TheScooterScoop

Dudel comes with another fresh scoop (no… not the clumping cat litter) from the US Patent Office. This one from a Taiwanese company. One thing to remember, as is the case with everything from the patent office, is that this little oddity may not ever see the light of day. They are essentially just calling “dibs” on the idea. Sometimes it’s best that these things spend their days hidden in a giant filing cabinet. I’m hoping in this case that either something is lost in translation OR it has the ability to traverse small lakes and ponds.

Here’s Dudel’s summary:

Min-Jan Lin of Pingtung City, Taiwan has a idea for a MINI TWO-WHEEL AUTOMOBILE that comes complete with a single windshield wiper and little “training wheels” that automatically drop-down at slow-speeds or when the vehicle stops that is controlled by a speed sensor. He envisions it being powered by a 150cc scooter engine either air-cooled or water-cooled. The pastel pink and green color scheme can be blamed on me.

I think the color is fine if they are planning an early Spring release. Looks sorta like a giant, pastel Stormtrooper egg.

Some others that he found for your consideration are:

Ming C. Kuo of Cerritos California has a idea for an ENCLOSED MOTORCYCLE with a pair of outrigger landing wheels that are automatically extended at a predetermined speed to prevent tipping at slow speeds or when stopped. (almost looks like a micro pickup truck)

Peter and Roy Bothwell of Warwickshire England have an idea for an ENCLOSED MOTORCYCLE with support members for both feet that can be moved downward to engage with the ground. (hrm… Interesting. I like the idea of not relying on a computer to engage the stabilizers, but in it’s current state, it looks a bit uncomfortable. Dudel’s vote goes for the Bothwell’s design for best body style but he was not sure how well his system would work on a sloping and angled hill.)

Also included is an idea by Harold D. Parham of White Plains Kentucky for a three-wheel motorcycle (trike) designed to accommodate three people. (Not exactly enclosed, but wouldn’t be impossible to imagine as a woody. Really this thing looks straight outta the 1890′s. Say, Dudel! Maybe you could do some fancy body concepting for ‘em.)

At the end of the day it’s safe to say the world has PLENTY of room for new enclosed designs, so bust out your markers and have at it.