Lightweight propulsion device for providing motive force to a skate equipment user

Abstract

A propulsion device for use with skate equipment includes a frame having an upper end and a lower end, an engine mounted on the frame, a single wheel and first and second hand grips. The single wheel is mounted at the lower end of the frame and operatively connected with the engine to be driven thereby. The first hand grip is mounted on the frame above the engine and is spaced apart from the upper end of the frame when the propulsion device is placed in its normal angle of use. The second hand grip is adjacent the upper end of the frame.

1 . A propulsion device for use with skate equipment, comprising:
 (a) a frame having an upper end and a lower end;   (b) an engine mounted on the frame;   (c) a single wheel mounted at the lower end of the frame and operatively connected with the engine to be driven thereby;   (d) a first hand grip mounted on the frame above the engine, spaced apart from the upper end of the frame when the propulsion device is placed in its normal angle of use; and   (e) a second hand grip adjacent the upper end of the frame.   
   
   
       2 . The propulsion device of  claim 1 , wherein the hand grip is spaced substantially apart from the upper end of the frame. 
   
   
       3 . The propulsion device of  claim 2 , further comprising a skater support bar mounted on the frame above the engine and below the hand grip and adapted to provide motive force from the frame to a skater's leg. 
   
   
       4 . The propulsion device of  claim 3 , wherein the engine is arranged to be closer to the hand grip than to the lower end of the frame. 
   
   
       5 . The propulsion device of  claim 3 , wherein the frame includes an upper support handle and a lower support handle. 
   
   
       6 . The propulsion device of  claim 5 , further comprising a hinge mechanism and a securing mechanism, and wherein the upper support handle may be rotated relative to the lower support handle via the hinge mechanism. 
   
   
       7 . The propulsion device of  claim 5 , wherein the engine is mounted at an upper end of the lower support handle, wherein the lower support handle includes a drive shaft housing, and wherein the propulsion device further comprises a drive shaft, extending through the drive shaft housing, that operatively couples rotational motion generated by the engine to the wheel. 
   
   
       8 . The propulsion device of  claim 3 , further including a centrifugal clutch coupled to the engine. 
   
   
       9 . The propulsion device of  claim 8 , further comprising a drive assembly including a drive gear operatively coupled to the centrifugal clutch, a drive shaft operatively coupled to the drive gear, and a driven gear operatively coupled to the drive shaft, wherein the driven gear is mounted on the wheel and imparts motion thereto. 
   
   
       10 . The propulsion device of  claim 8 , further comprising a drive assembly including a drive sprocket operatively coupled to the centrifugal clutch, a chain operatively coupled to the drive sprocket, and a driven sprocket operatively coupled to the chain, wherein the driven sprocket is mounted on the wheel and imparts motion thereto. 
   
   
       11 . The propulsion device of  claim 3 , further comprising a brake lever that is equipped to be adjusted from a position adapted for use by a right-handed user to a positioned adapted for use by a left-handed user. 
   
   
       12 . The propulsion device of  claim 3 , wherein the hand grip is angled to one side of the frame. 
   
   
       13 . The propulsion device of  claim 12 , wherein the hand grip is equipped to be selectively angled to one side of the frame or the other. 
   
   
       14 . The propulsion device of  claim 3 , wherein the hand grip is angled upward away from the frame in an orientation slightly above horizontal when the propulsion device is placed in its normal angle of use. 
   
   
       15 . The propulsion device of  claim 3 , wherein the upward angle of the hand grip is adjustable. 
   
   
       16 . A method of propelling a skate equipment user, comprising:
 (a) providing propulsion device, including:
 (i) a frame having an upper end and a lower end; 
 (ii) an engine mounted on the frame; 
 (iii) a single wheel mounted at the lower end of the frame and operatively connected with the engine to be driven thereby; 
 (iv) a first hand grip mounted on the frame above the engine, spaced apart from the upper end of the frame when the propulsion device is placed in its normal angle of use; and 
 (v) a second hand grip adjacent the upper end of the frame; 
   (b) holding, by the user, the propulsion device at the user's side, the step of holding including gripping the first hand grip with one hand and the second hand grip with the other hand.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the steps of imparting rotational force via the engine to the wheel and placing the wheel on the ground to provide forward motion to the device. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of lifting the device, thereby lifting the wheel off of the ground, in order to maneuver the skate equipment.