Powered monocycle

• US 5,314,034 A
• Filed: 11/14/1991
• Issued: 05/24/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nandan R. Chittal
• Original Assignee: Nandan R. Chittal
• Inventors: Chittal, Nandan R.
• Primary Examiner(s): CULBRETH, ERIC D
• Application Number:
  US07/791,846
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• Field of Search: 280/205, 180/21, 180/282, 114/122, 114/121
• US Class Current: 180/21
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/20 for control of the vehicle or its driving motor to achieve a desired performance, e.g. speed, torque, programmed variation of speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/16 Single-axle vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/34 Stabilising upright position of vehicles, e.g. of single axle vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/145 Structure borne vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/30 using propulsion power stored mechanically, e.g. in fly-wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 37/06 using gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 61/00 Motor vehicles or trailers, characterised by the arrangement or number of wheels, not otherwise provided for, e.g. four wheels in diamond pattern
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 1/10 involving means providing for a stabilised ride training appliances or apparatus for cycling sport A63B69/16
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 1/00 Unicycles
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 17/00 Cycles not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 1/10 involving devices which enable the mechanical storing and releasing of energy occasionally, e.g. arrangement of flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility

Abstract

A monocycle comprising of a single tyred wheel, a handlebar and engine means, stabilized by a gyro flywheel means having substantially large moment of inertia.

Claims

1. A powered monocycle which comprises:

a vehicle frame defining at least a lower end, a top front end and front and rear portions;

engine assembly means attached to said vehicle frame;

a tyred wheel means;

suspension means rotatably connecting said tyred wheel means to said lower end of said vehicle frame;

transmission assembly means attached to said vehicle frame for transmitting power from said engine assembly means to said wheel means;

gyro flywheel means attached to said vehicle frame;

means attached to said vehicle frame for spinning said gyro flywheel means at a desired speed; and

handle bar assembly means pivotally attached to said vehicle frame at said top front end, said handle bar assembly means comprising a headlight, instrument panel means and handgrip means.

2. A powered monocycle according to claim 1 wherein said gyro flywheel means comprises:

a flywheel defining a spin axis, said flywheel normally positioned with said spin axis substantially perpendicular to a ground plane; and

bearing means connected to said vehicle frame and to said flywheel.

3. A powered monocycle according to claim 1 and further comprising stand means defining ends and attached to said front and rear portions of said vehicle frame, said stand means including wheels attached to said ends of said stand means.

4. A powered monocycle according to claim 1 further comprising gearbox mechanism means in operative relationship with said wheel means for optionally reversing the direction of rotation of said wheel means.

5. A powered monocycle as in claim 1 wherein said gyro flywheel spinning means comprises an electric motor means.