US4386787A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spherical vehicle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-07-14
•
Granted: 1983-06-07
•
Expires: 2000-07-14
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure relates to a spherical vehicle which incorporates an internally mounted rotatable seat, an observation apparatus to permit an occupant at least a view of his prospective path of travel and a drive apparatus having a pedes contact surface to serve as a device to space the occupant from a supporting medium so that he can be transported thereover.
Inventors
- 👤 Clifford Maplethorpe
- 👤 Kenneth E. Kary
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:10
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62K; B62K1/00; A; A63; A63G; A63G29/00; A63G29/02; B62D; B62D39/00; B62D57/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A vehicle comprising: a transparent, substantially rigid shell in the general shape of a sphere, said shell having circular ports with bearing surfaces along the edges thereof, the centers of said ports being on opposite ends of a diameter of said shell; a carriage adapted to seat a person, said carriage having a pair of drive wheels with rims directly engaging and rotatable over the interior surface of said shell; a pair of idler wheels having respective rims that are rotatably maintained upon said bearing surface; a pair of support members, coupled to said carriage and to said idler wheels, that maintain said carriage substantially equidistant from said idler wheels; and means for providing power to said drive wheels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
A vehicle comprising: a transparent, substantially rigid shell in the general shape of a sphere, said shell having circular ports with bearing surfaces along the edges thereof, the centers of said ports being on opposite ends of a diameter of said shell; a carriage adapted to seat a person, said carriage having a pair of drive wheels with rims directly engaging and rotatable over the interior surface of said shell; a pair of idler wheels having respective rims that are rotatably maintained upon said bearing surface; a pair of support members, coupled to said carriage and to said idler wheels, that maintain said carriage substantially equidistant from said idler wheels; and means for providing power to said drive wheels.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-06-06 | 1986-12-06 | 1987-06-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-06-06 | 1990-12-06 | 1991-06-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-06-06 | 1994-12-06 | 1995-06-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |