Wheel chair
First Claim
1. A wheel chair comprising:
- a gas motor adapted to propel the wheel chair;
an electric motor adapted to propel the wheel chair;
a battery connected to the electric motor for supplying electrical power to the electric motor; and
an alternator coupled to the gas motor, wherein during operation of the gas motor, the gas motor drives the alternator for causing the alternator to generate electricity, wherein the alternator is coupled to the battery for supplying the generated electricity thereto for charging the battery.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wheel chair has a gas motor adapted to propel the wheel chair and an electric motor adapted to propel the wheel chair. A battery is connected to the electric motor for supplying electrical power to the electric motor. An alternator is coupled to the gas motor. During operation of the gas motor, the gas motor drives the alternator for causing the alternator to generate electricity. The alternator is coupled to the battery for supplying the generated electricity thereto for charging the battery. The gas motor can be used for outdoor operation and the electric motor for indoor operation or assisting the gas motor when overloaded or out of fuel. The wheel chair may include a track assembly having first and second sections that can pivot. An actuator may be used to selectively pivot the first and second sections. This helps the wheel chair to traverse steps and stairways.
19 Citations
44 Claims
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1. A wheel chair comprising:
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a gas motor adapted to propel the wheel chair;
an electric motor adapted to propel the wheel chair;
a battery connected to the electric motor for supplying electrical power to the electric motor; and
an alternator coupled to the gas motor, wherein during operation of the gas motor, the gas motor drives the alternator for causing the alternator to generate electricity, wherein the alternator is coupled to the battery for supplying the generated electricity thereto for charging the battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A wheel chair comprising:
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first and second track assemblies respectively disposed on first and second sides of the wheel chair, each of the first and second track assemblies comprising;
a first wheel;
a second wheel;
a track disposed around the first and second wheels, interconnecting the first and second wheels;
a first bogie wheel disposed between the first and second wheels, the first bogie wheel biased in a downward position and configured to travel in an upward direction when an upward force is applied thereto; and
second and third bogie wheels disposed between the second wheel and the first bogie wheel, the second and third bogie wheels disposed on opposite ends of a support member pivotally attached to each of the first and second track assemblies, wherein the support member is biased at a center position and is configured to pivot when a force is applied to one or both of the second and third bogie wheels; and
a prime mover adapted to propel at least one of the first and second wheels and thus the track. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A self-propelled device comprising:
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first and second track assemblies respectively disposed on first and second sides of the self-propelled device, each of the first and second track assemblies comprising;
a side frame having a first section disposed between second and third sections, wherein the second and third sections are pivotally attached to the first section;
a first wheel rotatably attached to the second section of the side frame;
a second wheel rotatably attached to the third section of the side frame; and
a track disposed around the first and second wheels, interconnecting the first and second wheels;
first and second actuators respectively connected to the second and third sections of the side frame for selectively pivoting the second and third sections of the side frame; and
a prime mover adapted to propel at least one of the first and second wheels and thus the track. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A self-propelled device comprising:
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first and second track assemblies respectively disposed on first and second sides of the self-propelled device, each of the first and second track assemblies comprising;
a side frame having a first section disposed between second and third sections, wherein the second and third sections are pivotally attached to the first section a drive wheel rotatably attached to the second section of the side frame;
a free wheel rotatably attached to the third section of the side frame; and
a track disposed around the drive wheel and the free wheel, interconnecting the drive wheel and the free wheel;
first and second actuators respectively connected to the second and third sections of the side frame for selectively pivoting the second and third sections of the side frame;
a prime mover adapted to propel the drive wheel and thus the track;
a mechanism for determining the angular location of a respective one of the second and third sections;
a controller coupled to the prime mover and the actuators; and
an input device coupled to the controller. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method for operating a wheel chair, the method comprising:
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driving the wheel chair using a gas motor of the wheel chair during a first condition;
driving an alternator of the wheel chair using the gas motor for causing the alternator to generate electricity;
storing the generated electricity in a battery of the wheel chair; and
driving the wheel chair using an electric motor of the wheel chair during a second condition, wherein the electric motor receives electricity from the battery. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method for operating a self-propelled device, the method comprising:
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to travel up a step, pivoting a first section of a track assembly of the self-propelled device upward to raise a first wheel rotatably attached to the first section and pivoting a second section of the track assembly downward to lower a second wheel rotatably attached to the second section, wherein a track is wrapped around the first and second wheels;
to travel down the step, pivoting the first section downward to lower the first wheel and pivoting the second section upward to raise the second wheel;
to travel over a substantially flat surface, maintaining the first and second sections at a neutral position; and
activating at least one of the first and second wheels for causing the track to move, whereby causing the self-propelled device to move up or down the step or over the substantially flat surface. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification