The invention relates to a sport and transport device.
A plurality of devices are known in the area of sport and transport devices. Skateboards and snowboards, for example, are both used depending on the type of terrain. These devices have the disadvantage that they can be propelled, accelerated, or braked only by the slope of the surface on which they are used, or by the physical exertion of the user—for example, by removing a foot from the device and pressing down on the surface.
German Patent 196 25 948 A1 describes a sport and transport device with a stand-on board, at least three road wheels, and a steering apparatus in which shifting the body weight from one leg to the other causes a motion that sets at least one wheel in motion through an appropriate kinematic drive unit, thus effecting motion.
Similar sport and transport devices with a stand-on board are known from German Patent 88 08 3 66 U1, German Patent 692 00 850 T2, and from WO 92/06753 A1. These devices also have an actuating apparatus above the top panel for a foot of the person riding on the device. A common feature of these known actuating devices is the fact that the person riding the device must move his foot in a vertical direction relative to the top panel or the stand-on panel.
The goal of the invention is to create a sport and transport device that may be ridden safely, is easy to steer, yet is of simple design.
This goal is achieved by a sport and transport device with the features of claim 1.
Modifications of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.
By providing actuating means on the top side of the top panel according to the invention, the invention allows the rider or user of the device to operate this top panel when underway without removing his feet from the top panel.
Due to the drive function of the top panel, i.e., the pivoting of the top panel about the pivot axis, the top panel occupies ever-changing positions. In order to permit operation of the apparatus, which may be provided on the frame or on the wheels, during the entire course of travel, i.e., independently of the current position of the top panel, the actuating means and corresponding apparatus are preferably connected by Bowden cables.
In an embodiment of the sport and transport device according to the invention, the apparatus and associated actuating means form a gearshift system. Using the gearshift system, different gear speeds may be generated in one gear system by which at least one of the wheels is driven. The gear system is preferably attached to the frame. Use of the gearshift enables the rider to adjust the handling characteristics of the device to the driving surface conditions, specifically to the grade.
The gearshift system may comprise a derailleur, a toothed-belt gearshift, or a slide-type gearshift. In this last case, the gear system may comprise a shift cage. Depending on the type of transmission between the gear system and the wheel driven by it, i.e., the chain or toothed belt, at least two speeds may be actuated by an appropriate gearshift system.
In another embodiment, the apparatus and associated actuating means may be a braking system. In this embodiment, the advantages of the inventive design of the sport and transport device are particularly apparent, since in order to ensure the safety of the rider and other riders, the rider must be able to operate the brake at any time and in any position of the top panel, and this brake must engage reliably. The brake system may be designed in various ways. Preferably, it has the following principal components:
one brake plate
one rotary bushing
two brake nipples
two Bowden cables
two thrust bearings
one sleeve
The design concept also encompasses equipping the sport and transport device with an electric motor that drives at least one wheel. This motor may be integrated into the gear system. The motor may be employed, as desired, to transmit power directly to the drive wheel or provide a power boost to the motion generated by the pivot motion of the top panel. Electric power may be supplied by a battery that may be accommodated in the frame of the device.
Controlling the direction of the sport and transport device according to the invention is effected by the rider's shifting his weight in a lateral direction. To this end, the frame preferably includes a steerable front axle. This axle may be flanged onto a main support tube of the frame and is preferably designed as a spring element so as to enhance riding comfort.
The wheels of the sport and transport device are preferably connected detachably to the frame. This detachable connection feature provides the sport and transport device according to the invention with a high degree of flexibility in terms of the area of utilization. The device may thus easily be converted to a winter sports device. To make this change, the wheels must simply be removed and replaced by runners or by wheels with spikes.
A modification of the sport and transport device has an elastomer suspension apparatus that elastically couples the wheel axle to the frame of the device. The suspension here is selected so that the turn-in of the axle, i.e., the steering angle, is directly determined by a connection angle located between the front axle and the tubular joint axis.
The following discussion describes the invention based on the attached figures which show embodiments of the subject of the invention.
a are a perspective cross-sectional view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of a gear system of a sport and transport device according to the invention with a slide gearshift in a first position;
a are a perspective cross-sectional view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of a gear system of a sport and transport device according to the invention with a slide gearshift in a second position;
The design of the sport and transport device according to the invention is described based on
A tubular frame 1 serves as the base that includes a main support tube 1.3 and forms a fork 1.1, 1.2 in the rear section. Tubular frame 1 is bent, at least in the area of main support tube 1.3. A steerable front axle 10 is flanged on at the front end of main support frame 1.3, i.e., at the end opposite fork 1.1, 1.2. The principle of the front axle 10 corresponds to that of the front axles of known skateboards. Due to the fact that only one steerable axle is present, however, the steering angle has been doubled. The geometry of axle 10 was designed to achieve a corresponding suspension effect even over rough terrain. In addition, the wheels of front axle 10 have been mounted with a camber to enhance the handling stability. The camber may, for example, be 5°.
