Omni-directional contiguous moving surface
View Patent ↗An apparatus capable of omni-directional movement including a belt layer made of a plurality of interlocking flexible rings and a surface layer made of a laterally inelastic and longitudinally flexible material that surrounds the exterior of the belt layer. The device has a bladder located in the interior of the belt layer that provides structural support for the belt layer and surface layer and a hub that is in contact with the surface layer and is connected to an axle. Longitudinal motion occurs as the bladder, the belt layer, the surface layer, and the hub rotate together. Lateral motion occurs as the belt layer and the surface layer rotate around the bladder. Longitudinal motion is induced by a plurality of electromagnetic curvilinear motor drive rings that are located around the hub and are in contact with the surface layer.
1. An apparatus that is capable of omni-directional movement, comprising:
a belt layer comprising a plurality of interlocking flexible rings;
a surface layer comprising a laterally inelastic and longitudinally flexible material that surrounds the exterior of the belt layer, where the interior of the surface layer is connected to the belt layer;
a bladder located in the interior of the belt layer, where the bladder provides structural support for the belt layer and surface layer; and
a hub that is in contact with the surface layer;
where longitudinal motion occurs as the bladder, the belt layer, the surface layer, and the hub rotate together, and where lateral motion occurs as the belt layer and the surface layer rotate around the bladder; and
where the lateral motion is induced by a plurality of electromagnetic curvilinear motor drive rings located around the hub and in contact with the surface layer.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , where the apparatus is generally shaped as a treadmill.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , where the apparatus is generally shaped as a track.
4. An apparatus that is capable of omni-directional movement, comprising:
a belt layer comprising a plurality of interlocking flexible belts formed to allow a prescribed amount of longitudinal degree of freedom while restricting the rotational degree of freedom completely, where the belts are interlocked with a series of barriers and slots that allow the transfer of torque between the belts; and
a hub that is in contact with the belt layer;
where longitudinal motion, occurs as the belt layer and the hub rotate together, and where lateral motion occurs as the belt layer rotates within the hub.