Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for controlling a robotic limb. The apparatus, system and method may include at least one microprocessor, a computing memory associated with the microprocessor, the computing memory having resident therein computing instructions, and the computing instructions comprising at least weighting code suitable for weighting control of the robotic limb by the microprocessor versus control by a plurality of bio-neuro sensors associated with the robotic limb. The weighed control may be varied over time by the weighting code.

Abstract: A wheeled vehicle comprising a power-driven spider assembly for ascending and descending stairs. The vehicle includes an angular position sensor providing input to a controller operable to control a servo-motor to effectively lock the position of the spider relative to the frame, regardless of the hand truck's spatial orientation relative to a vertical plane, or any balancing of the hand truck. The angular position sensor provides input to the controller, which is programmed with predefined angular zones of instability, and causes the controller to accelerate rotation of the spiders through those zones when the wheeled vehicle is in the descent mode, to avoid instability of the hand truck. A hand truck may include a removable basket and/or a pivotable platform usable to transport loads.

Abstract: A wheeled vehicle comprising a power-driven spider assembly for ascending and descending stairs. The vehicle includes an angular position sensor providing input to a controller operable to control a servo-motor to effectively lock the position of the spider relative to the frame, regardless of the hand truck's spatial orientation relative to a vertical plane, or any balancing of the hand truck. The angular position sensor provides input to the controller, which is programmed with predefined angular zones of instability, and causes the controller to accelerate rotation of the spiders through those zones when the wheeled vehicle is in the descent mode, to avoid instability of the hand truck. A hand truck may include a removable basket and/or a pivotable platform usable to transport loads.

Abstract: A robotic, wheeled surveillance vehicle capable of stair-climbing and traversing level surfaces. The vehicle comprises a rigid frame supporting a rotatable axle; an extension on which is mounted at least one surveillance device; a pair of spider assemblies rotatably supported adjacent opposite ends of said axle, each of said pair of spider assemblies supporting a plurality of rotatable wheels coupled to rotate in synchronicity; an inertial sensor supported on said frame in position to measure an angular position of at least one of said pair of spider assemblies relative to said frame; and an electric motor supported on said frame and operatively connected to drive said pair of spider assemblies to rotate.

Abstract: A wheeled vehicle comprising a power-driven spider assembly for ascending and descending stairs. The vehicle includes an angular position sensor providing input to a controller operable to control a servo-motor to effectively lock the position of the spider relative to the frame, regardless of the hand truck's spatial orientation relative to a vertical plane, or any balancing of the hand truck. The angular position sensor provides input to the controller, which is programmed with predefined angular zones of instability, and causes the controller to accelerate rotation of the spiders through those zones when the wheeled vehicle is in the descent mode, to avoid instability of the hand truck. A hand truck may include a removable basket and/or a pivotable platform usable to transport loads.

Abstract: A wheeled vehicle comprising a power-driven spider assembly for ascending and descending stairs. The vehicle includes an angular position sensor providing input to a controller operable to control a servo-motor to effectively lock the position of the spider relative to the frame, regardless of the hand truck's spatial orientation relative to a vertical plane, or any balancing of the hand truck. The angular position sensor provides input to the controller, which is programmed with predefined angular zones of instability, and causes the controller to accelerate rotation of the spiders through those zones when the wheeled vehicle is in the descent mode, to avoid instability of the hand truck. A hand truck may include a removable basket and/or a pivotable platform usable to transport loads.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying operating voltages to a plurality of electronic devices is disclosed. A plurality of power supply modules of a modular power supply may output voltages to at least two electronic devices respectively. The apparatus may identify a failure of one of the power supply modules. The electronic device may be disconnected from the failed power supply module, and then reconnected to a functional power supply module of the modular power supply. switching a supplied voltage of the functional power supply module of the modular power supply, wherein the supplied voltage matches the set output voltage of the failed power supply module. If necessary, a supplied voltage of a functional power supply module may be switched to match the set output voltage of the failed power supply module.

Abstract: A collapsible spider wheel assembly on a towing device enables storage of the device into a standard rectangular space. Once collapsed, the collapsible spider assembly is protected within the body of the towing device. Furthermore, actuation of the folding and unfolding may be accomplished through the usual telescoping of the carrying handle of such a device, such as in a suitcase embodiment. While the spider wheels are in the open position, the carrying apparatus may exert a drive force to climb up stairs and braking force to descend stairs. The unit operates as a normal wheeled carrying apparatus while traversing a horizontal surface.

Abstract: A wheeled vehicle comprising a power-driven spider assembly for ascending and descending stairs. The vehicle includes an angular position sensor providing input to a controller operable to control a servo-motor to effectively lock the position of the spider relative to the frame, regardless of the hand truck's spatial orientation relative to a vertical plane, or any balancing of the hand truck. The angular position sensor provides input to the controller, which is programmed with predefined angular zones of instability, and causes the controller to accelerate rotation of the spiders through those zones when the wheeled vehicle is in the descent mode, to avoid instability of the hand truck. A hand truck may include a removable basket and/or a pivotable platform usable to transport loads.

Abstract: A towing device comprising a power-assisted spider wheel assembly for ascending and descending stairwells is capable of avoiding unintentional back turning hazards that may result while descending shallower stairwells by applying torque alternatively in the climb-down and climb-up direction to the spider assembly responsive to the angle formed between the spider assembly and lower stair riser. This ensures that the unit will not suddenly fall to a lower tread, which results if the lower-leaning wheel is not first pinned against the lower inside riser and rolls forward instead. The torque exerting means may also lock said spider assembly in a fixed arbitrary orientation during ascent and descent to allow the spider assembly to achieve a safe orientation before stopping mid-stairwell increasing safety.

Abstract: While there have been described herein the principles of the invention, it is to be a mechanical tri-wheel retention assembly for a stair-climbing wheeled vehicle having a tri-wheel assembly. The ass has a tri-lobular roller cam mechanism to retain the tri-wheel at a desired angular position for normal two-wheeled operation, and further includes a spring-loaded roller that is configured to pop out of a locking mode in the event of an overload condition, permitting rotation of the tri-wheel assembly to a next predetermined angular position at which point the tri-wheel assembly will be retained, thus preventing damage to the unit and the locking mechanism. The mechanical tri-wheel retention assembly may further include a solenoid actuator configured to automatically disengage the mechanical tri-wheel retention assembly.

Abstract: A collapseable spider wheel assembly on a towing device enables storage of the device into a standard rectangular space. Once collapsed, the collapsible spider assembly is protected within the body of the towing device. Furthermore, actuation of the folding and unfolding may be accomplished through the usual telescoping of the carrying handle of such a device, such as in a suitcase embodiment. While the spider wheels are in the open position, the carrying apparatus may exert a drive force to climb up stairs and braking force to descend stairs. The unit operates as a normal wheeled carrying apparatus while traversing a horizontal surface.