Monowheel vehicles

[David S. Maddison]

http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/TRANSPORT/motorwhl/motorwhl.htm

David

[hippy]

"David S. Maddison" > wrote in
message ...
>
> http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/TRANSPORT/motorwhl/motorwhl.htm

Scroll down near the end to the V8 one.. there's a 1.5mb video clip
of it in action.

hippy

[hippy]

"David S. Maddison" > wrote in
message ...
>
> http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/TRANSPORT/motorwhl/motorwhl.htm

Scroll down near the end to the V8 one.. there's a 1.5mb video clip
of it in action.

hippy

[Deep Flayed Mares]

hippy > wrote in message
...
> "David S. Maddison" > wrote in
> message ...
> >
> > http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/TRANSPORT/motorwhl/motorwhl.htm
>
> Scroll down near the end to the V8 one.. there's a 1.5mb video clip
> of it in action.

The idea is interesting, but just a few too many flaws for it to ever be
workable! I be he never truly opens up the V8. It might as well be a
lawnmower engine! Plus how the hell do you stop in a hurry?
---
DFM

[Deep Flayed Mares]

hippy > wrote in message
...
> "David S. Maddison" > wrote in
> message ...
> >
> > http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/TRANSPORT/motorwhl/motorwhl.htm
>
> Scroll down near the end to the V8 one.. there's a 1.5mb video clip
> of it in action.

The idea is interesting, but just a few too many flaws for it to ever be
workable! I be he never truly opens up the V8. It might as well be a
lawnmower engine! Plus how the hell do you stop in a hurry?
---
DFM

[hippy]

"Deep Flayed Mares" > wrote in
message news:0A97b.2642
> The idea is interesting, but just a few too many flaws for it to ever
be
> workable! I be he never truly opens up the V8. It might as well be a
> lawnmower engine! Plus how the hell do you stop in a hurry?

Hit the brakes at speed without sufficient weight down
the bottom and watch it roll over and over... :-)
Could be painful, but looks cool!

hippy

[hippy]

"Deep Flayed Mares" > wrote in
message news:0A97b.2642
> The idea is interesting, but just a few too many flaws for it to ever
be
> workable! I be he never truly opens up the V8. It might as well be a
> lawnmower engine! Plus how the hell do you stop in a hurry?

Hit the brakes at speed without sufficient weight down
the bottom and watch it roll over and over... :-)
Could be painful, but looks cool!

hippy

[Gary K]

Deep Flayed Mares > wrote:

> hippy > wrote in message
> ...
> > "David S. Maddison" > wrote in
> > message ...
> > >
> > > http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/TRANSPORT/motorwhl/motorwhl.htm
> >
> > Scroll down near the end to the V8 one.. there's a 1.5mb video clip
> > of it in action.
>
> The idea is interesting, but just a few too many flaws for it to ever be
> workable! I be he never truly opens up the V8. It might as well be a
> lawnmower engine! Plus how the hell do you stop in a hurry?

Put on the brakes then lay it down, like a penny. (My guess)
It would look hillarious if he ever did open up the V8 ;)
I think the design needs an outrigger that swings out to the front that
stops gerbilling under heavy braking. (er.. gerbilling, where the inside
and outside lockup and the whole thing barrels along). But then it
wouldn't be a "mono" wheel.
A couple of years ago during the Tour de France telecast they showed
some of the pre race show. There was a bicycle monowheel, the guy was
inducing gerbilling deliberately, looks great fun.

[Gary K]

Deep Flayed Mares > wrote:

> hippy > wrote in message
> ...
> > "David S. Maddison" > wrote in
> > message ...
> > >
> > > http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/TRANSPORT/motorwhl/motorwhl.htm
> >
> > Scroll down near the end to the V8 one.. there's a 1.5mb video clip
> > of it in action.
>
> The idea is interesting, but just a few too many flaws for it to ever be
> workable! I be he never truly opens up the V8. It might as well be a
> lawnmower engine! Plus how the hell do you stop in a hurry?

Put on the brakes then lay it down, like a penny. (My guess)
It would look hillarious if he ever did open up the V8 ;)
I think the design needs an outrigger that swings out to the front that
stops gerbilling under heavy braking. (er.. gerbilling, where the inside
and outside lockup and the whole thing barrels along). But then it
wouldn't be a "mono" wheel.
A couple of years ago during the Tour de France telecast they showed
some of the pre race show. There was a bicycle monowheel, the guy was
inducing gerbilling deliberately, looks great fun.

