Patent ID: 8371403

Claim:
A tracked mobility device, comprising: a) a pair of independent, self-supported track drives having a ground contact area; wherein each of said independent, self-supported track drives comprises: i) a drive wheel; ii) a plurality of rollers; and iii) a flexible track; and iv) a frame; wherein said frame holds said drive wheel, said plurality of rollers, and said flexible track in an aligned orientation wherein the track drive may function as an independent, self-supported assembly; b) a body connected to said pair of independent track drives in a manner that allows each track drive to independently tilt upward or downward with respect to the body as the device moves forward or rearward on its tracks; c) a seat supported by said body; d) a controller to control the speed and direction of rotation of each of the track drives; e) a multi-directional wheel having a first, raised position above the plane of said planar ground contact area, and a second, lowered position below the plane of said planar ground contact area; and f) an actuator effective to lower said multi-directional wheel to its lowered position, wherein the actuator lowers said wheel an amount sufficient to raise at least part of said track drive ground contact areas from the ground when the device is resting on the ground without raising all of said track drive ground contact areas from the ground.