TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to what may aptly be termed steerable motorised platforms and more particularly to such a vehicle which is light enough to be picked up and carried in one hand, yet sturdy enough to transport a person standing upon it.

BACKGROUND ART

Light motorised vehicles for the carrying of one or perhaps two persons, but not classifiable as motorcycles or motorscooters, are known. Notable among this kind of motorised vehicles are golf buggies, as disclosed for example in United States Patent No. 2,973,048, and industrial personnel-carrying vehicles such as those described and claimed in the speci ications relating to United States Patent No. 3,099,326 and Australian Patent Applications Nos. 7,365/66 and 49,997/69 (425,334).

However, none of the above-mentioned vehicles is light enough to be easily lifted by one person, let alone to be carried effortlessly in one hand, and it is thus an object of the present invention to overcome this and other disadvantages of the prior art by the provision of a very light yet sturdy steerable motorised platform upon which a user may stand.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, therefore, a portable

steerable motorised platform comprises a substantially flat platform portion; at least one dirigible wheel and a pair of driven wheels, said platform portion being adapted to stand upon said wheels; motor means to drive said driven wheels; rechargeable battery means to power the motor means; and means to steer said at least one dirigible wheel; the platform portion being provided with footplate means upon which a user is able to stand while operating the portable steerable motorised platform.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In order that the reader may gain a better understanding of the present invention, hereinafter will be described certain preferred embodiments thereof, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a side view of a steerable motorised platform according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front view thereof;

Figure 3 is a view of the underside _?

Figure 4 is a similar, but fragmentary, view of a variation;

Figure 5 is a view from above;

Figure 6 is a view of the underside of a second embodiment;

Figure 7 is a front view thereof; and

Figure 8 is a corresponding side elevation.

At this point it might be stated that the present

invention is quite a new departure in transportation and is intended to be an extension of pedestrian travel; it is thought that a most apposite name for a vehicle of this kind would be a "pedicle", from "pedestrian" and "cycle" - compare "moped" from "motor" and "pedestrian".

The inventive "pedicle" must be totally portable and thus must be of an extremely light yet very sturdy construction.

Such a steerable motorised platform as a "pedicle" would permit greater pedestrian movement in a city centre or central business district in addition to providing an effortless means of getting pedestrians to and from public transport facilities when on their way to or coming away from their places of employment.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings, a steerable and portable motorised platform, generally referenced 1, includes a hollow body or nacelle 2 made from such a material as resin-bonded fibreglass. Recessed into body or nacelle 2 is an integrally moulded carrying handle 3; preferably there may be such a. handle on each side of the body or nacelle 2, which may well measure, say, 800mm long, 500mm wide, and perhaps 200-250mm in depth. The body is thus dimensioned to be suitable for carrying like a port or a valice.

Within hollow body 2 is accommodated at least one, but preferably two dirigible ground-engaging wheels 4, a pair of driven ground-engaging wheels 5, and a motive

power compartment 6. Within this compartment 6 there is an electric motor, of power suitable to propel the "pedicle" at a top speed of about 5Km per hour, thus allowing the user to cover normal walking distances without physical effort; hence, the machine is highly suitable for use by persons having difficulty in walking but not otherwise incapacitated.

Also within compartment 6 is housed rechargeable battery means to drive the electric motor, this means being readily rechargeable, in known manner, from a mains power source via a standard power point 7 in a side of body 2. It is envisaged that the battery will have about one to three hours working time before it needs to be recharged.

A steering mechanism is associated with the dirigible wheel or wheels 4, which are preferably of solid rubber on a steel hub, as are the driven wheels 5. As shown in Figure 3, such a steering mechanism 8 may be of the Ackermann "tricycle" type, or the direct bicycle type as is to be seen in Figure 4. In either case, a steering column 9 extends upwardly from the steering mechanism. Steering column 9 is telescopically retractable, having an inner rod 10 slidable within it. To prevent rod 10 from rotating in column 9 it may be provided with a spline receivable in a co-acting keyway, and any suitable means may be adopted to lock rod 10 in selected positions in column 9 - one reason being to adjust the steering column to a height to suit the use .

