Kart comprising an adjustable crankset

Abstract

The invention relates to a kart (100) comprising a chassis and a crankset movably mounted on the chassis between two end positions, i.e: - a first, proximal position in which the crankset is closest to the rear of the kart (100), and - a second, distal position in which the crankset is furthest from the rear of the kart (100), characterized in that the crankset is carried by a carriage that is guided along a support and / or guide element which is secured to the chassis and has at least two guide portions separated by a ridge.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title: Kart with adjustable pedals

[0003] Field of invention

[0004]

[0001] The field of the invention is that of leisure vehicles, and more precisely that of karts.

[0005]

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to the adjustment of karts, depending on the size of the driver.

[0006]

[0003] Karts are motorized vehicles (by thermal engines or electric motors for example) operated on closed tracks, as opposed to vehicles running on roads. These tracks are outdoor (generally named after the English term "outdoor") or covered (generally named after the English term "indoor").

[0007]

[0004] We can distinguish two main categories of karts: rental karts and leisure-competition karts.

[0008]

[0005] The first are operated by professionals who rent them to individuals (ticket rental), or to companies as part of staff motivation seminars or other activities.

[0009]

[0006] The latter are mostly owned by private individuals, who use them for leisure, training and competitions.

[0010]

[0007] The invention can be applied to all categories of karts. However, it applies in particular to rental karts. Indeed, these karts are driven by many different people, who may have very different sizes. It is then particularly desirable to adapt the kart to the size of its different drivers.

[0011] State of the art

[0012]

[0008] A kart generally has two pedals, an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal, mounted on a pedal board. Each of the pedals is intended to be operated by one of the driver's feet.

[0013]

[0009] In most existing karts, the pedals are fixed, and their position (i.e. their distance from the seat) is a compromise, ultimately poorly suited to most users.

[0014]

[0010] There are also karts in which the pedals are mounted on a sliding assembly, which can be moved closer to or further away from the seat at will. The pedal assembly can then take a set of discrete positions relative to the seat, defined for example by a set of perforations made in a plate secured to a beam on which the pedal assembly slides, in which a locking lug secured to the pedal assembly is housed.

[0015]

[0011] When a user takes a seat on board the kart, the position of the pedals must be adjusted so that it is adapted to the size of his legs, and allows him to press the pedals with sufficient force.

[0016] This adjustment is relatively tedious, as it generally requires the intervention of a third party, for example the track operator, who must unlock the pedals using a lever provided for this purpose near the pedals, move them to the position suited to the rider's height, and then manually lock them in this new position.

[0017]

[0013] This is time-consuming for the track operator, who must work on all the karts at each session, and ultimately generates a financial loss.

[0018]

[0014] In some cases, the driver can reach the adjustment lever himself, although this is not easy when sitting in the kart seat.

[0019]

[0015] When a tall user succeeds a smaller user, moving the pedal assembly is relatively easy, since the user can push the pedal assembly with his feet to move it away from the seat. On the other hand, it is much more complex when a small user succeeds a taller user on the kart: in this case, the user must exert traction on the pedal assembly, with his foot or hand, to bring it closer to the seat, which is difficult, if not impossible, without external assistance.

[0020]

[0016] Finally, despite the possibility of adjusting the distance between the pedals and the seat, the rider's position can be uncomfortable for riders.

[0021] To remedy this, it is known to make the seat mobile on the chassis, in particular in rotation to lengthen or straighten the pilot.

[0022]

[0018] This then requires a double adjustment, which further increases the intervention time for the operator.

[0023]

[0019] For information purposes, the adjustment time may take several minutes and may result in a significant financial operating loss.

[0024] Objectives of the invention

[0025]

[0020] The invention aims in particular to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0026] 70277 More generally, there is a need for a kart whose various elements can adapt to any type of driver, regardless of their size and morphology.

[0022] More particularly, an objective of the present invention is to propose a kart which makes it possible to optimize the comfort and ergonomics of the pedals, regardless of the size of the driver.

[0023] The invention also aims to propose a kart which makes it possible to simply make adjustments to the driving position in a discreet or continuous manner.

[0027]

[0024] The invention also aims to provide such a device, which is simple and inexpensive to implement.

[0028]

[0025] The invention further aims to provide such a device, which is easily adjustable by the driver, when installed in the kart, without external assistance.

[0029] Statement of the invention

[0030]

[0026] These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved thanks to the invention which has as its subject a kart comprising a chassis and a pedal assembly mounted movably on the chassis between two extreme positions, namely:

[0031] - a first position, called the proximal position, in which the pedals are closest to the rear of the kart, and

[0032] - a second position, called the distal position, in which the pedal assembly is furthest from the rear of said kart, characterized in that said pedal assembly is carried by a carriage guided along a support and / or guide element secured to the chassis and having at least two guide portions separated by a ridge:

[0033] - a first portion connecting said ridge to said proximal position and moving away from the frame towards the ridge, and

[0034] - a second portion connecting said ridge to said distal position and moving closer to the frame from the ridge.

[0035]

[0027] The adjustment of the pedals allows the kart to be easily and quickly adapted to the user.

[0028] More precisely, the presence of the first portion and the second portion separated from each other by the ridge offer an optimal, or almost optimal, driving position to drivers regardless of their size, without requiring adjustment of the seat as is generally the case.

[0036]

[0029] Indeed, on the first portion, the crankset moves away from the chassis as it approaches the crest, whereas on the second portion, the crankset moves closer to the chassis as it moves away from the crest.

[0037]

[0030] Thus, the first portion and the second portion make it possible to avoid the need to adjust the seat position since the absence of adjustment in the inclination of the seat is compensated by the adjustment of the pedals alone.

[0031] This ease of adjustment in the position of the pedals directly benefits operating costs since the downtime of the kart is reduced with each change of user. In other words, the operator can adjust each kart quickly and comfortably for each user, and thus put the karts back on the track more quickly than he can do with the existing karts.

[0038]

[0032] According to an advantageous aspect, the kart comprises a secondary support and / or guide element for said carriage extending parallel to said support and / or guide element.

[0039]

[0033] The secondary support and / or guide element makes it possible to improve the guidance of the crankset when it is moved between two positions. This limits, or even eliminates, the risks of the crankset jamming which would make it difficult, or impossible in the worst case, to adjust the position of the crankset.

[0040]

[0034] This then results in a significant reduction in the risks of premature damage to the trolley, the user or operator not having to force to adjust the position of the pedal assembly.

[0041]

[0035] According to an advantageous aspect, said first portion has a first slope and said second portion has a second slope, greater than the first slope.

[0042]

[0036] The presence of these two slopes offers a comfortable driving position without requiring adjustment of the seat position.

[0043]

[0037] The benefit is then significant in terms of adjustment time which is significantly reduced, in terms of ease of adjustment since the user or operator only has to adjust the position of the pedals, and in terms of operating costs since the karts can be used for longer (less time stopped for adjustment).

[0044]

[0038] However, adjustment of the seat remains possible to further improve the driving position, and / or facilitate maintenance.

[0045]

[0039] According to an advantageous aspect, said carriage carries at least one guide roller rolling along the support and / or guide element and / or the secondary support and / or guide element.

[0046]

[0040] The use of a guide roller makes it possible to prevent the pedal assembly from rotating on the support and / or guide element and / or the secondary support and / or guide element when adjusting its position.

[0047]

[0041] According to an advantageous aspect, at least one of the support and / or guide element and the secondary support and / or guide element carries means for indexing said carriage, capable of locking said carriage in a plurality of predefined positions along the support and / or guide element and / or the secondary support and / or guide element.

[0048]

[0042] The indexing means provide a plurality of safe positions for the carriage.

[0049]

[0043] According to an advantageous aspect, said indexing means comprise a plurality of housings made on the support and / or guide element and / or the secondary support and / or guide element, a locking member secured to the carriage being intended to cooperate with said housings.

[0050]

[0044] The cooperation between the locking member and the plurality of housings makes it possible to create the plurality of safe positions mentioned above.

