# US 10,870,459 B2 · Learning aid for central wheel structure auto-balancing device and auto-balancing device having same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,870,459 B2 - Document ID: US10870459B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/829,871 - Filed: 2017-12-01 - Published: 2018-06-07 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2016-12-01 - Applicants: Shane Chen - Inventors: Shane Chen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10870459B2 ## CPC - B62K 11/007: {Automatic balancing machines with single main ground engaging wheel or coaxial wheels supporting a rider} - B62H 1/12: using additional wheels - B62K 1/00: Unicycles - B62K: CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDECARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE - B62H: CYCLE STANDS; SUPPORTS OR HOLDERS FOR PARKING OR STORING CYCLES; APPLIANCES PREVENTING OR INDICATING UNAUTHORIZED USE OR THEFT OF CYCLES; LOCKS INTEGRAL WITH CYCLES; DEVICES FOR LEARNING TO RIDE CYCLES ## Abstract A training aid to teach balancing skills for a central wheel structure auto-balancing device and an auto-balancing device having same. The training aids may be variously configured and may be releasably or fixedly coupled to the foot platforms of the auto-balancing device. Disclosed embodiments include various ground contact members and various support structures that hold the ground contacting members. The training aids may be compressive and/or offer ground resistance. The height of the aids, their compressive strength and/or their resistance, among other features, may be adjusted. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A training aid device for a central wheel structure auto-balancing device, comprising: a ground contact member; a support structure that supports the ground contact member; and an attachment mechanism adapted for attachment of the support structure to a central wheel structure auto-balancing device; wherein the support structure is configured to be compressible such that the lean of a rider, toward the side of an auto-balancing device to which the training aid device is attached causes a vertical compressing force to be applied to the support structure that compresses the support structure; and wherein the greater the lateral lean of a rider, the greater the compressing force exerted on the support structure and the greater the friction achieved between the ground contact member and the ground; the training aid device configured such that friction between the ground contact member and the ground causes a central wheel structure auto-balancing device to which the training aid device is attached to turn about a pivot point located where the ground contact member contacts the ground, and the greater the lean of a rider, the greater the friction at the pivot point and thus the sharper the turning. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the support structure and ground contact member are formed of the same material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the ground contact member is formed on at least one surface of material that forms the support structure. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, wherein the support structure and ground contact member are configured such that the ground contact member is movable spatially from the support structure. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, wherein the support structure includes a bias mechanism. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, wherein the ground contact member is configured to be non-rotary. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the support structure and ground contact member are formed of different materials. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the support structure and ground contact member are biased to a first position and configured such that application of a vertical compressing force deforms the support structure, the support structure returning to the first position when the vertical compressing force is removed. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the ground contacting member is a wheel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the ground contact member is a wheel and the device further comprises a braking mechanism that applies a friction force against rotation of the wheel, and wherein the greater the friction force, the sharper the turning of an auto-balancing device to which the training aid device is attached. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the friction force applied by the braking mechanism is rider selectable. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the braking mechanism is configured to increase the friction force exerted against rotation of the wheel when a rider increases the amount of weight applied to the device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism is adapted for coupling to a foot platform of a central wheel structure auto-balancing device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the ground contact member is configured to be non-rotary. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the training aid device is configured to afford rider selection of the height of the ground contact member above the height of ground upon which the auto-balancing device is ridden. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the position of the ground contact member relative to the support structure is changeable. ### Claim 17 A training aid device for a central wheel structure auto-balancing device, comprising: a ground contact member; a support structure that supports the ground contact member; and an attachment mechanism adapted for attachment of the support structure to a central wheel structure auto-balancing device; wherein the support structure and ground contact member are biased towards a first position and configured such that the lean of a rider, toward the side of an auto-balancing device to which the training aid device is attached, causes a deforming force to be applied to the support structure, the support structure returning to their first position when the deforming force is removed; wherein the training aid device creates a pivot point for turning an auto-balancing device to which the training aid device is attached, the pivot point located where the ground contact member contacts the ground, and wherein the greater the lean of a rider onto the training aid device, the greater the friction achieved at the pivot point and thus the sharper the turning of an attached auto-balancing device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein the attachment mechanism is adapted for coupling to a foot platform of a central wheel structure auto-balancing device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein the support structure and the ground contact member are made of the same material. ### Claim 20 A training aid device for a central wheel structure auto-balancing device, comprising: a ground contact member that includes a wheel; a support structure that supports the ground contact member; and an attachment mechanism adapted for attachment of the support structure to a central wheel structure auto-balancing device; and a friction force mechanism that applies friction against rotation of the wheel, the friction force mechanism configured to allow rider pre-selection of the amount of friction applied against rotation of the wheel; the training aid device configured such that contact of the ground contact member with ground defines a pivot point about which a central wheel structure auto-balancing device attached to the training aid device turns when the ground contact member contacts the ground. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The device of claim 20, wherein the position of the wheel relative to the support structure is movable spatially.