초록

Devices and methods of transport are disclosed. Various embodiments include structural aspects related to steering and changing the direction of conveyances including features which utilize leaning or shifting of weight as part of turning.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A device for transportation comprising: a platform comprising a ride surface upon which a rider may place a foot to ride the device in a direction of travel on the ground, the ride surface is an upper surface in use, the platform having a length extending in the direction of travel and a forward

1. A device for transportation comprising: a platform comprising a ride surface upon which a rider may place a foot to ride the device in a direction of travel on the ground, the ride surface is an upper surface in use, the platform having a length extending in the direction of travel and a forward portion and a rearward portion;a pair of wheels adjacent either a forward portion or a rearward portion of the platform and at least one wheel adjacent the other portion;an axle extending between the pair of wheels and located in an axle mounting system attached to the platform, the axle having a longitudinal axis and an exterior surface extending along the longitudinal axis;the axle mounting system comprising an axle bearing surface and a pivot member having a pivot surface, the axle bearing surface and the pivot surface being inclined towards each other and each of the axle bearing surface and the pivot surface being inclined with respect to the ride surface,the pivot surface having a curved surface portion that a portion of the exterior surface of the axle rests against, creating a pivot about which the axle can pivot from a first position in which a first point on the axle contacts a first point on the pivot surface to a second position in which the first point on the axle moves away from and no longer contacts the pivot surface to provide, in use, a turning function for the device and the axle bearing surface extending transversely to said length and providing a surface that supports the axle during said pivoting of the axle and turning of the device. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the axle mounting system is attached to the underside of the platform. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the axle bearing surface supports the axle adjacent each of the pair of wheels. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the axle has a length and the axle bearing surface has a length substantially the same as that of the length of the portion of the axle between the wheels. 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the pivot member comprises a portion having a substantially triangular cross-section. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the axle bearing surface comprises a substantially planar portion. 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the axle bearing surface comprises a curved portion. 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the axle bearing surface comprises two or more substantially planar portions. 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the axle bearing surface is a discontinuous surface. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the pivot surface is a discontinuous surface. 11. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one spring member contacting the axle, to urge the axle onto the axle bearing surface. 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the curved surface portion of the pivot member comprises a portion having a radius of curvature of about 140 to about 170 mm. 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the curved surface portion of the pivot member comprises a central portion having a first radius of curvature, a first outboard portion having a second radius of curvature, and a second outboard portion having a third radius of curvature. 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the first radius of curvature is greater than the second or third radii of curvature. 15. The device of claim 13, wherein the first outboard portion and the second outboard portion are on opposite sides of the central portion. 16. The device of claim 1, wherein the angle between the axle bearing surface and the pivot surface is about 70 to about 110°. 17. The device of claim 16, wherein the angle measured at a central portion of the pivot member is different from the angle measured at an outboard portion of the pivot member. 18. The device of claim 1, wherein the pivot surface is formed on the axle. 19. The device of claim 1, wherein the pair of wheels is adjacent the forward portion. 20. The device of claim 1, wherein the pair of wheels is adjacent the rearward portion. 21. The device of claim 1, wherein the platform has a top surface defining a first plane, the axle bearing surface forming an angle with a second plane parallel to the first plane being about 26 to about 45 degrees. 22. The device of claim 21, wherein the angle between the axle bearing surface and the second plane is about 30 to about 40 degrees. 23. The device of claim 1, wherein the ride surface is sized to accommodate one foot of an intended user flat on the ride surface, but not the other foot flat on said surface. 24. The device of claim 1, wherein the platform has a perimeter and wherein the pair of wheels are the front wheels and those wheels are outside said perimeter. 25. The device of claim 1, having a handle member attached to the forward portion of the platform. 26. The device of claim 1, having a handle member attached to the rearward portion of the platform. 27. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a brake for a rear wheel, the brake comprising:a brake lever, the brake lever further comprising a wheel contacting portion and a foot contacting portion, wherein the brake lever has a first state in which the wheel contacting portion exerts a braking effect on the rear wheel and a second state, wherein the braking effect is removed with the wheel contacting portion no longer in contact with the rear wheel, and application of force to the foot contacting surfaces causes a transition from the first state to the second state, the brake further comprising a biasing element tending to put bias the lever toward the first state. 28. The device of claim 27, wherein the platform comprises a recess in the upper ride surface thereof adjacent the rearward portion and the brake lever comprises a first portion located in the recess and a second portion adjacent the rear wheel. 29. The device of claim 27, further comprising a pivot around which the brake lever pivots. 30. The device of claim 27, wherein a portion of the brake lever is integral to the platform. 31. The brake of claim 27, further comprising a spring, the spring exerting a force on the brake lever tending to transition the brake from the second state to the first state. 32. A device for transportation comprising: a platform having a top surface upon which a rider may place a foot to ride the device in a direction of travel on a riding surface, the platform having a length extending in the direction of travel, and a forward portion and a rearward portion;a pair of wheels adjacent either the forward portion or the rearward portion and at least one wheel adjacent the other portion;a V-shaped groove defined by a pivot surface and an axle bearing surface, the V-shaped groove having an unobstructed opening facing the riding surface;an axle extending between the pair of wheels and extending within the V-shaped groove, the axle being configured to contact the pivot surface at a contact portion and pivot about the pivot surface while contacting the axle bearing surface, so that when a user leans to turn the device the platform tilts into the turn direction and a center point of the top surface of the platform increases in altitude as the location of the contact portion of the axle changes the axle moves on the axle bearing surface to establish a new position thereon. 33. The device of claim 32, wherein the axle bearing surface supports the axle adjacent each of the pair of wheels. 34. The device of claim 33, wherein the axle has a length and the axle bearing surface has a length substantially the same as that of the length of the portion of the axle between the wheels. 35. The device of claim 32, wherein the pivot surface is curved. 36. The device of claim 35, wherein the curved pivot surface comprises a portion having a radius of curvature of about 140 to about 170 mm. 37. The device of claim 35, wherein the curved pivot surface comprises a central portion having a first radius of curvature, a first outboard portion having a second radius of curvature, and a second outboard portion having a third radius of curvature. 38. The device of claim 37, wherein the first radius of curvature is greater than the second or third radii of curvature. 39. The device of claim 37, wherein the first outboard portion and the second outboard portion are on opposite sides of the central portion. 40. The device of claim 32, wherein the axle bearing surface comprises a substantially planar portion. 41. The device of claim 32, wherein the axle bearing surface comprises a curved portion. 42. The device of claim 32, wherein the axle bearing surface comprises two or more substantially planar portions. 43. The device of claim 32, wherein the axle bearing surface is a discontinuous surface. 44. The device of claim 32, wherein the pivot surface comprises a discontinuous surface. 45. The device of claim 32, wherein the pivot surface is formed on the axle. 46. The device of claim 32, wherein the pair of wheels is adjacent the forward portion. 47. The device of claim 32, wherein the pair of wheels is adjacent the rearward portion. 48. The device of claim 32, wherein the platform has a top surface defining a first plane, the axle bearing surface forming an angle with a second plane parallel to the first plane being about 26 to about 45 degrees. 49. The device of claim 48, wherein the angle between the axle bearing surface and the second plane is about 30 to about 40 degrees. 50. The device of claim 32, wherein the top surface of the platform comprises a ride surface sized to accommodate one foot of an intended user flat on the ride surface, but not the other foot flat on said surface. 51. The device of claim 32, wherein the platform has a perimeter and wherein the pair of wheels are the front wheels and those wheels are outside said perimeter. 52. The device of claim 32, having a handle member attached to the forward portion of the platform. 53. The device of claim 32, having a handle member attached to the rearward portion of the platform. 54. A device for transportation comprising: a platform for a user to ride upon, the platform having a longitudinal axis extending in the direction of straight travel of the device and a forward portion and a rearward portion;a pair of wheels adjacent either the forward portion or the rearward portion and at least one wheel adjacent the other portion;an axle extending between the pair of wheels and located in an axle mounting system attached to the platform;the axle mounting system comprising an inclined axle bearing surface extending transversely to said axis and an extended pivot surface also extending transversely to said axis and in a direction substantially parallel to the axle, the pivot surface being inclined with respect to the ride surface such that a V-shaped groove is defined by the pivot surface and the axle bearing surface, the V-shaped groove having an unobstructed opening facing the riding surface;wherein the axle can pivot about the pivot surface to allow the axle to slide over the axle bearing surface such that, in use, as the device turns and a compressive force is applied between the axle bearing surface and the axle, a pivot point, where the axle contacts the pivot surface, shifts towards the wheel closest to the compressive force. 55. The device of claim 54, wherein a second axle bearing surface supports the axle adjacent each of the pair of wheels. 56. The device of claim 55, wherein the axle has a length and the second axle bearing surface has a length substantially that of the length of the axle. 57. The device of claim 54, wherein the pivot surface is curved. 58. The device of claim 54, wherein the axle bearing surface comprises a curved portion. 59. A method of turning a transportation device, the method comprising: providing a curved pivot surface and an axle, the axle being configured to pivot about the pivot surface, the axle having an axis and an exterior surface extending along the axis, wherein the curved pivot surface contacts the exterior surface of the axle and is disposed at an angle to, and inclined toward, an axle bearing surface; the axle extending between a pair of wheels positioned adjacent a forward portion or rearward portion of a ride surface of the device suitable for placement of a rider's foot thereupon, the device having at least one wheel adjacent the other portion of the ride surface, and the curved pivot surface being inclined towards the ride surface, the turning causing the axle to slide on the axle bearing surface, wherein the axle can pivot from a first position in which a first portion of the exterior surface contacts a first portion on the curved pivot surface to a second position in which the first portion of the exterior surface moves away from and no longer contacts the curved pivot surface.