PROPULSION SYSTEM FOR CARTS TYPE VEHICLES BY USING A SELF-BALANCING SCOOTER COUPLED BY MEANS OF AN ARTICULATED STRUCTURE

Abstract

This invention consists of a propulsion system for cart type vehicles, or carts (1), whereby a self-balancing scooter, or hoverboard (2), is attached at its rear by means of an articulated structure comprising two control arms (31 32), such that the hoverboard (2), in addition to pushing and controlling the speed, is also a means of transport for the driver, who operates by making a natural use of the cart's handlebar, since it is not necessary to have the ability that the natural use of the hoverboard (2) requires, because both control arms (31, 32), in addition to providing stability, being connected to the hoverboard (2) by articulated joints (1231, 1232) located above each corresponding foot placement platform (201, 202) and pointing to the rotation center of the cart (1) when the cart (1) is stationary, control the direction of the hoverboard (2).

Claims

1. Propulsion system for cart type vehicles, hereinafter referred to as carts (1), by means of a self-balancing scooter, hereinafter referred to as hoverboard (2), which is a transport means for the driver, such that the hoverboard (2) is coupled to the rear of a cart (1) by means of an articulated structure for propelling and speed control; comprising: two control arms (31, 32); one or more anchor points (11) incorporated in the chassis of said cart (1); two bindings (21, 22) on both sides of the hoverboard, each one becoming integral with one of the two foot placement platforms (201, 202) comprising the hoverboard (2); wherein: each of the bindings (21, 22) has at least one connecting point (211, 221) located above the foot placement area of the corresponding platform (201, 202) of the hoverboard (2); each of the control arms (31, 32) is provided with at least one first connecting element (311, 321) at one of its ends, and, at its other end, with at least one second connecting element (312, 322); each control arm (31, 32) is connected to its corresponding binding (21, 22) through a first articulated joint (1231, 1232) where a connecting point (211, 221) is joined to a first connecting element (311, 321); each control arm (31, 32) is connected to the cart (1) through a second articulated joint (2131, 2132) connecting one of said anchor points (11) with a second connecting element (312, 322); characterized by: that both first articulated joints (1231, 1232) are located above the foot placement area of their corresponding platforms (201, 202) of the hoverboard (2), and that both second articulated joints (2131, 2132), which may coincide in a single anchor point (11), are located sufficiently centered with respect to the wheels of the cart such that both control arms (31, 32) geometrically converge from each side of the hoverboard (2) in the direction to the cart (1).

2. The propulsion system for carts according to claim 1, wherein both control arms (31, 32) converge pointing approximately towards the rotation center of the cart (1) when the cart (1) is stationary.

3. The propulsion system for carts according to claim 2, wherein said anchor points (11) are comprised in a transverse arm (10) that can be attached to the chassis of carts (1), and wherein said transverse arm (10) includes multiple anchor points (11) to enable attaching a hoverboard (2) to any cart (1), such that both second articulated joints (2131, 2132), which can coincide in a single anchor point (11), are located sufficiently centered with respect to the wheels of the cart (1) such that both control arms (31, 32) can always converge, pointing in the appropriate direction of the specific cart on which the propulsion system will be used.

4. The propulsion system for carts according to claim 3, wherein said transverse arm (10) can rotate on its longitudinal axis, such that both control arms (31, 32) can move upwards and downwards.

5. A self-balancing scooter, hereinafter referred to as hoverboard (2), wherein each of the two foot placement platforms (201, 202) includes at least one connecting point (211, 221) located above the foot placement area and near the corresponding end of the hoverboard (2), in order to attach a control arm (31,32) by means of a corresponding first articulated joint (1231, 1232) for pushing a cart (1), said cart (1) having corresponding second articulated joints (2131, 2132), located sufficiently centered with respect to the wheels of the cart (1), such that both control arms (31, 32) would converge geometrically from both sides of the hoverboard (2) pointing to the rotation center of the cart (1) when the cart (1) is stationary.

6. Self-balancing scooter according to claim 5 characterized in that it is provided with at least one electric connector for external batteries.

7. Self-balancing scooter according to claim 6 characterized in that it is not provided with internal batteries therefore improving its safety, price and weight as a product for pushing a cart.

8. A cart type vehicle (1) arranged to include a propulsion system for carts according to claim 1, comprising anchor points (11) to form either two articulated joints (2131, 2132) or a double articulated joint, connected to two control arms (31,32) to attach a self-balancing scooter (2), being said anchor points (11) sufficiently centered such that both control arms (31,32) converge geometrically from both sides of the hoverboard (2) pointing to the rotation center of the cart (1) when the cart (1) is stationary.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0051] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 depict, respectively, a perspective and plan view of a preferred embodiment of this invention, attaching a self-balancing scooter (2) to a cart (1), which in this case is a wheelchair, through two control arms (31, 32) which converge, pointing to the midpoint between the rear wheels of the cart (1), being connected to the cart's chassis through a transverse member (10) attached to it, at two anchor points (11) forming two articulated joints (2131, 2132), separate from each other and which are located behind that midpoint.

[0052] FIG. 3 shows more in detail the coupling between the hoverboard and the wheelchair of FIG. 1, where it is seen how both control arms (31, 32) are connected to their respective bindings (21, 22) corresponding to each platform (201, 202) of the hoverboard, by means of respective articulated joints (1231, 1232) located above their respective pedals or surface areas where the user steps on each platform.

[0053] FIG. 4 depicts an exploded view of the articulated structure of FIG.1, showing the main elements composing the embodiment.

[0054] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of another preferred embodiment, in which both control arms (31, 32) are connected to a single anchor point (11) which is exactly in the vertical through the midpoint between both wheels of the cart (1), so that the articulated joints of both arms coincide at that point (2131 y 2132).

