Obstacle traversing wheelchair
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a curb-climbing wheelchair having pivotal arm assemblies. The pivotal arm assemblies include at least one front caster and have the ability to rotate or pivot. The pivot arms rotate or pivot in response to moments generated by accelerating or decelerating the wheelchair thereby raising or lowering the front caster(s) through the rotational movement of the pivot arms. By raising or lowering the front caster(s) in such a manner, curb-like obstacles can be traversed in a low-impact manner.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A suspension system for a wheelchair comprising:
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a frame;
at least one rear caster coupled to the frame;
first and second pivoting assemblies, each pivoting assembly comprising;
a pivot arm with a first portion pivotally coupled to the frame;
at least one front caster coupled to a second portion of the pivot arm and normally in contact with a supporting surface of the wheelchair;
a drive system coupled to a third portion of the pivot arm;
a base member having a top, bottom, and sides;
a tubular sleeve disposed generally transverse to the base member and proximate the top of the base member, the sleeve configured for pivotally coupling the base member to the frame;
a mounting plate coupled to the bottom of the base member and having a plurality of apertures for mounting a drive system to the pivot arm, the mounting plate projecting laterally outward beyond the sides of the base member;
wherein the first portion is coupled proximate to the frame so as to cause a first fraction of the weight supported by the vehicle to be supported by the drive system and the remaining fraction of the weight supported by the vehicle to be supported at least by the at least one front caster and urging the at least one front caster into contact with the supporting surface; and
wherein the pivot arm further comprises a pivoting behavior responsive to a force generated by the drive system, the pivoting behavior urging the at least one front caster from the supporting surface of the vehicle and at least partially shifting the fraction of weight being supported by the at least one front caster so that the weight supported by the vehicle is supported by the drive system and the at least one rear caster. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A suspension system for a wheelchair comprising:
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(a) a frame;
(b) a pivoting assembly having at least one pivot arm, the pivoting assembly comprising;
(i) a first pivot arm portion pivotally coupled to the frame;
(ii) a second pivot arm portion having at least one front caster attached thereto for contacting a supporting surface of the wheelchair;
(iii) a drive assembly coupled to a third portion of the at least one pivot arm;
(iv) a base member having a top, bottom, and sides;
(v) a tubular sleeve disposed generally transverse to the base member and proximate the top of the base member, the sleeve configured for pivotably coupling the base member to the frame;
(vi) a mounting plate coupled to the bottom of the base member and having a plurality of apertures for mounting a drive system to the mounting plate, the mounting plate projecting laterally outward beyond the sides of the base member;
(c) at least one rear caster coupled to the frame;
wherein the first portion is pivotally coupled proximate to the frame so as to cause a first fraction of the weight supported by the vehicle to be supported by the drive assembly and the remaining fraction of the weight supported by the vehicle to be supported at least by the at least one front caster thereby urging the at least one front caster into contact with the supporting surface; and
wherein said at least one pivot arm pivots in response to a force generated by the drive assembly thereby urging the at least one front caster from the supporting surface to assist the vehicle in traversing obstacles. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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27. A wheelchair comprising:
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a frame;
at least one rear caster coupled to the frame;
first and second pivoting assemblies, each pivoting assembly comprising;
a pivot arm having a first portion pivotably coupled to the frame;
,at least one front caster coupled to a second portion of the pivot arm and normally in contact with a supporting surface of the wheelchair;
a drive system coupled to a third portion of the pivot arm;
a base member having a top, bottom, and sides;
a mounting member having a plurality of apertures extending from the bottom of the base member, wherein the mounting member projects laterally outward beyond the sides of the base member;
a sleeve coupled to the frame and the base member to pivotably couple the base member to the frame;
wherein the pivot arm further comprises a pivoting behavior responsive to a force generated by the drive system, the pivoting behavior urging the at least one front caster from the supporting surface of the wheelchair. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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30. A wheelchair for traversing obstacles, comprising:
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(a) a frame;
(b) a pivoting assembly having at least one pivot arm, said at least one pivot arm comprising (i) a first portion pivotally coupled to said frame; and
(ii) a second portion having at least one front caster attached thereto for normally contacting a supporting surface of the wheelchair;
(c) a drive assembly comprising a motor and a gearbox coupled to said at least one pivot arm;
(d) a rear caster coupled to said frame; and
wherein said at least one pivot arm pivots in response to a moment generated by the drive assembly thereby raising said at least one front caster between one and six inches from said supporting surface to assist said wheelchair in traversing said obstacles. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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32. A method of traversing obstacles with a wheelchair, comprising:
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(a) applying a biasing force that urges a front caster against a support surface;
(b) applying torque to a drive wheel and a pivot arm with a drive assembly;
(b) pivoting said pivot arm with the torque applied by the drive assembly against the biasing force;
c) raising a front caster from the supporting surface with said pivot arm to assist said wheelchair in traversing said obstacles. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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Specification