초록 ▼

An improved scooter incorporates a novel or novelty illumination or lighting effect. Scooters have undergone an upsurge in popularity in recent years, e.g. because of innovation such as folding scooters and micro-scooters. There is provided a scooter or other self or foot propelled vehicle or the li

An improved scooter incorporates a novel or novelty illumination or lighting effect. Scooters have undergone an upsurge in popularity in recent years, e.g. because of innovation such as folding scooters and micro-scooters. There is provided a scooter or other self or foot propelled vehicle or the like having a platform for supporting a user, the platform having an upper surface having illumination. The platform comprises a foot-plate, and is at least part transparent or translucent. The platform comprises a first portion extruded from metal and a second portion, which is at least part transparent or translucent, and preferably made from a plastics material.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A foot-propelled vehicle comprising a scooter comprising front and rear wheels and a steering column and a platform for supporting a user, the platform having an upper surface and at least one illumination element disposed to provide light through the upper surface, wherein the platform comprises

1. A foot-propelled vehicle comprising a scooter comprising front and rear wheels and a steering column and a platform for supporting a user, the platform having an upper surface and at least one illumination element disposed to provide light through the upper surface, wherein the platform comprises a lower platform portion formed of a first material and a substantially continuous planar upper platform portion formed of a second material, the upper platform portion providing said upper surface of the platform, said upper surface of the platform comprising a footplate, the first material comprising a metallic material, the second material comprising a rigid moulded polymeric material being at least part transparent or translucent, and wherein the at least one illumination element has a planar configuration and extends parallel to and between an upper planar surface of the lower platform portion and the upper platform portion. 2. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the foot-propelled vehicle is a micro-scooter. 3. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the foot-propelled vehicle is collapsible. 4. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a handle. 5. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 4, wherein the handle is collapsible. 6. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 1, wherein at the lower platform portion is formed from an extruded metal. 7. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 6, wherein the extruded metal is substantially aluminum or an alloy thereof. 8. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the lower platform portion is coupled to the upper platform portion. 9. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the metallic material is an extruded metallic material. 10. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 8, wherein the platform further includes end caps that secure the lower platform portion and the upper platform portion together. 11. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 8, wherein the upper platform portion wraps around one or more edges of the lower platform portion. 12. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 8, wherein the lower platform portion and the upper platform portion are at least partially spaced from one another. 13. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 8, wherein the lower platform portion and the upper platform portion are at least partially spaced from one another by a plurality of pillars extending from the upper platform portion. 14. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the at least one illumination element is provided within the platform. 15. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the at least one illumination element comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes. 16. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 15, wherein the at least one illumination element provides light in at least one color selected from the group consisting of red, blue, green, yellow, white, purple, pink, gold, turquoise, and orange. 17. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 15, wherein the light emitting diodes are surface mounted display light emitting diodes mounted on a printed circuit board. 18. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 17, wherein the printed circuit board is located between the lower platform portion and the upper platform portion. 19. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 17, wherein the printed circuit board is secured to the platform. 20. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 17, wherein the printed circuit board is covered in a coating of epoxy resin. 21. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 17, wherein the light emitting diodes are located between a cover and the printed circuit board, and wherein the cover is formed of a cover material selected from the group consisting of an at least partially transparent material and an at least partially translucent material. 22. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 21, wherein the cover material comprises paper or card. 23. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 21, wherein the light emitting diodes are disposed proximate apertures in the cover. 24. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 17, wherein the upper platform portion covers light emitting diodes. 25. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 17, wherein circuitry of the printed circuit board is located at an end of the printed circuit board adjacent at least one side of a hinge of the foot-propelled vehicle. 26. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the at least one illumination element is further provided along at least first and second regions of the platform, the first and second regions of the platform being adjacent first and second sides of the platform. 27. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the at least one illumination element defines a closed shape on the platform. 28. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the at least one illumination element defines a closed shape upon a portion of the platform portion where the user places a foot in use. 29. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a control for selecting a desired operation mode of the at least one illumination element. 30. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 29, wherein the control comprises a switch for switching to an operation mode selected from the group consisting of off, on, continuous, flashing, strobing, and chaser. 31. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 29, wherein the at least one illumination element is powered by at least one battery. 32. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 29, wherein the control comprises a vibration operated switch. 33. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 29, wherein the control comprises a weight sensor. 34. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 29, wherein the control activates the at least one illumination element to provide light for a fixed period of time in at least one operation mode. 35. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the foot-propelled vehicle is a three-wheeled scooter having a single front wheel and two rear wheels, the rear wheels being co-axial with one another. 36. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the at least one illumination element is operable in response to a vibration applied to the foot-propelled vehicle. 37. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the at least one illumination element is operable in response to an impact applied to the foot-propelled vehicle. 38. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 1, further comprising first and second rear wheels and a rear brake. 39. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 38, wherein the rear brake comprises a brake member resiliently biased into a first position away from the rear wheels, and wherein application of a force from a foot of a user causes a first portion of the brake member to frictionally engage the second rear wheel. 40. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 1, further comprising handlebars incorporating at least one lighting element. 41. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 40, wherein the at least one lighting element is provided proximate at least one end of the handlebars. 42. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 40, further comprises a self-contained battery operated unit. 43. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 40, wherein the at least one lighting element comprises at least one light emitting diode. 44. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the self propelled vehicle comprises handlebars. 45. A foot-propelled vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper platform portion extends across a width of the platform. 46. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 1, wherein each of the upper platform portion, lower platform portion, and illumination element are releasably connected to one another. 47. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the lower platform portion includes the upper planar surface facing a lower surface of the upper platform portion, wherein the upper planar surface of the lower platform portion is free of recesses, the at least one illumination element overlying the upper surface of the lower platform portion. 48. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the at least one illumination element is provided on a printed circuit board having substantially the same size and shape as the upper platform portion. 49. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the at least one illumination element is provided on a printed circuit board that, along with the upper platform portion and lower platform portion, form discrete layers of the foot-propelled vehicle. 50. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the lower platform portion includes a planar upper surface. 51. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 1, wherein both the upper platform portion and lower platform portion are exposed when the upper platform portion is connected to the lower platform portion. 52. A foot-propelled vehicle comprising a scooter comprising front and rear wheels and a steering column and a platform for supporting a user, the platform having an upper surface and at least one illumination element disposed to provide light through the upper surface, wherein the platform comprises a lower platform portion and a substantially continuous planar upper platform portion at least partially spaced from the lower platform portion to define empty space between the upper platform portion and lower platform portion when the foot-propelled vehicle is assembled, the upper platform portion providing said upper surface of the platform, said upper surface of the platform comprising a footplate, the upper platform portion comprising a rigid moulded polymeric material being at least part transparent or translucent, and wherein the at least one illumination element has a planar configuration and extends parallel to and between an upper planar surface of the lower platform portion and the upper platform portion. 53. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 52, wherein the lower platform portion includes the upper planar surface facing a lower surface of the upper platform portion, wherein the upper planar surface of the lower platform portion is free of recesses, the at least one illumination element overlying the upper surface of the lower platform portion. 54. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 52, wherein the at least one illumination element is provided on a printed circuit board having substantially the same size and shape as the upper platform portion. 55. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 52, wherein the at least one illumination element is provided on a printed circuit board that, along with the upper platform portion and lower platform portion, form discrete layers of the foot-propelled vehicle. 56. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 52, wherein the lower platform portion includes a planar upper surface, the at least one illumination element having a planar configuration and extending parallel to the upper surface of the lower platform portion and the upper surface of the platform. 57. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 52, wherein both the upper platform portion and lower platform portion are exposed when the upper platform portion is connected to the lower platform portion. 58. A foot-propelled vehicle comprising a scooter comprising front and rear wheels and a steering column and a platform for supporting a user, the platform having an upper surface and at least one illumination element disposed to provide light through the upper surface, wherein the platform comprises a lower platform portion formed of a first material and an upper platform portion formed of a second material different from the first material, the upper platform portion providing said upper surface, the upper platform portion comprising a moulded polymeric material being at least part transparent or translucent, the upper surface of the platform comprising a footplate, wherein the illumination element is located between the upper and lower platform portions, and wherein the lower platform portion and upper platform portion are at least partially spaced from one another by a plurality of spacers extending from the upper platform portion. 59. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 58, wherein the spacers extend through at least one or a plurality of apertures of the illumination element and engage the lower platform portion. 60. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 58, wherein the lower platform portion is coupled to the upper platform portion, with the lower platform being formed of a metallic material and the upper platform being formed of the at least partially transparent or translucent material. 61. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 58, wherein the spacers comprise a plurality of pillars extending from the upper platform portion. 62. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 58, wherein the at least one illumination element is provided within the platform. 63. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 58, wherein the at least one illumination element comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes. 64. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 63, wherein the light emitting diodes are surface mounted display light emitting diodes mounted on a printed circuit board. 65. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 64, wherein the printed circuit board is located between the lower platform portion and the upper platform portion. 66. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 65, wherein the printed circuit board is secured to the platform. 67. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 65, wherein the upper platform portion covers light emitting diodes. 68. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 65, wherein circuitry of the printed circuit board is located at an end of the printed circuit board adjacent at least one side of a hinge of the foot-propelled vehicle. 69. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 58, wherein the at least one illumination element is further provided along at least first and second regions of the platform, the first and second regions of the platform being adjacent first and second sides of the platform. 70. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 58, wherein each of the upper platform portion, lower platform portion, and illumination element are releasably connected to one another. 71. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 58, wherein the lower platform portion includes an upper surface facing a lower surface of the upper platform portion, wherein the upper surface of the lower platform portion is free of recesses, the at least one illumination element overlying the upper surface of the lower platform portion. 72. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 58, wherein the at least one illumination element is provided on a printed circuit board that, along with the upper platform portion and lower platform portion, form discrete layers of the foot-propelled vehicle. 73. The foot-propelled vehicle of claim 58, wherein the lower platform portion includes a planar upper surface, the at least one illumination element having a planar configuration and extending parallel to the upper surface of the lower platform portion and the upper surface of the platform.