A multi-functional vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle operable between 3 modes of operation ride-on, scooter, and trolley having a luggage compartment comprising: (a) a seat for allowing a child to sit comfortably while riding said vehicle in said ride-on mode; (b) an integral ride-on steering handle for steering said vehicle while riding said vehicle in its said ride-on mode; (c) an integral scooter steering handle for steering said vehicle while riding said vehicle in its said scooter mode; (d) a deck for allowing the user to stand on said deck while riding said vehicle in its said scooter mode; (e) two front wheels, for providing a comfortable ride and intuitive steering of said vehicle; (f) at least one rear wheel, attached to said deck, for the support and stability of said vehicle; and (g) an openable compartment for storing said toys and gear.

Description

[0001] - 1 - A MULTI-FUNCTIONAL VEHICLE

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to riding vehicles. More particularly, to riding vehicles that can be multi-functional.

[0004] Background

[0005] Traveling with children can often result in boredom and frustration, especially during waits for public transportation like planes, trains, or buses. The issue becomes even more challenging when traveling with small children who need large or bulky toys and gear. This creates a demand for a rideable vehicle that serves as both a means of transportation for the child and a storage solution.

[0006] EP2550890 discloses an item comprising a body with at least one cavity for the storage of articles therein, a plurality of rollers, wheels or castors located with respect to the body, and a body that is connected to a steering mechanism to allow the item to be used as a steerable ride-on item in addition to an item of luggage. The disclosed item is adaptable between a first option in which the item can be used as a ride on item, typically for a child, and a second option in which the same can be used as an item of luggage. Nevertheless, the disclosed vehicle has limited use.

[0007] CN109941381A discloses a traveling case trolley for children to ride. The traveling case trolley comprises a case body and a scooter, wherein the case body is provided with a cavity capable of containing children supplies or toys, and the scooter comprises a pedal, a connecting rod and a handle; the- 2 -lower end of the connecting rod is rotationally connected with the front end of the pedal through a rotating mechanism; the upper end of the connecting rod is connected with the handle; the handle can extend and contract along the connecting rod. The invention further provides a baby carriage. A sitting part is arranged on the upper portion of the case body, and a detachable handrail is arranged at the front end of the case body; a push handle used for pushing is arranged at the rear end of the case body, and a left pedal part and a right pedal part are arranged on the left side and the right side of the front end of the case body respectively. The traveling case trolley has the sitting, riding and pushing functions of a baby carriage, and also has the functions of a traveling case and the scooter. Nevertheless, the disclosed trolley has a limiting arrangement.

[0008] It would therefore be desired to propose a system void of these deficiencies.

[0009] Summary

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle that can be used as a ride-on, scooter, suitcase, and a trolley.

[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle, that can accommodate children of various ages from nursery to elementary school.

[0012] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a multifunctional vehicle for children, that can be brought, as an allowed carry-on bag luggage, onboard an airplane and stored in the airplane’s overhead compartments.- 3 - It is still another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle, with a spacious storage compartment, that is easily steerable by a child.

[0013] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a multifunctional vehicle for children that can be changed between modes easily without separating and attaching detachable parts.

[0014] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

[0015] The present invention relates to a vehicle operable between 3 modes of operation ride-on, scooter, and trolley having a luggage compartment comprising: (a) a seat for allowing a child to sit comfortably while riding said vehicle in said ride-on mode; (b) an integral ride-on steering handle for steering said vehicle while riding said vehicle in its said ride-on mode; (c) an integral scooter steering handle for steering said vehicle while riding said vehicle in its said scooter mode; (d) a deck for allowing the user to stand on said deck while riding said vehicle in its said scooter mode; (e) two front wheels, for providing a comfortable ride and intuitive steering of said vehicle; (f) at least one rear wheel, attached to said deck, for the support and stability of said vehicle; and (g) an openable compartment for storing said toys and gear.

[0016] In some embodiments, the vehicle minimum dimensions are less than 350mm*250mm*550mm.

[0017] Preferably, the deck has a front part with a forward slope for translating the tilting applied by the rider, right or left, to the steering of the vehicle right or left.- 4 - Preferably, the integral ride-on steering handle is an elongated handle which can be extended or shortened.