[Andrew Swan]

David S. Maddison wrote:
> http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/TRANSPORT/motorwhl/motorwhl.htm
>
> David

These things remind me of that thing Mr Garrison invented in an episode
of South Park - although these ones look more comfortable to ride than
his version (if you've seen the episode, you'll know what I mean). ;-)

&roo

[Andrew Swan]

David S. Maddison wrote:
> http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/TRANSPORT/motorwhl/motorwhl.htm
>
> David

These things remind me of that thing Mr Garrison invented in an episode
of South Park - although these ones look more comfortable to ride than
his version (if you've seen the episode, you'll know what I mean). ;-)

&roo

[John Doe]

: These things remind me of that thing Mr Garrison invented in an episode
: of South Park - although these ones look more comfortable to ride than
: his version (if you've seen the episode, you'll know what I mean). ;-)
:


Heheh. Yeah. I have seen that one.

[John Doe]

: These things remind me of that thing Mr Garrison invented in an episode
: of South Park - although these ones look more comfortable to ride than
: his version (if you've seen the episode, you'll know what I mean). ;-)
:


Heheh. Yeah. I have seen that one.

[Tim Jones]

"Andrew Swan" > wrote in message
...
> David S. Maddison wrote:
> > http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/TRANSPORT/motorwhl/motorwhl.htm
> >
> > David
>
> These things remind me of that thing Mr Garrison invented in an episode
> of South Park - although these ones look more comfortable to ride than
> his version (if you've seen the episode, you'll know what I mean). ;-)
>
> &roo
>

Yes, that's right, it was a monowheel!

It was a **** take on the Segway hype.

Which brings me to another point, why would you want a Segway? Aren't there
enough lard arses around already? Doesn't a bike or motor bike (even an
electric one) fit most of the requirements for the Segway market? Can't be
that safe if the leader of western civilisation can't balance on the thing
;-)

Tim

[Tim Jones]

"Andrew Swan" > wrote in message
...
> David S. Maddison wrote:
> > http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/TRANSPORT/motorwhl/motorwhl.htm
> >
> > David
>
> These things remind me of that thing Mr Garrison invented in an episode
> of South Park - although these ones look more comfortable to ride than
> his version (if you've seen the episode, you'll know what I mean). ;-)
>
> &roo
>

Yes, that's right, it was a monowheel!

It was a **** take on the Segway hype.

Which brings me to another point, why would you want a Segway? Aren't there
enough lard arses around already? Doesn't a bike or motor bike (even an
electric one) fit most of the requirements for the Segway market? Can't be
that safe if the leader of western civilisation can't balance on the thing
;-)

Tim

[Al User]

Tim Jones wrote:

> "Andrew Swan" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>David S. Maddison wrote:
>>
>>>http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/TRANSPORT/motorwhl/motorwhl.htm
>>>
>>>David
>>
>>These things remind me of that thing Mr Garrison invented in an episode
>>of South Park - although these ones look more comfortable to ride than
>>his version (if you've seen the episode, you'll know what I mean). ;-)
>>
>>&roo
>>
> Yes, that's right, it was a monowheel!
>
> It was a **** take on the Segway hype.
>
> Which brings me to another point, why would you want a Segway? Aren't there
> enough lard arses around already? Doesn't a bike or motor bike (even an
> electric one) fit most of the requirements for the Segway market? Can't be
> that safe if the leader of western civilisation can't balance on the thing
> ;-)
>
> Tim
>
THe Segway was the mass market offshoot of a brilliant wheelchair project.
They wanted a "stairwalker" wheelchair, so started with what looked like a
chair balanced on fridge trolley axle set and some gyros & smarts to maintain
the centre of gravity of the chair (and user). (See bad ascii art)
|
|__
o
o o
They soon realised that the third wheel was not needed as long as the wheel
diameters were at least the hight of a step. (More ascii art)
| | | |
| | | | |__ |__ |__ |__
| |__ |__ |__ |__ O | O | O |
|__ O | O | O | \ __ | __ /____O--O__
| __ \ __ | __ /____O--O_____O| O| O|
O--O| O| O| O|

When playing around during testing they found that by leaning side to side or
forward-backward with the wheels in vertical setting, they could make the
chair move without needing the controls. That led to the Segway.
Don't know what happened to the wheelchair project....

Al

[Al User]

Tim Jones wrote:

