Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6199880
-
Patent Number
6,199,880
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, March 17, 199925 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, March 13, 200123 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 280 87042
- 280 87043
- 280 87041
- 280 8703
- 280 8705
- 280 8701
- 280 87021
- 280 143
- 016 111 R
- 016 112
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
The convertible skateboard/scooter includes a base board with wheels coupled to a lower side of the base board. A handle is hinged to the base board and is movable between a first position in which the device can be used as a conventional skateboard, and a second position in which the device can be used as a conventional scooter. In the skateboard configuration, the handle is located adjacent a side surface of the device to provide a top surface that is unobstructed by the handle and upon which a user can stand while skateboarding. A parental lock can be located in the handle to lock the handle at either one of the first and second positions and to prevent the conversion of the device between the skateboard and scooter configurations by a child. An indent in the rear of the base permits the handle to be used for carrying the device when in the skateboard configuration.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to skateboards and in particular to a skateboard with a moveable handle that permits the skateboard to be configured as a scooter.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Scooters and skateboards are well known manually propelled vehicles that can be used for both recreation and transportation by children and adults. A conventional skateboard includes a board with one or more wheels attached to its lower surface. The board is typically large enough to fit a user's feet onto the top surface when the user is standing with legs slightly spread apart and facing perpendicular to a direction of travel for the skateboard. In addition, the conventional skateboard typically includes four wheels that are flexibly attached in pairs to the lower surface of the skateboard. A first pair of wheels is flexibly attached to the front of the board and a second pair of wheels is flexibly attached to the rear of the board by front and rear trucks, respectively. The trucks are configured such that when a user's weight is shifted to a first side of the skateboard, each pair of wheels turns in an opposite direction relative to the other pair of wheels to steer the skateboard towards the first side of the skateboard.
By contrast, a conventional scooter is essentially a skateboard with a handle attached to the front end of the board. The scooter's board, however, is typically larger than that of a skateboard. In addition, although many conventional scooters include a two pair wheel arrangement similar to the wheel arrangement described above with regard to a conventional skateboard, some scooters include only a front wheel and a back wheel. The conventional scooter's handle typically extends two to four feet high (to approximately waist height of the user) and is used to provide leverage for propelling the scooter as well as provide steering for the scooter. In operation, a user places one foot on the top surface of the board of the scooter and pushes off a traveling surface with the other foot to propel the scooter. Once enough speed is attained, the user can coast with both feet placed on the top surface of the board. The scooter is steered by a combination of manipulation of the handle and shifting of the user's weight.
One variation of the standard scooter is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,707,884 to Chang (Chang '884). Chang '884 teaches the use of a foldable handle attached to a skateboard and is specifically directed to the locking hinge that connects the handle to the skateboard. The locking hinge mechanism is permanently mounted on the top surface of the base board and is lockable between an upright “operative” position in which the device can be operated as a conventional scooter, and a rest position in which the handle can be folded to rest upon the top surface of the base board to compactly store the device in a garage or other storage place.
Another scooter that includes a hinged handle connected to a wheeled platform is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,387,675 to Worobow (Worobow '675). The scooter disclosed in Worobow '675 has a handle with a steering member running through the center of the handle and attached to a front set of wheels. The steering member pivots within the handle and is connected to the front set of wheels such that the wheels can be rotated to steer the scooter. The entire handle is pivotally coupled to the platform of the scooter such that the handle can be collapsed onto the top surface of the platform to facilitate storage of the scooter.
The devices disclosed in Chang '884 and Worobow '675 are essentially foldable scooters. Neither device can be used as a skateboard because in the handle's stowed position, it obstructs the top surface of the board. Although other known scooters have handles that can be removed to allow the scooter to be used as a skateboard, a user requires tools to remove the handle, and the handle is separated from the skateboard, creating a storage problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The drawbacks of the prior art are overcome by the present invention, which provides a skateboard/scooter device that can be quickly and easily converted between a conventional skateboard and a conventional scooter. Conversion is accomplished by moving a handle between an upright scooter configuration and a stowed skateboard configuration. The handle can be disposed on the side of, and co-planar with the top surface of, the base board when in the skateboard configuration. A grip portion of the handle can be spaced from the back of the base board to provide a convenient carrying handle for the skateboard when in the skateboard configuration. When in the scooter configuration, the handle extends upwards at an angle from a front portion of the base board to provide an easily graspable handle for a user standing on the base board.
