Patents by Inventor Augusta Niles

Augusta Niles has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20120319456
    Abstract: This invention provides a stabilizing system and method for two-wheeled vehicles that affords the rider no restriction on the full range of movements (banks, leans, etc.), while providing greater stability during turns and other maneuvers so that an unintentional bank or tilt (potentially causing a fall) is less likely, even at 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 and freewheels with respect to the rotation of the front wheel. It can be induced to spin significantly faster than the front wheel thereby generating a gyroscopic effect at the front wheel about the axle. The gyroscopic effect limits the rider's ability to execute excessive steering, thereby preventing jackknife movements. The mass can be an electric-motor-driven flywheel within a shell housing that includes a drive tire battery, control system and drive motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: The GyroBike, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniella Reichstetter, Sascha M. Retailleau, Charles S. McCall, Nathan Sigworth, Brian Q. Huppi, Peter E. Von Behrens, Scott Whitman, Hannah Murnen, Deborah Sperling, Augusta Niles
  • Patent number: 8251390
    Abstract: This invention provides a stabilizing system and method for two-wheeled vehicles 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 vehicle, ensuring that the rider can “steer-out-of” an unintended tilt or bank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: The Gyrobike, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniella Reichstetter, Sascha M. Retailleau, Charles S. McCall, Nathan Sigworth, Brian Q. Huppi, Peter E. Von Behrens, Scott Whitman, Hannah Murnen, Deborah Sperling, Augusta Niles
  • Publication number: 20100090440
    Abstract: This invention provides a stabilizing system and method for two-wheeled vehicles 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 vehicle, ensuring that the rider can “steer-out-of” an unintended tilt or bank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: THE GYROBIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Daniella Reichstetter, Sascha M. Retailleau, Charles S. McCall, Nathan Sigworth, Brian Q. Huppi, Peter E. Von Behrens, Scott Whitman, Hannah Murnen, Deborah Sperling, Augusta Niles
  • Patent number: 7597337
    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
  • Publication number: 20080100031
    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
  • Patent number: 7314225
    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: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Gyro-Precession Stability LLC
    Inventors: Hannah Murnen, Augusta Niles, Nathan Sigworth, Deborah Sperling
  • Publication number: 20070001423
    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: June 30, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Hannah Murnen, Augusta Niles, Nathan Sigworth, Deborah Sperling