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 Title: |
US4740001:
Sprag wheel
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Torleumke, Keith R.; Seattle, WA 98108
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| Assignee: |
None
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| Published / Filed: |
1988-04-26
/ 1983-09-01
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| Application Number: |
US1983000529023
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
B62M 1/10;
B62M 1/14;
IPC-7:
B62M 1/10;
B62M 1/14;
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| ECLA Code: |
B62K1/00; B62M1/10; B62M1/14;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
280/011.115;
280/205;
280/217;
446/462;
482/068;
482/110;
Original:
280/011.115;
272/114;
280/205;
280/217;
446/462;
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| Field of Search: |
280/11.115,205,217,11.24,221,243,87.04 R,78,207
046/233,234,462,463,249,247,248
180/021,180,181
272/114,132
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| Priority Number: |
| 1983-09-01 |
US1983000529023 |
| 1981-09-14 |
US1981000301779 |
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| Abstract: |
A sprag wheel is a one-wheeled recreational vehicle. Two treads extending on opposite sides of a ground wheel provide a place for the rider to stand. A flywheel concentrically mounted with the treads and ground wheel and housed within the ground wheel provides pitch stability for the rider. That is, the flywheel is coupled to the treads and ground wheel so that the flywheel rotates faster than the ground wheel. The treads are coupled to the flywheel so that the treads will move only by changing the rpm of the flywheel. Thus, a relatively large force is required to move the treads, and, in any event, a force greater than that necessary for the rider to balance on the treads. The sprag wheel of this invention is designed to imitate Thor's wheel in the "B.C." comic strip, so the ground wheel has a relatively large diameter and a moderate width so that a rider may balance on the wheel. Sharp edges of the ground wheel provide improved lateral stability and allow the rider to counteract the natural gyroscopic force generated in the flywheel, when steering the wheel. Input power means allow a rider to drive the axle and to move the sprag wheel while standing on the treads. In some embodiments, a brake may be used.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Seed and Berry ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Peters, Jr., Joseph F.; Dukes, Mark C.
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| Maintenance Status: |
E2 Expired Check current status
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
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| Parent Case: |
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of application U.S. Ser. No. 301,779, filed Sept. 14, 1981, now abandoned.
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| Family: |
None
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First Claim:
Show all 27 claims |
I claim:
1. A one-wheeled recreational vehicle for riding by a person, comprising:
- (a) an axle;
- (b) a ground wheel concentrically mounted on the axle;
- (c) a flywheel on the axle, coaxial with the ground wheel, and mounted within the ground wheel;
- (d) two treads mounted coaxially on the axle, one tread on each side of the ground wheel;
- (e) means for coupling together the flywheel, ground wheel, and treads so that movement of the treads requires a change in the rpm of the flywheel and so that the flywheel turns faster than the ground wheel; and
- (f) input power means coupled to the axle to drive the vehicle while developing pitch stability through the reaction of the flywheel.
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| Background / Summary: |
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
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| Forward References: |
Show 46 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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