PITCH-PROPELLED VEHICLE
First Claim
1. A vehicle for carrying a user comprising:
- a board for supporting the user;
a ground-contacting member coupled with the board;
a motorized drive assembly coupled with the ground-contacting member; and
one or more sensors coupled with the drive assembly, wherein the drive assembly adjusts the velocity of the ground-contacting member based on one or more distances of the board from a surface below the board as detected by the sensors.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method, system and apparatus for carrying a user including a board for supporting the user, a ground-contacting member coupled with the board, a motorized drive assembly coupled with the ground-contacting member and one or more sensors coupled with the drive assembly. In operation, the drive assembly adjusts the velocity of the ground-contacting member based on one or more distances of the board from a surface below the board as detected by the sensors. As a result, the system is able to maintain a desired velocity when ascending, descending or traversing uneven ground without the need for excessive and sometimes impossible tilting of the board.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A vehicle for carrying a user comprising:
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a board for supporting the user; a ground-contacting member coupled with the board; a motorized drive assembly coupled with the ground-contacting member; and one or more sensors coupled with the drive assembly, wherein the drive assembly adjusts the velocity of the ground-contacting member based on one or more distances of the board from a surface below the board as detected by the sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for carrying a user comprising:
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assuming a position on a vehicle comprising; a board for supporting the user; a single ground-contacting member coupled with the board; a motorized drive assembly coupled with the ground-contacting member; and one or more sensors coupled with the drive assembly, wherein the drive assembly adjusts the velocity of the ground-contacting member based on one or more distances of the board from a surface below the board as detected by the sensors; and operating the vehicle by causing the board to tilt with respect to the surface. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A vehicle for carrying a user comprising:
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an elongated board for supporting the user, wherein the board is elongated along a dimension in a fore-aft plane that aligns with the forward and reverse directions of travel of the vehicle; a single ground-contacting member coupled with the board; one or more sensors coupled to the board; and a motorized drive assembly operatively coupled with the ground-contacting member and the sensors, wherein the drive assembly adjusts the velocity of the ground-contacting member based on a pitch of the board as indicated by one or more distances of the board from a surface below the board detected by the sensors; wherein the motorized drive assembly automatically stabilizes the board about the ground-contacting member such that desired distances between the surface and a fore end and the surface and an aft end of the board are maintained, wherein the desired distances are dynamically determined as an average current distance detected between the fore end of the board and the surface and the aft end of the board and the surface. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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Specification