Method for attaching a carrier to a balancing transporter

• US 7,000,933 B2
• Filed: 07/24/2003
• Issued: 02/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Field, J. Douglas, Arling, R. William, Heinzmann, John David, Slate, Michael, Hill, Jeffrey W.
• Primary Examiner(s): SHRIVER II, JAMES A
• Application Number:
  US10/626,468
• Publication Number:
  US 20040129464A1
• Time in Patent Office: 943 Days
• Field of Search: 180/218, 280/204, 280/292, 280/492, 280/494, 280/504, 280/400
• US Class Current: 280/204
• 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 2200/28 Trailers
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/14 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/463 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/34 Stabilising upright position of vehicles, e.g. of single axle vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 51/008 characterised by the vehicle being formed by articulated or separable units road trains B62D53/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 51/02 the driver standing in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/005 Combinations with at least three axles and comprising two or more articulated parts articulated buses B62D47/025
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/02 comprising a uniaxle tractor unit and a uniaxle trailer unit see B60B11/00 - B60B11/08
• 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: B62D 63/06 Trailers vehicles comprising living accommodation for people, e.g. caravans, camping or like vehicles B60P3/32
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 63/067 single wheeled (rigid or semi-rigid couping)
• 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 method for attaching a carrier, such as a trailer, to a dynamically balanced transporter. The carrier is attached to the transporter with a pivot. The pivot axis of the carrier is coincident with the axis of rotation of the wheels of the transporter. This method of attachment minimizes the impact of the trailer on the ability of the transporter to maintain dynamic balance and control.

Claims

1. A method for governing motion of a combination of a dynamically balanced transporter and a carrier, the method comprising:

a. coupling the carrier to the dynamically balanced transporter with a pivot, the pivot characterized by a pivot axis;

b. tilting the transporter in a direction of desired motion; and

c. governing motion of the combination of transporter and carrier in response to the tilt of the transporter.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is a second transporter.

3. A method according to claim 1, further including:

d. coupling an additional carrier to the carrier.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the carrier and the additional carrier is a transporter.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transporter includes a platform and at least one ground-contacting element, each ground contacting element rotatably attached to the platform about a rotation axis and wherein the pivot axis is coincident with the rotation axis.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein coupling the carrier includes attaching the carrier such that the carrier rides behind the transporter.

7. A method according to claim 5, wherein coupling the carrier includes attaching the carrier such that the carrier rides in front of the transporter.

8. A method according to claim 5, wherein the transporter includes at least two laterally disposed ground contacting elements and coupling the carrier includes attaching the carrier such that at least one pivot is disposed between two ground contacting elements.