Invalid vehicle

• US 4,077,483 A
• Filed: 09/19/1975
• Issued: 03/07/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Arthur J. Randolph
• Original Assignee: Arthur J. Randolph
• Inventors: Randolph, Arthur J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peters, Jr., Joseph F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Schrecengost, R.
• Application Number:
  US05/614,750
• Time in Patent Office: 900 Days
• Field of Search: 180/6.5, 180/6.7, 180/8 A, 180/9.56, 180/DIG. 3, 280/5.22, 280/DIG. 10, 305/12, 297/348, 297/325, 297/327, 297/328, 297/329
• US Class Current: 180/6.5
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/14 Joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/04 motor-driven A61G5/06 takes precedence; motor-operated rests A61G5/12; for vehicles with handlebars, equipped with three or more wheels B62K5/003, B62K5/023
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/061 for climbing stairs
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/066 with endless belts
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1059 adjusting the height of the seat
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1075 tilting the whole seat backwards tilting forwards for standing-up or sitting-down aids A61G5/14
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/06 with tracks without ground wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/075 Tracked vehicles for ascending or descending stairs, steep slopes or vertical surfacesmagnetic or pneumatic ground-engaging parts B62D55/265; chairs or multi-track cycles specially adapted for invalids A61G5/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 180/907 Motorized wheelchairs

Abstract

An electrically powered vehicle for an invalid has a track drive with pivoted idlers accommodating travel over obstacles and through uneven terrain and an electrically adjustable seat with an open front to facilitate seating of an invalid therein. Remote control affords the invalid user with the capability of calling the vehicle to bedside or the like whereby the invalid could use maximum freedom of movement.

Claims

1. An invalid vehicle comprising:

a floor carried between two track mechanisms with each having an endless belt about same and pivotally mounted idler wheels and a rear drive wheel along the bottom engaging the belt,

two electric motors mounted on said floor with a separate one connected to drive each track mechanism through a drive wheel,

said floor being mounted below the top of said drive wheels between said wheels by means mounting said floor in limited pivotal relation to said two track mechanisms, said means comprising fixed rear floor mounts secured to drive wheel shafts and a cross shaft extending laterally between said track mechaisms and pivotally connected to said floor forward of said rear mounts,

battery means carried by said floor,

a seat adjustably mounted on said floor between said track mechanisms for controlled positioning against said floor to provide an occupant with the capability of reaching a surface upon which the vehicle rests, and

control means adjacent said seat for connecting and disconnecting said battery means to separate electric motors to propel and maneuver said vehicle.

2. An invalid vehicle comprising:

a floor carried between two track mechanisms with each having an endless belt about same and pivotally mounted idler wheels and a rear drive wheel along the bottom engaging the belt,

two electric motors mounted on said floor with a separate one connected to drive each track mechaism through a drive wheel,

said floor being mounted below the top of said drive wheels between said wheels,

battery means carried by said floor,

a seat adjustably mounted on said floor between said track mechanisms by a seat mechanism including an upright seat support member pivotally mounted on a transverse shaft carried by said floor and including a pivot arm threadably engaging an adjusting bolt for controllably tilting of said seat, said upright seat support member including a pair of guide rods extending through seat elements in sliding relation thereto and a threaded shaft threadably engaging a seat element, and seat drive means including an electric motor mounted on said support member and connected to said threaded shaft for operation by said control means for moving said seat up and down the guide rods of said support member for controlled positioning of said seat against said floor to provide an occupant with the capability of reaching a surface upon which the vehicle rests, and

control means adjacent said seat for connecting and disconnecting said battery means to separate electric motors to propel and maneuver said vehicle.