The embodiment of the sport and transport device shown has three wheels, with only one wheel acting as the drive wheel 6. This wheel is mounted at the other end of main support tube 1.3 in fork 1.1, 1.2. That section of the drive apparatus which is a drive gear system 3 is also mounted in fork 1.1, 1.2. Drive wheel 6 is mounted and braced in fork 1.1, 1.2.
As described above, fork 1. 1, 1.2 functions as the receiving apparatus for the positive-engagement support of gear system 3, and also as the support for drive wheel 6. This embodiment has the advantage that gear system 3 is supported by positive engagement, and thus does not require any additional attaching elements. In addition, the simultaneous use of fork 1.1, 1.2 as the support for drive wheel 6 represents a simplification in design. Wheel 6 and gear system 3 by which wheel 6 is driven are attached by the same component 1.1, 1.2 in this design—with the result that no relative displacement may occur between wheel 6 and gear system 3 that might cause failures such as breakage of the chain.
Drive wheel 6 is preferably driven by a chain or toothed belt 7 through drive gear system 3.
Top panel 2, which may have the shape of a skateboard for example, is pivotably connected to tubular frame 1. This connection may, for example, be of the design shown in
The bent shape of frame 1 and the kinked shape of top panel 2 thus ensure that top panel 2 can be moved frontward and rearward, up and down, in response to swiveling or seesawing motions. Top panel 2 receives this seesawing motion from the shifting weight of the operator.
A means 2.4 is attached on the underside of top panel 2 in the area, in the installed condition, above gear system 3; this means forming a drive apparatus along with gear system 3. In the embodiment shown, this means is a rack 2.4. As a result of the seesawing motions of top panel 2, rack 2.4 alternately descends into and emerges from drive gear system 3, thereby driving gear system 3. Gear system 3 will be explained more precisely below referring to
Gear system 3 is mounted by positive engagement between forks 1.1 and 1.2. Retention is provided by a gear system housing which preferably has two gear system shells 3.1, 3.2. Projections may be provided on gear system housing 3.1, 3.2 which match the shape of the fork 1.1, 1.2. In addition, gear system 3 has a drive shaft and counter-rotating shaft. The drive shaft and counter-rotating shaft are mounted in gear system shells 3.1 and 3.2 on pivots 3.5 and 3.6. The drive shaft is mounted in housing sections 3.1 and 3.2 by bearings 3.18.
The function of gear system 3 engaged by rack 2.4 engages will be described in more detail with reference to
A toothed belt 7 or chain 7 runs via output rotor 3.14 to drive wheel 6 on a synchronizer rotor 6.2 or a sprocket 6.2 (see
Wheel 6 is supported by roller bearings on rear axle 6.3. The drive axle is force-fitted into the wheel body, with a synchronizer rotor or sprocket 6.2 with a freewheel being supported on said axle, thereby receiving the transmission of power. Propulsion is effected by toothed belt 7 or chain 7 via the drive shaft of the gear system.
In the embodiment shown, the drive wheel is the rear wheel of the device. By modifying the freewheel arrangement, however, the drive direction may also be reversed so that the drive wheel is not in front and the steered axle in back. The drive function through the top panel remains unchanged here.
In a preferred embodiment, the sport and transport device may have a gearshift. A gear system with gearshift is shown in
The aforementioned shift unit comprises a tumbler 8 (see
Tumbler 8, the Bowden cable, and shift nipples 11 are interconnected by friction. Shift nipples 11 of shift lever 9 project upward through curved grooves 12 from top panel 2. Actuating shift nipples 11 with the front foot (heel or toes) on which the rider is standing, i.e., by moving nipples 11 within grooves 12, rotates the shift lever, thereby shifting the corresponding drive transmission ratio. Shift lever 9 itself is designed as a spring element acting against the shift direction. This means that the user may step on shift nipples 11 without wanting to shift. These are pressed down without causing any shift action. Shift lever 9 is attached at its end position by a bead.
As a result, the gearshift may be actuated by the foot at any time, or in any position occupied by top panel 2. No riding operation, propulsion operation, or steering operation need be interrupted or changed.
a and 14, 14a show another possible type of two-stage gearshift. The rack here consists of two different tooth segments arranged in tandem and spaced. The segments have different widths and may be interconnected by a cross brace to enhance stability. The rack is attached to top panel 2 as in the embodiment described previously.
