Where for art thou non-motorised Segways?

[BrettCMSmith@gmail.com]

Hi GadgetmanKen, Now I understand , I thought all the various models were made by you, I didnt see the chainsaw scooter, but I'd like the link if its available ? Thanks.
Yes a CNC would be great for many projects I plan too.
I know what you mean about showing too much of an new idea. Now I google a lot to search if a similar idea has been made beforehand because what I initially think might be a new idea , is often only new to me. ~sigh~
Ive commercialised a few small ideas and they are tough to get off the ground by yourself and selling them to a market leader only gets you peanuts, so a lot of brilliant designs, not necessarily mine, never see the light of day.
"Time and money are my biggest foes. Go figure."....
My personal saying is "Never loan time or money because you never get them back."
Well they never seem to come back to me !
BTW, whats Folgers ?
Heres a few pix of the design, the scale is incorrect, its ridden similar to a skateboard, the 3rd pic is just to show a similar riding style. Any comments?
Best wishes, Brett.

[GadgetmanKen]

Folgers is a coffee company here states side thats been around for e-ons. There main slogan for years has been, "The best part of waking up, is Folgers, in your cup". I liken that commercial slogan to my signature line as " Wouldn't it be cool if " Wakes me up or gives me a buzz like drinking Folgers coffee in the morning to wake me up. Because dissussing new and different possibilities for ideas often gives me a buzz, or natural high. Has for many years. Get it now?

My design is similar to yours except that I have two sets of horizontal bars going to the frame and wheels, and the lower one goes or hangs below the axle. (center of gravity) and there is another unique feature which is one I cannot discuss without giving to much away.

What type of program do you use to make your drawings? I used to have photoshop easily available, but its on my sons computer and I don't get the chance to use his computer that often anymore. I don't get what the last picture represents, tho. I had it on mine at one time but thats been a couple crashes ago and I haven't reinstalled it.

This is on the instructables site. A more recent updated copy.

http://www.instructables.com/id/3-sp...-Push-Scooter/

And here an earlier version.

http://scooters.tziworld.com/
Look under homebuilt and then under Ken

Note: I'm at the library now and tzi's link works, but for some reason kicks me off the library internet after I try to get back on SegwayChat., tho it may not at home, or on yours.

[bystander]

Originally Posted by GadgetmanKen

I don't get what the last picture represents, tho...

This site may shed some light:

http://www.ben.jellybaby.net/

I think the point of the picture is that the stance that BrettCMSmith is considering on his motorless device is a sideways stance, rather than the forward facing stance commonly used on the PT.

[GadgetmanKen]

I remember the Einrad scooter, from awhile back. I really like it too. Its been discussed here on SC as well, as Trevor Blackwells scooters. I do seem to remember a couple of others similar to Bretts scooter. One was you You Tubed inside a college dorm and another was by an Asian guy if I remember correctly.

Brett's is quite interesting. I thought it had to have a gyro in it somewhere. Are those tires off of go-carts Brett? Is it solid rubber? Or tubed? I was thinking maybe the tire/wheel could have more of a round/ball like shape, with just a narrow flat edge in the middle. Sure it might be harder to balance at first step but once you get going I think that won't be a problem so much, but with more rounded edges like a ball it would be easier to make sharper turns, wouldn't it? For stopping, braking just force it rearward on a big rubber skid chunk of rubber. Not a real good solution for indoors or wet pavement but effective otherwise, I think. I was thinking of using a rubber skid brake on my Seg like contraption.

Oh, how heavy is it? Do you think it could be lifted by toe straps, or toe cups, to aid in jumping curbs, bumps, or pot holes? If not by feet, toe straps, or cups, then by maybe a slight spring suspension with a bungee tether connected to the center of the board over the wheel, and bouncing and lifting simultaniously, to get a small bit of air to aid in the curb, bump, or pot hole maneuvers.

[bystander]

Originally Posted by GadgetmanKen

I remember the Einrad scooter, from awhile back. I really like it too. Its been discussed here on SC as well, as Trevor Blackwells scooters. I do seem to remember a couple of others similar to Bretts scooter. One was you You Tubed inside a college dorm and another was by an Asian guy if I remember correctly.

Brett's is quite interesting. I thought it had to have a gyro in it somewhere. Are those tires off of go-carts Brett? Is it solid rubber? Or tubed? I was thinking maybe the tire/wheel could have more of a round/ball like shape, with just a narrow flat edge in the middle. Sure it might be harder to balance at first step but once you get going I think that won't be a problem so much, but with more rounded edges like a ball it would be easier to make sharper turns, wouldn't it? For stopping, braking just force it rearward on a big rubber skid chunk of rubber. Not a real good solution for indoors or wet pavement but effective otherwise, I think. I was thinking of using a rubber skid brake on my Seg like contraption.

Oh, how heavy is it? Do you think it could be lifted by toe straps, or toe cups, to aid in jumping curbs, bumps, or pot holes? If not by feet or toe straps or cups, then by maybe a slight spring suspension with a bungee teather connected to the center of the board over the wheel, and bouncing and lifting simutaniously to get a small bit of air to aid in the curb, bump or pot hole maneuvers.

If I'm not mistaken, Ben is the guy with the single wheel skateboard-like one wheel scooter. BrettCMSmith@gmail.com is the new forum member you are discussing the non-motorized PT plans with here on this board.

Or perhaps Ben is also a member of this forum, and you are addressing him?

On Ben's page, he explains what gryoscopic sensors he is using under the paragraph entitled "Controller".

With those two 12v, 12 ah batteries, it looks rather heavy to be jump-lifting.

[KSagal]

I recall a television commercial with a new style skateboard... it resembles two diamond platforms on a single bar. The bar is about the length of a skateboard, and the diamonds are as wide as a standard skateboard as well...

(Think of a skateboard that is cut narrow in the center to resemble an hourglass on it's side, rather than an elongated oval like a standard skateboard)

The two major changes from this to a regular skateboard is that the two ends can twist or pivot a little on the center tube or bar. The other change is that there is just one center caster on either end of the bar/skateboard. I could not tell if the casters can turn sideways as well as spin, but it looked like they could.

Normally, a skatboard is ridden sideways. This one could as well, so the direction of travel and the allignment of the casters was from one end to the other, with the rider facing to one side or the other...

Because this skateboard had pivoting casters, it seems it can be ridden facing forward with the board sideways beneath the rider...

THis would essencially be similar to what this thread is about, with the exception of the handlebar. I do not know how long it would take to master the balance needed to do this, but it might be possible.

[BrettCMSmith@gmail.com]

Hi guys,
Its a great day here in Sydney as we head into a long hot summer.
Looking forward to the family Xmas on the beach. Surf, Santa and Sunscreen, marvelous !!

Ken, Thanks for the Folgers tip and the links to other peoples scooters.
To do my drawings I do LOTS of pencil sketches first and theres the standard pad and pencil in every room and car. (Theres nothing wrong with being a geek I tell my kids.) If we're stuck in traffic, I pull out the pad and pencil and doodle away, its a great way to utilise time that'd be wasted.
Then I use Paint, its quick to get something to email co-conspiritors...
After that,GIMP or scrounge through 'open source' graphic programs at www.mashable.com

Bystander...BINGO !!, You must have a good knowledge of all things Seg-like to have found that so quickly. Yes, the 3rd pic is just as you say, its a representation of the sideways stance that Im considering.
If anyone saw the video in the link by Bystander its quite stable (fore/aft) even without the footplate dropped below the axle and without any upright or handles. But in that instance the wheel/tyre isnt free-rolling so it would be stable at rest.
Despite any similarities to a SW, I think the sideways stance to be more stable for this style of vehicle, the handle on mine may need to be adapted for facing left or right like on the Easyglider, see attached pic.
It is a bit confusing that Ben is at BSmither@gmail.com and mine is BrettCMSmith@gmail.com, at first sight I thought it odd too...
I like Kens idea about a skidplate at the back for braking, its simple, cheap, quick,effective and therefore the smartest option, IMHO.
My wheels are from a wheelchair because of their large diameter which gives a wide tolerance of balance with the dropped axle and a larger diameter will provide a smoother ride.They also have inbuilt quik release axles. See 2nd pic.
Hi KSagal, I think that skateboard is called a Sidewinder.
As for the balance required to master a new vehicle.... How long did it take for everyone to feel comfortable with the balance on a Segway ??

I'm testing theories at the moment and then soon enough refining the dims to tighten the design, and all ideas are more than welcome.

Best wishes for the season folks, Brett.

[bystander]

Originally Posted by KSagal

I recall a television commercial with a new style skateboard...

Sounds like you're talking about this:

http://www.streetsurfing.com/home.php

FAQ:

http://www.streetsurfing.com/faq.php

I've seen it at a couple of local stores in the last few months. It appears to operate on a principle similar to moving on roller skates without lifting the wheels up from the ground. You sort of pump or push along to get some speed going. The action seems to be a bit more strenuous than a regular skateboard where you push with one foot intermittently. And it requires a better sense of side to side balance as there are only two points of contact, not four.

I haven't really tried it extensively, maybe it's easier to use than I make it sound.

[BrettCMSmith@gmail.com]

Guys, just down the road from me is the shop from www.manlyblades.com.au Please check out their opening home page of fantastic wheeled vehicles including the skateboard mentioned above.
They've got friendly staff and you're welcome to test ride any of the products. Have a look at The Freeline near the bottom left of the page. I cant describe it, but you put a foot on each piece.
Have a good weekend folks, Brett.

[GadgetmanKen]

Well, it appears the street surfer with the casters is indeed different. With the angle of the rear facing tilt to them it appears that they will always go to drag/roll forward when landing. By this I mean when the caster hits the ground they will spin rearward and roll basically in a straight line till you tilt. I think with the slim tube and groove in the center also facilitates a hold or stationary point on the board when (don't know what they call it) sliding on a banister or handrail. Keeping it in the groove and not sliding up down, but in the same position till the end of the rail. Probably somewhat safer than a flat board. I don't know, but I think I would feel better having dual wheels on each caster, rather than one.

Boy, I would love to get a couple of sets of those wheels off of the EasyGlider. What I could do with those! I have thought about using regular 20 inch bicycle rims and removing the spokes to get that affect, but think I would loose firmness and integrity on the whole wheel itself if I did. Doing so would solve not having to change or modify any caliper braking system tho.