Patent Application
20100051372
The present invention relates generally to the field of motorized transportation and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a motorized transportation apparatus and method, including a motorized heeling apparatus, a motorized footwear, a motorized heel bracket and a motorized wheel assembly.
Since their introduction, footwear with one or more wheels located in, under or adjacent the heel have become extremely popular throughout the world. Marketed under the brand HEELYS, the capability to walk or run and then to transition to passive rolling on the one or more wheels has mass appeal in cities, locations and cultures throughout the world.
Most motorized devices for transporting people require large frames or structures to support a large (or somewhat large) motor and associated gearing, transmission and power source. Unfortunately, this often makes such devices cumbersome and, in many instances, cost prohibitive. Substantial difficulty often arises when storing, parking and maintaining motorized transportation devices. It is often difficult, prohibited or not recommended to leave motorized transportation devices unattended.
Further, the presence of motors, especially large motors, and associated hardware often decrease, alter or limit the performance of transportation devices. For example, a gas motor on the back of a skateboard will substantially change the center of mass of the skateboard and result in a substantially different performing skateboard.
From the foregoing it may be appreciated that a need has arisen for a motorized transportation apparatus and method, including a motorized heeling apparatus, a motorized heel bracket, a motorized wheel assembly and a motorized footwear, including associated methods that may include using motorized footwear or apparatus to allow walking or running on a forefoot of a sole, and then transition to passive rolling, i.e., without power assistance from an electric motor, and then transition to electric powered rolling using a conveniently positioned and configured electric motor and power source. In accordance with the present invention, a motorized transportation apparatus and method are provided that substantially eliminate one or more of the disadvantages and problems outlined above.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a motorized heeling apparatus for walking and rolling on a surface in a forward direction. The motorized heeling apparatus may include a wheel, an axle, an electric motor, and footwear. The wheel rolls on the surface in the forward direction, the axle is positioned within an opening in the wheel, the electric motor rotates the axle in the forward rotational direction when the electric motor is engaged to provide forward rotational motion to the axle, the footwear has a sole with a heel portion, and wherein the wheel is positioned adjacent the heel portion of the sole such that, in use, in a non-rolling mode a primary contact of the motorized heeling apparatus with the surface is provided by the forefoot portion of the sole and, in a passive rolling mode, the wheel provides the primary contact with the surface to allow a user to roll in a forward direction on the surface while the wheel rotates in the forward rotational direction, a change in mode being effected by a transfer of weight of the user from the forefoot portion of the sole to the wheel, and, in an electric powered rolling mode, the wheel provides the primary contact with the surface to allow the user to roll in a forward direction on the surface with the electric motor engaged to rotate the axle and the wheel in the forward rotational direction.
According to another aspect, the present invention may include a method for using a motorized heeling apparatus in a non-rolling mode, a passive rolling mode, and an electric powered rolling mode to move in a forward direction on a surface. The method may further include walking on the surface in the forward direction, in a non-rolling mode, using the bottom surface of the forefoot portion of the footwear of the motorized heeling apparatus; transitioning to a passive rolling mode by transferring a user's weight from the forefoot portion to a wheel provided adjacent the heel portion of the footwear of the motorized heeling apparatus, wherein the wheel provides the primary contact with the surface to allow the user to roll in the forward direction on the surface while the wheel rotates in a forward rotational direction; and transitioning to an electric powered rolling mode by providing electrical power to the electric motor of the motorized heeling apparatus to provide rotational power to the wheel in the forward rotational direction, wherein the wheel continues to provide the primary contact with the surface to allow the user to roll in the forward direction on the surface while the wheel rotates in a forward rotational direction.
According to another aspect, the present invention may include a motorized heeling apparatus for walking and rolling on a surface in a forward direction, and the motorized heeling apparatus may include a wheel, an electric motor, a coupling, a battery, a throttle, and a footwear. The wheel may be positioned adjacent a heel portion of a sole of the footwear such that, in use, in a non-rolling mode a primary contact of the motorized heeling apparatus with the surface is provided by the forefoot portion of the sole and, in an electric powered rolling mode, the wheel provides the primary contact with the surface to allow a user to roll in a forward direction on the surface while the electric motor is engaged to rotate the wheel in the forward rotational direction, a change in mode being effected by a transfer of weight of the user from the forefoot portion of the sole to the wheel. The battery provides electrical power to the electric motor, the throttle is used to control the amount of electrical power provided to the electric motor, and the coupling may include any known or available coupling, gear, transmission or other mechanical arrangement to transfer the rotating mechanical energy of the shaft of the electric motor to rotate the wheel.
