Spherical mobility mechanism

• US 20060243497A1
• Filed: 05/25/2006
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shmuel Orenbuch
• Original Assignee: Shmuel Orenbuch
• Inventors: Orenbuch, Shmuel
• Granted Patent: US 8,028,775 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/6.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 19/003 Multidirectional wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 19/12 Roller-type wheels B60B19/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 33/08 Ball castors B60B33/0028 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/00 Steering not otherwise provided for

Abstract

An omni directional mobility device made of a spherical device that is capable of omni directional movement. An omni directional vehicle including a vehicle and at least one omni directional mobility device made of a spherical device for enabling omni directional movement.

Claims

1. An omni directional mobility device, said device comprising a spherical means for enabling omni directional movement.

2. The omni directional mobility device according to claim 1, wherein said spherical means is a globe.

3. The omni directional mobility device according to claim 2, wherein said globe is formed of a material selected from the group consisting essentially of synthetic material, metal, stainless steel, rubber, plastic, glass, ceramics, and combinations thereof.

4. The omni directional mobility device according to claim 2, wherein said globe includes a coating.

5. The omni directional mobility device according to claim 2, wherein said coating is formed of a resin.

6. The omni directional mobility device according to claim 1, said device further including a drive mechanism.

7. The omni directional mobility device according to claim 1, said device further including a steering mechanism.

8. The omni directional mobility device according to claim 1, said device further including a drive mechanism and a steering mechanism.

9. The omni directional mobility device according to claim 8, further including a motor for actuating said drive mechanism.

10. The omni directional mobility device according to claim 9, wherein said motor includes reduction gears.

11. An omni directional vehicle comprising a body and at least one omni directional mobility device as set forth in claim 1.

12. The omni directional vehicle according to claim 11, wherein said spherical means is a globe.

13. The omni directional vehicle according to claim 12, wherein said globe is formed of a material selected from the group consisting essentially, of synthetic material, metal, stainless steel, rubber, plastic, glass, ceramics, and combinations thereof.

14. The omni directional vehicle according to claim 12, wherein said globe includes a coating.

15. The omni directional vehicle according to claim 12, wherein said coating is formed of a resin.

16. The omni directional vehicle according to claim 11, said device further including a drive mechanism.

17. The omni directional vehicle according to claim 11, said device further including a steering mechanism.

18. The omni directional vehicle according to claim 11, said device further including a drive mechanism and a steering mechanism.

19. The omni directional vehicle according to claim 18, further including a motor for operating said drive mechanism.

20. The omni directional vehicle according to claim 11 selected from the group consisting essentially of motor operated vehicles, bicycles, wheelchairs, recreational vehicles, forklifts, electrical transportation units, automobiles, carts, wheelchairs, chairs, and trailers.

21. A wheelchair comprising a body and at least one omni directional mobility device as set forth in claim 1.

22. A forklift comprising a body and at least one omni directional mobility device as set-forth in claim 1.

23. An automobile comprising a body and at least one omni directional mobility device as set forth in claim 1.