TRANSPORTATION APPARATUS

Abstract

A transportation apparatus (1) comprises a frame (12) having an engagement portion or receiving portion (14) adapted to receive one or more occupant support devices (16); and drive means (20) configured to enable an occupant of the transportation apparatus (1) to power, drive and/or steer the transportation apparatus (1). The drive means (20) has a first configuration or position and a second configuration or position, wherein the drive means (20) is closer to the engagement portion or receiving portion (14) of the frame (12) in the second configuration or position than in the first configuration or position.

Claims

1-18. (canceled)

19. A transportation apparatus comprising: a frame, the frame having an engagement portion or receiving portion adapted to receive one or more occupant support devices; and drive means configured to enable an occupant of the transportation apparatus to power, drive and/or steer the transportation apparatus, wherein the drive means has a first configuration or position and a second configuration or position, wherein the drive means is closer to the engagement portion or receiving portion of the frame in the second configuration or position than in the first configuration or position.

20. The transportation apparatus of claim 19, wherein the engagement portion or receiving portion is adapted to releasably receive one or more occupant support devices selected from the group comprising a carrycot, a car seat, a midi seat, a stroller seat, a bicycle saddle and/or tricycle saddle.

21. The transportation apparatus of claim 19, wherein the drive means is configured to be moved, changed or altered from the first configuration or position to the second configuration or position without removal of the/an occupant support device or occupant thereof.

22. The transportation apparatus of claim 19, wherein the drive means comprises propelling means or power means and/or steering means.

23. The transportation apparatus of claim 22, wherein the propelling means or power means comprises means for propelling, powering or driving one or more wheels.

24. The transportation apparatus of claim 23, wherein the propelling means or power means is configured to propel, power or drive at least one front wheel.

25. The transportation apparatus of claim 23, wherein the propelling means or power means is configured to propel, power or drive at least one rear wheel.

26. The transportation apparatus of claim 23, wherein the propelling means or power means is connected to at least one front wheel or to at least one rear wheel by a drive mechanism.

27. The transportation apparatus of claim 23, wherein the propelling means or power means comprise levers or pedals for propelling, powering or driving one or more wheels.

28. The transportation apparatus of claim 27, wherein one or more pedals are attached to a pedal support element.

29. The transportation apparatus of claim 28, wherein the pedal support element is movably connected to the frame and/or to one or more wheel(s).

30. The transportation apparatus of claim 29, wherein the pedal support element is pivotally connected to the frame and/or to one or more wheels.

31. The transportation apparatus of claim 27, wherein the pedals and/or pedal support element are coupled to one or more wheel by means of a drive coupler.

32. The transportation apparatus of claim 31, wherein the drive coupler comprises a belt, a pulley, and/or a chain.

33. The transportation apparatus of claim 19, wherein the drive means comprises a drive body member, wherein one or more wheels and/or one or more pedal support elements are connected to the drive body member.

34. The transportation apparatus of claim 33, wherein the drive body member comprises a slider, and wherein one or more wheel(s) and/or pedal support element(s) are slidably connected to the drive body member.

35. The transportation apparatus of claim 33, wherein the drive body member comprises a telescopic frame, and wherein one or more wheel(s) and/or pedal support elements moves relative to the frame by extending or retracting the telescopic frame.

36. The transportation apparatus of claim 22, wherein the steering means is detachable, foldable, and/or telescopic.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0053] FIG. 1: Side view of a transportation apparatus according to an embodiment in which the drive means is configured to indirectly drive the front wheel. The pedals are attached to a pedal support element that is pivotally mounted on the front wheel of the apparatus. The apparatus is shown in a first configuration (a) and in a second configuration (b).

[0054] FIG. 2: Side view of a transportation apparatus according to an embodiment in which the drive means is configured to indirectly drive the rear wheels. The pedals are attached to a pedal support element that is pivotally mounted on the front wheel of the apparatus. The apparatus is shown in a first configuration (a) and in a second configuration (b).

[0055] FIG. 3: Side view of a transportation apparatus according to an embodiment in which the drive means is configured to indirectly drive the front wheel. The pedals are attached to a pedal support element. Both the front wheel and the pedal support element are connected to a drive body member along which they can slide or extend between two positions. The apparatus is shown in a first configuration (a) and in a second configuration (b).

[0056] FIG. 4: Side view of a transportation apparatus according to an embodiment in which the drive means is configured to directly drive the front wheel and the pedals are attached directly to the front wheel of the apparatus (a). Transportation apparatus according to a similar embodiment to FIG. 3, in which the drive means is configured to indirectly drive the front wheel (b).

[0057] FIG. 5: Side view of a transportation apparatus according to an embodiment in which the pedals and/or the steering means are detachable from the drive means.

[0058] FIG. 6: Side view of a transportation apparatus according to an embodiment in which the drive means comprises a telescopic steering means. The apparatus is shown in a first configuration (a) and in a second configuration (b).

[0059] FIG. 7: Side view of a transportation apparatus according to an embodiment in which the drive means comprises a foldable steering means. The apparatus is shown in a first configuration (a), in an intermediate position between the first and the second configurations (b) and in a second configuration (c).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] A transportation apparatus 1 is shown in FIG. 1 in a first configuration of the drive means (a) and in a second configuration of the drive means (b).

[0061] The apparatus 1 comprises a frame 12 having an engagement portion 14 to which an occupant support device (e.g. a seat) 16 is attached. The frame 12 comprises a handlebar as holding member 18 for a non-occupant to steer and push the transportation apparatus 1. A rear wheel (or pair of rear wheels) 11 is attached to the frame and a front wheel 10 is also coupled to the frame, although it is only shown schematically because the coupling arrangement to the frame may vary in alternative embodiments.

[0062] The apparatus comprises a drive means 20 which comprises a propelling means and a steering means (not shown). The propelling means comprises pedals 22, which are coupled to front wheel 10, by means of drive coupler 24. The drive coupler may be a belt, pulley, chain, or the like. The power applied to pedals 22 by an occupant of the apparatus is transmitted to the wheel 10 by means of the drive coupler 24.

[0063] Pedals 22 are attached or connected to a pedal support element 26, which may be any suitable element such as a plate, fork, bar or the like. Pedal support element 26 is connected to the frame of the wheel 10 about a pivot point which enables pedal support element 26 to rotate or move about said pivot point such that in the first configuration of the drive means 20 (shown in FIG. 1a) pedals 22 are lower or further from the engagement portion 14 than in the second configuration of the drive means 20 (shown in FIG. 1b), in which pedals 22 are closer to the engagement portion and are configured to be accessible to an occupant located in the occupant support device 16.

[0064] In order to pass from the first configuration to the second configuration a user, for example a non-occupant of the transportation apparatus, can rotate pedal support element 26 about the pivot point such that pedals 22 move from the position shown in FIG. 1a, in which pedals 22 are further away from the engagement portion and configured to be inaccessible to an occupant of the apparatus, to the position shown in FIG. 1b, in which pedals 22 are closer to the engagement portion 14 and configured to be accessible to an occupant of the apparatus.

[0065] A transportation apparatus 100 is shown in FIG. 2 in a first configuration of the drive means (a) and in a second configuration of the drive means (b).

[0066] The apparatus 100 comprises a frame 112 having an engagement portion 114 to which an occupant support device (eg. a seat) 116 is attached. The frame 112 comprises a handlebar as holding member 118 for a non-occupant to steer and push the transportation apparatus 100. A rear wheel (or pair of rear wheels) 111 is attached to the frame and a front wheel 110 is also coupled to the frame, although it is only shown schematically because the coupling arrangement to the frame may vary in alternative embodiments.

[0067] The apparatus comprises a drive means 120 which comprises a propelling means and a steering means (not shown). The propelling means comprises pedals 122, which are coupled to front wheel 110, by means of drive coupler 124, and to the rear wheels by means of drive coupler 125. Drive couplers 124 and 125 may be a belt, pulley, chain, or the like. The power applied to pedals 122 by an occupant of the apparatus is transmitted to the rear wheel(s) 111 by means of the drive couplers 124, 125. Pedals 122 are attached or connected to a pedal support element 126, which may be any suitable element such as a plate, fork, bar or the like. Pedal support element 126 is connected to the frame 112 of the apparatus 100 about a pivot point which enables pedal support element 126 to rotate or move about said pivot point such that in the first configuration of the drive means 120 (shown in FIG. 2a) pedals 122 are lower or further from the engagement portion 114 than in the second configuration of the drive means 120 (shown in FIG. 2b), in which pedals 122 are closer to the engagement portion 114 and are configured to be accessible to an occupant located in the occupant support device 116.

[0068] In order to change from the first configuration to the second configuration, a user, for example a non-occupant of the transportation apparatus, can rotate pedal support element 126 about the pivot point such that pedals 122 move from the position shown in FIG. 2a, in which pedals 122 are further away from the engagement portion and configured to be inaccessible to an occupant of the apparatus, to the position shown in FIG. 2b, in which pedals 122 are closer to the engagement portion and configured to be accessible to an occupant of the apparatus.

[0069] A transportation apparatus 200 is shown in FIG. 3 in a first configuration of the drive means (a) and in a second configuration of the drive means (b).

[0070] The apparatus 200 comprises a frame 212 having an engagement portion 214 to which an occupant support device (e.g. a seat) 216 is attached. The frame 212 comprises a handlebar as holding member 218 for a non-occupant to steer and push the transportation apparatus 200. A rear wheel (or pair of rear wheels) 211 is attached to the frame and a front wheel 210 is also coupled to the frame, although it is only shown schematically because the coupling arrangement to the frame may vary in alternative embodiments.

[0071] The apparatus comprises a drive means 220 which comprises a propelling means and a steering means (not shown). The propelling means comprises pedals 222, which are coupled to front wheel 210, by means of drive coupler 224. Drive coupler 224 may be a belt, pulley, chain, or the like. The power applied to pedals 222 by an occupant of the apparatus is transmitted to the front wheel 210 by means of the drive coupler 224.

[0072] Pedals 222 are attached or connected to a pedal support element 226, which may be any suitable element such as a plate, fork, bar or the like. Pedal support element 226 is connected to the frame 212 of front wheel 210 and to a drive body member 230 such that in the first configuration of the drive means 220 (shown in FIG. 3a) pedals 222 and front wheel 210 are further from the engagement portion 114 than in the second configuration of the drive means 220 (shown in FIG. 3b), in which pedals 222 are closer to the engagement portion 214 and are configured to be accessible to an occupant located in the occupant support device 216.

[0073] The drive body member 230 may be of any suitable construction. For example, it may be a frame element, such as a slider, that enables the pedal support element 226 to slide or move about the frame element. Alternatively, the drive body member 230 may comprise a telescopic frame. The front wheel 210 and/or the pedal support element 226 may be attached to a portion of the telescopic frame that may be extended or moved away from a base of the telescopic frame, thus allowing front wheel 210 and/or the pedal support element 226 to move between a position in which they are further or at a greater distance from the engagement portion 214 of the frame and a position in which they are closer from the engagement portion 214 of the frame.

[0074] In order to pass from the first configuration to the second configuration a user, for example a non-occupant of the transportation apparatus, may move pedal support element 226 and/or wheel 210 about drive body member 230 (when the drive body member is a slider) or retract the frame of the drive body member to which the front wheel 210 and/or the pedal support element 226 is attached, such that pedals 222 move from the position shown in FIG. 3a, in which pedals 222 are further away from the engagement portion and configured to be inaccessible to an occupant of the apparatus, to the position shown in FIG. 2b, in which pedals 122 are closer to the engagement portion and configured to be accessible to an occupant of the apparatus.

[0075] A transportation apparatus 300 is shown in FIG. 4a in a second configuration of the drive means.

[0076] The apparatus 300 comprises a drive means 320 which comprises a propelling means and a steering means (not shown). The propelling means comprises pedals 322, which are coupled directly to the front wheel 310. The power applied to pedals 322 by an occupant of the apparatus is transmitted directly to the front wheel 310.

[0077] A transportation apparatus 400 is shown in FIG. 4b in the second configuration of the drive means. Apparatus 400 corresponds to apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 3 and it is shown in this figure to highlight the difference between indirect driving of the front wheels (FIG. 4b) and direct driving of the front wheel (FIG. 4a).

[0078] The drive body member 330, 430 may be of any suitable construction, as explained above in respect of apparatus 200.

