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US 4,861,053 AGranted
Spherical support apparatus movable over plane surfaces
OwnerArthur S. Yeomans, Jr.inventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spherical element is disclosed having an external pivotably mounted bail counterbalance by an internal counterweight where the sphere is operable over plane surfaces and water supporting a variety of counterbalanced instrumentalities upon the bail and maintained upright by the counterweight when the spherical unit is moving, as well as when at rest.
Claims9
A support apparatus movable over plane surfaces comprising:
- a hollow spherical element having a continuous, flexible external skin,
- an external bail pivotably supported by said sphere,
- an extension of said bail being disposed within said spherical element,
- a counterweight fixed to said extension, and,
- a unicycle fixed to said bail making a driving connection with said external skin, said counterweight being spaced from said skin whereby a momentary indentation or deflection of said skin creates frictional contact between the skin and the counterweight causing momentary imbalance to said unicycle.
- a counterweight pivotally mounted to said extension, and,
- permanent support means on said bail serving as a foundation for fixing various instrumentalities to said support means whereby said instrumntalities are maintained in an upright position by said counterweight when said spherical element is moving over said plane surface or at rest, said external skin being flexible whereby a momentary indentation of said skin makes frictional contact with said counterweight to create a momentary driving connection therewith.
4 more elements
A support apparatus movable over plane surfaces comprising:
- a hollow spherical element having a continuous external skin,
- an external bail pivotally supported by said spherical element,
- an extension of said bail disposed within said spherical element,
- a counterweight fixed to said extension, and,
- permanent support means on said bail serving as a foundation for fixing various instrumentalities to said support means whereby said instrumentalities are maintained in an upright position by said counterweight when said spherical element is moving over said plane surface or at rest, said external skin being flexible whereby a momentary indentation of said skin makes frictional contact with said counterweight to create a momentary braking action of a moving spherical element.
2 more elements
A support apparatus movable over plane surfaces comprising:
- a hollow spherical element having a continuous external skin
- an external bail pivotally supported by said spherical element
- an extension of said bail disposed within said spherical element, a counterweight pivotally mounted to said extension, and, permanent support means on said bail serving as a foundation for fixing various instrumentalities to said support means whereby said instrumentalities are maintained in an upright position by said counterweight when said spherical element is moving over said plane surface or at rest, said external skin being flexible whereby a momentary indentation of said skin makes frictional contact with said counterweight to create a momentary driving connection therewith.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.