A device for transporting a payload (to include a human user) over varied terrain. A platform accommodates the payload. A pair of wheel clusters are mounted to opposite ends of the platform and are powered in rotation relative thereto. Each includes at least two co-planar wheels powered by electric motors. A latch is hand-operable (without tools) to secure the cluster to the platform and, alternatively, allow the cluster to be detached from the platform and rotated 90 to lie parallel thereto. An electrical connector conducts electric power from the platform to the cluster when the latch is operated/actuated to secure the cluster to the platform, and is configured such that it does not impede or obstruct detaching the wheel cluster from the platform, with no requirement that the user take any additional step (other than actuating the latch) to detach the wheel cluster.

A motorized device for transporting a human or inanimate payload. A platform is configured to accommodate the payload and a pair of wheel clusters are mounted to the platform at opposite ends thereof and are powered in rotation relative to the platform, for example by one or more electric motors housed in or on the platform or wheel clusters. Each of the two wheel clusters comprises three drive wheels arranged in a generally triangular and co-planar configuration, and each is independently powered about its respective axis of rotation by a hub-mounted electric motor. An electronic controller commands the motors powering the two wheel clusters and of each of the six drive wheels. The independent controllability of each wheel and of the wheel clusters relative to the platform allows the device to steer and to ascend and descend steps.

A motorized device for transporting a human or inanimate payload. A platform is configured to accommodate the payload and a pair of wheel clusters are mounted to the platform at opposite ends thereof and are powered in both rotation and in translation relative to the platform, for example by one or more electric motors housed in or on the platform or wheel clusters. Each of the wheel clusters comprises an arm, and a first and a second wheel rotatably mounted to respective opposite ends of the arm. Each of the wheels is independently powered about its respective axis of rotation. An electronic controller commands the motors to enable stable rolling movement of the device over a surface with only one wheel of each cluster in contact with the surface, and to allow the device to steer and to ascend and descend steps.

A wheel includes a supporting frame, with a central portion having a center around which the wheel can turn, and a plurality of radial portions extending from the central portion angularly displaced with each other. A housing seat is delimited between two adjacent radial portions. A movable element is radially displaceable between a first working position located at a maximum distance with respect to the center, and a second working position located at a minimum distance with respect to the center of the central portion. The radial portions and the movable element have respective distal sections, with respect to the center, curved with a curvature radius corresponding to the curvature radius of the wheel and being flush with each other. A locking element is displaceable between one locking position, wherein it abuts on the movable element and prevents the radial displacement thereof, and one unlocking position, wherein it allows the radial displacement of the movable element toward the second working position. A returning element of the movable element between the supporting frame and the movable element is configured to bring the movable element back into the first working position. A band made of an elastically deformable material surrounds the distal sections of the plurality of radial portions and the movable element, at the circular perimeter of the wheel.

A transport trolley (CT) comprises: a pair of legs (J1) each having a lower end to which there is coupled a plate (PT1) on which at least one wheel (R1) is mounted so as to rotate in a transverse direction, first load supporting means (S1) coupled to the lower ends of the legs (J1), first coupling means (MC1) on which the lower ends of the legs (J1) are mounted so as to rotate in the transverse direction such that they can move from a folded-out position to a folded-away position, and on which the plates (PT1) are mounted so as to rotate such that wheels (R1) thereof can pivot and move from a folded-out position to a folded-away position approximately parallel to the folded-away legs (J1), and second coupling means (MC2) designed to force the legs (J1) and the wheels (R1) to be substantially simultaneously either in their folded-away position or in their folded-out position.

The stair-climbing hand truck is an improved hand truck that includes a back plate with a plurality of secondary wheels that may be used to roll the hand truck along a floor surface or up or down a flight of stairs. The back plate is rigidly affixed to the vertical frame of the hand truck. Moreover, the back plate is acutely oriented behind the vertical frame. The back plate has at least one wheel on opposing sides, which adaptively interact with a ground surface to roll the entire assembly. The vertical frame and the back plate are supported with primary wheels that are located adjacent to where the vertical frame meets a load plate. The primary wheels have a diameter larger than the wheels of the back plate.

Cart apparatuses and related methods are described that are configured to traverse uneven terrain while carrying heavy loads such as game animals or equipment. In one example, the cart has a frame that has a handle structure and at least one cargo support portion. At least one wheel support assembly is configured to pivot around an axle connected to the frame. A first wheel and a second wheel may also be included, with the first and second wheels each being pivotable relative to the at least one wheel support assembly. The first wheel may have a first axis of rotation offset from and parallel to the axle, and the second wheel may have a second axis of rotation offset from and parallel to the axle. These carts and methods may make travel through uneven terrain and wilderness areas faster and more conveniently for outdoorsmen.

An obstacle traversing wheel assembly can include at least one primary wheel member mounted with a primary axis of rotation and capable of rolling engagement with a supporting surface, and at least one secondary wheel member mounted with a secondary axis of rotation. The secondary wheel member can have a plurality of surface engaging protrusions which enable the wheel assembly to traverse an obstacle by imparting climbing movement to the primary wheel member in response to engagement with the obstacle. The surface engaging protrusions can be defined by rolling wheel members. The obstacle traversing wheel assembly can be incorporated on a wide variety of wheel-bearing devices, such as wheelchairs, personal transportation devices, and intravenous fluid support racks.

A device for lifting and transporting sheet material includes a base portion; wheels on which the base portion is supported; a mast that extends upwardly from the base portion; a boom that extends from a first end outwardly from the mast to a second end; a supporting head that is configured to support sheet material; and a pivot coupling at the second end of the boom. The pivot coupling is arranged to couple the supporting head to the boom, and enable the supporting head to be rotated about a pivot axis between a first position in which sheet material supported by the supporting head is in a generally transverse orientation relative to the boom, and a second position in which the angle between sheet material supported by the supporting head and the boom is reduced.

The present invention relates to a transport device (2) for overcoming a step-like obstacle (1), wherein the transport device (2) is movable in a traveling position and has a support structure (3) for supporting a load (4) to be transported. The task of the transport device (2) according to the invention is to overcome the difference in height of the step-like obstacle (1) by means of a leverage effect, whereby the transport device (2) should be usable on short stair steps. This task is accomplished in that via a tilting movement of the support structure (3) towards the step-like obstacle (1) a support element (10) of the transport device (2) can be set down on an upper surface (1a) of the step-like obstacle (1) and the support structure (3) can be tilted over the support element (10) set down in this way, and in that the transport device (2) has a connecting element (11), and in that the transport device (2) has a guide element (12) connected to the support structure (3), and in that the connecting element (11) is guided by the guide element (12), and in that the support element (10) is connected to the connecting element (11) in an articulated manner, and in that the connecting element (11) can be pivoted from a first into a second position relative to the support element (10) and brought from a first into a second position relative to the guide element (12), while the support structure (3) is supported against the upper surface (1a) of the step-like obstacle (1) via the support element (10).