frame 1 are provided with pull-out bolts 18a, 18b that connect the lower sides of the support struts 10a, 10b to the footrest 2, and these pull-out bolts hold the support struts 10a, 10b within perforated cylindrical hollow sockets 19a, 19b.

[0073] The footrest 2 is fixed to the frame 1 by means of a fixture or, according to the present invention, by the magnetic surfaces on the lower side and the outer side of the rear cross member 15 of the footrest 2.

[0074] The lower side of the frame 1 in the embodiment according to the present invention is suitable for attaching a deployable kickstand that can also be used when the footrest 2 is folded.

[0075] Figures 7 and 8 show the front wheel holder 3b according to the present invention. The front wheel fork 6 opens into a rotatable vertical tube, which is preferably installed as a separate part on the lower side of the frame 1 via a pivot bearing 21, or is surrounded by a fixed holding block 22 (also called "holder" 22) which is an integral part of the frame 1.

[0076] Figure 9 shows the steering column holder 4 according to the present invention. The steering column 12 is preferably arranged concentrically flush above the front wheel fork 6 and is frictionally coupled to the front wheel fork 6. Alternatively, the steering column 12 may be arranged offset with respect to the front wheel fork 6 and connected to the front wheel fork 6 via a drive means, for example a chain drive.

[0077] The steering column holder 4 is preferably installed as a separate part on the upper side of the frame 1 via a pivot bearing 21a, or is rotatably surrounded by a fixed holding block 23 which is an integral part thereof.

[0078] A single-track vehicle having a frame (1), at least one rear wheel (9) attached by a rear wheel holder of the frame (1) and a steering column (12), and a front wheel fork (6) having a front wheel holder (3b) for a front wheel (20) steered by the steering column (12) by at least one holder (4; 22) having at least one pivot bearing, wherein a handle part (8) by which a person steers the vehicle is attached to the steering column (12), the steering column (12) and the front wheel fork (6) are directly or indirectly connected to each other, the handle part (8) is firmly connected to the steering column (12), the frame (1) is designed to extend longitudinally in the traveling direction and has at least one support (13) formed from a rigid material, the support (13) has a vertical plane extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the vertical plane is disposed in the region of the steering column (12) or above the footrest (2) between the steering column (12) and the footrest (2). A front fork holder (22) for the front wheel fork (6) is provided in the region of the lower edge of the support (13), and a steering column holder (4) for the steering column (12) is provided in the region of the upper edge of the support (13). The footrest (2) extends further rearward than the support (13) with respect to the traveling direction, and the front fork holder (22) and the steering column holder (4) only allow rotational movement of the front wheel fork (6) and the steering column (12) with respect to the frame (1), and the support (13) absorbs a force acting horizontally on the front wheel fork (6) and the steering column (12). The footrest (2) is connected to the rear lower region of the support (13).

Explanation of Signs

[0079] 1 Frame 2 Footrest 3a Front wheel holder and steering column holder according to the prior art 3b Front wheel holder according to the present invention 4 Steering column holder according to the present invention 5 Cross member connecting the front wheel to the steering column and the footrest according to the prior art 6 Front wheel fork 7a Connection point between 5 and 3a according to the prior art 7b Connection point between 5 and 2 according to the prior art 8 Handle part 9 Rear wheel 10a Front support strut of the footrest on the frame according to the present invention 10b Rear support strut of the footrest on the frame according to the present invention 11 Steering column holder according to the prior art 12 Steering column 13 Support with a vertical load area 14 Horizontal floor platform 15 Cross member 16 Holding loop 17 Hook 18a Front pull-out bolt 18b Rear pull-out bolt 19a Socket for the front pull-out bolt 19b Socket for the rear pull-out bolt 20 Front wheel 21, 21a Pivot bearing 22 Front fork holder connecting block 23 Steering column holder connecting block

Claims

1. A frame (1) to which at least one rear wheel (9) is attached by a rear wheel holder of the frame (1) and a steering column (12), A front wheel fork (6) provided with a front wheel holder (3b) for a front wheel (20) steered by a steering column (12) by at least one holder (4; 22) having at least one pivot bearing, Comprising: A person can be transported standing on a footrest (2) of the frame (1) disposed between the front wheel (20) and the rear wheel (9), A handle portion (8) used by a person to steer the vehicle is attached to the steering column (12), The steering column (12) and the front wheel fork (6) are directly or indirectly connected to each other, The handle portion (8) is firmly connected to the steering column (12), The frame (1) is designed to extend in a longitudinal direction with respect to the traveling direction, A single-track vehicle, The frame (1) extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and has at least one support (13) made of a rigid material having a vertical plane disposed in the region of the steering column (12) or above the footrest (2) between the steering column (12) and the footrest (2), A front fork holder (22) for the front wheel fork (6) is provided in the region of the lower edge of the support (13), and a steering column holder (4) for the steering column (12) is provided in the region of the upper edge of the support (13), The footrest (2) extends further rearward than the support portion (13) with respect to the traveling direction, The front fork holder (22) and the steering column holder (4) only allow rotational movement of the front wheel fork (6) and the steering column (12) with respect to the frame (1), the support (13) absorbs a force acting horizontally on the front wheel fork (6) and the steering column (12), and the footrest (2) is connected to a rear lower region of the support (13), characterized in that Vehicle.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the front fork holder (22) and the steering column holder (4) are each formed as a swivel bearing.

3. The support (13) is geometrically dense and stably formed so that the load can be attached without dropping it horizontally. The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The support (13) is characterized in that it comprises, for example, at least two fixing means (17) on its surface for fixing the load. The vehicle according to claim 3.

5. The surface of the support (13) is closed at its lower end by at least one floor platform (14) extending horizontally towards the side, and the load can be supported on the floor platform (14). The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The stand is attached near the lower rear corner of the support (13). The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The footrest (2) is designed to be removable together with the rear wheel (9), and fastening means for vertically attaching the footrest (2) parallel to the outer rear edge of the surface with the rear wheel facing downwards are provided on the support (13). The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A horizontally arranged holding device, a sturdy handle, or a holding loop (16) is attached to the upper edge of the support (13). The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A cross member (15) is arranged between the outer corner of the floor platform and the upper ends of the front and rear edges of the support (13). The vehicle according to any one of claims 5 to 8.

10. A mobile phone or a map holder or a bottle holder is attached to the upper edge of the support (13). The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A lockable compartment is arranged in the support (13). The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The vehicle has an electric drive device, and the battery is fixed to the support (13). The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. Advertising images and / or advertising inscriptions are applied to one or both sides of the support (13). The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

Images