Folding portable electric scooter

Abstract

A three wheeled stand-up or sit down foldable and portable electric personal mobility vehicle for fulfilling the needs of a broad spectrum of users including the handicapped and recreational users. The personal mobility vehicle has two major parts, including a front wheel frame assembly and a rear frame chassis assembly. These major parts are configured to easily fold into a smaller size so that the vehicle can be easily transportable and more conveniently stored. Furthermore, a versatile seat and seat post are implemented to enable a user to sit or stand, and the seat can be easily removed, without tools, to create more space should a user wish.

Claims

1. A multi use, easy to fold, transportable three-wheel electric mobility vehicle, comprising: a front wheel drive assembly including an upper sub-part assembly that comprises: a telescopic horizontal steering handle; a throttle that is fastened to the telescopic horizontal steering handle; a brake lever that is fastened to the telescopic horizontal steering handle; a multi-function instrument with a headlight and on/off keys that are fastened to the telescopic horizontal steering handle; a horn button that is fastened to the telescopic horizontal steering handle; a USB charge port that is fastened to the telescopic horizontal steering handle; and forward and reverse buttons that are fastened to the telescopic horizontal steering handle; a mid sub-part assembly is positioned below the telescopic horizontal steering handle, which comprising: a vertical and hollow steering column to which the telescopic horizontal steering handle couples; a folding structure to which the steering column is coupled and using which the telescopic horizontal steering handle folds and a coupling mechanism that couples the folding structure to a frame head tube wherein the mid sub-part assembly connects to a lower sub-part assembly a fork assembly comprising a hollow vertical head tube coupled to first and second legs, in which an electric controller is flush mounted on the fork assembly and wherein the vertical head tube couples to the coupling mechanism of the folding structure; a front wheel assembly mounted to the fork assembly which comprises: an electric hub motor, a brake assembly integrated in an electric hub motor wheel, and a tire mounted to the electric hub motor wheel, wherein the brake assembly connects to a dual beam frame extending outward, backward, and downward from the fork assembly and the vertical head tube; a support cross member at a downward bend, respective left and right pivot points below the support cross member and above a rear chassis that connects a front frame assembly to the rear chassis, which includes a bottom crossmember connecting the dual beams frame, a centered upward threaded bolt to lock the front frame to the rear chassis with a hand twist nut into a drivable position; a rear facing angled set of forks having a small wheel to act as a kick stand; an electrical pathway connecting power to the electric controller and motor from the rear chassis; an assembly for the rear chassis comprising: a flat removable rubber mat on top of a plastic platform with fenders, an electrical input charge port that connects to a battery box under the plastic platform, an access opening for a removable battery box; in which the plastic platform includes a rectangular frame having a coupling mechanism for a seat post, a recessed cage to house a battery pack, a rear axle mounted behind the recessed cage, and left and right rear wheels assembled each on a respective ends of the rear axle, a centered “U” shaped notch in the front of a chassis frame, respective left and right upward facing posts, in which the left and right upward facing posts comprise left and right pivot points to respectively connect the front frame assembly to the rear chassis; and wherein within the frame houses a battery pack, in which the batter pack includes a battery, an electrical connection between the charge port of the plastic platform, an electrical connection between the battery box and the electrical pathway either through or along the dual beams to the front wheel drive assembly.

2. The three-wheel electric mobility vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a dual beam support structure extending and connecting from the front wheel assembly to the rear chassis.

3. The three-wheel electric mobility vehicle of claim 2 whereby the dual beam support structure connects to the rear chassis with the left and right pivot points.

4. The three-wheel electric mobility vehicle of claim 3, wherein the rear chassis includes respective left and right vertical posts with respective left and right pivot points that mate with respective pivot points associated with the dual beam support structure of claim 3.

5. The three-wheel electric mobility vehicle of claim 2, wherein the dual beam support structure includes a threaded bolt to secure the dual beam support structure in place.

6. The three-wheel electric mobility vehicle of claim 5, wherein the rear chassis includes a centered “U” shaped notch in a front of the rear chassis frame to allow threaded bolt to swing into or out of a locking position with a hand twist nut.

7. The three-wheel electric mobility vehicle of claim 2, wherein the dual beam support structure includes a kick out wheel to support a scooter when folding.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a top perspective of the electric mobility vehicle of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the frame with dual beam partially folded.

(5) FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the frame with dual beam structure partially folded.

(6) FIG. 6 is a side view of the frame with dual beam structure partially folded.

(7) FIG. 7 is a top view of the frame with dual beam completely folded.

(8) FIG. 8 is a rear view of the frame with dual beam completely folded.

(9) FIG. 9 is a side view of the frame with dual beam completely folded.

(10) FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the frame with dual beam completely folded.

(11) FIG. 11 is top perspective view of the removable battery pack.

(12) FIG. 12 is a side view with seat removed and EMV folded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(13) The new and improved invention presented here (FIG. 1 FIG. 2 FIG. 3) is a foldable, transportable, battery powered, three wheeled electric mobility vehicle (EMV) or electric scooter comprising a unique structural and folding mechanism, whereby said EMV may be quickly and safely folded into various sizes, and comprises a removable seat and battery providing flexibility for users by allowing user to make said EMV lighter, smaller, and such that most users may easily lift or remove certain components which enable the user to conveniently store, and or transport. More specifically:

(14) FIG. 1 is a rear side perspective view of the present invention and starting at the top, the preferred handlebar steering assembly 10 mounted into the steering column folding structure 7; said steering assembly 10 comprises a left hand grip 13a and moving right, a hand brake 12 connected to a brake cable 11, a horn button 14, moving to the center, a key activated ignition headlight instrument 9, and continuing right, a dual USB charge port 15 to charge cell phones or tablets, a forward/reverse button 16 to allow respective movement directions, a twist throttle 17 in which both forward/reverse button 16 and twist throttle 17 connect to the controller 3 through an electrical wire 5, and right hand grip 13b.