[0055] FIG.6, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, shows post-mount fastening means (1011, 1012) for coupling a transverse arm (10) to the cart (1); also shows straps (2101, 2201) as a means of restraint for the bindings.

[0056] FIG.7 shows schematically some of the different applications of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0057] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide an articulated structure for attaching a self-balancing scooter (2) to the back of a cart (1), e.g. a wheelchair, to propel it by pushing and, in turn, to transport the driver-user. In this preferred embodiment, the cart to be pushed has two parallel rear wheels that rotate about a same axis.

[0058] This embodiment comprises two bindings (21, 22) to be coupled to become integral with each of the two platforms (201, 202) that shape the hoverboard (2). Said bindings will preferably be provided with sufficient flat surface, forming a kind of bracket, such that the user steps on them rather than directly on the pedals of the hoverboard's platforms, providing stability to their coupling. Also preferably, these bindings may be adjustable in length to be able to adapt to different sizes of hoverboards such that they always effectively embrace each platform, although they may also have straps (2101, 2201) or other means of restraint.

[0059] It also comprises two control arms (31, 32) for pushing and pulling the chassis of the cart, or wheelchair (1). Given that, ideally, this articulated structure must be able to adapt to different carts, and that the aim is always for the user's posture to be as natural as possible while steering it, in order to ensure that the distance to the handles is correct, the appropriate length of those control arms (31, 32) is going to be different from one cart to another. Therefore, control arms (31, 32) adjustable in length or arm sets of different lengths for different applications should preferably be provided.

[0060] Each of the bindings (21, 22) has at least one hole as a connecting point (211, 221) for a first articulated joint (1231, 1232) by hinge, located above the flat foot placement area of its respective platform of the hoverboard and, preferably, close to the wheel of the hoverboard, to leave as much space as possible for the user's feet. That first articulated joint (1231, 1232) connects each binding (21, 22) by hinge with one of the control arms (31, 32). Each control arm (31, 32) has at each end at least one hole as a connecting element (311, 321, 312, 322) to form a hinge joint: for connecting each first connecting element (311, 321) to a connecting point (221, 222) on its respective binding (21, 22) through that first articulated joint (1211, 1221); and for connecting each second connecting element (312, 322) to the cart (1) also by means of a hinge, whether in two second articulated joints (2131, 2132) more or less close to each other, or both connections coinciding to form a double articulated joint, as in the case of FIG.5.

[0061] Thus, the cart (1) must be provided with one or more anchor points (11), capable of forming a second articulated joint (2131, 2132) with their respective second connecting elements (312, 322) corresponding to the control arms (31, 32). These anchor points must be positioned more or less centered between the rear wheels of the cart, and preferably located on a transverse member which, although it can be some component of the cart's chassis, will preferably be composed by a rotatable transverse arm (10) attached to the cart, which may be joined to the cart's chassis by suitable fastening means (1011, 1012). Said transverse arm (10) can rotate on its longitudinal axis, such that both control arms (31, 32) can move upwards and downwards, not only to adopt the different positions necessary within the range of use of the cart (1), such as, for example, to raise the front wheels, or to afford a sharp change of the slope, but also to be able to potentially fold this structure when dismounting the hoverboard. In addition, said transverse arm (10) may preferably adopt different lengths to be coupled to different carts chassis. The transverse arm (10) has multiple holes as optional anchor points (11) by hinge, such that the control arms (31, 32) can always converge, pointing in the appropriate direction of the specific cart on which the invention will eventually be used.

[0062] Said transverse arm (10) can be located within the vertical plane containing the axis of the rear wheels of the cart (1), as shown in FIG.5 , but as a convenience, that transverse arm (10) can also be located outside that plane, for example, behind the axis of the rear wheels of the cart (1), as shown in FIG.1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, whether for ease of attachment to the chassis of the cart (1), particularly to respect the space that may be needed to access an already existing brake pedal on the cart (1), or for any other reason. In that case, it is preferable to use the anchor points (11) that permit both control arms (31, 32) to point to the vertical through the midpoint between the rear wheels. In general, in the plan view, the projections of the longitudinal axes of those control arms (31,32) should cross as closely as possible to the rotation center of the cart (1) when the cart (1) is stationary.

Other Embodiments

[0063] Regarding to the above described embodiment of the present invention, other modifications can be used without deviating from the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, some or all of the articulated joints can be made using flexible parts. Also, the size, form, placement or orientation of the different components can vary. The components shown, which are directly connected or in contact with each other, can have intermediate elements placed between them. The functions of one element can be performed by two, and vice-versa. Therefore, the scope of the invention shall not be limited by the specific embodiments disclosed.

[0064] This invention not only applies to four-wheel carts; rather its dynamic is valid for any other vehicles, regardless of its number of wheels, meaning that it is valid for moving a for example, wheelbarrow, a scooter, a skate, a single wheel skate, or even a sleigh.

[0065] It also applies to vehicles with wheels that rotate on fixed axes which therefore always move forward in a straight line, such as a lawnmower, whose front wheels must be lifted up in order to turn it, In that case, preferably, both control arms should point approximately to the vertical through the midpoint between its rear wheels.

[0066] In the case of vehicles with swivel wheels, both rear and front, like shopping carts in supermarkets, in addition to the case described above, one or more elements could also be applied to limit that freedom of the rear wheels by forcing them to rotate parallel around a same axis.

[0067] This invention is also valid where the driver does not stand on the hoverboard but rather rides on a seat-type accessory attached to it.

[0068] Although the foregoing description refers to coupling a hoverboard to propel a manual cart, this invention also applies if the hoverboard is connected to an already motorized cart or, for example, to another hoverboard,