# US 2023/0054949 A1 · Cushioned footpad with reinforcing support structure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0054949 A1 - Document ID: US20230054949A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/407,818 - Filed: 2021-08-20 - Published: 2023-02-23 - Earliest claimed: 2021-08-20 - Inventors: Nicholas John Vitale; Michael George Vitale - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230054949A1 ## CPC - B62K 11/007: {Automatic balancing machines with single main ground engaging wheel or coaxial wheels supporting a rider} - B62J 25/04: Floor-type foot rests - B62K: CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDECARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE - B62J: CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS ## Abstract A footpad for a self-balancing vehicle comprising a low durometer elastomeric material body for enhanced ride comfort and a support structure comprising at least one stiffer reinforcing member having at least a portion embedded in the elastomeric material body and in close proximity to the elastomeric material body edges for improved footpad response and fixation integrity. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A footpad for a self-balancing vehicle, the footpad comprising a top surface nearest a rider's foot, a bottom surface nearest the self-balancing vehicle and a thickness between the top and bottom surfaces, the footpad further comprising: a body comprising an elastomeric material having a durometer between 20 Shore OO and 90 Shore A, the elastomeric material body having a plan view perimeter and a plan view minor dimension; a support structure comprising at least one reinforcing member, the at least one reinforcing member comprising a material having a Modulus of Elasticity greater than the Modulus of Elasticity of the elastomeric material; at least a portion of the support structure is embedded in the elastomeric material body; and the support structure having a plan view region comprising all visible and hidden reinforcing member plan views, the support structure plan view region intersects at least 15% of an imaginary plan view region between the elastomeric material body plan view perimeter and an inner boundary offset from the elastomeric material body plan view perimeter by the lesser of 1.5 inches or 15% of the elastomeric material body plan view minor dimension. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The footpad of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material durometer is between 10 Shore A and 80 Shore A. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The footpad of claim 2, wherein the elastomeric material durometer is between 35 Shore A and 65 Shore A. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The footpad of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material comprises a natural rubber or a synthetic rubber. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The footpad of claim 4, wherein the elastomeric material comprises a polyurethane rubber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The footpad of claim 1, wherein the support structure is completely embedded in the elastomeric material body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The footpad of claim 1, wherein the at least one reinforcing member material Modulus of Elasticity is greater than five times the Modulus of Elasticity of the elastomeric material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The footpad of claim 1, wherein the at least one reinforcing member further comprises a thickness in the range of 0.02 inches to 0.50 inches. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The footpad of claim 1, wherein the support structure plan view region intersects at least 20% of the imaginary plan view region. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The footpad of claim 1, wherein the footpad further comprises at least one interior portion comprising a plan view area and only the elastomeric material through the footpad thickness. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The footpad of claim 10, wherein the sum of all interior portion plan view areas is at least 5.0 square inches. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The footpad of claim 1, wherein the footpad further comprises a front edge and at least a portion of the footpad along the front edge protrudes below the bottom surface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The footpad of claim 1, wherein the footpad further comprises at least one fastener aperture through the elastomeric material body or at least one of the at least one reinforcing member or both the elastomeric material body and at least one of the at least one reinforcing member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The footpad of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material body further comprises at least one threaded member configured to receive a fastener. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The footpad of claim 1, wherein the at least one reinforcing member further comprises a threaded aperture or a threaded insert configured to receive a fastener. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The footpad of claim 13, wherein the footpad comprises at least two fastener apertures and a portion of at least one of the at least one reinforcing member spans the distance between two fastener apertures. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The footpad of claim 1, wherein the top surface is textured or a textured layer is affixed to the top surface. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The footpad of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one reinforcing member comprises a material capable of undergoing plastic deformation. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The footpad of claim 1, wherein the self-balancing vehicle comprises a frame having a plan view perimeter, at least a portion of the elastomeric material body plan view perimeter lies outside of the frame plan view perimeter. ### Claim 20 A footpad for a self-balancing vehicle, the footpad comprising a top surface nearest a rider's foot, a bottom surface nearest the self-balancing vehicle and a thickness between the top and bottom surfaces, the footpad further comprising: a body comprising an elastomeric material having a durometer between 20 Shore OO and 90 Shore A; a support structure comprising at least one reinforcing member, the at least one reinforcing member comprising a material having a Modulus of Elasticity greater than five times the Modulus of Elasticity of the elastomeric material; at least a portion of the support structure is embedded in the elastomeric material body; and at least one interior portion comprising a plan view area and only the elastomeric material through the footpad thickness, the sum of all interior portion plan view areas is at least 5.0 square inches. ### Claim 21 A footpad for a self-balancing vehicle, the footpad comprising: a body comprising an elastomeric material having a durometer between 20 Shore OO and 90 Shore A, the elastomeric material body having a plan view perimeter and a plan view minor dimension; a support structure comprising at least one reinforcing member, the at least one reinforcing member comprising a material having a Modulus of Elasticity greater than five times the Modulus of Elasticity of the elastomeric material; at least a portion of the support structure is embedded in the elastomeric material body; the support structure having a plan view region comprising all visible and hidden reinforcing member plan views, the support structure plan view region intersects at least 20% of an imaginary plan view region between the elastomeric material body plan view perimeter and an inner boundary offset from the elastomeric material body plan view perimeter by the lesser of 1.5 inches or 15% of the elastomeric material body plan view minor dimension; and at least one fastener aperture through the elastomeric material body or at least one of the at least one reinforcing member or both the elastomeric material body and at least one of the at least one reinforcing member.