Rolling vehicle
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A rolling vehicle, comprising:
- a generally spherical body of open framework construction having an axle at the axis of rotation, a plurality of substantially semi-circular ribs secured between opposite ends of the axle and extending radially therefrom at angularly spaced positions;
a pod pivotally mounted on the central portion of said axle within the body and containing propulsion means having a thrust axis substantially perpendicular to the axle;
the center of gravity of said pod being below the axle;
and aerodynamic lifting and directional control surfaces mounted on said pod, said lifting surfaces being substantially horizontal and having aerodynamic lift characteristics capable of supporting a substantial part of the weight of the vehicle in forward motion.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A rolling vehicle having a generally spherical cage-like body with a diametrical axle on which a pod is suspended within the cage structure. The pod contains a propulsion unit which provides thrust for driving the vehicle in a particular direction and also carries aerodynamic lift and control surfaces. When the vehicle is rolling, the lifting surfaces reduce the bearing load of the vehicle on the supporting surface and the control surfaces provide directional control. Outrigger stabilizing wheels on the ends of the axle provide basic stability and can be made of buoyant material for operation on water.
-
Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A rolling vehicle, comprising:
-
a generally spherical body of open framework construction having an axle at the axis of rotation, a plurality of substantially semi-circular ribs secured between opposite ends of the axle and extending radially therefrom at angularly spaced positions; a pod pivotally mounted on the central portion of said axle within the body and containing propulsion means having a thrust axis substantially perpendicular to the axle; the center of gravity of said pod being below the axle; and aerodynamic lifting and directional control surfaces mounted on said pod, said lifting surfaces being substantially horizontal and having aerodynamic lift characteristics capable of supporting a substantial part of the weight of the vehicle in forward motion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A rolling vehicle comprising:
-
a generally spherical body of open framework construction having an axle at the axis of rotation, hub caps secured to opposite ends of said axle, a plurality of substantially semicircular ribs secured between said hub caps and extending radially therefrom at angularly spaced positions; a rolling ring fixed to the central portion of said body, perpendicular to and concentric with said axle, the rolling ring being secured to and interconnecting said ribs; stabilizing wheels mounted on opposite ends of said axle and fixed relative to said hub caps, the wheels being smaller in diameter than the spherical diameter of the body; said stabilizing wheels being buoyant; a pod pivotally mounted on the central portion of said axle and containing propulsion means having a thrust axis substantially perpendicular to the axle; the center of gravity of said pod being below the axle; and aerodynamic lifting and directional control surfaces mounted on said pod. - View Dependent Claims (10)
-
-
11. A rolling vehicle comprising:
-
a generally spherical body of open framework construction having an axle at the axis of rotation, hub caps secured to opposite ends of said axle, a plurality of substantially semicircular ribs secured between said hub caps and extending radially therefrom at angularly spaced positions; a rolling ring fixed to the central portion of said body, perpendicular to and concentric with said axle, the rolling ring being secured to and interconnecting said ribs; stabilizing wheels mounted on opposite ends of said axle and fixed relative to said hub caps, the wheels being smaller in diameter than the spherical diameter of the body; a pod pivotally mounted on the central portion of said axle and containing propulsion means having a thrust axis substantially perpendicular to the axle; said propulsion means including an electric motor mounted on said pod forward of the axle and carrying a driven propeller, and a motor actuating battery mounted on the pod rearwardly of the axle; the center of gravity of said pod being below the axle; and aerodynamic lifting and directional control surfaces mounted on the pod with horizontal and vertical surfaces extending rearwardly of the axle, a substantial portion of the aerodynamic surfaces being disposed in the slipstream of the propeller. - View Dependent Claims (12)
-
Specification