Riding a skateboard is a natural progression from (and more difficult than) riding a conventional scooter. Accordingly, for training purposes, a convertible skateboard/scooter greatly facilitates a user's learning of skateboarding while saving the user the cost of purchasing both a skateboard and a scooter. A convertible skateboard/scooter device is especially appropriate for use by children. A convertible skateboard/scooter provides both the training advantages and the safety features that are desired when the device is used by a child. In particular, a convertible skateboard/scooter device allows a child initially to learn conventional four wheel scooter riding while providing the opportunity to advance to skateboarding if the child desires. In addition, depending on the type of terrain on which the child will be traveling, a parent can determine whether the child should operate in the conventional scooter configuration or the skateboard configuration.
The invention provides even greater storage and carrying ability than that of the related art. Specifically, because the handle can be tucked on the side of the base board, the skateboard/scooter device will take up little more than the room needed for a conventional skateboard. When the handle is tucked on the side of the base board it can also serve as a carrying handle for the skateboard configuration. For example, in order to traverse a waterway, a mud path, or to walk the device uphill, a user can carry the skateboard/scooter device by the handle when the device is in its skateboard configuration.
A parent lock can also be incorporated into the handle to lock the device in either of the skateboard and scooter configurations. The lock is configured such that only an adult can unlock the skateboard/scooter device to switch between configurations. Accordingly, a parent can rest assured that a child will not convert the device between configuration without consent of an adult.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1 and 2
are perspective views of the convertible skateboard/scooter embodying the principles of the invention in the conventional skateboard and scooter configurations, respectively.
FIG. 3
is a bottom perspective view of the convertible skateboard/scooter of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 4
is a bottom view of the front portion of the convertible skateboard/scooter of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 5
is a semi-exploded view of the front portion of the convertible skateboard/scooter shown in FIG.
4
.
FIG. 6
is a partial, semi-exploded view of the convertible skateboard/scooter shown in FIG.
4
.
FIG. 7
is a second partial, semi-exploded view of the convertible skateboard/scooter shown in FIG.
4
.
FIG. 8
is a partial, semi-exploded top perspective view of the convertible skateboard/scooter shown in FIG.
1
.
FIG. 9
is a perspective view of the base, handle bracket and handle of the convertible skateboard/scooter of FIG.
2
.
FIG. 10
is a perspective view of the handle, handle bracket, handle lock, base, front base block and lock housing of the convertible skateboard/scooter of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 11
is a second perspective view of the handle, handle bracket, handle lock, base, front base block and lock housing of the convertible skateboard/scooter of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 12
is a perspective view of the handle lock, base and front base block of the convertible skateboard/scooter of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 13
is a perspective view of the handle lock and base of the convertible skateboard/scooter of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 14
is a top view of the handle lock of the convertible skateboard/scooter of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 15
is an exploded view of the handle lock for the convertible skateboard/scooter of FIG.
14
.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A convertible skateboard/scooter embodying the principles of the invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 1-14
and described below.
As shown in
FIG. 1
, convertible skateboard/scooter
1
includes a base
100
, front and rear wheel trucks
400
and
450
, respectively, and a handle
300
. Base
100
and wheel trucks
400
,
450
are of conventional design. Base
100
includes a lower surface
103
, a top surface
107
, front and rear
105
,
106
, and right side
104
, respectively. Wheels
401
are carried on wheel trucks
400
,
450
, which are attached to lower surface
103
of the base
100
.
Handle
300
is attached to the front end of the base
100
. Handle
300
is shown in
FIG. 1
in its lower “stowed” position such that the convertible scooter/skateboard is in its skateboard configuration. In this position, middle portion
310
of handle
300
is located adjacent the right side
104
of the base such that essentially none of the handle portion extends above the top surface
107
of the base
100
or otherwise obstructs a user's access to the base's top surface
107
for the purpose of skateboarding.
Handle
300
is formed from metal tube, and includes an elongate middle portion
310
and a base end and a grip portion that each extend perpendicularly from either end of the middle portion
310
. Grip portion
320
includes a top grip half
321
that is placed over a perpendicularly extending distal end of the metal tube and mates with a lower grip half
322
to sandwich the metal tube therebetween. The surface of the grip portion can be knurled or otherwise textured for greater gripping ability. At the opposite end of the handle middle portion
310
, the metal tube forms a handle base end
301
that is perpendicular to the middle portion
310
and is rotatably connected to a handle bracket
600
(discussed in greater detail below) located at the front
105
of the base.
A latch
303
extends from a side of the handle's middle portion
310
to rest on the top surface
107
of the base and provide support for the handle
300
to prevent it from being bent if a user steps on it while in the “stowed” skateboard position adjacent the base
100
.
In the stowed configuration, grip portion
320
is located adjacent to, and spaced from, the rear of the base
100
and provides a convenient carrying handle. Specifically, grip portion
320
extends approximately perpendicular to the handle middle portion
310
and is configured to create a space between the rear of the base
106
and the grip portion
320
to allow access for a user's hand.
In the scooter configuration, the handle middle portion
310
is inclined above the base
100
and extends upwardly from the right side of the front bumper
200
. Grip portion
320
extends generally perpendicular to the middle portion
310
. The handle's middle portion
310
is of such a length as to permit a user to easily grasp the grip portion
320
when standing on the base
100
. A handle lock
500
(discussed in greater detail below) is incorporated into the front wheel truck
400
to lock the handle
300
in either the scooter configuration or skateboard configuration.
As shown in
FIGS. 3-7
, a front bumper
200
encloses the handle base end
301
and handle bracket
600
, and includes a front bumper lower portion
220
fastened to a front bumper upper portion
240
to encase the handle base end
301
and handle bracket
600
. Front bumper upper portion
240
includes fastener shafts
241
that mate with apertures
221
in the front bumper lower portion
220
such that fasteners
230
can secure the upper and lower front bumper portions together. Fastener shafts
241
extend through apertures
101
in the base
100
to positively lock the front bumper
200
and base
100
relative to each other. In addition, apertures
224
located in the front bumper upper portion
240
align with apertures
624
of the handle bracket
600
and apertures
124
in the base
100
to permit fasteners
425
and
625
to fasten the front bumper
200
to the base
100
and handle bracket
600
.
The front truck
400
is attached to the base lower surface
103
with fasteners
425
. Truck
400
includes a front t-bar
410
that is attached to a front base block
420
by a truck joint fastener
430
. The front t-bar
410
includes a truck joint aperture
412
through which the truck joint fastener bolt
434
extends. Wheels
401
are attached to axles
413
located on either end of the t-bar
410
. A guide post
411
extends from a central portion of the t-bar
410
and is pivotally housed within a recess
423
in the front base block
420
. The truckjoint fastener
430
includes a bolt
434
that is held within an aperture
427
in the front block
420
and is attached to the t-bar
410
by a first elastomeric member
431
, washer
432
, and nut
433
. The truck joint fastener
430
includes a second annular elastomeric member
435
that is sandwiched between the front t-bar
410
and the front base block
420
to provide the flexibility necessary for turning the wheels
401
of the truck
400
.
As shown in
FIGS. 8-12
, handle bracket
600
is attached to the base
100
via fasteners
625
that extend through apertures
124
,
424
and
624
in the base
100
, front base block
420
and handle bracket
600
, respectively. The handle bracket
600
is generally U-shaped and has a wall
604
connecting between, and reinforcing, a top portion
620
and bottom portion
630
which form the U-shaped sides of the handle bracket
600
. The top portion
620
extends upward further than the bottom portion
630
of the U-shaped bracket
600
. Three apertures
624
are located in each of the upper and lower portions
620
and
630
and are aligned with each other to allow fasteners to pass therethrough and attach the handle bracket to the base
100
. A lip
603
is located on the bottom portion
630
of the handle bracket to provide a flush, coplanar surface when front base block
420
is attached on top of the handle bracket
600
as best shown in FIG.
7
.
As shown in
FIGS. 8-10
, several features of the handle bracket
600
work in conjunction with the handle lock
500
to secure the handle in either of its skateboard and scooter configurations. A lock aperture
601
is located at a central portion at the base of the U-shaped handle bracket. The lock aperture
601
is also rotationally aligned with scooter throughholes
350
and skateboard throughholes
360
, both of which are located in the same circular plane in base end
301
of the handle
300
. Accordingly, a spring biased lock extension
520
can pass through the lock aperture
601
and scooter throughholes
350
to lock the handle
300
and base
100
in the scooter configuration. Similarly, the spring biased lock extension
520
can pass through the handle lock aperture
601
and skateboard apertures to lock the handle with respect to the base
100
in the skateboard configuration.
