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Title: US6796396: Personal transporter
[ Derwent Title ]
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Country: US United States of America

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27 pages

 
Inventor: Kamen, Dean L.; Bedford, NH
Arling, Richard W.; Windham, NH
Field, J. Douglas; Bedford, NH
Morrell, John B.; Manchester, NH
Pompa, Jonathan B.; Allentown, NH
Heinzmann, Richard Kurt; Francestown, NH

Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership, Manchester, NH
other patents from DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (682759) (approx. 104)
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Published / Filed: 2004-09-28 / 2002-10-16

Application Number: US2002000272480
IPC Code: Advanced: A61G 5/04; A61G 5/06; A61G 5/14; A63C 17/12; B62D 57/00; B62K 3/00; A61G 5/10; A61G 5/12; B60K 7/00;
IPC-7: B60K 31/00;

ECLA Code: B62K3/00B; A63C17/12; B62D57/00; L60K7/00;

U.S. Class: 180/272; 180/273;

Field of Search: 180/272,273

Priority Number:
2002-10-16  US2002000272480
2000-10-13  US2000000687789
1999-06-04  US1999000325976

Abstract:     Improvements to a motorized balancing personal transporter are revealed in embodiments of the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, a transporter for carrying a payload includes a platform for supporting a user; a ground-contacting module, to which the platform is mounted, which propels the user; a proximity detector for determining the presence of a user; and a safety switch coupled to the detector for inhibiting operation of the ground-contacting module unless the proximity detector has determined the presence of the user; and a motorized drive arrangement coupled to the ground-contacting module for causing automatically balanced and stationary operation of the device unless the proximity detector determines the presence of the user on the device. Various other mechanisms are provided for receiving rider input in order to direct steering of the transporter.

Attorney, Agent or Firm: Bromberg & Sunstein LLP ;

Primary / Asst. Examiners: Dickson, Paul N.; Spisich, George D.
Maintenance Status: CC Certificate of Correction issued
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Related Applications:
Application Number Filed Patent Pub. Date  Title
US2000000687789 2000-10-13       
US1999000325976 1999-06-04       


       
Parent Case:

IMPROVEMENTS TO A PERSONAL TRANSPORTER
    The present application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/687,789, filed Oct. 13, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/325,976, filed Jun. 4, 1999, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Family: Show 348 known family members
First Claim:
Show all 8 claims		 What is claimed is:     1. A transporter for carrying a payload including a user, the transporter comprising:
  • a. a platform which supports the user;
  • b. a ground-contacting module, to which the platform is mounted, which propels the user in desired motion over an underlying surface;
  • c. a proximity detector for determining the presence of the user on the device;
  • d. a safety switch, coupled to the proximity detector, for inhibiting operation of the ground-contacting module unless the proximity detector has determined the presence of the user on the device; and
  • e. a motorized drive arrangement, coupled to the ground-contacting module; the motorized drive arrangement causing, when powered, automatically balanced and stationary operation of the device unless the proximity detector has determined the presence of the user on the device.
    •


Background / Summary: Show background / summary

Drawing Descriptions: Show drawing descriptions

Description: Show description

Forward References: Show 11 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one

       
U.S. References: Go to Result Set: All U.S. references   |  Forward references (11)   |   Backward references (110)   |   Citation Link

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  * some details unavailable
       
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    • Continuity Data:
    Application Number Filed Notes
    >US2002000272480< 2002-10-16  is a division of
    US2000000687789  2000-10-13   (granted)
         US6581714 issued 2003-06-24   Steering control of a personal transporter
    US2000000687789 2000-10-13  is a continuation in part of
    US1999000325976  1999-06-04   (pending) [presumed granted]
         US7370713 issued 2008-05-13   Personal mobility vehicles and methods


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