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 Title: |
US5186270:
Omnidirectional vehicle
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
West, A. Mark T.; Kendal, United Kingdom
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| Assignee: |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
other patents from MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (357270) (approx. 2,706)
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| Published / Filed: |
1993-02-16
/ 1991-10-24
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| Application Number: |
US1991000783640
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
B25J 5/00;
B62D 11/00;
B62D 55/08;
B62D 55/28;
IPC-7:
B25J 5/00;
B60S 9/215;
B62D 11/00;
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| ECLA Code: |
B25J5/00T; B62D11/00; B62D55/08; B62D55/28;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
180/006.62;
180/007.1;
180/009.34;
180/009.44;
180/202;
198/779;
198/890.1;
305/052;
305/122;
901/001;
Original:
180/006.62;
180/007.1;
180/934;
180/009.44;
180/202;
305/018;
901/001;
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| Field of Search: |
180/6.2,6.44,6.5,6.6,6.62,6.7,7.1,7.2,9.3,9.34,9.38,9.44,20,199,200,202
280/28.5
901/001
305/016,17,18,15,52
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| Priority Number: |
| 1991-10-24 |
US1991000783640 |
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| Abstract: |
The invention provides controlled omnidirectional relative movement between a device and a selected surface in contact therewith. The device is preferably a vehicle having a first and second track mounted thereto, which tracks are parallel and spaced from each other and are independently driven in a first direction. A plurality of spheres are mounted in each of the tracks at intervals spaced in the first direction and the spheres in at least one of the tracks are driven to rotate in a second direction, generally perpendicular to the first direction. By suitably controlling the movements of the tracks in the first direction and of the spheres in the second direction, movement along any desired trajectory may be achieved with three degrees of freedom. By having the device stationary and the surface movable, an omnidirectional platform is provided.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Focarino, Margaret A.; Hurley, Kevin
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| Maintenance Status: |
E3 Expired Check current status
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
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| Family: |
Show 7 known family members
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First Claim:
Show all 21 claims |
What is claimed is:
1. An omnidirectional vehicle comprising:
- a) a first track mounted to said vehicle;
- b) a second track mounted to said vehicle parallel to and spaced from said first track;
- c) first means for independently driving said first track and said second track in a first direction;
- d) a plurality of spheres mounted in each of said tracks at intervals spaced in said first direction;
- e) second means for driving the spheres in at least one of said tracks to rotate in a second direction generally perpendicular to said first direction; and
- means for controlling said first and second means to move the vehicle in a desired direction.
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| Background / Summary: |
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
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| Forward References: |
Show 85 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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