According to yet another aspect, the present invention may include a motorized heel bracket formed to receive a footwear of a user for walking and rolling on a surface in a forward direction, the motorized heel bracket may include a wheel, an electric motor, a coupling, a throttle, and a heel bracket. The footwear may have a sole with a forefoot portion, an arch portion and a heel portion with a bottom surface. The wheel may be positioned adjacent the heel bracket such that, in use with the footwear, in a non-rolling mode a primary contact with the surface is provided by the forefoot portion of the sole of the footwear and, in an electric powered rolling mode, the wheel provides the primary contact with the surface to allow the user to roll in the forward direction on the surface while the electric motor is engaged to rotate the wheel in the forward rotational direction, a change in mode being effected by a transfer of weight of the user from the forefoot portion of the sole of the footwear to the wheel.
According to still yet another aspect, the present invention may include a motorized wheel assembly that includes an electric motor with a rotatable housing that surrounds all or most of the motor windings or coils of the electric motor, and a wheel positioned around the rotatable housing. The wheel and the rotatable housing are operable to serve as a roller to roll on a surface when electrical power is applied to the electric motor, such as by a battery. The motorized wheel assembly may be used in a motorized footwear, with one in the back and a passive roller in the front of the footwear, or with multiple motorized wheel assemblies adjacent or under the footwear to provide power to propel the footwear forward. A battery may be positioned virtually any location that is convenient, such as the upper part of the footwear, on a belt, within the arch of the footwear, etc. A throttle, and related motor control circuitry, if needed, may be used. In a preferred embodiment, the throttle is a wireless throttle.
The motorized wheel assembly, in another aspect, may be used in a motorized personal transportation apparatus for transporting a person from a first location to a second location on a surface. The motorized personal transportation apparatus may include a support structure, such as a platform or other structure, operable to support a person above the surface when transporting the person from the first location to the second location when powered by the motorized wheel assembly. The motorized personal transportation apparatus may be implemented in a motorized inline skate, motorized quad skate, motorized skateboard, motorized heeling apparatus, motorized scooter, motorized wheelchair, motorized platform, motorized personal mobility device, motorized grocery basket, and any of a variety of other apparatus and systems.
The various embodiments and implementations of the present invention provide a profusion of potential technical advantages and benefits that will generally include one or more of the following. A technical advantage of the present invention may include the capability to conveniently and more easily travel from a first location to a second location that include both walking and electric power assisted rolling (which may be referred to herein as “active rolling” or “electric powered rolling”), without the need for a large framed or cumbersome electric powered device such as a SEGWAY platform, electric scooter or moped.
Another technical advantage of the present invention may include the capability to conveniently travel to a destination using electric power, without the need for a separate parking or storage location at the destination to store or secure a separate or large motorized transportation device.
Still yet another technical advantage of the present invention may include the capability to eliminate or reduce the need for a heavy structure that may be inconvenient to operate or impede overall performance.
Yet another technical advantage of the present invention may include the capability to decrease costs involved in the initial purchase price and operational costs of a personalized transportation device.
Still yet another technical advantage of the present invention may include the capability to more effectively and conveniently provide electric motor power to wheeled devices, such as skateboards, in-line skates, quad skates, scooters, wheelchairs, grocery store baskets and the like. Heavy motors and associated hardware applied to a non-motorized device change the mechanical and physical characteristics of the apparatus. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the capability to use an electric motor within a wheel (or functioning as the wheel) of an apparatus to power the apparatus, or to locate a small motor at a strategic location on the apparatus, may provide the technical advantage of minimizing any change to the operational and mechanical performance of the apparatus.
Other technical advantages and benefits may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures and claims.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts, in which:
It should be understood at the outset that although an exemplary implementation of the present invention is illustrated below, the present invention may be implemented using any number of mechanisms, arrangements, structures, and/or techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The present invention should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary design and implementations illustrated and described herein. Additionally, the drawings contained herein are not necessarily drawn to scale.
