Mobility device rental system

• US 10,249,128 B1
• Filed: 09/08/2017
• Issued: 04/02/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guang Y.U. Yang
• Original Assignee: Guang Y.U. Yang
• Inventors: Yang, Guang Yu
• Primary Examiner(s): Savusdiphol, Paultep
• Application Number:
  US15/699,024
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 235381, 235382
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/62 in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0057 for the hiring or rent of vehicles, e.g. cars, bicycles or wheelchairs car rental G07B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/12 comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines

Abstract

A mobility device rental system that is operable to facilitate the rental of a plurality of mobility assistance devices. The mobility device rental system includes a plurality of rental terminals that are installed at publicly accessible locations. The rental terminals include at least one receiving stall so as to accommodate at least one wheelchair therein. A locking member is secured within the receiving stall so as to retain the mobility assistance device until rental thereof. An operating software is provided that is accessible via the Internet or software application wherein the operating software facilitates the rental process of a mobility assistance device. The rental terminals further include control tags configured to assist in tracking of the mobility assistance devices and maintaining an inventory thereof. The rental terminals include computing devices having graphical displays that are operable to facilitate the rental and return of a mobility assistance device.

Claims

1. A mobility device rental system that is operable to facilitate the rental of at least one mobility assistance device comprising:

at least one rental terminal, said at least one rental terminal having a frame, said frame having a plurality of frame members, said frame further including a plurality of brace members, said brace members structurally integrated with said plurality of frame members, said frame members being secured to each other so as to create at least one receiving stall, said at least one receiving stall being configure to receive and retain at least one mobility assistance device, said at least one rental terminal having a first control tag, said first control tag being communicably coupled to a second control tag, said second control tag be secured to said at least one mobility assistance device, said first control tag configured to obtain identification information from the second control tag concerning the at least one mobility assistance device;

a computing device;

said computing device operably coupled to said at least one rental terminal, said computing device having a graphical display, said computing device having the necessary electronics to receive, store, transmit and manipulate data, said computing device providing an interface to facilitate rental of the at least one mobility assistance device;

an operating software, said operating software accessible to a user utilizing a software application on a computing device or via a website, said software application operable to facilitate a rental process for the at least one mobility assistance device;

a locking member, said locking member operable to retain the at least one mobility assistance device in said at least one receiving stall, said locking member configured to retain said at least one mobility assistance device within said at least one receiving stall until said at least one mobility assistance device has been rented, said locking member configured to engage a portion of a wheel of the at least one mobility assistance device.

2. The mobility device rental system as recited in claim 1, wherein said locking member further includes a base member, said base member configured to be secured to one of said plurality of frame members, said locking member further including a clamping member, said clamping member being arcuate in shape having a radius similar to that of the wheel of the at least one mobility assistance device, said clamping member movably coupled to said base member, said clamping member configured to be superposed a wheel of the at least one mobility assistance device so as to retain the mobility assistance device within said at least one receiving stall.

3. The mobility device rental system as recited in claim 2, wherein at least two of said plurality of frame members are configured to be superposed wheels of the mobility assistance device so as to assist in the alignment and retention of the mobility assistance device within the at least one receiving stall.

4. The mobility device rental system as recited in claim 3, and further including an indicator light, said indicator light being operably coupled to said computing device, said indicator light installed in a top portion of the frame of the at least one receiving stall, said indicator light configured to provide notification to a user as to which of the at least one receiving stall a mobility assistance device can be retrieved or returned.

5. The mobility device rental system as recited in claim 2, wherein said locking member further includes a first mounting arm and a second mounting arm, said first mounting arm and said second mounting arm being pivotally secured to said base member and said clamping member.

6. The mobility device rental system as recited in claim 5, wherein said locking member further includes a block, said block being secured to said clamping member, said block having a sloped upper surface, said locking member including a solenoid operated pin, said solenoid operated pin configured to engage said block so as to facilitate locking of the clamping member into a position superposed on a wheel of the mobility assistance device.

7. The mobility device rental system as recited in claim 6, wherein the at least one mobility assistance device is a wheelchair.

8. A mobility device rental system that is operable to facilitate the rental of a plurality of mobility assistance devices comprising the steps of:

providing an operating software, said operating software configured to facilitate a rental process of a mobility assistance device, said operating software being provided on a server computer or a mobile computing device, wherein the operating software functions to maintain an inventory of the mobility assistance devices;

providing a plurality of rental terminals, said plurality of rental terminals having a frame, said frame having a plurality of frame members, said frame further including a plurality of brace members, said brace members structurally integrated with said plurality of frame members, said frame members being secured to each other so as to create at least one receiving stall, said at least one receiving stall being configure to receive and retain a plurality of mobility assistance devices, said plurality of rental terminals having a first control tag, said first control tag being communicably coupled to a second control tag, said second control tag be secured to said plurality of mobility assistance devices, said first control tag configured to obtain identification information from the second control tag concerning the plurality of mobility assistance devices;

providing a plurality of locking members, said locking members being disposed in said at least one receiving stall, said plurality of locking members further including a wheel engagement member, said wheel engagement member configured to engage a portion of a wheel of a mobility assistance device, said locking members configured to retain the plurality of mobility assistance devices within the at least one receiving stall;

accessing the mobility device rental system, wherein a user accesses the mobility device rental system utilizing the operating software;

inputting a date and time for a desired rental of a mobility assistance device;

providing at least one location of a rental terminal that has an available mobility assistance device on the requested date and time;

facilitating collection of a deposit for the rental of the mobility assistance device;

providing a rental confirmation code;

proceeding to the rental terminal;

entering the confirmation code, wherein the confirmation code is entered onto a computing device, said computing device operably coupled to said rental terminal, said computing device having a graphical display, said computing device having the necessary electronics to receive, store, transmit and manipulate data, said computing device providing an interface to facilitate rental of the mobility assistance device;

illuminating a receiving stall, said illuminating a receiving stall being accomplished by an indicator light, said indicator light being mounted to a frame member adjacent to said receiving stall, said indicator light being operably coupled to said rental terminal, said indicator light having a first mode and a second mode, said first mode of said indicator light said indicator light is turned off, said second mode of said indicator light said indicator light is illuminated, said second mode of said indicator light operable to identify the receiving stall to retrieve or return a mobility assistance device;

releasing a locking member, said locking member operable to retain the mobility assistance device in the receiving stall;

removing the mobility assistance device from the receiving stall;

utilizing the mobility assistance device; and

returning the mobility assistance device subsequent use thereof.

9. The mobility device rental system as recited in claim 8, and further including the step of providing notification of rental expiration, wherein the operating software provides an electronically delivered message to a renter of a mobility assistance device prior to end of a rental time period.

10. The mobility device rental system as recited in claim 9, wherein said locking members further includes a base member, said base member configured to be secured to one of said plurality of frame members, said locking member further including a clamping member, said clamping member having a lower surface that is arcuate in shape, said clamping member movably coupled to said base member, said clamping member having a first end and a second end, said clamping member configured to be superposed a wheel of the plurality of mobility assistance devices so as to retain the mobility assistance devices within said at least one receiving stall.

11. The mobility device rental system as recited in claim 10, and further including the step of directing a user to a rental terminal proximate thereto, said directing a user being delivered upon a lack of availability of spaces to return a mobility assistance device or lack of availability of mobility assistance devices for rental.

12. The mobility device rental system as recited in claim 11, wherein said first control tag and said second control tag are operably coupled to the computing device, said first control tag and said second control tag configured to track and inventory the plurality of mobility assistance devices.

13. The mobility device rental system as recited in claim 12, and further including the step of updating the inventory, said updating the inventory occurring subsequent a rental of a mobility assistance device and a return of a mobility assistance device.

14. A mobility device rental system that is operable to facilitate the rental of a plurality of mobility assistance devices comprising the steps of:

providing an operating software, said operating software configured to facilitate a rental process of a mobility assistance device, said operating software being provided on a server computer or a mobile computing device, wherein the operating software functions to maintain an inventory of the mobility assistance devices;

providing a plurality of rental terminals, said plurality of rental terminals having a frame, said frame having a plurality of frame members, said frame further including a plurality of brace members, said brace members structurally integrated with said plurality of frame members, said frame members being secured to each other so as to create at least one receiving stall, said at least one receiving stall being configure to receive and retain a plurality of mobility assistance devices, said plurality of rental terminals having a first control tag, said first control tag being communicably coupled to a second control tag, said second control tag be secured to said plurality of mobility assistance devices, said first control tag configured to obtain identification information from the second control tag concerning the plurality of mobility assistance devices;

installing the plurality of rental terminal in public accessible facilities;

providing a plurality of locking members, said locking members being disposed in said at least one receiving stall, said locking members configured to retain the plurality of mobility assistance devices within the at least one receiving stall, wherein said locking members further includes a base member, said base member configured to be secured to one of said plurality of frame members, said locking member further including a clamping member, said clamping member having a lower surface that is arcuate in shape, said lower surface having a radius that is similar to that of a wheel of the mobility assistance device, said clamping member movably coupled to said base member, said clamping member having a first end and a second end, said clamping member configured to be superposed a wheel of the plurality of mobility assistance devices so as to retain the mobility assistance devices within said at least one receiving stall;

accessing the mobility device rental system, wherein a user accesses the mobility device rental system utilizing the operating software;

inputting a date and time for a desired rental of a mobility assistance device;

verifying an inventory of mobility assistance devices stored in the plurality of rental terminals;

providing at least one location of a rental terminal that has an available mobility assistance device on the requested date and time;

facilitating collection of a deposit for the rental of the mobility assistance device;

proceeding to the rental terminal;

accessing a computing device, said computing device operably coupled to said rental terminal, said computing device having a graphical display, said computing device having the necessary electronics to receive, store, transmit and manipulate data, said computing device providing an interface to facilitate rental of the mobility assistance device;

verifying availability of a mobility assistance device for rental;

collecting payment for rental of the mobility assistance device;

illuminating a receiving stall, said illuminating a receiving stall being accomplished by an indicator light, said indicator light being mounted to a top portion of a frame member adjacent to said receiving stall, said indicator light configured to provide notification to a user as to which of the at least one receiving stall a mobility assistance device can be retrieved or returned;

releasing a locking member, said locking member operable to retain the mobility assistance device in the receiving stall;

removing the mobility assistance device from the receiving stall;

utilizing the mobility assistance device;

providing notification of rental expiration, wherein the operating software provides an electronically delivered message to a renter of a mobility assistance device prior to end of a rental time period; and

returning the mobility assistance device subsequent use thereof.

15. The mobility device rental system as recited in claim 14, and further including the step of reserving a mobility assistance device for rental, said reserving the mobility assistance device subsequent collection of the deposit.

16. The mobility device rental system as recited in claim 15, and further including the step of updating the inventory, said updating the inventory occurring subsequent a rental of a mobility assistance device and a return of a mobility assistance device.

17. The mobility device rental system as recited in claim 16, wherein said locking members further includes a block, said block being secured to said clamping member, said block having a sloped upper surface, said locking member including a solenoid operated pin, said solenoid operated pin configured to engage said block so as to facilitate locking of the clamping member into a position superposed on a wheel of the mobility assistance device.

18. The mobility device rental system as recited in claim 17, and further including the step of directing a user to a rental terminal proximate thereto, said directing a user being provided upon a lack of capacity to return a mobility assistance device in the at least one receiving stall or lack of availability of mobility assistance devices for rental.