Personal mobility vehicles and methods

• US 6,367,817 B1
• Filed: 08/10/2000
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Ambrogi, Robert R., Field, J. Douglas, Duggan, Robert J., Heinzmann, Richard Kurt, Langenfeld, Christopher C., Kamen, Dean L., Amsbury, Burl
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LUBY, MATTHEW D
• Application Number:
  US09/635,936
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• Field of Search: 180/218, 180/7.1, 180/271, 180/274, 180/8.2, 180/8.3, 180/65.1, 180/282, 180/170, 180/171, 180/21, 180/41, 280/5.507, 340/438, 340/441
• US Class Current: 280/5.507
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/01 Skateboards A63C17/02 - A63C17/28 take precedence; rolling devices on skis A63C5/035
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/08 single-wheel type with single axis
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/12 with driving mechanisms
• 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 2200/14 Vehicles with one wheel only
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/16 Single-axle vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/22 Microcars, e.g. golf cars
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/46 Wheel motors, i.e. motor connected to only one wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/20 angular
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/461 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/463 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/12 by confirmation, e.g. of the input
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/22 by presence detection
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 37/00 Stabilising vehicle bodies without controlling suspension arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 51/002 comprising safety arrangements safety devices for vehicle propulsion unit control B60K28/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 51/02 the driver standing in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 57/00 Vehicles characterised by having other propulsion or other ground- engaging means than wheels or endless track, alone or in addition to wheels or endless track sledges B62B; motor sledges B62M
• 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: B62K 1/00 Unicycles
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 11/007 : Automatic balancing machines with single main ground engaging wheel or coaxial wheels supporting a rider
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility

Abstract

A class of transportation vehicles for carrying an individual over ground having a surface that may be irregular. Various embodiments have a motorized drive, mounted to the ground-contacting module that causes operation of the vehicle in an operating position that is unstable with respect to tipping when the motorized drive arrangement is not powered. Related methods are provided.

Claims

1. A device for carrying a user, the device comprising:

a. a platform which supports a payload including the user,

b. a ground-contacting module, mounted to the platform, including at least one ground-contacting member and defining a fore-aft plane;

c. a motorized drive arrangement, coupled to the ground-contacting module;

the drive arrangement, ground-contacting module and payload constituting a system being unstable with respect to tipping when the motorized drive is not powered;

the motorized drive arrangement causing, when powered, automatically balanced operation of the system in an operating position that is unstable with respect to tipping in at least a fore-aft plane when the motorized drive arrangement is not powered; and

d. a user input control that receives an indication from the user of a specified pitch of the device under conditions of motion at uniform velocity.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a handle coupled to the platform, wherein the user input control includes a thumb-wheel disposed upon the handle.

3. A method for carrying a user, the method comprising:

a. assuming a position on a platform which supports a payload including the user, the platform being coupled to a ground-contacting module, the module including at least one ground-contacting member and defining a fore-aft plane;

b. operating a motorized drive arrangement, coupled to the ground-contacting module;

the drive arrangement, ground-contacting module and payload constituting a system being unstable with respect to tipping when the motorized drive is not powered;

the motorized drive arrangement causing, when powered, automatically balanced operation of the system in an operating position that is unstable with respect to tipping in at least a fore-aft plane when the motorized drive arrangement is not powered; and

c. providing via a user input control an indication from the user of a specified pitch of the system under conditions of motion at uniform velocity.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3, wherein the user input control includes a thumb-wheel disposed upon a handle coupled to the platform.