BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a detachable motorized vehicle, or more particularly to the use of a first (e.g., larger) vehicle (e.g., van, truck, car, etc.) to transport a detachable (e.g., smaller) vehicle (e.g., scooter, car, etc.), where the first vehicle is configured to receive and/or secure the detachable vehicle, and/or the detachable vehicle is configured to be loaded into, secured by, and/or electrically connected to the first vehicle. The electrical connection therebetween can be used to communicate information to the first vehicle (e.g., diagnostics, etc.), communicate information to the detachable vehicle (e.g., driving directions, etc.), and/or provide power to (e.g., charge, etc.) the detachable vehicle.

2. Description of Related Art

There are times when it may be desirable to bring more than one vehicle to a particular location. For example, while vacationing, it may be desirable to bring both an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and a recreational vehicle (RV). While camping, it may be desirable to bring both a mountain bike and a sports utility vehicle (SUV). While working, it may be desirable to bring both a motorized scooter (e.g., moped, motorcycle, etc.) and a van. For example, one may use the van to travel from one city to another (e.g., long distances, open areas, etc.), park the van on the outskirts of the city, and use the scooter to travel within the city to one's destination (e.g., short distances, compact areas, etc.), thereby reducing traffic time, avoiding expensive parking fees, etc. However, doing so may be difficult, if not impossible. At the very least, it may require the use of specialized, after-market equipment, such as an external rack, a trailer, etc.

There are drawbacks, however, with traditional ways of transporting more than one vehicle. The first one is cost. It can be very expensive to purchase and operate the equipment need to transport a second vehicle. For example, a trailer is not only expensive to purchase, but has various expenses associated with its operation (e.g., licensing, maintenance, etc.). A second drawback is ease of use. For example, a rack must be stored separately when it is not being used, and when it is being used, it requires a substantial amount of time to assemble and install.

Another drawback is functionality, or lack thereof. While traditional devices allow a user to secure a second, smaller vehicle to a first, larger vehicle, that is generally the extent of their functionality. This leaves much to be desired in today's technological environment, where vehicles are switching from traditional gasoline power engines to battery powered engines, and cell phones are being used to do everything from acquiring driving directions to operating remote fixtures (e.g., lights, appliances, etc.).

Thus, it would be advantageous to develop a system that overcame as least some of the foregoing drawbacks. For example, it would be beneficial if the system not only simplified the physical aspects of transporting a second, detachable vehicle (e.g., simplifying the loading, securing, and unloading process), but added features that are not available on traditional devices. Features such as using the first vehicle's power system to charge the second vehicle, communicating information regarding the second vehicle (diagnostics, etc.) to the first vehicle, communicating information (e.g., maps, driving directions, music, etc.) from the first vehicle to the second vehicle, using a wireless device (e.g., smartphone, etc.) to monitor and/or control aspects of the first and/or second vehicle, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system and method for transporting a detachable vehicle, where the detachable vehicle is disposed inside another, larger vehicle. Preferred embodiments of the present invention include a first (preferably larger) vehicle, a detachable (preferably smaller) vehicle, and a system for physically and/or electrically connecting the same.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a track is affixed to a first vehicle, such as a van, and used to transport (e.g., load, secure, unload, etc.) a detachable vehicle, such as a motorized scooter. The track may include a channel having a width that is substantially the same as that of a tire on the detachable vehicle. In one embodiment, the track is used to guide the detachable vehicle from a first location to at least a second location within the first vehicle. The channel in the track may also be used to secure the detachable vehicle, or prevent the detachable vehicle from moving side to side while it is being transported.

There are two primary embodiments of the present invention, where the first embodiment involves loading the detachable vehicle from the rear of the first vehicle, and the second embodiment involves loading the detachable vehicle from the side of the first vehicle. In both embodiments, the first vehicle includes at least one door and at least one ramp, and the track includes a first track portion that is mounted to a floor (or lower horizontal surface) of the first vehicle and a second (or third) track portion that is mounted to the ramp. This allows the detachable vehicle to be loaded onto the first vehicle from either behind or the side (depending on the embodiment) via the plurality of track portions.

