Multi-point mobility device
First Claim
1. A multi-point mobility device, capable of providing a plurality of ground surface contact points, comprising:
- a. A pair of track belt assemblies, with each one positioned on either side of a supporting frame, in which each track assembly has a front wheel, a rear wheel and a central wheel upon which a track belt is able to rotate around;
b. Two independent drive motors, with each motor able to rotate a single track belt assembly; and
c. A means to raise or lower the central wheel of the track belt assembly, where the center wheel of the track assembly is larger then the rear drive wheel or front wheel, and where said track belt remains in constant contact on both the top side and bottom side of the center wheel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-point mobility device that is capable of navigating over rough terrain without difficulty, including snow, say and, and mud, and which is able to reconfigure the two belt track assemblies so as to minimize lateral friction by the belts with indoor floor surfaces or carpets.
A separate rear wheel, located behind the side mounted track assemblies is able to be lowered when desired, so as to raise the rear portion of the multi-point mobility device off of the ground surface. In addition, the central wheel of the track assembly is also able to be raised or lowered, giving for possible track belt configurations including the normal track configuration, a second track configuration in which the front portion of the track is raised off of the ground surface, a third track configuration in which the rear wheel is lowered, along with the central wheel, to provide a three-point contact with the ground surface, and a fourth configuration in which the rear wheel is lowered raising a standard track configuration so that they three-point contact is achieved with the ground surface, providing turning ability at the extreme front-end of the device.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A multi-point mobility device, capable of providing a plurality of ground surface contact points, comprising:
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a. A pair of track belt assemblies, with each one positioned on either side of a supporting frame, in which each track assembly has a front wheel, a rear wheel and a central wheel upon which a track belt is able to rotate around;
b. Two independent drive motors, with each motor able to rotate a single track belt assembly; and
c. A means to raise or lower the central wheel of the track belt assembly, where the center wheel of the track assembly is larger then the rear drive wheel or front wheel, and where said track belt remains in constant contact on both the top side and bottom side of the center wheel. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6)
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2. A multi-point mobility device, capable of providing a plurality of ground surface contact points, as recited in claim one, in which a battery power source is supported by the front area of the frame, with the center of gravity for this device located between the center wheel and rear drive wheel.
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7. A multi-point mobility device, capable of providing a plurality of ground surface contact points, comprising:
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a. A pair of track belt assemblies, with each one positioned on either side of a supporting frame, in which each track assembly has a front wheel, a rear wheel and a central wheel upon which a track belt is able to rotate around;
b. Two independent drive motors, with each motor able to rotate a single track belt assembly;
c. A means to raise or lower the central wheel of the track belt assembly; and
d. A means to raise or lower an independent rear wheel, at the rear of the multi-point mobility device. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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- 16. A multi-point mobility device having an independent rear wheel that may be raised or lowered, a pair of track belt assemblies, with each one positioned on either side of a supporting frame, in which each track assembly has a front wheel, a rear wheel and a central wheel, where the central wheel is able to be raised or lowered, and which is able to configure the belt assemblies from a standard configuration, in which the bottom portion of the track belt contiguously contacts a flat ground surface, to a new configuration by raising a portion of the track belt assembly off of the ground surface.
Specification