Patent Application
20050248112
Not Applicable
Recently, a new type of hybrid bicycle and skateboard product has been introduced in the marketplace as an alternative to bicycles, skateboards, roller/inline skates and scooters. Such hybrid vehicle, produced by The Bikeboard Company, LLC of Santa Ana, Calif., is currently being sold under the trademark BIKEBOARD™, a trademark of The Bikeboard Company, LLC. Such vehicles are characterized by a unique L-shaped frame that defines front, intermediate and end portions. The front end of the frame has a bicycle-type head tube through which upwardly extends a stem with conventional bicycle handlebars, and a fork extending downwardly therefrom. A conventional front bicycle tire is affixed to the fork per conventional bicycle construction. A down tube portion extends from the head tube in an angled direction and is thereafter provided with a bend, with the remaining frame portion extending rearwardly therefrom, upon which is mounted a conventional skateboard deck. The skateboard deck and/or the rearmost portion of the frame is attached either a skateboard truck or support post having a pair of skateboard wheels attached thereto. When the BIKEBOARD™ vehicle assumes an upright position, the rearmost portion of the frame remains in generally parallel relation to the ground.
Such frame design is depicted in pending U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/205,028, filed May 7, 2004 entitled FRAME DESIGN and U.S. pending Design patent application Ser. No. 29/208,130, filed Jun. 24, 2004 entitled FRAME DESIGN, the teachings of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
Such hybrid scooter product has been met with great consumer enthusiasm despite only recently being made commercially available. In this respect, the BIKEBOARD™ product is in many respects easier to ride and safer to utilize compared with bicycles and skateboards. Additionally, because of the front bicycle wheel configuration, the BIKEBOARD™ products are provided with a front hand brake to facilitate the ability of the rider to stop the product, which is much safer and reliable compared to conventional scooters that typically have a rear foot-activated brake that requires the rider to maintain his or her balance while applying the brake mechanism. Further advantages of such product include its durability; omission of any type of gears, sprockets, chain or pedal components; steering capability; and the ability to be readily used by both adults and small children. In this regard, and in contrast to bicycles and skateboards, certain models of the BIKEBOARD™, and in particular a line sold as TIKEBOARD™, are specifically designed and configured for use by small children ages four and up.
Despite its numerous advantages, certain problems have been identified with respect to the manufacture and construction of the hybrid bicycle/skateboard products referenced herein. In this respect, the finalized product, when fully constructed, extends approximately the same length as a fully constructed bicycle. Moreover, due to the L-shape frame design, such frame is incapable of being packaged and shipped in a space-efficient manner. As such, when shipped in its fully constructed state, the finished products can have dramatically higher shipping costs than they would otherwise have if they could be packaged in a much smaller, space efficient configuration.
While it is recognized that space efficiency during shipment is one major concern, competing issues arise with respect to the ability to assemble the product for use by consumers. It will be readily appreciated that fabricating the frames of the hybrid bicycle/skateboard products may be accomplished in a variety of ways; however, significant difficulties arise to the extent such assembly becomes too complicated insofar as consumers, who are often times required to assemble the product, will become discouraged and be deterred from purchasing the product.
In addition to the need to design frames that are “assembler friendly” is the need for a frame that can be assembled in a manner that causes the frame, and hence the finished product, to be exceptionally durable and minimizes the potential for the frame to break or fall apart, particularly after vigorous use. In this respect, by essentially being a scooter that will primarily be utilized by adolescents, teens and young adults, such frame must be capable of withstanding extensive and repetitive forces in anticipation of the various riders that will be using such product.
As such, there is a substantial need in the art to develop a multi-component frame design to thus enable a hybrid bicycle/skateboard scooter frame, and in particular those frames produced by The Bikeboard Company, LLC, to achieve the multiple purposes of maintaining a compact configuration to conserve space during manufacture and shipping and enabling such frame to be quickly and easily assembled that further provides for a finished frame construction that is capable of withstanding rigorous forces and ensuring long product life.
The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above-identified deficiencies. In this regard, the present invention is directed to a multi-component frame for use in constructing hybrid bicycle/skateboard vehicles, and in particular those vehicles-bearing the L-shaped frame incorporated into the BIKEBOARD™ brand of such products. According to a preferred embodiment, the frame consists of at least two tubular frame components that are operative to be interconnected to one another to form the vehicle frame. According to such embodiment, there is provided a frontal frame component, which includes a head tube and down tube portion, and a rear frame component. In a preferred embodiment, the frontal and rear frame components are interconnectable to one another to define a generally L-shape. To that end, a variety of mechanisms are available by which the frame components are interconnected. In one embodiment, the frontal frame component is provided with a smaller diameter tube extending from the rear-most portion thereof that is operative to be received within and interconnect the forward-most portion of the rear frame component. To that end, it is contemplated that such smaller tube portion may be comprised of either a section of smaller diameter tube or may simply comprise a crimped portion of the frontal frame component wherein the crimp portion creates a smaller diameter for a segment of such frame section, which is then capable of being telescopically received in a larger tubular section of the rear frame component. Separate from or in addition to the interconnection between the tube within tube embodiment are means for securing such frame component sections to one another, which may be accomplished by interconnecting a skateboard deck to the frame components wherein a portion of the skateboard deck is fastened to both the rear frame component and the frontal frame component.
In alternative embodiments, the multi-component frame will be comprised of three components, namely a frontal component, an intermediate component, and a rear component. According to such embodiment, the frontal frame component will comprise a head tube with a section of the down tube extending therefrom, the intermediate portion will include a section of down tube operative to interconnect with a portion of the down tube of the frontal frame component and a rearwardly extending portion operative to interconnect with the rear frame component per the attachment mechanisms discussed above. Specifically, the intermediate and rear frame components may interconnect with one another via a telescope-type arrangement and secured to one another via screws or bolts and the like, and/or by mounting the skateboard deck upon the intermediate and rear frame components and securing the skateboard deck respectively thereto while the intermediate and rear frame components remain interconnected. In a preferred embodiment, the portion of the interconnected frame extending below the skateboard deck may be flattened and/or provided with a plastic block or the like to define a “grinding” surface to thus enable the vehicle, when fully assembled, to make skateboard grinding maneuvers.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mechanism by which skateboard wheels are affixed to the hybrid bicycle/skateboard vehicle via attachment directly to the vehicle frame. In the first of such embodiments, the rear-most portion of the vehicle frame is provided with a flattened portion, which may take the form of an angled bend such that the tubular frame portion assumes a flattened, downwardly angled configuration. One or more apertures formed in such flattened portion serve as means for interconnecting a pair of conventional skateboard wheels. Advantageously, such frame design allows for the rapid attachment of skateboard wheels without requiring that the same be separately attached to the skateboard deck that is ultimately mounted upon the frame.
In a second embodiment, a rear-most portion of the vehicle frame is provided with a contoured surface with apertures that are operative to interconnect with conventional skateboard wheels. In this respect, the frame defines a mounting means that enables a pair of conventional skateboard wheels to be mounted directly upon the frame in a rapid manner, as opposed to being separately attached to the skateboard deck.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, it is contemplated that the frame may be provided with one or more selectively locking joints to thus enable the frame to assume operative and collapsed configurations. In this regard, it is contemplated that the interlocking joint may be formed at the juncture between the down tube and rearwardly extending frame portion of the hybrid bicycle/skateboard frame such that the down tube and rear frame portions can collapse upon one another.
These as well as other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings.
The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and sequences of steps for constructing and operating the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments and that they are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention.