A slot
602
located on a central portion of the handle bracket
600
cooperates with stop
302
of the handle
300
to limit the travel of the handle
300
between the scooter configuration and the skateboard configuration. Stop
302
can be a dowel shaped pin that is screwed through the base end
301
of the handle. The stop
302
can be accessed through stop access hole
605
located on the bottom portion
630
of the handle bracket
600
.
As shown in
FIGS. 10-12
, front base block
420
is sandwiched between t-bar
410
and the lock housing
530
. Lower surface
426
of the front base block
420
is shaped as a planar rectangle and mates with both the rear lower surface
532
of the handle lock housing
530
and a portion located above the lip
603
of the handle bracket bottom portion
630
. The base block
420
includes an aperture
426
through which the truck joint fastener bolt
434
extends, and which is angled slightly away from the lower surface
103
of the base and towards the front
105
of the base. A guide post recess
423
is located adjacent aperture
426
and is configured to house the guide post
411
and permit the guide post
411
to pivot therein. The guide post recess
423
is angled slightly away from the lower surface
103
of the base and towards the rear
106
of the base.
The brake lock housing
530
is generally L-shaped and includes a planar rear lower surface
532
that is slightly elevated with respect to a planar front lower surface
531
. Accordingly, a portion of the U-shaped handle bracket
600
can mate with the planar front lower portion
531
to create a co-planar surface with the planar rear lower surface
532
to smoothly abut and attach to the planar lower surface
426
of the base block
420
. The upper surface
535
of the brake lock housing
530
is planar and includes a slider indent
536
in which a slider
510
can travel. Several apertures
424
run through the perimeter of the lock housing to allow the various fasteners to pass through and lock the structure to the base
100
.
As shown in
FIGS. 13-15
, slider
510
is nested in the slider indent
536
of the lock housing
530
such that it can be slid along a longitudinal axis of the lock housing. A lock extension
520
is preferably formed as a metallic dowel pin and is press fit into a distal end
518
of the slider. Lock clips
513
are provided on either side of the slider
510
and mate with like-shaped clip indents
538
in the lock housing
530
to lock the slider in a fully extended position (as shown in FIG.
13
). Press bars
512
located on either side of the slider
510
are inwardly flexible due to slots
511
running along either side of the longitudinal axis of the slider
510
. Accordingly, the slider
510
can be unlocked from its fully extended position by applying an inward force to both of the press bars
512
to release the lock clips
513
from the clip indents
538
. The force required to unlock the slider can be varied by varying the size of the slots
511
in the slider. Preferably, the amount of force required is greater than that which a small child can produce, but low enough such that an adult can easily perform the unlocking operation.
Once the slider is unlocked from the housing
530
, the slider can be slid along its longitudinal axis and in a direction out of the lock housing
530
against the bias of spring
540
. Spring
540
is located within a spring slot
515
in the slider
510
and is biased against spring stop
537
located in the indent
536
of the lock housing
530
to urge the slider into the fully extended position. A cooperating surface
519
of the spring slot
515
(as best seen in
FIG. 15
) is configured to mate with the spring stop
537
and further secure the slider when it is in its fully extended position.
In operation, when the slider is in its fully extended position, the lock extension
520
extends through one of the two throughholes in the handle (either the skateboard throughhole
350
or the scooter throughhole
360
) and through the lock aperture
601
. Because the lock aperture
601
is not movable with respect to the base
100
, the handle
300
is effectively locked in either the skateboard configuration or the scooter configuration when the slider is in its fully extended position.
To change configurations between the skateboard configuration and the scooter configuration, the slider press bars
512
are forced together to release the lock clips
513
from the clip indents
538
in the lock housing and permit the slider to be pulled backwards out of the lock housing
530
. Once the lock extension
520
is completely removed from lock aperture
601
and skateboard throughholes
360
, the handle is free to rotate upwardly and away from the top surface
106
of the base (the handle cannot rotate in the opposite direction due to the interaction of slot
602
with the stop
302
of the handle). The spring
540
acts against spring stop
537
in the lock housing to bias the slider
510
and lock extension
520
towards the handle.
Accordingly, when the handle is rotated to a position in which the scooter throughhole align with the lock extension
520
, the spring will force the lock extension
520
through the scooter throughhole and lock aperture
601
to lock the handle in its scooter configuration. The spring also forces the slider
510
back in to the lock housing
530
such that lock clips
513
are snapped back into the clip indents
538
of the lock housing and the slider is locked in the lock housing. To change the configuration back to the skateboard configuration, the same operation is undertaken except the handle is oppositely rotated.
