Abstract: 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 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 paddle with attached sail, whereby a small personal watercraft can be propelled either by conventional paddling or by wind power. In one aspect of the invention, the sail has two ends which can be either both attached to the handle of the paddle, or both attached to the user's hands or wrists. In either case, the user holds the paddle generally upright against the side of the watercraft with the blade of the paddle in the water in order to resist downwind drift. In another aspect of the invention, the sail is connected along the length of one of its edges to the handle of the paddle, which thereby functions as a mast for the sail. In this case a boom means may be provided for holding the sail open and for operator control of the sail.

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 coupled to the steering mechanism can engage 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 the main shaft of the steering mechanism. Means for enabling the steering mechanism to directly control the orientation of the rear wheels, and means for directly braking at least one of the rear wheels are also disclosed.

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 personal wind-powered hydrofoil watercraft having a sail supported by a mast coupled to a buoyant body, where the mast is tiltable forward and backward but not side to side, in order to prevent excessive rolling of the buoyant body when it is lifted clear of the water on the hydrofoils. Additionally, the buoyant body may be in the shape of a pontoon, the watercraft may be steerable by a steering mechanism actuated by a human operator's foot or feet, and the front hydrofoil may be associated with a surface tracking means in order to stabilize the altitude of the watercraft.

Abstract: A twistable connecting structure for linking two wheeled assemblies (such as foot platforms) of a personal transportation device. This connecting structure has flexible elongated members linking the wheeled assemblies, and rigid support members bridging the gap between the elongated members. This configuration enables the connecting structure to twist without bending.

Abstract: A scooter device propelled by side to side movement of a user that includes a frame structure through which at least a front wheel is coupled to two direction biased rear wheels. The biased direction wheels include tilted caster and spring biased caster arrangements. The frame structure may have a rear support member or structure that extends between the two rear wheels. A user support platform of various configurations may be provided with the rear support member or structure. The scooter may have a three wheel configuration with the front wheel being larger than the rear two wheels.

Abstract: A human-powered personal transportation device powered by pedals which are operated by the user with a stepping motion. The bottom surfaces of the pedals are curved, and serve to guide cable means which transfer the downward stepping force into torque on a rear drive wheel. The curvature of the bottom surface of the pedals is such that the rearmost point of contact between each pedal and its respective cable means is dependent upon the position of the pedal. This causes a variable distance between said rearmost point of contact and the axle of the drive wheel, which translates to variable torque. Thus the continuous transmission functionality is a natural result of the curved pedals.

Abstract: An ice skate whose blade is disposed at an angle not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the boot. The blade may be fixed in this position, or it may be switchable between the nonparallel orientation of the present invention and the parallel orientation typical of traditional ice skates. A pair of sideways-moving skates may be propelled by moving them in an oscillating motion.

Abstract: A scooter device propelled by side to side movement of a user that includes a frame structure through which at least a front wheel is coupled to two direction biased rear wheels. The biased direction wheels include tilted caster and spring biased caster arrangements. The frame structure may have a rear support member or structure that extends between the two rear wheels. A user support platform of various configurations may be provided with the rear support member or structure. The scooter may have a three wheel configuration with the front wheel being larger than the rear two wheels.

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 wheeled device having pairs of wheels positioned on opposite sides (e.g. skateboard or “quad” skate) that includes a base and at least one turnable wheel assembly. A turnable wheel assembly includes two wheels having negative camber angle, and is configured such that the axles of the wheels can pivot about an axis disposed substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel. This configuration is conducive to the use of large wheels.

Abstract: A powered unicycle device having a single wheel, a wheel support frame and a seat mounted above the wheel. The unicycle may have laterally extending control members that provide both steering and desired resistance during turning. A foot support member or members may extend forward of the wheel's axle and be spaced from the axle to provide desired resistance during turning. The seat may be movably mounted to a track and that track may be curved. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Two skate wheel devices each with a foot placement platform, a frame and a wheel. The wheel rotates relative to the frame. The user inserts both feet into respective platforms within the skate wheel devices while the devices rest on pavement. After shifting weight to one of the wheel skate devices, the other raised so that the foot is generally horizontal as opposed to pointing to the pavement. The wheel skate device with the raised foot is then rolled to the side. The user then raises the other wheel skate device so that its foot also points generally horizontally and rolls that wheel skate device in the same direction as the other to build momentum. The platform may rock back and forth relative to the wheel. Grooved rollers may be sandwiched between spaced apart frame elements.

Abstract: A scooter device propelled by side to side movement of a user that includes a frame structure through which at least a front wheel is coupled to two direction biased rear wheels. The frame structure may have a foot placement platform that extends laterally between the two rear wheels. The platform may extend over half of the distance between the rear wheels and/or be substantially continuous for that distance. Various platform embodiments and frame structures, including rigid and flexible, are disclosed, among other aspects.

Abstract: A self-propelled hydrofoil device that includes a front foil, a rear foil, a user platform, a steering shaft and a frame that couples these components. The steering shaft preferably has a top section and a lower section, the top section being substantially rigid and the lower section being flexible relative to the top section. The top and lower sections may be formed of different materials or may be formed of the same material, integrally or non-integrally. The top and lower sections are preferably offset by an angle, ?, to achieve more ready bending of the lower section.

Abstract: A self-propelled hydrofoil device having front and rear foils, a support structure and a steering mechanism. The hydrofoil device is preferably configured such that a user can change the angle of attack of the drive foil and/or the height of the hydrofoil device in the water by placing the handle bar to a corresponding position. The steering mechanism is movably coupled to the user platform in a manner that provides a user with sufficient leverage to move the handle bar. A flexible steering-shaft joining member and dihedral foil configurations, among other features, are disclosed.