The controller may be internal or external the motor housing or casing. Further, it should be understood that the motor may be on only one shoe or footwear, or on both footwear. The motor may be permanently affixed or it may be removable. The wheel or wheels may be removable, permanently affixed and/or retractable.
The amount or length of the portion of the wheel 16 that extends below the bottom of the sole 14, as defined by a distance 24, will preferably be less than the diameter of the wheel 16. The distance 24, however, may be greater than, less than, or equal to the diameter of the wheel 16.
The athletic shoe 12, as is true of most footwear, may be generally described as having the sole 14 and an upper part 26. The upper part 26 may be constructed of virtually any material such as, for example, leather, plastic, or canvas. The sole 14 may include three parts: (1) an inner sole or insole (not illustrated in
In most footwear, including the athletic shoe 12, the sole 14 may also be divided into three portions or regions: (1) the heel portion 18, (2) an arch portion 20, and (3) a forefoot portion 22, as illustrated in
It should also be understood that although the position of the opening in the bottom of the sole 14, and hence also the wheel 16, is preferably located in the heel portion 18 of the sole 14, such an opening may also be located at the boundary of the heel portion 18 and the arch portion 20, at the arch portion 20, or at virtually any other location on the sole 14. The opening in the bottom of the sole 14 may extend entirely through the sole 14, e.g., through the outsole, the midsole and the insole, or only partially through the sole 14, e.g., through the outsole, and a portion or all of the midsole.
The wheel 16 may be constructed or made of virtually any known or available material such as, for example, a urethane, a plastic, a polymer, a metal, an alloy, a wood, a rubber, a composite material, and the like. This may include, for example, aluminum, titanium, steel, and a resin. In other embodiments, the wheel may be mounted on an electric motor operable to rotate. Preferably, the material will be durable, provide quiet performance, and will provide a “soft” or “cushioning” feel. In one embodiment, the wheel 16 may be implemented as one or more precision bearings such that the precision bearing serves as the wheel 16 itself. In yet another embodiment, the wheel assembly may include a spring or suspension such as, for example, a leaf spring, to provide additional cushion or suspension when the wheel 16 contacts a surface and a force is applied to the athletic shoe 12 in the direction of the surface, such as when someone is wearing and walking in the motorized heeling apparatus 10. The spring is preferably provided as part of the mounting structure of the wheel assembly. In still another embodiment, the wheel 16 is provided as a two piece wheel with an inner core, such as a hard inner core, surrounded by an outer tire, such as a urethane tire.
Depending on the desired implementation, the wheel 16 and the axle may be removable from the wheel assembly. In such a case, a removable cover may be provided in the opening in the sole 14 to cover the opening so that debris and dirt does not enter the opening. The removable cover may be provided in virtually any available configuration readily ascertainable by one of ordinary skill in the art. In one embodiment of the removable cover, an axle portion of the removable cover fits and/or couples to the mounting structure in the same or similar manner that the axle in which the wheel 16 is mounted fits and/or couples to the mounting structure of the wheel assembly. A tool may also be provided to facilitate the removal of the axle and wheel 16. This tool will, preferably, be small and multi-functional to provide any other possible adjustments to the motorized heeling apparatus 10, such as a screw driver, a wrench, and the like. In other embodiments of the motorized heeling apparatus 10, the wheel 16 may be retractable into the opening in the sole 14. In this manner, the wheel 16 may be retracted into the sole 14 and, thus, will not extend below the bottom of the sole 14. This allows the motorized heeling apparatus 10 to function just like ordinary footwear, such as the athletic shoe 12.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the wheel assembly does not include an axle, and, arguably, not a mounting structure, and the wheel 16 is provided as a sphere, such as a stainless steel ball bearing, that is rotatably positioned in the opening in the bottom of the heel portion 18 of the sole 14, one embodiment of which is shown in
In operation, and in one embodiment of the motorized heeling apparatus, a person wearing the motorized heeling apparatus 10 may either walk normally or roll on the wheel 16 by lifting or raising the sole 14 so that only or almost only the wheel 16 contacts a surface. This action may be referred to as “HEELING” or to “HEEL.” The wheel 16, depending on the desired implementation of the present invention, may be removed or retracted to a position such that the wheel 16 does not extend below the bottom of the sole 14. This, generally, will result in the motorized heeling apparatus 10 performing like an associated footwear. When the wheel 16 is removed or retracted, a removable cover may be placed over the opening in the bottom of the sole 14 to prevent debris from entering the opening and potentially damaging the wheel assembly. In still other embodiments, a removable cover may be placed over the wheel 16 while a portion of the wheel 16 remains extended below the bottom of the sole 14 to assist with walking, an example of this is illustrated in
It should be understood, however, that even if the wheel 16 is not removed or retracted as just described, the user may still comfortably walk and run, even with the wheel 16 extended. This generally occurs because the distance 24 can be minimal, which provides a unique “stealth” or “covert” aspect to heeling. This also results in the wheel rolling the opening or hole in the sole 14 of the motorized heeling apparatus 10. In one embodiment, the distance 24 is less than the radius of the wheel 16, which results in most of the wheel residing within the opening of the sole 14.
As mentioned previously, the opening 40 may extend partially or completely through the sole 14. The opening 40 may be provided through a heel block or object. Further, the opening 40 may be positioned in, near, or in a combination of the heel portion 18, the arch portion 20, and the forefoot portion 22.
The wheel 42 and the wheels 42A and 42B are illustrated as cylindrical wheels. These wheels, however, may be provided in virtually any available configuration. Further, one or more wheels may be positioned in each opening.
The axle 50 may be made of any material that provides suitable physical characteristics, such as strength and weight, to name a few. The axle 50 is preferably made of hardened steel, is cylindrical in shape, each end is rounded, and is removably coupled with a first member 48 and a second member 54, respectively, of the mounting structure. The removable coupling between each end of the axle 50 and the first member 48 and the second member 54 may be achieved by any known or available mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, a sphere or a ball bearing, preferably using a moveable spring and/or a screw bias, is used to contact and exert a side wall force between one or members of the mounting structure and the axle 50.
It should also be noted that because the weight of the user of the motorized heeling apparatus 10 will exert a significant downward force and the ground or surface will exert an equal force upward, the axle 50, and, hence, the wheel 42 will generally be forced into place. Only when the heel is raised from a surface will any force or friction be required to keep the axle 50 in place. Thus, the present invention does not require a large side force to keep the axle 50 and the wheel 42 in place. The recognition of this fact may be considered an aspect of the present invention for the embodiment as shown. This recognition allows the removable coupling between each end of the axle 50 and the first member 48 and the second member 54 to be optimally designed.
A slip clip, slip ring, or ring clip 66 is shown positioned around, or nearly around, the axle 62 near the precision bearing 64. This serves to ensure that the precision bearing 64 remains in place in the recess of the wheel 60. The slip clip or ring clip 66 will preferably be positioned on the axle 62 through a groove, such as a radial groove or radial indentation, in the axle 62. It should be understood, however, that one of ordinary skill in the art may use any of a variety of other arrangements to ensure that the precision bearing 64 stays in position. In alternative embodiments, the precision bearing 64 may be eliminated or loose bearings may be used.
The wheel 60 rotatably mounted on the axle 62 may, in alternative embodiments, serve as the wheel assembly of the present invention. In such a case, the axle 62 may be mounted to the sole, such as the midsole and heel portion, at its ends while the wheel 60 is rotatably provided in the opening of the sole. In this manner, the need for a mounting structure may be thought of as eliminated or, alternatively, the mounting structure may be thought of as integrated into the sole of the footwear.
The axle that is to be positioned in the openings of the first member 74 and the second member 76 will preferably be removably coupled. This may be achieved by any number of arrangements and configurations, all of which fall within the scope of the present invention. One such arrangement is the screw/spring/ball bearing arrangement 80 provided in first member 74. This arrangement provides an adjustable bias or force that can be exerted against the axle when it is inserted into the opening 78. The screw is accessible and adjustable by the user. The turning of the screw affects the compression of a spring which, in turn, provides a force on a ball bearing that extends out into the opening 78. When the axle is inserted into the opening 78, the ball bearing may be displaced an amount and the screw/spring/ball bearing arrangement 80 will provide a side force to allow the axle to be secure, yet removable. A similar arrangement may also be provided in the second member 76 to provide a friction fit or coupling on the other end of the axle 62.
Although the screw/spring/ball bearing arrangement 80 of
The mounting structure 70 can be made or constructed of virtually any material, generally depending on the desired mechanical characteristics such as, for example, rigidity and strength. These materials may include, for example, a plastic, a polymer, a metal, an alloy, a wood, a rubber, a composite material, and the like. This may include aluminum, titanium, steel, and a resin. In one embodiment, the mounting structure 70 is made of a metal, such as aluminum, that has been anodized such that the mounting structure 70 presents a black color or hue.
In other embodiments of a motorized heeling apparatus, it is advantageous to use a sprag clutch between the wheel and the axle. For example, the precision bearing 64 may be implemented as a sprag clutch. A sprag clutch, in effect, may be thought of as one-way bearing that allows the wheel to rotate freely around the axle in a forward direction when the axle is not rotating, while also allowing the axle to rotate in a forward direction to also rotate the wheel with the axle. In such an arrangement, the axle may be rotated by an electric motor to also rotate the wheel in a forward direction, yet the wheel is free to roll freely in the forward direction when the electric motor is not rotating the axle. This allows passive rolling, i.e., when the electric motor is not engaged, and electric powered rolling when the electric motor is energized and rotating the axle and thus the wheel.
The heel control plate 72 allows the user of the motorized heeling apparatus to gain greater control and to obtain greater performance out of the motorized heeling apparatus.
The mounting structure 500 allows for two wheels to be mounted to form a wheel assembly. A wheel may be rotatably mounted on the axle 502, preferably using a precision bearing, and a wheel may be rotatably mounted on the axle 504, also preferably through a precision bearing as illustrated previously herein.
The axle 502 and the axle 504 include a threaded portion such that a nut, such as a lock nut 510 may be included to secure a wheel to each axle. In other embodiments, the end of the axles may include internal threads, as opposed to external threads as shown, so that a screw, such as the hex screw as shown in
In an alternative embodiment, a wheel stop, not expressly shown in
In other embodiments of the wheel cover 622, a wheel cover is provided when the wheel 624 has been removed from the motorized heeling apparatus 620. In a preferred embodiment, this wheel cover is generally flush with the remainder of the bottom of the sole 628, and, hence, provides the function of a regular shoe when desired and protects the opening. This wheel cover may couple in any available manner, but preferably will couple to the wheel assembly in the same or similar manner that the wheel/axle assembly couples to the mounting structure. The removable wheel cover could clip or attach to the wheel assembly in many different ways.
An illustrative method for using a motorized heeling apparatus on a surface may include running on a surface by using a forefoot portion of a sole of the motorized heeling apparatus to contact the surface, which may be referred to as a non-rolling mode, and then rolling on the surface with a wheel of the motorized heeling apparatus extended below the bottom of the sole through an opening in the sole by using a wheel of the motorized heeling apparatus to contact the surface. This may be referred to as “passive rolling mode” because rolling takes place, but the electric motor has not yet been engaged or utilized to propel the wheel. Before running on a surface, the method may include walking on the surface, also a non-rolling mode, while wearing the motorized heeling apparatus with a wheel of the motorized heeling apparatus extended below the bottom of a sole portion of the motorized heeling apparatus before running on the surface.
Preferably, after the passive rolling mode, and while stable and still rolling on the one or more wheels in the heel, the user uses a throttle, not expressly shown, to engage the electric motor, which is coupled to the wheel, to provide additional forward rotation to the wheel. The throttle is preferably a wireless throttle, but can be implemented as a “wired” throttle to control the amount of electrical power sent to the motor, which controls the speed of the rotation of the motor, and hence the wheel.
The method of heeling may also include engaging the wheel of the motorized heeling apparatus to extend below the bottom of the sole portion of the motorized heeling apparatus before walking on the surface. The method may also include walking on the surface while wearing the motorized heeling apparatus before engaging the wheel of the motorized heeling apparatus and with the wheel of the motorized heeling apparatus retracted. Other variations on the method may include transitioning from rolling on the surface to either running, walking, or stopping on the surface by running on the surface through using the forefoot portion of the sole of the motorized heeling apparatus to contact the surface just after rolling on the surface.
The preferred position while heeling is illustrated by the heeler 800 in
An example of a king pin type assembly is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,295,655, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, issued to David L. Landay, et al., was filed on July 18, 1979, was issued Oct. 20, 1981. This patent illustrates a king pin type assembly that could be implemented in an embodiment of the present invention.
It should be understood that the axle may couple to a member of a mounting structure using any available technique and in virtually an unlimited number of ways. For example, an axle may couple to the first member and the second member of a mounting structure to move from a retracted position to an extended position through a spring arrangement. Similarly, an axle may couple to the first member and the second member of a mounting structure to move from a retracted position to an extended position through a hinged arrangement.
Many other examples are possible, for example U.S. Pat. No. 3,983,643, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, issued to Walter Schreyer, et al., was filed on May 23, 1975, was issued Oct. 5, 1976 illustrates a retractable mechanism that may be implemented in one embodiment of the present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,327, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, issued to Raymond J. Gallant, was filed on Jun. 20, 1997, issued on Jul. 28, 1998 illustrates simultaneously retractable wheels.
As mentioned previously, a “sprag clutch” arrangement is preferred in the coupling or mounting between the axle 976 and the wheel or outer tire 974 in certain implementations of motorized transportation apparatus.
One known manufacturer of a motor 1700 that may be used in the motorized wheel assembly 1710 is “MODEL MOTORS,” which makes dc electric motors that are brushless, and a portion of the casing or housing surrounding the coils of the motor have a cylindrical shape, like a roller, and rotate when electrical power is provided to the motor.
This type of arrangement provides a profusion of potential applications that uses the rotatable motor housing as a wheel.
Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the present invention, a motorized personal transportation apparatus and method, including a motorized heeling apparatus, including motorized footwear, a motorized heel bracket and a motorized wheel assembly, that satisfies one or more of the advantages set forth above. Although the preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made herein without departing from the scope of the present invention, even if all of the advantages and benefits identified above are not present. For example, the various embodiments and examples shown in the drawings and descriptions provided herein illustrate that the present invention may be implemented and embodied in numerous different ways that still fall within the scope of the present invention, whether expressly shown herein or not. For example, the various elements or components may be combined or integrated in another system or certain features may not be implemented. Also, the techniques, systems, sub-systems, and methods described and illustrated in the preferred embodiment as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other systems, designs, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the electric motor and its battery may be placed in a variety of locations, including locations not specifically discussed herein. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are readily ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §120, this divisional application claims priority from, and hereby incorporates by reference for all purposes, copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/198,673 entitled Motorized Transportation Apparatus and Method, naming Roger R. Adams and Patrick F. Hamner as inventors, filed Aug. 4, 2005, which pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119 (e), claims priority from, and hereby incorporates by reference for all purposes, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/599,043, entitled Motorized Heelys, naming Roger R. Adams and Patrick F. Hamner as inventors, and filed Aug. 4, 2004. This application is related to the following United States patent applications and patents: U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/127,459, entitled Heeling Apparatus and Method, naming Roger R. Adams inventor, and filed Apr. 1, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,509, entitled Heeling Apparatus and Method, naming Roger R. Adams inventor, and filed Mar. 31, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,509, entitled Heeling Apparatus and Method, naming Roger R. Adams inventor, and filed Mar. 31, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,406,038, entitled Heeling Apparatus and Method, naming Roger R. Adams inventor, and filed Aug. 14, 2001; U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,602, entitled Heeling Apparatus and Method, naming Roger R. Adams inventor, and filed Feb. 7, 2002; U.S. Pat. No. 6,746,026, entitled Heeling Apparatus and Method, naming Roger R. Adams inventor, and filed Feb. 15, 2002; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/863,090, entitled Heeling Apparatus and Method, naming Roger R. Adams inventor, and filed Jun. 7, 2004; U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,769, entitled Multi-Wheel Heeling Apparatus, naming Roger R. Adams and Michael G. Staffaroni inventors, and filed Feb. 3, 2003; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/369,063, entitled External Wheeled Heeling Apparatus and Method, naming Roger R. Adams inventor, and filed Feb. 18, 2003. Various other patents and patent applications related to the aforementioned patents and patent applications have issued or are pending in various countries around the world. All of the patents and patent applications mentioned in this paragraph are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60599043 | Aug 2004 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11198673 | Aug 2005 | US |
| Child | 12590115 | US |
