Motion assistance system for wheelchairs

• US 10,265,228 B2
• Filed: 11/27/2017
• Issued: 04/23/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Max Mobility, LLC (Permobil Holding AB)
• Original Assignee: Max Mobility, LLC (Permobil Holding AB)
• Inventors: Richter, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Gurari, Erez
• Application Number:
  US15/822,947
• Publication Number:
  US 20180078432A1
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/12 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/02 propelled by the patient or disabled person
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/022 acting on wheels, e.g. on tires or hand rims
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/047 by a modular detachable drive system
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/048 Power-assistance activated by pushing on hand rim or on handlebar
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1005 Wheelchairs having brakes braking mechanisms; locking devices against movement for hand carts B62B5/04; details of brake actuators on castors B60B33/0078; brakes in general F16D49/00 - F16D65/853
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1027 Hub elements, e.g. drums
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1054 Large wheels, e.g. higher than the seat portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/128 for feet
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 19/003 Multidirectional wheels

Abstract

The presently disclosure describes a motion assistance system for a wheelchair, for example, a powered drive wheel system that can continually drive a wheelchair in a circular or elliptical path. The motion assistance system comprises a mounting mechanism attachable to one or more structural elements of the wheelchair, and a drive linkage pivotable with respect to the mounting mechanism. A drive wheel can be mounted to an end of the drive linkage such that the drive wheel contacts the ground when installed on the wheelchair. The drive wheel comprises a plurality of lateral rollers positioned radially about the circumference of the power drive wheel. The lateral rollers can rotate about an axis tangential to the circumference of the drive wheel in order to facilitate driving the wheelchair in a radial direction.

Claims

1. A motion assistance system for a wheelchair comprising:

a mounting mechanism that can be mounted to a structural element of a wheelchair, wherein the mounting mechanism is configured to be mounted to a support bar or axle located between two rear wheels of the wheelchair and that is parallel to the ground beneath the two rear wheels;

a drive linkage body that is configured to be detachably connectable to the mounting mechanism and that comprises;

a drive wheel comprising a plurality of lateral rollers positioned radially about the circumference of the drive wheel, and

a drive unit for driving the drive wheel;

wherein, when the drive linkage body is connected to the mounting mechanism, the drive linkage is pivotable with respect to the mounting mechanism and the drive wheel contacts the ground;

a band that can be worn by a user and that includes a remote control that is wirelessly connected to the drive unit and that can be used to control the drive unit, wherein the remote control can be used to activate the drive wheel, adjust the speed of the drive wheel, set the speed of the drive wheel, and deactivate the drive wheel.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote control can be used to brake movement of the wheelchair.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the drive linkage includes a hook that is detachably connectable to the mounting mechanism.