The distal end
518
of the slider is a generally elongate rectangular block shape with an aperture at its distal end for press fitting the lock extension
520
therein. As shown best in
FIG. 14
, a portion of the distal end
518
extends beyond the planar upper surface
535
of the lock housing. Accordingly, a rectangular groove
108
is formed in the lower surface of the base
100
to accommodate the distal end
518
and permit the lock housing
530
to lie flush against the lower surface
103
of the base.
The rear wheel truck
450
can be configured similar to the front wheel truck, but without connection to a lock housing, slider and handle bracket. A spacer block
460
can be sandwiched between the rear base block
470
and the lower surface
103
of the base to ensure that all wheels
401
are equally spaced from the lower surface
103
of the base
100
. Moreover, a spacer block can be used to ensure that the space taken up by the lock housing, slider and handle bracket in the front truck is compensated for in the rear truck to ensure that the wheels are spaced equally from the lower surface
103
of the base
100
.
Many variations on the structures and functions of the illustrated embodiment are contemplated. Although the handle is shown attached to the right side of the base, the handle could be mounted to the left side for easier manipulation by a left handed user. Similarly, although illustrated as being stowed along the side of the base, the handle could alternatively be stowed in an indent or recess in the upper surface of the base, or beneath the base. The specific location of the handle can be varied provided that it does not obstruct access to the top surface of the base board when the handle is in the “stowed” skateboard configuration.
The base board can be configured in various styles besides that disclosed in the depicted embodiment. For example, a base board with a large tail fin could be used such that the grip portion
320
of handle
300
can be stowed beneath the tail fin and a user can steer the skateboard via the fin.
The specific materials used to construct the invention can be selected from those known in the art. The base
100
can be made from wood, metal, plastic, carbon fiber and/or other materials. In addition, the base can include a tacky layer adhered to its top surface to provide a no-slip surface to a user. The tacky layer can include a sand paper, a gummy based adhesive or other known tacky material. The trucks
400
and
450
and handle
300
are preferably made from either plastic or metal, but can be made from other high strength lightweight materials such as rubbers, ceramics, carbon fiber, etc. The wheels can be made from rubber, plastics, or other known materials. The handle lock
500
can be composed of parts made from plastic, rubber, metal or other known materials. The lock extension should be made from a durable material such as metal, carbon fibers or other similar material that will repeatedly lock the handle with respect to the base
100
.
Although the invention is illustrated with respect to a skateboard and scooter, a movable handle mechanism could be used on other devices, such as a water toy configurable between a knee-board type device and a stand up water scooter board.
Variations to the handle lock mechanism are also contemplated. For example, the handle lock mechanism can alternatively be configured as a spring loaded gear cap that is fit onto the base end
301
of the handle
300
. The gear cap could include gear teeth that are biased into locking contact with mating teeth located on the handle
300
to rotatably fix the handle in place when in a first position, and could be movable against the spring bias to a second position in which the teeth are released from each other and the handle is free to rotate.
The handle is preferably U-shaped, with a base end
301
and grip portion
320
extending upwards and generally perpendicular to a middle portion
310
. However, alternative configurations are contemplated. The handle can include an upper portion that is T-shaped and includes separate grip locations for the right and left hands of a user. The handle can include a pole shaped grip extension that extends linearly from the base end
301
with no perpendicular portion extending from the pole shaped grip extension.
Although in the preferred embodiment of the invention the skateboard/scooter device is described as a child's device, the inventive concepts disclosed herein can be utilized in skateboard/scooter devices suitable for adults.
Claims
- 1. A skateboard/scooter device, comprising:a base having a top surface, a perimeter about the top surface, and a lower surface; a wheel coupled to said lower surface of said base; and A handle coupled to said base and movable between a first scooter position and a second stowed position, wherein said handle extends upwardly from said base and can be grasped by a user standing on said base when in said first scooter position, and said top surface is unobstructed by said handle and accessible to a user of the skateboard/scooter device and a substantial portion of said handle is located outside the perimeter of said base and is located between planes containing said top and lower surfaces when said handle is in said second stowed position.
- 2. The skateboard/scooter device of claim 1, further comprising:a plurality of wheels coupled to said lower surface of said base.
