Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed having a reduced turning radius comprising a directional wheel assembly for turning the vehicle and a drive wheel assembly for driving the vehicle. The drive wheel assembly has a first and a second drive wheel independently driven by a first and a second motor through a control circuit. A counter-rotation circuit counter-rotates the first and second drive wheels upon a major turning position of the directional wheel assembly to enhance the turning of the vehicle. A reducing circuit reduces the speed of the motors upon a minor turning position of the directional wheel assembly. The vehicle may include a slide mechanism for providing a reduced wheelbase to further reduce the turning radius of the vehicle. One embodiment of the invention includes an improved steering device for controlling the directional wheel assembly.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 27, 2004
Date of Patent:
March 11, 2008
Assignee:
Electric Mobility Corp
Inventors:
Michael J. Flowers, Stephen Jarema, III, Edward J. Dwyer, Jr., Robert C. Hopely, Jr., David S. Zaveloff, Robert M. Martin