Unmanned robot vehicle with mobility enhancing arm

• US 7,743,858 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2007
• Issued: 06/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elbit Systems Limited, Galileo Mobility Instruments Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Elbit Systems Limited, Galileo Mobility Instruments Ltd.
• Inventors: Novoplanski, Avishay, Hodis, Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley; Kevin
• Application Number:
  US11/984,473
• Publication Number:
  US 20080184840A1
• Time in Patent Office: 953 Days
• Field of Search: 180/8.3, 180/8.4, 180/9.32, 180/8.5
• US Class Current: 180/9.32
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 11/0025 handling explosives, bombs or hazardous objects
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 5/005 mounted on endless tracks or belts
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/075 Tracked vehicles for ascending or descending stairs, steep slopes or vertical surfacesmagnetic or pneumatic ground-engaging parts B62D55/265; chairs or multi-track cycles specially adapted for invalids A61G5/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20305 Robotic arm

Abstract

A vehicle (for example an unmanned robot vehicle) which includes a main body provided with a main locomotion mechanism for traveling over a terrain. The device is provided with at least one arm for enhanced support and maneuverability, the arm pivotally attached to the main body. The arm is controllable and capable of being rotated to a position where the arm or at least a substantial portion of the arm is placed in contact with the terrain or obstacle, so as to provide support or leverage to the main body.

Claims

1. A vehicle device comprising:

a main body provided with a main locomotion mechanism for traveling over a terrain or obstacle,

at least one motor-powered arm pivotally attached to an end portion of the main body, said arm controllable, rotatable and lockable in at least one of a number of angles, so that in one of said at least one of a number of angles the arm form a rigid, continuous support for the main body, the arm being aligned with a surface of the terrain on which the main body is supported when the vehicle device travels over the terrain, wherein the arm is attached to the main body of the vehicle at a location on a bottom portion of the main body.

2. A vehicle device comprising:

a main body provided with a main locomotion mechanism for traveling over a terrain or obstacle,

at least one motor-powered arm pivotally attached to an end portion of the main body, said arm controllable, rotatable and lockable in at least one of a number of angles, so that in one of said at least one of a number of angles the arm form a rigid, continuous support for the main body, the arm being aligned with a surface of the terrain on which the main body is supported when the vehicle device travels over the terrain, wherein the arm is curved.

3. A vehicle device comprising:

a main body provided with a main locomotion mechanism for traveling over a terrain or obstacle,

at least one motor-powered arm pivotally attached to an end portion of the main body, said arm controllable, rotatable and lockable in at least one of a number of angles, so that in one of said at least one of a number of angles the arm form a rigid, continuous support for the main body, the arm being aligned with a surface of the terrain on which the main body is supported when the vehicle device travels over the terrain, wherein the length of the arm is at least substantially equal to the length of the main body.