Jonathan D Shultz

US Patent:

8276701, Oct 2, 2012

Filed:

Jan 13, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/686826

Inventors:

Jonathan D. Shultz - Huntsville AL, US

International Classification:

B62D 57/00
A63B 22/02

US Classification:

180199, 180 71, 180 91, 180 6551, 305 52, 482 54

Abstract:

An apparatus capable of omni-directional movement including a belt layer made of a plurality of interlocking flexible rings and a surface layer made of a laterally inelastic and longitudinally flexible material that surrounds the exterior of the belt layer. The device has a bladder located in the interior of the belt layer that provides structural support for the belt layer and surface layer and a hub that is in contact with the surface layer and is connected to an axle. Longitudinal motion occurs as the bladder, the belt layer, the surface layer, and the hub rotate together. Lateral motion occurs as the belt layer and the surface layer rotate around the bladder. Longitudinal motion is induced by a plurality of electromagnetic curvilinear motor drive rings that are located around the hub and are in contact with the surface layer.

US Patent:

7878284, Feb 1, 2011

Filed:

Nov 29, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/947577

Inventors:

Jonathan D. Shultz - Huntsville AL, US

International Classification:

B60C 5/00
B60S 9/205
B62D 57/00

US Classification:

180199, 180 6551, 180 10, 180 71, 301 523

Abstract:

A tire that is capable of moving a vehicle in both longitudinal and lateral directions has been developed. The tire is mounted on a circular hub with a center opening and a concave groove around the outer edge. The groove contains an electromagnetic drive mechanism that provides lateral drive to the tire. An axle that provides longitudinal drive to the tire is attached to the center opening. The tire further includes a surface layer that is in contact the groove of the hub, a belt layer comprising a that is connected to the interior of the surface layer and a bladder located in the interior of the belt layer that provides structural support to the tire so that the tire stays within the groove of the hub when the tire is moving laterally. The tire also includes a pair of rigid roller rings made of incrementally spaced roller bearings. Longitudinal movement of the tire is generated by rotating the axle and lateral movement of the tire is generated by the electromagnetic drive mechanism.