> "Andrew Swan" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>David S. Maddison wrote:
>>
>>>http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/TRANSPORT/motorwhl/motorwhl.htm
>>>
>>>David
>>
>>These things remind me of that thing Mr Garrison invented in an episode
>>of South Park - although these ones look more comfortable to ride than
>>his version (if you've seen the episode, you'll know what I mean). ;-)
>>
>>&roo
>>
> Yes, that's right, it was a monowheel!
>
> It was a **** take on the Segway hype.
>
> Which brings me to another point, why would you want a Segway? Aren't there
> enough lard arses around already? Doesn't a bike or motor bike (even an
> electric one) fit most of the requirements for the Segway market? Can't be
> that safe if the leader of western civilisation can't balance on the thing
> ;-)
>
> Tim
>
THe Segway was the mass market offshoot of a brilliant wheelchair project.
They wanted a "stairwalker" wheelchair, so started with what looked like a
chair balanced on fridge trolley axle set and some gyros & smarts to maintain
the centre of gravity of the chair (and user). (See bad ascii art)
|
|__
o
o o
They soon realised that the third wheel was not needed as long as the wheel
diameters were at least the hight of a step. (More ascii art)
| | | |
| | | | |__ |__ |__ |__
| |__ |__ |__ |__ O | O | O |
|__ O | O | O | \ __ | __ /____O--O__
| __ \ __ | __ /____O--O_____O| O| O|
O--O| O| O| O|

When playing around during testing they found that by leaning side to side or
forward-backward with the wheels in vertical setting, they could make the
chair move without needing the controls. That led to the Segway.
Don't know what happened to the wheelchair project....

Al

[Liz]

Would this be the wheelchair?
http://www.cnn.com/2003/HEALTH/08/14/stair.climbing.wheelchair.ap/
Liz

"Al User" > wrote in message
...
> THe Segway was the mass market offshoot of a brilliant wheelchair project.
> They wanted a "stairwalker" wheelchair, so started with what looked like a
> chair balanced on fridge trolley axle set and some gyros & smarts to
maintain
> the centre of gravity of the chair (and user). (See bad ascii art)
> |
> |__
> o
> o o
> They soon realised that the third wheel was not needed as long as the
wheel
> diameters were at least the hight of a step. (More ascii art)
> | | | |
> | | | | |__ |__ |__ |__
> | |__ |__ |__ |__ O | O | O |
> |__ O | O | O | \ __ | __ /____O--O__
> | __ \ __ | __ /____O--O_____O| O| O|
> O--O| O| O| O|
>
> When playing around during testing they found that by leaning side to side
or
> forward-backward with the wheels in vertical setting, they could make the
> chair move without needing the controls. That led to the Segway.
> Don't know what happened to the wheelchair project....
>
> Al
>

[Liz]

Would this be the wheelchair?
http://www.cnn.com/2003/HEALTH/08/14/stair.climbing.wheelchair.ap/
Liz

"Al User" > wrote in message
...
> THe Segway was the mass market offshoot of a brilliant wheelchair project.
> They wanted a "stairwalker" wheelchair, so started with what looked like a
> chair balanced on fridge trolley axle set and some gyros & smarts to
maintain
> the centre of gravity of the chair (and user). (See bad ascii art)
> |
> |__
> o
> o o
> They soon realised that the third wheel was not needed as long as the
wheel
> diameters were at least the hight of a step. (More ascii art)
> | | | |
> | | | | |__ |__ |__ |__
> | |__ |__ |__ |__ O | O | O |
> |__ O | O | O | \ __ | __ /____O--O__
> | __ \ __ | __ /____O--O_____O| O| O|
> O--O| O| O| O|
>
> When playing around during testing they found that by leaning side to side
or
> forward-backward with the wheels in vertical setting, they could make the
> chair move without needing the controls. That led to the Segway.
> Don't know what happened to the wheelchair project....
>
> Al
>

[Al User]

Liz wrote:

> "Al User" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>THe Segway was the mass market offshoot of a brilliant wheelchair project.
>>They wanted a "stairwalker" wheelchair, so started with what looked like a
>>chair balanced on fridge trolley axle set and some gyros & smarts .....
<snipped>
>>Don't know what happened to the wheelchair project....
>>
>>Al
>
> Would this be the wheelchair?
> http://www.cnn.com/2003/HEALTH/08/14/stair.climbing.wheelchair.ap
> Liz
>
Yup Liz, that's the one. Dean Kamen! Doh! I had that on the tip...
I should have googled but had too much fun trying to do the ascii art;-)

I'm surprised to see that it has taken Kamen this long to get it approved.
I remember hearing about the original project a few years ago.

Al.

[Al User]

Liz wrote:

> "Al User" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>THe Segway was the mass market offshoot of a brilliant wheelchair project.
>>They wanted a "stairwalker" wheelchair, so started with what looked like a
>>chair balanced on fridge trolley axle set and some gyros & smarts .....
<snipped>
>>Don't know what happened to the wheelchair project....
>>
>>Al
>
> Would this be the wheelchair?
> http://www.cnn.com/2003/HEALTH/08/14/stair.climbing.wheelchair.ap
> Liz
>
Yup Liz, that's the one. Dean Kamen! Doh! I had that on the tip...
I should have googled but had too much fun trying to do the ascii art;-)

I'm surprised to see that it has taken Kamen this long to get it approved.
I remember hearing about the original project a few years ago.

Al.