Abstract: A multi-modal robot capable of legged and aerial locomotion includes a body structure including a plurality of legs, each leg having at least one joint; a plurality of thrusters connected to the body structure; and a plurality of actuators for controlled movement of the legs and thrusters. The plurality of actuators are embedded within composite housing structures in the body structure. The composite housing structures are formed by additive printing of composite material over components of the actuators. The composite housing structures are reinforced by layers of continuous carbon fiber material. A method of constructing an actuator for use in a multi-modal robot is also disclosed. Additionally, a computer-implemented method is disclosed to identify particular locations and sizes of components in multi-modal robots providing the lowest total cost of transport.

Abstract: A horse riding exercise machine includes: a saddle support; an operation frame; a pair of operation rods; an elevation rod; a forward-backward rod; a vertical bar; a movable bar; a flywheel; a rotation frame; a main spring; a gear; and a handle. The horse riding exercise machine can be driven without power by using energy stored in the flywheel so noise from the motor and a drive apparatus indoor can be suppressed and energy consumption can be prevented, and, specifically, the horse riding exercise machine can be adjusted suitable for the weight of the user by using the handle and the foot support can be used according to the height of the user.

Abstract: A two-legged walking transportation device includes an upper body unit for supporting the trunk of the rider, and leg units provided below the upper body unit, each of the leg units includes a link mechanism connected at one end to the upper body unit via a hip joint with at least three degrees of freedom, a foot mechanism connected to the other end of the link mechanism via an ankle joint with at least two degrees of freedom, and a fixing mechanism for fixing the rider's foot to the link mechanism via a multi-axis force sensor so as to be only rotatable with respect to directions in which the ankle joint is movable, the hip join is voluntarily controlled in accordance with operating force and/or operating torque provided by the rider's foot and sensed by the multi-axis force sensor, and control of the ankle joint while standing is automatically performed as balance maintenance control without directly involving the rider.

Abstract: A multi-legged walking device includes a crankshaft, a plurality of linkage bar mechanisms, a support member, and a driving device. The crankshaft includes a plurality of main journals and crankpin journals. The plurality of linkage bar mechanisms is spaced from and substantially parallel to each other. The linkage bar mechanisms include a plurality of frames. Each frame is rotatably connected to one of the plurality of main journals. Each linkage bar mechanism includes a connecting bar, a first rocker, a second rocker, and a leg. Two ends of the connecting bar are rotatably connected to one of the crankpin journals and the leg. Two ends of the first rocker are rotatably connected to one of the plurality of frames and the leg. Two ends of the second rocker are rotatably connected to one of the plurality of frames and the connecting bar. The support member is fixed to the frames.

Abstract: A two-legged walking transportation device includes an upper body unit for supporting the trunk of the rider, and leg units provided below the upper body unit, each of the leg units includes a link mechanism connected at one end to the upper body unit via a hip joint with at least three degrees of freedom, a foot mechanism connected to the other end of the link mechanism via an ankle joint with at least two degrees of freedom, and a fixing mechanism for fixing the rider's foot to the link mechanism via a multi-axis force sensor so as to be only rotatable with respect to directions in which the ankle joint is movable, the hip join is voluntarily controlled in accordance with operating force and/or operating torque provided by the rider's foot and sensed by the multi-axis force sensor, and control of the ankle joint while standing is automatically performed as balance maintenance control without directly involving the rider.

Abstract: A riding apparatus for children is disclosed. The riding apparatus of the present invention includes a main body (110), which has a handle (111) and a footrest (115), and support plates (120), which are installed in the main body and are placed upright at positions spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. The riding apparatus further includes an operating unit (300), which has a front rotary member (330), a rear rotary member (340), a front spring (350), a rear spring (351) and a connection bar (310). The front rotary member and the rear rotary member respectively have interlocking shafts (213) and (223). The riding apparatus further includes front legs (210) and rear legs (220), which are respectively fastened to the interlocking shafts (213) and (223). A one-way wheel assembly is provided on the lower end of each of the front and rear legs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a load bearing apparatus, and more particularly, to a passive exoskeleton whereby a load may be placed on the passive exoskeleton and thereby transfer weight of the load from the passive exoskeleton to a ground surface. The passive exoskeleton comprises a rigid body member for attaching proximate a portion of a user's body, a sliding rod attached with the body member, and a ground surface engage-able foot analog attached with the sliding rod. When a user places a load on the body member, weight of the load from is transferred from the body member, through the sliding rod, and into the foot analog, causing the passive exoskeleton to support at least a portion of the load.

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: The present invention relates to a children's car that moves forward with a simple and easy operation with particular care taken of the safety of the child riding the car. A steering wheel (7) is provided at the front of the car which can be swiveled left and right. By the operation of the steering wheel (7), a pair of drive wheels (2) rotate. A steering block (5) which can be steered horizontally either to the left or to the right with a steering wheel (7) and a steering column (6) are provided at the front of the car body (1) provided with a seat (1a) and a footrest (1b). Two drive wheels (2) each having a ratchet wheel (G) are provided on both sides of said steering block (5) by a shaft (4). Engaged with each of said ratchet wheels (G) is a pawl (P) linked to said steering block (5) preventing inverse rotation of the drive wheels (2).

Abstract: A rocker device includes a base having a rocker surface for rocking on a supporting surface, and a wheel device attached to the base and partially extendible out of the bottom of the base to selectively engage with the supporting surface. The base is rockable relative to the supporting surface when the wheel device is disengaged from the supporting surface, and the base is movable relative to the supporting surface when the wheel device is engaged with the supporting surface, such that the rocker device may be moved periodically on the supporting surface.

Abstract: A walking device in accordance with the present invention includes a axle and two mirror-image stilts. Each stilt includes a transverse socket at its top end, and each end of the axle is rotatably inserted into a respective socket. Each stilt has a rear leg and a forward leg that merge into an upper portion. The upper portion is angularly offset from the rear leg to give each stilt an inverted “y” shape when viewed in side elevation. A respective footrest is attached to each stilt so that the footrests extend inwardly toward each other. An upright grip is fixed to each respective transverse socket. The dual leg structures and forward angular offset of the axle from the footrests, function to provide a walking device which is quickly and easily mastered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an operation arrangement, particularly to an operation arrangement for a twist vehicle having a sliding slot located on an end portion of an driving frame, a pivot shaft located opposite to the sliding slot, a sliding shaft with one end sliding freely along the sliding slot and another end being connected to a rocking arm, a steering shaft being connected directly and perpendicularly to the rocking arm and operated by a steering wheel. As a result, the steering wheel for the twist vehicle can be extended backwardly towards the rear portion of the operating wheels, close to the user's operation position. This arrangement can improve ease of operation by moving the steering wheel towards the user and also maintain better stability by extending the length of the wheelbase and effectively causing the center of gravity to be shifted toward the idle wheel axle.

Abstract: An electric vehicle having a steering assembly, a front wheel assembly, and an electric drive assembly. The steering assembly includes a rotatably mounted steering shaft and a steering hand mounted at an upper end of the steering shaft. The front wheel assembly includes a base member attached to a lower end of the steering shaft, a pair of front wheels, and a transmission operatively associated with the front wheels and configured for propelling the vehicle by driving the pair of front wheels when the steering shaft is rotated in an oscillating manner. The electric drive assembly includes a driving disc connected to an output shaft of an electric motor, a driven disc coaxially mounted on the steering shaft, and a driving arm having a first end rotatably connected to the driving disc and a second end rotatably connected to the driven disc for converting rotary movement of the driving disc to oscillating movement of the driven disc. A locking member selectively connects the driving arm to the driven disc.