MOTORIZED-SURFBOARD-BASED WATER MOTORCYCLE

Abstract

A water motorcycle includes a motorized surfboard unit having a deck portion and driven by a drive motor, and a motorbike frame unit detachably mounted on the deck portion by means of retaining hook units. The motorbike frame unit includes a seat module provided with a rider's seat, and a handle module provided with an upright handlebar frame. The surfboard unit can be used independently for surfing or combined with the motorbike frame unit to function as a water motorcycle.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese Patent Application No. 100133197, filed on Sep. 15, 2011, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a water motorcycle, more particularly to a motorized-surfboard-based water motorcycle which can serve as a surfboard or a water motorcycle.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are a variety of watercrafts, such as motorized surfboards, water motorcycles, etc., which can be employed for water sport activities. A conventional watercraft generally includes a board or a seat to permit a user to stand, sit or lie thereon, and a control handle for actuating and controlling a drive motor. A user who wants to enjoy different water sport activities needs to have various kinds of watercrafts, which entails the problem of storage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a motorized-surfboard-based water motorcycle which can be configured to function as a surfboard or a water motorcycle.

According to this invention, the motorized-surfboard-based water motorcycle includes a motorized surfboard unit and a motorbike frame unit. The motorized surfboard unit includes a surfboard hull module which has nose and tail ends, a deck portion disposed between the nose and tail ends and having a deck surface. The deck portion has front and rear regions, and a juncture region interposed therebetween. A drive motor is disposed below the deck surface for propelling the surfboard hull module. The motorbike frame unit includes a seat module and a handle module. The seat module extends in a longitudinal direction to terminate at forward and rearward marginal regions which are disposed adjacent to the juncture region and the rear region, respectively, in an assembled position. The handle module includes a handlebar erecting frame extending to terminate at a rear end which is connected with the forward marginal region, and a front end which is releasably secured to a securing site on the front region proximate to the nose end so as to permit the handlebar erecting frame to be displaced to the assembled position. The handlebar frame is connected to the handlebar erecting frame, and has a handlebar end which is configured to be in an upright position when the handlebar erecting frame is displaced to the assembled position.

The motorized-surfboard-based water motorcycle further includes a front retaining hook unit configured to bring the front end into a position-locking engagement with the securing site, and a rear retaining hook unit configured to bring the rearward marginal region into a position-locking engagement with the tail end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a motorized-surfboard-based water motorcycle according to this invention in an assembled state;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the first embodiment when a seat module is mounted on a surfboard hull module;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged side view showing a front retaining hook unit of the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view showing a right retaining hook unit of the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a motorized-surfboard-based water motorcycle according to this invention in an assembled state;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the second embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged side view showing a front retaining hook unit of the second embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view showing a right retaining hook unit of the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that same reference numerals have been used to denote like elements throughout the specification.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first embodiment of a motorized-surfboard-based water motorcycle according to the present invention is shown to comprise a motorized surfboard unit 1 and a motorbike frame unit 2.

The motorized surfboard unit 1 includes a surfboard hull module 11, a drive motor 6, an electrically conductive cable 4, and rear, front, left and right retaining hook units.

The surfboard hull module 11 has nose and tail ends 111, 112 opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction, a deck portion 16 which is disposed between the nose and tail ends 111, 112 and which has a deck surface 161 that is configured to permit a rider to stand, sit or lie thereon for surfing. The deck surface 161 has front and rear regions 162, 163 proximate to the nose and tail ends 111, 112, respectively, and a juncture region 164 interposed between the front and rear regions 162, 163. The drive motor 6 is disposed in an interior of the deck portion 16 below the deck surface 161 for propelling the surfboard hull module 11. The electrically conductive cable 4 is electrically coupled with the drive motor 6 to control the surfboard hull module 11, and extends from the front region 162 to be connected to a handgrip 41. The motorized surfboard unit 1 may be any kinds of known motorized surfboard.

The motorbike frame unit 2 includes a seat module 21 and a handle module 24.

The seat module 21 extends in the longitudinal direction to terminate at forward and rearward marginal regions 211, 212 which are disposed adjacent to the juncture region 164 and the rear region 163, respectively, in an assembled position. In this embodiment, the seat module 21 has a saddle shell which is interposed between the forward and rearward marginal regions 211, 212, and which includes a seat member 22, and left and right straddle segments 213, 214 that are disposed to rest on the rear region 163, and that are configured to permit the seat member 22 to be spaced apart from the rear region 163 in an upright direction that is transverse to the longitudinal direction.

The handle module 24 includes a handlebar erecting frame 241 and a handlebar frame 244. The handlebar erecting frame 241 extends in the longitudinal direction to terminate at a rear end 242 and a front end 243. The rear end 242 is pivotally connected with the forward marginal region 211 about a hinge axis oriented in a transverse direction that is transverse to the longitudinal and upright directions. The front end 243 is releasably secured to a securing site on the front region 162 of the deck surface 161 proximate to the nose end 111 so as to permit the handlebar erecting frame 241 to be displaced to the assembled position. The handlebar frame 244 has a connected end 245 connected to the handlebar erecting frame 241, and a handlebar end 246 configured to be disposed in an upright position when the handlebar erecting frame 241 is displaced to the assembled position. The handlebar end 246 is in the form of a transverse rod such as that of a known water motorcycle.

The rear retaining hook unit has a pair of hooking members 31 which is disposed on the rearward marginal region 212 of the seat module 21 and which is configured to downwardly hook on the tail end 112 so as to bring the rearward marginal region 212 into a position-locking engagement with the tail end 112.

With reference to FIG. 3, the front retaining hook unit includes a positioning ring 13 which is disposed at the securing site on the front region 162, a lever 34 which is pivotally mounted on the front end 243 of the handlebar erecting frame 241 about a fulcrum axis that is parallel to the hinge axis and which has a retained end 342 and a hooking end 341. The hooking end 341 is configured such that, when the retained end 342 is pressed downward manually, the hooking end 341 is forced upward to hook on the positioning ring 13. A retaining member 35 is disposed on the front end 243, and is configured such that, immediately after the retained end 342 is pressed downward, the retaining member 35 is snapped engaged with the retained end 342 to thereby bring the front end 243 into a position-locking engagement with the securing site on the front region 162.

With reference to FIG. 4, each of the left and right retaining hook units includes a protrusion 12 which is disposed on the juncture region 164, a pressing member 32 which is disposed on a corresponding one of the left and right straddle segments 213, 214 to be press-engaged with the juncture region 164 when the seat module 21 is displaced to the assembled position, and an hooking latch 33 which is pivotally mounted on the pressing member 32 and which is configured to hook on the protrusion 12 when the pressing member 32 is pressed-engaged with the juncture region 164, thereby bringing the corresponding one of the left and right straddle segments 213, 214 into a position-locking engagement with a corresponding one of left and right peripheral sites on the juncture region 164.

Referring further to FIGS. 2 and 3, when it is desired to utilize this embodiment as a water motorcycle, the seat module 21 is firstly mounted on the rear region 163 of the surfboard hull module 11 such that the hooking members 31 of the rear retaining hook unit engage the tail end 112, and the pressing members 32 of the left and right retaining hook units are press-engaged with the juncture region 164 so that the hooking latches 33 respectively engage the protrusions 12. Thereafter, the handle module 24 is turned pivotally downward so that the handlebar erecting frame 241 is displaced to the assembled position where the handlebar frame 244 is in the upright position. The lever 34 is subsequently turned rearward about the fulcrum axis, and by pressing the retained end 342 downward, the hooking end 341 is brought to engage the positioning ring 13, and the retained end is snap-engaged with the retaining member 35. The handlebar end 246 may be positioned near the handgrip 41 so that the rider can grip the handlebar end 246 and control the drive motor 6 through the electrically conductive cable 4 when riding.

A power supply, such as a battery 5, may be disposed within the seat module 21 to be operably coupled to the drive motor 6.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the second embodiment of the motorized-surfboard-based water motorcycle according to this invention is similar to the first embodiment in construction. In the second embodiment, the seat module 21 has a seat mounting member in the form of a saddle plate which is interposed between the forward and rearward marginal regions 211, 212, and which have left and right saddle halves 215, 216 that extend away from each other in the transverse direction to terminate at left and right anchoring regions 217, 218, respectively.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the front retaining hook unit includes a securing stem 15 which is disposed at the securing site on the front region 162, a tightening lever 37 which is pivotally mounted to the front end 243, and a retaining member 35′ which is pivotally mounted to the tightening lever 37. The retaining member 35′ has a hooking end 351 configured to upwardly hook on the securing stem 15. The tightening lever 37 is operable to bring the hooking end 351 into tightening engagement with the securing stem 15.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, each of the left and right retaining hook units includes a securing stem 14 disposed on the juncture region 164, a tightening lever 36 which is pivotally mounted to a corresponding one of the left and right anchoring regions 217, 218, and a retaining member 33′ which is pivotally mounted to the tightening lever 36. The retaining member 33′ has a hooking end 331 which is configured to upwardly hook on the securing stem 14. The tightening lever 36 is operable to bring the hooking end 331 of the retaining member 33′ into a tightening engagement with the securing stem 14, thereby bringing the corresponding one of the left and right anchoring regions 217, 218 into a position-locking engagement with a corresponding one of left and right peripheral sites on the juncture region 164.

As illustrated, the motorbike frame unit 2 can be detachably mounted on the motorized surfboard unit 1 by means of the retaining hook units in a convenient manner, so that the rider can use the surfboard unit independently as a surfboard for surfing or use the surfboard unit 1 in combination with the motorbike frame unit 2 as a water motorcycle. Thus, the present invention has the benefits of versatility and space-saving.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what are considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A motorized-surfboard-based water motorcycle comprising

a motorized surfboard unit including a surfboard hull module which has nose and tail ends opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction, a deck portion which is disposed between said nose and tail ends and which has a deck surface, and that has front and rear regions proximate to said nose and tail ends, respectively, and a juncture region interposed between said front and rear regions, and a drive motor disposed below said deck surface for propelling said surfboard hull module;

a motorbike frame unit including a seat module which extends in the longitudinal direction to terminate at forward and rearward marginal regions which are disposed adjacent to said juncture region and said rear region, respectively, in an assembled position, and a handle module including a handlebar erecting frame extending in the longitudinal direction to terminate at a rear end which is connected with said forward marginal region, and a front end which is releasably secured to a securing site on said front region proximate to said nose end so as to permit said handlebar erecting frame to be displaced to the assembled position, and a handlebar frame having a connected end which is connected to said handlebar erecting frame, and a handlebar end which is configured to be disposed in an upright position when said handlebar erecting frame is displaced to the assembled position;

a front retaining hook unit configured to bring said front end into a position-locking engagement with said securing site; and

a rear retaining hook unit configured to bring said rearward marginal region into a position-locking engagement with said tail end.

2. The motorized-surfboard-based water motorcycle as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said motorized surfboard unit includes an electrically conductive cable which is electrically coupled with said drive motor to control said surfboard hull module, and which extends from said front region to be connected to a handgrip;

said handlebar end being configured to be positioned near said handgrip when in the upright position.

3. The motorized-surfboard-based water motorcycle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rear end of said handlebar erecting frame is pivotally connected with said forward marginal region of said seat module about a hinge axis oriented in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction.

4. The motorized-surfboard-based water motorcycle as claimed in claim 3, wherein said seat module has a saddle shell interposed between said forward and rearward marginal regions, and including a seat member, and left and right straddle segments which rest on said rear region, and which are configured to permit said seat member to be spaced apart from said rear region in an upright direction that is transverse to the longitudinal and transverse directions.

5. The motorized-surfboard-based water motorcycle as claimed in claim 4, wherein:

said rear retaining hook unit is configured to downwardly hook on said tail end;

said front retaining hook unit including a positioning ring which is disposed at said securing site, a lever which is pivotally mounted on said front end about a fulcrum axis that is parallel to the hinge axis and which has a retained end and a hooking end configured such that, when said retained end is pressed downward manually, said hooking end is forced upward to hook on said hooking ring, and a retaining member which is disposed on said front end, and which is configured such that, immediately after said retained end is pressed downward, said retaining member is snap-engaged with said retained end to thereby bring said front end into a position-locking engagement with said securing site.

6. The motorized-surfboard-based water motorcycle as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:

a left retaining hook unit configured to bring said left straddle segment into a position-locking engagement with a left peripheral site on said juncture region; and

a right retaining hook unit configured to bring said right straddle segment into a position-locking engagement with a right peripheral site on said juncture region.

7. The motorized-surfboard-based water motorcycle as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of said left and right retaining hook units includes a protrusion disposed on said juncture region, a pressing member disposed on a corresponding one of said left and right straddle segments to be press-engaged with said juncture region when said seat module is displaced to the assembled position, and an hooking latch pivotally mounted on said pressing member and configured to upwardly hook on said protrusion when said left and right straddle segments are press-engaged with said juncture region.

8. The motorized-surfboard-based water motorcycle as claimed in claim 3, wherein said seat module has a seat mounting member which is interposed between said forward and rearward marginal regions, and which have left and right saddle halves extending away from each other in the transverse direction to terminate at left and right anchoring regions, respectively.

9. The motorized-surfboard-based water motorcycle as claimed in claim 8, wherein said rear retaining hook unit is configured to downwardly hook on said tail end;

said front retaining hook unit including a securing stem which is disposed at said securing site, a retaining member which is pivotally mounted to said front end and which has a hooking end configured to upwardly hook on said securing stem, and a tightening lever which is pivotally mounted to said front end to bring said hooking end of said retaining member into a tightening engagement with said securing stem.

10. The motorized-surfboard-based water motorcycle as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:

a left retaining hook unit configured to bring said left anchoring region into a position-locking engagement with a left peripheral site on said juncture region; and

a right retaining hook unit configured to bring said right anchoring region into a position-locking engagement with a right peripheral site on said juncture region.

11. The motorized-surfboard-based water motorcycle as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of said left and right retaining hook units includes a securing stem which is disposed on said juncture region, a retaining member which is pivotally mounted to a corresponding one of said left and right anchoring regions and which has a hooking end configured to upwardly hook on said securing stem, and a tightening lever which is pivotally mounted to the corresponding one of said left and right anchoring regions to bring said hooking end of said retaining member into a tightening engagement with said securing stem.