[0051]

[0045] Indeed, each housing defines a position corresponding to a range of user sizes. Thus, for several different sizes, the same position can be used to guarantee piloting comfort for the pilot.

[0052]

[0046] Furthermore, the reception of the locking member in the housings makes it possible to guarantee that the carriage, and therefore the pedal assembly, is kept in position.

[0053]

[0047] Thus, despite the roughness of the track, the position of the pedals remains stable when using the kart.

[0054]

[0048] According to an advantageous aspect, the indexing means also comprise a remote unlocking control device, including an actuator and connecting means connecting said actuator to the locking means of said carriage.

[0055]

[0049] The remote control device ensures easy adjustment of the pedal position for the operator who does not have to adopt a restrictive position.

[0056]

[0050] For example, by placing the remote control device on the steering column, the operator can, with one hand, manipulate the remote control device and lean on said steering column, and with the other hand manipulate the carriage to adjust the position of the pedal assembly.

[0057]

[0051] This same configuration can even allow the user to adjust his kart himself while sitting in his seat. To do this, the user, that is to say the driver, manipulates the remote control device then uses his legs to position the pedals at the distance he considers optimal for driving.

[0058]

[0052] According to an advantageous aspect, the kart comprises a member for returning the carriage to its proximal position.

[0059]

[0053] Thus, when a user succeeds a user who is taller than him and he has to adjust the position of the pedal set himself, the return member makes it possible to bring the pedal set closer to the user's feet, which makes adjustment easier for the latter.

[0054] According to an advantageous aspect, the return member comprises a constant force type spring.

[0060]

[0055] Such a spring prevents jolts and allows smooth movement of the pedal assembly when moving it to the proximal position.

[0061]

[0056] In other words, there is no risk that the speed of the pedals will injure the rider by hitting his feet when adjusting the position of the pedals.

[0062]

[0057] According to an advantageous aspect, the support and / or guide element extends, beyond the proximal position, by a portion joining the chassis carrying means for adjusting the inclination of a steering column.

[0063]

[0058] This architecture thus provides compactness to the kart's control elements.

[0064]

[0059] Furthermore, this makes it possible to reinforce a central portion of the kart chassis, which benefits its balance and the optimal positioning of the center of gravity.

[0065]

[0060] According to an advantageous aspect, the support and / or guide element and / or the secondary support and / or guide element has a circular cross-section.

[0066]

[0061] Such a section offers a good compromise between guidance and mechanical resistance while limiting the mass of the kart.

[0067]

[0062] Furthermore, the use of circular section tubes makes it easier to manufacture the kart, for example by folding, rolling or bending the tubes.

[0068]

[0063] According to an advantageous aspect, the kart comprises a seat mounted fixedly relative to the chassis.

[0069]

[0064] Because the seat is fixedly mounted on the chassis, the center of gravity of the kart is improved and does not change, or almost does not, depending on the driver.

[0070]

[0065] This then benefits the driving of the kart which is then more pleasant for the drivers, which increases the sensations felt by the driver.

[0071]

[0066] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings described below.

[0072]

[0067] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective representation from above of a kart comprising an adjustable pedal assembly according to the invention.

[0073]

[0068] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective representation from above of a portion of the chassis of the kart of Figure 1.

[0074]

[0069] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a portion of the frame and adjustable pedal assembly according to the invention.

[0070] [Fig. 4] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view from above of the pedal assembly according to the invention, this view including a detail medallion on an enlarged scale. Detailed description of the invention

[0075] Figure 1 illustrates a kart 100 comprising a chassis 200 on which are mounted: a seat 300;

[0076] - motor means for rotating wheels and moving the kart 100; a pedal assembly 400, and

[0077] - steering control means 500. fO72J The seat 300 is advantageously fixedly mounted on the chassis 200. Also, when adjusting the kart following a change of driver, the position of the seat 300 does not change.

[0073] However, to facilitate maintenance of the kart 100, the seat 300 could be movable over a small travel to avoid its temporary removal in order to allow access to elements located under the seat 300. In other words, the seat 300 is not movable to ensure adjustment of the driver's position but only to facilitate maintenance of the kart 100 when it is not in use. However, a slight travel of the seat 300 could be provided in order to further optimize the adjustment of the driving position.

[0078]

[0074] As will be described below, the steering control means 400 and the pedal assembly 500 are movably mounted on the chassis 200.

[0079]

[0075] More specifically, the pedal assembly 400 is mounted movably on the chassis 200 between two extreme positions, namely:

[0080] - a first position, called the proximal position, in which the pedal assembly 400 is closest to the rear of the kart 100, and

[0081] - a second position, called the distal position, in which the pedal assembly 400 is furthest from the rear of said kart 100.

[0082]

[0076] The rear and front of the kart 100 are defined according to a general direction of forward movement of the kart 100, illustrated by the arrow F in FIG. 1.

[0083]

[0077] To ensure its mobility on the chassis 200, the pedal assembly 400 is carried by a carriage 410 guided along a support and / or guide element 210.

[0084]

[0078] The carriage 410 has a general U shape having a base 411 and two side walls extending from the base 411. More particularly, the carriage has a first side wall 412 carrying an accelerator pedal 413, and a second side wall 414 carrying a brake pedal 415.

[0079] The carriage 410 carries at an upper end opposite the base 411, rollers 416 intended to cooperate with the support and / or guide element 210 as will be described later.

[0085]

[0080] Each roller 416 is a U-type roller, that is to say it has a convex rolling track opening to the outside.

[0086]

[0081] With reference to Figure 3 and Figure 4, each carriage 410 carries a plurality of rollers 416 distributed in pairs so as to be able to cooperate with an upper portion and / or a lower portion of the support and / or guide element 210. The rollers 416 of the same pair are grouped together by means of two connecting rods 417. This makes it possible to keep the rollers 416 constantly spaced apart while ensuring that at least one of the rollers 416 of the same pair remains in contact with the support and / or guide element 210.

[0087]

[0082] The support and / or guide element 210 is made of a tube of circular cross-section which is folded, rolled or bent to define at least two guide portions, as explained below.

[0088]

[0083] With reference to FIG. 3, the two guide portions are separated by a ridge 211.

[0089]

[0084] In more detail, the support and / or guide element 210 has:

[0090] - a first portion 212 connecting said ridge 211 to said proximal position and moving away from the frame 200 towards the ridge 211, and

[0091] - a second portion 213 connecting said ridge 211 to said distal position and moving closer to the frame 200 from the ridge 211.

[0092]

[0085] In other words, the first portion 212 connects the ridge 211 to a portion of the chassis located near the seat 300, and the second portion 213 connects said ridge 211 to a portion of the chassis located at a distance from the seat 300.

[0093]

[0086] Thus, when the carriage 410 is located on the first portion 212, it is closer to the seat 300 than when it is located on the second portion 213 of the support and / or guide element 210.

[0094]

[0087] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the support and / or guide element 210 is integral with the chassis 200.

[0095]

[0088] The support and / or guide element 210 is secured to cross members of the chassis 200. More specifically, the support and / or guide element 210 is secured to a central cross member 201 by its first portion 212, and to a front cross member 202 by its second portion 213.

[0089] The front cross member 202 allows for example the fixing of a front bumper of the kart 100.

[0096]

[0090] Still with reference to Figure 3, the first portion 212 has a first slope and the second portion 213 has a second slope, greater than the first slope. The slopes are for example defined by a percentage or, as in the present case, an angle.

[0097]

[0091] A horizontal plane P is defined as being a general extension plane of the chassis 200.

[0098]

[0092] The first portion 212 forms a first angle A1 with the plane P between 9° and 13°. The second portion 213 forms a second angle A2 with the plane P between 12.5° and 16.5°.

[0099]

[0093] To obtain an optimal angle between the tibia and the foot of the pilots, this for all positions of the pedal set 400, or almost, the first angle A1 is preferably 11 0 and the second angle A2 is preferably 14.5°.

[0100]

[0094] Thus, regardless of size, each pilot will find a comfortable position for piloting.

