Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING A USER'S FOOT
RELATED APPLICATIONS
100011 This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/052,921, filed May 13, 2008, which is
incorporated in
its entirety by reference herein. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
61/019,796, filed
January 8, 2008, U.S. Patent Application No. 12/350,864, filed January 8,
2009, U.S. Patent
No. 7,059,613, and U.S. Patent Application No. 11/386,822, filed March 23,
2006 and
published as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0186617, are each made a part of
this
Application and are incorporated in their entireties by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS
Field of the Inventions
100021 The present inventions relate to human-propelled personal
transportation
devices. More particularly, the present inventions are directed to personal
transportation
systems that include two parts, each supporting a single foot of a user.
Description of the Related Art
100031 Many of the currently available extreme sport and personal
transportation
devices limit acrobatic moves, hamper maneuverability and generally do not
fully satisfy
specific needs in personal transportation. For example, the traditional
skateboard is usually
operated with both feet of the rider placed on the deck (e.g., platform) of
the skateboard. The
skateboard limits the rider's feet to the area of the deck. In-line skates
allow the rider the
flexibility of propulsion from each foot, but the wheels are bound to the
riders foot using a
shoe like structure.
10004] Unlike in-line skates or skateboards, the some newer skate systems
include
one platform for each foot, neither platform being bound to the rider's foot.
This can also be
referred to as "non-fixedskates meaning that the skates are not normally
"fixed" to the
rider's feet during operation, in contrast to conventional "roller skates"
which are normally
fixed to a rider's foot with shoe laces, Velcro , bindings, or the like.
When using a "non-fixed" type skate system, the rider stands transverse to the
direction of travel. This type of personal transportation device can be
propelled using a
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swivel motion in which the position of the rider's feet are cyclically rotated
ninety degrees to
the direction of travel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS
[0008] Another aspect of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein
includes the realization that a personal transportation device can be easily
assembled and
manufactured using certain designs, such as those including U-shaped
configurations.
[0009] Thus, in accordance with at least one embodiment, a personal
transportation device can comprise a U-shaped truck comprising an
undercarriage having
flanges for mounting the U-shaped truck to a platform and arms extending from
the flanges,
each arm having at least one opening dimensioned to receive a wheel axle, at
least one pair of
wheels mechanically coupled to the U-shaped truck, and a platform mounted to
the flanges.
[0010] In accordance with at least another embodiment, a method of operating a
personal transportation device can comprise providing two personal
transportation devices
each comprising a U-shaped truck, a foot platform mounted to the U-shaped
truck, and two
wheels mounted in-line to the U-shaped truck, placing a foot on each platform
of the personal
transportation devices such that each foot is approximately perpendicular to
the direction of
travel, rotating one's waist in a first direction to create a force in the
direction of travel,
rotating one's waist in a second direction to create a force in the direction
of travel, and
alternating rotating one's waist in the first and second directions such that
the personal
transportation devices move in the direction of travel.
[0011] Another aspect of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein
includes the realization that use of a two-wheeled, non-fixed, personal
transportation device
can take time to learn, and can require some skill with regard to balance.
Thus, providing
such a personal transportation device with a set of removable wheels can help
a rider become
more familiar and comfortable with using the personal transportation device.
When the rider
reaches that level of skill and comfort, the additional wheel can be removed,
allowing the
rider to experience the full ranges of movement possible with such a
transportation device.
100121 Thus, in accordance with at least another embodiment, a personal
transportation device can comprise a truck comprising an undercarriage for
mounting the
truck to a platform and arms extending from the undercarriage, each aria
having at least one
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opening dimensioned to receive a wheel axle, a first pair of wheels
mechanically coupled to
the truck, the first pair of wheels being in-line, a second pair of wheels
releasably coupled to
the truck, the second pair of wheels being out-of-line with the first pair of
wheels and a
platform mounted to the truck, the platform sized to receive a user's foot.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
100131 These and other features and advantages of the present embodiments will
become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description and with
reference to
the accompanying drawings of the embodiments, in which:
[00141 Figure IA is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a personal
transportation device.
100151 Figure IB is a bottom perspective view of the personal transportation
device of Figure 1A.
100161 Figure 1C is a top plan view of the personal transportation device of
Figure IA.
100171 Figure I D is a front elevational view of the personal transportation
device
of Figure 1 A.
100181 Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the personal transportation
device of Figure ]A.
100191 Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the truck of the personal
transportation device of Figure IA.
100201 Figure 4A is a side elevational view of a rider on the two of the
personal
transportation devices of Figure 1 A.
[00211 Figure 4B is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the direction
of
travel of the personal transportation devices shown in Figure 4A-
100221 Figure 4C is a perspective view of a rider on the two personal
transportation devices of Figure 4A.
100231 Figure 5A is a bottom perspective view of another embodiment of a
personal transportation device, including a set of training wheels.
100241 Figure 5B is a side elevational view of the personal transportation
device
of Figure 5A.
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100251 Figure 5C is a front elevational view of the personal transportation
device
of Figure 5A.
100261 Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the personal transportation
device of Figure 5A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
100271 With reference to Figures lA-D, the personal transportation device 10
can
comprise a U-shaped truck 12. The U-shaped truck 12 can be connected to a
platform 14 that
supports a rider's foot, and can further be connected to a pair of wheels 16.
100281 The U-shaped truck 12 can comprise an undercarriage 18. The
undercarriage 18 can comprise, for example, a pair of flanges extending
substantially parallel
to a bottom portion of the platform 14. The flanges can be attached to and
support the U-
shaped truck against the platform, such that weight placed on the platform by
a rider's foot
can be dispersed to the flanges of the undercarriage 18 and supported by the U-
shaped truck
12.
100291 The U-shaped truck 12 can further comprise a frame 20. The frame 20 can
extend from the undercarriage 18 and can comprise at least one arm 22. The
anus 22 can
have a generally semi-hourglass shaped design that provides effective support
and an
enhanced riding experience. The arms 22 can include an opening, or void, 23,
which can
help to reduce the weight and material used in manufacturing the personal
transportation
device 10, while still providing proper support.
100301 With reference to Figure I B, the frame 20 can further comprise a
bridge 24
extending between the arms 22. The bridge 24 can have a width, measured along
an axis of
rotation of a wheel 16, greater than the width of the wheel 16, such that the
bridge 24 and
arms 22 act to at least partially enclose the wheels 16 within the U-shaped
truck 12.
100311 With reference to Figures lA, IB, and 2, the frame 20 can further
comprise at least one opening 25 configured to receive a wheel axle 26. One
method of
assembling the personal transportation device 10 can comprise first placing
the wheels 16
within the U-shaped truck 12 and inserting wheel axles 26 through the wheels
16. The
fasteners 28, such as for example nuts, and spacers 30 can then be attached to
the wheel axles
26.
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[0032] With continued reference to Figure 2, the platform 14 can then be
attached
to the U-shaped truck 12. The platform 14 can be multilayered, as indicated by
a base layer
32, a deck layer 34, and a skid layer 36, all in parallel planes. In some
embodiments, the skid
layer 36 can be optional and removable to provide an improved riding
experience to the user
of the device 10. In some embodiments, at least one of the layers of the
platform 14 can be
detachable. In some embodiments, at least one of the layers can be comprised
of wood. In
some embodiments, at least one of the layers can be comprised of rubber. The
platform 14
can be attached to the undercarriage 18 by threading deck fasteners 38 through
deck shafts
and attaching deck nuts 40. With reference to Figure 3, prior to assembly,
such as for
example during manufacturing, the U-shaped truck 12 can be bent along bend
lines 42 to
create the undercarriage 18 flanges described above. In some embodiments, the
truck 12 can
be bent such that the flanges of the undercarriage 18 are substantially
perpendicular to the
arms 22.
[0033] With reference to Figures I C and 4A-C, a rider can stand on top of two
personal transportation devices 10, with one foot placed on each of the two
platforms 14.
Unlike in-line skates or skateboards, in some embodiments the platform 14 for
each foot of
the rider can not be bound to the rider's foot, and the rider can remove his
or her foot from
one of the platforms 14 if desired- The rider's foot can be angled along a
vector 60 which can
allow the rider to be facing in a generally transverse direction relative to
the direction of
travel of the personal transportation devices 10, as shown for example in
Figures 4A and 4C.
[0034] With continued reference to Figure 4A, an angle a between a
longitudinal
axis of the rider's foot, along vector 60, and the direction of travel along
vector 62, can vary.
In some embodiments, this angle is typically approximately 74 degrees. Other
angles can
also be used.
