DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrating the braking member and binding;
FIG. 1A is a side cross-sectional view of an overrunning using roller bearings;
FIG. 1B is a side cross-sectional view of an overrunning using using a toothed wheel and spring-loaded pall;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 1 embodiment partially cutaway to illustrate the brake slot and hinge mounting;
FIG. 2A is a side elevational view of the FIG. 1 embodiment with an overrunning clutch attached to the front wheel;
FIG. 2B is a side elevational view of the FIG. 1 embodiment with an overrunning clutch attached to both the front wheel and rear wheels;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 1 embodiment illustrating the hinging action of the device on the upstroke;
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 1 embodiment illustrating the hinging action of the device on the downstroke;
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 1 embodiment illustrating the use of the braking element;
FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 1 embodiment illustrating the hinging action of the device when folded for storage or transport;
FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment illustrating a skateboard with a resilient upwardly curved platform, shown in a relaxed, upward position;
FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 7 embodiment shown in a tensed, downward position;
FIG. 8A is a side elevational view of the FIG. 7 embodiment illustrating an overrunning clutch attached to the front wheel and axle group and a resilient member attached below the platform;
FIG. 8B is a side elevational view of the FIG. 7 embodiment illustrating an overrunning clutch attached to the front and rear wheel and axle group;
FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a third embodiment illustrating a skating device with platform operated activation rod and friction points illustrating the up position;
FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 9 embodiment illustrating the down position;
FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 9 embodiment illustrating a version with two activating rods, two guide slots and two friction points;
FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 9 embodiment illustrating a version with two activating rods, two guide slots and a wedge type friction device;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment illustrating a skating device with platform operated activation rod, central guide slot and friction points illustrating the up position;
FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 13 embodiment illustrating the attachment of the guide pin and binding;
FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 13 embodiment illustrating the ski-type sliding elements; and
FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 13 embodiment illustrating the wheel-type sliding elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
(1) FIGS. 1-6 illustrate personal transportation device 10 providing the desired features that may be constructed from the following components. A front section 14 is provided. The front section 14 has a first end 26 and a second end 34, a front wheel 18 rotatably mounted to an axle 22 adjacent the first end 26. A first pivot portion 78 is located adjacent the second end 34 and has a first hinge portion 30 located inwardly from the second end 34. A rear section 38 is provided. The rear section 38 has a second, mating hinge portion 42 adjacent a first end 46, a rear wheel 50 rotatably mounted to an axle 54 adjacent a second end 58 and a slot 66. The slot 66 is spaced rearwardly from the first end 46 and penetrates from an upper surface 70 to a lower surface 74 of the rear section 38. At least one overrunning clutch 62 is provided. The overrunning clutch 62 is attached to at least one of the front 18 and rear 50 wheel and axle 22, 54 mountings and permits the wheel 18, 50 to rotate only in one direction.
A foot platform 86 is provided. The foot platform 86 has a forward end 90, a rearward end 94, a second mating pivot portion 98 mounted adjacent the rearward end 94 and is pivotally mounted to the first pivot portion 78. A braking element 102 is provided. The braking element 102 has an upper end 106, a mid portion 110 and a lower end 114, is sized and shaped to fit slidably through the slot 66 at the mid portion 110. The braking element 102 is attached at the upper end 106 to the second pivot portion 98 and has a friction pad 118 at the lower end 114. An elastic member 122 is provided. The elastic member 122 urges the forward end 90 of the foot platform 86 toward an upper surface 126 of the front section 14.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, a binding 130 is provided. The binding 130 is attached to the foot platform 86 and removably attaches a foot of a user (not shown) to the platform 86. When a leg of the user is drawn upwardly, the front section 14 will move toward the rear section 38 as the sections 14, 38 pivot at the first 30 and second 42 hinge portions. At least one of the front wheel 18 and the rear wheel 50 will roll toward the other. When the leg is pushed downwardly the at least one overrunning clutch 62 will lock and the device 10 will move forwardly. When the foot platform 86 is tilted rearwardly and upwardly against the elastic member 122, the braking element 102 will cause the friction pad 118 to contact a ground surface 120, slowing the forward motion of the device 10.
(2) In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the first 30 and second 42 hinge portions include at least one stopping element 126, said element 126 limits rotation of the front section 14 with respect to the rear section 38.
(3) In another variant, the stopping element 126 limits rotation of the front section 14 with respect to the rear section 38 to 180 degrees.
(4) In still another variant, the elastic member 122 is detachable from either of the front section 14 and the foot platform 86.
(5) In yet another variant, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the front section 14 includes a clearance opening 130 located rearward of the front wheel 18. The clearance opening 130 is sized, shaped and located to accommodate a portion of the rear wheel 50 when the device 10 is folded about the first 30 and second 42 hinge portions for storage.
(6) In still a further variant, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the overrunning clutch 62 comprises a toothed ratchet wheel 142 affixed to the wheel 18, 50 and a spring-driven pall 146 engaging the ratchet wheel 142 at a first end 150 and affixed to the section 14, 38 at a second end 154.
(7) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, the overrunning clutch 62 comprises a combination roller clutch and bearing assembly 158.
(8) In another variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, a personal transportation device 162, includes an upwardly curved, resilient platform 166. The platform 166 has a first end 170 and a second end 174. At least one front wheel 178 is rotatably mounted to an axle 182 attached to an underside 186 of the platform 166 adjacent the first end 170. At least one rear wheel 190 is rotatably mounted to an axle 194 attached to the underside 186 of the platform 166 adjacent the second end 174. At least one overrunning clutch 62 is provided. The overrunning clutch 62 is attached to at least one of the front 178 and rear 190 wheel and axle 182, 194 mountings and permitting the wheel 178, 190 to rotate only in a forward direction. When a user (not shown) jumps upwardly from a top surface 198 of the platform 166, the first end 170 will move toward the second end 174 and at least one of the front wheel 178 and the rear wheel 190 will roll toward the other. When the user jumps downwardly upon the top surface 198 the at least one overrunning clutch 62 will lock and the device 10 will move forwardly.
(9) In still another variant, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the overrunning clutch 62 includes a toothed ratchet wheel 142 affixed to the rear wheel 178, 190 and a spring-driven pall 146 engaging the ratchet wheel 142 at a first end and affixed to the platform 166 at a second end 154.
(10) In yet another variant, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, the overrunning clutch 62 includes a combination roller clutch and bearing assembly 158.
(11) In a further variant, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, the personal transportation device 162 includes a resilient member 202, said resilient member 202 being centrally disposed beneath said platform 166 and attached adjacent said first 170 and second 174 ends.
(12) In still a further variant, the resilient member 202 limits downward flexion of the platform 166 to a horizontal axis 214 of the platform 166.
(13) In yet a further variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, a personal transportation device 218 includes a base 222. The base 222 has a first end 226, a second end 230, an upper surface 234, a lower surface 238, first 242 and second 246 sides. At least one guide slot 250 is provided. The guide slot 250 is located in at least one of the first 242 and second 246 sides parallel to a long axis 254 of the base 222. At least one front sliding element 258 is provided. The at least one front sliding element 258 is attached to the lower surface 238 adjacent the first end 226. At least one rear sliding element 262 is provided. The at least one rear sliding element 262 is attached to the lower surface 238 adjacent the second end 230. A driving platform 266 is provided. The driving platform 266 has a front end 270 and a back end 274 and is hingedly attached at the front end 270 to the base 222 adjacent the first end 226.
At least one guide block 278 is provided. The guide block 278 has an upper end 282, a lower end 286, an inner side (not shown) and an outer side 294. At least one guide pin 298 is provided. The guide pin 298 is attached to the inner side (not shown) of the guide block 278 and slidably located within the guide slot 250. A friction point 302 is provided. The friction point 302 has a mounting end 306 and a surface engaging end 310 and is pivotally attached at the mounting end 306 to the outer side 294 of the guide block 278. The friction point 302 extends downwardly to below a lowest point 314 of the sliding element 258, 262. At least one activation rod 318 is provided. The rod 318 has a forward end 322, a rearward end 326 and is pivotally attached at the forward end 322 to the driving platform 266 adjacent the back end 274. The activation rod 318 is pivotally attached at the rearward end 326 to the outer side 294 of the guide block 278 above the mounting end 306 of the friction point 302.
The friction point 302 has a stopping element 330. The stopping element 330 limits pivoting of the friction point 302 at the mounting end 306 to a predetermined arc of rotation 334. An elastic element 338 is provided. The elastic element 338 urges the friction point 302 to pivot to an outer limit 342 of the predetermined arc of rotation 334. A binding 346 is provided. The binding 346 is attached to the driving platform 266 and removably attaches a foot of a user (not shown) to the platform 266. When a leg of the user is drawn upwardly, the driving platform 266 will draw the activation rod 318 upwardly, moving the guide block 278 forwardly along the guide slot 250, pulling the friction point 302 upwardly, permitting the friction point 302 to pivot rearwardly about the mounting end 306. When a leg of the user is pushed downwardly, the driving platform 266 will push the activation rod 318 downwardly, moving the guide block 278 rearwardly along the guide slot 250, pushing the friction point 302 downwardly. The stopping element 330 limits pivoting of the friction point 302 to the predetermined arc of rotation 334, thereby causing the device 218 to move forwardly over a surface 338.
(14) In another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 14-16, the sliding element 258, 262 is selected from the group consisting ice skating blades 260, ski tips 264 and wheels 268.
(15) In still another variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, first 344 and second 348 activation rods move first 350 and second 354 guide blocks attached to first 358 and second 362 friction points along first 366 and second 370 guide slots located in first 242 and second 246 sides of the base 222. A strapping member 374 connects the first 342 and second 346 activation rods, thereby maintaining the first 350 and second 354 guide blocks in the first 366 and second 370 guide slots.
(16) In yet another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, a personal transportation device 378 includes a base 382. The base 382 has a first end 386, a second end 390, an upper surface 394, a lower surface 398, first 402 and second 406 sides. At least one guide slot 410 is provided. The guide slot 410 is centrally located along a central horizontal axis 414 of the base 382 and penetrates from the upper surface 394 to the lower surface 398. At least one front sliding element 418 is provided. The at least one front sliding element 418 is attached to the lower surface 398 adjacent the first end 386. At least one rear sliding element 422 is provided. The at least one rear sliding element 422 is attached to the lower surface 398 adjacent the second end 390. A driving platform 426 is provided. The driving platform 426 has a front end 430 and a back end 434 and is hingedly attached at the front end 430 to the base 382 adjacent the first end 386. A guide pin 438 is provided. The guide pin 438 has an upper end 442, a lower end 446, a removable upper retaining cap 450 and a lower retaining ledge 454. The cap 450 and the ledge 454 retain the guide pin 438 slidably in the guide slot 410. A friction point 458 is provided. The friction point 458 has a mounting end 462 and a surface engaging end 466, is pivotally attached at the mounting end 462 to the lower end 446 of the guide pin 438 and extends downwardly to below a lowest point 470 of the sliding element 418, 422.
An activation rod 474 is provided. The rod 474 has a forward end 478, a rearward end 482 and is pivotally attached at the forward end 478 to the driving platform 426 adjacent the back end 434. The activation rod 474 is pivotally attached at the rearward end 482 to the removable upper retaining cap 450 of the guide pin 438. The driving platform 426 has a central relief slot 486 located at the back end 434. The relief slot 486 is sized and shaped to accommodate the activation rod 474 when the driving platform 426 is in a lowered position 490. The friction point 458 has a stopping element 494. The stopping element 494 limits pivoting of the friction point 458 at the mounting end 462 to a predetermined arc of rotation 498. An elastic element 502 is provided. The elastic element 502 urges the friction point 458 to pivot to an outer limit 506 of the predetermined arc of rotation 498. A binding 510 is provided. The binding 510 is attached to the driving platform 426 and removably attaches a foot of a user (not shown) to the platform 426.
When a leg of the user is drawn upwardly, the driving platform 426 will draw the activation rod 474 upwardly, moving the guide pin 438 forwardly in the guide slot 410, pulling the friction point 458 upwardly and permitting the friction point 458 to pivot rearwardly about the mounting end 462. When a leg of the user is pushed downwardly, the driving platform 426 will push the activation rod 474 downwardly, moving the guide pin 438 rearwardly in the guide slot 410, pushing the friction point 458 downwardly. The stopping element 494 limits pivoting of the ice point 458 to the predetermined arc of rotation 498, thereby causing the device 378 to move forwardly over a surface 338.
(18) In a final variant,_as illustrated in FIGS. 14-16, the sliding element 258, 262 is selected from the group consisting ice skating blades 260, ski tips 264 and wheels 268.
The Personal Transportation Devices 10, 162, 218 and 378 has been described with reference to particular embodiments. Other modifications and enhancements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.
Patent Application
20080084034