[0101]

[0095] As illustrated by Figure 2 and Figure 3, the kart 100 comprises a secondary support and / or guide element 220 of said carriage 410.

[0102]

[0096] The secondary support and / or guide element 220 extends parallel to said support and / or guide element 210.

[0103]

[0097] With reference to Figure 2, the secondary support and / or guide element 220 comprises two parallel tubes defining between them a space in which at least one guide roller 418 carried by the carriage 410 is housed. The or each roller 418 is intended to roll along the secondary support and / or guide element 220.

[0104]

[0098] More specifically, the carriage 410 carries two rollers 418 mounted freely rotatable on the base 411.

[0105]

[0099] The rollers 418 thus prevent the rotation of the carriage 410, and therefore of the pedal assembly 400 around the support and / or guide element 210.

[0106]

[0100] The tubes forming the secondary support and / or guide element 220 have a circular cross-section and are folded or bent to follow the guide portions of the support and / or guide element 210.

[0107]

[0101] As illustrated in Figure 2, and like the support and / or guide element 210, the secondary support and / or guide element 220 is secured to the central cross member 201 at a first end, and to the front cross member 202 by a second end.

[0102] Thus, the secondary support and / or guide element 220 is positioned between the chassis 200 and the support and / or guide element 210. The carriage 410 is then suspended on the support and / or guide element 210 by means of the rollers 416.

[0108]

[0103] According to a variant not illustrated, the support and / or guide element 210 is positioned between the chassis 200 and the secondary support and / or guide element 220. In this case, the position of the U forming the carriage 410 is then reversed, and the carriage rests on the support and / or guide element 210 by means of the rollers 416.

[0109]

[0104] Furthermore, the carriage 410 could also carry a guide roller 418 rolling along the support and / or guide element 210 in which case it would be mounted upstream or downstream of the carriage 410.

[0110]

[0105] With reference to Figure 2 and the enlarged scale detail medallion of Figure 4, the kart 100 carries means for indexing said carriage 410.

[0111]

[0106] More particularly, the indexing means are carried in part by at least one of the support and / or guide element 210 and the secondary support and / or guide element 220.

[0112]

[0107] The indexing means are capable of locking said carriage 410 in a plurality of predefined positions along the support and / or guide element 210, and / or the secondary support and / or guide element 220.

[0113]

[0108] For this, the indexing means comprise a plurality of housings 420 made on the support and / or guide element 210 and / or the secondary support and / or guide element 220.

[0114]

[0109] According to the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 2, the housings 420 are made on the support and / or guide element 210 only.

[0115]

[0110] The indexing means also comprise a locking member 430 secured to the carriage 410, to ensure the indexing of the carriage 410 in a position defined by one of the housings 420.

[0116]

[0111] The indexing member 430 is thus intended to cooperate with the housings 420.

[0117]

[0112] The indexing means also comprise a remote unlocking control device.

[0118]

[0113] This remote control device includes an actuator 440 (for example a button as illustrated schematically in FIG. 1) and connecting means 450 connecting said actuator to the locking member 430 of said carriage 410. The connecting means 450 are partially represented on the detail medallion of FIG. 4.

[0114] The connecting means 450 comprise stop means 451 making it possible to limit the sinking of the indexing member 430 into the housings 420.

[0119]

[0115] In order to facilitate the movement of the carriage 410 during its adjustment in position, the kart 100 comprises a return member 600 of the carriage 410 towards its proximal position.

[0120]

[0116] The return member 600 notably comprises a constant force type spring.

[0121]

[0117] Thus, when a user acts on the actuator 440, the return member 600 causes the pedal assembly 400 to move towards its proximal position.

[0122]

[0118] The use of a constant force type spring makes it possible to make the movement of the carriage 410 smooth, that is to say without sudden jolts.

[0123]

[0119] The risks of injury to the pilot installed in the seat 300 are thus avoided since the carriage 410 does not risk hitting the pilot's legs too brutally.

[0124]

[0120] With reference to figures 2 and 3, the support and / or guide element extends, beyond the proximal position, by a joining portion 460 to the chassis 200.

