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.

Date of Patent:
Jul. 31, 2007

Filed:

May. 13, 2004
Applicants:

Andrew D. Horchler, Cleveland, OH (US);

Roger D. Quinn, Akron, OH (US);

Bram Lambrecht, Cleveland Heights, OH (US);

Jeremy M. Morrey, Denver, CO (US);

Inventors:

Andrew D. Horchler, Cleveland, OH (US);

Roger D. Quinn, Akron, OH (US);

Bram Lambrecht, Cleveland Heights, OH (US);

Jeremy M. Morrey, Denver, CO (US);

Assignee:

Other;

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B62D 57/02 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract

The present invention relates to novel, highly mobile small robots called 'Mini-WHEGS™' that can run and jump. They are derived from our larger WHEGS™('wheel-like lecis') series of robots, which benefit from abstracted cockroach locomotion principles. Part of their success is derived from the three spoked appendages, called “WHEGS™”, which combine the speed and simplicity of wheels with the climbing mobility of legs. To be more compact than the larger WHEGS™ vehicles, Mini-WHEGS™ uses four wheel-like legs in an alternating diagonal gait. These 9 cm long robots can run at sustained speeds of over 10 body lengths per second and climb obstacles that are taller than their leg length. They can run forward and backward, on either side. Their robust construction allows them to tumble down a flight of stairs with no damage and carry a payload equal to twice their weight. A jumping mechanism enables Mini-WHEGS™ to surmount much larger obstacles such as stair steps.


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