Improved skateboard-type vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a skateboard-type vehicle (1) comprising a platform (2) to which a front wheel (9) support assembly (8) is connected, the front wheel being mounted so as to pivot about a pivot axis (C-C′) which is inclined with respect to a mean plane (P2) of the ground (S), the projection of said pivot axis in a plane (P3) orthogonal to the mean plane of the ground forming, with the latter, a forwardly open angle (a) of between 65° and 85°, the front wheel being in contact with the mean plane of the ground at a contact point (17) offset towards the rear by a distance (d) of between 60 mm and 150 mm with respect to a point (18) of intersection of the pivot axis with the mean plane of the ground.

1 . A vehicle ( 1 ) of the skateboard type comprising a platform ( 2 ) intended to receive the feet of a user and extending longitudinally between a front end ( 6 ) to which is connected a support assembly ( 8 ) of at least one front wheel ( 9 ), and an opposite rear end ( 7 ) to which is connected a support assembly ( 10 ) of at least one rear wheel ( 11 ), characterized in that said support assembly ( 8 ) of the front wheel ( 9 ) comprises a front frame ( 12 ) and at least one front arm ( 13 ) for fixing at least said front wheel ( 9 ), said front arm ( 13 ) and said front frame ( 12 ) being connected by a front pivot ( 14 ) which allows a pivoting of the front wheel ( 9 ) relative to the front frame ( 12 ) along a pivot axis (C-C′) orthogonal to a rotation axis (D-D′) of the front wheel ( 9 ), said support assembly ( 8 ) of the front wheel ( 9 ) being designed and configured so that, when the front ( 9 ) and rear ( 11 ) wheels are in contact with the ground (S),
 the pivot axis (C-C′) of the front wheel ( 9 ) is inclined relative to a mean plane (P 2 ) of the ground (S), the orthogonal projection of said pivot axis (C-C′) in a plane (P 3 ) orthogonal to the mean plane (P 2 ) of the ground (S) forming with said mean plane (P 2 ) of the ground (S) an angle (α) open towards the front of the vehicle ( 1 ) of a value comprised between 650 and 85°, 
 the front wheel ( 9 ) being in contact with the mean plane (P 2 ) of the ground (S) at a contact point ( 17 ) which is offset towards the rear of the vehicle ( 1 ) by an offset distance (d) comprised between 60 mm and 150 mm relative to a point ( 18 ) of intersection of the pivot axis (C-C′) with the mean plane (P 2 ) of the ground (S). 
 
     
     
         2 . The vehicle ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the angle (α) of inclination of the pivot axis (C-C′) of the front wheel ( 9 ) relative to the mean plane (P 2 ) of the ground (S) is comprised between 700 and 85°, while the offset distance (d) is preferably comprised between 70 mm and 140 mm, more preferably comprised between 70 mm and 130 mm, even more preferably comprised between 70 mm and 120 mm. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the angle (α) of inclination of the pivot axis (C-C′) of the front wheel ( 9 ) relative to the mean plane (P 2 ) of the ground (S) is comprised between 70° and 75°, said offset distance (d) being comprised between 80 mm and 110 mm, preferably comprised between 90 mm and 110 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the angle (α) of inclination of the pivot axis (C-C′) of the front wheel ( 9 ) relative to the mean plane (P 2 ) of the ground (S) is comprised between 75° and 85°, said offset distance (d) being comprised between 80 mm and 110 mm, preferably comprised between 90 mm and 110 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the support assembly ( 8 ) of the front wheel ( 9 ) is removably connected to the platform ( 2 ). 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the front pivot ( 14 ) comprises a first front pivot element ( 14 A) movable relative to the front frame ( 12 ), said arm ( 13 ) fixing the front wheel ( 9 ) extending longitudinally, between a first end ( 13 A) at which the arm ( 13 ) is secured to said first front pivot element ( 14 A) and a second end ( 13 B) opposite the level at which the arm ( 13 ) is fixed to a hub ( 15 ) of the front wheel ( 9 ), along an extension axis (E-E′) which forms with the pivot axis (C-C′) of the front wheel an angle (β) comprised between 220 and 42°, and preferably comprised between 27° and 42°. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle ( 1 ) according to  claim 6 , characterized in that said first front pivot element ( 14 A) comprises an offset portion ( 19 ) via which said front arm ( 13 ) is secured to said first front pivot element ( 14 A) at a point of connection of the first end ( 13 A) of the front arm ( 13 ) to said offset portion ( 19 ) which is offset rearwardly relative to the pivot axis (C-C′) of the front wheel ( 9 ). 
     
     
         8 . The vehicle ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said front pivot ( 14 ) is arranged forward and above the rotation axis (D-D′) of the front wheel ( 9 ). 
     
     
         9 . The vehicle ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a single front wheel ( 9 ). 
     
     
         10 . The vehicle ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises one single rear wheel ( 11 ). 
     
     
         11 . The vehicle ( 1 ) according to  claim 9 , characterized in that said front ( 9 ) and rear ( 11 ) wheels are arranged in line along a longitudinal extension axis (A-A′) of the platform ( 2 ). 
     
     
         12 . The vehicle ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said at least one rear wheel ( 11 ) is non-steerable. 
     
     
         13 . The vehicle ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said at least one rear wheel ( 11 ) is steerable. 
     
     
         14 . The vehicle ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the front ( 9 ) and rear ( 11 ) wheels have a diameter at least equal to 150 mm, preferably comprised between 150 mm and 400 mm, and even preferably comprised between 250 mm and 350 mm. 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it is provided with a propulsion motor ( 35 ), preferably electric. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the support assembly ( 8 ) of the front wheel ( 9 ) is designed and configured to allow the pivoting of the front wheel ( 9 ) relative to the front frame ( 12 ), along said pivot axis (C-C′), in a limited predetermined angular range less than 360°, preferably comprised between 170° and 90°, and even more preferably comprised between 160° and 120°.