Powered wheelchair

• US 20100082182A1
• Filed: 09/09/2009
• Published: 04/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University Health Network
• Original Assignee: Toronto Rehabilitation Institute
• Inventors: Griggs, Gerald Thomas, Dutta, Tilak, Fernie, Geoffrey Roy
• Granted Patent: US 8,280,561 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04766 providing feel, e.g. indexing means, means to create counterforce
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20201 Control moves in two planes

Abstract

A powered wheel chair device comprises a motorized undercarriage and a support seat for supporting a wheelchair occupant. At least one support arm is located adjacent the seat. A controller is mounted on the arm, the controller including a joystick unit within reach of the occupant. The joystick is in communication with the motorized undercarriage for driving the undercarriage. The joystick includes an upstanding post with a collar, the collar having a periphery with a number of abutment regions located therealong. A number of actuators are provided, each movable from a storage position distal to the corresponding abutment region and a deployed position adjacent the corresponding abutment region. Each actuator is responsive to an obstacle detecting sensor near a corresponding peripheral region of the undercarriage.

Claims

1. A powered wheel chair device, comprising a motorized undercarriage and a support seat for supporting a wheelchair occupant, at least one support arm located adjacent the seat, a controller mounted on the arm, the controller including a joystick unit within reach of the occupant, the joystick being in communication with the motorized undercarriage for driving the undercarriage, the joystick including an upstanding post with a collar, the collar having a periphery with a number of abutment regions located therealong, a number of actuators, each movable from a storage position distal to the corresponding abutment region and a deployed position adjacent the corresponding abutment region, each actuator being responsive to an obstacle detecting sensor near a corresponding peripheral region of the undercarriage.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, the actuator including a solenoid, a blocking arm pivotally mounted to a base portion, the blocking arm having a remote end region, the blocking arm responsive to the solenoid for pivoting between the storage and deployed positions.

3. A device as defined in claim 2, the collar portion including a plate member, each abutment portion including a projection.

4. A device as defined in claim 3, the plate member including a plurality of recesses, each recess being triangular in shape.

5. A device as defined in claim 1, the controller including a portion for issuing a signal to the occupant according to at least one operating condition.

6. A device as defined in claim 5, the signaling portion including a plurality of LED units arranged to convey directional signals when activated.

7. A device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a remote control unit operable for establishing a wired or wireless data path with the controller.

8. A device as defined in claim 7, the remote control unit including a remote joystick, and a remote signaling unit for conveying directional messages over the data path with the controller.

9. A device as defined in claim 8, further comprising a remote joystick positioning unit for positioning the remote joystick, the signaling unit operable for receiving directional messages over the data path from the controller according to a current position on the joystick, the remote joystick positioning unit responsive to the signaling unit to synchronize an operative position of the remote joystick with the joystick.

10. A device as defined in claim 7, the remote control unit including one or more activators which are communicate with the signaling unit to convey directional messages over the data path, the controller being responsive to the directional messages to activate one or more actuators to limit travel of the joystick.

11. A device as defined in claim 10, the actuators being provided by a touch pad, a touch screen or and/or keyboard.

12. (canceled)

13. A method for controlling a powered wheel chair device of the type having a motorized undercarriage, a support seat for supporting a wheelchair occupant, at least one support arm located adjacent the seat, a controller mounted on the arm, the controller including a joystick unit within reach of the occupant, the joystick including an upstanding post and being in communication with the motorized undercarriage for driving the undercarriage, further comprising providing a collar member for attachment to the upstanding post, providing the collar member with a periphery including a number of abutment regions located therealong, providing an equal number of actuators, each mounted on a base portion and movable from a storage position distal to the corresponding abutment region and a deployed position adjacent the corresponding abutment region, configuring each actuator to be responsive to an obstacle detecting sensor near a corresponding peripheral region of the undercarriage, so that when the corresponding sensor detects an obstacle, the abutment member moves to the deployed position, thereby presenting a barrier against travel of the joystick in the direction of the barrier.

14-17. -17. (canceled)