Personal transporter
US6796396B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 16, 2002 |
| Grant date | Sep 28, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 16, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T10/64
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Improvements to a motorized balancing personal transporter are revealed in embodiments of the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, a transporter for carrying a payload includes a platform for supporting a user; a ground-contacting module, to which the platform is mounted, which propels the user; a proximity detector for determining the presence of a user; and a safety switch coupled to the detector for inhibiting operation of the ground-contacting module unless the proximity detector has determined the presence of the user; and a motorized drive arrangement coupled to the ground-contacting module for causing automatically balanced and stationary operation of the device unless the proximity detector determines the presence of the user on the device. Various other mechanisms are provided for receiving rider input in order to direct steering of the transporter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.