Wheelchair lighting systems and methods

• US 10,393,365 B2
• Filed: 04/05/2018
• Issued: 08/27/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Weistech Technology Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Revolights, Inc.
• Inventors: Frankovich, John Kent
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu, Jimmy T
• Application Number:
  US15/946,661
• Publication Number:
  US 20180292082A1
• Time in Patent Office: 509 Days
• Field of Search: 315 77- 82, 315151, 315185 R, 315209 R, 315291, 315294, 315307, 315308, 315312
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/10 characterised by specific control means, e.g. for adjustment or steering
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/16 Touchpads
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/36 for motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/02 propelled by the patient or disabled person
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/10 Parts, details or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1054 Large wheels, e.g. higher than the seat portion
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/00 Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor for lighting vehicle interior B60Q3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/326 on or for wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/02 the power supply being a battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0068 Medical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing adequate lighting and illumination for a wheelchair are disclosed. A lighting apparatus that is configured to be integrated with a wheelchair pushrim is also disclosed. The light emitting elements are configured to project light forward and to the rear, as well as to the side of the wheel. Methods of controlling light emitting elements are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A lighting system for a wheelchair wheel comprising:

a plurality of light emitting elements;

a toroidal rim configured to accommodate the light emitting elements and mount to a wheelchair, the rim laterally offset along a perpendicular vector from a plane defined by two radius vectors of the wheel;

a controller coupled to the light emitting elements allowing the lights to toggle between a lit state emitting light at full power and a dim state emitting light at less than full power.

2. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the light emitting elements are approximately evenly dispersed about the rim.

3. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light emitting elements are configured to project light radially outward.

4. The lighting system of claim 3, wherein an arc angle of light generated by the light emitting elements is less than 120 degrees.

5. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light emitting elements are light emitting diodes.

6. The lighting system of claim 1, further comprising a power source electrically connected to the light emitting elements.

7. The lighting system of claim 6, wherein the power source is mounted on a hub of the wheel.

8. The lighting system of claim 6, wherein the power source is mounted on a frame of a structure supporting the wheel.

9. The lighting system of claim 6, wherein the power source is a battery.

10. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein an exterior surface of the rim comprises a soft material.

11. The lighting system of claim 1, further comprising an accelerometer, and wherein the controller is configured to receive data from the accelerometer to ascertain a velocity of the wheel.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the light emitting elements directing light in the forward orientation emit white light in the lit state, and wherein the light emitting elements directing light in the rear orientation emit red light in the lit state.

12. A method for operating a plurality of light emitting elements for a wheel comprising:

defining forward and backward orientation with respect to a reference point;

controlling the light emitting elements whereby each of the lights toggles between a lit state emitting light at full power and a dim state emitting light at less than full power;

directing light radially outward from the wheel in the forward orientation to form a headlight arc of light and in the rear orientation to form a taillight arc of light.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising a toroidal ring configured to mount to a wheelchair wherein the light emitting elements are approximately evenly dispersed about the ring.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein an arc angle measure of the headlight and tail light arc each is 120 degrees or less.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein controlling the light emitting elements requires the receiving data about a velocity of the wheel.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the velocity data of the wheel is generated by an accelerometer.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the velocity data of the wheel is used to generate a light pattern.