Wearable mobility device

Abstract

A wearable mobility device is provided. The wearable mobility device may include a base configured to support a rear portion of a shoe or foot, wherein a front portion of the shoe is free to touch a surface, and wherein the base enables a wearer of the shoe to walk upon the surface when the device is worn by the wearer; two side wheels disposed on opposite sides of the base; a rear wheel disposed at the rear of the base; wherein the wheels enable the wearer to roll upon the surface; and a motor mechanically coupled to at least one of the wheels.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wearable mobility device comprising:
 a base configured to support a rear portion of a shoe or foot, wherein a front portion of the shoe is free to touch a surface, and wherein the base enables a wearer of the device to walk upon the surface when the device is worn by the wearer;   two side wheels disposed on opposite sides of the base;   a rear wheel disposed at the rear of the base;   wherein the wheels enable the wearer to roll upon the surface; and   a motor mechanically coupled to at least one of the wheels.   
     
     
         2 . The wearable mobility device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a strap configured to retain the shoe or foot in the base.   
     
     
         3 . The wearable mobility device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a power source electrically coupled to the motor.   
     
     
         4 . The wearable mobility device of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the power source is removable from the device.   
     
     
         5 . The wearable mobility device of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the power source is rechargeable.   
     
     
         6 . The wearable mobility device of  claim 5 , wherein the power source comprises:
 one or more batteries.   
     
     
         7 . The wearable mobility device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more gears mechanically coupled between the motor and the at least one of the wheels.   
     
     
         8 . The wearable mobility device of  claim 7 , wherein the motor and the one or more gears are housed within the at least one of the wheels. 
     
     
         9 . The wearable mobility device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a receiver to receive a speed control signal into the device; and   a motor controller configured to control a speed of the motor in accordance with the speed control signal.   
     
     
         10 . The wearable mobility device of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a controller comprising:
 a user interface, and 
 a transmitter configured to transmit the speed control signal responsive to operation of the user interface. 
   
     
     
         11 . The wearable mobility device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sensor configured to detect a speed of the wheel; and   a motor controller configured to control a speed of the motor in accordance with the detected speed of the wheel.   
     
     
         12 . The wearable mobility device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a bracket configured to receive a wearer's shoe or foot.   
     
     
         13 . A wearable mobility system, comprising:
 a base configured to support a shoe or foot;   a side wheel disposed on a side of the base, the side wheel having a hub motor embedded therein; and   one or more support wheels coupled to the base.   
     
     
         14 . The wearable mobility device of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a strap configured to retain the shoe or foot in the base.   
     
     
         15 . The wearable mobility device of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a power source electrically coupled to the motor.   
     
     
         16 . The wearable mobility device of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the power source is removable from the device.   
     
     
         17 . The wearable mobility device of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the power source is rechargeable.   
     
     
         18 . The wearable mobility device of  claim 17 , wherein the power source comprises:
 one or more batteries.   
     
     
         19 . The wearable mobility device of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 one or more gears mechanically coupled between the hub motor and the sidewheel.   
     
     
         20 . The wearable mobility device of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more gears are housed within the sidewheel. 
     
     
         21 . The wearable mobility device of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a bracket configured to receive a wearer's shoe or foot.   
     
     
         22 . A wearable mobility system comprising:
 a first wearable mobility device, comprising:
 a first base configured to support a rear portion of a first shoe or first foot, wherein a front portion of the first shoe or first foot is free to touch a surface, and wherein the first base enables a wearer of the first wearable device to walk upon the surface when the first wearable device is worn by the wearer, 
 two first side wheels disposed on opposite sides of the first base, 
 a rear wheel disposed at the rear of the first base, 
 wherein the first side wheels enable the wearer to roll upon the surface, and 
 a motor mechanically coupled to at least one of the wheels; and 
   a second wearable mobility device, comprising:
 a second base configured to support a rear portion of a second shoe or second foot, wherein a front portion of the second shoe or second foot is free to touch the surface, and wherein the second base enables the wearer to walk upon the surface when the second wearable device is worn by the wearer, and 
 two second side wheels disposed on opposite sides of the second base, 
 wherein the second side wheels enable the wearer to roll upon the surface.