GB2435871A

GB2435871A - Vehicle with an audio device

Info

Publication number: GB2435871A
Application number: GB0701067A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Allan Grossman
Original assignee: H Grossman Ltd
Current assignee: H Grossman Ltd
Priority date: 2007-01-19
Filing date: 2007-01-19
Publication date: 2007-09-12
Anticipated expiration: 2027-01-19
Also published as: GB2435871B; GB0701067D0; HK1109700A2; WO2008087430A1

Abstract

A self propelled vehicle 5 comprises a scooter such as a collapsible micro scooter. The vehicle 5 comprises at least one audio device 50 particularly an MP3 player 55.

Description

IMPROVED VEHICLES

FIELD OF INVEN'rION

This invention relates to improvements in and relating to vehicles, for example, self-propelled vehicles and/or pedal vehicles such as scooters, micro scooters, and collapsible scooters, tricycles and bicycles. The invention particularly, though not exclusively, relates to such vehicles adapted for use by children or infants.

BACKGROUND TO INVENTION

Self-propelled vehicles such as scooters, and pedal vehicles such as tricycles are popular, particularly, though not exclusively, with children and infants, as recreational or play articles.

It is an object of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide an improved vehicle.

It is an object of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present invention to obviate * and/or mitigate one or more disadvantages in the prior art. * * * * **

It is an object of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide a *,*25 novel vehicle having an audio electronic equipment such as an MP3 player, radio or the like.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a self-propelled vehicle comprising at least one audio device.

The at least one audio device may comprise a digital audio file player.

14ost preferably the self-propelled vehicle may comprise a scooter, e.g. a collapsible scooter or microscooter", such as for use by children or infants.

Alternatively, the self-propelled vehicle may comprise a tricycle or bicycle.

The at least one audio device may comprise an MP3 and/or WMA player.

The at least one audio device may also or alternatively comprise a radio receiver and/or a CD player and/or a mini disc player and/or a tape player.

The audio device may be a telecommunication device such as a mobile phone.

The at least one audio device may comprise a first body, which may provide a memory or storage means.

** The first body may provide a first loudspeaker.

The at least one audio device may comprise a second body which may provide a second loudspeaker.

The first and/or second bodies may comprise means

I

for removably attaching the first and/or second bodies to the vehicle.

The first and/or bodies may be removably attachable to the handlebars of the vehicle.

For example, in a preferred embodiment the first body may be removably attachable to one end of the handlebars.

In said preferred embodiment the second body may be removably attachable to another end of the handlebars.

In an alternative embodiment the first body may be removably attachable to another part of the handlebars, e.g. at the front and/or substantially centrally.

In another alternative embodiment, the vehicle may be provided with a cradle adapted to receive the first body and/or an audio device and/or to which the first body and/or audio device may be removably attached.

When attached to the handlebars, the second body (e.g. second loudspeaker) may be electrically connected to the first body, e.g. by wiring running through the handlebars.

The at least one audio device may be powered by one or more battery(ies), e.g. provided within the first * * body. ****

*:*. The battery may, for example, be a lithium battery.

** The means for removably attaching the first body from the vehicle may comprise at least one pin carried by ** 25 one of the first/second body and at least one socket provided on the other of the first/second body 60/70.

The at lest one audio device may comprise means (such as a socket) for connecting earphones/earpiece/headphones thereto.

In such an arrangement, in use, when the earphones/earpiece/headphones are connected, an audio signal is transmitted from the memory means thereto, rather than to the loudspeaker(s).

The at least one audio device may comprise means for connecting the device to a computer apparatus, e.g. so as to store/transfer audio files from the computer apparatus to the at least one audio device.

The means for connecting the device to earphones/earpiece/headphones and the means for connecting the device to a computer apparatus may comprise a single socket.

The means for removably attaching the first/second body from the vehicle may comprise at least one pin on one of the vehicle or first/second body, and at least one corresponding socket on the other of the first/second body or the vehicle.

** The means for removably attaching may also comprise a release button, e.g. on the first/second body.

It will be appreciated that the at least one audio device may be adapted to be used/usable when removed from the vehicle.

The first/second body may include at least one, and preferably a plurality of lights, e.g. LEDs, which, in use, may flash/illuminate in time with music played by the audio device.

The LEDs may be disposed around an outer facing end of the first/second body, e.g. behind a translucent/transparent end face.

The first and/or second body may each comprise a cylindrical body.

The first/second loudspeaker may be provided at one end of the respective first/second cylindrical body.

Another end of the/each cylindrical body may be detachably attachable to the vehicle, e.g. the handlebars, e.g. a respective end of the handlebars.

The first body may be provided with control switches for the audio device, e.g. selected from play, pause, stop, forward and reverse. The first body may be provided with an on/off switch for the audio device. The control switches may be provided on an upper facing surface of the first cylindrical body. The on/off switch may be * provided on a lower facing surface of the cylindrical *:*. body.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an audio device such as an S.... S *

MP3 player for use in, or when used in a self-propelled vehicle according to the first aspect.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a combination of at least one audio device, such as an MP3 player, and a self-propelled vehicle, such as a scooter, e.g. a collapsible microscooter.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention t.here is provide a self-propelled vehicle or scooter having an audio device or MP3 player detachably attached thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are: Figure 1(a) a perspective view from the front and to one side of a self-propelled vehicle comprising an audio device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 1(b) a side view of the vehicle of Figure 1 (a) Figure 1(c) a front view of the vehicle of Figure 1(a); S.....

S S

Figure 1(d) a top view of the vehicle of Figure 1 (a) Figure 2 a detailed view of one end of a handlebar of the vehicle of Figure 1(a) providing a first body of an audio device; Figure 3 a detailed view of another end of the handlebar of the vehicle of Figure 1(a) providing a second body of the audio device; Figure 4 a detailed view of the first body of Figure 2 connectable to earphones; Figure 5 a detailed view of the first body of Figure 2 connectable to a USB cable itself connectable to a computer apparatus (not shown); Figure 6 a circuit diagram of the audio device; Figure 7 a detailed view of a first body of an audio device provided on a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention; *::::* Figure 8 a side view of a self-propelled vehicle comprising an audio device according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 a top view of a footplate of the vehicle of Figure 8; Figure 10 a top view of a first body of the audio device of the vehicle of Figure 8; and Figure 11 a bottom view of the first body of the audio device of the vehicle of Figure 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Referring initially to Figures 1(a) to (d) and Figures 2 to 6, there is shown a vehicle comprising a scooter, generally designated 5, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The scooter 5 comprises first and second wheel 10,15, footplate 20, steering column 25, handlebars 30, brake 35, and hingable locking mechanism 40 for collapsing the scooter 5, and including lever 45.

The self-propelled vehicle 5 comprises at least one audio device 50. The at least one audio device 50 may comprises a digital audio file player. In this preferred implementation the at least one audio device 50 comprises * an MP3 player 55. In an alternative implementation the at least one audio device may also or alternatively . comprise a radio receiver.

The at least one audio device 50 comprises a first

S

body 60, which is provided with a memory or storage means. The first body 60 is also provided with a first loudspeaker 65.

The at least one audio device 50 also comprises a second body 70 which provides a second loudspeaker 75.

The first and/or second bodies 60,70 each comprise means for removably attaching the first and/or second bodies 60,70 to the vehicle 5.

In this implementation the first and/or bodies 60,70 are removably attachable to the handlebars 30 of the vehicle 5.

The first body 60 is removably attachable to one end of the handlebars 30. The second body 20 is removably attachable to another end of the handlebars 30.

In an alternative embodiment the first body 60 may be removably attachable to another part of the handlebars 30, e.g. at the front and/or substantially centrally. In such an alternative embodiment the second body may optionally not be provided.

In another alternative embodiment, the vehicle 5 is provided with a cradle adapted to removably receive the audio device 50 and having connections for connecting the audio device 50 at least to the speakers 65,75.

When attached to the handlebars 30 the second body 70, e.g. second loudspeaker, is electrically connected to the first body 60, e.g. by wiring (not shown) running through the handlebars 30.

The at least one audio device 50 is powered by one or more batteries (riot shown), e.g. provided within the first body 60. The battery may, for example, be a lithium battery. The means for removably attaching the first/second body 60/70 from the vehicle 5 comprise at least one pin 76 carried by one of the first/second body 60/70, and at least one socket 80 provided on the other of the first/second body 60/70.

The at least one audio device 50 comprises means 85 (such as a socket) for connecting earphones/earpiece/headphones 90 thereto. In such an arrangement, in use, when the earphones/earpiece/headphones 90 are connected an audio signal is transmitted from the memory means thereto, rather than to the loudspeaker(s) 65,75.

The at least one audio device 50 also comprises means 91 for connecting the device to a computer apparatus (not shown), e.g. so as to transfer audio files from the computer apparatus to be stored on the memory :. 20 means of the at least one audio device 50. The means 85 * for connecting the device to earphones/earpiece/headphones and the means 91 for connecting the device to a computer apparatus comprise a single socket 95.

* 25 The means for removably attaching the first/second body 60/70 from the vehicle 5 comprise at least one pin on one of the vehicle or first/second body 60/70, and at least one corresponding socket 80 on the other of the first/second body 60/70 or the vehicle 5. The means for removably attaching also comprises a release button 100, e.g. on the first/second body 60/70.

It will be appreciated the at least one audio device may be adapted to be used/usable when removed from the vehicle 5.

Referring to Figure 7 there is shown a vehicle comprising a scooter, generally designated Sa, according to a second embodiment of the present invention, like parts being designated by the same numeral as for scooter 5, but suffixed "a".

The scooter 5a is similar to the scooter 5 of the first embodiment, like parts being designated by like numerals. However, in the scooter 5a the MP3 player 50 is provided on the other end of the handlebars 30a.

Referring now to Figures 8 to 11 there is shown a vehicle comprising a scooter, generally designated 5b, according to a third embodiment of the present invention, like parts being designated by the same numerals as for the scooter 5, but suffixed "b". * SI * -*

In this embodiment the first/second body 60b/70b includes at least one, and preferably a plurality of lights, e.g. LED5 105b, which, in use, flash/illuminate in time with music played by the audio device 50. The LEDs may be disposed around an end face of the/each first/second body, e.g. behind a translucent/transparent end face thereof.

It will be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention hereinbefore described is given by way of example only, and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

It will particularly be appreciated that although the preferred disclosed embodiment is a collapsible microscooter, the invention may be applied to any other self-propelled vehicles such as foot propelled vehicles and pedal vehicles, e.g. tricycles, whether foot propelled or pedal. a. * . * **. S.. * * *.. ** I * S * * .*

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S...'. * . *5 I S * S * *.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A self-propelled vehicle comprising at least one audio device.

2. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one audio device comprises a digital audio file player.

3. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the self-propelled vehicle comprises a scooter or microscooter, such as for use by children or infants.

4. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the self-propelled vehicle comprises a tricycle or bicycle.

5. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in either of claims 3 or 4, wherein the at least one audio device comprises an MP3 and/or Wt'1T player.

6. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one audio device comprises a radio receiver and/or a CD player and/or a mini disc player and/or a tape player. v-f

7. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the audio device comprises a telecommunication device such as a mobile phone.

8. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one audio device comprises a first body, which optionally provides a memory or storage means.

9. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first body provides a first loudspeaker.

10. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in either of claims 8 or 9, wherein the at least one audio device comprises a second body which optionally provides a second loudspeaker.

11. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in either of claims 9 or 10, wherein the first and/or second bodies comprise means for removably attaching the first and/or second bodies to the vehicle.

12. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in any of claims 8 to 11, wherein the first and/or bodies are removably attachable to the handlebars of the vehicle. /

13. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in any of claims 8 to 12, wherein the first body is removably attachable to one end of the handlebars.

14. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in claim 13 when dependent upon claim 10, wherein the second body is removably attachable to another end of the handlebars.

15. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in any of claim s 8 to 12, wherein the first body is removably attachable to a part of the handlebars, such as at the front and/or substantially centrally.

16. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the vehicle is provided with a cradle adapted to receive the first body and/or audio device and/or to which the first body and/or audio device is removably attachable.

17. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in claim 14, wherein when attached to the handlebars, and the second body is electrically connected to the first body, such as by wiring running through the handlebars.

18. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one audio device is powered by one or more battery(ies) 19. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in claim 18, wherein the battery(ies) is/are a lithium battery(ies).

20. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in claim 11 or any of claims 12 to 19 when dependent upon claim 11, wherein the means for removably attaching the first body from the vehicle comprises at least one pin carried by one of the first/second body and at least one socket provided on the other of the first/second body.

21. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one audio device comprises means, such as a socket, for connecting earphones/earpiece/headphones thereto.

22. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in claim 21, wherein, in use, when the earphones/earpiece/headphones are connected, an audio signal is transmitted from a/the memory means thereto, rather than to a/the loudspeaker(s). 1-J

23. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one audio device comprises means for connecting the device to a computer apparatus optionally so as to store/transfer audio files from the computer apparatus to the at least one audio device.

24. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in claim 23 when dependent upon either of claims 21 or 22, wherein the means for connecting the device to earphones/earpiece/headphones and the means for connecting the device to a computer apparatus comprises a single socket.

25. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in claim 11 or any of claims 12 to 24 when dependent upon claim 11, wherein the means for removably attaching the first/second body from the vehicle comprises at least one pin on one of the vehicle or fist/second body, and at least one corresponding socket on the other of the first/second body or the vehicle.

26. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in claim 25, wherein the means for removably attaching also comprises a release button, optionally on the first/second body.

27. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one audio device is adapted to be used/usable when removed from the vehicle.

28. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in claim 8 or any of claims 9 to 27 when dependent upon claim 8, wherein the first/second body includes at least one or a plurality of lights, such as LEDs, which, in use, optionally flash/illuminate in time with music played by the audio device.

29. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in claim 28, wherein the LEDs are disposed around an outer facing end of the first/second body, such as behind a translucent/transparent end face.

30. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in claim 8 or any of claims 9 to 29 when dependent upon claim 8, wherein the first and/or second body each comprises a cylindrical body.

31. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in claim 30, wherein the first/second loudspeaker is provided at one end of the respective first/second cylindrical body.

32. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in claim 31, wherein another end of the/each cylindrical body is detachably attachable to the vehicle, such as the handlebars, such as at a respective end of the handlebars.

33. A self-propelled vehicle as claimed in claim 30, wherein the first body is provided with control switches for the audio device, optionally selected from play, pause, stop, forward and reverse, the first body is provided with an on/off switch for the audio device, and wherein the control switches are provided on an upper facing surface of the first cylindrical body, and the on/off switch is provided on a lower facing surface of the cylindrical body.

34. A audio device such as an MP3 player for use in, or when used in a self-propelled vehicle according to any of claims 1 to 33.

35. A combination of at least one audio device, such as an MP3 player, and a self-propelled vehicle, such as a scooter or collapsible microscooter.

36. A self-propelled vehicle or scooter having an audio device or MP3 player detachably attached thereto.

37. A self-propelled vehicle as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

38. An audio device as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.