WO2000027489A1

WO2000027489A1 - Travel device such as a skateboard or a scooter and similar

Info

Publication number: WO2000027489A1
Application number: PCT/CH1999/000506
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wim A. Ouboter
Original assignee: Micro Mobility Systems Ag
Priority date: 1998-11-11
Filing date: 1999-10-26
Publication date: 2000-05-18
Also published as: CA2350437A1; EP1096980B1; JP2002529167A; CH692973A5; AU6185699A; EP1096980B2; DE19982298D2; DE19982298C1; EP1096980A1; DE59900781D1; DE29923694U1; ATE212244T1

Abstract

The invention relates to a travel device, such as a skateboard or a scooter and similar, comprising two running gears (2, 3), each of which has at least one wheel (6), and at least one of said running gears (2, 3) being steerable. According to the invention, a foot-board (1) is provided, connecting the two running gears (2, 3). Said foot-board is elastically deformable and has a spring rate in the range of 0.03 to 0.25 mm/kg. The foot-board (1) is detachably connected to the running gears (2, 3). Several foot-boards (1) with different, progressive spring rates are provided so that the travel device can be adapted to the different requirements of different users. The individual foot boards (1) are characterised by different dimensions and/or different materials. Reinforcement struts can also be introduced into the foot board (1). Running gears (2, 3) with different constructions and functioning modes can be combined with foot boards (1) of this type. The invention therefore provides a means of adapting a travel device to the user's requirements in terms of the quality of movement, especially the spring system.

Description

Driving device such as a roller board or scooter and the like

The invention relates to a driving device of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1

Such driving devices are preferably used by children and adolescents on the one hand as a means of transportation, but on the other hand as a sports device or simply for pastime and fun are

A driving device of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1 is known from WO 95/34461. The collapsible scooter has a rigid footboard. In a special embodiment, a middle part of the footboard is lowered towards the ends

From US-A-4, 179.133 a device is known with which a roller board can be converted into a scooter

Both scooters and roller boards are preferably used on sidewalks. The

Surfaces of such surfaces serving as carriageways are usually paved, for example tarred or paved, but occasionally also covered with slabs. Larger bumps are not uncommon felt uncomfortable The driving characteristics of scooters and roller boards differ depending on the design of these driving devices

The invention has for its object to equip driving devices of the type mentioned so that the driving properties can be changed according to the wishes of the user, in particular to improve the suspension, so that the bumps caused by bumps in the road are mitigated

The stated object is achieved in a driving device of the generic type by the features specified in the characterizing part of claim 1. Advantageous further developments result from the dependent claims An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing

1 shows a diagram of a roller board,

2 shows a section through a running board,

3 shows a single drive,

4 shows a further embodiment of a drive in a top view,

5 shows the same embodiment in a schematic side view,

6 shows a diagram of a modified drive when running straight ahead,

Fig. 7 is a diagram of this drive when cornering and

8 shows a section through a steamer

In FIG. 1, 1 means a running board which is connected on one side to a front drive 2 and on the other side to a rear drive 3. In the example shown, the two drives 2 and 3 are identical. Each of the drives 2, 3 consists of a carrier 4, an associated wheel holder 5 and at least one wheel 6 which is rotatably mounted in this wheel holder 5 are roller-shaped rollers, as are customary in the case of roller boards according to the prior art. In such a case, the wheel holder 5 accommodates two wheels 6 which can be rotated about a common axis

According to the invention, the footboard 1 is detachably connected to the drives 2, 3, so that it is possible that one of the drives 2, 3 can be exchanged for such a different type or that both drives 2, 3 or for another type can be exchanged it is possible, for example, to use a front drive 2, in which the axis about which the wheels 6 rotate can be pivoted, while a rear drive 3 of such a different type, for example with a fixed axis, is used According to the invention, the running board 1 is also of such a type that it gives way under the load that arises when a rolling board of this type is used in that a user acts on the running board 1 with its body weight, when the running board 1 is loaded approximately in the middle the deflection by one person is advantageously about 2 to 3 cm. This ensures that the driving device cushions bumps caused by bumps in the road relatively softly, so that these bumps act in a very mild form on the user. This gives a pleasant feeling when driving