The upper extremity of rod 10 carries a handlebar 11 equipped with a brake lever 13 and a throttle hand-grip 13. The brake is the usual Bowden cable-operated arrangement and may operate on either rear wheels or front wheels, since the "pedicle" is designed for "walking-pace" speeds only. The throttle grip 13 has the external appearance of a conventional motorcycle throttle but functions to control rotation of the shaft of the electric moto .

Steering column 9, in addition to rotating for the steering of the dirigible wheels 4, is able to be folded down, in a tabernacle 14, to facilitate the carrying and storage of the "pedicle". To this end, body or nacelle 2 has in it a T-shaped recess 15 which co-acts with the steering appliance, when it is telescoped to commensurate length, to lie at least flush with the upper surface of the body 2. Steering column 9 is able to be held down securely in recess 15 by means of clip or fastening means such as the spring "Terry" clip 16.

Body 2 may have a hatch or cover 17 in its lower surface and is perhaps fitted with a rubber or plastic fender strip 18.

A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 6 to 8 of the drawings. In these Figures, a portable steerable motorised platform, generally referenced 21, is comprised of a substantially rectangular platform portion 22, ideally constructed of lightweight

tubing such as aluminium, aluminium alloy, or steel stock. Platform portion 22 may well be, say, 800mm wide by perhaps 1000-1200mm long. Spanning the width of platform portion 22 is at least one panel 23 of expanded metal mesh which constitutes a footplate upon which a user is able to stand while operating the portable steerable motorised platform. This expanded metal mesh, 23, is preferably of the well-known kind widely used in the construction of so-called "catwalks".

Platform portion 22 stands upon, four wheels; two ground-engaging dirigible wheels 24 and two ground-engaging driven wheels 25. All the wheels are preferably of the kind used on go-karts and electric wheelchairs, about 220mm in diameter and pneumatic tyred.

Handholds 26 may be provided to enable the vehicle to be easily lifted, and cross-braces 27, 28 and 29 impart the necessary rigidity to platform portion 22.

The means to steer dirigible wheels 24 may well be of the direct bicycle type, wheels 24 pivoting about a bearing 30 on brace 27. A fold-down steering element 31 is provided with a handlebar 32 which carries control means, as will later be described. A clip may be provided to secure the steering means to the platform.

A rechargeable 24 volt battery for powering the motor is housed in a battery box 32, this battery being readily rechargeable, in known manner, from a mains power source via a standard power point 33. It is envisaged that

the battery will have about one to three hours working time before it needs to be recharged.

Each driven wheel 25 is provided with an electric motor 34 and integral reduction gearbox 35. These are essentially of the kind employed to drive golf buggies and when the inventive motorised platform is fitted with, say, 220mm diameter driven wheel, a rate of perhaps 5 k.p.h. is attainable. Each drive includes a dog clutch, the two such being coupled by a non-rotating steel tube of about 32mm diameter.

Handlebar 32 carries control means for the motors, these may include a conventional twist-grip throttle to control rotation of the shafts of the electric motors and perhaps a gear-change mechanism, although, in general, automatic gears are envisaged. It is contemplated that clutch-less operation, perhaps on the Kawasaki principle, will be incorporated.

The user stands on the upper surface of the footplate and grasps the handlebar, enabling him or her to steer the "pedicle", as required, by conventionally turning the handlebar to the left or to the right; the "pedicle" has a very small-radius turning circle, particularly that shown in Figure 4. In the first embodiment, that of Figures 1 to 5, footplates 19 are recessed in the upper surface of hollow nacelle 2 and are provided with non-slip treads 20.

From the abovegoing it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that numerous

variations and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as set out in the following Claims.