FIELD

[0001] Various exemplary embodiments of a personal transport apparatus are described in this specification >

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] According to various exemplary embodiments, there is provided a persona! transport apparatus, in the form of a foldable skateboard, that includes

a deck assembly for supporting a user, the deck assembly including a pair of deck members that are hinged together, each deck member including a deck, two opposed side walls and two opposed end walls depending from the deck, the deck members being configured so that they can be pivoted between an open condition in which the decks are generaliy aligned and a closed condition in which the deck members define an enclosed volume; and

a wheel assembly mounted on each deck member, each wheel assembly including at least one wheel and being configured so that when the deck members are in the open condition, the, or each, wheel can engage a substrate while a user is supported on the decks.

[0003] A drive assembly may be arranged on one of the deck members and is engaged with the wheel assembly of that deck member to drive the, or each, wheel of the wheel assembly.

[0004] The drive assembly may include a controller so that a user can control operation of the drive assembly to speed up or retard movement of the apparatus.

[0005] The wheel assemblies may be truck assemblies of the type used with conventional skateboards.

[0006] The deck, the side walls and end walls may be dimensioned so that said enclosed volume can be used for storage of items to be carried by the user.

[0007] According to various exemplary embodiments, there is provided foldable skateboard that includes a deck assembly for supporting a user, the deck assembly including a pair of deck members that are hinged together, each deck member including a deck, the deck members being configured so that they can be pivoted between an open condition in which the decks are generaliy aligned and a closed condition in which the decks are generaliy parallel to each other; a wheel assembly mounted on each deck member, each wheel assembly including at least one wheel and being configured so that when the deck members are in the open condition, the, or each, wheel protrudes below the deck member; wherein the deck members are configured to each have a depression, cavity or hollow which forms part of an enclosed volume i which the protruding part of the, or each, wheel of the other deck member is received in the closed condition of the deck members.

[0008] Each deck member may include a skirt that depends from the deck, the depression, cavity or hollow at least partially bound by the skirt.

[0009] The skirts may be dimensioned and configured to abut in the closed condition of the deck members to define the enclosed volume.

[0010] The apparatus preferably includes a locking arrangement for releasably locking the apparatus in the open condition with the decks generally aligned.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view, from the side, of an exemplary embodiment of a personal transport apparatus in an open condition.

[0012] Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional top view of the personal transport apparatus in the open condition of figure 1.

[0013] Figure 3 shows a three-dimensional isometric view of the personal transport apparatus in the open condition of f igure 1 .

[0014] Figure 4 shows a three dimensional isometric view, of the underside, of the personal transport apparatus in the open condition of figure 1.

[0015] Figure 5 shows a three dimensional bottom view, of the personal transport apparatus in the open condition of figure 1.

[0018] Figure 6 shows a three dimensional exploded view, of the personal transport apparatus in the open condition of figure 1.

[0017] Figure 7 shows a three-dimensional view of the personal transport apparatus of figure 1 in a closed condition.

[0018] Figure 8 shows another three-dimensional view of the personal transport apparatus in the closed condition of figure 7.

[0019] Figure 9 shows a three-dimensional top view of the personal transport apparatus in the closed condition of figure 7. [0020] Figure 10 shows a side view, sectioned along section line X-X of figure 9, of the personal transport apparatus in the closed condition of figure 7.

[0021 ] Figure 1 1 shows a three-dimensional exploded view of a magnetic locking

arrangement of the personal transport apparatus of figure 1.

[0022] Figure 12 shows a three-dimensional view of the personal transport apparatus of figure 1 in a hinged condition between the open condition of figure 1 and the closed condition of figure 7,

[0023] Figure 13 shows a partial side view, sectioned along section line XIII - XIII of figure 5, of the personal transport apparatus in the open condition of figure 1.

[0024] Figure 14 shows the sectional side view of figure 13. with the personal transport apparatus in a hinged condition between the open condition of figure 1 and the closed condition of f igure 7.

[0025] Figure 15 shows the sectional side view of figure 13, with the personal transport apparatus in the closed condition of figure 7.

[0028] Figure 18 shows a three-dimensional view, of the underside, of anothe exemplary embodiment of a personal transport apparatus in an open condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0027] In figure 1 , reference numeral 10 generally indicates an exemplary embodiment of a personal transport apparatus. In figure 16, reference numeral 1 1 generally indicates another exemplary embodiment of a personal transport apparatus. Like reference numerals refer to like parts in the drawings.

[0028] The apparatus 10 includes a deck assembly 12. The deck assembly 12 includes two deck members 14.1 , 14.2 that are hinged together. For convenience, components associated with the deck member 14.1 are labelled with a numeral including the suffix ".1". Components associated with the deck member 14.2 are labelled with a numeral including the suffix ^" . .

[0029] Each deck member 14 includes a deck 16. The deck 16 is generally rectangular with opposed minor edges and opposed major edges. Opposed sidewails 18 depend from respective major edges while opposed end walls 20 depend from respective minor edges. The sidewails 18 and end walls 20 together define a skirt 24 depending from the deck 16. A hinge mechanism 22 interconnects adjacent end walls 20.1 , 20.2 so that the deck members 14 can pivot with respect to each other from the transport or open condition shown figure 1 to the closed condition shown in figure 7. The decks 16 are generally parallel to each other in the closed condition. [0030] The hinge mechanism 22 is configured so that when the deck members 14 pivot away from each other, the adjacent end walls 20 can bear against each other, via ribs, in the open condition with upper surfaces of the decks 18 in alignment with each other to define a generally flat support surface. The deck 16, the walls 18, 20 and the hinge mechanism 22 have sufficient structural integrity to support a person.

[0031 ] The hinge mechanism 22 includes a number of knuckles 21 of the deck members 14.1 and 14.2. The knuckles 21 together form a barrel 23 when mated. A hinge pin 19 is received in the barrel 23 to allow hinging of the deck members 14 relative to each other. Each knuckle 21 has a rib 76 which bears against a rib 78 of an end wall 20.2 in the open condition of the apparatus 10. The rib 76 of the knuckle 21 extends orthogonally from the end wall 20.1. The ribs 76, 78 are aligned in the same rotational plane when the knuckles 21 are mated.

[0032] A locking arrangement 25 is operatively arranged on adjacent end wail 20.1 to lock the deck members 14 in the open or transport condition, in a releasable manner. The locking arrangement 25 can take a number of different forms. In one exemplary embodiment, the locking arrangement can include one or two or more fastening arrangements that are used to fasten or lock the adjacent end walls 20 relative to each other in a releasable manner. Each fastening arrangement includes a bolt 28, a bolt carrier 28 in which the bolt 28 is slidingiy received, and a bolt biasing member in the form of compression spring 27. The locking arrangement 25 includes an interconnecting web 29 rigidly connecting adjacent bolts 28 to each other. The bolt carriers 26 form part of a frame 81 fixed to the bottom surface 32.1 of the deck member 14.1. Each bolt carrier 26 defines a barrel 80 in which the end of a bolt 28 is slidingiy received. The barrels 80 are aligned with openings 17 in the end wall 20.1. The bolts 28 received in the bolt carriers 26 are thus also aligned with the openings 17 in the end wall 20.1. The bolts 28 each have a cylindrical end region 82 which is received in a respective barrel 80 of the frame 81. The bolts 28 each have a square end region 84 which is received in a respective opening 17 in the end wall 20.1 , A shank 86 of the bolt 28 extends between its cylindrical end region 82 and its square end region 84. The bolts 28 are f ixed to each other by the web 29 which extends between the shanks 86 of adjacent bolts 28. The cylindrical end region 82 has a collar 88 against which the spring 27 seats. The spring 27 extends between the collar 88 and a closed end 90 of the barrel 80.

[0033] The web 29 has curved and rounded edges for gripping the web 29 to displace the bolts 28 from a locked condition to an unlocked condition by urging the bolts against the springs 27.

[0034] The square end region 84 of the bolt 28 can extend through the end walls 20.1 to engage the hinge mechanism 22 as described herein below. [0035] The knuckles 21 of the hinge mechanism 22 have a groove 70 in which the square end region 84 of the boit 28 is received. The bolt 28 is biased into the groove 70 by the compression spring 27. The bolt 28 is withdrawn from the groove 70 by the user pulling back on the flange 29 to compress the compression spring 27. A stop or lock formation 72 is fixed in the groove 70.

[0038] Figure 13 shows the lock formation 72 captured below the bolt 28 in a locked condition of the locking arrangement 25 in the open condition of the apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 is locked in the open condition by the lock formation 72 butting against the bolt 28.

[0037] Figure 14 shows the deck members 14 free to pivot into or out of the closed condition when the bolt 28 is withdrawn from the groove 70 in an unlocked condition of the locking arrangement 25. In the unlocked condition of the locking arrangement 25, the lock formation 72 is able to travel past the bolt 28 from the condition shown in figure 13 due to the bolt 28 being withdrawn from the groove 70.

[0038] Figure 15 shows the apparatus 10 in the closed condition. The bolt 28 projects into the groove 70, but the lock formation 72 is not captured below the bolt 28. Pivoting the deck members 14 from the closed condition to the open condition shown in figure 13, the lock formation 72 will engage and ride against the end of the bolt 28 as shown in figure 13 to compress the spring 27, allowing the lock formation 72 to travel past the bolt 28 and the bolt 28 to snap into the groove 70 when the lock formation 72 is below the bolt 28.

