Abstract: A vehicle with two independently rotatable wheels arranged opposite from each other and bridged by a linking structure, having a driving motor for each wheel, and having electronic fore-and-aft self-balancing capabilities. The two wheels are capable of tilting side-to-side in unison to execute turns. The vehicle can carry a rider, who may stand on foot supports either between or outside of the wheels and operate the vehicle by leaning forward, backward, or sideways to direct travel in the direction of leaning. Further means are provided for producing advantages in stability and portability.

Abstract: A leg scooter device having a platform to receive the foot of a user that is positioned between forward and aft wheels. An ascending member extends above the platform and contacts the lower leg of a user during use. It is through the lower leg's contact with the ascending member and the placement of one or both of the user's feet on the platform that the user “senses” the devices and controls it. The ascending member may be movable and/or configured to be biased toward contact with the user. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A shaft mount sail device that may have a sail made of a lightweight, flexible material that is capable of being tightly wound about the shaft of a paddle, push-pole or other shaft, a mechanism for attaching the sail to the shaft, and a clamping member coupled to the sail and configured to releasably clamp onto the shaft. The sail may be rolled tightly about the shaft and the clamping member fit over the shaft to secure the sail in the stowed position. The clamping member in the stowed position may serve as the handle by which a user grasps and operates the shaft. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A powered unicycle device for use upon a riding surface. The unicycle device includes a single wheel rotatably coupled to an axle, the wheel extending substantially in a fore-aft direction. A motor for driving the wheel is provided and electronic equipment, in communication with the motor, is configured to maintain fore-aft balance of the unicycle device while being ridden. An elongated curved rail, defining a curved path, is coupled to a support frame of the unicycle device and extends laterally in a side-to-side direction substantially transverse to the fore-aft direction. A seat is disposed above the wheel and is movably coupled to the rail such that the seat is capable of moving laterally along the curved path of the rail, in the side-to-side direction substantially transverse to the fore-aft direction, while the unicycle device is being ridden.

Abstract: A motorized vehicle for a rider standing with one foot in front of the other, having at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel. Load sensing means for sensing the amount of weight on each of the rider's feet are attached to or incorporated into the surfaces upon which the rider stands. An electronic control system detects when the distribution of weight between the rider's front and rear feet deviates from a certain ratio, and directs the motor to accelerate or decelerate in order to correct the change and restore the desired weight ratio. In this way the rider can control the speed of the vehicle by shifting her weight forward or backward. The front wheel is steerable by the rider's front foot. Leg contact surfaces facilitate stability as well as precision and control. Another control method is also described.

Abstract: A rotary pedal system for propelling a one-wheeled vehicle, in which the pedals are disposed at a distance from their respective pivot shafts. The pivot shafts are pivotably independently of the rotation of the wheel, so that the pedals tend to remain downwardly displaced from their respective pivot shaft while in use. The lowered pedals increase the ease of riding, mounting, and dismounting the one wheeled vehicle, in both seated and standing embodiments.

Abstract: A condensed keyboard for mobile phones and other small electronic devices, having two sets of four character keys arrayed on the back of the device for the user's fingers, and one or two joysticks or similar radially movable components for one or both of the user's thumbs. The position of the joystick when a key is pressed determines which of a set of different characters associated with that key is inputted. The joysticks can also be used to input direction commands, for video games and other purposes.

Abstract: A pedal-powered one-wheeled vehicle with apparatus coupled to the pedals for laterally stabilizing a user's legs. The user can apply inward pressure to the leg stabilizing apparatuses to achieve greater lateral stability and more precise control of the vehicle. Means may be provided for keeping the leg stabilizing apparatuses from moving too far apart, and for varying the distance between the pedals. Some embodiments may have an elliptical wheel.

Abstract: A cart having a platform and at least one forward located non-direction biased caster wheel and two rearward located direction biased caster wheels. A second forward located non-direction biased caster wheel may be provided. Various cart types are disclosed including lumber, flatbed, nursery, utility and luggage carts. An embodiment for converting between biased direction and non-biased direction rear wheels is also disclosed.

Abstract: A motorized vehicle for a rider standing with one foot in front of the other, having at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel. Load sensing means for sensing the amount of weight on each of the rider's feet are attached to or incorporated into the surfaces upon which the rider stands. An electronic control system detects when the distribution of weight between the rider's front and rear feet deviates from a certain ratio, and directs the motor to accelerate or decelerate in order to correct the change and restore the desired weight ratio. In this way the rider can control the speed of the vehicle by shifting her weight forward or backward. The front wheel is steerable by the rider's front foot. Leg contact surfaces facilitate stability as well as precision and control. Another control method is also described.

Abstract: A powered, gyroscopically balanced unicycle device to be used while standing, having leg contact surfaces which are made of a yielding, slightly soft material whose mild friction against the user's legs allows stable, precise control of the device without restraining the legs in any way. In one embodiment a single hubless wheel is driven by a friction drive mechanism which transmits torque from a motor through a drive wheel positioned below the foot platforms and in contact with the inner rim of the wheel. Various structures are provided for supporting the wheel and keeping it in place as it spins; absorbing small vertical movements of the wheel to prevent them from being transmitted to the foot platforms; enabling folding of the foot platforms; and facilitating carrying of the device by hand. Other embodiments are described and shown.

Abstract: A two-wheel, self-balancing personal vehicle having independently movable foot placement sections. The foot placement sections have an associated wheel, sensor and motor and are independently self-balancing which gives the user independent control over the movement of each platform section by the magnitude and direction of tilt a user induces in a given platform section. Various embodiments are disclosed including those with a continuous housing, discrete platform sections and/or tapering platform sections.

Abstract: A personal vehicle having two wheels that are arranged substantially side-by-side and connected by a linkage mechanism to one another. The linkage mechanism supports the wheels in a substantially parallel relationship as the two wheels tilt from side to side. A foot placement platform is associated with each wheel, as is a motor to drive the wheels. Gyroscopic sensors are used to in driving the wheels to maintain an upright position. Various embodiments are disclosed including folding platforms, a parallelogram linkage structure, handles and/or seats that may extend above the wheels, lower leg contact surface, and other features.

Abstract: A wheel skate device having a foot platform, a frame, and a ring-shaped wheel. The user operates a pair of the wheel skate devices while standing with one foot on each foot platform. The foot platform is movable between an in-use position and a stowage position. In the in-use position. the foot platform interlocks with the frame and can be secured with a locking pin. A pair of the wheel skate devices in stowage position can be connected together as a single unit using a connecting piece, which may have an attached strap for carrying or hanging. A mechanism which limits the wheel to rolling in only one direction, and an elastic band linking two wheel skate devices together to prevent the user's feet from accidentally moving too far apart, are useful learning aids.

Abstract: A vehicle with two independently rotatable wheels arranged opposite from each other and bridged by a linking structure, having a driving motor for each wheel, and having electronic fore-and-aft self-balancing capabilities. The two wheels are capable of tilting side-to-side in unison to execute turns. The vehicle is operated by the rider leaning forward, backward, or sideways to direct travel in the direction of leaning. Further means are provided for producing advantages in stability and portability.

Abstract: A two-wheel, self-balancing personal vehicle having independently movable foot placement sections. The foot placement sections have an associated wheel, sensor and motor and are independently self-balancing which gives the user independent control over the movement of each platform section by the magnitude and direction of tilt a user induces in a given platform section. Various embodiments are disclosed including those with a continuous housing, discrete platform sections and/or tapering platform sections.

Abstract: A personal vehicle having two wheels that are arranged substantially side-by-side and connected by a linkage mechanism to one another. The linkage mechanism supports the wheels in a substantially parallel relationship as the two wheels tilt from side to side. A foot placement platform is associated with each wheel, as is a motor to drive the wheels. Gyroscopic sensors are used to in driving the wheels to maintain an upright position. Various embodiments are disclosed including folding platforms, a parallelogram linkage structure, handles and/or seats that may extend above the wheels, lower leg contact surface, and other features.

Abstract: A human-powered scooter propelled by side-to-side movement of the user. The scooter has a steering mechanism coupled to a front wheel, and two frame arms pivotably coupled to the steering mechanism and extending rearward, to which two rear wheels are respectively coupled. A novel linking piece such as a mechanical plate member coupled to the steering mechanism can releasable engage with the frame arms in order to restrict their pivoting to equal magnitude in opposite directions. The linking piece can also disengage from the frame arms to allow the frame arms to be folded up. The pivoting axes of the two frame arms are predetermined such that, when folded, the frame arms are as near as possible to being parallel to a main steering control shaft of the steering mechanism. A mechanism for directly braking at least one of the rear wheels is also disclosed.

Abstract: A wheel skate device having a foot platform, a frame, and a ring-shaped wheel. The user operates a pair of the wheel skate devices while standing with one foot on each foot platform. The foot platform is movable between an in-use position and a stowage position, and means is provided for interlocking the foot platform with the frame in the in-use position, and for securing it in that position with a locking pin. A pair of the wheel skate devices in stowage position can be connected together as a single unit using a connecting piece, which may have an attached strap for carrying or hanging. A mechanism which limits the wheel to rolling in only one direction, and an elastic band linking two wheel skate devices together to prevent the user's feet from accidentally moving too far apart, are useful learning aids.