Pitch-propelled vehicle
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle for carrying a user comprising:
- a board having a plurality of detached sections coupled together by a hinge including a pin, wherein the sections are able to pivot about the pin of the hinge between a folded position where the board is bent and an unfolded position where the board is flat, and further wherein the hinge is coupled to a top surface of the sections such that in the unfolded position an inner surface of the sections contact each other thereby preventing the sections from further pivoting;
a ground-contacting member coupled with the board and configured to rotate about a central axis, wherein the pin of the hinge is aligned with the central axis and the board is offset below the central axis when in the unfolded position; and
a motorized drive assembly coupled with the ground-contacting member, wherein the ground-contacting member rotates about an axle and the axle acts as a pin of the hinges, wherein the sections pivot about the axle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method, system and apparatus for carrying a user including a board for supporting the user, a ground-contacting member coupled with the board, a motorized drive assembly coupled with the ground-contacting member and one or more sensors coupled with the drive assembly. In operation, the drive assembly adjusts the velocity of the ground-contacting member based on one or more distances of the board from a surface below the board as detected by the sensors. As a result, the system is able to maintain a desired velocity when ascending, descending or traversing uneven ground without the need for excessive and sometimes impossible tilting of the board.
127 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A vehicle for carrying a user comprising:
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a board having a plurality of detached sections coupled together by a hinge including a pin, wherein the sections are able to pivot about the pin of the hinge between a folded position where the board is bent and an unfolded position where the board is flat, and further wherein the hinge is coupled to a top surface of the sections such that in the unfolded position an inner surface of the sections contact each other thereby preventing the sections from further pivoting; a ground-contacting member coupled with the board and configured to rotate about a central axis, wherein the pin of the hinge is aligned with the central axis and the board is offset below the central axis when in the unfolded position; and a motorized drive assembly coupled with the ground-contacting member, wherein the ground-contacting member rotates about an axle and the axle acts as a pin of the hinges, wherein the sections pivot about the axle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of operating a vehicle having an elongated board, the method comprising:
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providing a vehicle comprising; a board having a plurality of detached sections coupled together by a hinge including a pin, wherein the sections are able to pivot about the pin of the hinge between a folded position where the board is bent and an unfolded position where the board is flat, and further wherein the hinge is coupled to a top surface of the sections such that in the unfolded position an inner surface of the sections contact each other thereby preventing the sections from further pivoting; a ground-contacting member coupled with the board and configured to rotate about a central axis, wherein the pin of the hinge is aligned with the central axis and the board is offset below the central axis when in the unfolded position; and a motorized drive assembly coupled with the ground-contacting member; moving the board between the unfolded position into the folded position by pivoting the sections about the hinges, wherein ends of two of the sections that are on opposite sides of the board in the unfolded position are closer together in the folded position, wherein the ground-contacting member rotates about an axle and the axle acts as a pin of the hinges, wherein the sections pivot about the axle. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A vehicle for carrying a user comprising:
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a board having a plurality of detached sections coupled together by a hinge including a pin, wherein the sections are able to pivot about the pin of the hinge between a folded position where the board is bent and an unfolded position where the board is flat, and further wherein the hinge is coupled to a top surface of the sections such that in the unfolded position an inner surface of the sections contact each other thereby preventing the sections from further pivoting; a ground-contacting member coupled with the board and configured to rotate about a central axis, wherein the pin of the hinge is aligned with the central axis and the board is offset below the central axis when in the unfolded position; and a motorized drive assembly coupled with the ground-contacting member. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification