Rescue and exploration apparatus

• US 6,837,318 B1
• Filed: 03/28/2003
• Issued: 01/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hanna Craig, Heather Craig
• Original Assignee: Hanna Craig, Heather Craig
• Inventors: Craig, Hanna, Craig, Heather
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Lesley D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LUM VANNUCCI, LEE SIN YEE
• Application Number:
  US10/402,561
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 180/6.7, 180/9, 180/9.1, 180 141- 144, 180/204, 180/418, 280/411.1, 280/419, 305/100, 305/107, 305/199
• US Class Current: 180/6.7
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 12/00 Steering specially adapted for vehicles operating in tandem or having pivotally connected frames steering endless tracks or the like B62D11/00; steering specially adapted for trailers B62D13/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/00 Tractor-trailer combinations; Road trains traction couplings other than fifth wheel coupling B60D ; tracked vehicles comprising at least two articulated parts B62D55/0655
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/0655 Articulated endless track vehicles steering specially adapted for trailers B62D13/00; articulated buses B62D47/025; tractor-trailer combinations or road trains comprising a uni-axle unit and a uni-axle trailer B62D53/02
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/07 Mono-track vehicles

Abstract

A rescue and exploration apparatus that has a first continuous track rotatably supported within a first frame and a second continuous track rotatably supported within a second frame. The first and second continuous tracks are driven by at least one drive motor. The first and second frames are pivotally connected about a pivot point. A steering mechanism articulates the first and second frames about the pivot point. A remote control is operatively connected to the rescue and exploration apparatus, and a power source is electronically connected to the remote control the drive motors, and the steering mechanism. A tether may be used for rescue type uses by pulling the rescue and exploration apparatus back to safety with a rescue victim. A joystick and microcontroller on the remote control controls the speed and direction of the drive motors and steering mechanism.

Claims

1. A rescue and exploration apparatus, comprising:

(a) at least a first frame and a second frame, the first and second frames being pivotally connected to each other at a pivot point;

(b) a first continuous track and a second continuous track, the first continuous track being rotatably supported within the first frame and the second continuous track being rotatably supported within the second frame;

(c) at least a first drive motor mounted to the apparatus, the first drive motor driveably connected to at least one of the first and second continuous tracks;

(d) a steering means mounted in proximity to the pivot point said steering means having a steering motor driveably connected to a central steering sprocket, the central steering sprocket being mounted in proximity to the pivot point, a first end of a steering chain being secured about a first comer connecting a left side of the first frame to a rear side of the first frame, the steering chain extending toward a left side of the second frame in proximity to which the steering chain driveably engages a left steering sprocket mounted about a second comer connecting the left side of the second frame to a front side of the second frame, the steering chain extending around the left steering sprocket toward the pivot point in proximity to which the steering chain driveably engages the central steering sprocket, the steering chain extending around the central steering sprocket toward a right side of the second frame and driveably engaging a right steering sprocket mounted about a third comer connecting the right side of the second frame to the front side of the second frame, the steering chain extending around the right steering sprocket to a fourth comer connecting a right side of the first frame to the rear side of the first frame, the steering chain having a second end secured about the fourth corner;

(e) a remote control operatively connected to at least the first drive motor and the steering motor; and

(f) at least one power source operatively connected to the remote control, the first drive motor and the steering means.

2. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second frames each comprise four sides, the frames each having a substantially rectangular shape.

3. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first plurality of rollers rotatably mounted within the first frame and a second plurality of rollers rotatably mounted within the second frame, the first and second plurality of rollers rotatably supporting the first and second continuous tracks in relation to the first and second frames, respectively.

4. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first drive motor is driveably connected to at least one of the first plurality of rollers and a second drive motor is mounted to the apparatus and is driveably connected to at least one of the second plurality of rollers, at least one power source being operatively connected to the second drive motor.

5. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a first and a second drive sprocket, the first drive sprocket driveably connected to at least one of the first plurality of rollers and the second drive sprocket driveably connected to at least one of the second plurality of rollers.

6. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a plurality of drive sprockets driveably connected to at least two of the first plurality of rollers and to at least two of the second plurality of rollers.

7. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second continuous tracks are manufactured of a thin, sturdy and flexible material.

8. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 7, wherein the thin, sturdy and flexible material comprises rubber.

9. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 7, wherein the thin, sturdy and flexible material comprises silicone-reinforced rubber.

10. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sturdy and flexible material further comprises a series of rigid transverse strips configured to improve traction of the apparatus as it travels over a surface.

11. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 10, wherein the rigid strips are manufactured of a metal material.

12. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 11, wherein the metal material comprises aluminum, steel, iron, nickel copper, an alloy, or any combination thereof.

13. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second frames are manufactured of a metal material.

14. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 13, wherein the metal material comprises aluminum, steel, iron, nickel, copper, an alloy, or any combination thereof.

15. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 13, wherein the metal material comprises about ¾

inch O.D. steel conduit.

16. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 13, wherein four sides form each of the first and second frames, the sides being connected to each other by a fastening means.

17. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 16, wherein the fastening means comprises screws, rivets, bolts, adhesive, welding, or any combination thereof.

18. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second continuous tracks each comprise a contact surface having a length of at least about twenty inches and a width of at least about eight inches.

19. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of motor minds electronically connected to a microcontroller one of the motor minds being operatively connected to each of the first drive motor and the steering means, and the microcontroller being operatively connected to the remote control.

20. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 19, wherein the microcontroller comprises a Basic Stamp®

II microcontroller.

21. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a camera secured to one of the first and second frames.

22. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 21, wherein the camera comprises a video camera.

23. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one encoder electronically connected to at least the first drive motor.

24. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 23, wherein each encoder comprises a light source, a polycarbonate lens, a code wheel, and at least one photo diode, the light source being configured for emitting light through the lens and through slits in the code wheel onto the photo diode, the photo diode being electronically connected to the remote control.

25. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 1, wherein the remote control comprises a joystick and at least one toggle switch operatively connected to the first drive motor and the steering means.

26. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a television receiver to allow the user to view the images received by the camera;

the television receiver being operatively connected to the camera and electrically connected to the power source.

27. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first drive motor driveably connects to the first drive sprocket and the second drive motor driveably connects to the second drive sprocket.

28. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 27, wherein the first and second drive sprockets further comprise plate covers secured thereto.

29. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 28, wherein the plate covers are manufactured of a metal.

30. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 28, wherein the plate covers have a rubber edging attached around the circumference of the plate covers.

31. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 27, wherein each of the first and second drive motors comprises a pulley or drive shaft, the first and second drive sprockets each comprising a corresponding pulley or drive shaft, each pulley or drive shaft being operatively connected to one of the corresponding pulleys or drive shafts.

32. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 31, wherein each pulley is connected to the corresponding pulley by a belt that comprises about a ⅕

pitch belt.

33. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first and second drive motors can be selectively actuated for maneuvering the first and second frame members.

34. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one flotation element secured to the first and second frames.

35. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a life preserver removably secured to the apparatus.

36. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 1, wherein the remote control comprises a joystick and a plurality of switches, the joystick and the plurality of switches being operatively connected to a microcontroller programmed to control the speed and direction of at least the first drive motor and the steering means.

37. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 36, wherein the remote control further comprises a mechanical override switch to allow the rescue and exploration apparatus to be operated without speed control.

38. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a 12-volt battery, electricity, a portable generator;

solar cells, combustion engines, fuel cells, steam generators, or any combination thereof.

39. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 38, wherein the power source is removably secured to at least one of the first or second frames.

40. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 38, wherein the power source is remotely located in proximity to the remote control and provides power to the rescue and exploration apparatus through a tether.

41. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 1, wherein the remote control is operatively connected to at least the first drive motor and the steering means by a tether, the tether having an internal cavity for communicating a plurality of electronic connections therebetween.

42. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 41, wherein the electronic connections comprise wire, cable, or fiber-optic cable.

43. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 1, wherein the remote control is operatively connected to at least the first drive motor and the steering means by a first transmitter/receiver electronically connected to the remote control and a second transmitter/receiver electronically connected to at least the first drive motor and the steering means, the first and second transmitter/receivers being configured to communicate with each other wirelessly.

44. The rescue and exploration apparatus of claim 43, wherein the first and second transmitter/receivers communicate with each other by radio or infrared waves.