If the first vehicle is a cargo van or a truck, then a single track portion inside the first vehicle may suffice. However, if the first vehicle is a passenger van or car, with additional seating, then additional track portions may be required in order to place the detachable vehicle completely inside the first vehicle. By way of example, the first vehicle may include a first track portion mounted to a floor (or lower horizontal surface) of the first vehicle and a fourth track portion mounted to a back of a seat, where the seat is movable from a first (upright) position to a second (folded) position.

If the detachable vehicle is encroaching on space where passengers may be seated (e.g., to the left or right of the folded seat), then additional structure (e.g., a partial enclosure, etc.) may be necessary to prevent the passengers from coming into contact with the detachable vehicle. For example, a shell (or hood) may further be attached to the back of the seat. The shell may be configured to at least shield passenger seated to the left of the folded seat, to the right of the folded seat, and in front of the folded seat. If the enclosure is designed properly, it can also provide support for the detachable vehicle (e.g., maintaining the detachable vehicle upright).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the enclosure may further include a first connector, where a second (mating) connector is included on the detachable vehicle. The connectors (or pins/sockets included therein) can be used to transfer power and/or information (e.g., commands, data, etc.) between the first and detachable vehicles. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the first connector is affixed to the track, and the second connector is affixed to a bottom (undercarriage) of the detachable vehicle. In either embodiment, the connectors can either be configured mated manually or automatically (e.g., when the detachable vehicle is moved along the track).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the track may also include structures for securing the detachable vehicle during transport. For example, vertical structures can be positioned to engage the axles and/or tires of the detachable vehicle to prevent (or at least limit) vehicle movement along the track during transport. Thus, while the present invention is not limited to any particular structure, by using the support structures disclosed herein, the track may prevent side to side movement, the vertical structures may prevent back and forth movement, and the enclosure may keep the vehicle upright (e.g., similar to a bicycle rack).

In certain embodiment of the present invention, it may be advantageous to fold or arrange the detachable vehicle to fit within the first vehicle. For example, a first hinge could be used to fold the vehicle in half, resulting in the front wheel being positioned over (or near) the rear wheel. Further, a second hinge (or pivot) could be used to pivot the handlebar downward, toward the frame. Those skilled in the art will understand that use of the first hinge will reduce the overall length of the vehicle, while use of the second hinge will reduce the overall height of the vehicle.

By way of another example, a pivot could be used to swivel the handlebars from a first position (i.e., perpendicular to the frame) to a second position (e.g., parallel to the frame, or at least not-perpendicular to the frame). Further, third and fourth hinges could be used to fold the grips inward (e.g., perpendicular to the handlebar, to lay flat against the handlebar, etc.). Those skilled in the art will understand that the pivot and the third and fourth hinges will reduce the overall width of the vehicle.

As discussed above, by forming an electrical connection between the first and detachable vehicle, power and/or information (e.g., commands, data, etc.) can be transferred therebetween. For example, if the first vehicle has at least one battery and/or at least one charging mechanism (e.g., an alternator), these features can be used to charge a battery on the detachable vehicle while the detachable vehicle is being transported. In other words, not only is the first vehicle being used to transport the detachable vehicle, but it is also being used to charge the detachable vehicle. By way of another example, a processor and at least one sensor in the detachable vehicle can be used to transmit sensed information to the first vehicle. This can includes diagnosis data, such as tire pressure, battery level (e.g., charge percentage, miles to empty, etc.), status of each light (e.g., headlight, brake light, turning signals, etc.), etc. The diagnosis data can then be displayed to the user via a display and/or acted on by a processor in the first vehicle (e.g., stop charging the detachable vehicle if the battery is fully charged, etc.).

Finally, while the electrical connection between the vehicles may allow the vehicles to exchange power and/or information, wireless transmitters, receivers, and transceivers can further be used to exchange information when the vehicles are not electrically connected, and/or to communicate with other electronic devices (e.g., a key FOB, a smartphone, etc.).

A more complete understanding of a system and method for transporting a motorized, detachable vehicle will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages and objects thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings, which will first be described briefly.

