|
|
|
KLANN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, LLC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It has been a hobby for a number of years to develop a bicycle
without wheels that could
walk. It would move on legs and resemble a large insect. A linkage
was developed that
satisfied the design criteria and several small-scale prototypes
were built that demonstrated
the concept. Applications for the linkage go beyond human-powered
machines. The links are
connected by pivot joints and convert the rotating motion of the
crank into the movement of a
foot similar to that of an animal walking.
Two of these legs coupled together at the crank can act as a wheel
replacement and provide
vehicles with a greater ability to handle obstacles and travel
across uneven terrain while
providing a smooth even ride. Initially it was called the SpiderBike
but the applications for
this linkage have expanded well beyond the initial design purpose of
a human-powered walking
machine. This linkage could be utilized almost anywhere a wheel is
employed from small wind-up
toys to large vehicles capable of transporting people.
|
|
The relationships for the linkage have been established and are
covered by several patents. The simplicity and scalability of the
walking device, along with a little imaginative engineering, lead to
numerous possibilities
|
This linkage provides many of the benefits of more advanced walking
vehicles without
some of their limitations. It can step over curbs, climb stairs, or
travel into areas that are
currently not accessible with wheels but does not require
microprocessor control or multitudes
of inefficient actuator mechanisms. It fits into the technological
void between these walking
devices and axel-driven wheels.
|
Functions for the JAVA-Challenged:
PROTOTYPES
,
CONCEPT
,
APPLICATIONS
,
LOG
,
CONTACT INFO
,
LINKS
,
EXTRAS
|
© 2007 Klann R & D, LLC All rights reserved
Since March 3, 2006
Free Hit Counter
|
|