[0035] The personal transportation device can be propelled by the rider using
a
swivel motion with his or her hips. For example, the rider can swivel his or
her hips in a first
direction, and then in an opposite direction, repeating this motion again and
again and
propelling the personal transportation devices 10 through a path similar to
that shown in
Figure 4B. In some embodiments during use, the rider can turn his or her feet
either toes out
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or toes in to steer the personal transportation device 10, depending on which
direction the
rider is swinging his or her waist.
100361 With reference to Figures 5A-C and 6, another embodiment of a personal
transportation device 110 is illustrated. The personal transportation device
110 can comprise
a U-shaped truck 112, a platform 114, and wheels 116. In contrast to the
personal
transportation device 10 described above, the personal transportation device
110 can further
comprise two training wheels 146, a training wheel axle 148, and a removable
locking
member 150, such as for example a pin, which can hold the training wheel axle
148 in place.
As shown in Figure 5A, the training wheels 146 can be out of line with the two
in-line wheels
116, such that the training wheels offer added stability and support for the
personal
transportation device 110. In some embodiments, and as described herein, the
training
wheels 146 can be easily removed and/or added to the personal transportation
device 110.
100371 With reference to Figure 6, the U-shaped truck 1] 2 can be similar to
that
of the U-shaped truck 12 described above. For example, the U-shaped truck 112
can
comprise an undercarriage 118 which can be fastened to the platform 114. The U-
shaped
truck 112 can further include at least one opening or void 123, which can help
to reduce the
amount of material and/or weight of the personal transportation device 110.
100381 In contrast to the U-shaped truck 12, the U-shaped truck 112 can
include
additional openings 144 in generally a central portion of the U-shaped truck
112. The
additional openings 144 can be configured to receive the training wheel axle
148. With
reference to Figure 6, the training wheels 116 can be removably attached to
the U-shaped
truck 112, such that a rider can quickly and easily add or remove the wheels.
To add the
training wheels 146, the rider can place one of the training wheels 146 along
the outside of
the U-shaped undercarriage 112 and then insert the training wheel axle 148
first through the
training wheel 146 and then through the openings 144. Once the training wheel
axle 148 has
passed through the U-shaped truck 112, the second training wheel 146 can be
placed over the
end of the training wheel axle 148, and the locking member 150 can be used to
secure the
training wheel axle 148 in place within the U-shaped truck 112. In some
embodiments, the
locking member 150 can comprise a simple locking pin which can slide over an
indented
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groove on the end of the training wheel axle 148 and inhibit the training
wheel 146 from
sliding off the end of the training wheel axle 148.
100391 The training wheels 146 described above can be used with other types of
truck configurations and types of personal transportation devices, and are not
limited to the
U-shaped truck and/or personal transportation devices described herein.
Furthermore, while
two training wheels 146 and two wheels 16 or 116 are shown in the illustrated
embodiments,
other numbers and configurations of wheels are also possible. For example, in
some
embodiments, the personal transportation device 10 or l 10 can include three
wheels 16 or
116, and/or one training wheel 146.
100401 The size, shape, width, and/or material of the wheels can also vary.
For
example, in some embodiments the training wheels 146 can be comprised of a
different
material, and/or have a different size, than that of the wheels 16 or 116.
Additionally, the
wheels can be attached to the personal transportation devices 10, 110 in other
methods than
those described above.
100411 With continued reference to Figure 6, the personal transportation
device
1 10 can include a grip layer 136 similar to that of grip layer 36 shown in
Figure 2. In contrast
to the grip layer 36, however, the grip layer 136 can be a clear grip tape.
The clear grip tape
can be a thin, separate layer which can be adhered to the top of the platform
114, thus
covering the tops of the deck fasteners 138 and giving the personal
transportation device 110
a more aesthetically pleasing, and smoother appearance.
100421 Although these inventions have been disclosed in the context of certain
preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that the
present inventions extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to
other alternative
embodiments and/or uses of the inventions and obvious modifications and
equivalents
thereof. In addition, while several variations of the inventions have been
shown and
described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of these
inventions, will
be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure.
It is also
contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific
features and
aspects of the embodiments can be made and still fall within the scope of the
inventions. It
should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed
embodiments can be
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combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of
the disclosed
inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the
present inventions
herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments
described
above.
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