Omni-track systems for wheels

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11273669-B2
Application number	US-201916667421-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 29, 2019
Priority date	Jun 12, 2019
Publication date	Mar 15, 2022
Grant date	Mar 15, 2022

Abstract

An omni-track system for mounting onto a wheel may include a plurality of track segments. Each of the plurality of track segments may include a male connector, a female connector, a roller mount, and at least one roller. The female connector may be arranged opposite the male connector. The roller mount may be fixedly secured to the track segment. The at least one roller may be rotatably secured to the roller mount. The plurality of track segments may be linked together to fully encompass an outer circumference of the wheel.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An omni-track system for mounting onto a wheel, comprising:
a plurality of track segments, wherein each of the plurality of track segments comprises:
a male connector;
a female connector arranged opposite the male connector;
a roller mount fixedly secured to the track segment; and
at least one roller rotatably secured to the roller mount,
wherein the plurality of track segments are linked together to fully encompass an outer circumference of the wheel.

2. The omni-track system of claim 1 , wherein roller mount extends radially outward from the wheel.

3. The omni-track system of claim 2 , wherein a first roller and a second roller are secured to the roller mount and radially offset from the wheel.

4. The omni-track system of claim 1 , further comprising a tensioning device arranged between the plurality of track segments and the wheel to provide a radially outward force to the plurality of track segments.

5. The omni-track system of claim 4 , wherein the tensioning device is a plurality of springs arranged between of the plurality of track segments and the wheel.

6. The omni-track system of claim 4 , wherein the tensioning device is an inflatable bladder arranged between of the plurality of track segments and the wheel.

7. The omni-track system of claim 4 , further comprising a braking system to brake the at least one roller of each plurality of track segments.

8. The omni-track system of claim 7 , wherein the braking system disengages the at least one roller while the at least one roller contacts ground, and the braking system reengages the at least one roller while the at least one roller is not in contact with the ground.

9. The omni-track system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of track segments are arranged within a channel formed on the outer circumference of the wheel.

10. The omni-track system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of track segments are linked together by a plurality of pins.

11. The omni-track system of claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of pins passes through a male connector of a first track segment and a female connector of a second track segment.

12. An omni-wheel track segment, comprising:
a male connector;
a female connector arranged opposite the male connector;
a roller mount fixedly secured to the base plate and extending radially outward from the track segment;
a first roller rotatably secured to the roller mount;
a second roller rotatably secured to the roller mount, opposite the first roller;
a braking system arranged to prevent rotation of the first roller and the second roller; and
a mounting device arranged opposite the roller mount.

13. The omni-wheel track segment of claim 12 , wherein a plurality of track segments are linked together to fully encompass an outer circumference of a wheel.

14. The omni-wheel track segment of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of track segments are linked together by a plurality of pins.

15. The omni-wheel track segment of claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of pins passes through a male connector of a first track segment and a female connector of a second track segment.

16. The omni-wheel track segment of claim 12 , wherein the mounting device is a set screw which secures the track segment to the outer circumference of a wheel.

17. The omni-wheel track segment of claim 16 , wherein a tensioning device is arranged between the track segment and the wheel to provide a radially outward force to the track segment.

18. The omni-wheel track segment of claim 17 , wherein the tensioning device is a spring arranged between of the track segment and the wheel.

19. The omni-wheel track segment of claim 17 , wherein the tensioning device is an inflatable bladder arranged between of the track segment and the wheel.

20. The omni-wheel track segment of claim 12 , wherein the braking system disengages the first roller and the second roller when the first roller and the second roller contact the ground.

Assignees

• Toyota Motor North America Inc

Inventors

• Moore Douglas A

Classifications

• F16D51/00

  Brakes with outwardly-movable braking members co-operating with the inner surface of a drum or the like (similar clutches F16D13/14) · CPC title

• F16D49/04

  mechanically actuated · CPC title

• F16D2125/60

  Cables or chains, e.g. Bowden cables · CPC title

• F16D65/16

  arranged in or on the brake · CPC title

• B60B19/12

  Roller-type wheels (B60B19/06 takes precedence) · CPC title