Self-balancing ladder and camera dolly

• US 20040007425A1
• Filed: 07/09/2003
• Published: 01/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Heinzmann, John David, Kamen, Dean L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,915,878 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 182/141
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/42 for inclination
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/04 motor-driven A61G5/06 takes precedence; motor-operated rests A61G5/12; for vehicles with handlebars, equipped with three or more wheels B62K5/003, B62K5/023
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/06 with obstacle mounting facilities, e.g. for climbing stairs, kerbs or steps
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/065 with three or more wheels mounted on a rotary cross member, e.g. spiders or spoked wheels with small wheels at the end of the spokes
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/107 positioning the whole seat forward or rearward
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/125 for arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/128 for feet
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/14 Standing-up or sitting-down aids
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 7/00 Disposition of motor in, or adjacent to, traction wheel roller-skate driving mechanisms A63C17/12
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/20 for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/22 Microcars, e.g. golf cars
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/40 Working vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/46 Wheel motors, i.e. motor connected to only one wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/12 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/18 lateral
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/20 angular
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/34 Stabilising upright position of vehicles, e.g. of single axle vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 37/00 Stabilising vehicle bodies without controlling suspension arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 61/00 Motor vehicles or trailers, characterised by the arrangement or number of wheels, not otherwise provided for, e.g. four wheels in diamond pattern
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 11/007 : Automatic balancing machines with single main ground engaging wheel or coaxial wheels supporting a rider
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 11/04 : for movable platforms or cabins, e.g. on vehicles, permitting workmen to place themselves in any desired position for carrying out required operations Working platforms on fork-lift trucks B66F9/127; vehicle aspects of service vehicles B60P3/14; platforms for cleaning windows A47L3/02; devices for rescuing persons from buildings A62B1/02; liftable or lowerable platforms for use on ladders E06C7/16; maintenance travellers for bridges E01D19/10; scaffolds on an extensible sub-structure E04G1/22
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility

Abstract

A device and methods for supporting a payload, such as a user, at a variable height above the ground and for repositioning the payload in a dynamically stabilized mode of operation. The transporter device has two laterally disposed primary wheels and a payload support that may be used to raise or lower the payload. A torque is applied to the laterally disposed wheels so as to propel the transporter on the basis of a control signal that may include repositioning of the device.

Claims

1. A device for carrying a payload, which may include a user, over a surface, the device comprising:

a. a payload support which supports the payload at a height above the surface,

b. a ground-contacting module, mounted to the platform, including a plurality of laterally disposed ground-contacting members and defining a fore-aft plane;

c. a motorized drive arrangement, coupled to the ground-contacting module;

the drive arrangement, ground-contacting module and payload constituting a system;

the motorized drive arrangement causing, when powered, automatically balanced operation of the system in an operating position that is unstable with respect to tipping in at least a fore-aft plane when the motorized drive arrangement is not powered; and

d. an elevation mechanism for permitting variation of the height of the payload above the surface.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the payload support includes a ladder.

3. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the elevation mechanism includes a hydraulic cylinder and piston.

4. A device in accordance with claim 1, further including a counterweight for maintaining the center of gravity substantially above a point of contact with the surface.

5. A device in accordance with claim 1, further including a foot for stabilizing the device at a single location.

6. A method for conveying a person to conduct an activity at one specified location, at least, the method comprising:

a. placing the person on an elevated support coupled to balancing personal work platform, the platform coupled to a motorized drive; and

b. operating the motorized drive, taking into account frictional and gravitational forces acting on the system, in order to adjust lean of the system in the fore-aft plane to control motion of the platform.

7. A method in accordance with claim 6, further including locking the motorized drive at a specified position in a mode in which dynamic balancing is disabled.