- 3. The skateboard/scooter device of claim 1, wherein said base includes a side surface and said handle is located adjacent said side surface of said base when in said second stowed position.
- 4. The skateboard/scooter device of claim 1, wherein said handle includes a portion that is co-planar with said upper surface of said base when in said second stowed position.
- 5. The skateboard/scooter device of claim 1, wherein said handle is located adjacent said lower surface of said base when in said second stowed position.
- 6. The skateboard/scooter device of claim 1, wherein said handle is located above said top surface of said base and extends at an angle away from said base when in said first scooter position.
- 7. The skateboard/scooter device of claim 1, wherein said base includes a front portion and a rear portion, and said handle is rotatably coupled to said front portion of the base.
- 8. The skateboard/scooter device of claim 1, wherein said base includes a left side, a right side and a back side, and said handle extends along one of said right and left sides of said base and includes a grip portion that extends adjacent said back side of said base when said handle is in said second stowed position.
- 9. The skateboard/scooter device of claim 8, wherein said grip portion is spaced from said back side of said base when in said second stowed position to create an aperture therebetween for convenient carrying of the device when in said second stowed position.
- 10. The skateboard/scooter device of claim 1, further comprising a lock connected to said handle and capable of locking said handle at one of its first scooter position and its second stowed position with respect to said base.
- 11. The skateboard/scooter device of claim 10, wherein said handle includes a lock aperture and said lock includes a lock extension slidably connected to said base and extendible into said lock aperture to lock said handle with respect to said base.
- 12. A wheeled device, comprising:a base having a top surface and a lower surface; a wheel coupled to said lower surface of said base; and a handle having a first portion and a second substantial portion, said first portion being coupled to and extending inwardly of said base and wherein said handle is movable between a first position in which said handle extends upwardly from said base and said device is configured in a scooter configuration, and a second position in which said second substantial portion of said handle is stowed below a plane containing said top surface of said base and said device is configured as a skateboard.
- 13. The wheeled device of claim 12, further comprising:a plurality of wheels coupled to said lower surface of said base.
- 14. The wheeled device of claim 12, wherein said base includes a side surface and said handle is located adjacent said side surface of said base when in said second position.
- 15. The wheeled device of claim 12, wherein said handle is located above said top surface of said base and extends at an angle away from said base when in said first position.
- 16. The wheeled device of claim 12, wherein said base includes a front portion and a rear portion, and said handle is rotatably coupled to said front portion of said base.
- 17. The wheeled device of claim 12, wherein said base includes a left side, a right side and a back side, and said handle extends along one of said right and left sides of said base and includes a grip portion that extends adjacent said back side of said base when said handle is in said second position, said grip portion being spaced from said back side of said base when in said second position to create an aperture therebetween for convenient carrying of the device when in said second position.
- 18. The wheeled device of claim 12, further comprising a lock located adjacent said handle and capable of locking said handle at one of its first position or its second position with respect to said base.
- 19. The wheeled device of claim 12, wherein said handle is rotatably coupled to said base.
- 20. A wheeled device, comprising:a base having a side surface, a top surface and a lower surface; a wheel coupled to said lower surface of said base; a handle coupled to said base; and means for pivoting said handle to convert said device between a first scooter configuration in which said handle extends upwardly from said base, and a second skateboard configuration in which a substantial portion of said handle is stowed adjacent said side surface closer to one of said side surface of said base and said lower surface of said base than to said top surface of said base and in which said top surface is unobstructed by said handle.
- 21. The wheeled device of claim 20, further comprising means for locking said handle in said first scooter configuration and said second skateboard configuration.
- 22. The wheeled device of claim 20, wherein said base includes a front portion and a rear portion, and said handle is rotatably coupled to said front portion of the base.
- 23. The wheeled device of claim 20, wherein said base includes a left side, a right side and a back side, and said handle extends along one of said right and left sides of said base and includes a grip portion that extends adjacent said back side of said base when said device is in said skateboard configuration, said grip portion being spaced from said back side of said base when in said skateboard configuration to create an aperture therebetween for convenient carrying of the device when in said skateboard configuration.
US Referenced Citations (13)
Foreign Referenced Citations (4)
Number |
Date |
Country |
3442193 |
Nov 1985 |
DE |
35 37 522 A1 |
Apr 1987 |
DE |
0 643 299 |
Sep 1928 |
FR |
WO 9825677 |
Jun 1998 |
WO |