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A ground vehicle and a method for articulating a payload module for mobility assist are disclosed. The ground vehicle comprises a chassis; and a payload module capable of articulating relative to the chassis to assist the mobility of the ground vehicle. The method comprises articulating a payload mo

A ground vehicle and a method for articulating a payload module for mobility assist are disclosed. The ground vehicle comprises a chassis; and a payload module capable of articulating relative to the chassis to assist the mobility of the ground vehicle. The method comprises articulating a payload module relative to a chassis.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed: 1. A ground vehicle, comprising: a chassis, the chassis defining a payload bay; a payload module capable of articulating into and out of the payload bay and relative to the chassis to assist mobility of the ground vehicle: and an articulable coupling between the payload module and

What is claimed: 1. A ground vehicle, comprising: a chassis, the chassis defining a payload bay; a payload module capable of articulating into and out of the payload bay and relative to the chassis to assist mobility of the ground vehicle: and an articulable coupling between the payload module and the chassis, the articulable coupling including: a rotating joint housed in and affixed to the chassis; an enclosure pivot coupled to the rotating joint; and a position lock. 2. The ground vehicle of claim 1, wherein the payload module articulates by rotating. 3. The ground vehicle of claim 2, wherein the payload module rotates through 180��. 4. The ground vehicle of claim 3, wherein the rotation is ��90�� relative to a centerline of the chassis. 5. The ground vehicle of claim 1, wherein the payload module articulates to push against the ground. 6. The ground vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a payload housed in the payload module. 7. An apparatus comprising: a payload module; a chassis; and a vertically articulable coupling between the payload module and the chassis, the articulable coupling including: a rotating joint housed in and affixed to the chassis, the rotating joint comprising a centered shoulder joint; an enclosure pivot coupled to the rotating joint; and a position lock. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the articulable coupling is capable of articulating through 180��. 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the enclosure pivot comprises a sliding dog clutch. 10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the rotating joint includes: a housing to which the enclosure pivot may be attached for in-plane rotation; a drive; and a transmission engaged with the housing and the drive to reduce the speed of a drive motor of the drive as the drive motor drives the housing. 11. An apparatus comprising: a payload module; a chassis; and a vertically articulable coupling capable of articulating through 180�� between the payload module and the chassis, the articulable coupling including: a rotating joint housed in and affixed to the chassis; an enclosure pivot coupled to the rotating joint; and a position lock. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the articulable coupling includes a center shoulder joint. 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the enclosure pivot comprises a sliding dog clutch. 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the rotating joint includes: a housing to which the enclosure pivot may be attached for in-plane rotation; a drive; and a transmission engaged with the housing and the drive to reduce the speed of a drive motor of the drive as the drive motor drives the housing. 15. An apparatus comprising: a payload module; a chassis; and a vertically articulable coupling between the payload module and the chassis, the articulable coupling including: a rotating joint housed in and affixed to the chassis; an enclosure pivot comprising a sliding dog clutch coupled to the rotating joint; and a position lock. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the articulable coupling includes a center shoulder joint. 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the articulable coupling is capable of articulating through 180��. 18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the rotating joint includes: a housing to which the enclosure pivot may be attached for in-plane rotation; a drive; and a transmission engaged with the housing and the drive to reduce the speed of a drive motor of the drive as the drive motor drives the housing. 19. An apparatus comprising: a payload module; a chassis; and a vertically articulable coupling between the payload module and the chassis, the articulable coupling including: a rotating joint housed in and affixed to the chassis, including: a housing to which the enclosure pivot may be attached for in-plane rotation; a drive; and a transmission engaged with the housing and the drive to reduce the speed of a drive motor of the drive as the drive motor drives the housing; an enclosure pivot coupled to the rotating joint; and a position lock. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the articulable coupling includes a center shoulder joint. 21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the articulable coupling is capable of articulating through 180��. 22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the enclosure pivot comprises a sliding dog clutch.