Automatic Braking Device and Method

• US 20130257010A1
• Filed: 08/29/2012
• Published: 10/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dana R. Yentzer, Melvin G. Hector Jr
• Original Assignee: Melvin G. Hector Jr
• Inventors: Yentzer, Dana R., Hector, Melvin G. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US13/598,349
• Publication Number:
  US 20130257010A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/250.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/02 propelled by the patient or disabled person
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/101 of the parking brake type, e.g. holding the wheelchair
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An automatic braking assembly and method are provided, where the automated braking assembly is formed as a complete unit, and is configured to be connected with a manually propelled vehicle. The automatic braking assembly that is formed as a complete unit includes (a) a housing, and (b) an automatic braking mechanism supported within the housing. The housing is configured to be connected with a portion of the vehicle to locate the automatic braking assembly in a predetermined position relative to a wheel of the vehicle, such that the automatic braking assembly will lock the wheel against movement when an occupant of the vehicle begins to rise from a seated position in the vehicle.

Claims

1. An automatic locking assembly configured to be connected with a manually propelled vehicle, comprising

a. a housing, and

b. an automatic braking mechanism supported within the housing;

c. the housing configured to be connected with a portion of the vehicle to locate the automatic locking assembly in a predetermined position relative to a wheel of the vehicle, such that the automatic locking assembly will lock the wheel against movement when an occupant of the vehicle begins to rise from a seated position in the vehicle

2. A manually propelled vehicle comprising a structural frame with

a. at least one wheel,

b. a seat frame,

c. a seat for a vehicle occupant, and

d. an automatic locking assembly connected with the frame,

e. the automatic locking mechanism comprising

i. a housing, and

ii. an automatic braking mechanism supported within the housing;

iii. the housing connected with a portion of the vehicle frame to locate the automatic locking assembly in a predetermined position relative to a the wheel of the vehicle, such that the automatic locking assembly will lock the wheel against movement when an occupant of the vehicle begins to rise from a seated position in the vehicle

3. The manually propelled vehicle of claim 2, wherein the automatic locking assembly is configured such that it continues to lock the wheel against movement until the automatic locking assembly is unlocked from the wheel.

4. The manually propelled vehicle of claim 3, wherein the manually propelled vehicle includes a seat rail and a chair rail, and wherein the automatic braking mechanism includes a compression plate that moves relative to the chair rail to initiate locking of the wheel against movement when the occupant begins to rise from a seated position in the vehicle.

5. A method for providing a manually propelled vehicle with an automatic locking capability, comprising

a. providing a manually propelled vehicle that comprises a seat connected with a seat frame, and at least one wheel,

b. providing an automatic locking assembly configured to be connected with the manually propelled vehicle, the automatic locking assembly comprising

i. a housing, and

ii. an automatic braking mechanism supported within the housing,

iii. the housing configured to be connected with a portion of the vehicle to locate the automatic locking assembly in a predetermined position relative to a wheel of the vehicle, such that the automatic locking assembly will lock the wheel against movement when an occupant of the vehicle begins to rise from a seated position in the vehicle, and

c. connecting the automatic locking assembly with the seat frame at a location and orientation such that the automatic locking assembly will lock the wheel against movement when an occupant of the vehicle begins to rise from a seated position in the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the manually propelled vehicle includes a seat rail and a chair rail, and wherein the automatic braking mechanism includes a compression plate that moves relative to the chair rail to initiate locking of the wheel against movement when the occupant begins to rise from a seated position in the vehicle.

7. A manually propelled vehicle so designed that has the characteristic of being automatically locked at all times unless it is volitionally unlocked.