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.

An auto-balancing transportation device having a compact form. Left and right foot platform sections are coupled for fore-aft tilt angle movement relative to one another. Left and right wheels are provided under the respective foot platforms. With a rider's weight directed primarily downward onto the wheels and not onto the coupling structure, the coupling structure may have sufficient space to house the battery. In addition, more efficient and lighter weight supports and bearing arrangements may be used in the coupling structure. Various embodiments are disclosed.

A system for lighting a volleyball court has four corner light assemblies, two side center light assemblies, and four mid-court light assemblies. Each corner light assembly has an upper light fixture adapted to emit light outward and downward at a level generally below a player's eye level and a lower light element mounted in a manner to emit light outwards and upwards. Each side center light assembly has two lower light fixtures adapted to emit light outward and downward at a level generally below a player's eye level and an upper light assembly adapted to emit light outwards and upwards at a level generally above a player's eye level. Each mid-court light assembly has a light fixture adapted to emit light outward and downward at a level generally below a player's eye level. By ensuring that no light is emitted at a player's eye level, glare is significantly reduced.

A self-propelled, one-wheeled vehicle may include a board having two deck portions each having a concave front footpad configured to receive a foot of a rider, and a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions. The concave front footpad has a rider detection sensor in the form of a membrane switch conforming to the shape of the footpad (e.g., facilitated by one or more slots formed in the membrane switch). A motor assembly drives the vehicle in response to board orientation and rider detection information.

A self-propelled, one-wheeled vehicle may include a board having two deck portions each having a concave front footpad configured to receive a foot of a rider, and a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions. The concave front footpad has a rider detection sensor in the form of a membrane switch conforming to the shape of the footpad (e.g., facilitated by one or more slots formed in the membrane switch). A motor assembly drives the vehicle in response to board orientation and rider detection information. The vehicle may have a secondary battery chargeable via a three-pin charging port including an input pin, a ground pin, and an identification pin configured to receive an expected identification signal from an external charging circuit.

Methods and apparatus are discussed for an electric powered personal transportation vehicle with electric motors powered by one or more batteries. A set of universal battery mounting hole locations and a reserved space for one or more battery housings exist on a board for the personal transportation vehicle. The reserved space on the board for the one or more battery housings that house one or more battery packs is set to not interfere with an operation of the motors or the wheels. A first battery pack containing the one or more batteries differs in at least one of i) a different amp-hour capacity, ii) a different length, width, or height, and iii) a different shape than another battery pack designed to be physically contained in the one or more battery housings and electrically connect with corresponding electrical connections in the one or more battery housings.

A system for control of a mobility device comprising a controller for analyzing data from at least one sensor on the mobility device, wherein the data is used to determine the gait trajectory of a user. The gait data is then used to provide motion command to an electric motor on the mobility device.

A motorized skateboard has a maneuverable rear truck. The riding platform on which the user stands includes a rotatable steering platform that the rider can step on with his rear foot. In the nominal position the steering platform extends slightly above the rest of the riding platform and is locked from rotating. When a user steps on the steering platform, the steering platform gets pushed downward against a spring. The downward movement causes a wedge to force apart two pawl level arms, thus disengaging respective pawls from a ratchet thereby unlocking the steering. In this position the steering platform is rotationally coupled to the rear truck through two spur gears acting in serial such that as the user pivots his foot clockwise, the rear truck turns counterclockwise, and vice versa. The result is a steering motion that is similar to turning a snowboard.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a driving unit for an in-line skate system having roller wheels, the driving unit has a motor configured to generate a driving power, a transmission gear coupled to the motor, and a transmission belt interconnecting the transmission gear and the two or more roller wheels to transfer the driving power to the roller wheel. According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided an in-line skate system, comprising one or more in-line skates and a driving unit.

A ski binding release system includes a spring that is releasably maintained in a first state using a pyrotechnic fastener. In the first state, a ski boot is secured in the ski binding. The pyrotechnic fastener is electrically coupled to an activation circuit. The activation circuit includes a battery, a plurality of sensors, a switch, and a controller. When the controller determines that the skier has fallen, the controller generates an output signal that transitions the switch from a disconnected state to a connected state. In the disconnected state, the pyrotechnic fastener is electrically disconnected from the battery. In the connected state, the pyrotechnic fastener is electrically connected to the battery. Electrical energy from the battery causes the pyrotechnical fastener to explode to transition the spring from the first state to a second state to release the ski boot from the ski binding.