[0079] A transportation apparatus 500 is shown in FIG. 5 in the first configuration of the drive means 520. Drive means 520 comprises steering means (for example handlebar 526 and power means, which comprises pedals 522. Pedals 522 and/or handlebar 526 are detachable from the drive means 520 in this embodiment. In the first configuration, the pedals 522 and/or the handlebar 526 are detached from the drive means 520 such that they are configured to be inaccessible to an occupant of the apparatus. In the second configuration (not shown), the pedals and the steering means are attached to the drive means 520 such that they are configured to be accessible to an occupant of the apparatus 500.

[0080] A transportation apparatus 600 is shown in FIG. 6 in a first configuration of the drive means (a) and in a second configuration of the drive means (b).

[0081] The apparatus comprises drive means 620 which comprises propelling means (not shown) and steering means. The steering means comprises a handlebar 626, which is coupled to front wheel 610, by means of a column, stem or member 628. In this embodiment column, stem or member 628 is telescopic.

[0082] In the first configuration (shown in FIG. 6a) column, stem or member 628 is in a retracted configuration such that, in use, the steering means is not accessible to an occupant of the apparatus. In the second configuration the column, stem or member 628 is extended or deployed such that, in use, the steering means is accessible to an occupant of the apparatus.

[0083] FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the steering means. In this embodiment, apparatus 700 comprises a foldable steering means. The steering means may be stored inside the frame of the apparatus and/or a drive body means 730 of the apparatus, for example in a folded state.

[0084] FIG. 7a shows the steering means in a position in which it is being pulled out of the drive body means 730 where it is stowed when not in use. The steering means comprises a handlebar 726 and a column, stem or member 728.

[0085] Handlebar 726 is pivotally connected to column, stem or member 728 about a pivot point 727, which allows the handlebar 726 to rotate. For example, in a stowed configuration the ends of handlebar 726 may point away from an engagement portion of the frame of the apparatus 700, such that the handlebar can be more easily stored. In a deployed configuration, the ends of handlebar 726 may point towards the engagement portion of the frame of the apparatus 700, such that an occupant of the apparatus may, in use, hold on to the ends of the handlebar and steer the apparatus.

[0086] Handlebar 726 may be flexible, for example foldable to allow the handlebar 726 to be folded such that it fits inside a portion of the frame of the apparatus 700 and/or a drive body means 730. Alternatively, or additionally, handlebar 726 may comprise hinges or any other suitable mechanism to allow the handlebar 726 to pass from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration.

[0087] Column, stem or member 728 is connected to front wheel 710 about a pivot point 729, such that column, stem or member 728 can rotate, or move about the pivot point between the first configuration (shown in FIG. 7a) and the second configuration (shown in FIGS. 7b and 7c).

[0088] When the apparatus 700 is in the first configuration, the longitudinal axis of the column, stem or member 728 is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the portion of the frame of the apparatus 700 or drive body means 730 in which the steering means is stored. When the apparatus 700 is in the second configuration, the longitudinal axis of the column, stem or member 728 is disposed at an angle, for example about 90 degrees, from the longitudinal axis of the portion of the frame of the apparatus 700 and/or the drive body member in which the steering means is configured to be stored in the first configuration.

[0089] In order to change from the first to the second configuration, a user, for example a non-occupant of the apparatus 700 pulls the steering means out of the portion of the frame of the apparatus and/or drive body member 730 in which the steering means is stored and rotates the column, stem or member 728 about pivot point 729 (e.g. a hinge) (see FIG. 7a). Once the column stem or member 728 is in this position, the handlebar 726 is deployed, for example by rotating the handlebar about pivot point 727 (see FIG. 7b) such that the ends of the handlebar point towards the engagement portion of the apparatus (see FIG. 7c).

[0090] The steering means of any one of the described embodiments 500 to 700 may be combined with the power means of any one of the described embodiments 1 to 500.

[0091] Beneficially, embodiments of the apparatus, such as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, allow the apparatus to pass from a first mode of operation (e.g. a stroller or pram mode) to a second mode of operation (e.g. a trike mode), without the need to move or remove the occupant support device (e.g. seat) or an occupant thereof.