Motor vehicles – Steering by driving
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-31
2003-06-24
Morris, Lesley D. (Department: 3611)
Motor vehicles
Steering by driving
Reexamination Certificate
active
06581703
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a wheeled vehicle designed to turn about a vertical axis. In particular, the invention relates to powered utility riding vehicles of the type useful for aircraft servicing operations, airport passenger vehicles, lawnmowers, warehouse utility vehicles, wheelchairs, or in any vehicle where rotation-in-place steering is advantageous.
2. Description of Prior Art
Prior art vehicles are known for turning with a zero turning radius, or so called “turning on the spot.” U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,608 describes a vehicle with a single center mounted pivoting drive motor that is rotated about a vertical axis in order to change directions of the vehicle. The '608 vehicle is supported with three or more swivel wheels located at equal radial distances from the center wheel. The '608 outer profile is in the shape of a rectangle and has appendages that make close proximity maneuvering impossible next to another object such as a post or another vehicle. Furthermore, the '608 vehicle lacks tractive force because of the single drive wheel. Furthermore, a single drive wheel must be rotated in order to change the vehicle direction, and although the single drive wheel can be turned to direct the vehicle in any direction, it does not provide directional stability for the case where a force is exerted on the vehicle from an angle to the line of intended travel. For example, a force against the '608 vehicle at a 20° angle to the right or left of the line of travel would force the single '608 wheel to skid, causing loss of directional control.
The prior art concerning aircraft service vehicles has not fundamentally changed in the last fifty years. Conventional tow vehicles for aircraft, often called tractors, are typically configured with two axles, one in front, the other in the rear. The rear axle is fixed to the vehicle and provides motive force; two additional wheels are located at the front end of the vehicle, each being steerable and connected together to provide steering of the vehicle. Since there is a distance between the fixed rear drive wheels and the axis of the steerable wheels at the front end of the vehicle, a turning radius is required that far exceeds the space actually occupied by the vehicle itself. The longer the distance between front and rear axles, the larger the turning radius that is required to change directions of the vehicle. A large turning radius makes maneuvering around crowded airport ramp areas difficult and often dangerous. Operators are required to look over their shoulders in order to back up, and congestion is commonplace at airport and air service facilities. All the vehicles around an airport ramp share these common shortcomings. A need exists for a service vehicle that requires less square footage for its footprints as well as the space required for maneuvering so that operator safety and the safety of the aircraft are enhanced.
Mowing vehicles share common problems with those of aircraft service vehicles. Commercial mowers used to mow highways and large areas commonly use row-crop tractors to pull the mowers. Such tractors are designed to pull heavy loads such as plows in a straight line with few turns, but mowing requires maneuvering around obstacles such as post, rails, and curbs. Furthermore, mowing must be for ravines, ditches and on hillsides. Rolling over or tipping of such equipment is a common problem and safety hazard. A vehicle that requires no more room than it occupies in area for maneuvering and having a low center of gravity would be very advantageous for all commercial mowing applications.
IDENTIFICATION OF OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of this invention is to provide a service vehicle that has enhanced maneuverability.
Another object of the invention is to provide a service vehicle that can turn on the spot and be of the smallest physical size relative to the space it occupies.
Another object of the invention is to provide a service vehicle which reduces the risk of accidents which result in damage or injury to equipment or operating personnel.
Another object of the invention is to provide a service vehicle having an outer perimeter that defines an outer imaginary cylinder that encloses any equipment or appendages mounted on the vehicle thereby enhancing its capability to maneuver the vehicle without hanging up on objects external to the vehicle.
Another object of the invention is to provide a service vehicle with structures mounted thereon for materials handling or people transport.
Another object of the invention is to provide a service vehicle that can be used for towing, pushing or handling aircraft equipment.
Another object of the invention is to provide a mowing machine that can turn on the spot and maneuver easily about obstructions.
Another object of the invention is to provide a people-moving cart for use at an airport, where the cart can turn around on the spot and be of the smallest physical size relative to the space it occupies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The objects identified above along with other features and advantages of the invention are incorporated in a vehicle that, due to a combination of its characteristics including its shape and the configuration of its drive wheels, provides unique maneuverability and efficiency. When the vehicle is combined with a radial movable hitch to its circular frame, such combination provides for free circumferential attachment to and movement of other vehicles for transport of such vehicles with minimal space required for maneuverability and safety of operation. Such vehicles include aircraft baggage loading equipment, baggage carts, tractors and other wheeled equipment adapted for aircraft and airport operations.
The vehicle according to the invention has a frame with a perfectly round outer surface about its perimeter with no external appendages. That outer surface is characterized as a perfect, unobstructed smooth circle defined by a vertical axis of the vehicle. The vehicle has two independent drive wheels located on a horizontal axis which intersects the vertical axis. Each wheel is at exactly the same distance from the vertical axis, with each wheel having the capability to move independently and at infinitely variable speeds in either direction. Thus, the vehicle is capable to move in any direction by rotating the axis of the drive wheels perpendicular to the desired direction of travel. By applying motive force to the wheels in the appropriate direction and speed, the vehicle can turn and move in any direction perpendicular to the axis of the drive wheels within the area covered by its circumference. Rotating about the vertical axis to any radial position without changing its original footprint, the vehicle requires a true zero turning or maneuvering radius, and thus requires only the space that it occupies in which to maneuver in any direction. The “footprint” is the area on the ground below the vehicle when it is at rest.
The capability to maneuver with a zero turning radius in addition to having a perfectly round and smooth perimeter with no apparatus which is mounted on the frame of the vehicle which extends beyond the outer perimeter of the frame provides for virtually unlimited directional movement and requires no maneuvering space beyond the area or footprint covered by the vehicle itself. The space required of the vehicle is no greater than that of a conventional vehicle with a drive axle and a steering axle.
One embodiment of the invention is in a vehicle capable of pulling single or multiple pieces of equipment such as trailers or various sized objects such as aircraft. In this configuration as a tow vehicle or tractor, the vehicle is equipped with a smooth outer ring including upper and lower rails which support a trolley. The trolley includes a plurality of precision wheels or rollers that are rotatably coupled to the upper and lower rails of the outer ring and enable the trolley to move freely around the entire circumference of the outer rim of the vehicle
Andrews & Kurth LLP
Bush Gary L.
Morris Lesley D.
Royal, Jr. Paul
LandOfFree
Omni direction vehicle does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Omni direction vehicle, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Omni direction vehicle will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3146295