Abstract: A self-propelled, one-wheeled vehicle may include a board having two deck portions each having a concave front footpad configured to receive a foot of a rider, and a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions. The concave front footpad has a rider detection sensor in the form of a membrane switch conforming to the shape of the footpad (e.g., facilitated by one or more slots formed in the membrane switch). A motor assembly drives the vehicle in response to board orientation and rider detection information.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 24, 2023
Date of Patent:
February 6, 2024
Assignee:
FUTURE MOTION, INC.
Inventors:
Kyle Jonathan Doerksen, Beau Robertson, Phil Rullman, Ximena Prugue, Daniel Blachinsky
Abstract: Fender assemblies are disclosed, each assembly including a frame and a fender. The frame has a first leg including a first coupling portion and a second leg including a first latch portion, and the frame is configured to be coupled to the vehicle with the first leg and the second leg on opposite sides of a wheel. The fender has a first end and a second end, the first end having a second coupling portion configured to releasably mate with the first coupling portion of the frame to form a manually releasable joint, the second end comprising a second latch portion configured to mate with the first latch portion of the frame to releasably secure the second end to the frame.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 28, 2023
Date of Patent:
February 6, 2024
Assignee:
FUTURE MOTION, INC.
Inventors:
Julian De La Rua, Daniel Blachinsky, Kyle Jonathan Doerksen, Phil Rullman
Abstract: A one-wheeled vehicle may comprise a board including first and second deck portions each configured to receive a left or right foot of a rider oriented generally perpendicular to a direction of travel of a board, and a pair of side rails, each of which are coupled to the first and second deck portions at distal ends. A top surface of each side rail defines a generally concave shape, such that a plane connecting distal edges of the end portions of the side rail is spaced apart from the central portion of the side rail. In some examples, a bottom surface of each side rail also defines a generally concave-upward shape. In some examples, a bottom surface of each side rail includes a central cutout.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 17, 2022
Date of Patent:
February 6, 2024
Assignee:
FUTURE MOTION, INC.
Inventors:
Kyle Jonathan Doerksen, Maximilian Fredrick Ballenger Sluiter
Abstract: A self-propelled, one-wheeled vehicle includes a suspension system configured to dampen up-and-down motion of a board relative to the axle of a central wheel assembly when the vehicle encounters obstacles (e.g., bumps) on a riding surface. Illustrative suspension systems include a shock absorber and a swingarm that couple the axle to the board. The suspension system may be disposed completely below a foot deck of the vehicle.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 11, 2021
Date of Patent:
December 12, 2023
Assignee:
FUTURE MOTION, INC.
Inventors:
Kyle Jonathan Doerksen, Matthew Michael O'Brien
Abstract: Fender assemblies are disclosed, each including a rectangular frame defining a central aperture. The perimeter of the central aperture may have a rounded-rectangle shape. A fender arch in the form of an arcuate sheet, e.g., of carbon fiber (CF), terminates on either end at respective first and second flanges extending outward to form a planar base. The arcuate sheet extends through the central aperture to reach above a top side of the frame and the flanges abut a bottom side of the frame. A mud guard is coupled to the rectangular frame through the first flange of the arcuate sheet, such that the mud guard extends from the first flange away from the second side of the frame. The frame and mud guard may be made of plastic, and may be configured to absorb assembly forces to avoid damaging the CF fender arch.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 13, 2022
Date of Patent:
November 21, 2023
Assignee:
Future Motion, Inc.
Inventors:
Daniel Blachinsky, Kyle Jonathan Doerksen, Julian De La Rua