VEHICLE, MORE PARTICULARLY A LIGHTWEIGHT VEHICLE

Abstract

A light vehicle with at least one vehicle seat, a front wheel structure having at least one wheel, a rear wheel structure having at least one wheel, and a drive device for movement of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle is reversibly transferable from a driving configuration during driving of the vehicle into a transport and/or parking configuration with reduced spatial dimensions of the vehicle compared with the driving configuration, in particular a reduced distance between the front wheel structure and the rear wheel structure, and/or the vehicle seat being set up in a driving configuration and in a transport and/or parking configuration for seating a driver on a seat surface of the vehicle seat. A shield for a driver is provided, wherein the shield shields the body of the driver upwardly and/or to the sides from the environment at least in regions when sitting on the vehicle seat.

Claims

1. A vehicle, in particular a light vehicle, the vehicle comprising: at least one vehicle seat, preferably only one vehicle seat or only two vehicle seats; a front wheel structure having at least one wheel; a rear wheel structure having at least one wheel; and a drive device for, in particular, motorized movement of the vehicle; wherein, preferably, the vehicle can be reversibly changed from a driving configuration when the vehicle is being driven into a transport and/or parking configuration with reduced spatial dimensions of the vehicle compared with the driving configuration, in particular a reduced distance between the front wheel structure and the rear wheel structure, and/or the vehicle seat is set up in a driving configuration and in a transport and/or parking configuration for seating a driver on a seat surface of the vehicle seat; and wherein a shield for a driver is provided and/or can be formed, the shield in a functional configuration shielding the body of the driver upwards and/or to the sides at least in regions from the surroundings when sitting on the vehicle seat.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the shield can be reversibly transferred from a non-functional configuration to the functional configuration, the shield having different geometric dimensions in the non-functional configuration than in the functional configuration and/or being arranged differently relative to the driver in the non-functional configuration than in the functional configuration.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the shield can be movably, in particular displaceably and/or pivotably, connected to the vehicle, in particular the vehicle seat, and/or in that the shielding can be releasably connected to the vehicle.

4. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the shield is arranged in the non-functional configuration in the area behind the driver.

5. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle seat has a receiving space and/or a holding device for at least partially receiving and/or holding the shield in the non-functional configuration of the shield, in particular in and/or on a backrest and/or a headrest of the vehicle seat.

6. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the shield is designed in multiple parts and shielding parts of the shield are connected to one another such that they can be displaced and/or pivoted for transfer from the non-functional configuration to the functional configuration, in particular wherein the shield can be extended in a segment-like manner.

7. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the shield in the functional configuration forms a canopy over the body of the driver, wherein, preferably, the shield extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from the rear wheel structure to, further preferably, the front wheel structure.

8. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the shield is designed as a helmet-like head protection and essentially shields the head and, preferably, neck and, further preferably, parts of the upper body from the environment.

9. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the shield has a head part shielding essentially the back of the head and the upper head region of the driver, wherein, preferably, the head part is connected and/or connectable in a stationary manner to the vehicle, in particular to the vehicle seat.

10. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the shield is designed as a flexible, in particular reversibly inflatable hood, it being possible, preferably, for the shield, in a non-inflated, folded state, to be integrated into a stowage space in the vehicle seat, in particular into a headrest and/or a backrest.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0074] Embodiments of the invention are further described below with reference to the drawing. The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawing and described with reference to the drawing. In the drawing show

[0075] FIG. 1 is a schematic partial view of a vehicle according to the invention with a shield to be designed in the form of a roof for a driver of the vehicle when sitting on a vehicle seat, the shield being shown in a stowed non-functional configuration,

[0076] FIG. 2 illustrates the vehicle from FIG. 1, with the shielding shown in a first functional configuration,

[0077] FIG. 3 illustrates the vehicle of FIG. 1, with the shielding shown in a second functional configuration,

[0078] FIG. 4 illustrates the vehicle from FIG. 1, with the shielding shown in a third functional configuration,

[0079] FIG. 5 is a schematic partial view of a further vehicle according to the invention with a helmet-like shield for a driver of the vehicle when sitting on a vehicle seat,

[0080] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the shield of FIG. 5, showing the shield in a first functional configuration,

[0081] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the shield of FIG. 5, showing the shield in a second functional configuration,

[0082] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the shield of FIG. 5, showing the shield in a third functional configuration,

[0083] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the shield of FIG. 5, showing the shield in a non-functional configuration with the visor open,

[0084] FIG. 10 is a schematic partial view of a third vehicle according to the invention with a shield to be formed in a hood-like manner for a driver of the vehicle when sitting on a vehicle seat, the shield being shown in a non-functional configuration, and

[0085] FIG. 11 illustrates the vehicle of FIG. 10, with the shielding shown in a functional configuration.

[0086] Features, components and/or assemblies of the following embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 12 which are identical in function and/or nature are marked with the same reference signs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0087] FIGS. 1 to 4 show a vehicle 1, in particular a light vehicle, which has, by way of example, only one vehicle seat 2, one rear wheel 3 and two front wheels 4. The rear wheel 3 is attached to a rear wheel assembly 5 and the front wheels 4 are attached to a front wheel assembly 6. Not shown in detail is that a drive device may be provided for moving the vehicle 1, in particular independently. In addition, a pedal crank drive 7 is provided for driving the vehicle 1 with muscle power.

[0088] FIGS. 1 to 4 schematically show a driver 8 sitting on a seat surface 9 of the vehicle seat 2. The state of the vehicle 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 particularly reflects a driving configuration of the vehicle 1 when the vehicle 1 is moved by motor and/or muscle power. Here, the driver 8 can lean with his back against a backrest 10 of the vehicle seat 2. A headrest 11 can be provided to support the head of the driver 8.

[0089] The vehicle 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 has a shielding 12 for the driver 8 when sitting on the seat surface 9, wherein the shielding 12 in at least one functional configuration shields the body of the driver 8 upwardly and also regionally to the sides from the surroundings. FIG. 1 shows the shielding 12 in a non-functional configuration, in which the shielding 12 does not perform a shielding effect. FIGS. 2 to 4 show the shielding 12 in different functional configurations, which differ in the size of the shielding area formed by a plurality of segment-like shielding parts 13, 14, 15 of the shielding 12.

[0090] The shielding 12 described below on the basis of vehicle 1 can also be provided on vehicles that have a different structural design.

[0091] The shield 12 is reversibly convertible from the non-functional configuration shown in FIG. 1 to any of the functional configurations shown in FIGS. 2 through 4. The shield 12 has different geometric dimensions in the non-functional configuration than in each of the functional configurations, and is positioned differently relative to the driver 8 in the non-functional configuration than in each of the functional configurations.

[0092] As can be seen from a comparison of FIGS. 2 to 4, the shielding 12 is exemplarily formed by the three shielding parts 13, 14, 15, which are displaceable along guide rails 16, 17. Due to the guide rails 16, 17, a high torsional stiffness of the overall construction is achieved.

[0093] As already described above, the total shielding area of the shielding 12, which spans the body of the driver 8 in a roof-like manner, can be enlarged or reduced as required by moving or pulling apart the shielding parts 13, 14, 15. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 4, when all three shielding parts 13, 14, 15 are pulled apart, the shielding 12 extends from the rear wheel assembly 5 to the front wheel assembly 6 so that the head, torso and limbs of the body of the driver 8 are roofed over.

[0094] In particular, the arcuate shielding 12 of the driver 8 in the functional configuration shown in FIG. 4 ensures a high degree of weather and accident protection for the driver 8.

[0095] It is not shown that, in addition to the roof-like shielding 12 of the driver 8 provided in FIGS. 1 to 4, a lateral shielding may be provided. Nor is it excluded that the shielding 12, in conjunction with other shielding components, may form a substantially enclosed vehicle cabin.

[0096] In the non-configuration state of the shielding 12 shown in FIG. 1, the shielding parts 13, 14, 15 are pushed into one another and can then be arranged as a parts package in the area behind the driver 8. For this purpose, a retaining bracket 18 is provided on the rear side of the vehicle seat 2, in which the parts package formed by the shielding parts 13, 14, 15 can be accommodated.

[0097] The holding of the shielding parts 13, 14, 15 via the retaining bracket 18 is selected merely as an example.

[0098] Differently designed holding devices for the shielding 12 in the folded non-functional state can be provided, in particular for holding the shielding 12 behind the vehicle seat 2. The arrangement of the shielding 12 in the area behind the vehicle seat 2 is advantageous and basically independent of the structural design of the shielding 12.

[0099] For example, a substantially closed or closable receiving or storage space for the shielding 12 may be formed in particular behind the backrest 10. The receiving or storage space can be formed in the backrest 10, so that the shielding 12 can be substantially completely integrated into the backrest 13 and is not perceived from the outside in a disturbing manner.

[0100] The vehicle 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 can be converted from the driving configuration shown for driving the vehicle, in particular by changing the distance between the rear wheel assembly 5 and the front wheel assembly 6, into a transport and/or parking configuration in which the vehicle 1 has reduced space dimensions. Preferably, the vehicle seat 2 can be used equally well both in the driving configuration of the vehicle 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and in the transport and/or parking configuration of the vehicle 1. In the transport and/or parking configuration 1, the vehicle 1 can then be transported in particular by a collective transport vehicle, such as a bus or a rail-guided vehicle.

[0101] FIGS. 5 to 9 show a further embodiment of a vehicle 1, in particular designed as a light vehicle, which, preferably, is reversibly transferable from a driving configuration for driving the vehicle, as shown in FIG. 5, to a transport and/or parking configuration with reduced spatial dimensions of the vehicle 1 compared with the driving configuration, in particular a reduced distance between a rear wheel assembly 5 and a front wheel assembly 6. Not shown in detail is that the vehicle 1 again comprises a vehicle seat 2, which is preferably constructed and arranged in such a way that a driver 8 can be seated on the vehicle seat 2 in the driving configuration and in the transport and/or parking configuration, respectively. In FIG. 5, only the head of the driver 8 is shown.

[0102] The vehicle 1 shown in FIG. 5 has a shield 12 to shield the head of the driver 8 from the environment. In the embodiment shown, the shielding 12 is designed as a helmet-like head protection or as a hood-like head protection, in particular with a linkage, and serves essentially to shield the head and, preferably, the neck and adjacent parts of the upper body from the environment. When seated, the driver 8 leans here against a backrest 10 of the vehicle seat 2. Grab handles 19 may be provided for holding onto the vehicle seat 2. Transverse planar shielding elements, which are not shown in FIG. 5, can be provided to protect the legs of the driver 8 towards the front and sides. The shielding elements may be held on a frame part 20, which is formed, for example, by a tubular profile or a plurality of tubular profiles connected to the vehicle frame. The shielding elements may also be connected by castings.

[0103] The shield 12 has a foldable or slidable visor 21 substantially shielding the face. The visor 21 is movably connected to a head part 22 of the shielding 12. The head part 22 can be fixedly connected to the vehicle 1, for example via two threaded rods 23 (FIGS. 6 to 9), which can be inserted from above into the backrest 10 or also into a headrest of the vehicle seat 2 and anchored there.

[0104] Further preferably, the shield 12 may be detachably connected to the vehicle 1.

[0105] FIGS. 5 through 9 show the shield 12 in various configurations. A non-function configuration may refer to a state in which the visor 21 is raised (FIG. 9). Different functional configurations in which the visor 21 is folded down are then shown in FIGS. 5 to 8. A non-functional configuration may also refer to a condition in which the shielding 12 is separated from the vehicle seat 2. When not in use, the shield 12 may be removed from the seatback 10 and stored in a box 24, for example.

[0106] The head part 22 serves to protect the back of the head and the upper head area and, preferably, areas of the side portions of the head. A contact surface for the back of the head of the driver 8 may be formed in the head part 22, so that the head part 22 forms the headrest of the vehicle seat 2.

[0107] As can be seen from FIGS. 6 to 9, the helmet-like shielding is dimensioned in such a way that free movement of the head is ensured even in the functional configuration of the shielding 12, i.e. with the visor 21 closed. The interior space of the shielding 12, which is delimited by the head part 22 and the visor 21, is selected to be correspondingly large. This ensures a high level of comfort. In particular, it is possible for the driver 8 to turn his head unhindered to the left or to the right in the functional configuration of the shielding 12.

[0108] The shield has two movable brackets 25, 26 as an edge boundary for the visor 21, which are pivotably attached to the head part 22 and can be swung open independently of one another. In particular, a multimedia device, in particular a hands-free device, can be integrated in the brackets 25, 26.

[0109] Furthermore, the head part 22 may be connectable or connected to the vehicle 1, in particular the vehicle seat 2, so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis and/or vertically adjustable in height. This makes it possible, in particular, to adjust the height of the shield 12 as a function of the height of the driver 8.

[0110] FIGS. 10 and 11 show another embodiment of a vehicle 1 that may have a similar or the same body as the vehicle 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. In FIGS. 10 and 11, the vehicle 1 is shown in a transport and/or parking configuration in which a rear wheel assembly 5 and a front wheel assembly 6 are moved or pushed together and the distance between the rear wheel assembly 5 and the front wheel assembly 6 is less than in a driving configuration of the vehicle 1 that may be shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0111] In the vehicle 1 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a shielding 12 is again provided, which is designed as a flexible, in particular reversibly inflatable hood. FIG. 10 shows the hood in a non-inflated, folded state in which the shielding 12 can be integrated into a storage space in the vehicle seat 2, in particular in the area of a headrest of the vehicle seat 2. FIG. 10 thus shows the shield 12 in a non-functional configuration.

[0112] To transfer the shield 12 to the functional configuration shown in FIG. 11, the driver 8 removes the shield 12 from the storage space formed on and/or in the vehicle seat 2 and may then inflate the shield 12 himself or an air compressor or electric blower may be provided to inflate the shield 12 mechanically. After use, the shielding 12 may be returned to its non-functional configuration by deflating and stowed. The shielding 12 may be stowable behind the vehicle seat 2 at the level of the headrest 11.

[0113] Parts of the shield 12 may form a head portion 22 and a transparent visor 21. In particular, the shielding 12 is formed of or comprises at least one plastic material.

TABLE-US-00001 List of reference signs: 1 Vehicle 2 Vehicle seat 3 Rear wheel 4 Front wheel 5 Wheel assembly 6 Wheel assembly 7 Treadle drive 8 Driver 9 Seating surface 10 Backrest 11 Headrest 12 Shielding 13 Shielding part 14 Shielding part 15 Shielding part 16 Guide rail 17 Guide rail 18 Holding bracket 19 Holding handle 20 Frame part 21 Sight 22 Headboard 23 Screw rod 24 Box 25 Hanger 26 Hanger