[0125]

[0121] The joining portion 460 thus forms a connection between the first portion 212 of the support and / or guide element 210 and the central crosspiece 201 of the chassis 200.

[0126]

[0122] The junction portion 460 carries means 465 for adjusting the inclination of a steering column forming part of the steering control means 500.

[0127]

[0123] This makes it easier for a driver to adjust the driving position.

[0128]

[0124] Furthermore, the remote control means, and in particular the actuator 440, can also act on the means for adjusting the inclination of the steering column.

[0129]

[0125] In use, the stress on the actuator 440 causes the locking member 430 to be withdrawn from the housing 420 in which it is located.

[0130]

[0126] The return member 600 then causes the pedal assembly 400 to move towards its proximal position.

[0131]

[0127] The pilot, who is then in the seat 300, can press with his legs on the pedals, against the return member 600 to move the pedal assembly 400 towards its distal position, to the desired piloting position.

[0132]

[0128] Releasing the actuator 440 then allows the locking member 430 to be inserted into a housing 420, which ensures that the pedal assembly 400 is locked in position.

[0133]

[0129] When the pilot is of small size, the pedal assembly 410 remains on the first portion 212 of the support and / or guide element 210 whereas when the pilot is of large size, the pedal assembly 410 crosses the crest 211 to circulate on the second portion 213 of the support and / or guide element 210.

[0130] Furthermore, thanks to the presence of the junction portion 460, the pilot can adjust the position of the steering column (and therefore of the steering wheel) simultaneously with the adjustment of the position of the pedal assembly 400.

[0134]

[0131] The adjustment of the kart 100 according to the size of the driver can thus be carried out simply and quickly by the driver himself without requiring the presence of the operator.

[0135]

[0132] This then results in a reduction in the adjustment time and an increase in the usage time of the karts 100.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. Kart (100) comprising a chassis (200) and a pedal assembly (400) mounted movably on the chassis (200) between two extreme positions, namely: - a first position, called the proximal position, in which the pedal assembly (400) is closest to the rear of the kart (100), and - a second position, called the distal position, in which the pedal assembly (400) is furthest from the rear of said kart (100), characterized in that said pedal assembly (400) is carried by a carriage (410) guided along a support and / or guide element (210) secured to the chassis (200) and having at least two guide portions separated by a ridge (211): - a first portion (212) connecting said ridge (211) to said proximal position and moving away from the frame (200) towards the ridge (211), and - a second portion (213) connecting said ridge (211) to said distal position and moving closer to the frame (200) from the ridge (211).

2. Kart (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a secondary support and / or guide element (220) of said carriage (410) extending parallel to said support and / or guide element (210). [Claim s] Kart (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first portion (212) has a first slope and said second portion (213) has a second slope, greater than the first slope.

4. Kart (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that said carriage (410) carries at least one guide roller (418) rolling along the support and / or guide element (210) and / or the secondary support and / or guide element (220).

5. Kart (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one of the support and / or guide element (210) and the secondary support and / or guide element (220) carries means for indexing said carriage (410), capable of locking said carriage (410) in a plurality of predefined positions along the support and / or guide element (210) and / or the secondary support and / or guide element (220). [Claim s] Kart (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said indexing means comprise a plurality of housings (420) made on the support and / or guide element (210) and / or the secondary support and / or guide element (220), a locking member (430) integral with the carriage (410) being intended to cooperate with said housings (420).

7. Kart (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the indexing means also comprise a remote unlocking control device, including an actuator (440) and connecting means (450) connecting said actuator (440) to the locking means of said carriage (410). [Claim s] Kart (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a return member (600) of the carriage (410) towards its proximal position. [Claim s] Kart (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the return member (600) comprises a constant force type spring.

10. Kart (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support and / or guide element (210) extends, beyond the proximal position, by a joining portion (460) to the chassis (200) carrying means (465) for adjusting the inclination of a steering column.

11. Kart (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the support and / or guide element (210) and / or the secondary support and / or guide element (220) has a circular cross-section.

12. Kart (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a seat (300) mounted fixed relative to the chassis (200).

Images