Autonomous propulsion system

Abstract

An autonomous propulsion system comprising a motorized unit including a traction mechanism; and a control bar removably attached to the traction mechanism and formed by a plurality of elongated bar segments connected end to end, such that the control bar can be formed in a plurality of shapes, and is thereby adapted to be more easily manipulated by a user shifting their body weight to steer and maneuver the propulsion system.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to motorized motion systems but more particularly to a small, compact propulsion device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There exist several types of compact devices capable of pushing or pulling one person so as to make displacement faster and less strenuous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known devices now present in the prior art, the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide objects and advantages which are:

To provide for an autonomous propulsion system that can be configured in several ways so as to have either wheels or tracks as traction mechanism. It can be easily dismantled into a compact set of components for transport or storage and easily re-assemblable. The autonomous propulsion system can be used for a user who is either on roller skate, all types of skateboards, snowboards wake boards or skis. Steering is accomplished by a user shifting his weight to directly affect the control bar or by affecting a shift in a bicycle that will in turn affect the control bar which, due to its shape, acts as a lever of sort which reorients the propulsion system.

To attain these ends, the present invention generally comprises a motorized unit including a traction mechanism, and a control bar removably attached to the traction mechanism and formed by a plurality of elongated bar segments connected end to end, such that the control bar can be formed in a plurality of shapes, and is thereby adapted to be more easily manipulated by a user shifting their body weight to steer and maneuver the propulsion system.

In a preferred embodiment, the connections between each of the plurality of elongated bar segments are similar in size and shape, and therefore each the segment can be removably attached to either end of any other of the segments, to thereby offer a user the ability to form the control bar in many shapes.

Still in a preferred embodiment, the autonomous propulsion system has at least three of the elongated bar segments including a curved section.

At least one of the elongated bar segments includes a plurality of curved sections.

The connection between each of the plurality of elongated bar segments is rotatable and thereby forms a degree of freedom at each of the connection, such that the control bar can be formed in a shape having three dimensions.

The control bar is adapted to encircle a user for at least 180 degrees around the user's body, such that the motorized unit and a portion of the control bar is adapted to be behind the user, and a portion of the control bar is adapted to be in front of the user.

The connection between elongated segments are adapted to be easily detachable and interconnectable such that they can be easily broken down into separate parts, and then reconnected in any one of a plurality of different configurations.

The propulsion system is portable and can be easily broken down into separate parts, transported, and then reconnected in any one of a plurality of different configurations.

The traction mechanism includes wheels, tracks or a plurality of turbine blades.

In a variation of an embodiment consists in a combination of an autonomous propulsion system and a bicycle, wherein the autonomous propulsion system comprises a motorized unit including a traction mechanism; and a control bar removably attached to the traction mechanism and formed by a plurality of elongated segments connected end to end, such that the control bar can be formed in a plurality of shapes, and is thereby adapted to be more easily manipulated by a user shifting the angle of the bicycle in order to steer and maneuver the propulsion system.

The connections between each of the plurality of elongated bar segments are similar in size and shape, and therefore each the segment can be removably attached to either end of any other of the segments, to thereby offer a user the ability to form the control bar in many shapes.

In yet another variant, a combination of an autonomous propulsion system and a snow bicycle having at least one skid member, wherein the autonomous propulsion system comprises a motorized unit including a traction mechanism; and a control bar removably attached to the traction mechanism and formed by a plurality of elongated segments connected end to end, such that the control bar can be formed in a plurality of shapes, and is thereby adapted to be more easily manipulated by a user shifting their body weight to steer and maneuver the propulsion system.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter which contains illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1a-b Top and side views of the invention.

FIG. 2ab Top views of the invention showing a user alternating direction when snowboarding.

FIG. 3ab Top views showing how the control bar can be rotated axially so as to be a mirror image.

FIG. 4a Top view of an embodiment having a track.

FIG. 4b Top view of an embodiment having a tire for paved roads.

FIG. 4c Top view of an embodiment having a tire for off-road use or for ice and snow.

FIG. 4d Top view of an embodiment having an electric motor integrated within the wheel.

FIG. 4e Top view of an embodiment having a turbine for use with a wake board water skis or any type of water borne vessel.

FIG. 5 Side view of the embodiment of FIG. 4d on the shaft of a bicycle seat. Note that any of the embodiments of FIG. 4a-can also be used on a bicycle.

FIGS. 6-10 Various configurations of the invention in top and side views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An autonomous propulsion system (10) has a motorized unit (12) and a control bar (14). The motorized unit (15) has a traction mechanism (18) which can be any of a variety of wheels or a tracks, as shown in FIG. 4.

The motorized unit (12) and the traction mechanism (18) are based on the working principles found on other types of vehicles such as snowmobiles, motorcycles and other related mechanical devices and as such, need not be further discussed herein.

