US3655005A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spherical drive vehicle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-09-26
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Granted: 1972-04-11
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Expires: 1989-09-26
Abstract
Abstract A multi-wheel vehicle is provided with a single control lever for changing the speed and direction and movement of the vehicle. The lever controls the angular relationship of a hemispherical drive wheel with respect to the vehicle support surface for steering and providing an infinite number of stepless forward and reverse speeds.
Inventors
- 👤 Enrique J Chicurel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:31
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D57/00; B62D61/00; B62D61/06; B62D61/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A vehicle comprising a chassis, a load supporting wheel disposed adjacent each side of said chassis, a tiltable and steerable hemispherical wheel secured to said chassis in spaced relation to said load supporting wheels, means for supplying traction torque to said hemispherical wheel and drive control means coupled to said hemispherical wheel for both controlling the direction of movement of said vehicle by varying the angular relationship of said hemispherical wheel and for varying the vehicle speed in forward and reverse directions by tilting the hemispherical wheel relative to said chassis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A vehicle comprising a chassis, a load supporting wheel disposed adjacent each side of said chassis, a tiltable and steerable hemispherical wheel secured to said chassis in spaced relation to said load supporting wheels, means for supplying traction torque to said hemispherical wheel and drive control means coupled to said hemispherical wheel for both controlling the direction of movement of said vehicle by varying the angular relationship of said hemispherical wheel and for varying the vehicle speed in forward and reverse directions by tilting the hemispherical wheel relative to said chassis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A vehicle as defined in claim 1, said hemispherical wheel being pivotable about an axis to vary the speed thereof by changing the effective rolling diameter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A vehicle as defined in claim 1, said drive control means including a single control element for controlling both, the diRection of vehicle travel and the speed of said vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A vehicle as defined in claim, 3, said control element including means for varying the orientation of the axis of rotation of said hemispherical wheel to control the speed and direction of motion of said vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A vehicle as defined in claim 4, said hemispherical wheel being adapted to be rolled to either side of the pole of the hemisphere to drive the vehicle in a forward or rearward direction and to vary the vehicle speed in either direction of travel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A vehicle as defined in claim 5, further comprising a brake shoe freely supported at the pole of said hemispherical shaped wheel for effecting braking of said vehicle by actuation of said control element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A vehicle as defined in claim 1, said drive control means comprising a drive unit for rotating said hemispherical wheel and a shift-steering mechanism for controlling said hemispherical wheel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A vehicle as defined in claim 7, said drive unit and said shift-steering mechanism being pivotably secured to said chassis as a unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A vehicle as defined in claim 1, said hemispherical wheel including a floating shoe positioned at the pole portion thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
85 words
A vehicle comprising a chassis, a freely rotatable wheel provided at each side of the chassis, a single tiltable and steerable hemispherical wheel secured to the chassis in spaced relation to the freely rotatably wheel, and means mounting said hemispherical wheel on said chassis to allow unimpeded sideways rolling of the hemispherical wheel, whereby the axis of said freely rotatable wheels and the horizontal projection of the axis of said hemispherical wheel intersects when turning at a point in a plane spaced from said vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
85 words
A vehicle comprising a chassis, a freely rotatable wheel provided at each side of the chassis, a single tiltable and steerable hemispherical wheel secured to the chassis in spaced relation to the freely rotatably wheel, and means mounting said hemispherical wheel on said chassis to allow unimpeded sideways rolling of the hemispherical wheel, whereby the axis of said freely rotatable wheels and the horizontal projection of the axis of said hemispherical wheel intersects when turning at a point in a plane spaced from said vehicle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-04-11 | 1975-10-11 | 1976-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-11 | 1979-10-11 | 1980-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-11 | 1983-10-11 | 1984-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |