Kenneth Michael Forrest

US Patent:

59133732, Jun 22, 1999

Filed:

Apr 1, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/053189

Inventors:

Kenneth Roy Forrest - Los Altos Hills CA

International Classification:

B62D 5104
B62M 2702

US Classification:

180 62

Abstract:

A personal traction transportation vehicle which includes two pulley-motor-wheels which drive a connected chassis forward. The chassis is stabilized by a connection to a drag pole which is controlled by the operator. The vehicle is electrically driven by a removable battery pack. At least one drag pole of the two simulated ski poles is attached to the chassis through joints in a manner allowing the handles of the ski poles to be free to move in the plane normal to the direction of forward movement. The other drag pole can be connected through a universal joint. The vehicle is steered by differentially pulling on the drag poles. The user is not restricted in the typical operating range of vertical movement the stabilizing pole, since the chassis is able to rotate within broad constraints about the axis of the drive wheels. The linkage between the stabilizing pole and the chassis allows for freedom of movement only laterally on a horizontal axis via a "forked" link: the forked link provides a means of stabilizing the chassis by creating a vertically rigid link between the drag pole and the chassis. Notwithstanding the evident restriction on movement of one of the drag poles (due to ballast and torque due to acceleration and deceleration), the lateral movement of either drag pole relative to its point of contact with the drive assembly does not affect steering, and the countertorque required to maintain chassis stability is minimal.

US Patent:

57353611, Apr 7, 1998

Filed:

Dec 5, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/567459

Inventors:

Kenneth R. Forrest - Los Altos Hills CA

International Classification:

B62D 5104
B62M 2702

US Classification:

180 624

Abstract:

A personal traction transportation vehicle which includes two gear-motor-wheels which drive a connected chassis forward. The chassis is stabilized by a third trailing caster wheel. The vehicle is electrically driven by a removable battery pack. At least one and preferably two drag poles simulating ski poles are attached to the chassis through universal joints in a manner allowing the handles of the ski poles to be free to move in the plane normal to the direction of forward movement. The vehicle is steered by either twisting the poles which turn the front two wheels, or by motoring the front drive wheels independently, or by differentially pulling on the drag poles.