Bimodal conveyance mechanism

Details Bimodal conveyance mechanism Bimodal conveyance mechanism

2008-04-15

2010-11-23

Hurley, Kevin (Department: 3611)

Motor vehicles

Special driving device

Stepper

C280S028500

Reexamination Certificate

active

07836983

ABSTRACT:
A virtual wheel provides a leg pair as a conveyance mechanism for a land vehicle. The virtual wheel propels the vehicle across a surface using a repetitive motion of the legs that contact the ground as would a wheel, due to their geometry. Vehicle embodiments include at least two-, three-, four- and six-wheeled vehicles, both transverse and in-line. Additionally, the invention provides a bipedal walking robot. One embodiment provides a robotic mule—a payload-carrying vehicle. The invention combines the flexible mobility of bipedal vehicles with the stability and functionality of very large-wheeled vehicles. Additionally, a bimodal conveyance mechanism readily converts between walking and rolling modes.

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