Self-motivated cargo pod
View Patent ↗One variation may include a module including a body and a control arm; the control arm being constructed and arranged to allow a user to direct, steer, or move the module in a plurality of modes.
1. A product comprising:
a module comprising a body, a control arm, and a plurality of wheels;
the body defining at least one cargo space and comprises a hitch, the hitch being constructed and arranged such that the hitch may engage a hitch ball of a vehicle so that the module may be towed by the vehicle,
the at least one cargo space being constructed and arranged to hold cargo or freight; and
the control arm being constructed and arranged to facilitate ease of mobility and navigability of the module over terrain or surfaces.
2. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the body further comprises a motor and a battery constructed and arranged to drive the plurality of wheels.
3. A product as set forth in claim 2 wherein the control arm is integrated with the motor, the battery, and the plurality of wheels;
the module being constructed and arranged to facilitate ease of mobility and navigability of the module over rough terrain or rough surfaces.
4. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the body further comprises a door, the door being constructed and arranged to allow a user to access the at least one cavity.
5. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the body further comprises a platform, the platform being constructed and arranged such that a user may stand or sit on the platform and be able to utilize the control arm.
6. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the control arm comprises an arm portion and a handle portion; the arm portion being constructed and arranged to hinge from the body and extend outwardly therefrom.
7. A product as set forth in claim 6 wherein the handle portion comprises a control means; the control means being constructed and arranged to allow a user to control or drive the movement of the module.
8. A product as set forth in claim 7 wherein the control means is cylindrical in shape; the control means being constructed and arranged such that when a user rotates the control means about a longitudinal axis of the control means, the control means drives the module forward or backward with respect to the user and when a user twists the control means clockwise or counter-clockwise about a polar axis of the control means, the control means drives the module to the left or to the right of the user.
9. A product comprising:
a module comprising a body and a plurality of wheels;
the body comprising a first side wall, a second side wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a floor, and a roof connected together and defining at least one cargo space, a door, a battery, a motor and a control arm operatively connected together, and wherein the body further comprises a hitch being constructed and arranged such that the hitch may engage a hitch ball of a vehicle so that the module may be towed by the vehicle;
the at least one cargo space being constructed and arranged to contain cargo or freight;
the door being constructed and arranged to allow a user to access the at least one cavity;
the motor and battery being integrated with the plurality of wheels such that the motor and battery power movement of the plurality of wheels; and
the control arm comprising a control means; the control means being constructed and arranged to drive the motor, battery, and plurality of wheels such that the control means facilitates ease of mobility and navigability of the module over terrain or surfaces.
10. A product comprising:
a module comprising a body and a plurality of wheels;
the body comprising a first side wall, a second side wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a floor, and a roof connected together and defining at least one cargo space, a door, a battery, a motor and a control arm operatively connected together;
the at least one cargo space being constructed and arranged to contain cargo or freight;
the door being constructed and arranged to allow a user to access the at least one cavity;
the motor and battery being integrated with the plurality of wheels such that the motor and battery power movement of the plurality of wheels; and
the control arm comprising a control means; the control means being constructed and arranged to drive the motor, battery, and plurality of wheels such that the control means facilitates ease of mobility and navigability of the module over terrain or surfaces, and wherein the body further comprises a platform; the platform being constructed and arranged such that a user may stand or sit on the platform and be able to utilize the control arm.
11. A product as set forth in claim 9 wherein the control arm comprises an arm portion and a handle portion; the arm portion being constructed and arranged to hinge from the body and extend outwardly therefrom.
12. A product as set forth in claim 9 wherein the control means is constructed and arranged such that when a user rotates the control means about a longitudinal axis of the control means, the control means drives the module forward or backward with respect to the user and when a user twists the control means clockwise or counter-clockwise about a polar axis of the control means, the control means drives the module to the left or to the right of the user.
13. A method comprising:
providing a module comprising a body and a plurality of wheels;
the body comprising a first side wall, a second side wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a floor, a roof connected together and defining at least one cargo space, a door, a battery, a motor and a control arm operatively connected together;
the at least one cargo space being constructed and arranged to contain cargo or freight;
the door being constructed and arranged to allow a user to access the at least one cavity;
the motor and battery being integrated with the plurality of wheels such that the motor and battery power movement of the plurality of wheels;
the control arm comprising a control means, the control means being constructed and arranged to drive the motor, battery, and plurality of wheels such that the control means facilitates ease of mobility and navigability of the module over rough terrain or rough surfaces; and
moving the module via the control means.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the moving comprises controlling the module via a hand-led mode of operation comprising the user using the control means to steer, direct, or otherwise control the movements of the module using the control means from a standing or walking position on the ground.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein the moving comprises controlling the module via a driving mode of operation comprising the user putting the platform in a position about or near parallel to the ground, standing on the platform, and using the control means to steer, direct, or otherwise control the movements of the module using the control means.
16. The method of claim 13 wherein the moving comprises controlling the module via a towing mode of operation comprising the user moving the hitch into a position about or near parallel to the ground, temporarily attaching the hitch to a hitch ball of a vehicle, and using the vehicle to steer, direct, or otherwise control the movements of the module.
17. The method of claim 13 wherein the moving comprises controlling the module via an autonomous mode of operation wherein the body further comprises a computer controller; the computer controller comprising hardware and software; the computer controller being integrated with the battery, motor, and plurality of wheels such that the computer controller steers, directs, or otherwise controls the movements of the module.
18. The method of claim 13 further comprising loading a module or multiple modules into a vehicle wherein a user moves or directs the module into the vehicle.