Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
  • B62K5/00—Cycles with handlebars, equipped with three or more main road wheels
  • B62K5/08—Cycles with handlebars, equipped with three or more main road wheels with steering devices acting on two or more wheels
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
  • B62K21/00—Steering devices
  • B62K21/18—Connections between forks and handlebars or handlebar stems
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
  • B62K5/00—Cycles with handlebars, equipped with three or more main road wheels
  • B62K5/02—Tricycles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
  • B62K5/00—Cycles with handlebars, equipped with three or more main road wheels
  • B62K5/02—Tricycles
  • B62K5/06—Frames for tricycles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
  • B62K3/00—Bicycles
  • B62K3/002—Bicycles without a seat, i.e. the rider operating the vehicle in a standing position, e.g. non-motorized scooters; non-motorized scooters with skis or runners

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a scooter.
• the invention relates to a three-wheeled scooter, that is to say of the type comprising a steerable front wheel actuated by the user via a steering column, and two longitudinal members on which the feet of the user, each spar being associated with the steering column and carrying a rear wheel.
• Such a scooter with three wheels is generally used for a playful and sporting practice. It allows in particular a progression on a flat ground without impulse of a foot on the ground, but by a bearing movement on the longitudinal members. It can be either a scissors movement obtained by alternative actions of the feet on one spar and then on the other, or a symmetrical movement of scissors generated by a symmetrical lateral support of the feet.
• Scooters with three wheels are very interesting in that they allow a complete muscular exercise, involving the legs and the arms.
• Known three-wheel scooters have a significant limit, since they do not allow to ride uphill or on non-smooth ground, because of the low performance of the propulsion mode.
• the present invention aims to remedy this disadvantage.
• the invention relates to a scooter which, in neutral position, has a longitudinal plane of symmetry and comprises:
• a front wheel having an axis which is integral with the steering column
• each spar comprises a front portion which is mounted on the base pivotally about a pivot axis arranged so as to form with the longitudinal plane of symmetry, in projection in a transverse plane, an angle of between 30 ° and 60 °;
• each rear wheel is mounted on a support rotatively about its axis, said support being pivotally mounted relative to the rear part the corresponding spar around an axis of articulation which is inclined forwardly, relative to the vertical, an angle ⁇ between 0 ° and 30 °.
• the pivot axes are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other with respect to the longitudinal plane of symmetry PI, in the neutral position, forming between them an angle of 2a.
• the pivot axes are arranged obliquely with respect to this plane Pl. This means that, when looking at the scooter in the longitudinal direction, from the front, a given pivot axis is neither orthogonal to the plane PI (that is, the axis is not horizontal), nor parallel to PI (i.e. the axis is not vertical).
• - Changes in direction may result from steering of the front wheel or pivoting of the rear wheels or the combination of the two;
• the scooter according to the invention makes it possible to obtain an advance by a simultaneous action of a rower from the top. body (reciprocating arms and trunk acting on the steering column) and chisel legs (lateral movement).
• the angle may be between 40 ° and 50 °, for example around 45 °.
• the two pivot axes converge upwards.
• the reverse arrangement in V with the tip pointing downwards
• the operation would be reversed, that is to say that a traction on the steering column would result in a ruzement of the side members.
• each pivot axis can form with the axis of direction an angle ⁇ between 0 ° and 30 °, forwards or backwards, in neutral position.
• each pivot axis can be included in a symmetrical angular sector with respect to the direction axis, and delimited by two straight lines forming between them an angle of 2 ⁇ .
• the plane defined by the pivot axes does not necessarily include the direction axis.
• the angle ⁇ can be between 0 ° and 20 °.
• Being able to vary the angle ⁇ is interesting because it has the effect of increasing or reducing the effects of angle ⁇ in the relationship between the spacing of the side members and the inclination of the steering column. The effect is neutral if the angle ⁇ is zero.
• the angle ⁇ between the axis of articulation of the support of a rear wheel and the vertical is between 10 ° and 30 °, in the neutral position.
• the fact of arranging this axis of articulation in a non-vertical way is intended to favor an auto stability (return to neutral).
• the base has a central portion mounted in the lower part of the steering column, above the front wheel, and two lateral wings, the pivot axis between the base and the front portion of each spar being arranged in the vicinity of the free end of each side wing.
• the central portion of the base is oriented substantially transversely and each side wing extends from one end of the central portion upwards and away from the longitudinal plane of symmetry (PI) in the neutral position.
• PI longitudinal plane of symmetry
• each spar may comprise a stirrup having two arms between which is received the free end portion of the corresponding lateral wing of the base, the pivot axis between the base and the front portion of the spar being substantially orthogonal to both arms of said stirrup.
• the support of a rear wheel comprises a base oriented substantially transversely, in a neutral position, and at least one lateral branch, and the rear part of each spar comprises a stirrup having two arms between which is received the base of the support, the pivot axis between the base of the support and the corresponding spar being substantially orthogonal to the two arms of said stirrup.
• the support of the rear wheel may have the shape of an L.
• such a support may be a fork, that is to say it may comprise a base and two lateral branches forming a U.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a scooter according to one embodiment of the invention, in the neutral position, that is to say when it moves forward in a straight line, the longitudinal members being brought closer together; and the steering column being oriented forward;
• Figures 2a and 2b are views of the scooter in neutral position, respectively from above and from the front;
• Figures 3a and 3b are top and front views, respectively, of the scooter, when the steering column is pulled back and the side members are spaced apart;
• Figure 4 is a detail view of a rear wheel and its mounting on a spar
• FIGS. 5a to 6c illustrate the scooter when it is advancing, by a combined forward thrust movement of the steering column and approaching the longitudinal members (FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c) and then pulling towards the rear of the steering column and spacing of the longitudinal members ( Figures 6a, 6b and 6c);
• FIGS 7a, 7b and 7c illustrate the scooter in a turn
• Figures 8a and 8b illustrate two configurations of the scooter when it advances thanks to a scull movement
• Figures 9a and 9b illustrate two configurations of the scooter when it advances through a skater movement, with speed and angle taken;
• Figure 10 illustrates the scooter in a sloping terrain.
• the invention relates to a scooter 1 which comprises a steering column 2, two longitudinal members 3 on which bear the feet of the user 10, a front wheel 4 and two rear wheels 5.
• the scooter 1 is represented in the neutral position, that is to say when it moves forward in a straight line, the longitudinal members 3 being brought together and the steering column 2 facing towards the before.
• the scooter 1 will initially be described when it occupies this neutral position.
• the longitudinal direction X is defined, with respect to which the front and rear terms are used, the transverse direction Y with respect to which is used the term "lateral”, and the vertical direction Z.
• the scooter 1 In neutral position, the scooter 1 has a longitudinal plane of symmetry PI (see in particular Figures 2a and 2b).
• the steering column 2 is generally vertical, and contained in the plane Pl.
• the steering column can comprise a lower portion 6 which is inclined with respect to the vertical of a angle of the order of 15 °, backwards and upwards, and an upper portion 7 which is inclined relative to the vertical by an angle of the order of 20 °, for example, towards the before and from the bottom up.
• This arrangement makes it possible to increase the stability and to promote the return of direction.
• a handlebar 8 provided with handles, which can be grasped by the user 10, while at the bottom is fixed a support of the front wheel 4, for example under the shape of a fork 9.
• the fork 9 has a U-shaped having a base oriented transversely and fixed to the lower part of the steering column 2, as well as two lateral branches parallel to the plane PI and carrying at their end the axis of rotation A4 of the front wheel 4.
• the front wheel 4 is rotatably mounted about its axis A4 with respect to the steering column 2, the axis A4 being oriented transversely in the neutral position.
• the scooter 1 also comprises a base 11 with respect to which the steering column 2 is pivotally mounted about a steering axis A2, to allow steering of the front wheel 4.
• the base 11 may have on the one hand a central portion 12 mounted in the lower part of the steering column 2, above the front wheel 4 and the fork 9, and oriented substantially transversely.
• the base 11 may have two lateral wings 13 extends from one end of the central portion 12 upwards and away from the longitudinal plane of symmetry PI, in the neutral position.
• Each spar 3 comprises a front portion which is mounted on the base 11 pivotally about a pivot axis A3 and a rear portion associated with one of the rear wheels 5.
• the pivot axis A3 In neutral position, the pivot axis A3 is arranged obliquely to the plane PI, the two pivot axes A3 being symmetrical with respect to Pl.
• the pivot axis A3 forms an angle ⁇ with the longitudinal plane of symmetry PI, in projection in a transverse plane (Y, Z), this angle a being between ° and 60 °.
• the angle a is between 40 ° and 50 °, for example close to 45 °.
• the two pivot axes A3 converge upwards, seen in projection in a transverse plane (Y, Z).
• this arrangement should not be considered as limiting.
• each pivot axis A3 can be substantially vertical.
• the pivot axis A3 can form with the axis of direction A2 an angle ⁇ between 0 ° and 30 °, forwards or backwards.
• the angle ⁇ is zero, that is to say that the direction axis A2 and the pivot axes A3 are located in the same plane (and are therefore superposed seen in projection in a longitudinal plane, as shown in Figure 5a).
• pivot axis A3 between the base 11 and the front part of each spar 3 can be arranged in the vicinity of the free end of each lateral flange 13 of the base 11.
• each spar 3 comprises a stirrup 15 having two arms between which is received the free end portion of the corresponding lateral flange 13 of the base 11. of pivoting A3 between the base 11 and the front part of the spar 3 is substantially orthogonal to the two arms of said stirrup 15.
• each rear wheel 5 is mounted on a support which is for example in the form of a U-shaped fork 19 having a base 17 oriented substantially transversely in the neutral position, and two lateral branches 18 parallel to the plane PI and bearing at their end the axis of rotation A5 of the rear wheel 5.
• the rear wheel 5 is rotatably mounted about its axis A5 relative to the support - namely the fork 19 - the axis A5 being oriented transversely in neutral position .
• the fork 19 is pivotally mounted relative to the rear portion of the corresponding spar 3 about a hinge axis A19 which may be substantially vertical, or inclined forwards, relative to the vertical, a angle ⁇ between 0 ° and 30 °, or between 10 ° and 30 ° (see Figure 1).
• a non-zero angle ⁇ for example of the order of 20 °, has the effect of:
• each spar 3 comprises a stirrup 20 having two arms between which is received the base 17 of the fork 19, the pivot axis A19 between the base 17 of the fork 19 and the corresponding spar 3 being substantially orthogonal to both arm of said stirrup 20.
• each spar 3 may comprise a substantially horizontal sole 21 for a more stable holding of the feet of the user.
• each fork 19 of rear wheel 5 is substantially horizontal.
• Each spar 3 comprises a substantially horizontal portion and at the axis A5 of the rear wheel 5, on which is located the sole 21, extended forwards by a portion carrying the stirrup 15, located higher, relative to on the ground, that the front wheel 4.
• the lateral branches 18 of the fork 19 of the rear wheel 5 can be inclined downwards and rearwards, for more ergonomics, the sole 3 becomes then being above the A5 axis of the rear wheel 5.
• the scooter 1 is shown during a movement in a straight line.
• the inclination of the pivot axes A3 according to the angle a, as described above, makes inseparable a movement of separation / approximation of the longitudinal members 3 carrying the rear wheels 5 and a pivoting movement from front to back of the steering column 2.
• a forwardly facing column 2 corresponds to the side members 3 close together (FIGS. 2a and 2b), whereas a steering column 2 located rearwardly corresponds to spaced apart spars 3 ( Figures 3a and 3b).
• FIGS. 5a to 6c illustrate an advance movement of the scooter 1 by a combined movement of the user exerted by the arms on the steering column 2 and by the legs on the longitudinal members 3.
• FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c which show the scooter 1 sideways, from above and in perspective respectively, it can be seen that the thrust forwards on the steering column 2 is reflected by bringing the rear wheels 5 (and a rearward movement of the wheels 5 results in a forward movement of the steering column 2).
• the rear wheels 5 take a directional angle converging when they come closer, and a positive camber.
• FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c which show the scooter 1 sideways, from above and in perspective respectively, it can be seen that rearward traction on the steering column 2 results in a separation of the rear wheels 5 (FIG. and a spacing of the rear wheels 5 results in a rearward displacement of the steering column 2).
• the rear wheels 5 take a diverging directional angle as they move away, and a negative camber.
• Figures 7a and 7c show, respectively in lateral perspective, in front perspective and in top view, the configuration of the scooter 1 cornering. It is clearly seen in particular that the rear wheels 5 have pivoted relative to the hinge axis A19, and do not remain oriented in the extension of the longitudinal members 3.
• Figures 8a and 8c show the configuration of the various components of the scooter 1, and in particular the behavior of the wheels, during forward progression by a scull movement.
• FIGS. 9a and 9b is illustrated the scooter 1 when the user prints lateral supports alternately left and right, in a skater movement, with speed and angle gain. The rear wheels are then pointed and inclined in the same direction.
• the scooter 1 will roll well in this direction but advancing "crab".
• the user 10 In the normal driving position, the user 10 has no support on the ground but uses the traction force on the steering column 2 to generate with the legs a lateral force at the pivots of the rear wheels 5.
• the first lateral pulse On flat ground and smooth, the first lateral pulse already has the effect of slightly advance the scooter 1, but a reciprocating movement quickly produces an acceleration. Speeding is even faster if an initial impulse is given by a ground support. Once the movement initiated, it allows to maintain, on flat ground, a relatively high speed with little effort.
• the initial lateral support force can not cause a rearward movement due to the orientation of the rear wheels 5 which imposes forward oblique movement of the rear axle.
• the lateral force applied by the user 10 has the effect, when the rear wheels 5 pivot with respect to the axis of the frame, to lift slightly the latter which stores a potential energy which is restored when the wheel returns in a straight line, which facilitates the reciprocation.
• Figure 10 shows that the scooter 1 can be used in a sloping terrain, including on uncoated terrain.
• the invention provides a decisive improvement to the prior art.
• the invention thus makes it possible to considerably extend the field of practice of the three-wheeled scooter by enabling uphill and uncoated terrain to be evolved.
• the invention thus makes it possible to combine the interests in terms of physical exercise and fun, by providing gliding sensations on various terrains, and avoiding weariness.
• the progression can be made, without variation of the position of the steering column and the arms, by an alternative reciprocating movement as with some scooters of the prior art, but with an amplitude very superior movement.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Motorcycle And Bicycle Frame (AREA)
• Automatic Cycles, And Cycles In General (AREA)
• Steering Devices For Bicycles And Motorcycles (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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ID=58162740

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

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Citations (1)

Family Cites Families (9)

• 2016
  • 2016-10-27 FR FR1660440A patent/FR3058123B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2017
  • 2017-10-11 US US16/345,631 patent/US10618590B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2017-10-11 WO PCT/FR2017/052790 patent/WO2018078235A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2017-10-11 KR KR1020197014417A patent/KR20190067238A/ko not_active Withdrawn
  • 2017-10-11 EP EP17794366.9A patent/EP3532368A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Patent Citations (1)

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