Personal transporter

• US 7,159,681 B1
• Filed: 02/07/2005
• Issued: 01/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clare C. Sauve
• Original Assignee: Dennis N. Sauve
• Inventors: Sauve, Dennis N.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, HAU VAN
• Application Number:
  US11/052,624
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 180/208, 180/65.1, 180/214, 280/639, 280/641, 280/651, 280/87.041, 280/87.042, 280/781, 280/782, 280/87.05
• US Class Current: 180/208
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/24 for particular purposes or particular vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/305 the cushion being hinged on the vehicle frame
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/18 yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable padded linings associated with the steering column B60R21/05
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 31/006 foldable droppable B60F5/006

Abstract

A four-wheel personal transporter having a collapsible shell and a seat mounted on at least one shaft disposed at the rear end of the device, such shaft(s) movable approximately 90 degrees rearward from an upright position to a storage position and maneuvered into a receipt slot defined in the top portion of the rear shell, and a steering column disposed at the front end of the personal transporter in an upright position for use and rotatable approximately 90 degrees downward to a storage position against the top of the shell when such shell is in its collapsed storage mode, such steering column having a handle usable to pull the device on its front wheels in its storage mode.

Claims

1. A personal transporter having a front end, a rear end, two wheels disposed at said front end, two wheels disposed at said rear end, and a steering mechanism, said steering mechanism disposed at said front end, comprising:

a collapsible frame, said frame being extended in its use mode and collapsed in its storage mode;

a shell disposed over said frame, said shell comprised of a front shell and a rear shell, said front and rear shells each having a top portion and one having a section adapted to fit within the other such that said shell can be collapsed along with said collapsible frame;

a steering column disposed at said front end of said personal transporter mounted in an upright position in a first use position for steering said personal transporter and in a second storage mode rotatable downward approximately 90 degrees rearward to a storage position on top of said shell;

at least one seat shaft having a top, said seat shaft mounted at said rear end of said personal transporter;

a seat mounted on said top of said seat shaft(s), said seat shaft(s) hinged to move approximately 90 degrees rearward from an upright use position to a horizontal storage position when said shell is in its collapsed storage mode;

at least one motor disposed inside said shell for driving at least one wheel of said personal transporter; and

at least one battery positioned inside said shell for providing power to said motor(s).

2. The personal transporter of claim 1 further including a seat shaft receipt slot defined in said rear portion of said rear shell for receiving said seat shaft when said personal transporter is in its storage mode.

3. The personal transporter of claim 2 further including a raisable and lockable collar disposed around said steering column, said steering column when in its upright position engaging and controlling said steering mechanism of said personal transporter;

and said steering column, when said collar is raised, movable from its upright use position to its storage mode.

4. The personal transporter of claim 3 wherein said collapsible frame is comprised of telescoping members.

5. The personal transporter of claim 1 wherein said shell further includes a seat receipt area defined therein for receipt of said seat when said personal transporter is in its storage mode.