Referring now to the Figures, and initially to
To that end, the frame of the vehicle 10 of the present invention is essentially comprised of three components, namely, a front frame component 12, and intermediate frame component 36, and a rear frame component 48. With respect to the former, frontal frame component 12 includes a head tube portion 14 that is operative to function per conventional head tube sections of a conventional bicycle frame. In this regard, the head tube 14 is operative to receive and interconnect stem 28 and handlebars 30, which may comprise conventional bicycle handlebars with handlebar grips 32 and hand brake 34, via stem 28 to a pair of forks 18 that extend downwardly from head tube 14. Attached to the forks 18, per conventional bicycle design, is hub 20 with rim 22 and tire 24 mounted thereabout. There is further provided front brake 26 that is operatively coupled to brake lever 34 to thus enable the same to be manually actuated.
Front frame component 12 further includes down tube portion 16 that is interconnected via bolt 40 to intermediate frame component 36. More specifically, the distal-portion of down tube 16 of frontal frame component may be telescoped within the upwardly-extending frame portion 38 of intermediate component 36 to form the structure as shown. In an alternative embodiment, frontal frame component 12 and intermediate frame component 36 will be formed as an integral, unitary structure that will omit the need to interconnect such pieces via bolt or coupling 40 as shown. In this respect, by combining frontal frame component 12 with intermediate frame component 36 can, in some respects, facilitate easier frame manufacture by having to fabricate fewer frame pieces.
Intermediate frame component 36 is further provided with a rearwardly extending portion 42 upon which is formed first attachment plate 44. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the frame portions discussed herein will preferably be fabricated from conventional metal bicycle tubing or other materials well-known to those skilled in the art for use in fabricating bicycle frames and the like, which may include but not limited to any of a variety of graphite fiber and/or plastic materials possessing the requisite hardness and strength to function in such applications. Accordingly, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that any of a wide variety of materials can be readily utilized for use in the practice of the present invention.
The end-most portion 42 of intermediate frame materials 36 preferably abuts with rear frame component 48 at the juncture 46 as shown. In this respect, the rear portion 42 will preferably cooperate and interconnect with rear frame component tubing 48 to form a continuous tubular structure as shown. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom portion of the tubing interconnecting rear portion 42 with rear frame component tubing 48 may be flattened to define a planar surface extending along the length of such interconnected tubing or may otherwise be designed and configured to mount or interconnect with a plastic grinding bar or strip, well-known to those skilled in the art with respect to skateboard construction, to thus enable the vehicle 10 to perform grinding maneuvers as per conventional skateboard usage. Along these lines, there is further preferably provided a second attachment plate 50 that is welded or otherwise attached to rear frame portion 48 that, for reasons discussed below, will cooperate with front attachment plate 44 to provide means to affix a conventional skateboard deck 52.
To enable the vehicle 10 to move, a pair of skateboard wheels 54 are preferably affixed to the rear-most end of rear frame portion 48. In this regard, it is contemplated that such skateboard wheels 54 may be affixed via n axle or a conventional skateboard truck well-known to those skilled in the art. It is especially preferred, for reasons discussed more fully below, that the skateboard wheels be directly affixed to rear frame portion 48, as opposed to attaching a skateboard truck separately to deck 52, in order to substantially decrease the complexity and labor associated with the construction of the vehicles 10 of the present invention.
Referring now to
Further illustrated is the interconnection between frontal frame component 12 and intermediate portion 36 via the section of down tube 16a extending telescopically within down tube portion 38 of intermediate component 36. As discussed above, in certain embodiments it is preferred that the frontal frame component 12 will be integrally formed with intermediate frame portion 36 to thus form a unitary structure. In addition, to the extent frontal frame component 12 and intermediate frame component 36 are formed as separate components, as shown, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that a wide variety of means are available by which the two can be interconnected together than the manner shown. In this respect, it will be well-understood that frame portion 38 may be sized and configured to be received within frame portion 16 of frontal frame portion 12. It is likewise contemplated that frame portions 16 and 38 can be interconnected via bolts, locking pins, quick-release mechanisms intermediate bracing structures, reciprocal locking devices, and any of a variety of mechanisms well-known to those skilled in the art. Likewise, it is contemplated that the interconnection between frame portions 16 and 38 may be selectively adjustable such that the distance frontal frame component 12 extends from intermediate frame component 36 via the down tube connection can be selectively adjusted.