[0039] The walls 18, 20 are dimensioned so that when the deck members 14 are pivoted into the closed condition, the walls 18, 20 and the decks 16 close off and define a volume 8 within the apparatus 10. The volume 8 includes a cavity or hollow 6 of each deck member 14 in which the wheels 38 of the other deck member are received in the closed condition of the deck members 1 . The cavity or hollow 6 is at least partially bound by the skirt 24, The volume 8 includes a storage space 9 in which the controller 50 or other accessories such as a wallet, keys o mobile phone can be stored.

[0040] A truck assembly 30.1 is fastened to a bottom surface 32.1 of the deck 16.1 . A truck assembly 30.2 is fastened to a bottom surface 32.2 of the deck 16.2. Each of the truck assemblies 30 can be conventional skateboard truck assemblies. Thus, they can have sufficient structural integrity to support a person.

[0041] Each truck assembly 30 includes a base or base plate 34 that is fastened to the bottom surface 32. A shaft assembl 36 is pivotall mounted to the base plate 34 with a hanger 37. A pair of wheels 38 is mounted on the shaft assembly 36. The wheels 38 protrude from below the skirt 24. Each deck member 14 has a depression, cavity or hollow 6 to receive the protruding parts of the wheels 38 of the other deck member. The wheels 38 of one deck member 14 being received in the depression, cavity or hollow 6 of another deck member 14, allows for the skirts 24 of the respective deck members 14 to abut in the closed condition of the apparatus 10, providing the volume 8.

[0042] The walls 18. 20 are dimensioned so that the wheels 38 can engage a substrate when the deck members 14 are folded out into the open configuration. Thus, when the deck members 14 are opened and secured in the open condition, the apparatus 10 can be used as a skateboard, with the decks 16 defining a deck area to support a person. In the open condition the decks 16 are generally aligned to provide a continuous, generally flat, deck area.

[0043] The truck assemblies 30 are positioned so that they do not interfere or obstruct each other when the deck members 14 are folded together into the closed condition. For example, the truck assemblies 30 are positioned to overlap within the volume 8 defined and enclosed by the deck assembly 12 when closed.

[0044] A handle 92 is arranged on the side walls 18 in a closed condition of the apparatus 10, so that the apparatus 10 can be carried when not in use. Thus, the apparatus 10 can visually appear as and/or function as a portable storage device, such as a briefcase, when in the closed condition.

[0045] The handle 92 includes a handle member 40 arranged onside walls 18 that are adjacent each other when the apparatus 10 is closed. For example, a handle member 40 can be arranged on each of the side walls 18 so that they can together define the handle 92 when the deck members 14 are in the closed condition.

[0046] In the embodiment shown in figure 1 , a drive assembly 42 is mounted on the bottom surface 32.2, The drive assembly 42 can be a conventional drive assembly of the type that is currently used for battery powered skateboards.

[0047] The drive assembly 42 includes a battery 44. The battery 44 is rechargeable.

[0048] The drive assembly 42 includes an electric motor 46 that is powered by the battery 44. The battery 44 is protected by a battery cover 45.

[0049] A transmission assembly 54 is interposed between the motor 46 and the shaft assembly 36.2 or one of the wheels 38.2. Operation of the motor 46 drives one of the wheels 38.2 through the assembly 54.

[0050] A control unit 48 is interposed between the battery 44 and the motor 46 to control power supplied to the motor 46 and thus a speed of the motor 46. A controller 50 is connected to the unit 48 so that a user can control the speed of the motor 46 and thus the apparatus 10. The controller 50 is a wireless remote controller 50 that is configured so that the user can control the speed of the apparatus while standing on the decks 16 without the need for wires. The control unit 48 includes a wireless receiver for receiving the control signals from the controller 50. The control unit includes an antenna 49 connected to the wireless receiver. The antenna 49 is a flat plate connected fixed to the truck assembly 30.2. The controller 50 can include a trigger mechanism 52 operable by a user to control speed of the apparatus 10.

[0051 ] The controller 50 and unit 48 are configured so that operation of the controller 50 can also serve to brake or retard motion of the apparatus 10.

[0052] The apparatus 10 can include a retainer or holder 58 that can be used to retain the remote controller 50 securely within the volume 8 between the deck members 14 when closed. The holder 58 can be in the form of a loop or the like. The controller 50 is retained in the loop when the deck assembly 12 is in the folded configuration.

[0053] A suitable securing mechanism can be positioned on each of a pair of distal end walls 20 so that the deck members 1 can be secured together when closed. The securing mechanism can be in the form of two magnetic securing or locking arrangements 56 that are releasable from one another to open the deck members 14. Each locking arrangement 56 includes a body 60, a plug 62, a magnet 64 and a screw 67. The body 60 abuts the inside of the end wall 20. The plug 62 seats in a hole in the end wall 20. Part of the plug 62 is nesting!y received in a recess 61 of the body 60, The plug includes a finger grip hole 65. A flange 66 of the plug 62 surrounds the finger grip hole 65 and buts against the outside of the end wall 20. The screw 67 fixes the plug 62 to the body 60 in the configuration wherein the locking arrangement 56 clamps to the end wall 20. The magnet 64 is received in a cavity 68 in the body 60. A side of the cavity 68 is defined be a flat wall 69 of the body 60. The magnet 64 presses against the wall 69. The wall 69 is relatively thinner than the wall of the rest of the body 60.

[0054] The two locking arrangements 56 are fixed to the distal end walls 20.1 and 20.2, respectively, with the wall 69 of the body 60 flush with the rim of the end walls 20. The magnets 64 are located alongside each other (wit the walls 69 between the magnets 64) when the apparatus 10 is in the closed condition. A magnetic force between the magnets 64 holds the apparatus 10 in the closed condition. The magnetic force is broken by pulling the magnets 64 apart when opening the apparatus 10.

[0055] The deck members 14 are dimensioned so that, when closed, a resulting internal volume 8 is large enough for housing the drive assembly 42, the truck assemblies 30 and the controller 50. The embodiment of the apparatus 1 1 has an internal volume 8 for storage of items that might usually be carried in a briefcase or day bag.

[0056] The deck members 14 are shaped in an aesthetically pleasing manner. For example, corners of the deck members 14 are curved.

[0057] The deck members 14 can be of a number of suitable materials. For example, the deck members 14 can be of a moulded plastics material such as Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), a fibre-glass type material, a carbon-fibre type material or similar. The deck members 14 can also be of metal.

[0058] Throughout the specification, including the claims, where the context permits, the term "comprising" and variants thereof such as "comprise" or "comprises" are to be interpreted as including the stated integer or integers without necessarily excluding any other integers.

[0059] Use of words that indicate orientation or direction of travel is not to be considered limiting. Thus, words such as 'front", "back", "rear", "side", "up", down", "upper", lower", "top", "bottom", "forwards", "backwards", "towards" and synonyms, antonyms and derivatives thereof have been selected for convenience only and refer only to an "in use" orientation or direction.

[0060] It is to be understood that the terminology employed above is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The described embodiments are intended to be illustrative of the invention, without limiting the scope thereof. The invention is capable of being practised with various modifications and additions as will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

[0061] Various substantially and specifically practical and useful exemplary embodiments of the claimed subject matter, are described herein, textually and/or graphically, including the best mode, if any, known to the inventor for carrying out the claimed subject matter.

Variations (e.g., modifications and/or enhancements) of one or more embodiments described herein might become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor intends for the claimed subject matter to be practiced other than as specifically desc ibed herein. Accordingly, as permitted by law, the claimed subject matter includes and covers all equivalents of the claimed subject matter and all improvements to the claimed subject matter. Moreover, every combination of the above described elements, activities, and all possible variations thereof are encompassed by the claimed subject matter unless otherwise clearly indicated herein, clearly and specifically disclaimed, or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. [0082] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate one or more embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of any claimed subject matter unless otherwise stated. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed subject matter as essential to the practice of the claimed subject matter.

[0063] Thus, regardless of the content of any portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, unless clearly specified to the contrary, such as via explicit definition, assertion, or argument, or clearly contradicted by context, with respect to any claim, whether of this application and/or any claim of any application claiming priority hereto, and whether originally presented or otherwise: a. there is no requirement for the inclusion of any particular described or illustrated characteristic, function, activity, or element, any particular sequence of activities, or any particular interrelationship of elements; b. no characteristic, function, activity, or element is "essential"; c. any elements can be integrated, segregated, and/or duplicated; d. any activity can be repeated, any activity can be performed by multiple entities, and/or any activity can be performed in multiple jurisdictions; and e. any activity or element can be specifically excluded, the sequence of activities can vary, and/or the interrelationship of elements can vary.

[0064] The use of the terms "a", "an", "said", "the", and/or similar referents in the context of describing various embodiments (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and

"containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted.

[0065] Moreover, when any number or range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that number or range is approximate. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value and each separate subrange defined by such separate values is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. For example, if a range of 1 to 10 is described, that range includes all values therebetween, such as for example,, 1.1 , 2.5, 3.335, 5, 6.179, 8.9999, etc., and includes all subranges therebetween, such as for example, 1 to 3.65, 2.8 to 8.14, 1 .93 to 9, etc. [0066] Accordingly, every portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, other than the claims themselves, is to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive, and the scope of subject matter protected by any patent that issues based on this application is defined only by the claims of that patent.