Since it must be possible when riding to apply the brake at any time, and since top panel 2 occupies ever-changing positions due to its drive function, no rigid type of brake unit can be selected. For this reason, a brake system was developed which duplicates all the motions of top panel 2.
Specific features of the brake system are found in
The brake system consists of the following principal components:
brake plate (5.1)
rotary bushing (5.2)
brake nipple (5.3)
Bowden cable (5.5)
thrust bearing (5.6)
sleeve (5.7)
Two holes 2.4 to accept rotary bushings 5.2 are incorporated symmetrically into top panel 2. Sleeve 5.7 is installed in one of these two holes as a pivot bearing for brake plate 5.1. The other side is free. Brake plate 5.1 is installed along with both rotary bushings 5.2 in top panel 2 from above and secured from below. Brake plate 5.1 rests flat on top panel 2. Due to the one free hole, brake plate 5.1 may be either rotated or displaced as a function of the freedom of movement. Brake nipple 5.3 is frictionally installed in brake plate 5.1, into which brake plate Bowden cable 5.5 is inserted. This cable is supported by thrust bearing 5.6 attached to top panel 2 and routed to the brake 4.1 on the brake wheel. Drive wheel 6 is preferably equipped with a drum brake which is controlled by the brake system. The wheel brake function may also be achieved by various rim-based and tire-based brake systems. The user stands on the brake plate, which is equipped with support ribs 5.4 for the foot arrangement, and is able to rotate brake plate 5.1 with brake nipple 5.3 by rotating his foot. This initiates the braking action and achieves the braking effect in accordance with the amount of torsional force.
Although the above discussion speaks in terms of rotating brake plate 5.1, brake plate 5.1 may also be simply laterally displaceable. In this case, brake plate 5.1 is moved by the rider's foot in the appropriate direction to achieve the braking effect.
The mechanical coupling of frame 1 and front axle 10 by suspension system 120 is especially evident in the cross-sectional diagrams of
A bolt 122 sits stationary in a hole of connection component 102. The stationary connection may, for example, be achieved simply by a screwed connection indicated by reference numeral 142. This bolt 122 is attached in connection component 102 such that this component extends rearward at an oblique angle as seen from the direction of travel. Bolt 122 sits rotatably movably in a slide bushing 140 of tubular joint 104. Bolt 122 has a square cross section. A square tube 136 sits on this square cross section of bolt 122. An outer square tube 130 is located with a certain clearance around inner square tube 136. The square tube 136 simultaneously contacts the outer wall of suspension system 120. Elastomer strips 138 sit offset at 90° angles between outer square tube 130 and inner square tube 136. Suspension system 120 is closed by a cover plate 142 and retained by nuts 144 which are screwed onto the end of bolt 122 pointing away from connection component 102.
The functional principle of the suspension system is as follows.
Tilting the Y-tube of frame 1 via top panel 2 causes tubular joint 104 and front axle 10 to rotate toward each other. At the same time, bolt 122 also rotates with its square component, which is rigidly connected to front axle 10, thereby also rotatably carrying along inner square tube 136. Since outer square tube 130 is mounted in the square hole of tubular joint 104 and thus cannot rotate, front axle 10 is oriented in the resting state at right angles to the center tube of frame 1, namely, β equals 90°.
When the sport and transport device is tilted to the left or right via top panel 2 by shifting weight, suspension system 102 experiences a load by which front axle 10 is adjustable for a defined steering. The possible steering angle β is a direct function of connection angle α between tubular joint 104 and front axle 10 of the device. The larger angle α, the smaller is steering angle β, and visa versa. The angle α may be adjusted here for the specific design of the device, depending on the area of utilization for the device, whether on outdoor terrain, on smooth ground, for competition, or other areas of utilization.
It must be mentioned in this regard that the described articulated axle system with suspension system 100 using elastomers, while extremely advantageous, does not necessarily have to be employed. Other suspension systems are also possible for coupling frame 1 to front axle 10.
Suspension system 120 may be advantageously designed to be interchangeable. In this way, suspension systems 120 having different elasticities may be employed, namely, an operator may at any time exchange the suspension system 120 in order to adjust the handling and steering characteristics of the device to his specific wishes or his physical requirements, such as body weight and riding skill. The aforementioned elastomers 138 are inserted prestressed between square tube 136 and outer square tube 130.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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100 35 296.0 | Jul 2000 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP01/08255 | 7/18/2001 | WO | 3/8/2007 |