Also depicted in
In one preferred embodiment depicted in
As will be readily appreciated, once such smaller diameter tubular structure is formed, the same will easily be able to be telescoped within rear frame component 48 in the manner shown. Once received therein, the two frame components 36, 48 may be affixed to one another by any of a wide variety of mechanical means known in the art, including but not limited to bolts, locks, registry pins or any other means discussed herein and well-understood by those skilled in the art. Along these lines, and in other embodiments of the invention shown, it is further contemplated that the interconnection between intermediate frame component 36 and rear frame component 48 may be accomplished not by interlocking rear-most frame portion 42a within rear frame portion 48, as shown, but by the affixation of the skateboard deck 52 upon such frame as shown. As discussed above, the frame of the vehicle 10 of the present invention will preferably be provided with a first attachment plate 44 and second attachment plate 50 that are operative to cooperate with one another to affix the conventional skateboard deck 52 as shown. To help facilitate that end, skateboard deck 52 may be provided with attachment mechanisms to more easily and readily connect with the attachment plates 44, 50.
As illustrated, the first plate 44 will be formed upon tubular portion 42 of intermediate frame component 36 and the second connection plate 50 being formed upon rear frame component 48. Such attachment plates 44, 50 will be provided with apertures through which screws 58 may be utilized to interconnect with the skateboard deck 52 in the manner shown in
Along these lines, in further refinements of the invention it is contemplated that intermediate and rear frame components 36, 48 may be rigidly interconnected with one another such that the bottom-most sections of tubing (i.e., the tubing closest to the ground) may be formed to have a flattened configuration or else otherwise adapted to receive and interconnect with an elongate plastic strip, bar or the like to thus enable the lower portion of the interconnected frame to make grinding maneuvers well-known in the field of skateboarding. In this respect, because tubular frame components 36, 38 will possess a generally cylindrical shape, in certain applications it will be necessary to modify the same either by flattening or providing a grinding type member or both. By providing such grinding structure will thus enable the rider of the vehicle 10 of the present invention to not only perform grinding maneuvers, but also be able to do so in a manner that minimizes potential damage to the vehicle and frame structure.
As further illustrated in
Referring now to
The one aspect of the embodiment depicted in
To achieve that end, there is shown in
Once so formed, skateboard truck 64 can be directly mounted upon such rear frame component 48 in a manner that is substantially easier, reliable and time efficient. In this regard, providing such attachment means to secure the axle or skateboard truck 64 with skateboard wheels 56 affixed thereto eliminates the need to directly mount such skateboard truck to the rear portion of the skateboard deck 52 via a separate step. Additionally, by readily identifying the point at which the skateboard truck 64 will be attached eliminates the need to estimate or otherwise determine skateboard truck 64 placement.
Referring now to
In contrast to the above embodiments, the frame 100 depicted in
Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention may also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, while shown forming generally L-shaped frames, the multi-component frame of the present invention can be designed to form a wide variety of dissimilar shapes, such as “2” shaped or “Z” shaped frames. Thus, the particular combination of parts and steps described and illustrated herein is intended to represent. only certain embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternative devices and methods within the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/205,028, filed May 7, 2004 entitled FRAME DESIGN and pending U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/208,130, filed Jun. 24, 2004 entitled FRAME DESIGN, the teachings of which are expressly incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 29205028 | May 2004 | US |
| Child | 11037731 | Jan 2005 | US |
| Parent | 29208130 | Jun 2004 | US |
| Child | 11037731 | Jan 2005 | US |
