Balance bike

• US 8,414,007 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2011
• Issued: 04/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chen, Wang-Chuan
• Original Assignee: Chen, Wang-Chuan
• Inventors: Chen, Wang-Chuan
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N
• Assistant Examiner(s): YEAGLEY, DANIEL S
• Application Number:
  US13/188,509
• Publication Number:
  US 20130020777A1
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 280/287, 280/278, 280/87.05, 180/218, 180/219, 180/208, 180/209, D12/111
• US Class Current: 280/278
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 15/006 the frame being foldable
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 9/00 Children's cycles toy vehicles A63H17/00

Abstract

A balance bike includes a frame, front and rear wheels, a seat, a joining structure, a front fork, and a steering handle. The joining structure is pivotally joined to the frame and pivotal between first and second positions. The joining structure includes a joining end and a receiving end. The front and rear wheels are disposed apart from each other, and the balance bike defines a first longitudinal dimension when the joining structure is in the first position. The front and rear wheels are disposed adjacent to each other, and the balance bike defines a second longitudinal dimension when the joining structure is in the second position. The first longitudinal dimension is larger than the second longitudinal dimension.

Claims

1. A balance bike comprising:

a frame including first and second connecting portions;

a rear wheel for the mobility of the balance bike engaged with the frame;

a seat engaged with the frame and adjustable to different heights relative to the frame;

a joining structure pivotally joined to the frame, wherein the joining structure is pivotal between a first position and a second position relative to the frame, wherein the joining structure comprises a joining end and a receiving end;

a first pivot interconnects the joining structure and the frame for connection between the joining structure and the frame, wherein the first pivot is engaged between the first connecting portion of the frame and the joining end of the joining structure, wherein the joining structure further comprises a positioning mechanism engaged with the frame, wherein the positioning mechanism comprises a detent engaged with the second connecting portion of the frame and the joining end of the joining structure, wherein the detent is disposed at a first location when the joining structure is in the first position and the detent is disposed at a second location when the joining structure is in the second position respectively;

a front fork rotatably engaged with the receiving end of the joining structure;

a front wheel for the mobility of the balance bike engaged with the front fork; and

a steering handle pivotally engaged with the front fork for a user to grasp to steer the balance bike engaged with the front fork;

wherein the front and rear wheels are disposed apart from each other and the balance bike defines a first longitudinal dimension when the joining structure is in the first position, wherein the front and rear wheels are disposed adjacent to each other and the balance bike defines a second longitudinal dimension when the joining structure is in the second position, and wherein the first longitudinal dimension is larger than the second longitudinal dimension; and

wherein the receiving end of the joining structure includes a hole and a groove, with the hole extending transversely to and connecting with the groove, with the hole extending longitudinally, with the groove extending circumferentially, wherein the front fork comprises a steerer tube rotatably engaged in the hole and a linking member engaged with the steerer tube and extended through the groove, with the linking member movably engaged in the groove, wherein the linking member moves in the groove upon rotating the front fork, wherein the linking member is limited to move between two distal ends of the groove, wherein the steering handle rotates synchronously with the front fork, and wherein the linking member and the front fork as well as the steering handle are limited to be turned clockwise or counterclockwise through an angle not exceeding 360 degrees.

2. The balance bike as claimed in claim 1, wherein the joining end of the joining structure comprises a through slot, with the through slot forming first and second retraining ends disposed opposite to each other, wherein an extension is disposed between and interconnects the first and second retaining ends, wherein the extension has an arcuate shape, wherein the detent is securely retained in the first retaining end when the joining structure is in the first position, and wherein the detent is securely retained in the second retaining end when the joining structure is in the second position.

3. The balance bike as claimed in claim 1, wherein the joining structure comprises two lugs defining the joining end, wherein the first and second lugs are disposed opposite to each other and in a spaced relationship, wherein the first and second lugs comprise a space defined therebetween, wherein the frame comprises a protrusion defining a connecting end, wherein the first and second connecting portions are disposed on the connecting end of the frame, wherein the connecting end of the frame is received in the space and disposed between the first and second lugs, and wherein the two lugs and the connecting end of the frame are engaged with the first pivot and the positioning mechanism.

4. The balance bike as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a first peripheral edge and the joining structure comprises a second peripheral edge respectively, wherein the first peripheral edge has a first peripheral segment and a second peripheral segment extending from the first peripheral segment, wherein the second peripheral edge has a third peripheral segment and a fourth peripheral segment extending from the third peripheral segment, wherein the third and fourth peripheral segments abut against the first and second peripheral segments respectively when the joining structure is in the first position, wherein the fourth peripheral segment is disengaged from the second peripheral segment and the third peripheral segment abuts against the first peripheral segment when the joining structure is in the second position.

