PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING A USER'S FOOT
A personal transportation device is described having a U-shaped truck, a pair of wheels attached to the truck, and a platform mechanically coupled to the truck, such that the platform is operable to receive a user's foot. The personal transportation device can further include an additional pair of easily removable wheels, and can be propelled by a rider swiveling his or her hips back and forth to cause the device to move in a targeted direction.
1 . A personal transportation device comprising:
a U-shaped truck comprising an undercarriage having flanges for mounting the U-shaped truck to a platform and arms extending from the flanges, each arm having at least one opening dimensioned to receive a wheel axle;
at least one pair of wheels mechanically coupled to the U-shaped truck; and
a platform mounted to the flanges.
2 . The personal transportation device of claim 1 , wherein each arm comprises a semi hour-glass shape.
3 . The personal transportation device of claim 1 , wherein the U-shaped truck comprises a bridge connecting the arms underneath the platform, the bridge forming the bottom of the U-shaped truck.
4 . The personal transportation device of claim 3 , wherein the bridge has a width, measured along an axis of rotation of the wheels, greater than the width of one of the wheels.
5 . The personal transportation device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening comprises three openings.
6 . The personal transportation device of claim 5 , wherein three separate wheel axles extend through the three openings, the three wheel axles holding four wheels in place underneath the platform.
7 . The personal transportation device of claim 6 , wherein two of the four wheels are removable training wheels.
8 . The personal transportation device of claim 7 , wherein the training wheels are held in place by a locking member on one of the wheel axles, the locking member being removable so as to allow the wheel axle and training wheels to be removed from the personal transportation device.
9 . The personal transportation device of claim 1 , wherein the flanges have flat surfaces contacting a bottom of the platform.
10 . The personal transportation device of claim 1 , wherein each of the arms comprises at least one opening forming an open void in each arm.
11 . The personal transportation device of claim 1 , wherein the flanges extend substantially perpendicular to the arms and substantially parallel to the bottom of the platform.
12 . The personal transportation device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the pairs of wheels is in-line.
13 . The personal transportation device of claim 1 , wherein the platform comprises a plurality of parallel layers.
14 . The personal transportation device of claim 13 , wherein each layer is detachable.
15 . The personal transportation device of claim 13 , wherein at least one of the layers is comprised of wood.
16 . The personal transportation device of claim 13 , wherein at least one of the layers is comprised of rubber.
17 . A method of operating a personal transportation device comprising:
providing two personal transportation devices each comprising a U-shaped truck, a foot platform mounted to the U-shaped truck, and two wheels mounted in-line to the U-shaped truck;
placing a foot on each platform of the personal transportation devices such that each foot is approximately perpendicular to the direction of travel;
rotating one's waist in a first direction to create a force in the direction of travel;
rotating one's waist in a second direction to create a force in the direction of travel; and
alternating rotating one's waist in the first and second directions such that the personal transportation devices move in the direction of travel.
18 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising removing a foot from one of the platforms.
19 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising turning one's foot toes outwards or toes inwards to steer the personal transportation device, based on the direction one's waist is rotating.
20 . A personal transportation device comprising:
a truck comprising an undercarriage for mounting the truck to a platform and arms extending from the undercarriage, each arm having at least one opening dimensioned to receive a wheel axle;
a first pair of wheels mechanically coupled to the truck, the first pair of wheels being in-line;
a second pair of wheels releasably coupled to the truck, the second pair of wheels being out-of-line with the first pair of wheels; and
a platform mounted to the truck, the platform sized to receive a user's foot.
21 . The personal transportation device of claim 20 , wherein the second pair of wheels comprises training wheels for the personal transportation device, the training wheels being held in place by a single wheel axle extending through each wheel and the truck.