.....
These
are ideas for mechanical add-ons that would function as a
means of facilitating an individuals capacity to travel
at speed. The first is a thought experiment posing that a
kind of bicycle could be built that uses, the legs, arms,
and torso to power and direct it. The second is a simpler
thought experiment proposing the construction of a set of
extensions for the legs and arms which, together, would
facilitate speedy movement.
The
Hyper-cycle
.....
This is
an innovative improvement on the bicycle. The essence of
its design is to allow both the legs and arms to power
its motion. For this reason, it would be a recumbent
device and I dubbed the ideas the
Hyper-Cycle
.....
My first
draft idea is that the front wheel would be centered near
to the knees and its power chain would reach back toward
it from the pedals which are set even farther out front.
The rear wheel would be set behind he cyclist's back. The
cyclists hands would have grips, instead of pedals and
the power trains from them would attach to an extended
axle of the rear wheel. The Hyper-cyclist will steer by a
combination of means, leaning to one side, of course, but
also, and mainly, by using hip, back and abdominal
muscles to alter the alignment of the front and back
wheels of the Hyper-Cycle.
.....
The
cyclist's seat will be based upon a swivel point, in
design much like a "Lazy Susan." The cyclist will then be
able to alter the alignment between the front and back
parts of the hyper-cycle. In essence the bicycle will
flex around its center and so allow steering without the
usual handlebars. Braking would be via grips available to
the hands much as with current cycles.
Quadrupedal
Runners
.....
Because
of my lower right leg's disablement I have long sought a
means to reestablish a means of running.
.....
The most
recent idea is sourced from an experience I had when I
was in junior high and on crutches for a short time. I
found that I could run on crutches, if I went backwards.
The essential motion that allowed this was that I would
"windmill" the crutches backwards and, when they hit
ground, I would lean and jump back then repeat those
moves. I could also pivot on a given crutch to make very
fast, tight turns if I leaned to one side as I made the
move onto a single crutch.
.....
So, at
first, I thought of getting a pair of crutches and trying
out something similar but moving forward instead and then
I thought to add a kind of leg and foot extension because
of the stress any running movement would cause my lower
right leg.
.....
In sum,
I would have extensions of my arms and legs. The arm
extension would be longer than the leg extensions. The
leg extensions would be attached to my hips legs and
feet. My shoes would be fixed to a platform attached to
the leg extension and these would have an extension
beyond my feet, perhaps several inches in length with any
one of several ground contact options.
.....
If all
portions of the device were connected properly I could
then run, or rather lope, much as a giraffe
does.
But
why?
.....
These ideas are
interesting in and of themselves. They represent
challenges to engineers, designers and manufacturers. But
imagine zipping along in a human powered vehicle or
loping along in the western wilderness. These ideas were
from the inspired realms. In the case of the second idea
it it based on personal experience which, much later on,
caused the development of this idea and, n the case of
the second, it was based on a dream that I had in which I
was piloting such a vehicle, which, I think, could
achieve great speed.
.....
I am
intent upon problem solving and, in association with
Creative
Ideas Consulting of San
Francisco,
I am
embarking on another means of affecting the warp and woof
of our social fabric so as to promote a healthy change in
the evolution of the human civilization or community on
Earth.
.....
Much
more is coming but this note provides notice that help is
on the way, in the meantime, to make inquiries, see the
following link:
Email
Dan!