Spherical vehicle
First Claim
1. A spherical vehicle comprising:
- a spherical outer body having a means for entering and exiting said vehicle, said outer body having an inside surface, said outer body having a lower portion, a driving wheel rotatably positioned about said outer body in a vertical orientation, said driving wheel having engaging means, a generally horizontal platform positioned inside said outer body, a plurality of telescopic columns, each column positioned at the periphery of said platform, each column equipped with a braking means, said braking means normally engaged with the inside surface of said outer body, a driving means positioned on said platform, said driving means adapted to retractably engage with the engaging means of said driving wheel to cause the movement of said vehicle, a set of retractable wheels positioned on both sides of said lower portion of said vehicle, a control system for driving said vehicle under normal conditions, and an emergency system for disengaging said platform and said driving means from said outer body and said driving wheel respectably in case of a collision, said emergency system applying a controlled braking force to said braking means as they slip against said inside surface of the outer body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A spherical vehicle is designed to increase passenger safety by rolling away with the passengers from a collision scene while applying controlled braking force until the speed of the vehicle is reduced to zero. The spherical vehicle has an outer body and a horizontal platform resting on four telescopic columns inside the outer body. Each column is equipped with a set of braking shoes and pads normally engaged with the inside surface of the outer body. The engine and the passenger seats are located on the platform. The driving force from the engine is transmitted to the outer wheel which propels the vehicle forward. A pair of retractable wheels is placed in the lower portion of the vehicle to aid while turning or when the vehicle is stopped. In case of a collision, the braking shoes disengage from the outer body so the spherical vehicle can roll away while the platform with the passengers remain in horizontal orientation. Controlled braking force is applied by a hydraulic emergency system between the braking shoes and the outer body to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. In an alternate embodiment, a smaller spherical or cylindrical wheel is supporting the entire weight of the vehicle and is positioned near the bottom of the outer spherical body of the vehicle. The smaller wheel extends from the vehicle by a minimal distance not to compromise the safety features of the vehicle.
38 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A spherical vehicle comprising:
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a spherical outer body having a means for entering and exiting said vehicle, said outer body having an inside surface, said outer body having a lower portion, a driving wheel rotatably positioned about said outer body in a vertical orientation, said driving wheel having engaging means, a generally horizontal platform positioned inside said outer body, a plurality of telescopic columns, each column positioned at the periphery of said platform, each column equipped with a braking means, said braking means normally engaged with the inside surface of said outer body, a driving means positioned on said platform, said driving means adapted to retractably engage with the engaging means of said driving wheel to cause the movement of said vehicle, a set of retractable wheels positioned on both sides of said lower portion of said vehicle, a control system for driving said vehicle under normal conditions, and an emergency system for disengaging said platform and said driving means from said outer body and said driving wheel respectably in case of a collision, said emergency system applying a controlled braking force to said braking means as they slip against said inside surface of the outer body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification