Abstract:
A single-wheel structure transportation device with an extendable walking handle. The transportation device may include a motor, gyroscopic fore-aft self-balancing, and foot platforms for riding the device in a substantially standing position. Various extendable handle arrangements are disclosed that permit a use to readily maneuver the device while walking and to stow the walking handle with or within the frame or housing of the device while the user is riding the device.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/913,873, filed Dec. 9, 2013, in the name of the above-identified inventor. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to portable, motorized single wheel (or single wheel-structure) personal transportation devices and, more specifically, to such devices with an extendable walking handle that permits a user to readily push or pull the device while walking. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Prior art devices include the “Segwey” (disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,230 issued to Kamen et al.), a two wheeled fore-aft self-balancing personal transportation device. The fore-aft self-balancing is achieved through gyroscopic sensors and motors that drive the wheels forward or backward in a self-leveling manner. 
         [0004]    One or “single” wheel fore-aft self-balancing devices are also known in the art. They use similar gyroscopic sensors and motor(s) for fore-aft self-balancing, yet rely on the user (and vehicle momentum) for side to side balance. Single wheel devices include those of Chen (U.S. Pat. No. 8,807,250, issued Aug. 19, 2014, for a Powered Single-Wheeled Self-Balancing Vehicle for Standing User), Simeray (U.S. Pat. No. 8,616,313, issued Dec. 31, 2013, for a Motorized Transport Vehicle for a Pedestrian) and others including Kamen et al. The single-wheel devices may have a seat—similar to a conventional, non-motorized unicycle—or a raised, fixed control handle (Kamen et al.), or be seatless and lacking a fixed control handle as disclosed by Chen and Simeray. When the seated or control hand devices devices are moved from one “user area” to another, they may be pulled or pushed by their seat or control handle, respectively. The seatless and no control handle devices of Chen and Simeray are intended to be carried by a user between use areas (for example, carried through crowded sidewalks or in malls or stores, etc.). The seated or fixed control handle devices are bulky and restrict rider movement. The devices of Chen and Simeray can be disadvantageously heavy with the weight of their batteries, motor, and wheel components, etc., and are impractical for being carried longer distances or by someone with limited upper body strength. 
         [0005]    Thus, a need exists to comfortably and non-awkwardly move the low-profile (non-seat, non-fixed control handle) devices between use areas. A need further exists for a kick stand or the like to readily “park” the devices in a substantially upright position between uses, particularly, for example, when a user is out-and-about town. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to single wheel structure transportation device with an extendable walking handle. 
         [0007]    This and related objects of the present invention are achieved by use of a single wheel structure transportation device or vehicle as described and recited herein. 
         [0008]    The attainment of the foregoing and related advantages and features of the invention should be more readily apparent to those skilled in the art, after review of the following more detailed description of the invention taken together with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a single-wheel transportation vehicle or device with an extendable walking handle in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  with extendable members  142  fully retracted and the top piece resting atop the frame. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a single wheel transportation device or vehicle with an extendable walking handle in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 3  with walking handle assembly in the open or walking position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a single wheel transportation device or vehicle with an extendable walking handle in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of one embodiment of a single-wheel transportation vehicle or device  100  with an extendable walking handle  140  in accordance with the present invention is shown. Device  100  may include a wheel  110  that is rotatably coupled to a frame  120 , user pedals  150  coupled to frame  120  (they are shown in the folded closed position in  FIG. 1 ), and a top structure or piece  140  positioned near the top of frame  120 . Wheel  110  may include a wheel rim  111  and one or more tires  112 . 
         [0015]    Frame  120  may include a substantially rigid structure that holds wheel  110  in place and provides points of attachment for pedals  150  and top piece  140 . Frame  120  may have an external housing  125  that preferably encloses and supports the motor(s), power source(s), circuit boards, and other operational components (known in the art) that are mounted within the frame. The housing  125  is preferably a case or shell which covers portions of wheel  110  in order to prevent unintentional contact with the user&#39;s body or clothing while riding, and protects components within from environmental fouling. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , housing  125  mainly covers the top of the wheel and leaves most of the front and back exposed, but a variety of other sizes and shapes are possible, covering a greater or lesser area of the wheel without departing from the present invention. 
         [0016]    The two pedals  150  are respectively disposed on the left and right sides of frame  120  (only the left pedal is visible in this figure). Pedals  150  may be pivotably coupled to frame  120  so as to be convertible between an open, unfolded position for riding (substantially flat along the top surface), and a closed, folded position when not in use. The closed position is shown in  FIGS. 1-2  (and other figures herein). 
         [0017]    The top piece or structure  140  may have a handle  141  and leg contacting surfaces  130  formed on the left and right sides. Top piece  140  is coupled to the upper ends of two extendable members  142  that are preferably substantially rigid bars or rods (i.e., shafts) oriented in a generally vertical direction (when device  100  is upright). The lower ends of extensible members  142  are coupled to frame  120  such that they are respectively disposed on the left and right sides of wheel  110 . In this embodiment, each of extendable members  142  may be made of two or more slidable sections that are nested so as to extend and retract telescopically. In  FIG. 1 , extendable members  142  are shown in their extended state. Other configurations of extendable members are possible, such as one in which each extendable member is made of a single piece of material that can slide upward and downward relative to frame  120 . 
         [0018]    Leg contacting surfaces  130  may be disposed on the left and right sides of top piece  140 , and may either be separate components coupled to top piece  140 , or may be formed integrally with top piece  140 , or otherwise molded into or provided with housing  125 . When top structure  140  is raised above the device and the extension members  142  are fully (or near fully) extended (as in  FIG. 1 ), the user can grip the handle and push or pull the vehicle while walking. In this manner, the raised handle  141  allows the user to easily maneuver the device while walking next to it. Extendable members  142  can be releasably locked in this raised, extended state, and is preferably lockable at different heights. The motor and self-balancing functions may be either on or off while the device is walked. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of device  100  is shown with extendable members  142  fully retracted and top piece  140  resting atop frame  120 . The top piece  140  may be substantially flush with housing (or the remainder of housing)  125 . In the retracted position, leg contacting surfaces  130  are positioned for ready contact by the inward sides of the user&#39;s lower legs while the user stands on pedals  150  (as disclosed in Chen U.S. Pat. No. 8,807,250), thus aiding in lateral stabilization of the vehicle and support of the user&#39;s ankles, among other benefits. Extendable members  142  and top piece  140  can be releasably locked in this lowered, retracted state, so that handle  141  can be used to lift, carry or hang/store device  100 . Although, in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-2 , leg contacting surfaces  130  are provided on top piece  140 , in other embodiments the leg contacting surfaces may be coupled to or formed as part of frame  120 , separate in whole or in part from top portion  140 . 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of another embodiment of a single wheel transportation device or vehicle  200  with an extendable walking handle in accordance with the present invention is shown. Device  200  may have a wheel  210 , frame  220 , leg contact surfaces  230 , and pedals  250 , similar to their counterparts in device  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Instead of a vertically telescoping top piece, however, device  200  has a curved handle assembly  240  coupled to frame  220  which is movable between a collapsed and an extended position. 
         [0021]    Handle assembly  240  may include an anchoring or mounting structure  243  coupled to or formed integrally with frame  220 , an elongated curved member  242 , and a handle  241 . The curved member or shaft  242  is preferably pivotably coupled on one end to anchoring structure  243 . The handle  241  is preferably provided on the other end. A grip member or area  244  may be positioned on curved member  242  between the two ends, and more preferably closer to the place of movable or pivotable coupling. The coupling between curved member  242  and anchoring structure  243  may be a single-axis pivot joint which allows handle assembly  240  to move between an “open” position ( FIG. 4 ) and a “closed” position ( FIG. 3 ), though other joint structures or configurations may be used without departing from the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , curved member  242  preferably approximates the contour of frame  220  and/or wheel  210 . 
         [0022]    With handle assembly  240  in the closed position, device  200  may be positioned, i.e., rocked back, so that handle  241  contacts the ground. Handle  241  preferably extends perpendicularly (laterally) from the central plane of wheel  210  (handle ends  246 , 247 ) to afford lateral stability and effectively function as a kick stand, maintaining the vehicle upright in a “parked” position. 
         [0023]    Grip member  244  may be a sleeve of width comparable to that of a user&#39;s hand, wrapped around curved member  242  and located generally at the top of the vehicle (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). The user can use grip member  244  as a secure and comfortable carrying handle for lifting the vehicle and, accordingly, grip area  244  may be made of material and/or shaped to be comfortable for the user&#39;s hand. Grip member or area  244  may be otherwise arranged including forming a grip area integrally in curved member  242 . 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of device  200  of  FIG. 3  with handle assembly  240  in the open or walking position is shown. The user can grip handle  241  with one or both hands and push or pull the vehicle while walking, with the motor and self-balancing functions either on or off. As with device  100 , the raised handle allows the user to easily maneuver the device when not riding it. Curved member  242  can be releasably locked in the raised position, and could be configured to be lockable at other points along its range of motion. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of another embodiment of a single wheel transportation device or vehicle  300  with an extendable walking handle in accordance with the present invention is shown. 
         [0026]    Device  300  may be similar to device  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , having a wheel  310 , a frame  320 , pedals  350 , and a top piece  340  that includes a leg contacting surface  330  and a handle  341 . 
         [0027]    In contrast to device  100  of  FIGS. 1-2 , which had two extendable members, device  300  as shown in  FIG. 5  has one extendable member  342  (though note that an extendable member may have multiple parts). Member  342  may be disposed on one side of the vehicle (in this case the left side) and may move/telescope into and out of frame  320 . The location of extendable member  342  on one side (or the other) of wheel  310  allows the member to retract into frame  320  with handle  341  remaining centered more or less in the central vertical plane of the wheel. From this position, a user may readily apply a substantially symmetrical force to device  300  to maneuver it while walking. 
         [0028]    While a single wheel rim and tire are shown in each of the embodiments, the wheel rim may be expansive enough for two or more tires or two wheel rims may be presented with one or more tires each, the two wheel rims drive in a similar manner to approximate a very large or broad wheel. This “broader” structure is referred to herein as a single-wheel structure. 
         [0029]    It can be seen in many of the figures that the extended handle  141 ,  241 ,  341 , extends above the wheel by a length of at least one “radius” and may extend by a distance or two, three or more radiuses above the wheel. It may also extend less than one radius, particularly when the wheel is large. 
         [0030]    While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification, and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth, and as fall within the scope of the invention and the limits of the appended claims.