Patent ID: 6517457
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A dynamically steerable belt apparatus, comprising:a first pivotable body element; a second pivotable body element in communication with the first pivotable body element; a first pivot mechanism attached to and positioned between the first pivotable body element and the second pivotable body element and configured to allow the first pivotable body element to pivot in a first pivot plane of movement with respect to the second pivotable body element; a third pivotable body element in communication with the second pivotable body element; a second pivot mechanism attached to and positioned between the second pivotable body element and the third pivotable body element and configured to allow the third pivotable body element to pivot in a second pivot plane of movement with respect to the second pivotable body element; and a continuous belt element formed as a loop and is continuously rotatable in a first plane of rotation around the first pivotable body element, the first pivot mechanism, the second pivotable body element, the second pivot mechanism and the third pivotable body element, wherein the continuous belt element is flexible in the first pivot plane of movement, such that when the first pivotable body element is pivoted, via the first pivot mechanism, in the first pivot plane of movement, the continuous belt element is flexed, wherein the continuous belt element is flexible in the second pivot plane of movement, such that when the third pivotable body element is pivoted, via the second pivot mechanism, in the second pivot plane of movement, the continuous belt element is flexed, and wherein the first pivotable body element and the third pivotable body element are configured to pivot independently of each other.