Open source Invention (non) patent: Powered vehicle using 2+ wheels; some fixed/turnable and powered, the other(s) free moving (like a caster)

I want to make my idea open source. Here I will describe the idea like a patent except it is not a patent, it is an idea anyone can use and capitalize on.

This is an idea that would work for any vehicle or device (hereby referred to as "vehicle") making use of wheels, rollers, bearings, trackballs, skis, rudders, etc (hereby referred to as "wheels") that contact the ground or any other medium external to the device ("ground"); where some of the wheels are free spinning and omni-directional and non powered, and other(s) are fixed or user turn-able (not freely omni-directional) and some or all of the fixed/turn-able wheels are powered, or if un-powered, the device gains motion from external means.

Prior art would include the "rip-stick" which includes a design that has a rotatable section between the front part and rear part, where the front and rear parts each have one freely rotatable and omni-directional wheel assembly.

The idea which is topic to the current invention is different; instead of requiring the power to come from the "sidewinding" movement of the user, the power comes from rotational work done by a fixed or user turn-able wheel assembly or an external source like gravity, being acted upon by an external body, etc. Also instead of requiring 2 caster type wheels, only one is necessary. Also the vehicle does not have to pivot between the front and rear parts like the ripstick does.

Another piece of prior art are the manual and electric wheelchair. An electric wheelchair has two powered fixed wheels that rotate with respect to eachother as well as one or more freely omni-directional casters that act as stabilization. I am not claiming ownership of the electric wheelchair design, since the electric wheelchair fits into the parameters laid out in this invention, because I am not claiming ownership of any design. As far as I know the two powered wheels with casters for stabilization is not currently under patent and I am only adding to the range of possibilities. My invention here goes beyond this prior art to include non-wheelchair applications as well as uses that have different amounts of wheels and different ways the wheels are controlled.

This includes embodiments which fulfill the above requirements where the front and rear portions of the vehicle can rotate, bend, or pivot with respect to each other.

This includes embodiments that turn via rotating and/or leaning the vehicle.

This includes embodiments where the vehicle is a skateboard where one or more wheels are fixed or user turn-able, and other(s) that freely turn in any direction and are unpowered like a caster.

This includes embodiments where the fixed/turnable wheel(s) turn automatically based on the vehicle's lean.

This includes embodiments where the vehicle has a handlebars like a scooter. The scooter includes one or two wheels or more that turn when the handlebars turn and one or more wheels that are freely spinning and omni-directional.

This includes embodiments where there are a total of two wheels, one of the wheels fixed/turnable and powered by a hub motor, chain drive, etc and the other wheel is inline of the direction of motion but is freely spinning and omni-directional.

This includes embodiments where there are a total of three wheels, two of which are fixed/turnable one or both of those being powered where the third wheel is situated in the direction of motion of the other two but are freely spinning and omni-directional.

This includes embodiments where there are a total of 4 wheels, two of which are fixed or turn-able the other two are freely spinning and omni-directional.

This includes embodiments where the front wheel(s) are powered and the rear wheels are freely spinning and omni-directional.

This includes embodiments where the rear wheel(s) are powered and the front wheels are freely spinning and omni-directional.

This includes embodiments where the freely spinning and omnidirectional wheel(s) are casters.

This includes embodiments where the freely spinning and omnidirectional wheel(s) have active, passive, or limited resistance to turning such as being "spring-loaded" or having "turn-stops" prohibiting turning past a certain point.

This includes embodiments where the powered wheel(s) are powered by an electric motor, a gas motor, a manual device like pedals, or any other means of power.

This includes embodiments where gyroscopes are used for stabilization.

This includes embodiments where extra wheels are used for stabilization or moderating the vehicle's lean.

This includes embodiements that either do or do not have suspension systems or springs or brakes.

This includes embodiments that either do or do not have one or more seats.

This includes embodiments that are toys that include the necessary aspects of the invention.

This includes embodiments where the "wheels" are rudders, floats, skis, etc for non-land applications.


This invention was published 12/4/2015 by Marcus DiMarco and has been untouched since 12/4/2015. Any further modifications or additions will be either left in the comments below or on another post.