Patents by Inventor Kathleen A. Griggs

Kathleen A. Griggs 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).

  • Patent number: 6548982
    Abstract: A robotic vehicle capable of traveling over various terrain and traversing obstacles. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes a cylindrical body having two or more drive wheels coupled to the ends thereof. The wheels are selectively powered to propel the vehicle. The vehicle may further include a spring member which may be deflected to a first, stored position from a second, extended position. The spring member may be quickly released from the first, stored position such that it strikes the terrain with sufficient force to lift and propel the vehicle over or onto a proximate obstacle or object. Robotic vehicles of the present invention may also include one or more sensing devices operable to collect information. Electronics may further permit autonomous, semi-autonomous, and/or remote control of the vehicle. In still other embodiments, the robotic vehicle forms part of a multi-robot surveillance team.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Nikolaos P. Papanikolopoulos, Donald G. Krantz, Richard M. Voyles, John A. Bushey, Alan N. Johnson, Bradley J. Nelson, Paul E. Rybski, Kathleen A. Griggs, Ellison C. Urban, II