Vehicle Having An Articulated Suspension And Method Of Using Same
First Claim
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1. A vehicle, comprising:
- a chassis; and
a plurality of wheel assemblies articulated with the chassis, each of the plurality of wheel assemblies including;
a rotatable wheel spaced away from the chassis and independently rotatable above the plane of the vehicle;
a shoulder joint for rotatably joining the wheel assembly to the chassis wherein at least two of the shoulder joints defining an axis that is not aligned with the center of gravity for the vehicle.
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Abstract
A vehicle includes a chassis and a plurality of wheel assemblies articulated with the chassis, each of the plurality of wheel assemblies comprising a rotatable wheel spaced away from the chassis. A vehicle includes a chassis and an articulated suspension system mounted to the chassis. A method includes comprising articulating at least one of a plurality of wheel assemblies with a chassis, each of the wheel assemblies including a rotatable wheel spaced apart from the chassis. A vehicle includes a chassis and articulatable means for rolling the chassis along a path.
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Citations
90 Claims
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1. A vehicle, comprising:
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a chassis; and
a plurality of wheel assemblies articulated with the chassis, each of the plurality of wheel assemblies including;
a rotatable wheel spaced away from the chassis and independently rotatable above the plane of the vehicle;
a shoulder joint for rotatably joining the wheel assembly to the chassis wherein at least two of the shoulder joints defining an axis that is not aligned with the center of gravity for the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (3, 7, 9, 12, 16, 25, 31, 37)
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39. A vehicle, comprising:
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a chassis; and
an articulated suspension system mounted to the chassis the articulated suspension system including elements that may be independently articulated wherein the articulated suspension system includes;
a plurality of suspension arms;
a plurality of driven shoulder joints rotatably joining the chassis and the plurality of suspension arms wherein at least two of the shoulder joints define an axis that is not aligned with the center of gravity for the vehicle;
a plurality of wheels rotatable above the plane of the vehicle by the shoulder joints; and
a plurality of hub drives rotatably joining the plurality of wheels and the plurality of suspension arms. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 47)
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- 48. A method of operating a vehicle, comprising articulating at least one of a plurality of wheel assemblies with a chassis, each of the wheel assemblies including a wheel spaced apart from the chassis and independently rotatable above the plane of the vehicle by a shoulder joint, wherein at least two of the shoulder joints define an axis that is not aligned with the center of gravity for the vehicle.
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78. A method for maneuvering a wheeled vehicle having an articulated suspension system, the method comprising:
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articulating the suspension system such that a first wheel contacts a first surface;
articulating the suspension system such that a second wheel and a third wheel contact a second surface, the second surface opposing the first surface; and
driving the vehicle through the space defined by the opposing first and second surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (79)
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- 80. A method for controlling a wheeled vehicle having an articulated suspension system, comprising articulating the suspension system to inhibit rollover of the vehicle.
- 83. A method for enhancing the survivability of a wheeled vehicle having an articulated suspension system, the method comprising articulating the suspension system to reduce the target detection area or the footprint of the vehicle.
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89. A method for use in transporting a wheeled vehicle having an articulated suspension system, the method comprising:
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articulating the suspension system to a stacking position; and
stacking the vehicle on another vehicle.
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90. A method for maneuvering a wheeled vehicle having an articulated suspension system, the method comprising articulating the wheels above the belly plane of vehicle'"'"'s chassis such that the chassis contacts the surface to brake the vehicle.
Specification