A self-propelled, one-wheeled vehicle may include a suspension system configured to dampen up and down motion of a board relative to the axle of a central wheel assembly when the vehicle encounters obstacles and bumps on a riding surface. Illustrative suspension systems include a shock absorber, a rocker, a pushrod, bell cranks, and/or a swingarm that couple the axle to the board. The suspension system may be disposed completely below a foot deck of the vehicle.

A self-propelled, one-wheeled vehicle may include a suspension system configured to dampen up and down motion of a board relative to the axle of a central wheel assembly when the vehicle encounters obstacles and bumps on a riding surface. Illustrative suspension systems include a shock absorber, a rocker, a pushrod, bell cranks, and/or a swingarm that couple the axle to the board. The suspension system may be disposed completely below a foot deck of the vehicle.

Provided is a heeling apparatus. The heeling apparatus includes a sole including a forefoot portion and a heel portion. The heel portion has an opening formed therein. In one embodiment, the sole includes a removable portion. The heeling apparatus further includes a wheel assembly including wheel rotatably mounted to an axle and a mounting structure, wherein the wheel extends through the opening in the heel portion.

Provided is a heeling apparatus. The heeling apparatus includes a sole including a forefoot portion and a heel portion. The heel portion has an opening formed therein. In one embodiment, the sole includes a removable portion. The heeling apparatus further includes a wheel assembly including wheel rotatably mounted to an axle and a mounting structure, wherein the wheel extends through the opening in the heel portion.

Powered unicycles are disclosed. In some embodiments, the powered unicycle can be self-balancing, and can include a forward foot support located in front of the wheel of the unicycle in the direction of travel of the wheel, and a rearward foot support located behind the wheel of the unicycle. The powered unicycle can include at least one sensor configured to sense a change in position or orientation of the powered unicycle due to a shift in weight of a user standing or sitting on the unicycle, and control the operation of a hub-mounted drive motor to move the powered unicycle based on the sensed change in position or orientation of the powered unicycle.

Novel side rails for self-stabilizing, one-wheeled electric skateboards and related products are disclosed. The angled frame rails of this invention and disclosure lower the center of gravity at the contact points—i.e. a rider's feet on the footpads—by as much as possible without losing any clearance at the front and rear bumpers, and tilt the gyroscope to change the zero-degree level default position. In order to achieve this, the inventive rails herein change to a downward tilt as soon as possible after the axle bolt connection points, then tilt back up before the footpad decks and continue through the front and rear of the vehicle. In one embodiment, a five-degree downward tilt of the rails allows for an approximately one-half inch drop in the center of gravity of the vehicle, thus increasing speed, stability, and safety.

Methods and systems are provided for concave footpads for a personal transport device. In one example, the concave footpads may be coupled to the personal transport device, arranged between an operator's feet and an upper surface of the personal transport device, the upper surface including a pressure transducer.

A nose-dive prevention device for a one-wheeled motorized transportation device is disclosed, which has wheels that strike the ground in the event of a nose-dive situation, instead of the bumper, which could otherwise become abruptly hung and thus throw the rider. The nose-dive prevention device has a base for attachment to the front of the one-wheeled motorized transportation device, and one or more wheels connected to and extending from the base. The wheels are positioned to interpose between the front end of the one-wheeled motorized transportation device and the ground and contact the ground when the front end exceeds a nose-dive angle. However, under normal riding conditions, the wheels are spaced above the ground at a height sufficient to allow normal angular variability of the riding platform needed for control of the one-wheeled motorized device.

A sliding balance board has an eccentrically mounted center wheel as a pivotable central balancing member, a wheel with one-way sprag clutch bearings mounted near the left end of the board and a wheel with one-way sprag clutch bearings mounted near the right end of the board. A user balances himself/herself on the board, and yet slides the board to the left and right, back and forth by shifting his/her weight left and right, synchronized to the rocking motion of the eccentrically mounted center wheel.