The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 15, 2002
Filed:
Jan. 24, 2001
Michael Killian, Boston, MA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A two wheel articulated board device which the user can operate on smooth rough or smooth terrain. The device has a rear board member and a front board member which are connected at a pivot point. Each board member can rotate relative to the other board member around this pivot point. The device is supported by two wheels. A rear wheel which extends rear of the board and above the level of the board and a front wheel which extends forward of the board and above the level of the board. The front wheel is connected to the board by a front fork which attaches to the underside of the board. The rear wheel is connected to the board by a rear fork which attaches to the underside of the board. There is a flexible member that connects at one end with the underside of the device rear of the pivot point and at the other end at the underside of the device forward of the pivot point. The user motions the board forward by placing one foot on the rear board member with that foot oriented about 45 degrees off the major axis of the device. Forward motion is achieved by the user pushing against the ground with his/her other foot. Once the user has gained enough speed and begins coasting, the user repositions his/her feet perpendicular to the long axis of the device. While coasting the user can affect a change of direction by changing the relative orientation of his/her feet which are initially parallel without lifting them off the device. Moving the user's feet by bringing his/her toes closer together causes the rear board member to move relative to the front board member around the pivot point and thus affects a change of direction of the device. A flexible member running under the device along the major axis of the device and connected at one end to the rear board member and at the other end to the front board member applies a force to keep each board member aligned along their respective major axes.