IP Library Granted Patent US 7,543,664
Granted Patent B2
US 7,543,664 · App. 10/568,916 · Granted Jun 9, 2009

Mono-track vehicle

Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,543,664
App. No.
10/568,916
Granted
Jun 9, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vehicle includes a motorized belt track directly or indirectly connected to a frame. The belt track frictionally contacts a drive surface on which the vehicle moves, such as any form of road or off-road surface. The belt track moves forward and backward in a direction parallel to a centerline of the belt track to move the vehicle backward and forward along the drive surface. A steering appendage is also directly or indirectly connected to the frame. The steering appendage is also adapted to frictionally contact the drive surface. The steering appendage is off the centerline of the belt track. The steering appendage causes the vehicle to turn from the centerline of the belt track when in contact with the drive surface.

Claims (20)

1. A vehicle comprising:

a frame;

a belt track operatively connected to said frame, said belt track being adapted to frictionally contact a drive surface on which said vehicle moves, and said belt track embedded with a magnetic sensor; and

a steering appendage operatively connected to said frame, said steering appendage being adapted to frictionally contact said drive surface,

wherein said steering appendage is oriented on opposed sides of said vehicle relative to a center of said belt track.

2. The vehicle in claim 1 , wherein said steering appendage is adapted to be moved, such that said steering appendage can be selectively placed in contact with said drive surface and selectively removed from said drive surface.

3. The vehicle in claim 1 , wherein said steering appendage comprises an arm and a contact pad.

4. The vehicle in claim 1 , further comprising a pivot joint operatively connecting said steering appendage to said frame.

5. The vehicle in claim 1 , wherein said vehicle comprises a mono-track vehicle that includes only one belt track.

6. A vehicle comprising:

a frame;

a motorized belt track operatively connected to said frame, said belt track being adapted to frictionally contact a drive surface on which said vehicle moves, and said belt track embedded with a magnetic sensor; and

a steering appendage operatively connected to said frame, said steering appendage being adapted to frictionally contact said drive surface,

wherein said steering appendage is oriented on opposed sides of said vehicle relative to a center of said belt track.

7. The vehicle in claim 6 , wherein said steering appendage is adapted to be moved, such that said steering appendage can be selectively placed in contact with said drive surface and selectively removed from said drive surface.

8. The vehicle in claim 6 , wherein said steering appendage comprises an arm and a contact pad.

9. The vehicle in claim 6 , further comprising a pivot joint operatively connecting said steering appendage to said frame.

10. The vehicle in claim 6 , wherein said vehicle comprises a mono-track vehicle that includes only one belt track.

11. The vehicle in claim 1 , wherein said steering appendage causes said vehicle to turn from said center of said belt track.

12. The vehicle in claim 6 , wherein said steering appendage causes said vehicle to turn from said center of said belt track when in contact with said drive surface.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 24, 2009
From: NELSON, CARL V.
To: JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
Reel/Frame 022594/0230 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 6050451400 · Sep 18, 2003
Related Publication 20060225928A1 · Oct 12, 2006