Hybrid human/electric powered vehicle

[baantjer]

Many people who use wheelchair have no trouble moving it themself, so that is probably why Dean has come up with the following variant on the iBot:
United States Patent Application 20030226698 (http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220030226698%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20030226698&RS=DN/20030226698)

This wheelchair is kept in a constant 'wheelie' by the dynamic balancing technique, but propelled by the user by turning the wheels as in a classic wheelchair. This way the user can navigate more diffcult terrain in which the casters normally would get stuck.

You would need smaller batteries for this wheelchair compared to the Segway, because much less power is needed for just balancing a vehicle.

[fredkap]

As I read the patent, Dean is combining a bicycle's power generation with a Segway. Peddling will provide 85% of the power and a motor/battery will provide the rest. This would be a Segway with a seat that would be similar to the current hybrid cars. Fascinating!!!

Fred

I couldn't see the drawings at first. As a wheelchair, it may get its power from the traditional hand turning the wheel, or even by being pushed - but note it discusses that the wheelchair may be just one method that this hybrid unit is deployed. Whoever thinks that merely because Segway's aren't yet a top selling consumer item and thinks this technology and company won't continue may want to time warp themselves 20 or 40 years into the future.

[gotseg]

I was stuck in a wheel chair for a little bit and learned within the first few hours how to do a wheelie for almost un unlimited amount of time. Found that it was much more fun than being stuck on 4 wheels.

gotseg?

[Sunday]

It would be cool to incorporate this idea into the following product; www.go-one.biz

Segway-more fun than you can stand!

[mzokc]

Isn't this the iGLIDE that is being marketed by Johnson & Johnson? Here is the website:

http://www.independencenow.com/iglide/index.html

Mark

[baantjer]

quote:Originally posted by Sunday

It would be cool to incorporate this idea into the following product; www.go-one.biz

Segway-more fun than you can stand!


yes, if you would get rid of the third wheel, as it is superfluous due to dynamic balancing

[baantjer]

quote:Originally posted by mzokc

Isn't this the iGLIDE that is being marketed by Johnson & Johnson? Here is the website:

http://www.independencenow.com/iglide/index.html

Mark


No, I don't think so. The iGlide seems to be a power assisted driven wheelchair, but it still needs the 2 casters to be stable. The wheelchair the patent application is describing is doing nothing specific for the driving (that is still done by hand). It only keeps it balanced on its two big wheels through the dynamic balancing technique.

[baantjer]

And now ...

Charge your own Segway by getting some exercise: United States Patent Application 20040005958 (http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220040005958%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20040005958&RS=DN/20040005958).

Or maybe someday dynamically stabilized rollerskates, or slightly powered rollerskates??

I am not sure, but it looks like the hybrid powered segway.

BTW, first time Segway LLC is mentioned in a Patent (application ) and an actual picture of the Segway HT is used