US3789947A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Omnidirectional wheel
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1972-04-17
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Granted: 1974-02-05
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Expires: 1992-04-17
Abstract
Abstract The apparatus of the invention consists of a wheel having a hub with radially disposed spokes which are provided with a plurality of circumferential rim segments. These rim segments carry, between the spokes, rim elements which are rigid relative to their outer support surfaces, and defined in their outer contour to form a part of the circle forming the wheel diameter. The rim segments have provided for each of the rim elements an independent drive means selectively operable when the element is in ground contact to rotatably drive the rim element in a direction of movement perpendicularly lateral to the normal plane of rotation and movement of the wheel. This affords the wheel omnidirectional movement.
Inventors
- 👤 J Blumrich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:55
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60B; B60B19/00; B60B19/003; B60B2360/00; B60B2360/10; B60B2360/30; B60B2360/50; B60B2900/00; B60B2900/30; B60B2900/351; B60Y; B60Y2200/00; B60Y2200/40; B60Y2200/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
An omnidirectional wheel for transporting a vehicle over a travel surface of the character described comprising: a hub; a radially disposed support structure for rim elements extending from said hub; a plurality of peripherally spaced laterally rotatable rim segments having shafts mounting the same on said support structure; a plurality of peripherally spaced laterally rotatable rim elements with means supportably mounting the same on said segments; said rim elements being mounted with their axes of lateral rotation lying in the normal plane of rotation of said wheel, and their lateral plane of rotation laterally perpendicular to the plane of rotation of said wheel; means for separately driving said rim eleMents and segments, selectively operable to actuate the same in lateral rotation when said elements are in contact with the travel surface; each of said rim elements comprising an axially extended casing member having an outer contact surface arcuately contoured to conform to the circumference of said wheel and an inner cavity receiving said rim segments.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
An omnidirectional wheel for transporting a vehicle over a travel surface of the character described comprising: a hub; a radially disposed support structure for rim elements extending from said hub; a plurality of peripherally spaced laterally rotatable rim segments having shafts mounting the same on said support structure; a plurality of peripherally spaced laterally rotatable rim elements with means supportably mounting the same on said segments; said rim elements being mounted with their axes of lateral rotation lying in the normal plane of rotation of said wheel, and their lateral plane of rotation laterally perpendicular to the plane of rotation of said wheel; means for separately driving said rim eleMents and segments, selectively operable to actuate the same in lateral rotation when said elements are in contact with the travel surface; each of said rim elements comprising an axially extended casing member having an outer contact surface arcuately contoured to conform to the circumference of said wheel and an inner cavity receiving said rim segments.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein; said rim segments comprise shaft mounted wheel elements having semispherical support surfaces supporting said rim elements; said elements and segments having corresponding interlocking connecting means thereon rotatably engaging the same.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus as in claim 2, wherein said connecting means comprises a lengthwise extended groove on said rim segment and a corresponding spline on said rim element having a depending tooth of substantially circular cross-section received by said groove, movable longitudinally and rotatable therein, such as to impart driving motion in angular relation from said segment to said element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus of the character described in claim 1, wherein said means for separately driving said rim segments comprises, in combination with said shaft fixedly supporting said segments, motor drive means mounted in said support structure adjacent to said shaft, including a rotating worm and a worm gear affixed to said shaft, such as to drive said shaft selectively in reciprocal motion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus of the charactr described in claim 1, wherein said means for separately driving said rim segments comprises, in combination with a hollow shaft movably supporting said segments, motor drive means, axially mounted in said hollow shaft, having a separate drive coupling engaging an extension of said rim segment, such as to drive said segment selectively in reciprocal motion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE822660C
Cited
US3465843A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-04 | 1977-08-06 | 1978-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-04 | 1981-08-06 | 1982-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-04 | 1985-08-06 | 1986-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |