Polymorphic tracked behicle
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A polymorphic vehicle, comprising:
- a) a chassis including a main body with left and right sides;
b) a left pair of arms on the left side of the vehicle, comprising front and rear arms, each arm being rotatably attached to the chassis about a transverse axis, allowing rotation of the arm about said transverse axis;
c) a right pair of arms on the right side of the vehicle, comprising front and rear arms, each arm being rotatably attached to the chassis about a transverse axis, allowing rotation of the arm about said transverse axis;
d) for each pair of arms, an actuation system consisting of a transmission, actuator, and linkage, which enables said pair'"'"'s front and rear arms to be rotated in synchronous motion;
e) rotatably attached to each such arm, at least two wheels or track sprockets, at least one such wheel or track sprocket located near to each end of said arm;
f) at least one drive system and preferably two independent drive systems, comprising at least one motor, engine or other actuator, and associated transmissions and linkages, to cause at least one of the wheels or track sprockets on each side of the vehicle to rotate.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus is disclosed, for construction and operation of an all terrain polymorphic tracked vehicle. The invention improves on the prior art by providing a mechanism whereby it is possible to vary the shapes of the tracks during operation of the vehicle. This capability facilitates negotiating obstacles and rough terrain, enables such vehicles to climb stairs or similar obstacles, and also enables self leveling of the vehicle on inclined terrain.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A polymorphic vehicle, comprising:
-
a) a chassis including a main body with left and right sides; b) a left pair of arms on the left side of the vehicle, comprising front and rear arms, each arm being rotatably attached to the chassis about a transverse axis, allowing rotation of the arm about said transverse axis; c) a right pair of arms on the right side of the vehicle, comprising front and rear arms, each arm being rotatably attached to the chassis about a transverse axis, allowing rotation of the arm about said transverse axis; d) for each pair of arms, an actuation system consisting of a transmission, actuator, and linkage, which enables said pair'"'"'s front and rear arms to be rotated in synchronous motion; e) rotatably attached to each such arm, at least two wheels or track sprockets, at least one such wheel or track sprocket located near to each end of said arm; f) at least one drive system and preferably two independent drive systems, comprising at least one motor, engine or other actuator, and associated transmissions and linkages, to cause at least one of the wheels or track sprockets on each side of the vehicle to rotate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A method for operating a polymorphic tracked vehicle, having a front arm and rear arm rotatably attached to each side of the vehicle, with wheels or track sprockets rotatably attached to each arm, and with left and right track belts which extend around the rotatable wheels or track sprockets on the left and right sides of the vehicle respectively, so as to cause the vehicle to climb a series of stairs having a rise in elevation at the first stair and at each subsequent stair, comprising:
-
a) rotating the arms so that the highest part of at least one track belt is raised at least as high as the rise of the first stair; b) driving at least one of the track belts, so as to propel the vehicle towards the stairs, until at least one of the track belts contacts the first stair; c) rotating the arms on at least one side of the vehicle in order extend the tracked base of the vehicle; d) driving at least one of the track belts so as to propel the vehicle up the series of stairs.
-
- 19. A method for operating a polymorphic tracked vehicle, having a front arm and rear arm rotatably attached to each side of the vehicle, with wheels or track sprockets rotatably attached to each arm, and with left and right track belts which extend around the rotatable wheels or track sprockets on the left and right sides of the vehicle respectively, so as to change the height at which the main body of the vehicle is raised above the ground, comprising synchronously rotating the front and rear arms on at least one side of the vehicle, thereby causing a change in the vertical separation between the highest and lowest parts of the track, which is supported by the wheels or track sprockets which are rotatably attached to said arms, thereby causing a change in the height of at least one side of the main body of the vehicle above the ground.
Specification