[0018] Preferably, the integral scooter steering handle is an elongated handle which can be extended or shortened.

[0019] Preferably, the vehicle further comprises foldable footrests.

[0020] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] The accompanying drawings, and specific references to their details, are herein used, by way of example only, to illustratively describe some of the embodiments of the disclosure.

[0022] In the drawings:

[0023] Fig. 1 is a diagram of a vehicle in its ride-on mode, from a perspective view, according to some embodiments.

[0024] Fig. 2 is a diagram of the vehicle with the compartment door opened, from a perspective view, according to some embodiments.

[0025] Fig. 3 is a diagram of the vehicle in a scooter mode of operation, from a perspective view, according to some embodiments.

[0026] Fig. 4a is a diagram of a portion of the bottom part of the vehicle, from a perspective view, according to some embodiments.

[0027] Fig. 4b is a diagram of part of the vehicle steering mechanism, from a perspective view, according to some embodiments.

[0028] Fig. 5 is a diagram of the vehicle ready to be carried as luggage, from a perspective view, according to some embodiments.- 5 - Fig. 6 is a diagram of the vehicle in its trolly mode, from a perspective view, according to some embodiments.

[0029] Fig. 7 is a diagram of the vehicle in its ride-on mode, from a side view, according to some embodiments.

[0030] Detailed Description

[0031] The terms of “front”, “rear”, “down”, “up”, “bottom”, “upper”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, "right", "left" or any reference to sides or directions are used throughout the description for the sake of brevity alone and are relative terms only and not intended to require a particular component orientation.

[0032] The indefinite articles “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless clearly contradicted or the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0033] The term “comprising” is an open-ended transitional phrase. A list of elements following the transitional phrase “comprising” is a non-exclusive list, such that elements in addition to those specifically recited in the list can also be present. The phrase “consisting essentially of’ limits the composition of a component to the specified materials and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the component. The phrase “consisting of’ limits the composition of a component to the specified materials and excludes any material not specified.

[0034] As used herein, the term “about” refers to a value that is within ± 10% of the value stated. For example, about 3 degrees can include any number from 2.7 degrees to 3.3 degrees.- 6 - Where a range of numerical values comprising upper and lower values is recited herein, unless otherwise stated in specific circumstances, the range is intended to include the endpoints thereof, and all integers and fractions within the range. It is not intended that the disclosure or claims be limited to the specific values recited when defining a range. Further, when an amount, concentration, or other value or parameter is given as a range, one or more ranges, or as list of upper values and lower values, this is to be understood as specifically disclosing all ranges formed from any pair of any upper range limit or value and any lower range limit or value, regardless of whether such pairs are separately disclosed.

[0035] Fig. 1 is a diagram of a vehicle in its ride-on mode, from a perspective view, according to some embodiments. The vehicle 100 has a seat 110 for allowing a child to sit comfortably while riding the vehicle 100 in its ride-on mode. The vehicle 100 also has an integral ride-on steering handle 120 for allowing the child to hold and steer while riding the vehicle 100 in its ride-on mode. The term integral is meant to define that the ride-on steering handle 120 does not need to be detached from the vehicle when changing the vehicle from one mode to another. In some embodiments the ride-on steering handle 120 may be extended or shortened according to the desired use. The vehicle 100 has two front wheels 131 and 132 for providing a comfortable ride and intuitive steering of the vehicle 100. The steering of the vehicle 100, left or right, in its ride-on mode, is done by leaning left or right as described below in relations to Fig. 4b. The vehicle 100 also has at least one rear wheel, depicted for example in Fig. 4a, for support and stability. Thus, the vehicle 100, which is supported by at least 3 wheels on the ground that form a stability triangle, can stand upright on the floor by itself and is stable for sitting and / or riding, when in its ride-on mode. The vehicle 100 also has a storage compartment behind the door 141 for storing toys and gear.- 7 -

[0036] Fig. 2 is a diagram of the vehicle with the compartment door opened, from a perspective view, according to some embodiments. The storage compartment 140 may be accessible by opening door 141, which may be opened by opening one or more fastener(s), such as fastener 145, and may be closed and fastened by one or more fastener(s), such as fastener 145. In some embodiments, the fastener(s) may have a snap mechanism for easy closing and fastening of the compartment door 141. In some embodiments, the fastener(s) may have a locking mechanism, e.g. key lock mechanism, for locking the compartment door 141 safely. In some embodiments the compartment door 141 may have a hinge at its bottom part for opening and closing the compartment door 141. In some embodiments, the vehicle 100 may also have at least one carrying handle(s), such as carrying handle 111, for lifting and carrying the vehicle 100. In some embodiments the carrying handles may be easily attached for carrying and easily detached for riding.

[0037] Fig. 3 is a diagram of the vehicle in a scooter mode of operation, from a perspective view, according to some embodiments. In order to change the vehicle 100 from the ride-on mode to the scooter mode of operation the strap 119 may be pulled away from the deck 200, while holding the deck 200 in its place, causing the compartment 140 to rotate and unfold from the deck 200, thereby allowing the rider to stand on the deck 200 and hold the scooter steering handle 210 while riding the vehicle in its scooter mode. The integral scooter steering handle 210 may be an elongated handle which can be extended or shortened according to the desired use and height of the rider. The term integral is meant to define that the scooter steering handle 210 does not need to be detached from the vehicle when changing the vehicle from one mode to another. In this scooter mode of operation, the user may stand on the deck 200 while holding and steering the vehicle using the scooter- 8 -steering handle 210. The user can push the vehicle 100 forward by pushing the deck 200 forward using one of his legs while the other leg stands on the ground. The steering of the vehicle 100, left or right, in its scooter mode, is done by leaning left or right as describe below in relations to Fig. 4b. As described in relations to Fig. 1 the vehicle 100 has two front wheels, such as front wheel 132, and at least one rear wheel, such as wheel 133, for support and stability. Thus, the vehicle 100 which is supported by at least 3 wheels on the ground, that form a stability triangle, can stand on the floor by itself and is also stable for standing and / or riding in its scooter mode. The compartment 140 may be used for storing toys and gear.

[0038] Fig. 4a is a diagram of a portion of the bottom part of the vehicle, from a perspective view, according to some embodiments. The front part 211, of the deck 200, has a forward slope, as viewed from the side of the vehicle. The front part 211 forward slope contributes to the successful translation of the tilting applied by the rider, right or left, to the steering of the vehicle right or left as described below in relations to Fig. 4b. In some embodiments, the angle between the forward slope of the front part 211 and the ground is about 30°. In some embodiments, the angle between the forward slope of the front part 211 and the ground is between 20° and 40°.

[0039] Fig. 4b is a diagram of part of the vehicle steering mechanism, from a perspective view, according to some embodiments. In the diagram, the front part 211, as depicted in Fig. 3 for example, of the deck 200 has been removed for depicting some of the steering mechanism parts. The right front wheel’s 131 axel is held by the right bracket 215 whereas the left front wheel’s 132 axel is held by the left bracket 216, where both brackets 215 and 216 are connected by one or more support bars, such as bar 217, for coordinating the tilting and alignment of the front wheel brackets 215 and 216, for allowing- 9 -the intuitive steering of the vehicle. Thus, the parts 215-217 interact together, to accommodate the steering of the vehicle. For example, by tilting the ride-on towards the right, the right side of deck 200 is lowered, and the right bracket 215, which is connected to the front side of the deck by screw 225 is also tilted rightwards. However, due to the frontal sloping angle, when the right bracket 215 is tilted rightwards and downwards the right wheel 131 is pulled backwards by the frontal slope of the front side of the deck 200, i.e. towards the rear of the vehicle. When the right wheel 131 pulls backwards it pulls the connected right bracket 215 backwards, which pushes the support bar 217 leftwards which in turn pushes the left bracket 216 leftwards. The left bracket 216, which is also rotatably connected to the front side of the deck by screw 226, is tilted leftward effectively pushing the left wheel 132 frontwards, i.e. towards the front of the vehicle, effectively aligning the front wheels for a right turn. Thus, the steering of right or left of the vehicle may be achieved by simply tilting of the vehicle, and its deck 200, right or left. The tilting of the vehicle right or left may be done by pulling the integral ride-on steering bar, in the ride-on mode, or by pulling the integral scooter steering bar, in the scooter mode, right or left. In one embodiment, restraining means, such as spring 218, may be used for returning the bar 217, and the front wheels 131 and 132, to their initial position, in relations to the front side of the deck, after the rider has stopped tilting the vehicle, for example by attaching the spring 218 by screws to the front side of the deck.

