Step-climbing wheel chair

• US 4,222,449 A
• Filed: 06/08/1978
• Issued: 09/16/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jack M. Feliz
• Original Assignee: Jack M. Feliz
• Inventors: Feliz, Jack M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pekar, John A.
• Application Number:
  US05/913,549
• Time in Patent Office: 831 Days
• Field of Search: 180/9, 180/8 A, 180/5.2, 180/5.22, 180/5.24, 180/5.28, 180/DIG. 10, 305/6
• US Class Current: 180/8.2
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/045 Rear wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/06 with obstacle mounting facilities, e.g. for climbing stairs, kerbs or steps
• 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: B60L 15/2009 for braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2054 by controlling transmissions or clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/34 Wheel chairs
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/46 Wheel motors, i.e. motor connected to only one wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/24 by lever actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/003 Dynamic electric braking by short circuiting the motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 280/10 Stair climbing chairs

Abstract

An improved step-climbing wheel chair with integral retractable ramps for ascending or descending a step, curb or the like. The conveyance is provided with a two-speed transmission capable of driving the wheel chair on level terrain at conventional speeds or selecting a low speed high torque capability for driving the conveyance up an inclined ramp.

The invention further contains a self-leveling chair seat which automatically maintains the occupant in a level seated position regardless of the inclined position assumed by the wheel chair frame, thereby contributing to the stability of the wheel chair and the safety of the occupant.

Claims

1. In a wheel chair for ascending and descending a step, curb or the like, the combination of:

a frame with castor wheels and drive wheels mounted thereon;

a pair of elongate substantially flat ramps;

a foldable, extendable and retractable ramp supporting assembly carrying said ramps and pivotally mounted on said frame;

a self-leveling seat pivotally mounted on said frame;

a first power drive means interconnecting said chair and frame and automatically energized to maintain the said seat in a level position regardless of an inclined position assumed by said frame;

a control means carried on said ramp supporting assembly for extending, positioning, retracting and folding said ramps relative to said frame for traverse by said castor and drive wheels; and

a second power drive means mounted on said frame and including a multi-speed transmission for driving said drive wheels on level terrain at conventional speeds and at a low speed with high torque up said ramps and functioning as a speed restraint while descending said ramp.

2. A wheel chair as defined in claim 1 wherein said ramp supporting assembly includes manually actuable control handles slidably mounted therein for moving generally parallel to said ramp.

3. A wheel chair as defined in claim 2 including brake means for locking said control handles relative to said ramp supporting assembly.

4. A wheel chair as defined in claim 3 including second control means carried on said control handles for controlling said second power drive means.

5. A wheel chair as defined in claim 1 wherein said seat is pivotally mounted on said frame at a pivot point below the seat whereby the seat is pivoted forwardly when the wheel chair is ascending and pivoted rearwardly when the wheel chair is descending.

6. A wheel chair as defined in claim 1 including auxiliary ramps pivotally mounted at and extending from each end of each of said ramps.