A robotic vehicle chassis is provided. The robotic vehicle chassis includes a first chassis section, a second chassis section, and a hinge joint connecting the first and second chassis sections such that the first and second chassis sections are capable of rotation with respect to each other in at least a first direction. The vehicle includes a drive wheel mounted to one of the first and second chassis sections and an omni-wheel mounted to the other of the first and second chassis sections. The omni-wheel is mounted at an angle orthogonal with respect to the drive wheel. The hinge joint rotates in response to the curvature of a surface the vehicle is traversing.

A robotic vehicle chassis is provided. The robotic vehicle chassis includes a first chassis section, a second chassis section, and a hinge joint connecting the first and second chassis sections such that the first and second chassis sections are capable of rotation with respect to each other in at least a first direction. The vehicle includes a drive wheel mounted to one of the first and second chassis sections and an omni-wheel mounted to the other of the first and second chassis sections. The omni-wheel is mounted at an angle orthogonal with respect to the drive wheel. The hinge joint rotates in response to the curvature of a surface the vehicle is traversing.

The invention is a modular vehicle that is intended for a variety of operations including both military and civilian operations. The vehicle addresses the issue of performing special purpose tasks that the vehicle is asked to do. Such tasks can be accomplished by configuring the vehicle as an ambulance, as a fire-fighting vehicle, as a communications van, as a command and control vehicle, etc. Thus, the vehicle is readily adapted using standardized and customized modules that are readily attached to a standardized platform that includes an appropriate interconnection means.

The invention is a modular vehicle that is intended for a variety of operations including both military and civilian operations. The vehicle addresses the issue of performing special purpose tasks that the vehicle is asked to do. Such tasks can be accomplished by configuring the vehicle as an ambulance, as a fire-fighting vehicle, as a communications van, as a command and control vehicle, etc. Thus, the vehicle is readily adapted using standardized and customized modules that are readily attached to a standardized platform that includes an appropriate interconnection means.

A three-wheeled vehicle includes a vehicle frame defining an occupant compartment. The vehicle frame has a front. The vehicle frame includes a first side extending vehicle-rearward from the front. The vehicle frame includes a second side extending vehicle-rearward from the front. The vehicle frame includes a bottom segment and a top segment. The top segment and the bottom segment extend along the front and the first side and the second side of the vehicle frame. The bottom segment and the top segment are tubular. The three-wheeled vehicle includes a first wheel at a midline of the front of the vehicle frame, a second wheel on the first side of the vehicle frame, and a third wheel on the second side of the vehicle frame. The three-wheeled vehicle includes an airbag supported by the bottom segment. The airbag is inflatable exterior to the vehicle frame upwardly toward the top segment from an uninflated position to an inflated position. The airbag in the uninflated position is elongated along the front and the first side and the second side of the vehicle frame.

A vehicle comprises an under unit which is equipped with a driving mechanism configured to rotate wheels of the vehicle, and an upper unit which is mounted on the under unit. The upper unit comprises an extension/contraction mechanism which is configured to extend or contract the upper unit according to a size of the under unit.

A vehicle comprises an under unit which is equipped with a driving mechanism configured to rotate wheels of the vehicle, and an upper unit which is mounted on the under unit. The upper unit comprises an extension/contraction mechanism which is configured to extend or contract the upper unit according to a size of the under unit.

The present invention is a uniquely-engineered stepping stool that elegantly connects to a shopping cart via a double-socket C-clamp. The invention features “kick up legs” with an arched crossbar for a shopper's foot and a double-socket C-clamp comprising square-shaped polyurethane memory foam teeth along its inner apertures to connect to a shopping cart's rear bottom bar. The uniquely engineered C-clamp acts as a hinge, allowing the shopper to rotate the stool around a shopping cart's rear-base bar to easily stowe the stool along the shopping cart's bottom base rack or to stowe the stool against the cart's rear wall. The clamp is also engineered to easily detach from the cart so the stool may be used independently. The stool has channels and torsion springs in its undercarriage so the legs fold up into the stool's housing, forming a single, portable unit.

Drifting karts in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described that include a front wheel drive train and rear caster wheels that can be dynamically engaged to induce and control drift during a turn. One embodiment of the invention includes a chassis to which a steering column is mounted, where the steering column includes at least one front steerable wheel configured to be driven by an electric motor, a battery housing mounted to the chassis, where the battery housing contains a controller and at least one battery, wiring configured to provide power from the at least one battery to the electric motor, two caster wheels mounted to the chassis, where each caster wheel is configured to rotate around a rotational axis and swivel around a swivel axis, and a hand lever configured to dynamically engage the caster wheels to induce and control drift during a turn.

Drifting karts in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described that include a front wheel drive train and rear caster wheels that can be dynamically engaged to induce and control drift during a turn. One embodiment of the invention includes a chassis to which a steering column is mounted, where the steering column includes at least one front steerable wheel configured to be driven by an electric motor, a battery housing mounted to the chassis, where the battery housing contains a controller and at least one battery, wiring configured to provide power from the at least one battery to the electric motor, two caster wheels mounted to the chassis, where each caster wheel is configured to rotate around a rotational axis and swivel around a swivel axis, and a hand lever configured to dynamically engage the caster wheels to induce and control drift during a turn.