The invention ensures that such a driving device is easily adaptable to the needs of the user. For example, a running board 1 can be exchanged for another running board 1. A first type of footboard 1 has dimensions that are matched to the body dimensions and body weight of an adult, for example, while a second type of footboard 1 is matched to the body dimensions and body weight of a child. The adaptation to different body dimensions and different body weights is done on the one hand by varying the Dimensions of the footboard 1, namely length, width and thickness. All three dimensions also influence the deflection. Another option for variation is to use different materials for the running board 1. For example, plastic can be used as well as multi-layer glued wood. The elastic modulus of the material is also decisive for the deflection as a function of the weight

The dimensions of variants of the footboard 1 are to be chosen depending on the requirements. The length is approximately in the range from 50 to 80 cm, the width in the range from 12 to 18 cm, while the thickness can be in the range from 8 to 25 mm, this above all depends on the material used and its modulus of elasticity

It when the material for the footboard 1 multi-layer glued wood, which is known under the term plywood, is used is particularly advantageous. This material is distinguished by the fact that it can withstand relatively high loads on the one hand and that it dampens vibrations remarkably on the other hand. Such a running board 1 acts as a shock absorber Plastics also have good damping properties. Advantageously, the footboard 1 can therefore also be made of plastic. If a material from this group is used, it is possible to design the footboard 1 as a hollow box

It is advantageous if the material and dimensions of the footboard 1 are selected so that a spring rate of approximately 0.1 mm / kg results. If the footboard 1 is loaded approximately 30 kg in the middle, it springs back by 3 mm “Harder” running boards 1 with a spring rate of, for example, 0.03 mm / kg or “softer” running boards 1 with a spring rate of, for example, 0.25 mm / kg can be realized. In the case of the above-mentioned design of the running board 1 as a box girder, it is then advantageous possible to use reinforcing struts in individual cavities With the help of such reinforcing struts, the spring rate can be changed afterwards in order to adapt it to the wishes of the user. In other embodiments, such a changeability of the spring rate can also be realized, for example in a step board 1 made of plywood shown in FIG in that grooves N are provided on the two longitudinal sides, into which reinforcing struts S can be inserted. The change in the spring rate by the

The use of reinforcing struts S has the advantage that several different running boards 1 do not have to be provided. This reduces the variety of variants without having to forego the advantage of different spring rates.

So that the drives 2, 3 can be connected to the running board 1 in a simple manner, the drives 2, 3 have a slot 7 into which the running board 1 can be inserted. The connection between drive 2, 3 and footboard 1 is fixed, for example, by means of screws, not shown in the figure.

FIG. 3 shows a single drive 2. In an analogous manner, it consists of a carrier 4, which has a slot 7 for inserting a footboard 1 (not shown in this figure). The fastening means such as screws are also not shown. In contrast to the example in FIG. 1 here the wheel 6 is not arranged under the carrier 4, but in the usual manner in scooters such that a rear part of the carrier 4 is designed as a fork 8, in which an axis 9, about which the wheel 6 rotates, is fastened . In this case, the wheel 6 is not a roller-shaped wheel in the manner of the roller boards, but is advantageously of a type such as that used in inline skates Finding use Equipped with such a drive 2, the driving device offers completely different driving properties than a driving device equipped according to FIG. 1

4 shows a further embodiment of a running arm 2. This is a steerable running arm 2 with two wheels, which, owing to its steerability, is particularly suitable as a drive

