Epicyclic Or Squirrel Cage Type Patents (Class 280/207)
  • Patent number: 11459051
    Abstract: A gerbilling-proof monowheel vehicle comprises: (a) a wheel felloe with a tire thereon; (b) a frame rotatably mounted within the wheel felloe; the frame carrying a passenger seat; (c) moving means configured for propelling the gerbilling-proof monowheel vehicle; and (d) braking means configured for decelerating the gerbilling-proof monowheel vehicle. The gerbilling-proof monowheel further comprises at least two auxiliary wheels side-mounted on the frame for vertically stabilizing the passenger seat and preventing the gerbilling-proof monowheel from side tipover and maintaining said passenger seat in a horizontal position within said wheel felloe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Watt Car Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Amos Cahan
  • Patent number: 11000721
    Abstract: A stationary circular exercise device for exercising via hand and foot platforms, which are removably encompassed in a track and are slideable along the circumference of a circular frame. Resistance to movement can be added with the use of cable or bands that are fixed at one or more locations along the track. Weights can also be attached by the use of pins or pegs, to the cables or bands to increase resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Inventor: Tatyana Budylina
  • Patent number: 9937973
    Abstract: A motorized, fore-aft self-balancing transportation device that may include a single wheel structure with a drive motor, a battery and first and second foot platforms located on opposite sides of the wheel. The device may be uniquely be arranged such that the motor and battery are positioned such that there is space within the wheel envelope for a portion of the foot platform (positioned near or within the envelope), thereby placing the weight of the rider low and close to the center of gravity of the device. Various battery and motor arrangements are disclosed, as are different drive mechanisms and component redundancy to assure safe operation in the event of failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Inventor: Shane Chen
  • Patent number: 9533727
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventor: Shane Chen
  • Patent number: 7568714
    Abstract: A power assist module includes a battery powered motor mounted on a manually operated vehicle, such as a bicycle. The power assist module is fixedly mounted on the bicycle and can be easily removed without the need for tools, so that the bicycle can be manually operated in a conventional manner when so desired without carrying the extra weight of the power assist module. The power assist module includes a motor assembly which is operated through a gear reduction assembly to drive a crank drive gear mounted in conjunction with a crank arm of the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Magna Marque International Inc.
    Inventors: Allan Sasnowski, Fabio Venier
  • Patent number: 7547021
    Abstract: An automatic transmission bicycle including a bicycle frame, a chain ring, a pair of pedals, a wheel, and a plurality of gears coupled to the bicycle frame. The plurality of gears has a plurality of gear combinations defined by at least two gears cooperatively engaged. The automatic transmission bicycle includes an electric motor coupled to the bicycle frame. The automatic transmission bicycle includes a voltage generator configured to generate a current that has a corresponding voltage dependent upon rotational speed of the wheel. The automatic transmission bicycle includes a gear shifter in electrical communication with the voltage generator and configured to receive the current generated by the voltage generator. The gear shifter shifts between two respective gear combinations from the plurality of gear combinations in response to receiving the current that has a corresponding voltage within a predetermined voltage range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Nirve Sports, Ltd.
    Inventor: Dan Bon
  • Patent number: 7207584
    Abstract: An auxiliary power system for a bicycle having a motor (10) attached to the bicycle flame (22) by thin clamps (30), which can be arranged in a variety of positions to avoid disturbing the control cables. Power is delivered on demand via a sprocket driving a single freewheel (180) attached to a modified left crank (200). The gearbox (20) may be attached to the frame by means of a quick-release system. A bushing (600), (700), (820) may be used instead of a modified as a means of mounting the freewheel to the crank axle. (720), (610), (850b). To prevent accidental simultaneous braking and triggering, triggering the system is accomplished by placing the trigger switch (430) so that the rider's fingers must disengage the brake in order to engage the motor. Accidental triggering may be prevented by placing a trigger switch on each handle and wiring them in series so that both switches must be engaged to obtain power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventor: Paul F. Forderhase
  • Patent number: 6726231
    Abstract: A vehicle has two suppoting wheels, each mounted on an axle. A carriage that can hold a human rider is positioned in between the supporting wheels, suspended from the axle. No portion of the carriage extends from the axles a distance greater than the radius of the supporting wheels. A driveable wheel, such as a sprocket gear, between the supporting wheels is mounted on an axle and moves with a supporting wheel. Turning the driveable wheel from the carriage causes the supporting wheel to turn. The supporting wheels can be connected at their peripheries so as to enclose the carriage. Alternatively, the supporting wheels can be unconnected and fixed to the axles so that they can rotate independently. The vehicle can be unpowered, powered by the rider, or powered by an engine. It can be adapted to ride on land, water, or snow and ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventor: Richard D. Fuerle
  • Patent number: 5320372
    Abstract: A rolling device for one person which can be used as game of skill, which rolling device is provided with a frame (2, 3, 4) supporting the person and at least one wheel-like element (7) relative to the frame, wherein the device has only one axis between frame and wheel-like element for allowing a tilting movement of the frame, wherein if necessary means (21) are arranged on the frame which bring about a blocking of the frame relative to the wheel in at least the one rotational sense, such that the user only has to set the frame into a tilting movement to subject the wheel-like element to a rotation and to therefore move himself forward with the frame and the wheel-like element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Langenberg Research B.V.
    Inventor: Christianus P. Langen
  • Patent number: 5041051
    Abstract: A radio-controlled rolling toy has a hollow shell containing a radio-controlled vehicle which may be caused to move sidewardly relative a shaft mounted coaxially with the outer surface of the shell. The vehicle may also be caused to perform a rotation relative the shell, the combination of said two movements enabling the shell to follow any type of tortous path on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Inventor: Harald V. Sonesson
  • Patent number: 4102542
    Abstract: A rider propelled vehicle, particularly designed for use by children as a toy, includes an outer-large diameter wheel having a seat frame located within its periphery. The frame is operatively connected to the outer wheel at two spaced points by an arrangement which permits the outer wheel to move through the frame and rotate about its own central axis. The seat frame includes a foot drive mechanism operatively engaged with the outer wheel forwardly of the center of rotation of the outer wheel for rotating the outer wheel upon operation of a foot pedal by a person on the seat frame. A pair of laterally spaced ground engageable steering wheels are rotatably mounted on the frame on opposite sides of the outer wheel rearwardly of the center of gravity of the frame and of the center of rotation of the outer wheel, thereby to resist undriven rearward rolling of the outer wheel and to permit the rider to steer the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1978
    Assignees: Frank A. Pirre, Jr., Andrew J. McGovern
    Inventors: Frank A. Pirre, Jr., Andrew McGovern