초록 ▼

Apparatus for the omni-directional movement of objects over a surface which includes a plurality of rotatable elements mounted between adjacent, parallel support members. The rotatable elements comprise a gimbaled ring mounted for rotation to the adjacent supports, a central disc rotatably mounted t

Apparatus for the omni-directional movement of objects over a surface which includes a plurality of rotatable elements mounted between adjacent, parallel support members. The rotatable elements comprise a gimbaled ring mounted for rotation to the adjacent supports, a central disc rotatably mounted to the ring along an axis of rotation of the ring, and a plurality of lobes rotatably mounted to the central disc having axis of rotation equally distributed in a common plane and perpendicular to the rotational axis of the central disk. Associated with each rotatable element is a means which restricts the rotation of the gimbaled ring.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for the omni-directional movement of objects over the surface of the apparatus comprising a. a frame; b. a plurality of substantially parallel, spaced support members secured to said frame; and c. a plurality of conveyor elements mounted between said support members and providing a support

Apparatus for the omni-directional movement of objects over the surface of the apparatus comprising a. a frame; b. a plurality of substantially parallel, spaced support members secured to said frame; and c. a plurality of conveyor elements mounted between said support members and providing a support surface for objects being moved over the apparatus, each of said elements comprising i. first means rotatably mounted to adjacent support members along a first axis substantially perpendicular to the parallel length of the support members, ii. a hub member rotatably mounted to said element along a second axis lying in approximately the same plane as the first axis, iii. a plurality of lobes each rotatably mounted to said hub for rotation about a third axis all perpendicular to said second axis, and iv. second means associated with each first means for restricting rotation of said first means to a predetermined degree of rotation above and below a plane defined by the first axis of said plurality of conveyor elements.