4, a dashed line shows a part of the footboard 1 which is fastened in the slot 7 of the carrier 4 by means of two screws 10. At the front end 11 of the carrier 4 opposite the slot 7 there are zi joints, namely a left one Ball joint 12 and a right ball joint 13 A left steering knuckle 14 can be pivoted about the left ball joint 12 and a right steering knuckle 15 can be pivoted accordingly about the right ball joint 13 The possible pivoting about the ball joints 12, 13 is denoted by arrows that the ball joints 12 and 13 opposite ends of the two steering knuckles 14, 15 have joints 16, by means of which these ends are connected to a tie rod 17. The connecting line between the two supporting joints 12, 13 thus forms a parallelogram, together with the two steering knuckles 14, 15 and the tie rod 17 Tie rod 17 is achieved that both steering knuckles 14, 15 are coupled to each other so that they only apply A left wheel axle 18 is rigidly attached to the left steering knuckle 14, around the other end of which a left front wheel 19 can be freely rotated, for example by means of a ball bearing (not shown). In the same way, a right wheel axle 20 is rigidly attached to the right steering knuckle 15, around the latter other end, a right front wheel 21 is freely rotatable. Each of the front wheels 19, 21 thus has a separate wheel axle 18, 20, so that there is independent suspension

The pivoting of the two steering knuckles 14, 15 leads to the fact that the wheel axles 18, 20 rigidly connected to the steering knuckles 14, 15 are pivoted by the same angular amount as the steering knuckles 14, 15. The front wheels 19, 21 also pivot accordingly. In the illustration in FIG 4, the two front wheels 19, 21 are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the entire driving device, which results in a straight-ahead run. If one of the two steering knuckles 14, 15 is deflected clockwise, for example by 15 degrees, which leads to the tie rod 17, that the other knuckle 15, 14 is deflected in the same way, so the front wheels 19, 21 are inclined to the right in such a way that they are also deflected by 15 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the driving device

The steering of such a construction is possible in various ways. For example, a driver pin 22 can be fastened to the tie rod 17 and can be moved by a steering rod (not shown) in the direction indicated by the dashed arrows

An embodiment is described below in which a handlebar can be dispensed with. The basic arrangement is as it has just been described, but it is essential that the axes of the supporting joints 12, 13 and the joints 16 are clearly inclined to the vertical 4, which is illustrated in a side view from the right, the parts shown in FIG. 4 being provided with the same reference numbers.

The right front wheel 21, which is visible in this side view, is shown here only with its outline so as not to obscure the view of the parts behind it. The right steering knuckle 15 is visible behind this front wheel 21. The right wheel axle 20 is rigidly attached to this steering knuckle 15. In this view it is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, and is therefore only visible in the view of its diameter. Of the right ball joint 13 (FIG. 4), which is not visible in FIG. 5, only its axis of rotation A _{i3 is} shown here. The axis of rotation A _{) 2 of} the left ball joint 12 (FIG. 4) is behind it, so it is also not visible. The axis of the joints 16 is designated Aι ₆ . The angle between the two axes of rotation A ₂ , A _{13 of} the supporting joints 12, 13 and the vertical is preferably approximately 20 to 60 degrees, a value of 47 degrees having been found to be the optimal value. The axes of rotation An, A _{] 3 of} the ball joints 12, 13 are so inclined that on the one hand they are parallel to an ideal surface that is perpendicular to a center line M (FIG. 4) of the running board 1 or the entire driving device, and that on the other hand, they run from the front up to the back down. In the same way, the axes of rotation Aι _{6 of} the joints 16 are rotated about the tie rod 17 relative to the two steering knuckles 14, 15 when the steering knuckles 14, 15 about the supporting joints 12, 13 in the direction indicated by arrows in FIG. 3 twist. The clear inclination of the axes of rotation A-?, An, Aι _{6 of} the parallelogram mentioned from the connecting line of the supporting joints 12, 13, the steering knuckles 14, 15 and the tie rod 17 has the result that the wheel axles 18, 15 fastened to the steering knuckles 14, 15 20 only run horizontally if the steering knuckles 14, 15 form an angle \ on exactly 90 degrees against the connecting line of the supporting joints 12, 13 as shown in FIG. 4. In this position, the wheel axles 18, 20 are also at an angle of exactly 90 degrees against the center line M of the running board 1 or the entire driving device, which means that the front wheels 19, 21 are in turn parallel to this center line. This corresponds to the straight running of the driving device

By the aforementioned embodiment it is now achieved that the wheel axles 18, 20 and the steering knuckles 14, 15 are pivoted out of the position of the straight-ahead run as soon as the footboard 1 is more heavily loaded on one side, whereby one-sided means that the ideal load application point to the right or left of the imaginary center line M.

It is assumed that the ideal load application point on the running board 1 is to the right of the center line M, as shown in FIG. 4. The ideal load application point is designated with the reference symbol L. This load application automatically results in that the right front wheel 21 is loaded more heavily than the left front wheel 19. It also follows that the front wheel 21 exerts a vertically acting force on the right front axle 20 and this in turn on the right steering knuckle 15 because at the same time the corresponding Reduce opposing forces on the left front wheel 19, on the left front axle 18 and on the left steering knuckle 14, because of the inclined position of the axes of rotation A, _{3 of} the ball joints 12, 13, that the steering knuckles 14, 15 about the axes of rotation A _{] 2} , on the ball joints 12, 13 are rotated somewhat clockwise, that the tie rod 17 moves accordingly and that the front axles 18, 20 and the front wheels 19, 21 connected therewith move with the steering knuckles 14, 15 accordingly. Such a position is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3. The right front axle 20 is thus somewhat obliquely backwards, but at the same time also somewhat obliquely upwards. On the other hand, the left front axle 18 is somewhat obliquely forward, but at the same time also somewhat obliquely downward. The front wheels 19, 21 are somewhat obliquely in both axes, but this is not the case for reasons of clarity in FIG is shown in relation to the running board 1 the right front wheel 21 a little further up and the left front wheel 19 a little further down If the two front wheels 19, 21 are on a flat road surface, the running board 1 is inclined so that it is somewhat closer to its right edge with the center line Mj the road is a little larger, while the distance from the left edge to the road is a bit larger.With this steering construction, the front wheels 19, 21 are somewhat inclined, it is advantageous if they do not have a roller-shaped tread, but are also of the same type as they are used for inline skates

The user of the driving device can control the direction of travel accordingly solely by shifting weight. A steering rod is not required. This shift in weight can be done in different ways. For example, he can put one of his feet sideways on footboard 1, but he can also tilt his body

With a driving device designed in this way, it can be advantageous if the straight-ahead run is stabilized by special measures. 6 and 7, an embodiment corresponding largely to the aforementioned chassis is shown schematically. In this chassis, steering knuckles 14, 15 are present in the same way, which can be rotated on the one hand about supporting joints 12, 13 and which are connected on the other hand to a tie rod 17, which are connected to the steering knuckles 14, 15 by means of joints 16. This tie rod 17 is displaceable in the direction indicated by an arrow. In this running gear variant, a reset device is present which has a stop 30 rigidly attached to the front end 11 of the carrier 4. A bracket 31 is attached to the tie rod 17 near the two ends. Two steamer 32 are displaceably arranged on the tie rod 17, one steamer 32 being located on one side of the stop 30, while the other damper 32 is arranged on the other side of the stop 30. Each steamer 32 consists of a first perforated disc 33 and one second perforated disk 34 and a ring 35 arranged between the perforated disks 33, 34. The inner diameters of the perforated disks 33, 34 are larger than the diameter of the tie rod 17, so that they can move freely relative to the tie rod 17. In contrast, the ring 35 is dimensioned such that its inside diameter is somewhat smaller than the diameter of the tie rod 17. As a result, the ring 35 creates a sliding friction on the tie rod 17. Compression springs 36 are arranged between the steamers 32 and the holders 31. The compression springs 36 are advantageously pretensioned between the steamer 32 and the holder 31.This ensures that the stop 30 remains in a central position corresponding to the straight-ahead running without any other force, as shown in FIG 6 is shown. If the user of the driving device shifts his weight on the running board 1, the preload of one of the compression springs 36 must first be overcome before the wheels can be deflected. This arrangement is shown in FIG. 7 with a strong deflection of the wheels. One of the compression springs 36 is completely relaxed, while the other compression spring 36 is strongly compressed. This arrangement ensures that the user's weight must be shifted against one of the compression springs 36. As tests have shown, this improves the sensitive controllability of the driving device in a special way

It is particularly advantageous if the friction generated by the steamers 32 is variable. This is achieved in an advantageous manner in that the tie rod 17 does not have a constant diameter over the entire length, but in that the diameter of the tie rod 17 is greatest in the middle and decreases towards the ends on both sides. If the undercarriage is in the straight-ahead position, as shown in FIG. 6, the rings 35 are widened more in their central region by the larger diameter of the tie rod 17, which results in a high level of friction. If, on the other hand, the wheels of the undercarriage are deflected more strongly, as shown in FIG. 7, one of the rings 35 of one steamer 32 is displaced longitudinally by the stop 30 so far with respect to the tie rod 17 that this ring 35 is attached to one Is located at the diameter of the tie rod 17 is smaller. The sliding friction is correspondingly smaller here. This measure also serves to improve the controllability by the user.

The ring 35 is advantageously made of a rubber-elastic material. The perforated disks 33, 34 are advantageously made of plastic, which has the advantage that no disturbing noises occur when the steamer 32 strikes the stop 30.

It is advantageous if the damping that can be generated by the sliding friction can be changed. This can be achieved in a particularly simple manner by an embodiment shown in FIG. 8. 8 shows a section through one on the tie rod 17th Slidable steamer 32 The cut lies in the ring 35. A ring 38 is placed around the ring 35. This bracket 38 has, in a known manner, an adjusting screw 39 with which the bracket 38 can be tightened to a greater or lesser extent. The bracket 38 is only slightly tightened , the ring 35 is pressed only a little. Accordingly, its friction on the tie rod 17 is smaller. If the clamp 38 is tightened more, the pressure of the ring 35 increases, so that the friction is increased. This advantageously means that the straight-ahead running is more strongly stabilized at higher speeds and on uneven road surfaces

The aforementioned solution with the bracket 38 is only to be understood as one possible embodiment. Other solutions having the same effect, for example in the manner of a stuffing box with variable prestressing, are equivalent to this embodiment

Within the scope of the invention, different drives 2, 3 can be combined with running boards 1 of different embodiments. Depending on the running board 1 and running gear 2, 3, the driving device can thus have very different driving characteristics.

Claims

claims

1 driving device such as a roller board or scooter and the like with two drives, each of which has at least one wheel, of which at least one drive can be steered, and with a running board connecting the drives, characterized in that the running board (1) is elastically deformable and a spring rate has in the range of 0.03 to 0J5 mm / kg and that the footboard (1) with the drives (2, 3) is detachably connected.

2 driving device according to claim 1, characterized in that several footboards (1) are provided for different, graduated spring rates

3 driving device according to claim 2, characterized in that the specific spring rate of the running board (1) is determined by its dimensions such as length, width and thickness

4 driving device according to claim 2, characterized in that the specific spring rate of the running board (1) is determined by the material used such as wood or plastic

5. Driving device according to claim 4, characterized in that the running board (1) consists of multilayer glued wood.

6 driving device according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that in the running board (1) reinforcing struts (S) can be used.

7. Driving device according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that with the footboard (1) drives (2, 3) of different construction and mode of operation can be combined.

8 driving device according to claim 7, characterized in that each drive (2, 3) has a slot for receiving the running board (1) certain slot (7) in which the running board (1) can be fastened with fastening means such as screws (10)