Personal mobility vehicles and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device for carrying a user characterized by a characteristic area in a plane parallel to an underlying surface, the device comprising:
- a. a platform for supporting the user;
b. a ground-contacting module which propels the platform over the underlying surface, the ground-contacting module including separately rotatable ground-contacting members and having an area substantially equal to the characteristic area of the user; and
c. a motorized drive arrangement coupled to the ground-contacting module which causes, when powered, operation of the device in an operating position that allows for leaning and that is unstable with respect to tipping in the fore-aft plane when the motorized drive arrangement is not powered, in such a manner that leaning of the device is not cancelled while the device is in motion.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A class of transportation vehicles for carrying an individual over ground having a surface that may be irregular. This embodiment has 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.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A device for carrying a user characterized by a characteristic area in a plane parallel to an underlying surface, the device comprising:
-
a. a platform for supporting the user; b. a ground-contacting module which propels the platform over the underlying surface, the ground-contacting module including separately rotatable ground-contacting members and having an area substantially equal to the characteristic area of the user; and c. a motorized drive arrangement coupled to the ground-contacting module which causes, when powered, operation of the device in an operating position that allows for leaning and that is unstable with respect to tipping in the fore-aft plane when the motorized drive arrangement is not powered, in such a manner that leaning of the device is not cancelled while the device is in motion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method for using a vehicle to carry a user having two feet, the feet of the user defining a characteristic area in a standing position, the method comprising:
-
a. positioning the user on a platform, the platform coupled to a ground-contacting module which propels the platform over an underlying surface, the ground-contacting module including separately rotatable ground-contacting members and having an area substantially equal to the characteristic area of the user; and b. operating a motorized drive arrangement coupled to the ground-contacting module which causes, when powered, operation of the device in an operating position that allows for leaning and that is unstable with respect to tipping in the fore-aft plane when the motorized drive arrangement is not powered and in such a manner than leaning of the device is not cancelled while the device is in motion. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
-
Specification