A Motorized Personal Vehicle

• US 20040262871A1
• Filed: 05/10/2004
• Published: 12/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Original Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Inventors: Knoppert, Michiel Sebastiaan Emamnuel Petrus, Peters, Daniel R., Rudick, Arthur G., Schoonhoven, Willem Jorrit, Antao, Leonard F., Schreuder, Marcel Arthur Jan
• Application Number:
  US10/709,490
• Publication Number:
  US 20040262871A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/87.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/007 for delivery of small articles, e.g. milk, frozen articles
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/0257 the object being a vending stall, restaurant or food kiosk
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 51/02 the driver standing in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 3/002 without a seat, i.e. the rider operating the vehicle in a standing position, e.g. non-motorized scooters; non-motorized scooters with skis or runners

Abstract

A mobile device for promoting the sale of a number of products by a driver. The device may include a steering mechanism with a pair of foot sleds for the driver to stand thereon and a product compartment positioned about the steering mechanism. The products positioned within the product compartment may be within reach of the driver.

Claims

1. A mobile device for promoting the sale of a plurality of products by a driver, comprising:

a steering mechanism;

said steering mechanism comprising a pair of foot sleds for the driver to stand thereon; and

a product compartment positioned about said steering mechanism, with said plurality of products positioned therein within reach of the driver.

2. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein said steering mechanism comprises a base, said base pivotably attached to said pair of foot sleds.

3. The mobile device of claim 2, wherein said steering mechanism comprises a pivot pin, such that said base pivots about said pivot pin.

4. The mobile device of claim 3, wherein said steering mechanism comprises a pair of poles, said pair of poles attached to said base so as to urge said base to pivot about the pivot pin when the driver moves said pair of poles clockwise or counterclockwise.

5. The mobile device of claim 4, wherein said steering mechanism comprises a pair of front wheels, said front wheels attached to said base.

6. The mobile device of claim 5, wherein said steering mechanism comprises a pair of rear wheels, said rear wheels attached to said pair of foot sleds.

7. The mobile device of claim 6, further comprising a drive mechanism associated with said steering mechanism.

8. The mobile device of claim 7, wherein said drive mechanism comprises one or more motors associated with said pair of rear wheels.

9. The mobile device of claim 7, wherein said drive mechanism comprises one or more brakes associated with one of said pair of rear wheels.

10. The mobile device of claim 7, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a rechargeable battery.

11. The mobile device of claim 7, wherein said product compartment comprises a lid and a lock out device such that said lock out device renders said drive mechanism inoperative if said lid is open.

12. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein said product compartment is removable.

13. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein said product compartment comprises a doublely hinged lid.

14. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein said product compartment comprises an insulated shell.

15. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein said product compartment comprises a product lift mechanism.

16. The mobile device of claim 15, wherein said product lift mechanism comprises a base biased towards a first end of said product compartment.

17. A method of providing products to consumers via a scooter with a product compartment, comprising:

loading a plurality of the products within the product compartment;

positioning the driver on the scooter in a standing position;

driving the scooter;

attracting the attention of a consumer;

stopping the scooter; and

providing the consumer with one of the products.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein loading the product compartment comprises about 120 twelve (12) ounce bottles or about seventy-two (72) twenty (20) ounce bottles.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein driving the scooter comprises driving the scooter over pavement, gravel, grass, dirt, or sand.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein attracting the attention of the consumer comprises the driver standing on the scooter.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein attracting the attention of the consumer comprises playing music, displaying advertising indicia, or displaying flags or banners.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein attracting the attention of the consumer comprises hands free steering.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein attracting the attention of the consumer comprises banked turns.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein providing the consumer with one of the products comprises the driver standing on the scooter.

25. A personal transportation device for promoting the sale of a plurality of products by a driver, comprising:

means for the driver to steer the personal transportation device while standing; and

a product compartment positioned about said steering means, with said plurality of products positioned therein such that the driver has access to said plurality of products without dismounting the personal transportation device.

26. The personal transportation device of claim 25, wherein said product compartment comprises an insulated shell.

27. The personal transportation device of claim 25, wherein said product compartment comprises a product lift mechanism.

28. The personal transportation device of claim 27, wherein said product lift mechanism comprises a base biased towards a first end of said product compartment.

29. The personal transportation device of claim 25, further comprising means to drive the personal transportation device associated with said steering means.

30. The personal transportation device of claim 29, wherein said product compartment comprises a lid and a lock out device such that said lock out device renders said drive means inoperative if said lid is open.

31. The personal transportation device of claim 25, wherein said product compartment is removable.

32. A method of providing products to consumers via a single occupant vehicle, comprising:

positioning the driver on the single occupant vehicle in a standing position;

driving the single occupant vehicle;

stopping the single occupant vehicle; and

providing the consumer with one of the products while the driver remains standing on the single occupant vehicle.