Abstract: This invention provides a stabilizing system and method for two-wheeled vehicles (typically small, human-powered bicycles) that affords the rider no restriction on the full range of movements (banks, leans, etc.) common to bicycles, but that provides greater stability during turns and other maneuvers so that an unintentional bank or tilt (potentially causing a fall) is less likely, even at relatively slow speeds and startup. A rotating mass of predetermined mass-value and radial mass-distribution is provided coaxially with the front axle. The mass is supported on bearings so as to freewheel with respect to the rotation of the front wheel. As such it can be induced to spin significantly faster than the front wheel thereby generating a gyroscopic effect at the front wheel about the axle. This gyroscopic effect influences the steering of the wheel by the rider. Due to precession, the wheel tends to follow any excessive bank by the bicycle, ensuring that the rider can “steer-out-of” an unintended tilt or bank.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 31, 2007
Date of Patent:
October 6, 2009
Assignee:
Gyro-Precession Stability Systems, LLC
Inventors:
Hannah Murnen, Augusta Niles, Nathan Sigworth, Deborah Sperling
Abstract: This invention provides a stabilizing system and method for two-wheeled vehicles (typically small, human-powered bicycles) that affords the rider no restriction on the full range of movements (banks, leans, etc.) common to bicycles, but that provides greater stability during turns and other maneuvers so that an unintentional bank or tilt (potentially causing a fall) is less likely, even at relatively slow speeds and startup. A rotating mass of predetermined mass-value and radial mass-distribution is provided coaxially with the front axle. The mass is supported on bearings so as to freewheel with respect to the rotation of the front wheel. As such it can be induced to spin significantly faster than the front wheel thereby generating a gyroscopic effect at the front wheel about the axle. This gyroscopic effect influences the steering of the wheel by the rider. Due to precession, the wheel tends to follow any excessive bank by the bicycle, ensuring that the rider can “steer-out-of” an unintended tilt or bank.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 31, 2007
Publication date:
May 1, 2008
Applicant:
GYRO-PRECESSION STABILITY SYSTEMS, LLC
Inventors:
Hannah Murnen, Augusta Niles, Nathan Sigworth, Deborah Sperling