US 12,275,483 B1
Handlebar latching mechanism for personal transport device
Matthew B. Staal, Torrance, CA (US); Jackie P. Porchay, Torrance, CA (US); Michael Jin Kim, Long Beach, CA (US); Ming Hsein Lee, Taichung (TW); Ding Jong Chou, Taichung (TW); and Sheng Yu Huang, Taichung (TW)
Assigned to HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., Tokyo (JP)
Filed by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Oct. 25, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/509,335.
Int. Cl. B62K 21/22 (2006.01); B62K 15/00 (2006.01); B62K 21/16 (2006.01)
CPC B62K 21/22 (2013.01) [B62K 15/00 (2013.01); B62K 21/16 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
14. A compact personal transport device comprising:
an outer casing extending between a top edge and a bottom edge in a vertical direction and extending between a front edge and a rear edge in a horizontal direction;
an opening disposed along a top surface of the outer casing;
a steering assembly configured to steer a front wheel of the compact personal transport device, wherein the steering assembly includes an upper portion extending a first height above the top surface of the outer casing when the compact personal transport device is in a riding configuration;
the steering assembly comprising:
a telescopic steering shaft;
a neck disposed at a top of the telescopic steering shaft;
a rotatable collar connected via a rotation mechanism to the neck;
a handlebar secured to the rotatable collar; and
a handlebar latching mechanism;
wherein the handlebar latching mechanism comprises:
a lever;
a locking tab disposed within a groove of the lever; and
a pin, the pin having an end configured to fit into a receiving aperture in a face surface of the neck of the steering assembly;
wherein the lever is configured to pull outwards away from the steering assembly to move the end of the pin out of the receiving aperture and permit the rotatable collar to rotate relative to the neck via the rotation mechanism;
wherein the locking tab has a locked position at a top of the groove of the lever;
wherein the locking tab is moved downwards from the top of the groove of the lever to an unlocked position; and
wherein the lever is prevented from being pulled outwards when the locking tab is in the locked position and wherein the lever is permitted to be pulled outwards when the locking tab is in the unlocked position;
wherein, in a locked configuration, the handlebar latching mechanism secures the rotatable collar from being rotated; and
wherein, in an unlocked configuration, the handlebar latching mechanism permits the rotatable collar to rotate relative to the neck.