A user (20) handles the control bar (14) by shifting his body weight which steers the autonomous propulsion system (10).

The unique feature of the control bar (14) is that it is made out of multiple elongated bar segments (16) each having two opposite ends labeled “A” through “J” in the examples shown. Depending upon which end fits into which, the control bar (14) can take on different shapes.

For example, in FIG. 6a, the “D” end of a second elongated bar segment (16″) connects with the “E” end of a third elongated bar segment (16′″). In FIG. 7a, the “D” end connects with the “H” end of a fourth elongated bar segment (16″″), which has been relocated from where it was in FIG. 6a.

In FIG. 10a, a fifth elongated bar segment (16) has end “I” connected to end “G”. One can see that by permuting the location of the multiple elongated bar segments (16) or simply by switching the ends of the same elongated bar segments (any or 16′ to 16′″″), a large variety of shapes can be obtained. For example, FIG. 9a shows the same segments as FIG. 6a but the third elongated bar segment (16′″) connects its “F” end with the “D” end of the second elongated bar segment (16″) instead of its “E” end.

It should be understood that other non-illustrated elongated bar segments (16) could be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention.

Depending upon the intended usage of the propulsion system (10) as well as the personal style and preference of the user, a given elongated bar segment (16) configuration is created but the maneuvering remains the same, that is shifting body weight. For example, a snow bike (22) has a configuration that is different than that of a bicycle (24). The advantage being that no complex steering mechanism is necessary.

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An autonomous propulsion system comprising a motorized unit including a traction mechanism; and a control bar removably attached to said traction mechanism and formed by a plurality of elongated bar segments connected end to end, such that said control bar can be formed in a plurality of shapes, and is thereby adapted to be more easily manipulated by a user shifting their body weight to steer and maneuver said propulsion system.

2. The autonomous propulsion system of claim 1, wherein the connections between each of said plurality of elongated bar segments are similar in size and shape, and therefore each said segment can be removably attached to either end of any other of said segments, to thereby offer a user the ability to form the control bar in many shapes.

3. The autonomous propulsion system of claim 1, wherein at least three of said elongated bar segments includes a curved section.

4. The autonomous propulsion system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said elongated bar segments includes a plurality of curved sections.

5. The autonomous propulsion system of claim 2, wherein the connection between each of said plurality of elongated bar segments is rotatable and thereby forms a degree of freedom at each said connection, such that said control bar can be formed in a shape having three dimensions.

6. The autonomous propulsion system of claim 1, wherein said control bar is adapted to encircle a user for at least 180 degrees around the user's body, such that the motorized unit and a portion of said control bar is adapted to be behind said user, and a portion of said control bar is adapted to be in front of said user.

7. The autonomous propulsion system of claim 2, wherein the connection between elongated segments are adapted to be easily detachable and interconnectable such that they can be easily broken down into separate parts, and then reconnected in any one of a plurality of different configurations.

8. The autonomous propulsion system of claim 1, wherein said propulsion system is portable and can be easily broken down into separate parts, transported, and then reconnected in any one of a plurality of different configurations.

9. The autonomous propulsion system of claim 1, wherein said traction mechanism includes wheels.

10. The autonomous propulsion system of claim 1, wherein said traction mechanism includes tracks.

11. The autonomous propulsion system of claim 1, wherein said traction mechanism includes a plurality of turbine blades.

12. A combination of an autonomous propulsion system and a bicycle, wherein said autonomous propulsion system comprises a motorized unit including a traction mechanism; and a control bar removably attached to said traction mechanism and formed by a plurality of elongated segments connected end to end, such that said control bar can be formed in a plurality of shapes, and is thereby adapted to be more easily manipulated by a user shifting the angle of the bicycle in order to steer and maneuver said propulsion system.

13. The autonomous propulsion system of claim 12, wherein said bicycle has wheels.

14. The autonomous propulsion system of claim 13, wherein the connections between each of said plurality of elongated bar segments are similar in size and shape, and therefore each said segment can be removably attached to either end of any other of said segments, to thereby offer a user the ability to form the control bar in many shapes.

15. A combination of an autonomous propulsion system and a snow bicycle, wherein said autonomous propulsion system comprises a motorized unit including a traction mechanism; and a control bar removably attached to said traction mechanism and formed by a plurality of elongated segments connected end to end, such that said control bar can be formed in a plurality of shapes, and is thereby adapted to be more easily manipulated by a user shifting their body weight to steer and maneuver said propulsion system.

16. The autonomous propulsion system of claim 15, wherein said snow bicycle has at least one skid member.

17. The autonomous propulsion system of claim 16, wherein the connections between each of said plurality of elongated bar segments are similar in size and shape, and therefore each said segment can be removably attached to either end of any other of said segments, to thereby offer a user the ability to form the control bar in many shapes.