(15) Moving downward from handlebar assembly 10, the steering column folding structure 7 comprises eccentric clamp 8 at the top that allows for height adjustment of handlebar assembly 10, comprising a hollow tube, comprising a hinged folding mechanism 6 to allow handlebar assembly 10 to easily fold downward and to the side of the front wheel.

(16) Folding structure 7 which includes both eccentric clamp 8 and hinged folding mechanism 6, connects to the lower steering column and fork assembly 2a and 2b respectively. Moving down fork 2a comprises the controller 3. Power and all corresponding handlebar wiring is interconnected through wire harness 5 which runs along or through hollow dual beam support structure 18 to the top of controller 3. Controller 3 connects to the front electric hub motor 1 in which a tire 4 is mounted. At the lower end of fork 2a, and seen from FIG. 2,3 fork 2b, electric hub motor 1 which comprises threaded axles running horizontally through it, mounts to respective fork flanges with nuts. On the right side of electric hub motor 1, and as seen from FIG. 2,3, said brake cable 11 connects to drum brake lever 24 completing the brake system.

(17) Referring back to the dual beam frame support structure 18 mentioned earlier, the upper portion of said structure, is welded to the respective left and right sides of the steering column frame. Respective beams curve outward, back, and downward. Comprising a cross member midway down at the point the dual beams bend to a vertical position comprising respective left and right pivot points that mate with corresponding upward vertical posts of the rear chassis frame. The vertical posts of the dual beam structure continue below said pivot points and at its base, comprises a second horizontal crossmember seen more visibly in FIGS. 3,5,7,10. Said second crossmember comprises a fork 25 and wheel 26 seen in FIG. 2,3,5,6,7,9 that act as a support mechanism swinging down during folding and forming a rolling tripod. Above said fork and wheel, comprises threaded bolt 29 FIGS. 2,7,9,10 used to secure front frame assembly to unfolded ready position with the use of hand twist nut 19 seen in FIG. 1,2. This completes Major part 1 (front wheel assembly/chassis).

(18) Continuing to the lower rear portion of the presented invention, FIG. 1 generally shows the floor deck 20 which comprises a removable rubber floor mat upon an injection molded plastic floor deck with fenders. Under said floor deck 20 comprises the rear chassis frame 21 comprising removable seat post 24, removable/adjustable seat 22, left wheel 23a, right wheel 23b, and hand nut 19.

(19) FIG. 2 illustrates the views that are hidden in perspective FIG.1 in which seat post 24 comprises eccentric clamp 40, folding structure 7 comprises locking lever for folding structure mechanism 6, front motor 1 comprises drum brake lever 28, dual beam structure 18 comprises threaded bolt 29, kick out fork 25, and kick out wheel 26, and rear chassis frame 21 comprises battery cage 27, comprising battery pack 30.

(20) FIG. 3, depicts most of the what is seen in FIG. 2 but from a bottom perspective view of said EMV with battery pack 30 and floor deck 20 removed and in the unfolded-ready to use position.

(21) FIGS. 4,5,6 illustrates how the rear chassis frame 21 comprising battery cage 27 integrates with the folding dual beam structure 18 at a partially folded position illustrating a clearer view of battery cage 27, kick out fork 25, and kick out wheel 26.

(22) FIGS. 7,8,9,10 respectively shows top view, rear view, side view, and top perspective view of rear chassis frame 21 comprising battery cage 27 connected with dual beam structure 18 in the fully folded position and depicts a clearer view of the said frames' “U” shaped notch that accepts threaded bolt 29.

(23) FIG. 11 illustrates a top perspective view of the removable battery pack which comprises a plastic battery housing 30, comprising electrical connectors 33a and 33b whereas 33b is a charge port and whereas 33a is the power connector to which a wire from Major part 1 (front wheel assembly/chassis) will interconnect the battery pack to the controller, comprising a durable rubber top 31 to cover the batteries, comprising strap 32 to lift the assembled battery pack in and out of battery cage 27. Accordingly, the fully assembled battery pack (Minor part 1) which depending on type of battery ie. Lithium or sealed lead acid may weigh as little as 10 lbs. or up to 38 lbs. providing range of up to 30 miles. Besides adhering to the principle of easy portability by providing the user the option to reduce weight by 10-38 lbs., an easily removable battery pack allows the user to charge the pack away from the EMV which appeals to not only individual users, but to rental, and industrial users who may want to have spare charged battery packs ready to swap out when the current pack is exhausted, thus reducing down time and increasing efficiency.

(24) FIG. 12 right side view, illustrates a folded EMV with minor part 2 (removable seat post 24 and seat 22) removed and handlebars fully extended. When folded, the invention presented here drops down to 19″, easily fitting in most storage spaces. If user chooses, he/she may also shorten the EMV's length by unclasping hinged folding mechanism 6 and folding handlebar assembly towards the front which is also angled to fold down and to the side. One should note that FIG. 12 shows the EMV in a horizontal position, but when folded in this position, the front of the rear chassis will tilt downward until kick out wheel 26 touches the ground allowing the EMV's folded height to be as low as possible.

(25) Note that as extensive as the summary and description have been, it must be taken as an example only and that the embodiments are simply illustrated of the main principles of the invention, thus they do not limit the process presented herein, since numerous additional modifications, changes, and additions may be made by skilled persons in the area of art, within the category of said principles, and which will embody those principles, falling within the spirit, concept, and scope of this invention.