[0040] Fig. 5 is a diagram of the vehicle ready to be carried as luggage, from a perspective view, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the vehicle 100 may have at least 2 carrying handle(s), such as carrying handle 111, for lifting and carrying the ride-on 100. The integral ride-on steering handle 120 can be shortened and folded inside the vehicle, for easy carrying and storing of the vehicle. In some embodiment, the minimal dimensions of- 10 -the vehicle 100, are about 330mm*205mm*537mm. In some embodiment, the minimal dimensions of the vehicle 100 are less than 350mm*250mm*550mm, for complying with the allowed carry-on baggage dimensions restrictions of some airlines. In some embodiments the total of all 3-dimensions of the vehicle 100 are less than 1300mm when it is in the luggage mode.

[0041] Fig. 6 is a diagram of the vehicle in its trolly mode, from a perspective view, according to some embodiments. According to some embodiments, the scooter steering handle 210 is extended out while the deck 200 is folded close to the compartment 140, in order to allow a user to hold the scooter steering handle 210 and drag the vehicle 100 as a trolley. In order to change the vehicle 100, from a scooter mode to a trolley mode of operation, the deck 200 is rotated and folded towards the compartment 140. In some embodiments, in order to change the vehicle 100 from a scooter mode to a trolley mode of operation, or vise versa, the deck 200 is rotated around a front hinge which may be placed around the place of the axle of at least one of the front wheels, such as front wheel 132. In some embodiments the ride-on steering handle 120 may be used as a stabling leg for allowing the user leave the vehicle 100 standing on the floor by itself when it is in trolley mode.

[0042] Fig. 7 is a diagram of the vehicle, from a side view, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the vehicle 100 may have at least 1 shoulder strap (not shown), which may be attached to holders, such as holders 411 and 412, for easily lifting and carrying the vehicle 100. In some embodiments, a strap (not shown), may be attached to one of the holders of the vehicle, such as holders 411 and 412, for the easily pulling the vehicle 100 by an individual, such as a parent. In some embodiments, the vehicle 100 may also have foldable footrests, such as foldable footrest 310, for allowing the rider to rest his feet while being pulled away. Thus, the footrests can be- 11 -folded into the vehicle 100 when the rider wishes ride the vehicle, in the ride-on mode for example, or unfolded, when the rider is pulled by an individual pulling the vehicle 100.

[0043] In some embodiments the described vehicle can accommodate toddlers as young as 12 months, for example in its ride-on mode, while accommodating older children as old as 7 years, for example in its scooter mode.

[0044] While the above description discloses many embodiments and specifications of the invention, these were described by way of illustration and should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention. The described invention may be carried into practice with many modifications which are within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

- 12 -Claims1. A vehicle operable between 3 modes of operation ride-on, scooter, and trolley having a luggage compartment comprising:a seat for allowing a child to sit comfortably while riding said vehicle in said ride-on mode;an integral ride-on steering handle for steering said vehicle while riding said vehicle in its said ride-on mode;an integral scooter steering handle for steering said vehicle while riding said vehicle in its said scooter mode;a deck for allowing the user to stand on said deck while riding said vehicle in its said scooter mode;two front wheels, for providing a comfortable ride and intuitive steering of said vehicle;at least one rear wheel, attached to said deck, for the support and stability of said vehicle; andan openable compartment for storing said toys and gear.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1, where the vehicle minimum dimensions are less than 350mm*250mm*550mm.

3. A vehicle according to claim 1, where the deck has a front part with a forward slope for translating the tilting applied by the rider, right or left, to the steering of the vehicle right or left.

4. A vehicle according to claim 1, where the integral ride-on steering handle is an elongated handle which can be extended or shortened.

5. A vehicle according to claim 1, where the integral scooter steering handle is an elongated handle which can be extended or shortened.

6. A vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising foldable footrests.

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