US3620547A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Scooter
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-08-25
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Granted: 1971-11-16
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Expires: 1989-08-25
Abstract
Abstract The scooter is designed basically to be operated downhill using gravity as the motive power. The front wheel is turned conventionally by means of a steering mechanism including handlebars. The rear wheel turns automatically upon tilting of the scooter frame. The pivotal axis of the rear wheel is inclined upwardly and forwardly and theoretically intersects the ground at a point forwardly of the point where the rear wheel touches the ground. This geometry results in the rear wheel turning in the same direction as the frame is tilted.
Inventors
- 👤 Milton J Vaverek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:25
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62K; B62K3/00; B62K3/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A scooter comprising a frame including structure to support an operator, said scooter including running gear consisting of front and rear wheel support structures, front ground-engaging wheel means rotatably mounted on the front wheel support structure, rear ground-engaging wheel means rotatably mounted on the rear wheel support structure, first means pivotally mounting said front wheel support structure on the frame, grippable means for manually turning the front wheel support structure, second means pivotally mounting said rear wheel support structure on the frame, the pivotal axis of said second means being angled upwardly and forwardly with respect to the scooter, the pivotal axis of said second means, when theoretically extended, intersecting the ground surface substantially at or in frOnt of the point of contact of the rear wheel means with the ground surface, whereby the rear wheel means will turn in response to sideward tilting of the pivotal axis of said second means and in the same direction as said axis if tilted.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A scooter comprising a frame including structure to support an operator, said scooter including running gear consisting of front and rear wheel support structures, front ground-engaging wheel means rotatably mounted on the front wheel support structure, rear ground-engaging wheel means rotatably mounted on the rear wheel support structure, first means pivotally mounting said front wheel support structure on the frame, grippable means for manually turning the front wheel support structure, second means pivotally mounting said rear wheel support structure on the frame, the pivotal axis of said second means being angled upwardly and forwardly with respect to the scooter, the pivotal axis of said second means, when theoretically extended, intersecting the ground surface substantially at or in frOnt of the point of contact of the rear wheel means with the ground surface, whereby the rear wheel means will turn in response to sideward tilting of the pivotal axis of said second means and in the same direction as said axis if tilted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A scooter as defined in claim 1, and further characterized in that said rear ground-engaging wheel means consists of a single ground-engaging wheel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A scooter as defined in claim 1, and further characterized in that said front ground-engaging wheel means consists of a single front ground-engaging wheel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A scooter as defined in claim 1, and further characterized in that the pivotal axis of said second means lies in a generally vertical plane with respect to the ground surface when the scooter is in upright position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A scooter as defined in claim 1, and further characterized in that the pivotal axis of said second means intersects the ground surface in front of the point of contact of the rear wheel means with the ground surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
A scooter as defined in claim 1, and further characterized in that the longitudinal axis of the rear wheel support structure is angled forwardly with respect to the scooter but at an angle, with respect to the horizontal plane, less than the angle of said pivotal axis of said second means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A scooter as defined in claim 1, and further characterized in that said structure to support an operator comprises a generally horizontally extending platform, portions of which extend on either side of the frame to permit the operator to stand thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
138 words
A scooter comprising a frame including structure to support an operator said scooter including running gear consisting of a front ground-engaging wheel means and a single rear ground-engaging wheel, first means mounting the front wheel on the frame for rotation about a generally transverse axis and for swinging movement about an upwardly directed axis, second means for mounting the rear wheel on the frame for rotation about a generally transverse axis and for swinging movement about an upwardly and forwardly directed pivotal axis, said last-mentioned pivotal axis, when theoretically extended, intersecting the ground surface substantially at or in front of the point of contact of the rear wheel with the ground surface whereby the rear wheel will turn in response to sideward tilting of said last-mentioned pivotal axis and in the same direction as the axis is tilted.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
138 words
A scooter comprising a frame including structure to support an operator said scooter including running gear consisting of a front ground-engaging wheel means and a single rear ground-engaging wheel, first means mounting the front wheel on the frame for rotation about a generally transverse axis and for swinging movement about an upwardly directed axis, second means for mounting the rear wheel on the frame for rotation about a generally transverse axis and for swinging movement about an upwardly and forwardly directed pivotal axis, said last-mentioned pivotal axis, when theoretically extended, intersecting the ground surface substantially at or in front of the point of contact of the rear wheel with the ground surface whereby the rear wheel will turn in response to sideward tilting of said last-mentioned pivotal axis and in the same direction as the axis is tilted.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-15 | 1975-05-17 | 1975-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-15 | 1979-05-17 | 1979-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-15 | 1983-05-17 | 1983-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |