Pitch-propelled vehicle
AssigneeEqualia LLC
InventorRobert A. Bigler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims25
A vehicle for carrying a user comprising:
- a board for supporting the user;
- a ground-contacting member coupled with the board;
- a motorized drive assembly including a controller and coupled with the ground-contacting member;
- and
- one or more sensors coupled with the drive assembly to detect one or more characteristics of the board including a pitch of the board relative to a surface below the board, wherein the controller of the drive assembly increases the velocity of the ground-contacting member in a direction based on a value of the pitch of the board in the direction increasing as detected by the sensors.
A method for carrying a user comprising:
- assuming a position on a vehicle comprising:
- a board for supporting the user;
- a single ground-contacting member coupled with the board;
- a motorized drive assembly including a controller and coupled with the ground-contacting member;
- and
- one or more sensors coupled with the drive assembly to detect one or more characteristics of the board including a pitch of the board relative to a surface below the board, wherein the controller of the drive assembly increases the velocity of the ground-contacting member in a direction based on a value of the pitch of the board in the direction increasing as detected by the sensors;
- and
- operating the vehicle by causing the board to tilt with respect to the surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.