Title of Invention

A MOUNT FRAME FOR AN ELECTRIC MOTOR-DRIVEN WHEELED VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a mount frame comprises first and second frame units (4, 5) which are rotatably coupled with each other by anchoring and anchored members (35, 36) disposed at a rotating axis such that the second frame unit (5) is rotatable relative to the first frame unit (4) about the rotating axis between a storage position and a position of use. A tightening member (3) comprises a gripped member (34) mounted on the first frame unit (4) and a lock lever (32) which is pivoted to a cantilever (312) disposed on the second frame unit (5) at a pivoted end (326) such that an opposite actuated end (329) is swingable relative to the cantilever (312) to a locking position, where a gripping wall (324) of the lock lever (32) is brought beneath a gripped wall (34l) of the gripped member (34) so as to permit the gripping wall (324) to be forced to abut against the gripped wall (341) when the second frame unit (5) is in the position of use.

Full Text

A MOUNT FRAME FOR AN ELECTRIC MOTOR-DRIVEN WHEELED VEHICLE This invention relates to a mount frame for an electric motor-driven wheeled vehicle, more particularly to a mount frame with two frame units which are capable of being journalled to each other and which are secured by a tightening unit when in a state of use. A conventional mount frame for an electric motor-driven wheeled vehicle generally includes front and rear frame units . A rear portion of the front frame unit has an upright post with an engaging block at a lower end thereof. The engaging block has an engaging hole and two engaging rods formed at two sides thereof. The front frame unit further has two side anchored shafts at two sides thereof. A front portion of the rear frame unit has two side anchoring members in the form of downwardly opened grooves for anchoring the side anchored shafts, respectively, so as to permit rotation of the rear frame unit relative to the front frame unit. The front portion of the rear frame unit further has two engaging plates confronting the engaging rods, a mount seat secured above the engaging-plates, and a pull rod disposed to extend upwardly from the mount seat. In assembly, after the front and rear frame units are brought to lie in the same plane, i.e. in a state of use, the pull rod can be pulled to permit insertion of the pull rod into the engaging hole, thereby coupling the rear frame unit to the front frame unit. However, since the user needs to hold the front frame unit with one hand during assembly, and the front frame unit may fall down or slant, disengagement of the side anchored shafts and the anchoring members may result. Therefore, assembly of the mount frame cannot be easily conducted by the user alone. The object of the present invention is to provide a mount frame with two frame units which can be assembled and disassembled conveniently by one user, and which can be assembled firmly. According to this invention, the mount frame includes first and second frame units and a tightening unit. The first frame unit includes first front and rear frame portions opposite to each other in a first longitudinal direction. The first rear frame portion has an anchoring member which has a bearing wall facing in a first upright direction transverse to the first longitudinal direction. The second frame unit includes second front and rear frame portions opposite to each other in a second longitudinal direction. The second front frame portion has a post member elongated in a second upright direction transverse to the second longitudinal direction, and an anchored member which extends in an axial direction transverse to the second longitudinal and upright directions and which is disposed to be journal led on the bearing wall of the anchoring member about a rotating axis in the axial direction. As such, the second rear frame portion is rotatable relative to the first frame unit about the rotating axis between a storage position, where the second upright direction is consistent with the first longitudinal direction, and a position of use, where the second longitudinal and upright directions are consistent with the first longitudinal and upright directions, respectively. The tightening unit includes a gripped member which is mounted on the first rear frame portion, and which has a gripped wall extending in the axial direction and facing downwardly, a cantilever which extends from the post member in the second longitudinal direction and which terminates at a pivot mount distal from the second rear frame portion, a lock lever, and a biasing member. The lock lever has a pivoted end pivotally mounted on the pivot mount at a pivot point which defines a pivot axis in the axial direction, an actuated end opposite to the pivoted end to be swingable about the pivot axis between a locking position that is close to the post member, and an unlocking position that is remote from the post member, and a middle segment interposed between the pivoted and actuated ends. The middle segment has a gripping wall configured to confront the pivot point, such that when the second rear frame portion is in the position of use, and when the actuated end is swung to the locking position, the gripping wall is brought to' be beneath the gripped wall so as to permit the gripping wall to be forced to a tightened position, where the gripping wall is urged upwardly to abut against the gripped wall. The biasing member is disposed to bias the actuated end towards the locking position, and to bias the gripping wall to the tightened position. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig .lisa fragmentary exploded perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a mount frame for an electric motor-driven wheeled vehicle according to this invention; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of a tightening unit of the first preferred embodiment; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary schematic side view illustrating first and second frame units of the first preferred embodiment in an assembled state; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary schematic side view illustrating the tightening unit of the first preferred embodiment in a tightening state; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of a tightening unit of a second preferred embodiment of a mount frame according to this invention; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary schematic side view illustrating first and second frame units of the second preferred embodiment in an assembled state; and Fig. 7 is a fragmentary Schematic sectional view illustrating the tightening unit of the second preferred embodiment in a tightening state. Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that same reference numerals have been used to denote like elements throughout the specification. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the first preferred embodiment of a mount frame for an electric motor-driven wheeled vehicle (not shown) according to the present invention is shown to comprise first and second frame units 4,5, and a tightening unit 3. The first frame unit 4 includes first front and rear frame portions 42,41 opposite to each other in a first longitudinal direction. The first rear frame portion 41 includes a central support shaft 411, and right and left support shafts 412 which extend in the first longitudinal direction and which are spaced apart from and which flank the central support shaft 411. An anchoring member includes right and left arms 35 which respectively extend from the right and left support shafts 412 rearwardly, and which have right and left lugs 350 at ends thereof. The right and left lugs 350 respectively have right and left bearing walls 352 that face downwardly and in a first upright direction transverse to the first longitudinal direction and that respectively define right and left downwardly opened grooves 351. The second frame unit 5 includes second front and rear frame portions 52, 51 opposite to each other in a second longitudinal direction. The second front frame portion 52 has right and left lateral shafts 54 opposite to each other in an axial direction transverse to the second longitudinal direction, and a seat post member 53 which is elongated in a second upright direction transverse to the second longitudinal direction and the axial direction. An anchored member includes right and left pins 3 6 which are respectively disposed on the right and left lateral shafts 54 and which are opposite to each other along a rotating axis in the axial direction. As such, referring to Fig. 3, when the right and left pins 36 are respectively received in the right and left downwardly opened grooves 351 and are respectively journalled on the right and left bearing walls 352 about the rotating axis, the second rear frame portion 51 is rotatable relative to the first frame unit 4 about the rotating axis between a storage position, where the second upright direction is consistent with the first longitudinal direction, i.e. the second frame unit 5 is perpendicular to the first frame unit 4, and a position of use, as shown in Fig. 3, where the second longitudinal and upright directions are consistent with the first longitudinal and upright directions, respectively, i.e. the second frame unit 5 is parallel to the first frame unit 4. Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, the tightening unit 3 includes a gripped member 34, a mounting seat 31, a lock lever 32, and a biasing member 33. The gripped member 34 is in the form of a U-shaped rod which is secured on the central support shaft 411, and which includes two upright segments 342 extending upwardly and in the first upright direction from the central support shaft 411, and an upper rod segment 343 interconnecting the upright segments 342 and extending in the axial direction. The upper rod segment 343 has a lower wall 341 confronting the central support shaft 411 to serve as a gripped wall. The mounting seat 31 is mounted on the seat post member 53 by soldering, and includes a connecting segment 311 and a cantilever 312 which is secured on the connecting segment 311, which extends in the second longitudinal direction away from the second rear frame portion 51, and which terminates at a pivot mount 313 in the form of two lugs. The lock lever 32 has a pivoted end 326 in the form of two lugs which are pivotally mounted on the pivot mount 313 by a pivot pin 37 at a pivot point which defines a pivot axis in the axial direction, an actuated end 329 which is opposite to the pivoted end 326, and which is swingable about the pivot axis between a locking position that is close to the seat post member 53 (as shown in Fig. 4) , and an unlocking position that is remote from the seat post member 53 (as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3) , and a middle segment 321 which is interposed between the pivoted and actuated ends 326,329. The biasing member 33, such as a coiled spring 33, is disposed to surround the pivot pin 37, and has two ends which abut against the cantilever 312 and the pivot end 326 of the lock lever 32, respectively, so as to bias the actuated end 32 9 towards the locking.position. The middle segment 321 has an intermediate portion 3211 interconnecting the pivot and actuated ends 326,329, and two hook portions 322 which are disposed on and which extend from the intermediate portion 3211 towards the seat post member 53 and which are disposed under the lugs of the pivot end 326, respectively. Each of the hook portions 322 has a cam surface 323 which extends from the actuated end 329 towards the pivot end 326 and away from the intermediate portion 3211 to terminate at an edge juncture 328, and which confronts the seat post member 53 when the actuated end 329 is in the locking position, and an engaging surface 324 which extends from the intermediate portion 3211 towards the seat post member 53 to join the edge juncture 328, and which confronts the pivoted end 326 to serve as a gripping wall. In assembly, referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the user holds the first and second frame units 4,5 with the left and right hands, respectively, such that the pins 3 6 are journalled on the right and left bearing walls 352. The user then turns the second rear frame portion 51 with the right hand in the direction (I) to the position of use so as to place the first and second frame units 4,5 in the same plane. When the lock lever 32 is brought to move near the gripped member 34 during the second rear frame portion 51 to the position of use, the user needs to move the actuated end 32 9 of the lock lever 32 to the unlocking position against the biasing action of the coiled spring 33 so as to place the engaging surfaces 324 in a released position away from the gripped member 34. When the second frame unit 5 reaches the position of use, the lock lever 32 is released such that the engaging surfaces 324 are brought to be beneath the lower wall 341 so as to permit the engaging surfaces 324 to be forced by the coiled spring 33 to a tightened position, where the engaging surfaces 324 are urged upwardly to abut against the lower wall 341. When it is desired to remove the second frame unit 5 from the first frame unit 4 for storage purpose, the user can turn the actuated end 32 9 of the lock lever 32 to the unlocked position so as to move the engaging surfaces 324 to the released position, where the engaging surfaces 324 disengage from the lower wall 341. Thus, the second rear frame portion 51 can be turned in the direction (II) to the storage position to permit separation of the second frame unit 5 from the first frame unit 4. As illustrated, during rotation of the second frame unit 5 to the position of use, by virtue of the coupling of the pins 36 with the bearing walls 352, even when the first frame unit 4 is not held parallel to the ground by the user and inclines undesirably, the first frame unit 4 is not likely to disengage from the second frame unit 5. Besides, after the first and second frame units 4,5 are placed in the same plane, they cannot be separated from each other by a horizontal force applied thereto in the first (or second) longitudinal direction. In addition, due to abutment of the engaging surfaces 324 against the lower wall 341, vertical displacement of the first and second frame units 4, 5 relative to each other can be prevented. Therefore, the structural strength of "the mount frame of this invention can be increased. Figs. 5 and 6 shows a second preferred embodiment of this invention, which includes a mount frame that differs from the first embodiment in that two blocking members 314 and two extensions 327 are formed integrally with and extend from the lugs of the pivot mount 313 and the pivoted end 32 6 towards the seat post member 53, respectively. The extensions 327 are urged by the biasing action of the coiled spring 33 to abut against the blocking members 314, respectively, such that the lock lever 32 is kept in an inclined position relative to the ground surface without any external force applied to the lock lever 32 . Thus, when the second rear frame portion 51 is turned about the rotating axis from the storage position to a midway position towards the position of use during assembly, as shown in Fig. 6, the cam surfaces 323 of the lock lever 32 are brought to be in frictional contact with the upper rod segment 343. Subsequently, when the second rear frame portion 51 is turned from the midway position to the position of use, an angular movement of the pivot mount 313 can force the pivoted end 326 against the biasing action of the coiled spring 33, thereby enabling the upper rod segment 343 to move along the cam surfaces 323 towards the edge juncture 328. Referring to Fig. 7, once the upper rod segment 343 slips over the edge juncture 328, the engaging surfaces 324 can be urged upwards by the coiled spring 33 to abut against the lower wall 341, thereby placing the lock lever 32 in the locking position. As such, the user does not need to operate the actuated end 329 of the lock lever 32 during turning of the second rear frame portion 51 relative to the first frame unit 4. WE CLAIM : 1. A mount frame for an electric motor-driven wheeled vehicle, comprising: a first frame unit (4) comprising first front and rear frame portions (42, 41) opposite to each other in a first longitudinal direction, said first rear frame portion (41) having an anchoring member (35) with a bearing wall (352) facing in a first upright direction transverse to the first longitudinal direction; a second frame unit (5) comprising second front and rear frame portions (52,51) opposite to each other in a second longitudinal direction, said second front frame portion (52)having a post member (53) elongated in a second upright direction transverse to the second longitudinal direction, and an anchored member (36) extending in an axial direction transverse to the second longitudinal and upright directions and joumalled on said bearing wall (352) about a rotating axis in the axial direction, wherein said second rear frame portion (51) is rotatable relative to said first frame unit (4) about the rotating axis between a storage portion, and a position of use wherein the second upright direction is consistent with the first longitudinal and wherein the second longitudinal and upright directions are consistent with the first longitudinal and upright directions, respectively; characterized by : a tightening unit (3) comprising : a gripped member (34) mounted on said first rear frame portion(41), and having a gripped wall (341) extending in the axial direction and facing downwardly, a cantilever (312) extending from said post member (53) in the second longitudinal direction and terminating at a pivot mount (313) spaced- apart from said second rear frame portion (51). a lock lever (32) having a pivoted end (326) pivotally mounted on said pivot mount (313) at a pivot point which defines a pivot axis, in the axial direction, an actuated end (329) disposed opposite to said pivoted end (326), and swingable about the pivot axis between a locking position that is close to said post member (53), and an unlocking position that is remote from said post member (53), and a middle segment (321) interposed between said pivoted and actuated ends (326, 329), and having a gripping wall (324) configured to confront said pivot point, wherein when said second rear frame portion (51) is in the position of use, and when said actuated end (329) is swung to the locking position, said gripping wall (324) is brought beneath said gripped wall (341) to permit said gripping wall (324) to be forced to a tightened position, and wherein said gripping wall (324) is urged upwardly to abut against said gripped wall (341), and a biasing member (33) disposed to bias said actuated end (329) towards the locking position, and to bias said gripping wall (324) to the tightened position. 2. The mount frame as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said bearing wall (352) of said anchoring member (35) is disposed to face downwardly, and wherein said gripping wall (324) is displaced to a released position to disengage from said gripped wall (341) when said actuated end (329) is biased to the unlocking position \o permit rotation of said second rear frame portion (51) toward the storage position. 3. The mount frame as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said tightening unit (3) comprises a pivot pin (37) that pivotally mounts said pivoted end (326) of said lock lever (32) to said pivot mount (313) at the pivot point, and wherein said biasing member (33) is a coiled spring (33) surrounding said pivot pin (37) and having two ends that abut against said cantilever (312) and said pivot end (326) of said lock lever (32), respectively. 4. The mount frame as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said first rear frame portion (41) comprises a central support shaft (411), and right and left support shafts (412) extending in the first longitudinal direction and are spaced apart to flank said central support shaft (411), said anchored member (36) having right and left pins (36) disposed opposite to each other along the rotating axis, said anchoring member (35) having right and left lugs (350) disposed respectively on said right and left support shafts (412) each having right and left bearing walls that serve as said bearing wall (352) and that respectively define right and left downwardly opened grooves (351) to respectively receive said right and left pins (36) to permit said right and left pins (36) to rotate therein. 5. The mount frame as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said gripped member (34) is in form of a U-shaped rod which comprises two upright segments (342) extending upwardly from said central support shaft (411), and an upper rod segment (343) that interconnects said upright segments (342) and that has a lower wall (341) confronting said central support shaft (411) to serve as said gripped wall (341). 6. The mount frame as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said middle segment (321) has an intermediate portion (3211) to interconnect said pivoted end (326) and said actuated end (329), and a hook portion (322) with a cam surface (323) that extends from said actuated end (329) towards said pivoted end (326) and away from said intermediate portion (3211) to terminate at an edge juncture (328), and wherein said middle segment (321) confronts said post member (53) when said actuated end (329) is in the locking position! wherein said hook portion (322) having an engaging surface (324) extending from said intermediate portion (3211) towards said post member (53) to join said edge juncture (328), and confronts said pivoted end (326) to serve as said gripping wall (324), said hook portion (322) disposed on said intermediate portion (3211) to bring said cam surface (323) in frictional contact with said upper rod segment (343) when said second rear frame portion (51) is turned about the rotating axis to a midway position, and to force said pivoted end (326) against the biasing action of said biasing member (33) by an angular movement of said pivot mount (313) resulting from subsequent turning of said second rear frame portion (51) from the midway position to the position of use, thereby enabling said upper rod segment (343) to move along said cam surface (323) towards said edge juncture (328), and urging said engaging surface (324) upwards by said biasing member (33) to abut against said lower wall (341) once said upper rod segment (343) slips over said edge juncture (328). The invention relates to a mount frame comprises first and second frame units (4, 5) which are rotatably coupled with each other by anchoring and anchored members (35, 36) disposed at a rotating axis such that the second frame unit (5) is rotatable relative to the first frame unit (4) about the rotating axis between a storage position and a position of use. A tightening member (3) comprises a gripped member (34) mounted on the first frame unit (4) and a lock lever (32) which is pivoted to a cantilever (312) disposed on the second frame unit (5) at a pivoted end (326) such that an opposite actuated end (329) is swingable relative to the cantilever (312) to a locking position, where a gripping wall (324) of the lock lever (32) is brought beneath a gripped wall (34l) of the gripped member (34) so as to permit the gripping wall (324) to be forced to abut against the gripped wall (341) when the second frame unit (5) is in the position of use.

Documents:

80-KOL-2004-(03-11-2011)-FORM 27.pdf

80-KOL-2004-(19-09-2012)-FORM-27.pdf

80-KOL-2004-ABSTRACT-1.1.pdf

80-kol-2004-abstract.pdf

80-KOL-2004-AMANDED CLAIMS.pdf

80-kol-2004-claims.pdf

80-KOL-2004-CORRESPONDENCE 1.1.pdf

80-KOL-2004-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

80-kol-2004-correspondence1.2.pdf

80-KOL-2004-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE)-1.1.pdf

80-kol-2004-description (complete).pdf

80-KOL-2004-DRAWINGS-1.1.pdf

80-kol-2004-drawings.pdf

80-KOL-2004-EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECIEVED.pdf

80-kol-2004-examination report.pdf

80-KOL-2004-FORM 1-1.1.pdf

80-kol-2004-form 1.pdf

80-kol-2004-form 18.1.pdf

80-kol-2004-form 18.pdf

80-KOL-2004-FORM 2-1.1.pdf

80-kol-2004-form 2.pdf

80-kol-2004-form 26.pdf

80-KOL-2004-FORM 3-1.1.pdf

80-kol-2004-form 3.2.pdf

80-kol-2004-form 3.pdf

80-kol-2004-granted-abstract.pdf

80-kol-2004-granted-claims.pdf

80-kol-2004-granted-description (complete).pdf

80-kol-2004-granted-drawings.pdf

80-kol-2004-granted-form 1.pdf

80-kol-2004-granted-form 2.pdf

80-kol-2004-granted-letter patent.pdf

80-kol-2004-granted-specification.pdf

80-KOL-2004-OTHERS-1.1.pdf

80-kol-2004-others.pdf

80-KOL-2004-PA.pdf

80-KOL-2004-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

80-kol-2004-reply to examination report.pdf

80-kol-2004-specification.pdf