5. The balance bike as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the first and third peripheral segments has a substantial arcuate contour, and wherein each of the second and fourth peripheral segments has a substantial straight contour.

6. A balance bike comprising:

a frame including first and second connecting portions;

a rear wheel for the mobility of the balance bike engaged with the frame;

a seat engaged with the frame and adjustable to different heights relative to the frame;

a joining structure pivotally joined to the frame, wherein the joining structure is pivotal between a first position and a second position relative to the frame, wherein the joining structure comprises a joining end and a receiving end;

a first pivot interconnects the joining structure and the frame for connection between the joining structure and the frame, wherein the first pivot is engaged between the first connecting portion of the frame and the joining end of the joining structure, wherein the joining structure further comprises a positioning mechanism engaged with the frame, wherein the positioning mechanism comprises a detent engaged with the second connecting portion of the frame and the joining end of the joining structure, wherein the detent is disposed at a first location when the joining structure is in the first position and the detent is disposed at a second location when the joining structure is in the second position respectively;

a front fork rotatably engaged with the receiving end of the joining structure;

a front wheel for the mobility of the balance bike engaged with the front fork; and

a steering handle pivotally engaged with the front fork for a user to grasp to steer the balance bike engaged with the front fork;

wherein the front and rear wheels are disposed apart from each other and the balance bike defines a first longitudinal dimension when the joining structure is in the first position, wherein the front and rear wheels are disposed adjacent to each other and the balance bike defines a second longitudinal dimension when the joining structure is in the second position, and wherein the first longitudinal dimension is larger than the second longitudinal dimension; and

wherein the front fork as well as the steering handle face forward in a first orientation when the balance bike is to be moved in a straight line, and wherein the front fork as well as the steering handle are limited to be turned no more than 60-degrees from the first orientation.

7. A balance bike comprising:

a frame including first and second connecting portions;

a rear wheel for the mobility of the balance bike engaged with the frame;

a seat engaged with the frame and adjustable to different heights relative to the frame;

a joining structure pivotally joined to the frame, wherein the joining structure is pivotal between a first position and a second position relative to the frame, wherein the joining structure comprises a joining end and a receiving end;

a first pivot interconnects the joining structure and the frame for connection between the joining structure and the frame, wherein the first pivot is engaged between the first connecting portion of the frame and the joining end of the joining structure, wherein the joining structure further comprises a positioning mechanism engaged with the frame, wherein the positioning mechanism comprises a detent engaged with the second connecting portion of the frame and the joining end of the joining structure, wherein the detent is disposed at a first location when the joining structure is in the first position and the detent is disposed at a second location when the joining structure is in the second position respectively;

a front fork rotatably engaged with the receiving end of the joining structure;

a front wheel for the mobility of the balance bike engaged with the front fork; and

a steering handle pivotally engaged with the front fork for a user to grasp to steer the balance bike engaged with the front fork;

wherein the front and rear wheels are disposed apart from each other and the balance bike defines a first longitudinal dimension when the joining structure is in the first position, wherein the front and rear wheels are disposed adjacent to each other and the balance bike defines a second longitudinal dimension when the joining structure is in the second position, and wherein the first longitudinal dimension is larger than the second longitudinal dimension; and

wherein the front fork further comprises a sleeve adjustably engaged with a steerer tube, wherein steering handle comprises a joint comprising a stem pivotally joined to the steerer tube, wherein a second pivot interconnects the stem and the steerer tube for connection between the front fork and the steering handle, wherein the sleeve is adjustable between first and second positions relative to the steerer tube, wherein the sleeve is partially received in the hole and has a first length receiving the steerer tube and a second length receiving the stem when in the first position, wherein the steering handle is prevented from pivoting relative to the front fork when the sleeve is in the first position, wherein the sleeve is not received in the hole and not receiving the steerer tube, and wherein the steering handle is capable of being pivoted relative to the front fork when the sleeve is in the second position.

8. The balance bike as claimed in claim 7, wherein the steering handle is operable between an extended position and a collapsed position, wherein the sleeve is disposed at the first position when the steering handle is in the extended position, wherein the sleeve is disposed at the second position when the steering handle is in the collapsed position, wherein the joining structure comprises a receptacle, and wherein the sleeve is received in the receptacle when the steering handle is in the collapsed position.