h a l f b a k e r y"My only concern is that it wouldn't work, which I see as a problem."
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I was pondering [Curry's] hot sand problem when I realized the solution to this, and to any nasty surface on which one must walk, is the Instant Path.
This device is two round flat plates connected at an angle. On placing your foot on the front one, a geared mechanism is pressed down, swinging
the back one forward to receive your next step. Stepping off the platform now in back allows the gear to pop back up, Putting weight on the new front platform it swings the back one to the front again. Thus the platform walks along with you. You never need set foot on the filthy ground.
Snowshoes
http://www.snowshoesonline.com/links.html
Same idea, anyway. [phoenix, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 06 2004]
Elliptigo
http://www.elliptigo.com/
I saw one of these last week. They are like a Wendigo except in California and not as bitey. I was reminded of the Instant Path. As opposed to the Instant Path, the Elliptigo the flat plates are off the ground and drive wheels - much more efficient. [bungston, Oct 14 2009]
[link]
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Its like Dance-Dance-Revolution for walking! Another bun for our friendly BUNCO rep! [+] |
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[Not quite seeing it - any chance of a diagram...?] |
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Most excellent! Could they come in the shape of rose petals? |
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I also have an idea similar to this one.
You get these two ovals about the size of your feet and they follow your feet because they are strapped to them. In the winter you could add covers so your feet don't get as cold.
Sorry but would shoes not suffice equally as well as some geared mechanism to move stepping stones? |
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What happens if the ground is uneven? |
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[DeGroof] got it. It occurs to me that a better design would be in the shape of a letter H. The two sides become the foot platforms. Instead of swinging around the lagging pad moves straight forward when your weight is on the leading pad. |
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This might be good for crossing slippery ice in addition to hot sand, barely cooled lava, hookworm infested playgrounds etc. |
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//What happens if the ground is uneven// . Hmmm. The platform would need to come up higher to swing forward. The bottom of the pad would need rubber fingers or something similar Too uneven and it wouldnt work. |
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Final benefit - if you are going for a long walk with rose petals strewn before you, it can get very expensive. Strewing the rose petals on the instant path is much more efficient. |
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Then you might want a vacuum device that sucks up the petals behind you and spits them out in front. |
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How heavy? Do you need muscles in your spit to operate them? |
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I was pondering the InstantPath device. As[DeGroof] pointed out, it would be like climbing a shallow set of stairs. The improved Instant path converts some of thatenergy into rotation of a small set of wheels underneath the step plates. The result - the action of walking with the efficient energy conversion of rolling! |
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I don't see how the H version would allow you to walk a
curved path or to vary your stride length. The OO version, if
the plate doesn't fold down flat on the ground until you step
on it, could. To walk a curve, you could just, with your foot,
push the plate forward or backward around the
circumference of the one you're standing on before stepping
down on it. To vary your stride length, just step closer to or
farther from the middle of the OO set. |
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@notexactly - you are right. For the H version you have to get your hips and arms in the action and do the twist while standing on one leg, getting the thing to pivot. If you have some of those limited edition H versions they are worth a lot now 16 years later. Before you sell yours, though, pls post video if you do the twist on it. |
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Isn't this just uncomfortable shoes that aren't actually
attached to your feet? |
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